Welcome to the Holy Bible!

Bible Readers and Students,

If you want to know the Bible, you need a system by which to read or study it. That system needs to consist of at least these 5 parts.

The first part is to read the Bible in a CHRONOLOGICAL FASHION. The Bible is comprised of 66 books, written by upwards of at least 40 men over a span of about 1,550 years, from about 1446 BC to about AD 96. Below, you will find the Bible arranged chronologically and into 365 separate portions, for daily reading purposes, if you so desire.

Secondly, it is very difficult to read and grasp an understanding without first learning of HOW THE BIBLE STORY ENDS. A thorough understanding of the last 2 chapters of the Bible is necessary before even starting at the beginning of the story with Genesis 1:1. We have put that reading of Revelation 21 and 22 at both the very beginning and end of our reading plan.

Thirdly, the Bible story, when read chronologically, reveals its own 7-POINT OUTLINE through 12 DISTINCT TIME PERIODS. It helps to learn of these before you commence to read through the Bible, and they will be pointed out within the reading plan itself, as you progress through the 365 readings.

Fourth, despite whatever any church or religious leaders might try to teach you, the New Testament portion is that which is by far most applicable to any reader in this day, and it specifically teaches to us 10 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS which proceed in a completely logical order. As you read through the Bible, and especially the New Testament portion, those 10 teachings are brought forward in a manner that you should very confidently believe and understand is that which God is saying and wanting every person to know and to believe. When you learn of what those are, and you are reading and studying, all the while looking for any of those 10 elements of the message, you will see and find them everywhere in your New Testament, and you will never need be unknowing and confused ever again.

Fifthly and finally, the entire Bible was given to man by God by revelation from Him in His heavenly abode. In it, He wants us to know of 16 INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT SPIRITUAL MATTERS AND TRUTHS. Know what those 16 teachings are, and be on the continual lookout for any word, verse or longer passages that speak to any of these things, and you will learn the Bible message and all that it possesses for you to know and to believe.

If you will accept the personal challenge to read through your Bible even just one time, and you bring these 5 tools to it, you will arrive at a better, clearer, and plainer understanding of all that it has to say than probably by any other means.

To the right side of the screen is a listing of all the months and years in which posts were placed here. The order goes from the bottom of that list upward.

The very first, at the bottom, is dated November 21, 2013. From there thru May 23, 2015, is one time thru ALL the Bible.

Beginning on May 26, 2015, is a second trip through only the New Testament. It concluded October 11 of ’15.

A third study commences with October 12 of 2015. This was only of the 4 Gospel accounts yet one more time! That study concluded on April 12, of 2016.

A fourth study then began on April 13 of 2016 and that was once again through all the Bible. This trip did not end until June 21 of 2021.

A fifth and final study through the entire Bible then commenced on July 5 of 2021. I concluded this tour of the Bible with reading number 365 on December 19 of 2022.

I have since directed my efforts to The Chronological Bible Reading Plan Group on FaceBook. You can find me and my study of the Bible there, and you may apply to join, if you would like. I hope you will!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Revelation: God’s Very Own Personal Goal and Purpose!

Read 365.) Revelation 19:11-22:21. This is it, the final reading. We finish the Bible! Beginning at Rev.19:11, we read in order all the very last and most important things. We read of 1.) The Second Coming of Jesus Christ from 19:11-21. Then we read of 2.) His 1,000 Year Millennial Reign upon this present earth, in fulfillment of all the remaining unfulfilled OT prophecies, of which I have catalogued about 225. This Millennium is 20:1-10. 3.) Final Judgment is 20:11-15, and then, 4.) the eternal state of a new atmosphere, a new earth, and the Holy City, new Jerusalem, which 22:5 tells us is going to be forever and ever! You can read of all that in 21:1-22:5 and find at least 16 descriptors as to what this Holy City will be like. Hebrews 13:14 says that this is what believers should be looking forward to. II Peter 3:13+14 says we are to be looking forward to this new atmosphere and earth. It is to be our very own goal and purpose because it is God’s!

Chapter 19, beginning at v.11, and thru v.16, Jesus Returns! He does so to make war with all the armies of the earth amassed in Israel at Armageddon. I’ve stood on Mt. Carmel and looked down upon much of it. It is a very great valley. Verses 17-21 swiftly relate how that battle goes. As we always relate Eschatology to our trainee pastors in the Majority World, it can all be summed up in just 2 words… “Jesus WINS!” That always excites them. This is what we read here!

Chapter 20 then tells of the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom, but with so little detail. Why is that? There is a ton of OT prophecy detailing what His glorious earthly Kingdom will be like. I noted those things as we read them some months back. But we learn that Satan will be bound those 1,000 years and released at the end! What? Why?!?!? We see why. So as to separate those that are his, from those who belong to the Lord. Then, this earth and atmosphere flee or pass away, as we read here. II Peter 3:7,10+12 explain how that happens, and the Final Judgment of the wicked dead takes place with all being cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer eternal torments. This was NOT because God did not want them, but because they never wanted God. II Peter 3:9 says that He was not willing that any of these should have perished, but that everyone had come to repentance. But as we’ve already read in Rev.16, the time came when there were just NO more who were willing.

Then, with chapter 21, everything changes; all is new and different, and nothing will ever be the same again. It will be the institution of a truly New World Order

as verse 5 declares. There can be no greater joy than that which His will experience in verses 3+4. Will this be your experience? It will certainly be mine! He saved me unto Himself! Key to understanding all this comes down to that which we read in 20:15 and 21:27. One’s name is either IN the Lamb’s Book of Life or it is not, as only those whose names are written in that Book will be here. Is yours? Do you know how to get it in there? It can be, and you can know that it is. The Bible ends with an invitation to all in Revelation 22:17. Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ of the New Testament and you will be saved! It’s what the Book is entirely all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Revelation: Coming to the End of the End Times!

Read 364.) Revelation 14:1-19:10. With chapter 14, we have 3 different scenes, each opening with I looked or I saw, all by way of visions. In the first of these visions v.1-5, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists of 7:1-8 have completed their task of global evangelization and have been brought to Jesus. Their end-times task had been so urgent, they never so much as even married. We next read of 3 angels, one proclaims the Gospel to the earth one last time. Another announces the end has come, and the third issues the final threat, or promise, to those who would worship the Anti-Christ and take his mark; eternal torment in hell. The final scene here is of Christ’s Return with 14-20, and His putting an end to the world war upon Israel, so as to save a remnant of His people, in answer to at least a dozen OT prophecies that say the same. Chapter 15 then introduces the 7 last plagues completing God’s judgment upon the earth: the 7 Bowl Judgments. And the question asked in 6:9-11 is answered here, as v. 2-7 attests. Christ’s end-times martyrs are to be avenged.

Chapter 16 is telling. The speed and severity of each of these 7 judgments tell us this is the end, because no one could survive them all, and also because we are told that no one else is willing to repent toward God and be saved… No one! Sores, the remaining seas destroyed, last fresh water sources lost, intense sunshine and heat, darkness, the gathering of earth’s armies against Israel at Armageddon before the scene told us at 15:14f. Why? Because of the martyrdom of v.6 and no one to anymore repent says v.9+11. The chapter depicts the very last days leading up to Christ’s Return. Chapter 17 steps back to render more details of that time. This tells of the last one-world religion. It is false, as these things are always depicted as a prostitute committing adultery in scripture. It was in the name of this religion so much martyrdom was taking place. These were serving and worshiping god by killing Christian believers! Its identity reads very much like Rome but is destroyed by the beast at that time he makes himself out to be God and demand he be worshiped.

Chapter 18 takes us to the final end-times one-world system of commerce, which produced such wealth for those within it that this system and their wealth was their god and the altar at which they worshiped. Its calamity, downfall and destruction will come in one day! If there is one seaport in the world today that best matches this description, it is said that seaport is New York! Having the UN besides, as a potential seat for one-world government, it’s not out of the question. Since most of what we read today takes right up to the very end and into eternity next, the opening 10 verses of chapter 19 is of excited anticipation of the very best that is next to come for God and for all them that are His! It is a shout of joyous triumph over the woman of chapter 17 and her destruction, as well as that of the Babylon world system of chapter 18. And, with verses 9+10, we hear the glorious news that the time had come. The wedding supper of the Lamb was about to commence, but first, as we will next see, there must be the great supper of God in the next passage. No contrast could hardly be sharper between the two. We complete our reading through all the Word of God next! This is going to be what the Book is really all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Revelation: And You Thought These Times Were Bad?

Read 363.) Revelation 8:7-13:18. We read of the 7 Trumpet Judgments and of certain end-times personages and events. Jesus opened the scroll having 7 Seals. These each were a judgment upon an unbelieving earth in the end-times. But when He opened the 7^th Seal, it contained yet 7 more judgments. These being the 7 Trumpet Judgments. What’s going to happen then? Well, let’s just say it’s not going to be good!

Chapter 8, beginning at v.7 speaks of hail and fire mixed with blood burning up 1/3 of earth’s vegetation. Something hits earth’s oceans turning them to blood and killing off 1/3 of all that lived in the seas. Another similar strike takes out 1/3 of the earth’s fresh water sources that they become toxic! One third of the sun’s light by day, and moon and starlight by night is lost. How much more can earth take? How bad can it get? Not much more, and a whole lot worse, are the answers!

With chapter 9, 4 trumpets have sounded, and we read of the 5^th and 6^th trumpets here, called woes. Are verses 1 thru 12 relating a demonic invasion of sorts permitted to torment unbelievers upon the earth? With this 6^th Trumpet, and mention of the Euphrates River and an army of 200 million, resulting in the loss of a remaining third of human life, so that a total of one half has been lost… China is building a new silk road called One Belt One Road right now to connect it with points east, and China has a standing army today of 200 million or more. Coincidence? Perhaps NOT! Signs of the end-times? Probably. The chapter ends with this: As bad as things are becoming, people are not repenting of their sins toward God. Chapter 10 is an encouraging announcement that after those things we have already read, the very end is near, but that there is more to be divulged first.

We now read of certain end-times personages. Chapter 11 relates the account of 2 witnesses for God, and how that they will serve in the final 3 ½ years called The Great Tribulation for Israel in Matthew. What these 2 are able to do is reminiscent of Elijah and Moses, whose bodies God took, and who appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus… might it be them again? That everyone will see their dead bodies, once they are martyred, could only have become possible in recent times due to cable and satellite broadcast. Then, the 7^th Trumpet and Third Woe judgment. What is it? It will be the 7 final judgments, called the Bowl Judgments, beginning with chapter 15, but first more details.

With chapter 12, we see Israel, Satan, Jesus… persecution and martyrdom. Great suffering among Jews and Christian believers in the last 3 ½ years.

Chapter 13 explains just who will be responsible for all this: It begins with Satan in verse 1, but his 2 key men in verses 1 thru 10, and the other with verses 11-18. These are the beast out of the sea and the beast out of the earth. We identify these 2 as the Anti-Christ and his False Prophet, his religious right-hand man. These will imperiously rule the earth in that final 3 ½ yr period as ruthless tyrants. But their end is very near at hand, as Jesus will be coming soon! It’s what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Revelation: What Worship in Heaven is Like

Read 362.) Revelation 4:1-8:6. Most of what we read here takes place in heaven! Pay close and careful attention! Then we go to the opening of the Seven Seal Judgments upon the earth.

Chapter 4 finds John being taken up into heaven before God’s Throne. What does he see and hear up there? He has a vision of God, and of some 24 elders, believed to be Christ’s Church, Christian believers. And we read of worship! First with 4:8. Read all these aloud, and with volume where it is called for! Note how it builds throughout, as more beings enter into this worship. Is the Church joining in with 4:11? Chapter 5 forwards the whole scene. In God’s Hand, a scroll, sealed with 7 seals, and in need of One worthy to open it. In comes the Lamb, who alone is worthy. It is Jesus! And He is worshiped in song in 5:9+10. With verse 9, we learn of the concept of ‘people groups,’ that souls from out of every people group on earth are going to be saved and join in this worship there! Hence, the need for extensive mission work to bring the Gospel to all the unreached people groups of the world. With these now join millions of angels! Can you feel it building? And then, the crescendo! Every creature from everywhere, that belongs to the Lord, joins in… and they all sing! A choir of countless voices all singing out in worship of God AND of Jesus!!! It is amazing as you meditate upon this scene in heaven.

Then, chapter 6, Jesus takes the scroll from the Hand of the Father and commences to open its seals. These are judgments upon an unbelieving earth! What judgments? War, famine, death to some 25% of earth’s inhabitants. These are followed by martyrdom for believers in that time. Then, natural disaster, or could it read like a nuclear holocaust? The chapter ends with men everywhere in great fear of God’s judgment upon them, yet they do not repent toward Him.

Chapter 7 remarkably speaks of 144,000 Jewish evangelists who will complete the task of bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth before the end. Paul alluded to this very thing with Romans 11:11-24, where he describes them being used of God again just before the very end. See then to the end of this chapter, the result of all their evangelistic effort… more worship in heaven by those they brought to the Lord, but had been slain, martyred for their decision to follow Christ rather than the Anti-Christ whom we will see shortly!

Then with chapter 8 and the first six verses, Jesus opens the 7^th Seal of judgment. What is inside? What does the opening of the 7^th Seal portend for an unbelieving earth in still more judgments from God? This seal contains 7 more judgments, known as The 7 Trumpet Judgments. We shall learn of these next. It’s what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

The Revelation of Jesus Christ: The Beginning of the End

Read 361.) Revelation 1:1-3:22. No book of the Bible is more misunderstood. Understand the title and first verse and you’ve got half the problem solved. The word ‘Revelation,’ is literally the proper name for The Second Coming of Jesus Christ and is the crescendo of the book right at 19:11 and following. This is about Jesus’ Return! Remember Jesus said He did not know the when of His return in Mt. 24:36, but here with 1:1, He has been given to know this from the Father. This all goes with that which we find in Daniel 2 and 9 and from the Gospels in Mt.24+25, Mk.13 and Lk.21. Co-ordinate these and you’ll likely grasp the rest. The entire subject is called Eschatology and is the study of last things or the end times. Let us go there.

Chapter 1 opens by telling us this is about Christ’s Return and John says he received it all in visions… He saw. Note all the many times paragraphs will open with ‘I saw,’ and ‘I heard’! For any having difficulty accepting Christ’s deity, put 1:8 and 17-19 with Jesus’ words in 22:13 and believe! John sees Jesus in His Glory and falls down like one dead! Jesus commands John to write to 7 churches in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. And this comprises the content of chapters 2 and 3.

Chapter 2 is to 4 churches but contains useful instruction to any church. To the church at Ephesus is instruction to love Jesus first and supremely, that our works in the faith flow from this proper motivation. To the church at Smyrna, Jesus says that they will have to endure much suffering and persecution, but to faithfully endure as there is great reward that awaits them. To the church at Pergamum, Jesus sees that they are tolerating certain particularly sinful practices which must stop, or He will deal severely in a disciplinary judgment of them. To the church at Thyatira, Jesus has a similar command. Some woman, a professed prophetess there, was teaching similar lies and was about to be severely judged by Jesus, as were her followers.

Chapter 3 continues with messages to 3 last churches. Sardis was spiritually dead. They may have professed, paying lip-service, to all the right spiritual truths, but did not let them have their necessary effect deep down into their inner being, so as to produce genuine spiritual life in them. The church at Philadelphia received only commendation from the Lord and was encouraged to keep it up. They were faithfully enduring and persevering under hard trial. Finally, to Laodicea, Jesus had NO words of commendation, but only of correction. It started with some very wrong attitudes. The one word of correction to each church in need of it was repent. Where we are falling short, mistaken, in error, or lacking in any way, we need to repent… to turn toward God, freely confess our fault, ask His forgiveness, and commit to a new and deeper level of loving devotion to all that is good and right and holy… and, above all, a true expression of genuine faith in, and love for, Jesus Christ! It’s what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

John’s Letters: The Apostle of Love

Read 360.) I John 1:1-5:21, II John and III John. John writes to refute false teachers. There were those who were denying the humanity of Jesus Christ. He strikes right at them affirming Christ came in human flesh with I Jn.1:1-4. He goes on to speak of close and personal fellowship with the Father and the Son in 1:5-2:28. John just as strongly affirms Christ’s Divine Sonship with 2:29-4:6. He next makes the connection of right belief about Christ with ethics and morality in 4:7-5:5 and concludes with absolute Christian certainties with 5:6-21.

Chapter 1 opens with a full-body slam against false teachers denying Jesus’ incarnation in human flesh. As an apostle who heard, saw, and touched Jesus personally; He was more than just a divine spirit! He was a spirit being who took on a material body perceived by the human senses. Further, there is no fellowship with the apostle and believers, or with the Father and Jesus, if one is not accepting and believing this Truth! Having introduced that fellowship, John goes into fellowship by saying that reception of the Truth is life, as Jesus is the Son of God and this belief is life-changing, so that one no longer walks in darkness, but in the light of life. In that light, we can all walk in fellowship together, and Jesus’ blood purifies us from all sin. 1:9 has always been a believers’ favorite. Use it often. Use it all the time! John has gone from who Jesus really is, to the fellowship we can have, and the sin that it removes; with chapter 2, he goes deeper into this entire matter of fellowship and sin. We will sin, but He will cleanse and keep us; not that we can or are supposed to sin, but that it is inevitable. We cannot not sin, but will certainly sin less, far less! What is this new life to be characterized by more than anything? Love. The fullest Christian expression of faith is love. Believe the truth of the Jesus of the New Testament and in His Blood and it will result in a separation 2:15-17, from the world. Then, with 2:18-27, another warning against false teachers. We see this a lot because there are so many! 2:19 speaks of how many arise from within the fellowship and not only outside of it! And the difference between the two? The Holy Spirit! What does the Holy Spirit teach? It is all only the Jesus of the New Testament. He IS our all and in all! Center in and focus upon HIM! The Spirit does!

With 2:28 and into chapter 3, we learn of the life-changing experience faith in the true Christ brings. New life now, and eternal life to come! This new life again, is principally characterized by Christian love says 3:11 to the chapter’s end. How 3:23+24 makes for such a tremendous summary! Believe and love by the Spirit.

Chapter 4 goes back into two subjects. Verses 1-6 of false teachers and their teachings, while 7-21 dwells long upon Christian love, as we ought to. Chapter 5 then seals the deal! Right belief results in a new life of love by means of the Spirit. One must receive new life from God by the Spirit to live in love! This new life commences when we believe in the Son! Verses 10-13 secure this, 1.) v.10, believe in the Son. 2.) v.11, God gives eternal life which is IN the Son. 3.) v.12, having the Son, one HAS life! Conclusion, v.13, this believing results in receiving the Son which IS eternal life. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3, and we can be assured of and know that! I have eternal life. Do you? It’s what the book is all about!

See how that II John and III John are personal letters that speak right to and reinforce the very truths and teachings of his first letter to all believers.

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Hebrews: It’s All About Faith!

Read 359.) Hebrews 10:24-13:25. As we come to the end of Hebrews, we pick up in chapter 10 with verse 24. It concludes with a strong call to persevere in the faith… we learn why as we read of what it was costing them by way of suffering and persecution, imprisonment, and confiscation of property.

Chapter 11 is famous. It is known as “God’s Faithful Hall of Fame.” Just note all the names there! It begins with Abel and ends with Samuel and the prophets, all great heroes of faith! They believed in the One True and Living God and in His Word. Verse 6 is an incredible favorite, God “rewards those who earnestly seek Him!” Do you seek him??? I love verses 8 thru 10. Abraham was looking forward to the city of Revelation 21 and 22. Verse 16 says God had prepared that city for them, and for us too who have believed! 12:22-24 says we are as good as already there! And 12:28 calls it by that one word that sums up the entire Bible… “Kingdom.” It is God’s very own personal goal and purpose. And obviously it is to be ours to, as 13:14 says. See that? But between now and when we get there, there is the matter of our sanctification, our going on and growing in holiness, and so chapter 12, the first half goes into considerable detail, it is going to require that God discipline us as His children, and that it will not be gentle. God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness says verse 10. The second half of chapter 12 serves as warning against refusing God and that work of His in our lives. It is only most fitting that we submit ourselves and let Him have His way.

All of chapter 13 consists of concluding remarks and holds forth so much promise to those who believe and desire to go forward in the faith despite any opposition. The promise of verse 5 is sweet… Never will He leave us! I want to point you to verse 14 again, as this is that city of Revelation 21+22 as I said before. It’s God’s goal and is to be ours as well! What a blessing it is to see the Gospel reaffirmed so many times in our reading, as it is here once again with verses 12 and 20, speaking of Christ’s Blood and resurrection! These are those things that have resulted in our salvation. It’s what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Hebrews: Once For All!

Read 358.) Hebrews 7:1-10:23. I’ve said that Hebrews should be sub-titled, “Jesus is better than… You name it!” With this portion, we will learn precisely why! We’ll conclude that part where it is taught that Jesus is better than any priesthood by the end of chapter 7, but then go into this incredible teaching that Jesus is better than any sacrifice! See how and why…

Chapter 7 tells us of Melchizedek, the “mystery priest” of Genesis 14. Who WAS that guy? The writer depicts him as greater than Abraham and greater than Aaron, the first priest under the Old Covenant who was descended from Levi. But the writer turns at verse 11 to explain that as great as Melchizedek was, Jesus is far greater still! He is greater, and the covenant He ratified with God for us is greater. We have one of our greatest classic texts with 7:25. Jesus completely saves those who come to God thru Him, He ever lives to intercede with God for us!!! Hallelujah! What a Savior!!! Then, with 7:27, we see the first instance of this great expression, “Once for all.” From here, to the end of chapter 10, note the many times we find this expression and learn from it. It is a reference to Christ as a sacrifice for sins, OUR sins. Jesus is not only the last great High Priest, He is also the last great sacrifice for sins! Jesus is better than any priest. He is better than any sacrifice! He died once for all!

Chapter 8 opens with this beautiful expression in verse 1. Note the words, “sat down.” This is an act and an expression that signifies His work was done. As Priest and Sacrifice once for all, there was absolutely nothing more anyone else could do to add to His work… It was finished! And by His work we are saved, who trust in Him to do all the saving! See that? The rest of chapter 8 explains what Jesus did and what it means for all the Old Covenant. It was rendered obsolete and was to soon disappear… again, a reference to a period of transition from the Old over to the New, which lasted for an entire generation. We learn more of the disposition of the Old Covenant next…

Chapter 9 speaks of what earthly worship was like as directed by the first covenant. But at verse 11, we learn how that Jesus, by means of His own Blood, put an end to all the OT manner of worship! Verse 12 says it again, He did it “once for all…” Look for this expression 4 more times in this reading and meditate upon all its meaning for us who believe. The remainder of chapter 9 goes to great length to express just how superior Christ and His sacrifice of His own Blood was over all else. The last 3 verses are so rich! And just what do they say to the Roman Catholic Sacrifice of the Mass performed thousands of times each day around the world? If you would listen to the words of their ‘priests,’ you would know what this says of that.

Chapter 10 explains further just what all this means and uses “once for all” two last times, and especially verses 9+10. Verses 12 thru 14 again state the ultimate superiority of all we have in Christ Jesus and His finished work on the Cross, as again it states that He “sat down.” Verse 18 concludes the matter, and next, we enter into a mighty call to persevere in this faith. Verse 19 begins with therefore… Therefore what? All we see in these 5 concluding verses of our reading, 19-23. Persevere in the true faith as it is in this Jesus of the New Covenant! It’s what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell

Hebrews: Jesus is Better Than… You Name It!!!

Read 357.) Hebrews 1:1-6:20. The letter to the Hebrews is awesome! We don’t know who wrote it. Can’t be certain as to when, but the content is amazing! Asked to guess, I’d cast my vote for Apollos. We’d title and outline the book as Jesus is better than…. The prophets 1:1-1:3, angels 1:4-2:18, Moses 3:1-4:13, the Aaronic priesthood 4:14-7:28, and OT sacrifices 8:1-10:39. The writer then calls upon Jews who had come to Christ to persevere in their faith with 11:1-12:29, then closes with all of chapter 13. Let’s look into the first 6 chapters…

With the first 4 verses of chapter 1, Jesus is God’s final word. God spoke thru His Son, and the Son sat down, indicating His work was finished. He provided purification for sins, and nothing more need be done or said, but to get that Good News out to all the world! He is better than the prophets or angels! 1:14 speaks of angels’ roles, but nowhere are we taught to try to contact them or to command them. The modern spiritist movement around those 2 ideas is not Bible, and likely a demonic deception.

Chapter 2 advances the case. Angels were associated with the bringing of the first message, but the second message IS Jesus! Verses 3+4 are so valuable to our understanding of a transitional period between the two messages, as a time God employed signs, wonders, and miracles thru those who heard the Lord, and by certain of the spiritual gifts of the Spirit also no longer employed. By chapter’s end, we learn of Jesus’ priesthood, of which much more will be made of in Hebrews.

With chapter 3 we challenge a very high hurdle with Jews. Jesus is better than Moses in verses1-6! Then to the end of 3 we have a warning against unbelief. Chapter 4, for 13 verses, speaks to God’s salvation and of entering into it by faith. We have that wonderful expression about God’s Word with 4:12. The Word of God is ALIVE and ACTIVE! Then, beginning at 4:14, we learn that Jesus is better than former priesthoods. 4:16 is an incredible favorite worthy of memorization and meditation. Put it right alongside Ephesians 3:12. God delights to hear our prayers!!! This continues into chapter 5, at least thru verse 10. Jesus is our last great high priest and the only one we will ever need! Then, with 5:11 thru chapter 6:12, we have a passage concerning falling away from the faith. Note he refers to ‘the teaching about righteousness.’ What is that? It is not about what it is, but about how to get it! It is received by faith, but it is made certain to ourselves by perseverance. Some use 6:4-8 to teach the loss of salvation, but that is not the case, as whatever it is he is talking about, and it is everything near about and all-around salvation, but verse 9 makes clear it is everything BUT salvation. It speaks of those who only got as close to it as they could but did not come into its possession. From verse 13 to chapter’s end, the writer wants to assure his readers of the absolute certainty of God’s promise, so that no one would turn back. Faith is, after all, taking God at His word… and He CANNOT lie! Ah, we are SO blessed. But wait! There is more!!! Chapters 7 thru 10:23 are next and if anything, more full of a goodness we can barely comprehend! It’s what the Book is all about!

ForeverKingdom,

Harold F Crowell