Hello everyone. Over the last few weeks, we have answered two key questions.

Who is coming? We found that Jesus will be returning to the earth, in His physical body that God raised from the dead.

Then we addressed the question, what is coming? Not only so, but we also found out why the tribulation was necessary. First, we discovered from our overview of Revelation that hell on earth is coming! That out of 8 billion people alive at the time of the rapture and concluding with the final battle in the great tribulation, over 7 billion people will die in a seven-year period. Unbelievable!

Second, it was discovered that the Lord Jesus was returning, and the tribulation was given to bring the nation of Israel to repentance. They have abandoned the God of their fathers for earthly possessions that will perish but the promises made to Abraham, and David are unconditional promises based on the faithfulness of the God who gave those promises. The children of Israel will inherit all the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jesus will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem as God’s anointed King over all creation, just as stated in Psalm 2. This is inevitable. It does not matter if we believe it or chose not to believe, it will surely come to pass.

Now, let us briefly deal with the final question. Are you ready for the two events mentioned above? When Jesus returns, it will not be in the same form that He came the first time.

What do you mean by that?

He will not be conceived by a virgin. No one will lay Him in a manger. No one will be bouncing Him on their lap or holding Him on their hip. No, my friend, Jesus is returning in His true identity which was concealed within His fleshly body the first time He came to earth. Listen to this.

13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:13-16

And this.

6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10

Lastly, this.

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:11-16

Did you notice something about the last two passages? They state that Jesus is coming back WITH HIS SAINTS. Who are these people? Are they people of whom the “church” deems worthy of the title? Of course not. The designation of saints was around during the days of Moses, Samuel, David, Job, and the prophets. During those days, as it is still to this day, the Lord Himself designated people as saints. No human has this ability and definitely not the authority.

Why not?

Because a “saint” or a called one is called by God the Father only. Those who hear His voice (not audibly but with their spirit), believe the gospel, and respond in faith, Jesus gives them eternal life. Those who possess eternal life are immediately indwelt (filled) by the Holy Spirit and sealed.

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:35-40

What does the Bible declare is the gospel? This is the second most important question that a person can ask because the answer provided by God proscribes the only acceptable manner in which God Himself declare is acceptable to enter heaven. Here it is:

​1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

The gospel is very simple. Jesus Christ, who is God in human flesh, died upon a cross, shedding His blood for the remission of sins. God the Father, raised Jesus’ body from the dead, to give all that believe this testimony eternal life.

If that’s the second most important question, what’s the first? The first is, how do I get rid of my sins? This is what keeps anyone out of heaven because God is holy and cannot look upon sin without pouring out eternal wrath upon the sin and the person found in possession of sins.

Okay Kevin. Now tell me how can we get rid of our sins? By believing that Jesus Christ shed blood on the cross was sufficient for the payment of sin. God requires a blood sacrifice from a human who is equal on all levels with Himself. Equal in holiness; equal in glory; equal in power; and equal in life span (the human must have existed as long as God has existed). Jesus is equal with God on all these things therefore He was able to die and satisfy the righteous eternal wrath of the eternal God. No blood, no forgiveness.

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matthew 26:28

43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43

28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7

20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:20

22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22

14 For by ONE SACRIFICE he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! Romans 5:9

21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood —to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father —to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:4-6

The gospel is simple. It is religion, all religion, that perverts the gospel and bring confusion.

10 He (Jesus) was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own (Israel), and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them (all) He gave the right to become children of God (saints), to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:10-13

Now the key to this mystery is in verse 13. Let’s continue reading. For clarity, I will number them.

1.       “13 WHO WERE BORN” – to be declared a saint by God, there must be a birth. Do you understand that? No, not your first physical birth. Go back and read the previous verse, this is something performed by God alone, not inherited from your earthly parents. Remember, Nicodemus asked that same question about reentering his mother’s womb, which is impossible. God required a blood sacrifice for our sin before anyone can receive this new birth. Then what is Jesus talking about? I will explain a little later but let’s continue.

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18-19

2.       NOT OF BLOOD – this is not a bodily birth as our current bodies made of flesh and blood cannot enter heaven, there must be a transformation. We find that explained in 1 Corinthians 15:50-57

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 55 “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57

3.       NOR OF THE WILL OF THE FLESH - there is absolutely nothing you and I can do to assist with this birth which comes only from God. Jesus is speaking of our good works or deeds. We cannot pray enough, give enough time, give enough money, attend church services, help the poor, educate ourselves, so called worship, or any other like things people believe will earn them a place in heaven with God.

3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7

6 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Galatians 2:16

4.       NOR OF THE WILL OF MAN, this is the religious crowd. Oh yes, I am including mine and yours in this group. Remember Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus who was a Jewish religious teacher of the true scriptures, yet he was as lost as the worst God forsaken harden criminal wicked sinner on the planet. We always compare ourselves to someone else, but GOD IS THE STANDARD. Religion makes people proud. Faith in Christ requires humility which accompany an understanding that we are all unworthy wretched filthy hideous unclean sinners when compared to the holiness of the Most High God. Listen very carefully. Every religion in the world and their followers are headed for hell. This includes fake Christianity. They all lead to the wide gate and broad way that leads to destruction, which is the lake of fire, better known as hell.

If you determine that “my religion” is right irrespective of which it is, then you will be amongst the group that will hear Jesus say these words.

21 “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:21-23

5.       BUT OF GOD. Salvation from sins is what we all need. Only God can offer relief from the penalty of sins.

9 What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin Romans 3:9

22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Galatians 3:22

Because all are sinners then none can save themselves therefore the Lord God sent His Son, Christ Jesus to pay the penalty for our sins. What is sins penalty?

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. Romans 5:6-11

Salvation from sin and conversion from sinner to saint is a work that only God can do for you.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:8-13

If you determine that your religion is the ticket to heaven, I only have one question for you. How will you get rid of your sins?

God says that a blood sacrifice is required and only God can provide this blood.

11 For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life. Leviticus 17:11

22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Acts 20:28

12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20

Jesus purchase salvation for all, everyone that excepts His blood sacrifice as the payment for sins are called saints and are kept from experiencing the wrath of God to come. These saints all did the one thing that God requires for entry in the His kingdom, confess and be willing to turn from their sinfulness (this is called repentance) and believe through faith in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is their ticket to heaven. God can only accept us in and through Jesus.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6

That is what the Bible says. It does not matter what I say, any religion or religious teacher says. God’s word is the only and final authority and absolute truth.

Who provided the blood sacrifice for the remission of your sins? Without a blood sacrifice from someone who is equal with God being offered for your sins, you are headed to hell.

Those are God’s words, not mine.