BEHOLD, THE LAMB OF GOD

Joh 1:29 The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and *said,

"Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

Thus began the ministry of the man called Jesus. Coming to John, the Baptist and humbly being Baptized, fully submersed in the name of His Father. Jesus found it necessary to fully submit to the Jewish law and to demonstrate to others His fleshly submission to the Word. Why did He come? Why was it necessary for this SINLESS man to suffer as He would in the course of His earthly ministry? Turn your Bible to Hebrews chapter ten and follow along;

Heb 10:4-7 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (5) Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, "SACRIFICE AND OFFERING YOU HAVE NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY YOU HAVE PREPARED FOR ME; (6) IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN YOU HAVE TAKEN NO PLEASURE. (7) "THEN I SAID, 'BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE SCROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO YOUR WILL, O GOD.'"

Adam was created sinless. All of the animal blood sacrifice was only a temporary atonement of mans sins, begun by Adam. Only blood would suffice and God sent Jesus to shed HIS blood, ONCE FOR ALL, to forever atone for the sins of man, the sin that through Adam began. Jesus had to die, spill His blood so that you and I could be set free. This was the price for freedom from the horror of eternal damnation fully justified through our sinful ways born into us through the seed.

Isa 53:7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.

Giving up your life so that another might live is the ultimate expression and demonstration of love. Jesus did just that. For YOU and for ME. All he asks is that you believe, and follow Him. He paid the price. He redeemed you with His own blood. He took your place at the executioner's hand.

1Pe 1:18-21 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. (20) For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you (21) who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Rev 5:12 ..."Worthy is the Lamb that was slain"...

Say yes to His gift. Open your heart to His healing. Let Him change you from the inside out. Let Him make you FREE. Come into me Lord Jesus. I am so tired of sin. Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Look Around -- Time is Short

Job 14:1 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Much of this week's Bible studies have led me to 2 Peter, Chapter 3. Here Peter addresses the coming of the Lord and the destruction of the Earth and the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Only God Himself knows the time table of when all of this will take place. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that we are in the glide-slope of witnessing these events. Why, it might even be before I take my last breath and PCS (permanent change of station) to God's Kingdom, my long term home.

1Jn 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Are you ready for this?

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Before Adam willfully disobeyed God he was perfect. He lived in a perfect place, had a perfect wife, life was really, really good! When he and Eve took Satan's bait, The Lord had no choice but to curse his seed, forever. Since we all are born of the seed of Adam, we automatically inherit the curse and sentence of eternal death and damnation. When someone disobeys God to His face, this is the punishment. Adam was perfect then he sinned. Jesus was also perfect and He died....so that YOU would have a chance to live and not die a horrible, unending death for all of eternity! My brother, my sister, Christ is the only door. If you do nothing, the sentence on you will be carried out.

Right after Adam did his terrible deed, infecting the world with sin and death, God began placing a Salvation plan in motion. One requirement, you have to believe with all your heart and with all your soul that Jesus, the Son of God, is who He says He is, and that He is Lord, and was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, living today, to intercede for YOU. You must believe and you must ask for Him to come into you. Let Him change you from the inside out!

The reward is huge. Instead of suffering horrible-gut-wrenching unending pain FOREVER because you did not accept the Lord's offer to save you, He provides the alternative of Salvation in Christ of peace, joy, awe, and wonder in the presence of He who made you, for all eternity in heaven and eventually, heaven on Earth.

1Co 15:54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

Paul saw clearly the advantage of assuring one's self of this eternal security through Christ's gift of salvation; Php 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Heb 10:35-37 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (36) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (37) FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

The clock is ticking, my friend.

Rom 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Have you prepared? Are you ready? Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Today is the day!

1Pe 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Look Around -- Time is Short

Job 14:1 "Man, who is born of woman, Is short-lived and full of turmoil.

Much of this week's Bible studies have led me to 2 Peter, Chapter 3. Here Peter addresses the coming of the Lord and the destruction of the Earth and the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Only God Himself knows the time table of when all of this will take place. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out that we are in the glide-slope of witnessing these events. Why, it might even be before I take my last breath and PCS (permanent change of station) to God's Kingdom, my long term home.

1Jn 2:17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Are you ready for this?

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

Before Adam willfully disobeyed God he was perfect. He lived in a perfect place, had a perfect wife, life was really, really good! When he and Eve took Satan's bait, The Lord had no choice but to curse his seed, forever. Since we all are born of the seed of Adam, we automatically inherit the curse and sentence of eternal death and damnation. When someone disobeys God to His face, this is the punishment. Adam was perfect then he sinned. Jesus was also perfect and He died....so that YOU would have a chance to live and not die a horrible, unending death for all of eternity! My brother, my sister, Christ is the only door. If you do nothing, the sentence on you will be carried out.

Right after Adam did his terrible deed, infecting the world with sin and death, God began placing a Salvation plan in motion. One requirement, you have to believe with all your heart and with all your soul that Jesus, the Son of God, is who He says He is, and that He is Lord, and was raised from the dead and ascended into heaven, living today, to intercede for YOU. You must believe and you must ask for Him to come into you. Let Him change you from the inside out!

The reward is huge. Instead of suffering horrible-gut-wrenching unending pain FOREVER because you did not accept the Lord's offer to save you, He provides the alternative of Salvation in Christ of peace, joy, awe, and wonder in the presence of He who made you, for all eternity in heaven and eventually, heaven on Earth.

1Co 15:54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory.

Paul saw clearly the advantage of assuring one's self of this eternal security through Christ's gift of salvation; Php 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Heb 10:35-37 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. (36) For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. (37) FOR YET IN A VERY LITTLE WHILE, HE WHO IS COMING WILL COME, AND WILL NOT DELAY.

The clock is ticking, my friend.

Rom 13:12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Have you prepared? Are you ready? Tomorrow is not promised to anyone. Today is the day!

1Pe 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Serving the Lord with all humility...

Act 20:19

Mat 20:26-28 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, (27) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

This is an area where I struggle a lot. Learning humility and how to embrace it; advance it; and cause it to supersede my huge ego. Can I get an AMEN from one or two others that may find this difficult as well?

What is HUMILITY? Humility is an essential characteristic of true piety, or of the man who is right with God. God humbles men in order to bring them to Himself. It means to be "lowly", "meek", not into one's self. Gal 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Think about this; Since your first breath at birth, you have NEVER, EVER been away from yourself. You have been your constant companion without interruption, without pause. Scary huh? It is probably a real good idea that you and yourself get along well since you spend so much time with each other. We tend to think that the world revolves around us. That we are the center of the universe. That we are actually in charge of something. I think I hear God laughing.

Rom 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

It is through this faith that I have finally come to the realization that it is not me that leads someone to the Lord, it is the Lord who places a tender soul in my path so that HE can lead HIS creation to salvation using me as HIS tool.

You and I are the dirt that was mixed with water to form the clay that the Father formed into a vessel permitting HIM to fill you with HIS will and this WILL results in the successful impart of HIS salvation.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 2Co 1:12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

So, if you have been notching your "Salvation Belt", keeping close track of the number of SOULS you have lead to the Lord, here is a dose of HUMILITY for you.

When we finally realize that we are from DIRT and to DIRT we will return; and when it dawns on us that it is HIM who arranges all our encounters, and gives us our words, then and only then can we look upon ourselves as being HUMBLE. Its all about HIM!

PRAISE YOU ALMIGHTY GOD!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Serving the Lord with all humility...

Act 20:19

Mat 20:26-28 "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, (27) and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

This is an area where I struggle a lot. Learning humility and how to embrace it; advance it; and cause it to supersede my huge ego. Can I get an AMEN from one or two others that may find this difficult as well?

What is HUMILITY? Humility is an essential characteristic of true piety, or of the man who is right with God. God humbles men in order to bring them to Himself. It means to be "lowly", "meek", not into one's self. Gal 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Think about this; Since your first breath at birth, you have NEVER, EVER been away from yourself. You have been your constant companion without interruption, without pause. Scary huh? It is probably a real good idea that you and yourself get along well since you spend so much time with each other. We tend to think that the world revolves around us. That we are the center of the universe. That we are actually in charge of something. I think I hear God laughing.

Rom 12:3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.

It is through this faith that I have finally come to the realization that it is not me that leads someone to the Lord, it is the Lord who places a tender soul in my path so that HE can lead HIS creation to salvation using me as HIS tool.

You and I are the dirt that was mixed with water to form the clay that the Father formed into a vessel permitting HIM to fill you with HIS will and this WILL results in the successful impart of HIS salvation.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; 2Co 1:12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.

So, if you have been notching your "Salvation Belt", keeping close track of the number of SOULS you have lead to the Lord, here is a dose of HUMILITY for you.

When we finally realize that we are from DIRT and to DIRT we will return; and when it dawns on us that it is HIM who arranges all our encounters, and gives us our words, then and only then can we look upon ourselves as being HUMBLE. Its all about HIM!

PRAISE YOU ALMIGHTY GOD!

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Who are You, Lord?

Act 26:15 ...And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

Mat 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

Isa 43:2-3 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. (3) "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Mat 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Mat 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

1Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Rom 8:34-35 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (35) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

WHO INDEED...?

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

Who are You, Lord?

Act 26:15 ...And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

Mat 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

Isa 43:2-3 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. (3) "For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior...

Psa 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Mat 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."

Mat 1:21 "She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."

1Jn 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Rom 8:34-35 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. (35) Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

WHO INDEED...?

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE ULTIMATE PROPHET

Deu 18:18 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

From the very beginning of "all that is", our Lord has been boldly declaring the coming of the Christ. Jesus has always been the Grand Intercessor in the dialog between God and man. When Moses was astounded by the non-consuming burning bush, it was Jesus, the Intercessor, who spoke the Father's words to him. Moses explained this intercession to those gathered below the mountain. They were terrified of the ever living God. It was fine to let Moses get "sunburned" and not them.

Deu 5:5 ...I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.

Moses and those chosen who followed to bring the Israelis to the promised land were not acquainted with Jesus as we know Him. They did know of The Angel of the Lord.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

The one we know as Jesus has been supporting and interceding for us from the very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1. In Torah, in Hebrew, there is a two character word that is not translated into our Bibles. The characters are the Aleph and the Tav. The word is "ayth" and has no direct translation into english. The word does point to or suggest an "entity". Now, Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Tav is the last letter. The Beginning and the End. The First and the Last. Even I can figure out to whom this is suggesting.

Open your Bibles to Rev 22:13"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Our Lord, Jesus the Christ!

Do you know Him? He has been calling you for quite some time. Perhaps it is time for you to answer His call.

Mat 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

Php 2:5-7 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Heb 3:5-6 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; (6) but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE ULTIMATE PROPHET

Deu 18:18 'I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.

From the very beginning of "all that is", our Lord has been boldly declaring the coming of the Christ. Jesus has always been the Grand Intercessor in the dialog between God and man. When Moses was astounded by the non-consuming burning bush, it was Jesus, the Intercessor, who spoke the Father's words to him. Moses explained this intercession to those gathered below the mountain. They were terrified of the ever living God. It was fine to let Moses get "sunburned" and not them.

Deu 5:5 ...I was standing between the LORD and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the LORD; for you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.

Moses and those chosen who followed to bring the Israelis to the promised land were not acquainted with Jesus as we know Him. They did know of The Angel of the Lord.

1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

The one we know as Jesus has been supporting and interceding for us from the very first verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1. In Torah, in Hebrew, there is a two character word that is not translated into our Bibles. The characters are the Aleph and the Tav. The word is "ayth" and has no direct translation into english. The word does point to or suggest an "entity". Now, Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The Tav is the last letter. The Beginning and the End. The First and the Last. Even I can figure out to whom this is suggesting.

Open your Bibles to Rev 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Our Lord, Jesus the Christ!

Do you know Him? He has been calling you for quite some time. Perhaps it is time for you to answer His call.

Mat 11:29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.

Php 2:5-7 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.

Heb 3:5-6 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later; (6) but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE STRONG REDEEMER

Jer 50:34 "Their Redeemer is strong, the LORD of hosts is His name...

What an amazing and powerful God we have. He is the all seeing, all knowing Creator. Nothing escapes His attention.

Amo 5:12 For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great...

The Lord seeks out those who have opened themselves as vessels to be filled with His will and become a light to others.

Psa 89:19-20 Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, And said, "I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. (20) "I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him.

With the anointing of the Almighty, we receive His powerful protection, His defense against the evil ones.

Isa 49:26 "I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, And they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; And all flesh will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

He not only defends His anointed with His right arm, He lights the path and guides the steps.

Jud 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.

Before God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses to deliver to His people, ignorance of the law was a legitimate excuse. Then God wrote His law in the hearts of man. Ignorance was no longer a defense.

Rom 5:20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

Isn't this amazing? As the law made man aware of transgression, the result was that sin increased. But as it did, so did God's grace. As you became aware of your sin, you recognized your sinful state. God then dialed up His grace thereby allowing for the forgiveness of sin.

How do you activate this Amazing Grace?

BELIEVE

Joh 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Heb 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. The HIM in this verse is JESUS.

Once you believe, FAITHis the key that opens the door to redemption. We are SAVED by GRACE through FAITH.

Father God, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving to You and to Your Son, our Redeemer, our Savior, our King, Christ Jesus, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

THE STRONG REDEEMER

Jer 50:34 "Their Redeemer is strong, the LORD of hosts is His name...

What an amazing and powerful God we have. He is the all seeing, all knowing Creator. Nothing escapes His attention.

Amo 5:12 For I know your transgressions are many and your sins are great...

The Lord seeks out those who have opened themselves as vessels to be filled with His will and become a light to others.

Psa 89:19-20 Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, And said, "I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. (20) "I have found David My servant; With My holy oil I have anointed him.

With the anointing of the Almighty, we receive His powerful protection, His defense against the evil ones.

Isa 49:26 "I will feed your oppressors with their own flesh, And they will become drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine; And all flesh will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob."

He not only defends His anointed with His right arm, He lights the path and guides the steps.

Jud 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy.

Before God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses to deliver to His people, ignorance of the law was a legitimate excuse. Then God wrote His law in the hearts of man. Ignorance was no longer a defense.

Rom 5:20 The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

Isn't this amazing? As the law made man aware of transgression, the result was that sin increased. But as it did, so did God's grace. As you became aware of your sin, you recognized your sinful state. God then dialed up His grace thereby allowing for the forgiveness of sin.

How do you activate this Amazing Grace?

BELIEVE

Joh 3:18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Heb 7:25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. The HIM in this verse is JESUS.

Once you believe, FAITH is the key that opens the door to redemption. We are SAVED by GRACE through FAITH.

Father God, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving to You and to Your Son, our Redeemer, our Savior, our King, Christ Jesus, Amen.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?

SUICIDE

Yesterday, a very nice woman came up to me in a public hallway and asked me "is it possible for someone who commits suicide to go to heaven?". Taken aback for a moment, I stammered, "well, I think it depends." Then I saw the tears in her eyes. "I just need to know, that's all, is it possible?", she pleaded. "yes, I replied, I believe that it is possible, but Biblically, there are some if's to be considered".

Jas 5:11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

"Those who endured" That word, endured departs the lips of the speaker so easily, often unaware that to the ears of he or she who resides in that very dark place the word makes no sense. Sometimes even in a strong relationship with Jesus, we are tempted to give up. The human in us is so frail. The sheep analogy that Jesus uses is very appropriate. Moses thought about giving up. Jonah did too. Even Elijah asked God to just let him die. Sometimes the weight we carry is so oppressive, seemingly impossible that suicide comes to mind. I know. I have been there.

We are all so very blessed that our God, our Lord is so forgiving. This forgiveness that seems to have no end is a product of His love for us. We are His creation, and the depth of His love is beyond our human comprehension. We must believe.

I have counted seven Biblical characters who fit a general description of having committed suicide. Also included is my best exegetical opinion in support of heaven bound or not. Only God knows for certain, but He also shares bits and pieces of hopeful clues in scripture that may shed light on the question "is it possible for someone who commits suicide to go to heaven?".

1. In Judges 9:53-54, Abimelech, who was clearly on the wrong side of God got his skull crushed when a woman dropped a mill stone on his head from a high wall. Lying in a pool of blood, dying, Abimelech, out of pride, ordered his armor bearer to finish him off so that it could not be said that a woman was his victor. (pride) OPINION: Abimelech will not be raised up in the rapture, he will likely be raised in the final judgment. No heaven.

2. Judges 16:30, Samson was the Lord's anointed from birth and in adulthood, he was a very rough character. As a Nazirite, a razor could never be brought on his head. Samson, beguiled by a beautiful woman, placed himself in a position that clearly was not pleasing to God. His suicidal act did, however, bring about just desserts for many of those who were a part of gouging out his eyes ending his judgeship. OPINION: We will see Samson when we are raptured with Jesus. Yes and into Heaven.

3. King Saul and his armor bearer, 1 Sam 31:4-5, Saul was the very first King anointed by God for that specific purpose. Although he suffered great impatience and was found in an unfavorable light by God, and had an evil spirit given him by the Lord as a result, God has great forgiveness for those who know Him and have served Him and have even sinned against Him. Certainly David was respectful of Saul's holy anointing. OPINION: Rapture. Heaven. The armor bearer--Not sure.

5-7, Ahithophel ; 2 Sam 17:23, Zimri in 1 Kings 16:18, and lastly, Judas Escariot, Mat 27:5, in my OPINION will appear in the Great Judgment and not in the rapture. The significance of the Great Judgment is that heaven will not be an option on that day for those appearing from the graves.

To the mother who asked the question "is it possible for someone who commits suicide to go to heaven?". Yes. The Bible leads me in that direction. But mom, there are some painful and perhaps difficult truths we must bring to your attention:

Each of those who MAY have taken their own lives, directly or by fiat, having an expectation of heaven had a strong anointing or direct personal relationship with God. Since Jesus Christ delivered all of us, who believe on Him, through His death on the cross at Calvary, there is but a single door through which we MUST pass through in order to see heaven. That only door is Jesus. If the person who takes their own life, committing murder of self, and has no personal relationship, (Salvation in Christ), heaven is very, very unlikely.

The truth is often very painful. But truth is the only way we can fully know our Lord and understand His blessings. I would rather speak the truth and risk breaking a mother's heart, than to soften the word and have her find out later its untruth when it is too late to make a difference.

Possible, Yes. But I submit, extremely rare.  I am so very glad that when I was in that deep dark place, I decided to not take a chance on missing heaven.  I am sharing this as a result. The answer comes not in suicide but only through Jesus Christ. Suicide is NEVER the answer. Suicide is man's own intervention. With Jesus, all things are possible. Lean on and trust the Savior, don't give up!

Joh 17:22-26 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; (23) I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me. (24) "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. (25) "O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; (26) and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?