House of Truth Ministries
June July 2018
House of Truth Ministries is about sharing the Gospel in various venues.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)
June July 2018
House of Truth Ministries is about sharing the Gospel in various venues.
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 (ESV)
We had five visitors from China this July. The young lady (Melody) on the left in the Farrell’s picture was open to the Gospel. She took back home a Chinese and English ESV Bible. Please include her in your prayers.
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Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the little flock in Luke 12:32 is the 144,000 in Revelation. Who was Jesus speaking of and what was the context of Luke 12:22-34? Jesus was speaking to His disciples when He taught them not to worry about food or clothing (22-24). What does worry accomplish (25-26)? Worry is a lack of faith (29), and the Father knows what they needed (30). Jesus taught His disciples that if they pursue the kingdom and do not fear, God would supply all their needs (31-32). The Little Flock is made-up of the disciples, not the 144,000. Jesus also called His disciples the sheep of His flock in Matthew 10:16; 26:31. Where in Luke 12:32 does it relate to a group of anointed Christians that began in the first century and whose number ended with 144,000 in 1935? Where is the evidence that the Little Flock in verse 32 is the 144,000 of Revelation chapters 7 and 14?
During Jesus' ministry, when did He ever limit the entrance to the kingdom of God to 144,000? He taught that everyone should seek the kingdom and if they would seek for it, they would find it (Matthew 9:35-38; Mark 1:14-15). In John 3:5 "Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (ESV) Who are born of the water and the Spirit? The answer is found in 1 John 5:1: "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him." (ESV) Who is born of God in 1 John 5:1? Where is the limitation of a 144,000 in the word everyone?
True believers in Jesus Christ will go to heaven (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 3:1; 12:22; 2 Peter 1:10-11). If you belong to Christ, you are an heir to the promise (Galatians 3:29; 4:28-31; Titus 3:7; James 2:5). I agree with Jesus when He says in John 12:26: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (ESV) Where is the limitation of 144,000 in this verse? Where are Jesus and His servants going? Jesus gives the answer in John 14:1-3: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (ESV)
The Bible always uses the word "tribes" to refer to ethnic groups. With this in mind, what is the basis for interpreting the 12 tribes of Israel spiritually and the 144,000 literally in Revelation 7:1-8? Some have answered this question by saying Dan and Ephraim are not listed here; therefore, they cannot be the 12 literal tribes. The reason for the omission of Dan and Ephraim from this list of the 12 tribes of Israel was because of idolatry (Leviticus 24:11; Judges 17; 18:1, 30; 1 Kings 12:28-29; Hosea 4:17). Since Dan and Ephraim were guilty of idolatry, do you still think they should be listed in Revelation chapter 7 as God's servants?
There are four criteria for being a member of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:4; 14:3-5. First, they will be Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel (7:4). Second, they will sing a new song which no one else can learn (14:3). Third, they will be virgin men (14:4) and fourth, no lies will be found in their mouths (14:5).
In Rev. 14:3, what is it that the 144,000 will sing their new song before? What are the 24 elders and the four living creatures doing in Rev. 4:2, 4, 6-11? Take notice that the great multitude will be worshipping God with the 24 elders and the four living creatures (Rev. 7:9-17; 19:1-8).
During Jesus' ministry, when did He ever limit the entrance to the kingdom of God to 144,000? He taught that everyone should seek the kingdom and if they would seek for it, they would find it (Matthew 9:35-38; Mark 1:14-15). In John 3:5 "Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’” (ESV) Who are born of the water and the Spirit? The answer is found in 1 John 5:1: "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him." (ESV) Who is born of God in 1 John 5:1? Where is the limitation of a 144,000 in the word everyone?
True believers in Jesus Christ will go to heaven (Ephesians 2:19; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 3:1; 12:22; 2 Peter 1:10-11). If you belong to Christ, you are an heir to the promise (Galatians 3:29; 4:28-31; Titus 3:7; James 2:5). I agree with Jesus when He says in John 12:26: “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him." (ESV) Where is the limitation of 144,000 in this verse? Where are Jesus and His servants going? Jesus gives the answer in John 14:1-3: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (ESV)
The Bible always uses the word "tribes" to refer to ethnic groups. With this in mind, what is the basis for interpreting the 12 tribes of Israel spiritually and the 144,000 literally in Revelation 7:1-8? Some have answered this question by saying Dan and Ephraim are not listed here; therefore, they cannot be the 12 literal tribes. The reason for the omission of Dan and Ephraim from this list of the 12 tribes of Israel was because of idolatry (Leviticus 24:11; Judges 17; 18:1, 30; 1 Kings 12:28-29; Hosea 4:17). Since Dan and Ephraim were guilty of idolatry, do you still think they should be listed in Revelation chapter 7 as God's servants?
There are four criteria for being a member of the 144,000 in Revelation 7:4; 14:3-5. First, they will be Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel (7:4). Second, they will sing a new song which no one else can learn (14:3). Third, they will be virgin men (14:4) and fourth, no lies will be found in their mouths (14:5).
In Rev. 14:3, what is it that the 144,000 will sing their new song before? What are the 24 elders and the four living creatures doing in Rev. 4:2, 4, 6-11? Take notice that the great multitude will be worshipping God with the 24 elders and the four living creatures (Rev. 7:9-17; 19:1-8).
PRAYER AND SUPPORT Thank you for your prayers and financial support. We can take online donations. All donations are tax-deductible. Checks can be written to House of Truth Ministries and they can be sent to the address below.
House of Truth Ministries
Box 729
La Habra, CA 90633
Our email address should you have questions or comments:
jeff@HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Our website
http://www.HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Box 729
La Habra, CA 90633
Our email address should you have questions or comments:
jeff@HouseOfTruthMinistries.org
Our website
http://www.HouseOfTruthMinistries.org