Uncategorized – Michael (Mike) Copple

What is the Difference between Shēōl, Hell, Hādēs, and the Lake of Fire?

According to the Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, in the Old Testament (OT), the words Shēōl and hell are interchangeable. When looking for interpretation of the word Shēōl the inquirer is directed to the word hell. The margins in the OT, in most cases, also translate the word hell to the word Shēōl.

The two words together in the completed Canon are found a total of fifty-four times.

The Bible refers to the label Lake of Fire only five times, and all these five are in the last Book: The Revelation of Jesus Christ. And these five times mentioned are only in the last three of the four last chapters of the Book: Revelation 19:20; 20:10, 14, 15; 21:8. One of those—Revelation 20:14—confirms that the lake of fire is the ultimate destination for those who have been in Shēōl, Hādēs, or hell, awaiting their final judgment.

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

GOD GRANT YOU THE LIGHT IN CHRISTMAS,
WHICH IS FAITH;

THE WARMTH OF CHRISTMAS,
WHICH IS LOVE;

THE RADIANCE OF CHRISTMAS,
WHICH IS PURITY;

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRISTMAS,
WHICH IS JUSTICE;

THE BELIEF IN CHRISTMAS,
WHICH IS TRUTH;

THE ALL OF CHRISTMAS,
WHICH IS CHRIST.

-Wilda English-

“….the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Wishing God’s greatest gifts
for you and your family,

Mike and Elfriede

What will the Angels do with the Seven Bowls?

The word bowls in some versions is translated from the word vials which we read in the KJV. Vial comes from the Latin word phiala, and it can be a broad shallow cup (phial)—or bowl. This suggests it can be emptied rapidly. The emptying of the bowls represents the final series of judgments whereby God’s full wrath is poured out upon the wicked nations:

Previous to the seven bowls will first be the seven seals, which only the Lord Jesus is worthy to open. The seals reveal the beginning of wrath. After the seven seals, the angels will be appointed to sound the seven trumpets which portray the forthcoming expansion of God’s wrath due to the people not heeding the previous warnings. The prophecy is written by John in past tense since he writes of what he saw in the God-given-vision:

10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY

We posted this last year November but think that with regard to the pandemic; and politicians, governors, and mayors trying to exert their power; and earthquakes, hurricanes and wild fires raging the world; it would be helpful to be reminded how to rightly divide God’s Word.

The article below was written by Rick Morse in the Nov-Dec 2019 issue (pg 4+5) of Cornerstone Magazine. We hope you enjoy it.

10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY

“Be diligent to present thyself approved to God –
a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15, (Young’s Literal Translation)

In His wisdom, our God has placed what we might consider three “sentinels” in His Word – one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end (Deut. 4:2; Prov. 30:5- 6; Rev. 22:18-19). It is to warn all who read it to neither add nor take away from what He has chosen to reveal. He also inspired Paul to exhort Timothy to study the Word of God with diligent care, to pursue an orderly and consistent approach to discovering its truths (2 Tim. 2:15). Out of gratitude to those have mentored and nurtured my own interest in Bible study, I offer these ten “rules of thumb”. If observed, they will enable the eager Bible student to rightly divide the word of truth, and to avoid many popular but harmful bypaths which are so readily available today.

1. Observe What The Text Says

Forcing a preconception on what is written usually leads to error. Reading and re-reading a portion slowly, and out loud, is the best way to take in every word. Notice every detail, verb, order, progression, pattern, etc. God does not do things haphazardly. Before we even begin thinking about what the Bible teaches, we need to first establish what the Bible says.

What is the Meaning of the Seven Seals?

Beginning in Revelation 5:1 the seven seals are keeping a scroll closed.

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. (Revelation 5:1)

The only one worthy to open the seals is the Savior.

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood… (Revelation 5:9a)

The scroll, when opened, will release the Antichrist to commence his deceptions and violence and the beginnings of God’s wrath upon all unbelieving mankind and upon the earth—as each seal is opened. When the Lord Jesus opens each seal, the scroll issues warnings of the seven-year Tribulation period—warnings that become progressively more and more harmful and punishing to whosoever rejects the Lord Jesus Christ.

The warnings are justified much the same as the warnings that were heard by those who laughed at Noah nearly 5,000 years ago:

What is the Book of Life and Whose Names will be written in it?

All biblical references to the Book of Life convey to us that it is a book that records the names of true believers in God. All of these registered believers are guaranteed eternal life in heaven:

1 Peter 1:3-5
³Blessed [worthy to be praised] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, ⁵who are kept by the power of God through faith [true belief] for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

The names of the people written in the Book of Life do not include a single name of anyone who has rejected the Savior at the time he died or at the time of Christ’s Second Coming at the end of the seven-year Tribulation (the beginning of the Millennial reign).

When does the Rapture occur in relation to the Seven-year Tribulation? (2)

Today we are continuing with part 2 of our topic about when the Rapture will occur.

Revelation 5 describes the raptured Church praising the Lord Jesus Christ for being worthy to open the seven seals of the scroll and for redeeming us to God by His blood.

The order of events has been

1) Revelation 2-3: The churches on earth;
2) Revelation 4: The Rapture of the Church; and
3) Revelation 5: The Church praising the Lord.

Revelation 6 then reveals the antichrist coming in to conquer, and eventually take peace, kill, cause famine, and death. The end result of the antichrist’s feats will bring God’s wrath in the Great Tribulation.

When does the Rapture occur in relation to the Seven-year Tribulation? (1)

Today’s topic will be posted in 2 parts.

To answer this controversial question, we must realize an important fact about the arrangement of the last Book in the Bible: The Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Revelation begins in chronological order, but the sequence changes and repeats some of what has already been written. For example, in chapter 6, six of the seven seals reveal to us the things which must be hereafter. These seals give us a preview of what will take place in heaven and on earth. But when the seventh seal is opened in chapter 8, then the things spoken of before begin to happen.

In comparing the chronological order of the Rapture to the seven-year Tribulation, we must maintain the context while searching the Scriptures. To begin with, keeping in mind that the first 7 chapters of Revelation are kept mostly in chronological order, we see in chapters 2 and 3 that the Lord Jesus is quoted both in rebuking and in commending the seven churches. It needs to be noted that the word churches is the last word used in chapter 3 and will not appear again until the sixth to last verse in the Book. The reason for this is that the Church will not be present on earth until they return with the Lord Jesus’ Second Coming (when He has His feet on earth for the second time) at the end of the seven-year Tribulation.

What is the Rapture?

According to the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary,
“Rapture: God’s taking the church out of the world instantaneously.”

Rapture comes from the root word, rap: to snatch, and is closely related to rapt: snatched away; transported. The word rapture is not in the Bible, but the definition is certainly fulfilled in the following Scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17
¹⁴For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep [those who have died in belief] in Jesus. ¹⁵For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep [have died]. ¹⁶For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

John 14:3b
“I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

1 Corinthians 15:52
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet [of the Church Age]. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible [not to die again], and we shall be changed.

Revelation 4:1
After these things [the last messages to all the churches] I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

What is the Church Age and When will it End?

The Church Age is the total length of time from the beginning of the New Testament Church until God instantaneously takes the Church out of the world. The beginning day of this Age was on the 50^th day after the Lord Jesus was resurrected back to life from the dead. It is vitally important to remember—Christ was raised on the first day of the week—and then fifty days later, the Holy Spirit came to begin the Church—also on the first day of the week—Pentecost.

Acts 2:1-2
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

MIND FRAMES

Where life’s battle is won or lost

A Book by Warren Henderson

Posted by Elfriede

This week, I started reading a book by Warren Henderson titled “Mind Frames” and even though I am only in the Introduction it has already been a great blessing to me.

The description on the back of the book reads like this:

“In MIND FRAMES the author shares six scriptural exercises to strengthen the mind’s ability to focus Godward and then presents a dozen Christlike attitudes—mind frames—to guard our thoughts in challenging circumstances. These mind frames are used by the Spirit to bring our thoughts into alignment with the ways of God.”

Is Seeing Believing?

Posted from “WORDS OF FAITH” – ACTS, Part 1, Lesson 6 – Gospel Folio Press

Before you exasperate your mental powers searching for the base of the middle prong, we’ll tell you that the middle prong doesn’t belong there. This optical illusion says it does. The eye can be fooled.

We live in a world that puts great credence on sight. In fact, it’s one of the strongest arguments we can think of when trying to convince someone of the truthfulness of our story. “I saw it myself,” we say. That is expected to be the end of dispute. But is it possible that, sometimes, what we think we see is not reality?

Here’s another boggler. Are the vertical lines straight and parallel, or are they bent?

WHO IS THE ALPHA AND OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END, THE FIRST AND THE LAST?

Revelation 1:7-8, Revelation 22:13

Posted by Elfriede

Revelation 1:7-8
⁷Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. ⁸“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 22:13
I am the Alpha and the Omega, theBeginning and the End, the First and the Last.

The Revelation is from Christ and about Christ. In Revelation 1:7 He (Jesus) will be seen by all at His Second Coming, whether then or during His Millennial reign or at the Great White Throne of judgment.

Jesus Christ is the equal Almighty God with the Father

End Times 1 – Revelation 1

Eternity

Click on the image to see the text. Click on the arrow to see the video. Video details are shown at the end of this page.

Subject. End Times 1 – Revelation 1.

Part I. Introduction.

A. At this time in our world’s situation with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), it has become my strong belief that I should veer from my intended course of writing, and explain the prophetic events of the end times. There are voices in the Christian world that have attempted to place the things that are affecting our world in the “yet future tribulation.” The events of Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 are said “to be happening now,” without making any mention of Israel, or of Christ. Israel is key throughout the tribulation. Christ will cause the tribulation events to occur. So, what can we say about the things of COVID-19? Is God aware of the world’s…

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What is a Bible Church – in the Bible?

Today we are posting a Multiple Choice Test put together by a friend of ours –Randy Amos

A.
Mega Style.
The Bible is used but more with select phrases on a screen than all reading their Bible. Biblical relationships with psychological counselling are emphasized. A Bible phrase is used, not so much for its contextual meaning, but as a nuance proving the concept of a dynamic ‘pastor’. Not a lot of the Bible warnings are stated for help, hope and happiness is the goal. The church’s methods come more from popular ‘likes’.

B.
Denominational Style.
The Bible is used, but its headquarters determine its doctrinal understanding. If one agrees with the headquarters then the local church will mirror that teaching. You know what you’re getting here. It’s like a food franchise; its message and methods (recipe) are pretty much the same wherever, as it draws its menu from the tradition of headquarters. Its chef (‘pastor’) must also be approved by headquarters.

C.
Independent Style.
This style is independent from a main human authority for its doctrine. So its ‘pastor’ has liberty to find his own style for worship and methods. The Bible is used to emphasize the gospel of the Lord Jesus that saves. The deeper teachings of Scripture are not the first goal but more seeing people saved or restored – again.

D.
Reformed Style.
The literal Bible is used for matters of salvation and godly living. But Israel and future events are often spiritualized matching the Protestant reformer’s understanding 500 years ago. So, depending on the trained ‘pastor’, the teaching can be deeper and thought provoking. Its methods of order and worship are more formal.

E.
Charisma Style.
The Bible is used to tell about Jesus and highlight the Holy Spirit’s apostolic miracle power as normal. So besides the Bible they have “a word of prophecy”. Direction is given that doesn’t come directly from the completed Bible but from this further revelation of the “Spirit” that the prophet or ‘pastor’ says they got or dreamed.

F.
Messianic Style.
The Bible is used but more from the OT Mosaic law (Torah). Its Jewish religious tradition is taught as relevant for today (as much as is possible without the Jewish temple that the Lord Jesus prophesied would be removed – and was in 70AD). Their ‘Rabbi’ uses the NT Bible not as much for congregational policies and doctrine but to mainly verify that Yeshua (Jesus) is the Jewish Messiah who matches the OT prophets.

G.
New Testament Style.
The gospel has graced all believing nationalities equal in Christ. All believers are called brothers with no titles in front of their name. The only one with a title is the Lord Jesus Christ. No human receives glory in the presence of the Lord – for He alone is the Spirit’s wisdom to be glorified. Their reason for meeting is in remembrance of their Lord and Savior at the Lord’s Supper, and to edify the body by the liberty of a plurality of Spirit-gifted ones – in an orderly way with love. Different roles for men and women (with the symbol of head covering) are upheld with the women silent in the church – for it is God’s holy temple where His Spirit is. Its church authority and wisdom are the written commands from heaven’s Head (Lord Jesus) via Paul His apostle.

Which prescription, do you think, fits a Bible teaching church according to God’s word?

Some things in A-F might have value but the Bible book of 1 Corinthians
instructs in “G”.

THE FOUNDATION OF REPENTANCE

How important is it to repent?
How often should we repent?
When did repentance begin?

Malachi 2:16a; 3:1a
For the LORD God…says…
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.”

The Gospel According to Mark begins with John the Baptist fulfilling the prophecies:

Mark 1:1-8
THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: [Notice the plurality Prophets.] “Behold I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.” [Malachi] “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’” [Isaiah 40:3] John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission [forgiveness] of sins. Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

The prophets Malachi and Isaiah were led by the Holy Spirit to prophesy that God would send the Lord’s messenger {John} to prepare the Lord’s way for people to come to him with a contrite, broken, ashamed, repentant heart—to apologize for offending God when they had been disobedient to His Commandments. In other words, John’s baptism was preparing the hearts for people to take the first step to being saved. When a baby is first conceived and then born, that child is innocent for never having broken any of the Commandments. So the child is accepted by God—justified to be viewed by God as having the righteousness of God—totally sinless. Therefore God welcomes the child to be with Him in His kingdom. However, when the child matures and, even unknowingly, breaks a Commandment—like even telling a falsehood—a lie, then, since God does not accept sin, God separates that person from Himself and keeps that separation until the person comes to admit he has sinned—that is to repent and asks to be forgiven—and to believe without any doubt that God is who He says He is and will, indeed take those sins away. At that moment, the sinner is brought back to no longer being separated from God—for all eternity future—freely given eternal life—totally redeemed, bought back with a tremendous price.

How does this happen? When we say “God is who He says He is,” we read that He redeems us with His blood. That eternal life is in His Blood:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Posted by Elfriede

Friday again! It’s been snowing since last night and all day today. The forecast is for snow until tomorrow. Reminds me of: “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” Happy snow shoveling!

[I wrote the above yesterday but couldn’t post it because, due to all the snow, we experienced a power outage. So posting today.]

We love the winter, no matter how much snow we have to shovel. We also live in a place where we can cross country ski for miles directly from our doorstep. We feel blessed!

[Woke up to about 40cm of more snow this morning -Saturday-]

Winter brings us snow ghosts in an artistic way, it’s a joy to the eyes and what a creation!
God the Creator of the universe, everyone and everything in it.

Mike and I would like to wish all our followers and readers a MERRY CHRISTMAS.

We are celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! What a wonderful occasion, knowing that His birth and His sacrificial death on the cross brought us the gift of eternal life!

Our prayer is that many would find the truth this Christmas season and beyond.
The time is near!

10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY

We received our Cornerstone Magazine and feel blessed by the below article written by Rick Morse in the Nov-Dec 2019 issue (pg 4+5).

We hope you enjoy it too and find the teaching helpful to rightly divide God’s Word.

10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY

“Be diligent to present thyself approved to God –
a workman irreproachable, rightly dividing the Word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15, (Young’s Literal Translation)

1. Observe What The Text Says

Publicity Update on DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST Study Guide

Posted by Elfriede Copple

Today we would like to share some exciting and encouraging news with you regarding the publicity campaign of our Study Guide “DIGGING DEEP INTO THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST”.

A Press Release was sent out on September 16, 2019 and has been picked up by

WHO IS THE COUNTERFEIT JESUS?

Posted by Elfriede Copple

Today our post is about a book with the title COUNTERFEIT JESUS by R.P. Amos who lives in Oregon City, Oregon. Randy Amos is an itinerant Bible teacher who has blessed us with his messages and books.

It is a book relevant to today’s times and an eye opener to who the Counterfeit is and how he got his foot in the door to deceive many.

In the introduction Randy states:

“In this book many authoritative statements are made. The authority for these statements does not come from some man-made council, some creed of a denominational headquarters, or a majority vote on certain issues. The authority for the many statements comes from no less a source than the Holy Scriptures (Bible) which is the Word of the living God.”

MOVING to a NEW DOMAIN NAME!

We will be moving this blog to a new domain name by the end of August!

WordPress confirmed that they will move all followers from this blog to the new domain. In case you don’t continue to get our weekly blog post notices, please check back and sign-up again. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Our new domain will be: michaelcopple.com

10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY

Where life’s battle is won or lost

Revelation 1:7-8, Revelation 22:13

Some things in A-F might have value but the Bible book of 1 Corinthiansinstructs in “G”.

How important is it to repent?How often should we repent?When did repentance begin?

10 COMMANDMENTS for BIBLE STUDY

Some things in A-F might have value but the Bible book of 1 Corinthians
instructs in “G”.

How important is it to repent?
How often should we repent?
When did repentance begin?