Be A Success And Plod For God

Be A Success And Plod For God

This Sermon Was Preached By Pastor Art Kohl In 2003

     Be like missionary William Carey who plodded for God witnessing Jesus to the people of India in the 1700's. Plod means to work and persevere slowly with effort refusing to quit. The bible tells us to plod for God at Galatians 6:9 saying And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. In other words keep telling people everywhere how to be saved. Tell them to repent, confess Jesus to be God, and believe that Jesus died for them on the cross, was buried, and rose again. Eventually your labor for Jesus will be rewarded and you will be blessed. 1 Corinthians 15:58 promises Therefore my beloved brethren be ye stedfast. unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

     When William Carey began thinking about going to India as a missionary pioneer, his father told him that he possessed no academic qualifications that should fit him for such a task. William Carey replied the following three words I can plod; I can go to India and I can plod for God. William Carey plodded and went to India where he slowly won souls to Jesus daily. Eventually thousands of people in India got saved because William Carey translated the bible into the languages spoken by the people of India. Let's all follow William Carey's blessed advice: Attempt great things for God; Expect great things from God.

     Those who accomplish things for the glory of God and for the good of humanity are plodders. Plodders accomplish the most for God and for humanity. Geniuses like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford accomplished much by discovering many inventions while they plodded along after many failures. They didn't walk into the lab the first day of testing and discover something miraculously. But, eventually they were successful and discovered many inventions after many days of plodding and perseverance. Therefore the key to success is to never quit after any failure. Keep trying to achieve your blessed goals, and if you don't quit you will succeed and your dreams will become reality.

Examples Of People Who Succeeded After Years Of Plodding

Noah

     Noah a preacher of righteousness kept plodding along for 120 years building an ark and succeeded in saving mankind. Pictured above we see that Noah kept plodding and preaching for 120 years warning the people that a flood was coming, ignoring the mockery, scorn, and ridicule from thousands of people while he built the ark. Notice the man in the picture above pointing to his head saying Noah is nutty in the head for building an ark when it has never rained for 120 years. And Noah's sons probably said dad why do we have to keep building this ark ; It's ridiculous, it has not rained for 120 years. This is s a total waste of time.

     But Noah kept plodding and buiding the ark and eventually after the flood, eight people were saved (Noah, his wife, his three sons and their wives; a total of eight people and a bunch of animals). Not one person outside of Noah's family was saved. Noah was faithful though and kept plodding and eventually God saved and blessed Noah for his perseverance. Like Noah, would you be willing to plod for Jesus for 120 years and ignore mockery, ridicule, and scorn while you try to win lost souls to Jesus. Be like Noah and keep plodding for Jesus refusing to quit and eventually you will succeed and be a blessing to multitudes of people all over this earth.

Examples Of People Who Succeeded After Years Of Plodding

Paul

     Paul kept plodding through many sufferings and finally succeeded (finishing his course) saying at 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day and not to me only but unto all them also that love His appearing. 

     Most people start plodding for God but quit after a small problem. But be like Paul and when you feel like quitting, keep plodding for Jesus slowly and eventually you can say like Paul I have finished my course and achieved all my goals for Jesus. Paul is amazing and a blessed example of how to plod for Jesus through many sufferings. When you feel like complaining after people persecute you for serving Jesus, think about all the sufferings Paul overcame while plodding listed in the next paragraph and finish your course for Jesus successfully because you never quit. 

     When you feel like quitting, keep plodding for Jesus and remember how Paul plodded through all these sufferings and kept preaching Jesus. Paul listed his sufferings at 2 Corinthians 11:24 saying Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep. In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren. In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Through all these sufferings, Paul never quit and succeeded in writing most of our new testament that blesses billions of people with peace all over this earth. Keep plodding along like Paul and you too will succeed and bless multitudes all over this earth if you never quit.

Examples Of People Who Succeeded After Years Of Plodding

Emperor Tamerlane

     Emperor Tamerlane ( a descendant of Genghis Khan) became a plodder after he was inspired by nature in the 1300's. Emperor Tamerlane's army had been defeated and dispersed by a powerful enemy. Emperor Tamerlane escaped and hid from the enemy in a deserted barn while enemy troops searched the countryside for him. While Tamerlane was hiding in the barn, he became desperate and dejected. 

     While he was laying in the barn, Tamerlane watched an ant try to carry a grain of corn over a perpendicular wall. The kernal of corn was larger than the ant. As the emperor counted, 69 times the ant tried to carry the corn up the wall only to get near the top and have the corn fall down. But on the 70th time, Tamerlane saw the ant succeed in getting the kernal of corn over the wall. After witnessing the ant's success, Tamerlane leaped to his feet with a shout that he too could triumph if he did not quit; And Tamerlane reorganized his forces and succeeded in putting the enemy to flight.

     Would you be willing to try to accomplish a blessed goal for 69 times ignoring failure and eventually succeed on the 70th time. Remember failure is just an indicator that we've tried to accomplish something. Don't be afraid of failure. Just keep plodding along for Jesus and never quit and eventually you will succeed.

     Proverbs 6:6 tells us to learn from the ant saying Go to the ant, thou sluggard; Consider her ways and be wise, which having no guide, overseer, or ruler provideth her meat in the summer and gathereth her food in the harvest; How long wilt thou sleep O sluggard; When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep; Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep; so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth and thy want as an armed man.  

A Story About Two Preachers Who Were Successful Plodders

     Read the following story that I pray in Jesus name will encourage my friends everywhere to keep plodding and witnessing Jesus everywhere.  

     A man witnessed and told everyone about Jesus on a busy street. He witnessed for two years (every day) after he got saved. After two years he never saw one single convert and therefore he quit witnessing. He moved away to another town because he was ashamed of himself.

     Several years later he went back to the same city and he saw a man on the same busy street witnessing and telling everyone about Jesus like he used to. He asked the man why are you witnessing Jesus to everyone? The man responded a few years ago a man on this same street witnessed to me about Jesus and I got saved. That man was so faithful in his witnessing but he's not here anymore. So I presume that he must have died and I have to take his place.

Remember Quitters Never Win

Winners Never Quit

When You Feel Like Quitting

Say Thomas Edison's Quotes Below

Many of life's failures are people who did not realize 

how close they were to success when they gave up

Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration

Mickey Thompson's Race Cars

Learn a Lesson From These Cars That Were Unsuccessful Plodders

     Mickey Thompson had workers that built the fastest cars for auto racing. But not one of these cars gave Mickey Thompson the checkered flag and a triumph. On 29 different occasions, cars built by Mickey Thompson led races but they never won a race. The reason: None of Mickey Thompson's cars ever finished; Thompson could make fast cars but he couldn't build them to last. They all broke down during a race where an engine blew or a gear box broke. Micky Thompson's cars were good starters and fast runners but they were not good finishers.

     A lot of preachers for Jesus are good starters and fast runners but they are not good finishers. The average preacher today only stays one year in a church. According to the US Postal Service, most preachers change their address every year. And most pastors quit the ministry after preaching in three different churches. These preachers took off sprinting in a marathon race for Jesus but forgot to plod and eventually quit living for Jesus.

     Unlike these preachers, never quit preaching Jesus. Brother Bob is determined to keep plodding and writing articles on preachbrotherbob till I leave this earth. Hebrews 12:1 tells us how to plod for Jesus saying Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

     To be a successful plodder lay aside all your sins and daily deny your flesh by reading your Word, going to church, and praying. The formula to be a successful plodder and deny your flesh daily is Word, Church, Prayer every day. If someone is not reading the Word, going to church, or praying, they will be sinning and stop plodding. Be encouraged; While you plod and run this marathon race for Jesus, remember that eventually Jesus will reach down from heaven and give you a second wind to gain strength to finish your work for Jesus. This promise is stated at Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint. Keep plodding for Jesus and never quit teaching, preaching, witnessing, caring, trying, and visiting and eventually you will succeed and achieve all your dreams.

     I pray in Jesus name that this little bible study encourages multitudes all over this earth to keep living for Jesus. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N. Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 60-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day.

Historical Facts Proven By The Bible And Archeological Discoveries

The Science Of Archeology Confirms The Existence Of

Biblical Places People And Events

     Just recently for the last 200 years the science of archeology has confirmed the existence of biblical places, people, and events. Archeologists have dug in the dirt and discovered many biblical places that confirm the accuracy of the bible. The bible is not a fictitious book about fables; The bible accurately states the existence of places, people, and events.

     This bible study will list various archeological discoveries of biblical places that will confirm that the bible is the truth and that our Lord Jesus is real. Jesus said at Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away; but my words shall not pass away. For many years people have said that the bible is a joke; But the bible is the most accurate book ever written and everything in the bible is the truth. If the bible says that a place, person, or event existed eventually archeologists will confirm the accuracy of everything stated in the bible.

     I encourage all my friends everywhere to read and memorize your bibles daily to obtain joy, peace, and strength. Jeremiah 15:16 tells us Thy words were found and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart; for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. Let's all tell the Lord Jesus like Job at Job 23:12 Neither have I gone back form the commandment of His lips, I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.

     Get saved today and receive the Word that is Jesus the truth. Repent and confess Jesus to be your God, believing Jesus died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again. Pilate asked Jesus what is truth, not realizing that he was looking directly at the truth Jesus. Today when you look at a bible you are looking at the truth Jesus who is the Word; And if you know the truth (Jesus and the Word) the truth will set you free. And according to John 8:36 If the Son (Jesus) therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Archeological Discoveries That Confirm The Truth Of The Bible

1) Absalom's Pillar

     Absalom's pillar pictured above is only mentioned once in the bible at 2 Samuel 18:18 that says Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale; for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance; and he called the pillar after his own name; and it is called unto this day Absalom's place.

     Absalom built a pillar in his name because he didn't have any sons. Jewish history and the bible tells us exactly where Absalom's pillar is located; It's in the king's dale. And the king's dale is in Jerusalem outside the eastern gate (also called the Golden Gate or Stephen's Gate) on the eastern side of Solomon's porch. To the south of the king's dale (note that a dale is defined as a wide valley) is the Kidron Valley which rises up into the Mount of Olives.

     According to Jewish history, after Absalom died, mothers would take their sons and daughters with rocks down to Absalom's pillar and stone the pillar, trying to teach their sons and daughters that Absalom was a rebel and this is what we think of rebels. After many centuries and thousands of stones thrown at the pillar, Absalom's pillar and the entire king's dale was covered with stones and rubble.

     But recently in 1932 archeologists dug and cleared away all the stones and rubble in the king's dale in Jerusalem and lo and behold they found Absalom's pillar pictured above. And it's not a tiny pillar; Absalom's pillar is 47 feet high. These archeologists confirmed the historical accuracy of the bible that stated the existence of Absalom's pillar in the king's dale. 

     Before this archeological discovery, Absalom's pillar seemed to be an insignificant statement about an obscure pillar that existed thousands of years before Jesus walked this earth. No one really cared about Absalom's pillar. But God put Absalom's pillar in the bible to show skeptics that His Word is true and that to this day there exists a place called Absalom's pillar. You can go to Jerusalem today and see Absalom's pillar in the king's dale below the Mount of Olives near the Kidron valley.

2) The Agora Marketplace At Mars Hill In Athens Greece

     The Agora Marketplace at Mars Hill in Athens Greece pictured above was the place where Paul preached about Jesus to the Greeks. Acts 17:16 tells us Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews and with the devout persons and in the market (Agora) daily with them that met with him. And then Acts 17:22 tell us that the agora market was in Mars Hill saying Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars Hill and said Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

     Recently archeologists discovered the ancient agora marketplace where Paul preached Jesus to the greeks at Mars Hill. This again confirms that the bible is accurate about descriptions of places that used to exist. Pictured above Americans rebuilt a modern market above the stones of the ancient market excavated by archeologists. You can visit this agora marketplace in Athens Greece today and walk where Paul preached. 

3) The Street Of Beth Shan 

     The street of Beth Shan is only mentioned once in the bible at 2 Samuel 21:12 that says And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead which had stolen them from the street of Beth Shan where the Philistines had hanged them when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa.

     It's incredible to note that the bible says that there was only one street in Beth Shan where the bodies of Saul and his three sons were hung by the Philistines. Pictured above, when archeologists discovered Beth Shan, lo and behold they found only one street in the entire city of Beth Shan surrounded by the ruins of many buildings. The bible accurately said that there was only one street in the city of Beth Shan. 

     Biblical history tells us that the men of Jabesh-gilead came over the Jordan river and took the bodies of Saul and his three sons from the street of Beth Shan and gave them an honorable burial. This was because Saul had saved the men of Jabesh-gilead from an enemy that wanted to poke out their eyes. Then David took the bones of Saul and Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead after repenting about seven innocent sons of Saul slain by the Gibeonites. Rizpah (a mother of some of the innocent sons of Saul) who pleaded with David for a decent burial of these sons caused David to repent and bury the bones of Saul and Jonathan. 

4) Pontius Pilate's Summer Home At Caesarea Maritima

Where The Apostle Paul Was Imprisoned

     Pictured above archeologists recently discovered the summer home of Pontius Pilate at Caesarea Maritima located on the seashore of the Mediterranean Sea. For years people thought that Pontius Pilate was a fictitious character. But ancient inscriptions about Pontius Pilate were found at Caesarea Maritima confirming the existence of Pontius Pilate. 

     Archeology confirmed that the bible correctly stated that Pontius Pilate existed at 1 Timothy 6:13 saying I give thee chage in the sight of God who quickeneth all things and before Christ Jesus who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. You can travel to Caesarea Maritima and witness the proof that Pontius Pilate existed and lived on the Mediterranean Sea in a summer home.

5) Ancient Babylon

     When Babylon was in its glory, the prophet Isaiah wrote the following prophecy about Babylon. Isaiah 13:19-22 says And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah (in other words there will not be a blade of grass growing there). It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation; neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there. 

     

     Isaiah 13:21 goes on to say But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there; and their houses shall be full of doleful (howling) creatures (jackals, coyotes, and hyenas) and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs (wild he goats) shall dance there. And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses and dragons in their pleasant palaces; and her time is near to come and her days shall not be prolonged.

     For years skeptics said that Babylon and the bible was a myth. But when anyone tells you that the bible is a myth, tell them that they are mythstaken, mythstified, mythinformed, and mytherable. Archeologists proved the skeptics wrong when they discovered Babylon pictured above after performing excavations for 14 years from 1899-1913. And lo and behold Babylon looked exactly like Isaiah's description from the bible. The bible is accurate because modern day Babylon is uninhabited and a desolate place where weird creatures exist at night. No Arabian shiek pitches his tent in modern day Babylon. 

     DL Moody told a story about a Turkish soldier on a hunting expedition in Babylon that also confirms the accuracy of Isaiah's prophecy about Babylon. The soldier paid an Arabian sheik a large sum of money to accompany him on a hunting expedition to Babylon. After pitching their tent during the day, the sheik said that the animals only come out at night in Babylon. But before night settled in, the sheik began to remove his tent and flee from Babylon. 

     The Turkish soldier told the sheik you can't leave; You must stay in Babylon tonight because I paid you a large amount of money for this hunting venture. The sheik replied It isn't safe in Babylon at night; No mortal flesh dare stay here after sunset. In the dark ghosts, goblins, and all sorts of things come out of the holes and caverns. 

     Then the Turkish soldier told the sheik I'll pay you double if you stay in Babylon and help me hunt. The sheik replied I couldn't stay for all the money in the world. No mortal flesh has ever seen the sun go down on Babylon and lived to tell the tale; We'll leave Babylon and come back at daybreak. Finally the Turkish soldier had to abandon his hunt in Babylon.

     And Jeremiah also prophesied about Babylon at Jeremiah 51:26 saying And they shall not take of these a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but thou shalt be desloate forever saith the Lord. Jeremiah 51:29 goes on to say And the land shall tremble and sorrow; for every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon to make the land of Babylon a desolation without an inhabitant.

     In other words, Jeremiah said that the stones of Babylon will remain and not be torn down while Babylon becomes desolate and uninhabited. Jeremiah's prophecy from the bible is correct because if you travel to modern Babylon today, you will see the stone walls and buildings of Nebuchadnezzar's palace remaining with inscriptions on the walls glorifying the kings of Babylon. 

     Jeremiah's prophecy about Babylon is exactly opposite from Jesus' prophecy that every stone would be torn down from Solomon's porch. Jesus spoke about Solomon's porch for the temple that had many magnificent buildings everywhere at Mark 13:2 saying Seest thou these great buildings? There shall not be left one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down. Jesus' prophecy was accurate about Solomon's porch because in 70AD the Roman leader Titus threw down and removed every stone from Solomon's porch by the temple. You can go to Jerusalem today at Solomon's porch and you will not find one stone on top of another stone.

6) The Synagogue At Nazareth Where Jesus Preached

     Pictured above, archeologists discovered the synagogue in Nazareth where Jesus preached from the book of Isaiah after President Jimmy Carter released funds for archeological digs in Nazareth. The original foundational walls, seats and pillars of the Nazareth synagogue with ancient jars containing scrolls of the Word of God were discovered by archeologists. Jesus attended this little synagogue in Nazareth for 28 years where after the people in Nazareth tried to throw him off a brow of a cliff, Jesus escaped and walked through the midst of them.

7) Capernaum

     Next we look at what Jesus and the bible has to say about Capernaum pictured above at Matthew 11:23 where Jesus said And thou Capernaum which art exalted unto heaven shalt be brought down to hell. For if the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained unto this day. But I say unto you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for thee.

     Archeologists discovered modern day Capernaum pictured above that looks exactly like Jesus' prophecy from the bible. Capernaum is like Sodom and Gomorrah and is uninhabited and desolate. When Jesus walked on this earth, Capernaum was a beautiful place on the seashore of Galilee in northern Palestine. During the days of Jesus, Palestine had three regions; Galilee in the north, Samaria in the central, and Judaea in the south. Jesus traveled from Nazareth to Capernaum which became the headquarters of Jesus' ministry. But because many people at Capernaum rejected Jesus and walked no more with Him, Capernaum became an uninhabited wasteland. 

8) Chorazin And Moses' Seat

     Alright let's travel two miles north of Capernaum and see what Jesus had to say about the city of Chorazin at Matthew 11:21 that says Woe unto thee Chorazin! Woe unto thee Bethsaida; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. Because the people of Chorazin rejected Jesus, the bible correctly stated that Chorazin would be desolate and uninhabited. 

     Now lets look at another archeological discovery about a seat that is mentioned only once in the bible called Moses' seat. Matthew 23:2 says The scribes and the pharisees sit in Moses' seat. The scribes and pharisees would sit in Moses' seat (at the synagogue of Chorazin) pictured above while people asked them questions about the law and the scriptures. Archeologists discovered Moses' seat pictured above and confirmed that the bible correctly stated that ancient Jews sat on Moses' seat while interpreting the bible. In fact every ancient synagogue in Israel had Moses' seat.  

9) Ekron

     Alright lets see what the bible has to say about Ekron. Ekron was one of the five famous capital cities of the Philistines. The five capital cities of the Philistines pictured above were Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Gath, and Ekron. Ekron invented a god that troubled mankind for over one thousand years named Baalzebub (called the god of Ekron). The pharisees accused Jesus of being a false god named Balzebub. But, the pharisees were wrong; Jesus is God manifest in the flesh. 1 John 5:20 proclaims that Jesus is God saying And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

     Ekron is mentioned in the bible as an actual place that existed at 1 Samuel 5:10 that says Therefore they sent the ark of God to Ekron. And it came to pass as the ark of God came to Ekron that the Ekronites cried out saying They have brought about the ark of the God of Israel to us to slay us and our people. 

     Skeptics for many years thought Ekron was a big joke and a fable. But recently in 1996 archeologists discovered the gate of Ekron and proved that the bible was historically accurate and a place called Ekron once existed. Archeology is a blessing because the more the archeologists dig in Israel, the more proof we have that the bible is true and the only thing that makes sense in this entire universe.     

10) The Pool Of Bathesda

     OK, we see that the pool of Bathesda is only mentioned once in the bible at John 5:2 that says Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bathesda having five porches. And John 5:4 goes on to tell us For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water; whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

     When the archeologists excavated Bathesda in 1888, they found traces of a rude fresco (a mural painting executed upon freshly laid or wet lime plaster) on Bathesda's wall of an angel troubling the water in the pool of Bathesda pictured above proving the accuracy of the KJV bible. Note that most of the new dumbed down bible versions have eliminated John 5:4 and deny that an angel troubled the waters in the pool of Bathesda. This is because these new bible versions deny the existence of supernatural miracles. Remember if it's new it's not true and if it's true it's not new. Only read the 1611 authorized KJV bible version which is the true Word of God.

     Don't read a dumbed down translated version of the bible that removes scriptures and words from the bible. Only read the KJV bible which is the true Word of God. God doesn't want anyone to add or remove any word or scripture from the bible. Remember the warning of Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away form the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

11) Ur Of The Chaldees

     Alright, pictured above we see that after digging for 80 years from 1854 to 1934, archeologists discovered Ur of the Chaldees. The most famous resident of Ur of the Chaldees was Abraham. Ur of the Chaldees is 140 miles south of Babylon and is only 150 acres (Ur is not that big; it's a small place). And pictured above when archeologists excavated Ur, they discovered a ziggurat that is a rectangular stepped tower covered or surmounted by a temple. For years skeptics thought that Ur of the Chaldees was a big joke before its discovery. Now no fool on earth denies the existence of Ur of the Chaldees that is the birthplace of father Abraham. 

12) Calvary And The Tomb Of Jesus

     Two men named Horatio Spafford and the British General Christian Gordon were influential in discovering Calvary and the tomb of Jesus. Horatio Spafford (1828-1888) who wrote the hymn It Is Well With My Soul decided to move from Chicago Illinois to Israel and built a home. Mr. Spafford started an American colony in Israel holding weekly church services. 

     One day General Gordon visited Horatio Spafford's home. While sitting on the Mr. Spafford's porch, General Gordon noticed a hill to the north of Jerusalem that looked like a skull. He told Horatio Spafford that hill looks like a skull protruding out of the rubble. The next day General Gordon wrote a letter to his family saying I think we've found Calvary. Then General Gordon and many men began removing the dirt around Calvary and discovered Golgatha.

     Golgatha is defined as the place of the skull where Jesus was crucified. The bible tells us that after David slayed the giant Goliath of Gath, David took Goliath's skull to Jerusalem where Jesus would be crucified. 1 Samuel 17:54 says And David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem; but he put his armour in his tent. This is why Calvary is called Golgatha (Gol-Goliath Gatha-of Gath). Jesus was crucified above the skull of the devil Goliath and the foot of Jesus bruised the head of the devil while the devil bruised the heel of Jesus. Look closely at the picture above of Calvary discovered by General Gordon and you will see the skull of Goliath laughing at David before he died. Goliath was a big giant and David took his big head to Jerusalem so Jesus could trample on the head of the devil proclaiming that Jesus' death on the cross has destroyed the devil.

     Now after General Gordon discovered Calvary, he said that there has got to be an empty tomb where Jesus was buried near Calvary covered by rubble and dust carved in stone that is empty. After General Gordon cleared the rubble around Calvary, he found a 10 foot by 14 foot tomb carved into solid rock filled with dust and debris. 

     Being convinced that this was the very spot where the body of our Lord Jesus did lie, General Gordon had his men clear the dirt with great care. They gathered all the debris and shipped it to the Great Britain Scientific Association. Every part of the debris was microscopically analyzed. But there was no trace detected of human remains whatsoever. 

NO BONE FRAGMENTS, NO PIECES OF HAIR

NOTHING BUT DIRT

REJOICE AND SAY 

WHAT THE ANGEL PROCLAIMED

HE IS NOT HERE FOR HE IS RISEN AS HE SAID

     Now take a look at the picture above of the tomb of Jesus and notice the crack in the rock six feet above Jesus ' tomb. This crack was caused by the earthquake that rolled away the stone in front of Jesus' tomb. When Jesus was crucified two earthquakes occurred in three days. The first earthquake occurred when Jesus died on the cross and the veil was rent in two from top to bottom. The second earthquake occurred at the tomb of Jesus that rolled away the stone allowing Jesus to rise from the dead and live forevermore. 

     Now take a second look at the picture above of the tomb of Jesus and notice the gully or trough in front of the tomb of Jesus. The trough or gully was dug in the front of Jesus' tomb by Roman soldiers so a stone could be rolled in front of Jesus' tomb to block the entrance. But the stone was rolled away by an earthquake and the angels proclaimed that Jesus is risen from the dead.

     Today you can travel to Calvary and Jesus' empty tomb in Jerusalem. You can walk inside the empty tomb of Jesus and see a sign posted that says He is not here for He is risen as He said. Thousands of people have visited Jesus' empty tomb. DL Moody and Spurgeon have preached at the empty tomb of Jesus. And every day there is always someone preaching about Jesus to multitudes of lost sinners trying to win souls at the empty tomb of Jesus. 

     I just had to add this blessed story about the tomb of Jesus. When Jesus was buried in Joseph's tomb, the Father went through the tomb and told Jesus Son you did everything I told you to do; Fold up the napkin and neatly place it in a separate place and get rid of the graveclothes; Here's some new clothes; Now let's get out of here and Jesus and the Father left the tomb descending to paradise to free the old testament saints and ascending up to paradise heaven (note that paradise is now up because Paul got caught up to the third paradise heaven at 2 Corinthians 12:4); Note that the angels didn't roll the stone away for the people to see Jesus but to tell the people that He is not here for He is risen as He said (Matthew 28:6).

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes of people all over this earth with great peace and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob Malkin anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.