Getting Closer To Jesus

     For today's bible study we will look at John the beloved disciple who got the closest to our Lord Jesus. John, unlike the other eleven disciples, decided to constantly be near Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I pray in Jesus name we can all be like John and daily walk close to Jesus to overcome this world. Notice that John in the picture above at the Lord's supper leaned on Jesus' bosom and laid his head on Jesus' breast. John 13:23 says Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Two verses down at John 13:25, it says He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it? 

     We all need to draw nigh to God's power and be like the apostle John pictured above who got the closest to Jesus by laying his head on the bosom of Jesus at the Last Supper. How close to Jesus do you want to get to receive power? James 4:8 says Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. John was so close to Jesus on his bosom and breast that John heard the heartbeat of God. Let's all walk so close to Jesus like John that we can hear the heartbeat of God.

     And notice that when Jesus said at the Last Supper One of you shall betray me, all the disciples said Lord, is it I? But then John knew he wouldn't betray Jesus and instead said Lord, who is it? John was confident that he wouldn't betray Jesus because John got the closest to Jesus at the Last Supper. 

     At first, all the disciples including John said Lord, is it I when Jesus said One of you shall betray me at the Last Supper. This is stated at Matthew 26:21 that says And as they did eat, He (Jesus) said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, Lord, is it I? But after John got the closest to Jesus and laid his head on Jesus' bosom, John was confident that he wouldn't betray Jesus proven by John 13:25 that says He (John) then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it? 

     

     Pictured above we see a blessed painting of what Jesus saw from the cross of Calvary. We see that John was the only one of the twelve disciples at the cross with Jesus comforting the three Mary's (Mother Mary, Mary the sister of mother Mary married to Cleophas whose son was James of Alpheaus, and Mary Magdalene). John walked the closest to Jesus of all the disciples and had the honor of hearing Jesus at the cross say John take care of my mother Mary. John 19:26 says When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son. Then saith He to the disciple (John), Behold thy mother. And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

     John had the honor of taking Jesus' mother Mary home with him, and John took care of Mary until she died. John then became the pastor of the church of Ephesus. When John began to preach and call people liars that deny the Lord Jesus and hate their neighbors, people were offended by John's preaching and wanted to get rid of John and make him an exile on the island of Patmos.

     The people that heard John's preaching wanted to silence John and did not like his preaching. They said that John was too negative and was wrong for calling everyone a liar that denied the Lord Jesus. The people said John, you can tickle our ears and tell us funny stories, but don't get mean. John ignored the people's threats and kept preaching the following scriptures below that exposed liars. John rejoiced at the persecution and said at 1 John 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us. Then John stated at 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.

     John kept preaching and stated at 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah that means Emmanuel or God with us; note that John said a man is a liar that denies that Jesus is God)? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Finally, John stated at 1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

     The apostle John was a hero to Brother Bob and would tell preachers to obey Isaiah 58:1 and Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. John would remind his church members about 2 Timothy 4:2: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

     The apostle John would preach Isaiah 30:9 telling the church That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. History records that people who hated John tried to kill him by placing John in a boiling pot of oil.

     Early christian writer Tertullian (155-240 AD) is the source of the story that Emperor Domitian (emperor from 81-96 AD) plunged John into a boiling pot of oil in front of an audience at the Roman Colosseum. John emerged unscathed and everyone in attendance is said to have converted to Christianity after witnessing John's miraculous survival. Other attempts to kill John apparently failed, so he was banished to the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation.   

     Jesus would not allow the people to kill John. John survived the boiling pot of oil. Jesus kept John alive because John had to go to the island of Patmos to write the book of Revelation. History records that while soldiers took John on a boat to Patmos to silence his preaching, John saved the soldiers who became christians for Jesus. The devil could not silence John who wrote the book of Revelation on Patmos.

     Jesus also did not allow the apostle Paul to die after a stoning at Lystra because it was God's will for Paul to minister at Rome. After the apostle Paul was stoned at Lystra and left for dead, Paul just squirmed his way out of the pile of stones and kept preaching at other cities. Like John and Paul, remember you won't die until God gets you where He wants you to go. Romans 8:31 says What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

     Pictured above, after the people could not kill John in a boiling pot of oil, they decided to exile John on the island of Patmos. When John arrived at Patmos, John told Jesus, Is there anything else I can do for you? Jesus replied, Yes, John take that parchment with a pen and write down what you see. Jesus told John at Revelation 1:18 I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter.

     John then had the honor of being caught up to the third heaven where Paul got to go forty years earlier. Paul only caught a glimpse of paradise and the third heaven and did not write any description of paradise. But John was given the honor to not only see the third heaven, but also write about the third heaven in the book of Revelation because John walked the closest to Jesus of all the disciples. What a blessing John experienced. Revelation 4:1 says After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

     After John got caught up to the third heaven, John was in the presence of the four beasts and 24 elders around the throne of Jesus. How can we walk close to Jesus like John where we see the blessed revelations of the kingdom of God? To answer this note that John was in the presence of the four beasts and 24 elders. The four beasts are very close to Jesus in the kingdom of God because they constantly praise Jesus saying Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. The 24 elders are very close to Jesus in the kingdom of God because they constantly praise Jesus saying Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. The 24 elders play harps, sing, worship, and cast their crowns before our Lord Jesus. Like John, the four beasts, and the 24 elders, I pray in Jesus name all my friends reading this can draw near to Jesus and continuously praise Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins, while we receive glorious revelations about heaven.

     Then Jesus said to John What else do you see John? Write it down. And John wrote Revelation 21:2 that says And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And John wrote these words of comfort at Revelation 21:4 that says And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

     Then Jesus said again to John What else do you see John? Write it down. And John wrote Revelation 21:10 that says And He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God; and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. John got so happy that he continued to write at Revelation 21:21 And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

     But John started to weep when he saw a book sealed with seven seals because no man was found worthy to open the book, neither to look thereon, loosing the seven seals thereof. But one of the 24 elders in the kingdom of God told John that the Lord Jesus hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

     Revelation 5:1 speaks about John's vision of the book of seven seals and says And I saw in the right hand of Him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda (Jesus), the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.  

  
     John stopped weeping and started shouting all over God's good heaven because Jesus began to show him the 7 seals, the 7 trumpets, the 7 vials, the 7 angels, the 7 churches, the 7 thunders, and the 7 lamps of fire. And after John saw all that, he rejoiced with joy unspeakable and full of glory. And then Jesus asked John, Do you have anything else that you want to say? John said at Revelation 22:20 He (Jesus) which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. (Then John said) Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Like John, let's all say Even so, come, Lord Jesus.. 

     The rapture when Jesus returns to take away His saved saints to heaven is a mystery according to 1 Corinthians 15:51 and no one but the Father knows when it will occur. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed., In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

     If you ever read the book of Revelation and read it in the Spirit, you will say along with John the words of the picture above. Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. People in church sing a song saying wait a little longer please Jesus, too many sinners wandering out in sin. That isn't what John said. John wanted Jesus to come quickly and take him to the place he had just seen. I pray in Jesus name that we can all say along with John, Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. 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) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day.

Going On With Jesus

     Today we will look at three special disciples named Peter, James, and John who went a little farther into the garden of Gethsemane with Jesus. Last week we saw that 8 of the 12 disciples stayed at the edge of the garden by the gate, not willing to go on with Jesus. But pictured above sleeping, Peter, James, and John were special and even though they fell asleep, they didn't lay down long, but continued to follow Jesus, ignoring the persecutions christians experience from the world because they preach about Jesus. Let's be like Peter, James, and John and forever go on with Jesus, rejoicing through the persecutions of this world because we preach about Jesus.

     Are you willing to go on with Jesus into the garden, rejoicing to be counted worthy to suffer persecution from this world because you preach about Jesus? 1 Peter 4:13 says But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified. James 1:2 says My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations. 2 Timothy 1:12 says For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.

     We should rejoice when the world persecutes us because we follow Jesus daily. I pray in Jesus name we can be like the apostles and rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer shame for the name of Jesus. I wish I could have seen and rejoiced with the apostles when they ran out of a house, leaping for joy because they were beaten for serving Jesus. Acts 5:40 says And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

     Now note that when the people with Judas came to arrest Jesus, all the disciples fled including Peter, James, and John. But, Peter and John did not stay gone long, and began to follow Jesus. Proverbs 24:16 says For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. If you have failed the Lord in the past, rise up again and continue to follow Jesus, knowing that the blood of Jesus cleanses you from all sin. 1 John 1:7 says But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.

     John quit running and turned around and went back and followed Jesus into the courthouse. John went to the palace where they tried Jesus. John went out and got Peter and brought Peter in to the palace because John knew the high priest, and the high priest knew John, and John was allowed to bring Peter in with him. Peter couldn't have gotten into the palace if John didn't go get him. This was about the worst thing that happened to Peter. Peter would have never heard that rooster crow if he never went inside that gate.

     The bible speaks about John taking Peter into the palace where Jesus was tried. John 18:15 says And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple (this was John who was humble and did not mention his own name in the gospel of John): that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

     Jesus wanted Peter to enter the palace to fulfill a prophecy Jesus stated earlier at Mark 14:29: But Peter said unto Him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

     The above picture shows us what happened to Peter after John brought him into the palace where Jesus was being tried. Note that the picture accurately shows the damsel in the palace, the maid on the porch, and Malchus (the soldier whose ear Peter injured that Jesus healed) all accusing Peter of being with Jesus, while Peter denied the Lord Jesus thrice after the rooster crowed twice.

Why do most preachers like chicken?

They're trying to get rid of that crowing rooster

A preacher's belt ain't nothing but a fence around a chicken's graveyard

     John 18:17 says Then saith the damsel that kept the door (of the palace) unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. Then the maid on the porch told Peter at Matthew 26:71 This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he (Peter) denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 

     Then Malchus recognized Peter at John 18:26 that says One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with Him? I'm sure Malchus remembered that Peter was the one who injured his ear. John 18:27 says Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. Matthew 26:74 says Then began he (Peter) to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

     Don't be like Peter who associated with evil companions by warming himself by the fading fires of this world enjoying the temporary pleasures of sin that end in misery. Luke 22:55 says And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them. Peter warmed himself by the enemy's fire. Peter got his thrill the same way sinners in the world got their thrill.

      Don't be like Peter and get your thrills the same way the world gets its thrills (warming yourself by the world's fire). In other words when you get your thrills the same way sinners in the world get their thrills (smoking pot, drinking beer, fornicating, cursing, and wasting all day texting on your cellphone and posting gossip on facebook) you're falling away from God. Remember James 4:4 says Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 

     It's easy to float downstream with the world's current. But decide today to live for Jesus and go upstream against the world's current. You know that you are growing with Jesus when you become less like the world. An old Japanese missionary used to say that the duty of every christian in any age is to discern the spirit of the age and then to go diametrically opposed to it. 

     Take time to read how my good friend Pastor Sonny Mull described how Peter denied Jesus. This is anointed, so read it and rejoice for joy. First, a damsel in the palace accused Peter of being a disciple that followed Jesus, and Peter said I am not, I don't know the man. And then a maid on the porch accused him and he denied it again. And then Malchus, the soldier whose ear Peter injured in the garden, He said, You are one of them, I saw you in the garden. I'm sure Malchus had a good memory of Peter as the man who attacked him in the garden.

     And so in  order for Peter to escape these accusations, Peter had to curse and swear that he did not know Jesus. Some of you boys down at your workplace will tell a dirty joke so your coworkers will leave you alone. You don't want to be too religious because your coworkers will pick on you. So you'll curse and swear like the rest of them so they'll think you're just another old joe that wants to be friends. Bless God friend, be a man on your job, willing to be persecuted for Jesus, and stand up for Jesus, stand up for Jesus.

     By the time Peter got done cursing and swearing that he did not know Jesus, the rooster crowed Er, Er, Er, Er, Er and old Peter fell on his face and started squalling. We got a preachin' chicken and a chicken preacher face to face. But the fact is this friend, Peter, James, and John were three special disciples that went a little farther into the garden with Jesus. They might have fell down but they didn't stay down long. Peter wept bitterly and repented that he denied Jesus three times and became one of the greatest preachers that ever lived.

     Now after Jesus was crucified and died, Peter and the disciples again got discouraged and decided to go fishing shown by the two pictures above, and Peter fished naked. Peter and the disciples got discouraged and decided to fish instead of preach about Jesus. After Jesus died, Peter said I go a fishing. 7 disciples (Peter, Thomas, Nathaniel, James, John, and two other disciples) said We'll go with you. 

     When Jesus died, the disciples thought well it's all over, we might as well go back to fishing. You know that you're backsliding when you return to your former habits of this world before you got saved. Philippians 3:13 says Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

     And they were out there in the boat fishing all night and hadn't caught a thing. And at daylight, Jesus was on the shore walking and the disciples didn't know who He was. And Jesus said, Hey boys Did you catch any fish? And the disciples realized it was the Lord and replied Not a bite. Then Jesus said Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Then John recognized Jesus and told Peter that Jesus was on the shore. Peter immediately covered his nakedness and girt his fisher's coat unto him, and did cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; for they were not far from land, but as it were 200 cubits, dragging the net with fishes.

Why did Peter and the disciples catch 153 fish?

     John 21:11 says Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, 153, and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken. Note that the Greek definition for 153 is an uncertain affinity or an infinite number. In other words Peter and the disciples were as the angels of God reapers in heaven who caught an infinite number of souls (153 fish) that were both good and bad fish. 

     To understand why Peter and the disciples caught 153 fish, one must understand the parable of the net that did not break that held the 153 fish stated at Matthew 13:47: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind. Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

     The 153 fish did not break Peter's net because all sinners from the beginning of time can not escape God's judgment. God says at Amos 9:2 Though they (lost sinners) dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down: And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them. 

     All the saved saints will be as the angels of God that separate the good fish from the bad fish in the net of 153 infinite fish. Matthew 22:30 says For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. 1 Corinthians 6:2 says Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world (at the great white throne judgment)? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels (the fallen angels that shall be cast into the lake of fire)? how much more things that pertain to this life?

     Remember how important it is to witness Jesus to lost sinners everywhere. If we fail to witness Jesus when the Holy Ghost compels us to tell lost sinners about Jesus, choosing to please our selfish desires, we will have to judge these lost sinners we failed to witness to and weep while we cast them into the lake of fire. Therefore make sure you tell everyone before they die how to get saved. Then it's up to that person to decide about getting saved with the Lord Jesus.  

     God doesn't wipe away tears and the memory of lost loved ones and friends in the lake of fire until after 1000 years in the kingdom of God. Revelation 21:4 says And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. If God didn't erase the bad memories of lost sinners in the lake of fire, saved saints would weep for eternity. Thankfully, in the kingdom of God all bad thoughts and memories will be removed where there will be no devil. God says at Isaiah 65:17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. 

Brother Bob refuses to weep for 1000 years and tells people how to get saved

Repent, decide to stop sinning, 

Confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel

That Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again

     John 21:1 describes the above story. After these things Jesus shewed Himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed He Himself. There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.

     John 21:4 goes on to say But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered Him, No. And He said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

     Notice that after Peter pictured above realized that Jesus was raised from the dead, Peter never quit or backed up again, and he never got naked again in public. Peter became a great man of God. Pictured above the bible says that once Peter got straightened out, Peter would walk down streets by the blind, deaf, dumb, halt, lame,  and all crippled people who laid on the sidewalk, and when Peter walked by while the sun was shining, every time Peter's shadow fell on somebody, they jumped up healed. I encourage everyone reading this to be like Peter and continue to daily go on with Jesus realizing that the blood of Jesus removes our past mistakes making us worthy to preach the gospel to the nations, irregardless of our past mistakes.

     The story about the picture above of Peter's shadow healing multitudes of people is at Acts 5:14: And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. No one ever walked away sick in the presence of Jesus or Peter's anointed shadow.

Revelations About John 3:16

     For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Cost), that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish (Condition), but have everlasting life (Consequence). Behold the length: For God so loved the world. Behold the depth: That He gave His only begotten Son. Behold the breadth: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish. Behold the height: But have everlasting life. 

     For God (the greatest lover) so loved (the greatest degree) the world (the greatest number), that He gave (the greatest act) His only begotten Son (the greatest gift), that whosoever (the greatest invitation), believeth (the greatest simplicity) in Him (the greatest person), shall not perish (the greatest deliverance), but (the greatest difference) have (the greatest certainty) everlasting life (the greatest possession). 

     Note the following blessed revelations about John 3:16.  Notice that in John 3:16 we can see the word gospel. John 3:16 says For G God so loved the world, that He gave His O only begotten S Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not P perish, but have E everlasting L life. Since the word valentine appears in John 3:16, you can preach about John 3:16 on Valentine's Day. John 3:16 has 25 words and the the center word is Son or Jesus with 12 words before Son and 12 words after Son. 

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. 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) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.

Just Inside The Gate

     Today's message is about the four types of church members in the garden of Gethsemane. Pictured above you can count 8 of the 12 disciples who Jesus told to sit at the gate of the garden that represent one type of church member. We will discuss these 8 out of 12 church members who are in the church, saved, just inside the gate, but at the same time can reach out, touch, and enjoy the world. These 8 out of 12 church members play with the world a little bit, then get back to church, then play with the world again, and then get back to church again. Peter, James, and John represent the second type of church member and were the three disciples that went a little farther with Jesus into the garden of Gethsemane.

     John represents the third type of church member that was the closest to Jesus and heard the heartbeat of God when he laid his head on Jesus' breast. John was the only apostle to stay with Jesus at the cross of Calvary along with the three Marys (mother Mary, Mary the sister of mother Mary married to Cleophas whose son was James the Lesser or James of Alphaeus, and Mary Magdalene). I pray in Jesus name we can all be like John and always be close to Jesus, hearing the heartbeat of God. Finally Judas represents the fourth type of church member who never even got saved but yet is in the church. Take time to meditate on Revelation 3:15 that says I know thy works, that thou art neither cold not hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

     Let's go all the way with Jesus and not be lukewarm, totally leaving and denying this wicked world. Jesus showed Brother Bob that when anyone goes deep sea fishing, when the boat leaves the shore for deep waters, the beach slowly disappears and eventually can not be seen. The beach represents the fading world and when we totally deny this world and launch out into the deep with Jesus, we walk in places where the world can not be seen any more. May we all be at the place of the safe deep waters with Jesus where we could not even remember, see, or think about going back to this fading world.

     The scripture that discusses these four types of church members in the garden of Gethsemane is Matthew 26:36: Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here (note that this is 8 disciples), while I go and pray yonder. And he took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee (James and John called Boanerges or the sons of thunder at Mark 3:17), and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. Note that there were only 8 disciples left just inside the gate because Judas left and went to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver from the chief priests and elders. Peter, James, and John left the gate and went a little farther with Jesus into the garden.

     Matthew 26:39 goes on to say And He went a little farther (Luke 22:41 says Jesus went a stone's cast farther into the garden), and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. Are you willing to go a stone's throw farther into the garden with Jesus and take more time daily studying the Word of God and praising our Lord Jesus? How far is a stone's throw for you? Is it reading your bible every day of the year, praying three times a day, or denying some luxury to bless the poor with food and clothes.

     Today we will discuss the 8 of 12 church members that sit just inside the gate of the garden and do not go any farther with Jesus. These 8 of 12 church members are just worldly enough to be saved and just saved enough to be worldly. How does that work? It's like water and oil mixing. I pray in Jesus name that you will be like Peter, James, and John that desired to be closer to Jesus. 

     Don't be like King Agrippa who almost was persuaded to follow Jesus. Instead be like Paul and be fully persuaded to follow Jesus. Almost only counts in horseshoes. Romans 14:5 says One man esteemeth one day above another, another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

 

     Our first example of a person who was like a disciple just inside the gate loving the world more than Jesus is Eutychus pictured above. Eutychus was a man in the bible sitting by a window of a third floor loft while Paul preached until midnight. While Paul preached, Eutychus fell into a deep sleep and fell down three stories out of a window. Paul went down and raised him from the dead, took him back to the meeting, and went on with the service.

     Here's some blessed thoughts about Eutychus (his name means fortunate). The reason Eutychus fell out of the window was because he was more out in the world than he was in the church. We are all in a window sill spiritually. We're either tilted in more or tilted out more. If Eutychus was tilted in more, he would have only fallen 3 feet into the church and lived. But Eutychus was tilted out more and too far into the world and fell 3 floors down and died. There are two morals we learn from the story about Eutychus: First, if you fall into a deep sleep in the church, you'll be dead in no time. Second, the reason his name was Eutychus: You'd have cussed too if you had to listen to a 4 hour sermon.  

     The story about Eutychus is at Acts 20:7: And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. And Paul went down and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed. And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.

     Don't be like Eutychus and dibble and dabble at the edge of this world while you try to stay in the church. Let's all leave this fading world and go a little deeper into the garden with Jesus. Let's all go that stone's throw deeper into the garden with Jesus while we deny this world by living sanctified and holy lives for Jesus. Ephesians 4:27 says Neither give place to the devil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says Abstain from all appearance of evil. 2 Corinthians 7:1 says Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

     Now I'll take time to describe these 8 of 12 church members like Eutychus just inside the gate who hold on to the world while they attend church and serve Jesus. At Christmas time these 8 out of 12 church members will be happy when the pastor gives them a brown bag with a banana, orange, tangerine, a candy bar, and some tracts. And after church is over, the tracts are all over the floor and out in the parking lot, but they got the bananas. These people don't care about the Word of God, but they want to get something from the church. What can the church do for me? Not What can I do for the church?

     Since we are talking about 8 of 12 disciples just inside the gate of the garden playing with the world, let's look at another place in the bible where Jesus left 9 disciples (including Judas) at the foot of a hill when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up to the Mount of Transfiguration. Because these 9 disciples were playing with the world, they lacked power to cast out a devil from a little boy.

     After Jesus left 9 disciples at the foot of a hill, Jesus was transfigured. Matthew 17:1 says And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with Hm. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.  

     Jesus told Peter not to make three tabernacles and to leave the mountain because there's a little boy down at the foot of the hill who is possessed with a devil. We have to go down there and help him. When Jesus got down to the foot of the hill, pictured above we see the father of the little boy walking up to Jesus and saying If you can, will you help my son? You see before Jesus arrived, the 9 disciples were praying, laying hands on the little boy, and trying to cast out the devil from this little boy, and nothing happened. They couldn't cast out the devil because they played too much with the world. So when Jesus finally got down off the mountain to the little boy, the father doubted whether Jesus could do any good for his son. The father said to Jesus If you can, will you help my son? Nine of your best men couldn't get it done.

     The story about the above picture can be found at Mark 9:17 that says And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit: And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and thy could not. Mark 9:21 goes on to say And He (Jesus) asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us. 

     Don't be like the worldly 9 disciples and allow the world to take away your holiness and sanctification with Jesus where you have no power to cast out devils causing people around you to doubt Jesus saying If Jesus can, he might fix my problem? Instead live holy and be a witness for Jesus where people around you have faith saying Jesus can fix all my problems. People are watching us and we might be the only Jesus that they see. 2 Corinthians 3:2 says Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men. Matthew 5:16 says Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

     Walk holy for Jesus, denying this world, telling everyone that Jesus can and will fix any problem. I pray in Jesus name we will never hear anyone say to us If Jesus can, he can fix my problem. Let's leave from just inside the gate and go deeper into the garden where nothing will be impossible for us. Ephesians 3:20 says Now unto Him (Jesus) that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Jesus said at Mark 10:27 With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

     For our next picture we see that when Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, all 12 disciples forsook and fled from Jesus. When the Jews came to the garden to arrest Jesus, the 8 disciples just inside the gate ran away and left Jesus alone. In fact, all the disciples ran away, including Peter, James, John, and Judas.

     And one of the disciples who was a young man was so scared that when a Roman soldier got a hold of him, he left his linen cloth and fled through the bushes naked. Mark 14:50 says And they all forsook Him, and fled. And there followed Him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

     The bible calls these 8 out of 12 church members that sit just inside the gate perpetual backsliders. Jeremiah 8:5 says Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return. These 8 of 12 church member just inside the gate get right once a year, and they last about a month, and then they're wrong again. They constantly dibble and dabble with the world and then go back to church over and over again. When the going gets rough, these people just quit. They are too close to the world to do any good for Jesus.

     For our final example of a church member just inside the gate we see Ananias pictured above who died along with his wife Sapphira because they did not give all their riches to bless the poor. Instead they lied to Peter and the church and used money for their selfish needs. Earlier Barnabas had sold a piece of property and brought all the money and laid it at the apostles feet to distribute to the poor and the widows. After Ananias and Sapphira saw how everyone was complimenting Barnabas, they decided to sell their property and bless the church and the poor widows. They said We're going to sell a piece of property and we're going to bring all the money into the church. We're going to be like Barnabas and bless the church with money.

     They sold the property and God blessed them and they got more for it than they planned. So they said nobody will know about our extra money. Let's keep back some of it. And so they put it in their pocket. And then Ananias came to church first. He walked in, laid the money down at Peter's feet. Peter said Is that all of it? Peter knew what was going on because God told him. Ananias lied and said Yes that's all of it. Peter said, Why have you lied to the Holy Ghost? The property was yours and you could do with it whatsoever you wanted to. Why have you lied to the Holy Ghost and kept back part of the money? And Annanias hearing these words fell down dead, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. They wound him up, carried him out, and buried him.

     When his wife Sapphira arrived late for the meeting three hours later, Peter said Did you and your husband sell the property for so much? She said Yea, for so much. Peter said Why have you been privy to your husband's lie and lied to the Holy Ghost and kept back part of the money? The feet of those who just buried your husband are at the door and coming down the aisle to get you now, and Sapphira dropped down dead. They took her out and buried her beside her husband.

     Note that Ananias and Sapphira were members of the church and saved, but they were lying dogs, thieves, and robbers. Because Ananias and Sapphira ignorantly lied to God right in the church, in front of the altar, in front of the preacher, God just killed them. You can read about Ananias and Sapphira at Acts 5.

     When Brother Bob thinks about Ananias and Sapphira, I think about 1 John 3:17: But whoso hath this world's good, (note this says if you have the money to bless the poor) (but if you don't have money to bless the poor just listen to and consider the poor), and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 

     Ananias and Sapphira were wealthy and not willing to share their money with the poor because they kept back part of the price of the land. Don't be like Ananias and Sapphira. Instead let's all have compassion on poor strangers, orphans, and widows and use our money to feed and clothe the poor around us. When we bless the least of the poor around us, we bless Jesus. Jesus said at Matthew 25:40 Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Jesus said at Matthew 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Witness Jesus everywhere telling people 

Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, 

Confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel

That Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again

Don't just sit inside the gate being a worldly christian

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. 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) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.