There are several types of angels mentioned in the Bible. The word “angel” can be used to refer to both good and evil angels (Satan is called an “angel of light” in II Cor. 11:14). We are told about the cherubim and the seraphim, and the four beasts that surround the Throne of God. Only the names of two good angels are known – Michael and Gabriel.

The Bible does not reveal exactly when the angels were created. It is known that they were present at creation and saw at least some of it happen, according to Job 38:6,7. In those verses, the angels are called the “sons of God.”

Sometime after creation, Satan fell. He was God’s wisest and most beautiful being. His sin was that he was not satisfied with his given position and desired to be worshiped as God (Isaiah 14:12-14) – wanting to usurp His position. When he transgressed, he took one-third of the angels with him.

As far as Satan’s power goes today, he is no match for the power of God. Jesus said He saw Satan fall as lightning from Heaven (Luke 10:18). God gives us His armor which can completely protect us from all of Satan’s darts (temptations – Ephesians 6:10-18). Satan’s power is limited by God for our protection – but he is still smarter and more powerful than we are, which means we can still fall to his deceptions and lies. Some angels (locust demons) are bound in the “bottomless pit” (Hell) now (Revelation 9:1-3).

God’s good angels – which are never mentioned as being female or little cherubs! – are always present around the believer (Psalm 34:7). Although invisible, they interact with humans all the time, and some may take on human form and appear briefly for some Divine purpose (Hebrews 13:2). We may never know how often they have helped us!

Angels are much stronger than humans – one killed 185,000 soldiers in one night! They are never to be worshiped! Hollywood’s depiction of angels and demons is a farce and far from reality. We must get our truth from the Word of God.

After believers are in glory, Paul tells us that we shall judge angels (I Corinthians 6:3). What their ministry will be after we get to glory is unknown.

The Lord Jesus Christ was never an angel and Lucifer is not His brother – both are blasphemous lies of the Devil. Also, Satan is not the Master of Hell – Jesus is and He has the keys (Revelation 1:18).

The above verse is very interesting – and one that every believer would do well to take heed to.

The last phrase of the verse says: “Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” A lot could be said just on this one phrase.

It means that we will face enough evil tomorrow to potentially get our eyes off the Lord Jesus Christ and on to the world. It is not where our eyes and heart should be. Watching the world can easily bring anxiety and doubt.

People that are on the Internet (or TV) a lot face temptations often. Certainly, they do not promote a desire to be godly and live for Christ.

How every believer needs to be careful to avoid focusing on tomorrow’s needs or plans so much that we miss doing God’s perfect will today. Remember that He alone is the Author of the “abundant life.”

He also is the only One that can give the peace that passes the understanding.

How can we keep our eyes on Him? Two ways will help:

1. Read the Bible everyday – preferably in the morning to start with your mind on Him.
2. Pray through the day and honor Him with a godly life.

 Are your eyes on Him and His will for you today?

The book of Revelation remains a mystery to many people, but even so, Bible prophecy continues to draw many people to it. The current world situation has more people wondering about it, because it appears that the world is getting ready for those horrible days predicted in it.

In Revelation 6, there is a mention of a white horse with a rider on it. Some people are quick to say that it is Christ because the horse is white.

The person riding the horse in this chapter is not the Lord Jesus Christ – the King of glory – but an imposter. He is the anti-christ. His identity can easily be discerned by the timing, looking at the verse, the events following his arrival, and other passages in Revelation.

1. The Time

This white horse comes after the church has been taken at the Rapture, which occurred in Revelation 4:1. Note that the church is not mentioned again until Revelation chapter 19. The event in Revelation 6 takes place at the start of the Tribulation.

2. The Description

He rides a white horse because he wants people to think he is the real Christ. He has a bow (not a rainbow) but no arrows – implying he comes in peace. He will make a peace treaty with Israel – but will break it after 3.5 years (Daniel 9:26,27). Although he wears a crown, it does not say that God gave it to him.

3. The Events Following His Arrival

The rider on the white horse in Revelation 6 soon goes forth “conquering, and to conquer.” This occurs in the second half of the Tribulation – after he reveals his true nature.

4. Other Passages in Revelation

When Christ comes back to earth from Heaven, He will be followed by the army of the saints – also riding white horses (Rev. 19:11-15). His weapon is not a bow – but a “sword proceeded out of his mouth” (Rev. 19:21). Also, He does not come to make peace – but to destroy all those who have not made peace with God through faith in His blood. Christ is also wearing “many crowns” – not just one (Rev. 19:12).

Christ meets the nations of the earth assembled against Him (by the first rider on the white horse) at Armageddon – and destroys them all. Then, He sets up the Millennial Kingdom for believers.

If you want more information about the amazing book of Revelation, you can learn much more from my book: World Out of Time & a New One Coming. Just follow the link to learn more about how you can get this book that looks at every verse in Revelation.

The Lord Jesus Christ knows what each of us is made of. We are flesh and we are weak, at times. Within each of our hearts is a nature that loves to sin – but God has found a way to give  born-again believers victory every time.

At the moment of salvation, God changed us. He put within us new desires, a new heart, and His own Holy Spirit. He also gave us a whole set of principles and promises to help us have the victory that He wants us to have.

The above verse reveals the key to victory – “pray.” The word “pray” simply means to ask. That is what God wants us to do when we are tempted to sin, tempted to be silent, or tempted to quit.

As you obey Him, God has promised to supply your needs. The key is to “pray.” Make your prayer request for strength known to God. Don’t quit. Don’t yield – pray.

The key to victory is so simple and the available power for victory so all sufficient – yet it is a real wonder why so many believers are defeated. They do not have to be where they are.

Perhaps you are one of them. You are defeated and are tired of it. You would like to see victory. Can you think back to a time when you faced temptation and could have prayed – but didn’t?

Why not pray right now and get back on the path God wants you on – the path of victory, honor, and blessing? Confess your failings, ask Him for strength, and wisdom to serve Him the way you should. He will give it. He has told us that if we pray – we do not need to fear fainting (quitting) because He will help.

Romans 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

When the Lord Jesus Christ forgives someone – it is forever. If the first time that Jesus died was not sufficient to save forever, then Christ would have to die again – which will never happen. This is Paul’s argument in Hebrews 6

Further forgiveness for the purpose of salvation is unnecessary because 100 percent of the price of your salvation has already been paid – leaving you to pay zero percent. When Jesus died on the Cross, He said three most powerful words: “It is finished.” In other words, no more needs to be paid and redemption is complete. The forgiven sinner is free forever from the penalty of sin the moment he or she puts trust in Christ for salvation.

Thank God that Jesus did not pay for half of our redemption and then leave half of it for you to pay. If that were true then no one would ever get to Heaven. You would have to pay for your sins in Hell forever because “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). This would make salvation by works – which it is not, according to Ephesians 2:8,9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

If someone offers you a gift – you merely accept it and say thank you. You do not reach into your wallet and pay for it. If so – it is no longer a gift.

Salvation is a gift and those who truly have it will show God thanks by living for Him. God does not want you to try to earn or pay for the gift of salvation – that is a mockery to God.

Instead, yield yourselves unto God and serve Him. He will give you joy, victory, and power to do so. Yes, the Devil will not it like because you have knowingly or unknowingly served him so long – but he never really liked you or was honest with you anyway! God is greater and much more powerful than the Devil and his demons! Praise God for this!

Besides that, if you had to earn part of your salvation, or try to keep yourself saved – what joy is there in that? That would lead to fear and not confidence or faith in Christ. The truth is that it is Christ that keeps us day by day and He is able to “keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy“ (Jude 24). Did you notice Who is doing the keeping in this verse?

Right after Jesus was born, angelic messengers were sent to make the first announcement of His birth to lowly shepherds out in the field. Shepherds were among the poorest people – and considered to be some of the lowest people on the rungs of society. They were often dirty, most likely did not smell very good, and were uneducated.

In spite of their clothes and rank in Jewish society, they were the first to hear the long awaited glad tidings of the heavenly messengers. The fact that God chose to make such an important announcement to seemingly insignificant shepherds sends a strong message to all. Their position in society did not matter and they would shortly be stepping into the presence of the King of kings.

These shepherds feared God and had a healthy respect for Him. When they saw the angel they were “sore afraid.” Because of this, the single angel’s first words were “Fear not.”

His glad tidings brought the announcement that the long awaited King had come – 700 years after Isaiah’s prophecy. The angel knew very well Who this Child was, and he called Him the Savior – and “Christ the Lord.”

The place where Christ lay – “lying in a manger“ – was a place that would likely make the shepherds feel right at home. Immediately after saying this, “a multitude of the heavenly host praising God,” appeared and gave praise to God.

Upon hearing the news, it thrilled their hearts that God was inviting them to see the One Who would one day rule over Israel – forever. It had been over 400 years since the last message was heard from Heaven – and to think – it was sent to lowly shepherds! After they saw the Babe in the manger, they went and spread the news to everyone that they could.

The message behind this event is that Christ did not come just to call the rich or famous. He did not even come to call the religious people. He also did not care whether they were dressed well, were educated, or had a good reputation. To “Christ the Lord,” it did not matter if they were looking like shepherds who often slept in the fields watching sheep.

Because “Christ the Lord” is much more than just a Babe in a manger, it is important to remember that He came to die for our sins. As the Savior, He desires that people come to Him as they are – with their sin. He is not interested in people getting polished in their own righteousness and changing their sinful habits first. He is the Healer of souls, and as such He once said: “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).

The Lord Jesus Christ invites all people to come to Him and be freed from sin, from the guilt of sin, and from the penalty of sin. It is a complete salvation. All anyone needs to do – no matter who they are or what they have done – is to call on the Lord Jesus Christ, tell Him that you need Him to become your only Savior and tell Him you want to serve Him – not yourself (“repentance”). Salvation is God’s Christmas present to mankind – but you must personally receive it.

Peter starts this verse with praise to God, who is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. He certainly is worthy of all our praise for what He has done for us. The “Father” concept, I believe is for our understanding that He is the Head of the Trinity, since this relationship is not one where the Father begat the Son. The Son is eternal and always has been. He never had a beginning – except when He left Heaven and became human.

Because the Father had mercy toward us sinners, we can be saved. Although we had sold ourselves to be the servants of sin, God was willing to forgive us and make us His own children: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (Jn. 1:12).

Note that the verse for today declares that God’s salvation is a “lively hope.” The word “lively” means energized, exciting, full of vigor. This is the kind of assurance of salvation that every believer should have.

The one thing that makes it “lively” is that Christ rose from the dead. His rising again proves that our sins, which were placed on Him on the cross, were completely paid for. The believer will never face them again – or any future sins, either. People that have this kind of “lively hope” can have an exciting life of faith, knowing that Heaven is sure – because of His work on the cross for us. Praise His Name!

People that believe you can lose your salvation do not have a “lively hope” – because they are never sure that they will make it into Heaven. They live with a degree of dread and fear all the time. It is not possible to call that kind of life a “lively hope.”

My friends, if you are fearful of not making it into glory, remember that Jesus came to bring eternal life. For believers, eternal life has a beginning but no end. It will be life with Him in glory – forever. Now, you either have eternal life right now – or you do not. If you have it, Christ is the One that does the keeping – not you. Can you thank Him for it today?

The things that God has prophesied that He would do in the future will certainly come to pass. There cannot be any variance in those plans from what He has said in the Bible. This is because He has told us that “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven” (Ps. 119:89).

This verse reveals that what is written in Scripture cannot be altered – because God does not change. His Word will never need any amendments or updates. It also cannot change.

Believers who know the Bible and are watching the times and events of our day, know that the world is getting ready for the last days. It is not the last days of the earth or of human existence, but the end of what is called the church age. The Bible gives many signs so that God’s people will know what to watch for as it gets closer.

The next period of time on God’s calendar is called The Tribulation. The rapture occurs just before this period of time begins. The Tribulation is a seven-year period that is broken into two periods of three-and-a-half years. God will permit the anti-christ to openly reign in the second three-and-a-half years, who will reveal his real nature during that time. This is when the number 666 comes into play. Those who take the number (a mark or tattoo of some kind that permits financial transactions) cannot be saved.

At the end of that seven-year period, the Lord Jesus Christ will put an end to the anti-christ and establish His personal 1,000 year reign from Jerusalem. Because God is faithful, the predicted future is sure and good for those who believe and serve Christ.

Exactly when the next event will occur – the rapture – cannot be known for certain – but it will occur in God’s perfect time. Nothing will delay it or speed it up. If you are not saved yet – it is time to get saved now. Do it today.