Jesus: The Believer’s Inheritance

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  It is fascinating to observe when people talk about inheritance, ones mind would immediately cater properties, wills, houses, jewelries, and other material things. All of which are centered on material temporal things.   In 1 Peter 1:4 , although The Apostle Peter used the term “inheritance” once in his letter, Apostle Paul on the other hand, mentioned this term in his letters several times. ( Eph_1:14 , Eph_1:18 , Eph_5:5 , Col_3:24 ,) But what is so significant about this particular emphasis of Peter? After all, he made a brief description of the inheritance (verse 4-5) a believer will obtain now that he is part of God’s family.   The term “inheritance” is not something new among Jewish ears. Going back to the OT, when God divided the promised land among the 12 tribes of Israel, every tribe received a portion of the land as their inheritance, except for the tribe of Levi…”the priestly tribe”. They were the only tribe that didn’t get one. God’s reason for doing so is interesting. Th

True Love?

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Revelation 18 is a reminder for believers to not be worldly, but godly. “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities” (18:4-5).  The “her” referred to in these verses is “Babylon.”  Here are two viewpoints: Who is the Whore of Babylon” and “What is the Whore of Babylon.”

It is important to note in Revelation 18 the “lovers” of Babylon: (1) “the kings of the earth;” (2) “the merchants of the earth;” and (3) “every ship master and every passenger and sailor, and as many as make their living by the sea.”  These “lovers” weep and lament over Babylon, for “in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste.”  Significantly, although they cry over Babylon, they are noted as standing “at a distance”– that is, their object of concern was not her but themselves.  These “lovers” were weeping because of their personal losses, in that they could no longer get rich from her! True love? Clearly not. These lovers possess only selfish, self-centered love.

Now, pause. Take time to contrast the selfish love of Babylon’s lovers to the genuine love of God. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Watch this brief video!

 

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