Albert LeRoy Jones: A Vision of Exile

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE & ONLY WAY TO SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE & ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF THE ONE & ONLY TRUE GOD.

JESUS CHRIST WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD AND BORN FROM A VIRGIN WOMAN.

JESUS CHRIST COMMITTED NO SIN AND FULFILLED THE LAW OF GOD GIVEN THROUGH MOSES.

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND ON CALVARY'S CROSS.

JESUS CHRIST WAS RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND NOW SITS NEXT TO GOD ALMIGHTY UPON THE THRONE IN HEAVEN.

JESUS CHRIST SHALL RETURN TO EARTH AND RULE ALL NATIONS WITH AN IRON SCEPTER FOR ALL ETERNITY!

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

A Vision of Exile

Listen carefully and suppress your pride,

for it is THE LORD who speaks.

Give glory to THE LORD, your GOD,

before the darkness descends,

before your feet stumble

on the mountains at twilight,

before the light you hope for

will gradually turn to gloom

and then into thick darkness.

If your pride does not allow you to listen,

I will weep in secret for you.

My eyes will be filled with tears

because THE LORD's flock is being led

into captivity.

Say to the king and the queen mother,

"Descend from your thrones,

since your glorious crowns

have fallen from your heads."

The cities in the Negeb are besieged,

and no one will be able to offer them relief.

All Judah has been taken into exile;

every inhabitant has been led away.

JEREMIAH: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 15 - 19

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1ST JOHN: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 1 - 6

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from GOD, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize THE SPIRIT OF GOD: Every spirit that acknowledges that JESUS CHRIST has come in the flesh is from GOD, but every spirit that does not acknowledge JESUS is not from GOD. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

You, dear children, are from GOD and have overcome them, because THE ONE who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from GOD, and whoever knows GOD listens to us; but whoever is not from GOD does not listen to us. This is how we recognize THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH and the spirit of falsehood.

1ST JOHN: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 18 - 29

Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.

But you have an anointing from THE HOLY ONE, and all of you know the truth. I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that JESUS is THE CHRIST. Such a man is the antichrist--he denies THE FATHER and THE SON. No one who denies THE SON has THE FATHER; whoever acknowledges THE SON has THE FATHER also.

See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in THE SON and in THE FATHER. And this is what HE promised us--even eternal life.

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from HIM remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as HIS anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in HIM.

And now, dear children, continue in HIM, so that when HE appears we may be confident and unashamed before HIM at HIS coming.

If you know that HE is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of HIM.

2ND THESSALONIANS: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 1 - 12

Concerning the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and our being gathered to HIM, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of THE LORD has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called GOD or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in GOD'S temple, proclaiming himself to be GOD.

Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but THE ONE who now holds it back will continue to do so till HE is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom THE LORD JESUS will overthrow with the breath of HIS mouth and destroy by the splendor of HIS coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason GOD sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

1ST THESSALONIANS: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 13 - 18 & CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 - 11

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that JESUS died and rose again and so we believe that GOD will bring with JESUS those who have fallen asleep in HIM. According to THE LORD'S own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of THE LORD, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For THE LORD HIMSELF will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of GOD, and the dead in CHRIST will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet THE LORD in the air. And so we will be with THE LORD forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of THE LORD will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For GOD did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. HE died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with HIM. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

2ND PETER: CHAPTER 3

Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our LORD and SAVIOR through your apostles.

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by GOD'S word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With THE LORD a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. THE LORD is not slow in keeping HIS promise, as some understand slowness. HE is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of THE LORD will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of GOD and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with HIS promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with HIM. Bear in mind that our LORD'S patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that GOD gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. To HIM be glory both now and forever! Amen.

JUDE: VERSES 3 - 23

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our GOD into a license for immorality and deny JESUS CHRIST our only Sovereign and Lord.

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that THE LORD delivered HIS people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home--these HE has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "THE LORD rebuke you!" Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals--these are the very things that destroy them.

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.

These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm--shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted--twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.

Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, THE LORD is coming with thousands upon thousands of HIS holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against HIM." These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.

But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our LORD JESUS CHRIST foretold. They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have THE SPIRIT.

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in THE HOLY SPIRIT. Keep yourselves in GOD'S love as you wait for the mercy of our LORD JESUS CHRIST to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 11 - 21

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice HE judges and makes war. HIS eyes are like blazing fire, and on HIS head are many crowns. HE has a name written on HIM that no one knows but HE HIMSELF. HE is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and HIS name is THE WORD OF GOD. The armies of heaven were following HIM, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of HIS mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "HE will rule them with an iron scepter." HE treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of GOD ALMIGHTY. On HIS robe and on HIS thigh HE has this name written:

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of GOD, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great."

Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and HIS army. But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

PSALM 2

Why do the nations conspire

and the peoples plot in vain?

The kings of the earth take their stand

and the rulers gather together

against THE LORD

and against HIS ANOINTED ONE.

"Let us break their chains," they say,

"and throw off their fetters."

THE ONE enthroned in heaven laughs;

THE LORD scoffs at them.

Then HE rebukes them in HIS anger

and terrifies them in HIS wrath, saying,

"I have installed MY KING

on Zion, MY holy hill."

I will proclaim the decree of THE LORD:

HE said to ME, "YOU are MY SON;

today I have become YOUR FATHER.

Ask of ME,

and I will make the nations YOUR inheritance,

the ends of the earth YOUR possession.

YOU will rule them with an iron scepter;

YOU will dash them to pieces like pottery."

Therefore, you kings, be wise;

be warned, you rulers of the earth.

Serve THE LORD with fear

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss THE SON, lest HE be angry

and you be destroyed in your way,

for HIS wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in HIM.

HEBREWS: CHAPTER 1

In the past GOD spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days HE has spoken to us by HIS SON, whom HE appointed heir of all things, and through whom HE made the universe. THE SON is the radiance of GOD'S glory and the exact representation of HIS being, sustaining all things by HIS powerful word. After HE had provided purification for sins, HE sat down at the right hand of THE MAJESTY IN HEAVEN. So HE became as much superior to the angels as the name HE has inherited is superior to theirs.

For to which of the angels did GOD ever say,

"YOU are MY SON;

today I have become YOUR FATHER"?

Or again,

"I will be HIS FATHER,

and HE will be MY SON"?

And again, when GOD brings HIS firstborn into the world, HE says,

"Let all GOD'S angels worship HIM."

In speaking of the angels HE says,

"HE makes HIS angels winds,

HIS servants flames of fire."

But about THE SON HE says,

"YOUR throne, O GOD, will last for ever and ever,

and righteousness will be the scepter of YOUR kingdom.

YOU have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;

therefore GOD, YOUR GOD, has set YOU above YOUR companions

by anointing YOU with the oil of joy."

HE also says,

"In the beginning, O LORD, YOU laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of YOUR hands.

They will perish, but YOU remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

YOU will roll them up like a robe;

like a garment they will be changed.

But YOU remain the same,

and YOUR years will never end."

To which of the angels did GOD ever say,

"Sit at MY right hand

until I make YOUR enemies

a footstool for YOUR feet"?

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?

COLOSSIANS: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 15 - 20

HE is the image of THE INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn over all creation. For by HIM all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by HIM and for HIM. HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together. And HE is the head of the body, the church; HE is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything HE might have the supremacy. For GOD was pleased to have all HIS fullness dwell in HIM, and through HIM to reconcile to HIMSELF all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through HIS blood, shed on the cross.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 1 - 8

The revelation of JESUS CHRIST, which GOD gave HIM to show HIS servants what must soon take place. HE made it known by sending HIS angel to HIS servant John, who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of GOD and the testimony of JESUS CHRIST. Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

John,

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from HIM who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before HIS throne, and from JESUS CHRIST, who is THE FAITHFUL WITNESS, THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD, and THE RULER OF THE KINGS OF THE EARTH.

To HIM who loves us and has freed us from our sins by HIS blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve HIS GOD and FATHER--to HIM be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Look, HE is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see HIM,

even those who pierced HIM;

and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of HIM.

So shall it be! Amen.

"I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA," says THE LORD GOD, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, THE ALMIGHTY."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 9 - 20

I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in JESUS, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of GOD and the testimony of JESUS. On THE LORD'S Day I was in THE SPIRIT, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: "Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea."

I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone "like a son of man," dressed in a robe reaching down to HIS feet and with a golden sash around HIS chest. HIS head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and HIS eyes were like blazing fire. HIS feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and HIS voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In HIS right hand HE held seven stars, and out of HIS mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. HIS face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

When I saw HIM, I fell at HIS feet as though dead. Then HE placed HIS right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I AM THE FIRST AND THE LAST. I AM THE LIVING ONE; I was dead, and behold I AM alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

"Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in MY right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 1 - 7

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of HIM who holds the seven stars in HIS right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for MY name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of GOD.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 8 - 11

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of HIM who is THE FIRST AND THE LAST, who died and came to life again. I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 12 - 17

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of HIM who has the sharp, double-edged sword. I know where you live--where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to MY name. You did not renounce your faith in ME, even in the days of Antipas, MY faithful witness, who was put to death in your city--where Satan lives.

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of MY mouth.

He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 18 - 29

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of THE SON OF GOD, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads MY servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I AM HE who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come.

To him who overcomes and does MY will to the end, I will give authority over the nations--

'HE will rule them with an iron scepter;

HE will dash them to pieces like pottery'--

just as I have received authority from MY FATHER. I will also give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 1 - 6

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of HIM who holds the seven spirits of GOD and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of MY GOD. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with ME, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before MY FATHER and HIS angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 7 - 13

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of HIM who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What HE opens no one can shut, and what HE shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept MY word and have not denied MY name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept MY command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of MY GOD. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of MY GOD and the name of the city of MY GOD, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from MY GOD; and I will also write on him MY new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 14 - 22

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of THE AMEN, THE FAITHFUL AND TRUE WITNESS, THE RULER OF GOD'S CREATION. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of MY mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from ME gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I AM! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears MY voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with ME.

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with ME on MY throne, just as I overcame and sat down with MY FATHER on HIS throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what THE SPIRIT says to the churches."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 4

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And THE ONE who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD. Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

"Holy, holy, holy

is THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

who was, and is, and is to come."

Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to HIM who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before HIM who sits on the throne, and worship HIM who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

"YOU are worthy, our LORD and GOD,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for YOU created all things,

and by YOUR will they were created

and have their being."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 5

Then I saw in the right hand of HIM who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, THE ROOT OF DAVID, has triumphed. HE is able to open the scroll and its seven seals."

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. HE had seven horns and seven eyes, which are THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD sent out into all the earth. HE came and took the scroll from the right hand of HIM who sat on the throne. And when HE had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before THE LAMB. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:

"YOU are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because YOU were slain,

and with YOUR blood YOU purchased men for GOD

from every tribe and language and people and nation.

YOU have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our GOD,

and they will reign on the earth."

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang:

"Worthy is THE LAMB, who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength

and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:

"To HIM who sits on the throne and to THE LAMB

be praise and honor and glory and power,

for ever and ever!"

The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 6

I watched as THE LAMB opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

When THE LAMB opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

When THE LAMB opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

When THE LAMB opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

When HE opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of GOD and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, "How long, SOVEREIGN LORD, holy and true, until YOU judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and brothers who were to be killed as they had been was completed.

I watched as HE opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.

Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of HIM who sits on the throne and from the wrath of THE LAMB! For the great day of THEIR wrath has come, and who can stand?"

REVELATION: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 1 - 5

When HE opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

And I saw the seven angels who stand before GOD, and to them were given seven trumpets.

Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before GOD from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 6 - 13 & CHAPTER 9

Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them.

The first angel sounded his trumpet, and there came hail and fire mixed with blood, and it was hurled down upon the earth. A third of the earth was burned up, a third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up.

The second angel sounded his trumpet, and something like a huge mountain, all ablaze, was thrown into the sea. A third of the sea turned into blood, a third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed.

The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water--the name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the waters that had become bitter.

The fourth angel sounded his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of them turned dark. A third of the day was without light, and also a third of the night.

As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: "Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!"

The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss. When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of GOD on their foreheads. They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes a man. During those days men will seek death, but will not find it; they will long to die, but death will elude them.

The locusts looked like horses prepared for battle. On their heads they wore something like crowns of gold, and their faces resembled human faces. Their hair was like women's hair, and their teeth were like lion's teeth. They had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the thundering of many horses and chariots rushing into battle. They had tails and stings like scorpions, and in their tails they had power to torment people for five months. They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in Greek, Apollyon.

The first woe is past; two other woes are yet to come.

The sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice coming from the horns of the golden altar that is before GOD. It said to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, "Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates." And the four angels who had been kept ready for this very hour and day and month and year were released to kill a third of mankind. The number of the mounted troops was two hundred million. I heard their number.

The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke and sulfur that came out of their mouths. The power of the horses was in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails were like snakes, having heads with which they inflict injury.

The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood--idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 15 - 19

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our LORD and of HIS CHRIST,

and HE will reign for ever and ever."

And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before GOD, fell on their faces and worshiped GOD, saying:

"We give thanks to YOU, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

THE ONE who is and who was,

because YOU have taken YOUR great power

and have begun to reign.

The nations were angry;

and YOUR wrath has come.

The time has come for judging the dead,

and for rewarding YOUR servants the prophets

and YOUR saints and those who reverence YOUR name,

both small and great--

and for destroying those who destroy the earth."

Then GOD'S temple in heaven was opened, and within HIS temple was seen the ark of HIS covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a great hailstorm.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 15

I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues--last, because with them GOD'S wrath is completed. And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by GOD and sang the song of Moses the servant of GOD and the song of THE LAMB:

"Great and marvelous are YOUR deeds,

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.

Just and true are YOUR ways,

KING OF THE AGES.

Who will not fear YOU, O LORD,

and bring glory to YOUR name?

For YOU alone are holy.

All nations will come

and worship before YOU,

for YOUR righteous acts have been revealed."

After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened. Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues. They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests. Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of GOD, who lives for ever and ever. And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of GOD and from HIS power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 16

Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, "Go, pour out the seven bowls of GOD'S wrath on the earth."

The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly and painful sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped his image.

The second angel poured out his bowl on the sea, and it turned into blood like that of a dead man, and every living thing in the sea died.

The third angel poured out his bowl on the rivers and springs of water, and they became blood. Then I heard the angel in charge of the waters say:

"YOU are just in these judgments,

YOU who are and who were, THE HOLY ONE,

because YOU have so judged;

for they have shed the blood of YOUR saints and prophets,

and YOU have given them blood to drink as they deserve."

And I heard the altar respond:

"Yes, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,

true and just are YOUR judgments."

The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of GOD, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify HIM.

The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed THE GOD OF HEAVEN because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done.

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up to prepare the way for the kings from the East. Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of GOD ALMIGHTY.

"Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."

Then they gathered the kings together to the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon.

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and out of the temple came a loud voice from the throne, saying, "It is done!" Then there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder and a severe earthquake. No earthquake like it has ever occurred since man has been on earth, so tremendous was the quake. The great city split into three parts, and the cities of the nations collapsed. GOD remembered Babylon the Great and gave her the cup filled with the wine of the fury of HIS wrath. Every island fled away and the mountains could not be found. From the sky huge hailstones of about a hundred pounds each fell upon men. And they cursed GOD on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 1 - 18

In the beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD was with GOD, and THE WORD was GOD. HE was with GOD in the beginning.

Through HIM all things were made; without HIM nothing was made that has been made. In HIM was life, and that life was THE LIGHT OF MEN. THE LIGHT shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

There came a man who was sent from GOD; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not THE LIGHT; he came only as a witness to THE LIGHT. THE TRUE LIGHT that gives light to every man was coming into the world.

HE was in the world, and though the world was made through HIM, the world did not recognize HIM. HE came to that which was HIS own, but HIS own did not receive HIM. Yet to all who received HIM, to those who believed in HIS name, HE gave the right to become children of GOD--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of GOD.

THE WORD became flesh and made HIS dwelling among us. We have seen HIS glory, the glory of THE ONE AND ONLY, who came from THE FATHER, full of grace and truth.

John testifies concerning HIM. He cries out, saying, "This was HE of whom I said, 'HE who comes after me has surpassed me because HE was before me.'" From the fullness of HIS grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through JESUS CHRIST. No one has ever seen GOD, but GOD THE ONE AND ONLY, who is at THE FATHER'S side, has made HIM known.

GENESIS: CHAPTER 1 & CHAPTER 2, VERSES 1 - 3

In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and THE SPIRIT OF GOD was hovering over the waters.

And GOD said, "Let there be light," and there was light. GOD saw that the light was good, and HE separated the light from the darkness. GOD call the light "day," and the darkness HE called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning--the first day.

And GOD said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So GOD made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. GOD called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning--the second day.

And GOD said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. GOD called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters HE called "seas." And GOD saw that it was good.

Then GOD said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And GOD saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the third day.

And GOD said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. GOD made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. HE also made the stars. GOD set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And GOD saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the fourth day.

And GOD said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So GOD created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And GOD saw that it was good. GOD blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning--the fifth day.

And GOD said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. GOD made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And GOD saw that it was good.

Then GOD said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

So GOD created man in HIS own image,

in the image of GOD HE created him;

male and female HE created them.

GOD blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Then GOD said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground--everything that has the breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.

GOD saw all that HE had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.

By the seventh day GOD had finished the work HE had been doing; so on the seventh day HE rested from all HIS work. And GOD blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it HE rested from all the work of creating that HE had done.

GENESIS: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 4 - 25

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

When THE LORD GOD made the earth and the heavens--and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for THE LORD GOD had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground--THE LORD GOD formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now THE LORD GOD had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there HE put the man HE had formed. And THE LORD GOD made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground--trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters. The name of the first is the Pishon; it winds through the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. (The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx are also there.) The name of the second river is the Gihon; it winds through the entire land of Cush. The name of the third river is the Tigris; it runs along the east side of Asshur. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.

THE LORD GOD took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And THE LORD GOD commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."

THE LORD GOD said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

Now THE LORD GOD had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. HE brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field.

But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So THE LORD GOD caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, HE took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then THE LORD GOD made a woman from the rib HE had taken out of the man, and HE brought her to the man.

The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called woman,

for she was taken out of man."

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

GENESIS: CHAPTER 3

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals THE LORD GOD had made. He said to the woman, "Did GOD really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but GOD did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "

"You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For GOD knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like GOD, knowing good and evil."

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of THE LORD GOD as HE was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from THE LORD GOD among the trees of the garden. But THE LORD GOD called to the man, "Where are you?"

He answered, "I heard YOU in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."

And HE said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"

The man said, "The woman you put here with me--she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."

Then THE LORD GOD said to the woman, "What is this you have done?"

The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

So THE LORD GOD said to the serpent, "Because you have done this,

"Cursed are you above all the livestock

and all the wild animals!

You will crawl on your belly

and you will eat dust

all the days of your life.

And I will put enmity

between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will crush your head,

and you will strike his heel."

To the woman HE said,

"I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing;

with pain you will give birth to children.

Your desire will be for your husband,

and he will rule over you."

To Adam HE said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'

"Cursed is the ground because of you;

through painful toil you will eat of it

all the days of your life.

It will produce thorns and thistles for you,

and you will eat the plants of the field.

By the sweat of your brow

you will eat your food

until you return to the ground,

since from it you were taken;

for dust you are

and to dust you will return."

Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.

THE LORD GOD made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. And THE LORD GOD said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." So THE LORD GOD banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After HE drove the man out, HE placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS FORETOLD

In the sixth month, GOD sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! THE LORD is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with GOD. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name JESUS. HE will be great and will be called THE SON OF THE MOST HIGH. THE LORD GOD will give HIM the throne of HIS father David, and HE will reign over the house of Jacob forever; HIS kingdom will never end."

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "THE HOLY SPIRIT will come upon you, and the power of THE MOST HIGH will overshadow you. So THE HOLY ONE to be born will be called THE SON OF GOD. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with GOD."

"I am THE LORD'S servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

THE BIRTH OF JESUS

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

THE SHEPHERDS AND THE ANGELS

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of THE LORD appeared to them, and the glory of THE LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; HE is CHRIST THE LORD. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising GOD and saying,

"Glory to GOD in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom HIS favor rests."

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which THE LORD has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen HIM, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The Shepherds returned, glorifying and praising GOD for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 1 - 21

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to JESUS at night and said, "RABBI, we know YOU are a teacher who has come from GOD. For no one could perform the miraculous signs YOU are doing if GOD were not with him."

In reply JESUS declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of GOD unless he is born again."

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

JESUS answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of GOD unless he is born of water and THE SPIRIT. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but THE SPIRIT gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at MY saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of THE SPIRIT."

"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

"You are Israel's teacher," said JESUS, "and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, WE speak of what WE know, and WE testify to what WE have seen, but still you people do not accept OUR testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except THE ONE who came from heaven--THE SON OF MAN. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so THE SON OF MAN must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in HIM may have eternal life.

"For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish but have eternal life. For GOD did not send HIS SON into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through HIM. Whoever believes in HIM is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of GOD'S ONE AND ONLY SON. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through GOD."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 19 - 30

"I tell you the truth, THE SON can do nothing by HIMSELF; HE can do only what HE sees HIS FATHER doing, because whatever THE FATHER does THE SON also does. For THE FATHER loves THE SON and shows HIM all HE does. Yes, to your amazement HE will show HIM even greater things than these. For just as THE FATHER raises the dead and gives them life, even so THE SON gives life to whom HE is pleased to give it. Moreover, THE FATHER judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to THE SON, that all may honor THE SON just as they honor THE FATHER. He who does not honor THE SON does not honor THE FATHER, who sent HIM.

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears MY word and believes HIM who sent ME has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of THE SON OF GOD and those who hear will live. For as THE FATHER has life in HIMSELF, so HE has granted THE SON to have life in HIMSELF. And HE has given HIM authority to judge because HE is THE SON OF MAN.

"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear HIS voice and come out--those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. By MYSELF I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and MY judgment is just, for I seek not to please MYSELF but HIM who sent ME.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 1 - 18

"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." JESUS used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what HE was telling them.

Therefore JESUS said again, "I tell you the truth, I AM THE GATE FOR THE SHEEP. All who ever came before ME were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I AM THE GATE; whoever enters through ME will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

"I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD lays down HIS life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

"I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD; I know MY sheep and MY sheep know ME--just as THE FATHER knows ME and I know THE FATHER--and I lay down MY life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to MY voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason MY FATHER loves ME is that I lay down MY life--only to take it up again. NO one takes it from ME, but I lay it down of MY own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from MY FATHER."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 45 - 57

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what JESUS did, put their faith in HIM. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what JESUS had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin.

"What are we accomplishing?" they asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let HIM go on like this, everyone will believe in HIM, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation."

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, "You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that JESUS would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of GOD, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take HIS life.

Therefore JESUS no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead HE withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where HE stayed with HIS disciples.

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for JESUS, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, "What do you think? Isn't HE coming to the Feast at all?" But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where JESUS was, he should report it so that they might arrest HIM.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 1 - 11

Six days before the Passover, JESUS arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom JESUS had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in JESUS' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with HIM. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on JESUS' feet and wiped HIS feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

But one of HIS disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray HIM, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages." He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

"Leave her alone," JESUS replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of MY burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have ME."

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that JESUS was there and came, not only because of HIM but also to see Lazarus, whom HE had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to JESUS and putting their faith in HIM.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 20 - 36

Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the Feast. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. "Sir," they said, "we would like to see JESUS." Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told JESUS.

JESUS replied, "The hour has come for THE SON OF MAN to be glorified. I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves ME must follow ME; and where I am, MY servant also will be. MY FATHER will honor the one who serves ME.

"Now MY heart is troubled, and what shall I say? 'FATHER, save ME from this hour'? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. FATHER, glorify YOUR name!"

Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to HIM.

JESUS said, "This voice was for your benefit, not MINE. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to MYSELF." HE said this to show the kind of death HE was going to die.

The crowd spoke up, "We have heard from the Law that THE CHRIST will remain forever, so how can YOU say, 'THE SON OF MAN must be lifted up'? Who is this 'Son of Man'?"

Then JESUS told them, "You are gong to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When HE had finished speaking, JESUS left and hid HIMSELF from them.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 1 - 17

It was just before the Passover Feast. JESUS knew that the time had come for HIM to leave this world and go to THE FATHER. Having loved HIS own who were in the world, HE now showed them the full extent of HIS love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray JESUS. JESUS knew that THE FATHER had put all things under HIS power, and that HE had come from GOD and was returning to GOD; so HE got up from the meal, took off HIS outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around HIS waist. After that, HE poured water into a basin and began to wash HIS disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around HIM.

HE came to Simon Peter, who said to HIM, "LORD, are YOU going to wash my feet?"

JESUS replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "YOU shall never wash my feet."

JESUS answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with ME."

"Then, LORD," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

JESUS answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For HE knew who was going to betray HIM, and that was why HE said not every one was clean.

When HE had finished washing their feet, HE put on HIS clothes and returned to HIS place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" HE asked them. "You call ME 'TEACHER' and 'LORD,' and rightly so, for that is what I AM. Now that I, your LORD and TEACHER, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 18 - 30

"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares MY bread has lifted up his heel against ME.'

"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I AM HE. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts ME; and whoever accepts ME accepts THE ONE who sent ME."

After HE had said this, JESUS was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray ME."

HIS disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them HE meant. One of them, the disciple whom JESUS loved, was reclining next to HIM. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask HIM which one HE means."

Leaning back against JESUS, he asked HIM, "LORD, who is it?"

JESUS answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, HE gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.

"What you are about to do, do quickly," JESUS told him, but no one at the meal understood why JESUS said this to him. Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought JESUS was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor. As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 31 - 38

When he was gone, JESUS said, "Now is THE SON OF MAN glorified and GOD is glorified in HIM. If GOD is glorified in HIM, GOD will glorify THE SON in HIMSELF, and will glorify HIM at once.

"MY children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for ME, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are MY disciples, if you love one another."

Simon Peter asked HIM, "LORD, where are YOU going?"

JESUS replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."

Peter asked, "LORD, why can't I follow YOU now? I will lay down my life for YOU."

Then JESUS answered, "Will you really lay down your life for ME? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown ME three times!"

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 1 - 5

After JESUS said this, HE looked toward heaven and prayed:

"FATHER, the time has come. Glorify YOUR SON, that YOUR SON may glorify YOU. For YOU granted HIM authority over all people that HE might give eternal life to all those YOU have given HIM. Now this is eternal life: that they may know YOU, THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and JESUS CHRIST, whom YOU have sent. I have brought YOU glory on earth by completing the work YOU gave ME to do. And now, FATHER, glorify ME in YOUR presence with the glory I had with YOU before the world began.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 6 - 19

"I have revealed YOU to those whom YOU gave ME out of the world. They were YOURS; YOU gave them to ME and they have obeyed YOUR word. Now they know that everything YOU have given ME comes from YOU. For I gave them the words YOU gave ME and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from YOU, and they believed that YOU sent ME. I pray for them. I AM not praying for the world, but for those YOU have given ME, for they are YOURS. All I have is YOURS, and all YOU have is MINE. And glory has come to ME through them. I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I AM coming to YOU. HOLY FATHER, protect them by the power of YOUR name--the name YOU gave ME--so that they may be one as WE are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name YOU gave ME. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

"I AM coming to YOU now, but I say these things while I AM still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of MY joy within them. I have given them YOUR word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I AM of the world. MY prayer is not that YOU take them out of the world but that YOU protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I AM not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; YOUR word is truth. As YOU sent ME into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify MYSELF, that they too may be truly sanctified.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 17, VERSES 20 - 26

"MY prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in ME through their message, that all of them may be one, FATHER, just as YOU are in ME and I AM in YOU. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that YOU have sent ME. I have given them the glory that YOU gave ME, that they may be one as WE are one: I in them and YOU in ME. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that YOU sent ME and have loved them even as YOU have loved ME.

"FATHER, I want those YOU have given ME to be with ME where I AM, and to see MY glory, the glory YOU have given ME because YOU loved ME before the creation of the world.

"RIGHTEOUS FATHER, though the world does not know YOU, I know YOU, and they know that YOU have sent ME. I have made YOU known to them, and will continue to make YOU known in order that the love YOU have for ME may be in them and that I MYSELF may be in them."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 1 - 11

When HE had finished praying, JESUS left with HIS disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and HE and HIS disciples went into it.

Now Judas, who betrayed HIM, knew the place, because JESUS had often met there with HIS disciples. So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

JESUS, knowing all that was going to happen to HIM, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"

"JESUS of Nazareth," they replied.

"I AM HE," JESUS said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When JESUS said, "I AM HE," they drew back and fell to the ground.

Again HE asked them, "Who is it you want?"

And they said, "JESUS of Nazareth."

"I told you that I AM HE," JESUS answered. "If you are looking for ME, then let these men go." This happened so that the words HE had spoken would be fulfilled: "I have not lost one of those YOU gave ME."

Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.)

JESUS commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup THE FATHER has given ME?"

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 15 - 18

Simon Peter and another disciple were following JESUS. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with JESUS into the high priest's courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter.

He replied, "I am not."

It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 19 - 24

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned JESUS about HIS disciples and HIS teaching.

"I have spoken openly to the world," JESUS replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question ME? Ask those who heard ME. Surely they know what I said."

When JESUS said this, one of the officials nearby struck HIM in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded.

"If I said something wrong," JESUS replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike ME?" Then Annas sent HIM, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 28 - 40

Then the Jews led JESUS from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"

"If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed him over to you."

Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law."

"But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews objected. This happened so that the words JESUS had spoken indicating the kind of death HE was going to die would be fulfilled.

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned JESUS and asked HIM, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

"Is that your own idea," JESUS asked, "or did others talk to you about ME?"

"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?"

JESUS said, "MY kingdom is not of this world. If it were, MY servants would fight to prevent MY arrest by the Jews. But now MY kingdom is from another place."

"You are a king, then!" said Pilate.

JESUS answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to ME."

"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?"

They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 1 - 16

Then Pilate took JESUS and had HIM flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on HIS head. They clothed HIM in a purple robe and went up to HIM again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck HIM in the face.

Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, "Look, I am bringing him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against him." When JESUS came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!"

As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw HIM, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!"

But Pilate answered, "You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him."

The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."

When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, and he went back inside the palace. "Where do you come from?" he asked JESUS, but JESUS gave him no answer. "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?"

JESUS answered, "You would have no power over ME if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed ME over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

From then on, Pilate tried to set JESUS free, but the Jews kept shouting, "If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar."

When Pilate heard this, he brought JESUS out and sat down on the judge's seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour.

"Here is your king," Pilate said to the Jews.

But they shouted, "Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!"

"Shall I crucify your king?" Pilate asked.

"We have no king but Caesar," the chief priests answered.

Finally Pilate handed HIM over to them to be crucified.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 16 - 27

So the soldiers took charge of JESUS. Carrying HIS own cross, HE went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified HIM, and with HIM two others--one on each side and JESUS in the middle.

Pilate had a notice prepared and fastened to the cross. It read: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Many of the Jews read this sign, for the place where JESUS was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek. The chief priests of the Jews protested to Pilate, "Do not write 'The King of the Jews,' but that this man claimed to be king of the Jews."

Pilate answered, "What I have written, I have written."

When the soldiers crucified JESUS, they took HIS clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

"Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it."

This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said,

"They divided MY garments among them

and cast lots for MY clothing."

So this is what the soldiers did.

Near the cross of JESUS stood HIS mother, HIS mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When JESUS saw HIS mother there, and the disciple whom HE loved standing nearby, HE said to HIS mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 28 - 37

Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, JESUS said, "I am thirsty." A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to JESUS' lips. When HE had received the drink, JESUS said, "It is finished." With that, HE bowed HIS head and gave up HIS spirit.
Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with JESUS, and then those of the other. But when they came to JESUS and found that HE was already dead, they did not break HIS legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced JESUS' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of HIS bones will be broken," and, as another scripture says, "They will look on THE ONE they have pierced."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 38 - 42

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of JESUS. Now Joseph was a disciple of JESUS, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited JESUS at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where JESUS was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid JESUS there.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 1 - 9

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one JESUS loved, and said, "They have taken THE LORD out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put HIM!"

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around JESUS' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that JESUS had to rise from the dead.)

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 10 - 18

Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where JESUS' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"

"They have taken MY LORD away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put HIM." At this, she turned around and saw JESUS standing there, but she did not realize that it was JESUS.

"Woman," HE said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking HE was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried HIM away, tell me where you have put HIM, and I will get HIM."

JESUS said to her, "Mary."

She turned toward HIM and cried out in Aramaic, "RABBONI!" (which means Teacher).

JESUS said, "Do not hold on to ME, for I have not yet returned to THE FATHER. Go instead to MY brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to MY FATHER and your FATHER, to MY GOD and your GOD.'"

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen THE LORD!" And she told them that HE had said these things to her.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 19 - 23

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, JESUS came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After HE said this, HE showed them HIS hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw THE LORD.

Again JESUS said, "Peace be with you! As THE FATHER has sent ME, I am sending you." And with that HE breathed on them and said, "Receive THE HOLY SPIRIT. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 24 - 31

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when JESUS came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen THE LORD!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in HIS hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into HIS side, I will not believe it."

A week later HIS disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, JESUS came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then HE said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see MY hands. Reach out your hand and put it into MY side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to HIM, "My LORD and my GOD!"

Then JESUS told him, "Because you have seen ME, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

JESUS did many other miraculous signs in the presence of HIS disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that JESUS is THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, and that by believing you may have life in HIS name.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 21, VERSES 1 - 14

Afterward JESUS appeared again to HIS disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Early in the morning, JESUS stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was JESUS.

HE called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?"

"No," they answered.

HE said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Then the disciple whom JESUS loved said to Peter, "It is THE LORD!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is THE LORD," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

JESUS said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."

Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. JESUS said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask HIM, "Who are you?" They knew it was THE LORD. JESUS came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time JESUS appeared to HIS disciples after HE was raised from the dead.

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 21, VERSES 15 - 25

When they had finished eating, JESUS said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love ME more than these?"

"Yes, LORD," he said, "YOU know that I love YOU."

JESUS said, "Feed MY lambs."

Again JESUS said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love ME?"

He answered, "Yes, LORD, YOU know that I love YOU."

JESUS said, "Take care of MY sheep."

The third time HE said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love ME?"

Peter was hurt because JESUS asked him the third time, "Do you love ME?" He said, "LORD, YOU know all things; YOU know that I love YOU."

JESUS said, "Feed MY sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go" JESUS said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify GOD. Then HE said to him, "Follow ME!"

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom JESUS loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against JESUS at the supper and had said, "LORD, who is going to betray YOU?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "LORD, what about him?"

JESUS answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow ME." Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But JESUS did not say that he would not die; HE only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?"

This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

JESUS did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

EXODUS: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 1 - 17

And GOD spoke all these words:
"I am The Lord your GOD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
"You shall have no other gods before me.
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, The Lord your GOD, am a jealous GOD, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
"You shall not misuse The Name of The Lord your GOD, for The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to The Lord your GOD. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates. For in six days The Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but He rested on the seventh day. Therefore The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land The Lord your GOD is giving you.
"You shall not murder.
"You shall not commit adultery.
"You shall not steal.
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

LEVITICUS: CHAPTER 19

THE LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, THE LORD your GOD, am holy.
" 'Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe MY Sabbaths. I AM THE LORD your GOD.
" 'Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I AM THE LORD your GOD.
" 'When you sacrifice a fellowship offering to THE LORD, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. It shall be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day; anything left over until the third day must be burned up. If any of it is eaten on the third day, it is impure and will not be accepted. Whoever eats it will be held responsible because he has desecrated what is holy to THE LORD; that person must be cut off from his people.
" 'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I AM THE LORD your GOD.
" 'Do not steal.
" 'Do not lie.
" 'Do not deceive one another.
" 'Do not swear falsely by MY name and so profane the name of your GOD. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not defraud your neighbor or rob him.
" 'Do not hold back the wages of a hired man overnight.
" 'Do not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind, but fear your GOD. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.
" 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
" 'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.
" 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Keep MY decrees.
" 'Do not mate different kinds of animals.
" 'Do not plant your field with two kinds of seed.
" 'Do not wear clothing woven of two kinds of material.
" 'If a man sleeps with a woman who is a slave girl promised to another man but who has not been ransomed or given her freedom, there must be due punishment. Yet they are not to be put to death, because she had not been freed. The man, however, must bring a ram to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for a guilt offering to THE LORD. With the ram of the guilt offering the priest is to make atonement for him before THE LORD for the sin he has committed, and his sin will be forgiven.
" 'When you enter the land and plant any kind of fruit tree, regard its fruit as forbidden. For three years you are to consider it forbidden; it must not be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit will be holy, an offering of praise to THE LORD. But in the fifth year you may eat its fruit. In this way your harvest will be increased. I AM THE LORD your GOD.
" 'Do not eat any meat with the blood still in it.
" 'Do not practice divination or sorcery.
" 'Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
" 'Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness.
" 'Observe MY Sabbaths and have reverence for MY sanctuary. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I AM THE LORD your GOD.
" 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your GOD. I AM THE LORD.
" 'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I AM THE LORD your GOD.
" 'Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I AM THE LORD your GOD, who brought you out of Egypt.
" 'Keep all MY decrees and all MY laws and follow them. I AM THE LORD.' "

LEVITICUS: CHAPTER 18

THE LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'I AM THE LORD your GOD. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I AM bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey MY laws and be careful to follow MY decrees. I AM THE LORD your GOD. Keep MY decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I AM THE LORD.
" 'No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your father's wife; that would dishonor your father.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father's daughter or your mother's daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your son's daughter or your daughter's daughter; that would dishonor you.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father's wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your father's sister; she is your father's close relative.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your mother's sister, because she is your mother's close relative.
" 'Do not dishonor your father's brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son's wife; do not have relations with her.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your brother's wife; that would dishonor your brother.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son's daughter or her daughter's daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.
" 'Do not take your wife's sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
" 'Do not approach a woman to have sexual relations during the uncleanness of her monthly period.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor's wife and defile yourself with her.
" 'Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your GOD. I AM THE LORD.
" 'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
" 'Do not have sexual relations with an animal and defile yourself with it. A woman must not present herself to an animal to have sexual relations with it; that is a perversion.
" 'Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I AM going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. But you must keep MY decrees and MY laws. The native-born and the aliens living among you must not do any of these detestable things, for all these things were done by the people who lived in the land before you, and the land became defiled. And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.
" 'Everyone who does any of these detestable things--such persons must be cut off from their people. Keep MY requirements and do not follow any of the detestable customs that were practiced before you came and do not defile yourselves with them. I AM THE LORD your GOD.' "

DEUTERONOMY: CHAPTER 18, VERSES 9 - 13

When you enter the land THE LORD your GOD is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to THE LORD, and because of these detestable practices THE LORD your GOD will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before THE LORD your GOD.

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 17 - 20

"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the Truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in The Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in The Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter The Kingdom of Heaven."

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 27- 30

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell."

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 4 - 6, 8 & 9, 11 & 12

"Haven't you read," "that at the beginning The Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what GOD has joined together, let man not separate."

"Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery."

"Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of The Kingdom of Heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

1ST CORINTHIANS: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 12 - 20

"Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but GOD will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for THE LORD, and THE LORD for the body. By HIS power GOD raised THE LORD from the dead, and HE will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of CHRIST HIMSELF? Shall I then take the members of CHRIST and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with THE LORD is one with HIM in spirit.

Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of THE HOLY SPIRIT, who is in you, whom you have received from GOD? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor GOD with your body.

1ST CORINTHIANS: CHAPTER 7

Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from GOD; one has this gift, another has that.

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

To the married I give this command (not I, but THE LORD): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

To the rest I say this (I, not THE LORD): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; GOD has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that THE LORD assigned to him and to which GOD has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping GOD'S commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when GOD called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you--although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by THE LORD is THE LORD'S freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is CHRIST'S slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each man, as responsible to GOD, should remain in the situation GOD called him to.

Now about virgins: I have no command from THE LORD, but I give a judgment as one who by THE LORD'S mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about THE LORD'S affairs--how he can please THE LORD. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife--and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about THE LORD'S affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to THE LORD in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world--how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to THE LORD.

If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin--this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.

A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to THE LORD. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

EPHESIANS: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 17 - 32 & CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 & 2

So I tell you this, and insist on it in THE LORD, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of GOD because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know CHRIST that way. Surely you heard of HIM and were taught in HIM in accordance with the truth that is in JESUS. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like GOD in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in CHRIST GOD forgave you.

Be imitators of GOD, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD.

1 PETER: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 13 - 25

Submit yourselves for THE LORD'S sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is GOD'S will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of GOD. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear GOD, honor the king.

Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of GOD. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before GOD. To this you were called, because CHRIST suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in HIS steps.

"HE committed no sin,

and no deceit was found in HIS mouth."

When they hurled their insults at HIM, HE did not retaliate; when HE suffered, HE made no threats. Instead, HE entrusted HIMSELF to HIM who judges justly. HE HIMSELF bore our sins in HIS body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by HIS wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to THE SHEPHERD AND OVERSEER OF YOUR SOULS.

ROMANS: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 1 - 5

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which GOD has established. The authorities that exist have been established by GOD. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what GOD has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is GOD'S servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is GOD'S servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 3 - 12

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see GOD.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called Sons of GOD.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven.

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 13 - 16

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your FATHER in heaven.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 1 - 4

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your FATHER in heaven.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do no let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 5 - 15

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your FATHER, who is unseen. Then your FATHER, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.

"This, then, is how you should pray:

" 'Our FATHER in heaven,

hallowed be YOUR name,

YOUR kingdom come,

YOUR will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.'

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly FATHER will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your FATHER will not forgive your sins.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 1 - 6

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 5 - 42

"Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The Kingdom of Heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the Truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
"A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!
"So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn

"'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law--
a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
"He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the Truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 18 - 22

LUKE: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 57 - 62

As they were walking along the road, a man said to HIM, "I will follow YOU wherever YOU go."

JESUS replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but THE SON OF MAN has no place to lay HIS head."

HE said to another man, "Follow ME."

But the man replied, "LORD, first let me go and bury my father."

JESUS said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of GOD."

Still another said, "I will follow YOU, LORD; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."

JESUS replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of GOD."

LUKE: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 25 - 35

Large crowds were traveling with JESUS, and turning to them HE said: "If anyone comes to ME and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be MY disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow ME cannot be MY disciple.

"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be MY disciple.

"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 16, VERSES 15 - 18

MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 6 - 13

Then JESUS went around teaching from village to village. Calling the Twelve to HIM, HE sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.

These were HIS instructions: "Take nothing for the journey except a staff--no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them."

They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

LUKE: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 1 - 9

When JESUS had called the Twelve together, HE gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and HE sent them out to preach the kingdom of GOD and to heal the sick. HE told them: "Take nothing for the journey--no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed, because some were saying that John had been raised from the dead, others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?" And he tried to see HIM.

LUKE: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 1 - 24

After this THE LORD appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of HIM to every town and place where HE was about to go. HE told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask THE LORD of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into HIS harvest field. Go! I AM sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

"When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

"When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of GOD is near you.' But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your town that sticks to our feet we wipe off against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of GOD is near.' I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.

"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.

"He who listens to you listens to ME; he who rejects you rejects ME; but he who rejects ME rejects HIM who sent ME."

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "LORD, even the demons submit to us in YOUR name."

HE replied, "I saw satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

At that time JESUS, full of joy through THE HOLY SPIRIT, said, "I praise YOU, FATHER, LORD of heaven and earth, because YOU have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, FATHER, for this was YOUR good pleasure.

"All things have been committed to ME by my FATHER. No one knows who THE SON is except THE FATHER, and no one knows who THE FATHER is except THE SON and those to whom THE SON chooses to reveal HIM."

Then HE turned to HIS disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

GOSPEL OF JOHN: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 16 - 21

"For GOD so LOVED the world that He gave His One and Only Son, that whoever Believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life. For GOD did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to Save the world through Him. Whoever Believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not Believe stands condemned already because he has not Believed in The Name of GOD's One and Only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and will not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever Lives by The Truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through GOD."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 3, 5 - 9, 11 & 12

"What did Moses command you?"

"it was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law," "But at the beginning of creation GOD 'made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what GOD has joined together, let man not separate."

"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 42 - 50

"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter

Life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter Life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter The Kingdom of GOD with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where

"their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.'

Everyone will be salted with fire.
"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 12, VERSES 49 - 53

"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

A CHILD OF GOD - FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST

ROMANS: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 18 - 32

The wrath of GOD is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about GOD is plain to them, because GOD has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world GOD's invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

For although they knew GOD, they neither glorified him as GOD nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal GOD for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore GOD gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of GOD for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, GOD gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of GOD, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, GOD-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know GOD's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

1ST CORINTHIANS: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 9 - 11

EPHESIANS: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 3 - 21

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for GOD'S holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of CHRIST and of GOD. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things GOD'S wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in THE LORD. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases THE LORD. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:

"Wake up, O sleeper,

rise from the dead,

and CHRIST will shine on you."

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what THE LORD'S will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with THE SPIRIT. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to THE LORD, always giving thanks to GOD THE FATHER for everything, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Submit to one another out of reverence for CHRIST.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 1 - 6

Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of JESUS, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray JESUS. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand JESUS over to them when no crowd was present.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 7 - 38

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. JESUS sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover."

"Where do you want us to prepare for it?" they asked.

HE replied, "As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, 'THE TEACHER asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with MY disciples?' He will show you a large upper room, all furnished. Make preparations there."

They left and found things just as JESUS had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

When the hour came, JESUS and HIS apostles reclined at the table. And HE said to them, "I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of GOD."

After taking the cup, HE gave thanks and said, "Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of GOD comes."

And HE took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is MY body given for you; do this in remembrance of ME."

In the same way, after the supper HE took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in MY blood, which is poured out for you. But the hand of him who is going to betray ME is with MINE on the table. THE SON OF MAN will go as it has been decreed, but woe to that man who betrays HIM." They began to question among themselves which of them it might be who would do this.

Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. JESUS said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves? For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. You are those who have stood by ME in MY trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as MY FATHER conferred one on ME, so that you may eat and drink at MY table in MY kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

But HE replied, "LORD, I am ready to go with YOU to prison and to death."

JESUS answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know ME."

Then JESUS asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"

"Nothing," they answered.

HE said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in ME. Yes, what is written about ME is reaching its fulfillment."

The disciples said, "See, LORD, here are two swords."

"That is enough," HE replied.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 39 - 46

JESUS went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and HIS disciples followed HIM. On reaching the place, HE said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." HE withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "FATHER, if YOU are willing, take this cup from ME; yet not MY will, but YOURS be done." An angel from heaven appeared to HIM and strengthened HIM. And being in anguish, HE prayed more earnestly, and HIS sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

When HE rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, HE found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. "Why are you sleeping?" HE asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 47 - 53

While HE was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached JESUS to kiss HIM, but JESUS asked him, "Judas, are you betraying THE SON OF MAN with a kiss?"

When JESUS' followers saw what was going to happen, they said, "LORD, should we strike with our swords?" And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.

But JESUS answered, "No more of this!" And HE touched the man's ear and healed him.

Then JESUS said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for HIM, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on ME. But this is your hour--when darkness reigns."

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 54 - 62

Then seizing HIM, they led HIM away and took HIM into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."

But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know HIM," he said.

A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."

"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.

About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."

Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. THE LORD turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word THE LORD had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown ME three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 66 - 71 & CHAPTER 23, VERSES 1 - 25

At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and JESUS was led before them. "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us."

JESUS answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe ME, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, THE SON OF MAN will be seated at the right hand of THE MIGHTY GOD."

They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"

HE replied, "You are right in saying I AM."

Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips."

Then the whole assembly rose and led HIM off to Pilate. And they began to accuse HIM, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Christ, a king."

So Pilate asked JESUS, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

"Yes, it is as you say," JESUS replied.

Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here."

On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that JESUS was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent HIM to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw JESUS, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see HIM. From what he had heard about HIM, he hoped to see HIM perform some miracle. He plied HIM with many questions, but JESUS gave him no answer. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing HIM. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked HIM. Dressing HIM in an elegant robe, they sent HIM back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends--before this they had been enemies.

Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

With one voice they cried out, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

Wanting to release JESUS, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that HE be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered JESUS to their will.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 23, VERSES 26 - 43

As they led HIM away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind JESUS. A large number of people followed HIM, including women who mourned and wailed for HIM. JESUS turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for ME; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the barren women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!'

Then

" 'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"

and to the hills, "Cover us!" '

For if men do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with HIM to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified HIM, along with the criminals--one on HIS right, the other on HIS left. JESUS said, "FATHER, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up HIS clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at HIM. They said, "HE saved others; let HIM save HIMSELF if HE is THE CHRIST of GOD, THE CHOSEN ONE."

The soldiers also came up and mocked HIM. They offered HIM wine vinegar and said, "If YOU are the king of the Jews, save YOURSELF."

There was a written notice above HIM, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at HIM: "Aren't YOU THE CHRIST? Save YOURSELF and us!"

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear GOD," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "JESUS, remember me when YOU come into YOUR kingdom."

JESUS answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with ME in paradise."

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 23, VERSES 44 - 49

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. JESUS called out with a loud voice, "FATHER, into YOUR hands I commit MY spirit." When HE had said this, HE breathed HIS last.

The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised GOD and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. But all those who knew HIM, including the women who had followed HIM from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 23, VERSES 50 - 56

Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of GOD. Going to Pilate, he asked for JESUS' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

The women who had come with JESUS from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how HIS body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 24, VERSES 1 - 12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of THE LORD JESUS. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? HE is not here; HE has risen! Remember how HE told you, while HE was still with you in Galilee: 'THE SON OF MAN must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered HIS words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 24, VERSES 13 - 35

Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, JESUS HIMSELF came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing HIM.

HE asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked HIM, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

"What things?" HE asked.

"About JESUS of Nazareth," they replied. "HE was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before GOD and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed HIM over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified HIM; but we had hoped that HE was THE ONE who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find HIS body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said HE was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but HIM they did not see."

HE said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not THE CHRIST have to suffer these things and then enter HIS glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning HIMSELF.

As they approached the village to which they were going, JESUS acted as if HE were going farther. But they urged HIM strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So HE went in to stay with them.

When HE was at the table with them, HE took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized HIM, and HE disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while HE talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! THE LORD has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how JESUS was recognized by them when HE broke the bread.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 24, VERSES 36 - 49

While they were still talking about this, JESUS HIMSELF stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. HE said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at MY hands and MY feet. It is I MYSELF! Touch ME and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

When HE had said this, HE showed them HIS hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, HE asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave HIM a piece of broiled fish, and HE took it and ate it in their presence.

HE said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about ME in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms."

Then HE opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. HE told them, "This is what is written: THE CHRIST will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in HIS name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what MY FATHER has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

BOOK OF ACTS: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 1 - 11

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that JESUS began to do and to teach until the day HE was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through THE HOLY SPIRIT to the apostles HE had chosen. After HIS suffering, HE showed HIMSELF to these men and gave many convincing proofs that HE was alive. HE appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of GOD. On one occasion, while HE was eating with them, HE gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift MY FATHER promised, which you have heard ME speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with THE HOLY SPIRIT."

So when they met together, they asked HIM, "LORD, are YOU at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

HE said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates THE FATHER has set by HIS own authority. But you will receive power when THE HOLY SPIRIT comes on you; and you will be MY witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

After HE said this, HE was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid HIM from their sight.

They were looking intently up into the sky as HE was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same JESUS, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen HIM go into heaven."

ZECHARIAH: CAPTER 14

A day of THE LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.

I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city.

Then THE LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as HE fights in the day of battle. On that day HIS feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. You will flee by MY mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then THE LORD my GOD will come, and all the holy ones with HIM.

On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime--a day known to THE LORD. When evening comes, there will be light.

On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.

THE LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and HIS name the only name.

The whole land, from Geba to Rimmon, south of Jerusalem, will become like the Arabah. But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepress. It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.

This is the plague with which THE LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. On that day men will be stricken by THE LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected--great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps.

Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship THE KING, THE LORD ALMIGHTY, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship THE KING, THE LORD ALMIGHTY, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. THE LORD will bring on them the plague HE inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in THE LORD'S house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. Every pot in Jerusalem and Judah will be holy to THE LORD ALMIGHTY, and all who come to sacrifice will take some of the pots and cook in them. And on that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the house of THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

JEREMIAH: CHAPTER 25, VERSES 15 - 38

This is what THE LORD, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, said to me: "Take from MY hand this cup filled with the wine of MY wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it. When they drink it, they will stagger and go mad because of the sword I will send among them."

So I took the cup from THE LORD'S hand and made all the nations to whom HE sent me drink it: Jerusalem and the towns of Judah, its kings and officials, to make them a ruin and an object of horror and scorn and cursing, as they are today; Pharaoh king of Egypt, his attendants, his officials and all his people, and all the foreign people there; all the kings of Uz; all the kings of the Philistines (those of Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and the people left at Ashdod); Edom, Moab and Ammon; all the kings of Tyre and Sidon; the kings of the coastlands across the sea; Dedan, Tema, Buz and all who are in distant places; all the kings of Arabia and all the kings of the foreign people who live in the desert; all the kings of Zimri, Elam and Media; and all the kings of the north, near and far, one after the other--all the kingdoms on the face of the earth. And after all of them, the king of Sheshach will drink it too.

"Then tell them, 'This is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY, THE GOD OF ISRAEL, says: Drink, get drunk and vomit, and fall to rise no more because of the sword I will send among you.' But if they refuse to take the cup from your hand and drink, tell them, 'This is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY says: You must drink it! See, I am beginning to bring disaster on the city that bears MY Name, and will you indeed go unpunished? You will not go unpunished, for I am calling down a sword upon all who live on the earth, declares THE LORD ALMIGHTY.'

"Now prophesy all these words against them and say to them:

" 'THE LORD will roar from on high;

HE will thunder from HIS holy dwelling

and roar mightily against HIS land.

HE will shout like those who tread the grapes,

shout against all who live on the earth.

The tumult will resound to the ends of the earth,

for THE LORD will bring charges against the nations;

HE will bring judgment on all mankind

and put the wicked to the sword,' "

declares THE LORD.

This is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY says:

"Look! Disaster is spreading

from nation to nation;

a mighty storm is rising

from the ends of the earth."

At that time those slain by THE LORD will be everywhere--from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned or gathered up or buried, but will be like refuse lying on the ground.

Weep and wail, you shepherds;

roll in the dust, you leaders of the flock.

For your time to be slaughtered has come;

you will fall and be shattered like fine pottery.

The shepherds will have nowhere to flee,

the leaders of the flock no place to escape.

Hear the cry of the shepherds,

the wailing of the leaders of the flock,

for THE LORD is destroying their pasture.

The peaceful meadows will be laid waste

because of the fierce anger of THE LORD.

Like a lion HE will leave HIS lair,

and their land will become desolate

because of the sword of the oppressor

and because of THE LORD'S fierce anger.

ISAIAH: CHAPTER 34

Come near, you nations, and listen;

pay attention, you peoples!

Let the earth hear, and all that is in it,

the world, and all that comes out of it!

THE LORD is angry with all nations;

HIS wrath is upon all their armies.

HE will totally destroy them,

HE will give them over to slaughter.

Their slain will be thrown out,

their dead bodies will send up a stench;

the mountains will be soaked with their blood.

All the stars of the heavens will be dissolved

and the sky rolled up like a scroll;

all the starry host will fall

like withered leaves from the vine,

like shriveled figs from the fig tree.

MY sword has drunk its fill in the heavens;

see, it descends in judgment on Edom,

the people I have totally destroyed.

The sword of THE LORD is bathed in blood,

it is covered with fat--

the blood of lambs and goats,

fat from the kidneys of rams.

For THE LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah

and a great slaughter in Edom.

And the wild oxen will fall with them,

the bull calves and the great bulls.

Their land will be drenched with blood,

and the dust will be soaked with fat.

For THE LORD has a day of vengeance,

a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause.

Edom's streams will be turned into pitch,

her dust into burning sulfur;

her land will become blazing pitch!

It will not be quenched night and day;

its smoke will rise forever.

From generation to generation it will lie desolate;

no one will ever pass through it again.

The desert owl and screech owl will possess it;

the great owl and the raven will nest there.

GOD will stretch out over Edom

the measuring line of chaos

and the plumb line of desolation.

Her nobles will have nothing there to be called a kingdom,

all her princes will vanish away.

Thorns will overrun her citadels,

nettles and brambles her strongholds.

She will become a haunt for jackals,

a home for owls.

Desert creatures will meet with hyenas,

and wild goats will bleat to each other;

there the night creatures will also repose

and find for themselves places of rest.

The owl will nest there and lay eggs,

she will hatch them, and care for her young under the shadow of her wings;

there also the falcons will gather,

each with its mate.

Look in the scroll of THE LORD and read:

None of these will be missing,

not one will lack her mate.

For it is HIS mouth that has given the order,

and HIS SPIRIT will gather them together.

HE allots their portions;

HIS hand distributes them by measure.

They will possess it forever

and dwell there from generation to generation.

ISAIAH: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 6 - 22

You have abandoned your people,

the house of Jacob.

They are full of superstitions from the East;

they practice divination like the Philistines

and clasp hands with pagans.

Their land is full of silver and gold;

there is no end to their treasures.

Their land is full of horses;

there is no end to their chariots.

Their land is full of idols;

they bow down to the work of their hands,

to what their fingers have made.

So man will be brought low

and mankind humbled--

do not forgive them.

Go into the rocks,

hide in the ground

from dread of THE LORD

and the splendor of HIS majesty!

The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled

and the pride of men brought low;

THE LORD alone will be exalted in that day.

THE LORD ALMIGHTY has a day in store

for all the proud and lofty,

for all that is exalted

(and they will be humbled),

for all the cedars of Lebanon, tall and lofty,

and all the oaks of Bashan,

for all the towering mountains

and all the high hills,

for every lofty tower

and every fortified wall,

for every trading ship

and every stately vessel.

The arrogance of man will be brought low

and the pride of men humbled;

THE LORD alone will be exalted in that day,

and the idols will totally disappear.

Men will flee to caves in the rocks

and to holes in the ground

from dread of THE LORD

and the splendor of HIS majesty,

when HE rises to shake the earth.

In that day men will throw away

to the rodents and bats

their idols of silver and idols of gold,

which they made to worship.

They will flee to caverns in the rocks

and to the overhanging crags

from dread of THE LORD

and the splendor of HIS majesty,

when HE rises to shake the earth.

Stop trusting in man,

who has but a breath in his nostrils.

Of what account is he?

JOEL: CHAPTER 3

"In those days and at that time,

when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem,

I will gather all nations

and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

There I will enter into judgment against them

concerning MY inheritance, MY people Israel,

for they scattered MY people among the nations

and divided up MY land.

They cast lots for MY people

and traded boys for prostitutes;

they sold girls for wine

that they might drink.

"Now what have you against ME, O Tyre and Sidon and all you regions of Philistia? Are you repaying ME for something I have done? If you are paying ME back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done. For you took MY silver and MY gold and carried off MY finest treasures to your temples. You sold the people of Judah and Jerusalem to the Greeks, that you might send them far from their homeland.

"See, I am going to rouse them out of the places to which you sold them, and I will return on your own heads what you have done. I will sell your sons and daughters to the people of Judah, and they will sell them to the Sabeans, a nation far away." THE LORD has spoken.

Proclaim this among the nations:

Prepare for war!

Rouse the warriors!

Let all the fighting men draw near and attack.

Beat your plowshares into swords

and your pruning hooks into spears.

Let the weakling say,

"I am strong!"

Come quickly, all you nations from every side,

and assemble there.

Bring down YOUR warriors, O LORD!

"Let the nations be roused;

let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat,

for there I will sit

to judge all the nations on every side.

Swing the sickle,

for the harvest is ripe.

Come, trample the grapes,

for the winepress is full

and the vats overflow--

So great is their wickedness!"

Multitudes, multitudes

in the valley of decision!

For the day of THE LORD is near

in the valley of decision.

The sun and moon will be darkened,

and the stars no longer shine.

THE LORD will roar from Zion

and thunder from Jerusalem;

the earth and the sky will tremble.

But THE LORD will be a refuge for HIS people,

a stronghold for the people of Israel.

"Then you will know that I, THE LORD your GOD,

dwell in Zion, MY holy hill.

Jerusalem will be holy;

never again will foreigners invade her.

"In that day the mountains will drip new wine,

and the hills will flow with milk;

all the ravines of Judah will run with water.

A fountain will flow out of THE LORD'S house

and will water the valley of acacias.

But Egypt will be desolate,

Edom a desert waste,

because of violence done to the people of Judah,

in whose land they shed innocent blood.

Judah will be inhabited forever

and Jerusalem through all generations.

Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned,

I will pardon."

THE LORD dwells in Zion!

ZEPHANIAH: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 14 - 18 & CHAPTER 2

"The great day of THE LORD is near--

near and coming quickly.

Listen! The cry on the day of THE LORD will be bitter,

the shouting of the warrior there.

That day will be a day of wrath,

a day of distress and anguish,

a day of trouble and ruin,

a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of clouds and blackness,

a day of trumpet and battle cry

against the fortified cities

and against the corner towers.

I will bring distress on the people

and they will walk like blind men,

because they have sinned against THE LORD.

Their blood will be poured out like dust

and their entrails like filth.

Neither their silver nor their gold

will be able to save them

on the day of THE LORD'S wrath.

In the fire of HIS jealousy

the whole world will be consumed,

for HE will make a sudden end

of all who live in the earth."

Gather together, gather together,

O shameful nation,

before the appointed time arrives

and that day sweeps on like chaff,

before the fierce anger of THE LORD comes upon you,

before the day of THE LORD'S wrath comes upon you.

Seek THE LORD, all you humble of the land,

you who do what HE commands.

Seek righteousness, seek humility;

perhaps you will be sheltered

on the day of THE LORD'S anger.

Gaza will be abandoned

and Ashkelon left in ruins.

At midday Ashdod will be emptied

and Ekron uprooted.

Woe to you who live by the sea,

O Kerethite people;

the word of THE LORD is against you,

O Canaan, land of the Philistines.

"I will destroy you,

and none will be left."

The land by the sea, where the Kerethites dwell,

will be a place for shepherds and sheep pens.

It will belong to the remnant of the house of Judah;

there they will find pasture.

In the evening they will lie down

in the houses of Ashkelon.

THE LORD their GOD will care for them;

HE will restore their fortunes.

"I have heard the insults of Moab

and the taunts of the Ammonites,

who insulted MY people

and made threats against their land.

Therefore, as surely as I live,"

declares THE LORD ALMIGHTY, THE GOD OF ISRAEL,

"surely Moab will become like Sodom,

the Ammonites like Gomorrah--

a place of weeds and salt pits,

a wasteland forever.

The remnant of MY people will plunder them;

the survivors of MY nation will inherit their land."

This is what they will get in return for their pride,

for insulting and mocking the people of THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

THE LORD will be awesome to them

when HE destroys all the gods of the land.

The nations on every shore will worship HIM,

every one in its own land.

"You too, O Cushites,

will be slain by MY sword."

HE will stretch out HIS hand against the north

and destroy Assyria,

leaving Nineveh utterly desolate

and dry as the desert.

Flocks and herds will lie down there,

creatures of every kind.

The desert owl and the screech owl

will roost on her columns.

Their calls will echo through the windows,

rubble will be in the doorways,

the beams of cedar will be exposed.

This is the carefree city

that lived in safety.

She said to herself,

"I am, and there is none besides me."

What a ruin she has become,

a lair for wild beasts!

All who pass by her scoff

and shake their fists.

ZEPHANIAH: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 2 & 3

"I will sweep away everything

from the face of the earth,"

declares THE LORD.

"I will sweep away both men and animals;

I will sweep away the birds of the air

and the fish of the sea.

The wicked will have only heaps of rubble

when I cut off man from the face of the earth,"

declares THE LORD.

AMOS: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 18 - 27

Woe to you who long

for the day of THE LORD!

Why do you long for the day of THE LORD?

That day will be darkness, not light.

It will be as though a man fled from a lion

only to meet a bear,

as though he entered his house

and rested his hand on the wall

only to have a snake bite him.

Will not the day of THE LORD be darkness, not light--

pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

"I hate, I despise your religious feasts;

I cannot stand your assemblies.

Even though you bring ME burnt offerings and grain offerings,

I will not accept them.

Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,

I will have no regard for them.

Away with the noise of your songs!

I will not listen to the music of your harps.

But let justice roll on like a river,

righteousness like a never-failing stream!

"Did you bring ME sacrifices and offerings

forty years in the desert, O house of Israel?

You have lifted up the shrine of your king,

the pedestal of your idols,

the star of your god--

which you made for yourselves.

Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Damascus,"

says THE LORD, whose name is GOD ALMIGHTY.

MALACHI: CHAPTER 4

"Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says THE LORD ALMIGHTY. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere MY name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things," says THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

"Remember the law of MY servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.

"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of THE LORD comes. HE will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."

ISAIAH: CHAPTER 2, VERSES 1 - 5

This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

In the last days

the mountain of THE LORD'S temple will be established

as chief among the mountains;

it will be raised above the hills,

and all nations will stream to it.

Many peoples will come and say,

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of THE LORD,

to the house of THE GOD OF JACOB.

HE will teach us HIS ways,

so that we may walk in HIS paths."

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of THE LORD from Jerusalem.

HE will judge between the nations

and will settle disputes for many peoples.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

Come, O house of Jacob,

let us walk in the light of THE LORD.

MICAH: CHAPTER 4

In the last days

the mountain of THE LORD'S temple will be established

as chief among the mountains;

it will be raised above the hills,

and peoples will stream to it.

Many nations will come and say,

"Come, let us go up to the mountain of THE LORD,

to the house of THE GOD OF JACOB.

HE will teach us HIS ways,

so that we may walk in HIS paths."

The law will go out from Zion,

the word of THE LORD from Jerusalem.

HE will judge between many peoples

and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.

They will beat their swords into plowshares

and their spears into pruning hooks.

Nation will not take up sword against nation,

nor will they train for war anymore.

Every man will sit under his own vine

and under his own fig tree,

and no one will make them afraid,

for THE LORD ALMIGHTY has spoken.

All the nations may walk

in the name of their gods;

we will walk in the name of THE LORD

our GOD for ever and ever.

"In that day," declares THE LORD,

"I will gather the lame;

I will assemble the exiles

and those I have brought to grief.

I will make the lame a remnant,

those driven away a strong nation.

THE LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion

from that day and forever.

As for you, O watchtower of the flock,

O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion,

the former dominion will be restored to you;

kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem."

Why do you now cry aloud--

have you no king?

Has your counselor perished,

that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor?

Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion,

like a woman in labor,

for now you must leave the city

to camp in the open field.

You will go to Babylon;

there you will be rescued.

There THE LORD will redeem you

out of the hand of your enemies.

But now many nations

are gathered against you.

They say, "Let her be defiled,

let our eyes gloat over Zion!"

But they do not know

the thoughts of THE LORD;

they do not understand HIS plan,

HE who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor.

"Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion,

for I will give you horns of iron;

I will give you hoofs of bronze

and you will break to pieces many nations."

You will devote their ill-gotten gains to THE LORD,

their wealth to THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH.

GENESIS: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 1 - 7

When men began to increase in number on the earth and daughters were born to them, the sons of GOD saw that the daughters of men were beautiful, and they married any of them they chose. Then THE LORD said, "MY SPIRIT will not contend with man forever, for he is mortal; his days will be a hundred and twenty years."

The Nephilim were on the earth in those days--and also afterward--when the sons of GOD went to the daughters of men and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.

THE LORD saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. THE LORD was grieved that HE had made man on the earth, and HIS heart was filled with pain. So THE LORD said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth--men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air--for I AM grieved that I have made them."

PSALM 82

GOD presides in the great assembly; HE gives judgment among the "gods":

"How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.

Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

"They know nothing, they understand nothing.

They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

"I said, 'You are "gods"; you are all sons of THE MOST HIGH.'

But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler."

Rise up, O GOD, judge the earth, for all the nations are YOUR inheritance.

ISAIAH: CHAPTER 24

See, The Lord is going to lay waste the earth and devastate it; he will ruin its face and scatter its inhabitants--it will be the same for priest as for people, for master as for servant, for mistress as for maid, for seller as for buyer, for borrower as for lender, for debtor as for creditor.

The earth will be completely laid waste and totally plundered. The Lord has spoken this word.

The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people must bear their guilt. Therefore earth's inhabitants are burned up, and very few are left. The new wine dries up and the vine withers; all the merrymakers groan. The gaiety of the tambourines is stilled, the noise of the revelers has stopped, the joyful harp is silent. No longer do they drink wine with a song; the beer is bitter to its drinkers. The ruined city lies desolate; the entrance to every house is barred. In the streets they cry out for wine; all joy turns to gloom, all gaiety is banished from the earth. The city is left in ruins, its gate is battered to pieces. So will it be on the earth and among the nations, as when an olive tree is beaten, or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.

They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim The Lord's majesty.

Therefore in the east give glory to The Lord; exalt the name of The Lord, The GOD of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing:

"Glory to The Righteous One."

But I said, "I waste away, I waste away! Woe to me! The treacherous betray! With treachery the treacherous betray!" Terror and pit and snare await you, O people of the earth. Whoever flees at the sound of terror will fall into a pit; whoever climbs out of the pit will be caught in a snare.

The floodgates of the heavens are opened, the foundations of the earth shake. The earth is broken up, the earth is split asunder, the earth is thoroughly shaken. The earth reels like a drunkard, it sways like a hut in the wind; so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion that it falls--never to rise again.

In that day The Lord will punish the powers in the heavens above and the kings on the earth below. They will be herded together like prisoners bound in a dungeon; they will be shut up in prison and be punished after many days. The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for The Lord Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously.

EPHESIANS: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 10 - 20

Finally, be strong in THE LORD and in HIS mighty power. Put on the full armor of GOD so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of GOD, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of THE SPIRIT, which is the word of GOD. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

GENESIS: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 22 - 24

EZEKIEL: CHAPTER 28, VERSES 12 - 19

" 'You were the model of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of GOD; every precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz and emerald, chrysolite, onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of GOD; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. Through your widespread trade you were filled with violence, and you sinned. So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of GOD, and I expelled you, O guardian cherub (Lucifer), from among the fiery stones. Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more.' "

ISAIAH: CHAPTER 14, VERSES 12 - 23

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn (Lucifer)! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of GOD; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like The Most High." But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit.

Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate:

"Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a desert, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?"

All the kings of the nations lie in state, each in his own tomb. But you are cast out of your tomb like a rejected branch; you are covered with the slain, with those pierced by the sword, those who descend to the stones of the pit. Like a corpse trampled underfoot, you will not join them in burial, for you have destroyed your land and killed your people.

The offspring of the wicked will never be mentioned again. Prepare a place to slaughter his sons for the sins of their forefathers; they are not to rise to inherit the land and cover the earth with their cities.

"I will rise up against them," declares The Lord Almighty. "I will cut off from Babylon her name and survivors, her offspring and descendants," declares The Lord. "I will turn her into a place for owls and into swampland; I will sweep her with the broom of destruction," declares The Lord Almighty.

LUKE: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 16 - 20

"He who listens to you listens to ME; he who rejects you rejects ME; but he who rejects ME rejects HIM who sent ME."

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "LORD, even the demons submit to us in YOUR name."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 12

A great and wonderous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to GOD and to HIS throne. The woman fled into the desert to a place prepared for her by GOD, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.

And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

"Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our GOD,

and the authority of HIS CHRIST.

For the accuser of our brothers,

who accuses them before our GOD day and night,

has been hurled down.

They overcame him

by the blood of THE LAMB

and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

as to shrink from death.

Therefore rejoice, you heavens

and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea,

because the devil has gone down to you!

He is filled with fury,

because he knows that his time is short."

When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the desert, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring--those who obey GOD'S commandments and hold to the testimony of JESUS.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 1 - 10

And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea.

And I saw a beast coming out of the sea. He had ten horns and seven heads, with ten crowns on his horns, and on each head a blasphemous name. The beast I saw resembled a leopard, but had feet like those of a bear and a mouth like that of a lion. The dragon gave the beast his power and his throne and great authority. One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed. The whole world was astonished and followed the beast. Men worshiped the dragon because he had given authority to the beast, and they also worshiped the beast and asked, "Who is like the beast? Who can make war against him?"

The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme GOD, and to slander HIS name and HIS dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast--all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to THE LAMB that was slain from the creation of the world.

He who has an ear, let him hear.

If anyone is to go into captivity,
into captivity he will go.
If anyone is to be killed with the sword,
with the sword he will be killed.

This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 11 - 18

Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name.

This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.

1 KINGS: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 14 - 29

The weight of the gold that Solomon received yearly was 666 talents, not including the revenues from merchants and traders and from all the Arabian kings and the governors of the land.

King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred bekas of gold went into each shield. He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold, with three minas of gold in each shield. The king put them in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon.

Then the king made a great throne inlaid with ivory and overlaid with fine gold. The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom. All King Solomon's goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon's days. The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons.

King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom GOD had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift--articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules.

Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. Solomon's horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue--the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. They imported a chariot from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.

1 KINGS: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 1 - 13

King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter--Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which THE LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to THE LORD his GOD, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of THE LORD; he did not follow THE LORD completely, as David his father had done.

On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.

THE LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from THE LORD, THE GOD of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep THE LORD'S command. So THE LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept MY covenant and MY decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David MY servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."

DANIEL: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 36 - 45

"The king will do as he pleases. He will exalt and magnify himself above every god and will say unheard-of things against the GOD of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been determined must take place. He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers or for the one desired by women, nor will he regard any god, but will exalt himself above them all. Instead of them, he will honor a god of fortresses; a god unknown to his fathers he will honor with gold and silver, with precious stones and costly gifts. He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price.

"At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and calvary and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission. But reports from the east and the north will alarm him, and he will set out in a great rage to destroy and annihilate many. He will pitch his royal tents between the seas at the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he will come to his end, and no one will help him.

DANIEL: CHAPTER 12

"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge."

Then I, Daniel, looked, and there before me stood two others, one on this bank of the river and one on the opposite bank. One of them said to THE MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these astonishing things are fulfilled?"

THE MAN CLOTHED IN LINEN, who was above the waters of the river, lifted HIS right hand and HIS left hand toward heaven, and I heard HIM swear by HIM who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, "My LORD, what will the outcome of all this be?"

HE replied, "Go your way, Daniel, because the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

"From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

"As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance."

GENESIS: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 1 - 9

{THE ORIGINS OF FREEMASONRY}

Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.

They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

But THE LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. THE LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same langauge they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

So THE LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel--because there THE LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there THE LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 5 - 11

{FREEMASONRY RETURNED TO ORIGINAL HOME}

Then the angel who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, "Look up and see what this is that is appearing."

I asked, "What is it?"

He replied, "It is a measuring basket." And he added, "This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land."

Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! He said, "This is wickedness," and he pushed her back into the basket and pushed the lead cover down over its mouth.

Then I looked up--and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

"Where are they taking the basket?" I asked the angel who was speaking to me.

He replied, "To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When it is ready, the basket will be set there in its place."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 17

{FREEMASONRY REVEALED}

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."

Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This title was written on her forehead:

MYSTERY

BABYLON THE GREAT

THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES

AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to JESUS.

When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and will come up out of the Abyss and go to his destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because he once was, now is not, and yet will come.

"This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.

"The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. They will make war against THE LAMB, but THE LAMB will overcome them because HE is LORD of lords and KING of kings--and with HIM will be HIS called, chosen and faithful followers."

Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. For GOD has put it into their hearts to accomplish HIS purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until GOD'S words are fulfilled. The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 18

{THE FALL OF FREEMASONRY}

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. With a mighty voice he shouted:

"Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!

She has become a home for demons

and a haunt for every evil spirit,

a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird.

For all the nations have drunk

the maddening wine of her adulteries.

The kings of the earth committed adultery with her,

and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."

Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

"Come out of her, MY people,

so that you will not share in her sins,

so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

for her sins are piled up to heaven,

and GOD has remembered her crimes.

Give back to her as she has given;

pay her back double for what she has done.

Mix her a double portion from her own cup.

Give her as much torture and grief

as the glory and luxury she gave herself.

In her heart she boasts,

'I sit as queen; I am not a widow,

and I will never mourn.'

Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her:

death, mourning and famine.

She will be consumed by fire,

for mighty is THE LORD GOD who judges her.

"When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry:

" 'Woe! Woe, O great city,

O Babylon, city of power!

In one hour your doom has come!'

"The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more--cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.

"They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, teriffied at her torment. They will weep and mourn and cry out:

" 'Woe! Woe, O great city,

dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet,

and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls!

In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!'

"Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out:

" 'Woe! Woe, O great city,

where all who had ships on the sea

became rich through her wealth!

In one hour she has been brought to ruin!

Rejoice over her, O heaven!

Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets!

GOD has judged her for the way she treated you.' "

Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said:

"With such violence

the great city of Babylon will be thrown down,

never to be found again.

The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters,

will never be heard in you again.

No workman of any trade

will ever be found in you again.

The sound of a millstone

will never be heard in you again.

The light of a lamp

will never shine in you again.

The voice of bridegroom and bride

will never be heard in you again.

Your merchants were the world's great men.

By your magic spell all the nations were led astray.

In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints,

and of all who have been killed on the earth."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 1 - 10

{FREEMASONRY FINALLY DEFEATED}

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting:

"Hallelujah!

Salvation and glory and power belong to our GOD,

for true and just are HIS judgments.

HE has condemned the great prostitute

who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.

HE has avenged on her the blood of HIS servants."

And again they shouted:

"Hallelujah!

The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."

The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped GOD, who was seated on the throne. And they cried:

"Amen, Hallelujah!"

Then a voice came from the throne, saying:

"Praise our GOD,

all you HIS servants,

you who fear HIM,

both small and great!"

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

"Hallelujah!

For our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY reigns.

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give HIM glory!

For the wedding of THE LAMB has come,

and HIS bride has made herself ready.

Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear."

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of THE LAMB!' " And he added, "These are the true words of GOD."

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of JESUS. Worship GOD! For the testimony of JESUS is the spirit of prophecy."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 19, VERSES 11 - 21

KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 1 - 6

And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for JESUS and because of THE WORD OF GOD. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with CHRIST a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of GOD and of CHRIST and will reign with HIM for a thousand years.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 7 - 10

When the thousand years are over, satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth--Gog and Magog--to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of GOD'S people, the city HE loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

EZEKIEL: CHAPTER 38

The word of THE LORD came to me: "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him and say: 'This is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army--your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops--the many nations with you.

" 'Get ready; be prepared, you and all the hordes gathered about you, and take command of them. After many days you will be called to arms. In future years you will invade a land that has recovered from war, whose people were gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate. They had been brought out from the nations, and now all of them live in safety. You and all your troops and the many nations with you will go up, advancing like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land.

" 'This is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: On that day thoughts will come into your mind and you will devise an evil scheme. You will say, "I will invade a land of unwalled villages; I will attack a peaceful and unsuspecting people--all of them living without walls and without gates and bars. I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the center of the land." Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her villages will say to you, "Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?" '

"Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog: 'This is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: In that day, when MY people Israel are living in safety, will you not take notice of it? You will come from your place in the far north, you and many nations with you, all of them riding on horses, a great horde, a mighty army. You will advance against MY people Israel like a cloud that covers the land. In days to come, O Gog, I will bring you against MY land, so that the nations may know ME when I show MYSELF holy through you before their eyes.

" 'This is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: Are you not the one I spoke of in former days by MY servants the prophets of Israel? At that time they prophesied for years that I would bring you against them. This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, MY hot anger will be aroused, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD. In MY zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that moves along the ground, and all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at MY presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all MY mountains, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD. Every man's sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. And so I will show MY greatness and MY holiness, and I will make MYSELF known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I AM THE LORD'

EZEKIEL: CHAPTER 39

"Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: 'This is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around and drag you along. I will bring you from the far north and send you against the mountains of Israel. Then I will strike your bow from your left hand and make your arrows drop from your right hand. On the mountains of Israel you will fall, you and all your troops and the nations with you. I will give you as food to all kinds of carrion birds and to the wild animals. You will fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD. I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in safety in the coastlands, and they will know that I AM THE LORD.

" 'I will make known MY holy name among MY people Israel. I will no longer let MY holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I THE LORD AM THE HOLY ONE in Israel. It is coming! It will surely take place, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD. This is the day I have spoken of.

" 'Then those who live in the towns of Israel will go out and use the weapons for fuel and burn them up--the small and large shields, the bows and arrows, the war clubs and spears. For seven years they will use them for fuel. They will not need to gather wood from the fields or cut it from the forests, because they will use the weapons for fuel. And they will plunder those who plundered them and loot those who looted them, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD.

" 'On that day I will give Gog a burial place in Israel, in the valley of those who travel east toward the Sea. It will block the way of travelers, because Gog and all his hordes will be buried there. So it will be called the Valley of Hamon Gog.

" 'For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them in order to cleanse the land. All the people of the land will bury them, and the day I AM glorified will be a memorable day for them, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD.

" 'Men will be regularly employed to cleanse the land. Some will go throughout the land and, in addition to them, others will bury those that remain on the ground. At the end of the seven months they will begin their search. As they go through the land and one of them sees a human bone, he will set up a marker beside it until the gravediggers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog. (Also a town called Hamonah will be there.) And so they will cleanse the land.'

"Son of man, this is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: 'Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth as if they were rams and lambs, goats and bulls--all of them fattened animals from Bashan. At the sacrifice I am preparing for you, you will eat fat till you are glutted and drink blood till you are drunk. At MY table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind,' declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD.

"I will display MY glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay upon them. From that day forward the house of Israel will know that I AM THE LORD their GOD. And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to ME. So I hid MY face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their offenses, and I hid MY face from them.

"Therefore this is what THE SOVEREIGN LORD says: I will now bring Jacob back from captivity and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for MY holy name. They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward ME when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid. When I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies I will show MYSELF holy through them in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I AM THE LORD their GOD, for though I sent them into exile among the nations I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind. I will no longer hide MY face from them for I will pour out MY SPIRIT on the house of Israel, declares THE SOVEREIGN LORD."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 20, VERSES 11 - 15

Then I saw a great white throne and HIM who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from HIS presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 7 - 17

On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of THE LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo.

During the night I had a vision--and there before me was a man riding a red horse! HE was standing among the myrtle trees in a ravine. Behind him were red, brown and white horses.

I asked, "What are these, my LORD?"

THE ANGEL who was talking with me answered, "I will show you what they are."

Then THE MAN standing among the myrtle trees explained, "They are the ones THE LORD has sent to go throughout the earth."

And they reported to the angel of THE LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have gone throughout the earth and found the whole world at rest and in peace."

Then THE ANGEL OF THE LORD said, "LORD ALMIGHTY, how long will YOU withhold mercy from Jerusalem and from the towns of Judah, which YOU have been angry with these seventy years?" So THE LORD spoke kind and comforting words to THE ANGEL who talked with me.

Then THE ANGEL who was speaking to me said, "Proclaim this word: This is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY says: 'I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion, but I am very angry with the nations that feel secure. I was only a little angry, but they added to the calamity.'

"Therefore, this is what THE LORD says: 'I will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and there MY house will be rebuilt. And the measuring line will be stretched out over Jerusalem,' declares THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

"Proclaim further: This is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY says: 'MY towns will again overflow with prosperity, and THE LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem.' "

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 1, VERSES 18 - 21

Then I looked up--and there before me were four horns! I asked THE ANGEL who was speaking to me, "What are these?"

HE answered me, "These are the horns that scattered Judah, Israel and Jerusalem."

Then THE LORD showed me four craftsmen. I asked, "What are these coming to do?"

HE answered, "These are the horns that scattered Judah so that no one could raise his head, but the craftsmen have come to terrify them and throw down these horns of the nations who lifted up their horns against the land of Judah to scatter its people."

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 2

Then I looked up--and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand! I asked, "Where are you going?"

He answered me, "To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is."

Then the angel who was speaking to me left, and another angel came to meet him and said to him: "Run, tell that young man, 'Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of men and livestock in it, And I MYSELF will be a wall of fire around it,' declares THE LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.'

"Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north," declares THE LORD, "for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven," declares THE LORD.

"Come, O Zion! Escape, you who live in the Daughter of Babylon!" For this is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY says: "After HE has honored ME and has sent ME against the nations that have plundered you--for whoever touches you touches the apple of HIS eye--I will surely raise MY hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that THE LORD ALMIGHTY has sent ME.

"Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I AM coming, and I will live among you," declares THE LORD. "Many nations will be joined with THE LORD in that day and will become MY people. I will live among you and you will know that THE LORD ALMIGHTY has sent ME to you. THE LORD will inherit Judah as HIS portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before THE LORD, all mankind, because HE has roused HIMSELF from HIS holy dwelling."

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 3

Then HE showed me Joshua the high priest standing before THE ANGEL OF THE LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. THE LORD said to Satan, "THE LORD rebuke you, Satan! THE LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?"

Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before THE ANGEL. THE ANGEL said to those who were standing before HIM, "Take off his filthy clothes."

Then HE said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you."

Then I said, "Put a clean turban on his head." So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while THE ANGEL OF THE LORD stood by.

THE ANGEL OF THE LORD gave this charge to Joshua: "This is what THE LORD ALMIGHTY says: 'If you will walk in MY ways and keep MY requirements, then you will govern MY house and have charge of MY courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.

" 'Listen, O high priest Joshua and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I AM going to bring MY servant, the Branch. See, the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,' says THE LORD ALMIGHTY, 'and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day.

" 'In that day each of you will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree,' declares THE LORD ALMIGHTY."

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 4

Then THE ANGEL who talked with me returned and wakened me, as a man is wakened from his sleep. HE asked me, "What do you see?"

I answered, "I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lights on it, with seven channels to the lights. Also there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left."

I asked THE ANGEL who talked with me, "What are these, my LORD?"

HE answered, "Do you not know what these are?"

"No, my LORD," I replied.

So HE said to me, "This is the word of THE LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by MY SPIRIT,' says THE LORD ALMIGHTY.

"What are you, O mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of 'GOD bless it! GOD bless it!' "

Then the word of THE LORD came to me: "The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this temple; his hands will also complete it. Then you will know that THE LORD ALMIGHTY has sent ME to you.

"Who despises the day of small things? Men will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.

(These seven are the eyes of THE LORD, which range throughout the earth.)"

Then I asked THE ANGEL, "What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?"

Again I asked HIM, "What are these two olive branches beside the two gold pipes that pour out golden oil?"

HE replied, "Do you not know what these are?"

"No, my LORD," I said.

So HE said, "These are the two who are anointed to serve THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH."

REVELATION: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 1 - 14

I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of GOD and the altar, and count the worshipers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. And I will give power to MY two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before THE LORD OF THE EARTH. If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. These men have power to shut up the sky so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.

Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their LORD was crucified. For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.

But after the three and a half days a breath of life from GOD entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.

At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to THE GOD OF HEAVEN.

The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 - 4

I looked again--and there before me was a flying scroll!

HE asked me, "What do you see?"

I answered, "I see a flying scroll, thirty feet long and fifteen feet wide."

And HE said to me, "This is the curse that is going out over the whole land; for according to what it says on one side, every thief will be banished, and according to what it says on the other, everyone who swears falsely will be banished. THE LORD ALMIGHTY declares, 'I will send it out, and it will enter the house of the thief and the house of him who swears falsely by MY name. It will remain in his house and destroy it, both its timbers and its stones.' "

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 5 - 11

Then THE ANGEL who was speaking to me came forward and said to me, "Look up and see what this is that is appearing."

I asked, "What is it?"

HE replied, "It is a measuring basket." And HE added, "This is the iniquity of the people throughout the land."

Then the cover of lead was raised, and there in the basket sat a woman! HE said, "This is wickedness," and HE pushed her back into the basket and pushed the lead cover down over its mouth.

Then I looked up--and there before me were two women, with the wind in their wings! They had wings like those of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between heaven and earth.

"Where are they taking the basket?" I asked THE ANGEL who was speaking to me.

HE replied, "To the country of Babylonia to build a house for it. When it is ready, the basket will be set there in its place."

ZECHARIAH: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 1 - 8

I looked up again--and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains--mountains of bronze! The first chariot had red horses, the second black, the third white, and the fourth dappled--all of them powerful. I asked THE ANGEL who was speaking to me, "What are these, my LORD?"

THE ANGEL answered me, "These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of THE LORD OF THE WHOLE WORLD. The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south."

When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And HE said, "Go throughout the earth!" So they went throughout the earth.

Then HE called to me, "Look, those going toward the north country have given MY SPIRIT rest in the land of the north."

DANIEL: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 1 - 14

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.

Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea, Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea.

"The first was like a lion, and it had the wings of an eagle. I watched until its wings were torn off and it was lifted from the ground so that it stood on two feet like a man, and the heart of a man was given to it.

"And there before me was a second beast, which looked like a bear. It was raised up on one of its sides, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, 'Get up and eat your fill of flesh!'

"After that, I looked, and there before me was another beast, one that looked like a leopard. And on its back it had four wings like those of a bird. This beast had four heads, and it was given authority to rule.

"After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast--terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns.

"While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.

"As I looked,

"thrones were set in place,

and THE ANCIENT OF DAYS took HIS seat.

HIS clothing was as white as snow;

the hair of HIS head was white like wool.

HIS throne was flaming with fire,

and its wheels were all ablaze.

A river of fire was flowing,

coming out from before HIM.

Thousands upon thousands attended HIM;

ten thousand times ten thousand stood before HIM.

The court was seated,

and the books were opened.

"Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. (The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.)

"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. HE approached THE ANCIENT OF DAYS and was led into HIS presence. HE was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped HIM. HIS dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and HIS kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

DANIEL: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 15 - 28

"I, Daniel, was troubled in spirit, and the visions that passed through my mind disturbed me. I approached one of those standing there and asked him the true meaning of all this.

"So he told me and gave me the interpretation of these things: 'The four great beasts are four kingdoms that will rise from the earth. But the saints of THE MOST HIGH will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever--yes, for ever and ever.'

"Then I wanted to know the true meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others and most terrifying, with its iron teeth and bronze claws--the beast that crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. I also wanted to know about the ten horns on its head and about the other horn that came up, before which three of them fell--the horn that looked more imposing than the others and that had eyes and a mouth that spoke boastfully. As I watched, this horn was waging war against the saints and defeating them, until THE ANCIENT OF DAYS came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of THE MOST HIGH, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom.

"He gave me this explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth, trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are ten kings who will come from this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings. He will speak against THE MOST HIGH and oppress HIS saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

" 'But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of THE MOST HIGH. HIS kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey HIM.'

"This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."

DANIEL: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 1 - 14

In the third year of King Belshazzar's reign, I, Daniel, had a vision, after the one that had already appeared to me. In my vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. I looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the ram as he charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against him, and none could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.

As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes came from the west, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. He came toward the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at him in great rage. I saw him attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering his two horns. The ram was powerless to stand against him; the goat knocked him to the ground and trampled on him, and none could rescue the ram from his power. The goat became very great, but at the height of his power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the four winds of heaven.

Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground.

Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, "How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled--the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?"

He said to me, "It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings, then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated."

DANIEL: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 15 - 27

While I, Daniel, was watching the vision and trying to understand it, there before me stood one who looked like a man. And I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling, "Gabriel, tell this man the meaning of the vision."

As he came near the place where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. "Son of man," he said to me, "understand that the vision concerns the time of the end."

While he was speaking to me, I was in a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me and raised me to my feet.

He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia. The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between his eyes is the first king. The four horns that replaced the one that was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the same power.

"In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power.

"The vision of the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future."

I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king's business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding.

DANIEL: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 20 - 27

While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to THE LORD my GOD for HIS holy hill--while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision:

"Seventy 'sevens' are decreed for your people and your holy city to finish transgression, to put an end to sin, to atone for wickedness, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint THE MOST HOLY.

"Know and understand this: From the issuing of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until THE ANOINTED ONE, THE RULER, comes, there will be seven 'sevens,' and sixty-two 'sevens.' It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of trouble. After the sixty-two 'sevens,' THE ANOINTED ONE will be cut off and will have nothing. The people of the ruler who will come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood: War will continue until the end, and desolations have been decreed. He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him."

DANIEL: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 31 - 35

"His armed forces will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their GOD will firmly resist him.

"Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 24, VERSES 1 - 35

JESUS left the temple and was walking away when HIS disciples came up to HIM to call HIS attention to its buildings. "Do you see all these things?" HE asked. "I tell you the truth, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

As JESUS was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to HIM privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

JESUS answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in MY name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of ME. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

"So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,' spoken of through the prophet Daniel--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now--and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.

"So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of THE SON OF MAN. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

"Immediately after the distress of those days

" 'the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

"At that time the sign of THE SON OF MAN will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see THE SON OF MAN coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And HE will send HIS angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will never pass away.

GOSPEL OF LUKE: CHAPTER 21, VERSES 5 - 38

Some of HIS disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to GOD. But JESUS said, "As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."

"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"

HE replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in MY name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."

Then HE said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of MY name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of ME. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life.

"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see THE SON OF MAN coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

HE told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of GOD is near.

"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY words will never pass away.

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before THE SON OF MAN."

Each day JESUS was teaching at the temple, and each evening HE went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, and all the people came early in the morning to hear HIM at the temple.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 1 - 31

As HE was leaving the temple, one of HIS disciples said to HIM, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"

"Do you see all these great buildings?" replied JESUS. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."

As JESUS was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked HIM privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?"

JESUS said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in MY name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.

"You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of ME you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but THE HOLY SPIRIT.

"Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of ME, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

"When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' standing where it does not belong--let the reader understand--then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when GOD created the world, until now--and never to be equaled again. If THE LORD had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom HE has chosen, HE has shortened them. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the christ!' or, 'Look, there he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect--if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

"But in those days, following that distress,

" 'the sun will be darkened,

and the moon will not give its light;

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

"At that time men will see THE SON OF MAN coming in clouds with great power and glory. And HE will send HIS angels and gather HIS elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heavne and earth will pass away, but MY words will never pass away."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 13, VERSES 32 - 37

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor THE SON, but only THE FATHER. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

"Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back--whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 25, VERSES 1 - 13

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet THE BRIDEGROOM. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. THE BRIDEGROOM was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's THE BRIDEGRROM! Come out to meet HIM!'

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, THE BRIDEGRROM arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with HIM to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

"But HE replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 25, VERSES 14 - 30

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

MATTHEW: CHAPTER 25, VERSES 31 - 46

"When THE SON OF MAN comes in HIS glory, and all the angels with HIM, HE will sit on HIS throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before HIM, and HE will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. HE will put the sheep on HIS right and the goats on HIS left.

"Then THE KING will say to those on HIS right, 'Come, you who are blessed by MY FATHER; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave ME something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave ME something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited ME in, I needed clothes and you clothed ME, I was sick and you looked after ME, I was in prison and you came to visit ME.'

"Then the righteous will answer HIM, 'LORD, when did we see YOU hungry and feed YOU, or thirsty and give YOU something to drink? When did we see YOU a stranger and invite YOU in, or needing clothes and clothe YOU? When did we see YOU sick or in prison and go to visit YOU?'

"THE KING will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of MINE, you did for ME.'

"Then HE will say to those on HIS left, 'Depart from ME, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave ME nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave ME nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite ME in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe ME, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after ME.'

"They also will answer, 'LORD, when did we see YOU hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help YOU?'

"HE will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for ME.'

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW: CHAPTER 24, VERSES 36 - 51

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor THE SON, but only THE FATHER. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of THE SON OF MAN. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of THE SON OF MAN. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your LORD will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because THE SON OF MAN will come at an hour when you do not expect HIM.

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom THE MASTER has put in charge of the servants in HIS household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose MASTER finds him doing so when HE returns. I tell you the truth, HE will put him in charge of all HIS possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My MASTER is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. THE MASTER of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect HIM and at an hour he is not aware of. HE will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 7 - 21

"Behold, I AM coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship GOD!"

Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy."

"Behold, I AM coming soon! MY reward is with ME, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE FIRST AND THE LAST, THE BEGINNING AND THE END.

"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

"I, JESUS, have sent MY angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I AM THE ROOT AND THE OFFSPRING OF DAVID, and THE BRIGHT MORNING STAR."

THE SPIRIT and The Bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, GOD will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, GOD will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

HE who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I AM coming soon."

Amen. Come, LORD JESUS.

The grace of THE LORD JESUS be with GOD'S people. Amen.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 21

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from GOD, prepared as a bride beautifuly dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of GOD is with men, and HE will live with them. They will be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF will be with them and be their GOD. HE will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

HE who was seated on the throne said, "I AM making everything new!" Then HE said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

HE said to me: "It is done. I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his GOD and he will be MY son. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of THE LAMB." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from GOD. It shone with the glory of GOD, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of THE LAMB.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using. The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

I did not see a temple in the city, because THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and THE LAMB are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of GOD gives it light, and THE LAMB is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in THE LAMB'S book of life.

REVELATION: CHAPTER 22, VERSES 1 - 6

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of GOD and of THE LAMB down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of GOD and of THE LAMB will be in the city, and HIS servants will serve HIM. They will see HIS face, and HIS name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for THE LORD GOD will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. THE LORD, THE GOD OF THE SPIRITS OF THE PROPHETS, sent HIS angel to show HIS servants the things that must soon take place."

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE & ONLY WAY TO SALVATION AND ETERNAL LIFE.

JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONE & ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF THE ONE & ONLY TRUE GOD.

JESUS CHRIST WAS CONCEIVED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD AND BORN FROM A VIRGIN WOMAN.

JESUS CHRIST COMMITTED NO SIN AND FULFILLED THE LAW OF GOD GIVEN THROUGH MOSES.

JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND ON CALVARY'S CROSS.

JESUS CHRIST WAS RESURRECTED FROM THE DEAD AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND NOW SITS NEXT TO GOD ALMIGHTY UPON THE THRONE IN HEAVEN.

JESUS CHRIST SHALL RETURN TO EARTH AND RULE ALL NATIONS WITH AN IRON SCEPTER FOR ALL ETERNITY!

A CHILD OF GOD - FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

MY ENEMIES

MISSISSIPPI BOULEVARD CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - THE NEPHILIM EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL BLACK DEMOCRAT CHURCH IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE WHERE THEY PLACED ME UNDER SURVEILLANCE WITH MALICIOUS INTENT/ILL WILL IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007 WITHOUT MY FOREKNOWLEDGE, AGAINST MY WILL, WITHOUT MY PERMISSION, WITHOUT MY DECISION, WITHOUT MY CONSENT AND THEY CONTINUE TO HAVE MY MIND/THOUGHTS, BEHAVIOR, PHYSICAL ANATOMY AND PHYSICAL PERSON/IDENTITY UNDER SURVEILLANCE AND THEY ALSO STALK, HARASS, THREATEN AND ATTACK ME IN VARIOUS MALICIOUS SADISTIC WAYS WHICH INCLUDE TORMENTING ME BY USING VOICE TO SKULL CAPABILITIES ON MY BRAIN/MIND.

TARGETED INDIVIDUAL

When I visited Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee that Sunday morning back in September of 2007 I was 30 Years Old. I went to church with my Mother that Sunday for she still went to that church at that time (This was not a planned visit and my Mother had nothing to do with it but I decided that particular morning to go to church with my Mother). I myself was not a member of that church at the time. At that particular time in September of 2007 I was Serving GOD as HIS Prophet, Albert LeRoy Jones a.k.a. Moses and sending The Letters of JESUS CHRIST (my e-mails) to the churches throughout Memphis, TN and Christian Ministries throughout the united states of America and the world (I even had Pope Benedict XVI on my e-mail list at the time.). So Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee had no authority, responsibility, relationship or jurisdiction over me in any way, shape or form at that time. I was a grown man, 30 years old (I was not a minor) and I was not a member of their church. They had animosity towards me for they knew that I was a Republican Voter. In November of 2004 I sent Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church an e-mail telling them that I voted for George W. Bush for President of the united states of America in the 2004 Presidential Election and that I was no longer going to attend their Church Services but move on to a more Christian Bible Based Church. This infuriated them for they told their Church Congregation (from the pulpit in the sermon preached during Sunday Church Service) the Sunday before Election Day 2004 not to Vote for George W. Bush for President but instead vote for John Kerry. I voted for George W. Bush for President anyway for I was following the Evangelical Movement that year of 2004. So this is when Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee began attacking me. They tried to turn the Memphis Community (in particular, the Black Community) against me, locally, in Memphis, Tennessee (Since then it has escalated to the entire country and the world). I did not return to Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee until I visited it as a guest of my Mother that Sunday in September of 2007. The Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, Tennessee at that particular time, Frank Anthony Thomas, attacked me verbally from the pulpit in his sermon that Sunday morning in September of 2007. That is when they also placed me under Full Surveillance (including my mind & thoughts) and they continue to Stalk, Harass, Threaten, Attack & Torment me to this very day, especially with Voice to Skull Capabilities (My Mother has nothing to do with any of this. Anyone or thing pointing towards her is only a set-up that Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church devised to put the Blame on anyone else other than themselves. My Mother is no longer a member of that church. She also left years ago especially after they put me under full surveillance. Like me, my Mother does not know what is going on but she does know that something is wrong with me due to someone harming me. Some of my other relatives also stopped attending that church and moved on to other churches years ago.). Sincerely, Albert LeRoy Jones. Copyright 2024

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

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Wednesday, August 19, 2026

A Vision of Exile

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