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Before we begin into what will truly be a most fascinating Bible study, let us look at a few things.

"Thus Saith the Lord…" Ministries is a non-profit, independent, correspondence ministry. This ministry is not a church. It is the sole purpose of this ministry to draw people to the Word of God, studying according to the God ordained method outlined in Isaiah 28:9-10 "Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. For precept [must be] upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, [and] there a little". Following this Biblical method, each study contains not just a verse or two but many verses from Genesis through Revelation and thereby presents a clear understanding on the various subjects encountered.

The phrase "Thus Saith the Lord" appears over four hundred times in the Bible. This does not include the countless verses that contain the words "Jesus said," "He said," "It is written," or the many other similar worded phrases. This should impress any reader to the appeal that God is making and that is, we ought to listen to God’s Words instead of man’s opinions.

Further, notice what Romans 15:4 tells us about the whole Bible: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The Israelites stand as our example to learn by which fell into problems, captivity, and disasters for one reason and one reason only -- they strayed from a "Thus Saith the Lord" time after time. Today, some Christians look back at those stories and shake their heads in pity. Some even say, "How stupid could they have been? God was in their presence as a cloud, as fire, and as other manifestations, yet they still disobeyed." Well, it is easy to look at them and shake our heads, but what of the present day? Are we truly following a "Thus Saith the Lord" or are we repeating history? It is our goal to encourage all to follow a "Thus Saith the Lord" and not a thus saith a man, thus saith a movie, thus saith a book (other than the Bible), thus saith our parents, thus saith our spouse, or thus saith anything other than the Lord.

Some say, "People ought to be lead by the Spirit. We do not need a preacher, a church, or even the Bible to tell us how to live." Unfortunately, history is just repeating what is recorded in Judges 17:6, "In those days [there was] no king in Israel, [but] every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes." They thought they were being lead by the Spirit. This follows the verse referring to thievery. Judges 17:4 "Yet he restored the money unto his mother; and his mother took two hundred [shekels] of silver, and gave them to the founder, who made thereof a graven image and a molten image: and they were in the house of Micah." Could it be that people might think they are doing the right thing but in reality it is the wrong thing?

God does tell us that we are unable to succeed as godly people when left to our own wisdom even if we think that wisdom is God inspired. Proverbs 12:15 "The way of a fool [is] right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel [is] wise." Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death." Isaiah 55:8 "For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD."

You may be asking why? Genesis 6:5 "And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually." Naturally, we are bent towards doing evil even in the slightest degree for it is our selfish nature.

So what is the answer? 2 Timothy 3:15-16 "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." To be led of the Spirit is to be led to the scriptures for guidance. Note that the word "All" precedes the word "Scripture" which means the Old Testament is to be included.

For the past several decades, many books have hit the Christian bookstores getting people excited about the second coming, only to be let down as the events have failed in every case. How do we know? We are still here on this planet. The only thing those books have served is to make their authors rich. The sad thing is that some of the writers or even others come along correcting their previous errors and end up tricking the vast majority of Christians into another false hype. This has been going on for some time. You would think that the events of the Persian Gulf war would have been the last straw, but it was not. The supposed battle of Armageddon that many famous authors proposed, was similar to the most built up fireworks display of all time, just to be let down by some kid holding a sparkler on a street corner. Yet, when another event occurs, more books are written, more Christians buy them and more are let down. It is time to get off the roller coaster ride and onto a sure foundation. Where is that? 2 Peter 1:19-20 "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." This is the link that these failed writers have been missing. Bible prophecy is to be right on target and trustworthy, and the Bible is where we find the understanding to the hidden meanings of the prophecies, not some man’s explanation. That is the purpose of these studies: to bring back the trustworthiness of the scriptures and to reveal the future by the Bible and the Bible alone. And the added benefit is that we do it voluntarily, which means it is FREE. Too bad the writers of those books do not refund the purchasers after their predictions have failed, Amen?

As we will discover in these lessons, the Bible is proven to be 100% accurate in predicting events for which much is now our history. It will be proven that it is not a book of fables or full of errors. Besides, if we do not trust the Word of God explicitly, whom do we trust? Erring humans? Ourselves?

Another reason for these studies is that we see two great religious movements occurring. Both are trying to unify a broken Christian world, which is a good idea, however, we must do it God’s way in order to be blessed by Him.

One of these two religious movements now occurring is the counterfeit. It is based purely on loving one another so much so that non-Biblical beliefs are accepted. Though Jesus told us in John 13:35 "By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another", He did not mean for us to throw away the Bible or any portion of it. This movement is focused on never bringing up differences even though one may be in error. This contradicts what the Lord says in Revelation 22:19, "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book." He also says, in James 5:19-20 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." And the only way one will come out of error into truth is to discuss the issues that are not held in common and let the Bible reveal the truth.

The other movement is that of searching the scriptures, finding the hidden truths, following them by the grace of God, and then sharing these truths with others. This is the movement that we should all want to be part of. What do you say?

Revelation 18:4 "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." First, there is the realization that there is Babylon or confusion.

Next, God must get His people out of confusion. How? Revelation 14:6-12 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." God’s people are warned by these messages preceding the second coming which is depicted in Revelation 14:14 "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." What do these messages mean? How do they apply to our lives? What is the Beast? What is the Image of the Beast? What is the Mark of the Beast? Continue in these lessons for the answers and other answers revealed solely by a "Thus Saith the Lord."

John 17:17 "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." Psalm 119:142 "Thy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [is] the truth." Clearly stated, we find the truth in three locations. By diligently being in the Word, following Jesus’ example, and obeying the specific laws provided for our protection from our loving Father, then we will know that we are following the truth.

Acts 17:10-12 "And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few." It does not say they checked his schooling, denominational background, political preferences, or anything else. They checked the scriptures. It is a good thing they did not check his criminal record. Paul spent a lot of time in jail. Some times we get too hung up on status. In heaven, there will be no such separation. We will truly be one family. Should we not try to practice it here?

As we will stress throughout the lessons and have thus far, do not trust a human being. And we do not have a double standard. That does include us. Check it out for yourself. If you find it to be true in the Bible, follow it. If it is not, do not believe it, but please bring it to our attention because we truly do not want to be spreading and following any error.

John 14:23-24 "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." Because we love God so much, we want to please Him.

May God bless you as you endeavor to walk closer to Him.¤