Many of you will no doubt note that these are taken from Churchmouse Campanologist‘s series, ‘Forbidden Bible Verses‘. This is an ongoing project designed to provide you with essential Bible verses about which you might not have been otherwise aware. Click on the chapter-and-verse links to see the full text and explanation.
Joshua 11 – God’s plan, God turns events to His will, battle, promises, victory over enemies, victory against all odds
God tells Joshua he can conquer the northern territories of Canaan, against all odds, in fulfilment of His promise to Moses.
Key verse:
For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. (Joshua 11:20)
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1 Samuel 15 – punishment
God is soon to punish a disobedient King Saul.
Key verses:
10 Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the LORD all that night. (1 Sam. 15:10-11)
27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.” (1 Sam. 27-29)
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1 Chronicles 10:1-14 - punishment, suicide, death
God punishes a disobedient King Saul through a defeat in battle, then suicide. Saul’s sons also die, and his lineage comes to an end.
Key verses:
3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
4Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
6So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together. (1 Chronicles 10:3-6)
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2 Chronicles 7:1-10 – praise
Solomon and his people praise God in thanksgiving for their new temple.
Key verse:
3 All of the people of Israel saw the fire coming down. They saw the glory of the Lord above the temple. So they got down on their knees in the courtyard with their faces toward the ground. They worshiped the Lord. They gave thanks to him. They said, ”He is good. His faithful love continues forever.” (2 Chron. 7:3)
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2 Chronicles 7:11-22 – obedience, protection, repentance, chosen people, forgiveness
God tells Solomon that although He now has a mighty temple, the Israelites must obey Him or lose it along with their nation. An angry God? No, a God who expects obedience from sinful man.
Key verses:
13 “Suppose I close up the sky and there isn’t any rain. Suppose I command locusts to eat up the crops. And I send a plague among my people. 14 But they make themselves low in my sight. They pray and look to me. And they turn from their evil ways. Then I will listen to them from heaven. I will forgive their sin. And I will heal their land. After all, they are my people. (2 Chron. 7:13-14)
17 “But you must walk with me, just as your father David did. Do everything I command you to do. Obey my rules and laws.” (2 Chron. 7:17)
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Psalm 12 – sin, faith, punishment
David wrote this psalm during the reign of Saul when many people were turning away from God towards dishonesty and moral decay. He pleads for God to punish the evildoers.
Key verse: 6 The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times. (Ps. 12:6)
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Psalm 15 – ‘holy hill’, godly living
Who shall see the LORD and be with Him? Those who ‘do the right thing’.
Key verses:
1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle?
Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
2 He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the truth in his heart (Ps. 15:1-2)
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Psalm 60 – protection
A special teaching lesson for divided and assailed nations and churches. When we turn to God, He gives us protection. We have only to ask.
Key verse: Help us against our enemies. The help people give doesn’t amount to anything. (Ps. 60:11)
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Psalm 109 – revenge, punishment of one’s enemies, Iscariot Psalm, hardship, faith
David asks for God to punish his enemies in a variety of alarming ways. Only the truly righteous can appeal to God in this way.
Key verse: May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership. (Ps. 109:8)
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Proverbs 16:1-9 – trust, obedience
When we trust in the Lord to guide us, He will put us on the path of righteousness. Also, the Lord has made everything for His own purpose, even the wicked.
Key verses:
4The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil. (Prov. 16:4)
9The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps. (Prov. 16:9)
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Proverbs 19: 1-7, 8-20, 21-29 – wisdom, obedience, power and influence, raising children, emotional self-control
Key verses:
1 Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. 2 It is not good to have zeal without knowledge,
nor to be hasty and miss the way. 3 A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. (Prov. 19:1-3)
18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death. 19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. (Prov. 19:18-20)
21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. 22 What a man desires is unfailing love;
better to be poor than a liar. 23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Prov. 19:21-23)
29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
and beatings for the backs of fools. (Prov. 19:29)
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Isaiah 40:12-17 — God’s sovereignty, God’s power over Man and Earth
Key verses:
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? (Is. 40:12)
15 Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust. (Is. 40:15)
17 Before him all the nations are as nothing; they are regarded by him as worthless and less than nothing. (Is. 40:17)
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Isaiah 40:18-26 — God’s sovereignty, Man unable to fathom God, Man no better than a grasshopper (lower than an ant)
Key verses:
22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth, and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy, and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing. (Is. 40:22-23)
26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. (Is. 40:26)
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Isaiah 40:27-31 — God’s sovereignty, Man unable to fathom God, God renews our strength
Key verses:
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. (Is. 40:28)
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Is. 40:31)
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Jeremiah 6 (first and second posts) – sin, disobedience, God’s punishment
The prophet warns the people of Jerusalem of God’s imminent judgment — the mighty Chaldean invasion – for their greed, unkindness and stubbornness.
Key verses:
13 “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 14 They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace.” (Jer. 6:13-14)
16 This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ 17 I appointed watchmen over you and said, ’Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’” (Jer. 6: 16-17)
30 “They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.” (Jer. 6:30)
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Ezekiel 18:5-24 – sin and death
The generational and personal consequence is explained. We are responsible for our own sins only, not those of our forefathers. However, the sins of our forefathers can have indirect consequences on our own lives.
Key verse: “But if a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked man does, will he live? None of the righteous things he has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness he is guilty of and because of the sins he has committed, he will die.” (Eze. 5:24)
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Hosea 4 – obedience, priests and people
God will punish wilful and persistent disobedience. Also, if we were better people, we would probably have better priests!
Key verse: 9 And it will be: Like people, like priests.
I will punish both of them for their ways
and repay them for their deeds. (Hosea 4:9)
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Hosea 13 – idolatry, obedience, punishment
About the Ephraimites who, in their self-confidence and good fortune, turn from God to idolatry. God prepares to punish them.
Key verses:
9O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help.
10I will be thy king: where is any other that may save thee in all thy cities? and thy judges of whom thou saidst, Give me a king and princes? (Hosea 13:9-10)
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Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 – King Solomon, vanity, history, ‘nothing new under the sun’, forgetting, remembrance
From King Solomon, who, having fallen into sin and repented, instructs his people on what to avoid.
Key verses:
2Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. (Eccl. 1:2)
9The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. (Eccl. 1:9-10)
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Matthew 16:1-12 – seeking signs, testing Jesus, false teachings, questioning faith through logic
The Pharisees and the Sadducees test Jesus, asking Him to show signs from heaven.
Key verses:
4 ‘An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.’ So he left them and departed. (Matt. 16:4)
11′How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ (Matt. 16:11)
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Matthew 24:1-36 – false Messiahs, war, natural disaster
Jesus tells us to expect war and natural disasters, which must occur before the end of the world. However, He tells us not to be troubled by them. He also warns us against false Christs, by whom many will be deceived.
Key verses:
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. (Matt. 24:5-7)
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Mark 7, selected verses — the error of manmade tradition, all food is clean, vegetarianism, sin defiles man — not food
Key verses:
11But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”‘ (that is, given to God)— 12then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:11-13)
16If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (Mark 7:16 — KJV, NKJV)
18 “… Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?” (Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20And he said, ”What comes out of a person is what defiles him.” (Mark 7:18-20)
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Mark 16:9-20 – snake handling, serpent handling, poison, demons, healing
Christ reassures His disciples that they will be protected when preaching the Word. Scholars believe He meant these verses to be valid only during the apostolic age.
Key verses:
15He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16:15-18)
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John 3:18-22 – Jesus, Nicodemus, darkness, light, belief in Jesus Christ, condemnation of disbelief
Jesus’s conclusion of His rebuke of Nicodemus — a call to give up human stubbornness and believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ.
Key verses:
18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:18-21)
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John 3:31-36 – John the Baptist, belief in Jesus as the Son of God, wrath of God
John the Baptist tells his followers that they must now follow Jesus or risk God’s wrath. He explains why.
Key verses:
35The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. 36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:35-36)
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John 4:1-4 – baptism, Jesus, Samaria
Jesus travels from Judea to Galilee via Samaria.
Key verse:
2(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) (John 4:2)
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John 4:43-54 – Cana, Capernaum, nobleman, healing, miracle
Jesus heals a nobleman’s son from a distance: His second Galilean miracle after changing water into wine at Cana.
Key verses:
48Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. (John 4:48-50)
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John 5:1-17 – Bethesda, Bethsaida, illness, sickness, cure, Jesus, miracle, pool, angel
Jesus cures a man who has been ill for 38 years and cannot get into the healing pool at Bethesda (Bethsaida).
Key verses:
8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. (John 5:8-9)
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 15The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. (John 5:14-15)
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John 5:18-23 – Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus tells the Jews that He is the Son of God and that all men should honour the God the Son in the same way they honour God the Father.
Key verses:
19Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19)
22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. (John 5:22-23)
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John 5:24-30 – Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus continues to elaborate on His divinity and further explains that He is the Son of God.
Key verses:
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)
26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:26-27)
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John 5:31-47 – Jesus is the Son of God, John the Baptist, Moses
Jesus concludes his talk to the Jews, once again telling them that He comes in His Father’s name.
Key verses:
43I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (John 5:43-44)
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John 6:1-3 – Galilee, Sea of Galilee
Jesus travels by boat from Judea to Galilee.
Key verse:
And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. (John 6:2)
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John 6:16-23 - Sea of Galilee, storm, walking on water, fear
Jesus meets His disciples, struggling in the boat in the storm, by walking on water.
Key verses:
19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. (John 6:19-20)
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John 6 (selected verses) – belief, faith, Judas Iscariot
Jesus speaks in Capernaum after His miracle of the loaves and fishes. He delivers home truths; some disciples walk away from Him forever. The Jewish hierarchy refuses to understand Him. He ends by delivering shocking news to the Apostles.
Key verses:
70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. (John 6:70-71)
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John 7:1-13 – Feast of Tabernacles, the world hates Jesus, opinion divided on Jesus
Jesus prepares to attend the Feast of Booths (Feast of Tabernacles). His relatives persuade Him to reveal Himself through miracles.
Key verses:
6Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. 7The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. 8You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.” (John 7:6-8)
12And there was much muttering about him among the people. While some said, “He is a good man,” others said, “No, he is leading the people astray.” (John 7:12)
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John 7:14-24 – Bethesda healing revisited, circumcision versus healing on Sabbath, Jesus’s ability to teach, right judgment, Feast of Tabernacles
Jesus and the Jewish hierarchy are opposed once again on Sabbath healings.
Key verses:
18The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood. (John 7:18)
24 Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24)
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John 7:25-36 – Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus in Jerusalem
Jesus encounters mixed reactions after His teaching in the temple yet makes more converts.
Key verses:
32The Pharisees heard the crowd muttering these things about him, and the chief priests and Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. 33Jesus then said, “I will be with you a little longer, and then I am going to him who sent me. 34 You will seek me and you will not find me. Where I am you cannot come.” (John 7:32-34)
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John 7:40-52 – Feast of Tabernacles, Nicodemus, arrest attempt (first)
This commentary also includes a reference to living water (verses included in Lectionary).
Jesus is still a free man. The arresting officers instead recognise His authority by what He has said.
Key verses:
45 The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?” 46The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (John 7:45-46)
50 Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” (John 7:50-51)
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John 8:1-11 – adultery, hypocrisy, sin, forgiveness
A group of scribes and Pharisees bring before Jesus a woman accused of adultery.
Key verses:
7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (John 8:7)
10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. (John 8:10-11)
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John 8:12-20 – light of the world, temple, treasury, Court of the Women
Jesus proclaims that He is the ‘light of the world’.
This post has a) an explanation of why He said this where and when He did and b) a collection of quotes from John’s Gospel on the condemnation of unbelievers.
Key verse:
12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
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John 8:21-30 – Jesus is the Son of God, unbelief, belief, judgment, mockery
Jesus tells the Pharisees (again) that He is not of this world.
Key verses:
28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30As he spake these words, many believed on him. (John 8:28-30)
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John 8:31-37 – Jesus, truth, sin, slavery, God’s word
Jesus tells those assembled at the temple that those who seek to kill Him are incapable of understanding what He is saying to them.
Key verses:
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. (John 8:37)
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John 8:38-47 – the Devil, sin, God’s word
Jesus tells the Pharisees that they are not sons of Abraham as they claim but sons of the Devil.
Key verses:
44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)
47He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (John 8:47)
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John 8:48-59 – Pharisees, unbelief, sons of Abraham, seeking one’s own honour, stoning attempt (first)
The Pharisees, having appealed as ‘sons of Abraham’, attempt to stone Jesus — a first attempt — but He escapes.
Key verses:
49Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. 50And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. (John 8:49-20)
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by. (John 8:58-59)
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John 9:39-41 – blindness, sight, unbelief
Jesus responds to the Pharisees about the blindness of their unbelief.
This post also includes verses on the theme of light in John’s Gospel.
Key verse:
41Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains. (John 9:41)
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John 10:37-42 – unbelief, stoning attempt (second, previously in the chapter), arrest attempt (second)
These events, which take place at Hanukkah (explained), describe the second attempts t0 arrest Jesus.
Key verses:
37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” 39 Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands. (John 10:37-39)
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John 11:45-57 – Chief priests plot Jesus’s death, Caiaphas, Ephraim
The chief priests decide that Jesus must now die, following His raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus flees to Ephraim.
Key verses:
49And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, 50Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. 51And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; 52And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. (John 11:49-52)
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John 12:12-19 – Jesus, Passover, Lazarus, Mary, Martha, spikenard, Judas Iscariot, donkey, Pharisees
Jesus makes His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, riding on a donkey. A recap of events prior to this accounts for people and things not mentioned in these specific verses.
Key verses:
12On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, 13Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. (John 12:12-13)
19The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him. (John 12:19)
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John 12:39-41 – unbelief, Palm Sunday, Isaiah’s prophecy fulfilled
Jesus deserts the Jewish people. They have refused to believe in His divinity and His teachings, therefore, God leaves them to their own devices.
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John 13:16-20 – Last Supper, footwashing, Judas
Jesus instructs the Apostles to follow His example in doing lowly, humble acts. He also announces another fulfilment of prophecy.
Key verses:
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (John 13:16)
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. (John 13:20)
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John 13:36-38 – Last Supper, Peter, afterlife
Jesus tells Peter that he will go where Jesus is going — but not yet.
Key verse:
38Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times. (John 13:38)
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John 14:22 and 30-31 – Jude Thaddeus, Satan, Last Supper
‘Judas (not Iscariot)’ explained; he is the author of the Epistle of Jude. Jesus tells the Apostles that Satan has no hold on Him.
Key verse:
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, (John 14:30)
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John 16:1-4 – persecution
In His last talk with His Apostles before the Crucifixion, Jesus tells them to expect persecution. Also included in the post are examples of how four of the original Twelve were martyred.
Key verse:
3And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. (John 16:3)
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John 16:16-24 – prayer, rejoicing, Final Judgment / Last Judgment / Last Day
The final message from Jesus to the remaining 11 Apostles prior to His Crucifixion.
Key verse:
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)
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John 16:25-33 – Maundy Thursday, prayer, Apostles’ partial understanding of Christ, Christ’s comfort to the Apostles, be of good cheer, overcoming the world
Key verse:
33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
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John 20:19-31 – Easter, the Resurrection, Doubting Thomas, faith, signs, wonders, Sabbath observance
John tells us of the Resurrection, the disciples’ disbelief, Thomas’s request to touch Christ’s wounds
Key verses:
21So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”
22And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21-22)
26After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.”
27Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.”
28Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
29Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (John 20:26-29)
30Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;
31but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:30-31)
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Romans 1:16-32 – God deserts wilful, chronic sinners; idolatry; homosexuality; protection
Those who wilfully and persistently commit serious sin against God will be punished. God will desert them, leaving them to wallow in their own sin.
Key verses:
26For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
28And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:26-32)
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Romans 3:1-8 and 9-20 – sin, God’s faithfulness
Paul discusses God’s faithfulness to His faithful people and the perils of sin.
Key verses:
3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
”So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.” (Romans 3:3-4)
20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (Romans 3:20)
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Romans 9:6-13 – election, New Covenant
Paul introduces the New Covenant to the Jews. Our salvation depends not on our lineage (i.e. Abrahamic descent) and not all will be saved. Our election to salvation depends not on our own works but on God’s choosing.
11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls) (Rom. 9:11)
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Romans 9:14-24 – election, New Covenant
This passage explains how and why God, through Jesus’s death and resurrection, opened the promise of salvation to the Gentiles through the New Covenant: ‘not only Jews but also Gentiles’.
Key verses:
24Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? (Romans 9:24)
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Romans 9:25-33 – faith, not works; New Covenant
This passage further explains how and why God, through Jesus’s death and resurrection, opened the promise of salvation to the Gentiles.
Key verses:
30 What should we say then? Those who aren’t Jews did not look for a way to be right with God. But they found it by having faith. 31 Israel did look for a law that could make them right with God. But they didn’t find it.
32 Why not? Because they didn’t look for it by faith. They tried to get it by working for it. They tripped over the stone that causes people to trip and fall. (Romans 9:30-32)
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1 Corinthians 5:1-5 – incest, porneia, church discipline, indifference, sin
Paul has strong words for the Christians in Corinth who take pride in the incest that one of their prominent members commits. Paul instructs them to publicly discipline this member for the health of the Church.
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1 Corinthians 6:9-20 – body a temple; homosexuality, fornication, thievery, drunkenness to be punished
Paul sets out a list of sins which God will severely punish. He will deny those committing them the gift of eternal life unless they repent in this life.
Key verses:
9 Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the kingdom of God? Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, 10 Nor the effeminate, nor liers with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor railers, nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)
17 But he who is joined to the Lord, is one spirit. 18 Fly fornication. Every sin that a man doth, is without the body; but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body. 19 Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God; and you are not your own ? 20 For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body. (1 Cor. 17-20)
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1 Corinthians 7:1-16 – marriage, marriage to non-Christians
Paul discusses the reasons for marriage and marrying non-Christians.
Key verses:
3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. (1 Cor. 7:3-4)
14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. (1 Cor. 7:14)
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Ephesians 5:1-21 – behaviour, shunning
Paul explains what godly behaviour entails: no idle talk, no sexual immorality, no coarse jokes — these are tantamount to idol worship and will exclude them — and us — from eternal life.
Key verses:
5For 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.6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. (Eph. 5:5-7)
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1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 – holiness, sexual continence, fornication, adultery, sexual sin, pleasing God, work, self-reliance, self-sufficiency, minding one’s own business
Paul warns that God will judge sexual sin and that, instead, Christians should please God with a holy way of life, honourable to all. He also concludes with a few words about minding one’s own business and self-sufficiency.
Key verses:
3For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4)
11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, 12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12)
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1 Timothy 3 — absolutes for priests, deacons and their wives, male priests, male deacons, married priests, married deacons
Key verses:
2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap. (1 Tim. 3:2-7)
11In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. (1 Tim. 3:11)
12A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well. (1 Tim. 3:12)
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1 Timothy 4:1-5 – all creatures good, vegetarianism
Paul warns Timothy that many will be seduced by false teachings and ungodly spirits. He also says that what God gives us through His grace — food, companionship — are to be gratefully received. Attention, vegetarian Christians!
Key verses:
1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils’ (1 Tim. 4:1)
4For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (1 Tim. 4:4-5)
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1 Timothy 4:6-16 – godly living, don’t give up
Paul instructs Timothy on his future ministry at large. By showing a good example in his own life, Timothy will save not only his own soul but those of the people around him.
Key verses:
7 Don’t have anything to do with godless stories and silly tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 Training the body has some value. But being godly has value in every way. It promises help for the life you are now living and the life to come. (1 Tim. 4:7-8)
16 Be careful of how you live and what you believe. Never give up. Then you will save yourself and those who hear you. (1 Tim. 4:16)
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2 Timothy 4 – ‘itching ears’, ‘in season and out of season’, fighting the ‘good fight’, keeping the faith
Paul warns Timothy against telling people what they want to hear. He also exhorts Timothy to preach the Gospel when it’s popular and when it isn’t popular.
Key verses:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Tim. 4:2-4)
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Tim. 4:7)
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Titus 3:1-3 and 3:8-15 – importance of good conduct, avoiding controversy and arguments, avoiding argumentative people, remembering days of unbelief
Key verses:
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. 3At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (Titus 3:1-3)
9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. 11You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:9-11)
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James 1:1-16 – trials, joy in adversity, true faith, prayer, double-minded man
James the Just reminds his faithful that we must remain joyful in adversity and pray for wisdom to cope in a Christlike manner.
Key verses:
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (James 1:2)
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)
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James 2:6-7 and 11-13 – impartiality, mercy in judgment
James the Just instructs his scattered faithful to judge people equally — not favouring rich over poor. He also reminds them to obey all of the Law yet exercise temporal judgment with mercy.
Key verse:
13For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (James 2:13)
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1 Peter 1:10-16 – holiness, gird up your loins
Peter, in recalling the Old Testament prophets, instructs his converts to be holy and forsake excesses of emotion and the flesh.
Key verses:
13Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. (1 Peter 1:13-16)
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1 Peter 1:24-25 – mortality, ‘flesh as grass’
24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Peter 1:24-25)
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1 Peter 2:11-18 – good conduct, strangers and pilgrims, refraining from sin, obeying civil authorities, servants, slaves
St Peter continues his exhortation to obedience to recent converts. N.B.: There is an interesting exegetic note near the end of the post with regard to the different types and treatment of Roman slaves, some of whom were doctors and finance managers.
Key verses:
11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. (1 Peter 2:15-17)
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1 Peter 3:1-7 – husbands, wives, marriage, obedience, personal conduct
Peter gives instructions to wives and a brief reminder to husbands of how they should conduct themselves within the married state.
This post has an important explanation of obedience with regard to Christ and His Church as well as a pastor’s consternation with Christian women married to non-Christian husbands — essential reading.
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1 Peter 4:9-11 - hospitality, good stewardship and use of God-given gifts
Peter asks new converts to extend hospitality to one another and gives advice on serving God according to one’s ability.
Key verse:
9Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (1 Peter 4:9)
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1 Peter 5:5-14 – young men and authority, self-control, alertness, resisting the devil
Peter’s message to young Christians, citing Proverbs 3:34.
Key verses:
5Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
”God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8)
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2 Peter 1:1-12 – knowledge, self-control, holiness, godliness, ‘make your election sure’
Peter counsels his new converts on how to make their election sure.
This post contains excerpts from a sermon by the Revd Gil Rugh who says that our society needs regeneration not reformation! Clean living people will also go to Hell unless they believe in Christ.
Key verses:
5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)
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2 Peter 2:1-9 – beware of false teachers, Noah, Lot, sin, wicked angels
Peter teaches the new converts how to discern a false teacher and the biblical evidence for discovering God’s mercy.
Key verses:
1But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3And in their greed they will exploit you with false words.Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
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2 Peter 2:10-22 – false teachers, boastfulness, greed, empty promises, preying on the vulnerable
Peter continues his warning about false teachers. Note the similarities with the letter from Jude.
Key verses:
14They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! (2 Peter 2:14)
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. (2 Peter 2:17-19)
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2 Peter 3:1-7, 15-17 – scoffers, mockers, deniers of the Second Coming of Christ, false teachers, false prophets, the final judgment to come
St Peter warns his new converts about those who deny what is in Scripture as well as those who teach falsely, turning Scripture to their own interpretations.
Key verses:
4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4)
7But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. (2 Peter 3:7)
17You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. (2 Peter 3:17)
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1 John 2:3-11 – Commandments, obedience, light, darkness, love of neighbour
In this part of his epistle, John discusses obedience to Christ’s commandment to love one another.
Key verses:
10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:10-11)
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1 John 2:12-17 – speaking to converts as they are in sanctification, countering worldliness
John addresses his followers by their status in the Church — new converts and older ones.
Key verses:
16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:16-17)
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1 John 2:18-29 – antichrists, false teachers, belief in Christ
John tells his faithful that if they stay true to core Christian beliefs, they will know eternal life.
Key verses:
20But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (1 John 2:20)
27But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27)
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1 John 3:9-13 – sin, love one another, unbelievers, Cain, first murder, hate
John discusses identifying believers by their righteousness in Christ. Also see John 16:1-4.
Key verse:
Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. (1 John 3:13)
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1 John 3:14-18 – love one another, hate akin to murder
John continues his guidance to his faithful, telling them to love in deed and in truth.
Key verses:
15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15)
18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1 John 3:18)
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1 John 3:19-24 – assurance, conscience
John tells his converts that God is pleased with those who keep His commandments and love His Son Jesus Christ.
Key verses:
22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (1 John 3:22-23)
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1 John 4:1-6 – discernment, antichrist, the world, faith, belief
John instructs his converts to examine closely the teachings they receive.
This post gives the correct definition of spiritual warfare and a selection of verses about the truth of Jesus Christ and the call to Christian discernment.
Key verses:
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3)
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1 John 4:7-13 – Christian love, Christ as propitiation
John explains the close, individual relationship that each believer has with God through Jesus Christ.
This post includes an extensive biblical explanation of the word ‘propitiation’ and what it means to Christians.
Key verses:
8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. (1 John 4:8)
10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)
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1 John 4:14-21 – perfect love, God loved us first
St John explains perfect Christian love; God loved us before we loved Him, therefore, we are to love Jesus Christ.
Key verses:
15Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. (1 John 4:15)
18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:18-19)
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1 John 5:7-13 – Holy Trinity, unbelief, Christ’s blood and water
John is the only apostle to mention Christ’s blood and water and the Holy Trinity.
This post also contains a number of John’s other references to the damning sin of unbelief.
Key verses:
7For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. (1 John 5:7-8)
10He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. (1 John 5:10)
13These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
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1 John 5:14-21 – truth of and confidence in Jesus Christ, faith, prayer, sin, Satan and the world, beware of idols
John assures his faithful that they can have full confidence in Jesus Christ as Saviour.
Key verses:
14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. (1 John 5:12-15)
17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. (1 John 5:17)
20And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. (1 John 5:20-21)
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2 John 1 – women, holiness, children, faith, hospitality, false teachers
The Apostle warns a godly woman against offering hospitality to strangers.
This post contains a précis of John 1 and how it ties in with 2 John 1.
This post introduces the passage with Matthew Henry’s encouraging words from the 18th century for Christian ladies.
Key verses:
8Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11for whoever greets himtakes part in his wicked works. (2 John 1:8-11)
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3 John 1 – hospitality, Christian love, Christian friendship
John writes to Gaius, warning him about a prideful church leader and commending a travelling missionary soon to visit.
Key verses:
5Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. 7For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. 8Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. (3 John 1:5-8)
11Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11)
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Jude 1 – defend the faith; false teachers, homosexuality and other sexual sins punished
Sodom and Gomorrah are referred to in this chapter. Jude tells his audience to turn from sin to Christ, who alone can save them — and us.
Key verses:
3 Dear friends, I really wanted to write to you about the salvation we share. But now I feel I should write and ask you to stand up for the faith. God’s people were trusted with it once and for all time. (Jude 1:3)
7 The people of Sodom and Gomorrah and the towns around them also did evil things. They gave themselves over to sexual sins. They committed sins of the worst possible kind. They are an example of those who are punished with fire. The fire never goes out. (Jude 1:7)
13 They [false teachers] are like wild waves of the sea. Their shame rises up like foam. They are like falling stars. God has reserved a place of very black darkness for them. He will keep them there forever. (Jude 1:13)
24 Give praise to the One who is able to keep you from falling into sin. He will bring you into his heavenly glory without any fault. He will bring you there with great joy. (Jude 1:24)
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Revelation 2 – 1-7, 8-11, 12-17, 18-29 Christ’s letters to the churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum and Thyatira, church purity, church discipline, idolatry, fornication, worldliness, lukewarm, acedia, persecution, evil from the Devil, eternal punishment for deadly sin
Key verses:
3You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember 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. (Rev. 2:3-5 — to Ephesus)
7He 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. (Rev. 2:7 — to Ephesus)
10Do 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. (Rev. 2:10 — to Smyrna)
17He 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. (Rev. 2:17 — to Pergamum)
20Nevertheless, 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. 21I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22So 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. 23I 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. (Rev. 2:20-23 — to Thyatira)
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Revelation 3 – 1-6, 7-13, 14-22 Christ’s letters to the churches of Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea
The letter to the church in Philadelphia includes a definition of what ‘come quickly’ actually means.
Key verses:
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. (Rev. 3:3 – to Sardis)
5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Rev. 3:5 – to Sardis)
8I 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. (Rev. 3:8 – to Philadelphia)
12Him 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. (Rev. 3:12 – to Philadelphia)
16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Rev. 3:16 – to Laodicea)
19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Rev. 3:19-21 – to Laodicea)
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Revelation 5:1-5 – scroll, Jesus Christ as Lion and Lamb
St John sees the scroll in God’s right hand. He weeps because no one has come forward to open it.
Key verse:
4and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
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Revelation 6 – scroll, four horsemen
As Christ unseals and unrolls the scroll, St John envisages what He reveals.
Key verses:
14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Rev. 6:14-17)
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Revelation 7:5-8 – the 144,000 of the tribes of Israel
St John hears the numbers of the ‘sealed’ tribes of Israel announced.
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Revelation 8 – the seventh seal, the first four trumpets
The scroll is fully opened and the angels’ trumpets sound the first four judgments.
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Revelation 9 – the fifth and sixth trumpets, worldly seduction, devastation, impenitence
St John sees the next two judgments — Satan releases his demons (‘locusts’) on the earth and devastation of the earth also occurs. Yet, the unsaved refuse to repent.
Key verses:
20The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk, 21nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts. (Revelation 9:20-21)
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Revelation 10 – The ‘angel’ — Jesus Christ — gives the scroll to St John
St John consumes the scroll as instructed and finds it sweet (receiving God’s holy Word) yet bitter (persecution of believers, especially those who minister in His name)
Key verses:
9So I went to the angel and told him to give me the little scroll. And he said to me, “Take and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.” 10And I took the little scroll from the hand of the angel and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it my stomach was made bitter. 11And I was told, “You must again prophesy about many peoples and nations and languages and kings.” (Revelation 10:9-11)
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Revelation 11 – The two witnesses, the seventh trumpet
St John measures the temple, the two witnesses for Christ accomplish their work and the final ‘woe’ is described.
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Revelation 12: 1-6, 13-17 – The woman and the dragon
This chapter covers the history of the conflict between Satan and the Church. St Michael the Archangel throws Satan out of Heaven. Once on Earth, Satan seeks to persecute the Church.
Key verses:
1And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pains and the agony of giving birth. 3And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. (Revelation 12:1-3)
15The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. (Revelation 12:15-17)
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Revelation 13 – the dragon, the beast rising out of the sea, mark of the beast, 666
Satan continues to blaspheme the Holy Trinity in the first and second beasts. This is also the chapter which contains the ‘mark of the beast’, 666.
Key verses:
And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” (Revelation 13:4)
5And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. (Revelation 13:5)
15And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. 16Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, 17so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13:15-17)
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:18)
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Revelation 14 – fall of Babylon, the winepress
St John sees what will happen on the Last Day, when the Lord is ready to answer the pleas of His saints and avenges their persecutors — Satan and his earthly agents.
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Revelation 15 – setting the scene for the seven censers, or ‘bowls’
Whilst the saints glorify the Lord, He — through His angels — prepares to avenge the persecution of His holy people. These final seven judgments to unbelievers will be the seven plagues to come in Revelation 16.
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Revelation 16 – the seven vials / bowls / censers, judgment, Armageddon, mental torment, false miracles, fall of Babylon
Seven angels pour out their own vial — plague, judgment — upon the Earth in the final days. God then pronounces, ‘It is done’. Christ’s Second Coming can now take place.
Key verses:
15Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
16And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
17And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.
21And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. (Revelation 16:15-21)
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Revelation 17 – Babylon, Mystery Babylon, the beast
This chapter (and the next) reveal how Satan and his minions will be judged at the end of the world. The whore of Babylon symbolises churches, kingdoms and civil governments that turn from God.
Key verses:
4And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
7And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:4-7)
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Revelation 18 – fall of Babylon
What will happen when the city of Babylon comes to an end.
Key verses:
4And 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.
5For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. (Revelation 18:4-5)
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Revelation 19:2-3, 10-21 – Christ the King, the white horse, the beast, the false prophet, the winepress
Christ the Lord has seen all the sins committed and will come to judge evildoers to exert His rule over them. The beast, the false prophet and their remnant meet their eternal fate in fire and brimstone. Faithful Christians will escape this almighty judgment.
Key verses:
11And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)
15And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. (Revelation 19:15)
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Revelation 20 – Satan, second death, Gog and Magog, great white throne, Book of Life, death, the sea, Hell, lake of fire
This chapter shows us another depiction — not a continuation — of the judgment of Satan and his minions. We also have the depiction of the Final Judgment, involving all people, regardless of belief.
Key verses:
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. (Revelation 20:7-8)
11And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:11-12)
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Revelation 21:8-21 – deadly sin, second death, fire and brimstone, the afterlife, cowards, fearful, unbelievers, murders, whoremongers, all liars, occult, murder, idolatry
One of the seven angels with the vials (censers, bowls) shows St John a vision of the afterlife. N.B.: I have also included a selection of New Testament verses confirming sins which could cause the second death — eternal damnation — described here and in Revelation 20.
Key verse:
8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Rev. 21:8)
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Revelation 22 – Second Coming unexpected, God’s sovereignty, our readiness, the occult, murder, idolatry
When the Lord comes again, it will be sudden with no warning. Therefore, we must be ready. The Book of Revelation is for all the churches, and no word is to be added or expunged (Episcopal Church — please note!).
Key verses:
12“Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Rev. 22:12-13)
15″Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.” (Rev. 22:15)
16“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.” (Rev. 22:16)
17The 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. (Rev. 22:17)
18I 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. 19And 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. (Rev. 22:18-19)
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