Irrefutable evidence for the Pre-tribulation Rapture

Posted on February 28, 2025 by Jerry

 

I have been challenged today to provide “Chapter and verse please?” for the doctrine of the Pre-tribulation Rapture. I provided Bible citations from three different Roman Catholic translations because this discussion has been with some Roman Catholic participants who claim the Roman Catholic Church does not teach this doctrine, but that this doctrine is a recent Protestant innovation not even believed or taught by most Protestants.

Here is my response:

Here is the chapter and verse you requested:

1Th 4:17 (4:16) Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up together with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air: and so shall we be always with the Lord. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

1Th 4:16 Only after that shall we, who are still left alive, be taken up into the clouds, be swept away to meet Christ in the air, and they will bear us company. And so we shall be with the Lord for ever [Note 4: This verse gives possibility, though not certainty, to the view that those who are alive at the second Coming will not experience death.] (Monsignor Ronald Knox translation and note.)

1Th 4:17 Afterwards we who are alive, who survive, shall be caught up with them on clouds into the air to meet the Lord, and so we shall continue in the Lord’s company forever. (James A. Kleist S.J. Joseph L. Lilly, C.M. translation)

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (KJV, King James Version)

The doctrine of the Pre-tribulation Rapture is taught in this verse and its immediate context. “Rapture” is based upon the underlying Greek text which uses the word “harpadzo.” “Harpadzo” is translated by the English words “taken up” (DRB & Knox), “caught up” (Kleist and Lilly & KJV).

The Rapture is clearly Pre-tribulational because Paul’s stated purpose is to comfort (immediate context, 1 Thessalonians 4:18, “Wherefore comfort one another with these words”).

The Rapture is clearly Pre-tribulational because Paul in his order of discussion places it BEFORE he mentions the Day of the Lord when the Great Tribulation takes place (near context: 1 Thessalonians 5:2, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”).

Paul states this identical order in his corrective discussion (related context: 2 Thessalonians 2:1, “And we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and of our gathering together unto him:” (DRB); “Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,” (KJV). This is the coming at the Pre-tribulation Rapture. In Scripture there are no Resurrection/Rapture passages which speak of the Great Tribulation (in terms of the Rapture occurring during the Great Tribulation period), and no Great Tribulation passages which speak of a COMBINED resurrection of the dead in Christ AND rapture and translation of living believers.

Paul references the Rapture in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 by the words “our gathering together unto him,” alluding to what he had written in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 (“caught up together with them”).

Note the order of discussion Paul writes here: first the rapture (2 Thessalonians 2:1) then he mentions the day of the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:2):

2Th 2:1  Now regarding the arrival of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to be with him, we ask you, brothers and sisters,
2Th 2:2  not to be easily shaken from your composure or disturbed by any kind of spirit or message or letter allegedly from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord is already here. (NET Bible)

These are the FACTS directly stated in Scripture which place the Pre-tribulation Rapture BEFORE the Day of the Lord and its Great Tribulation.

You rightly and kindly asked for “chapter and verse please.” I just furnished two such references which establish the order of events pertaining to the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

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Daily Bible Nugget #928, Psalm 34:13

Posted on February 27, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (KJV)

Psa 34:13  My counsel is, keep thy tongue clear of harm, and thy lips free from every treacherous word. (Knox translation)

Psa 34:13 Keep thy tongue from wickedness, And thy lips from speaking deceit: (EB, Emphasized Bible)

Psa 34:13  Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech! (NET Bible)

Psa 34:13  Keep your tongue from saying evil things and your lips from speaking deceitful things. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 34:13  Then avoid saying anything hurtful, and never let a lie come out of your mouth. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:12 Do you want to live and enjoy a long life?
Psa 34:13 Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

David, the Psalmist, has set out to give us advice on how to please, honor, and respect the Lord. Following this advice will bring both present and eternal rewards.

It seems impossible to read political news today and come away without spotting blatant propaganda intended to deceive rather than inform the reader.

There are workable solutions to the societal, economic, and moral problems we now face.

As for our economic problems, the start of a solution is to spend less than we take in via the income tax. The President already has the authority to take action against the greatest expense in the government budget. There are federal laws already on the books against monopolies (on the books more than a century:  15 USC Chapter 1). One monopoly and system of monopolies is connected to the medical profession, the pharmaceutical industry, and the insurance industry. That this law is flagrantly violated every day is easy to see: just look to see how pricing is determined and controlled. Medicare and Medicaid or the precursors to what we have now once cost about 4 percent of the federal budget. It has grown to the current 33 percent of the budget, and likely is the greatest contributor to our current unsustainable financial morass. Federal law, if it were to be properly applied and enforced with its mandatory 10 year prison terms for each person involved would very quickly resolve this problem. It would result in a temporary economic shock wave, but would resolve itself quite quickly. Just start right now putting individuals responsible for these monopoly practices in prison for ten years and all others will quickly stop the practice since they do not want to be next. Where there is no penalty, there is no law. But this law has a  penalty. Now enforce it.

A major societal problem has arisen over the past number of years from illegal immigration. There is a simple and direct solution. Enforce the law we already have (on the lawbooks since the 1950s:  8 USC 1324). I can remember that when I was still teaching this law was enforced against all employers and employees. I had to affirm and confirm my status as a citizen of the United States of America. Had I not been able to do so, I would have been released from my job. Enforce this law today, and only those who properly belong here could hold jobs. When employers are fined and imprisoned for employing non-citizens, non-citizens who are here illegally will have no access to jobs or benefits. When managers of rental housing are put in prison for harboring illegal immigrants, the rest will refuse to let illegal immigrants rent their housing or apartments. The illegal immigrants will quickly remove themselves in such a case. With no jobs and no housing and no more free ride, no place to work, no place to stay, they would have no other choice. That would immediately solve the housing and apartment shortage when ten or twenty million illegal migrants are forced to seek employment and shelter elsewhere, like back in their home country. Prices here will come down, and homes will become affordable again.

Moral problems are a thorny issue. They can be solved on an individual basis by heeding the advice of the Psalmist. We need to stop censoring the truth. We have freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Don’t believe or heed the nonsense that religious speech is not protected speech. It is just as much protected as political speech. Those who think or teach otherwise need to learn how to read.

And reading is my expertise. For those who need to improve reading skills, reading comprehension, reading speed, or inference skills, I produced a self-instructional resource that can help anyone of any age (above age 8 years) greatly improve in these areas. Search on Amazon for The Language Enrichment Program by me, Jerome Smith. Buy the program in printed book or Kindle format for a very reasonable price. Follow its directions and you will be helped. See the “Category” to the right titled “The Language Enrichment Program” and read all about it.

I find it very strange that so-called educational experts are striving valiantly to find a solution to the reading achievement problem in my state of  Michigan and elsewhere (it was discussed on WJR this morning during commentary on the Governor’s state of the state address last evening). I have done the research. I have written and carefully tested my self-instructional reading program. It works at least 80 percent of the time. That is, 8 out of 10 students show remarkable improvement in less than one semester’s time. The 2 students in 10 who did not show improvement do improve when it happens that I have them in my class in a following semester and they agree to try again.

I hope you have learned something by reading my rant that will be helpful to you!

To dig deeper into what the rest of the Bible has to say about the subjects  mentioned in Psalm 34:13 read and study these newly expanded cross references developed from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psa 34:13  Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.

Psalms 34:13
Keep. FS38D, +Psa 27:14.

thy tongue. *Psa 12:3; *Psa 12:4; +*Psa 15:3; **Psa 19:14, **Psa 39:1; Psa 120:3, 4; **Psa 141:3, Lev 19:16, 1Sa 29:8, Job 15:13, Pro 12:14; Prov 15:4; *Pro 18:21; +Pro 21:23, Ecc 10:11, **Mat 12:35, 36, 37, Luk 3:14; Luk 6:45, **Eph 4:29, Col 4:6, *Jas 1:19; *Jas 1:26; *Jas 3:2; *Jas 3:5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

from evil. +*Eph 4:31, +*Jas 3:8, 1Pe 3:9, 10.

speaking. +*Psa 15:2; Psa 55:11, *Lev 19:11, Pro 12:17; Pro 12:19; Pro 12:22; Pro 19:9, Isa 63:8, *Eph 4:25, *Col 3:9, *1Pe 2:1; *1Pe 2:22, Rev 14:4, 5.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #927, Psalm 34:12

Posted on February 25, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:12  What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? (KJV)

Psa 34:12  Long life, and prosperous days, who would have these for the asking? (Knox translation)

Psa 34:12  What man is there that desires life, loving to see good days? (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 34:12  Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life? (NET Bible)

Psa 34:12  Which of you wants a full life? Who would like to live long enough to enjoy good things? (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 34:12 What man has a love of life, and a desire that his days may be increased so that he may see good? (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 34:12  Do you want to enjoy life? Do you want to have many happy days? (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:12 Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Remember that this second section of Psalm 34 is intended to teach the fear or honor of the Lord (Psalm 34:10). The Psalmist answers the question in Psalm 34:12 in the very next verse, Psalm 34:13.

Here are the cross references newly expanded for Psalm 34:12 from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 34:12
What. Heb. “Who is the man.” Psa 25:12, FS85D. +Psa 25:12, *Psa 21:4; *Psa 91:16, +Deut 4:40; *Deut 6:2; *Deut 30:20, +*Mat 5:9, Php 1:20, Jam 3:13, *>1Pe 3:10; *>1Pe 3:11, *Rev 22:14.

life. FS108B31, +1Sa 10:24. FS121N1, Gen 31:54. Life by the Figure Metonymy (of Adjunct) is put for all that makes life worth living. Pro 4:13, *Amos 5:14.

and loveth. +*Psa 119:140.

many days. Deut 5:16; *Deut 11:9; *Deut 25:15, Job 32:7, Isa 65:20.

that he may see good. *Psa 4:6; +*Psa 94:14; Psa 106:5, Gen 19:16, Job 7:7, Ecc 2:3; Ecc 6:6; *Ecc 12:13; Ecc 12:14, +*1Ti 4:8, *Rev 21:4.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #926, Psalm 34:11

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:11  Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. (KJV)

Psa 34:11 Know, then, my children, what the fear of the Lord is; come and listen to my teaching. (Knox translation)

Psa 34:11  Come, ye children, hear me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 34:11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of Jehovah. (ASV, American Standard Version)

Psa 34:11  Come, my young friends, and listen to me, and I will teach you to honor the LORD. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Psa 34:11 Come, children, give attention to me; I will be your teacher in the fear of the Lord. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 34:11  Children, come and listen to me; I will teach you to respect the LORD. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:11 Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Psalm 34:11 begins the last section of Psalm 34. The subject of the last section is the fear or respect of the Lord. This section contains much helpful and needful instruction.

Here are the newly expanded cross references for Psalm 34:11. These references include what are called “reciprocal references.” Reciprocal references are the other verses in the Bible which link to Psalm 34:11. These references have been developed from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

Psalms 34:11
Come. Pro 1:8; Pro 4:1; Pro 7:24; *Pro 8:17; *Pro 8:32; **Pro 22:6, *Ecc 11:9; Ecc 11:10; *Ecc 12:1, *Isa 28:9, Mat 18:2, 3, 4, *Mrk 10:14, 15, 16, John 13:33, *2Ti 3:15.

my children. or, sons. +*Psa 119:9, Exo 13:8, Pro 1:4; *Pro 1:8; **Pro 1:10, Mal 4:6.

hearken. Psa 34:5; Psa 49:1, Gen 49:2, Deut 31:12, Job 33:33, Pro 2:1, Isa 55:2, 3, Mar 4:3.

I will teach. T1288 (Giving testimony). **Psa 25:9; *Psa 32:8; Psa 51:12, 13; Psa 66:16, 17, 18, 19, 20; *Psa 111:10; Psa 119:13, Deut 4:9; Deut 11:19, *1Sa 12:23, *2Ch 17:7, Job 32:7,  Pro 1:7; *Pro 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Pro 3:2; +Pro 3:7; Pro 18:21, *Ecc 12:13, *Isa 28:9; *Isa 28:26; Isa 49:10, Rom 12:7, 1Th 2:11, Heb 5:12.

the fear. Psa 19:9; Psa 90:11; +*Psa 119:38, Pro 10:27; Pro 15:13, 1Pe 2:17.

of the Lord. 2Co 5:11.

 

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #925, Psalm 34:10

Posted on February 23, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:10  The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. (KJV)

Psa 34:10  Justly do the proud fall into hunger and want; blessing they lack not that look to him. (Knox translation)

Psa 34:10  The rich have become poor and hungry: but they that seek the Lord diligently shall not want any good thing. Pause. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 34:10 (34:11) The rich have wanted, and have suffered hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not be deprived of any good. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

Psa 34:9-10  The rich have become poor and suffer hunger; 10 They that seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. (Lamsa translation from the Peshitta, the Authorized Bible of the Church of the East, by George M. Lamsa)

Psa 34:10  Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing. (TPT, The Passion Translation)

Psa 34:10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger; But they that seek Jehovah shall not want any good thing. (ASV, American Standard Version)

Psa 34:10  Even lions go hungry for lack of food, but those who obey the LORD lack nothing good.  (GNB, Good News Bible)

Psa 34:10  Young lions go hungry and may starve, but those who seek the LORD’S help have all the good things they need. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 34:10 The young lions are in need and have no food; but those who are looking to the Lord will have every good thing. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 34:10  Even strong lions get weak and hungry, but those who go to the LORD for help will have every good thing. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:10 Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I find it interesting that the Hebrew text reads “lions” where the Greek, Latin, and Syriac read “proud” or “rich.” In any case, the general truth expressed is that if you trust or go to the Lord for help, you will lack nothing good. As noted before, a general truth is not always true in every individual case. This seems to be an important principle. Related in principle, some Bible promises may have applied to the time and individuals who were directly addressed, and in our time are less often the case, as with prayer promises (+Mat 17:20) in the light of the possible present “Silence of God” (Isa 61:2 note).

To dig deeper into the themes and subjects mentioned in Psalm 34:10, read and study the following expanded references developed for the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 34:10
lions. Instead of כפירים kephirim, the young lions, one of Kennicott’s MSS. has כבירים cabbirim, “powerful men.” The Vulgate, Septuagint, Ethiopic, Syriac, Arabic, and Anglo-Saxon have the same reading. Houbigant approves of this; and indeed the sense and connection seem to require it (Adam Clarke). Psa 7:2; Psa 35:17; Psa 104:21, Job 4:10, 11; Job 18:12; Job 38:39, +Isa 5:29, Jer 51:38, Ezk 38:13, Dan 6:22, 23, Luk 1:51, 52, 53, Jas 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; Jas 5:1, 2, 3, 4.

do lack. To be poor, to suffer want, to be needy: Pro 14:20; Pro 18:23 (Barnes). 1Sa 2:7, Job 4:11, Pro 17:5.

but they that seek. +**Psa 9:10 note. +*Psa 84:11, Jos 21:45, +1Ch 16:11 note. 2Ch 14:7, Job 23:12, Jer 15:16, Dan 10:12, *Mat 6:11; Mat 6:32; *Mat 6:33, +*Luk 11:9; *Luk 12:31, Act 17:11, 12, *Php 4:11; Php 4:18; Php 4:19.

not want. Psa 34:9, *Psa 23:1; *Psa 37:3; *Psa 37:25; Psa 111:5, Lev 25:21, 1Sa 2:5; 1Sa 30:19, *1Ki 17:6; *1Ki 19:5, *Neh 9:21, Pro 10:3; Pro 13:25, %Isa 32:6; Isa 33:16; Isa 40:30, 31; Isa 58:11; Isa 65:13, Jer 37:21, Mat 6:11; Mat 6:31, Luk 9:12; Luk 12:28, Act 4:34.

any good thing. “Good” is emphatic; they may be afflicted, but this may be a good (2Co 4:17, 2Co 4:18; Heb 12:10; Heb 12:11), JFB; see +*Psa 119:67, 71, 75. Psa 107:9, Pro 22:4, +*Mat 6:33; Mat 7:11, Luk 1:53; Luk 22:35, Php 4:19, Jas 1:17.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #924, Psalm 34:9

Posted on February 21, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (KJV)

Psa 34:9  It is for you, his chosen servants, to fear the Lord; those who fear him never go wanting. (Knox translation)

Psa 34:9  Fear the Lord, all ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 34:9  Fear the LORD, you chosen people of his, for those who fear him lack nothing! (NET Bible)

Psa 34:9 Oh fear Jehovah, ye his saints; For there is no want to them that fear him. (ASV, American Standard Version)

Psa 34:9  Oh, fear Jehovah, you his holy ones, for those who fear him have no lack! (UASV, Updated American Standard Version)

Psa 34:9 O fear Jehovah, His holy ones; for there is nothing lacking to those who fear Him. (MKJV, Modern King James Version)

Psa 34:9 Revere Yahweh, ye his holy ones, For there is no want to them who revere him. (EB, Emphasized Bible)

Psa 34:9  Honor the LORD, all his people; those who obey him have all they need. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Psa 34:9 Keep yourselves in the fear of the Lord, all you his saints; for those who do so will have no need of anything. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 34:9  Fear the LORD, you holy people who belong to him. Those who fear him are never in need. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 34:9  Fear the Lord, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. (NLT, New Living Translation)

Psa 34:9  The LORD’S holy people should fear and respect him. Those who respect him will always have what they need. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:9 Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Careful Bible readers ought to be struck immediately by the fact that “No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need” is a Bible statement that is contrary to actual experience. Commentary writer Albert Barnes wisely remarks:

All their needs will be abundantly supplied. Sooner or later all their real necessities will be met, and God will bestow upon them every needed blessing. The statement here cannot be regarded as absolutely and universally true – that is, it cannot mean that they who fear the Lord will never, in any instance, be hungry or thirsty, or destitute of raiment or of a comfortable home; but it is evidently intended to be a general affirmation, and is in accordance with the other statements which occur in the Bible about the advantages of true religion in securing temporal as well as spiritual blessings from God. Thus, in 1Ti 4:8, it is said, “Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” Thus, in Isa 33:16, it is said of the righteous man, “Bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.”

To dig deeper into what the rest of the Bible has to say on the matters mentioned in Psalm 34:9, read and study the following cross references newly expanded beyond what I placed in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 34:9
fear. Psa 5:7; Psa 19:9; Psa 22:23; *Psa 31:23; Psa 89:7, Gen 22:12, Deut 10:12, Pro 1:7; Pro 9:10; Pro 11:24; Pro 22:4, Isa 8:13, 14, Hos 3:5, *Heb 12:28; *Heb 12:29, 1Pe 1:17, 18, 19, Rev 15:3, 4.

ye his saints. Qedoshayv: Psa 16:3. Exo 3:5, Isa 40:31, Rev 5:8; *Rev 11:18.

no want. T752 (Temporal blessings in general). Psa 34:10; *Psa 23:1; *Psa 23:5; Psa 37:3; Psa 37:19; +Psa 84:11; Psa 91:7; Psa 145:19, *Deut 15:8, 1Sa 30:19, 1Ki 17:6, Job 5:20, Pro 10:3; Pro 11:24, Song 7:2, *Isa 58:11, *Jer 37:21, Mat 6:31; **Mat 6:33, Mar 12:43, Luk 12:28; Luk 12:30, 31, 32; Luk 21:3; Luk 22:35, Act 4:34, *Rom 8:32, 1Co 3:22, 23, *Php 4:19, 1Ti 6:6; 1Ti 6:17.

that fear. Psa 33:18; Psa 103:11; Psa 111:5; Psa 115:11; Psa 135:20, Pro 19:23, Ac 9:31, 1Pe 2:17, *Rev 11:18; Rev 15:4.

 

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Judge nothing before the time

Posted on February 19, 2025 by Jerry

 

I just read and replied to a Roman Catholic’s chagrin over the matter that he was often judged not to be a genuine Christian by some others who claimed he must be baptized as an adult believer in order to be genuinely saved.

Here is my reply:

I feel your pain! I have personally been ostracized by individuals and even some pastors and their churches.

Perhaps I am rejected and ejected from their “fellowship” because I know some things in the Bible they firmly believe I am not supposed to know. They consider what I know to be poison and they don’t want others in their congregation to be infected by my spiritual disease.

They are unwilling to examine the Scriptures carefully with me to see if what I or they believe is actually what the Bible itself teaches.

This is a sociological “thing,” the difference, in part, between “village churches” and “camp churches.” To become an actual part of a “village” church you must be born into that congregation, not someone who comes in as an adult who happens to have recently moved into the local community.

To be accepted in a “camp” church, one needs only to share in a spiritual relationship and be excited to grow in your knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18).

As for those who deny the validity of your personal salvation because you were not baptized by immersion as an adult believer who has made a confession of faith, such individuals and churches need to get back into their Bibles themselves and prove whether such belief and practice is justified by what is stated in the Bible text.

I have made such a study, in depth, and though I have found the correct interpretation, I do not impose it on other churches or believers who do not share my view.

Forgive me for being amused when I drive by a church sign that reads “Berean Baptist Church.” You cannot truly be a Berean (Acts 17:10, 11) if you have not carefully “searched the Scriptures” (John 5:39) and “proved all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Paul warns us to “judge nothing before the time” (1 Corinthians 4:5). No one but our Lord Jesus Christ can be the judge of who is saved and who is not.

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself did instruct us that “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16, 20; see also Galatians 5:22, 23).

Anyone claiming to be a Christian has no business making such a judgment of another on the basis of whether they are a Roman Catholic or a Protestant or like me, a claimant to be neither one. I am a Bible believing, Bible studying Christian. To my knowledge, I have never urged a Roman Catholic friend, student, fellow employee, or on-line contact to switch to another church or denomination. It would be better for Roman Catholics and others to do the same.

I trust the Holy Spirit working in the life of each individual to lead them to where He wants them to be as they continue to grow in their knowledge of God and His written word, the Bible.

Our business must be to obey the command to “Receive one another” (Romans 15:7).

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Daily Bible Nugget #923, Psalm 34:8

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:8  O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. (KJV)

Psa 34:8  How gracious the Lord is! Taste and prove it; blessed is the man that learns to trust in him. (Knox translation)

Psa 34:8  Taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man who hopes in him. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 34:8 Taste and see that Jehovah is good; blessed is the man seeking refuge in Him. (LITV, Literal translation of the Holy Bible)

Psa 34:8  Find out for yourself how good the LORD is. Happy are those who find safety with him. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Psa 34:8 By experience you will see that the Lord is good; happy is the man who has faith in him. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 34:8  Give the LORD a chance to show you how good he is. Great blessings belong to those who depend on him!  (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:8 Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

A careful study of Psalm 34:8 by means of the cross references given below which are taken and expanded from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury should teach anyone who seriously reads what I write here much about Bible doctrine and apologetics. Don’t let that strange big word “apologetics” scare you away. There are many truths taught in the Bible that many Sunday school teachers and church pastors do not cover in their teaching and preaching. But they are most important to learn if we are to obey Jude 1:3 and 1 Peter 3:15.

In terms of theology, this verse (Psalm 34:8) teaches us that God is good. Goodness is one of the attributes of God. An attribute is a description of His character.

In terms of experience, we are invited to experience God. We get to know God better as we read and study His written word in the Bible.

In terms of apologetics, Psalm 34:8 is quoted by Peter and applied to our Lord Jesus Christ. Peter, therefore, in 1 Peter 2:3, applies the name Jehovah used here in Psalm 34:8 to Jesus. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Watchtower society make much of the name of God, Jehovah. When the New Testament quotes an Old Testament statement that in Hebrew contains the name Jehovah, their New World Translation faithfully represents that name in their New Testament translation every time that happens, EXCEPT at 1 Peter 2:3. They avoid using the name Jehovah at 1 Peter 2:3 most likely because that would be contrary to their doctrine that Jesus is not divine. They deny the doctrine of the Deity of Christ. They deny the doctrine of the Trinity. They deny the doctrine of the personality or personhood of the Holy Spirit and teach the holy spirit is the non-personal power of God. In both The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury I have discussed this at length. I have included a list at 1 Peter 2:3 of 19 passages in the New Testament which apply to Jesus what is said of Jehovah in the Old Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures. Therefore, on these matters, the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their New World Translation of the Bible are clearly proven wrong.

Psalms 34:8
taste. “Spiritual experience must precede spiritual knowledge” (St. Bernard, cited by Delitzsch, cited by Kay). Psa 23:5; Psa 63:5; Psa 66:16; +*Psa 119:103, 1Sa 14:24; 1Sa 14:29, 2Sa 17:29, Job 12:11, *Song 2:3; Song 5:1, Eze 34:14, John 1:38, 39; John 1:46, *Rom 12:2, Heb 5:13, 14; *Heb 6:4; *Heb 6:5, *1Pe 2:2; +>1Pe 2:3 note. *1Jn 1:1, 2, 3.

see. FS171J15, +Gen 42:1. Verbs expressing the operation of one sense are in Hebrew often put for those of another: here, taste and see. 1Sa 14:29.

the Lord is good. Psa 36:7; Psa 36:10; Psa 52:1; Psa 68:10; Psa 73:1; *Psa 86:5; Psa 107:1; +*Psa 119:68, Psa 136:1; Psa 145:7; +**Psa 145:9, +*Exo 34:6, Num 10:29, *Jer 31:14, *Zec 9:17, +Luk 6:35, **1Co 2:8; **1Co 12:3, Eph 4:8, *1Jn 4:7, 8, 9, 10.

blessed. FS43, +Deut 28:3. +*Psa 1:1; Psa 2:12, Psa 40:4, Deut 33:29, +*Isa 30:18, +Mat 5:3, Jam 1:12.

the man. Heb Geber. +Gen 6:4 (mighty men), Eph 1:18.

that trusteth. *Psa 2:12; Psa 25:2; Psa 26:1; Psa 32:10; Psa 40:4; *Ps 56:4; *Psa 84:12, Pro 16:20, +Isa 26:3, Jer 17:7, Dan 3:28, 2Co 1:9, Jam 1:19, Rev 22:17.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #922, Psalm 34:7

Posted on February 15, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psa 34:7  The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (KJV)

Psa 34:7 Guardian of those who fear the Lord, his angel encamps at their side, and brings deliverance. (Knox Translation)

Psa 34:7  The angel of the Lord will encamp round about them that fear him, and will deliver them. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 34:7 (34:8) The angel of the Lord shall encamp round about them that fear him: and shall deliver them. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

Psa 34:7 The LORD’s angel camps around
the LORD’s loyal followers and delivers them. (NET Bible)

Psa 34:7 The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them. (ASV, American Standard Version)

Psa 34:7 The angel of the Lord is ever watching over those who have fear of him, to keep them safe. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 34:7  His angel guards those who honor the LORD and rescues them from danger.  (GNB, Good News Bible)

Psa 34:7  The Messenger of the LORD camps around those who fear him, and he rescues them. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Psa 34:7  The LORD’S angel builds a camp around his followers, and he protects them. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Psa 34:7 If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I sometimes wonder how often God has protected each of us from danger that we did not see? I believe I was protected on Thursday, March 13, 1986, when I was shot in the back of my head by an unknown assailant as I walked across the back teacher parking lot at Southeastern High School. There may well be many things going on in terms of what may be called “spiritual warfare” that are unseen by us. Prayer is one of the “weapons” of our spiritual warfare, as is the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God which we have in our Bible.

To dig deeper into these themes mentioned in Psalm 34:7, read and study the following cross references taken from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 34:7
The angel of the Lord. Psa 35:5; *Psa 91:11; *Psa 91:12, +*Gen 22:15 note. Gen 24:7; Gen 48:16, 1Ki 19:5, 2Ki 19:35, *Dan 6:22, *Mat 18:10, *Luk 16:22, Act 5:19; Act 12:7; Act 12:11, *Heb 1:14.

encampeth. Psa 125:2, *Gen 32:1; *Gen 32:2, Exo 14:19, 20, 2Sa 17:24; 2Sa 17:27; 2Sa 19:32, *2Ki 6:17, 2Ch 18:31, *Job 1:10, Pro 14:26, Zec 9:8.

that fear him. +Deut 6:2, +Pro 3:7; Pro 14:26, +Ecc 12:13.

delivereth. Psa 7:4; Psa 18:19; *Psa 50:15; Psa 81:7; Psa 91:15, 2Sa 4:9; 2Sa 22:20, Job 36:15, *Isa 63:9, Dan 3:25; Dan 3:28, Mat 4:6, *Act 12:7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
or, armeth. Jos 4:13 mg. Jos 6:7; Jos 6:9; Jos 6:13, 1Ch 12:23, 24 mg.

 

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Why Genesis 2:3 is NOT about the Seventh Day Sabbath

Posted on February 15, 2025 by Jerry

 

Genesis 2:3  And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Many mistaken interpreters assert that Genesis 2:3 is the first mention of the Sabbath in the Bible.

However, the reference is to rest, not the Sabbath.

Genesis 2:3 speaks of God resting from the work of the days of creation, meaning He finished that work.

Man did not rest on that day. God is the One who rested or ceased from His work of Creation.

If man had rested on that day, he would not have worked six days and rested on the seventh day!

The Hebrew word for Sabbath does not appear anywhere in the text of Genesis.

The record given in Genesis 2:3 does not establish the Sabbath for man. There is absolutely no evidence in the pages of Genesis that the Sabbath involving a recurring weekly time of rest on the seventh day was ever practiced by the Patriarchs.

The Sabbath was instituted at the giving of the manna in Exodus 16:23-31,

Exo 16:23  And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
Exo 16:24  And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
Exo 16:25  And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field.
Exo 16:26  Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.
Exo 16:27  And it came to pass, that there went out some of the people on the seventh day for to gather, and they found none.
Exo 16:28  And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
Exo 16:29  See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.
Exo 16:30  So the people rested on the seventh day.
Exo 16:31  And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

The statement in Deuteronomy 5:3 introducing the Ten Commandments explicitly states that “The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us.”

Therefore, Scripture itself declares the Sabbath Commandment was utterly unknown to prior generations. The rest of Scripture confirms this.

Deut 5:3  The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.

but with us. This is a most clear statement that the Law was given first on this occasion at Mount Horeb to Moses, and never given at a prior time, including the Sabbath commandment, an affirmation confirmed by the combined witness of the following Parallel Passages. +*Deut 5:2, %+*Gen 26:5, **Neh 9:13; **Neh 9:14, *Jer 11:4; Jer 34:13, **Ezk 20:9, 10, 11, 12; **Ezk 20:20, **Mal 4:4, **Rom 5:13; **Rom 5:14.

Nehemiah 9:12  Moreover thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar; and in the night by a pillar of fire, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
Neh 9:13  Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:
Neh 9:14  And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:
Neh 9:15  And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.

 

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