The Final Crisis

The meaning of words like ‘life’ and ‘death’ seems fairly obvious; We use these terms often enough and no one argues as to their meaning. However, when it comes to the Bible, confusion as to the meaning of these words sets in for a lot of people. This confusion largely stems from a simple misunderstanding of what makes up a living person. To rightly comprehend these words in a Biblical context, we need to understand how the Bible defines the terms 'spirit' and 'soul.' For this, we need to go back to the beginning, when God created man.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

This passage gives us the basic building blocks of life. We are told that - body + breath = living soul.

The body is formed from the ground, while the breath of life is the life-giving energy that comes from God. When these two components come together, we become a living soul.

In other words, we don’t have a soul, we ARE souls.

From this, we can see that the Bible doesn’t say that the soul is a spiritual entity that can live apart from the body, rather it is the result of the breath of life being received into the body, giving to it life and consciousness.

The reversal of this process shown in Genesis happens at death:

Psa 146:4 His breath (ruach) goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Here we see the breath of life, that life-giving energy, returning to God. At this same time, the body returns to the dust of the earth. The outcome is that the thoughts perish. There is no longer life, thoughts, emotion or activity. We go back to how we were before God created us.

This same process is described in Ecclesiastes 12:7, only the word 'ruach' is translated to 'spirit' instead of 'breath', however, the meaning remains the same.

Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit (ruach) shall return unto God who gave it.

Many mistakenly believe this describes some conscious part of man flying up to heaven when the body dies, however, this is just the life-giving energy returning to God who gave it.

To learn more please check out our video: https://youtu.be/_3-rA2a0SpA

"The Prince of heaven was among His people. The greatest gift of God had been given to the world. Joy to the poor; for Christ had come to make them heirs of His kingdom. Joy to the rich; for He would teach them how to secure eternal riches. Joy to the ignorant; He would make them wise unto salvation. Joy to the learned; He would open to them deeper mysteries than they had ever fathomed; truths that had been hidden from the foundation of the world would be opened to men by the Saviour's mission."

The Desire of Ages, p 277

The role of Israel in end-time Bible prophecy has sparked intense interest among numerous Christian groups, especially in light of recent events in the Middle East. Various perspectives exist regarding Israel’s significance in eschatology, with the most prevalent centring around the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, the reign of the antichrist from Jerusalem, and war in the Middle East.

This view of end-time prophecy, in its diverse forms, often emphasises Israel as the central figure in final events. Such interpretations remove the Christian saints from eschatology, shifting the narrative from a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil to a confrontation between nations. This raises the question: Is this the correct interpretation of the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation or has something crucial been missed?

To uncover the truth about Israel and their role in last-day events, make sure to check out our article:

Israel in Bible Prophecy The role of Israel in end-time Bible prophecy has sparked intense interest among numerous Christian groups, especially in light of recent events in the Middle East. Various perspectives exist regarding Israel’s significance in eschatology. A prevalent belief among some is that God will restore Isr...

Is it possible for a scientist holding a PhD to subscribe to the notion of a literal six-day creation?

Dive into the thought-provoking world of 'In Six Days,' where 50 brilliant essays by physicists, biologists, and chemists provide compelling answers to the question: Can science align with creation?

This riveting collection goes beyond the surface, scrutinizing the evidence for evolution against traditional beliefs. Delve into critical inquiries about the Big Bang theory, radioactive dating, distant starlight, the fossil record, and more.

Why is this a must-read? 'In Six Days' not only reopens the origins debate but offers a wide-ranging analysis accessible to educators, politicians, parents, and students. Challenge your perspectives and join the discourse on science education!

Ready to elevate your understanding? Access it online for free at: https://creation.com/in-six-days-preface

"

Embark on an Epic Journey with "Quest for Truth" Online Bible Study Series!

Step into a world of profound revelation with our unique online Bible study series – "Quest for Truth." Dive deep into essential biblical themes at your own pace, guided by comprehensive online study guides covering 29 unique topics that are designed to enrich your spiritual understanding.

Discover the Following Fascinating Themes:

The Origin of Evil: Unearth the roots of evil and its role in the divine narrative. Gain insights into the cosmic battle between light and darkness that continues to shape our lives.

An Apostate Power: Journey through the corridors of history to unravel the story of apostasy's emergence. Gain insights into the power that turned away from truth, reshaping societies across the ages.

The Millennium: Explore the concept of the millennium through scriptural lenses. Delve into its significance as part of God's overarching plan for humanity.

The Future Unveiled: Peer into prophetic passages that unveil the future of humanity. Gain a unique perspective on the closing chapters of Earth's story, highlighting the ultimate victory of righteousness.

When Will Jesus Return?: Uncover the mysteries surrounding Christ's second coming. Examine the signs and symbols that point towards this momentous event, igniting hope and anticipation.

Start Your Journey Today!
Prepare to be captivated by the "Quest for Truth" series – an opportunity to engage with the Bible's teachings in a meaningful, introspective way. Immerse yourself in the study guides, and unlock a deeper connection to your faith.

👉 Explore this unparalleled journey now! Visit our website and begin your expedition through the profound truths that shape our spiritual landscape.

Q4T Bible Studies | The Final Crisis Dive into our FREE online Bible Study series as you continue in your Quest for Truth.

After coming to Christ, many Christians find themselves struggling with temptation and sin. In our hearts, we want to be like Jesus, to love what He loved and hate what He hated, yet working out how to do this escapes us. We see the destructive nature of sin and hate it, yet at the same time, we find ourselves drawn to it. If this is your experience, you are not alone.

The Apostle Paul also acknowledged the internal struggle of the sinful human nature warring against his conscious understanding of the goodness of God's law and clearly outlined this experience in Romans 7. However, Paul didn't end his discourse on a low note. While he recognised the warring of the two natures within us, he spoke of the power we can find in Christ.

Rom 8:1, 13 (1) There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The solution to the sin problem is learning to walk in the Spirit. How can we make this our habit? What practical steps can we take toward living out the life Christ desires for us? Read our article to find out.

https://www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/how-to-overcome-temptation

Temptation is to be enticed or drawn to do something wrong or unwise. It is a very real issue that we are all faced with every day. This is especially true as we try to pull away from a life of sin and draw nearer to God. Never do we leave the ranks of evil for the service of God without encountering the assaults of Satan.

Thankfully, God has provided clear instructions as to how we can be victorious over all temptation to sin and has given us the promise,

1Co 10:13 - There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

To learn more about how we can have victory over temptation, check out our newest article below.

Overcoming Temptation Temptation is to be enticed or drawn to do something wrong or unwise. It is a very real issue that we are all faced with every day. This is especially true as we try to pull away from a life of sin and draw nearer to God. Never do we leave the ranks of evil for the service of God without encounterin...

Today there are many different views on who Jesus is. Is He just a man? Perhaps He is just a prophet? Could it be that He was the first of God’s creation? Or is He the eternal self-existent Son of God?

Satan is hard at work to confuse us as to the true identity of Jesus, but scripture is plain in its declaration of Jesus' eternal existence and deity. Jesus is the Word who was with God and WAS God (John 1:1). He is the great I AM who declared Himself to be 'the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' (Exo 3:14-15). Jesus tells us that He was there in glory with the Father before the world was made (John 17:5); likewise, Micah 5:2 declares His eternal existence.

In the Old Testament God is known as the Rock (Deut 32:4). Paul identifies this Rock who went with Israel as Jesus Christ (1 Cor 10:4). Jesus is also declared to be Jehovah God by fulfilling old testament prophecies concerning 'Jehovah' (compare Isa 40:3 with Matt 3:3, and Psa 16:8 with Acts 2:24-25).

During His life on earth, Jesus made many claims to divinity. He claimed to be life (John 14:6), He claimed to be the Lord of the Sabbath (Mat 12:8), He claimed the power to forgive sins (Mat 9:6), He allowed others to worship Him (Mat 28:9), and when Thomas declared Him to be God, He did not deny it (John 20:28).

There's abundant evidence that Jesus is God, One who has existed in unity with the Father from the ceaseless ages of eternity.

If you would like to learn more about Jesus as the prophesied Messiah who came in fulfilment of the prophecy of Daniel 9, check out our article here: www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/was-jesus-the-prophesied-messiah

Understanding the prophecies of Daniel 2 and 7 are fundamental to understanding much of the rest of Daniel and Revelation.

To learn more about these incredible prophecies please check out our article: www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/the-keys-of-prophecy

We are not far off our Lord's second coming. Let us fight the good fight and remain steadfast until the end!

Now available in both the Google Play and Apple Store.

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.thefinalcrisis

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/the-final-crisis/id1609381203

What does it mean to be under the law? In Romans 6:14, Paul makes the statement that we are “not under the law, but under grace”. Many take this to mean that the law no longer applies to us, and we do not have to keep it. Is this what Paul is saying or is there another meaning to being ‘under the law’?

The context of Romans 6 is that we should be dead to sin and now living in righteousness. In Romans 7:7, Paul establishes that it is the Ten Commandment law that reveals sin to us, while in 1 John 3:4 we read that “sin is the transgression of the law”.

To be dead to sin means that we do not let it rule our lives; we are not slaves to it that we should “obey it in the lusts thereof” (Rom 6:12). We are told that sin no longer rules over us because we are “not under the law, but under grace”. The question then becomes, how is it that grace frees us from the power of sin, while the law cannot? The answer to this is in Heb 4:16 where we are told to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to HELP in time of need”. The context here is in finding help to overcome temptation (vs 15). This means that grace is not only a means of salvation but also a living power that breaks the hold that sin has in our lives. While the law can point out sin to us, it is powerless to keep us from sin, neither can it save us from its penalty. So, we must be under grace for sin not to have dominion (control) over us.

When Paul says we are not under the law, but under grace, he is referring to how we are saved from the power of sin. The law is nothing more than a set of rules that points out sin to us but is powerless to free us from its control. So, to be under the law is a hopeless situation. To be under grace is to have salvation in Christ and the bestowal of the Spirit to give us victory over the power of sin (Rom 8:4). But, as Paul concludes, “What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” Just because the law cannot save us from sin, this doesn’t give us permission to be lawless and break it (sin). It does not mean the law has been made void. Rather, Paul says we are to “establish the law”! (Rom 3:31).

Does faith/grace make the law void? Without the law we would not need grace for without the law we could not be sinners (lawbreakers). It is because we have broken the law that we require the grace of God, which He has provided through the offering of His own Son to die in our place to meet the claims of His broken law (Rom 6:23).

The Bible only gives us one definition of sin,

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4

Sin is when we break God’s law. Of all the laws in scripture, sin is defined by the moral Ten Commandment law (Romans 7:7). When we break this law, no amount of good works or law-keeping can save us from the death penalty; a single wrong act is all it takes to incur this punishment. It is for this reason that we rely on God’s grace alone for salvation.

Many believe that Jesus death made the law void, but if God were to destroy His law He could no longer be just, for justice requires the offender to be held accountable for their sin. For God to maintain His justice and yet show us mercy, He had to create another solution; He did this by giving up His Son to die in our place.

Jesus death shows us that God's law cannot be removed. The law demands the death of the sinner, and if this law was removed, Jesus would not have needed to die, and we would not need a saviour. Jesus death upholds the law and at the same time meets its demands for the punishment of the transgressor.

Isa_42:21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

To study this important topic more closely, please check out our article: https://www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/the-law-and-grace-the-true-gospel

It is often said that the Old Covenant was the keeping of the commandments, and the New Covenant is freedom from God’s law. However, there is only one Everlasting Covenant based upon the promise of redemption and victory over sin through Jesus Christ. God’s Ten Commandment law forms the basis for both the Old and the New Covenant; it is the way in which obedience is achieved that is different.

A covenant is an agreement between two parties based on mutual promises. In the old covenant, Israel promised perfect obedience to God and God promised to bless them if they obeyed (Exo 19:3-8). The problem here is that it is impossible for us to obey God in our own strength (Rom 8:7). As a result, Israel failed in their promise and God "found fault with them", making it needful for Him to make a new covenant (Heb 8:8).

The new covenant is based on a better promise; the promise that God will write His law in our hearts and minds (Heb 8:10). What does this mean and what implication does it have? The answer is found in Psa 40:8 where David said "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart." When the law is written in the heart, we have a desire to obey God. No longer are we led around by the lusts of the flesh, to fulfil them. Now, God "worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Obedience becomes possible to those who have entered into the new covenant promise.

It is God's ultimate desire to see His people restored to His image. Through the new covenant promise, God has made provision for us to be renewed to the divine pattern (2 Peter 1:3-4).

If you would like to learn more about this amazing theme, please check out our article: https://www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/the-everlasting-covenant

The longest prophecy in the Bible is found in Daniel 8:14, "unto 2300 days, then shall the sanctuary be cleansed". What is this cleansing of the sanctuary? When did the 2300 days start and finish? What impact does this have on those of us living in the last days?

The sanctuary of Daniel 8 is not the OT earthly sanctuary, rather, it is the sanctuary in heaven. We know this because the 2300 days extends after the time of Jesus, who's death brought an end to the earthly sanctuary. The rending of the curtain in the temple at Jesus death (Mat 27:51) was the sign that this earthly type had come to and end, while, in the book of Hebrews, Paul reveals to us that Jesus ascended into the sanctuary in heaven to now work as our High Priest (Heb 6:20 & 9:24).

The earthly sanctuary was cleansed at the end of every Jewish year on the day of atonement (Lev 16:18-19). This cleansing was the permanent removal of the sins of the children of Israel from the sanctuary (Lev 16:34). Throughout the year the sin was removed from the people through the sin offerings and transferred to the sanctuary, then, at the end of the year, the sin was cleansed from the sanctuary and placed on the scapegoat who perished in the wilderness (Lev 16:21-22).

Just as the earthly sanctuary underwent cleansing at the end of the year, the heavenly sanctuary also must be purified from the sins of God's people at the end of the world (Heb 9:23). This work began at the conclusion of the 2300 days prophecy.

What does this mean for us? Only the sins of those who have ever entered into God's service and confessed them upon Christ (the sin offering) have had their sins moved into the heavenly sanctuary. During this time, God is now judging His people to see if they remained faithful or fell back into sin (2 Pet 2:20, Rom 14:10). Those who fell back into sin will have their sins returned to them, while those who remained faithful will have their sins forever separated from them and placed upon the Scapegoat.

Essentially, the first angel has already sounded, the hour of judgement has come (Rev 14:7)!

To learn more about this ever important topic, please read through our article: https://www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/the-hour-of-his-judgement-has-come

When Christ ascended from the earth, He entered His role as our High Priest in the Heavenly Sanctuary (Heb 4:15 & 8:2). By studying the earthly sanctuary in the Old Testament, we can better understand the work that Jesus is doing for us right now in heaven.

This knowledge will open the way to uncovering the meaning of the cleansing of the sanctuary that began at the end of the 2300-day prophecy in Daniel 8, and the relationship this has to the judgement and closing works of Jesus ministration for us in the Heavenly Sanctuary.

Just as soon as Jesus finishes His work in heaven, He will return to the earth to take us home.

To learn more about this very important topic, please check out our article: https://www.thefinalcrisis.info/post/our-high-priest-and-the-heavenly-sanctuary

How well do you know the history of the Christian Church? Who was the church that fled to the wilderness through the time of persecution prophesied in Revelation 12:14?

We highly recommend this series of short videos by Lineage that will take you through the history of Christianity and help you to understand the development of the modern churches. As we remember our history, we will better understand the controversy raging today.

https://youtu.be/JrdAJEWSTxg

Lineage | Season I | Trailer Join us on a journey through time tracing the roots of our spiritual family. Throughout this year we will travel to Italy, France, Germany, Scotland, Switzer...

Join The Final Crisis as we explore Bible prophecy and other important truths in God's word.

This app will give you complete access to all of our content including articles, videos, images, and Bible studies. You may also like to sign in to our discussion forum, regularly check in to our Bible verse of the day, and explore some of our other useful tools and resources.

Download now: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app.thefinalcrisis