The Perfection Of Beauty: Why Zion Is The Place God Chose For His Habitation, His Glory, His Word, And His Future Kingdom Reign Out Of Israel

In your King James Bible, the word “Zion” appears 152 times in 152 verses, with all of them anchored in the Old Testament. And in the overwhelming majority of places, Zion is a literal, visible and physical geographic location firmly connected to King David, and to the coming King Jesus at the Second Advent. Zion will be the place where King Jesus will sit on David’s throne, and rule the world during the Millennium. God will rule the world from a Zionist Kingdom on this Earth, believe it or not.

“The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.“ Psalm 50:1-3 (KJB)

SUNDAY SERVICE STUDY NOTES: The Zion of God

The Zion of God

1. Zion Begins As A Real Place: The Strong Hold Of The Jebusites

The first major biblical identification of Zion is in David’s conquest of Jerusalem:

“Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.” 2 Samuel 5:7 (KJB)

So, historically, Zion begins as a fortified stronghold in Jerusalem, captured by David and then called “the city of David.” It is not first presented as an abstract spiritual idea. It is a literal place tied to David, Jerusalem, kingship, and conquest.

2. Zion Becomes The Seat Of Davidic Rule

Once David takes Zion, it becomes connected with the royal authority of Israel’s king. This matters because God’s covenant with David makes Jerusalem and Zion central to the kingdom promises. Zion is not merely a city name; it becomes the earthly seat from which God’s chosen king rules.

That is why the Psalms can speak of Zion with such majesty. Zion is the city of the King, the place associated with God’s government on the earth.

3. Zion Becomes The Place Of God’s Chosen Habitation

Psalm 132 makes the doctrine unmistakable:

“For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.” Psalm 132:13 (KJB)

This is where Zion rises above mere geography. The Bible says the LORD chose Zion. That choice makes Zion the appointed earthly center of divine presence, worship, glory, and future kingdom administration.

Psalm 50:2 fits perfectly here:

“Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.” Psalm 50:2 (KJB)

Zion is called “the perfection of beauty” not because of architecture, scenery, or human achievement, but because God’s presence, God’s glory, God’s word, and God’s King are associated with it.

4. Zion Becomes The Prophetic Center Of The Coming Kingdom

The prophets take Zion forward into the future reign of the LORD. Isaiah says:

“And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 2:3 (KJB)

That is a kingdom passage. Zion becomes the center from which divine law and instruction go forth to the nations. In a rightly divided framework, this points forward to the earthly, visible, Davidic kingdom reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, when Jerusalem is not replaced or spiritualized away, but exalted according to prophecy.

5. Zion Is Connected With Israel’s National Restoration

Paul quotes the prophets in Romans 11:

“And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:” Romans 11:26 (KJB)

Notice the spelling “Sion” in the New Testament KJB. It is the same biblical idea carried forward. In Romans 11, Zion/Sion is connected with Israel’s future deliverance, not the erasing of Israel’s promises. The Deliverer comes in connection with Jacob, Israel, covenant mercy, and national restoration.

6. Zion Also Has A Heavenly Association

Hebrews gives another layer:

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” Hebrews 12:22 (KJB)

Here, “mount Sion” is connected with the heavenly Jerusalem. That does not cancel the earthly promises to Jerusalem and Israel; it shows that Zion has both an earthly prophetic importance and a heavenly glory associated with God’s eternal purposes.

The Word “Zion” In One Sentence

Zion begins as David’s conquered stronghold in Jerusalem, becomes the city of God’s chosen habitation and royal glory, expands into the prophetic center of Messiah’s earthly kingdom, and is finally seen in connection with the heavenly Jerusalem and the eternal purposes of God.

Psalm 50:2 is therefore a magnificent statement: God shines out of the place He chose, the place of His King, His covenant, His worship, His glory, and His coming kingdom.

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

• HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our WayGiver Funding page

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

Biblical Christianity Stands Alone As The Blood-Bought Faith Once Delivered To The Saints While Rome, Mormonism And The Watchtower Preach Another Gospel

Biblical Christianity is not a religion built by councils, popes, prophets, publishing houses, temple ordinances, or denominational machinery. Biblical Christianity is the blood-bought faith once delivered unto the saints, anchored in the preserved words of God, centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, and sealed by the gospel of the grace of God. It begins with man as a lost, hell-bound sinner and ends with the only Saviour who can redeem him: Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, crucified, buried, risen again, and coming back. Everything else is either Bible truth or religious counterfeit. Today we compare biblical Christianty with the top 3 religious organizations to see how they stack up.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 (KJB)

What separates Biblical Christianity from every man-made system is that it does not ask the sinner to climb a ladder of works, sacraments, ordinances, priestcraft, church membership, or organizational obedience. It points him to a finished cross, an empty tomb, a risen Saviour, and an open Bible. The Roman system adds tradition and sacramental control; Mormonism adds another gospel and another authority; the Watchtower gives you another Jesus altogether. But the Bible gives you Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone — “the way, the truth, and the life” — and no man cometh unto the Father, but by him.

IF YOU ARE TEACHER OF THE WORD OF GOD OR A STUDENT, THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE. CLICK TO ORDER!!

SUNDAY SERVICE STUDY NOTES: What Is Biblical Christianity?

What Is Biblical Christianity?

Biblical Christianity stands or falls on the person of Jesus Christ, the authority of the written word of God, and salvation by grace through faith apart from works.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9 (KJB)

When comparing any religious system to biblical Christianity, we ask four simple questions:

1. Who is Jesus Christ?
2. What is the final authority?
3. How is a sinner saved?
4. What gospel is being preached?

I. Biblical Christianity

The Final Authority Is The Written Word Of God

Biblical Christianity receives the Scriptures as the final authority, not church tradition, modern prophets, councils, popes, Watchtower publications, or additional books.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJB)

Jesus Christ Is God Manifest In The Flesh

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” Colossians 2:9 (KJB)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (KJB)

Biblical Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ is not a created being, not the spirit brother of Lucifer, not Michael the archangel, and not merely one mediator among many. He is God manifest in the flesh. Please read our excellent article on the biblical nature of the Godhead.

Salvation Is By Grace Through Faith, Not Religious Works

“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5 (KJB)

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,” Titus 3:5 (KJB)

The sinner is saved by trusting the finished blood atonement of Jesus Christ, not by sacraments, temple ordinances, baptismal regeneration, organizational loyalty, or personal merit.

II. Biblical Christianity Versus The Roman Catholic Church

• VISIT THE NTEB ARTICLE ARCHIVE ON THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJB)

The Roman Catholic Church teaches many things about Jesus Christ, the Trinity, and the Bible that sound familiar to biblical Christianity, but it departs from Scripture by placing church authority, sacramental grace, priesthood, Mary, and tradition in positions the Bible does not give them.

The Vatican’s Catechism teaches that there are seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony; it says these sacraments “touch all the stages and all the important moments of Christian life.” The Catechism also calls the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life.”

Difference In Authority

• Biblical Christianity: Scripture is the final authority.
• Roman Catholicism: Scripture is interpreted through the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, its traditions, councils, priesthood, and papal office.

The issue is not whether Roman Catholicism mentions the Bible. It does. The issue is whether the Bible is final, sufficient, and superior to church tradition.

Difference In Salvation

• Biblical Christianity: A sinner is justified by faith in Christ apart from works.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 5:1 (KJB)

• Roman Catholicism: Grace is connected to the sacramental system, including baptism, confession, penance, Eucharist, and final perseverance within the Roman Catholic Church. Biblically, salvation is not dispensed through a priest, a wafer, a confessional booth, or a religious system. It is received by faith in the finished work of Christ.

Difference In Mediation

• Biblical Christianity: One mediator: Jesus Christ.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJB)

• Roman Catholicism: Though it confesses Christ, it also places priests, Mary, saints, and sacramental ministry in mediating roles that Scripture never assigns to them Roman Catholicism is not biblical Christianity with extra ceremony. It is a sacramental religious system that mixes Christ, church, priesthood, tradition, and works.

Are you resting in Christ alone, or in Christ plus church membership, plus sacraments, plus confession, plus penance, and plus religious performance? If Christ’s work on the cross was finished, then nothing needs to be added to it.

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished:” John 19:30 (KJB)

III. Biblical Christianity Versus Mormonism

• VISIT THE NTEB ARTICLE ARCHIVE ON MORMONISM

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:8 (KJB)

Mormonism, officially The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, uses biblical language, speaks of Jesus Christ, and presents itself as Christian, but its doctrine of God, Jesus Christ, Scripture, salvation, and eternal destiny is radically different from biblical Christianity.

The LDS Church’s own teaching materials present the idea of a “restoration” and include additional scriptures and modern prophetic authority alongside the Bible. Its Gospel Principles manual includes chapters on “Prophets of God,” “Scriptures,” “The Church of Jesus Christ Today,” “Temple Work and Family History,” “Eternal Marriage,” and “Exaltation.” LDS materials define exaltation as the highest state of glory and connect it with man’s potential to become like Heavenly Father.

Difference In Authority

• Biblical Christianity: The Bible is sufficient.
• Mormonism: The Bible is joined with the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price, and continuing prophetic revelation.

That is a major divide. Biblical Christianity does not need a later “restoration” because the faith was once delivered.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Jude 1:3 (KJB)

Difference In The Nature Of God

• Biblical Christianity: There is one eternal God.

“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:2 (KJB)

• Mormonism: God is understood in a way that allows for exaltation, eternal progression, and humans becoming like God. LDS materials describe becoming like God as central to their gospel understanding.

Difference In Jesus Christ

• Biblical Christianity: Jesus Christ is the eternal Word, God manifest in the flesh.

“And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.” John 20:28 (KJB)

• Mormonism: Jesus is honored, but Mormon doctrine places Him within a broader framework of premortal existence, heavenly parents, spirit children, exaltation, and restored temple ordinances that is foreign to the Bible.

Difference In Salvation And Eternal Life

• Biblical Christianity: Salvation is a free gift by grace through faith.
• Mormonism: Full exaltation is connected to faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, obedience, temple ordinances, and eternal marriage.

Biblical Christianity says the believer is complete in Christ.

“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Colossians 2:10 (KJB)

Mormonism is not merely another Christian denomination. It is another gospel with another authority structure, another view of God, and another view of eternal destiny. Is your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, or in a restored church, modern prophets, temple ordinances, and becoming exalted?

The biblical gospel does not need to be restored by Joseph Smith. It needs to be believed.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved,” 1 Corinthians 15:1,2 (KJB)

Biblical Christianity Versus Jehovah’s Witnesses

• VISIT THE NTEB ARTICLE ARCHIVE ON JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached,” 2 Corinthians 11:4 (KJB)

Jehovah’s Witnesses use Bible terminology, speak much about Jehovah, and are known for door-to-door evangelism, but they deny core biblical Christianity by rejecting the deity of Jesus Christ, denying the Trinity, altering the doctrine of salvation, and submitting Scripture to Watchtower interpretation.

Jehovah’s Witness teaching identifies Jesus Christ as Michael the archangel; JW.org says Jesus has “an archangel’s voice” because “he is the archangel, Michael.” Watchtower material also states, “Jesus Christ is Michael the archangel.”

Difference In Jesus Christ

• Biblical Christianity: Jesus Christ is God.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (KJB)

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: Jesus is not Almighty God, but a created being identified as Michael the archangel. That is not a small ‘doctrinal disagreement’. That is another Jesus.

Difference In The Godhead

• Biblical Christianity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are one God.

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7 (KJB)

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: They reject the Trinity and deny the full deity of Jesus Christ and the personhood of the Holy Ghost.

Difference In Salvation

• Biblical Christianity: Salvation is by grace through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ.

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:14 (KJB)

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: Salvation is connected to association with Jehovah’s organization, endurance, obedience, and works. Biblically, good works follow salvation; they do not purchase it.

Difference In Final Destiny

• Biblical Christianity: The saved are with Christ, and the lost face real judgment.

“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15 (KJB)

• Jehovah’s Witnesses: They teach a distinction involving the 144,000 and an earthly hope for others, along with rejection of eternal conscious punishment as historically taught in biblical Christianity. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not simply have a different translation or a different denominational structure. They preach another Jesus.

Is Jesus Christ your Lord and your God, or merely an exalted creature? A created Jesus cannot save sinners. Only the eternal Son of God can redeem by His blood.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (KJB)

A sinner does not need Rome’s sacraments, Joseph Smith’s restoration, or the Watchtower’s organization. A sinner needs the Lord Jesus Christ, His shed blood, and the gospel of the grace of God.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” Acts 16:31 (KJB)

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

• HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our WayGiver Funding page

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB

Real Victory In The Christian Life Does Not Come From Winning In The Flesh, But From Staying Close To Jesus Christ And Keeping The Faith To The End

In the 2011 movie ‘Moneyball’ Oakland A’s General Manager Billy Beane said: “I hate losing more than I even wanna win.”. The quote highlighted a philosophy focused on eliminating mistakes rather than solely chasing victory. In his 1993 lecture series “Dead Doctors Don’t Lie”, Dr. Joel Wallach said that if you want to be healthy, you have to “avoid stepping on the landmines” of poor health choices and vitamin deficiencies. In the life of the Christian, we avoid “losing” and “landmines” when we put our eyes squarely on Jesus Christ and trust Him and Him alone for the victory. Our apostle Paul clearly defines “losing” and “winning” in the life of the believer.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:57,58 (KJB)

SUNDAY SERVICE STUDY NOTES: It’s How You Played The Game

It’s How You Played The Game

Introduction

This lost world that we live in is obsessed with winning, but it has no idea what real victory actually is. To the lost man, winning is getting ahead, beating the competition, building a name, and protecting his own position. But in the Christian life, victory is not found in ambition, self-effort, or fleshly strength. The born again believer wins when he keeps his eyes on Jesus Christ, and he begins to lose the moment he starts trusting himself, fearing his circumstances, or walking by sight instead of by faith. The issue is not whether Jesus Christ can give the victory, because He already has. The issue is whether the Christian will stay fixed on Him.

“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22 (KJB)

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (KJB)

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:7-10 (KJB)

Point 1: Losing Begins When You Take Your Eyes Off Jesus Christ

Peter is one of the clearest examples of this truth in the whole Bible. As long as his eyes were on Jesus, he walked where no man could naturally walk. But the moment he looked at the wind and the waves, he began to sink. Peter did not start going down because the Lord failed him, he started going down because he stopped looking to the Lord. That is exactly how spiritual defeat works in the life of the believer. We get our eyes on the storm, the pressure, the fear, the bills, the people, the disappointments, and the uncertainty, and once our attention shifts from Christ to the problem, we begin to lose ground.

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:28-30 (KJB)

That is why so many Christians lose long before anyone sees the outward evidence of it. They lose in the heart first. They lose in the mind first. They lose when fellowship grows cold, when prayer becomes empty, when the Bible gets neglected, and when the eyes turn away from Jesus Christ. A Christian does not have to fall into open scandal to be losing. He is already losing when Christ is no longer the center of his attention.

DL Moody said “This Book will keep you from sin, or your sin will keep you from this Book.” Moody, speaking about the daily faith needed in the life of the Christian, said “I prayed for faith and thought that some day faith would come down and strike me like lightning. But faith did not seem to come. One day I read in the tenth chapter of Romans, “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” I had up to this time closed my Bible and prayed for faith. I now opened my Bible and began to study, and faith has been growing ever since.”

Point 2: Victory Comes Only Through Jesus Christ, Never Through The Flesh

The Bible is plain that victory is not something the Christian manufactures by trying harder. Victory is something God gives through His Son. That strips away all boasting and all fleshly glorying. You are not victorious because you are disciplined enough, strong enough, or clever enough. You are victorious because Jesus Christ is sufficient. The flesh cannot win spiritual battles, and it never will. The believer who places confidence in himself is already on dangerous ground.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJB)

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 (KJB)

This is why pride is so deadly in the Christian life. The moment you think you are beyond failure, you are getting close to it. The moment you start trusting your own strength, you are preparing for defeat. God never intended for the Christian to live the victorious life in the power of the flesh. He intended for him to live in daily dependence upon Jesus Christ. That is why Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 (KJB) The victory is through Him, the strength is through Him, and the endurance is through Him. Take Christ out of it, and all you have left is religious flesh pretending to be spiritual power.

In the book of Judges, God tells Gideon that his mighty army has too many soldiers, and needs to reduce the size of it, because if not, Israel will think that they won the victory instead of it being God who gave it to them

“And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.” Judges 7:2-7 (KJB)

Point 3: Bible Victory Is Faithfulness, Not Worldly Success

This world defines winning by numbers, applause, influence, money, and recognition. God defines victory by faithfulness. A man can have everything the world admires and still be a complete spiritual failure. Another man can be battered, opposed, ignored, and afflicted, and yet be a total success in the eyes of God because he stayed true to Jesus Christ and kept the faith. Bible victory is not about being celebrated, it is about being faithful.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJB)

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;” I Timothy 1:12 (KJB)

That is the pattern right there. Paul did not say he had the easiest road, the biggest crowd, or the greatest earthly results. He said he fought, he finished, and he kept the faith. That is how God measures victory.

“For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.” I Corinthians 4:17 (KJB)

The winning Christian is the one who stays in the Book, stays close to the Lord, stays humble, and keeps walking by faith when everything around him says to quit. That is why fellowship with Jesus Christ matters more than outward activity. Martha was busy, but Mary was at His feet. One was distracted, the other was centered. One was troubled, the other had chosen the better part. A believer can be active in ministry and still be losing if they are no longer sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Conclusion

The Christian life is won or lost by where your eyes are fixed. If they are fixed on the world, you will drift. If they are fixed on yourself, you will stumble. If they are fixed on the storm, you will sink. But if they are fixed on Jesus Christ, you will have victory. The issue is not whether the Lord can overcome, because He already has overcome. The issue is whether you will abide in Him, trust Him, and follow Him when the pressure is on.

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17 (KJB)

“These 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 (KJB)

So stop admiring the storm. Stop trusting the flesh. Stop measuring your life by worldly standards. Get your eyes back on Jesus Christ. Stay in the Book, stay on your knees, and stay close to the Lord. Real victory is not hype, image, or outward success. Real victory is keeping your eyes on Jesus Christ and remaining faithful to Him to the end. That is how the Christian refuses to lose, and that is how the Christian wins.

In conclusion, we find that one reasons sports are so popular in our modern-day culture is because we very much live in The Game. The people are the players, the game board is the world, the rules are found in the Bible, and we win eternally in Jesus Christ our Saviour who has in inheritance all set up and waiting for us.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” 1 Peter 1:3-5 (KJB)

In his 1941 poem entitled “Alumnus Football”, sportswriter Grant Richland said this:

“Keep coming back, and though the world may romp across your spine,
Let every game’s end find you still upon the battling line;
For when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name,
He writes—not that you won or lost—but how you played the Game.”

Now The End Begins is your front line defense against the rising tide of darkness in the last Days before the Rapture of the Church

• HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our WayGiver Funding page

When you contribute to this fundraising effort, you are helping us to do what the Lord called us to do. The money you send in goes primarily to the overall daily operations of this site. When people ask for Bibles, we send them out at no charge. When people write in and say how much they would like gospel tracts but cannot afford them, we send them a box at no cost to them for either the tracts or the shipping, no matter where they are in the world. We have a Gospel Billboard program. We are now broadcasting Bible studies, Podcasts and a Sunday Service 5 times a week, thanks to your generous donations. All this is possible because YOU pray for us, YOU support us, and YOU give so we can continue growing.

But whatever you do, don’t do nothing. Time is short and we need your help right now. The Lord has given us an open door with a tremendous ‘course’ for us to fulfill that will create an excellent experience at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Please pray for our efforts, and if the Lord leads you to donate, be as generous as possible. The war is REAL, the battle HOT and the time is SHORT…TO THE FIGHT!!!

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13 (KJB)

“Thank you very much!” – Geoffrey, editor-in-chief, NTEB