Tag Archives: Saints

Revelation 15

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Revelation 15: Celestial Glory

                John explains that he saw; “…another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels having the seven last plagues…” (Revelation15:1)

John also saw a “…sea of glass…” (Revelation 15:2) and those who had overcome the world and the power of the beast were on the sea of glass with harps, praising God and exclaiming; “…Great and marvelous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.” (Revelation 15:3) These are those Saints (members of the church) who will be given Celestial Glory.

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1 John 5

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1 John 5: Saints are Born of God

                John explains that all Saints are born of God and that those who love God; “…keep his commandments…” (1 John 5:3) For those same people who love God and who keep the commandments of God; “…overcometh the world…” (1 John 5:4) Jesus Christ overcame the world, and we can too! For not only by water; “…but by water and blood.” (1 John 5:5) did Jesus Christ sacrifice Himself for us, setting the example.

By the Spirit we may know the truth of things, for the “…witness of God is greater…” (1 John 5:9) John goes on to explain the purpose of what Jesus Christ did for us; “…God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son, hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:11-12)

John explains that those who have faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ will have confidence’ “…that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he will hear us; And if we know that he hear us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15) In other words, God will answer our prayers according to His own will. This can be likened to a little child attempting to touch a hot stove. Obviously the parent says not to, because it’ll burn them! However, as little children in the eyes of God, we often want something, but God repeatedly says no. Why? Because He knows best and does not want us to be burned!

Hebrews 4

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Hebrews 4: Saints will enter into Rest

                Paul writes to the Hebrews and explains that “…the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” (Hebrews 4:2) In other words, those who hear the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but are not filled with faith will not hear the message with their spiritual ears and will ultimately reject its teaching. Paul explains that God created the world in six days, and on the seventh day He rested. Paul urges the Hebrew members of the Church to follow this counsel and rest in the Lord on the Sabbath.

Paul explains that the “…word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) Because the word of God is SO POWERFUL, Paul invites all to come unto its power, that all can be touched and comforted from our infirmities.

Titus 2

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Titus 2: Saints Live Righteously

                Paul explains that as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, the Saints should; “…teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncoruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again.” (Titus 2:4-9)

Essentially Members of the Church, also known as “Saints” should teach their young to be clean, righteous, full of good works and to be sincere in doctrine and in life. Paul promises that if we refrain from ungodliness, we will overcome the world and live to see the “…glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

Colossians 1

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Colossians 1: Christ created all Things

                Paul addresses the Colossians in Colosse and both Him and Timotheus greet the saints there. Paul explains that because they are followers of Christ, Jesus has made them “…partakers of the inheritance…” (Colossians 1:12) Paul explains this to drive home the point that members of Christ’s Church, His Saints… His Followers are all part of the wonderful plan that God set forth before the foundation of the earth was laid. We as followers of Jesus Christ share the inheritance that God will give us, this was only made possible through the “…redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:14) Through the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus Christ, we have been given a path back to live with our Heavenly Father, and through Christ obtain our inheritance with the Father and the Son.

Paul goes on to address the saints and explain that Christ created all things;

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, of powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, by him all things consist… he is the head of the body, the church…” (Colossians 1:16-18)

Paul comforts the saints to continue in the faith; “…continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.” (Colossians 1:23)

                He explains that in every dispensation (when the authority is on earth and a prophet is called) that God reveals the mysteries of the world to His Children through the mouth of His servants the Prophets. Paul explains that he is a minister in that dispensation;

                “…I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” (Colossians 1:26)

Paul urges the members of the church to preach to every man and warn them with wisdom of the sins and wickedness of the world, so that they may stand blameless before God in the Judgment Day;

                “… preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Colossians 1:28)

Philippians 1

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Philippians 1: Everything Happens for a Reason

                Paul opens his letter to the Philippians and explains that Timotheus and he are both bond servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul prays the Philippians may be without offence until the day of Christ, filled with the fruits of righteousness. He urges members to speak more boldly, as he has of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul explains that everything happens for a divine reason; “…the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” (Philippians 1:12) The reason for his suffering and imprisonment was so others could be more confidence and speak “…more bold[ly]…without fear.” (Philippians 1:14)

                Paul urges the Saints to “…stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation… For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; “ (Philippians 1:27-29) Essentially Paul is telling the Philippian Saints to not worry about what will happen to them or be afraid of the evil. He explains that as followers of Christ, they too must suffer for his sake, however all things work out for a reason. Be not discouraged or upset by the adversaries who attempt to dismantle your belief in Jesus Christ!

Ephesians 1

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Ephesians 1: Saints Foreordained/Restoration of the Gospel

                Paul writes a letter to the Ephesians, he starts by explaining that he is an Apostle of the Lord and explains that we are all God’s children, for God “…hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, what we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ… In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…” (Ephesians 1:4-5, 7) We learn from Paul that we are not only children of God, but that Jesus Christ will adopt us and through His atoning sacrifice in the Garden of Gethsemane and His Crucifixion, we can be forgiven of our sins.

Paul goes on to explain that God will make known “…the mystery of his will…” (Ephesians 1:7) Essentially Paul is telling us that ONE DAY we will have answers to the questions of our soul, like: Where did we come from? Why are we here and where are we going after death? Paul explains that in the ‘dispensation of the fulness of times’ we will come to this knowledge;

“…the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him.” (Ephesians 1:10)

What is the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times?

                First, what is a ‘Dispensation’? Dispensations are periods of time in which the gospel of Jesus Christ is administered by Holy Prophets, who are ordained by God. Through these Prophets, God can speak to His children and administer the affairs of His kingdom on Earth. Dispensations begin with the calling of a prophet, by God. Dispensations end, when the people reject the prophets and kill them.

The Dispensation of the Fulness of Times began in 1820, when Joseph Smith had the First Vision. During this time God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ spoke to Joseph Smith and called him to be a prophet. Through Joseph Smith, the Church of Jesus Christ was restored back to the earth. In modern day scripture we read; “It is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fulness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time” (Doctrine and Covenants 128:18).

                So we learn that through Joseph Smith, the Father and the Son ushered in the Dispensation of the Fulness of Times, where all dispensations from Adam to Present are linked together to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Paul ends his letter to the Saints in Ephesus, and prays that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ given them the “…spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; The eyes of your understanding being  enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.” (Ephesians 1:17-18) Paul was urging them to open their minds and hearts to being filled with knowledge and enlightenment over the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asks the same thing, for people to open their hearts and understand that the Church, Jesus Christ personally established when He was on the earth… is now Restored with modern day Prophets and Apostles.

2 Corinthians 13

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2 Corinthians 13: Saints Should Live in Peace

                Paul speaks to the Corinthians and explains that it is his THIRD time speaking to them, but; “…In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1) Some of the Corinthians wanted proof of Christ, and because of this Paul asks them to; “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Paul invites the Saints in Corinth to understand the truth and know that they truth does not change. Nothing can go against the truth! Paul asks them to greet each other with a “…holy kiss. All the saints salute you.” (2 Corinthians 13:12-13) Essentially, we should love on another and help one another!

2 Corinthians 1

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2 Corinthians 1: God Comforts His Saints

                Paul writes to the Corinthians and explains that God will look over and comfort His saints; “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Here Paul tells us that God does not comfort everyone directly; sometimes God will direct others to do the comforting. That does not mean that God does not love everyone equally, it just means that He wants us to learn how to help each other.

Paul goes on to explain that as we are afflicted and as we suffer, we will also be comforted and endure with knowledge; “…whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation…” (2 Corinthians 1:6) Essentially, part of Salvation is going through trials and afflictions so we can learn and grow from our time on earth.

1 Corinthians 14

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1 Corinthians 14: Speaking in Tongues

                Paul encourages the Saints (the members of the Church) to “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts…” (1 Corinthians 14:1) If we are desirous for Spiritual Gifts, we also need to be willing to “…seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12) Paul teaches the saints about the Gift of Tongues, which is speaking in another known language. Some believe that speaking in tongues is a secret way of communicating in gibberish with God. However, Paul explains that it is not communication, but rather gibberish.

                “…if I come unto your speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? …how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth now what thou sayest? …I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than then thousand words in an unknown tongue.” (1 Corinthians 6; 16; 19)

                 Essentially Paul is saying that unless someone in the room understands you, it profits no one for someone to speak in an unknown tongue. Speaking in Tongues is not falling on the floor and screaming gibberish… Speaking in Tongues is speaking in different languages, like English, Spanish, German, Japanese, etc.

Paul then explains that there should not be confusion in the Church of Jesus Christ or strife on which church is true, there can only be ONE true Church of Jesus Christ; “…God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33) The Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints are called “Saints” and the LDS church is the Restored Church of Jesus Christ, the same one He established when He was on the Earth.

Paul leaves the Corinthians with lots of knowledge and reminds them that it is their own choice to believe him, however, he explains; “…if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.” (1 Corinthians 14:38)