What is Man's DESTINY?

 

Do you know where you're headed?

Does life make sense?

What are you on earth for?

What will the future bring?

Find all the answers from SCRIPTURE.

From the OLD TESTAMENT, through GOD:

Before the fall from grace.

27 So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God created he him; 

male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, 

and God said unto them, 

Be fruitful, 

and multiply, 

and replenish the earth, 

and subdue it: 

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, 

and over the fowl of the air, 

and over every living thing that moveth 

upon the earth.

Genesis 1:27-28 

King James Version

After the fall from grace (unto dust we return).

16 Unto the woman he said, 

I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; 

in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; 

and thy desire shall be to thy husband, 

and he shall rule over thee.

17 And unto Adam he said, 

Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, 

and hast eaten of the tree, 

of which I commanded thee, 

saying, 

Thou shalt not eat of it: 

cursed is the ground for thy sake; 

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; 

and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 

till thou return unto the ground; 

for out of it wast thou taken: 

for dust thou art, 

and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:16-19 

King James Version

God's WILL stands.

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, 

and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, 

saying, 

My counsel shall stand, 

and I will do all my pleasure:

Isaiah 46:10 

King James Version 

GOD is in control of EVERYTHING.

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: 

it shall not return unto me void, 

but it shall accomplish that which I please, 

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 

King James Version

God ordained us for His PURPOSE (as in prophet Jeremiah).

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, 

saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly 

I knew thee; 

and before thou camest forth out of the womb 

I sanctified thee, 

and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 

King James Version

How GOD carved the destiny of prophet Jeremiah.

6 Then said I, 

Ah, Lord God! 

behold, I cannot speak: 

for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, 

Say not, I am a child: 

for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, 

and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: 

for I am with thee to deliver thee, 

saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, 

and touched my mouth. 

And the Lord said unto me, 

Behold, 

I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, 

I have this day set thee over the nations 

and over the kingdoms, 

to root out, 

and to pull down, 

and to destroy, 

and to throw down, 

to build, 

and to plant.

Jeremiah 1:6-10 

King James Version

God is the author of FREEDOM and captivity, lest any man think he is above God.

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

saith the Lord, 

thoughts of peace, 

and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, 

and ye shall go 

and pray unto me, 

and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

14 And I will be found of you, 

saith the Lord: 

and I will turn away your captivity, 

and I will gather you from all the nations, 

and from all the places whither I have driven you, 

saith the Lord; 

and I will bring you again into the place 

whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 

King James Version

Only GOD sets the appointed time for everything.

2 And the Lord answered me, 

and said, 

Write the vision, 

and make it plain upon tables, 

that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 

but at the end it shall speak, 

and not lie: 

though it tarry, 

wait for it; 

because it will surely come, 

it will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 

King James Version

The iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

6 I am the Lord thy God, 

which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, 

from the house of bondage.

7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, 

nor serve them: 

for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 

unto the third and fourth generation of them 

that hate me,

Deuteronomy 5:6-9 

King James Version)

Every path is directed by the LORD.

24 Man's goings are of the Lord; 

how can a man then understand his own way?

Proverbs 20:24 

King James Version

The upright man's end is PEACE.

37 Mark the perfect man, 

and behold the upright: 

for the end of that man is peace.

Psalm 37:37 

King James Version

From the NEW TESTAMENT, through JESUS:

JESUS chose and ordained us, in God's SERVICE.

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

John 15:16 

King James Version

JESUS speaks of God's WILL; our destinies hinge upon that Will and our obedience to the LORD Jesus.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, 

that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, 

but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:39 

King James Version

True believers of JESUS are given eternal life.

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them 

out of my hand.

John 10:28 

King James Version

We are to have tribulation.

33 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 

King James Version

All the world wait for the LORD's Return, as prophesied in the Book of REVELATION; everything has been prophesied.

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 

which God gave unto him, 

to shew unto his servants things 

which must shortly come to pass; 

and he sent and signified it by his angel 

unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, 

and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, 

and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, 

and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written therein: 

for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:1-3 

King James Version

Through the Apostles in the NEW TESTAMENT, from JESUS:

God prepares something for "them that love him".

7 But we speak the wisdom of God 

in a mystery, 

even the hidden wisdom, 

which God ordained before the world 

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: 

for had they known it, 

they would not have crucified 

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, 

Eye hath not seen, 

nor ear heard, 

neither have entered into the heart of man, 

the things which God hath prepared for them 

that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:7-9 

King James Version

We are "predestinated" to be conformed to the image of JESUS.

28 And we know that all things work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, 

he also did predestinate to be conformed 

to the image of his Son, 

that he might be the firstborn 

among many brethren.

Romans 8:28-29 

King James Version)

The future -- and thus our destinies -- is told by JESUS in Scripture:

Matthew 24

Book of Revelation

Supporting article:

"Why Did God Create Man?"

(Image source: George Bakos)

Updated 22 January 2022

HOW Does JESUS Answer a Prayer?

 

I prayed to JESUS

early this morning:

"Please shine your LIGHT,

upon the darkness of our souls."

And the BIBLE answered.

Here's what came forth:

GOD's first WORDS:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, 

and void; 

and darkness was upon the face of the deep. 

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, 

Let there be light: 

and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, 

that it was good: 

and God divided the light 

from the darkness.

5 And God called the light 

Day, 

and the darkness 

he called Night. 

And the evening and the morning 

were the first day.

Genesis 1:1-5 

King James Version

GOD made TWO great LIGHTS on the FOURTH day:

14 And God said, 

Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven 

to divide the day from the night; 

and let them be for signs, 

and for seasons, 

and for days, 

and years:

15 And let them be for lights 

in the firmament of the heaven 

to give light upon the earth: 

and it was so.

16 And God made two great lights; 

the greater light to rule the day, 

and the lesser light to rule the night: 

he made the stars also.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven 

to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day 

and over the night, 

and to divide the light from the darkness: 

and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning 

were the fourth day.

Genesis 1:14-19 

King James Version

GOD is LIGHT:

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, 

and declare unto you, 

that God is light, 

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, 

and walk in darkness, 

we lie, 

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, 

as he is in the light, 

we have fellowship one with another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son 

cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:5-7 

King James Version

The steady "Father of lights":

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift 

is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, 

neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17 King James Version

GOD's "marvellous light":

9 But ye are a chosen generation, 

a royal priesthood, 

an holy nation, 

a peculiar people; 

that ye should shew forth 

the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness 

into his marvellous light;

1 Peter 2:9 

King James Version

GOD's Light "shineth in darkness":

1 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning 

with God.

3 All things were made by him; 

and without him 

was not any thing made 

that was made.

4 In him was life; 

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; 

and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-5 

King James Version

The Lamb is the "light":

23 And the city had no need of the sun, 

neither of the moon, 

to shine in it: 

for the glory of God did lighten it, 

and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved 

shall walk in the light of it: 

and the kings of the earth 

do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: 

for there shall be no night there.

Revelation 21:23-25 

King James Version

JESUS is the "light of the world":

5 As long as I am in the world, 

I am the light of the world.

John 9:5 

King James Version

JESUS comes as a "light into the world":

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me 

should not abide in darkness.

John 12:46 

King James Version

The LORD as a light unto us:

8 Rejoice not against me, 

O mine enemy: 

when I fall, I shall arise; 

when I sit in darkness, 

the Lord shall be a light unto me.

Micah 7:8 

King James Version

The LORD GOD will enlighten our darkness:

28 For thou wilt light my candle: 

the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 18:28 

King James Version

GOD's word as a light unto our path:

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, 

and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 

King James Version

GOD's words "giveth light":

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; 

it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:130 

King James Version

Followers of JESUS shall have the "light of life":

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, 

saying, 

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me 

shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12 (King James Version)

The blood of JESUS CHRIST "cleanseth us from all sin":

7 But if we walk in the light, 

as he is in the light, 

we have fellowship one with another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son 

cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 (King James Version)

The LORD is our "light and salvation":

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; 

whom shall I fear? 

the Lord is the strength of my life; 

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 (King James Version)

(Photo from Rafael Pires.)

Update 20 January 2022

What Does PERFECTION Mean?

 

6 But we are all as an unclean thing, 

and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; 

and we all do fade as a leaf; 

and our iniquities, 

like the wind, 

have taken us away.

Isaiah 64:6 

King James Version

Why the pursuit for perfection?

What is perfection?

How can we achieve perfection?

SCRIPTURE has the answers.

Why we have to be perfect:

48 Be ye therefore perfect, 

even as your Father 

which is in heaven 

is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 

King James Version

19 What? 

know ye not that your body is the temple 

of the Holy Ghost which is in you, 

which ye have of God, 

and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: 

therefore glorify God in your body, 

and in your spirit, 

which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

King James Version 

What perfection means:

7 Having therefore these promises,

 dearly beloved, 

let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness 

of the flesh and spirit, 

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 

King James Version

11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves 

to be dead indeed unto sin, 

but alive unto God 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:11 

King James Version

14 Wherefore, 

beloved, 

seeing that ye look for such things, 

be diligent that ye may be found of him 

in peace, 

without spot, 

and blameless.

2 Peter 3:14 

King James Version 

How to be perfect:

12 I beseech you therefore, 

brethren, 

by the mercies of God, 

that ye present your bodies 

a living sacrifice, 

holy, 

acceptable unto God, 

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: 

but be ye transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, 

that ye may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, 

and perfect, 

will of God.

Romans 12:1-2 

King James Version

11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation 

hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, 

denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, 

we should live soberly, 

righteously, 

and godly, 

in this present world;

Titus 2:11-12 

King James Version

21 Jesus said unto him, 

If thou wilt be perfect, 

go and sell that thou hast, 

and give to the poor,

 and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: 

and come and follow me.

Matthew 19:21 

King James Version

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: 

for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:8 

King James Version

Why we must sin no more:

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received 

the knowledge of the truth, 

there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 10:26 

King James Version

19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, 

having this seal, 

The Lord knoweth them that are his. 

And, 

let every one that nameth the name of Christ 

depart from iniquity.

2 Timothy 2:19 

King James Version

8 Be sober, 

be vigilant; 

because your adversary the devil, 

as a roaring lion, 

walketh about, 

seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, 

knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished 

in your brethren that are in the world.

10 But the God of all grace, 

who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, 

after that ye have suffered a while, 

make you perfect, 

stablish, 

strengthen, 

settle you.

1 Peter 5:8-10 

King James Version

What helps us become perfect:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, 

and is profitable 

for doctrine, 

for reproof, 

for correction, 

for instruction 

in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, 

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 

King James Version

12 For the word of God is quick, 

and powerful, 

and sharper than any twoedged sword, 

piercing even to the dividing asunder 

of soul and spirit, 

and of the joints and marrow, 

and is a discerner of the thoughts 

and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12 

King James Version 

Who helps us become perfect:

13 I can do all things through Christ 

which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13 

King James Version

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

Resist the devil, 

and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 

King James Version 

26 But Jesus beheld them, 

and said unto them, 

With men this is impossible; 

but with God all things are possible.

Matthew 19:26 

King James Version 

26 But the Comforter, 

which is the Holy Ghost, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

he shall teach you all things, 

and bring all things to your remembrance, 

whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26 

King James Version

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish 

and without spot:

20 Who verily was foreordained 

before the foundation of the world, 

but was manifest in these last times for you,

21 Who by him do believe in God, 

that raised him up from the dead, 

and gave him glory; 

that your faith and hope 

might be in God.

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls 

in obeying the truth through the Spirit 

unto unfeigned love of the brethren, 

see that ye love one another 

with a pure heart fervently:

23 Being born again, 

not of corruptible seed, 

but of incorruptible, 

by the word of God, 

which liveth and abideth for ever.

1 Peter 1:19-23 

King James Version

4 But let patience have her perfect work, 

that ye may be perfect and entire, 

wanting nothing.

James 1:4 

King James Version

God's way is PERFECT:

30 As for God, 

his way is perfect: 

the word of the Lord is tried: 

he is a buckler to all those 

that trust in him.

Psalm 18:30 

King James Version

(Photo by Joseph)

Updated 23 January 2022