11/20/13

From Ben Fronczek... Tune Up Your Spiritual Defenses







Tune Up Your Spiritual Defenses


Tune Up Your Spiritual Defenses  (part 4) 

Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18 

 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

True Story:   Sunrise was dawning when Los Angeles motorcycle police officer Bob Vernon saw a red pick-up truck speed through a stop sign. This guy must be late to work, he thought to himself. He turned on his emergency lights and radioed that he was in pursuit. The pickup pulled over, and the officer approached. “Meanwhile in the truck, the driver thought, The cops already know! He was scared. He rested his hand on the same gun he had used a few moments before to rob a twenty-four-hour market. The sack of stolen money was beside him on the seat.
“The officer said, ‘Good morning, sir, may I see your…’ “He never finished the sentence. The driver shoved his gun toward the policeman’s chest and fired from just inches away. The cop was knocked flat seven feet away. “A few seconds later, to the shock of the criminal, the officer stood up, pulled his service revolver, and fired twice. The first bullet went through the open window and smashed the windshield. The second tore through the door and ripped into the driver’s left leg. “Don’t shoot! The thief screamed, throwing the gun and sack of money out the pickup window. “What saved the policeman’s life was dozens of layers of Kevlar, the super strong fabric used for bulletproof vests. Only three-eighths of an inch thick, Kevlar can stop bullets cold.” (From the Encourager, by Charles Mylander ) 

As you know, this a dangerous world which we live in.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 the apostle Paul writes,
 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.”

Do you think the Apostle Paul understood something about the problems, trials and temptations that Christians have to deal with in this world.   I believe he did. Just like that police officer, I believe that Paul knew that we need to be prepared for those surprise attacks that could knock us down or leave us  bleeding spiritually. In our scripture reading which was read today (Eph 6:10-18) the Apostle Paul made it clear that we not only have to be on guard and stand firm, he also makes it clear here that there is a battle taking place on a spiritual level. And he warned those early Christians to prepare themselves for potential attacks just like that police officer who was wise enough to prepare himself for a potential attack that day.

It seems like not many of the Lord’s people know that we are in a war.  I read a verse that just absolutely amazed me. 

Revelation 12:7 says,

“There was war in heaven.”

We think about Heaven as a place of forever peace, but we learn about a war that was there.
If a spiritual war can take place in the unseen realm of Heaven then doesn’t it stand to reason that on this earth Christians are going to be engaged in some kind of warfare as well? God tells every Christian to, ‘Put on the armor.’ Why armor? Because we are in a battle. A spiritual war is going on, so Paul writes,  

“Put on the whole armor of God so that you can take your stand against the wiles or schemes of the devil.”

It is therefore critically important that we maintain or even tune up our spiritual defenses. And that’s what this lesson is about today.

Take note of what Paul wrote there in Ephesians 6:12:  

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” 

This is not a battle against people. This is not a battle against mere human beings. We are in a warfare against  supernatural forces of evil. What is that battle all about? It is about who shall have the supremacy, Christ or Satan. It is a struggle for the souls of men. It is a battle to keep people out of Hell. It is a struggle to get people saved. It is a war, a conflict until the end. And every one of us is engaged in it whether we realize it or not. This reality ought to keep us from folding our hands and taking it easy. It ought to make us sit up and take notices. But far too many of us have let our guard down. And while the Christian church and the people of God are taking it easy and ignoring this reality, the forces of evil are at work as never before. Radical Islamic behavior, terrorism, Atheism,  liberalism, ritualism, greed,  legalism and intellectualism are at work, while the church goes around oblivious to what’s happening.    

God help us to realize we are in a war, in a battle. But We Do Have Some Defenses and some Weapons    

The Lord didn’t leave us without a way to defend our self and something to fight with. In Eph. 6 here, I read about the 5 pieces of armor for defense, and two weapons to fight with, and win with.
The weapons of our warfare are not physical but spiritual. They have spiritual powers!
It is amazing, astounding, how little the average Christian understands and takes advantage of this armor and these weapons the Lord has given us.

SO WHAT DO WE HAVE TO PROTECT US?  And what do we need to do to maintain or tune up of defenses ?                        

#1. FIRST AND FOREMOST WE MUST TURN TO GOD FOR VICTORY. 

a.   Time and time again, the Bible instructs us to rely upon God to deliver us from our enemy.

● In (Mt. 6:13), Jesus taught His Disciples how to pray. And one part of that prayer says,

 “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

Who can deliver us from the evil one according to this verse?
Our Father in heaven!

●In (James 4:7), the Holy Spirit inspired James to write,  

“Submit  yourselves, then to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”

So, before we can resist the Devil, we must submit to and trust in God!

● And here in (Eph. 6:10-11), the Bible says, 

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes.”

It is clear from these and others that if we want a good defense against Satan and his schemes, we must rely upon God. We can’t do it without Him! Here in Ephesians 6, the Bible instructs every Christian to put on the full armor of who?     Of God!       Only God can shield us from the deadly bullets that Satan fires at us. When you are under spiritual attack, meaning that you are being tempted to sin, or an evil thought crosses your mind tempting you to do wrong, the first thing you need to do is go to God in prayer and ask Him to help you to defeat it.
  1.  If you are angry, and are about to say something ugly, go to God in prayer and ask Him for help.
  2.  If you are about to lust over another human being, go to God in prayer.
  3.  If you are about to gossip about someone, or do anything else evil we need to…. Go to God in prayer and ask Him to give you the strength to overcome the sin. When you ask, He will help you escape that temptation.

#2. SECOND, TO DEFEAT SATAN, WE MUST FULLY COMMIT OUR SELF TO THE LORD AND THE GENUINE CHRISTIAN LIFE STYLE.  AND THEN WE MUST MAKE A COVENANT TO RESIST THAT WHICH IS EVIL.

I love what David says in Psalm 101:2-4 I believe every Christian should post it up on their refrigerator; he wrote:  

”I will be careful to lead a blameless life… I will walk in my house with blameless heart. 3 I will set before my eyes no vile thing.  The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.  4 Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.”

I also like very much what Job said so very long ago in Job 31:1,  

“I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl.”

What I hear these men saying and I believe what they did was to make a pact or a covenant with themselves that they would be fully committing to the Lord and His ways. And they made a commitment to themselves and to the Lord to live a blameless life. They purposely chose not to be in the presence of, nor put up with anything that was vile in God’s sight. Job even made a covenant with his own eyes not to look upon that which may have caused Him to lust.  (Now that’s being committed to the Lord) Can you do that? Can you make a covenant with your eye not to look at anything that may cause you to sin? Can you make a covenant with your lips not to say anything that is foul, vile or unholy? Can you make a covenant with your ears not to listen to any one or anything that is unwholesome? Can you make a covenant with your hands not to use them in a way that is sinful? You can do all of these if you choose to. I believe that when you truly make a commitment to God like that, it is stronger than bullet proof Kevlar.

But we are also told to outright resist Satan and his attacks:

- James 4:7 

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.”

Resisting Satan means opposing him, turning away from him, and having nothing  to do with him and the temptations that he throws at us. A great passage of Scripture that we should use to resist the Devil is in Titus 2:12 which says,  

“say no to ungodliness and worldly passions.”

If we leave one small sin in our lives, or if we put up with an evil that the Lord detests, that leaves an open door for the Devil and he will return and cause us misery. We must be fully committed to the Lord and His ways and purposely resist Satan. And if we do, we are told that he will flee from us.

#3. THIRD, TO DEFEAT SATAN, WE CAN ALSO GO ON A SPIRITUAL OFFENSE

There are times we need to turn the tables and go after Satan. We must attack Satan when he attacks us. THE ULTIMATE WEAPONS TO USE FOR THIS IS “THE WORD OF GOD” AND “THE POWER OF JESUS NAME.” There is absolutely nothing in this world like these weapons. Chapter 6 of Ephesians tells us that one of our weapons is

“the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

Can you imagine a fellow back then going off to fight and not having a sword? We are to have this sword, this weapon in our heart, in our life, and in our mind. But the average Christian does not use this weapon, the Word of God, very much, nor very effectively. When the Devil came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, three times from the  Old Testament, Jesus said,

“It is written.… It is written.…It is written.” 

 When Jesus met the Devil, He unsheathed His sword and met the Devil with the Word of God. It is an amazing defense for every Christian. A Christian who does not have the habit of reading the Word of God for his own benefit is not going to be very strong. It is his primary weapon to protect himself with and overcome the foe. Listen! God has given you the weapon of His Word and we need to get our Bibles out and open them up every day, and read. If you don’t do it, you are like a soldier without a sword.  The weapons of our warfare are not physical, but are mighty through God. How do we use the Word of God to attack Satan? Let’s imagine that you are being tempted to say something unkind to someone. Before you commit the sin, you can defeat Satan by meditation on a verse like (Eph. 4:29) which says,  

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.”

When you quote a Scripture, it disarms the desire and the temptation. We need to memorize Scripture so we can defeat Satan. The Bible says in (Ps. 119:11), that we need to hide the Word of God in our hearts, so that we will not sin against Him. Whatever sin you are tempted to commit, memorize a specific verse and use it’s power to defeat Satan.

I believer that not only are we to quote Scripture to defeat Satan, but we are to use the power of Jesus’ name. There is power in the name of Jesus.

-       Believers are baptized into His name (Acts 2:38).

-       Believers are forgiven in His name (1 John 2:12).

-       Believers pray through His name (Colossians  3:17).

-       Believers have life in His name (John 20:31).

-       Believers can defeat Satan and his troops in His name.

In (Luke 10:17), we read that Jesus sent out 72 disciples to minister to the people. And after their journey they came up to Jesus and said,  

“Lord even the demons  submit to us in your name.”

There is power in the name of Jesus. When you are tempted, and recognize that Satan is coming after you with his full artillery, go to the Father in prayer and ask Him to help you defeat Satan & his troops in power of Jesus Name.

CONCLUSION:
Whether we believe it or not, or like it or not, we are in spiritual warfare. Our enemy is after our souls and we must be alert and ready to fight. My challenge for you this day is to tune up your spiritual defenses.

To defeat Satan, we must do several things.

- First, we must turn to God for His power and strength.

-  Second, we must truly commit our self to God and His holy ways and consciously resist evil and the Devil’s  schemes .

- And last of all, we must go on a spiritual offensive and use the Word of God and the power of Jesus’ name in prayer.

Don’t lets Satan and his evil ways get the best of you!

Lesson material based on sermons by  Joel Curry and  James Merritt

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Romans: The Grand Adventure (7)

Romans: The Grand Adventure (7)

Chapter 12:1-16:27
In light of God's faithfulness to his promises to the humans race even though we rebelled against him-in light of God's faithfulness how should his people live in the world and with one another? It's important that we drink in all the rich truth Paul has revealed but how is it to be lived out? What follows in the next three and a half chapters is a profile of how God's elect people, the church, should respond to everyone around them.

In our relationship to God and the congregation we are offer ourselves in completeness but function in the specific role for which God has gifted us (12:1-8). In our inter-personal relationships we are to be generous and open (12:9-13). In relation to those who are actively our enemies we are to follow the Master's line of blessing when cursed (12:14-21).

In relation to political authorities God's people are to see them as ministers of God on the political stage. They are empowered by God to see that his creation goods get to the people God has committed to them. Because this is true God's people are to see them as fellow-ministers though at a different level and with a different specific agenda (13:1-7).

In relation to behaviour and its basic motivation we are to act out of love which will mean we won't live irresponsibly or pursue the harm of any human being (13:8-14). We are to take seriously the ethical call of the Torah because we are people of the day who have been raised from a moral sleep.

In relation to church unity in the face of temptations to fragment we are to receive one another as Christ has received all of us into his body with our different religious and theological baggage. This we should do because Christ alone is Lord and because he has called us both to himself (14:1-15:13).

 In relation to promoting the spread of the gospel. Paul is a missionary and wants to preach the gospel throughout the world so he is laying the theological groundwork for his appeal for help. Having told them what he teaches/preaches he is free to ask their help by being a sort of home base for his further travels into Spain and other places (15:24). He would no doubt want their financial supports if it came to that but he would like their blessing so that his work would not be needlessly hindered by his own brothers and sisters.

He salutes old friends and converts (16:1-16). In doing this he is confirming relationships, of course, but he's also laying out his credentials. He is well known to many people at Rome so he isn't coming in as some sinister and unknown figure. If the church leaders at Rome need to check him out there are plenty of people who could vouch for him. He closes the book as he began it with a reassertion of his apostolic commission and gospel.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... A Church Worthy Of Imitation (1 Thessalonians1:6-10)






               "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                 A Church Worthy Of Imitation (1:6-10)

INTRODUCTION

1. A good role model is very important...
   a. It demonstrates what can be done
   b. It provides direction for what should be done
   c. It inspires one to do what ought to be done

2. Christians are blessed to have many role models...
   a. As individuals, we have many good role models in the Scriptures
   b. As churches, we also have role models that ought to inspire any
      congregation

3. Among the many churches described in the New Testament, the church
   of the Thessalonians proved to be a congregation worthy of
   emulation...
   a. Paul commended their example in 1Th 1:7
   b. Even though they were a rather young church

[In 1Th 1:6-10, Paul mentions several things for which the
Thessalonians were exemplary.  To encourage us both individually and as
a congregation of the Lord, we shall review why they were "A Church
Worthy Of Imitation".  Note first that they were commended for...]

I. THEIR IMITATION OF PAUL AND THE LORD (6a)

   A. NOTE THAT THEY WERE IMITATORS THEMSELVES...
      1. Following after the example of Paul and the Lord
      2. Following after the example of other churches - 1Th 2:14
      3. Something Paul commanded the church in Corinth to do - 1Co 4:16
      4. He likewise commanded the Philippians to imitate or follow the
         example of others - Php 3:17
      5. Even as he himself sought to imitate Christ - 1Co 11:1
      -- Note well:  those who would be good examples to others must
         first be imitators!

   B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. Are we seeking to imitate others who are good examples?
      2. As disciples of Jesus, we should certainly seek to imitate 
         Him! - cf. Jn 13:13-15
      3. As children of God, we should also imitate Him - Ep 5:1
      4. It is likely that we also have other role models worthy of
         emulation, both individuals and churches
      -- Focus on being good imitators, and we shall also be "A Church
         Worthy Of Imitation"!

[Next we notice that Paul commends them for...]

II. THEIR RECEPTION OF THE WORD (6b)

   A. NOTE HOW THEY RECEIVED THE WORD...
      1. First, it was "in much affliction"
         a. They received the word despite persecution - cf. Ac 17:
            1-10; 1Th 3:1-4
         b. In this they were like the churches in Judea - 1Th 2:14
      2. Second, it was "with joy of the Holy Spirit"
         a. Joy is a fruit of following after the Spirit - Ga 5:22
         b. In response to prayer, God imparts joy to the believer 
            through the Holy Spirit - Ro 15:13
         c. Especially when the Word is received in times of 
            persecution - Ac 13:49-52
      3. Later, Paul describes further how they received the Word 
         - 1Th 2:13
         a. Not as the word of men
         b. But as the Word of God
      -- An important part of becoming an example worthy of imitation 
         is receiving the Word of God in the right way

   B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. How is our reception of the Word of God?
         a. Do we receive the Word only when it is convenient?
         b. Do we take advantage of opportunities to study God's Word?
         c. Is our attendance of worship and Bible study classes 
            haphazard?
         d. If we do not experience the joy the Holy Spirit imparts, 
            could it be related to neglecting the Word of God?
      2. Are we "A Church Worthy Of Imitation" when it comes to the 
         Word Of God?
         a. If every one studied the Bible like we do...
            1) Would churches grow?
            2) Would churches have elders?
         b. As individuals, are we receiving the Word properly?
            1) With meekness, aware of our need for the Word? - Jm 1:21
            2) Like newborn babes desire their mothers' milk, knowing 
               that the Word is necessary for spiritual growth? - 1 Pe 2:1-2
      -- If we do not set the right example regarding our reception of 
         the Word, then we will be following the example of those who 
         were rebuked - cf. He 5:12

[The Thessalonians were not only good students and learners of the
Word, they were also commended for...]

III. THEIR SPREADING OF THE WORD (8)

   A. NOTE HOW THEY HAD PROCLAIMED THE WORD...
      1. From them the Word had "sounded forth"
         a. They did not keep quiet about their faith
         b. They did not limit their evangelistic efforts to just being 
            good examples of what it means to be a Christian
      2. From them the Word spread to other places
         a. Throughout Macedonian and Achaia (provinces of modern day
            Greece)
         b. Also in every place (to regions beyond their own country)
      3. Such was clear indication of their "faith toward God"
         a. Not only the Word itself, but their own faith had become 
            known to others
         b. Implying that spreading the Word is an indication of 
            faithfulness
      -- "A Church Worthy Of Imitation" will be one with an 
         evangelistic focus that looks beyond the local community

   B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. Do we have a similar evangelistic focus?
         a. Are we looking beyond the needs of our local community?
         b. Are we working toward spreading the gospel in other places?
      2. The need for such churches is still great today!
         a. How shall people believe unless they have heard, and how 
            shall they hear without preachers who are sent? - Ro 10:
            14-17
         b. Just as Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas - Ac 13:1-3
         c. Just as Gaius helped missionaries along the way - 3Jn 5-8
      -- Until a church grows to the point that it sounding forth the 
         Word in other places by sending or supporting preachers, it 
         has yet to become "A Church Worthy Of Imitation"

[Just as the Word of God and the faith of the Thessalonians spread and
become known, so had news regarding...]

IV. THEIR SERVICE TO GOD (9)

   A. NOTE THE CHANGE THAT LED TO THEIR SERVICE...
      1. They had "turned to God from idols"    
         a. The word "turned" suggests a conversion
         b. A dramatic shift from devotion to idols to devotion to God
         c. Which Paul preached on other occasions - cf. Ac 14:15
      2. This conversion made their service to God possible
         a. One cannot serve both God and idols
         b. To serve God, we must turn away from those things that 
            would draw us away from God - cf. Mt 6:24
      -- Genuine, faithful service to God requires a true conversion, 
         in which we turn away from things of the world as well as turn 
         toward God

   B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. There are "idols" from which we need to turn away
         a. E.g., covetousness is defined as idolatry - Ep 5:5; Col 3:5
         b. We can be just as guilty of idolatry today, when we allow 
            other things to distract our service to God
      2. Is our service to God hindered by divided devotion?
         a. Trying to serve God while still wanting to serve the world?
         b. Wanting to love the things of the world while loving the 
            Father?
      -- As John made clear, such divided devotion is not possible! 
         - 1Jn 2:15-17

[Finally, the church in Thessalonica was "A Church Worthy Of Imitation"
regarding...]

V. THEIR ANTICIPATION OF JESUS (10)

   A. NOTE THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR JESUS TO RETURN...
      1. The word "wait" suggests they were looking for and 
         anticipating His return - cf. Php 3:20
      2. This anticipation is one that all Christians are to have 
         - Tit 2:11-13; 2Pe 3:11-12
      3. For Jesus will come for salvation to those who "eagerly wait 
         for Him" - He 9:28
      -- A church worth imitating will be one that always has the hope 
         of Jesus returning

   B. HOW ABOUT US TODAY...?
      1. Are we eagerly waiting for Jesus to return?
      2. Does the return of Jesus even enter our minds?
         a. When it does, do we hope that it will be delayed?
         b. Or is our attitude like that of John, who prayed "Even so, 
            come, Lord Jesus!" - Re 22:20
      -- How we answer such questions reveals much about our spiritual
         condition, and whether we as a church are worthy of imitation!

CONCLUSION

1. Remember that the church in Thessalonica was very young...
   a. It had been established only a short time before Paul penned 
      these words
   b. Yet Paul could write such complimentary words about them

2. It demonstrates what can happen when people totally give themselves
   to Jesus...
   a. When they seek to imitate Jesus and His apostles
   b. When they receive the Word, even it the middle of persecution
   c. When they turn from the world, and turn to God in full devotion
   d. When they let the promise of Jesus' return motivate their lives
   -- Through such a church the Word of God will be "trumpeted forth", 
      as well as the reputation of their faith...Will this be true of 
      us?

3. In conclusion, we note that Jesus' coming will deliver us from "the
   wrath to come"...
   a. In his second epistle to this church, Paul described that wrath 
      to come - 2Th 1:7-10
   b. How does Jesus deliver us from that wrath?
      1) Through His death on the cross - Ro 5:8-9
      2) Through His life which reconciles us to God - Ro 5:10-11

Will Jesus deliver us from that wrath to come when He comes again?  It
all depends upon whether we accept the goodness of God that should lead
us to repentance - cf. Ro 2:4-10

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary.... Explaining the unexplainable























Color; it is one of my favorite things!!!  This picture makes the mind reel with it!!!!  Its twisted ribbons of variegated hue reminds me of the wonderfully delicious candy you see at Christmas time. It also makes me wonder what the artist was trying to convey with this picture...  Could it be, say, speed or complexity or beauty or perhaps something else.  I can only guess.  However, the intrinsic wonderfulness of it is apparent at first glance. Viewing this "spiral candy cane" made me wonder... How exactly does one describe the Supreme being?  Here is God's description through the prophet Ezekiel...


Ezekiel, Chapter 1
  1 Now in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth of the month, as I was among the captives by the river Chebar, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.  2 In the fifth of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin’s captivity,  3 Yahweh’s word came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there on him.  4 I looked, and behold, a stormy wind came out of the north, a great cloud, with flashing lightning, and a brightness around it, and out of its midst as it were glowing metal, out of the midst of the fire.  5 Out of its midst came the likeness of four living creatures. This was their appearance: they had the likeness of a man.  6 Everyone had four faces, and each one of them had four wings.  7 Their feet were straight feet; and the sole of their feet was like the sole of a calf’s foot; and they sparkled like burnished brass.  8 They had the hands of a man under their wings on their four sides; and the four of them had their faces and their wings thus:  9 their wings were joined one to another; they didn’t turn when they went; each one went straight forward.  10 As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man; and the four of them had the face of a lion on the right side; and the four of them had the face of an ox on the left side; the four of them also had the face of an eagle.  11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out above. Two wings of each one touched another, and two covered their bodies.  12 Each one went straight forward: where the spirit was to go, they went; they didn’t turn when they went.  13 As for the likeness of the living creatures, their appearance was like burning coals of fire, like the appearance of torches: the fire went up and down among the living creatures; and the fire was bright, and lightning went out of the fire.  14 The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.  15 Now as I saw the living creatures, behold, one wheel on the earth beside the living creatures, for each of the four faces of it. 16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like a beryl: and the four of them had one likeness; and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel within a wheel.  17 When they went, they went in their four directions: they didn’t turn when they went.  18 As for their rims, they were high and dreadful; and the four of them had their rims full of eyes all around.  19 When the living creatures went, the wheels went beside them; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up.  20 Wherever the spirit was to go, they went; there was the spirit to go: and the wheels were lifted up beside them; for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  21 When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up beside them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.  22 Over the head of the living creature there was the likeness of an expanse, like the awesome crystal to look on, stretched out over their heads above.  23 Under the expanse were their wings straight, the one toward the other: each one had two which covered on this side, and every one had two which covered on that side, their bodies.  24 When they went, I heard the noise of their wings like the noise of great waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a noise of tumult like the noise of an army: when they stood, they let down their wings.  25 There was a voice above the expanse that was over their heads: when they stood, they let down their wings.  26 Above the expanse that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone; and on the likeness of the throne was a likeness as the appearance of a man on it above.  27 I saw as it were glowing metal, as the appearance of fire within it all around, from the appearance of his waist and upward; and from the appearance of his waist and downward I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and there was brightness around him.  28 As the appearance of the rainbow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. This was the appearance of the likeness of Yahweh’s glory. When I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard a voice of one that spoke.

 Explaining the UNEXPLAINABLE- now, this is one VERY HARD TASK!!!  Complexity, beauty, majesty and awe are only a few of the adjectives that seem appropriate at this point and even they seem to fall very short of the mark.  Add in God's timelessness, power, understanding and love and you have something that puts the picture to shame.  It is like comparing tic-tac-toe to Star Trek Chess- no comparison.  But God has given this to us so that the unexplainable can be understood (notice that I didn't say comprehended).  Anyway, the next time you see a rainbow, think about this picture and wonder what it will really be like to be in the actual PRESENCE OF GOD.  Can't wait for this one!!!  Oh, yes, I hope that there is a lot of blue- I love blue- very soothing!!!  Can you imagine the picture at the top with an added one hundred shades of BLUE????  WOW!!!!!