#Pentateuch #FiveBooksOfTheLaw #Torah #Genesis #Exodus #Leviticus #Numbers #Deuteronomy #OldTestament #BibleStudy #GodsWord #BiblicalTruth #BibleKnowledge #ChristianFaith #Faith #GodsPromises #GodsFaithfulness #Covenant #Holiness #Worship #BiblicalHistory #Scripture #JesusChrist #Christianity #BibleReading #FaithJourney #StudyTheBible #WordOfGod #GodsPlan #ChristianLiving

The Bible’s Big Story The Bible is one unified book telling the story of God’s glory through creation, humanity’s rebellion, God’s covenant promises, and their complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Everything moves toward Christ’s preeminence. The Old Testament prepares the way; the New Testament reveals Him as the fulfillment. Together they form 66 inspired books—39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New. The Old Testament (39 Books): God’s Promises and Preparation The Old Testament shows God creating the world, choosing a people, giving them His law, and promising a coming King who would fix what sin broke. It repeatedly points forward to the Messiah. Law (Pentateuch – 5 books): Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These lay the foundation. Genesis shows creation, the fall, and God’s first promises. Exodus–Deuteronomy record God’s rescue of Israel from Egypt, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, and the covenant instructions for a holy people. Historical Books (12 books): Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1–2 Samuel, 1–2 Kings, 1–2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. They trace Israel’s life in the Promised Land, their cycles of obedience and rebellion, the rise and fall of the monarchy, exile in Babylon, and return. They demonstrate that human kings fail, but God remains faithful to His promises. Wisdom and Poetry (5 books): Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. These teach how to live wisely under God’s rule. They explore suffering, worship, daily righteousness, the emptiness of life without God, and the beauty of covenant love. Prophets (17 books): Major Prophets (5): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel. Minor Prophets (12): Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi. The prophets confront idolatry, call for repentance, warn of judgment, and repeatedly promise a coming Deliverer, a new covenant, and a kingdom that will never end. The entire Old Testament builds expectation: a seed of the woman, a descendant of Abraham, a prophet like Moses, a son of David, a suffering servant, and a King who will reign forever. The New Testament (27 Books): Christ’s Arrival and the New Creation The New Testament announces that Jesus is the promised King. He is the preeminent One in whom all God’s promises find their “Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It shows His life, death, resurrection, the birth of the church, and the final renewal of all things. Gospels (4 books): Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. These present Jesus from four angles: as King (Matthew), servant (Mark), perfect man (Luke), and eternal God (John). They record His teaching, miracles, crucifixion for sins, and resurrection. History (1 book): Acts. Luke’s second volume shows the Holy Spirit empowering the early church to take the gospel from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth. It records the rapid spread of the message that Jesus is Lord. Letters (21 books): Paul’s Letters (13): Romans, 1–2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. These explain the gospel, the meaning of Christ’s work, how the church should live, and how believers stand secure in Him. General Letters (8): Hebrews, James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, Jude. These encourage perseverance, warn against false teaching, and call for holy living. Prophecy (1 book): Revelation. This apocalyptic letter reveals Christ as the victorious Lamb and coming King. It comforts suffering believers and shows the final defeat of evil and the making of a new heaven and new earth. How the Two Testaments Fit Together The Old Testament is not obsolete. Jesus said He came to fulfill it, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). The New Testament constantly quotes and explains the Old, showing that Christ is the true temple, the better Moses, the perfect high priest, the faithful Israel, and the eternal King. Everything in the Bible centers on the supremacy and preeminence of Christ that we have been studying in Colossians 1. He is the goal of the Old Testament promises and the living reality of the New Testament gospel. The whole book calls you to trust Him, repent of sin, and live under His rule until He returns. If you want to go deeper into any section—especially how Colossians fits into the larger biblical theology of Christ’s preeminence—let me know which part to unpack next.

Need to know. Some argue that the Ten Commandments belonged to the Old Testament and were replaced by the command to love. But there is a serious problem with that argument: The commands to love are Old Testament commands too. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart...” comes from Deuteronomy 6:5. “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” comes from Leviticus 19:18. When Jesus identified these as the two great commandments, He was not introducing a new law that replaced the Ten Commandments. He was quoting commandments already written in the Old Testament. — Matthew 22:37–40 And the New Testament continues both. Paul says, “Love is the fulfillment of the law,” and immediately explains what he means by quoting the commandments against adultery, murder, stealing, coveting, and “any other commandment.” — Romans 13:8–10 Love does not abolish God’s law. Love is the principle by which His law is fulfilled. So simply calling something “Old Testament” proves nothing about whether it still applies. The commands to love were there. The Ten Commandments were there. Both continue. “Old Testament” does not mean “abolished.”

The Advent Truth. “New covenant” does not mean “no law,” and “a new commandment” does not mean Jesus replaced the Ten Commandments with a vague command to love. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34). What was new? Not the command to love. Leviticus 19:18 had already commanded, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” centuries earlier. And Jeremiah 31 actually proves the opposite of the “law abolished” argument. God describes the NEW COVENANT Himself: “I will put MY LAW in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33). Notice what God does NOT say: “I will abolish My law and replace it with another law.” The difference is where the law is written. Under the new covenant, God writes His law upon the HEART. Hebrews repeats Jeremiah’s prophecy: “I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts” (Hebrews 8:10; cf. 10:16). Yes, Jesus said, “This cup is the new testament [covenant] in my blood” (Luke 22:20). His blood ratifies the new covenant—but what covenant does Jeremiah say it is? The covenant in which GOD WRITES HIS LAW ON OUR HEARTS. The problem with the old covenant was never that God’s moral law was defective. Scripture says, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). Hebrews identifies the problem: “finding fault with them” (Hebrews 8:8). The people promised, “All that the LORD hath spoken we will do” (Exodus 19:8), but human strength could not produce obedience. The new covenant provides what the old covenant experience lacked: forgiveness through Christ, a transformed heart, and God’s Spirit producing obedience from within. And what does love look like? “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). Grace doesn’t erase God’s law. Grace writes it deeper. The old covenant could point to righteousness. The new covenant puts Christ within us to live it.

#Pentateuch #FiveBooksOfTheLaw #Torah #Genesis #Exodus #Leviticus #Numbers #Deuteronomy #OldTestament #BibleStudy #GodsWord #BiblicalTruth #BibleKnowledge #ChristianFaith #Faith #GodsPromises #GodsFaithfulness #Covenant #Holiness #Worship #BiblicalHistory #Scripture #JesusChrist #Christianity #BibleReading #FaithJourney #StudyTheBible #WordOfGod #GodsPlan #ChristianLiving

The Advent Truth. John 13:34 is one of the most misunderstood verses in Scripture. Many claim Jesus replaced the Ten Commandments with one new command: “Love one another.” But is that what He actually said? First, loving your neighbor wasn’t new. Leviticus 19:18 had already commanded God’s people, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Jesus said, “As I have loved you.” He was calling His followers to the self-sacrificing, cross-centered love that He Himself demonstrated. The command wasn’t replacing God’s law—it was revealing its fullest expression. In Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus summarized the law with two great commandments. But notice where He quoted them from. “Love the Lord thy God” comes from Deuteronomy 6:5, and “Love thy neighbour as thyself” comes from Leviticus 19:18. The context of both passages is obedience to God’s commandments. Deuteronomy 6 follows the repetition of the Ten Commandments in chapter 5, while Leviticus 19 repeatedly calls Israel to keep God’s statutes and includes commands that reflect the second table of the Decalogue. Jesus wasn’t replacing the Ten Commandments—He was summarizing them. What does loving God look like? Worship Him alone. Don’t make idols. Honor His name. Remember His Sabbath. What does loving your neighbor look like? Honor your parents. Don’t murder. Don’t commit adultery. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t covet. Paul agreed. In Romans 13:8-10 he quoted commandments against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting before concluding, “Love is the fulfilling of the law.” John agreed too. The same apostle who recorded John 13:34 later wrote, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:3). The Bible never pits love against obedience. It unites them. The world says, “Just love.” Jesus says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15) It’s not my opinion, it’s the Advent Truth.

Daily Bible Lesson. THE HIDDEN POWER OF SALT IN THE BIBLE: WHY GOD USED SALT SO OFTEN Have you ever wondered why salt appears over and over again in the Bible? It was never just a seasoning. From Genesis to the New Testament, salt carried deep spiritual meaning. It represented purity, preservation, faithfulness, covenant, wisdom, and even judgment. Let's explore what God was teaching through salt. 1. ELISHA USED SALT TO HEAL THE WATERS OF JERICHO 📖 2 Kings 2:19–22 After Elijah was taken to heaven, Elisha arrived in Jericho. The people said: «"The city is pleasant, but the water is bad and the land is unproductive."» God instructed Elisha: «"Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it."» Elisha threw the salt into the spring and declared: «"Thus says the LORD, 'I have healed these waters; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from them.'" (2 Kings 2:21)» Immediately the waters became pure. Notice something important. The miracle was not in the salt. The salt was simply an act of obedience through which God demonstrated His power. Spiritual meaning: God can cleanse what sin has poisoned. He can restore what seemed permanently ruined. When God speaks, even bitter waters become life-giving. 2. EVERY GRAIN OFFERING HAD TO INCLUDE SALT 📖 Leviticus 2:13 God commanded Israel: «"Season all your grain offerings with salt. Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your grain offerings; add salt to all your offerings."» Why? Because salt preserves. It resists corruption. It symbolized that Israel's worship should never become spiritually corrupt. Spiritual meaning: God desires worship that remains pure, faithful, and sincere. Our devotion should not spoil with compromise. 3. GOD ESTABLISHED A "COVENANT OF SALT" 📖 Numbers 18:19 God told Aaron: «"It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD."» Again in: 📖 2 Chronicles 13:5 God declared that He gave David the kingdom by a covenant of salt forever. In the ancient world, salt was valuable and enduring. A covenant sealed with salt symbolized permanence, loyalty, and faithfulness. Spiritual meaning: God does not abandon His promises. What He establishes, He is faithful to keep. 4. JESUS CALLED BELIEVERS "THE SALT OF THE EARTH" 📖 Matthew 5:13 Jesus said: «"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?"» Salt preserves food from decay. Likewise, believers are called to preserve truth in a corrupt world. We are meant to influence the world—not be influenced by it. Spiritual meaning: Christians should slow the spread of moral decay by living holy lives, speaking truth, and reflecting Christ's character. 5. JESUS SAID TO HAVE SALT IN YOURSELVES 📖 Mark 9:50 Jesus taught: «"Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness... Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another."» This points to inward spiritual character. Spiritual meaning: God desires hearts marked by wisdom, humility, holiness, and peace. 6. PAUL COMPARED OUR WORDS TO SALT 📖 Colossians 4:6 Paul wrote: «"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt."» Our words should preserve life, bring wisdom, and point people toward Christ. Instead of spreading bitterness, believers should speak words that heal, encourage, and build others up. 7. SALT WAS ALSO A SIGN OF JUDGMENT The Bible also uses salt to represent desolation when people reject God. After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah: 📖 Genesis 19:26 Lot's wife looked back in disobedience and became a pillar of salt. Her story stands as a warning against longing for the sinful life God has called us to leave behind. Later, Scripture describes lands under God's judgment as barren and covered with salt. 📖 Deuteronomy 29:23 📖 Judges 9:45 These passages show that the same symbol could represent either blessing or judgment, depending on humanity's response to God. WHAT DOES SALT REPRESENT IN THE BIBLE? Salt symbolizes: • Purity • Preservation • Faithfulness • God's everlasting covenant • Holiness • Wisdom • Gracious speech • Healing through God's power • A warning against corruption and disobedience THE GREATEST LESSON Salt itself has no supernatural power. The Bible never teaches that salt possesses mystical or magical abilities. Whenever God used salt, it was because He chose it as a symbol or as part of an act of obedience. The power was always God's—not the salt. Today, God still heals bitter lives. He restores broken families. He renews weary hearts. He preserves those who remain faithful to Him. The same God who healed the waters of Jericho is still able to transform what seems impossible.

August 15, 2026 (day 227/365) SATURDAY GOD'S WORD FOR THE DAY “Set Apart for God” Leviticus 12:7 “He shall offer them before the Lord to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. “ ‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl.” This is the Word of God. Leviticus 12 describes the purification process after childbirth and reminds Israel that approaching God was to be taken seriously. The required offering also shows God's provision for restoration and renewed fellowship. For us, it points to the importance of recognizing our need for God's cleansing and grace. We do not approach Him because of our own perfection, but because He graciously provides a way for us to draw near. May God help us value His holiness, depend on His grace, and live each day set apart for Him. Amen. Have a blessed day with the Lord. -- Pastor Emmanuel Serto

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RAPTURE WANTING TO BE TEACHERS, BUT NEED TO BE TAUGHT. Hebrews 5 : 12-14 [12] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. Many so-called preachers call themselves teachers, but have need of to be taught God's Word.They need the milk of the Gospel to understand God. Because they have not been taught God's Word to understand the Gospel from the perspective of God's Word. [13] For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Those so-called preachers can only give you The Gospel (Milk) because they do not know God's Word. They are unskilled in what God has said.You are listening to baby talk. [14] But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Strong meat is the whole counsel of God's Word and the ability to teach it! Only those who have learned the whole counsel of God's Word have the skills to speak with certainty of what is right and what is wrong When it comes to The Rapture this is the case. Those who are babes want to keep everyone in fear. Teaching that the Lord can come anytime and sound a trumpet. This is not the truth of God's Word. 1 Thessalonians 4 : 15-17 [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This is The Rapture, it is the day when The Lord Jesus Christ will come for His Church. It is a day that cannot happen any day. This day has a set time to occur. A set day already determined by God's Word. This is the difference between milk and meat of God's Word. On this day, it does not say trumpet sounding. It says, with The Trump of God, The Lord will descend with a shout. It will probably sound like thunder this shout. It does not say with a sound of a trumpet. The Trump of God refers to a certain day. Leviticus 23 : 23-24 [23] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [24] Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. In God's Word this is the day of The Feast of Trumpets. A Holy Day God commanded The Israelites to keep every year. In Leviticus 23, God lists His Feast Days. The word Feasts in Hebrew can also be translated as Set Times. The Lord's Set Times. The Lord's Set Times are these: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles. Each of these Set Times was a certain day to be fulfilled by THE LORD HIMSELF. The first four were fulfilled by THE LORD HIMSELF in one year, 33 AD on their specific day that year. These Set days were types of what The Lord was to do in the redemption of mankind. Salvation is the work of THE LORD only. When THE LORD JESUS CHRIST comes for His Church it will be on this day, the day of The Feast of Trumpets. To fulfill the type in the Old Testament. This is why Paul says, with The Trump of God. He is coming on this day some year to fulfill this type or shadow that He said back in the Old Testament just like the ones He fulfilled in 33 AD The Feast of Trumpets is the next on the list to be fulfilled. Whatever day that is this year look for Him then. If He does not come, then we have a whole year to wait for Him to come and fulfill that day next year. Do not let these so-called preachers and teachers keep you in fear that The Lord can come at any time, they just want to keep you in fear and their control. Who The Son sets free is free indeed. Live your life and watch for The Lord's return because we that are awake and are not walking in darkness know the time of His Coming. This is the meat of God's Word concerning The Rapture. By the way, the Feast of Trumpets is September 11, 2026, also known as Rosh Hashanah.

The Pure in Heart Shall See God As we study the teaching of the Kingdom of Heaven given by our King, Jesus Christ, we are learning the kingdom principles He taught His disciples on the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew records these teachings as masterpieces. They help us understand what Jesus teaches and why He calls followers to live differently. Jesus begins the Beatitudes by declaring, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” followed by those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, and the merciful. Now He teaches, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8). These blessings reveal the character God desires in His people. God is holy and just, and He calls His children to holiness according to His standard, not the world’s. Yet, in ourselves, we cannot achieve holiness. Because of our sin, we need God’s grace. Through the cross, Jesus took our punishment and opened the way for reconciliation with God. His blood cleanses us from sin, and the Holy Spirit leads us toward a sanctified life. As 1 John 1:7 reminds us, when we walk in the light, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. Scripture declares, “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45). Therefore, purity of heart is not merely outward religion but inward transformation. As children of God, let us pursue holiness, love God, love people, and walk faithfully in His light. May our lives reflect His holiness so that, by His grace, we may see God.