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What the Bible Says, Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Proverbs 14:11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.

Showing that as God was with the Israelites through the tabernacle, so God is with people today through JESUS, this message was preached on Sunday ...

One Line from Psalm 84 has caught my attention. Here it is: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!” Spoken straight to the Lord, the writer adores God’s “tabernacles.” The Hebrew noun used her is “mishkan,” a derivative of the word “shakan” in Hebrew. That’s “shakan” that gives us the word “Shekinah!” As […]

� Temple Baptist Church - 9-5-2021Luke 16:19-31� Introduction:� � A.� Last week, I preached on the reality of a place called hell.� You can believe it or not, the choice is yours.� If you deny hell, you did not either do away with it nor did you cool it down one degree.� B.� This week, I want to preach on heaven using an Old Testament example.� � 1.� When our Lord told the story of two men, one who went to hell and one who went to heaven, He gave an Old Testament example to teach a New Testament principle.� 2.� When our Lord told the story, His death according to the scripture, His burial, and His resurrection according to the scripture were future events.� This brings the story under the Old Covenant of Atonement; therefore, we need to look at it as such.� 3.� Prior to the resurrection of Christ, the Old Testament saints were held in a wonderful place called Abraham's Bosom.� The Old Testament lost were held in an awful placed called hell where there were torments.� 4.� There was an impassable gulf fixed between the two that could not be crossed by either saved or lost.� This gulf was FIXED, meaning immovable.� C.� Now, let us look at a few truths found in our text that give us a look at what heaven is all about for the child of God.� 1.� Verses 22-23.� � The Truth of the Places.� � Both heaven and hell are real places.� People tend to believe in a real heaven more than they believe in a real hell.� � 1.� This is because they always want something for nothing.� I have heard so much of “the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man” over the years.� A heaven without a New Birth.� John 3:3� Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.� 2.� A brotherhood with no spiritual DNA.� Saved people love God and have changed life.� Titus 2:13-14� Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;� (14)� Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.� 2.� Verses 19-20.� � The Truth of the People.� � Heaven and hell have nothing to do with either wealth or social standing. “The ground is level at the foot of the cross, no man stands higher than I.”� � a.� The rich man had both wealth and social standing yet died with no hope.� It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven.� I am glad that the Lord did not say that it was impossible for a rich man to go to heaven though.� He may if he repents of sin and places his faith in the finished work of Christ for salvation.� b.� The beggar had neither wealth nor social standing yet died in hope.� I thank God that the poor are rich in faith.� This does not mean that every beggar will go to heaven and neither does it mean that every rich person will go to hell, but poor people have no hope in this world and, therefore, find it much easier to place their hope in the world to come through repentance and faith.� 3.� Verses 22-23.� � The Truth of the Personal Choice.� � Heaven (God's choice) or hell (personal choice).� � a.� When God breathed into Adam the breath of life, that life was the life that came from within God who is eternal.� b.� God has never had to breathe life into anyone else including Eve, as her life came through the eternal life in Adam.� Therefore, babies are just that, babies, at the moment of conception.� Breathing air does not make a child live, conception from two eternal beings who come together give the child life from the beginning.� c.� Every man, woman, child (born or unborn) will live forever in either heaven or hell.� 4.� Verses 22-23.� � The Truth of the Presence.� which was and is immediate when death comes.� � a.� Psalms 55:15-16� Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.� (16)� As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.� b.� � Genesis 25:8� Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gathered to his people.� c.� 2 Corinthians 5:8� We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.� Revelation 21:3� And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.� 5.� Verse 23, 25.� � The Truth of the Peace.� Lazarus was in Abraham's “bosom.”� The word “bosom” can be used in two ways which give us beautiful picture of comfort and rest.� a.� Bosom – the chest or breasts of a woman.� What a wonderful thing it is to see a baby or small child comforted by lying its head on its mother's breast.� A place of comfort and safety that causes the child to stop crying and sleep.� b.� Bosom – close or intimate.� We often use the phrase “bosom buddies or friends.”� This speaks of a close, intimate relationship with the Lord as well as with each other.� A place of rest instead of a place of fear.� Hebrews 4:9-10� There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.� (10)� For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.� 6.� Verse 24.� � The Truth of the Provision.� � Lazarus had access to water.� a.� The child of God will never want again!� The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.� The blessing of eating and drinking in eternity.� � b.� The child of God will not be a beggar when he/she reaches that wonderful place called heaven.� There, we find the “river of life.”� Clear as crystal and perfectly pure.� The “tree of life,” bearing 12 manner of fruit, yielding her fruit every month!� Revelation 22:1-2� And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.� (2)� In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.� 7.� Verse 26.� � The Truth of the Purity.� There was a great gulf fixed.� A place of separation from all discouragement, defilement, sin, pain, and suffering.� Revelation 21:4� And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.� Revelation 22:11� He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.� Revelation 22:15� For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.� 8.� Verses 27-28.� � The Truth of the Permanence.� � Both heaven and hell are eternal truths so often realized too late.� a.� The permanence of a beggar named Lazarus.� Lazarus may not have had much in this world, but his desire to be with Lord gained him an eternity in heaven.� b.� The permanence a rich man in hell.� The rich man had all that this world could give but missed an eternity in heaven and then desired heaven for his family.� 2 Corinthians 6:2� (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Temple Baptist Church - 8-15-20212 Timothy 1:7� A.� Any time that you find a 2nd� or 3rd� Book� of the New Testament, it gives a picture of what is to come.� The 1st� Book is doctrinal in nature.� 2 Timothy is one of the Pastoral Epistles and in our text Paul is helping young Timothy in the pastorate.� B.� 2 Timothy 3:1 speaks of the perilous times� of the latter days in which we now live.� C.� In our text, Paul gives us 4 things:� 1 thing that God has not given to us and 3 things which God has given to us.� D.� I want to look at these 4 things for a few minutes.� My heart's desire is to be an encouragement to Temple Baptist Church.� 1.� God has not given to us the spirit of fear.� � John 14:27� � Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.� a.� First, let me say� that not all fear is bad:� There is Sudden Fear.� 1)� You are to Fear God.� 2)� You fear when you step� beside a snake, or a spider gets on your neck.� 3)� You fear in many different scenarios� when something horrible suddenly happens to you or it is impending.� � 4)� Our text speaks of “the spirit of fear.”� “spirit” – A mental disposition: walking in fear and not trusting the Lord.� b.� There is the Spirit of Fear: We live in days of fear.� What causes fear?� 1)� Our Humanity -� 1 Corinthians 2:3� � And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.� � (We are all human and, at times, we all experience fea. r in one manner or another.� The man who knows not fear fails to know when and what to fear.� A fearless man can be a foolish one.)� 2)� Dire Circumstances -� Mark 4:37-38� � And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.� (38)� And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?� (Sometimes, the waves are just over our heads.� These were seasoned, professional fishermen!� There are times when circumstances are out of our control or beyond our control and fears can arise.)� 3)� The Unknown -� Matthew 14:26� And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit;� and they cried out for fear.� � (We do not normally fear the known nearly as much as the unknown.� If I know what to expect, I can mentally prepare myself for the task at hand, like it or not.� When we do not know what to expect, we expect the worst.)� c.� Fear does not come from God!� � We keep our hearts stayed upon God, fear goes away, and we have perfect peace.� (Isaiah 26:3-4)� 2.� What God has given to us:� � the spirit� of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.� a.� The spirit of power:� � God has given to us the power to overcome the world and our flesh!� � 1 John 5:4-5� For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:� and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.� (5)� Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?� 1)� The realization of power� – John 15:5� I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.� 2)� The remembering of power – Psalms 62:11� God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God.� Matthew 28:18� And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.� 3)� The reliance of power – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10� And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities,� that the power of Christ may rest upon me.� (10)� Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.� 4)� The relegation of power – Acts 1:8� � But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.� 5)� The result of power -� Philippians 4:13� � I can do all things� through Christ which strengtheneth me.� b.� The spirit of love:� � God has given to us the power to love despite all our circumstances.� 1 Corinthians 13:13� And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three;� but the greatest of these is charity.� 1 Peter 4:8� And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves:� for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.� 1)� They love God - 1 Corinthians 16:22� If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.� 2)� They love each other - John 13:34-35� A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.� (35)� By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.� 1 John 3:14� We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.� 3)� They love the church - Psalms 84:1-2� A Psalm for the sons of Korah. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts!� (2)� My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.� Psalms 122:1� A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.� Psalms 27:4� One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.� 4)� They love the Bible - Job 23:12� Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.� Jeremiah 15:16� Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.� 5)� They love sinners - Romans 10:1� Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.� 1 Timothy 1:15� This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.� c.� The spirit of a sound mind:� � God has given us the ability to have a sound mind.� Romans 12:2� And be not conformed to this world:�

� Temple Baptist Church - 8-8-2021Revelation 15:5-8� A.� Now John is given a vision of the “temple of the tabernacle of the testimony.”� This is the only mention of these three words, temple tabernacle testimony, found together in the Bible.� Because it is a First Mention and Full Mention, I believe that it is a “one of a kind.”� 1.� Temple – a sanctuary; a sacred place.� The “temple” in heaven is a sacred sanctuary. � A holy place created for a thrice holy God.� 2.� Tabernacle – a habitation or place of dwelling.� A “tabernacle” is a place of dwelling.� The “temple of the tabernacle” is the place where God resides.� 3.� Testimony – a record or witness.� The “temple of the tabernacle of the testimony” is a record or witness of the holiness of God compared to the sinfulness of man or this world.� B.� Thus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony was probably found in heaven before the creation.� C.� The Tabernacle in the Wilderness was built after the heavenly pattern� which God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.� � � � � Exodus 25:9, 40� According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it … (40)� And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.� 1.� In the beginning, Voice of God walked with man.� Adam walked with God and then Enoch and Noah walked with God.� The phrase “walked with God” is found only 3x in your Bible with all 3 mentioned in chapters 5 and 6 of Genesis.� Genesis_5:22� And Enoch� walked with God� after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:Genesis_5:24� And Enoch� walked with God: and he� was� not; for God took him.Genesis_6:9� These� are� the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man� and� perfect in his generations,� and� Noah� walked with God.� 2.� In the age of the Patriarchs, God manifested Himself to men through Theophanies, Christophanies, and Anthropomorphisms.� 3.� Under the Law, God inhabited the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and Israel encamped around about Him.� God dwelt with men based upon an atonement made each your by sacrificing and applying blood to the Mercy Seat.� Exodus 40:34� Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.� Numbers 17:4� And thou shalt lay them up in the tabernacle of the congregation before the testimony, where I will meet with you.� 4.� In our day, God dwells within man.� The Holy Ghost of God lives within the temple of our body.� 1 Corinthians 6:19� 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?� Colossians 1:27� To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:� 5.� In heaven, man dwells with God.� God is enthroned with the Lamb by His side and the Ark of the Covenant has the blood of Christ applied.� We will dwell in His presence.� Revelation 7:15� Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.� 6.� In eternity, there will be no temple because God and man will dwell together.� Revelation 21:22� And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.� D.� In chapter 11, we saw the temple of God opened and the ark of his testament was seen there.� Revelation 11:19� And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.� The ark of his testament is found in the “holy of holies” where God resides.� Within that ark is found the testimony of God or the law: the faithfulness of God's judgments.� E.� � Verse 6-7.� The seven angels having the seven plagues of God's wrath come forth.� God's faithful judgments upon the lawless upon earth.� The clothing of these angels is somewhat like the priestly garments of the Old Testament Levitical Priesthood worn when doing their service withing the Tabernacle.� F.� Unto these seven angels are given by the four beasts the seven golden vials full of the wrath of the eternal God.� God's patience is gone because sin is now to be judged upon earth.� “vial” verses a “bowl”� The modern translations of the bible use the word “bowl” or “bowls” instead of “vial” or “vials.”� There is a difference between the two and your King James Bible has the correct translation.� I am adding this little study because I always want God's people to know that, in the King James Bible, they have the right translation.� 1.� Let us look at the word “bowl” or “bowls” first.� These two words are used 41x in your� King James Bible� with all 41x found in the Old Testament.� First Mention of “bowl” in the King James Bible� is a basin used for holding blood� -� Exodus 25:29� And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.� The word “bowl” or “bowls” is never mentioned in your� King James Bible� with the word “pour” in any form.� A bowl was simply a container used for holding something, not pouring something.� 2.� The word or words “vial” or “vials.”� These two words are found 13x in your King James Bible with 1x being found in the Old Testament and 12x in the New Testament with all 12x being found in the Book of Revelation.� First Mention of “vial” -� 1 Samuel 10:1� Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?� A “vial” was a container used for pouring.� In 9 of the 13x, both “vial” and “pour” are used in the same verse.� A “vial” is a container used for pouring, not just made for containing something.� Webster's 1828 Dictionary gives the proper meaning of the word.� webstersdictionary1828.com� › Dictionary › vial� VI'AL,� noun [Latin phiala.] A phial; a small bottle of thin glass, used particularly by apothecaries and druggists. Samuel took a� vial� of oil, and poured it on his head. 1 Samuel 10:1. Vials of God's wrath, in Scripture, are the execution of his wrath upon the wicked for their sins. Revelation 16:2.� Pouring from a vial is a directed pour!� Your King James Bible is right, and the modern translations are incorrect.� G.� Verse 8.� The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power.� This vision is the same as was seen in Isaiah, chapter 6.� Isaiah 6:1-4� In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.� (2)� Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.� (3)� And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.� (4)� And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.� Smoke is also used for the judgment of God upon sinners.� First Mention - Genesis 19:28� And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.� Last Mention -� Revelation 19:2-3� For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.� (3)� And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.� H.� “And no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”� � No man can then make intercession of the lost of this world as God's judgment and wrath cannot be circumvented.� What God wills, He will perform.

� Temple Baptist Church - 6-13-2021Revelation 14:1-5� Introduction:� A.� Chapter 12 signaled the middle of the Tribulation Period.� 3 ½ years of Great Tribulation has expired and the Abomination that maketh Desolate has taken place.� 1.� We have seen the “falling way” in the day of Laodicea, both doctrinally and individually.� 2.� We have seen the Delusion of those who have rejected Christ prior to the Rapture.� 3.� We have seen the Introduction of the Antichrist and the setting up of his kingdom on earth.� 4.� We have seen the Martyrdom of the multitudes who are saved during the Tribulation Period.� 5.� We have seen the Abomination of Desolation and War in heaven.� Satan has been cast out and is now come down to earth with great wrath because he knows that his time is short.� B.� Chapters 13-15 are what is called in Theology a parenthetical.� It simply means that during these three chapters, no time has expired.� The Bible is simply explaining what has and is about to take place in the final 3 ½ years of Great Tribulation.� C.� Chapter 13 gives a preview of the two beasts that will arise in the last days: one that is political and the other a system of religion that honors the political system.� The religious system will “ride” the political system, but the political system will rule the religious system.� D.� Tonight, we will re-visit the 144,000 witness that were sealed in Revelation 7:1-8.� Evidently, through the preaching of these witnesses, a multitude of every kindred, nation, and tongue were saved and martyred.� E.� Verse 1.� In chapter 13, we saw that the beast will reign over the earth in the last 3 ½ years but here we see the vision of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, stand upon Mount Sion.� 1.� He will, as creator, sustainer, and owner—stand upon what He has both created and purchased!� Mount Moriah of the Old Testament and Mount Sion of the New Testament.� John 1:3� All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.� Colossians 1:16-17� 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, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:� (17)� And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.� 1.� He has descended to this earth and now stands on the very spot where He died for the sins of the world.� This verse shows the absolute sovereignty of Christ in its vision of the heavenly realm where justice will finally be realized, and all wrongs made right.� Abraham was offered there in type but was given the promise of God himself, the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.� 2.� Mount Moriah or Sion is the place where the New Jerusalem will descend out of heaven and rest for eternity.� Hebrews give a description that thrills my soul!� Hebrews 12:22-23� 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,� (23)� To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,� Micah 4:1-8� But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.� (2)� And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.� (3)� And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.� (4)� But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.� (5)� For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.� (6)� In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;� (7)� And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.� (8)� And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.� F.� As the Lamb stands on Mount Sion, the 144,000 will stand with Him.� In chapter 7, these sealed Jews were on earth but here, they evidently descend with Him to the earth.� Possibly because that the 144,000 were martyred.� They have the name of the Father written in their foreheads.� G.� Verses 2-3.� The voice of God (voice … many waters … thunder – Revelation 1:15) is accompanied by the voice of harpers from heaven.� These sung a new song in heaven before God's throne along with the beasts and elders that could only be learned by the 144,000 who were “redeemed from the earth.”� Their experience has been unique.� H.� Verse 4.� In this verse, we see a clearer picture of who these 144,000 Jews are.� 1.� They are virgins.� Here the Bible uses the words “not defiled with women.”� They were both chaste and morally pure.� The word “defiled” is used because it is not only speaking of their physically chaste state but also of their morally chaste state.� Defiled with women is to have committed fornication or adultery as the man/woman relationship has the approval of God.� Hebrews 13:4� Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.� 2.� They are faithful.� They follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth.� From their youth until now, they have chosen that which is better: following Christ.� 3.� They are the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.� They are the beginning of the conversion of Israel in these last days.� � Romans 11:26� 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:� 4.� And their mouth sanctified for the Master's use.� � John 1:47� Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!� (guile – to entrap, deceit)� 1 Peter 2:22� Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:� 1 Peter 3:10� For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:� J.� In chapter 15, we will see the Temple in Heaven from which the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was patterned open just prior to the Seven Vials of God's Wrath to poured out in chapter 16.