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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”
Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively. Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior. Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This webpage could be periodically updated. If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated. Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.
Below are links related to archived copies of this webpage.
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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.
When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:
“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Note: The heart refers to the mind.
It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:
“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”
It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”
A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned. In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher. Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:
If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship: whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.
Note: Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites. Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM]. The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges. The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity. The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness. In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human. When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god. Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.
The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind. In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests. The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:
Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession. Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram. Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:
Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.
The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:
Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. Also, it is still much more evident: that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life. Indeed, it is attested: “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
Note: The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah. Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body. The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.
Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest. In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family. Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:
However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE. You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Note: Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people. In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people. The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23. In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.
Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Put succinctly: itʼs the message rather than the messenger. In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
*Note: The word says is in the Greek historical present tense. By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.
Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated. That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:
The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.
Note: The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”
Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday. The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies. Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies. While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared. Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life. Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.
Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:51–52
Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation. The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic. In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober. Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Note: In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent. In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context. Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!” In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness. The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture. In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation. Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.
The verses of the day for May 29th are Psalm 103:17–18. Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to Psalm 103.
Psalm 103:1
By David.
Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, O my soul, and all that is within me / all my inward parts; adore/bless His holy name.
Note: In the part of this verse after the semicolon, there is an ellipsis involving the omission of a Hebrew verb that is able to be understood from the contextual clue of the Hebrew verb at the beginning of the verse. In that regard, the translations of that Hebrew verb are in italics in the part of this verse after the semicolon. That Hebrew verb is בָּרֲכִי [pronounced bah-rah-KHEE and can be transliterated as barachi], which is an inflected form of the root word בָּרַךְ [pronounced bah-RAKH and can be transliterated as barach]. (Hebrew is written and read from right to left.) Regarding that Hebrew verb referring to blessing, the blessing in the context of Psalm 103 involves blessing in the sense of praising. Regarding that Hebrew verb referring to adoring, the praising in the context of Psalm 103 involves praising that is an expression of adoration. Also, that Hebrew verb can have a connotation of kneeling while expressing the adoration. Unspecified in this verse and the other verses of this psalm is whether Davidʼs usage of that Hebrew verb in this psalm refers to literal kneeling or to an intensity of adoration that could be exhibited when the person doing the adoring is kneeling. Regardless of whether David was using that Hebrew verb to refer to literal kneeling in this psalm or whether he was using that Hebrew verb to refer to an intensity of adoration that could be exhibited when the person doing the adoring is kneeling, David was indicating that he was intensely expressing adoration for God the Father.
David killed the giant Goliath. Instead of David bragging about that or about anything else involving himself, David calls attention to God the Father in this psalm. A person who brags about himself or herself calls attention to himself or herself. Such a person has a grandiose view of himself or herself and craves attention. Rather than such a person being a person of God, such a person reflects the self-centeredness of Satan. The man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation is such a person.
The king of the West is also known as the Antichrist with a capital A, the beast, and the first beast. The false prophet is also known as the second beast. The false prophet supports the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation. Content related to the king of the West being referred to as the first beast is in Revelation 13:1–12. The content of Revelation 13:11–18 references the false prophet.
The content of Revelation 17:8 references the king of the West being in power, out of power, and then back in power. The content of Revelation 13:4 references the king of the West as being perceived as being so powerful as to be invincible. The content of Daniel 7:8 indicates that the king of the West is a little horn/cornet who boasts about himself. In that regard, the king of the West is a horn/cornet who toots his own horn. Regarding the adjective little, absent from Daniel 7:8 and the surrounding verses is anything indicating that that adjective refers to the physical size of the king of the West.
Regarding the king of the West boasting about himself, the content of Revelation 13:5 indicates that the king of the West is given a mouth that speaks great things and vilifications / calumniatings / railings / revilings / slanders / speeches injurious to anotherʼs good name / blasphemies. Regarding the word great in Revelation 13:5, the Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “great things” in that verse is μεγάλα [pronounced meh-GAH-lah and transliterated as megala]. That adjective is an inflected form of the root word μέγας [pronounced MEH-gahs and transliterated as megas]. In Revelation 13:5, there is no noun associated with the adjective megala. Due to the lack of a noun associated with megala, another way to translate megala in that verse is “greats.” In that regard, it is possible that the king of the West uses a translation of the adjective megas multiple times—in other words, communicating multiple greats: great this, great that, great, great, great.
Regarding the phrase vilifications / calumniatings / railings / revilings / slanders / speeches injurious to anotherʼs good name / blasphemies, the content of Revelation 13:5 indicates that the king of the West is involved in communicating about others in a manner that could involve any of the terms in that phrase. In that regard, the term vilification refers to communicating about someone or something in a manner that is abusively disparaging [to disparage means to regard or represent as being of little worth and thereby belittle the value or importance of someone or something]. The term calumniating refers to making false and defamatory statements about someone. The term railing refers to complaining or expressing criticisms in language that is bitter, harsh, abusive, or insolent [insolent means showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect, being audaciously rude or disrespectful, being insultingly contemptuous in speech or conduct]. The term reviling refers to criticizing using abusive and contemptuous language. The term slander refers to making a false and malicious spoken statement damaging to the reputation of another. The term speech injurious to anotherʼs good name is self-explanatory. The term blasphemy refers to thinking, communication, or action that is irreverent in reference to the Trinity. Irreverence toward the Word of God is an example of thinking, communication, or action that is irreverent in reference to the Trinity; therefore, irreverence toward the Word of God is a form of blasphemy.
In Revelation 13:5, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “vilifications,” “calumniatings,” “railings,” “revilings,” “slanders,” “speeches injurious to anotherʼs good name,” or “blasphemies” is βλασφημίας [pronounced blah-sfay-MEE-ahs and transliterated as blasphēmias]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word βλασφημία [pronounced blah-sfay-MEE-ah and transliterated as blasphēmia]. While the English word blasphemy is derived from the Greek noun blasphēmia, the noun blasphēmia has various meanings, as noted above. In that regard, if the context of the use of the noun blasphēmia involves the blasphēmia being done in reference to the Trinity, then it is logical to translate blasphēmia as “blasphemy” in that context. If the noun blasphēmia is used in a context from which a reference to the Trinity is absent, then it is possible that the use of blasphēmia in that context could involve one or more of the following translations: “vilification,” “calumniating,” “railing,” “reviling,” “slander,” or “speech injurious to anotherʼs good name.” The context of the sentence that is in Revelation 13:5 is such that absent from that context is any reference to the Trinity. Therefore, it is possible that the use of blasphēmias in that context could involve one or more of the following translations: “vilifications,” “calumniatings,” “railings,” “revilings,” “slanders,” or “speeches injurious to anotherʼs good name.”
The content of Revelation 6:2 indicates that the king of the West will seem to be a hero riding on a white horse. In that regard, the king of the West is a pseudo-savior—in other words, a false savior. Therefore, regarding the matter of the Savior, there can be only One.
In contrast to the depiction of the king of the West in the content of Revelation 6:2, the content of Revelation 19:11 references the Lord Jesus Christ on a white horse on the occasion of the Second Advent. Unspecified in the Bible is whether the Lord will be riding a literal horse or a vehicle that from the perspective of the apostle John could be described as a horse, including a flying vehicle that might resemble a flying motorcycle. In that regard, the visions that John had were described by John with words that were part of Johnʼs vocabulary.
Regarding the Second Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ, His return to the earth on that occasion will occur while the forces of the king of the North, the king of the South, the kings of the East, and the king of the West will be fighting in the land of Israel during the Battle of Armageddon. That topic is covered in Revelation 16:12–16. Also, when the Lord will be returning to the earth on the occasion of the Second Advent, the Lord will be amongst clouds. That topic is covered in Matthew 24:30; Matthew 26:64; Mark 13:26; Mark 14:62; and Luke 21:27. On that occasion, the Mount of Olives will split in half such that one part moves north and the other part moves south, and people will flee eastward through the valley that will result from the splitting of the Mount of Olives. Also on the occasion of the Second Advent, day will be darkened, and night will be illuminated. The topic of the Lord Jesus Christʼs return is covered in Zechariah 14:1–7. It is also covered in Revelation 19:11–21.
The man who is king of the West during the Tribulation is a man who focuses on adoration of himself. The content of Psalm 103:1 contrasts with that self-adoration of the king of the West. In that regard, David starts Psalm 103 with a focus on adoring God the Father.
Regarding the phrase all that is within me / all my inward parts in Psalm 103:1, the Hebrew noun that is translated as “all” is כָל [pronounced KHOHL and can be transliterated as khol]. That Hebrew noun is an inflected form of the root word כֹּל [pronounced KOHL and can be transliterated as kol]. Also regarding the phrase all that is within me / all my inward parts in this verse, the Hebrew noun that is translated as “within me” or “inward parts” is קְרָבַ [pronounced keh-rah-VAH and can be transliterated as qeraba]. That Hebrew noun is an inflected form of the root word קֶרֶב [pronounced KEH-rehv and can be transliterated as qereb]. That Hebrew noun can be used to literally refer to parts of a personʼs body that are on the inside of the body, and that Hebrew noun can be used to metaphorically refer to the faculty of thought and emotion of a person. In the context of Psalm 103, David uses that Hebrew noun metaphorically. Also, that Hebrew noun is in a plural form in this verse; therefore, David is referring to thoughts and emotions.
It is important to note that David mentions his soul before he mentions his emotions. In that regard, the emotions of a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ need to be kept under control. The means by which a believer keeps his or her emotions under control is by thinking in terms of the Word of God in that believerʼs soul. In order to think in terms of the Word of God, a believer needs to have learned the Word of God while filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to obey the Word of God while filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit. In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again, in fellowship with the Trinity again, and ready to learn and obey the Word of God again.
When a personʼs emotions swell up, that person can be tempted to commit one or more mental-attitude sins. In that regard, the swelling up of emotion can involve any type of the full gamut of emotion—in other words, it can be any type of emotion. Regarding mental-attitude sins, sins can be categorized in various ways. There are three broad categories of sins: mental-attitude sins, verbal sins, and overt sins. Verbal sins can also be referred to as sins of the tongue. They can also be referred to as communicative sins because that category also encompasses non-verbal communication that involves sinning. Communicative sins can also involve physical means of communication such as facial expressions, other forms of body language, tone of voice, and demeanor.
If a person commits one or more mental-attitude sins when that personʼs emotions are swelling up, that person ends up controlled by his or her old sin nature (OSN) and in a condition that can be referred to as emotional revolt of the soul. In that regard, every human except the Lord Jesus Christ has acquired an old sin nature, and each humanʼs old sin nature is in the body of that human. The old sin nature, which is referenced in Ephesians 4:22 with the term old man, can also be referred to as the sin nature. It is also referenced using the word flesh in Ephesians 2:3 and Galatians 5:16. The content of Romans 6:6 associates the sin nature with peopleʼs bodies, and the content of Romans 7:17–18 references the sin nature being in peopleʼs bodies. Adam and Ishshah [ish-SHAW] (the name of Eve before Adam renamed her Eve) were created without old sin natures, and they acquired old sin natures when they sinned. All other human beings have been conceived. Only the Lord Jesus Christ was conceived without an old sin nature. All the other humans that were conceived have been conceived with old sin natures. Likewise, all humans in the future will be conceived, and the conceiving of each of them will involve each of them receiving an old sin nature at the moment that each of them will be conceived.
Regarding emotions swelling up, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should be alert for temptations so as to refrain from succumbing to emotional revolt of the soul. With regard to being alert, levels of alertness can be categorized in terms of a mindset color code that involves four colors. The mindset color code describes states of awareness. The mindset color code can be utilized for matters outside oneself; for example, the color code can be applied to both physical dangers and also to the dangers of stumbling blocks that can lead a Christian to sin. Also, the color code can be utilized introspectively with regard to the temptations that can originate from oneʼs sin nature. Below are the conditions of alertness of the mindset color code and descriptions of them.
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Condition White: |
Unaware and unprepared, one is totally oblivious to what is going on. |
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Condition Yellow: |
Relaxed alert—no specific threat is detected, but one is “taking in” surrounding info—the mindset in which one is aware that one might have to deal with danger today. |
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Condition Orange: |
Specific alert—something is not quite right and has oneʼs attention. It might be something having to be dealt with right now. One gets mentally prepared to act, just in case. |
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Condition Red: |
The potential danger of Condition Orange is determined to be a real danger. It is definitely something having to be dealt with right now. One acts immediately. |
The content of Psalm 103:1 is repeated below for reference.
Psalm 103:1
By David.
Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, O my soul, and all that is within me / all my inward parts; adore/bless His holy name.
Psalm 103:2
Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits,
Note: The Hebrew verb that is translated as “forget” in this verse is תִּשְׁכְּחִי [pronounced teesh-keh-KHEE and can be transliterated as tishkechi]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word שָׁכַח [pronounced shah-KAKH and can be transliterated as shakach]. Regarding Davidʼs use of tishkechi in this verse, David is reminding himself to remember what God the Father has done for David in the past. Therefore, what David expresses in the verses that follow this verse involves the past.
Psalm 103:3
Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
Note: The content of the previous verse provides context for the content of this verse. In that regard, the uses of a present tense are references to what has occurred in the past. Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect. In that regard, Davidʼs use of a present tense in the phrase Who pardons all your iniquities can help himself and any readers and hearers of the content of this verse imagine the pardoning of Davidʼs past iniquities as though David and any readers and hearers of the content of this verse are watching that pardoning of Davidʼs past iniquities as that pardoning occurs. Likewise, Davidʼs use of a present tense in the phrase Who heals all your diseases can help himself and any readers and hearers of the content of this verse imagine the healing of Davidʼs past diseases as though David and any readers and hearers of the content of this verse are watching that healing of Davidʼs past diseases as that healing occurs. In that regard, rather than David indicating that God the Father heals all of the diseases of all of the believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, David indicates in this verse that God the Father had healed all of the diseases that David had had up to the time of the writing of this psalm.
Psalm 103:4
Who redeems your life from the pit [as a trap] / the grave / destruction [figuratively speaking], Who crowns you with khesed / hesed / חֶסֶד / lovingkindness / mercy / unfailing love / loyal love and compassion,
Note: In this verse, as with the previous verse, the uses of a present tense are references to what has occurred in the past.
Psalm 103:5
Who satisfies your trappings [horsesʼ ornamental harnesses] / finery / headstalls [the parts of bridles or halters that fit around horsesʼ heads] / mouths / ornaments with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
Note: In this verse, as with the previous two verses, the uses of a present tense are references to what has occurred in the past. The phrase Who satisfies your trappings [horsesʼ ornamental harnesses] / finery / headstalls [the parts of bridles or halters that fit around horsesʼ heads] / mouths / ornaments with good things is a metaphorical reference to blessing. Also, unspecified in the context is the means by which the eagle is renewed. It might involve molting, which is the shedding of old feathers and the replacing of those old feathers with new feathers. Regardless of what the metaphor of the eagle involves, the content of this verse involves David remembering God the Father being gracious to David.
Psalm 103:6
Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One performs righteous deeds [or deeds of vindication] and judgments for all who are oppressed.
Note: In this verse, as with the previous three verses, the uses of a present tense are references to what has occurred in the past.
Psalm 103:7
He makes known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of Israel.
Note: In this verse, as with the previous four verses, the uses of a present tense are references to what has occurred in the past.
Psalm 103:8
Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in khesed / hesed / חֶסֶד / lovingkindness / mercy / unfailing love / loyal love.
Note: The word anger in this verse is an anthropopathism [an-thruh-poh-PATH-iz-uhm]. An anthropopathism is a term that describes the Members of the Trinity using human characteristics in order to help understand the essence of the Trinity. The Members of the Trinity donʼt literally become angry; the usage of the word anger helps human beings understand the wrath of the Members of the Trinity.
Psalm 103:9
He does not always strive, nor does He keep forever.
Note: The content of the previous verse provides context for this verse. In that regard, the content of the previous verse is such that the reference to keeping in this verse involves the metaphorical anger of God the Father.
Psalm 103:10
He has not dealt with us according to our sins nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
Note: God the Father is gracious. All humans except the Lord Jesus Christ deserve to be eternally judged, but God the Father sent God the Son to be born as the Lord Jesus Christ and to be judged for the sins of humanity so that anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior will have eternal life.
Psalm 103:11
Certainly, as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great has been His khesed / hesed / חֶסֶד / lovingkindness / mercy / unfailing love / loyal love toward those who yare' [yah-RAY] / יָרֵא / fear / respect / revere / reverence Him.
Note: In this verse, the word heavens refers either to the atmosphere of earth or to outer space—or both. Regarding the word heaven, below is a summary of the different usages for that word.
• The first heaven (also known as [aka] first heavens): the atmosphere of earth
• The second heaven (aka second heavens): outer space
• The Third Heaven (aka Third Heavens or simply as Heaven): the location of the throne room of God the Father
The reference to the height of the heavens above the earth metaphorically indicates that God the Father very much cares about the believers who fear / respect / revere / reverence God the Father.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Note: The content of this verse references the spheroidal shape of the earth. In that regard, if one travels northward to the north pole and then continues going, one will then be traveling southward. In contrast, if one travels eastward, there is never a point at which one will then be traveling westward. In that regard, the content of this verse metaphorically indicates that God the Father forgives believersʼ sins infinitely.
Regarding the content of this verse applying to believers, the context for this verse is found in verse 11 and verse 13. Both of those verses reference people who yare' / יָרֵא / fear / respect / revere / reverence God the Father. Regarding the removal of transgressions, verses relevant to that matter include John 3:14–16; Ephesians 2:8–9; and 1 John 1:9. The content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9 involve the matter of receiving eternal life. In that regard, at the moment that a person believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, all of the sins that that person had committed before believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior are forgiven. Below is content related to those two passages.
John 3:14–16
As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:8–9
…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.
Once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, God the Father forgives that believer for those sins and any unknown sins. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9. Below is content related to that verse.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again. When in fellowship with the Trinity, a believer can learn the Word of God and thereby develop respect/reverence for God the Father. The content of Psalm 103:12 is repeated below for reference.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:13
Just as a father has compassion on his children, so Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has had compassion on those who yare' / יָרֵא / fear / respect / revere / reverence Him.
Note: The content of this verse refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ fearing / respecting / revering / reverencing God the Father. In that regard, before the Lord Jesus Christ was born, believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior involved believing that God the Son would take the form of the sinless Man Who would be judged for the sins of humanity. The use of the perfect tense in the phrase has had compassion in this verse is a reference to what God the Father does. Such a use of the perfect tense has a rhetorical effect. In that regard, why would verbs in the perfect tense be used to refer to what God the Father does? Doing so in reference to something being indicated can communicate that what God the Father does is 100% certain to happen and that because it is 100% certain to happen, it is as though it has happened already.
Psalm 103:14
Certainly, He Himself has known our frame / what we are made of / our imagination / our mind / our thoughts, being mindful that we are dust.
Note: In this verse, David expresses humility. In that regard, rather than David boasting about himself, David calls attention to the omniscience [ahm-NISH-uhns] [all-knowingness] of God the Father, and David calls attention to the fact that David and other humans are merely created beings. Regarding the fact that David and other humans are merely created beings, the Hebrew noun that is translated “dust” in this verse is the same noun that is used in Genesis 2:7 in reference to the forming of Adam from the dust of the earth. That noun is עָפָר [pronounced ah-FAHR and can be transliterated as `aphar]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word עָפָר [pronounced ah-FAHR and can be transliterated as `aphar].
Psalm 103:15
As for mankind / mortal man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes,
Psalm 103:16
but the wind has passed over it, and it is no more, and its place acknowledges it no longer.
Note: The content of Psalm 103:15–16 calls attention to the fact that human beings are mere mortals.
Psalm 103:17
The khesed / hesed / חֶסֶד / lovingkindness / mercy / unfailing love / loyal love of Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One is from everlasting to everlasting on those who yare' / יָרֵא / fear / respect / revere / reverence Him—His righteousness to childrenʼs children,
Psalm 103:18
to those who keep His covenant and remember His precepts to do them.
Note: This verse references obeying the Word of God. Also, the content of this verse calls attention to the fact that a person must remember the Word of God in order to obey the Word of God. Regarding remembering the Word of God, a person must learn the Word of God.
Psalm 103:19
Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom / dominion / realm / reign / royal power / sovereign power / sovereignty has ruled over all.
Note: The content of the part of this verse before the comma might literally refer to the throne room of God the Father being located in the Third Heavens, or the content of the part of this verse before the comma might metaphorically refer to God the Father having sovereignty over all of the heavens, including the first heavens (the atmosphere of earth). the second heavens (outer space), and the Third Heavens (the location of the throne room of God the Father).
Psalm 103:20
Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform / do / execute His Word to obey the voice of His Word!
Psalm 103:21
Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, all you His hosts / armies / tsaba' [tsah-VAH] / צָבָא, you who serve Him, doing His will.
Note: The context for this verse is provided by the content of the previous verse. In that regard, hosts/armies of angels are referenced in this verse.
Psalm 103:22
Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion. Adore/Bless Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, O my soul!
Note: In this verse, David calls attention to the fact that all of Creation should express adoration for God the Father. David then finishes with a reminder that David himself should express adoration for God the Father.
Sincerely,
John