The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 28:11-15, “Again the word of the LORD came to me saying,

12 ‘Son of man, take up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘You had the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

13 “You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The ruby, the topaz, and the diamond; The beryl, the onyx, and the jasper; The lapis lazuli, the turquoise, and the emerald; And the gold, the workmanship of your settings and sockets, Was in you. On the day that you were created They were prepared.

14 “You were the anointed cherub who covers, And I placed you there. You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 “You were blameless in your ways From the day you were created, Until unrighteousness was found in you.

I. Lucifer’s Origin and Early Days were Superb!

Did you ever see someone who appeared to have everything? He is good looking, morally clean, intelligent, well-liked by everyone, and loaded with talent, well-travelled, and seems to have everything going for him! If you are thinking of someone like that, you have a good start in understanding what Lucifer was in the early years of his life. Lucifer was God’s most beautiful and most intelligent angel. His name actually means “light bearer.”

Ezekiel 28:16-19, “By the abundance of your trade You were internally filled with violence, And you sinned; Therefore I have cast you as profane From the mountain of God. And I have destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the stones of fire.

17 “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom by reason of your splendor. I cast you to the ground; I put you before kings, That they may see you.

18 “By the multitude of your iniquities, In the unrighteousness of your trade, You profaned your sanctuaries. Therefore I have brought fire from the midst of you; It has consumed you, And I have turned you to ashes on the earth In the eyes of all who see you.

19 “All who know you among the peoples are appalled at you; you have become terrified, And you will be no more.”‘”

II. Lucifer’s Light Dimmed Considerably When He Became Sinful!

Gradually, over time, this glorious, intelligent angel began to mingle with sin. He became overrun with violence, so much, in fact, that ultimately, God had to destroy him. We know he was handsome beyond belief. And that’s exactly what caused his sinning and his downfall. He became proud! The Scripture says his wisdom reached beyond that of Daniel, but he became so enthralled with himself that the LORD had to deal with him. His iniquities were multiple! There was no end to his sin and deceit. (He’s still at it!) He was wise in business, but he cheated people! He loved money too much. Oh, and he frequented the holy places, but it was a farce! It was like going to church and dropping big bills in the offering plate, impressing those that saw it, but knowing all along that the money was virtually stolen!

As people got to know him, they became terrified of him; and, ultimately, the LORD stripped him of his celestial rank and beauty, changed his name from Lucifer to Satan. And yes, there was a war in Heaven (Rev. 12:7) and Satan led one-third of the angels to follow him, and they are what we know today as demons. Their tricks of their trade are the same; they just have a smooth and delicate manner.

How are we on Earth to deal with celestial demons? There are ways, as noted in Scripture. But, for us and for now, we simply need to engage in the following:

1. Confess every known sin in your life and ask the LORD’s forgiveness. There are no “special words,” just tell Him you want Him as you Savior.

He knows what to do.

2. Read the Bible every day! I suggest starting in the New Testament with

the Gospel of John. Don’t worry about not understanding everything you

read. Just start with a few chapters and then read it again. The more you

read, the more you will gradually understand.

3. Take some special time to pray. Just talk to the LORD like you would to

anyone. He understands your heart-meaning, just like you understand

English. There’s only one mistake you can make: and that’s not reading.

4. Of course, attending a good Bible-believing church is helpful. A pastor

who knows the Bible well will be an asset to your learning. Just remember:

it’s not the church that saves; it’s the LORD Jesus Christ. Always keep Him

centered as “the apple of your eye.”

My prayers are with you. Please keep me in your prayers, too.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Ezekiel 28:1-10, “The word of the LORD came again to me saying,

2 ‘Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, “Thus says the Lord God, ‘Because your

heart is lifted up And you have said, ‘I am a god, I sit in the seat of gods, In the heart

of the seas’; Yet you are a man and not God, Although you make your heart like the

heart of God–

3 Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; There is no secret that is a match for you.

4 “By your wisdom and understanding You have acquired riches for yourself, And have

acquired gold and silver for your treasuries.

5 “By your great wisdom, by your trade You have increased your riches, And your heart

is lifted up because of your riches–

6 Therefore, thus says the Lord God, ‘Because you have made your heart Like the heart

of God,

7 Therefore, behold, I will bring strangers upon you, The most ruthless of the nations. And

they will draw their swords Against the beauty of your wisdom And defile your splendor.

8 ‘They will bring you down to the pit, And you will die the death of those who are slain In

the heart of the seas.

9 ‘Will you still say, “I am a god,” In the presence of your slayer, Although you are a man

and not God, In the hands of those who wound you?

10 ‘You will die the death of the uncircumcised By the hand of strangers, For I have spoken!’

declares the Lord God!”‘”

It is almost unbelievable what some are seeking to do to nations today. They are to be

both pitied and censored. I heard a man say that while he disparaged what they were

doing, he didn’t believe they understood why they were doing it. They may not understand

the full implications of their rage, but they are not doing it alone. Satan is alive and is the

designer of all of the devilment that is currently plaguing the nation. Satan is a great

deceiver! He cause men to ignore good and do evil.

The prophet Ezekiel identifies Satan as one who was originally called Lucifer (“light-

bearer”). He was the chief angel of Almighty God, yet he became so proud of himself,

that he led one-third of the angels in Heaven to rebel against God. Satan then declared

himself “god,” and from that time forward, he opposed all that for which God stood.

So much could be said about Satan and how his angelic followers turned into demons.

Let it just be cogently stated that Satan is behind all the world consternation today. He is

real; he is not merely the personification of evil influences, he is real; and he is

determined to usurp the LORD’s position and turn it into evil and against Him.

How do we successfully face and overcome such an adversary? Two important factors

are necessary. First, we must repent of our sins and accept Jesus Christ as LORD and

Savior of our lives. At that point, the Holy Spirit comes into our lives and seeks to direct

us into the godly way of Christ. Second, we must faithfully continue to follow the Holy

Spirit’s leadership. He will not lead us astray. The two key factors in maintaining our

lives on a spiritual track are Bible reading and study and consistent prayer.

How much of the Bible do you read? Do you concentrate on the reading and make

spiritual applications to your life as you read? How much do you pray? Is your prayer

sincere and Christ-centered? Do you believe what the Scriptures teach and trust the

LORD to fulfill your prayerful requests? Serious Bible study produces amazing things!

Serious prayer produces some amazing things, too. Set aside a specific time and

place for Bible study. Do the same with prayer. Don’t hurry either of them!

Pray for our national leaders. I have twice heard Vice President Pence relate his

conversion experience. I have heard Mrs. Pence pray. That woman knows the LORD!

Secretary of State Pompeo and his wife are both born-again and he keeps an open

Bible on his desk and reads it daily as he seeks the LORD’s guidance. Dr. Robert

Jeffress’ secretary confirmed to me that Dr. Jeffress believes President Trump is a

born-again believer. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVoss is also a true Christian. And

Presidential Press Secretary Keleigh McEnany trusted Christ as a child and follows

Him prayerfully each day.

The LORD is alive! He has given us spiritual leadership. Whether our nation survives

may well rest on whether we are worthy followers of Him.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

Several years ago, I officiated at at wedding ceremony. The bride had asked if I would speak on the theme of the Second Coming of Christ. Her father was not a Christian and she desperately wanted him to hear the Gospel.

It was not my first wedding, nor was it the first time I had addressed an audience on that theme, but it did demand some additional study and research. What I shared considered a “Jewish Marriage and the Second Coming.” It is that that I share with you today. I trust you will find it both instructional and inspiring.

May our LORD bless you richly and abundantly, as we excitedly anticipate His Coming for us in the air.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

THE NEW JERUSALEM

Revelation 21:1-2, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 2And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.”

The New Jerusalem enjoys a detailed description (21:9-14). The Glory of the LORD is everywhere! The City’s brilliance is like a very costly stone, as a stone of crystal-clear jasper (v. 11). Her walls speak of separation (v. 12a, “It had a great and high wall…”). Her gates beckon with invitation (vv. 12b-13, “…with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names were written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel…”

The City’s 12 gates demonstrate sufficiency of entry, as well as the sufficiency of guardianship. Her foundations betoken the Gospel (21:14, “And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb…” Paul, in Ephesians 2:20, speaks of the Church as “…having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone…”

The dimensions of the City are impressive! When the Holy of Holies was in the wilderness Tabernacle of the Old Testament, it measured 10 cubits by 10 cubits by 10 cubits (with a cubit equaling approximately 18 inches). Later in the Temple, the Holy of Holies was increased in

size to 20 cubits by 20 cubits by 20 cubits. Now the measurement of this Celestial City translates into 1500 miles by 1500 miles by 1500 miles. By calculation, that equals 3,375,000,000 cubic miles! An airplane flying at 36,960 feet high (7 miles) is only 1,493 miles short of the size of the City of New Jerusalem. Believe it– this is some spacious place!

Further, it is a City of splendorous beauty! The walls are constructed of Jasper, that speaks of holiness (21:18a). The LORD’s holiness separates out evil from good. The City itself is made of gold, refined so well that it is fully transparent. Its foundation is encrusted with an aggregate of 12 precious stones (21:19-20) that clustered the foundation of Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 7:9-12). Interestingly, too, they are same kind of stones that splendored Lucifer prior to his fall (Ezk. 28:12-13); and they were the stones that graced the breastplate of the High Priest (Ex. 39:9-14) representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

Yet, the splendor and glory of the City is dwarfted by the peace and security it offers its occupants. Each of the 12 gates is of pearl and offers a symbolic protective entrance into the City. Pearls derive from oysters. They protect the oyster from foreign invasion; thus, every entrance into this City is through sacrifice. It’s appropriate, because without the death and resurrection of the LORD Jesus, no one would be saved, and the City would have little-to-no meaning. Simultaneously, the gates speak symbolically of security. They are always open; and it is “everlasting life” that is the insurance of each occupant (Jn. 3:16; 10:28-30).

Nor is it strange that the City has no Temple; for the LORD God Almighty and the Lamb are its Temple. Just as God now dwells in the spiritual church, His Temple (Gk. naos, “sanctuary” (1 Cor. 3:17; 6:19), so the Church when perfected shall dwell in Him as her “temple.” God was in Christ for man; now it is for man to be in Christ for God.

As the Holy Place was protected for purity, the New Jerusalem admits only those who are pure. “…and nothing unclean, and no one who practices abomination and lying, shall ever come into it, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (21:27). Purity always excludes whatever is not. The immoral and dishonest will be excluded from this City. All the filth of Old Jerusalem was carried outside the walls and burned; and nothing defiled shall enter the Heavenly City (22:15). Simultaneously, purity is often inclusive. The only ones permitted to enter this City will be those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life!

Is your name written there,

On the page white and fair?

In the book of Thy Kingdom,

Is your name written there?

I sincerely trust that your name is there in God’s Book of Life. Mine is; and yours can be, too.

Of course, we don’t deserve it. No one does! Yet, the LORD who loves us has made it possible.

Don’t chance it! Make certain today –right now! Confess your sins to the LORD and ask His forgiveness. Trust Him to forgive you. Believe Him for what He promises, and thank Him for making salvation possible and for Eternal Life in the New Jerusalem! God bless you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

thank you for helping to enlarge the place of our habitation (Acts 17:26-27).

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”

Dear Grands,

The Great White Throne Judgment

2 Peter 3:10, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the Earth and its works will be burned up.”

The old adage, “You can’t do wrong and get by” was emphasized much earlier in Simon Peter’s second letter. The day of the LORD is surely coming! And it will come when we least expect it. The elements that hold the Earth and all together will be utterly destroyed and dispursed. Still, no one will escape the Judgment of the LORD, except those who had previously trusted Him as LORD and Savior. They alone will be saved.

Revelation 20:11-13, “And I saw a great white throne and Him who sat upon it, from whose presence earth and heaven fled away, and no place was found for them. 12And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds.”

Everything we can see, and a lot that we cannot, is comprised of molecules. People destroyed by fires, by explosions, by drownings or by burials at sea will eventually decompose and become a part of something unseemly. Yet, the calling together of the molecules that comprised their bodies will be no difficulty for the LORD. There will be no hiding, no escape. The LORD will resurrect each and every one and summon them to the Great White Throne for judgment.

The LORD’s Throne is white, perhaps to certify the purity of the judgments that will be handed out. Scripture teaches us that the Father has handed all judgment to the Son. John 5:22 says, “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son.” Further, the Scripture says, “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats…” (Matt. 25:31-32).

Undoubtedly, as with court cases today, there will be those who will insist that they are innocent because of numerous factors. “I tried to live a good life”; “I never doubted You, God”; “I went to church as often as I could”; “I never killed anyone”; “My pastor never told us this would happen!” –and the innumerable list goes on and on. Walvoord says, “It is only human to try to find some escape from the rigidity of eternal punishment, but if one dies without salvation, there is no escape” (Major Bible Prophesies, p. 411).

The Apostle John tells us that “the books were opened.” God keeps an account of everything, and of everyone, who does everything. There is no evidence anywhere that will exonerate the activities, the motives, the results of what has occurred. Police can trace cell phone calls and sometimes identify who was talking. The LORD can do even more –much more!! When I was a child, I did wrong a number of times. My mother used to tell me that God has a book and keeps a record of every naughty thing I do. When I grew up, I discovered that this was yet another thing my mother knew that I did not, a truth I had to learn.

The Book of Life is there in the LORD’s courtroom, too; and anyone whose name was not found written in it, will suffer eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. People (especially the lost) don’t like to talk or even think about “eternal punishment”; however, the LORD is in charge and He declares it so. I once referred to the Lake of Fire (gehenna) as “God’s ‘dumping ground.’” A preacher in the congregation later took issue with that designation. But, what else can it be called? What is the LORD to do with those who have refused His offer of salvation? Yes, as sorrowful as it is even to think of, it is the truth.

All of this should shake the lost into reality! And it should shake up the Christian who has neglected to share Christ Jesus with friends and neighbors who are lost. Death is a reality!

Preparation is vital! Witnesses are needed! Time is running out….

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”