The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Corinthians 12:2-4, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago– whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do

not know, God knows– such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

3 And I know how such a man– whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows–

4 was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.”

1 Thessalonians 4;17, “Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord

in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.”

Revelation 12:5, “And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was

caught up to God and to His throne.”

Only recently, I read that someone had said with so many people sequestered in their homes, if Christ were to come for His Church now, millions would not know the Church had gone until the sequestration had been lifted. What we are experiencing now has led many people to return to the Scriptures and seek the LORD for answers and deliverence. There are, however, a host of ideas concerning what shall happen and when. My studies have led me to believe that the Coming of the LORD Jesus Christ for His Church is the very next event on the Heavenly Calendar. The word Rapture (??????, harpazo means “to seize, to snatch away”). It is our LORD’s sudden and mysterious “catching away” of His children, His Church from the Earth. The very last thing a nation does before going to war with another nation, is to withdraw its Ambassador. It is impossible to put a date or time of day to this event. Jesus said that He Himself did not know the time when He would return for His own (Mark 13:32). Such is left to the Father to determine.

The Greek word harpazo is found only four times in three verses in the New Testament. They are highlighted in our verses above. If we believe that this Coronavirus (COVED-19) is serious, it is nothing to be compared with what will come upon the Earth after the born-from-Above believers in Christ have gone! It is too involved for our discussion here, but the Revelation teaches there will be horrendous troubles that will fall upon the Earth after true Christians have been secretly seized abd removed. The plagues of Egypt in the days of Moses will be mild compared with what is scheduled yet to come upon the Earth.

What supersedes everything else is the need for non-Christians to become Christians before this Tribulation time comes! Turning to Christ now in personal salvation is of the utmost importance! Paul asks, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). Paul is not speaking of a “pastor” or “evangelist” in the way that we think of them today. He simply means someone has to tell them of Jesus before it’s too late! Is it important to you that people be saved? Is it important to you that people be spared the Tribulation and literal fires of Hell? Then you must become that “preacher” and tell them of Jesus. He is the only way of salvation. Set aside the television, the computer and other distractions, and think about Eternity. Pray for those outside of Christ. There is a time limit. We just don’t know what it is.

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,

Ephesians 5:6-10, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the

sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be partakers with them;

8 for you were formerly darkness but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.”

Were you ever in conversation with someone who could express himself at length while depriving his content of all substance? If you have, you understand what the Apostle Paul meant by empty words, words devoid of true value. Not only

are the words empty, they are deceptive (?????? (apatao, intentionally misleading). Just don’t affiliate with such persons!

Why? Because while you were at one time walking in the same darkness, possessing the same deceptive intentions, you

are not like that now! You are light in the LORD! The Apostle John said, “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1Jn 1:5). And that’s exactly what Paul means by being “light in the LORD.”

Paul’s words are not deceptive, like some men’s words are. He is straight up when he speaks of “the fruit of the light.” The word “fruit” (??????, karpos) means benefits, proceeds). So, what is the benefit of walking in the Light of the LORD? Verse nine of our passage lists the benefit as threefold: goodness, righteousness, and truth. Be careful to note that it is not your

goodness or your righteousness or your truth. These are qualities of the LORD Himself. Oh, there are times when we have

been good; but, perhaps, there was a hidden purpose behind that goodness. There were times when we were righteous; but again, that righteousness might have had a personal agenda. Yes, there were times when we told the truth; but it may have been because we feared punishment if we were not truthful.

The entire situation here teaches us that when we are truly born-again believers in Jesus Christ, our lives are changed! We

are new creatures! We live under new colors! And we are not ashamed, because we are walking in His Light, and our behavior is focused on bringing the LORD all the glory! Is that how you are living? If not, what are you going to say when you stand before Him? That invites some serious thought. I’ll be praying for you.

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,

John 21:15-17, “So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more

than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My lambs.’

16 He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love

You.’ He said to him, ‘Shepherd My sheep.’

17 He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time,

‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My

sheep.’”

“How many time have I told you that you cannot go until your room is clean?” How many times have we heard this from

our mothers? Most mothers would probably say that it is more impairing to them to repeat the warning than it is to their children

to hear it. Somehow, I think that’s what Jesus felt when He was speaking with Peter.

Breakfast was a welcome relief to the weary fishermen. They had fished all night and caught nothing –that is, until Jesus said,

“Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find a catch” (Jn. 21:6). And catch they did! The nets were full – 153 fish, but their stomachs yearned for that breakfast.

It was after breakfast that Jesus asked Peter, “…do you love me more than these?” Peter answered, “Yes, LORD; You know that I love You.” Subsequently, Jesus repeated the same question two more times. Now, to the English reader, that is called redundancy; you know, “I heard you the first time.” But, the key to all of this lies in the Greek words for “love.” Philos is the word for “friendship love.” Agape is the strongest word for love. It activates a supreme love that yields everything to the other person without expecting anything in return. In His first two inqueries, the LORD uses agape while Peter replies with philos. In the third instance, the LORD uses Peter’s word, philos. It must have crushed Peter that the LORD lowered His word to match Peter’s. The three questions paralleled Peter’s three denials. It was like rubbing salt into an open wound.

Nevertheless, at the conclusion of each inquiry, the LORD mentioned something for Peter to do: “Tend (feed, instruct) My sheep,” and “shepherd (lead, guide) My sheep.” The lesson was over. Peter was not excoriated; but he had received what he deserved. Now, with this final instruction from the Savior, Peter was put back into active service.

Oh, that some pastors today would differentiate between “feeding” and “fleecing” the sheep! But, it is not for us to instruct them; they are presumptive servants of the LORD. Our responsibility is to pray for them and listen to their instruction from the Word. If the instruction is accurate, the Holy Spirit within us will say so. If it is not, He will make that plain to us, as well. Either way, we are to pray and to witness to those who are lost. Jesus is coming soon! When is not for us to know. What we do know, however, is that tomorrow brings us another day closer to His Coming. Always be faithful! Be prayerful! Be a witness for 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,

2 Chronicles 29:17-19, “Now they began the consecration on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they entered the porch of the LORD. Then they consecrated the house of the LORD in eight days, and finished on the sixteenth day of the first month.

18 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed the whole house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all of its utensils, and the table of showbread with all of its utensils.

19 “Moreover, all the utensils which King Ahaz had discarded during his reign in his unfaithfulness, we have prepared and consecrated; and behold, they are before the altar of the LORD.”

Men and women are vastly different in many ways. For one thing, men don’t see dust; women complain that they cannot see the furniture because of the dust. In recent months, a Christian lady has been coming to clean my house. It was the first time

in my life that I heard the term “deep cleaning.” If you wipe off the kitchen counter, it is clean. How do you “deep clean” a kitchen counter? So, I find myself in school again –as a student, learning what “deep cleaning” means when applied to “dust.”

Ahaz became King of Judah when he was 20 years old. To say that he did not understand “deep cleaning” is an understatement.

In fact, Ahaz became an admirer of pagan gods and really spread “dust” everywhere! The LORD’s House was ignored and the

people became followers of pagan gods and riled the LORD considerably! In time, Ahaz died and Hezekiah, his son, became king. Some kids just have it all together! Hezekiah saw the “dust” in the LORD’s House and immediately called for a “deep cleaning.” Don’t ever let anyone tell you that pastors and deacons don’t see “dust.” Hezekiah’s spiritual leaders saw it and moved immediately to thoroughly cleanse the LORD’s House. It took them eight days.

When the cleansing was completed, these Priests and Levites came to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed (taher, purified) the whole house of the LORD, the altar of burnt offering with all of its utensils…” Naming King Ahaz as the one who neglected the LORD’s House, they indicated the depth of their cleaning when they mentioned the utensils. These had been cleansed and consecrated to the LORD like everything else.

The utensils captured my attention. Who thinks about knives and forks and spoons when it comes to cleaning the house? The lady who periodically cleans my house has never washed my eating utensils. But when the LORD cleanses, He cleanses everything! We are His utensils. We don’t amount to as much as some larger things. We just hide in the drawers of the kitchen. But His cleansing of us is thorough, whether we’re on display or not. And when company comes, and we’re needed, no one has to ask if we’re clean. They can see us sparkle in His handiwork. Furthermore, we’re important to the company. Have you ever

cried to eat chocolate cake without a fork, or eat ice cream without a spoon?

You are important to God! He wants His company to see His love and concern for them. And His use of us is one way He does it.

He cleansed you from your sin. Keep clean, so others will see His handiwork and come to Him for cleansing, too. He does “deep cleaning”; but that only has to happen once! May God cleanse, bless, and use you abundantly is my prayer.

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,

2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 15b-16a, “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in

Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem.

4 And he did right in the sight of the LORD according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

5 And he continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he

sought the LORD, God prospered him,” and “…his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.

16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God…”

Not everyone, who starts out right finishes and wins the race. If 16 years old seems a bit too young to be anointed king, you and I are thinking along the same lines. But, it was the way of those in Old Testament times. Most of the time it had to do with lineage.

Yet, sometimes the one who proved his courage in winning a battle was sufficient for exaltation to the high office of king.

Not everyone who starts out well ends up the same way. The kid who was the last to be chosen for the sandlot ball team and ends up winning the game by hitting a three-run homer, is certain to be the first-chosen the next time the boys decided to play.

But a cranky attitude and a smug pride will ultimately sidelined him from all future games.

Uzziah was that 16-year-old boy who became king. He followed the footsteps of his father, Amaziah, and did right toward the LORD. The verse above tells us that “as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.” But it was then his heart became flooded with pride. He trusted his own instincts and overstepped his boundaries when he barged into the Temple of the LORD and behaved corruptly and unfaithfully toward the LORD. His ending was totally the opposite of his beginning.

That can happen to us! King Solomon wrote, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Pro. 16:18).

Pride can occur right in the pulpit. Years ago, I witnessed a young preacher, who started his message with the credible appearance of true humility. Hardly into his message, he looked at the clock on the wall and said, “Wow, only 10 minutes gone! We’re really movin’ now.” In that instant, pride took over, and whatever message the LORD had given him, was replaced with the stuttering, mismanagement of words that pride itself had inserted. Be faithful to the LORD! Study and share only His Word with those who need Him. He will bless! He is faithful! And He tramples pride beneath His feet as He leads us into glorious paths of spiritual righteousness.

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.”