THE APOSTLES OF GOD

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THE APOSTLES OF GOD

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postle means a person who is sent to a distant place with a message. . He may be also called a messenger. As God cannot attend all the needs of his children, he used to send his angels on his behalf. Let us see two examples how the angels helped God’s people when they were in danger. Mr. Williams was a busy doctor in a remote part of China. One day, he came home late, and was about to go to bed. Just at that time, a ten year old girl came and knocked at the door. The doctor opened the door. She requested the doctor to come to her house and see her mother who was in serious condition. The doctor saw her mother and then complemented that she had a very good and responsible daughter. But the mother replied she had no body at present, and her only daughter died some time back. The truth is that one angel came and acted like her daughter who died and helped her in that helpless condition.

The second story is about a priest. John was a priest in a village in Scotland. Some heathens who did not like the spreading of Christianity in those days, wanted to kill the priest.

Whenever they went to him they saw some people were moving around the house. They tried many times but in vain. Then one day the heathen leader came to the house of the priest and

89 asked him how many people were residing in that house. The priest replied only himself and his wife. Then all understood that God had sent his angels to protect the priest from the danger of the heathens. The heathens realized how God helped his people in times of danger. And they too became devoted Christians. These two examples show that God’s concern towards his people was wonderful. He always protects us from any danger by sending his angels.

According to some historical evidence, God created about 1 billion angels along with other creation. They are more handsome and intelligent than human beings. . As they have no sex, they are unfit for marriage, and to beget children. . It is also said that their height is about

25 to 30 feet, and are immortals. They never become old. They are very helpful to God in his administration in heaven. God put them in different cadres for different purposes.

The first cadre is called Arch angels who are next to God. They are Michael, Lucifer, and Gabriel etc. Michel was a good administrator and God liked him most. But Lucifer was more cunning and revengeful type. He claimed equality with God in everything and so rebelled against him .God became angry and at last sent Lucifer from heaven in to the bottomless pit.

One-third of the angels followed him. Then he changed his name from Lucifer to Satan. His aim is to take revenge against God’s people. Satan’s first attack was Adam and Eve in the

Garden of Eden. He went to them as a serpent and tempted them to eat the fruit of knowledge.

Adam and Eve, obeyed his words, and ate the fruit, and sinned against God by disobeying his words. God got angry and sent them out of the Garden of Eden. As the wages of sin is death, we lost paradise through Adam and Eve.

A famous English poet John Milton wrote a poem called paradise lost starting with the following lines:

Of man’s first disobedience

And the fruit of forbidden tree

This poem became very popular in all over the world. And it is said this poem was translated into seventy languages and people read it as the Bible. He also wrote another poem called paradise regained with the coming of Christ. After about four thousand years what we lost because of the sin of Adam and Eve we get back with the coming of Jesus Christ. So it is said “in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall be made alive”.

An angel appeared to Daniel on two occasions. When he was to clear the dreams of

Babylon king Nebuchadnezzar, and when he was thrown into the lions den to save him.

Gabriel the angel of God appeared before the woman in her old age and told her she would have a son, and his name shall be Samson. He also said Samson would deliver the Israel from the hands of the philistines. The angel came to Zachariah in his old age and told him that he would have a son and his name shall be John. The same Gabriel angel appeared to Mary and told her he was sent by God to tell her some important message that she would conceive a male child, through the Holy Spirit and he shall be called Jesus the son of God.

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The next cadre is called Angels. Their duty is to move around God and sing songs in praise of Him. Like Holy Holy Holy. It might be the same angels who came down from heaven when Christ was born and sang songs in his praise with celestial music.

The third cadre is called Cherubs. Their duty is to take care of the tabernacle and make necessary arrangements.

The forth cadre of angels is called Cherubims. God appointed an angel from this group at the Eastern gate of the Garden of Eden. So that nobody could enter the garden and touch the tree of life.

The next cadre is thrones, powers, authorities, crowns, principalities and dominions. It seems there are ten divisions among angels.

Three angels came to the house of Abraham and they ate bread in his house. The angels told him he would get a son at the age of ninety nine. Two angels visited the house of lot son of Abraham’s brother. They ate bread in his house and informed him that he should leave his place Sodom immediately because they were going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness and adultery.

An angel came from heaven to Elijah when he was in deep hunger. He fled from the notorious queen Jezebel who wanted to kill him. The angel gave him bread two times. With that he survived for forty days and forty nights.

The angel came to the house of Gideon and told him to save Israel from the oppression of Medianites. The angels sat under the oak tree and spoke with him what God wanted from him to do. Two angels waited at the tomb of Jesus Christ and informed Mary Magdalene that he had risen. He also told Mary that Jesus wanted to meet his disciples in Galilee

When Paul and Peter were imprisoned the angel went and brought them out. Like this we can quote as many examples as possible from the Bible to prove that the angels are the real, missionaries of God.

If we look into the last book of the Bible, The book of Revelation, we can understand clearly how the angels appeared to be busy at all times and play important roles. Seven angels were in charge of seven churches, seven angels were in charge of seven seals and seven angels were in charge of seven vials etc. According to the prophecy of Jesus Christ about

John, we see how he became Saint John to write 'The Book of Revelation'. Some angels took John and showed him some places including the New Jerusalem. So, by all these above mentioned examples, we can understand clearly that the angels are the real, messengers of

God who helps God in his administration.

When you are in persecution:

1.Rejoice and be happy

2.You must love your enemies.

3.Bless them that curse you

4.Do good to them that always hate you.

5.Pray for them that purposely use you and persecute you.

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S

THE BIBLE

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1.e must realize our spiritual poverty

2.We must be sure that we have received Christ as our personal savior.

3.We must have surrendered lives.

4.We must be filled with the spirit of God

5.We must try to produce the fruits of the spirit in us

6.We must be a witness to Christ

7.We must be sensitive to the needs of others in the society

8.We should not be half Christians

9.We must perform prayers always for regular contact with God

10.We must not be critical of others.

11.We must develop a taste for spiritual, things

12.We must be emotional to others and their problems

13. We shall love every body in the society

14. We must stand courageously

15. We must realize that we are immortals and live forever with God in heaven

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Some words from the Bible

1.For in Adam all die even so in Christ shall be made alive

2.By faith Noah prepared an Ark and arranged every thing planned by God and became a righteous man

3.Whosoever has faith like Abraham are called the children of Abraham.

4.Through faith Abraham tried to sacrifice his only begotten son Isaac and received abundant blessings and Provisions

5.Abraham was also called the father of circumcision

6.God gave Abraham a covenant of circumcision and he did that to his son Isaac on the eighth day of his birth.

7.Abraham through righteousness became a friend of God

8.By faith Abraham moved to many places like a wanderer.

9.When Moses became forty years, he wished to visit his brethren, the children of

Israel

10.Crossing of the Red Sea was a salvation to the Israel

11.The Red Sea at that time was about 10 feet deep

12.The Ten Commandments are called ten words in Hebrew language

13.The first part of them are religious and the second part is moral binding.

14.The sons of Jacob are called patriarchs

15.King David was also called patriarch

16.The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but the fools hate wisdom and instructions

17.The city of Armageddon was built by King Solomon about 3000 years ago.

18.Never try evil for evil nor to take revenge. Because God said “revenge is mine”

19.A person is justified by what he does but not by faith alone.

20.If we love each other God will live in us and his love is complete in us

21.God is love whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him.

22.God said “be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life”

23.Our children do not belong to the devil but to the living God

24.Jews were the children of Judah and Benjamin

and twelve sons of Jacob

have mercy

Pentecost

Diana

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31.We must believe in one God Lord, one faith and one baptism

32.Christ is the author and finisher of our faith

33.Faith and belief result in blessings

34.In the Bible the measurements of Noah’s Ark and Jerusalem Temple are mentioned in cubits. A cubit is 17 to 22 inches.

35.Love not this world nor the things of this world if one loves this world; the love for the father (God) is not in him

36.The head of every man is Christ, and the head of every woman is man and the head of Christ is God

37.Man is not created for woman but woman is created for man

38.The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, goodness, gentleness, faith and longsuffering

39.Herod the Antipas, was the son of King Herod. He beheaded John the Baptist, killed

James and imprisoned Peter and Paul to please the Jews.

40.Names of the other two persons crucified with Christ were 1.Dysmus 2. Gertas

41.Jesus is the mediator between God and man.

42.Mathias was taken as the twelfth apostle of Jesus

43.In Joppa a woman by name Tabitha called Dorkas was a disciple. When she died

Peter raised from her death

44.The angel of God appeared to Cornelius. He was the first heathen who became the

Christian

45.Jesus said it is more blessing to you to give than to receive

46.When the people raised from the dead they neither marry nor given to marriage but they remain in heaven without marriage.

47.Repentance is a noble thing because every body will rejoice at this

48.One cannot serve two masters as one cannot serve God andmammon (money)

49.Man must be born of water and spirit to enter into the kingdom of God.

50. As the body without spirit is dead the faith without work is dead

51.The prayer of the faith shall save the sick and the lord shall raise him up

52.Elijah prayed to God sincerely not to have rain and there was no rain for three and a half years and again he prayed to God for rain. People got it

53.God did not spare even angels from punishment when theyrebelled against him and committed sin. He cast them down to hell to wait there for final judgment

54.If we confess our sins, God is faithful and He forgives our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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25.MPORTANCE OF NO.40

IN THE BIBLE

1. In the days of Noah, people became wicked and sinned against God. So God wanted to destroy people with rains, and trained for 40 days and 40 nights. (Genesis 7:17)

2. Isaac a was 40 years old when he married Rebecca (Genesis. 25:20)

3. Esau was 40 years old, when he married Judith. (Genesis. 26:34)

4. When Jacob died, he was embalmed with spices for 40 days. (Genesis 50:3)

5. When Moses was 40 years old, it came to his mind (heart) to visit his brethren, the children of Israel, and accidentally killed an Egyptian, who was the Governor of Goshan.

(Exodus 7:23)

6. The Children of Israel ate Manna for 40 years in the wilderness. (Exodus 16:35)

7. Moses went to the top of the mount Horeb (Sinai) for the first time, to receive laws and the 10 commandments and stayed there for 40 days. (Exodus 24:18)

8. Moses went to the mountain Horeb for the second time andstayed with God 40 days and 40 nights without bread andwater to get the 10 commandments. (Exodus 34:28)

9. God asked Moses to keep 40 sockets of Silver under the lengthy board of the Tabernacle.

(Exodus 26:19&36:26)

10. Moses sent 12 members from 12 tribes to find out the position of Canaan and they returned after 40 days. (Num.14:34)

11. The children of Israel wandered in wilderness for 40 years till they reached the borders of Canaan. (Number 14:33)

12. Moses explained to the Israel about family relations, when they were judged they must be given 40 strips as a punishment. (Deu.25:3)

13. Aaron was 40 years old when he left Egypt.

14. Joshua went to war with 40 thousand Israel and crossed the River Jordan. (Joshua 4:13)

15. Caleb was 40 years old when he went to see Canaan with other members of the team.

(Joshua 14:7)

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16. The Israel lived in peace for 40 years under the leadership of Othniel the son-in-law of

Caleb. (Judges 3:11)

17. The Israel chose new gods, when there was war in the gates, was there a shield or spear among forty thousand Israel? (Judges 5:8)

18. After the death of the KingofCanaan, the Israel lived in peace for 40 years. (Judges

5:31)

20. God got angry over Israel and handed them over to Philistines for 40 years as a punishment.

(Judges 13:1)

21. Eli the priest judged Israel for 40 years. (1 Samuel 4:18)

22. Goliath a Philistine giant of 9’.6" feet height, challenged the Israel in the war both morning and evening for forty days. (1 Samuel 17:16)

23. Prophet Samuel anointed Saul, a Benjaminite as the King of Israel, who ruled them for 40 years. (Acts 13:21)

24. Abner Captain of Saul’s army; made Sauls’ son Ishbo Seth, King of Israel and he was 40 years old at that time. (2 Samuel 2:10)

25. King David ruled Israel for 40 years. (2 Samuel 5: 4) (1 Chronicles 29:27)

26. In the war with Syrians King David killed 40 thousand footmen (2 Samuel 10:18)

27. Absalom, son of King David said that he wanted to pay his vow to God after 40 years in

Hebron. (2 Samuel 15:7)

28. King Solomon had 40 thousand stalls of horses for his chariots (1 Kings 4:26)

29. King Solomon ruled Israel for 40 years (1 Kings 11:42)

30. Prophet Elijah got bread from heaven by an angel twice, and with that strength he lived for 40 days and 40 nights and walked to mount Horeb the Mount of God. (1 Kings 19:8)

of gifts to him (11 Kings 8:9)

(11 Kings 12:1)

95.10)

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36. I will make the Land of Egypt desolate among the cities for 40 years. (Ezekiel 29.12; 28)

37. After 25 years of Captivity. Ezekiel got a vision in which he saw one of the walls of the second temple was about 40 cubits. (Ezk. 41:2)

38. Also. I brought you up from the land of Egypt and led you 40 yearsthrough its wilder ness to possess the land of the Amorites (Amos 2:10)

39. Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness for 40 years? O house of Israel? (Amos 5:25)

40. Prophet Jonah told the people of Nineveh city that if they did not repent for their sins within 40 days God would destroy them completely (Jonah 3:4)

NEW TESTAMENT

41. When Jesus was 40 days old he was taken to the Jerusalem temple.

42. Christ after taking Baptism from John the Baptist wandered in the wilderness of Jordan

River for 40 days and hungered. (Mark1.13 & Luke 4.2)

43. After resurrection. Christ spent 40 days with his disciples and ascended unto heaven

(Acts 1:3)

44. Simon Peter also healed a man near the temple gate who was above 40 years. (Acts

4.22)

45. More than 40 Jews joined together and took oath that they would not eat or drink till they kill Paul. (Acts 23 13)

46. Paul said “Of the Jews five times received I 40 strips save one. (2 Cor.11 24)

47. But with whom was he grieved 40 years? Was it not with them thatsinned?

(Hebrews 3 17)

48. Some Christians observe 40 days as Lenten days and remain in fasting before the crucifiction of Christ. (Good Friday)

49. In 2001 the Israel surrounded “ the Church of Nativity” in Bethlehem, because the

Philistines with 160 hostages remained inside the churchThey slept at the corners of the church for a symbolic 40 days They survived with the juice of lemon leaves mixed with oil from the lamps A priest served them juice once in three days.

50. According to historical information Christ was born in 5th B C anddied in 30 A.D He wept and foretold the future destruction ofJerusalem and the temple On 70 A.D-

King Titus destroyed themjust 40 years after the death of Christ.

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Holy Land Tour

by

Sister Grace Vijaya Ts.

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INDEX

1. Foreword

2. Congratulations by Rev.Rachal J. Komanapalli

3. All about Holy Land

4. Brief history of Israel

5. Israel in the past

6. Important places of Jerusalem

7. Third Temple

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FOREWORD

M

ost people dream of visiting the Holy Land. Some one said that ten days in the Holy Land is equal to a semester in a Seminary. The most practical understanding of the Bible archaeology, history and Geography will come to every one, who can view this book actually being there. It will explain the word pictures.

It will benefit both to the traveller and the dreamer. Special thanks to the friends who offered books to select matter and pictures. Many thanks to Dr.Deva S.Dandala, Editor, Spandana who took great interest in publishing Holy Land Tour in our regional language, Telugu.

That book and the pictures attracted many to know about the tour of the Holy Land and were greatly blessed in many countries of the world. I humbly praise God for that. This experience encouraged me to write about the Holy Land tour in English. My special thanks to Acharya R.R.K. Garu & Dr.Deva

S.Dandala,and Spandana Offset Printer, David Dandala who took great care in printing this book, Brother

Ephraim Dandala and Vijay who worked with setting pictures etc., My Childhood friend Rev. Rachel

J.Komanapalli wrote a wonderful word about me and my books. My heart felt gratitude to her also.

I am sure that my husband Sri Sundara Rao Garu expressed his views about “The Legacy of

Gods people” which is his first book to exhault God’s name, and I congratulate him. My special thank to

Mr.D.S.Sundara Rao,for helping a lot to edit, correcting the matter with good suggestions. I can not forget to thanks my Ganta brothers, Brother Peter Singh for he selected pictures for Holy Land, Brother Sudhakar gave me nice suitable pictures from his vast collections. My youngest brother Babu Ganta visited us in

USA from Dubai and advised to my husband to put his thoughts in a book to reach many. May the Lord to be praised through this book so that many may come close to Jesus to spread the Gospel and meet to

Lord Jesus.

Yours in Him,

Sister Grace Vijaya

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I

ntroduction

If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget its skill, May my tongue ching to the roof of my mouth, If I do not remember you, If I do not consider

Jerusalem my highest Joy. Psalm 137:5,6

Brief History: Many prophets prophesied that Messiah, Jesus Christ would be born as King of Jews. Their prophecy was fulfilled when Christ was born to Mary in

Bethlehem. According to the above verses Jerusalem was a blessed city. It acquired such a good name and fame due to King David and his son Solomon who constructed

God’s temple for His Glory.

God loved the Jews. According to the prophecies of many prophets Messaiah would be born as King of Jews. The prophecies became true, Christ was born to virgin Mary. He preached the Gospel; did Miracles; healed the sick; died on the cross for the sins of humanity; the rose from the dead on the third day; talked to the disciples; ate with them; and was taken up to live with God as everlasting son.

According to the prophecy, Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews scattered all over the world. But they would not be perished. The Lord promised that they would be brought back. “When I bring them back from captivity, the people in the Land of

Judah and in its towns will once again use these words: “ The Lord bless you, O righteous dwelling, O sacred mountain people will live together in Judah and all its town- farmers and those who move about with their flocks. I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint”. (Jeremiah 31:23-25)

Proof of God’s Phophecy:

As Isaiah prophesied “Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the West” (Isaiah 43:5). Accordingly God brought them back. Israel Nation was founded. They got independence on May 14,

1948. Israelites came to live in their country from all parts of the world. By 1963 there were 4 millions of Jews in Palestine. By 1963 they were 2,239,000. When they celebrated the 30th Anniversary in 1978 some about 3,697,887 people were present.

Today the population of Israel is increased to great number.

A BRIEF RECORD OF ISRAEL IN THE PAST

Israel is a promised country. According to Genesis 12:1-3 God called Abram from ‘Ur” and asked him to go to the land that He would show. Abram obeyed God’s

101 command. God changed his name to Abraham, the Father of many nations.Abraham got his promised son Isaac who had two sons, Esau and Jacob, and when Jacob struggled with God and God changed his name as Israel. Israel had 12 sons and they were known as Isralites. Out of the 12 sons, Joseph became prominent in Egypt.

Thereby the children of Israel lived in Egypt for 400 years. God made Moses as the leader of Israelites. Israelites, though led by Moses, Joshua brought them to Canan.

God appointed many Judges to guide and rule Israel. On their request of Prayer

God made Saul as the first King of the Israelites in 1040 BC. Later, in 1010 BC David was annointed to rule Israelites.

Solomon, the son of David, built the temple of God in “Jerusalem, his capital.

The country was divided into two due to Solomon’s sin after his death, ten plus two tribes. Later the temple of Jerusalem was destroyed and Jews were captivated. After many years Ezra took the responsibility to rebuild the temple. Fourteen years later

Nehemiah rebuilt the wall with a slogan. Come, let us rebuild. 400 years passed away.

Jesus was born as the promised Messaiah, died on the cross, and sinners would be redeemed through His blood only.

A new church was born on the pentecost day when the power of the Holy spirit touched them.

To learn about Israel is a blessing to all of us.

Dr. Deva S. Dandala

Editor, Spandana

P.O.Box 415,

Vijayawada-2, A.P., INDIA

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ALL ABOUT THE HOLY LAND

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he Holy Land is a unique and beautiful land, rich with variety of historical, archaeological and religious sites. Visitors are charmed by its sweeping vistas, hospitality of its citizens and inspirational images. This country is an enchanting mixture of ancient and modern.

In the holy land, you can experience the special thrill of walking in the foot steps of the

Bible characters. Abraham roamed these sites four thousand years ago. About three thousand years have gone by since king David reigned here but for Christians follow the steps of Jesus in the Holy land constitute its ultimate moment.

In these regions Jesus the son of God was born. Here he grew in wisdom and stature.

Here he was crucified. Here God raised him from the dead. We can see the divisions as three regions. North, center and South. In the Northern and Central regions, Jesus visited

Jerusalem, sacred city and it is the Soul of the country. Southern areas are included because of its significance to patriarchs, prophets and kings of Judah.

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This book will unlock the message

of the Bible and engage your mind and

heart in the Wonderful world in which

Jesus lived. We believe that this book is special as it describes the facts of the ministry of our Lord with the sites that recall his work & adds a rich new understanding to the meaning of the work of Jesus of Nazareth we trust it will also bring back many pleasant memories for those who visited the lands of the Bible.

This land is unlike any other. This region has been called by various names such as Canaan, Palestine and new Israel in Biblical times.

It was considered to be the center of the world and for three monotheistic religious Judaism,

Christianity and Islam.

It has been the focal point of their respective religious beliefs. Jewish people are still waiting for the messiah. For Christians, the new testment is the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the messiah that is spoken of in the Old Testament has indeed become a reality in the person of Jesus Christ. For Islam on the other hand was founded in 6 AD by the Prophet

Mohammed & both play an important role in this land. For Jews this land was predestined long ago by God. God also made them the chosen people, through Abraham and his descendants.

For Christians this land is the cradle of Christianity for it was here that Jesus was born, lived dead & resurrected.

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