Forward Ever, Backward Never. Part [15] 12/16/2025 (Morning thought)

Revelation 13:16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.

We are hard pressed to believe that John 6:66 is a mere coincidence, for it came at a time when most of those who were following Christ, turned back on account of disappointed hopes and dreams of the temporal benefits Jesus had given. There is another 666 in the bible that now warrants our attention, for it seems as if the same issues will again test the tensile strength of our commitment to follow Jesus all the way.

And, just like it was back then, the question is: Will we turn backward if and when the temporal benefits are removed, or will it be forward ever, backward never?… Revelation 13:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. To live and think in forward mode, folks will need to be rooted and grounded in Christ, meaning that our experiences must go far deeper than having a mere theory of truth.

The intellectual aspects of truth are to be interwoven with our everyday experiences as we practice that which we learn at Christ’s feet. As we determine by God’s grace to go forward ever, backward never, He will grant us experiences which will serve the purpose of causing us to grow in grace and from time to time, He will confirm promises and blessings to us in ways that cannot be gainsaid.

 Revelation 13:18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!

Forward Ever, Backward Never. Part [14] 12/16/2025 (Evening thought)

John 6: 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that everyone which sees the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day…. After making it plain to them that it was eternal life, and a deep relationship with God he was offering to establish in their hearts, it became obvious that very many of them soon lost interest in Him. And according to the sacred record things reached a tipping point where most of them turned back from following Jesus, and their decision to turn their back on God was never afterward reversed.

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away? However, some of them treasured their relationship with Christ more than any temporal blessings, and healing, and just as it was with Job, Caleb and David, it was forward ever, backward never….. John 6:68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

[The Desire of Ages pp 392] By the public rebuke of their unbelief these disciples were still further alienated from Jesus. They were greatly displeased, and wishing to wound the Savior and gratify the malice of the Pharisees, they turned their backs upon Him, and left Him with disdain. They had made their choice, had taken the form without the spirit, the husk without the kernel. Their decision was never afterward reversed; for they walked no more with Jesus.

John 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!