April, 2026 | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW# 1045 – Holiness

In This Issue:
Holy, Holy, Holy!
Holiness
Personal Holiness
Reasons Why the Believer Should be Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God,Almighty
Destiny of Holiness

Volume: 1045 April 27, 2026
Theme: Holiness

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Holy, Holy, Holy!
Bill Brinkworth

“2 And immediately I [John] was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. … 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.” Revelation 4:2-9

In Revelation 4:2-9, the reader gets a glimpse of the throne room of Heaven. Another peek is revealed in Isaiah 6:1-3. In both views, we read of similar creatures that surround the heavenly throne and worship God.

Those creatures (Revelation 4 calls them “beasts;” Isaiah identifies them as “seraphim”), because of their nearness to God’s throne must know quite a bit about Him. They know more about what God has created than we do. We only see what is here on Earth. They look about Heaven and see creatures, including seraphim, cherubim, angels, and other glorious things, that we cannot even imagine. However, they were not praising God for all that is in His Heaven.

They must know that all the stars are more than our limited human minds can imagine and count. It most likely would not surprise them to know that the largest star we know about is VY Canis Majoris, which is estimated at over 1,800 times the size of our sun. Yet, all those amazing stellar creations were created by God in one day. However, the heavenly host are not singing His praises about His wonderful creations.

The seraphim must also know about God’s patience in allowing Earth’s inhabitants many opportunities to come to and obey Him. They also must know how so many curse His name, and openly rebel against their own Creator. Those creatures know of the Almighty’s wrath, that He can release when it is time and necessary. Yet, with all they know of what God has done for all those in Heaven and here on Earth, they do not praise Him for His character.

In both instances, in Isaiah and Revelation, they praised Him for His holiness. “… Holy! Holy! Holy! …” cried the Heavenly host. Of all the wonderful things those creatures must know about Him, they are most impressed and respectful of God’s holiness! There is no sin in Heaven, as God cannot be near such wickedness, so those singing God’s praises do not sin, yet they praise God for His holiness!

Holiness is important to God. That is why He also desires us to be Holy. We certainly will never be as holy as our Creator, but Christians should still strive to live a holy life.

It is expected of us to flee and avoid sin and emulate our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our goal should be to please God by making our lives as holy as we can. Living a holy life is possible, or He would not expect it of us!
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” Lev. 20:7

“The essence of true holiness consists of conforming to the nature and will of God.” — Dr. Lucas

Holiness
Dr. T. W. Jenkyn

Holiness, in the Scriptures, means a hallowed state. It is a full, entire, and impartial consecration to the service and the use of God. It is a definite separation and dedication for His purposes and pleasure. Not to be in this state would be diverting our sacred purpose to which we should be devoted.

“The goal of a Christian should be to be holy, and happiness will follow.”
— Author Unknown

Personal Holiness
Dr. T. W. Jenkyn

Personal holiness is the first and foremost tribute which we owe to the Holy Spirit to be used by our Master. We are to offer Him no other service until that is given.

A Roman sent to Caesar a present of a royal crown while he was openly rebelling against Caesar’s throne. Caesar returned the gift with the message, “First of all, yield obedience, and then send presents.”

The spirit and the truth of His message are addressed by the Holy Spirit to every Christian and to every church. He desires our obedient hearts before our worldly “sacrifices” and offerings.

“Real holiness has love for its essence, humility for its clothing, the good of others as its employment, and the honor of God as its end.” — Emmons

Reasons Why the Believer Should be Holy
Edited from 500 Bible Readings, Marsh

Because of what God is.
“The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Ps. 145:17
Because of what He has done.
“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” Lev. 19:2
Because He commands it.
Lev. 19:2
Because of His relationship to us.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” Lev. 20:7
Because of His choice of us.
“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” Lev. 20:26
Because of our relationship to Him.
“They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.” Lev. 21:6

“It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it. Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannons to call attention to their shining. They just shine.” — Moody

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty
Hymn by Reginald Heber

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in power, in love and purity.

4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Destiny of Holiness
Oswald Chambers, Edited from My Utmost for His Highest, Sept. 1

The preaching of the Gospel awakens an intense resentment because it reveals that I am unholy. God has one destined end for mankind through holiness.

His one aim is the production of saints… He did not come to save men out of pity. He came to save men because He had created them to be holy. The Atonement He gave is the way God can put me back into perfect union with Himself, without sin’s shadow, through the death of Jesus Christ.

Never tolerate, through sympathy with yourself or others, any practice that is not in keeping in line with a holy God. Holiness means unsullied walking with the feet, unsullied talking with the tongue, and unsullied thinking with the mind. Every detail of our lives is under God’s scrutiny. Holiness is not only what God gives me, but what I show others that God has helped me to be.

“I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness that remains in him.” — Spurgeon

The BIBLE VIEW #1044 —Grief

In This Issue:
The Definition of Grief
Grief

Volume: 1044 April 13, 2026
Theme: Grief

Sign-up at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M to receive the DAILY VIEW devotion. The daily e-mail includes a KJV chapter, a short devotion on something taught in that chapter, and more spiritual food for the hungry soul. Start your day with some good news from the Bible!

A Definition of Grief
Dr. Hewlett

Grief can be the effect of wounded affection and the effect of discovered, but undeserved, unkindness. It is the pang a mother feels when she first learns that the child of her fervent prayers and cherished hopes has become profane and profligate (“morally unrestrained”). It is the throbbing emotion of the generous heart when thwarted or interrupted in the benevolent design it has conceived.

“Grief drives men into habits of serious reflections, sharpens understanding, and softens the heart.” — John Adams

Grief
Bill Brinkworth

For much of my saved life, I have been around and ministered to older people and those with special needs. As can be expected with those folks and all others, death visited many of their loved ones.

After the passing of someone who meant a lot to them, I tried to comfort and encourage them. However, after the loss of my wife of 37 years, I now have a better understanding of the grief they were experiencing.

I believed I was being compassionate and helpful, but after experiencing what it was like to lose someone close to me, I realized that I was not as understanding as I should have been.

As is often the case when God allows one to go through a problem, I have lately been exposed to others who have also recently lost someone close to them. I have noticed that people handle their loss or emotions differently.

Without warning, tremendous bouts of sadness bring torrents of tears to many. Perhaps the sight of another person, activity, or thing brings back memories that trigger more sadness.

Many experience anger, guilt, confusion, lack of enthusiasm, and some may find themselves not wanting to be around others. Many notice their decision-making and thinking abilities are diminished. The overwhelming acquiring of duties that the deceased used to do may also bring on more grief.

Those not going through the heart-wrenching sadness of loss wonder why the grief-burdened person does not ”just get over it” and have no idea what it is like to lose a child, friend, or spouse that had meant so much to them or to handle overbearing challenges. Some never “get over it,” and pangs of sadness or immense anxiety continue to torment one’s thoughts and behaviors.

I have talked to one who lost her husband almost two decades ago, and she still has not “gotten over it.” That deceased person was a part of her life, and now she stands all alone, missing an integral part of hersself.

The thoughtless “get over it” attitude just won’t work with someone who spent a lifetime loving and living with a person, raising a child, or not having the changes or difficulties they are now facing. In many cases, the deceased person made the surviving person more complete, and now they feel like half a person.

Since it seems God is allowing me to encounter many grieving people crossing my path, it would be helpful to know what the Bible teaches on the subject.

Although every person handles grief differently, as far as I have been able to find, there is no quick three or four-step process to fix or shorten one’s grieving process according to the Bible. However, one can find more about the subject in God’s Word, which can be encouraging to those disturbed by a mountain of distress and help them realize the naturalness of their grief and anxiety.

It is found in the scriptures that:

God can be grieved. Since we are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), we have many physical, mental, and emotional traits that our Creator has. There is a divine purpose for our having the ability to grieve and be heavily troubled over certain situations.
“And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Genesis 6:6 God was broken-hearted that His creation was given over to great wickedness continually.
“How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!” Psalm 78:40 The people of Israel knew what was expected of them, but they lied, disobeyed, and did what angered their Lord. Those actions and many, many others broke God’s heart.
The Holy Spirit can be grieved. The Spirit God sent to help mankind can also be grieved over the wrong works of man. The Spirit is made so heavy with grief over what a sinner has done that He will not work in a person’s life, often until that person gets it right with Him.
“But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.” Isaiah 63:10
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

Grief is a natural emotion that most people will experience at some point. It is part of life, but we can learn to handle what happens in our lives by seeing how people in the Bible handled their immense stress.

Job was overcome by grief as God allowed him to endure great testing and trials.
“So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.” Job 2:13
“Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!” Job 6:2
“Though I speak, my grief is not asswaged [to make something burdensome or less intense, painful or severe] and though: I forbear, what am I eased? “ Job 16:6 Also: Job 16:5-6.
David experienced grief. The pressure brought on from his enemies and the heavy burden from being amidst many troubles, weighed heavily on him.
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. 10 For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.” Psalm 31:9-10 Also: Psalm 6:7.
King Solomon experienced grief. The actions of his wayward son grieved the king; however, he learned that a great sadness in one’s life can be helpful in life’s continuing trials.
“A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.” Proverbs 17:25
“For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” Ecclesiastes 1:18 Also: Eccl. 2:23.
Isaiah experienced grief and prophesied about the Saviour and the grief Jesus would bear.
“In the day shalt thou make thy plant to grow, and in the morning shalt thou make thy seed to flourish: but the harvest shall be a heap in the day of grief and of desperate sorrow.” Isaiah 17:11
“He [Jesus] is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.” Isaiah 17:11 Also: Isaiah 53:10.
Jeremiah experienced grief.
“Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.” Jeremiah 10:19
“Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.” Jeremiah 45:3
Jonah experienced grief.
“And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.” Jonah 4:6
Paul, most likely, experienced grief.
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17
We can grieve over what we have done.
“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.” Genesis 45:5
We can be grieved by what others have done.
“So Jonathan arose from the table in fierce anger, and did eat no meat the second day of the month: for he was grieved for David, because his father had done him shame.” I Samuel 20:34
“And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.” II Samuel 19:2
The wicked may be grieved at the sight of a righteous person. (This may explain why those with liberal philosophies and politics get so mad at those trying to live a righteous life.)
“The wicked shall see it (Psalm 112:1-10), and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.” Psalm 112:10

As can be discovered from the Bible, grief can be a result of extreme pressure, changes against one’s beliefs, or after the loss of a loved one. Grieving is a God-given emotion that places a high value on heartache and love and may help some avoid sin or ungodliness.

God would not give us an emotion that would harm us. Perhaps it is a safety valve to enable us to cope with tragedy or change. There is no easy fix for the mental pain it can cause. Again, each sufferer handles grief differently.

When I found myself thinking and doing things that were not normal for me after the loss of my wife, a loved one brought to my attention, “You are not going crazy, it is just grief.” There is no predefined way one will handle grief; it just happens.

Grief is an emotion that puts a high value on life, doing the right thing, and directs some to respect life more. The loss of a loved one also keeps our temporary life on Earth in perspective. We are just pilgrims passing through this life, awaiting and occupying it, hopefully for the cause of Christ, until it is our turn to leave.

“Grief teaches the steadiest minds to waver.” — Sophocles

The BIBLE VIEW #1043 —Jesus

In This Issue:
Who Is Jesus?
Why Jesus’ Death Is So Important

Volume: 1043 April 6, 2026
Theme: Jesus

Who Is Jesus?
Bill Brinkworth

Today, Jesus is the\ key to anyone getting into Heaven. Since having faith in Jesus and what He has done for us is important, it is essential to know who He is and what He has done. Here is some of what the Bible says about Jesus, the Saviour of mankind:

Jesus was the prophesied Messiah that God promised to send. Some of the 300-plus prophecies about the Messiah include:

It was prophesied about 599 B. C. (years before Christ was born), that the Messiah (“anointed”, “consecrated one”) would come from the lineage of King David (Jer. 23:5-6, Mat. 1:1, Luke 3:23-38, Acts 13:22).
Jesus’ purpose was foretold to His earthly father (Joseph) before Christ was born (Mat. 1:21).
It was foretold more than 1,020 years B. C., that man’s Saviour would ask God why His heavenly Father turned His head and did not stop Christ’s death. (Psalm 22:1, Mat. 27:46)
It was foretold approximately 1,020 years B. C., that the Messiah would have His hands and feet pierced. (Ps. 22:16, John 20:25)
It was prophesied, at least 1,020 years B.C., that the Saviour would not have any of His bones broken. (Psalm 34:20, John 19:36)
It was also foretold about 1,020 years B. C., that the Son of God would not say a word to His prosecutors. (Isaiah 53:7, Mat. 26:63)

Jesus preached and taught God’s message. (Mat. 4:17, Mat. 4:23, John 7:16)

Jesus performed miracles. He did things only a divine person could do.

Lepers were healed. (Mat. 8:3, Luke 17:11-19)
Jesus healed the lame. (John 5:8, Mat. 15:30)
Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52).
Jesus healed a paralyzed man (Mat. 9:2-8).
Jesus healed a man with a withered hand (Mark 3:1-5).
Jesus raised the dead (Luke 7:11-16).
Jesus cast out demons (Mat. 12:22-37, Mark 5:13).
Jesus walked on water (Mat. 14:22-33).
Jesus knew the thoughts of the people around Him. (Mat. 12:25)
Jesus rose from the dead (Mat. 28:2-10, Luke 24:34) and appeared to many after He rose from the dead (John 20:26-29, John 21:1-2).
Jesus ascended back to Heaven. (Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:51, Acts 1:9-11)
He performed many more miracles (John 21:25).

Jesus is God’s only son. This is why He could do all the miracles He did.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (John 3:18, John 4:15, I John 4:9, Acts 3:13, Mat. 16:20, Mat. 8:29)

Why Jesus is so important:

Jesus was sent so that man would know the Truth and not have to live in sin.
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12 “Darkness” is referring to sin. When a person is saved, he no longer has to sin. Sin is always a choice. Knowing the truth from God’s Word can keep us from making the wrong choices.
Jesus is man’s only way to Heaven.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6 (John 10:9, Acts 16:31, Rom. 10:9, Acts 15:11, Gal. 2:16)
Jesus’ death on the Cross is the only payment for man’s sin that God will accept. One’s good deeds, kindness, goodness, traditions, or following religious ordinances and rules will not get anyone to Heaven!
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:1 (I Thes. 4:14, Heb. 2:9, Ephesians 5:2, Titus 2:14, I Tim. 2:6, Mat. 28:20)

Jesus was God in the flesh. Jesus and God are one! This is part of the teaching of the Trinity. God is three in one — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30 (Philippians 2:6, I John 5:7)

Jesus was sinless. Only one born supernaturally, as was Christ, could be without sin. Jesus’ sinlessness was necessary so He could be an acceptable payment for our sins. Only Jesus was sinless. All others born on Earth are guilty of iniquity.
“And being made perfect, he [Jesus] became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Heb. 5:9 (Heb. 9:14, I Peter 1:19)

Jesus was God’s gift to man.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23 (John 13:3, John 8:42, John 12:44)

Jesus was not just a man, as some claim. He was God in the flesh come down to Earth to die for man’s sins. All who believe and accept what Jesus did for them, when He died on the Cross and rose again from the dead, can be saved.

That is why making Jesus one’s personal Saviour from the punishment for our sins is so important. Jesus is the only way anyone will get to heaven. There is nothing we can do to earn Heaven. It has all been done for us by Jesus. All we have to do is believe He died for us, believe that He rose again from the dead on the third day, and ask Him to be our Saviour. If you have never been saved, and you believe Jesus died for you and rose again, you can ask Him to be your Saviour right now!
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9

Why Jesus’ Death Is So Important
Bill Brinkworth

When asked, the majority of professing Christians would acknowledge that Jesus died for their sins. But if asked why that was important, most would shrug and be unable to explain.

From man’s beginning, as recorded in Genesis, it is found that our first parents, Adam and Eve, were sinners. Because of their sin of disobedience to God, as promised, death entered the human race.
“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:17

To cover their nakedness after they sinned, God killed animals to provide covering for them. Since this first sacrifice foreshadowed what Christ would do for humanity, who was called the “Lamb of God,” the sacrifice was most likely a sheep. From the first sin, blood had to be shed because of sin.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Gen. 3:21

Side note: Many of the references to Lamb in the New Testament, where capitalized, as they are proper nouns referring to a person — Christ.

Throughout the Old Testament, blood continued to be shed to cover humankind’s iniquities. The offering had to be repeated because it did not permanently cover the people’s sins.

The blood of animals, such as sheep, goats, bulls, and birds, was sacrificed as an offering for people’s transgressions against God. Eventually, God made laws (from Genesis to Leviticus) detailing how offerings should be made and when.

After more sin was committed or during certain times of the year, blood again had to be offered as a sacrifice for personal and Israel’s sins. Animals were sacrificed to cover humankind’s transgressions. That is what God insisted. If there was no blood sacrifice, there was no forgiveness of iniquity.

Those sacrifices were not a good work to earn anyone Heaven. No one can earn an eternity with God. Salvation from Hell is a gift that God gives to those who trust and believe what Jesus did for them.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Disobedience to God’s laws continued. At times, God’s laws were not followed.

God, however, not wanting any to perish offered a permanent sacrifice to cover all iniquity’s violators. That gift was the blood of God’s only son, Jesus. After realizing one’s sinfulness and knowing without that payment for their iniquities one would go to Hell, one can escape eternal punishment by trusting Jesus’ sacrifice for what they did against God.
“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Trusting Christ’s payment for our iniquities is the only way to pay our sin-debt to God. After asking Jesus to save, any sinner can be saved and spared an eternally tormenting Hell.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
“I [Jesus] am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4

The majority of man-made religions teach that there are other ways to obtain Heaven. Some declare that following their ordinances, doing good deeds, baptism, praying to dead saints of the past, rituals, and many other works will earn one Heaven, please God and then He will let them into His Heaven. They will not!

Jesus paid a tremendous price for our sins — His life. By accepting His free gift, one can have God’s promise of Heaven. It is the only way. Have you asked and trusted Christ to be your Saviour?
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

“This is the very essence of true salvation — personally living with a personal Savior, personally trusting a personal Redeemer, personally crying out to a personal Intercessor, and receiving personal answers from a Person who loves us, and who manifests Himself to us.” — Spurgeon