Most have heard about or played the game 'Monopoly'. The whole goal of the game is to end up with the most money and property, but at at any time you could lose your property, money, or end up in 'jail'; but, if you were lucky enough to draw a 'get out of jail' free card, you could avoid spending time in jail and get back to earning money/buying property. Monopoly is just a game, but it is a representation of the real world. What is sad is that many who profess to be Christians, treat the grace of God like a 'get out jail free' card. That they they can play-'live'- anyway they want and when they get in trouble, they can just pull 'the card'-"God's forgiving", and they 'promise' to do right, but instead of truly repenting and changing, they continue to live a life of sin, disobeying the commandments of God resting on the fact that God is merciful. There are some biblical promises where the main point has nothing to do with man's response to the gospel but everything to do with God's work towards man. The issue of salvation is a 'free gift' from God, now free does not mean it didn't cost anything. Our freedom is the most costly thing to ever be bought/sold. Our freedom was bought with the sacrificed Blood of Jesus Christ. "Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while were were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:5-8 Yes, people must respond with faith to the offer of God and believe in His Son, but at the end of the day our salvation comes from God. We can't work our way to heaven; but we can mostly definitely work our way 'out' of heaven. "Once saved always saved" is one of the most debated doctrines in the Christian world today, but what does the Bible say? One one end of the debate are those who believe in the 'once saved always saved' and they base this belief on a couple of passages, one being John 3:15, "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." They interpret this to mean that once a person believes, that the fact that it says they 'have eternal life' indicates it's an eternal decision that can't be 'undone'. Another major verse in the 'once saved always saved' doctrine is Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thin, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Again, from this verse many believe that once a person believes and has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that it is impossible for a person to lose their salvation. Others on the opposite end of the debate, believe that it is possible to lose your salvation, here are a few of their arguments against the 'once saved always saved' belief: The parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15 is used in the argument against the always saved doctrine. They believe this passage means that all three of the different soils which represented a person's internal heart/soul) were saved from the moment the seed was dropped/planted; and that the seed that fell on shallow ground and was taken up by Satan is proof that people can lose their salvation. But one has to ask themselves is this really what this parable means? One has to remember and take into consideration the WHOLE counsel of God, because if you don't it's so easy to take one scripture and create a whole new doctrine that conflicts with other passages in the Word of God. At surface level it would seem that there are 'contraindications' in the Bible. There are competing passages that DO indicate that salvation is eternal and impossible to lose and there other passages that warn reported 'believers' that they do not 'forfeit' their salvation by continuing to live sinful lives. So which is it? Can a person who was once saved lose their salvation? The purpose of this post is not necessarily to dispute this issue, but I have to bring it up as it relates to the purpose of this post, but I will discuss my belief and why I believe this. First, I do believe that when a person 'truly' believes and are gifted with the Holy Spirit that they are saved always. So on the surface I do believe the 'once saved always saved', but I do believe that there are many who profess to be Christians who are not really and they are the ones who are at risk of 'losing out' on the free give of salvation. I believe that a person can go through the motions of becoming a Christian, confess that Jesus is Lord, get water baptized, go to church services, volunteer in the church/community, give and do, but they are doing all this in the flesh, and are not really saved in the way the Bible says people are really saved. How do I come to this conclusion? From the scriptures. Everyone is familiar with the story of Judas, the betrayer. He is one example of a person who walked in the flesh WITH Jesus, but was not truly one of Jesus's saved. When Jesus called Judas, Judas was part of the 12 disciples, he was given all the same instructions as the others, he walked and talked with Jesus for those three years, and Jesus DID NOT dispute the fact that Judas was an actual member of the elite 12. Now here some will say, 'see this is an example of a person being saved and then losing their salvation.' But I don't agree with this. The bible makes it very clear that a truly regenerated, born again, Holy Spirit filled person cannot one day just decide, "You know what, this Christianity thing isn't working for me." and then go on to live a life completely contrary to the Word of God, and then decide to come back later in life. This is shown in Hebrews 6:4-6, "For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." There is a superficial response to the gospel that doesn't penetrate to the true heart of a person or a real response to the Gospel which leads to a completely new person, a new mind, a new heart, and the work of their hands leads to produce a hundredfold. People who believe they are Christians are warned to, "Test-Examine yourself as to whether you are truly of the faith." 2 Corinthians 13:5; and John, in 1 John 2:18-19 was talking to a church body of 'believers' when he gave this instruction; and in another place, it talks about some members who left but they were never really apart of the body to begin with in 1 John, they were 'anti-christs'-those who profess to be Christian but really are servants of their real master the devil,"They-the false believers/anti-christs- went out from us, but they were not of us; for IF THEY HAD BEEN OF US, they would have continued with us." The fact that those people, those who had once been a part of the church body, could leave and did leave, was proof they were not truly regenerated/born again Christians. Christ tells us that when we believe, we are 'reborn', so if a person could lose their salvation and gain it back again, it's like saying the person gets re-birthed again and again and this is clearly not shown in the scriptures. The re-birth is a one time event, not something to be entered in over and over again. Now this is not to be confused with 'growing up' a Christian. When a person is 'born again' ,they are a new creature, but just like a new born baby, there are 'baby' Christians. A new born Christian has to be nurtured and raised up just like a baby, the new Christian has to learn and abide in Christ, they must walk out and build their faith. One other scripture that makes me believe in the false Christian is from Jesus's own words in Matthew Chapter 7 verse 21-23, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. MANY will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness." What really stands out to me is the fact that these people actually had some power to cast out demons, prophesy, and do other miraculous things but Jesus still doesn't know them; and the fact that they were doing actual 'good' things, but they were only good on the surface. It would appear that the power these people did not come from God, but from Satan who is able to give his followers, 'puppet' powers, but they do not compare to the powers of All Mighty God! This is true as can be seen in the Old testament, with the story of Moses. When Moses went to confront Pharaoh, Moses performed some miracles but Pharaohs evil wizards did some too. So we can see that just because someone can perform miracles does not mean they are getting that power from God. Actually real Christians are warned not to believe what they 'see' because that is exactly how Satan is going to 'deceive' many, even the elect, by his counterfeit and lying 'wonders/miracles'. Jesus that Satan will deceive even the elect, Judas was an elected one, many are called but only a few are chosen, 'who ever' believes means that salvation is open to everyone, but the sad truth is many chose to reject Christ and instead embrace the lies and distortions of Satan Jesus was teaching to the multitudes "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there many who many go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are FEW who find it". Matthew 7:13-14. The Bible clearly talks about false religions and false doctrines. Paul and the others frequently had to dispute those who would twist the scriptures for their own gain. This leads me to real point of this post, Are you truly a Child or God or not. This is the one question that every human being must know as it relates to their very life now and the life to come. I believe the greatest heresy in the Church today is that you can live anyway you want and God is OK with it because 'once saved always saved' and that God's grace 'covers' their sin'. This false belief is evident in the growing actively practicing homosexual pastors/leaders in the church, fornicators, greedy, selfish, and just down right evil in the churches today. Pastors on TV saying nothing is wrong with practicing same sex behaviors, because God 'created them that way'. Pastors and other leaders in the church being convicted for sex crimes, for financial crimes, committing adultery, sleeping around with members, child sexual and physical abuse is the dark secret in the church, young women who dress like prostitutes in the church services all the while praising God, church members who regularly lie, cheat, gossip, engage in immoral practices, but then go to church every Wednesday and Sunday and truly believe what they are doing is okay, no repentance or turning away from sin, they believe that God 'understands' them and He forgives them and that 'going to church' clears them of their wrong doing. I remember talking once to a man who was in a homosexual relationship. I told him about the love of God and how God does not approve of homosexual behavior, that it is just one of many different sins that He died to rescue us from. The man replied to me, "Oh, I believe in god, and I believe 'in my heart' that God approves of me and my lover, because we have 'real love' for one another." This is what many practicing homosexuals believe. But the Bible is clear, the heart of man is DESPERATELY WICKED, and that men deceive themselves into believing that they can live their life anyway they want and won't have to suffer any consequences for it; many believe that grace is their, 'get out of hell free' card, but the bible warns the danger of believing this way, "Do not be deceived, the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God-neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Becoming a Christian does not mean we won't sin anymore, but it does mean we will sin less and the more we partner and walk truly with God we will cling less to the sin nature and more to God. We are told that if we believe we are without sin we already sinning by believing a lie. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God, but God is quick to forgive us, but we CANNOT use this fact- God's love, forgiveness, and mercy for us- as a license to sin. "Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have, You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, " The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? But He gives more grace, Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom." James 4:1-9. And if you are still thinking grace allows you to live anyway you want, heed this other warning in Hebrews 10, starting at verse 26: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE NO LONGER REMAINS A SACRIFICE FOR SINS, but a certain fearful expectations of judgement, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, count the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of Grace?" Being an enemy of the One True and Omnipotent Holy God is beyond human imagination. One can think, stupidly, that they can handle hell or they are not afraid of God, but it is crystal clear in the Word of God that, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God". Hebrews 10:31. God often 'cloaks' His deity in His physical interactions with His creation, He had to because no human eyes could really see Him an live, and just a little taste of His true self caused faithful men to feel great terror. In the Old Testament, men of God, men who were walking with God, at times in His presence, felt utter doom, for example Abraham in Genesis 15 verse 12, he is sleeping when a 'horror and great darkness fell upon him." ;and in another place, Hebrews 12:18-21 is talking about the time of Moses in the chapter of Exodus when God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments written on stone,before Jesus's sacrifice the people could not approach or touch the mountain of God that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet and the voice of words, so that those who heard it begged that the word should not be spoken to them anymore. (For they could not endure what was commanded: "And it so much as a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned or shot with an arrow."And so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, "I am exceedingly afraid and trembling.") and one other verse about God, "But He is unique, and who can make Him change? And whatever His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such things are with Him. Therefore I am terrified at His presence; When I consider this, I am afraid of Him. For God made my heart weak, and the Almighty terrifies me; Because I was not cut off from the presence of darkness, and He did not hide deep darkness from my face." Job 23:13-17. This is the question God is asking of all of us. Will we not fear Him, He Who's very breath is what gives man life. He who formed all the worlds, the sun the moon, all of nature's natural laws, He did all this with a thought and a word. We cannot hide our sin from Him. God is omnipresent, He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will repeat the warning given for all who call themselves Christian: There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the unrepentant wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth. The Good News is Salvation is a free gift from God, you can't work for it or buy because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ. and Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Romans 5:5-8; John 3:15;Romans 8:38-39;Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15; Hebrews 6:4-6;2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 2:18-19; Matthew 7:21-23;Matthew 7:13-14;1 Corinthians 6:9-10: James 4:1-9; Hebrews 10:26-29; Hebrews 10:31; Exodus 33:20; Geneisis 15:12; Hebrews 12:1-24; Job 23:13-17 references: http://www.gotquestions.org/once-saved-always-saved.html http://www.anointedlinks.com/once_saved.html
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The many tragedies that are continuing to plague humanity are just one move on the spiritual chess board of the real game of life between good and evil. Satan and his minions are orchestrating the coming world domination and ushering in the ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. The recent killing of police in Dallas, Texas, the bombings in Baghdad, the killing of unarmed black and white men around the US, the killings in Chicago, the daily killings reported in every state of the US and around the world shows the truth spoken of in the Bible. There is not one day that passes where someone is not being killed by the hands of man. The tweets and Facebook posts, the Instagram and other social media postings are full of people asking, "why", calling for "change". While people are so focused on the external events happening all around the world, Satan is creeping up in the back alleys and secret meetings in high places. He wants the world to focus on things they cannot change; it keeps them 'busy' (BEING UNDER SATAN'S YOKE) and distracted from his real agenda. EVERY MINUTE SOMEONE IN THE WORLD IS BEING KILLED BY ANOTHER HUMAN The solution to the violence in the US and the World WILL NOT be solved by any social policy, any governmental legislation, any laws, any marching, any protesting, any cultural training, any calls for action, or any other man made solution. The problem is not the guns or the bombs or the poisons or the tanks or the bats or the ropes or the knives or whatever else a person will use to kill another human being. IT IS THE HEART OF MAN THAT IS THE PROBLEM! You could take away all the known weapons in the world today, and man would still find some other way to do harm to one another. There would be a rise in physical altercations, stranglings; and there is the fact that any furniture or any other physical object can be used to inflict fatal bodily harm, you don't have to have a gun. Guns only make killing easier, but taking them away will not solve or change the problem. The temporary ruler of this world will not allow real peace, and those who reject Christ are subject to Satan's authority. "We know that we (born again Christians) are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." 1 John 5:19. Hate, evil, and rejection of the True God is what leads people to harming/killing other people. Plain and simple and there are plenty of law abiding citizens who own lots of guns but they are not running around shooting people. The gun is just a tool, how it's used depends on the person yielding it. All people are born with a sin nature, it's our inheritance from Adam. The only solution to defeating our sin nature is to believe in/on Jesus Christ. No good and honest, God loving, and peaceful person is going around shooting, hurting, or killing people. There is no such thing as a Christian who does violence on a regular basis and that's OK with God. Now I am not talking about in war time/battles or self defense. I am talking about murder. Some will bring up the story of David; They say, 'David killed Uriah and he was still OK with God'. No, God was not 'OK' with the sins David committed; Yes, he was forgiven for what he did, but he was also punished and suffered the consequences of that sin- his baby from the sin with Bathsheba died, his sons died and his kingdom ended up being divided. "Don't be deceived God is not mocked, you will reap what you sow." Galatians 6:7. When you have men and women being raised without knowing God, without instructions from the Word of God, but instead they are being taught and indoctrinated with demonic doctrines like 'there is no God', or that man just evolved from a puddle of mud, that there are no absolute moral laws, that 'man is god', or 'all religions lead to god' what do you expect? It is amazing why people of the world marvel at WHY we continue to have violence. There are symposiums/conferences/debates/seminars/study of human behavior- all done to get to the issue of 'why are men violent?' They waste their time and money on this pursuit because the Bible explains perfectly 'why' men are the way they are. Part of the deception is that belief that 'deep down' people are good. This is a lie from the pit of hell. Every human born is born with sin, and this sin nature is nurtured and shaped by the world we live in. There is no amount of psychological therapy or medications that will change the nature of man. When kids from birth are brought up being desensitized to violence, why is the world surprised when we have the Columbine/Virginia Tech/ Sandy Hooks, and other terrible incidents and every other violent act perpetrated by young adults and teens? The willful ignorance of people who allow and buy their children to play violent video games and to watch violent movies is just part of Satan's agenda. The more violent the game the more it sells, not to adults but to teens and pre-teens. I WILL NOT SET ANYTHING WICKED BEFORE MY EYES PSALM 101:3 It does not take a rocket scientist or child psychologist to understand that when a young developing mind is exposed to horrors and bloody gore and extreme violence on a regular basis in the movies and games that those images will affect that child's view of violence. People are killed on a daily basis, but because death has become so common and is literally shoved 'in our face' with very graphic depictions of all kinds of violence and the resulting blood, torn apart body parts and other gore, it's no wonder when we hear/see a story of a family of five that is brutally murdered, we don't even blink an eye, we may say contrite things like, "that's so sad". But we change the channel and start watching our favorite reality show, completely forgetting the story of the killings. I am not surprised at this fact, because the Jesus said that in the last days, the hearts of many would grow cold. And the evidence of these cold hearts is all over the world. The marches and vigils, what purpose do they serve? Now I am not talking about prayer vigils because there is power in praying to God. I'm talking about the secular vigils. Yes, they are good for 'heart' felt stories but otherwise what actual effect do they do to change the policies and the hearts of men? It's so easy to just protest but not actually do anything about what you are protesting. That's all we have today, just talk, talk, talk; President Obama 'talked' about the tragedy, the Governor of Texas 'talked' about the tragedy. "There needs to be 'round tables' to 'talk' about the issues". Talking is NOT going to change anything. Where is the action? What is being done to address the underlying issues that lead men and women to harbor hate in their hearts instead of love? It is written, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, "but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works" Show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works." James 2:14-18. That's what have a lot of today, faith, but no works, talk/marches but no other actions. It is sad that mankind rejects to listen to God and obey His commands, but what is even sadder is seeing the solemn and downcast faces at the vigils around the world, they are standing there with their lights and tears and signs, crying for justice, crying for peace, but what they don't get is all of that will not penetrate into the darkness in men's souls. But their cries and desires for peace are exactly what is going to leave them open to the rule of Satan, because he will promise peace and he will put policies in place that on the surface 'look' like they are bringing peace to the world, but this is just a smoke screen, a falsehood, and bamboozle, a great deception. NOTHING good comes from Satan, he can only imitate goodness but behind the veil it's nothing but abominations. The same people who will march under the banner "Black Lives Matter" or "All lives Matter" will walk right past a homeless person asking for help without a second's thought. If 'All lives matter' why are organizations that are serving the homeless, the orphans, the hungry- have to beg for assistance? If love abounded in this nation why do we have millions of homeless but at the same time we have people living in mansions with 15 bathrooms and half-million dollar homes, celebrities spending $35,000 a month for a one bedroom apartment in Manhattan, dinners with the President are $1000 a plate? You would think in the neighborhoods that have million dollar homes could spare the extra money to go towards their nearby impoverished neighborhoods where evil breeds like a disease due to the lack of normal opportunities afforded those with money, but no. The evidence is startling clear in every major city. You can 'tell' when you have gone from the rich and predominantly 'white' neighborhoods into the 'black/Latino" neighborhoods. If the streets are maintained by the city, why are the streets in poor neighborhoods who are in the same county riddled with potholes where as in the 'nice' neighborhoods are as smooth as glass? The inequalities that are evident throughout the world is another calculated part of Satan's one world order. 'Keep the people fighting, divided, mistrusting each other so they won't see what I'm doing'. Take the police killing for instance. Police are supposed to protect and serve but when they no longer can be trusted to do this, then what? People start to become vigilantes and this leads to anarchy. And the catch 22 is, police are what keeps the growing criminal element at bay and if police start to fear for their own lives because of the vigilantes, then they pull back and the criminal element is free to rain terror where ever they want. This truth is evident in predominantly black and mexican neighborhoods that have no police presence, violence and evil gangs control those neighborhoods leaving the good people feeling like they are hostages in their own city. When the local police can't be trusted the government will need to step in with martial law and control. Here is an exert from C.S. Lewis's "Screw Taper Letters" that is a chilling but possible accurate portrayal of what happens behind the veil, in the spirit world. The characters of this book are demons and the premise of the story is how they carry out their work of 'saving' souls for their 'lord' Satan in this world. One of the lead demons is named Screwtape, he is giving instructions/encouragement/chastisements to his underling demon named Wormwood. Wormwood is assigned to a human and his job is to influence the human to reject Christ and follow the devil. The book flows like an ongoing conversation between the two demons on Wormwood's progress with the human he is assigned to. One of the responses I believe describes perfectly what is going on in the spirit world and how it effects the real visible world. Screwtape is talking to Wormwood about one his 'status' reports, pg 8: "It is a little bit disappointing to expect a detailed report on your work and to receive instead such a vague rhapsody as your last letter. You say you are "delirious with joy" because the European humans have started another of their wars...For the first time in your career you have tasted the wine which is the reward of all our labors-the anguish of a human soul-and it has gone to your head. I can hardly blame you...Did not the patient respond to some of your terror-pictures of the future? Did you work in some good self-pitying glances at the happy past?-some fine thrills in the pit of his stomach, were there?...if by steady and cool-headed application here and now you can finally secure his soul, he will then be your forever-a brim-full living chalice of despair and horror and astonishment which you can raise to your lips as often as you please. So do not allow any temporary excitement to distract you from the real business of undermining faith and preventing the formation of virtues...Of course a war is entertaining. The immediate fear and suffering of the humans is a legitimate and pleasing refreshment for our myriads of toiling workers. But what permanent good does it do to us unless we make use of it for bringing souls to our 'Father' below?..... "How much better for us if all humans died in costly nursing homes amid doctors who lie, nurses who lie, friends who lie, as we have trained them, promising life to the dying, encouraging the belief that sickness excuses every indulgence, and even, if our workers know their job, withholding all suggestions of a priest lest it should betray to the sick man his true condition! And how disastrous for us is the continual remembrance of death which war enforces. One of our best weapons, contented worldliness, is rendered useless." YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, AND THE DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER YOU WANT TO DO. HE WAS A MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, AND DOES NOT STAND IN THE TRUTH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO TRUTH IN HIM. JOHN 8:44 In the last days they will be lovers of self... boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving...without self control....headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-4 They are dead in trespasses and sins, in which they walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in sons of disobedience;who conduct themselves in the lusts of the flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Ephesians 2:1-3 Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are thoughts of inquiry; Wasting and destruction are in their paths. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their ways; they have made themselves crooked paths; Whoever takes that way shall not know peace. Isaiah 59:7-8 When will the killing of innocent babies in the womb end? When will police stop killing unarmed men and women? When will Muslims stop blowing themselves and others up with them? When will the gangs put down the machine guns/shotguns/handguns? When will North Korea destroy their long range missiles ? When will China disband it's million man army? When will men stop murdering their wives/girlfriends? When will people stop killing themselves and each other? When will selfishness and greed end? When will racism, classicism, sexism, and all other forms of hatred end? Men delude themselves thinking we are going to 'evolve' into some Star Trek like era. There is nothing in human history that shows we learn from our mistakes. Matter of fact history only proves what the Bible has said all along, MAN IS INCAPABLE OF SAVING THEMSELVES! The only way to get to a Star Trek like world would be to do away with the sin nature of man. And this is impossible in men's strength. Men are powerless against the bondage of sin. Mankind is doomed to repeat the same mistakes until the One Who was predestined to permanently fix the problem with mankind returns. I would love to be wrong, but I believe God and what He has said in His Word, The Bible warns of the Great Tribulation coming to test those who remain on the earth, and if those days had not been shortened THERE WOULD BE NO FLESH LEFT ON EARTH!! Christians should not be alarmed or dismayed at the death that is reigning on the earth right now. And the fact that the leaders of the world are calling for 'peace' should cause every Christian's spiritual antennas to rise up because the Bible says not only will there be 'no peace' but the violence we see now will increase exponentially. So as nice as it is to march for peace, if you believe in God, we already KNOW that there will no peace, only ongoing blood shed and violence. Because the hearts of men are desperately wicked and that is not going to change with any human efforts or self will. When will true, lasting peace on earth actually come? WHEN JESUS CHRIST RETURNS!!! Jesus is going to return to gather His saints, those who have not been deceived by the devil nor worshiped the son of perdition. Christians can pray for peace in the world, but we all need to really think is that what is needed right now? This world is not our home. We already know that peace is not going to come in this world until Jesus brings it with His new kingdom. We should be praying for the strength to stand and be courageous as times continue to get worse. To continue to go out and spread the gospel, praying for strength and power to do this good work, pray for discernment to know good from evil-This is not my own sayings but what is clearly instructed in the Word of God.
There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth. The Good News is Salvation is a free gift from God, you can't work for it or buy because the price has already been paid with the Blood of Jesus Christ. and Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW. 1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Galatians 6:7; Psalm 101:3; Matthew 24:12; Revelations 21:2-4; Revelation 19:11-16;James 2:14-18; Ephesians 6:12; 1 John 5:19; John 8:44; Ephesian 2:1-3; Isaiah 59:7-8; 2 Timothy 3:1-4 references: "The Screwtape Letters" By C.S. Lewis 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No evil' is a common saying, but many people do not know that it has pagan origins. It's a proverb and the two most common interpretations as per information on Wikipedia:
Many people have a heart, sight, and hearing problem. I'm not talking about people who are actually blind or deaf or have heart disease, but those who have physical eyes/ears/hearts that have not been damaged by disease or accident; the corneas are working properly, light reflects as it's supposed to, transmitting and processing the images from the outside world through the eye into the brain/the hearing components appropriately transmit the sounds into the brain; and the physical heart is pumping life giving blood through the body appropriately. Many will pass an eye exam, or be prescribed glasses and with the glasses they can see the world properly; many will pass a hearing test, or be prescribed hearing aids and with the hearing aide they can properly hear the world; many will pass a heart exam, if not they will be given treatments and procedures to help it do its job properly. Even though many can physically see, hear, and their hearts are pumping blood, they are spiritually blind, deaf, and dead as stated by Jesus in Matthew Chapter 13. Jesus stated that the prophecy in Isaiah 6:10, was fulfilled by this generation, that those who disbelieve the gospel of Christ/God may have ears for hearing but do not hear, eyes but they do not see or perceive, and they have no understanding in their heart. This is not any more true than it is today. The world has completely bought into the deceptions of Satan as evidenced by all the problems, abuse in each nation and in the homes. You know the Bible is true when people try to blame the current problems in the world on Christians and the Bible. Really, what does the Bible tell Christians to do? Does it tell Christians to lie, cheat, steal, kill, murder, rape, abuse, take advantage of, hate, despise, ridicule, gossip, that they are better than anyone else? Does the Bible tell Christians to kill, cut of the heads, crucify, burn up, shoot, hang, blow up people who do not believe the Gospel? The answer to both of these questions is unequivocally NO! The Bible instructs Christians to do the EXACT OPPOSITE! and another proof that Isaiah 6:10 is true is that in the current church, those who call themselves Christians but they support and applaud abominable practices like homosexuality and fornication. What is sad is that you can't even tell the difference between most of the churches and the world. True Christians are to be called out, different, peculiar, set apart, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2. What does the word 'conformed' mean? According to Dictionary.com, to 'conform' means : To act in accord with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of society or a group The synonyms for the word conform are: comply with, abide by, obey, observe, follow, keep to, stick to, adhere to, uphold, heed,accept, go along with, fall in with, respect, defer to; satisfy, meet, fulfill When you understand what it means to 'conform', it should bring into understanding the true actions one who calls themselves Christian should engage in. When a person gives their time, talents, and treasures to a subject/project/person/entertainment, what ever, it shows what that person is 'conforming' to. It shows what that person is 'agreeing' to. It shows what that person 'accepts'as being right and OK. For example, you don't agree that having sex outside of marriage is right, but you love to watch movies and TV shows about adultery and fornication. Those who do this say, 'It's OK to watch this kind of stuff, I'm not actually doing it, I know that it's fake, God doesn't care it's just entertainment'. Really, the Bible doesn't have anything to say about what God's people should and should not engage in? Many who say they are Christians go to church services on Saturdays and Sundays, but the rest of the week they live like heathens. God's people are commanded to live HOLY lives EVERYDAY.
Understanding starts in the heart. Now this post is not going to focus too much on the heart issue,but a brief talk about is needed because the condition of a person's heart is how their eyes and ears perceive things in the world. The heart is a very important part of man and is mentioned over a 1000 times in the Bible. There are many different views on what the heart of man is, but for this post I will just point out the most common view. The heart is the core part of a human being, it is comprised of the mind,thoughts, beliefs, morals, desires, and personality of a person. Each person's 'heart' separates them from one another. This is demonstrated in the Parable of the Soils told by Jesus in Matthew Chapter 13 verses 1 through 23. Jesus described four different conditions a person's heart can be in: Wayside Ground, Stony Ground, Thorny Ground, and Good Ground. This is a whole other post by itself, but I am just mentioning it as stated before as a base for talking about the eyes/ears. A persons' own values, upbringing, views. personality,thinking patterns all combine to make them receptive or not receptive to hearing the words of the gospel or hearing from God. There is also the enemy Satan who also plays a part in the shaping of a person's heart. He and his evil minions go about whispering and deceiving and tempting all those who leave themselves open to his evil influence. The Bible says that the heart of men is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things, Jeremiah 17:9. One has to ask themselves are babies born with a wicked heart? This is most definitely debatable, but what the Bible says is all of mankind has been cursed, so yes babies are born with a sin nature, but I don't personally believe that babies start out with a wicked heart. The base nature of all humans is the knowledge of good and evil. The CHOOSING of which side to pick is based on the child rearing and development of the child, but there is a time in every person's life where they have the mental capability to make their own choices, this is called 'the age of accountability'. Now the Bible does not clearly state when this is. Many try to state and teach that it's a fact that the age of accountability is 12 years old, some believe it's 20, but this is not in the Bible. The Bible does say that everyone will have to give an account of their lives. Now God is not a stupid or unfair God. Would a baby who has not lived, not made any decisions have to give the same account as a 90 year old person? Of course not. We don't understand or know how baby's/children are treated other than God does take care of baby's/children who die young. Now only God truly knows the inner core of any person. Some children advance quickly, as can be seen how kids can out think many adults. But what other humans cannot see is the true condition of their heart. Only God knows this. All we can do is conjecture about the issue. If you have two 7 year old kids-one acts like an angel, obeys all their parents directions, doesn't ever break any rules and then you have another 7 year old who disobeys their parents rules, doesn't follow directions. So is one more guilty than the other according to God's standards? One could argue yes, the one who disobeys is the 'bad' one. But here we would be acting as if we are God, because we don't know the inner workings of the one who disobeys. Maybe they don't understand their parents rules, maybe they disagree with their parents rules and think their way is better, does that mean they are doing something bad? It is clear that parents are to 'bring up' 'teach' 'groom' a child, teach them the ways of God. I believe, and I am not saying this is correct, is that every person comes to a point in their life where they truly understand the difference between right and wrong, for some this may be at 5 years old for others it may not be until 21 years old, but when ever that point is in a persons life is only truly known by God. The key word is 'understand'. When a person is told something is wrong, they have the choice to believe it's wrong or not. Because the truth about the human condition has been revealed by God in the Bible and through His creation, even though we are born with a sin nature, He gives us enough information to make the correct choice in rejecting evil and believing good. The heart is built to know good and evil but the conditioning for either side is by nurture and experiences, but the Word of God can break through and change any stony/dead heart. There is much more that can be said about the heart, it's a complicated issue that really could be addressed in a full length novel, but for now, just this brief description is given. There was a movie called 'Shallow Hal', It was a about a guy who was very shallow only looking at the external world for what he thought was beautiful. His 'eyes' only saw what his mind perceived as beautiful, but a motivational speaker changed Hal's 'heart' and he started to see the 'inner' beauty or ugliness of people. He saw the true spirit of the person, not their external physical self. His mind was changed so his eyes perceived things differently. There are some doctors who have given their patients placebo's, harmless/ineffective medications, but the patient is told it's something else and believes it, the patient gets well, thinking it's the pill when it was just their own actions that led to their healing. Thousands of studies are done on human perception. Studies show that animal assisted therapy helps people recovery faster and better. Just being around a dog helped decrease a patient's anxiety and harmful hormones. A lot of mental health problems are caused by irrational and distorted thinking. A person can think they are in danger and their body reacts as if it really is when it's not. The mind is a very powerful thing which is evidenced by the advancement in technology, but the heart/mind is also a conflicted thing as evidenced by the fact that man still suffers from the SAME issues since the beginning of time. If book knowledge was all that man needed, why can't we stop the violence, blood shed, poverty, greed, abuse? Why can't man 'learn' from our mistakes? Because man is cursed and so is the earth, sin entered into the world through one man Adam, this curse is on man and the earth. This is why there is no program, no law, no social study, no science, nothing of mankind that will change the nature of man except God. Only God can remove the curse and He will soon return to do just that. Twilight Zone's Episode: Eye of The Beholder November 1960 "The eye only sees what the mind comprehends." Robertson Davies. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." The truth is we see what we want to see as demonstrated in a Twilight Zone episode where a lady under goes surgery to look 'normal' because in that society distorted faces were considered normal rather than clear undisturbed faces were. The condition of a person's heart sets them up for spiritual victory or spiritual defeat. Take these examples for instance, the Hebrews were rescued miraculously from slavery. They actually 'saw' with their physical eyes, the miracles performed by God, but when it came time for them to enter into the land that God had promised them, 12 men were sent to spy out the land; a majority of the people listened to eleven of the spies who returned and said that there were giants in the land and that they could not overcome them. The majority of the people listened to the spies rather than God. But two had a different 'perspective' of the situation; yes, there were giants in the land, but in their hearts they believed and knew what their God was bigger. Even though Caleb and Joshua had not physically seen God, but could physically see the giants, they still were not afraid or dismayed of them because their heart was right with God. Their mind was conditioned to believe God. Now why is that even though all the Hebrews physically saw God do impossible things, some of them came to their own conclusions about God despite what they had physically seen? I believe it's a combination of free will and the devil's influence. A person is free to think anyway they want, but that doesn't mean that what they think is right. God clearly expects people to 'think' correctly. He does not stand for excuses for faulty thinking, case in point, when the Hebrews choose not to go into the promised land because they believed the 11 spies and were afraid, God punished them by killing immediately the spies who gave the false report and He killed off all those who disbelieved by having them wander in the wilderness for 40 years. The spies and the people who believed them were looking through worldly/blind eyes. Caleb and Joshua were looking through godly eyes. There were many other instances of the Israelite's seeing through worldly/blind eyes. Abraham, through godly eyes, left his country without knowing exactly he was going, he did not look or think about what was going to happen to him, he believed God and he left as God instructed. Now a person does not just forever have godly eyes, it takes diligent and persistent work to stay on the short and narrow road, but we are all human and will slip from time to time as seen by Abraham, a man who is touted with having great faith, but at times that faith was questionable when he lied about his wife being his sister for fear that he would be killed because of her beauty. In those times he was looking through worldly eyes. Another famous Bible character, David, a man noted to be a man after God's own heart. Wow, David really knew God, he had godly eyesight when he killed the bear and lion and then Goliath. David saw beyond the physical Goliath, he saw Goliath through God's eyes, Goliath was nothing compared to God. He continued to have godly eyes when he slew thousands of God's enemies. But one night, a night that would shape the rest of his rule and kingdom, he was not protecting his heart, worldly eyes/mind were in play and the enemy, the one who roams around looking for who he can devour, found a ready and ripe morsel in king David. We are not told about the specific behaviors of David before the infamous 'seeing Bathsheba on the roof incident', we are told he had stayed back from the battle. Before this David was doing mighty things for God, conquering enemy after enemy, God was blessing David with the spoils of war, yet there was an enemy in his camp, 'his self' his flesh and Satan. We are not told much about David's private life, but we do know he prayed a lot but we are not told how often, what religious activities he was involved in, he was just going to war and one day he decided not to go to battle, Why? We are not told why, we can only guess. Was it pride, as he had won so many battles what was the point of going to another, he had capable commanders to do the work for him? We don't know but I don't believe in coincidences. I believe Satan orchestrated the situation knowing David was vulnerable. We are told in previous scriptures that the Spirit of God was with David, that The Spirit had been taken from Saul. So where was the Spirit of God this night? We are not told that 'Satan entered into David, but I wonder if this is what happened, because we are told in Luke Chapter 2 verse 3, that 'Satan entered into Judas'. Now Judas was responsible for deciding to leave Satan an opening to influence his decision to betray Christ, Judas did not even think about his decision, he just did it, the same as David. We are not told that David debated in his mind if he should do this evil act, no he immediately responded to lust with no thought to the consequences what so ever. When we leave ourselves open, Satan can blind our eyes from the truth and consequences. This does not give us an excuse because we being open in the first place is our choice. We are warned over and over to BE ON GUARD! "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2. It is God who gives us a new heart and new mind so that we can see with godly eyes, but He does not lobotomize us, we are not automatons/robots, we still have our free will in conjunction with His. When we have godly eyes, our perspectives about life issues should be different than the worlds. True believers should not fear the terror by night nor the arrow that flies by day-the devil goes around shooting his fiery arrows of wickedness- nor the destruction that lays waste at noonday. We cultivate and fertilize our heart by putting off the old man, and no longer walking in the way of the Gentiles, no longer on the broad road that leads to destruction, instead the Christian is feeding on the good food of the word of God daily, praying daily, walking in faith daily, holy living, and honest work and service to others. Godly eyes affects how we see our problems and situations, it affects our self esteem and courage. The devil has the world fooled and many have the 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No evil' attitude. Their hearts are open to the lies and influence of Satan. When are hearts are right, our eye sight and hearing will perceive and understand the truths of God.
There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The eyes of the wicked need to be opened and the ears unplugged so they can see and hear the truth. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW. 1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Isaiah 42:7 & 16 & 18-20; Mark 8:17-18; Isaiah 6:10; Matthew 13:14: Romans 12:2; Psalm 101:3;1 Thessalonians 5:22; Proverbs 4:14-15; 2 Timothy 2:16; 1 Timothy 6:11; Matthew 13:1-23; Jeremiah 17:9; Numbers Chapter 13 and 14; Luke 2:3; Hebrews 12;1-2; Pslam 91:5-6; Ephesians 6:16; Ephesians 4:27 references: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_wise_monkeys; http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/heart/ https://www.uclahealth.org/pac/Documents/volunteering/PACArticle.pdf http://www.notable-quotes.com/m/mind_quotes.html "Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore", stated Dorothy in the movie 'The Wizard of Oz' which first appeared in theaters in 1939. I agree with Dorothy's line which describes her shock and wonder at realizing she was no longer in a place she recognized, a place that was safe and secure but was now in a place of fantasy complete with talking animals, flying monkeys, witches, and the infamous great Wizard of Oz. I too feel like I have been transported to some fantasy land of make believe characters coming to life. My line is, "Fellow true Christians, I've a feeling we're not in world that wants truth anymore." And the same charade that the Wizard of Oz tried to pull over the eyes of Dorothy and her fellow new friends, the bellowing statements "DON'T LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN, I'M ALL POWERFUL", but in truth there was no real power behind the curtain at all. It was just a smokescreen, an act, the truth was the wizard was just an old, tired, man who had gotten lost and ended up in the land of OZ. That is where we are today. Satan is the new fake 'wizard of Oz', bellowing loudly, "DON'T LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN, I'M ALL POWERFUL" and he has the whole world believing in his deception. Today the Christian world is at odds, there are two debates regarding the current times. Some are saying 'we're not in the last days, you're just crazy'; others are saying 'we are living in the last days, wake up." I am in the camp that believes WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS! The prophecies about 'the end of days' were clearly described by Jesus when His disciples asked in Matthew Chapter 24 verse 3, "What will be the sign of Your coming and the END OF THE AGE?" The prophecies given by Jesus Himself in verses 5 through 14 HAVE BEEN FULFILLED and are BEING FULFILLED in our current life time. The prophecies about the end of days given in 2 Timothy verses 1 through 9 HAVE BEEN FULFILLED AND are BEING FULFILLED. It is amazing how THE FACTS support this, but many ignore them or minimize them of just flat out don't believe them. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see the writing on the wall. One just has to pick up the Bible and turn on the TV, look to all the news stories, walk on the streets, go to the restaurants/bars, go to the concerts, go to the churches, go to the governments, go into the homes of most people, and look into the minds of most people and you will see EXACTLY what the Bible describes as what would be happening in the last days. The fact that many self professing Christians say 'we're not in the last days' PROVES we are, because the Bible says that in the end, many will turn from the faith and instead listen and follow after doctrines of demons, that many will have a 'form of godliness' but no real power, as it is written, "They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me," Isaiah 29:13. Jesus said that when actual literal proof would come-wars/earthquakes/falling away and the fact that He was giving them warning ahead of time of what would be taking place- He is making a point that even then, WITH THE ACTUAL PROOF, THEY STILL WILL NOT BELIEVE! Never before in our history have we seen the Word of God literally come alive like it is now. Churches around the world are falling like a stack of cards, caving into the homosexual/LGBT/satanic agenda with the 'pastors' of these congregations saying foolish things like, "Jesus didn't say anything about homosexuals." WHAT??? Jesus did not have to spell out each and every sin when it was already mentioned elsewhere in the Bible! Jesus didn't say anything about 'not lying', so does that mean we can lie???Jesus did not say specifically 'thou shall not forninate', so does this mean we can engage in sexual immorality??? Jesus did not say anything about witchcraft, so does this mean we can practice sorcery, follow the occult??? Jesus was God 'IN THE FLESH'; the same God who gave the Mosaic Law to the Hebrews. The SAME laws that Jesus followed and demonstrated and gave even more stringent interpretation of it, like when He talked specifically about a few of the laws like adultery in Matthew Chapter 5 verse 27 and 28 "You have heard it said of old, 'Thou shall not commit adultery', but I say that whoever LOOKs at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Sexual sins are the worst sins to commit and those who preach and teach that Jesus did not say anything about sexual sin, are completely ignoring and twisting what is clearly written in the scriptures. In Mark Chapter 7, Jesus was correcting, once again, the evil hypocritical Pharisees and Scribes who were trying to wrongly accuse His disciples of defiling themselves for not washing their hands while eating bread. Jesus quickly set the record straight that's it's not what is outside the body that defiles, it's what is inside that does. So if Jesus was 'cool' with every kind of life style, why would He say ANYTHING about being 'defiled' or that He was coming to treat 'THE SICK'? What does it mean to be defiled or sick in Jesus's eyes? A person who truly wants to discern the Word of God, knows that you use the Bible to interpret the Bible, not man's interpretation of the Bible (this is why we have so many different sects, people are following after the doctrines of men). The concept of being 'defiled' relates to the issue of being unclean, the concept of being clean/unclean first showed up in the Old Testament Chapter of Leviticus Chapter 5 verse 2, but it really began before that. From the beginning in Genesis Chapter 3, Adam and Eve sinned. But what is interesting, not anywhere does God call what they did 'sin'. He didn't need to because at the end of the day, ALL SIN is disobedience to God's laws. The issue of 'disobedience to God's laws' is called different things throughout the Bible but the meaning is always the same-disobedience to God's laws. The first sin committed in the Garden of Eden, God did not call it 'sin' but it was sin all the same. God said "Because you have disobeyed Me when I told you not to eat of the Tree". So in Genesis, sin was called DISOBEDIENCE. The first time the word 'sin' is used is in the next chapter, with Cain, who committed the first murder. Now from the beginning of Genesis to the Chapter before Cain slew his brother, it is not written that God had told Adam or Eve to 'not kill'. So how would Cain have known what he did was wrong? Why would he be concerned about the others killing him? God did not have to tell Cain what he did was wrong, God did not even say, Cain you murdered your brother" because God did not have to STATE THE OBVIOUS!! That is one of issues with this current wicked generation, they say that God approves of same sex unions, which is completely ridiculous, they believe because Jesus did not say, "It's wrong for men to have sex with men and for women to have sex with women" that Jesus/God are ok with homosexuality. Jesus did not have to say this because it is OBVIOUS in all the other laws that describe what sexual impurities are; and when He stated that what comes out a man is what defiles him, what exactly did Jesus mean when He said a person could be defiled? He meant unclean, wicked, unholy, sick, evil, depraved, abominable and He listed/named specific sins in Mark 7:20," For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed EVIL thoughts, ADULTERIES, SEXUAL IMMORALITY, FORNICATIONS, MURDERS, THEFTS, COVETOUSNESS, WICKEDNESS, DECEIT, LEWDNESS, BLASPHEMY, PRIDE, ENVY, FOOLISHNESS, ALL THESE EVIL THINGS COME FROM WITHIN AND DEFILE A MAN." Jesus called these actions evil, He did not excuse them or say they were ok, no He called them EVIL and WICKED. Jesus did not have to explain the definitions of what sexual immorality, murder, theft, etc meant. The meanings are OBVIOUS. The term 'sexual immoralities was one word to describe ALL MANNERS OF SEXUAL SIN THAT WAS PUNISHABLE BY DEATH IN THE OLD TESTAMENT; and God describes exactly what He means by 'sexual immorality' in Leviticus Chapter 18- the sexual sins were INCEST, PEDOPHILIA, FORNICATION, ADULTERY, HOMOSEXUALITY, BEASTIALITY, AND POLYGAMY- God called ALL of these sexual sins an ABOMINATION. Homosexuals are without excuse, for the very creation of Man and Woman is a testament to truth of What God said, when He made them 'man' and 'woman' and told them to go and fill the earth, that is, to have sex, man with woman to propagate the world. The very bodies of man and women attest to the truth of God's specific creation of the sexes. Men's private parts are perfectly fitted into woman's private parts. It truly takes a sick and twisted mind to look at God's physical attributes given to men and women and think that it is normal that two men or two women having sexual unions is natural; but that is what we are to think, that God is ok with (I don't mean to offend here, but truth is truth) a man inserting his penis into the anus of another man where feces comes out. That two women who rub against each other or wear prosthetics in mimic of male organs or men and women parading themselves in all manners and forms of lust and lewdness like the 'Girls Gone Wild' and other pornographies; they all believe that God is ok with these lifestyles. Just typing this is making me sick to my stomach. I just bring this point up to describe just how bad we are in the US and the world, this proves we are living in the 'land of Oz'. The fact that 'the church' has embraced homosexualty, lesbiansism, fornication, adulteries, witchcraft, idol worship, and every other kind of wicked sin into the church, the ones who are supposed to know the truth, and yet the truth cannot be found in them. Right now I can hear now the charge, 'You're judging, your wrong to say these things'. So repeating what the Bible says is judging? Show me where it says that Christians are NOT to warn the people about God's coming judgement for SIN? That Christians are NOT to tell the gospel to the whole world? 'Well, Jesus said don't judge or you will judged yourself!' What did Jesus really mean in Matthew Chapter 7 starting with verse 1, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged, it will be measured to you." They stop here, 'see you telling me I'm a sinner you are judging me'. You can't stop at just a few verses, you have to take in all the verses to get the right context because the next verses explain what Jesus is talking about when He says, "don't judge"; "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! FIRST REMOVE THE PLANK FROM YOUR OWN EYE, AND THEN YOU WILL SEE CLEARLY TO REMOVE THE SPECK FROM YOUR BROTHER'S EYE." Jesus was talking about being a hypocrite, telling people not to sin, but you are sinning worse than the person you're telling not to sin. That is why it is critical for Christians to examine ourselves. How can we give a testimony about Christ if we are living fowl? WE CAN'T! We are to told to live a life of holiness, committed to God, blameless, pure." Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth" and here, "PREACH THE WORD! BE READY IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON, CONVINCE, REBUKE, EXHORT, WITH ALL LONGSUFFERING AND TEACHING, FOR THE TIME WILL COME WHEN THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, BUT ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN DESIRES, BECAUSE THEY HAVE ITCHING EARS, THEY WILL HEAP FOR THEMSELVES TEACHERS, AND THEY WILL TURN THEIR EARS AWAY FROM THE TRUTH, AND BE TURNED TO FABLES". 2 Timothy 4:2-3. esus said the wicked WILL NOT enter into the kingdom prepared for those who obey God and have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. He does not say, "It's ok to violate God's laws, come on in to heaven, I accept everyone no matter what they do." No the words of Jesus to the wicked is, "Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels..And these will go away into everlasting punishment." Matthew 25:41 & 46; I'm also in the camp who believe the first five seals in Revelation Chapter 6 have been broken and we are now in the last chapter where the Great Tribulation is going to begin to pick up speed, Satan will be revealed and when this happens ALL BETS ARE OFF, real Hell on earth will begin, and the fence that many are straddling-(I believe in God but I want to live anyway I want)- will be utterly destroyed, you are either with God or with Satan, YOU WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE!!! Jesus says it is those will endure this time of great trouble who will be saved. He did not say He will rescue them out, He said if 'they endure' and are not deceived by all the false prophets and false christs, and then by the father of lies, Satan himself that His people would be saved. So from the very beginning GOD'S NATURAL LAWS, BEFORE THE MOSAIC LAW, God's natural, absolute moral laws were already in the hearts of men!!Every human being is born with intrinsic knowledge of good versus evil. Before any lessons from parents or books, this truth is evident in all humans. Watch a playground of two and three year olds, how they will look around to see if anyone is looking and then sneak to do something and when they are caught they know they are guilty but they don't yet have the ability to speak fully yet. We are all born with a basic moral code, but in order for this code to mature, it must be nurtured according the laws of God. "Train up a child in the way they should go and even when they are old, they will never depart from it." Proverbs 22:6. Parents to teach their children about God and discipline in love. You can see the catastrophic consequences of not following God's directions for child rearing in today's lost youth. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for young adults age 15 to 24. Why are the young ones believing there is nothing to live for when they haven't' even LIVED yet? Why are millions of kids addicted to mind altering drugs? Why are 7 year olds sexting? The answer is clear, most were not raised in God fearing homes. I know that there are some who have been raised in God fearing homes who do go the way of the prodigal' child, but the vast majority are not brought up in bible believing/bible following Christian homes. What does this have to do with the 'end of days'? The bible says that in the last days people would reject the truths of their fathers and follow after demons. Studies show that the kids graduating from high school today, those who grew up in Christian homes, when they get to college or leave the home, they are dropping the faith they grew up with and instead embracing every other satanic/demonic doctrine that their 'itching' ears can accept, they flock to what ever religion/belief/that best 'fits' what they think, many do not believe there any absolute moral laws, they have bought into the lie that humans are nothing but evolved animals with natural instincts to fornicate, lie, cheat, bribe, or do anything to get ahead, because it's 'survival of the fittest'. Christians are instructed to admonish/warn/teach/command/exhort. So how would we know when we need to rebuke/correct/admonish/warn someone?- It's when we can see the person is NOT living up to the standards of God. We are to warn those who live contrary to God's laws, if they don't know what God's laws are, we have to explain it to them and explain what the consequences are of violating them. The following slides are just a few of the 'birth pains' Jesus said would be happening in the world before His return. The sinful acts that will committed by the world and the earth itself will start to disintegrate. All this information is from CURRENT headlines in the news reports that are easily found by anyone willing to look for them past all the 'distractions' that are purposely in place to distract people from the truth for example, why is 'Beyonce is picking out a new set of clothes' FRONT PAGE NEWS?. There are many many more signs that we are in the last days, but this post is so long already, there is not enough room to capture them all, this is a just a small snapshot of the millions of stories/images, on the complete breakdown of humanity and this world as it readies itself for the coming Satanic rule: There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Isaiah 29:13; 2 Timothy Chapter 3, Matthew 15:8-9; Matthew 5:27-28; Matthew 5:27-28; Leviticus Chapter 18 and Chapter 5:2; 2 Timothy 4:2-3; Proverbs 8:1-3; Matthew Chapter 24; Matthew Chapter 25; Revelation Chapter 6; John 16:2-3; Proverbs 22:6 references: https://barna.org/research/culture-media/research-release/americas-new-moral-code#.V2MxePkrIdU http://www.historytoday.com/blog/2011/07/alarming-increase-wars http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/ https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/20/armed-conflict-deaths-increase-syria-iraq-afghanistan-yemen http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/21/justice/gang-membership-increase/ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-murder-a-minute/ http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/131056/1/9789241564779_eng.pdf?ua=1&ua=1 http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/ http://caliser.com/when-selfies-go-wrong-deadly-selfies/2/ https://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/04/millennials-see-themselves-as-greedy-self-absorbed-and-wasteful-study-finds http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/18/health/scientists-explore-the-molding-of-children-s-morals.html?pagewanted=all http://www.equalitynow.org/node/1010 https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/why-so-many-us-lie-cheat-and-steal http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21699116-how-combat-dangerous-rise-antibiotic-resistance-when-drugs-donu2019t-work http://www.drugfree.org/newsroom/national-study-confirms-teen-drug-use-trending-in-wrong-direction-marijuana-ecstasy-use-up-since-2008-parents-feel-ill-equipped-to-respond/ Many today are going about their daily lives acting as if, 'all is alright in the world'; eating and drinking and making merry, partying, clubbing, being entertained and spending countless time and resources on mindless/unholy/addicting movies and TV shows like Scandal or the NBA/NFL, the American Idol type shows, or they are completely oblivious to what is going on in the world because their minds and souls are enslaved by drugs and alcohol and abominable sexual lusts/passions. While the world and America is being euthanized, the satanic 'one world government' is being set up right before our very eyes; and yet most do not even care or even want to see the truth. Adolf Hitler, one of the most evil men in human history made some very chilling but true statements, one of them so perfectly describes the American people it is downright chilling, "How fortunate for governments that the people they administer don't THINK." Myself and many others are crying out for the people to: Those of us who see the writing on the wall are labeled 'crazy', 'conspiracy nuts', 'pessimists'. Many of the people who don't believe us claim to be Christians. It is strange how one could call themselves 'Christian' and read the Bible, which talks about a coming 'One World Government' with 'one' leader, Satan, and still not believe. They ignore, disbelieve all the many signs all over the world of a culmination of the behind the scenes and the not-so-behind the scenes plans to bring to fruition what has been clearly prophesied by Jesus, Daniel, Isaiah, Paul, and fully explained in Revelations of a 'coming one world government'. Right now, at this very moment, laws are being passed, and statues are being put in place to usher in this one world government. Just as the Bible predicted thousands of years ago. We were not told the exact 'how' this one world government would come about except that there will be a 'world war 3', and satan will rise up from this last world war to be the fake 'savior' of the world. Do you think the Bible is a just a book full of fairy tales, make believe stories? What more proof do you need? There are scientific, verifiable evidence of the very real events predicted in the Bible in the Old Testament and the New that did come to pass like the destruction of Jerusalem and Babylon, and other ancient pagan empires like the Medes/Persians. And how can a 'Christian' ignore/not see that the prediction about the LAST DAY in 2 Timothy Chapter 2 verses 1 through 14 EXACTLY describes the current state of the human race. Yes, there are some passages that are metaphorical, but in others it is absolutely talking about actual events that have and will take place. Most Americans are not paying attention to the life altering, all critical fact that we are on the tipping point of the most important times in human history. The very freedoms that made America great are systematically being taken away, one law, one unrighteous judgement at a time to usher in the satanic one world government. But Jesus said before Satan is revealed: "For then there will be great tribulation, such as not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor shall be." Matthew 24:21 Why am writing about this? Because Jesus told me and those who call themselves Christians to. Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom (to include the coming tribulation and what it entails) WILL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE WORLD AS A WITNESS TO ALL THE NATIONS, AND THEN THE END WILL COME." Matthew 24:14. Those who have the truth are not to keep it hidden under a basket, but to yell it from the roof tops! "It is the fool who thinks he cannot be fooled." quoted Joey Skaggs a famous American prankster. Those who don't believe we are living in the last days say things like: 'All you 'doomsdayers' are crazy, stop trying to scare people with your war mongering you are stupid and idiots and haters of mankind. oh God will not hurt America or the world, He is God of love and peace, you are being critical and judgemental by telling people they need to repent from their sins or they will go hell, that's mean and unloving. God loves all people and He will not send any one to hell. America is not going end, that's impossible, we have a great military.THERE IS NO COMING ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT.' So, there have been no talks or statements, or actions to unite the world under one governing body? Really? You can pull film after film of US Government Presidents since Woodrow Wilson and other leaders making statements about 'The New WORLD ORDER'. The first attempts in our time to unite the world under one government began with the creation of the League of Nations which failed and the U.N. was born in 1945 after World War 2. Since the beginning, Satan has been a deceiver and liar, but he can present himself as an angel of light. The Bible tells us that he, Satan, will fool the world through 'peace'. It was the concern for 'peace' in the world that the U.N. was founded, The Universal Governing Body. Since then, it has been the building blocks for the coming new world order. It's interesting that at the beginning there were only 51 countries who signed up to participate in the U.N. Now there are over 193. And the mantra has always been, 'peace, peace, we only want peace.' The U.N. has propagated its "New Universal Agenda". The headquarters of the U.N. is in New York. The complex was completed in 1952. Another very interesting fact is John D. Rockefeller, one of the most famous/richest men in American history, is the one who donated the land for the U.N. to be housed on. Here is one of his quotes: Your eyes don't deceive you, he said, 'world government'. Hitler may have been evil incarnate, he did have some very poignant statements that are very true about the human condition: Another puppet of Satan was a man by the name of Edward Bernays, he was called, "The Father of Public Relations", and was named as on of the top 100 influential persons in the 20th Century by Life Magazine, and was the author of a book called 'Propaganda', which argued that the manipulation of the masses was necessary for democracy. It was his beliefs and actions that were the birth of our current lying and deceiving news/media/advertising organizations. Mr. Bernays believed and propagated that 'the elite' were to control and manipulate the public through the public media. He viewed 'the masses as being 'irrational' and 'animalistic'; he too had a vision of a 'world wide utopian society', that could be "harnessed and channeled by a corporate elite for economic benefit." "Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of." Wikipedia. Hitler's Nazi Regime was not the first to try to take over the world, it was just one of many others who had 'world domination' on their minds. What makes you think that there will not be another? History shows us over and over, someone always wants to take over the world. It's not a movie or a fictional concept. What is the current problem with ISIS/Muslims? They want the world to be under complete Islamic rule. They are not content with just staying in Africa, no they want to take over the WORLD! It's no secret they want to set up a World Caliphate. It is amazing how 'blind' the American people are, and our 'president' shakes hands, gives millions to OUR ENEMIES! 'Islam is a religion of peace'. What??? It's so easy to get off topic with this subject. Back to the purpose of this post. The coming one world government. Steps to move everything -money, power, authority, trading, communications, monitoring, policing, religion-, everything under one global elite system IS in process. One area that is currently in the news, in the US, a few senators are trying to put a stop to President Obama's plan to turn over US leadership authority of the technical functions of the internet domain name system (DNS) to the 'global Internet multistakeholder community'. This has probably gone over many peoples heads, many don't even understand what this means or are even aware of it, and even if they do know they don't care saying, 'It's no big deal'. I won't go fully into how serious this is, you can click the links below to read for yourself: Protecting Internet Freedom Act. The point of bring this up is the internet is one of the greatest inventions mankind as designed. It has allowed unprecedented communication, education and has given people access to information they normally would not have. But there is a difference between the US and other countries when it comes to internet usage. For now, America is free, the internet is free, content has free range. Now I might not agree with everything that is on the internet such as pornography, but I completely understand the fact that if it's going to be free it must be completely free or not free at all. I believe completely in the freedom of speech, even the depraved, hate spewing speech, because they are free to say what they want and I am free to say what I want. But there are some who don't like the fact that America has freedom of speech. Even some 'Americans' want to put limits on 'freedom of speech'. Laws are being passed making it a law that preachers can't call sin, sin; that they can't say, 'homosexuals and all sinners who won't repent are going to hell'. This is sad day for America. When people are told what they can and can't say, we are no longer a free country but a dictatorship. This move by Obama places the control of the Internet into unknown global hands. Dictator ran countries like China, Russia, North Korea, Iraq and others most definitely restrict and monitor what information their citizens can access on the internet. What's so sad is those in America who want internet restrictions/freedom of speech restrictions just don't get the fact they can say/post/create stupid and asinine stuff is BECAUSE they have the FREEDOM to do so in the US! Many of the things done and said on American communication avenues like the internet/TV/social media is not allowed in those other countries. But the order of today in the US is everyone-except Christians- can say and do what ever they want. A young woman can wear the scantiest two piece bathing suit and walk down the street and there is nothing wrong with that, it doesn't matter if it offends others, she has a 'right' to wear what she wants. Oh, but I can't say to her, 'your exposure offends me'. It's okay for sinners to offend but not for Christians to call what they are doing sin and tell them the consequence of sin. The internet is one the most important tools used in the world today, people do their banking, money transactions, correspondence, even medical records are now being stored electronically and transferred through the internet, private information is stored in the internet. It is important for the global elite to take control of this very powerful and influential tool. This is the world we are living in now, it is ripe for the picking, for Satan to stand up and take charge, his harvest is full. One other story and I will close. The 'Universal Agenda ' that was enacted by the U.N. in September 2015. One of their goals:
This sound great, like utopia, the false belief that mankind can save themselves, and make the world into a peaceful, 'star track' like community. People, we have history to show WE ARE INCAPABLE of saving ourselves. What this 'agenda' does not address are the UNDERLYING reasons we have ongoing problems like poverty/war/violence/hatred/genocide in the first place. You would think we would have learned our lesson by now, surely if we are 'evolved' beings, should we not have evolved into living better? It's survival of the fittest right? Would not all the 'weak' genes be killed off and only the best of the best, the elite be living? Obviously the answer is NO, we are not evolved beings, we were created by God, and cursed by God. And this curse is every person who ever lived, that is why we have THE SAME problems we have had since the beginning of time: 'poverty/war/violence/hatred/genocide'. There has NEVER been a time since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden has mankind seen complete peace, no poverty, everyone is happy, NEVER. There is ALWAYS some war, some poverty, some disease, some murder, some bad thing happening to people. Unless they can solve the 'sin' and 'Satan' problem they will NEVER achieve the goals of Agenda 21. I will end with the warning to all who will listen and hear and obey the truth: There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Revelations the entire Chapter; Matthew 24:21; Matthew 24:14; Timothy Chapter 2 verses 1 through 14 references: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2016/iana-stewardship-transition-proposal-meets-criteria-complete-privatization; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_D._Rockefeller http://www.indiatimes.com/news/india/this-chilling-map-shows-isis-plans-for-world-domination-by-2020_-244010.html http://www.veteranstoday.com/2015/02/17/a-century-of-us-presidents-marching-to-the-beat-of-the-new-world-order/ https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays Fear is one of the most commonly given into emotion that people suffer from today. Fear is not only an emotion but it is also a thought and belief system. Fear includes anxiety, worry, timidness, and doubt. Why do so many who profess to know Christ, suffer from fear? When I first started writing this post, the first thought that came to my mind was the cartoon character/show 'Scooby Do'. This animated cartoon entertained children and adults for years. It's main theme was how the title character Scooby Do, was a 'scaredy cat', as dogs stereotypically are seen as fearless and brave, but Scooby Do acted like a 'cat' instead: fearful, shaking, and quaking at fake monsters/villains. There are two spiritual implications here: the irrational fear of Scooby and the fact that he was scared of unreal monsters. This is the same scenario for Christians; their fear is irrational and they are afraid of unreal, fake 'monsters'. The 'monsters' in Christians lives are mostly fear of the future and fear of the past. It didn't take much for Scooby Do to become terrified and hide under the bed or jump in Scraggy's arms; the actual 'monster' did not even have to be seen, just the 'thought' of hearing about the monster was enough to send Scooby scampering away to hide. This is an example of a very common irrational and distorted thought pattern called 'Fortune Telling'; when a person 'fortune tells' they assume something 'bad' is going to happen, and this thought leads to feelings of fear and anxiety which leads to unhealthy and cowardly behaviors. What does the Bible have to say about fear? The ONLY thing/One that people are to fear is GOD! Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, concluded after experiencing EVERY pleasure, EVERY man-made materials/entertainment, EVERY activity, that at the end of the whole matter, ALL THAT MATTERS is, "FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS." Now, I can hear the arguments, "You don't know what I'm going through. There are things to be scared of like being raped or murdered or losing my job or losing my house or losing my kids or getting a disease". Are these issues to be 'concerned' about? Yes, but Christians are not to be afraid of these things;and, most definitely are not to obsess over them either;and that is what many people do, they obsess and live in a constant state of 'fear', shaking and quaking in their boots at imaginary foes. The truth of the matter comes down to one fact: this kind of fear is disbelief of God, pure and simple. 'Oh, but I do believe there is a God, I just can't help being afraid'. If this is the case, what 'about' 'God' do you believe? No where in any passage or in any verse in the Bible are God's people EVER given the 'ok' to be fearful of anything besides Him. NEVER.
If you are a self confessed Christian struggling with the enemy called fear, God has a very crucial warning in Revelation Chapter 21 verse 8, the very first 'sin' that 'people commit and don't repent of' listed that WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God are 'the cowardly'(fearful, timid); and right after that 'the unbelieving'. These two sins go hand in hand, because it is unbelief that underlies fear-not believing in God or His power or His abilities or His Word. And something to take note of, fearing in the manner discussed so far is a sin. I'm not calling fear sin, the Word of God is calling it sin. So what's the solution?
3. Let Go- "Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you". 1 Peter 5:7 4. SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM- Instead of worrying or being afraid 5. Pray- "The Lord is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous". Proverbs 15:29. "Rejoice Always" and "Pray without ceasing" In EVERYTHING give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18. So don't be anxious, fearful, timid, doubting about ANYTHING. Trust- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart (mind, and soul), And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5 I REPEAT FOR THE FINAL TIME: There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Isaiah 35:3-4;John 14:27;Joshua 1:9; Psalm 27:1; Matthew 6:33-34; Matthew 6:19 and verse 25;Matthew 10:28; Ezekiel 6:8-10; Isaiah 53:4-5;Psalm 30:5;John 16:33;John 16:18;John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6: Matthew 14; Revelation 4:19;Revelation 3:3; 2 Corinthians 7:10; Romans 2:4;1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22; Proverbs 15:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 41:10 references: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scooby-Doo; http://www.christianpost.com/news/5-characteristics-of-true-repentance-to-clear-up-confusion-120018/ One of the headline stories on BBC news today, June 1st, 2016 was the completion of the world's longest underground speed tunnel in Switzerland. What caught my spiritual eye was one of the statements made by someone in the article praised the engineering feat of man. There were spiritual implications throughout this article and connected articles. One statement showcased was from 1882 by then president of Switzerland, Simeon Bavier, "A triumph of art and science, a monument to work and diligence! The barrier which divided nations as fallen, the [Swiss Alps] have been breached. Countries have moved closer to each other, the world market is open!" A triumph of 'art and science-a triumph to evolutionary beliefs. A 'monument to work and diligence- a monument to the work of mankind. 'Countries have moved closer to other, the world market is open' -a monument to the New World Order. Many prominent European leaders were at the opening of the tunnel celebration. Another startling piece of the article talked about how they celebrated the opening of the tunnel with an elaborate show with various entertainers. One of the statements was, "The sacrifices of the tunnel miners who died was also commemorated." Sacrificing human beings in pagan rituals is a common activity throughout history. A long standing legend is that thousands of people were sacrificed and intombed in the Great Wall of China. In the Bible, in the Old Testament, God routinely had the Hebrews annihilate pagan communities because they were sacrificing babies, men, and women. Many believe that sacrificing humans will give them some special power. The only human sacrifice that gives real power was the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. 'There's nothing spiritual about this article or the event, you're crazy'- Oh really, there is nothing 'spiritual' about this event???: Another statement, "The area already has the 34km Loetschberg rail tunnel, which opened in 2007, but this latest engineering feat is being hailed by leading members of the Swiss government 'as being of unprecedented significance'". Unprecedented-man made-feat. Now, one could interpret this to mean it's unprecedented in terms of tunnel making, but that is not how I see this statement. As pointed out the in the very article itself, when the big wigs of government showed up, it proved that there was more to this than just the building of a great tunnel. NOT ONCE was any glory given to God for giving man the abilities to create and build. No, all the glory went to the work of man, the genius of man, how great and wonderful man is. For 17 years, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and over 2000 people worked on building this tunnel. One tunnel. This is 'so great', but unprecedented feat, I think not! The Holy God in His Mighty Power created the Earth and EVERYTHING IN IT, the Moon, The Sun, the uncountable stars, the uncountable galaxies, Space, Time, Gravity, The sky, land, every kind of creature, mankind, the seas, foliage! How dare they call what man has made unprecedented!! God did ALL THIS IS 6 DAYS!!!!!!!Just HIM, not thousands of people helping him. He SPOKE and ALL THESE THINGS CAME INTO EXISTENCE! No drills, no nails, no concrete, no saws or hammers, no sweat, no glue, no boards or mortar. NOTHING COMPARES TO THE POWER OF GOD! NOTHING! There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Genesis Chapters 1 and 2 references: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36416506 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sacrifice Jesus, the one name that is the most praised, ridiculed, blasphemed, mocked, cursed, debated. Jesus is the only historical figure to be so revered and reviled by man. Christianity is the only religion that is routinely demonized and made mockery of. Christians, compared to other religion followers,are more made fun of and belittled than all other religions. Followers of Jesus are called, 'Jesus freaks' 'holly rollers' bible thumpers' 'crazies', but you don't see these same monikers being used to describe other religions like Islam or Buddhism. Muslims follow the quran, which they consider to be their holy book, and they kill and maim people and perform various religious rituals based on their interpretations of it and yet NO ONE calls them "Muslim freaks" or "quran thumpers." It's ironic, when Christians witness to people, if the person doesn't believe, then the true Christian is to 'dust their feet off' and move onto the next person. But if a Muslim approaches you and demands you believe in Allah, and the person doesn't believe, the Muslim doesn't go onto the next person, they chop your head off, blow themselves and others up. Men have tried for centuries to take away the deity of Christ in their various seminars and theories such as 'The Jesus Seminar' or the 'Jesus Movement'; the quran and other religions identify Jesus as just another prophet, or good teacher. And NO religious figure in history has been portrayed so heinously as Jesus Christ. Look at the current blasphemous show on Cartoon Network, 'Black Jesus' and movies like 'Ted' and the popular animated show, 'The Simpsons' and these are just few of thousands of blasphemous shows and movies. Jesus Christ is fair game for the comedians, movies, and shows. And the glaring fact that 'Jesus'/"Jesus Christ' is used in almost every movie since the 1980's and it's not used in a honoring way, but used as a curse word, a byword. Pop in any movie and just wait to see how long it takes before, "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" or the combination of 'Jesus Christ' with the 'f'' word is blurted out by the actor/actors. Why can't the script writers find another word to express frustration, annoyance, surprise? Why don't the script writers write, "OH Buddha, or OH Mohammed" for the actors' lines? Is there a conspiracy to discredit Jesus and the Bible? OF COURSE!!! Satan's plan from the beginning was to discredit God when he deceived Eve in the garden of Eden. Satan hated the fact that man was living in paradise under the protection and guidance of God. If Adam and Eve had obeyed God they would have been able to remain in perfect paradise for the rest of their lives because death only entered into the human race when they sinned. Obey God you get to stay in paradise and live;disobey God you get kicked out of paradise into a hard barren land and you die. The concept of living in Eden did not die when God ejected Adam and Eve out of the garden. God has left a 'life line' to Eden through His statutes, laws, and commandments. Obey God you get life, peace, prosperity, protection, health, protection, God walks and talks with you -just like Eve and Adam got in the garden; disobey God, you get kicked out of God's protection, you get all the curses, destruction, poverty, disease, death, hard labor, and instead of God walking with you, Satan is your blind guide. The literal life line to all that is good is God the Father and Jesus Christ. No other religion, no other being created Eden and its life sustaining properties. There was one Eden, not two, three or a thousand gardens. Just one place where life began. The path to complete health and wellness was through one Person, one way. It is here where Satan understood that it was too easy for mankind to get a touch of Eden if there was just one way. So what better way to get revenge on God and humankind, than to cause confusion, create a duplicate 'garden', that looks similar but doesn't have quite all the characteristics; but don't stop at just one counterfeit garden, no let's create thousands of fake gardens so man will not be able to find the one true garden. Jesus Christ says, "He is the Way, and The Truth, and The Life, and NO ONE comes before the Father except BY HIM. When you compare Christianity to other religious practices, one has to scratch their head in confusion as to 'why in the world do some of them do the things they do?' Walking on glass, cutting their bodies, putting pins and needles in their bodies, eating weird food, putting their bodies through severe calisthenics, piercing their bodies with hooks, getting crucified. I was watching some travel channel like show, and it was showcasing some country village that was celebrating some religious holiday. Part of this religion activities was to place pins and hooks in the body and hang objects off the hooks and walk up a hill bare foot on rough/rocky roads, and it was a sort of competition as the person who could hang the most stuff off their body and make it up the hill the fastest won some type of prize/recognition. As the narrator was talking to the men participating in this, the men had pins all through their body and blood was running down their face and they were laughing and smiling. All I could think is, "They need Jesus." But the Bible explains exactly why people follow after these bizarre religions. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteous, of men, who suppress THE TRUTH in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are CLEARLY seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became FUTILE in their thoughts, and their foolish HEARTS WERE DARKENED. Professing to be wise, THEY BECAME FOOLS, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man- and birds and four-footed animals creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, do DISHONOR THEIR BODIES among themselves, who exchanged the TRUTH OF GOD for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever, Amen." Romans 1:18-25. I am aware of some Christian 'sects' who have strange rituals. The Gospel, as preached by Paul, got him in trouble with the 'Judaizers' because of his preaching about the 'freedoms' in the New Covenant. He debated in Galatians chapter 3 and Acts chapter 15 and other verses, explaining the difference between the Law and Grace, but the Judaizers argued that the gentiles should be keeping the old Mosaic laws too. Paul confirms loud and clear, Christians are under a New Covenant, the Mosaic law was fulfilled and completed by Jesus Christ and His death on the Cross. The law has transformed into something even better, it is now in the hearts of every believer, the law is now even higher than when it was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, because before you could lust after a women and not incur any penalty, but now if a man looks at a woman with lust in his eyes, he is guilty of adultery, which in the Old Testament, this sin would be punished by killing the man and woman, but we are no longer under the Old Testament, we are now under the New Covenant what was created and sealed with the Blood of Jesus Christ. I already know many are going to charge me with being a bigot/hateful for talking about these other 'religions'. This is the world we live in, where common sense and logic have died a tragic death, and now we live in a world where you can't call something that is crazy, crazy, and that's 'crazy'. That's what trips up a lot of folks about the Christian faith. 'It's too easy' so it must not be real. What just say a prayer and get dipped in water and have faith, that's it? Oh no, there HAS to be more to it than that, many think. There is something in man that makes them feel that for something to be important you have to do a lot of steps/actions to make it special. They feel like the more they do, that makes it more 'holier' or worthy to follow. In the Christian faith, everyone is saved on equal ground, there is no such thing as one person is more 'saved' than the other. Now when it comes to rewards for good work, there is a measuring stick. The one's who gave up their very life for Christ will be rewarded way more than someone who just stayed on the couch all of their life, as proven by the words of Jesus in Matthew 19:29, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life." But at the same time, even a person who has many works is no better standing with God than the one who has fewer works for God is no respecter of persons. There are two warnings when it comes to issue of works-the motivation behind the works and the actual performing of works. The simple truth is if a person is truly regenerated, given a new heart by God, their mind renewed by Christ/The Holy Spirit, truly SAVED, it SHOULD lead to good works. There is no such thing a 'lazy Christian' in the Bible. In fact there are some chilling words for those who believe they are Christians but don't work:
The Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14 through 30. Jesus talked about three workers, their boss gave each worker a number of goods(talents) based on each worker's abilities. One worker got 5 talents, one got 2, and the other got 1. The ones who got 5 and 2 put in work and increased the number of talents they each had, but the one who had just gotten 1 talent, did absolutely nothing but bury the talent in the ground. Now this parable translates to fact that God is the boss of His followers, and the goods-talents each Christian is given is the Gospel and the good works. Each Christian worker is equipped by God to perform what God created them to do. Some Christians are given '5' talents, some '2, and some '1'. Now back to the parable, the 1 talent worker, because they were afraid, had buried their talent and they called a 'wicked and lazy' servant. Jesus tells His followers, " You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand and, it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16. Christians who 'hide' their faith and do no works are lazy and wicked. What happened to the worker who buried his talent? His one talent was taken from him and given to the one that had 10 and the wicked servant was cast into outer darkness where, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This should really give Christians who think they can just 'coast' their way into heaven something to be very concerned about. MOTIVATION AND OBLIGATION-What drives you to work for the Lord? Back to the main purpose of this post. Jesus Christ, the ridiculed One, the One beaten and spit upon, the cursed and shunned One. But one day, one day very soon, ALL THE MOCKING WILL STOP! There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Genesis Chapter 2 and 3; Matthew 19:29; Acts 10:34-35; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-11; James 2:14-26; Matthew Chapter 7;Matthew 25:14 through 30; Revelation 19:11-16. Matthew 5:14-16; John 14:6; Romans 1:18-25; Galatians Chapter 3, Acts Chapter 15 was driving to an appointment when an old song by Janet Jackson popped in my head, part of the lyrics are “What have you done for me lately?” The unspoken message is- if you really loved me, you would show it. This got me to thinking about what I have done lately for God? This thinking came from one of my Bible studies on Numbers, an Old Testament chapter of the Bible. Particularly Numbers Chapter 20, God gave through Moses a reminder of all the sacrifices the Hebrew people were to give. Daily, weekly, monthly, yearly. Two words stand out from this chapter, blood and sacrifice. The concept of works is one of most heavily debated issue in the Bible. Why this is such a confused issue is beyond me. What is crystal clear throughout the Bible is that serving God requires constant blood and sacrifice. But from the beginning the sacrifices were not to be compulsory, but were to come from a willing and sacrificial heart. In the Old Testament, the Hebrews had to give daily sacrifices. The command of daily sacrifices did not change in the New Covenant forged through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as evidenced by one of Jesus's commandments in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, AND take up his cross, and follow me." Also in Matthew chapter 6 verse 1,"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as hypocrites do in the synagogues, in the streets (on the social media sites), that they may have glory from men, assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do no let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly." Notice the underlined words, 'when you do'. Jesus does not say 'if' you do charitable deeds, it's when; which indicates an assumption that His followers will doing charitable deeds. The issue most debated is how one gets saved or gets to go to heaven/paradise in the first place. Some believe you have to work your way to salvation. That their 'good' works will get them into heaven. The Bible makes is clear that there is absolutely no way a regular man's work can ever reach the standards of a Holy and Omnipotent God. This is what the Bible has to say about man's 'good works', "We are ALL infected and impure with sin. And all our 'righteous' deeds are nothing but filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6. It is faith in Jesus Christ and faith alone that saves. But the issue of salvation and walking out the Christian faith are two different things as pointed out in James 2:17, "Faith WITHOUT works is dead." The issue is NO ONE can 'work' their way to heaven. It is not the works that save, works PROVE that you are saved. "Then the King will say those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father inherit the kingdom of prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and YOU GAVE ME FOOD; I was thirsty and YOU GAVE ME DRINK; I was a stranger and YOU TOOK ME IN; I was naked and YOU CLOTHED ME; I was sick, and YOU VISITED ME; I was in prison and YOU CAME TO ME.' Then the righteous will answer Him saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give your drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, in inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:34-40. Jesus immediately follows this verse to tell the people who did not do things to go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous get to go into eternal life. Jesus says the 'righteous' are those who serve others. Not the selfish or prideful or sinful. The righteous alone inherit the kingdom of God. The key to issue of 'works', is what is your 'motivation' for doing what you are doing. If you are working for selfish gains, to please others, your 'good works' will be burnt up in the Judgement. "Each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of 'what sort it is'. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures the fire, he will receive a reward". 1 Corinthians 3:13-14. Living the true Christian life is not easy, actually it's impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit. Over and over again throughout the Bible, it is clear that man, no matter how hard they try, cannot love and obey God as they should. The flesh is very powerful and it takes a power greater than it to overcome our spiritual dilemma because: the heart of man is desperately wicked; the thoughts of man are futile; the works of man are like filthy rags; those who live according the flesh are slaves to sin; the natural man does not accept the things of God; Jesus Christ gave a promise that after He went back to His Father, that His Father, God, would send back a 'helper' who would abide with His followers forever. The Holy Spirit guides, teaches, admonishes, and empowers those who believe on Christ. It is God who equips us to live the Christian life. " I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME." There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Matthew 16:24, Number 20, Matthew 6:1, Isaiah 64:6, James Chapter 2, Matthew 25:34-46. 1 Corinthians 3:13-14; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 94:11; Romans 8:5-7; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 14:16; Philippians 4:13 and 2:12-13; Matthew 20:28 God has been putting many messages on my heart lately because the hour is late, time is running out, things are picking up exponentially; quickly to usher in the external short reign of Satan. And most are not ready. When you read the Word of God, most of His commands are crystal clear, no ambiguity, you don't have to wonder, "What does He mean here?" One such command is Jesus's GREAT COMMISSION to His followers in the chapters of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, "GO therefore and MAKE DISCIPLES of all the nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the FATHER and SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT." Matthew 28:19. and again in Mark 16:15-16," GO into ALL THE WORLD, and PREACH the gospel to EVERY creature. He who believes and is BAPTIZED will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned."; and in Luke 24:46-47,"Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS should be PREACHED in His name to ALL NATIONS, beginning at Jerusalem." I think one of the greatest heresies today is the direction given by many churches today. It is in some of the study type Bibles that have sidebars with information. It is given in classes on evangelism. It is the direction to 'share your faith'. Now I know that it's about semantics. But what does The Word say? Does it say 'share your faith'? Do semantics matter to God? You can bet your life on it. How about in Numbers Chapter 20 starting at verse 7. God had commanded Moses, to SPEAK to the rock in order for water to come out. "Take the rod; you and your brother. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water', but a few verses later Moses had a different idea about getting water, in anger, he struck the rock with his rod. Just like Moses and other people from the past and the people today think they can change a command to fit what they think, and they think it's OK with God. Was God OK with Moses doing something different? What's wrong with striking the rock instead of speaking to it, the water came out either way. What's wrong is Moses disobeyed God, pure and simple. And he was punished for it. Matter of fact throughout the Bible, it is shown over and over that God is NOT OK with changing any of His laws. In fact, there is a warning to those who add to or take away from this God given Bible, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If ANYONE adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, 'God shall TAKE AWAY his part from the BOOK OF LIFE, from the HOLY CITY, and from the things that are written in this book." Revelation 22:18-19. Why are Christians today confused about what Christ wants them to do? Christ did NOT tell His followers to, GO TO CHURCH when it comes to preaching to THE LOST! No where in the Bible does it say, "BRING THE UNSAVED TO CHURCH". Throughout the New testament, the disciples went OUT into the cities and countrysides; After Christ ascended back into Heaven, the disciples went OUT into the cities and country sides, spreading the gospel from town to town. Church congregations were planted in cities, but they were not the vehicle for preaching the gospel to THE LOST. The apostles went to the Synagogues and taught about Christ, The apostles taught about Christ wherever they went; the unbelievers did not go to apostles or to the places where the church members were gathering to "hear the word." Christ went to the lost. The lost came to Him, but at that time, for the wrong reasons as revealed by Jesus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs"- Jesus told the many who were following them they should believe He was The Christ based on a number of proofs one of them being the great signs/miracles He was doing-Jesus is saying that these unsaved people were not following Him because they wanted to learn more about Christ- Jesus goes on to reveal the real reason they were following Him,"Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, NOT because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled." John 6:26. Many churches today have 'programs' to reach the lost; They direct their members to invite their unsaved friends and family to a pancake breakfast, or a luncheon, or some churches offer free food after the service. I am not saying these actions in of themselves are wrong. This message is about what Christ gave as the Great Commission. He did not say to bring your unsaved friends and family to a church function. Jesus said GO OUT INTO THE WORLD and teach them The Gospel. So what about those churches who tell their members to 'share the gospel'? There are a number of churches who do go into the neighborhoods, the streets handing out gospel tracts, there are some who stand on street corners proclaiming the gospel. But something is obviously missing. The statistics of the number of true converts from these methods is very low. Now on the one hand, this would be expected because Jesus does tell us that "narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and FEW find it". But let's look at what the Word of God reveals about the effects of REAL evangelism. First Jesus clearly identifies true believers in Mark 16, verse 17," And these signs will follow those who believe: In My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." These 'powers' came from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It was because of these signs/wonders and the teaching of the Gospel, that 3000 souls were added to the church body from the first message. "And the Lord added daily those who were being saved." There are many churches today who preach that these powers are no longer available. To have this belief you have to 'take away' from the scriptures. Some do go out and preach the gospel, but it is without the power of the Holy Spirit. This is why churches have a hard time getting converts and getting its members to actually proclaim the gospel outside of a church service. The excuses are, "I don't know how", "I'm not comfortable", "I don't know enough" "Every Christian doesn't have to share the gospel that's only for preachers". Now it is true that each member of God's family has a different role to play, some are teachers, some are preachers, some are healers, some are prophets, some are elders and deacons. But we have to go back to what did Jesus say? Did He say, "Only the teachers and preachers are to go out into the world." Many churches have "How to Evangelize" classes, there are numerous books/tracts/instructions on how to share the gospel. Some say, you need to have a 'story' of how you came to Christ-ALL of these are the instructions of man, man's opinions. It is GOD who empowers His followers with all power and ability to do what He has called us to do. Paul stresses the importance of when preaching to the lost in 1 Corinthians 2:2, that it is Christ Crucified and Christ Crucified alone is the message, not your personal story. Where does it say that we are tell our personal story when trying to reach the lost? The only time anything of our own thought process that comes into play is when it comes to if you are asked why you believe as written in 1 Peter 3:5." I will present the counter argument to the main arguments presented by the churches today about 'going to church'. Again, no where in the Bible does it tell sinners to go to church to get saved. Research it yourself. Do not just go off what I or some preacher says. The verse that is used to promote the lie about 'going to church' is Hebrews 10:25, some Bibles translate this passage to state, "Do not 'forsake the assembling of ourselves', as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Some Bible versions actually have, "go to church services". It is this verse that they say, "Ha, see you are supposed to go to church." But does the 'the assembling of ourselves' have anything to do with saving the lost? No. and Secondly, does this statement mean, 'go to church'? You do not need to know Greek to find out the original words that are used to translate from the original Bible sources. There are free programs that are available to anyone with a computer and a desire to get to the truth. There are those who believe you have to go to seminary or Bible college to be able to teach/understand the Word. Please again, show me, where in the Bible does it say that MAN will teach you all things? No, THE HOLY SPIRIT will teach you all things. But back to the issue, the original Hebrew word that the verbiage 'assembling of ourselves' is translated from is ''episunagógé". It means 'a gathering together'. Now, you could assume that this means that church members should meet together because it is true that believers need to be together on this earth so we can support and exhort one another. The early church met DAILY in the houses, in the temples, they sold their possessions and lived communally. 'Corporate' worship was mostly in the houses. But no where in the Bible did the early church members, 'go to church'. They fellowshiped one with another and they took care of each other's needs. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, an in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart." Acts 2:42-46. Now let's look at the words here in this passage starting at verse 44- 'Now all who believed 'were together'. Is the original word ''episunagógé" used here in verse 44? No, it is not. The original Greek words here are "én" which means 'agree' and "epi"- these two Greek words are translated in this verse 'were together', but these particular Greek words can have different meaning depending the context of the whole passage. But here it is CLEARLY not the "gathering together" that is mentioned in Hebrews 10:25. The early church members, regularly 'met together' but it was not labeled as a 'church meeting, church service'. Sometimes it was hear Paul and other teaching, sometimes it was for a mean, sometimes it was worshiping, hearing a prophecy, disciplining errant believers, doing good works like caring for the poor/widow/orphans. My point in drilling down on this is to call out the the heresy that you have to 'go to church' to be saved or that the lost are supposed to be brought to church to get saved. Let's look back at the original Greek word in Hebrews 10 that the 'do not forsake the assembling of ourselves' comes from, ''episunagógé" . Now this word ''episunagógé" is only found in TWO places throughout the Bible. Just two. That other word combination for 'together' is found in 896 times in the Bible. As another writer on this subject pointed out, if you have a word that is only used a few times in the Bible, it must be really special. Good and honest study of the scriptures means you do not take away any parts of the Bible; every verse, every doctrine, every interpretation has to be taken into context with the WHOLE Bible and surrounding verses, because it is very easy to misinterpret a single verse. In fact that is how we have so many different Christian denominations and sects. They all take one or two verses of the Bible and they create a whole new doctrine based on those verses; and their 'new' doctrine contradicts other scriptures in the Bible. Most churches today say you have to go to church based on the Hebrews verse. But does ''episunagógé" say 'go to church'? It does not, and if you look at the surrounding verses and the other place in the Bible the word is used, you get a clear meaning of the word ''episunagógé" . You have to start at the beginning of Hebrews Chapter 10. Was Paul talking about church gatherings in this chapter? No! Paul starts this chapter off reminding us that the LAW could not SAVE us, it was just a shadow of the good things to come, that the commandments of the animal sacrifices was not enough to take away sin. This chapter is explaining the importance of how the New Covenant was brought into fruition by the shed blood of Jesus and that now our sins can be forgiven, but that does not give us a license to sin or live anyway we want; the ''episunagógé" is the phrase for when Christ is returning to gather His people before the Wrath of God is fully poured out on this wicked world, The DAY OF THE LORD. This is commonly referred to as The Rapture. Paul describes what THE DAY OF LORD is all about in 1 Thessalonians Chapters 4:16, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first... and that true believers are not of darkness, and God has not appointed His true believers to wrath." 1 Thessalonians 5:9. The Greek word ''episunagógé" in found in chapter 2 verse 1 of Thessalonians, which is the one other place the word ''episunagógé" is found: "Now, brethren, concerning THE COMING OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST and 'OUR GATHERING TO HIM {''episunagógé" }, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled." This is the only other place in the bible that the word ''episunagógé" is found. The people who believe that Hebrews 10:25 means going to church here, but 2 Thessalonians is talking the catching away on the Day of The Lord, the rapture. This is another example of 'adding' to the scripture. The entire context of Hebrews is clear, Paul is talking about sin and missing out on the rapture, just has he explains about the catching up in 2 Thessalonians. There are plenty of verses that talk about the saints living together, working together for the faith, praying together, eating together, and worshiping together. But no where is it written that the people who worshiped at Ephesus were saved but the ones worshiping at Phillip were not. The fact of who was saved was not based on a building or a specific congregation or denomination. Their single solidifying fact was Christ was the head of the church, and they were members of HIS body and the church members gathered together frequently in the particular places they lived. There was no 'holy' physical building that they met at a few times week because they understood THEY were the temples of God who happened to gather at various places-houses/temples/fields. Again, back to Hebrews 10:25. Paul is saying here in Hebrews that believers should not continue to live a life of sin or they will miss out 'forsake' on the coming of the Lord, that the Lord will NOT take them from the earth to avoid the Wrath of God because they have continued to sin. Paul tells the believers starting in verse 19 to 'enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus...for us to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." Believers are to live a life that is HOLY, but if they do not, Paul gives a warning starting at verse 25, "if you are doing evil, you will forsake the gathering of His People when He comes, which is the manner of some,{some live a selfish and sinful lifestyle}, but true believers are not to live like that but instead are to exhort one another{admonish, warn those as stated in 1 Timothy 5:20-Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning.}, and so much more as you see THE DAY approaching. For IF WE SIN WILLFULLY after we have received the knowledge of the truth, THERE NO LONGER REMAINS A SACRIFICE FOR SINS!" vs 26. What happens to those who continue to live in sin and reject the saving faith of Jesus Christ? They are and will be under the bondage of Satan; they will NOT BE CAUGHT UP IN THE AIR WHEN JESUS COMES; they will believe the lawless one's signs and lying wonders; that they are under unrighteous deception because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they may be saved; And that for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 Thessalonian 2:11-12. Unsaved people are condemned. They will suffer the Wrath of God. This is one of the main points of the Gospel. Why do the lost reject the truth? Because they don't believe that they will have to suffer any of God's wrath, either because they believe He doesn't exist, or He is really is not that mad, that everyone gets to go to heaven, that a loving God would not hurt people. None of these reasons are true. 1. God IS REAL- the heavens declare His glory -Psalms 19:1; 2. God IS ANGRY ABOUT SIN- the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience because of their fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desires, and covetousness/idolatry- Colossians 3:5. 3. GOD DOES NOT SEND EVERYONE TO HEAVEN- Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for hem. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And ANYONE NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. Revelation 21:11-15 This message will be rejected by most because we have too long been deceived about this issue. But I am to tell the truth in love. I am not really saying anything that has not been said by others. And people know in their heart that something is very wrong with the church system today. Statistics show that people are leaving 'organized' religion in droves. That church buildings are being shut down. There should be no wonder, because what kept the early church members together, that emboldened them to preach the gospel even though they were being put in prison, thrown to lions, cut in half, hanged, crucified, skinned and boiled alive is because they had the genuine, true Holy Spirit living and demonstrating His power within them and they were a REAL family who spent quality time together. The Word is clear that it is impossible for ANY of God's true children to be taken from Him. IMPOSSIBLE for someone to truly taste and experience the power of God and to then say, "Nope, I don't want it." "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and Put Him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:4-6. Unbelievers have more discernment about the churches than the 'believers'. The lost are outside (and inside) the church buildings. They are in the clubs, the bars, the restaurants, the neighborhoods, the concerts, the schools, the colleges. They ARE NOT coming to a church building. Christ has told all of us who believe on Him, to tell this message to every creature in all the world. Are you willing to look into your self and believe the truth? Yes, we as believers should congregate together, but it should be more than Wednesday night bible study and Sunday or Saturday worship service. There are a large number of people who do just that. Superficial, no Holy Spirit, just country club/social gatherings that slap on the Christian label but the real Christ is no where to be found. This does not apply to all church bodies. Take of this message what you will. My prayer is it challenges you in the name of Jesus to look at your own standing with Christ; Together with the Holy Spirit we can reach those God has chosen for ever lasting life. It is not our place to pick and choose who to share the gospel with. Jesus tells us to tell them the gospel, if they don't believe, 'shake the dust off your feet' and move on the next person. There is going to be a Day of Judgment, and God will judge everyone who has ever lived, His wrath is going to poured out on all the wicked and ungodly. The Good News is Believing in Jesus saves us from the righteous wrath of God. But that is not all, He gives us a new heart and mind NOW, and we receive some of His blessing from heaven NOW and are equipped to be able to live a life that is holy and acceptable to Him NOW.
1. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is real, He lived and died and rose from the grave. 2. Believe that you are a sinner, repent-turn from your sins and realize and accept you need Jesus. 3. Confess that Jesus is your Lord and God 4. Find a local Bible preaching church that does obey the commandment for water baptism for the remission of your sins and to identify yourself with Christ. This is just the first step to a lifelong journey of growing in truth and love with the God who created this earth and everything in it, including every human being that has ever lived. Bible verses related to this post: Matthew 28:19, Revelation 22:18-19, Luke 24:46-47, Numbers 20; Matthew 7:13; Acts 2;47; Acts 2:41;1 Peter 3:5; Acts 2:42-46; 1 Timothy 5:20; Thessalonian 2:11-12; Psalms 19:1; Revelation 21:11-15;Hebrews 6:4-6; Matthew 10:14; John 14:26 Resources: http://biblehub.com/greek/1997.htm |
AuthorErica Harris is a God Gifted Christian Coach, Counselor, providing insights and truths from the Word of God, The Bible. Archives
October 2022
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