I've seen several articles on Facebook regarding whether or not Christians should participate in the *holiday* called Halloween. In response to this article ...
http://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/christian-trends/is-there-a-reasonable-middle-ground-for-christians-at-halloween.html
I wrote, "So now we're looking for "reasonable middle ground"? This is the path to apostasy. Once you are aware what the traditions of men stem from you should no longer follow as tho blind. NEVER seek *middle ground*, always seek Jesus & His will."
And this article http://www1.cbn.com/questions/should-christians-celebrate-halloween/ inspired me to write this blog post.
Here are more of my thoughts ...
* Compromising on the "traditions of men" is dangerous. Remember what Jesus said,
Mat 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
* Consider this, would God or Jesus go trick or treating? Will that be something we'll be celebrating in the millennial kingdom?
2Co 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
* Come out of the world, satan's ways ...
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
I'm with the bible on this and that goes for Christmas & Easter. I think it's OK, for these two holidays, to have a nice turkey dinner and perhaps put up some lights for color and flare during an otherwise boring winter, but nothing to do with *santa* as that has nothing to do with Christ. We should not be celebrating Easter, it's not biblical, we should rather be celebrating the Hebrew Passover, which is all about Jesus.
The word *holiday* originates from the Hebrew words *Holy Days* in which in some form or other and mostly unknown to those that live in the land of Israel ... these days they celebrate are all about Jesus. These are the days we should celebrate, NOT the traditions of men.
That's my thoughts on the issue of pagan *holidays*. Once you know the origins of these *holidays* you are then responsible for your actions regarding them. I think the bible is pretty clear on the matter.
Finally, I am not against celebrating the fall harvest. Go ahead and display pumpkins (without the nasty teeth, etc), fall leaves & colors, and have a great fall harvest dinner. Remember to -give thanks- for His mercy endures forever!
God bless you in Jesus, thanks for reading ;o}
10/28/15 ~ Father, Son, Holy Spirit scriptures ...
.: Old Covenant/Testament :.
Gen 1:26; 11:6-7
Exo 3:15 {God of 3x}, 3:16, 4:5, 34:6
Deu 6:4 {plural, corporate}
1Sa 4:8
Psa 2:12 {Kiss the Son}, ?33:10?, 33:19, 34:5-6, 110:1
Pro 30:4
Isa 6:3 {Holy, Holy, Holy}, 6:8, 34:16 {my, mouth, spirit}, 44:6, 48:16, 49:7, 55:6-7, 64:4
Amo 4:11-12
.: New Covenant/Testament :.
Mat 3:16-17, 22:32, 28:19
Mar 12:26, 12:36 {Jesus quotes David}
Luk 1:35, 20:37
Jhn 3:34, 5:17, 10:30, 8:17-18, 14:26, 17:20-22
Act 2:32-33
Rom 8:11, 14:11
1Co 12:3-6
2Co 13:14
Gal 4:6
Eph 4:4-6
1Pe 1:2
1Jo 5:7
Rev 1:4-5, 4:8 {Holy, Holy, Holy}
I'm sure there are more, I'll add them as I find them ;o}
Gen 1:26; 11:6-7
Exo 3:15 {God of 3x}, 3:16, 4:5, 34:6
Deu 6:4 {plural, corporate}
1Sa 4:8
Psa 2:12 {Kiss the Son}, ?33:10?, 33:19, 34:5-6, 110:1
Pro 30:4
Isa 6:3 {Holy, Holy, Holy}, 6:8, 34:16 {my, mouth, spirit}, 44:6, 48:16, 49:7, 55:6-7, 64:4
Amo 4:11-12
.: New Covenant/Testament :.
Mat 3:16-17, 22:32, 28:19
Mar 12:26, 12:36 {Jesus quotes David}
Luk 1:35, 20:37
Jhn 3:34, 5:17, 10:30, 8:17-18, 14:26, 17:20-22
Act 2:32-33
Rom 8:11, 14:11
1Co 12:3-6
2Co 13:14
Gal 4:6
Eph 4:4-6
1Pe 1:2
1Jo 5:7
Rev 1:4-5, 4:8 {Holy, Holy, Holy}
I'm sure there are more, I'll add them as I find them ;o}
10/11/15 ~ Jesus said, "it is appointed unto men once to die"
If it's true for Jesus, that He die once for the sins of many; then it's true for all men {mankind} that we die once {and then the judgment} ...
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. {Heb 9:27-28 KJV}
Moses died and was buried ...
And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he {the LORD} buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. {Deu 34:4-6 KJV}
Enoch was translated that he should "not see death" ...
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. {Heb 11:5 KJV}
Elijah didn't die, he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire ...
And it came to pass, as they {Elijah & Elisha} still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. {2Ki 2:11 KJV}
The sixth angel blows his trumpet and the second woe begins as the two witnesses arrive ...
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. {Rev 11:3-4 KJV, referring to Zec 4:11}
Why then do we see Moses & Elias {Elijah} talking with Jesus during His transfiguation? Because Moses represented "the law" and Elijah represented "the prophets" and this also refers to the "err" mentioned in Mar 12:27. However, Jesus clearly points out that Elijah already came in the person of John the Baptist, and Jesus was the 2nd witness that would be killed also. Both John & Jesus were a type of the end-time two witnesses as seen in Revelation. Also notice: 1) "after six days" likely represents after six millennia {6,000 years of man's rule}, and 2) Peter offers that they should make them {Moses, Elijah, and Jesus} "tabernacles", this is significant in telling us about timing in the last days ...
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. {Mat 17:1-13 KJV}
This just proves to us that Moses, and Elias, are alive in spirit in heaven, nothing more, nothing less. Jesus reminds us by these three witnesses that:
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. {Mat 22:32 KJV}
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. {Mar 12:27 KJV, referred to above.}
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. {Luk 20:38 KJV}
Another thing of significance is that Jesus takes His *closest* followers and brings them "up into an high mountain apart". To me this signifies the resurrection of the saints. I don't believe we {the bride of Christ} will be here to see the two witnesses as I believe they will be a sign to Israel, who will despise them. I believe the Lord will take His bride out of the world first, then He'll turn His attention back to Israel for the final 3-1/2 years of human rule.
Of course, I could be *wrong*, it may be the church is here through the testimony of the two witnesses and after they are killed and dead for 3-1/2 days when they hear the great voice from heaven say, "Come up hither", that that occurs at the resurrection of the just {believers} and we're all taken up at the same time, perhaps they being the last two, or the first two to be resurrected. Time will tell ;o}
Revelation continues, Enoch & Elijah are the "two witnesses" ...
And when they {the two witnesses} shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city {Jerusalem}, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord {Jesus} was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets {witnesses} tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. {Rev 11:7-14 KJV}
In closing, neither Enoch nor Elijah have died. It stands to reason that since the two witnesses are here for 1,260 days and both of them DIE at the end of that time and then after 3-1/2 days both of them stand upon their feet and are taken up to heaven that these are the two witnesses. Since these two have not died yet, they alone qualify.
Thanks for reading and may God richly bless you in Jesus' name ;o}
{Curly bracket comments within scripture are mine.}
And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. {Heb 9:27-28 KJV}
Moses died and was buried ...
And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he {the LORD} buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. {Deu 34:4-6 KJV}
Enoch was translated that he should "not see death" ...
By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. {Heb 11:5 KJV}
Elijah didn't die, he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire ...
And it came to pass, as they {Elijah & Elisha} still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. {2Ki 2:11 KJV}
The sixth angel blows his trumpet and the second woe begins as the two witnesses arrive ...
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. {Rev 11:3-4 KJV, referring to Zec 4:11}
Why then do we see Moses & Elias {Elijah} talking with Jesus during His transfiguation? Because Moses represented "the law" and Elijah represented "the prophets" and this also refers to the "err" mentioned in Mar 12:27. However, Jesus clearly points out that Elijah already came in the person of John the Baptist, and Jesus was the 2nd witness that would be killed also. Both John & Jesus were a type of the end-time two witnesses as seen in Revelation. Also notice: 1) "after six days" likely represents after six millennia {6,000 years of man's rule}, and 2) Peter offers that they should make them {Moses, Elijah, and Jesus} "tabernacles", this is significant in telling us about timing in the last days ...
And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. {Mat 17:1-13 KJV}
This just proves to us that Moses, and Elias, are alive in spirit in heaven, nothing more, nothing less. Jesus reminds us by these three witnesses that:
I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. {Mat 22:32 KJV}
He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err. {Mar 12:27 KJV, referred to above.}
For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him. {Luk 20:38 KJV}
Another thing of significance is that Jesus takes His *closest* followers and brings them "up into an high mountain apart". To me this signifies the resurrection of the saints. I don't believe we {the bride of Christ} will be here to see the two witnesses as I believe they will be a sign to Israel, who will despise them. I believe the Lord will take His bride out of the world first, then He'll turn His attention back to Israel for the final 3-1/2 years of human rule.
Of course, I could be *wrong*, it may be the church is here through the testimony of the two witnesses and after they are killed and dead for 3-1/2 days when they hear the great voice from heaven say, "Come up hither", that that occurs at the resurrection of the just {believers} and we're all taken up at the same time, perhaps they being the last two, or the first two to be resurrected. Time will tell ;o}
Revelation continues, Enoch & Elijah are the "two witnesses" ...
And when they {the two witnesses} shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city {Jerusalem}, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord {Jesus} was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets {witnesses} tormented them that dwelt on the earth. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. {Rev 11:7-14 KJV}
In closing, neither Enoch nor Elijah have died. It stands to reason that since the two witnesses are here for 1,260 days and both of them DIE at the end of that time and then after 3-1/2 days both of them stand upon their feet and are taken up to heaven that these are the two witnesses. Since these two have not died yet, they alone qualify.
Thanks for reading and may God richly bless you in Jesus' name ;o}
{Curly bracket comments within scripture are mine.}
10/04/15 ~ Will there be *another temple* built?
{This post is inspired by someone on Facebook today that said the following: }
"For the false prophets who say there will be no coming temple in Jerusalem. Be reminded that the Apostle John discipled Bishop Polycarp who taught Bishop Irenaeus with this knowledge about the events in the book of Revelation.
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D. 180)Ante Nicene Fathers vol.1 Against Heresies book 5 ,chap 26, verse 1.
"and shall give their kingdom to the beast(Antichrist), and put the Church to flight."
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D. 180) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg.560 book 5 chap 30 verse 4.
“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem”"
{Firstly, he calls people that don't believe as he does "false prophets". I take exception to that and this was my reply to his post: }
Name calling should be beneath you. Lots of us have different opinions/understanding as to how things are going to happen, NO ONE knows for sure. We'll all find out when said things happen and Jesus returns. In the meantime be at peace one with another.
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. {Zec 6:12-13 KJV}
From this I understand it to say that the temple will be built by the LORD at His return.
Other places in scripture (quoted below) say that we believers ARE the temple, therefore there is no need of another. He IS building His temple and has been for almost 2,000 years. There will not be any need for animal sacrifices once the LORD returns. In the meantime, He has many in willing subjection now for which He rules & reigns in their hearts. {In fact, there has been NO NEED of animal/blood sacrifices since His death}.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
I really don't think these types of things are an issue that should divide us, resulting in name calling when others disagree with someone's point of view. None of us has it all right and none of us knows for sure how things will unfold until they've done so and we see it in hindsight. My parting comment, pray for one another. God bless you in Jesus.
{Curly bracket comments on this blog only.}
"For the false prophets who say there will be no coming temple in Jerusalem. Be reminded that the Apostle John discipled Bishop Polycarp who taught Bishop Irenaeus with this knowledge about the events in the book of Revelation.
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D. 180)Ante Nicene Fathers vol.1 Against Heresies book 5 ,chap 26, verse 1.
"and shall give their kingdom to the beast(Antichrist), and put the Church to flight."
Bishop Irenaeus (A.D. 180) Ante-Nicene Fathers vol.1 pg.560 book 5 chap 30 verse 4.
“But when this Antichrist shall have devastated all things in this world, he will reign for three years and six months, and sit in the temple at Jerusalem”"
{Firstly, he calls people that don't believe as he does "false prophets". I take exception to that and this was my reply to his post: }
Name calling should be beneath you. Lots of us have different opinions/understanding as to how things are going to happen, NO ONE knows for sure. We'll all find out when said things happen and Jesus returns. In the meantime be at peace one with another.
And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both. {Zec 6:12-13 KJV}
From this I understand it to say that the temple will be built by the LORD at His return.
Other places in scripture (quoted below) say that we believers ARE the temple, therefore there is no need of another. He IS building His temple and has been for almost 2,000 years. There will not be any need for animal sacrifices once the LORD returns. In the meantime, He has many in willing subjection now for which He rules & reigns in their hearts. {In fact, there has been NO NEED of animal/blood sacrifices since His death}.
1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
I really don't think these types of things are an issue that should divide us, resulting in name calling when others disagree with someone's point of view. None of us has it all right and none of us knows for sure how things will unfold until they've done so and we see it in hindsight. My parting comment, pray for one another. God bless you in Jesus.
{Curly bracket comments on this blog only.}
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