An article was posted today on facebook, along with the fb post itself:
"This is a CONTROVERSIAL question: Is it OK for Christians to curse? Why or why not?"
http://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/christian-hip-hop-artist-andy-mineo-sparks-controversy-with-question-of-whether-it-s-ok-for-christians-to-curse.html
Here's my response to that article ...
NO!
How does the world know the difference between them (the unsaved) and a
Christian (saved) unless we walk like Jesus walked? He never cursed! This shouldn't even be a topic among believers (except as correction to those that do it), it's a NO BRAINER!
For the life of me, I cannot see WHY this is even a topic of discussion among Christians, yet it is all the rage these past few weeks. The article above tells why it's a "controversial" question. Cussing/cursing/swearing is something many professing Christians do, such be people like presidential candidates, singers & entertainers, athletes, and your normal everyday person that says they *love* God & Jesus. Ask yourselves, what would Jesus do?
An example of cursing/swearing would be: to use Jesus' or God's name in vain, as a cuss word or an expression of disgust; another instance would be to say things like -God d**n- for which you are actually telling God to damn you or others and that is, in fact, an oath that is coming out of your own lips for which you pronounce damnation against yourself or others; and yet another would be to make an oath or pledge for which you expect to honor, whether you do or not you are accountable to God for such.
The scriptures are likewise CLEAR, think about what comes out of your mouth ...
.:: CURSING / SWEARING / TAKING THE LORD's NAME IN VAIN ::.
Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. {one of the 10 commandments}
Lev 19:12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
Deu 5:11 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Psa 34:13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
Psa 52:4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
Pro 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
.:: CURSING / SWEARING / OATHS ::.
Lev 5:4 Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these.
Num 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Pro 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Mat 5:33-37 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. -Jesus
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Jas 3:5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Jas 3:8-10 But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Jas 3:13-15 Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
1Pe 3:9-12 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil.
2Ti 2:16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
People that think they're "just being *real*" are fooled. Would you be swearing your head off if Jesus were standing right in front of you? I think not. We're all guilty of letting profanity slip between our lips but we're also responsible to the Lord to repent each time. If you are prone to swearing/cursing/cussing as part of your *normal* vocabulary ... REPENT! Turn away from that sin. Jesus is ever near and He will not hold us guiltless. Be a good example of what He's done for you.
Consider these words of the Lord ...
Luk 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. -Jesus
What's in YOUR heart???
Thanks for reading ;o}
{ALL scripture quoted is KJV. Red letter text is quoting Jesus. All curly bracket comments are mine.}
02/19/16 ~ God in Writing: Testaments/Covenants & Witnesses
This post is inspired by a *discussion* I had with someone on facebook who believes that the Old Testament is simply Jewish history and bears no significance to us today. I, and more importantly, Jesus, quite disagree ...
{Jhn 5:39} Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. -Jesus
There was NO *New* Testament when Jesus said these things; only the Old Testament, which was known as: The Law (first five books of Moses), Chronicles of the kings, the Psalms, the Judges, and the Prophets.
{Jhn 6:45} It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. -Jesus
The purpose of the Old AND New Testaments is to record, and testify, in writing ... as a *witness* ... of thing that would take place in the future; as well as things that were happening at the time of their writing that would bear significance to the people or nations being addressed ...
{2Ki 17:13} Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
{Jer 7:25-27} Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]: Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. {see also Jer 26:5, 29:19, 35:15, 44:4}
{Eze 38:17} Thus saith the Lord GOD; [Art] thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days [many] years that I would bring thee against them? {Speaking of the future Gog, of the land of Magog}
{Zec 1:6} But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
By the way, NO ONE writes the good, bad, and ugly about themselves for all to see, no one. The OT was written by Hebrews/Israelis and much of it was doom & gloom as a witness against them, and other nations. The Old & New Testaments are witnesses for us -and- to us even now ...
{Deu 31:26} Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. {"this book of the law" is the first five books of the bible, which were a written testimony of the covenant between God and His people Israel}
{Mat 24:14} And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. - Jesus {"this gospel" would include all of the Old Testament, much of which was expressed in the New Testament as those things prophesied of were being expounded on or fulfilled}
{Act 7:42} Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?
We don't need to do sacrifices today, which was only -a type- of what was to come in Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He has paid the price of our sins and nothing else needs to be done except for you to accept the gift of His precious, sinless life in place of your own self-centered, sinful one.
The behavior of nations were recorded in Old & New Testaments. These *testaments* were, and still are, Covenants between God & mankind; we call it history, but they are much more than that. Israel and many other nations were warned of future events that would result from their iniquity. The bible is the written word of God. And Jesus IS the promised, physical, manifestation of the Word of God in the flesh. The entire bible is HIS-story (history). It's a living book, as relevant to us today as it's ever been to anyone in the past. The more you study it the more you see that it's ALL about Him.
{Jhn 1:1-5} In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
NO ... the written words in our bible are NOT done away with ... neither the Old nor the New Testaments. They are both witnesses, in writing. You can believe them in their entirety.
{Mat 5:17 KJV} Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. -Jesus
{Luk 24:44 KJV} And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. -Jesus
{Jhn 1:45 KJV} Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
{Act 28:23 KJV} And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening. {Speaking of Paul}
Paul, and ALL of the apostles & disciples used the Old Testament (first witness) to bring people to the saving grace of Jesus, the Messiah/Savior of the world. And then they wrote our New Testament (second witness) as another confirmation of His grace & glory. Two witnesses that agree in harmony of Jesus. Many of us believers are still writing!
If there are things you don't understand in either the Old -or- the New Testaments (Covenants) then it is YOU that is wrong, not God's word ... seek Him for understanding.
Thanks for reading ;o}
{ALL scripture here is KJV. Blue text quotes God. Red text quotes Jesus. Curly bracket comments mine.}
{Jhn 5:39} Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. -Jesus
There was NO *New* Testament when Jesus said these things; only the Old Testament, which was known as: The Law (first five books of Moses), Chronicles of the kings, the Psalms, the Judges, and the Prophets.
{Jhn 6:45} It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. -Jesus
The purpose of the Old AND New Testaments is to record, and testify, in writing ... as a *witness* ... of thing that would take place in the future; as well as things that were happening at the time of their writing that would bear significance to the people or nations being addressed ...
{2Ki 17:13} Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, [and by] all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments [and] my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
{Jer 7:25-27} Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending [them]: Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. {see also Jer 26:5, 29:19, 35:15, 44:4}
{Eze 38:17} Thus saith the Lord GOD; [Art] thou he of whom I have spoken in old time by my servants the prophets of Israel, which prophesied in those days [many] years that I would bring thee against them? {Speaking of the future Gog, of the land of Magog}
{Zec 1:6} But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.
By the way, NO ONE writes the good, bad, and ugly about themselves for all to see, no one. The OT was written by Hebrews/Israelis and much of it was doom & gloom as a witness against them, and other nations. The Old & New Testaments are witnesses for us -and- to us even now ...
{Deu 31:26} Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee. {"this book of the law" is the first five books of the bible, which were a written testimony of the covenant between God and His people Israel}
{Mat 24:14} And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. - Jesus {"this gospel" would include all of the Old Testament, much of which was expressed in the New Testament as those things prophesied of were being expounded on or fulfilled}
{Act 7:42} Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices [by the space of] forty years in the wilderness?
We don't need to do sacrifices today, which was only -a type- of what was to come in Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross. He has paid the price of our sins and nothing else needs to be done except for you to accept the gift of His precious, sinless life in place of your own self-centered, sinful one.
The behavior of nations were recorded in Old & New Testaments. These *testaments* were, and still are, Covenants between God & mankind; we call it history, but they are much more than that. Israel and many other nations were warned of future events that would result from their iniquity. The bible is the written word of God. And Jesus IS the promised, physical, manifestation of the Word of God in the flesh. The entire bible is HIS-story (history). It's a living book, as relevant to us today as it's ever been to anyone in the past. The more you study it the more you see that it's ALL about Him.
{Jhn 1:1-5} In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
NO ... the written words in our bible are NOT done away with ... neither the Old nor the New Testaments. They are both witnesses, in writing. You can believe them in their entirety.
{Mat 5:17 KJV} Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. -Jesus
{Luk 24:44 KJV} And he said unto them, These [are] the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and [in] the prophets, and [in] the psalms, concerning me. -Jesus
{Jhn 1:45 KJV} Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
{Act 28:23 KJV} And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening. {Speaking of Paul}
Paul, and ALL of the apostles & disciples used the Old Testament (first witness) to bring people to the saving grace of Jesus, the Messiah/Savior of the world. And then they wrote our New Testament (second witness) as another confirmation of His grace & glory. Two witnesses that agree in harmony of Jesus. Many of us believers are still writing!
If there are things you don't understand in either the Old -or- the New Testaments (Covenants) then it is YOU that is wrong, not God's word ... seek Him for understanding.
Thanks for reading ;o}
{ALL scripture here is KJV. Blue text quotes God. Red text quotes Jesus. Curly bracket comments mine.}
02/18/16 ~ What are you doing for the kingdom of God?
ALL of us were born into a sin nature, ever since Adam & Eve in the Garden of Eden *chose* to listen to satan's temptation to eat of the forbidden fruit. EVERY ONE OF US TODAY makes the same choice willfully, this is called the human/sin nature. Adam and Eve were given two choices, follow God and do His will (the tree of life) ... OR ... follow the fallen angel satan and rebel against God (the tree of the knowledge of good and evil). The sin they did was to choose the tempter, a fellow creation, over the Creator. They chose to believe the liar, instead of God.
EVERY DAY, ALL DAY we have choices to make, the same two simple choices. All of us have chosen to disobey most of God's basic 10 Commandments that He gave us for our own good and benefit. He, being Holy, must judge sin. Sin cannot dwell where God is. God could EASILY WIPE US ALL OUT -but- for His compassion & love towards us He withholds ... until we leave Him no other option.
Because we are born with that sin nature we are all destined for hell because once we hit the age of accountability ... knowing good from evil ... we choose evil (transgressing God's laws). Think about your life, as good as you may *think* you are, you think so with the mind of a man/woman, a created being ... not from God's perspective, the Creator. It's like the clay pot telling the Master Sculptor how to fashion it - the clay being just a lump of dirt until the Sculptor makes something beautiful out of it. Over time, that clay disintegrates, even if it was fashioned ... it decays into nothingness ... unless the Sculptor preserves it.
So it is with you & I, we are NOTHING without God. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask if you have lied, cheated, stolen, hated anyone (Jesus likens hating to murder), committed fornication (sex outside of holy marriage) or adultery (sex with anyone not your spouse), etc. Even pornography viewing is a betrayal, against God or one's spouse. Addictions are gods of one's own imagination, idolatry, since people tend to lean on that for comfort instead of truly seeking God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and spirit. Go ahead, I challenge you to get off of your high horse and look at yourself from God's viewpoint!
OK, so, if you are actually going to read this post you should know these things anyway. That being said, to my fellow believers I say ...
What I've come to realize is that the *talents* of this parable ultimately represent the souls of mankind. God is not interested in *money*. He has made it all and He alone owns it all. He is interested in saving souls, those same souls that have shut Him out so they can continue on in their sins against Him. When you read this parable, think about the ones you love, or know: family, friends, acquaintances.
No, this is NOT a *pretty* message, but it's one that needs to be said. It's a parable, a mystery to those that don't know Him, but a CLEAR message to those that do know Him. You will be accountable to the Lord for every single *talent* (soul) that He has put in your life ... the day of reconning is coming soon, on "that day" when He returns.
Don't waste your time being the devil's advocate. The devil is a liar, a murderer, a thief ... he comes to kill, steal and destroy your life and that of those you know. YOU may be the LAST HOPE before a "talent" (a person that God has entrusted to you) dies. PLEASE, DO/SAY SOMETHING to snatch them from the fires of hell!
This is JESUS speaking ...
.:: MATTHEW 25:14-46 {KJV} ::.
For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The saying that "it's better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all" should take on a new meaning when you realize that those you don't reach out to for Christ will perish forever in the flames of torment in hell. It is better to preach the truth to them now while they still live and have a chance to choose rightly, even though they may turn their back on you in this world. By planting the gospel seed of God's love ... > that being that He came into His creation as One of us, a Man we call Jesus {Yeshua in Hebrew}, and died in our place for our sins against Him < ... our family, friends & acquaintances may ultimately make the right choice before their last breath. If you don't plant that seed then YOU will be partially responsible for them being in hell since you knew the truth but didn't warn them. Their blood will be on your hands. EVERY believer in Jesus IS a watchman ... Eze 33 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/eze/33/1/s_835001 ... each of us have been entrusted with *talents* (souls to win to the kingdom of God).
Some folks I know, including me, have (at times) failed in this most important task; and people we know have since died and gone to hell because they didn't accept Jesus' gift of life. This post is not one of condemnation for one's (including my own) past failures. If you are among those that have failed, don't let the devil beat you up and drag you down over it. And please, don't waste your time (or mine) being the devil's advocate. The devil is a liar, a murderer, a thief ... he comes to kill, steal and destroy {Jhn 10:10} your life and that of those you know.
REPENT {turn from this satanic world's ways to God's ways}. And from this day forward do the work of an evangelist as we are commanded to do in the "great commission". What IS the "great commission"? After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus tells us ...
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. {Mat 28:17-20}
This is for EVERY believer. This is why I so strongly "preach the word" now ... let there be no more lost souls on my account Lord. I pray the Lord helps me, and you, to preach the gospel, the good news of Jesus' saving grace and that He gives us the boldness of lions to do His work while there's still time. You & I will suffer persecution, trials, tribulation for His name's sake {Luk 6:22}, He predicted it {Jhn 16:33} ... as have all the apostles, disciples and prophets before us. Our reward is NOT here and now but is yet future when Jesus returns to rule & reign on this earth and forevermore. Work towards that eternal prize. I can think of no greater gift than eternal life with the One that created me ;o}
There comes a time in our Christian walk for the Lord that we must get off the milk and onto solid food, that food is found in God's word: the seed that is preserved for us as a written testimony, the bible {Luk 8}.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {Heb 5:12-13}
When YOU came to salvation in the Lord it was because someone that He had sent to you actually spoke the gospel truth to you in boldness. Pass it on ... your rewards will be great in heaven; even though you will suffer here on earth, because the devil will not like you telling others there IS a way out of hell.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. {2Ti 4:5}
God bless you all, thanks for reading ;o}
{ALL Scripture here is KJV. Red letter text is quoting Jesus.}
EVERY DAY, ALL DAY we have choices to make, the same two simple choices. All of us have chosen to disobey most of God's basic 10 Commandments that He gave us for our own good and benefit. He, being Holy, must judge sin. Sin cannot dwell where God is. God could EASILY WIPE US ALL OUT -but- for His compassion & love towards us He withholds ... until we leave Him no other option.
Because we are born with that sin nature we are all destined for hell because once we hit the age of accountability ... knowing good from evil ... we choose evil (transgressing God's laws). Think about your life, as good as you may *think* you are, you think so with the mind of a man/woman, a created being ... not from God's perspective, the Creator. It's like the clay pot telling the Master Sculptor how to fashion it - the clay being just a lump of dirt until the Sculptor makes something beautiful out of it. Over time, that clay disintegrates, even if it was fashioned ... it decays into nothingness ... unless the Sculptor preserves it.
So it is with you & I, we are NOTHING without God. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask if you have lied, cheated, stolen, hated anyone (Jesus likens hating to murder), committed fornication (sex outside of holy marriage) or adultery (sex with anyone not your spouse), etc. Even pornography viewing is a betrayal, against God or one's spouse. Addictions are gods of one's own imagination, idolatry, since people tend to lean on that for comfort instead of truly seeking God with all of their heart, mind, soul, and spirit. Go ahead, I challenge you to get off of your high horse and look at yourself from God's viewpoint!
OK, so, if you are actually going to read this post you should know these things anyway. That being said, to my fellow believers I say ...
What I've come to realize is that the *talents* of this parable ultimately represent the souls of mankind. God is not interested in *money*. He has made it all and He alone owns it all. He is interested in saving souls, those same souls that have shut Him out so they can continue on in their sins against Him. When you read this parable, think about the ones you love, or know: family, friends, acquaintances.
No, this is NOT a *pretty* message, but it's one that needs to be said. It's a parable, a mystery to those that don't know Him, but a CLEAR message to those that do know Him. You will be accountable to the Lord for every single *talent* (soul) that He has put in your life ... the day of reconning is coming soon, on "that day" when He returns.
Don't waste your time being the devil's advocate. The devil is a liar, a murderer, a thief ... he comes to kill, steal and destroy your life and that of those you know. YOU may be the LAST HOPE before a "talent" (a person that God has entrusted to you) dies. PLEASE, DO/SAY SOMETHING to snatch them from the fires of hell!
This is JESUS speaking ...
.:: MATTHEW 25:14-46 {KJV} ::.
For [the kingdom of heaven is] as a man travelling into a far country, [who] called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made [them] other five talents. And likewise he that [had received] two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, [there] thou hast [that is] thine. His lord answered and said unto him, [Thou] wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give [it] unto him which hath ten talents.
For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of the least of these, ye did [it] not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
The saying that "it's better to have loved and lost than not to have loved at all" should take on a new meaning when you realize that those you don't reach out to for Christ will perish forever in the flames of torment in hell. It is better to preach the truth to them now while they still live and have a chance to choose rightly, even though they may turn their back on you in this world. By planting the gospel seed of God's love ... > that being that He came into His creation as One of us, a Man we call Jesus {Yeshua in Hebrew}, and died in our place for our sins against Him < ... our family, friends & acquaintances may ultimately make the right choice before their last breath. If you don't plant that seed then YOU will be partially responsible for them being in hell since you knew the truth but didn't warn them. Their blood will be on your hands. EVERY believer in Jesus IS a watchman ... Eze 33 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/eze/33/1/s_835001 ... each of us have been entrusted with *talents* (souls to win to the kingdom of God).
Some folks I know, including me, have (at times) failed in this most important task; and people we know have since died and gone to hell because they didn't accept Jesus' gift of life. This post is not one of condemnation for one's (including my own) past failures. If you are among those that have failed, don't let the devil beat you up and drag you down over it. And please, don't waste your time (or mine) being the devil's advocate. The devil is a liar, a murderer, a thief ... he comes to kill, steal and destroy {Jhn 10:10} your life and that of those you know.
REPENT {turn from this satanic world's ways to God's ways}. And from this day forward do the work of an evangelist as we are commanded to do in the "great commission". What IS the "great commission"? After His resurrection from the dead, Jesus tells us ...
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. {Mat 28:17-20}
This is for EVERY believer. This is why I so strongly "preach the word" now ... let there be no more lost souls on my account Lord. I pray the Lord helps me, and you, to preach the gospel, the good news of Jesus' saving grace and that He gives us the boldness of lions to do His work while there's still time. You & I will suffer persecution, trials, tribulation for His name's sake {Luk 6:22}, He predicted it {Jhn 16:33} ... as have all the apostles, disciples and prophets before us. Our reward is NOT here and now but is yet future when Jesus returns to rule & reign on this earth and forevermore. Work towards that eternal prize. I can think of no greater gift than eternal life with the One that created me ;o}
There comes a time in our Christian walk for the Lord that we must get off the milk and onto solid food, that food is found in God's word: the seed that is preserved for us as a written testimony, the bible {Luk 8}.
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. {Heb 5:12-13}
When YOU came to salvation in the Lord it was because someone that He had sent to you actually spoke the gospel truth to you in boldness. Pass it on ... your rewards will be great in heaven; even though you will suffer here on earth, because the devil will not like you telling others there IS a way out of hell.
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. {2Ti 4:5}
God bless you all, thanks for reading ;o}
{ALL Scripture here is KJV. Red letter text is quoting Jesus.}
02/16/16 ~ How to determine a true Prophet of God, and why ...
This post is about FALSE prophets & teachers, nothing more. If you truly speak from the word of God this message is NOT for you, although you may want to read it out of interest.
Who among the Prophets of the Old or New Testaments/Covenants do you know that spoke goodly and kindly words, words of encouragement or enlightenment? They were all doom and gloom, hell-fire and brimstone, and every one of them was murdered (martyred) for speaking what God told them to speak. Jesus/Yeshua Himself attests to this in a parable ...
.:: THE PROPHETS ::.
{Mat 21:33-36} Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. -Jesus
.:: THAT -ULTIMATE- PROPHET, JESUS ::.
{Mat 21:37-40} But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him]. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? -Jesus
Here's how the bible defines a prophet. And since the Old Testament/Covenant has NOT been done away with, except that we are living in the *age of grace* (during the "times of the Gentiles") so false prophets & teachers are not currently stoned to death; a false prophet or teacher will STILL be accountable to the Lord when they meet Him face to face ...
{Deu 13:1-11} If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; [Namely], of the gods of the people which [are] round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
Aren't you glad we live in the "age of Grace"!? And who are these "other gods"? These are idols, inspired by demons, made by the hands of man that cannot hear, speak, taste, walk, et al. Likewise these false gods can be one's job, or goods, or such as one's love for their vehicles or their money or their stocks & bonds, anything one looks to in an idolizing way or in a provisional way and thereby putting that thing above the One True Living God. Other gods can be things that lurk in your heart, among which would be addictions and sins you've not allowed the Lord to help you to overcome. Nothing is hidden from God. Satan and his demonic minions can give *seemingly prophetic words* that come to pass IF their listeners and speaking *prophets* already belong to them. If you are looking to other people, or things, for your sustenance or for advice, you are in sin, unless that person is an elder in a church that upholds God's word as truth. Remember king Saul, who sought out a witch rather than inquiring of God's prophet.
Check the Ten Commandments, in honesty, against your heart and see where you line up. For sin is the transgression of the Law (1Jo 3:4 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1jo/3/4/s_1162004).
As the first commandment says (Exo 20:3 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/20/3/s_70003), if God is not your sole/soul Provider then you are going after other gods; this is idolatry, and it can be expressed in many ways. Seek Him in truth, while He can be found (Isa 55:6 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/isa/55/6/s_734006). Time is rapidly running out.
{Eze 14:2-11} And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn [yourselves] from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD. And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh [unto him]; That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.
{Eze 33:1-20} Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins [be] upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, [that] he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
{Eze 33:30-33} Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Oh, and before you *remind* me that this is speaking of Israel and somehow doesn't apply to us Christians; I remind you that we are graphed in to the natural olive tree (Israel), being the wild olive branches (Gentiles). I will leave it up to you to read that whole chapter of Romans 11 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/rom/11/1/s_1057001, for now, I quote these parts to make my point ...
{Rom 11:17} And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
{Rom 11:24} For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?
We Gentiles are the wild branches, we have NOT *replaced* Israel. Rather, we are graphed into their tree where Jesus is the root and Israel is the natural tree & branches. We are as much accountable to God as Israel is.
And before you tell me that the Prophets of today are somehow *different* from those of the Old Testament, or New Testament, to you I say PROVE IT from God's word. Now ... go, look up the words of the Prophets, both Old & New Testaments/Covenants: their prophesying was not "good news", save those of John the Baptist in that he preached salvation through the coming Messiah ~ Jesus ... and for that they chopped off his head; as the *powers that be* of the time likewise murdered the Savior of the world ~ Jesus. Both Jews and Gentiles killed the Lord, all of us killed Him. All of us are guilty ... NONE of us are sinless and *deserving* of the *fruit of our labors* or *rewards* of any sort. {See also Rom 3:23, 5:12 & 6:23}
If you consider yourselves Prophets and you are speaking great, swelling, sugar-coated words to the people, beware ...
{2Pe 2:1-22} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
We are in the last days RIGHT NOW, we don't have time to sugar-coat the message of Jesus' soon return for when He does return He will do so in the WRATH of God and many will parish, right in the middle of their sins. We are to be a holy people, called out unto God. Think about it, nothing's new ...
{Ecc 1:9} The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
{Luk 17:26-30} And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. -Jesus
As it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot, Jesus warns ... yet very few people seem to recognize that we are indeed in the LAST DAYS before our King Jesus comes to rule & reign with a rod of iron. People of today are busily going about their lives completely oblivious to what is about to come upon them, yet we have *prophets*, *preachers* and *teachers* telling us our best days are now or just ahead. Jesus is clear, the day we believers are removed IS the day of His wrath, at the LAST DAY.
My advice? Think about your survival, not about being rich and giving to the already rich. Take only what you need. Give to the poor, take care of the widows and orphans, if you are able. God will provide for your needs, He doesn't need anyone else's help to get you through this life. You have only but to fully TRUST Him. God speaks to us these days through His Holy Spirit, we don't need *prophets* to intercede or to hear from God for us. The Holy Spirit indwells EVERY believer, He is all you need.
.:: A WORD OF CAUTION ::.
If you are being taught to amass silver and gold or any other source of *financial security* as a means to take care of yourself in the event of a disaster, as though you can somehow buy your way into security during the harsh times to come, then you are being taught to serve the god of mammon. The bible clearly states ...
{Eze 7:19} They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
{Rev 3:18 KJV} I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. -Jesus
Peace and security??? Prosperity??? NO! Which of any of God's prophets, or apostles, or disciples, had any such thing in their lives, or professed that they were imparting said on anyone else!? NONE, NOT ONE! Work for rewards in heaven where they will not rot or perish as they will here on earth. Here's what Jesus has to say ...
{Mat 5:11-12} Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. -Jesus
{Mat 10:22 KJV} And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. -Jesus
{Mat 19:29 KJV} And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. -Jesus
{Mat 24:9 KJV} Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. -Jesus
{Luk 6:22-26} Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. -Jesus
Does any of that sound like peace, prosperity, safety??? So, I ask, on what are you relying when the Lord's wrath is revealed at His coming? My message is the same as every prophet in the bible, time is short, REPENT NOW while there's still time. Multiple millions, perhaps billions will die, THAT should be a wake up call to anyone that cares about others. Take precautions as you are able, stock up on food and water, medical supplies, batteries and the basics ... be as prepared as you can be ... but don't rely on any of that because only God can save you from the trials coming upon the whole world to test them that dwell therein.
{Rev 3:10} Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. -Jesus
Would you like to know if you are in fact a Prophet? Jesus answers ...
{Mat 13:57} And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. -Jesus
The word "save" there means -BUT- or -EXCEPT- and so it is today. Is your prophesying *welcome* in your own country, or in your own home among the people you grew up with, including your family? The answer should be NO. (Strong's G1508 "save" https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1508&t=KJV).
People, BEWARE of feel-good false prophets, preachers, & teachers. Ultimately, your future is totally up to you and God to walk out. Are you listening to Him??? Jesus warned ...
{Mat 7:14-15} Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. -Jesus
I reiterate, Jesus said, "few there be that find it (the straight gate and the narrow way)", are you among those FEW??? I leave you with this ...
{2Ti 4:1-5} I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Sorry, no sugar-coating here, but ... thanks for reading ;o}
{All scriptures are KJV; Red letters are quoting Jesus. Jesus the Messiah IS Yeshua HaMashiach!}
Who among the Prophets of the Old or New Testaments/Covenants do you know that spoke goodly and kindly words, words of encouragement or enlightenment? They were all doom and gloom, hell-fire and brimstone, and every one of them was murdered (martyred) for speaking what God told them to speak. Jesus/Yeshua Himself attests to this in a parable ...
.:: THE PROPHETS ::.
{Mat 21:33-36} Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. -Jesus
.:: THAT -ULTIMATE- PROPHET, JESUS ::.
{Mat 21:37-40} But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him]. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? -Jesus
Here's how the bible defines a prophet. And since the Old Testament/Covenant has NOT been done away with, except that we are living in the *age of grace* (during the "times of the Gentiles") so false prophets & teachers are not currently stoned to death; a false prophet or teacher will STILL be accountable to the Lord when they meet Him face to face ...
{Deu 13:1-11} If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; [Namely], of the gods of the people which [are] round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth; Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.
Aren't you glad we live in the "age of Grace"!? And who are these "other gods"? These are idols, inspired by demons, made by the hands of man that cannot hear, speak, taste, walk, et al. Likewise these false gods can be one's job, or goods, or such as one's love for their vehicles or their money or their stocks & bonds, anything one looks to in an idolizing way or in a provisional way and thereby putting that thing above the One True Living God. Other gods can be things that lurk in your heart, among which would be addictions and sins you've not allowed the Lord to help you to overcome. Nothing is hidden from God. Satan and his demonic minions can give *seemingly prophetic words* that come to pass IF their listeners and speaking *prophets* already belong to them. If you are looking to other people, or things, for your sustenance or for advice, you are in sin, unless that person is an elder in a church that upholds God's word as truth. Remember king Saul, who sought out a witch rather than inquiring of God's prophet.
Check the Ten Commandments, in honesty, against your heart and see where you line up. For sin is the transgression of the Law (1Jo 3:4 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1jo/3/4/s_1162004).
As the first commandment says (Exo 20:3 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/exo/20/3/s_70003), if God is not your sole/soul Provider then you are going after other gods; this is idolatry, and it can be expressed in many ways. Seek Him in truth, while He can be found (Isa 55:6 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/isa/55/6/s_734006). Time is rapidly running out.
{Eze 14:2-11} And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn [yourselves] from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD. And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the LORD have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel. And they shall bear the punishment of their iniquity: the punishment of the prophet shall be even as the punishment of him that seeketh [unto him]; That the house of Israel may go no more astray from me, neither be polluted any more with all their transgressions; but that they may be my people, and I may be their God, saith the Lord GOD.
{Eze 33:1-20} Again the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon a land, if the people of the land take a man of their coasts, and set him for their watchman: If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take [any] person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me. When I say unto the wicked, O wicked [man], thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked [man] shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Therefore, O thou son of man, speak unto the house of Israel; Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins [be] upon us, and we pine away in them, how should we then live? Say unto them, [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his [righteousness] in the day that he sinneth. When I shall say to the righteous, [that] he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; [If] the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die. None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live. Yet the children of thy people say, The way of the Lord is not equal: but as for them, their way is not equal. When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. But if the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. O ye house of Israel, I will judge you every one after his ways.
{Eze 33:30-33} Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou [art] unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them.
Oh, and before you *remind* me that this is speaking of Israel and somehow doesn't apply to us Christians; I remind you that we are graphed in to the natural olive tree (Israel), being the wild olive branches (Gentiles). I will leave it up to you to read that whole chapter of Romans 11 https://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/rom/11/1/s_1057001, for now, I quote these parts to make my point ...
{Rom 11:17} And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
{Rom 11:24} For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?
We Gentiles are the wild branches, we have NOT *replaced* Israel. Rather, we are graphed into their tree where Jesus is the root and Israel is the natural tree & branches. We are as much accountable to God as Israel is.
And before you tell me that the Prophets of today are somehow *different* from those of the Old Testament, or New Testament, to you I say PROVE IT from God's word. Now ... go, look up the words of the Prophets, both Old & New Testaments/Covenants: their prophesying was not "good news", save those of John the Baptist in that he preached salvation through the coming Messiah ~ Jesus ... and for that they chopped off his head; as the *powers that be* of the time likewise murdered the Savior of the world ~ Jesus. Both Jews and Gentiles killed the Lord, all of us killed Him. All of us are guilty ... NONE of us are sinless and *deserving* of the *fruit of our labors* or *rewards* of any sort. {See also Rom 3:23, 5:12 & 6:23}
If you consider yourselves Prophets and you are speaking great, swelling, sugar-coated words to the people, beware ...
{2Pe 2:1-22} But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast [them] down to hell, and delivered [them] into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth [person], a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned [them] with an overthrow, making [them] an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed [his] righteous soul from day to day with [their] unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, [as] they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots [they are] and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known [it], to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog [is] turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
We are in the last days RIGHT NOW, we don't have time to sugar-coat the message of Jesus' soon return for when He does return He will do so in the WRATH of God and many will parish, right in the middle of their sins. We are to be a holy people, called out unto God. Think about it, nothing's new ...
{Ecc 1:9} The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
{Luk 17:26-30} And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [them] all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. -Jesus
As it was in the days of Noah and the days of Lot, Jesus warns ... yet very few people seem to recognize that we are indeed in the LAST DAYS before our King Jesus comes to rule & reign with a rod of iron. People of today are busily going about their lives completely oblivious to what is about to come upon them, yet we have *prophets*, *preachers* and *teachers* telling us our best days are now or just ahead. Jesus is clear, the day we believers are removed IS the day of His wrath, at the LAST DAY.
My advice? Think about your survival, not about being rich and giving to the already rich. Take only what you need. Give to the poor, take care of the widows and orphans, if you are able. God will provide for your needs, He doesn't need anyone else's help to get you through this life. You have only but to fully TRUST Him. God speaks to us these days through His Holy Spirit, we don't need *prophets* to intercede or to hear from God for us. The Holy Spirit indwells EVERY believer, He is all you need.
.:: A WORD OF CAUTION ::.
If you are being taught to amass silver and gold or any other source of *financial security* as a means to take care of yourself in the event of a disaster, as though you can somehow buy your way into security during the harsh times to come, then you are being taught to serve the god of mammon. The bible clearly states ...
{Eze 7:19} They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity.
{Rev 3:18 KJV} I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. -Jesus
Peace and security??? Prosperity??? NO! Which of any of God's prophets, or apostles, or disciples, had any such thing in their lives, or professed that they were imparting said on anyone else!? NONE, NOT ONE! Work for rewards in heaven where they will not rot or perish as they will here on earth. Here's what Jesus has to say ...
{Mat 5:11-12} Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. -Jesus
{Mat 10:22 KJV} And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. -Jesus
{Mat 19:29 KJV} And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. -Jesus
{Mat 24:9 KJV} Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. -Jesus
{Luk 6:22-26} Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. -Jesus
Does any of that sound like peace, prosperity, safety??? So, I ask, on what are you relying when the Lord's wrath is revealed at His coming? My message is the same as every prophet in the bible, time is short, REPENT NOW while there's still time. Multiple millions, perhaps billions will die, THAT should be a wake up call to anyone that cares about others. Take precautions as you are able, stock up on food and water, medical supplies, batteries and the basics ... be as prepared as you can be ... but don't rely on any of that because only God can save you from the trials coming upon the whole world to test them that dwell therein.
{Rev 3:10} Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. -Jesus
Would you like to know if you are in fact a Prophet? Jesus answers ...
{Mat 13:57} And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. -Jesus
The word "save" there means -BUT- or -EXCEPT- and so it is today. Is your prophesying *welcome* in your own country, or in your own home among the people you grew up with, including your family? The answer should be NO. (Strong's G1508 "save" https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G1508&t=KJV).
People, BEWARE of feel-good false prophets, preachers, & teachers. Ultimately, your future is totally up to you and God to walk out. Are you listening to Him??? Jesus warned ...
{Mat 7:14-15} Because strait [is] the gate, and narrow [is] the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. -Jesus
I reiterate, Jesus said, "few there be that find it (the straight gate and the narrow way)", are you among those FEW??? I leave you with this ...
{2Ti 4:1-5} I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Sorry, no sugar-coating here, but ... thanks for reading ;o}
{All scriptures are KJV; Red letters are quoting Jesus. Jesus the Messiah IS Yeshua HaMashiach!}
02/04/16 ~ Father AND Son ...
The bible shows proof of God the Father AND Jesus the Son (as well as the Holy Spirit) wherein these Two (or Three) are One. This article relates mostly to Father & Son, there are scriptures listed below that apply to at least these Two and many that apply to all Three being One. Lets start with Father & Son for now ...
.:: OLD TESTAMENT WITNESSES ::.
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.
.:: Did Jesus say He was the Son of God? ::.
Jhn 10:33-36 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? -Jesus/Yeshua
.:: NEW TESTAMENT WITNESSES ::.
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. -God
Mat 17:5 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.
Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jhn 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].
Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Act 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
1Jo 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jo 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also].
1Jo 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
God is a Trinity, Three aspects of the same Person. Man is made in the image of God and therefore we too are three in one: body, soul, spirit.
Gen 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. {"the Word" is the Son come in the flesh}
Yes indeed, there is God the Father AND God the Son, Two aspects of the One (with the Holy Spirit being the Third). Jesus is the physical manifestion of God. If you aren't covered in His sacrificial blood that He shed to pay for your sins ... NOW would be a perfect time for you to ask Him into your heart & life! He IS coming back, sooner than most believe!
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. -Jesus
I have discovered yet more witnesses, some included above; some you can research on your own by looking up the following scriptures ...
.:: Old Testament/Covenant ::.
Gen 1:26; 11:6-7
Exo 3:15 {God of 3x}, 3:16, 4:5, 34:6
Deu 6:4 {plural, corporate}
Psa 2:12 {Kiss the Son}, 33:10, 34:5-6, 110:1
Pro 30:4
1Sa 4:8
Isa 34:16 {my, mouth, spirit}, 44:6, 48:16, 49:7, 64:4
Isa 55:6-7, 6:8, 6:3 {Holy, Holy, Holy}
Amo 4:11-12
.:: New Testament/Covenant ::.
Mat 3:16-17, 22:32, 28:19
Mar 12:26, 12:36 {Jesus quotes David}
Luk 1:35, 20:37
Jhn 5:17, 10:30, 17:20-22, 8:17-18, 3:34, 14:26
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}
Thanks for reading ;o}
{KJV used: Blue letter text quoting God the Father, Red letter text quoting Jesus. Curly Bracket comments & other emphasis are mine.}
.:: OLD TESTAMENT WITNESSES ::.
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.
.:: Did Jesus say He was the Son of God? ::.
Jhn 10:33-36 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? -Jesus/Yeshua
.:: NEW TESTAMENT WITNESSES ::.
Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. -God
Mat 17:5 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.
Mar 9:7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Luk 9:35 And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jhn 1:18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared [him].
Jhn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jhn 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Act 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.
Heb 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
2Pe 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
1Jo 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jo 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: [(but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also].
1Jo 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
God is a Trinity, Three aspects of the same Person. Man is made in the image of God and therefore we too are three in one: body, soul, spirit.
Gen 1:26-27 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his [own] image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
1Jo 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. {"the Word" is the Son come in the flesh}
Yes indeed, there is God the Father AND God the Son, Two aspects of the One (with the Holy Spirit being the Third). Jesus is the physical manifestion of God. If you aren't covered in His sacrificial blood that He shed to pay for your sins ... NOW would be a perfect time for you to ask Him into your heart & life! He IS coming back, sooner than most believe!
Mar 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. -Jesus
I have discovered yet more witnesses, some included above; some you can research on your own by looking up the following scriptures ...
.:: Old Testament/Covenant ::.
Gen 1:26; 11:6-7
Exo 3:15 {God of 3x}, 3:16, 4:5, 34:6
Deu 6:4 {plural, corporate}
Psa 2:12 {Kiss the Son}, 33:10, 34:5-6, 110:1
Pro 30:4
1Sa 4:8
Isa 34:16 {my, mouth, spirit}, 44:6, 48:16, 49:7, 64:4
Isa 55:6-7, 6:8, 6:3 {Holy, Holy, Holy}
Amo 4:11-12
.:: New Testament/Covenant ::.
Mat 3:16-17, 22:32, 28:19
Mar 12:26, 12:36 {Jesus quotes David}
Luk 1:35, 20:37
Jhn 5:17, 10:30, 17:20-22, 8:17-18, 3:34, 14:26
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}
Thanks for reading ;o}
{KJV used: Blue letter text quoting God the Father, Red letter text quoting Jesus. Curly Bracket comments & other emphasis are mine.}
02/04/16 ~ The Jewishness of Baptism ...
Baptism is from at least as far back as when Moses & Israel passed through the Red Sea after leaving Egypt, as Paul testifies ...
1Co 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ...
The above scripture is of course referring to these ...
Exo 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Exo 14:29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Exo 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. {I put this here to show that Pharaoh himself also went into the sea and drowned, with his entire pursuing army.}
And the "cloud" was Jesus {Yeshua}, the LORD, in His pre-incarnate/pre-human form ...
Exo 13:21-25 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
Deu 1:31-33 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God, Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents [in], in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Num 14:14 And they will tell [it] to the inhabitants of this land: [for] they have heard that thou LORD [art] among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and [that] thy cloud standeth over them, and [that] thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. {This shows that Israel crossed the Red Sea in the daytime, not the night.}
Neh 9:19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
Here's an interesting article, from a Messianic/Hebraic perspective ...
http://oneforisrael.org/blog/429-was-baptism-originally-jewish
Thanks for reading ;o}
{All scripture is KJV unless otherwise noted. Curly Bracket comments mine.}
1Co 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ...
The above scripture is of course referring to these ...
Exo 14:22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Exo 14:29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
Exo 15:19 For the horse of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea. {I put this here to show that Pharaoh himself also went into the sea and drowned, with his entire pursuing army.}
And the "cloud" was Jesus {Yeshua}, the LORD, in His pre-incarnate/pre-human form ...
Exo 13:21-25 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, [from] before the people. And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians, And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
Deu 1:31-33 And in the wilderness, where thou hast seen how that the LORD thy God bare thee, as a man doth bear his son, in all the way that ye went, until ye came into this place. Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God, Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents [in], in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.
Num 14:14 And they will tell [it] to the inhabitants of this land: [for] they have heard that thou LORD [art] among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and [that] thy cloud standeth over them, and [that] thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. {This shows that Israel crossed the Red Sea in the daytime, not the night.}
Neh 9:19 Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.
Here's an interesting article, from a Messianic/Hebraic perspective ...
http://oneforisrael.org/blog/429-was-baptism-originally-jewish
Thanks for reading ;o}
{All scripture is KJV unless otherwise noted. Curly Bracket comments mine.}
01/21/16 ~ The bride of Christ: beaten, bloodied, bruised, murdered ...
Many people that say they are Christians can't seem to grasp how the bride of Christ can be expected to go through "the tribulation". They don't seem to realize that the tribulation is something we go through from life experiences in this world, and from persecutions brought upon us by satan and his minions. These people say, foolishly, that the bride of Christ will not suffer ... He, the Lord, will not be presented with a battered & bloodied bride ... conveniently forgetting the thousands upon thousands of people that have suffered abuse and martyrdom for His name's sake. Here's what Jesus has to say:
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. - Jesus
Jhn 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. - Jesus
Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - Jesus
People really don't seem to -pay attention- to the words in the bible very well. Take, for instance, how in Rev 5:6 no one was able to open the book in God's hand, that was Daniel's sealed book, until the Lamb that had been slain arrived.
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Dan 12:8-9 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Once the slain Lamb arrived IN heaven, He received the sealed book and began to break the seals ... RIGHT THEN AND THERE. The Lamb of Rev 5:6 is Jesus, He was slain, resurrected, and went back to the Father where He received the sealed book of Daniel 11-12 and began breaking those seals. The four horsemen have been riding for almost two thousand years!
Rev 5:6-8 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
WHEN did He start opening the seals? Right AFTER He arrived at the throne in heaven!
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Back to the bride ... we know that most of the apostles suffered and died for Jesus' name, all but John and he suffered torture and imprisonment. Many of the disciples were afflicted and murdered ... thrown to the starved lions & dogs, boiled in oil, crucified on poles and lit on fire as human torches to light the night, beheaded, and on and on. It's been going on for almost 2,000 years! YES, the bride is bloodied, just like her Husband!
I do believe we are IN the 5th seal of Revelation 6 NOW ... I believe these people, spoken of in the following verses, are all those that the Lord liberated when He descended into hell to set the captives free that died before Him ... again, this is happening shortly after the Lamb arrives in heaven:
Rev 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Remember, for the Lord it's just been two days since He died and resurrected ... a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The verse below represents all the bride at the "resurrection of the just", which is the first resurrection, including all those that were martyred &/or have died in the Lord since His own death & resurrection:
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
In a recent article I saw the following: "According to a recent report, 2015 was the most violent year with regards to persecution of Christians at global level. There has been an unprecedented persecution internationally. The phenomenon of persecution includes killings, kidnappings, sexual abuse, trafficking, demolition and arson of churches and heinous acts of such kind." (Source: http://www.christiansinpakistan.com/russian-president-pledges-to-protect-christians-across-the-globe-from-persecution/)
So, tell me again how the bride of Christ won't be battered, beaten, bruised, and killed for His name's sake!? Oh wait, "those *Christians* don't count" some would say. WRONG!
We need to differentiate between "tribulation" and "wrath". In the world we WILL have tribulation, even great tribulation by the end of this age. We are promised we will not suffer God's wrath at Jesus' return, rather, we will be caught up (for the first resurrection) to meet Him in the air and then return with Him to rule & reign on this earth for 1,000 years.
1Th 5:9-10 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Thanks for reading ;o}
{Red text is Jesus speaking in the NT.}
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. - Jesus
Jhn 15:18-21 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before [it hated] you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. - Jesus
Jhn 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - Jesus
People really don't seem to -pay attention- to the words in the bible very well. Take, for instance, how in Rev 5:6 no one was able to open the book in God's hand, that was Daniel's sealed book, until the Lamb that had been slain arrived.
Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.
Dan 12:8-9 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Once the slain Lamb arrived IN heaven, He received the sealed book and began to break the seals ... RIGHT THEN AND THERE. The Lamb of Rev 5:6 is Jesus, He was slain, resurrected, and went back to the Father where He received the sealed book of Daniel 11-12 and began breaking those seals. The four horsemen have been riding for almost two thousand years!
Rev 5:6-8 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
WHEN did He start opening the seals? Right AFTER He arrived at the throne in heaven!
Rev 6:1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
Rev 6:3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.
Rev 6:5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.
Rev 6:7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.
Back to the bride ... we know that most of the apostles suffered and died for Jesus' name, all but John and he suffered torture and imprisonment. Many of the disciples were afflicted and murdered ... thrown to the starved lions & dogs, boiled in oil, crucified on poles and lit on fire as human torches to light the night, beheaded, and on and on. It's been going on for almost 2,000 years! YES, the bride is bloodied, just like her Husband!
I do believe we are IN the 5th seal of Revelation 6 NOW ... I believe these people, spoken of in the following verses, are all those that the Lord liberated when He descended into hell to set the captives free that died before Him ... again, this is happening shortly after the Lamb arrives in heaven:
Rev 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Remember, for the Lord it's just been two days since He died and resurrected ... a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day.
2Pe 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The verse below represents all the bride at the "resurrection of the just", which is the first resurrection, including all those that were martyred &/or have died in the Lord since His own death & resurrection:
Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
In a recent article I saw the following: "According to a recent report, 2015 was the most violent year with regards to persecution of Christians at global level. There has been an unprecedented persecution internationally. The phenomenon of persecution includes killings, kidnappings, sexual abuse, trafficking, demolition and arson of churches and heinous acts of such kind." (Source: http://www.christiansinpakistan.com/russian-president-pledges-to-protect-christians-across-the-globe-from-persecution/)
So, tell me again how the bride of Christ won't be battered, beaten, bruised, and killed for His name's sake!? Oh wait, "those *Christians* don't count" some would say. WRONG!
We need to differentiate between "tribulation" and "wrath". In the world we WILL have tribulation, even great tribulation by the end of this age. We are promised we will not suffer God's wrath at Jesus' return, rather, we will be caught up (for the first resurrection) to meet Him in the air and then return with Him to rule & reign on this earth for 1,000 years.
1Th 5:9-10 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Thanks for reading ;o}
{Red text is Jesus speaking in the NT.}
01/16/16 ~ Is there a *GAP* in time?
Yes, I do believe so, and I think HIS-story (history) proves it as it's been nearly two thousand years since Jesus' first coming! One such *gap* is here where Jesus is quoting part of Isaiah 61:
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias {Isaiah}. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. {Luk 4:16-21}
Notice what exactly He said:
1) to preach the gospel to the poor
2) to heal the brokenhearted
3) to preach deliverance to the captives
4) recovering of sight to the blind {part of 4 below}
5) to set at liberty them that are bruised {part of 4 below}
6) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Did Jesus fulfill all those things at His first coming? Of course He did! However, Jesus did not quote the entire text! What's missing?
{Isa 61:1-3} The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Notice exactly what was prophesied by Isaiah, through the Spirit of the Lord GOD:
1) to preach good tidings unto the meek {1 above}
2) to bind up the brokenhearted {2 above}
3) to proclaim liberty to the captives {3 above}
4) the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound {4 & 5 above}
5) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD {6 above}
NOT PART OF WHAT JESUS SAID ABOVE,
THUS FUTURE TO THOSE OF HIS DAY
6) and the day of vengeance of our God
7) to comfort all that mourn
8) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion
9) to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, ...
When Jesus came the first time, He was the One foretold of by Moses:
{Deu 18:18-19} I will raise them up a Prophet {Jesus} from among their brethren, like unto thee {Moses}, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.
{Jhn 6:14} Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. {Jhn 12:49-50}
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. {Jhn 14:10 KJV}
And, of Jesus' first coming, had Israel accepted Him, He would have given them much joy & happiness. However, they did NOT accept Him at that time, as He knew they wouldn't when He lamented over Jerusalem before His crucifixion:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! {Mat 23:37 KJV}
This lamentation was also presented to them in the parable of the Householder {God the Father}:
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him]. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [his] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. {Mat 21:33-46}
And this testimony from Matthew is also noted in Mark's gospel:
And he began to speak unto them by parables. A [certain] man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about [it], and digged [a place for] the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught [him], and beat him, and sent [him] away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed [him], and cast [him] out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. {Mar 12:1-12}
Jesus not only reiterated what was past (rejecting and killing the prophets of God) but also what was in His own day (they'd likewise reject and kill Him, the "son"), but He also tells them of the future that would result from their stiff-necked behavior ... that future has been unfolding for the nearly 2,000 years. This is the *gap*. It's otherwise called "the times of the Gentiles":
And they {Israel} shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations {70 AD}: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. {Luk 21:24, read the whole chapter; see also Mat 24 & Mar 13}
Noting, "the times of the Gentiles" is still going on because there are still Gentiles (non-Israelis) trampling the holy temple mount area; and this is NOT the modern-day Jews since they are not even allowed to worship on the temple mount at this point in time. The temple mount is currently under the control of the Arabs, through Jordan. This particular *gap* is also eluded to in a couple of other scriptures:
{Hos 6:2} After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
{2Pe 3:8} But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
So, if *two days* is actually two thousand years ... time is almost up and the *gap* is nearing it's close. On the *third day* (beginning of the third thousandth year) He will raise us up at the "resurrection of the just", which is also known as "the first resurrection" {See Luk 14, Acts 24, and Rev 20}
I do hope you are WATCHING, as we're commanded to do:
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. {Mat 24:42-43}
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. {Mat 25:13}
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. {Mar 13:33-37}
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants. {Luk 12:38}
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. {Luk 21:36}
{1Th 5:6} Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.
{2Ti 4:5} But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. {Rev 3:3 KJV}
I think that about covers it. Be a Berean, search the scriptures, trust God's word. Just like His first coming, most were not aware the time was at hand ... so it is with His second coming. He's coming SOONER than most believe!
{Act 17:10-11 KJV} And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
{2Ti 2:15} Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Thanks for reading ;o}
{Jesus is the English transliteration for His Hebrew name: Yeshua (meaning: Salvation). All scripture quotes are King James Version (KJV); I use {curly brackets} to contain my comments within scriptures when I feel clarification might help; Blue text is God speaking in the OT, Red text is Jesus speaking in the NT}
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias {Isaiah}. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. And he closed the book, and he gave [it] again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. {Luk 4:16-21}
Notice what exactly He said:
1) to preach the gospel to the poor
2) to heal the brokenhearted
3) to preach deliverance to the captives
4) recovering of sight to the blind {part of 4 below}
5) to set at liberty them that are bruised {part of 4 below}
6) To preach the acceptable year of the Lord
Did Jesus fulfill all those things at His first coming? Of course He did! However, Jesus did not quote the entire text! What's missing?
{Isa 61:1-3} The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Notice exactly what was prophesied by Isaiah, through the Spirit of the Lord GOD:
1) to preach good tidings unto the meek {1 above}
2) to bind up the brokenhearted {2 above}
3) to proclaim liberty to the captives {3 above}
4) the opening of the prison to [them that are] bound {4 & 5 above}
5) To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD {6 above}
NOT PART OF WHAT JESUS SAID ABOVE,
THUS FUTURE TO THOSE OF HIS DAY
6) and the day of vengeance of our God
7) to comfort all that mourn
8) To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion
9) to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, ...
When Jesus came the first time, He was the One foretold of by Moses:
{Deu 18:18-19} I will raise them up a Prophet {Jesus} from among their brethren, like unto thee {Moses}, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require [it] of him.
{Jhn 6:14} Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. {Jhn 12:49-50}
Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. {Jhn 14:10 KJV}
And, of Jesus' first coming, had Israel accepted Him, He would have given them much joy & happiness. However, they did NOT accept Him at that time, as He knew they wouldn't when He lamented over Jerusalem before His crucifixion:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! {Mat 23:37 KJV}
This lamentation was also presented to them in the parable of the Householder {God the Father}:
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast [him] out of the vineyard, and slew [him]. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out [his] vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet. {Mat 21:33-46}
And this testimony from Matthew is also noted in Mark's gospel:
And he began to speak unto them by parables. A [certain] man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about [it], and digged [a place for] the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught [him], and beat him, and sent [him] away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded [him] in the head, and sent [him] away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed [him], and cast [him] out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way. {Mar 12:1-12}
Jesus not only reiterated what was past (rejecting and killing the prophets of God) but also what was in His own day (they'd likewise reject and kill Him, the "son"), but He also tells them of the future that would result from their stiff-necked behavior ... that future has been unfolding for the nearly 2,000 years. This is the *gap*. It's otherwise called "the times of the Gentiles":
And they {Israel} shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations {70 AD}: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. {Luk 21:24, read the whole chapter; see also Mat 24 & Mar 13}
Noting, "the times of the Gentiles" is still going on because there are still Gentiles (non-Israelis) trampling the holy temple mount area; and this is NOT the modern-day Jews since they are not even allowed to worship on the temple mount at this point in time. The temple mount is currently under the control of the Arabs, through Jordan. This particular *gap* is also eluded to in a couple of other scriptures:
{Hos 6:2} After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
{2Pe 3:8} But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
So, if *two days* is actually two thousand years ... time is almost up and the *gap* is nearing it's close. On the *third day* (beginning of the third thousandth year) He will raise us up at the "resurrection of the just", which is also known as "the first resurrection" {See Luk 14, Acts 24, and Rev 20}
I do hope you are WATCHING, as we're commanded to do:
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. {Mat 24:42-43}
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. {Mat 25:13}
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. [For the Son of man is] as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. {Mar 13:33-37}
And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants. {Luk 12:38}
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. {Luk 21:36}
{1Th 5:6} Therefore let us not sleep, as [do] others; but let us watch and be sober.
{2Ti 4:5} But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. {Rev 3:3 KJV}
I think that about covers it. Be a Berean, search the scriptures, trust God's word. Just like His first coming, most were not aware the time was at hand ... so it is with His second coming. He's coming SOONER than most believe!
{Act 17:10-11 KJV} And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming [thither] went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
{2Ti 2:15} Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Thanks for reading ;o}
{Jesus is the English transliteration for His Hebrew name: Yeshua (meaning: Salvation). All scripture quotes are King James Version (KJV); I use {curly brackets} to contain my comments within scriptures when I feel clarification might help; Blue text is God speaking in the OT, Red text is Jesus speaking in the NT}
01/14/16 ~ Can you *name it and claim it*?
I replied to a post last year on Facebook regarding an article on this subject and I think it's important that I put down what I think, and what scripture says, on this blog as well ...
Yes, you can *name it and claim it*, however, there are limitations:
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Jhn 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Jhn 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Jhn 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Jhn 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
I believe many of today's *name it and claim it* preachers, now very rich at the expense of the innocent, will not make it to heaven because they're misapplying these truths. I don't believe they're gaining their wealth from the Lord but rather from satan. They mislead their congregations by quoting scriptures in order to benefit themselves, not those they bilk into giving to them or their causes. God is surely watching, and retribution is coming!
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
And yes, by all means we should give to the needy, the widows, orphans, homeless, as we are able. Do random acts of kindness whenever safely possible, but don't be fooled by those living high on the hog by their own selfishness. If pastors are driving around in high priced vehicles with suits made by high dollar designers, I'd say you should steer clear of them! I'm reminded of the -Lazarus and the rich man- parable in Luke 16 when I see this sort of thing going on. I think it's better to be among the poor, Jesus was drawn to such people. I am far from rich though I can testify from my own life that the Lord has been true to provide for my every need, not necessarily my wants, but ALWAYS for my needs.
God is a good and gracious Father. If you don't know Him, now would be a good time to give Him your heart by asking Jesus to come in to your heart & life to be your Lord & Savior. Know this, you cannot just have head knowledge of God, you must seek Him earnestly and then allow Him to clean out your life where ever He needs to. Trust Him, it may hurt (cleaning out those old dirty chambers within your heart) but it's the only way to heal properly from any *soul wounds* you may have encountered. You cannot do it alone, you need the Lord Jesus in your heart & life. Trust Him, He will make you a new creation if you allow Him to work in you to expel the old things that are not of Him. Here's His promise to you ...
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
A halfhearted effort won't do it, you need to be committed to searching for Him with ALL your heart & soul, then you will find Him. God's not into half-baked fake relationships, for Him it's all or nothing, as it should be. No relationship works when you both don't give it your all ... God will do His part but, being a perfect gentleman, He won't intrude in your life without an invitation. Do that today, won't you!?
Here's the link to the article (not the Facebook post but to the actual article) ...
http://www.gotquestions.org/name-it-claim-it.html
Thanks for reading ;o}
{Blue text is God in the OT; Red text is Jesus speaking in the NT.}
Yes, you can *name it and claim it*, however, there are limitations:
- you must ask *believing* you will receive
- you must ask it of the Father, in Jesus' name
- your motive for asking must be from a pure heart and not of greed or other worldly reasons
- you must keep His commandments and do what's pleasing in His sight ... in other words you can't live like the devil and profess to be a Christian
Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Mat 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Jhn 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Jhn 16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.
Jhn 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Jhn 16:24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
1Jo 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
I believe many of today's *name it and claim it* preachers, now very rich at the expense of the innocent, will not make it to heaven because they're misapplying these truths. I don't believe they're gaining their wealth from the Lord but rather from satan. They mislead their congregations by quoting scriptures in order to benefit themselves, not those they bilk into giving to them or their causes. God is surely watching, and retribution is coming!
Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
And yes, by all means we should give to the needy, the widows, orphans, homeless, as we are able. Do random acts of kindness whenever safely possible, but don't be fooled by those living high on the hog by their own selfishness. If pastors are driving around in high priced vehicles with suits made by high dollar designers, I'd say you should steer clear of them! I'm reminded of the -Lazarus and the rich man- parable in Luke 16 when I see this sort of thing going on. I think it's better to be among the poor, Jesus was drawn to such people. I am far from rich though I can testify from my own life that the Lord has been true to provide for my every need, not necessarily my wants, but ALWAYS for my needs.
God is a good and gracious Father. If you don't know Him, now would be a good time to give Him your heart by asking Jesus to come in to your heart & life to be your Lord & Savior. Know this, you cannot just have head knowledge of God, you must seek Him earnestly and then allow Him to clean out your life where ever He needs to. Trust Him, it may hurt (cleaning out those old dirty chambers within your heart) but it's the only way to heal properly from any *soul wounds* you may have encountered. You cannot do it alone, you need the Lord Jesus in your heart & life. Trust Him, He will make you a new creation if you allow Him to work in you to expel the old things that are not of Him. Here's His promise to you ...
Deu 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
A halfhearted effort won't do it, you need to be committed to searching for Him with ALL your heart & soul, then you will find Him. God's not into half-baked fake relationships, for Him it's all or nothing, as it should be. No relationship works when you both don't give it your all ... God will do His part but, being a perfect gentleman, He won't intrude in your life without an invitation. Do that today, won't you!?
Here's the link to the article (not the Facebook post but to the actual article) ...
http://www.gotquestions.org/name-it-claim-it.html
Thanks for reading ;o}
{Blue text is God in the OT; Red text is Jesus speaking in the NT.}
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