Clouds On the Horizon

End Time Thoughts and Theories - Summary of My Current Understanding

2011-10-30T01:09:00.001-04:00

Since I first started to read and study the Bible around age 11, I have been drawn to the end time prophecies. My early years of reading Revelation, Daniel, Ezekial, and the words of Jesus Christ showed me many astounding things were going to happen in the future. However, understanding how it all fit together, or when these things were going to occur was impossible for me to comprehend.

At age 16 I learned an important key to understanding the Bible and prophecy was to have the Holy Spirit as your teacher.

And this is the promise that He has promised us: everlasting life. These things I have written to you concerning those leading you astray. But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He is revealed, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him in His coming.

(1 John 2:25-28 MKJV)

We also have a more sure Word of prophecy, to which you do well to take heed, as to a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the Daystar arises in your hearts, knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture came into being of its own private interpretation. For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke being borne along by the Holy Spirit.

(2 Peter 1:19-21 MKJV)

And that when the end time prophecies are being fulfilled the unbelieving will be "blind" to what is really happening.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth,

(2 Thessalonians 2:11-13 MKJV)

But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief. You are all the sons of light and the sons of the day. We are not of the night, or of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm. For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 MKJV)

* You must be born again to even begin to understand the "mysteries" of God.

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

(Ephesians 2:8-9 MKJV)

And a few other clear verses that explain that our eternal life and forgiveness is free and based on what Jesus Christ has done for us, and not anything we have done, nor what we will do are:

But as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name, who were born, not of bloods, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but were born of God.

(John 1:12-13 MKJV)

But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus;
(Romans 3:21-24 MKJV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Romans 6:23 MKJV)

And one of my favorites,

I have written these things to you who believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.

(1 John 5:13 MKJV)

Plus many many more, John 3:36, 5:24, Eph. 1:7-14, Titus 3:3-7, Acts 16:30,31, Acts 13:38,39, Acts 10:43, Acts 15:7-9

* Is the subject "Important" for us to study?

I believe we are instructed to learn and understand as much as we can about all things God has in His Word.

And while the "exact timing" may not be knowable, I believe more attention needs to be given to the subject of Eschatology.

I Thess: 5:19-22 "...But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good;..."

II Tim. 2:14-26 "Be diligent...accurately handling the word of truth...correct those who are in opposition..."

I Peter 2:2 "...milk of the word..."

I Peter 3:15 "...ready to make a defense to everyone...for the hope that is in you..."

and

Hebrews 5:11- 6:1 Going beyond milk and the elementary teaching.

* When is the Rapture?

Rapture ( Meeting the Lord in the Air ).

The doctrine of the "post-tribulation rapture" was taught by Christianity starting in the first century CE and was popular until the 19th century. It is still held by some Christians. It teaches that when Jesus Christ returns to earth after the tribulation, believers who are alive at the time will be changed into immortal glorified bodies.

A relatively new competing belief promoting a "pre-tribulation rapture" was developed during the 19th century ( John Nelsen Darby was one of the first to teach it, and has become a near universal belief among fundamentalist and other evangelical Christians. This belief has Jesus returning towards the Earth before the tribulation. Christian believers -- both dead and alive -- will rise in the air to meet him in the sky. It will occur without warning. Believers in the pre-tribulation rapture have eagerly anticipated the event since the 1840s and have never given up the hope that it will occur in their very near future.

*** The "Post-Tribulation Rapture" fits the scriptures clearly, and the idea of a "pre-tribulation rapture" requires "reading into" the verses something that is just not there.

Let's take a look at what the scriptures say:

*****************************************************

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 MKJV)

But of the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need that I write to you. For you yourselves know accurately that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety! Then sudden destruction comes on them, as travail upon a woman with child. And they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, that the Day should overtake you like a thief. You are all the sons of light and the sons of the day. We are not of the night, or of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep as the rest do, but let us watch and be calm. For those sleeping sleep in the night, and those being drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be calm, having put on the breastplate of faith and love and the hope of salvation for a helmet. For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we watch or sleep we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort one another, and edify one another, even as you also do.

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 MKJV)

Now we beseech you, my brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you should not be soon shaken in mind or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word or letter, as through us, as if the Day of Christ is at hand. Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you?

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 MKJV)

Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.

(1 Corinthians 15:51-52 MKJV)

(Matthew 24:29-31 MKJV)

And Jehovah shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth like the lightning; and the Lord Jehovah shall blow the ram's horn, and shall go out with the windstorms of the south.

(Zechariah 9:14 MKJV)

And the seventh angel sounded. And there were great voices in Heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ. And He will reign forever and ever.

(Revelation 11:15 MKJV)

Return of Jesus Christ and Believers meeting Him in the Air, according to the Bible

After much Bible study, and reading what the bible "scholars" have to say on the subject, I've narrowed down the main verses that speak of the return of Jesus Christ, and the "translation" of living believers who will be changed in a "twinkle of an eye". Read them carefully. Feel free to read in context before and after each passage. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom to understand them clearly. And it should be noted you will not find the word "rapture" in any of these verses, because the word is not used in the Bible anywhere. And while the following verses are not ALL that touch on the subject, they are the clearest and most widely quoted to teach about the return of Jesus Christ, and what the believer should expect to happen at that time ( or shortly before that time ). There are many whole chapters of the Bible that reveal details about the "time of trouble", the "beast", and the "wrath of God", and therefore I have not attempted to include them.

And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great ruler who stands for the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation; until that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

(Daniel 12:1-2 MKJV)

And as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said to them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many will come in My name, saying, I am Christ, and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled, for all these things must occur; but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted and will kill you. And you will be hated of all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. And many false prophets will rise and deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will become cold. But he who endures to the end, the same shall be kept safe. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come. Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place (whoever reads, let him understand). Then let those in Judea flee into the mountains. Let him on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house; nor let him in the field turn back to take his clothes. And woe to those who are with child, and to those who give suck in those days! But pray that your flight is not in the winter, nor on the sabbath day; for then shall be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world to this time; no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days should be shortened, no flesh would be saved. But for the elect's sake, those days shall be shortened.

(Matthew 24:3-22 MKJV)

For as the lightning comes out of the east and shines even to the west, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered. And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man shall appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

(Matthew 24:27-31 MKJV)

Then two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Therefore watch; for you do not know what hour your Lord comes.

(Matthew 24:40-42 MKJV)

And saying these things, as they watched, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they were looking intently into the heaven, He having gone, even behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, who also said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into the heaven? This same Jesus who is taken up from you into Heaven, will come in the way you have seen Him going into Heaven. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount Of Olive Grove, which is a sabbath day's journey from Jerusalem.

(Acts 1:9-12 MKJV)

And His feet shall stand in that day on the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall divide from its middle, from the east and to the west, a very great valley. And half of the mountain shall move toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

(Zechariah 14:4 MKJV)

And it shall be in that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour on the house of David, and on the people of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of prayers. And they shall look on Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be bitter over Him, as the bitterness over the first-born.

(Zechariah 12:9-10 MKJV)

Behold, He comes with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, and those who pierced Him will see Him, and all the kindreds of the earth will wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.

(Revelation 1:7 MKJV)

looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

(Titus 2:13 MKJV)

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will also bring with Him all those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord shall not go before those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall ever be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 MKJV)

Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and when this mortal shall put on immortality, then will take place the word that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.

(1 Corinthians 15:51-54 MKJV)

For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which also we are looking for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our body of humiliation so that it may be fashioned like His glorious body, according to the working of His power, even to subdue all things to Himself.

(Philippians 3:20-21 MKJV)

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 MKJV)

Now we beseech you, my brothers, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, that you should not be soon shaken in mind or troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word or letter, as through us, as if the Day of Christ is at hand. Let not anyone deceive you by any means. For that Day shall not come unless there first comes a falling away, and the man of sin shall be revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, setting himself forth, that he is God. Do you not remember that I told you these things when I was still with you? And now you know what holds back, for him to be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already working, only he is now holding back until it comes out of the midst. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the breath of His mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, so that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, so that all those who do not believe the truth, but delight in unrighteousness, might be condemned. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-14 MKJV)

And I saw Heaven opened. And behold, a white horse! And He sitting on him was called Faithful and True. And in righteousness He judges and makes war. And His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head many crowns. And He had a name written, one that no one knew except Himself. And He had been clothed in a garment dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in Heaven followed Him on white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, so that with it He should strike the nations. And He will shepherd them with a rod of iron. And He treads the winepress of the wine of the anger and of the wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His garment, and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. And I saw one angel standing in the sun. And he cried with a great voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid-heaven, Come and gather together to the supper of the great God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of commanders, and the flesh of strong ones, and the flesh of horses, and those sitting on them, and the flesh of all, both free and slave, both small and great. And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth and their armies, being gathered to make war against Him who sat on the horse, and against His army. And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet doing signs before it, (by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast), and those who had worshiped his image. The two were thrown alive into the Lake of Fire burning with brimstone. And the rest were slain by the sword of Him who sat on the horse, it proceeding out of His mouth. And all the birds were filled from their flesh.

(Revelation 19:11-21 MKJV)

*** Theories about When the End will Come.

** 6000 years for the "rule" of Man, and 1,000 years for the Kingdom of God on Earth, or 1 week, with the 7th day ( 1,000 years ) being the Sabaath, or Jubilee ( both setting a part the 7th part as holy and special in the Law, see Lev. chapter 23, Deut. 16, Ex. 23:10-17 ).

** Also, some of the pieces of the puzzle point towards the return at the end of the "Sixth" Day ( 6,000 years ) from the Creation of the world.

With the 7th Day ( 1,000 years ) being the "Sabbath" or millenium kingdom when Jesus Christ rules and reigns on the earth.

Hosea 6:2 "After two days He will bring us to life: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight."

Exodus 19:10,11 "...the third day the Lord will come down"

II Peter 3:7,8 "...with the Lord one day is like a thousand years..."

Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or a watch in the night."

Luke 10:35 Good Samaritan left for 2 days worth of money and then he will RETURN

Job 5:19 "From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you."

* Yeah, I know I may be stretching this verse too far, but many are just examples of the pattern of 6 and then 7th, or 2 then the 3rd.

Exodus 24:15,16 "... six days, and the seventh day..."

Matthew 16:28-17:2 "...six days later...He was transfigured before them..."

Revelation 20:6 ...reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Also, suggesting the Return of Christ as 2,000 years after He left is,

2 days ( 2,000 years ) , and return the 3rd day ( begin the 1,000 kingdom ).

When the Lord God appeared to the Israelites at Mount Sinai they were told,

Ex: 19:15 ( be ready for the 3rd day ),16 ( voice of trumpet ), 17 ( meet with God )... referenced Heb.12:18-29

Most Bible scholars agree the Earth was created around 4004 B.C. ( plus or minus a few years ).

And the "theory" that the "Rule of Man" did not start until Adam and Eve sinned, and were put of the Garden of Eden, is one explaination why the 6,000 years has not yet expired ( since it's currently late 2011, and we are still watching and waiting ).

If the return is to follow a "time line" or "an appointed time" as has been suggested, then I would purpose ( remember this is just a theory, and subject to change if new and better information becomes available ), we can count forward from both the "fall of man" 30 - 35 years after creation. This is only a number I picked to fit with Christ's ministy some time around 25 - 31 A.D. or 4,000 years later. It could be much less, or several decades longer, but it had to be well before Seth was born when Adam was 130 years old and out of the Garden for some time. And this would put date of the Cruxification of Christ ( Passover, 30 A.D. on a Thursday afternoon, 31 A.D. on Wednesday afternoon.... exactly when is a whole other topic to dig into ), to be used determine the "end of the 6th day" and the beginning of the "7th day" ( 1,000 year Kingdom ). And the after the 7,000 years, we are told that current heavens and earth will be destroyed, and replaced by a new heaven and a new earth ( II Peter 3:10 -13, Rev. chapter 21 ).

Also, there is strong support that the Return of Christ will be in the Fall.

One reason being, that Christ fullfilled 2 of the 3 major Feast of the Lord at His first coming.

You shall keep a feast to Me three times in the year. You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. You shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And no one shall appear before Me empty. Also the Feast of Harvest, the first-fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field. Also the Feast of Ingathering, in the end of the year, when you have gathered in your labors out of the field. Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.

(Exodus 23:14-17 MKJV)

( Also see Deut. chapter 16, Lev. chapter 23 ) .

He became our sacrifical "Lamb of God" who took away the sins of the world at Passover.

And after His resurrection, He was taken up into Heaven, and the Holy Spirit came upon the believers at Pentecost ( Feast of Harvest, first fruits ).

Those were the first 2 of 3 major Feast that were "appointed" to be "a statue forever in your generations".

The 3rd is the Feast of Ingathing ( or Booths or Tents ).

Details about the Feasts and how they are prophetic in design is something I will try to cover in depth at a later time.

This 3rd Feast is 6 months ( or 1/2 year ) after Passover.

And time of Tribulation is 3 1/2 years long ( Dan. 12:7,11,12, Rev. 12:6,14,, , and should therefore "begin" at Passover, and end 3 1/2 years later at the Feast the In Gathering ( possibly the "end of the year" - see: Ex. 23:16 )

This would put the "end" or "return" of Christ around late Sept - early Oct. 2030 or 2031.

The time of Tribulation ( and rule of the anti-christ and the beast ) begin 3 1/2 years earlier in Spring ( at Passover time ).

And if we have 3 1/2 years of "Beginning of Sorrows" ( Matt. 24:1-14 ), then the "Abomination of Desolation" standing in the holy place ( Matt. 24:15-22, Dan. 11:31,12:11 ), signals the beginning of the Great Tribulation lasting another 3 1/2 years. The 7 years would begin in the Fall of 2023 or 2024.

NOTE: As there are several "variables" and some lack of certainty in exact dates, this "date" approximation could vary by several years more or less.

Please don't hold me to it. Like many before me, I may be forcing the "facts" to have Christ's return appear to be something I could live to see.

I am confident that there will be no "secret" rapture of the church. And that our meeting the Lord in the air will not occur until He returns to set up His Kingdom.

So, should the events in Daniel and Revelation begin to come to pass, then you should know that our Lord's return is very near.

If you are living through these times, and are a true believer, you should be able to recognize the "signs of the times" ( Matt: 16:2,3 ) and the "parable of the fig tree" ( Matt.24:32,33 ).

And even though we can not know the "day or hour", we should be able to know / recognize when we are in the midst of this prophetic time ( I Thess. 5:1 - 11 ).

(1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 MKJV)

and

*** Can we know the end is near or how it will unfold? I believe there are a lot of scriptures on the matter, and it is worthy of study.

Hebrews 10:25, "...assemble...exhorting...AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING."

Matt. 25:4 - 9 "wise" virgins were ready and not surprised

I Thess. 5:4 we "are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief"

Dan. 12:10 " the wise shall understand"

Matt: 24:32-34 Parable of the Fig Tree

Luke 12:54 - 57 when you see a cloud you know it's going to rain, or when the wind blows..... "do you not analyze this present time?"

I John 2:27 "...His anointing teaches you about all things..."

** And closing ( for now ),

What to do when the end is upon us.

I hope to be with other believers studying, praying, singing songs, and rejoicing that our Lord, our Savior, and our King is soon to arrive, and set all things "straight".

As He is the only Hope ( our Blessed Hope ) for the people of all the nations and the planet it's self.

Isaiah 26:20, 21

"Come, my people, enter into your rooms,

And close your doors behind you;

Hide for a little while.

Until indignation runs it's course.

For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place

To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;

And the earth will reveal her bloodshed

And will no longer cover her slain."

* Some will speak out, take action, and may be martyred.

Daniel 11:31-35

Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.

By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.

Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days.

Now when they fall they will be granted a little help and may will join with them in hypocrisy.

Some of those who have insight will fall in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.

NASB translation

Is Love All You Really Need ?

2011-09-25T11:24:00.001-04:00

1Co 13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
1Co 13:2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1Co 13:13 But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.

Love is extremely important, and very necessary, but it must be "relevant" and "focused".
And scriptures clearly couples the "excerise" of love with knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

Php 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;
Php 1:10 so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
Col 1:10 to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Col 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ,
Col 2:3 in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.
Col 2:4 This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
Col 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
Col 2:6 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him,
Col 2:7 rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Col 2:8 Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:

My point is:

Yes, let all be done in Love, but don't forget to use your brain.

It is God's desire that we grow in the knowledge of the truth, and walk in this truth.

Sharing it with a world that is walking in darkness.

Letting your Light shine involves a lot more than a friendly smile, and helping those in physical need.

It is their spiritual need that must also be addressed.

Don't just be "nice" to those around you. Give them something of eternal value.

Share the truth of the Gospel.

Introduce them to the Creator of the universe. Tell them about the gift of eteranl life that was bought and paid for by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Tell them about forgiveness that comes by faith.

Tell them about God's love. The Love that sent His only begotten Son, in order that they could receive everlasting life as a free gift by trusting in Jesus, the Christ, as their Savior.

That they can become a child of God by this simple act of faith.

Letting your light shine, should bring this knowledge and truth.

And your words should add "spice" or "flavor" to those with whom you speak.

You should be overflowing with this "truth". It should pour out of your life, and into those around you.

Encourage your fellow brethren, and be a light to those who lack the "knowledge" you have as a child of God.

Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
Col 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

2Ti 2:15 Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth.

1Pe 3:15 but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear:

Gal 6:10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith

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1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vain glory of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.

1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer:
1Pe 4:8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins:
1Pe 4:9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring:
1Pe 4:10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God;
1Pe 4:11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Free Grace Statement of Faith

2011-08-07T02:37:00.002-04:00

Free Grace Statement of Faith

1. Theology Proper

We believe that there is one true God, eternally existing in three Persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—each of whom possesses equally all of the attributes of deity and elements of personality (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Revelation 1:4-6).

2. Jesus Christ

We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is fully God and perfect man, deity incarnate, born of a virgin, and neither sinned nor could have sinned. By His death as a substitute for sinners He infinitely satisfied divine justice and salvation for all who believe in Him.

He arose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died. His resurrection body is the pattern of that body which will ultimately be given to all believers (John 20:20; Philippians 3:20-21).

The Lord Jesus Christ, in His glorified body, is now in heaven, exalted at the right hand of God the Father, where He presently fulfills the ministries of Representative, Intercessor, and Advocate for the saved (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24; 1 John 2:1-2).

3. The Holy Spirit

We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third member of the Trinity. He is, always has been, and always will be fully God, with intellect (1 Corinthians 2:11b), emotion (Ephesians 4:30), and will (1 Corinthians 12:11). He has been intimately involved in all that God does, including creation (Genesis 1:2), justification (Titus 3:5), and sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Holy Spirit gives each believer one or more spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11; 1 Peter 4:10). He gives these gifts "for the common good" (Ephesians 4:11-18), in order that believers might serve one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Some spiritual gifts, such as apostleship, miracles, tongues, interpretation of tongues, healings, and prophecy, were given for the foundational period of the church (Ephesians 2:20), and are not normative for today (Hebrews 2:3-4).

4. The Scriptures

We believe that the Scriptures (not the men) are God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God moved holy men to write (2 Peter 1:20-21) and He made certain that what they wrote was without error in the original documents. He has revealed Himself and His eternal plan to mankind in the Bible. Divine inspiration extends equally and fully to all parts of the Bible. The Bible is a necessary source of spiritual sustenance for the believer and is able to equip us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

6. Satan

We believe that one of the greatest angels, Lucifer, also called Satan or the devil, sinned through pride and rebelled against God (Ezekiel 28:12-19; Isaiah 14:12-15). Satan now rules as the "god of this world." He was judged at the cross (Genesis 3:15), though the execution of that judgment will not take place until Christ's Second Coming." After his final defeat he will be cast into the lake of fire where he will experience conscious eternal torment.

7. Anthropology

We believe that the first human, Adam, was created in the image of God. Through disobedience he sinned and thus was alienated from God, died spiritually, and suffered the corruption of his nature (though still retaining the image of God), rendering him unable to please God (Genesis 3:1-19).

This fall took place at the beginning of human history, and all individuals born since then suffer these same consequences—are fallen, sinful, and lost and are thus in need of the saving grace of God (Romans 3:10-20). This saving grace cannot be experienced by any person in the world apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8-9). All children are held in the grace of God and covered by the blood of Christ until they reach the age of accountability (Deuteronomy 1:39; 2 Samuel 12:23; Jonah 4:11; Matthew 18:2-5).

8. Eternal Salvation

The sole condition for receiving eternal salvation is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ who died a substitutionary death on the cross for man's sin and rose from the dead (John 3:16-18; 6:47; Acts 16:31). No act of obedience, preceding or following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, such as commitment to obey, sorrow for sin, turning from one's sin, baptism, or submission to the Lordship of Christ, may be added to, or considered as a part of, faith as a condition for receiving eternal salvation (Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Titus 3:5). This saving transaction between God and the sinner is simply the giving and receiving of a free gift (John 4:10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Revelation 22:17).

9. Eternal Security

We believe that any person who believes in Jesus Christ for eternal life receives that gift which, as the words eternal life suggest, can never be lost. Every child of God possesses this eternal (or everlasting) life and, being regenerated, justified, and sealed by the Holy Spirit, is safe and secure for all eternity. The believer is eternally secure since Jesus Christ irrevocably guarantees it (John 6:35-40; 11:25-27, Romans 11:29). Therefore, it is inconsistent with the gospel and with Scripture to seek to gain or keep eternal salvation by godly living.

10. Assurance of Salvation

We believe that assurance of eternal salvation is sufficiently grounded on the promise God makes in His Word that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ possesses eternal life (John 5:24; 1 John 5:9-13). Since a person can know whether or not he believes the gospel, no other basis for assurance is needed. Good works, which can and should follow regeneration, are not an indispensable verification of saving faith, even though they may have a secondary, confirmatory value (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8).

12. Sanctification

We believe that sanctification is past, present and future. At the moment one believes in Christ, he is positionally sanctified, or set apart to God (1 Corinthians 1:2, Hebrews 10:10), which is a past event for all believers. Presently God is working to conform believers more and more to Christ (Hebrews 10:14). However, believers may thwart this work and even in the godliest of saints this work will not be perfectly or fully accomplished prior to death or the rapture when all believers will become sinless (1 John 3:1-3).

13. The Christian Walk

We believe that the ultimate goal of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer's life is to produce spiritual maturity reflected in consistent Christlike behavior and attitudes (Galatians 5:22-25; Colossians 1:24-29). Therefore, obedience to the Word of God, while not necessary for obtaining eternal salvation, is the essential responsibility of each Christian (Romans 6:12-23; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4; Hebrews 5:13,14). However, the Bible does not teach that this obedience will be manifested uniformly in all believers. If a believer does not yield to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his experience, failure will result, evidenced by sinful acts or even prolonged disobedience (1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Galatians 5:16-21).

Confession of sins is an essential aspect of ongoing fellowship with God (1 John 1:9). Whenever a believer is made aware of some sin in his life, he should be open and honest with God and confess it. As long as a believer remains open and honest with God, he continues to walk in fellowship. If a believer chooses not to do this, he will incur the loving discipline of God (Hebrews 12:6), and loss of rewards at the Judgment Seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3).

Our motivation to walk in fellowship with the Lord is partially out of our gratitude for what He has done for us at the cross, and partially out of our anticipation of the rewards we will receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ, In order to bring glory to Him for all eternity.

14. The Church

We believe that the Church, that is, the body and future bride of Christ, is a spiritual entity made up of all believers of this present age. The Church was born on the day of Pentecost. It does not replace Israel, and the promises to Abraham and David are not fulfilled in the Church age. Since Pentecost all who believe in Christ are members of the Universal Church.

The Universal Church is visibly functional through groups called local churches which meet regularly in identifiable locations. These should be governed by their own leadership (1 Corinthians 1:1-2; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 5:17; Hebrews 13:17), and the congregation is responsible to submit to its leadership (Hebrews 13:17).

The Word of God commands believers to gather together in local congregations, to devote themselves to worship, prayer, the teaching of the Bible, observance of the ordinances of water baptism and the Lord's Supper, the edification of the body, and an active witness to the unsaved world. A local expression of the church is found wherever Christians meet regularly in obedience to these commands (Acts 2:42).

The Lord gave the church two ordinances to be practiced until He returned. The Lord's Supper is to be conducted regularly by believers in remembrance of Christ's death on our behalf. The other was Believer's baptism. We are to urge those whom we lead to faith in Christ to publicly profess their faith in Christ by being baptized (Matthew 28:19, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Church discipline should be a vital part of church life. Steps of church discipline may include confrontation by one person, by several of the church leaders, by all of the church leaders, and, finally, if the person refuses all efforts to bring him to repentance, exclusion of the individual from the Lord's Table until he does repent (Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1).

15. Evangelism and Discipleship

We believe that the Lord Jesus sent His apostles out to make disciples of all the nations (commonly called the Great Commission). This was to include evangelizing the unsaved with the message of the Gospel of God's free grace, and then baptizing and teaching those who came to faith in Christ. The Lord wishes all believers to become disciples and carry on this work until He returns (Matthew 28:18-20).

16. Future Events

We believe that the next great event in the fulfillment of prophecy is the coming of the Lord Jesus in the air to receive to Himself both the dead in Christ and believers who remain alive (1 Thessalonians 4:13–5:11). The rapture will take place before the seven-year period called the Tribulation (Daniel 9:27; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 5:9). * NOTE: I personally believe the return of Jesus will be at the end of the Tribulation period at the Last Trump, and just moments before His physical return on the Mount of Olives, in Jerusalem.

The Tribulation will be climaxed by the second coming of Christ. After His return He will set up a kingdom headquartered in Jerusalem from where He will reign for one thousand years (Psalm 2; Revelation 20).

Believers will be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ before the Millennium begins in order to be rewarded according to what they done during their lives to bring glory to Christ (1 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 5; Romans 14). Unbelievers will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment after the Millennium has ended to determine the severity of their punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20).

17. The Eternal State

We believe that at physical death the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and the unbeliever into eternal separation from Him. The bodies of all the dead shall be raised: those of believers to a resurrection of glory; those of unbelievers to a resurrection of eternal condemnation. All of the lost will experience conscious punishment in the lake of fire, forever (Luke 16:19-31; Philippians 1:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; 2 Peter 3:8-13; Revelation 20:1-15; 21:1-22).

Reference = www.freegracealliance.com/covenant.htm

The Bible teaches that works will follow a saving faith and that the works contribute nothing to salvation. - Or Does it?

2011-06-25T22:03:00.001-04:00

Mike,

I am glad to hear you firmly believe that salvation is a free gift, received by trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation, forgiveness and life that is eternal.

However, I still can not accept the teaching "that works will follow a saving faith".

What works exactly would "follow" a person who had trusted in Jesus Christ to be his Savior?

And what "sins" would be an indication of that a person did not have "saving faith"?

How "good" or how "changed" does a person have to be to "know" they are saved?

Or for other believers to be able to "judge" if that person "really" believed ( trusted ) in Christ for salvation?

If I trust in Jesus Christ as my Savior, and commit a "grievous" sin, does this mean I never really believed?

Perhaps because you've lived a "Christian" life so well, you assume that others who truly believed must do like wise. That is not what I see in scripture. The Bible is FULL of "saved" believers who stumbled and sinned. Paul's two letters to the Corinthians ( whom he had lived with and taught ) is full of warnings to these "saints" about their less than holy living ( fornication, disputes amount themselves, drunkeness at the Lord's Supper, etc ), yet he continually appeals to them as brethren and his children.

Remember King David ( adultery and murder ), and Peter who first denied Christ, and later separated himself from the Gentiles ( Galatians chapter 2 ) and needed to be rebuke by Paul for his hypocrisy? And there are many more examples.

Just because some one has / is trusting in the Lord for salvation, it does not mean they are going to be a light or bear fruit.. that is the desired result. It is not the norm or even common. The parable of the sower is often interpreted to mean only 1 of the 4 is saved. I would say, that Christ was pointing out that only a few will bear fruit. Many "believe", but few "follow". To "follow" means to be a disciple. To be a disciple means to put yourself last, and everything, everyone else ( the Lord's work ) first. It is something we will receive blessings for in this life, and rewards for in the future ( 2 Timothy 2:11-13), but not all will receive rewards ( I Cor. 3:10-15 ), because they did not build on the foundation ( Not serving the Lord after trusting in Him for the forgiveness of their sins ).

The Book of James is written to Believers. James is not questioning the salvation of the saints he is writing to. He is warning them that you can't just going around saying "I'm a Christian" and but act just like the world, and not expect some type of judgment from God ( same type of warnings Paul makes to the disobedient believers in Corinth ). Abraham proved he trusted God in all things, and was willing to kill his son to prove it, and this is why he is called the friend of God. This is "faith" in the Love, and Power of God. James does not contradict what Paul stated in Ephesians 2:8,9 or Romans 4:4,5 or 6:23. Nor is James adding to the clear teaching John writes in his Gospel ( using the word believe 33 times, and stating the purpose of the writing was that you might Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31 ).

1st John on the other hand is not written to the world, but to the church, to believers, to the saints, and his warnings are about not be so foolish as to think one can "ABIDE... remain in a close and settle union" with God, and love the world, hate your brother, etc. and say you "Know" God ( the word used in the Greek means to "know by experience" ). It's all about our "fellowship" with our heavenly Father and our fellow brethren after we have been born again.

The gospel John includes references to those who "believe" but were hiding it ( John 12:42,19:38 ). Which to me is another "proof" that believing in Christ does not allows "show", and therefore not a true teaching ( that works "follow" some one who has believed ).

And my biggest concern is that if one starts teaching "works" must follow "true" believing, then some will also think that the false gospel of "Lordship Salvation" is okay too ( the teaching that one must commit to follow Christ and become a Disciple in order that one receives the "gift" of eternal life ).

*** That is my short answer. What follows is the long answer written by some one else with whom I agree, and who's material I have used in the past ( no need to re-invent the wheel ) to help explain my Biblical point of view on various doctrines.

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"Saved by Faith", or "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved", but what does that really mean?

And if I trust Him as my Savior, will my life automatically "show" I have been born again, and now possess eternal life?

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEAD AND HEART BELIEF?

You may have heard the phrase, "easy believism." In essence, they are saying that faith holds some merit because they are saying that the way you believe is the determining point in your salvation rather than the object of your faith, which is Jesus Christ. Of course, there is a difference between believing facts about Jesus Christ (such as His virgin birth and His resurrection) and believing in Him to be your Savior. But the difference is in what you believe, not how you believe.

Let me illustrate. Suppose a good friend of yours were to promise to give you five dollars tomorrow. Who or what gives you the money, your friend, or your faith in your friend? Christ promises to save all those who believe in Him. It is not a person's faith that saves him, but the object of his faith, Jesus Christ.

Some people even go so far as to make a distinction between believing in one's head and believing in one's heart. The basis of this teaching is the assumption that the word "believe" means more than intellectual assent. However, the Greek word translated "believe" is "pisteuo," and it literally means "to believe, trust, or rely upon," nothing more.

But doesn't the Bible teach that a person must believe in his heart? Yes, but what exactly is the heart? Does this mean that a person must believe with his emotions, intellect and will?

The primary meaning of the word "heart" is "mind." It is interesting to note that the Greek word for "bowels" is synonymous with our word "heart" and the Greek word for "heart" is synonymous with our word "mind." According to Greek scholars, "bowels" referred to one's feelings and affections. Good Scriptural examples of this are found in First John 3:17 and Matthew 9:36. The same Greek word is translated "bowels of compassion" in the former verse and "compassion" in the latter.

When Christ referred to the heart, He was primarily referring to the thinking and reasoning faculties of man. Examples of this are found in Matthew 9:4 and Luke 5:22:

"And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think you evil in your hearts?" (Matthew 9:4);

"But when Jesus perceived their thoughts He answering said unto them, What reason you in your hearts?" (Luke 5:22)

It is also interesting to note that while Romans 10:9,10 talk about believing with your heart, in verse six of the same chapter it says, "Say not in your heart..." This phrase was a Hebraism for "think not." So speaking in your heart and believing in your heart both refer to a mental process.

Those who teach that it is not enough to give intellectual assent are saying by their own definition that Abraham and all those who follow his example of faith are not saved! What exactly do I mean?

In Romans 4:21-24, it explains, "And being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his" (Abraham's) "sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead."

Scripture's own definition of faith is "being fully persuaded that what He had promised, He was able also to perform" (Romans 4:21). Thus, faith is simply taking God at His word.

Christ made this clear in John 5:46 and 47, when He said, "For had you believed Moses, you would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe My words?" If these unbelievers had taken Moses at his word, since he prophesied of Christ, they would have taken Christ at His word.

MUST CHRIST BE ONE'S LORD TO BE ONE'S SAVIOR?

Now some teach that the faith which saves a person must include a commitment of that person's life. These individuals use the phrase, "receive Christ as Savior and Lord." In other words, they are saying if you want Christ as your Savior, you must be willing to make Him the Lord and Master of your life.

This, however, is not in accordance with Scripture concerning what a person must do to have eternal life. We don't give Christ control of our lives or anything else. He gives us eternal life as a free gift, by just trusting in Him. When you start talking about making Christ the Lord of your life, you are then talking about service, not salvation!

If giving your life to God were a condition to receive eternal life, the Apostle Paul would not have pleaded with Christians to do just that. In Roman 12:1, he said, "I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." If Paul considered a commitment of one's life a separate and subsequent decision apart from salvation, shouldn't we also? He placed a commitment under the category of service to God, not salvation.

There is a vast difference between believing in Jesus Christ and serving Him. Believing in Christ results in one's becoming a child of God, while serving the Lord results in one's becoming a disciple. Salvation is the result of Christ's work on the cross, received by faith. Nothing in the life of the believer adds to or takes away from his perfect security; salvation cannot be lost. But discipleship comes only through a life of dedicated service to the Lord and can be lost because it is based upon the believer's faithfulness. Salvation secures a place in heaven, while discipleship secures rewards in heaven. Before embarking upon a life of service for the Lord, Christ cautions to count the cost (Luke 14:26-33). How different is the offer of salvation in which the Lord beckons, "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).

In John chapter 8, it clearly shows the distinction between believing in Christ as Savior and becoming a disciple. It records how that in response to Christ's teaching, many became believers. Jesus addressed those who believed in Him and explained that to become His disciple it was required that they continue in His word. It says in John 8:30-32, "As He spake these words, many believed on Him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed: and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." Thus, all believers are not disciples - only those who commit their lives to Him.

Surrendering or yielding your life to the Lord is certainly something of yourself. If you thought you had to give Christ control of your life in order to be saved, you would be depending upon your giving of yourself to Him plus your trusting Him to get you to heaven. This is a mixture of God's grace and your works. A requirement for being God's obedient child is to allow Christ to control your life. To take a requirement for obedience and make it a requirement for salvation is nothing less than teaching good works for salvation.

BUT IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE, WON'T YOU SHOW IT?

Some people say that if you really believe in something, then your life will show it, meaning of course, that if you truly believe in Christ, then you will follow Him. But is it really true that if you truly believe in something, your life will evidence that belief? Don't you know a lot of people who believe, who truly believe, they must be good to go to heaven, but who aren't being good themselves?

Besides, when you trust Christ to save you, what you're believing is that He's the One getting you to heaven. You're not trusting Him with your life here on earth. Trusting Him with your life here is a separate decision from trusting Him with your eternal destiny. Salvation is reliance on His work alone. Trusting Him to live through you is a decision which is to be made after you're saved. And if you do have faith or trust in Him in this regard, then your life will show it because believing in Christ to live through you requires work, faith AND work.

DOESN'T A PERSON'S LIFE AUTOMATICALLY CHANGE?

Many use Second Corinthians 5:17 to prove that a person's life will automatically change after he trusts Christ. This verse says, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:" (literally, `there is a new creation') "old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

Please note that it doesn't mention anything about a gradual change but dogmatically states that "all things are become new." It is not speaking of a transformation, but of a new creation, the bringing in of a new thing, not the change of the old. Furthermore, for everyone who is in the new creation, the old has passed away - there can be no return to it.

Also, the very next verse says, "And all things are of God Who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ." So when he speaks of being a "new creature," he isn't speaking about the condition of a believer's life, but rather of his new position.

Every man is part of the old creation by physical birth. Scripture describes every unbeliever as spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Upon believing the Gospel, an individual is born into God's family and thus becomes part of the new creation.

By very nature the things that do constitute "all things" referred to in this passage are of necessity the work of God. What person could take himself out of the power of darkness and place himself into the kingdom of the Son (Colossians 1:13)? Who could make himself a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20)? Who could produce the new birth (John 1:13) and place within himself the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:12,13)?

Another proof that Second Corinthians 5:17 isn't speaking of a changed life is the phrase "in Christ." Second Corinthians 5:21 says, "For He has made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." In other words, the way to have eternal life is not found in what we do ourselves, which amounts to self-righteousness, but rather in having a perfect righteousness given to us when we trust Christ as our Savior. Now when God looks at me as far as salvation goes, He no longer sees me in my fallen condition, but rather, He sees what Christ did for me (placed me in a new position); so from that viewpoint, all things are become new.

The fact that this verse is ever used to show a person's life changes is ironic because it just so happens that it was written to the worst group of believers addressed in the New Testament. Just to mention a few of the things they were guilty of, one of them was committing incest and the rest were condoning it (First Corinthians 5:1-5); some were getting drunk at the Lord's Supper (First Corinthians 11:20-32); there was division and strife among them (First Corinthians 3:3,4); and they were falling for false teachers (Second Corinthians 11:4). So this clearly shows that this verse couldn't possibly be referring to a person's life changing.

In contrast with the teachings of the changed life, the Bible teaches that for those who decide to serve the Lord, the battle has just begun. The old nature is in rebellion against God's will and doesn't want to submit to Him (Romans 8:7); it is in warfare against the new nature (Galatians 5:16). The believer though, who consistently yields to his new nature is promised that the Holy Spirit will produce these characteristics in his life: "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith" (literally, `faithfulness'), "meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22,23).

Just as there are laws in the physical universe, there are also spiritual laws, one namely, "Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap" (Galatians 6:7). A believer has the choice of yielding to his old nature and reaping God's chastening (Hebrews 12:6), or yielding to his new nature and reaping God's blessings (James 1:25).

The people who preach that your life changes when you believe are in essence saying that the Holy Spirit automatically takes control without your having to yield to Him. If that were the case, then why are believers commanded to be controlled by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)? And why does the Bible make a distinction between a carnal and a spiritual believer?

The Apostle Paul, when addressing the Corinthians who had been believers for about five years, wrote, "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ... For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal?" This is found in First Corinthians 3:1-3. Paul looked at these believers' lives and saw the results of their being controlled by the old nature (envy, strife, division). He didn't ask them to question their salvation, nor did he question their salvation (he still called them brothers), but rather told them they were carnal believers. He didn't tell them that a Christian couldn't do those things, for he knew only too well that when a person becomes a Christian, his old nature isn't eradicated or in any way changed.

In Romans 7:19, Paul told of the battle he found true in his own life when he attempted to live the Christian life in his own strength. "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Think of it, one of the greatest believers of all time was fighting to do the right things that he himself didn't want to do and he was fighting not to do wrong things that he wanted to do.

What the Apostle Paul did tell these believers though, is that there are godly incentives to live a godly life. One of these is found in First Corinthians 3:8, "... every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." This is the same encouragement Christ gave to His children when He told them, "... lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20).

Let's look at the passage where Paul describes the judgment for a Christian's works. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw: every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (First Corinthians 3:11-15).

Paul compares the believer's life to a building which is being erected on the foundation of Jesus Christ, Himself. Only those works done for Christ, which are compared to gold, silver, and precious stones, will be rewarded. Works not done for Christ amount to wood, hay and straw and will result in a loss of rewards for the believer. This passage says very clearly that after some people became believers, they did absolutely nothing for the Lord. They are just as much saved as the ones who did something for Christ; the difference however will be in the rewards they receive.

HOW DOES A PERSON EXPERIENCE A CHANGED LIFE?

God's will for all His children is that they experience a changed life. Jesus explained how this was possible. It says in John 8:31,32, "Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on Him, If you continue in My Word, then are you My disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." The Lord was speaking of making them free from being slaves to sin, which is referred to in verse 34.

Everyone is born with a fallen human nature inherited from our foreparent Adam (Romans 5:12,19). When a person is born into God's family, he receives a new nature, which is the Holy Spirit, Himself, indwelling that person (First Corinthians 6:19,20).

Just as the old nature is the source of our sinful inclinations, now any source of righteousness will spring from the Holy Spirit. At any given moment, the believer is either controlled by his old or new nature. The believer determines which by yielding to one or the other.

Romans 6:13,16 state, "Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God ... Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey." If you are habitually yielding to your old nature, you are a slave to that nature and are termed a carnal believer. However, if you are habitually yielding to your new nature, you are God's servant and are called a spiritual believer.

And what exactly does it mean to yield? If you were to tell your son to mow the lawn and he were to reply, "Dad, I'm yielding to you right now; I have the proper mental attitude," however, he doesn't mow the lawn, is he yielded? Of course not. Christ commanded all believers, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15). You aren't yielding until you are obeying that command.

CAN A CHRISTIAN BE IDENTIFIED BY HIS WORKS?

There is a major distinction drawn in the Word of God between what a person has to do to become a child of God and what a person has to do to be an obedient child of God.

One is attained through faith in what Jesus Christ already accomplished 2,000 years ago and the other is attained through faith in what Jesus Christ is doing currently, coupled with works performed by the believer. Failure to separate the two has resulted in needless confusion and a message that will not save a person from going to hell.

One becomes a child of God by faith and one becomes a disciple, or an obedient believer, by faith and works. The way I can know a person is a believer is by his words, not his works; but the way I know a person is a disciple is by his works, not his words. And those who think that you can tell whether a person is a Christian or not by his life often quote the Scripture, "You shall know them by their fruits."

But of whom was Christ speaking when He said, "You shall know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:16)? Verse 15 explains, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. You shall know them" (false prophets) "by their fruits."

Christ was telling them how to determine whether a person was a false prophet or not. Please note that you wouldn't be able to tell they were wolves by looking at them; they were disguised as sheep. Let's read on.

"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them" (Matthew 7:18-20).

We can know that these fruits cannot be good works because, continuing in Matthew, Christ said, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your Name? And in Your Name have cast out devils? And in Your Name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them I never knew you: depart from Me, you who WORK iniquity" (Matthew 7:22,23). Christ was foretelling of a day in which many erroneously will think they will be spending eternity with Him on the basis of their works. So obviously the fruit is not good works. Christ said, in verse 21, "Not everyone who says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven."

And what is God's will for the unbeliever? Jesus said, "And this is the will of Him Who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son, and believes on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40). So the reason these people were told to depart is because they thought they were going to spend eternity with God because of what they did; they had never believed on the Son for eternal life.

So how can we identify a false prophet? What exactly is the fruit? Christ, Himself, explained, in Matthew 12:33-37, "Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned."

Thus I can determine whether a person is a false prophet by his message, not his deeds. In fact, if the way a person lived determined whether he were a Christian or not, then the religious leaders who rejected Christ would be considered Christians.

Christ Himself said of the scribes and Pharisees, "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appears righteous unto men, but within you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity" (Matthew 23:27,28).

Thus, I repeat, the way I know a person is a Christian is by his words. If a person tells me that he thinks he has to be good to go to heaven, then I know by his words that he is not depending on Jesus Christ to get him there. And the way I can identify a disciple is by his works.

ISN'T THE CHRISTIAN LIFE A WALK OF FAITH?

Trusting Christ as Savior is a one-time act in which you are trusting Him with your eternal destiny. It can never be repeated. Just as you were once physically born into this world, a person is once spiritually born into God's family when he trusts Christ as his Savior. This is what Scripture defines as being "born again" (John 1:12,13; 3:3).

Now as a child of God, you are told to walk by faith (Colossians 2:6). And walking by faith is simply trusting Jesus Christ to live His life through you day by day. As Galatians 2:20 states, "I am" (literally, `I have been') "crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me."

And how do I know if I am walking by faith? Simple. Faith in the Christian life will always be accompanied by works. James 2:18 explains, "Yea, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

When you talk about walking by faith and say that this walk is other than a life of good works, then you are the individual to whom the phrase "faith without works is dead" is addressed.

A parallel can be drawn with Christ's words when He said, "If a man loves Me, he will keep My words ... He that loves Me not does not keep My sayings" (John 14:23,24).

Thus Jesus Christ, Himself, said the criterion for knowing whether a man loves Him or not is his works, not his words. A person can talk about how much he loves Him, yet if he isn't keeping His commandments, does He love Christ? So if a man were to say he has faith, yet he doesn't have works, does he have faith? No, because faith without works is dead.

But can a person have faith in Christ to save him and not have faith in his Christian life?
Yes, because faith in the Christian life produces works, which result in rewards, but we have already read where some believers will have no rewards in heaven. First Corinthians 3:15 says, "If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire." This verse clearly teaches that there will be believers in heaven with no rewards. And again, the only way that could happen is if a person did no work for Christ. First Corinthians 3:8 says, "... every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour." Thus these particular people did have faith in Christ to save them, but they never had faith in their Christian life. They were saved by faith, but they never walked by faith.

And what works are involved in this walk of faith? The four basic ones are:

1) Sharing the Gospel (Matthew 4:19, 2 Corinthians 5:20 )
2) Studying the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 2:2 )
3) Praying (1 Thessalonians 5:17);
4) Meeting with other believers (Hebrews 10:25).

Every person who trusts Christ as his Savior is born into God's family a spiritual baby. God's will for His children is that they grow to be spiritually mature Christians. Just as you must eat properly and exercise to be physically fit, so in order to be spiritually fit, you must study the Bible (which is likened unto food) and put into practice the things you learn from the Bible (which is exercising spiritually).

One of the distinguishing characteristics separating spiritual babes from the spiritually mature is Bible knowledge. A lack of knowledge on the part of believers is responsible for much confusion concerning doctrine. Instead of comparing Scripture with Scripture, they begin comparing teacher with teacher and by so doing, leave themselves open for every kind of false teaching. The Apostle Paul admonished concerning this very thing when he said, "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Ephesians 4:14).

And when it comes to the doctrine of salvation, the Scriptures teach that faith and works can't be mixed. It says in Romans 11:6, "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace."

But some might object saying, "Doesn't James chapter 2 teach that faith without works is dead?"
Yes, but this has absolutely nothing to do with salvation; it has to do with discipleship.

James 2 is probably one of the most misused and misunderstood chapters in the Bible. It is used by some people to teach that faith in Christ alone will not save you. Others teach that if your life doesn't change when you trust Christ, it is evidence that you really didn't believe, (which is like putting salvation on the level of a small pox vaccination that perhaps won't take). Both of these ideas have led to a warped view of the Scriptures.

As for people who use this passage to support the idea that faith alone won't save a person, let me explain. Heaven is either a gift or a reward; either it is determined by what we do or we have absolutely no part in it. Romans 4:5 states, "But to him that does not work, but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." As previously quoted, the Apostle Paul said, "And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace." That's like saying, "If heaven is a gift, then it is not a reward: otherwise a gift is not a gift." And for a person to say that faith without works is dead with reference to salvation is for him to say a free gift is a reward, which it can't be.

WHY DOES JAMES SAY, "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD?"

The epistle of James was written to a group of people who were already children of God. James addressed them as brethren. In James 1:22,25, he went on to say to them, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves ... But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed" (not saved) "in his deed."

Good works don't have any part in making you a child of God, but they certainly determine whether you are an obedient child of God or not. Obedience results in God's blessings in a person's life, whereas, disobedience results in God's chastening. It is not the person who knows God's will that God is going to bless, but rather the one who does His will.

The believers whom James was addressing were guilty of showing favoritism to the rich people who came to their assembly. They claimed to be loving their neighbors as themselves, but in actuality they were hypocrites. They were treating people differently because they didn't have money or dress well (James 2:1-11). So James admonishes them, "So speak, and so do, as they that shall be judged" (literally, `as they who are about to be judged') "by the law of liberty ... What does is profit, my brethren, though a man says he has faith, and has not works? Can faith save him?" (James 2:12,14).

The Greek construction of the question, "can faith save Him?" requires a negative answer; therefore, the reply is, "no, faith alone cannot save him."

Now according to Ephesians 2:8,9, in order to be saved, a person must have faith and no works; yet according to James 2:14, a person can't be saved without works. Some people have tried to explain this away by saying that the faith that saves produces works; however, James didn't say faith produces works; he said faith alone can't save.

JAMES WAS WARNING OF IMPENDING DISCIPLINE

The problem is quickly solved when you realize that the word "saved" isn't always used in reference to salvation from hell. In James 5:15 he uses it in reference to being saved from physical death, and in James 2:14 he uses it in reference to being saved from God's discipline.

James was warning of impending discipline the Lord was going to bring into these Christians' lives. It is not the believer who talks the good talk who avoids God's discipline; it is the believer who lives the good life.

These believers talked about love but were not practicing it. James 2:15-17 explain, "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit? Even so faith, it if has not works, is dead, being alone."

Words alone could not supply the needy believers with food and clothing. Telling someone who is cold and hungry to be warmed and filled is to do absolutely nothing for that person. To be of profit, those words must be accompanied by works. They were to supply food and clothing for those in need, not just talk, because, "faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone."

These believers apparently claimed to have faith, but without works, that sort of faith could not save them from God's judgment in their lives. That's why James said, "So speak, and so DO, as they that shall be judged" (literally, `are about to be judged') "by the law of liberty" (James 2:12).

Now since James was addressing believers, he was not talking about their receiving judgment in hell. For the believer there is no such thing as coming into judgment as far as one's eternal destiny is concerned. Christ said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he who hears My word, and believes on Him who sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation;" (literally, `judgment') "but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

James makes it abundantly clear that he is speaking of faith in the Christian life, and faith in the Christian life will always manifest itself in works. A parallel passage can be found in First John 3:17,18, "But whoso has this world's goods, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." If I say I love fellow believers, yet when they are in need I don't help them out, then in truth, I don't love them.

BUT EVEN THE DEMONS BELIEVE AND THEY TREMBLE

Many times those who think that one must submit to the Lordship of Christ in order to be saved will support their view by the passage in James which says the demons believe and tremble.

James wrote, "You believe that there is one God; you do well: the demons also believe, and tremble. But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" (James 2:19,20).

People who use these verses to teach that it is not enough just to believe in Christ for salvation don't realize what they are saying.

First of all, there is a big difference between believing in Christ and believing that there is one God. Believing that there is one God is not going to save anyone - even the Jews who rejected Christ believed that.

Second, why would James use demons as an example of saving faith when there is no hope of demons being saved anyway. The Scriptures teach that since Christ didn't die for angels (Hebrews 2:16).

So James is not using the demons to prove that you have to do more than just believe in Christ to save you from hell. James was using satire to reprimand these disobedient believers. To paraphrase, he is saying, "Big deal if you believe in God, so do the demons. You can talk all you want about faith, but without works all your so-called faith is dead."

James continues by using Abraham as an example. Verse 21 states, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac, his son, upon the altar?"

Now in Romans 4:3-5, Paul uses Abraham as an example of a man who was justified by faith alone, apart from any works. "For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him who does not work, but believes on Him Who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

It sounds like a contradiction between Paul and James, but in reality, they are speaking of two different events in Abraham's life. Paul, in the book of Romans, deals with the faith Abraham had which resulted in his salvation and James deals with the faith Abraham had which resulted in his friendship with the Lord. It was by faith alone that Abraham became a child of God, but it was by his faith and works that he became a friend of God. It is important to realize that there are more than thirty years between the two occurrences referred to by Paul and James.

Notice at what time in Abraham's life he was justified by works. James 2:21 says, "when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar." God had already promised Abraham that the Messiah was going to come through the line of his son Isaac. Isaac was unmarried at the time, and Abraham knew he would yet have to marry and have a child in order for God's promise to be fulfilled. When Abraham was commanded by the Lord to offer Isaac as a burnt offering, he knew God wouldn't break His promise and he trusted God to raise Isaac from the dead.

And where did I get that? Hebrews 11:17-19 explain, "By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall your seed be called: accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from whence also he received him in a figure."

When God told Abraham to go and offer his son as a burnt offering, Abraham could have replied, "Now Lord, I know You've already promised to have the Messiah come through Isaac and I know You can raise him up from the dead, but there is no way I'm going to take his life." Abraham could talk all he wanted about faith but the proof that he really did have faith was his works. Without the works, there is no faith. However, Abraham truly did have faith that the Lord would do what He promised as was proven by his obedience and Abraham "was called the friend of God" (James 2:23).

Once a person is a child of God, he is always God's child regardless of what he does (John 6:37). However, a person is not God's friend unless he is doing the things God commands. Jesus Christ said, "You are My friends, if you do whatever I command you" (John 15:14).

Being God's friend is synonymous with what the Bible terms "fellowship." The word "fellowship" means "partnership" and conveys the idea of having things in common with another individual. Thus, a believer who claims to be having fellowship with the Lord and is living a life of sin obviously is not having fellowship. He will come under the chastening hand of God, but nonetheless, he is still on his way to heaven.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FIRST EPISTLE OF JOHN?

With this distinction in mind, some verses in the Epistle of First John touching on the same subject become clear. The First Epistle of John was written combating a false teaching called "Gnosticism." The "Gnostics," as they were called, were a group of people who claimed to have a special relationship with the Lord and yet they believed it didn't matter how a person lived. The word "Gnostic" comes from the Greek word "gnosis" which means "to know by experience." Nine times the Apostle John presents tests for knowing whether a person is in fellowship and he uses the verb "ginosko" from which the Gnostics got their name. John made it abundantly clear that the way a person lives has everything to do with knowing the Lord as a Friend.

Now the word "ginosko" is not to be confused with another word also translated "to know" in First John and that is the word "oida." The word "oida" is not speaking of an experiential knowledge, but rather of knowing something as a fact. For instance, First John 5:13 explains that those who believe in Christ can know as a fact that they have eternal life. To further illustrate, think of the relationship between a father and a son. The son knows as a fact that he is his father's son, but if asked if he were his father's friend, his answer would be based on his past and present experiences with him.

With this distinction in mind, let's look at First John 2:4 where the word "ginosko" (meaning, "know by experience") is used. "He who says, I know Him and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him." Thus, he is not speaking here of knowing Christ as Savior but rather of knowing Him as Friend. And he makes it clear that knowing Christ as a Friend is based on the way a person lives.

Another word which is helpful to know in distinguishing between salvation and fellowship is the word "abide," which is the Greek word "meno." It literally means, "to abide, to remain in a close and settled union." It is used often of persons abiding in a home and implies friendship and communion.

With this understanding, let's look at First John 2:6, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." So again, John is saying that knowing the Lord as Friend, abiding in Him, has to do with the way we live.

Sadly enough, what was intended by the Apostle John to let a person know if he were in fellowship with the Lord or not has been misused by some as being the proof of one's salvation. This has resulted in needless despair for many and in false assurance for others. We are not to determine whether we're saved by the experiences in our lives; we're to base it upon the never changing Word of God. Christ said, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

IN CONCLUSION

Paul wrote that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for every person who believes it (Romans 1:16). Picture, if you will, a circle representing the Gospel. Anything outside of the circle comes under the category of human effort. The further the person is from the circle, the clearer he sees the issue - God's grace versus his works. The closer he gets to the truth, however, the harder it is to see. How much better to be far away and realize how lost you are. About ninety-nine percent of these people, when asked if they think they're going to heaven, reply "I hope so," because they believe heaven is determined by the way they live their lives.

The Name "Jesus" means "God our Savior." If you place your faith in Him alone you can know as a fact you possess eternal life. You can have Scriptural assurance of your salvation!

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the Name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life." (First John 5:13)

What is Saving Faith?

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Most of the world holds the misconception that "salvation" or "eternal life" is something that one must earn or be worthy of.
Christianity ( as understood by most who call themselves Christians ) teaches that we are not capable of "saving ourselves" or "earning" eternal life, and hold that one is "saved" by grace ( unmerited favor ) through faith ( believe, trust, reply upon ) in the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation or eternal life is a Gift ( Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 4:10; Rev 22:17 ) and not based on works or merit or committing one's life.

However, the definition of "faith" or what it means to "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved" ( Acts 16:31 ) is a much more complex issue.

Without getting into all the "variations", I'd like to discuss the more narrow topic of:

Does one need to "make" Jesus Lord of their life "to be saved"?
Which would mean not only relying upon Him to be one's savior, but that one promises, or commits to a change in behavior and future actions.
And therefore would live and act differently afterward ( as a clear sign they had "saving faith" in the first place ).
OR
Is "saving faith" a matter of trusting or replying upon who Jesus Christ is ( the Son of God ) and what He did ( suffered and died and rose again ) for each one as a payment for their sins. And understanding that no person is "worthy" due to our sin, and that "whosoever" believes in Him will have ( has ) everlasting life ( John 3:16, 5:24,6:47, etc ). And choosing to follow ( be a disciple ) of Christ is not a "requirement", or the same "faith" that one has when "receiving" Christ as one's savior ( source of eternal life and forgiveness ), but is a separate "act" that one would make after "counting the cost".

Whole books have been written on this subject, so I will do my best to keep this short and to the point.

* I think my point, that trusting in Christ as one's savior, is not the same thing as trusting in Christ as His disciple ( follower ) , or choosing to be His obedient child.

Choosing to follow Christ after one receives eternal life ( and becomes a child of God ), is something that requires a lot of work, and a continual day by day, and moment by moment "faith" for divine direction and the power to choose what is best for others and not always service one's selfish desires.

My personal experience involved me doing both at the same time, but clearly understanding that choosing to follow Christ, had no part in my receiving the Gift of Eternal Life ( and the forgiveness of my sins ... Acts 10:43 ). I trusted in the name of Jesus ( God is Salvation ) and was born again. No prayer, baptism, aisle walking, just simple trust in the clear teaching of the Word of God ( the power of salvation... Romans 1:16, 10:17 ).

But I also understood that this same God loved me and wanted me to have a relationship with Him ( John 17:3 ). And I became a learner and then I began teaching what I had learned from studying His word to others ( evangelizing, spreading the Word, making new disciples ).

But also, I learned that just because one is saved, this does not keep one from sinning. And I found that I had to choose each day to walk according to the Spirit and not the Flesh ( Eph. 5:13-18 ). I found following Christ required daily reading of the Word, and Prayer, and Fellowship with other disciples, and using what I had been given to share with others. And once I stopped doing these things, the desires of the flesh would become strong, and my actions would follow.
I walked well ( with minor stumbles ) for the first 3 1/2 years of my Christian life, and then I left my local church, and moved to another city. And although I attempted to keep up with my study, prayer, fellowship, and sharing, as time went by, I slowly did less of the "right things" and started doing the "wrong things". To make a long story short ( and to get to the point I want to make ), I must confess that for many years of my Christian life, I walked in the ways of the World. I did things that were exceedingly sinful, selfish, and dishonorable. I turned my back on God ( yet He remained faithful... II Tim. 2:13 )
My point being, just because a person has trusted in Christ ( and I surely did with my whole heart and mind at the age of 16 ), it does not mean you can tell by how they behave as to whether they are saved. A believer ( child of God ) is capable of being just as wicked as an unsaved person. Having the Holy Spirit does not prevent you from bad behavior ( I wish it did ).

Just to set the record straight, while still struggling with sin in my life, it is not "ruling" my life, as I yield myself daily to the Lord, study, praying more than ever, fellowshipping, and sharing with others. I liked to do more, and time has a way of getting used up with all the responsibilities of day to day life, but the effort to fight the good fight is worth it. Walking in the ways of the world brought much pain and heartache. And walking with the Lord brings hope, and peace that can not be found anywhere else. And eternal rewards ( I Cor. 3:10-15 and II Tim. 2:10-12 )

If you are not clear on whether "believing" is a simple trust in what Christ has done, or whether some type of "commitment" ( and automatic transformation in a persons life ) is involved to receive eternal life, I'd suggest getting a book on the subject by one of these author's.

My personal favorite's are those written by Zane C. Hodges

Other authors include L. S. Chafer, Harry Ironside, Lance Latham, J. Dwight Pentecost,Charles Ryrie, Miles J. Stanford, Warren W. Wiersbe,Charles Stanley, Tony Evans, Ernest Pickering, Curtis Hutson, Bruce Wilkinson, Erwin Lutzer and William Newell

I have heard and read "the other side" of this controversy. I've discussed it with many.

And the title of John MacArthur's book, "The Gospel According to Jesus: What Is Authentic Faith?", or the Revised version title,"What does Jesus mean when He says Follow Me, The Gospel According to Jesus", shows that this is a matter of taking "following" and "discilpeship" and ADDING them to the Gospel of Grace ( and NOT OF YOURSELF ). And I think the reason people don't want ( or have a hard time ) understanding your life / actions have NOTHING to do with receiving the GIFT ( not a gift, if Lordship is required ), is the same thing that makes some people cling to the idea that salvation / heaven is only obtained by leading a good life ( being Better than those "bad" sinners ). It's human Pride.

Children have no problem accepting a GIFT with "no strings" attached.

Adults tend to feel that "you don't get something for nothing" and they must be "worthy" of the gift.

It's this "mind set" that causes people to look at the Bible, and draw a different conclusion.

The "Gospel" is foolishness to most. They just can't understand how "bad" people can be saved. Or that "nothing" is required.

And the argument that a "saved" person's life will show it because they have the Holy Spirit inside, and therefore their life must change for the better, is short sighted.

If the Holy Spirit was the "force" for change, then EVERY CHRISTIAN would be A SAINT!

And there would be NO REASON for Paul ( and others ) to be CONSTANTLY Exhorting us to fight against the sin nature we still all have.

Just sit back and let the Holy Spirit transform your thoughts, heart, and actions.... He is God after all... who could resist..

See how this "logic" falls a part in light of reality ( not to mention scripture on the subject of "living for Christ".. it's hard work...).

It's sad that most "Christians" who think your life has to show your true saving faith, live lifes that are so far from the "sold out", 100% devotion that Jesus talks about, if one is to be a "follower" or "disciple". It makes me think of Jesus' words to the Lacodocian church.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.(Revelation 3:15-19 ASV)

Definition of Faith, as revealed in Scripture:

He ( Abraham ) did not stagger at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully persuaded that what God had promised, He was also able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for him alone that it was imputed to him, but for us also to whom it is to be imputed, to the ones believing on Him who has raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered because of our offenses and was raised for our justification.
(Romans 4:20-25 MKJV)

And only later in life, when Abraham was willing to kill his own son at God's command, do we see that his obedience ( acting on his believe that God knows best, and that God had the power to raise Isaac from the dead ... as Isaac was promised to be the one through whom Abraham would be the father of many nations ), that we see his "actions" result in being called "the friend of God" ( James 2:23 ). Note, James is written to believers ( already saved, children of God ) and not written to explain how a person becomes born again. This passage in James 2 and a few others, are verses that entire books have been written about, and I will go into these "difficult" passages in future articles.

So, getting back to the clear message:

For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
(Ephesians 2:8-10 MKJV)

Note, verse 10 states that we "should", not that we necessarily "would" walk in good works. Good works are strongly "encouraged", but for blessings and rewards, and NEVER as a condition of receiving the GIFT of eternal life.

And it is a false assumption to think ( or teach ) that becoming a child of God ( by faith ) means you are automatically going to "bear good fruit". It is only those who "abide" in Christ, as they "fight the good fight" each day, that will be transformed "by the renewing" of their minds.

I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God.
(Romans 12:1-2 MKJV)

For additional information on this and related topics, I'd recommend this article,

Spiritual Assurance

Easter or Passover or Pagan Holiday or Does It Matter?

2011-04-20T13:54:00.001-04:00

So, it's Spring again. And many people around the world will find time to celebrate, take a vacation, or plant some new flowers. It's the "celebration" part that I'd like to talk about here.

So how do we celebrate the Easter of death and sacrifice? With symbols that soften that harshness, like baby chicks, baby bunnies, and bright, happy colored eggs ( and let's not forget the chocolate! ). And while, Easter is about new life and all of these happy symbols can be made to represent that, is this how we should respond?

Does this effect our "witness" to the world as Christians?
Or more specifically, what does the Bible say about this subject?

First, you will find NO VERSES in the Bible that talk about celebrating "Easter" ( note: Passover is mis-translated "easter" in KJV Acts 12:4 ). And if you look into history ( including the New Testament ) what you will find is the Apostles and early church celebrating Passover. And in history you find the first "debates" about the "holiday" surrounding the Resurrection Day about "which day" the church should be commemorating it. And slowly the "church" began shedding it's self from all things "Jewish" and the "appointed" feast of the Lord were set a side, and replaced by holidays that coincided with "pagan" festivals.

This just not seem right to me. How about you?

What is the big deal, you ask?

First, I want you to READ Leviticus chapter 23. Noting the wording and emphasis on "the appointed timers of the LORD", and "perpetual statute throughout your generations".

Just for the Jews, you say?

The early church did not think so. And we can see the "parallels" of each of these "appointed times" in Christ ministry ( plus Him observing the "appointed times" ).

The Passover is about the blood applied, resulting in salvation.

We see on the "day after the sabbath" ( i.e. Sunday, the first day of the week ) the waving of the sheath of the "first fruit", again pointing the Christ, and the day of His resurrection.

Then next "appointed" time is Pentecost ( 50 ) when the new grain offering occurs, and the Holy Spirit came about of the disciples in the upper room.

The third "appointed" time is in the fall ( the 7th month ). This time is full of symbolism that can be also correlated with the return of Christ. And this also the one of the two "feast of the LORD" that are clearly to be celebrated in the Kingdom, after Christ returns ( The feast of Tabernacles is also called the feast of the ingathering, reference Exodus 23:16 ). See Ezekiel's vision that starts in chapter 40 and runs through 48 ( the end of Ezekiel ). Take note of chapter 45 and verses 18 - 25, as they reference the two feasts that are to be observed after the LORD restores Israel, and His Glory is here on earth ( see chapter 39, noting versus 21 and 22 ).

Okay.. Books have been written about the Feasts and how they "fore shadowed" the coming of the Christ, and many things can be learned by the study of the feast.

The question remains, does it matter?

Should we, as Christians, be celebrating them?

And is there "harm" in "mixing" pagan festivals and symbols with our "ministry" to bring the Gospel to the world.

While most of this is "innocent" and "meaningless" to the average person, I believe the incorporation of non-Biblical "myths" and "symbols" dilutes the message of truth we are to be sharing with the world. It is a form of compromise. It is allowing a little "leaven" into the "loaf" and this is clearly warned about in many ways and many places in the Bible. See what Jesus taught in Matthew 16, and Paul's warning in I Cor. 5:6-8, and Gal. 5:9.

And those who would say, but can we not be "all things to all men", are abusing the principal Paul was trying to get across in Romans chapter 14. You don't become a "murder" so you can reach other "murders". You don't practice witchcraft to "reach" the wizards and warlocks of the world. You use the "light" of the Word to expose the things hidden in the darkness. With love, you must proclaim the truths of God, as revealed to us in His word, and confirmed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. That others ( those who have not come to a trusting faith in Jesus Christ as their source of salvation, and as the Lord of the universe around them ), may "see" our LIGHT. And see an uniqueness about us. We are to be DIFFERENT, because we are DIFFERENT. We are children of the King, citizens of heaven, and ambassadors for Christ. We are to Holy ( set a part ).

None of what I see taught in the Bible makes me feel right about Easter Bunnies, Santa Claus, or the Great Pumpkin. And I'd be careful before using the term "mother earth" or embracing the idea that we must "save" the planet ( be good stewards, yes ), because this planet is going to receive the wrath of God ( have you read Revelation lately ? ), and then He will restore and heal the land, when He returns to Rule and Reign from Jerusalem ( as mentioned in Revelation and most of the Old Testament prophets ).

Let me just leave you with some reference links. I might not agree 100% with these other resources, but the information provide should help provide a deeper understanding of this issue.

SEE:

Where did Easter come from,

http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t020.html

How the pagans ARE practicing Easter today,

http://www.ehow.com/how_2124313_hold-pagan-spring-equinox-ritual.html

And the "date" of Easter ( a whole other topic for future discussion ),

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/04/12/easter-date-pagan

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartodecimanism

Church equals Body of Believers ( BOB )

2011-01-23T13:50:00.003-05:00

Church is a term that means different things to different people. By strict definition ( from original Greek word ), it refers to a group of people, assembly, congregation, or those "called out" to engage in discussion.
As the "called", and "chosen" members of the Body of Christ ( also referred to as the Church ... composed of those who "believe" and therefore "placed into the Body of Christ" ), we are to encourage and build up one another.
Here are several scriptures that relate to the meaning, purpose, and activities of "the Church".

to the church of God which is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called out with all those in every place who call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours.
(1 Corinthians 1:2 MKJV)

For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For also by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, even all were made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If all hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where would be the body? But now indeed many are the members, yet only one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. But much rather the members of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we put more abundant honor around them. And our unpresentable members have more abundant propriety. For our presentable members have no need, but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to the member having need; that there not be division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it.
(1 Corinthians 12:12-26 MKJV)

Then how is it, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up. If one speaks in a language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and in succession. And let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in a church; and let him speak to himself and to God. And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge. If a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent. For you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
(1 Corinthians 14:26-32 MKJV)

For indeed regarding the ministry to the saints, it is not necessary for me to write to you. For I know your eagerness, of which I boast to Macedonia on your behalf, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has aroused the greater number. Yet I sent the brothers, lest our boasting (which is on your behalf) should not be in vain, that, as I said, you may be ready. I say this lest perhaps Macedonians should come with me and find you unprepared. We (not to say you) would then be put to shame in this confident boasting. Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers that they would go forward to you, and make up beforehand your blessing, it having been promised that this would be ready, thus as a matter of blessing, and not as of covetousness. But I say this, He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Each one, as he purposes in his heart, let him give; not of grief, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that in everything, always having all self-sufficiency, you may abound to every good work; As it is written, "He scattered; he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever." Now He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for eating, may He supply and multiply your seed, and increase the fruits of your righteousness you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which works out thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service not only supplies the things lacking of the saints, but also multiplying through many thanksgivings to God, through the proof of this ministry they glorify God for your freely expressed submission to the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of the fellowship toward them and toward all, and in their prayer for you, who long after you, because of the exceeding grace of God on you. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable free gift.
(2 Corinthians 9:1-15 MKJV)

For it is not that others may have ease, but you trouble; but by equality in the present time; your abundance for their need, that their abundance also may be for your need; so that there may be equality; as it is written, "He gathering much, he had nothing left over; and he gathering little did not have less."
(2 Corinthians 8:13-15 MKJV)

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many as were baptized into Christ, you put on Christ. There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
(Galatians 3:26-28 MKJV)

Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you the spiritual ones restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the Law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, being nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one prove his own work, and then he alone will have a boast in himself, and not in another. For each one will bear his own load. But let him who is taught in the Word share with the one teaching in all good things. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he also will reap. For he sowing to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh. But he sowing to the Spirit will reap life everlasting from the Spirit. But we should not lose heart in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint. So then as we have time, let us work good toward all, especially toward those of the household of faith.
(Galatians 6:1-10 MKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to every one who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But set your mind to be right-minded, even as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith. For even as we have many members in one body, and all members do not have the same function, so we the many are one body in Christ, and each one members of one another. Then having gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, if prophecy, according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, in the ministry; or he who teaches, in the teaching; or he who exhorts, in the encouragement; or he who shares, in simplicity; or he who takes the lead, in diligence; or he who shows mercy, in cheerfulness. Let love be without hypocrisy, shrinking from evil, cleaving to good; in brotherly love to one another, loving fervently, having led one another in honor. As to diligence, not slothful, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in affliction, steadfastly continuing in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, pursuing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. Rejoice with rejoicing ones, and weep with weeping ones; minding the same thing toward one another, not minding high things, but yielding to the lowly. Do not be wise within yourselves.
(Romans 12:1-16 MKJV)

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone has a complaint against any. As Christ forgave you, so also you do. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(Colossians 3:12-16 MKJV)

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised), and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:23-25 MKJV)

Faithful is the Word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work. Then it behooves the overseer to be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching, not a drunkard, not contentious, not greedy of ill gain, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all honor. (For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) not a novice, lest being puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the Devil. But he must also have a good report from those on the outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. Likewise the deacons are to be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of ill gain, having the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be tested, then let them minister without reproach. Even so their wives are to be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and households well. For they having served well gain a good grade for themselves, and much boldness in the faith, those in Christ Jesus. I write these things to you, hoping to come to you shortly. But if I should delay, that you may know how you ought to behave in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among nations, believed on in the world, and received up into glory.
(1 Timothy 3:1-16 MKJV)

Therefore take heed to yourselves, and to all the flock in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to feed the church of God which He has purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also men shall arise from your own selves, speaking perverse things in order to draw disciples away after them. Therefore watch and remember that for the time of three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. And now, brothers, I commend you to God, and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel. Yea, you yourselves know that these hands have ministered to my needs, and to those who were with me. I have shown you all things, that working in this way we ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. And saying these things, kneeling, he prayed with them all.
(Acts 20:28-36 MKJV)

Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in Word and doctrine. For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle the ox treading out grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his reward." Do not receive an accusation against an elder except before two or three witnesses. Those who sin, rebuke before all, so that the rest also may fear.
(1 Timothy 5:17-20 MKJV)

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; you who then were not a people, but now the people of God, those not pitied then, but now pitied. Dearly beloved, I exhort you as temporary residents and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honest among the nations, in that which they speak against you as evildoers, they may glorify God in a day of His visitation, seeing your good works.
(1 Peter 2:9-12 MKJV)

My brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Christ, the Lord of glory, with respecter of faces. For if there comes a gold-fingered man in fancy clothing into your assembly, and if there also comes in a poor man in shabby clothing, and if you have respect to him who has the fancy clothing and say to him, You sit here in a good place, and say to the poor, You stand there, or sit here under my footstool; Did you not make a difference among yourselves and became judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him? But you dishonored the poor one. Do not rich men oppress you and draw you before the judgment seats? Do they not blaspheme that worthy Name by which you are called? If you fulfill the royal Law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well. But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin and are convicted by the Law as transgressors.
(James 2:1-9 MKJV)

So, you can see who, what, and how we are to "interact" as part of a chosen and called out assembly. The question remains, how successful are we at doing this? What things might we need to do differently ( especially when we meet "together" ) to better fulfill our responsibilities to the other members of Body of Believers?

Are we providing an opportunity for each member to use their gifts? Are we having time to share what the Lord has put on our heart, or taught us through His Spirit? Is our worship from the heart and Spirit lead, or is it "pre-packaged" and "structured" to get us all in and out of our meeting in a pre-set time period.

Do we listen to just one teacher ( who preaches a prepared and closely "timed" speech )? Or is the other members of the Body given free opportunity to participate?

And how much time do we, or should be devoting to the "reading of the scriptures"?

Therefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envyings, and all evil speakings, desire the sincere milk of the Word, as newborn babes, so that you may grow by it; if truly you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
(1 Peter 2:1-3 MKJV)

For faithful is the Word, for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we do not believe Him, yet He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Put them in memory of these things, charging them before the Lord not to dispute about words to no profit, to the subverting of the hearers. Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
(2 Timothy 2:11-15 MKJV)

But the servant of the Lord must not strive, but to be gentle to all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those who oppose, if perhaps God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth, and that they awake out of the snare of the Devil, having been taken captive by him, so as to do the will of that one.
(2 Timothy 2:24-26 MKJV)

But continue in the things that you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from a babe you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:14-17 MKJV)

Looking and Waiting

2010-12-12T13:08:00.000-05:00

But as for me, I will look unto Jehovah; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, Jehovah will be a light unto me.

(Micah 7:7-8 ASV)

The Gathering and the Great Trumpet

2010-10-03T09:23:00.002-04:00

And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from the heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man shall appear in the heavens. And then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the heaven with power and great glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(Matthew 24:29-31 MKJV)

And it shall be, in that day Jehovah shall thresh from the stream of the river Euphrates to the torrent of Egypt, and you shall be gathered one by one, O sons of Israel. And it shall be, in that day the great ram's horn shall be blown, and those perishing in the land of Assyria shall come, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt shall come and shall worship Jehovah in the holy mountain at Jerusalem.
(Isaiah 27:12-13 MKJV)

Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed; in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.
(1 Corinthians 15:51-52 MKJV)

Daniel 9:27

2010-10-02T20:22:00.002-04:00

(Dan 9:27 KJV) And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

(Barnes)
Dan 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant - literally, “he shall make strong” - The idea is that of giving strength, or stability; of making firm and sure. The Hebrew word here evidently refers to the “covenant” which God is said to establish with his people - so often referred to in the Scriptures as expressing the relation between Him and them, and hence used, in general, to denote the laws and institutions of the true religion - the laws which God has made for his church; his promises to be their protector, etc., and the institutions which grow out of that relation. The margin reads it, more in accordance with the Hebrew, “a,” meaning that he would confirm or establish “a covenant” with the many. According to this, it is not necessary to suppose that it was any existing covenant that it referred to, but that he would ratify what was understood by the word “covenant;” that is, that he would lead many to enter into a true and real covenant with God. This would be fulfilled if he should perform such a work as would bring the “many” into a relation to God corresponding to what was sustained to him by his ancient people; that is, bring them to be his true friends and worshippers.
The meaning of the expression here cannot be mistaken, that during the time specified, “he” (whoever may be referred to) would, for “one week” - pursue such a course as would tend to establish the true religion; to render it more stable and firm; to give it higher sanctions in the approbation of the “many,” and to bring it to bear more decidedly and powerfully on the heart. Whether this would be by some law enacted in its favor; or by protection extended over the nation; or by present example; or by instruction; or by some work of a new kind, and new influences which he would set forth, is not mentioned, and beforehand perhaps it could not have been well anticipated in what way this would be. There has been a difference of opinion, however, as to the proper nominative to the verb “confirm” - whether it is the Messiah, or the foreign prince, or the “one week.” Hengstenberg prefers the latter, and renders it, “And one week shall confirm the covenant; with many.”
So also Lengerke renders it. Bertholdt renders it “he,” that is, “he shall unite himself firmly with many for one week” - or, a period of seven years, ein Jahrsiebend lang. It seems to me that it is an unnatural construction to make the word “week” the nominative to the verb, and that the more obvious interpretation is to refer it to some person to whom the whole subject relates. It is not usual to represent time as an agent in accomplishing a work. In poetic and metaphorical language, indeed, we personate time as cutting down men, as a destroyer, &e., but this usage would not justify the expression that “time would confirm a covenant with many.” That is, evidently, the work of conscious, intelligent agent; and it is most natural, therefore, to understand this as of one of the two agents who are spoken of in the passage. These two agents are the “Messiah,” and the “prince that should come.”
But it is not reasonable to suppose that the latter is referred to, because it is said Dan_9:26 that the effect and the purpose of his coming would be to “destroy the city and the sanctuary.” He was to come “with a flood,” and the effect of his coming would be only desolation. The more correct interpretation, therefore, is to refer it to the Messiah, who is the principal subject of the prophecy; and the work which, according to this, he was to perform was, during that “one week,” to exert such an influence as would tend to establish a covenant between the people and God. The effect of his work during that one week would be to secure their adhesion to the “true religion;” to confirm to them the Divine promises, and to establish the principles of that religion which would lead them to God. Nothing is said of the mode by which that would be done; and anything, therefore, which would secure this would be a fulfillment of the prophecy. As a matter of fact, if it refers to the Lord Jesus, this was done by his personal instructions, his example, his sufferings and death, and the arrangements which he made to secure the proper effect of his work on the minds of the people - all designed to procure for them the friendship and favor of God, and to unite them to him in the bonds of an enduring covenant.
With many - Or, for many; or, unto many. He would perform a work which would pertain to many, or which would bear on many, leading them to God. There is nothing in the word here which would indicate who they were, whether his own immediate followers, or those who already were in the covenant. The simple idea is, that this would pertain to “many” persons, and it would be fulfilled if the effect of his work were to confirm “many” who were already in the covenant, or if he should bring “many” others into a covenant relation with God. Nothing could be determined from the meaning of the word used here as to which of these things was designed, and consequently a fair fulfillment would be found if either of them occurred. If it refers to the Messiah, it would be fulfilled if in fact the effect of his coming should be either by statute or by instructions to confirm and establish those who already sustained this relation to God, or if he gathered other followers, and confirmed them in their allegiance to God.
For one week - The fair interpretation of this, according to the principles adopted throughout this exposition, is, that this includes the space of seven years. See the notes at Dan_9:24. This is the one week that makes up the seventy - seven of them, or forty-nine years, embracing the period from the command to rebuild the city and temple to its completion under Nehemiah; sixty-two, or four hundred and thirty-four years, to the public appearing of the Messiah, and this one week to complete the whole seventy, or four hundred and ninety years “to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness,” etc., Dan_9:24. It is essential, therefore, to find something done, occupying these seven years, that would go to “confirm the covenant” in the sense above explained. In the consideration of this, the attention is arrested by the announcement of an important event which was to occur “in the midst of the week,” to wit, in causing the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, showing that there was to be an important change occurring during the “week,” or that while he would be, in fact, confirming the covenant through the week in some proper sense, the sacrifice and oblation would cease, and therefore the confirming of the many in the covenant must depend on something else than the continuation of the sacrifice and oblation. In regard to this language, as in respect to all the rest of the prophecy, there are, in fact, just two questions: one is, what is fairly to be understood by the words, or what is the proper interpretation, independent of anything in the result; the other is, whether anything occurred in what is regarded as the fulfillment which corresponds with the language so interpreted.

And in the midst of the week - The word here rendered “in the midst” - means, properly, half, the half part, Exo_24:6; Num_12:12; then the middle, or the midst, Jdg_16:3. The natural and obvious interpretation is what is expressed in our translation, and that will convey the essential idea in the original. It refers to something which was to occur at the middle portion of this time, or when half of this period was elapsed, or to something which it would require half of the “one week,” or seven years, to accomplish. The meaning of the passage is fully met by the supposition that it refers to the Lord Jesus and his work, and that the exact thing that was intended by the prophecy was his death, or his being “cut off,” and thus causing the sacrifice and oblation to cease.
Whatever difficulties there may be about the “precise” time of our Lord’s ministry, and whether he celebrated three passovers or four after he entered on his public work, it is agreed on all hands that it lasted about three years and a half - the time referred to here. On the supposition that this pertains to the death of the Lord Jesus, and that it was the design of the prophecy here to refer to the effects of that death, this is the very language which would have been used. If the period of “a week” were for any purpose mentioned, then it would be indispensable to suppose that there would be an allusion to the important event - in fact, the great event which was to occur in the middle of that period, when the ends of the types and ceremonies of the Hebrew people would be accomplished, and a sacrifice made for the sins of the whole world.
He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease - The word “he,” in this place, refers to the Messiah, if the interpretation of the former part of the verse is correct, for there can be no doubt that it is the same person who is mentioned in the phrase “he shall confirm the covenant with many.” The words “sacrifice” and “oblation” refer to the offerings made in the temple. The former word more properly denotes “bloody” offerings; the latter “offerings” of any kind - whether of flour, fruits, grain, etc. The word rendered “cease”
- means, properly, to rest (from the word Sabbath), and then in Hiphil, to cause to rest, or to cause to cease. It conveys the idea of “putting an end to” - as, for example, “war,” Psa_46:9; “contention,” Pro_18:18; “exultation,” Isa_16:10. - Gesenius. The literal signification here would be met by the supposition that an end would be made of these sacrifices, and this would occur either by their being made wholly to cease to be offered at that time, or by the fact that the object of their appointment was accomplished, and that henceforward they would be useless and would die away.
As a matter of fact, so far as the Divine intention in the appointment of these sacrifices and offerings was concerned, they “ceased” at the death of Christ - in the middle of the “week.” Then the great sacrifice which they had adumbrated was offered. Then they ceased to have any significancy, no reason existing for their longer continuance. Then, as they never had had any efficacy in themselves, they ceased also to have any propriety as types - for the thing which they had prefigured had been accomplished. Then, too, began a series of events and influences which led to their abolition, for soon they were interrupted by the Romans, and the temple and the altars were swept away to be rebuilt no more. The death of Christ was, in fact, the thing which made them to cease, and the fact that the great atonement has been made, and that there is now no further need of those offerings, is the only philosophical reason which can be given why the Jews have never been able again to rebuild the temple, and why for eighteen hundred years they have found no place where they could again offer a bloody sacrifice. The “sacrifice and the oblation” were made, as the result of the coming of the Messiah, to “cease” for ever, and no power of man will be able to restore them again in Jerusalem. Compare Gibbon’s account of the attempt of Julian to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem: Dec. and Fall, ii. 35-37.
And for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate - The marginal reading here is very different, showing clearly the perplexity of the translators: “Upon the battlements shall be the idols of the desolator.” There is great variety, also, in the ancient versions in rendering this passage. The Latin Vulgate is, “And there shall be in the temple the abomination of desolation.” The Greek, “And upon the temple shall be an abomination of desolations.” The Syriac. “And upon the extremities of the abomination shall rest desolation.” The Arabic, “And over the sanctuary shall there be the abomination of ruin.” Luther renders it, “And upon the wings shall stand the abomination of desolation.” Lengerke and Hengstenberg render it, “And upon the summit of abomination comes the destroyer.” Prof. Stuart, “And the water shall be over a winged fowl of abominations.” These different translations show that there is great obscurity in the original, and perhaps exclude the hope of being able entirely to free the passage from all difficulties. An examination of the words, however, may perhaps enable us to form a judgment of its meaning. The “literal” and “obvious” sense of the original, as I understand it, is, “And upon the wing of the abominations one causing desolation” - The word rendered “overspreading” - means, properly, a “wing;” so called as “covering,” or because it “covers” - from - to cover, to hide. Then it denotes anything having a resemblance to a wing, as an extremity, a corner, as
(a) of a garment, the skirt, or flap, 1Sa_24:4 (5), 11 (12); Num_15:38, and hence, as the outer garment was used by the Orientals to wrap themselves in at night, the word is used for the extremity or border of a bed-covering, Deu_22:30 Deu_23:1; Rth_3:9.
(b) It is applied to land, or to the earth - as the earth is compared with a garment spread out, Isa_24:16; Job_37:3; Job_38:13.

The use of the word “wing” here would lead to the supposition that what is said would pertain to something in connection with the temple having a resemblance to the wings of a bird, and the word “upon” - would lead us to suppose that what was to occur would be somehow upon that. The word rendered “abominations” - means “abominable” things, things to be held in detestation, as things unclean, filthy garments, etc., and then idols, as things that are to be held in abhorrence. The word - is rendered abomination in Deu_29:17; 1Ki_11:5, 1Ki_11:7; 2Ki_23:13, 2Ki_23:24; Isa_66:3; Jer_4:1; Jer_7:30; Jer_13:27; Jer_32:34; Eze_5:11; Eze_7:20; Eze_20:7-8, Eze_20:30; Dan_9:27; Dan_11:31; Dan_12:11; Hos_9:10; Zec_9:7; abominable idols in 2Ch_15:8 (in the margin abominations); “detestable” in Jer_16:18; Eze_11:18, Eze_11:21; Eze_37:23; and “abominable filth” in Nah_3:6. It does not occur elsewhere.
In most of these places it is applied to “idols,” and the current usage would lead us so to apply it, if there were nothing in the connection to demand a different interpretation. It might refer to anything that was held in abomination, or that was detestable and offensive. The word is one that might be used of an idol god, or of anything that would pollute or defile, or that was from any cause offensive. It is not used in the Old Testament with reference to a “banner or military standard,” but there can be no doubt that it might be so applied as denoting the standard of a foe - of a pagan - planted on any part of the temple - a thing which would be particularly detestable and abominable in the sight of the Jews. The word rendered “he shall make IT desolate” - is “he making desolate;” that is, “a desolator.” It is a Poel participle from - to be astonished, to be laid waste; and then, in an active sense, to lay waste, to make desolate. - Gesenius. The same word, and the same phrase, occur in Dan_11:31 : “And they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate,” or, as it is in the margin, “astonisheth.”
There, also, the expression is used in connection with “taking away the daily sacrifices.” The word would be more properly rendered in this place “desolator,” referring to some one who would produce desolation. There is great abruptness in the entire expression, and it is evident that it was not the intention to give so clear a prediction in this that it could be fully understood beforehand. The other portions of the prophecy respecting the building of the city, and the coming of the Messiah, and the work that he would accomplish, are much more clear, and their meaning could have been made out with much more certainty. But, in reference to this, it would seem, perhaps, that all that was designed was to throw out suggestions - fragments of thought, that would rather hint at the subject than give any continuous idea. Perhaps a much more “abrupt” method of translation than what attempts to express it in a continuous grammatical construction capable of being parsed easily, would better express the state of the mind of the speaker, and the language which he uses, than the ordinary versions.
The Masoretic pointing, also, may be disregarded, and then the real idea would be better expressed by some such translation as the following: “He shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease. And - upon the wing - the porch of the temple - abominations! And a desolator!” That is, after the ceasing of the sacrifice and the oblation, the mind is fixed upon the temple where they had been offered. The first thing that arrests the eye is some portion of the temple, here denoted by the word “wing.” The next is something abominable or detestable - an object to be hated and loathed in the very temple itself. The next is a desolator - one who had come to carry desolation to that very temple. Whether the “abomination” is connected with the “desolator” or not is not intimated by the language. It might or might not be. The angel uses language as these objects strike the eye, and he expresses himself in this abrupt manner as the eye rests on one or the other. The question then arises, What does this mean? Or what is to be regarded as the proper fulfillment? The reasons for this opinion are, summarily, the following:
(a) The “place or order” in which the passage stands in the prophecy. It is “after” the coming of the Messiah; “after” the proper cessation of the sacrifice and oblation, and at the close of the whole series of events - the termination of the whole design about rebuilding the city and the temple.
(b) The “language” is such as would properly represent that. Nothing could be more appropriate, in the common estimation of the Jews, than to speak of such an object as a Roman military standard planted in any part of the temple, as an “abomination,;” and no word would better denote the character of the Roman conqueror than the word “desolator” - for the effect of his coming, was to lay the whole city and temple in ruins.
(c) The language of the Saviour in his reference to this would seem to demand such an interpretation, Mat_24:15 : “When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet stand in the holy place,” etc. There can be no reasonable doubt. that the Saviour refers to this passage in Daniel (see the notes at Mat_24:15), or that events occurred in the attack on Jerusalem and the temple that would fully correspond with the language used here. Josephus, for instance, says, that when the city was taken, the Romans brought their ensigns into the temple, and placed them over the eastern gate, and sacrificed to them there. “And now the Romans,” says he, “upon the flight of the seditious into the city, and upon the burning of the holy house itself, and all the buildings round about it, brought their ensigns into the temple, and set them over against its eastern gate; and there they did offer sacrifices to them, and there did they make Titus “Imperator” with the greatest acclamations of joy.” - “Jewish Wars,” b. vi. ch. vi. Section 1. This fact fully accords with the meaning of the language as above explained, and the reference to it was demanded in order that the purpose of the prophecy should be complete. Its proper termination is the destruction of the city and temple - as its beginning is the order to rebuild them.
Even until the consummation - Until the completion - That is, the series of events in the prophecy shall in fact reach to the completion of everything pertaining to the city and temple. The whole purpose in regard to that shall be completed. The design for which it is robe rebuilt shall be consummated; the sacrifices to be offered there shall be finished, and they shall be no longer efficacious or proper; the whole civil and religious polity connected with the city and temple shall pass away.
And that determined - There seems to be an allusion in the word here to its former use, as denoting that this is the fulfillment of the determination in regard to the city and temple. The idea is, that what was determined, or decided on, to wit, with reference to the closing scenes of the city and temple, would be accomplished.
Shall be poured - The word used here means to pour, to pour out, to overflow - as rain, water, curses, anger, etc. It may be properly applied to calamity or desolation, as these things may be represented as “poured down” upon a people, in the manner of a storm. Compare 2Sa_21:10; Exo_9:33; Psa_11:6; Eze_38:22; 2Ch_34:21; 2Ch_12:7; Jer_7:20; Jer_42:18; Jer_44:6.
Upon the desolate - Margin, desolator. The Hebrew word is the same, though in another form which is used in the previous part of the verse, and rendered “he shall make it desolate,” but which is proposed above to be rendered “desolator.” The verb is an intransitive verb, and means, in “Kal,” the form used here, to be astonished or amazed; then “to be laid waste, to be made desolate” (Gesenius); and the meaning in this place, therefore, is that which is desolate or laid waste - the wasted, the perishing, the solitary. The reference is to Jerusalem viewed as desolate or reduced to ruins. The angel perhaps contemplates it, as he is speaking, in ruins or as desolate, and he sees this also as the termination of the entire series of predictions, and, in view of the whole, speaks of Jerusalem appropriately as “the desolate.”
Though it would be rebuilt, yet it would be again reduced to desolation, for the purpose of the rebuilding - the coming of the Messiah - would be accomplished. As the prophecy finds Jerusalem a scene of ruins, so it leaves it, and the last word in the prophecy, therefore, is appropriately the word “desolate.” The intermediate state indeed between the condition of the city as seen at first and at the close is glorious - for it embraces the whole work of the Messiah; but the beginning is a scene of ruins, and so is the close. The sum of the whole in the latter part of the verse may be expressed in a free paraphrase: “He, the Messiah, shall cause the sacrifice and oblation to cease,” by having fulfilled in his own dcath the design of the ancient offerings, thus rendering them now useless, and upon the outspreading - upon the temple regarded as spread out, or some wing or portico, there are seen abominable things - idolatrous ensigns, and the worship of foreigners. A desolator is there, also, come to spread destruction - a foreign army or leader. And this shall continue even to the end of the whole matter - the end of the events contemplated by the prophecy - the end of the city and the temple. And what is determined on - the destruction decreed - shall be poured out like a tempest on the city doomed to desolation - desolate as surveyed at the beginning of the prophecy - desolate at the close, and therefore appropriately called “the desolate.”

Feedback: Will the World End in 2012? - Answers in Genesis

2010-09-18T14:48:00.000-04:00

Feedback: Will the World End in 2012? - Answers in Genesis

How can 3 = 1 : Understanding the Triune Nature of Elohim

2009-12-13T14:10:00.001-05:00

Is "God" one or three? The scriptures will tell you both are true.

The very name for "God" in the Hebrew is a plural noun ( Elohim ), but is used with singular adjectives and verb forms.

How can 3 = 1 ?

"How" is difficult to comprehend, but the "reality" of 3 = 1 is everywhere.

All matter exists in 3 "forms".

Solid, Liquid, and Gas.

This is basic chemistry and physics.

The 3 "states" of Water is how I best "understand" the triune nature of Elohim.

We have solid water that is ICE.

We have liquid water that is FLUID WATER.

We have gaseous water that is STEAM or CLOUDS ( or even invisible "humidity" in the air ).

All 3 are "water" ( H2O, two molecules of Hydrogen bonded to one molecule of Oxygen ).

And the 3 forms are known to change and transform into the other depending on the situation ( mainly the temperature of the environment it is in ).

So, if you want to "experience" the fullness of "Water", you will find that you can "Stand On It", or you can "Submerge Yourself In It", or you can "Breath It In".

It is always water.

And God is always God, whether you are experiencing the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. The 3 are 1.

Three difference "manifestations" of the one and same entity. Not three different entities.

*** No analogy is perfect to describe Elohim, but I hope this helps you get your "mind around" the concept.
And if you have one that works better for you, please share it with us ( Comment on this Blog entry ).

Doctrine of the Trinity Explained by Michael Bradley

2009-12-13T10:10:00.001-05:00

The Doctrine of the Trinity - One God in Three Persons

ne of the main fundamental key truths in Christianity is the belief in the doctrine of the Trinity. Simply put, the doctrine of the Trinity states that there is: One God in three Persons

It is not three Gods in one God - it is one God in three Persons.
The Bible specifically states over and over again that there is only one God. This is why you technically can't say that there are three Gods in one God.

However, as you will see in the Scripture verses I will list below, all three Persons of the Godhead are God and Lord Themselves. God the Father is the first Person of the Trinity, His Son Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Trinity and the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity.

So if all Three of Them are really God and Lord Themselves - then why doesn't God the Father tell us in His Word that we are dealing with three Gods? Why does He keep saying that there is only one God - when in actuality there really are three Gods, since both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God and Lord Themselves?

There is no question that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are three separate, complete and individual Persons with their own individual unique identities. So why does God the Father keep stating that there is only one God in Scripture? This is one of the mysteries of the Trinity that many people have a hard time with.

Here is what I believe may be a possible answer to this question. From Scripture, we know that there are only three classes of beings. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one class in that the Three of Them are all God and Lord Themselves. As such, all Three of Them are absolutely perfect in Their actual natures and personalities. As you will see in one of the Scripture verses I will list below, the Bible tells us that there is no darkness in God. In other words, He has no dark side - no flesh.

This means that God is totally incapable of doing anything evil or bad. He is totally and completely perfectly good in His actual nature and personality. However, the same thing cannot be said of the other two classes of beings that God has created.

The second class of beings that God has created are the angels. The fact that Satan and one third of the angels rebelled against God and were thus thrown out of heaven - all show that angels have the capacity and the ability to malfunction to the dark side.

If they did not have this ability and capacity, then Satan and one third of the angels would have never rebelled against God the Father in the first place. This one fact alone tells us that angels are not perfect like God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are. They thus cannot be considered gods in any way, shape or form.

The third class of beings God has created is the human race. The Bible specifically states that all men and all women have sinned and have fallen way short of the glory of God. This is why Jesus had to come down to die for all of our sins, flaws and imperfections. The Bible says that all men have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and makes no exceptions. In other words - all humans are imperfect just like all of the angels are.

This now leads us to one simple conclusion. Since all humans and all angels are imperfect - this now means that no angels and no humans can ever be considered to be gods themselves - no matter how much Satan would still like to believe that, and no matter how many New Age gurus would like to try and tell you otherwise with their false teachings that we are all little gods ourselves.

Now here is why I believe that God the Father has the Trinity set up under the statement of "One God in three Persons."

Since God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all God and Lord Themselves - this means that all Three of Them are totally perfect in Their actual personalities and natures. And if They are totally perfect in Their personalities - then this now means They are totally capable of being perfectly one with one another.

As you will in several of the Scripture verses below - Jesus keeps repeating the statement that He and His Father "are one." In other words, They are perfectly one with one another, They are in perfect harmony with one another, They are in perfect agreement with one another, They are in perfect unison with one another.

Since the Two of Them are both God and Lord Themselves - then this now means this union between the Two of them is a perfect divine union. This perfect divine union of oneness between the Two of Them is so perfect, that God the Father can now say that there is only one God - not 3 separate Gods.

The same thing goes for the Holy Spirit. As you will see in a Scripture verse I will list below, this verse also says that the Holy Spirit is perfectly "one" with both God and Jesus. And since the Bible specifically tells us that the Holy Spirit is God and Lord Himself - then this now means His personal union with both God and Jesus is a perfect divine union - and as such - He too can be included as being part of the Godhead - where God the Father can now state that there is only one God, but one God in three separate perfect Persons within the actual Godhead itself.

Since all angels and all humans are imperfect, then that means we are all incapable of establishing any type of perfect divine God-union with either God Himself or with any other human. Only God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have the ability to establish a perfect divine union with either Themselves or with one of us or one of Their angels.

I believe that this "perfect divine oneness," this "perfect divine union" between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is so "God-perfect" - that God the Father can now state that there is only one true God - but one God in three separate, unique and individual Persons.

1. One God in Three Persons

There is one big, whopper mammoth verse that you can literally base the entire doctrine of the Trinity on. Here it is:

"For there are three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one." (1 John 5:7)

As you will see in a verse I will list below, the Word is Jesus. This verse is now telling us that God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are "one." This verse is telling us that we are specifically dealing with a God Trinity involving three separate Persons - but with all Three of these Persons being "perfectly one" with one another!

In the 3 captions I will list below, I will give you some of the main verses from Scripture that will specifically tell us that God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are all God and Lord Themselves.

And if They are all God and Lord Themselves, and above verse is telling us that They are perfectly one with one another - then the Bible has just given us perfect proof that we are now dealing with a Holy Divine Trinity of one God in three Persons.

It's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Once you have all of the puzzle pieces put together and put right next to one another - it then becomes quite easy to see what God is trying to tell us with some of this deeper revelation!

I believe that the above verse is one of the major foundational verses in which to base the doctrine of the Trinity on since it is specifically telling us that all three Persons of the Godhead are "perfectly one" with one another.

2. God the Father is God and Lord Himself

In order to complete the above verse, we now have to show that both God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all God and Lord Themselves. In this caption, I will give you 10 major power verses all showing that not only is God the Father God and Lord Himself - but that there are no other gods in the entire scheme of things than can even begin to sit next to Him.

The actual wording in some of these verses are very intense in the way they are stating that there is only one God and that there are no other gods anywhere else that can compete with Him for this title. Here are 10 major power verses all showing us that God the Father is God and Lord Himself and that there are no other beings or entities that can even begin compete with Him for this title.

"... yet for us there is only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." (1 Corinthians 8:6)
"But the Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King ... thus you shall say to them: "The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens." He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, and has stretched out the heavens at His discretion ... For He is the maker of all things." (Jeremiah 10:10-16)
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God ... Indeed there is no other Rock; I know not one.' " (Isaiah 44: 6,8)
"To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him ... that the Lord Himself is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other." (Deuteronomy 4:35-39)
"Before Me there was no God formed, nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior ... Indeed before the day was, I am He; and there is no one who can deliver out of My hand; I work, and who will reverse it?" (Isaiah 43:10-13)
"For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying 'My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure,' ... (Isaiah 46:9)
"Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:22)
"I am the Lord, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things ... I have made the earth, and created man on it." (Isaiah 45:5-12)
"For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols." (Psalm 96:4)
"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

All of the above verses are very profound and powerful verses all showing us, without any other possible interpretation, that there is only one God - God the Father - and that there are no other gods that can compete or sit beside Him as His equal.

All other false gods being worshipped by all of the other false religions of this earth are nothing more than false idols according to Psalm 96:4 - and they will all eventually be completely taken out from this earth when Jesus comes back to us in His second coming to set up His Millennium Kingdom from the city of Jerusalem.

Also notice in the very last verse where it specifically says that there is no darkness in God - that He is all light and all goodness!

3. Jesus Christ is God and Lord Himself

All of the above verses are definitely establishing that God the Father is God and Lord Himself. Now here are 18 major power verses all showing that Jesus Christ is also God and Lord Himself.

Notice in the very first verse that it says that the Word - which is Jesus - was with God from the very beginning of all things and that He too is God Almighty Himself! The third verse says that a virgin will bring Jesus into our world and His name shall be called Immanuel - which means that "God is with us."

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." (John 1:1)
"And the Word became 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." (John 1:14)
"Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14)
"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)
"... looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ ..." (Titus 2:13)
"To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:1)
"And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20)
"... no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:3)
"Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, and that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:27)
"... Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant, and coming in the likeness of men." (Philippians 2:6)
"For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9)
"Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves." (John 14:10)
"I and My Father are one." (John 10:30)
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Revelation 22:13)
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." (Revelation 1:8)
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58)

All of the above verses are definitely telling us, without any other possible interpretation or spin that you can put on them - that Jesus Christ is God and Lord Almighty Himself and that He is truly the second Person of the triune Godhead!

The last verse, where Jesus says before Abraham was, He says "I AM." The words "I AM" are present tense - which means that Jesus has always been - He was never created or had any type of origination point like all humans and all angels have. Only God can be eternal and that one statement, all by itself, shows that Jesus Christ is eternal just like His Father is. This makes both Him and God the Father co-eternal in the Godhead itself.

The two verses from Revelation 1:8 and 22:13 are stating that Jesus is the First and the Last, just like the one verse above on God the Father. They are both the First and the Last, which makes both of Them God and Lord.

When the apostle Thomas says to Jesus in the above verse - "My Lord and my God" - Jesus does not correct him, but accepts the statement that he is making to Him, once again proving that Jesus is God and Lord Himself.

All of the above verses are major key power verses all showing us that Jesus Christ is truly God and Lord Himself - and as such - is truly the second Person of the triune Godhead.

4. The Holy Spirit is God and Lord Himself

To complete the doctrine of the Trinity, we now have to show and prove from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is also God and Lord Himself. The following verses will do this for you. Here they are:

"Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2 Corinthians 3:17)
But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ... You have not lied to men but to God." (Acts 5:3-4)
"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there." (Psalm 139:7)
"... how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God ..." (Hebrews 9:14)
"... no one know the things of God except the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 2:11)

The very first verse specifically tells us that the Holy Spirit is Lord Himself. The next verse then tells us that the Holy Spirit is God Himself when Peter is telling Ananias that he has lied to God when he had just lied to the Holy Spirit!

These two verses, when you put them right next to one another, are literally telling us that the Holy Spirit is both God and Lord Himself - just like God the Father and Jesus Christ are both God and Lord Themselves. This now perfectly completes the Trinity - showing that we are now dealing with one God, but one God in three separate and distinct Persons - God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

The third verse above on the Holy Spirit is showing that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent, which means that He is everywhere at all times. Only God has this kind of ability. This is just one more piece of Scriptural evidence that the Holy Spirit has the attributes and abilities of God Himself and as such, has to be God and Lord Himself.

The verse from Hebrews 9:14 says that the Holy Spirit is eternal, which means that He is just like God and Jesus on this issue. He has never been created and has always been and always was. Again, only God can be eternal with no creation or origination point like all humans and all angels have.

The last verse, where it says that no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God, is giving us another major clue that the Holy Spirit has to be God Himself in order to have this ability to be able know the things of God the Father.

No human and no angel has the perfect ability to know all of the things of God. Only Jesus and the Holy Spirit have this capability within the Godhead itself. The Bible says that all humans will only "know in part" with what knowledge we can acquire from God.

The above 5 verses on the Holy Spirit are definitely showing us that He is also God and Lord Himself, and that He has all of the God-attributes and God-abilities of God and Jesus in the Godhead itself.

Conclusion

If you truly believe that all of the Bible has come to us from God the Father through the Holy Spirit, then all of the above verses, especially when you group all of them together, are all showing us that our God is one God in three Persons - with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit being the three distinct Persons of this triune Godhead - and with all three Persons of this Godhead being co-equal and co-eternal.

The first set of verses about God the Father are also telling us that there are no other gods anywhere else - either in heaven above or on this earth - and that all of the other so called gods being worshiped by the other false religious systems of this world are nothing but false idols before God the Father and will eventually be completely done away with.

Once again, God the Father has given us some incredible revelation about Himself, His Son Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit with the knowledge that is contained in these specific verses from Scripture.

**********************************************

Michael Bradley
Bible Teaching, Knowledge, Commentary and Over 150 Free Articles
Copyright © 2005-2008 by Michael Bradley.

What is your Whatever?

2009-11-15T20:59:00.002-05:00

"For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Whatever is True, Honorable, Right, Pure, Lovely, of Good Repute, any excellence, anything worthy of praise,

LET YOUR MIND DWELL ON THESE THINGS!!!

Romans 15:4,13 NASB, and para-phase of Philippians 4:8

Debunking the "2012 Doomsday"

2009-10-16T15:33:00.002-04:00

Rumors of an apocalypse in 2012 are being spread by people in order to make money.

Don't be Scammed!
Get the facts about all the "2012 Doomsday" Myths and Rumors.

see:
2012 Hoax Website

It Is Time To Act - Spread the Gift of Eternal Life

2009-10-11T11:34:00.006-04:00

As the church in America struggles to remake it's self. I would challenge believer's in the Word of God to seek the Lord for guidance in all their actions. Each day we must ask,"Lord, what is your will for me today? Where, What, How do you want me to use the time and resources you have provided me to better serve You?".
Keeping in mind ( in prayer ) our inability to life Godly, and depending ( trusting and relying upon ) His Spirit, His strength.

Each day we have opportunity to share the Love of Christ. Each day we have opportunity to share our material goods with those less fortunate then us. Each day we have time and opportunity to interact with others ( fellow Believers, and those who do not have the Faith ). We can choose to spend our time and resources on ourselves ( as the world is always tell us to do ), or we can think less about ourselves and see where God would use us. A neighbor or a stranger. A fellow believer, or one who is still lost in the lies of the world.

We must always be mindful of our own lack of ability and seek the power of God. We NEED to have His Word in our heart and mind. Time spent in the Bible, and on our knees ( one of the best ways to pray ) are CRITICAL to walking in the Light. I could start quoted all the verses, but if you are a believer, many of them are already in your heart. And if you are a non-believer, I would "dare you" to read the Gospel of John through, and ask God to show you what is "true". "Call upon the Name of Lord" === Trust, reply, depend, looking to for deliverance, strength, and Divine intervention.

ACT upon what you already know. Then God can show you more. And believe me there is a lot MORE.

Seek truth, and you will find it ( this is a promise from God ).

And to my fellow believers ( saved by grace through faith - not of works ), I would challenge you to share the Gospel with those around you. Showing them love and providing for physical welfare is a good and noble thing, but please do not neglect sharing the life giving truth of the Gospel. Give them the Message of Eternal Life. Help them to be Born Again. Help them become a Child of God. Plug them into our heavenly Father. This is what we are called to do, while not neglecting to show the kindness and love that is God. Let your actions include speaking His Word. Proclaim His Name ( Jesus Christ the Lord ). Tell them that their Creator has a plan and purpose for their life. That He has paid the penalty for their sins, and forgiveness is freely available.

The world has many "good deed doers", but so few "truth sayers". Share the Love, but please don't be afraid to share the Word. Don't be afraid to tell them God is real, the Bible is true, and Jesus Christ died that they might have forgiveness and eternal life. Tell them about this great eternal life that begins the moment a person understands and trusts in Jesus Christ as their savior, they substitution, their redeemer, their God who has provide a way to restore the relationship He always had in mind. Tell them that being "born again" as a child of God puts them in connection with the Creator of the Universe. And that He is real, He hears, He cares, and He can be "called upon" each and every day. And He has no limits to His ability to hear, understand, guide and comfort His children.

It is time to ACT.
Are you ready?

For more help with sharing the Gospel, and understanding just how clear and simple it really is, click on this link:

ACT

ACTS 1:11 tells us that Jesus is returning one day - while we await His return, let’s ACT

Angels and Demons Movie - Editoral from New York Times on the Author's true purpose

2009-05-19T11:47:00.000-04:00

May 19, 2009 from the New York Times

Op-Ed Columnist

Dan Brown's America

By ROSS DOUTHAT

The movie treatment of his novel, "Angels and Demons," is cleaning up at the box office this week. The sequel to "The DaVinci Code," due out in November, might buoy the publishing industry through the recession. And if you want to understand the state of American religion, you need to understand why so many people love Dan Brown.

It isn't just that he knows how to keep the pages turning. That's what it takes to sell a million novels. But if you want to sell a 100 million, you need to preach as well as entertain to present a fiction that can be read as fact, and that promises to unlock the secrets of history, the universe and God along the way.

Brown is explicit about this mission. He isn't a serious novelist, but he's a deadly serious writer: His thrilling plots, he's said, are there to make the books' didacticism go down easy, so that readers don't realize till the end "how much they are learning along the way." He's working in the same genre as Harlan Coben and James Patterson, but his real competitors are ideologues like Ayn Rand, and spiritual gurus like Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra. He's writing thrillers, but he's selling a theology.

Brown's message has been called anti-Catholic, but that's only part of the story. True, his depiction of the Roman Church's past constitutes a greatest hits of anti-Catholicism, with slurs invented by 19th-century Protestants jostling for space alongside libels fabricated by 20th-century Wiccans. (If he targeted Judaism or Islam this way, one suspects that no publisher would touch him.)

But Brown doesn't have the soul of a true-believing Enemy of the Faith. Deep down, he has a fondness for the ordinary, well-meaning sort of Catholic, his libels against their ancestors notwithstanding. He's even sympathetic to the religious yearnings of his Catholic villains including, yes, the murderous albino monks.

This explains why both "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons" end with a big anti-Catholic reveal (Jesus had kids with Mary Magdalene! That terrorist plot against the Vatican was actually launched by an archconservative priest!) followed by a big cover-up. A small elect (Tom Hanks and company, in the movies) gets to know what really happened, but the mass of believers remain in the dark, lest their spiritual questing be derailed by disillusionment and scandal. Having dismissed Catholicism's truth claims and demonized its most sincere defenders, Brown pats believers on the head and bids them go on fingering their rosary beads.

In the Brownian worldview, all religions even Roman Catholicism have the potential to be wonderful, so long as we can get over the idea that any one of them might be particularly true. It's a message perfectly tailored for 21st-century America, where the most important religious trend is neither swelling unbelief nor rising fundamentalism, but the emergence of a generalized "religiousness" detached from the claims of any specific faith tradition.

The polls that show more Americans abandoning organized religion don't suggest a dramatic uptick in atheism: They reveal the growth of do-it-yourself spirituality, with traditional religion's dogmas and moral requirements shorn away. The same trend is at work within organized faiths as well, where both liberal and conservative believers often encounter a God who's too busy validating their particular version of the American Dream to raise a peep about, say, how much money they're making or how many times they've been married.

These are Dan Brown's kind of readers. Piggybacking on the fascination with lost gospels and alternative Christianities, he serves up a Jesus who's a thoroughly modern sort of messiah sexy, worldly, and Goddess-worshiping, with a wife and kids, a house in the Galilean suburbs, and no delusions about his own divinity.

But the success of this message which also shows up in the work of Brown's many thriller-writing imitators can't be separated from its dishonesty. The "secret" history of Christendom that unspools in "The Da Vinci Code" is false from start to finish. The lost gospels are real enough, but they neither confirm the portrait of Christ that Brown is peddling they're far, far weirder than that nor provide a persuasive alternative to the New Testament account. The Jesus of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John jealous, demanding, apocalyptic may not be congenial to contemporary sensibilities, but he's the only historically-plausible Jesus there is.

For millions of readers, Brown's novels have helped smooth over the tension between ancient Christianity and modern American faith. But the tension endures. You can have Jesus or Dan Brown. But you can't have both.

Eternal Security or when does Eternal Life Beginning

2009-03-28T08:51:00.000-04:00

ETERNAL SECURITY

Can a person who has been saved lose his salvation? This question has been a perplexing question to many. Maybe you have been questioning the genuineness of your salvation. Are you really saved? Are you really sure?

Although the phrase "eternal security" does not occur in the Bible, phrases that are equivalent do occur. Phrases such as everlasting life, eternal life, eternal salvation, eternal inheritance, eternal redemption, etc. occur dozens and dozens of times throughout the Bible.

Eternal security is not a separate doctrine from that of eternal life or eternal salvation. It is one and the same. In fact, the only salvation God offers to mankind is eternal. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16)."

God does not offer probation, but He offers salvation. God does not offer a trial period, but rather, offers to completely save and give eternal life to anyone who responds to His invitation to trust Jesus Christ as his or her only hope of heaven.

Consider the alternative, that you could lose your salvation. By virtue of the fact that you could lose it, would mean that keeping salvation would depend upon your efforts or actions to keep it. In other words, a person who says that he can lose his salvation for whatever reason is in reality saying that he is trusting in human works to save him. Look at Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace (mercy) are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast." Salvation is not of works and therefore a person who is trusting in his works is not and will not be saved. What are we saying? Plainly stated: a person who says he can lose his salvation is not saved. Or he is thoroughly confused and lacks assurance of salvation.

If you are not saved forever, then you are not saved. Let me say it again. If you are not saved forever, then you are not saved.

Salvation, as taught in the Bible, is a present possession, received at the time of the new birth or acceptance of Christ as one's personal Savior, and is kept secure or eternal by God's power. Consider such references as John 3:16; John 3:36; John 5:24; John 10:28; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:14; I Peter 1:4-5.

Jesus Christ made the promise in John 6:37 that He would never cast out anyone who had trusted Him as Savior for any reason. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me, and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." He meant exactly that. There is no circumstance or instance that would cause Christ to cast a saved person aside.

Some have said to me, "Okay, Christ won't cast me out, but I can cast myself out." This is impossible. Read with me John 6:39 where Jesus said, "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that all which he hath given, I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day." Jesus promises that He will never lose anyone who has come to him for salvation and that this is the Father's will.

If any one saved person were ever lost, then Jesus Christ would be a liar because, He said in John 6:39 that He would not lose one. If just one saved person in all of history were lost, then Jesus Christ would be a liar.

Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ is a Savior who will deliver on what He has promised. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath (possesses now) eternal life (John 6:47)." Jesus Christ promises eternal life as a present possession to all those who believe (trust) in Him.

The heart of all the misunderstanding concerning this subject is the fact that human works or merit have zero to do with salvation. Many Scriptures make it so clear that we are saved by faith and not by works. For example: John 3:18; Romans 3:24-28; Romans 4;5; Ephesians 2:8-9 and so on.

In addition to this, there are many clear Scriptures which teach that anyone who is trusting in works (church membership, baptism, confirmation, living the Christian life, etc.) in addition to faith in Christ will not be saved (Romans 11:6; and Galatians 5:2-4). Thus we are to trust in Christ only to be saved.

The work of salvation was finished on the cross by Jesus Christ himself (Hebrews 1:3). If we want to be saved, then we must believe that Jesus Christ finished the work of salvation on the cross, and receive it as God's free gift (Romans 6:23).

"I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him (Ecclesiastes 3:14)." (See also Romans 8:38-39.)

After we are saved, we should live for Christ out of love and gratitude for all He has done for us. We will be rewarded for faithful service or suffer the loss of rewards for not serving the Lord, but we will be eternally saved (Corinthians 3:11-15). Also, if we live in rebellion we will still be saved, but God will chasten us in this life and might take us home to heaven prematurely. (See Hebrews 12:6-8; Corinthians 11:30-32.)

Salvation is by grace through faith. It is a free gift, and is wholly without works (Romans 3:27-28; 4:1-8; 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9). The divine order is first salvation, then works (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8).

"Blessed Assurance" is a favorite hymn of many who claim to be saved. But it is only wishful thinking to those who believe they can be saved today and lost tomorrow.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39)." A saved person can know and be absolutely assured of his or her salvation. Nothing can undo what God has finished (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life (I John 5:13)."

Marriage Re-Defined - Another "Cloud" on the Horizon

2009-03-18T14:09:00.000-04:00

Well now we can stop all the arguments about the "laws" of marriage, as the "word" has been redefined for us.

© 2009 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated

Main Entry: mar·riage
Pronunciation: \ˈmer-ij, ˈma-rij\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English mariage, from Anglo-French, from marier to marry
Date: 14th century

1 a (1): the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law

(2): the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage>

b: the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock

c: the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage

2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected ; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities

3: an intimate or close union <the marriage of painting and poetry J. T. Shawcross>

Let Us Watch and Be Sober

2009-03-15T18:23:00.001-04:00

1Th 5:1-6 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

By the way, what are you becoming?

2008-12-19T20:27:00.005-05:00

Great Question.

I am becoming a watcher.

Looking for, and waiting for my King to return.

Mat 25:13 ASV Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.

2Co 4:18 ASV while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Phi 3:20-21 ASV For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (21) who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

Tit 2:11-14 ASV For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (12) instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; (13) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; (14) who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a people for his own possession, zealous of good works.

Luk 21:28-36 MKJV And when these things begin to happen, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near. (29) And He spoke a parable to them: Behold the fig-tree and all the trees. (30) Now when they sprout leaves, seeing it you will know that summer is now near. (31) So also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. (32) Truly I say to you, This generation shall not pass away until all these things are fulfilled. (33) The heaven and the earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away. (34) And take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with headaches and drinking and anxieties of this life; and that day should suddenly come on you; (35) for it shall come as a snare on all those sitting on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch therefore, praying in every season that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things which shall occur, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Heb 10:23-25 MKJV Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering (for He is faithful who promised), (24) and let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

So, I ask you.

Are you "looking", "watching", "waiting"? Will you notice that the Lord's return is near, or will you be too busy with the things of this world to notice the signs? Can "you see the Day approaching"?

Matthew 24:32 KJV: Now from the fig tree learn her parable: when her branch is now become tender, and putteth forth its leaves, ye know that the summer is nigh;

HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO THE END-TIMES 7 YEAR PERIOD

2008-11-15T22:41:00.001-05:00

HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO THE END-TIMES 7 YEAR PERIOD?
by Roy A. Reinhold, 1998

If I were to tell you that the 7 year period were to begin in 1997, or 2008, or 2025, what effect would that have on your life decisions with regards to marriage, children, college, a career, or work? Many, in times past, have seriously erred by selling possessions and heading off to some mountaintop to await God's coming; and they were all in error. In the 1970's, I knew a number of people who put off college, a family, or training because they were totally convinced that the second coming of Jesus was near. I don't know what happened to most of them, but I know that they were wrong and had wrong attitudes. Knowledge of prophecy should propel us to live a godly life without fear, not seek to avoid the circumstances of life out of selfish desires. I believe that God has not told us the exact year of the beginning of the end-times period in order that there wouldn't be so many crazy people doing crazy things. However, the hundreds of prophetic passages in the Bible give us clear signs to know the times that would precede the 7 year period.

A short review of past predictions might be helpful. Around the year 1000 AD, many became convinced that they were in the end-times and gave their possessions to the poor and awaited the second coming. 1878 AD was a big year in end-times beliefs, since it was 2520 prophetic years (of 360 day years) after the Babylonian captivity of Judah in 606 BC. The Jehovah's Witnesses trumpeted 1914 and later 1929 as the end the world, and those days passed without any prophetic significance, as have all the other predicted dates by this cult. In the 1970's, fine Christians like Hal Lindsey hinted at 1988 as the year of the second coming, which means that the 7 year period would begin in 1981. We all remember Edgar Whisenant who wrote, 88 Reasons Why Christ Is Coming In 1988, and when it passed published another book called, 89 Reasons Why Christ Is Coming In 1989. In 1992, a Korean group took out newspaper ads all over the world and said that the rapture was on the Feast of Trumpets in 1992, as did one group in the US. In 1993, a group called the Great White Brotherhood in Russia and the Ukraine, headed by Maria Christos a self-styled messiah, said that the kingdom of God would begin in the fall of 1993. Harold Camping, a radio preacher on the Open Forum program of the Family Radio network, published a book titled, 1994, teaching that Jesus was coming in 1994 based mainly on studies of numerology in the Bible.

Many other teachers have predicted the 7 year period around the year 2000 AD. A fine Christian named Gordon Lindsay wrote, God's Plan Of the Ages, in the 1970's, in which he presented very interesting studies of cycles to arrive at the conclusion that the 7 year period runs from 1994- 2001 AD. Similar work in the studies of cycles by Grant Jeffrey and presented in his fine work, Armageddon: Appointment With Destiny, predicted 2000 AD as the year of the second coming. Finally, a sincere Christian and long-time television teacher on Bible prophecy, Dr. Jack Van Impe, taught that the 7 year period will end about 2000 to 2003 AD, leading to the beginning of the 7 year period in 1993 to 1996. Dr. Van Impe also relates that Pope John Paul II has taught that Jesus is coming in the year 2000 AD, and that the Pope expects to be alive at His return.

Do any of these teachers have specific inside knowledge from God that they are correct? No they don't, and neither do I know the exact year that the 7 year period will begin, nor do I know the exact year for the second coming! The one thing I know for sure, is that the second coming will not happen in the year 2000 AD, because the peace treaty of prophecy did not occur in 1993 on 30 September/1 October. Therefore, the year 2000 AD prediction can conclusively be proven to be wrong already!

One methodology explored by Grant Jeffrey in his book was extremely interesting, where he arrived at the end of the 69 weeks of years of Daniel 9:25-27, on April 6, 32 AD. I agree with this conclusion. He then added four 490 year cycles for Israel to arrive at 1993, which led to the second coming in the year 2000 AD. Another proof Mr. Jeffrey explored was the Jubilee in 28 AD, to which he added 2000 prophetic years to arrive at the year 2000 AD (2000 years times 360 days divided by 365.25 = 1971.25 years, then 1971.25 years plus 28.8 AD = 2000 AD). The thought process here is excellent, since he used the following texts to arrive at his theory:

Hosea 6:1-3 ... after two days he will revive us: in the third day he will raise us up ...
Psalm 90:4 ...For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past ...
2 Peter 3:8 ...with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day
Revelation 20:6 ...reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
the thought process was excellent by Mr. Jeffrey, the conclusion was and is wrong.

All of these verses indicate that God sees things on a different scale than we do. There were 2000 years where mankind was governed by conscience, 2000 years under the law of Moses, 2000 years under grace in the church age, and a Sabbath rest for the earth under the reign of the Messiah for a thousand years. So the idea that one thousand years is as a day has much merit in the scripture. Some have attempted to add 2000 years to the year of Jesus' birth in the year 4 BC, and arrive at 1996 AD. However, they don't realize that the church didn't start at Jesus' birth, but on Pentecost after His death and resurrection. That would mean 32 AD plus 2000 years equals 2032 AD, with the second coming in either 2033, 2034, or 2035 AD. This is based on the church age ending at the catching away of the church, which I have proven takes place at the end of the Great Tribulation and before the Day of the Lord, and accounts for all 3 possibilities for the prophetic fulfillment of Rosh Hashana. Also, this leads to the predicted beginning of the 7 year period in 2026, 2027, or 2028 AD. However, if we use 2000 prophetic years of 360 days each, then 32 AD plus 1971.25 years equals 2003 AD, with a corresponding second coming in 2004, 2005, or 2006 AD. This calculation leads to the beginning of the 7 year period in 1997, 1998, or 1999 AD.

So if we were facing one another and talking about this subject, I would tell you that my guess based on my knowledge of Bible prophecy would be the 7 year period beginning in 2026-2028 AD or 1997-1999 AD. It would only be a guess based on the thousand years as a day in God's viewpoint and the millennium being presented as a Sabbath day for the earth and lasting a thousand years. It would also be based on the teaching of Jesus that the generation alive at the time Israel becomes a nation would not pass away before all these things would be fulfilled (and this uses either 1948 or 1967 when they captured Jerusalem and the West Bank). If we use 70 years as a life span of a generation (Psalm 90:10), then 70 plus 1948 equals 2018 AD, and 70 plus 1967 equals 2037 AD. This I firmly believe, that the second coming will occur on or before the year 2037 AD. I also know that those teaching a second coming in 1999 or the year 2000 AD are wrong!

Rather than looking for a specific year for the beginning of the 7 year period, the believer ought to be cognizant of specific signs that Jesus told the disciples, that would be present as birth pangs prior to the Tribulation period. Matthew 24:4-8, relates these birth pangs signs as false teachers within Christianity, ethnic warfare, famines in various places, and earthquakes (also Mark 13:5-8). The Luke 21:8-11, version of the Olivet Discourse speaks of false teachers within Christianity, ethnic warfare, and famines, while adding plagues, great earthquakes, terrors, and great signs from heaven.

* Quote from: http://ad2004.com/prophecytruths/Articles/Prophecy/proph.html

Before All Time, and NOW, and For Evermore

2008-11-02T23:12:00.001-05:00

Now unto him that is able to guard you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of his glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. Amen.

(Jud 1:24-25)

Instructions for the Church - Each Part Needed

2008-10-25T11:56:00.002-04:00

Instructions for the Church - Each part must be allowed to operate and interact with the rest of the Body

But there are differences of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are differences of workings, but it is the same God working all things in all. But to each one is given the showing forth of the Spirit to our profit. For through the Spirit is given to one a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit; and to another faith by the same Spirit; and to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; and to another workings of powers, to another prophecy; and to another discerning of spirits; and to another kinds of tongues; and to another the interpretation of tongues. But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires. For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For also by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free, even all were made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If all the body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If all hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him. And if they were all one member, where would be the body? But now indeed many are the members, yet only one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you; nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. But much rather the members of the body seeming to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we put more abundant honor around them. And our unpresentable members have more abundant propriety. For our presentable members have no need, but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to the member having need; that there not be division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is glorified, all the members rejoice with it. And you are the body of Christ, and members in part. And God set some in the church, firstly, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers, then works of power, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, kinds of languages. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of power? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak languages? Do all interpret? But zealously strive after the better gifts. And yet I show to you a more excellent way.

(1Co 12:4-31)

Then how is it, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be for building up. If one speaks in a language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and in succession. And let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in a church; and let him speak to himself and to God. And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge. If a revelation is revealed to another sitting by, let the first be silent. For you may all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all may be comforted. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. Let your women be silent in the churches; for it is not permitted to them to speak, but to be in subjection, as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home; for it is a shame for a woman to speak in a church. Or did the Word of God go out from you? Or did it reach only to you? If anyone thinks to be a prophet, or a spiritual one, let him recognize the things I write to you, that they are a commandment of the Lord. But if any is ignorant, let him be ignorant. So then, brothers, seek to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak in languages. Let all things be done decently and in order.

(1Co 14:26-40)

And above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you also are called in one body, and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And everything, whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.

(Col 3:14-17)

1Pe 4:7-11 MKJV But the end of all things has drawn near. Therefore be of sound mind, and be sensible to prayers. (8) And above all things have fervent love to yourselves, for love will cover a multitude of sins. (9) Be hospitable to one another, without grudging; (10) each one as he received a gift, ministering it to yourselves as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (11) If anyone speaks, let it be as the words of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as of the ability which God gives, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory, and the might forever and ever. Amen.

Quote from Don Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz

2008-08-15T20:26:00.000-04:00

I found this thought provoking:

Page 111:

"A friend of mine, a young pastor who recently started a church, talks to me from time to time about the new face of church in America - about the postmodern church. He says the new church will be different from the old one, that we will be relevant to culture and the human struggle. I don't think any church has ever been relevant to culture, to the human struggle, unless it believed in Jesus and the power of His gospel. If the supposed new church believes in trendy music and cool Web pages, then it is not relevant to culture either. It is just another tool of Satan to get people to be passionate about nothing."

From "Blue Like Jazz, Nonreligious thoughts on Christian Spirituality", by Don Miller

Return of Jesus Christ and Believers meeting Him in the Air, according to the Bible

2008-08-02T21:45:00.000-04:00

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince who standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Mat 24:3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man lead you astray.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Christ; and shall lead many astray.
Mat 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that ye be not troubled: for these things must needs come to pass; but the end is not yet.
Mat 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places.
Mat 24:8 But all these things are the beginning of travail.
Mat 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up unto tribulation, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all the nations for my name's sake.
Mat 24:10 And then shall many stumble, and shall deliver up one another, and shall hate one another.
Mat 24:11 And many false prophets shall arise, and shall lead many astray.
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13 But he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world for a testimony unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.
Mat 24:15 When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand),
Mat 24:16 then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains:
Mat 24:17 let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house:
Mat 24:18 and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak.
Mat 24:19 But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days!
Mat 24:20 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath:
Mat 24:21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.
Mat 24:22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Mat 24:27 For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and is seen even unto the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man.
Mat 24:28 Wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Mat 24:29 But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
Mat 24:30 and then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Mat 24:31 And he shall send forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Mat 24:40 Then shall two men be in the field; one is taken, and one is left:
Mat 24:41 two women shall be grinding at the mill; one is taken, and one is left.
Mat 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.

Act 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they were looking stedfastly into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Act 1:11 who also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye looking into heaven? this Jesus, who was received up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
Act 1:12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is nigh unto Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey off.

Zec 14:4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east; and the mount of Olives shall be cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Zec 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication; and they shall look unto me whom they have pierced; and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born.

Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with the clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they that pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn over him. Even so, Amen.

Tit 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

1Th 4:13 But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we that are alive, that are left unto the coming of the Lord, shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;
1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

Phi 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Phi 3:21 who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

1Th 5:1 But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you.
1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1Th 5:3 When they are saying, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall in no wise escape.
1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief:
1Th 5:5 for ye are all sons of light, and sons of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness;
1Th 5:6 so then let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober.
1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night: and they that are drunken are drunken in the night.
1Th 5:8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation.
1Th 5:9 For God appointed us not into wrath, but unto the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
1Th 5:10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
2Th 2:2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;
2Th 2:3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
2Th 2:4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th 2:14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev 19:11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
Rev 19:12 And his eyes are a flame of fire, and upon his head are many diadems; and he hath a name written which no one knoweth but he himself.
Rev 19:13 And he is arrayed in a garment sprinkled with blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Rev 19:14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and pure.
Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
Rev 19:16 And he hath on his garment and on his thigh a name written, KINGS OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
Rev 19:17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in mid heaven, Come and be gathered together unto the great supper of God;
Rev 19:18 that ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses and of them that sit thereon, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, and small and great.
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:
Rev 19:21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.

What to do when the end is upon us.

2008-07-04T21:52:00.002-04:00

Isaiah 26:20, 21

"Come, my people, enter into your rooms,

And close your doors behind you;

Hide for a little while.

Until indignation runs it's course.

For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place

To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity;

And the earth will reveal her bloodshed

And will no longer cover her slain."

* Some will speak out, take action, and may be martyred.

Daniel 11:31-35

Forces from him will arise, desecrate the sanctuary fortress, and do away with the regular sacrifice. And they will set up the abomination of desolation.

By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.

Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days.

Now when they fall they will be granted a little help and may will join with them in hypocrisy.

Some of those who have insight will fall in order to refine, purge and make them pure until the end time; because it is still to come at the appointed time.

NASB translation

The 360 Question

2008-05-18T18:32:00.005-04:00

Why do we see years that equal 360 days in the Bible ( and not just in future prophecies of Daniel and Revelation ).

Why did early civilizations in Mesopotamia ( "the land between the rivers" ) and Egypt, divide a circle into 360 degrees?

Perhaps because the "circle" of the sky changed 360 times over the course of one year.

Or maybe the question should be, how come the "year" is now 365.2425 ( mean solar ) days long?

Has it always been this long?

Current length of each day is about 24 hours and 30 seconds.

In order for the year to have only 360 days, it would only require that the length of each day to be increased to 24.347 hours per day ( or about 20 minutes longer ). Another thing to "ponder" is that a 12 lunar cycle year is 354.37 days. So, if one increases the length of a "day" enough to make the year 5.2425 days "shorter" than it is today, what would it take to also make the lunar "month" a little longer.

The current "average" lunar ( synodic ) month is 29.530589 days ( or 29 days 12.7 hours ). So, just a slight change in the forces that effect the rotation speed of the Earth and the orbit of the Moon, could have caused the 360 days ( 12 months x 30 days lunar cycle ) to increase to the current speeds and orbits.

The book of Genesis shows a 360-day year. A detailed time frame for the year of the great flood is as follows:

Reference	Year	Noah's Age YY-MM-DD
Gen. 7:1-4	Noah told to enter Ark	600-02-10
7:11	Flood begins	600-02-17
7:17	Rain ends	600-03-27
8:3-4	Ark sets on Mount Ararat	600-07-17
8:5	Top of Mountain seen	600-10-01
8:6	Birds sent out	600-11-10
8:10	Dove sent out again	600-11-17
8:12	Dove sent out last time	600-11-24
8:13	Covering the Ark removed	601-01-01
8:14	Noah leaves Ark	601-02-27

The table shows that the flood year composed of 12 months of 30 days each or 360 days. The first five months of the Flood equaled exactly 150 days.

Isa 38:7 And this shall be the sign unto thee from Jehovah, that Jehovah will do this thing that he hath spoken:
Isa 38:8 behold, I will cause the shadow on the steps, which is gone down on the dial of Ahaz with the sun, to return backward ten steps. So the sun returned ten steps on the dial whereon it was gone down.

This "event" recorded in Isaiah happened at the time the world started using the 360 plus 5 days calendars. And in the book, "The Ancient 360 Day Year: What it was...And how it changed", by Dale Wong, an excellent case is made to support this change in the solar and lunar cycles.

I'll need to do a lot more research on this, before I am able to draw any hard conclusions of the significance of the 360 day year.

Having Children is bad for the Planet ? Says who?

2008-05-14T17:09:00.001-04:00

Planting the Seeds of a Demographic Winter
If a two-person household is that bad, what does that make families with children?

Environmental criminals, at the least, and maybe earth wreckers.

By Robert Knight
Culture and Media Institute
May 9, 2008

http://www.cultureandmediainstitute.org/articles/2008/20080510162734.aspx

Do rock layers show evidence of the Flood?

2008-05-10T10:45:00.002-04:00

What evidence do we have that the Genesis Flood, as described in Genesis 7 and 8, really occurred? Genesis 7 explains that water covered all the high hills and the mountains, and that all air-breathing life on the land was swept away and perished. As part of the evidence of the Flood, we would expect to find rock layers all over the earth filled with billions of dead animals and plants that were rapidly buried and fossilized in sand, mud, and lime. And that's exactly what we find.

On every continent are found layers of sedimentary rocks over vast areas. Many of these sediment layers can be traced all the way across continents, and even between continents. Furthermore, when geologists look closely at these rocks, they find evidence that the sediments were deposited rapidly.

Consider the sedimentary rock layers exposed in the walls of the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona. This sequence of layers is not unique to that region of the USA. For more than 50 years geologists have recognized that these strata belong to six megasequences (very thick, distinctive sequences of sedimentary rock layers) that can be traced right across North America.

The lowermost sedimentary layers in Grand Canyon are the Tapeats Sandstone, belonging to the Sauk Megasequence. It and its equivalents (those layers comprised of the same materials) cover much of the USA. We can hardly imagine what forces were necessary to deposit such a vast, continent-wide series of deposits. Yet at the base of this sequence are huge boulders and sand beds deposited by storms. Both are evidence that massive forces deposited these sediment layers rapidly and violently right across the entire USA. Slow-and-gradual (present-day uniformitarian) processes cannot account for this evidence, but the global catastrophic Genesis Flood surely can.

* This article is from Anwers in Genesis ( http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/flood.asp ).

Who is the Anti-Christ according to the Bible?

2008-05-03T23:11:00.002-04:00

Much has been written over the centuries about "who" the Anti-Christ might be.
People have often pointed at a leader and said, "look" this must be the one.
Let's take a look at what the Bible actually has to say about this person.
You may be surprised.

* Claims to be deity, and he will sit in the temple of God, and use signs and lying wonders

2 Thessalonians 2:1 - 10:
2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together unto him;
2Th 2:2 to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lord is just at hand;
2Th 2:3 let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the falling away come first, and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition,
2Th 2:4 he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called God or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of God, setting himself forth as God.
2Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
2Th 2:6 And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season.
2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

* He comes after and from a group of other leaders.

Dan. 7:7 -8 :
Dan 7:7 After this I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, a fourth beast, terrible and powerful, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth; it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet: and it was diverse from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns.
Dan 7:8 I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things.

* His kingdom is different than any others, and will devour the whole earth

* He will put down 3 of the 10 kings that helped him gain power

* He shall think to "change the times and the law"

Daniel 7:19-27:
Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth beast, which was diverse from all of them, exceeding terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
Dan 7:20 and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them;
Dan 7:22 until the ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dan 7:24 And as for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time.
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall be set, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

* Power base will move through countries in the Middle East

* He will be mighty, but not by his own power.

* Reference to the stopping of the "burnt-offering" is made in 8:11,12,13,14, 9:27, and 11:31.

Daniel Chapter 8, and specifically v. 9 - 27:
Dan 8:9 And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the glorious land.
Dan 8:10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and some of the host and of the stars it cast down to the ground, and trampled upon them.
Dan 8:11 Yea, it magnified itself, even to the prince of the host; and it took away from him the continual burnt-offering, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
Dan 8:12 And the host was given over to it together with the continual burnt-offering through transgression; and it cast down truth to the ground, and it did its pleasure and prospered.
Dan 8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said unto that certain one who spake, How long shall be the vision concerning the continual burnt-offering, and the transgression that maketh desolate, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?
Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred evenings and mornings; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.
Dan 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, that I sought to understand it; and, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
Dan 8:16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
Dan 8:17 So he came near where I stood; and when he came, I was affrighted, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man; for the vision belongeth to the time of the end.
Dan 8:18 Now as he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep with my face toward the ground; but he touched me, and set me upright.
Dan 8:19 And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the latter time of the indignation; for it belongeth to the appointed time of the end.
Dan 8:20 The ram which thou sawest, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia.
Dan 8:21 And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.
Dan 8:22 And as for that which was broken, in the place whereof four stood up, four kingdoms shall stand up out of the nation, but not with his power.
Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
Dan 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper and do his pleasure; and he shall destroy the mighty ones and the holy people.
Dan 8:25 And through his policy he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and in their security shall he destroy many: he shall also stand up against the prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.
Dan 8:26 And the vision of the evenings and mornings which hath been told is true: but shut thou up the vision; for it belongeth to many days to come.
Dan 8:27 And I, Daniel, fainted, and was sick certain days; then I rose up, and did the king's business: and I wondered at the vision, but none understood it.

* Daniel 9:24 - 12:13 Explains Daniel's vision of the end times and the "one who makes desolate". Reveals the 70 weeks and promise of Messiah the Prince.
It includes details and sequence of events, duration of time, and promise of resurrection and reward at the "end of the days".

Key Verses describing the his character are 11:36 and 37.

NOTE: He will not regard any other gods, nor God ( Elohim ) of his fathers. This means he will not be preaching Allah or Muslim Faith ( unless of course he is claiming To Be Allah? ).

Some have suggested he would be a Hebrew by blood, but has no regard for his heritage. He will be exalting himself as a god to be worshipped.

He is said to have "no desire for women" ( does this mean he desires men ? ).

Dan 9:27 And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.

Dan 11:19 Then he shall turn his face toward the fortresses of his own land; but he shall stumble and fall, and shall not be found.
Dan 11:20 Then shall stand up in his place one that shall cause an exactor to pass through the glory of the kingdom; but within few days he shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle.
Dan 11:21 And in his place shall stand up a contemptible person, to whom they had not given the honor of the kingdom: but he shall come in time of security, and shall obtain the kingdom by flatteries.
Dan 11:22 And the overwhelming forces shall be overwhelmed from before him, and shall be broken; yea, also the prince of the covenant.
Dan 11:23 And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully; for he shall come up, and shall become strong, with a small people.
Dan 11:24 In time of security shall he come even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance: yea, he shall devise his devices against the strongholds, even for a time.
Dan 11:25 And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall war in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall devise devices against him.
Dan 11:26 Yea, they that eat of his dainties shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow; and many shall fall down slain.
Dan 11:27 And as for both these kings, their hearts shall be to do mischief, and they shall speak lies at one table: but it shall not prosper; for yet the end shall be at the time appointed.
Dan 11:28 Then shall he return into his land with great substance; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant; and he shall do his pleasure, and return to his own land.
Dan 11:29 At the time appointed he shall return, and come into the south; but it shall not be in the latter time as it was in the former.
Dan 11:30 For ships of Kittim shall come against him; therefore he shall be grieved, and shall return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and shall do his pleasure: he shall even return, and have regard unto them that forsake the holy covenant.
Dan 11:31 And forces shall stand on his part, and they shall profane the sanctuary, even the fortress, and shall take away the continual burnt-offering, and they shall set up the abomination that maketh desolate.
Dan 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he pervert by flatteries; but the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
Dan 11:33 And they that are wise among the people shall instruct many; yet they shall fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by spoil, many days.
Dan 11:34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be helped with a little help; but many shall join themselves unto them with flatteries.
Dan 11:35 And some of them that are wise shall fall, to refine them, and to purify, and to make them white, even to the time of the end; because it is yet for the time appointed.
Dan 11:36 And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods; and he shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished; for that which is determined shall be done.
Dan 11:37 Neither shall he regard the gods of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god; for he shall magnify himself above all.
Dan 11:38 But in his place shall he honor the god of fortresses; and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
Dan 11:39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whosoever acknowledgeth him he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price.
Dan 11:40 And at the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.
Dan 11:41 He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
Dan 11:42 He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries; and the land of Egypt shall not escape.
Dan 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
Dan 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him; and he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to sweep away many.
Dan 11:45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the sea and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him.

*** There shall be "A time of Trouble"

** TIME: v. 11, "1,290 days", v. 12 Wait until the 1,335th day!!!

* And the first mention of "the beast" is at the death of the "two witnesses" who will prophesy for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that cometh up out of the abyss shall make war with them, and overcome them, and kill them.

* A war in Heaven is mentioned that seems to refer to Satan being cast out of heaven, and the angels that choose to follow him.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels going forth to war with the dragon; and the dragon warred and his angels;
Rev 12:8 And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a great voice in heaven, saying, Now is come the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, who accuseth them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe for the earth and for the sea: because the devil is gone down unto you, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time.

* Then the "dragon" seems to set into motion and give power to various "ten horns" the is slain and then healed ( to the amazement of the whole world ).
Chapter 13 is all about "the beast" ( or what we like to call the Anti-Christ ).
Rev 13:1 And he stood upon the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns, and seven heads, and on his horns ten diadems, and upon his heads names of blasphemy.
Rev 13:2 And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his throne, and great authority.
Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as though it had been smitten unto death; and his death-stroke was healed: and the whole earth wondered after the beast;
Rev 13:4 and they worshipped the dragon, because he gave his authority unto the beast; and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? And who is able to war with him?
Rev 13:5 and there was given to him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and there was given to him authority to continue forty and two months.
* A clear Time Limit is mentioned, and parallels Daniel ( 42 months = 1260 days = 3.5 years ).
Rev 13:6 And he opened his mouth for blasphemies against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, even them that dwell in the heaven.
Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and there was given to him authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation.
Rev 13:8 And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him, every one whose name hath not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that hath been slain.
Rev 13:9 If any man hath an ear, let him hear.
Rev 13:10 If any man is for captivity, into captivity he goeth: if any man shall kill with the sword, with the sword must he be killed. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Rev 13:11 And I saw another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like unto a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.

* ANOTHER BEAST that does miracles and tells everyone to worship the FIRST BEAST.
Rev 13:12 And he exerciseth all the authority of the first beast in his sight. And he maketh the earth and them dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose death-stroke was healed.
Rev 13:13 And he doeth great signs, that he should even make fire to come down out of heaven upon the earth in the sight of men.
Rev 13:14 And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
Rev 13:15 And it was given unto him to give breath to it, even to the image to the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as should not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

* And once he has gained enough power over the world, everyone will be required to take an identification MARK.
Rev 13:16 And he causeth all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free and the bond, that there be given them a mark on their right hand, or upon their forehead;
Rev 13:17 and that no man should be able to buy or to sell, save he that hath the mark, even the name of the beast or the number of his name.
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. He that hath understanding, let him count the number of the beast; for it is the number of a man: and his number is Six hundred and sixty and six.
* Again we see that those with understanding will be able to figure out the truth about this person and what is really happening. The majority of the world's population will be deceived.

* And here is a tricky riddle...John is told, "the beast you saw was, and is not, and is about to come".
Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou wonder? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and the ten horns.
Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and is about to come up out of the abyss, and to go into perdition. And they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, they whose name hath not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come.
Rev 17:9 Here is the mind that hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth:
Rev 17:10 and they are seven kings; the five are fallen, the one is, the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a little while.
Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, is himself also an eighth, and is of the seven; and he goeth into perdition.
Rev 17:12 And the ten horns that thou sawest are ten kings, who have received no kingdom as yet; but they receive authority as kings, with the beast, for one hour.
Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and they give their power and authority unto the beast.
Rev 17:14 These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they also shall overcome that are with him, called and chosen and faithful.
Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the harlot sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.
Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest, and the beast, these shall hate the harlot, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and shall burn her utterly with fire.
Rev 17:17 For God did put in their hearts to do his mind, and to come to one mind, and to give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished.
Rev 17:18 And the woman whom thou sawest is the great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

* THE END of the Beast is already written for us,
Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought the signs in his sight, wherewith he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image: they two were cast alive into the lake of fire that burneth with brimstone:
Rev 19:21 and the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, even the sword which came forth out of his mouth: and all the birds were filled with their flesh.
AND
Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where are also the beast and the false prophet; and they shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

* And there are a couple of verses in I John, were the term "anti-christ" is mentioned. It seems there are those who are spreading a message that opposes Jesus being THE CHRIST, and the Father and Son being equal, and they would undermine the "promise" we have of life eternal ( by faith in the name of Jesus, "God Who Saves" ).
1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour: and as ye heard that antichrist cometh, even now have there arisen many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last hour.
1Jo 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they all are not of us.
1Jo 2:20 And ye have an anointing from the Holy One, and ye know all the things.
1Jo 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
1Jo 2:22 Who is the liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, even he that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jo 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: he that confesseth the Son hath the Father also.
1Jo 2:24 As for you, let that abide in you which ye heard from the beginning. If that which ye heard from the beginning abide in you, ye also shall abide in the Son, and in the Father.
1Jo 2:25 And this is the promise which he promised us, even the life eternal.
1Jo 2:26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that would lead you astray.
1Jo 2:27 And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you; concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.
AND in reference to "testing the spirits", John makes this comment about the anti-christ,
1Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jo 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jo 4:3 and every spirit that confesseth not Jesus is not of God: and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already.
1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, my little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.
1Jo 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jo 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he who is not of God heareth us not. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

AND finally ending on a positive note:
1Jo 5:11 And the witness is this, that God gave unto us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1Jo 5:12 He that hath the Son hath the life; he that hath not the Son of God hath not the life.
1Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

Does God Hear? Does God Speak?

2008-04-19T09:24:00.000-04:00

When you read the Bible, you will find countless times through out the history of the world where God responses to the prayers of man. And countless times and in various ways God has spoken or communicated with man. So, what each of us may wonder today is, Does God really hear me? Can I hear from God? I believe the answer is yes to both. God is the same today, yesterday, and tomorrow. The "failure to communicate" is on our part. The correct questions to ask are: Do you talk to God? Do you listen to God?

Each believer has the Holy Spirit of God. So, we are not alone. Again, the verses in the Bible are very plan and clear that we are to be communicating with God, and He is listening. And if we draw near, and acknowledge Him, He will be near to us, and direct our path.

I have one ( two part ) personal example I'd like to share. When I was 18 years old I heard from God and did not listen ( I had a strong feeling that I should NOT go to the place I had in mind alone ). I ignored this strong feeling that included clear thoughts of what I should do instead, and proceeded on the path I had chosen. I was riding my bicycle across town through a very "ruff" part of a large city to look for a cheap car at a large Swap Meet held every weekend. Along the way I stopped to witness to some children. Telling them about the Free Gift of Salvation available to all who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. In the middle of telling them, a "big" kid ( actually another 18 year old such as myself ) came to see what I was doing. He asked me questions like "why was I there?". I told him I was going to buy a car. He asked me if I had the money to buy a car right now. I naively told him yes ( and I did about $ 500 cash with me ). He was nice enough to tell he had a friend who had a car for sale, and he could show me. After showing me a car, you took me to a near by apartment complex. And when I knocked on the door where the owner of the car was suppose to live, my helpful new friend proceeded to put an arm around my neck and start to choke me. He asked where was the money. I was totally shocked. I could not believe I was being mugged. As I was not willing to turn over my entire life savings to this mugger, he continued to question me, and then started searching me. I found myself very much "in the flesh", and my attitude and speech was ungodly. He found some money in my wallet. He found some more in my little note pad. He had me take my shoes off to search them. This went on forever ( maybe 5 - 10 minutes ). He never found the bulk of my money ( $ 400 I had hid in my Bible ).

And then.... I remembered to pray. It was pretty simple. Something like "God I need help". Now this is the cool part....

Within seconds a small boy comes around the corner and to see what is going on with me and my new friend. I ask to please go tell his mother to call the police because I am being robbed. The mugger pleads with the boy to do nothing, since he knows him. The boys runs off screaming for his mom. The mugger is now afraid, and I am able to get free from him.

I could see after these series of events, how God had clearly tried to prevent me from being there. And I could see how He came to my rescue when I remembered to rely upon. Prior to this incident, I had an attitude that I was "untouchable" or "bullet proof". That no harm could be fall me, since I was a child of God, and a Disciple doing His "work". I did not understand the "relationship" that God wanted with me as an individual. See, I thought I was in God's Army, and thereby protected by the rest of the troops ( which includes Angel's... that is another story I can tell later ). I guess I thought God was the leader, and He was always off in some important meeting dealing with "more important" issues. Now I know God is capable and desirous of a one on one relationship with each and everyone of us.

Let me finish this story with a time years later, where I remembered to pray as my first response to a situation of danger.

I was 31 years old. Living in a small town now. Small towns don't have too many "ruff" places, but they do have "ruff" people. You could run into your "enemies" just about anywhere or anytime. I had one such enemy. He had been told things about me that were not true, but he believed them. And one day he "caught" me at a convenience store buying a few things ( milk, soda, bread, etc ). He confronted me, and asked me to "step outside" because he wanted to "talk" to me. I offered to talk right where we were ( I knew he would be talking with his fist, if we went outside ). He did not like my response. He pushed be hard enough to make me drop some of the groceries I was holding. It was at this moment I realized I was in a dangerous situation and I needed help. I did not seek anyone in the store, I "called upon the name of Lord", and He helped me ( I think I say, "Jesus please help me, I need You" ). Immediately it thundered ( I'm not making this up, it was one of those afternoon thunderstorms in the area ), and the lights went out for about one second. This flustered my aggressor ( his name is Danny Payne, and I have prayed for him over 100 times over the years ), and then a woman clerk yelled at him to get out of the store. I was "saved". And I kept asking the Lord to protect me every time I'd see that guy's truck somewhere in this small town. He never came near me again.

Moral of the story. Listen if you feel God is trying to direction your path, and most importantly: always, and all the time, seek Him. He is near, and He is big, and He loves you. He is waiting to hear from you. That's right YOU!

Focus on God

2008-04-16T10:36:00.001-04:00

Seek ye first the Kingdom of heaven, and all these things will be added to you.

Your Father knows all the things you need.

He feeds the birds of the air , and you are worth much more to Him.

Joy and Peace are a result of your faith and focus.

Are you looking at your problems or your God?

Are you complaining or are you giving thanks in all things?

Did Paul and Silas complain or worship when they were thrown into the Philippian Jail ( after being beaten )?

Were they happy or feeling sorry for themselves.

If you are not sure, then read Acts 16:11-40.

See how the attitude of worship ( believing and thanking God that He is always in control ) transformed their feelings and those around them.

Their joy in the midst of what appeared to be a negative situation, was a shining light to those around them.

And God shook the jail open. And the jailer and his family came to saving faith.

Feeling low?

Where is your focus?

Afraid of something?

How big is your God?

"Rejoice in the Lord always ( not just when "things" are going smoothly ), again I will say rejoice.

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men, The Lord is Near ( near to return, but also near to you NOW )!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything ( everything???? ) by prayer and supplication ( serious, I mean it, heart felt talking to God ) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God ( but it's not like He does not already know, but you need to be looking to Him for the supply or answers ).

( Result = ) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension ( the kind that will make you SING in prison after being beaten ), will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:4-7 with commentary added.

Quality, Not Quantity - Frequency, Not Duration

2008-04-06T19:21:00.001-04:00

When I was about 10 years old, the Gideon's gave out New Testaments to the 5th graders at the public elementary school I attended.

One of the first passages of scripture to make an impression on me was what Jesus said just before what is now known as "The Lord's Prayer", or "Our Father".

Jesus says in Matthew 6:7-8

"And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."

* This is what I call Quality, and Not Quantity.

Or another way;

It's what you say to God, not how many times or how many words you use that matters.

And later as a young Christian I read where we are to "pray without ceasing". Does this mean my every thought and every word all day long is to be a prayer? It is more like keeping the "channel" tuned to God. That "in all things" and "at all times", we are to be communicating and relating to an Omni-present ( "trans-dimensional" ) loving Creator????

* This is what I call Frequency, and Not Duration.

Or another way;

It's not how Long you pray, but how often ( frequently, all the time, about everything, big or small ).

Why start at the beginning? By Ken Ham

2008-03-29T11:19:00.002-04:00

Why start at the beginning?

Mission organizations like New Tribes Mission, for instance, found a problem when presenting the gospel to many pagan cultures.

At first, they thought they were reaching these people by telling them about Jesus and the message of the Cross. But after some time, they started to realize that these people did not understand the message at all. Commitments they thought they had did not turn out to be real.

To deal with this, New Tribes developed an approach called Chronological Teaching. It was obvious that these pagan cultures had no Christian basis. They had no knowledge of the foundations of the gospel in Genesis. How could they understand what Christ did on the Cross if they didn't know about the Falland sinin the Garden?

Once they started from the beginning of Genesis and taught through the Old Testamentand then presented the message of Christwhat a change they saw! Many were truly converted now that they really understood the message.

This same approach needs to be used in our own society. The reason many don't understand the gospel today is because they've been indoctrinated in evolution and humanism. They need to start at the beginning, too.

Live Like an Alien

2008-02-02T14:49:00.000-05:00

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself."

Philippians 3:20,21

"We reside here, but we are restless.

We are foreigners with a faraway passion.

We are resident aliens with treasures in heaven."

p.205, Lessons I Learned in the Light, by Jennifer Rothschild

What Religion Are You?

2008-01-01T15:43:00.001-05:00

If I'm not being too snoopy and out of curiosity, may I ask you what religion you are; for instance, Baptist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Catholic, Evangelical Free, Christian Reform, New Age or what ever...

* Raised Catholic, became Agnostic & New Age, was born again at age 16, learned to accept the Bible as being the true and accurate revealed Word of God. I learned a lot from a small Bible Study group ( The Forum ) in Fort Lauderdale that was taught by a former student ( Linda Fontaine ) of Florida Bible College. I currently attend a very contemporary non-denominational church ( www.the360church.org ), and I would call myself a "Fundamental Bible Believing Conservative Christian". I share a lot of doctrinal beliefs with mainstream Baptist, and Evangelical Free.

Your "clouds on the horizon" blog hits the nail right on the head. I've been in the church since I was confirmed. My wife was a Catholic and she changed to Lutheran (ELCA) and went through an extensive bible study. She can ever put Pastors in their place with the knowledge she gained including myself... The program is called the "Bethel Series" and is now an International bible study.. So, this was not news to me but certainly something not to be taken lightly. Sometimes I get the feeling our society is slowly going down the tube, and our church included. I think of the prophecy where it talks about the falling away of the very elect, and I can see signs of that happening along with the greed which is also happening with our corporate executives !!

* I sense and sometimes feel despair knowing the fact we live in a fallen evil world that will get worse before it gets better ( and only then because the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords will make it better by His return to rule and reign ).

Does the Devil Know More than You?

2007-11-24T23:50:00.000-05:00

If the Devil ( Satan ) is a powerfully archangel ( or Guardian Cherub ), then he would understand the Bible and God's plan for the ages better than any short lived human.
And if he is the "god" of this age, and influences what some people do and think, then he might just be getting the world ready to believe his lies.
See, Ezekiel 28:12 - 18, I Timothy 3:6, Luke 4:5,6 , John 14:30 , Revelation 12:10 -12 and others ),
Lies about the catastrophic events that are foretold in the Bible ( especially the book of the Revelation ). That they are merely "natural" consequences of man's activities ( pollution, and global warming effects ), and not a divine judgment upon the Earth by it's Creator.

I believe many forces have been, are now, and will continue to prepare the people of the world to dis-believe the two witnesses ( prophets, see Rev. 11:1 - 13 ), and others who will be speaking out for God in the last days. This period of preaching is stated as 1260 days ( almost 3 1/2 years ) and before the physical return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives ( See: Acts 1:4 -12 and Zech. 14:1 - 9 ).

Jesus of Nazareth was seen by his disciples and by groups as large as 500 persons (1 Cor. 15:6) during the 40 days between his resurrection from the dead and his ascension to the "right hand of the Majesty on High." Then instructing his disciples to wait for the promised arrival of the Holy Spirit, he departed this earth from the summit of the Mount of Olives, just East of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.

"...he presented himself alive after his passion by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking of the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, 'you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' So when they had come together, they asked him, 'Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.' And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men [angels] stood by them in white robes, and said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.' Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away. (Acts 1:4-12)

A number of passages in the Bible describe the glorious second coming of the Messiah Jesus to save our beleaguered planet from total destruction, and to set up his kingdom on earth. Zechariah tells us that the place of Jesus' return to earth will not be Zion, Illinois, but the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Israel:

"Behold, a day of the LORD is coming, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in the midst of you. For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women ravished; half of the city shall go into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.
"On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley; so that one half of the Mount shall withdraw northward, and the other half southward. And the valley of my mountains shall be stopped up, for the valley of the mountains shall touch the side of it; and you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD your God will come, and all the holy ones with him.

"On that day there shall be neither cold nor frost. And there shall be continuous day (it is known to the LORD), not day and not night, for at evening time there shall be light. On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem, half of them to the eastern sea and half of them to the western sea; it shall continue in summer as in winter. And the LORD will become king over all the earth; on that day the LORD will be one and his name one." (Zech. 14:1-9)

This "grooming" of the minds of the lost has been happening for a long time. With the help of modern means of communication, the false messages are being spread farther and faster than ever before.
The movies of Hollywood and most popular TV series are seen World Wide! The news is relayed from every corner of the global and presented within hours ( and sometimes LIVE ).
And now we have the Internet. It is growing in it's reach. It links us globally. It also has provided a way for an average person to reach the whole world with a message ( or idea, or product, etc ).

Who controls what you get to see? And hear? Who are you to believe?

Now, the reason for this entry is something I read in an editorial from the Cox News Service today. Tom Teepen writes about the United Nations Final Report on Climate Change ( or Global Warming ). He had many interesting things to say, but what caught my attention was his statements that the report claims "Grave Effects ... could begin showing up by 2020.... long-run damage will be catastrophic and irreversible."

So, if the Second Advent ( Return ) of Jesus Christ is to occur approximately 2,000 years after his ascension in 30 A.D. ( see other posts about Date theories, and supporting scriptures ), then the Tribulation Period ( either 3 1/2 or 7 years worth ) should occur before 2030 A.D. It seems as though "the media" and other "authorities", are getting the general public mentally and psychologically prepared to see events to unfold as "natural" results of climate changed. Of course a few things are going to fall out of the sky, but we have all seen enough "end of the world", comets, or asteroids, hitting the earth ( or almost hitting ) in the Movies to expect this to happen.

Speaking of Asteroids, I'm still going to keep an eye out for 99942 Apophis (previously known by its provisional designation 2004 MN₄) when it is scheduled to make a close approach ( inside the orbit of the Moon ) on April 13th, 2029. Concern of about an impact was very high at first, but later "experts" determined it would not hit the Earth or the Moon. Despite the "fact" that there is no longer any significant probability of an Earth impact, the Planetary Society is offering $50,000 in prize awards for a few of the best plans to put a tracking device on or near the asteroid. For more details, see:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_MN4

In conclusion, it should be expected that Satan understands events that are foretold and he is playing his part by trying to control the world ( and the people in it ). Presently through lies, and later through the false prophet and anti-christ. As children of the King, and in the Light ( not in darkness ), we should be able to see what is coming, and not be fooled by the wiles of the devil.

Mike Huckabee for President

2007-11-21T20:04:00.001-05:00

I have finally learned enough about each of the candidates for President to say I'd most like to see Mike Huckabee become our next president.

* 3/15/2008: Well at this late stage, it truly would be a miracle for him to become President of the United States. But nothing is impossible for God. Let's just wait and see what happens. Maybe the country will get the leader they "deserve" instead of the kind of man we "need". Many people voted to support Mike Huckabee, even though the media either tried to ridicule him for his strong Biblical faith, or ignored his campaign as much as possible. The whole "process" just makes me long for the day when, Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, will rule and reign over the entire Earth ( or at least what is left of it after the Great Tribulation ).

Comments about Global Warming By John Coleman

2007-11-14T22:59:00.001-05:00

COMMENTS ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING

By John Coleman

jcoleman@kusi.com

It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming... It is a SCAM.

Some scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long-term scientific data back in the late 1990's to create an illusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental wacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the "research" to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus.

Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild "scientific" scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda.

Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmental conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15-minute documentary segment.

I do not oppose environmentalism. I do not oppose the political positions of either party.

However, Global Warming, i.e. Climate Change, is not about environmentalism or politics. It is not a religion. It is not something you "believe in." It is science, the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a nonevent, a manufactured crisis and a total scam. I say this knowing you probably won't believe me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award winning former Vice President of United States. So be it.

I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril.

I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments by the high priest of Global Warming.

In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious. As temperatures rise, polar ice cap melting, coastal flooding and super storm pattern will all fail to occur as predicted, and everyone will come to realize we have been duped.

The sky is not falling. And, natural cycles and drifts in climate are as much if not more responsible for any climate changes underway.

I strongly believe that the next twenty years are equally as likely to see a cooling trend as they are to see a warming trend.

*****

Copied and Pasted from Blog,

http://www.kusi.com/home/11131801.html

* About Author,

John Coleman has been a TV weatherman since he was a freshman in college in 1953 and TV was brand new. He still loves predicting the weather and relating to the television viewers. "I also love working at KUSI NEWS", he adds. "It is a rare thing; a locally owned and managed TV station. And, there are dozens of wonderful people who work here."

John has predicted and shoveled his share of snow. He has been a TV weatherman in Champaign, Peoria and Chicago, Illinois; Omaha, Nebraska, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and New York City. For seven years he was the weatherman on "Good Morning, America" on the ABC Network.

John also cooked up the idea of a cable channel devoted to nothing but weather and spent six years developing "The Weather Channel" on cable. "That's my baby", he says. "The bad guys took it away from me, but they can't steal the fact that it was my idea and I started it and ran it for the first year. I put everything I had into making TWC the success it is."

"As for my "retirement job" at KUSI, it's the most fun I ever had. And the people of San Diego County have been wonderful to me for well over a decade. That's very, very nice. And, that's all I have to say." With that Coleman gets down to work predicting the weather one more time.

Daniel's Seventy Weeks by John Stevenson

2007-11-11T00:27:00.000-05:00

DANIEL'S SEVENTY WEEKS

DANIEL 9:24-27

"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.

"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.

"Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.

"And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." (Daniel 9:24-27).

Daniel's prophecy is made in the context of Daniel's prayer. Daniel was in captivity along with the rest of the Hebrew people. He had been pondering over the writings of the prophet Jeremiah and the promises of a 70 year captivity. This pondering led him to prayer. In the midst of this prayer, the angel Gabriel came to him with this new prophecy.

THE SCOPE OF THE PROPHECY

The prophecy has to do with the restoration of the city of Jerusalem. It is a prophecy of the holy city and the most holy place. But that is not all. The scope of this prophecy transcends the mere rebuilding of Jerusalem when it speaks of:

Finishing the transgression.

Making an end of sin.

Making atonement for iniquity.

Bringing in everlasting righteousness.

Sealing up vision and prophecy.

From our perspective, we can see that each of these aspects were ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ. By His death upon the cross, He finished transgression and made an end of sin and made atonement for iniquity. It is through that atonement that he brought in everlasting righteousness. As a result of this completed redemptive work, there is no further need for vision or for further prophecy as we have the completed Scriptures today.

THE SEVENTY WEEKS

All of these things are to take place within the scope of "seventy weeks" - literally, "seventy sevens." Just as Daniel had been reading of 70 years of captivity, so now he is told that 70 weeks remain.

This reckoning of time seems very foreign to us since we count time by tens, adding up either decades or centuries. The Jews, on the other hand, were Sabbath oriented. It is for this reason that they counted time by parts of seven. Every seven years they had a year-long holiday. Every 49th year all of their debts were forgiven.

Such groups of sevens is not unusual in the Scriptures. A similar wording is used in Leviticus 25:6 where seven weeks of years is said to refer to the 49 years between Jubilees. In Numbers 14:34, the Israelites were told that the 40 years they would spend in the Wilderness would correspond to the 40 days that the spies spent in the land of Canaan. Ezekiel was instructed to lie on his left side for 390 days and on his right side for 40 days. This was to be understood as a day for each year (Ezekiel 4:6).

I want to suggest that these 70 weeks are to be understood by each day of these "weeks" representing a single year. This means that we are dealing with a period of 70 weeks of year - a total of 490 years.

7 Weeks

62 Weeks

+ 1 Week

70 Weeks

49 Years

434 Years

+ 7 Years

490 Years

THE BEGINNING OF THE 70 WEEKS

"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem... (Daniel 9:25).

This period begins with a very specific event. The event is the issuing of a decree to restore and to rebuild Jerusalem. The Hebrew word translated "decree" is simply dabar, the normal Hebrew word for "saying" or "word." The problem that we have is that the Bible records several different decrees concerning rebuilding within Jerusalem.

Author	Passage	Date	Specifics of the Decree
Cyrus	Ezra 1:1-4	539 B.C.	Permitted Jews to return to the land and rebuild their Temple. This work was discontinued because of false accusations (Ezra 4:6-13).
Darius	Ezra 6:8-12	520 B.C.	Permitted Jews to complete the rebuilding of the Temple
Artaxerxes	Ezra 7:11-28	457 B.C.	Allowed Ezra authority to lead the nation in the Laws of God
Artaxerxes	Nehemiah 1	445 B.C.	Nehemiah given permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem

The first two decrees are far too early to have had any bearing upon the coming of the Messiah. The last decree is too late, though it was adopted by Sir Robert Anderson who taught that this prophecy was to be reckoned in "prophetic years" of only 360 days, measured by twelve months of thirty days each. He used this complicated formula to add up an exact number of days from the final decree of Artaxerxes to the Triumphal Entry of Jesus in A.D. 33. It is evident that the theory is contrived, having been born out of a supposed necessity. The Jews knew exactly how many days ought to be in a year and even added an "intercalary month" upon occasion to correct their calendar. Furthermore, it seems that Daniel himself understood the years of Jeremiah in the usual sense.

Ezra was given his commission in the 7th year of Artaxerxes. That Persian king began his reign in 464 B.C. This would place his decree to Ezra around 457 B.C. Later, in Ezra's priestly prayer, he alludes to possibly having been given permission, not only to build up the Temple, but also to build the walls of Judah and Jerusalem.

For we are slaves; yet in our bondage our God has not forsaken us, but has extended lovingkindness to us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us reviving to raise up the house of our God, to restore its ruins and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. (Ezra 9:9).

Nehemiah comes along twenty years later and goes into mourning when he hears that the walls still have not been repaired. But I would suggest that the decree which had been given earlier was the one described in Daniel's prophecy.

THE CULMINATION OF THE 69 WEEKS

"So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks... (Daniel 9:25).

The culmination of the first 69 weeks is the advent of "Messiah the Prince." It is universally agreed among Christians that this Anointed Prince is a reference to Jesus. In hindsight, it is a simple matter for us to trace back to the four decrees to see which one of them aligned with the coming of Jesus.

Date for the giving of the Decree			Plus 483 Years
Cyrus	Ezra 1:1-4	539 B.C.	56 B.C.
Darius	Ezra 6:8-12	520 B.C.	37 B.C.
7th Year of Artaxerxes	Ezra 7:11-28	457 B.C.	27 A.D.
20th Year of Artaxerxes	Nehemiah 1	445 B.C.	39 A.D.

It is evident from this chart that the first decree of Artaxerxes given to Ezra in 457 B.C. is the one that matches the prophecy of Daniel. The date of 27 A.D. is within the realm of the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.

THE PRINCE WHO IS TO COME

In verse 26 there is a second person introduced. He is described as "the prince who is to come." He stands in contrast to Messiah the Prince.

"...the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate." (Daniel 9:24-27).

Notice the actions of this one who is "the prince who is to come." It is he who will destroy the city and the sanctuary. It must be remembered that, at the time Daniel received this prophecy, there was no city or sanctuary. It had been destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. But Daniel says that it is going to happen again.

This was dramatically fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Roman General Titus marched against Jerusalem and took the city after a siege of eight months. Since that time, the site of the Temple has been the site of desolation and a complete destruction. Today archaeologists even debate as to exactly where the original Temple was located.

Comments about - Looking for the blessed hope instead of determining when it will come

2007-09-02T13:41:00.002-04:00

* Thanks, for your comments. I really appreciate your caring enough to write.

Here is a brief reply, attempting to address your concerns, and to clarify my thoughts on the matter.

******************************************************************************

Why is a good question. Why do you have to be as certain about the exact timing of the Rapture as you are about other issues in Scripture such as the deity of Christ for example. Do all doctrines need to be held with the same amount of zeal and conviction? Are not some worthy to die for and others merely your best understanding at this time?

***

I believe we are instructed to learn and understand as much as we can about all things God has in His Word.

And while the "exact timing" may not be knowable, I believe more attention needs to be given to the subject of Eschatology.

I Thess: 5:19-22 "...But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good;..."

II Tim. 2:14-26 "Be diligent...accurately handling the word of truth...correct those who are in opposition..."

I Peter 2:2 "...milk of the word..."

I Peter 3:15 "...ready to make a defense to everyone...for the hope that is in you..."

and

Hebrews 5:11- 6:1 Going beyond milk and the elementary teaching.

*** I need to go beyond the "milk" that I understand, and that is the basis of most preaching done in churches today.

I feel I know enough about and understand the "why" and "how" of Salvation by Grace through Faith, and the Trinity that is our God.

And many other basic principles I could show some one in the Word, but various verses on the "end" or the "return" or the "appearing" need more study on my part.

I need solid food.

*** Can we know the end is near or how it will unfold? I believe there are a lot of scriptures on the matter, and it is worthy of study.

Hebrews 10:25, "...assemble...exhorting...AS YE SEE THE DAY APPROACHING."

Matt. 25:4 - 9 "wise" virgins were ready and not surprised

I Thess. 5:4 we "are not in darkness that the day should overtake you like a thief"

Dan. 12:10 " the wise shall understand"

Matt: 24:32-34 Parable of the Fig Tree

Luke 12:54 - 57 when you see a cloud you know it's going to rain, or when the wind blows..... "do you not analyze this present time?"

I John 2:27 "...His anointing teaches you about all things..."

***

Is it not possible that two good men like Ladd and Walvoord might each have a theory but since the Bible does not specifically state the timing of the Rapture, but only hints at it, is it not most important simply to be looking for the blessed hope instead of determining when it will come?

***

* The answer is really in your question ... "Looking for the Blessed Hope".

* Who is looking? Who should be looking? What should we be looking for?

* What do I give as an answer to the questions,

What is the Blessed Hope? When is the Blessed Hope? When is Jesus Christ returning? How do you know?

* All these answers are in the Word of God, and we are children of Light. We should know and see these things.

***
I fear too much energy may be spent on trying to specify more than the Bible does.

***

* The foundational truths, and the milk of the Word are of foremost importance.

I just need to move past these. My desire is to know and understand the Lord. I believe He wants us to understand more than we do.

He has given us the Word and all the pieces of the puzzle may not come together until we are "face to face", but I believe He wants us to know about Him, His love, and His plan.

It is in my heart to know His plan. So, I study His Word, and I study those who have taken the time to work on the same puzzles. Trying to build on their work. To continue putting the puzzle together.

The more I understand Who God is, what He has created, and His loving plan for "the elect", the more I love Him. The more faith I have to proclaim Him. The better ambassador I can be for Him.

** Also, some of the pieces of the puzzle point towards the return at the end of the "Sixth" Day ( 6,000 years ) from the Creation of the world.

With the 7th Day ( 1,000 years ) being the "Sabbath" or millenium kingdom when Jesus Christ rules and reigns on the earth.

Hosea 6:2 "After two days He will bring us to life: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight."

Exodus 19:10,11 "...the third day the Lord will come down"

II Peter 3:7,8 "...with the Lord one day is like a thousand years..."

Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in Thy sight are like yesterday when it passes by, or a watch in the night."

Luke 10:35 Good Samaritan left for 2 days worth of money and then he will RETURN

Job 5:19 "From six troubles He will deliver you, Even in seven evil will not touch you."

* Yeah, I know I may be stretching this verse too far, but many are just examples of the pattern of 6 and then 7th, or 2 then the 3rd.

Exodus 24:15,16 "... six days, and the seventh day..."

Matthew 16:28-17:2 "...six days later...He was transfigured before them..."

If the Rapture does not occur before the Tribulation Period, I'd like to know this. If it comes first, then it won't matter much to me, only to those left behind. Either way, I want to help get the message out to the "brethren" who may be caught off guard by the Tribulation and the appearance of the anti-Christ, or to leave information for those who must enter the Tribulation after I am gone.

***
Food for thought

***

* Thank you, it was delicious!!!!

It got me to put a bunch of my notes into written form. And as time permits, I hope to expand on these and add to them.

******

Scriptural References For Important Beliefs

2007-07-31T12:47:00.002-04:00

THE BIBLE:

The Bible in its original documents is the inspired Word of God, the written record of His supernatural revelation of Himself to man, absolute in its authority, complete in its revelation, final in its content, and

without any errors in its statements. (II Timothy 3:16; John 10:35; Psalms 89:34; Hebrews 6:18; II Peter 3:16)

GOD:

There is one God, eternally existent, creator of the heaven and earth. He is manifested in three persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:9; I Timothy 3:16; I John 5:7; Genesis 1:2)

JESUS CHRIST:

The Lord Jesus Christ is fully God who took on flesh and dwelt on earth. He was sinlessly perfect and gave Himself as a substitutionary sacrifice by shedding His blood and dying on the cross. He then came

back from the dead. This was to pay for all sins (past, present, future) for all who believe. (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 2:9; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 10:10-14; Hebrews 9:12-28; Acts 13:38-41; I Peter 2:24; I

John 3:5)

THE HOLY SPIRIT:

Being God, the Holy Spirit was and is present in all of the plan and work of God. He restrains evil; convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment; regenerates all who believe in Christ; indwells, anoints,

and seals the saved; and baptizes all the believers into the body of Christ. He controls the obedient Christians and empowers them for service, and He is the Divine Author of the Bible. (II Thessalonians 2:7;

John 16:7-11; Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9; I Corinthians 12:13; John 16:13; I John 2:20-27; Ephesians 5:18; Acts 1:8; II Peter 1:21)

MAN:

Each member of the human race is fallen, sinful and lost, and regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of man. The moment a person receives Christ as his Savior, immediately, the

Holy Spirit indwells the believer who is sealed until the day of redemption. (Romans 3:23; John 3:7; I Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13-14; Luke 24:49; Titus 3:5)

THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD AND THE FREE WILL OF MAN:

God is absolutely sovereign and in His sovereignty He gave man a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided. It is God's will that all would be saved and that none should perish. God

foreknows, but does not predetermine any man to be condemned. God permits man's destiny to depend upon man's choice. (I Timothy 2:4; II Timothy 2:13; I Peter 1:2; John 6:64-65; Acts 10:34; I Corinthians

1:21; Ephesians 1:5-14; Romans 8:29-30; Romans 9:30-32)

REPENTANCE:

Repentance in salvation means a change of mind from any idea of religion that man may have to accept God's way of salvation. Repentance is definitely necessary for salvation and the following is a quote from

the Old Scofield Edition of the Bible, Footnote No.2, and page 174. "Repentance is the translation of a Greek word (metanoia/metanoeo) meaning, 'to have another mind', 'to change the mind', and is used in

the New Testament to indicate a change of mind in respect of sin, of God, and of self. This change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (II Corinthians 7:8-11 ), but sorrow for sin, though it may 'work' repentance, is not repentance. The son in Matthew 21:28,29 illustrates true repentance. Saving faith (Hebrews 11:39, note) includes and implies that change of mind which is called repentance." (Acts 20:21; Corinthians 7:8-10; Matthew 21:32)

SALVATION:

Man is saved by undeserved mercy through faith and nothing of man enters into his salvation; it is a free gift. Man's efforts, regardless of how good or well intended, before or after salvation, have nothing to do with it. Salvation is by the finished work of Christ and nothing can be added to it. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16; Romans 11:6; Col. 2:13)

SECURITY AND CHASTENING:

Every true child of God possesses eternal life, being justified by faith, sanctified by God, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and is safe and secure for all eternity. He cannot lose his salvation. However, a Christian can,

through sin, lose his fellowship, joy, power, testimony, and reward, and incur the Father's chastisement. Relationship is eternal, being established by the new birth; fellowship, however, is dependent upon

obedience. (I Corinthians 3:11-17; Hebrews 12:5-11; I Corinthians 11:32-39)

THE TWO BIRTHS:

A true child of God has two births; one of the flesh, the other of the Spirit, giving man a flesh nature and a Spirit nature. The flesh nature is neither good nor righteous. The Spiritual Man does not commit any sin.

This results in warfare between the Spirit and the flesh, which continues until physical death, or the return of the Lord. The flesh nature of the man does not change in any way with the new birth, but can be

controlled and kept subdued by the new man. (John 3:3-7; Romans 7:15-25; Romans 8:8; Gal. 5:17; I John 3:9; I Peter 1:23; I John 5:18, I John 1:8)

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND RESPONSIBILITY:

The true Christian is an ambassador of Christ, and is commanded by Him to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. As a child of God, the believer's main responsibility in the life is to faithfully proclaim the gospel. As

we are saved by faith in Christ, through God's grace, so we live the Christian life by an obedient faith in God's Word, being disciplined by His grace. (II Corinthians 5:14-20; Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16; I John 15:8,16; Mark 16:15; I Thessalonians 2:4; Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 9:14-31; Colossians 2:6-7; Romans 6:16; Titus 2:11-12; James 1:22; Hebrews 10:38)

THE TRUE CHURCH:

The Church began with the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and is composed of all true believers. The Holy Spirit baptizes all of us into the one body of Christ. Water baptism is not essential for salvation

but is a testimony to the world. (Acts 1:8; I Corinthians 6:19-20; Acts 2:1-4; I Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:5; Acts 10:47)

THE LOCAL CHURCH:

The local church should be comprised of those who trust Christ as Savior. This assembly, therefore, is under the direct leadership of the Holy Spirit. The local church's purpose is for worship, praise, prayer,

fellowship, encouragement, and evangelizing the lost. The pastor/teacher is a man called of God. (Acts 2:42-47; Acts 14:21-23; Hebrews 10:22-25; II Timothy 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:7, 11-15)

SATAN:

Satan is a real being, the author of sin, and he and his angels shall be eternally punished. (Ezekiel 28:15-17; Isaiah 14:12-15; Revelations 20:10; Matthew 25:41)

THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST:

I believe in the personal, post-tribulational and pre-millennial return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (I Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9-11; II Thessalonians 2:1-8; Revelation 3:10; 4:4; Luke 21:36; Titus 2:13;

Isaiah 26:17-21; 27:1)

THE RAPTURE or FIRST RESURRECTION:

The first resurrection occurs at the physical return of Jesus Christ, who will descend from heaven with a shout. All living believers will be bodily caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The believer's body will be transformed into his new resurrection body on the way up. The believer from this point on will be forever with the Lord. This occurs at the end of the seven years of tribulation ( such as the world has never experienced ). {I Thessalonians 4:13-18; I Corinthians 15:51-54; Matthew 24:15-22.}

There is no indication from Scripture that this event will be "secret". In fact if you read the texts, it sounds like this will be a very dramatic, and loud event.

Junk Science - What is it, and How do you know?

2007-07-18T10:52:00.000-04:00

I found an interesting website.

It presents a lot of interesting articles about how "science" is mis-used, and mis-interpreted.

Also, it has a lot of facts about the great "Global Warming" crisis the media loves to scare us about.

So, consider spending a few minutes reviewing, and perhaps book marking this website.

http://www.junkscience.com/index.html

Also, if you have time to read novels, and would be interested in learning more about the truth ( lies ) behind the "Global Warming Crisis", I'd recommending reading the fictional novel "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton ( He does not appear to be a Bible believing Christian, but a "critical thinker" asks questions instead of just believing whatever one else accepts as being true ). He presents many charts, graphs, and facts ( most with foot notes you can check yourself ) that point out how this whole concept has been blown out of proportion and is being used to "scare" the masses of the world. I can't help but think it is part of the globalizing of the nations required for the rule of the anti-christ.

I hope I've spend enough time writing about Global Warming ( as it is only one part of the larger puzzle ), and will move on to other topics...... LOL

Free Gift of Eternal Life - How to Receive It!

2007-06-30T11:15:00.003-04:00

If you are reading this, then you were born into this world. And you may have noticed that everyone dies ( sooner or later ). The concept of a life beyond death is common to all of mankind. In my quest for "Truth" about life, I looked at many different "answers" to the question of life beyond death. I followed many "leads", but kept coming to a "dead" end :).

Until one day, I was drawn to a man who was sharing a message from the Bible with some children in front of a local mall. I was a "wise" 16 years old at this point in my life, and when I saw him ( his name was Robert ), I felt a desire to stop ( I was riding my bicycle past the mall at the time ) and see what this guy was trying to "brainwash" these younger children with.

Well, almost 2 hours later, I understood that the Bible teaches that Eternal Life is a Free gift from God, and that trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior was the way to receive this gift. To learn more about this simple but powerful truth,

Click > Greatest News - A Clear, Biblical explaination of the Gospel ( Good News ).
If you are not sure you have Eternal Life, you really should check this out.

I, of course, did not believe this message at first, because it came from the Bible. And being a "wise" young man, I knew about the "truth" of science and evolution. But my interest had peaked enough by the sincere and educated faith of Robert, to look into this more closely. I was after all "A Truth Seeker". I went to a few Bible Studies, and read several books about scientific creationism.
For more about the science of a young created earth,

Go To:

AIG - Answers in Genesis
A Christian ministry that seeks to share the truths of God’s Word from the
very first verse. You’ll find thousands of articles, audio and video programs
that explore God’s truth as it relates to many areas of science, current
trends and beliefs that exist in today’s world.

Also, I was shown many Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Jesus. And the historical support for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The end result was my coming to understand and believe that the Bible was God's revealed Word, and that eternal life was indeed a free gift available to anyone who would believe ( trust ) in Jesus Christ alone as their "way to heaven". Although eternal life is a lot more than just "going to heaven". There is talk of "ruling and reigning" with Jesus Christ, as a reward for serving the Lord while here on earth. So, the Bible does teach that we should "be good", just not as a condition to receive the "gift" of eternal life. It really would not be a gift if you had to earn it.
My favorite passage about this is found in Ephesians, Chapter 2, verses 8 and 9.

"For by grace ( undeserved mercy ) you have been saved through faith ( trust ), and that ( salvation ) not of yourselves, it is a gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." ( NASB translation ).

No one will be bragging about what "they" did to get to heaven. Sorry, but strapping a bomb under your jacket to kill yourself and some "infidels" around you, does NOT earn you a place in paradise with a bunch of beautiful virgins at your beck and call. Neither does walking down an aisle, saying a special prayer, asking for forgiveness ( forgiveness is received when you believe, see Acts 10:43 ), being water baptized, being a "good" person,
Or "repenting of your sins" ( for a detailed explanation I would refer you to these links ):

REPENTANCE A CHANGE OF MIND
AND
THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF FALSE TEACHING ON REPENTANCE WITH THE GOSPEL OF GRACE

It can only be obtained by a simple trust in the finished sacrificial payment ( accomplished by His death on the cross ), that Yeshua ( Jesus = God Who Saves ) made on your behalf and for the whole world. Salvation is Christ plus nothing you have done, will or will not do. You can not "help". And Jesus is not your probation officer, He is a Savior. Eternal life begins when you believe and will never end ( it is everlasting after all ). Sinning after you are "saved" will not make you "unsaved" ( but the more you sin, the more miserable you'll find your present life to be ). Once you believe in Jesus, you are "born again" and become a child of God (John 1:12,13 ). He will never "kick" you out of the family ( John 6:37,40, I Peter 1:3-5) , but if you want to enjoy this life, it is best to follow your heavenly Father's advise on how to live a life filled with blessings and have the peace of God in your heart. So, please trust Him to save you from what you deserve ( eternal death.. See Romans 6:23 ) and to give you eternal life ( as he offers many times.. See John 3:16, 5:24, 6:47 )

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness." Romans 4:5

"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life." I John 5:13

And if you want to SEE a VIDEO that presents the Good News about this Free Gift of Eternal Life,
Check this out>

Good News / Bad News Video Salvation Message ( about 5 minutes long )

Global Warming Report Audited and Found Lacking in Data

2007-06-29T22:43:00.001-04:00

The "cloud" of "Global Warming" keeps showing up everywhere in the media.

So, I feel compelled to post anything I find that supports my theory that global warming is just another lie of Satan ( just like evolution, reincarnation, and the wizard powers of Harry Potter! ).

All meant to prepare the world for the anti-christ, and to deceive the world from realizing when the wrath of God comes upon the earth ( ie. it's not God's wrath, it's just Global Warming effects ).

Here is the first of nineteen pages:

Global Warming: Forecasts by Scientists versus Scientific Forecasts*

J. Scott Armstrong†, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Kesten C. Green, Business and Economic Forecasting Unit, Monash University

Paper prepared for ISF 2007 in New York

June 23, 2007

Abstract

In 2007, a panel of experts established by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme issued its updated, Fourth Assessment Report, forecasts. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Working Group One Report predicts dramatic and harmful increases in average world temperatures over the next 92 years. We asked, are these forecasts a good basis for developing public policy? Our answer is "no".

Much research on forecasting has shown that experts' predictions are not useful. Rather, policies should be based on forecasts from scientific forecasting methods. We assessed the extent to which long-term forecasts of global average temperatures have been derived using evidence-based forecasting methods. We asked scientists and others involved in forecasting climate change to tell us which scientific articles presented the most credible forecasts. Most of the responses we received (30 out of 51) listed the IPCC Report as the best source. Given that the Report was commissioned at an enormous cost in order to provide policy recommendations to governments, the response should be reassuring. It is not. The forecasts in the Report were not the outcome of scientific procedures. In effect, they present the opinions of scientists transformed by mathematics and obscured by complex writing. We found no references to the primary sources of information on forecasting despite the fact these are easily available in books, articles, and websites. We conducted an audit of Chapter 8 of the IPCC's WG1 Report. We found enough information to make judgments on 89 out of the total of 140 principles. The forecasting procedures that were used violated 72 principles. Many of the violations were, by themselves, critical. We have been unable to identify any scientific forecasts to support global warming. Claims that the Earth will get warmer have no more credence than saying that it will get colder.

*Neither of the authors received funding for this paper.

† Information about J. Scott Armstrong can be found on Wikipedia.

For the complete pdf,

http://www.forecastingprinciples.com/Public_Policy/WarmAudit31.pdf

Mystery of Lawlessness

2007-06-29T22:35:00.001-04:00

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
2Th 2:8 And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming;
2Th 2:9 even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
2Th 2:10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error, that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Th 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, for that God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th 2:14 whereunto he called you through our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many Clouds on the Horizon

2007-06-23T22:26:00.000-04:00

There are many clouds on the horizon to suggest the end time is near. We are told we should be able to tell the end is near by the signs. When we see dark clouds in the sky, and they are coming closer, we know it is about to rain. As children of the day, we can recognize this darkness in the world. It is these "clouds" that give me cause for concern. Reference Matthew 24:32-34 ( parable of the Fig tree ), Luke 12:54-56 ( discern this time )and I Thessalonians 5:1 - 5.

There is the cloud of evolutionary indoctrination ( teaching us we are becoming like God ). It also prepares us for a superior man to come upon the world scene. Many a novel and Hollywood movie have fictional characters that have "powers" because they have "evolved".

There is the cloud of global warming ( a cover story for the global judgments that will be coming on the world ). Many disasters of the world's natural balance will occur according to the book of Revelation. The unbelievers will see all these as a result man's pollution, and not as Divine judgment. This is the social conditioning that is occurring daily in the media.

There is the cloud of Islam that is drawing so many together to unite against Israel ( and their belief in the twelfth Imam to come and rule the world at the end times, for more, see: http://www.ashbrook.org/publicat/guest/05/vonheyking/twelfthimam.html ). Islam is growing strong in many countries of the world. And the racial factions are determined to destroy the countries of the unbelievers ( those not following Islam ). If they are successful in their plans, the United States of America may not be a world power in the near future. Or at the very least, we as a nation may lose our desire to help Israel as we have up until now.

Some clouds are signs of what is about to come upon the earth. Some clouds are merely signs of Satan's working to prepare the world for the anti-christ. Many ( if not most ) of the major movies to come out of Hollywood have a subtle ( and not so subtle ) message built into them. That is a topic for another posting.

What clouds do you see?

Clouds On the Horizon

End Time Thoughts and Theories - Summary of My Current Understanding

Return of Jesus Christ and Believers meeting Him in the Air, according to the Bible

What to do when the end is upon us.

Is Love All You Really Need ?

Free Grace Statement of Faith

The Bible teaches that works will follow a saving faith and that the works contribute nothing to salvation. - Or Does it?

What is Saving Faith?

Easter or Passover or Pagan Holiday or Does It Matter?

Church equals Body of Believers ( BOB )

Looking and Waiting

The Gathering and the Great Trumpet

Daniel 9:27

Feedback: Will the World End in 2012? - Answers in Genesis

How can 3 = 1 : Understanding the Triune Nature of Elohim

Doctrine of the Trinity Explained by Michael Bradley

The Doctrine of the Trinity - One God in Three Persons

1. One God in Three Persons

2. God the Father is God and Lord Himself

3. Jesus Christ is God and Lord Himself

4. The Holy Spirit is God and Lord Himself

Conclusion

What is your Whatever?

Debunking the "2012 Doomsday"

Don't be Scammed!Get the facts about all the "2012 Doomsday" Myths and Rumors.

It Is Time To Act - Spread the Gift of Eternal Life

Angels and Demons Movie - Editoral from New York Times on the Author's true purpose

Dan Brown's America

Eternal Security or when does Eternal Life Beginning

Marriage Re-Defined - Another "Cloud" on the Horizon

Let Us Watch and Be Sober

By the way, what are you becoming?

HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO THE END-TIMES 7 YEAR PERIOD

Before All Time, and NOW, and For Evermore

Instructions for the Church - Each Part Needed

Quote from Don Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz

Return of Jesus Christ and Believers meeting Him in the Air, according to the Bible

What to do when the end is upon us.

The 360 Question

Having Children is bad for the Planet ? Says who?

Do rock layers show evidence of the Flood?

Who is the Anti-Christ according to the Bible?

Does God Hear? Does God Speak?

Focus on God

Quality, Not Quantity - Frequency, Not Duration

Why start at the beginning? By Ken Ham

Why start at the beginning?

Live Like an Alien

What Religion Are You?

Does the Devil Know More than You?

Mike Huckabee for President

Comments about Global Warming By John Coleman

Daniel's Seventy Weeks by John Stevenson

Comments about - Looking for the blessed hope instead of determining when it will come

Scriptural References For Important Beliefs

Junk Science - What is it, and How do you know?

Free Gift of Eternal Life - How to Receive It!

Global Warming Report Audited and Found Lacking in Data

Mystery of Lawlessness

Many Clouds on the Horizon

Don't be Scammed!
Get the facts about all the "2012 Doomsday" Myths and Rumors.