Month: January 2023

Blog for Podcast #137 (Truths)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Truth

In recent weeks certain truths from a social media platform have come to the surface. Including the banning from this platform a president of this United States when he was in office. Just because they didn’t want to hear him any longer, because in their own words he never violated their rules.

Shutting down facts and truths because you don’t want to accept them is a form of lying.

“Lie” is define as to say or write something that is not true in order to deceive someone.

We can go a step further with the word “omission:” – the act of not including something or someone that should have been included, or something or someone that has not been included that should have been.

Why mention lies and omissions?

When it come to those that seek to truly follow Jesus Christ. It is a place that they live within. Of having what they say be called a lie. Of having those that don’t wish to hear the real Truth lie about those saying it. To being removed from them and omitted from their lives.

These recent revelations about this social media platform are just a simple example that the entire world is now seeing. It is something those that truly seek to follow Jesus Christ have experienced since they decided to take the narrow and difficult path.

But again, why mention lies and omissions?

Revelation 21:8 NKJV – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

I will tell you. Those that block the truth. Those that call Truth a “lie” and a lie the “truth.”

Romans 1:18-25 NKJV – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

This all happened before. But not to this degree. This time the entire world is involved. Calling lies the truth just so they can live in a sense of peace of mind that their choices have no ramification.

And what are the visible signs we are to look for that people seek after their own wants and desires and deny the very existence of God and His Son our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:26-32 NLT – That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Does any of this sound familiar? If you don’t think so you haven’t been paying attention to the world about you.

What is really sad though is that those in the Christian community are following suit with those in Rome when this letter was written. Let us look to what was said there:

Romans 2:1-11 NLT – You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

This is the behavior of many within the Christian community. There are those that live in the same sin shown in the first chapter. Many live their lives just as those within the world live their lives. Those that have to have a bigger and fancier house, a new car every few years and the best clothes. All this is worldly as shown here:

1 John 2:15-16 NLT – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

What many don’t realize that within the verses from the second chapter of Romans. It is being made clear that any who abandon the teachings found within the Bible and profess to being “Christian” judge themselves for they should know better. That they have made a place for themselves not in a place of happy reward with Christ but in sorrow as they stand before the Great White Throne. Many will challenge and argue this. The mere fact that they did just verify this lesson as Truth.

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT – When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 NKJV – If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Most churches for decades have not been teaching the Truth. They fear being spurned. Why? Because they need money to keep them in business.

This is what is the reality of their situation, their Truth:

 Galatians 1:6-10 NKJV – I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Most who stand upon the dais show the world who they are truly being:

2 Peter 2:1-3 NKJV – But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

These destructive ways are designed to make the ways they live more comfortable. Thus, they make it so those that listen to them live the same way. Which in turn causes them to live even more comfortably. The thing is the more comfortable they are here in this existence the more they pass judgement upon themselves. Which is why it is so swiftly. The more richly they live in this temporal existence the further from redemption they are.

As to those that listen to them, that is for them to figure out for themselves by actually reading the Bible for themselves. Consequently coming to know the Truth found within it.

However, sadly, most will not for Christ Himself made this very clear.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

“And there are many who go in by it.”

Now there will be those that say they are on the narrow path. Yet they still live in their big homes. They keep buying new cars and still go to the store and get the latest fashions. Which is exactly as the world does.

Luke 16:13-15 NLT – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, heard all this and scoffed at him. Then he said to them, “You like to appear righteous in public, but God knows your hearts. What this world honors is detestable in the sight of God.

Luke 16:15 NKJV – And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Six times the word “abomination” is used in the New Testament. Four of those times it is in reference to the antichrist and those that follow that person. So, Jesus Christ was saying that seeking after and loving money was on the same level as worshipping the antichrist. And this was to religious people He said these things.

Ponder upon that for a moment.

So here we are. Another day closer to the very soon return of Jesus Christ. Very soon something will take place that will make people realize that they have made a horrible mistake. A mistake so bad that you will have to make a choice of serving the antichrist or serving God through His Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All because you didn’t read the Bible for yourself and learn the real and complete Truth.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #136 (Long-suffering)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

There are those in social media that say a lot of the right things when it comes to true Christianity. However, there are times when they do things that are not in line with truly following Jesus Christ. They come across as haughty, or even cruel in their wording.

Now one of the fruits that shows we are working with the Holy Spirit is “longsuffering:”

Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Longsuffering – G3115 – makrothumia – that is (objectively) forbearance, (subjectively) fortitude, patience

  1. forbearance – the quality of being patient and being able to forgive someone or control yourself in a difficult situation

Where does this ability originate with following the Holy Ghost?

The answer is simple: love.

1 Corinthians 13:1-10 NKJV – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

Now I want to make this very clear at this point. This is not the people pleasing “love” I am referring too, but the love that is not afraid to follow the directive given to us through Scripture.

Revelation 3:19 NKJV – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

2 Timothy 3:16-4:2 NKJV – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

When following the love given unto us through the Holy Spirit, we strive to convince people that what they think is true is false. We rebuke them in a way that is not insulting or demeaning. Then we exhort them to turn from their path to follow the truth that can only be found when someone genuinely studies the Bible to verify what is the real Truth which is Christ Jesus.

When someone belittles someone else and degrades someone they are not acting in love, but in an attitude of superiority.

Romans 11:11-25 NKJV – I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

1 Corinthians 4:1-16 NKJV – Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

As we can see from these verses in Romans and 1 Corinthians. If we are loyal to Christ, we will never think ourselves greater than anyone else. In fact, we should look at ourselves as less than others. Not only less than the Jewish people, but even less than those that persecute and harass us.

We should always seek after humility and never attempt to take pride in anything. For only God is worthy of receiving glory, not us mere humans.

James 4:6-10 NKJV – But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “GOD RESISTS THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Romans 12:3 NKJV – For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

Romans 12:16 NKJV – Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Matthew 11:29-30 NKJV – Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Philippians 2:3 NKJV – Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

We can only truly reach the hearts of those that mock and attack us if they do not feel assaulted on our part of the conversation.

In many instances those that are attacking us may believe with all their hearts they are loyal to Christ. They call themselves “Christian.” Yet the fruit they bear shows who their true master to be.

If they attack and mock we see that they have lost their way or may never have truly found it. Look at those in Galatia:

 Galatians 1:6-7 NKJV – I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

They had accepted Christ. They had been born again. Yet they started to listen to what was causing them to turn away so soon?

Galatians 1:10 NLT – Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.

The only way to seek after God’s approval is to help people to see that they have turned away from Him if they have. To show people that their actions do not bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit but of the flesh and in doing so they may have made it so they will not inherit the Kingdom of God but opened themselves up to entering into damnation.

Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV – Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

John 15:5-6 NKJV – “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

This is why it is so important not to be harsh or belittle. For in reality what does that say about those that do this?

The answer is simple. They are not acting with the Holy Ghost, but from the flesh. It may be said that in time they to may find themselves removed from Vine who is the Lord Jesus Christ. Which means their name most likely has been removed from the Book of Life.

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #135 (The Warning to Laodicea)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

In chapter four of Colossians in verses 13-16 the city of Laodicea is mentioned four times. Why was this city impressed upon the mind of Paul so much?

Now I must say I do not agree with those that challenge the authorship of this letter. I truly believe it was Paul who wrote this letter. Mayhaps not by his own hand, but his dictation since he was imprisoned at the time. Also since there was no mention of the earthquake which devastated Colosse and Laodicea, it places this letter to have been written in the late 50s A.D.

This means that 30 to 33 years before the city was mentioned as the last city of the seven cities in Revelation. It was already entering into sin, and it was a burden upon the heart of Paul to try and get them to turn from their ways. Ways which were leading them to damnation. To being vomited out of the Body of Christ.

33 years!

Studies have shown that one generation lasts 33 years. So nearly one generation before The Glorified Christ stated He would vomit them from His Body. Paul was given the need to teach them the Truth from various angles.

Colossians 4:12 NKJV – Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Epaphras appears to have been given a specific burden upon his heart for this city.

Colossians 4:13 NKJV – For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

Luke and Demas were sent to this city to speak from the house of Nymphas, which served as the church for Laodicea.

In the sixteenth verse Luke and Demas are instructed to not only to teach the True Gospel in the church but in the streets of the city as well.

It was a warning cry to those within this city to repent.

A warning cry to abandon their riches. To abandon their comforts.

A warning that I believe was not listened to by those within this city. For in 60 A.D. the city was devastated by an earthquake.

Yet, they didn’t listen. For they were so rich that they rebuilt their city and returned to their ways of living in lavishness and luxuries. Counter to the teachings of Christ Himself.

Which is how they earned their place in enmity for all that follow the True teachings of Christ.

Enmity because they defied God. They were warned by three witnesses to end their ways. They in essence had become Sodom and Gamora. Which is why they are seen as worse than those that outright deny God. An entire generation corrupted.

Now those that are the lukewarm infect most of those that profess to being “Christian.” How many of the few are bearing witness? Maybe this is why these words are spoken?

Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

What are we to look for that within one generation, which will bring the return of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 24:3-31 NKJV – Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the 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 come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. “Therefore when you see the ‘ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place”  (whoever reads, let him understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Now what people don’t understand. What people don’t conceive of is that when Christ returns is at the end of this generation. At the end of 33 years. At the end of the tribulation which is to last seven years. That means that in the 26th year of the generation that will be witness to the events listed in these verses that is when it will all begin.

And how will we know it is to begin?

Christ gives us what to look for there as well.

Matthew 24:36-51 NKJV – “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Here is something else, especially those who are walking the path of the lukewarm don’t wish to see or acknowledge. We that profess to being His disciples, His children, His Body.

We are stewards of His household. Any earthly wealth we are given is not for us to use for ourselves for our wants and desires. They are given to us to help spread the Truth, the Way and the Light. We are to live with the least of this wealth to be able to use the most of this wealth for His glory.

This is the opposite of how those that are the lukewarm see their earthly wealth, which is why they are seen as the same as those that were in the cities that surrounded and included Sodom and Gomorra.

This is why they are vomited from the Body of Christ. For their very presence pollutes those seeking the Truth. One factor that must be totally understood is at this very moment the majority of those that profess to being a follower of Christ are in fact the lukewarm.

They profess to loving Christ. However, they refuse to downsize. They refuse to live in the least and keep the most for Christ. They keep the most for themselves and use the least if any for Christ. They think that their ten percent tithe they give to a business is all that is required to show their faith for God.

1 John 3:17 NKJV – But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

1 John 2:15-16 NKJV – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

James 3:13-18 NKJV – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

We are to do our best for and only for Christ. We are to bear our cross and leave the things of the world behind.

Mark 10:17-21 NKJV – Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,’ ‘DO NOT MURDER,’ ‘DO NOT STEAL,’ ‘DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER.'” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #134 (Those who Betray with a Kiss)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, Guide, Life, Relationship, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

The other day someone posted in social media this statement:

“Judas was not just a disciple of Jesus; he was the money keeper of the twelve.”

My reply was this:

It may be true that he was the money keeper. However, any that hear the call of Christ are His disciples.

This is a lesson in free-will.

Even after seeing all the miracles and even bringing others to Christ and baptizing them. Judas chose the world over Jesus and betrayed Him in an action of love.

Judas chose to abandon his salvation for riches. As most now do. Keeping their fancy houses and fancy cars and clothes. Christ makes it clear:

Matthew 6:24 NLT – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

Judas chose money and then when it was too late realized his error and hung himself.

Very soon many will awaken to the truth. I wonder how many will choose to kill themselves than to fix their relationship with God through Christ and get rid of their worldly possessions.

I sat and prayed and thought on this further. For to me it did say a lot but at the same time felt incomplete.

Then the inspiration of the Holy Spirit led me to a key element in what I had stated.

“Judas chose the world over Jesus and betrayed Him in an action of love.”

How many truly believe they love Christ, yet they have chosen to betray Him? All the time professing their love for Him.

Christ told us the answer Himself.

Matthew 7:13-14 NKJV – “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

The narrow path is difficult because people do not believe they must surrender their earthly possessions and property.

However, as mentioned in my reply in social media there is only two choices. To follow God through Christ or worship money and all it gives you.

1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

“For which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness.”

When these words were inspired by God and written down on parchment. At that time, it is truly “some have strayed.”

Now though. Now we are in the time of the “lukewarm.” Which means that most that now profess to loving Christ have betrayed Him with a kiss. Just for money.

Revelation 3:15-17 NKJV – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.’”

Most that profess to being “Christian” at this time live in fancy houses. They have expensive cars and wear fancy clothes. Keeping most of their wealth for their own wants and desires. All the time professing their “undying” love for He who died upon a cross for their sins. That they may stand before the throne of God in white garments. However, due to their love for money that is not their fate. Their kiss upon His cheek nothing more than a great betrayal on par with that of Judas. They hang themselves in ropes of their own making. Made of gold and fancy cloth.

Christ made it clear what we are to do with earthly wealth and possessions.

Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

” For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

There your heart aka your love will be.

Let us return to 1 Timothy chapter 6:

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV – Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

“Ready to give, willing to share.”

But how is this accomplished if all their wealth is tied up in a huge house, a fancy car, in fancy clothing, invested in stocks, bonds and 401ks?

The answer is simple. It is impossible. Thus, they openly betray Jesus Christ every single moment of every single day. All because their wants and desires, that will last only a few decades, are greater than their desire to live in the service of God for billions upon billions of years.

This is how the Pharisees thought as well for this is witnessed in Luke:

Luke 16:14-15 NKJV – Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

As I have discussed in the past the Greek word which translates to “abomination,” is used only six times in the New Testament. Four of those times it describes the antichrist and those that follow that person.

This is how God perceives those that seek after comfort and luxuries. This is how God sees those that can be called the “lukewarm.” This is those that are rich in this temporal existence we now live within.

This is why it is so important that people that profess to being a follower of Christ downsize and follow the teachings of the Bible. For it is made clear that if they do not do this, then God is not in them and will use their earthly wealth to pass judgement upon them.

1 John 3:17 NKJV – But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

James 5:1-3 NLT – Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.

What many do not understand or mayhaps wish to hear. Is where the desire to accumulate wealth for oneself comes from.

James 3:13-18 NKJV – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”

Let me restate that last part once again:

“This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.”

Those that seek after earthly luxuries follow demonic desires. This is why this is said in 1 John chapter 2:

1 John 2:15-16 NLT – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

It is due to demonic influences that those who seek after earthly wealth and all that comes with it are not in the service of God but of Satan.

This shows that they are not headed to stand before the throne of God in robes of white. They are to stand before the Great White Throne Judgement. Which is why Christ says this:

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Then once these Words are spoken they will realize that their names which at one time, may have been written down in the Book of Life, has been blotted out by Christ Jesus. Then they are to take their place in the second death for all eternity.

Revelation 20:11-15 NKJV – Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

God Bless