Relationship

Just saying “I am a Christian” doesn’t necessarily mean you are a disciple of Christ

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The other day I watched one of those videos on social media. In it a woman berated a street preacher. She insisted that the Bible doesn’t say anything about the alphabet soup club. Then when he tried to read the Truth from the Bible, she attacked him again before he even got a word out. Claiming that the KJV of the Bible is corrupt and inaccurate. Again, insisting that she was right and she was holy all the time wearing a rainbow skirt from a tutu.

One of the greatest travesties that has occurred is those that have changed the Word of God into a people pleasing, watered down verses of the Truth. AKA they twisted the Word of God into lies. The Bible says this about those that turn the Word of God into a people pleasing document:

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.

Those that say the alphabet club is not mentioned in the Word of God and are welcomed into heaven are reading and teaching lies. Which is exactly what the father of all lies wants. For he has no desire to enter into the lake of fire. So, he thinks of bringing as many as possible along with him into that place of eternal pain. He will be able to look around him and get a sense of relief as he does so. He even lies to himself.

Does this mean those that profess to being true disciples of Christ hate those of the alphabet club? This is the furthest thing from the Truth. It is only through True love that we teach the Truth which is painful to hear and even more painful to strive and overcome these sins.

Proverbs 13:24 NKJV – He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

Sparing the rod is saying that the alphabet club is welcome into heaven. Which clearly shows that those that do this show true hatred for those that do these things. Thus, allowing them to remain in a sin which will exclude them from the Glorious presence of God.

Now, we will hear those protesting talking about churches that have alphabet club people standing upon the dais or behind the pulpit. These are just social clubs. They even have yoga classes, which are teachings of another religion. How can a building that teachs multiple religions be a building that teaching that only through Christ alone can someone be welcomed into heaven?

Now, don’t get a swelled head if going to a building called a “church” that does teach that the alphabet club is full of sinners who refuse to repent. For most within all churches live in sins that they refuse to let go of. They prove this when they seek after expensive clothes and wear them to these buildings. They prove this by living in luxuries and expensive homes and driving expensive vehicles. This is all sin, For we are to live a needs-only lifestyle. If God has cursed us with earthly wealth we are to have it available at a moments notice to help those in need.

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.

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.

Those that keep their earthly wealth unto themselves sin against God and defy His commandments. They place themselves above God. They worship themselves above God and so are not welcome into heaven. Even though they call themselves “Christian” they live in haughtiness and believe they are special, exempt and rewarded by God, when this is the furthest thing from the Truth.

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.

Since all they have and seek after comes from the world who is it they truly worship?

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

These last two groups of verses bring up another point which was hit upon at the beginning of this message. The versions of Bibles and calling them a lie. To start with: the NIV is a recent translation, and one filled with a people pleasing message. Thus, those that wrote it per Galatians chapter 1 are twice cursed to damnation. As for the KJV it is the closest to the True writing of the original words written in Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. Any and all translations have errors, which must be addressed. This is accomplished through STUDYING the Word of God. Studying means to find the way the words were written down upon parchment in the first place in these original languages. Even down to their meaning at the time they were written down. Simply the KJV is a guide into the Truth and is the closest we have to knowing the Truth of the Word of God. Therefore, if it says that the alphabet club Is not welcome into heaven then accept the pain and end the sin. For those that keep their earthly wealth. Accept that pain and downsize quickly because it is already too late for most since the midnight cry has already come and gone.

Blog for Podcast #32 (The Daniel Dilemma 1/3)

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Intro

Welcome again to another broadcast. This is once again Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. Also, you do not need to download podbean if you wish to listen. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts.

Today we begin a look into the book of Daniel. This was originally published on my blog site in 2016, and once again contains references to the John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries, which I once again recommend.

Discussion

The main challenge that the book of Daniel encountered. Came from those that believed the book was not first written by Daniel and in turn was not written in 540 to 530 B.C. Many imply the book was written in the 200 B.C. time frame.

Why is this so important? Why must we accept and understand that the Book of Daniel was written by Daniel and was complete before his death which is stated to have occurred in 530 B.C.?

This is the dilemma.

First off you need to understand that this book was not just written for the Jewish people as all the other book of the Old Testament (OT) were originally written for. This book was also written for the Gentiles and signaled the beginning of the rule of the Gentile nations over the world. This is seen in the way Daniel wrote this book. The beginning and the end of the book is written in Hebrew. As all other books of the OT were written, with the exception of Ezra. The middle of the book though is written in Aramaic (2:4 – 7:28). This is the common tongue at the time throughout the Middle East. It also stayed this way well into the time of the Roman Empire. It is still used in some form by many Middle Eastern Christian Churches. This also foreshadows the fact that the entire book, we now call the Bible, would come to be, and designed for all of humanity. That were and are willing to learn and listen to what is within it.

These parts of the Book of Daniel that were written in Aramaic deal specifically with Gentile nations within the Middle East. For the focal point is the nation of Israel, so it deals only with those nations that will have an effect upon it, which included Greece and the Roman Empire. This is something that really needs to be understood. Many in today’s Christian culture reject in some part the Judaism of the OT. They feel that only Christianity is the focal point of the Bible. This is the furthest thing from the truth.

Abraham is the father of the Jewish and as well as the Islamic nations. Jesus, the Son of God, was born to a descendant of David. Both Joseph and Mary have a direct lineage to David, the first king of the united tribes of Israel. Christianity came from Jesus Christ who was raised upon the books of the OT. At the age of twelve His knowledge of these books, which included Daniel. Far exceeded the understanding of the Tanakh by the Pharisees and Sadducees at that time and was noted as such in Luke 2:46-47. So Christianity is the “grandchild” of Abraham. And the Bible teaches that we must honor our fathers and mothers, even to the point of the source of our faith. So any that deny Israel, and the Jewish people, deny God.

This non-focus on Israel as the focal-point has led to many misinterpretations of this book by those that have not taken the time to truly study the Bible and history itself. This is why it is extremely important to study the Bible. Not just read it. As is the case of the book of Daniel, knowing history is extremely important as well. For within the book of Daniel is facts related to not only Israel, but Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and the Roman Empire. Without knowledge of this history of these nations, misunderstanding the book of Daniel comes into play and so causes the rise of false teachings and teachers, which is predicted by Jesus Christ in the Olivet discourse.

First we need to understand the four Gentile world dominant kingdoms. As mentioned before these are Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. The last of these is the most complicated to understand, but when taken in context with the statute of four layers you come to a better understanding, and once again see that Israel is the focal point as well.

Babylon is the first major Empire of any true note that affected the Middle Eastern area. Many times this empire changed hands, but the one that dealt with Israel was the Assyrian rule which began in 911 B.C. and ended during the book of Daniel in 619 B.C. This version of the empire at its apex, which is approximately 671 B.C. reached from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean and down into Egypt itself. The boarder cities were Susa, Ecbatana, Musasir, Tushpa, Kanish, Tarsus, and Dumah and reached down to Jeb in Egypt. To give you a more up to date imagery, the eastern boarder would conform, for the most part, to the border between Iraq and Iran. Its northern border went from Van, Turkey to the Lake Tuz just south, southeast of Ankara. The western border starts at the north at this lake down to between Silifke and Adana, along the entire eastern coast of the Mediterranean. It then extended into Egypt just west of Al Hammam down south to Mut and then met the Red Sea near Halaib. Its southern border extended from the Gulf of Aqaba in a near straight line to the Persian Gulf.

Why have I went into so much detail describing this area? Is due to the fact that this area is all the land mass that the book of Daniel deals with. Even though Greece and Rome are not in this area today. At one point during their conquests they held domain over this area, which is why they are a part of the prophecies within the book of Daniel. The land mass within these prophecies never changes. However the effects to each of these empires especially the last does constitute the overall lands, and cultures they have affected, due to their existence within the Gentile world. So to make this clear. The prophecies within the book of Daniel deal exclusively within the lands of the Middle East, that deal with the original boarders of the Babylonian/Assyrian Empire. In today’s terms that means Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia and Turkey. So when a direction is mentioned within the prophecies it conforms to an area within these boundaries. In the book of Revelation this area also conforms to the boundaries of the city of New Jerusalem.

In the prophecy of the statue. Four nations are given reference to, but not truly identified. The head however, is shown to be Babylon. Yet the others, even though described, are not given identity. This changes in chapter seven. Here the nations are given identification for those that have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

So let us start to explore this part of the book of Daniel and see if we can start to work our way through the dilemma this book has caused throughout the centuries. So we shall look at the four kingdoms that are first shown in the Statue dream of Daniel chapter two.

Daniel 7:4 – The first beast was like a lion with eagles’ wings. As I watched, its wings were pulled off, and it was left standing with its two hind feet on the ground, like a human being. And it was given a human mind.

At the time of this prophecy the royal palace had statues of winged lions at its gate, which was one of the factors in agreement that this is a representation of at the least Nebuchadnezzar and the most an imagery of Babylon itself. To quote the commentary by John F. Walvoord:

“In spite of the power indicated in this symbolism, Daniel saw the beast become man-like. This is most commonly interpreted as the symbolic representation of Nebuchadnezzar’s experience in chapter 4 when he was humbled before God and made to realize that, even though he was a great ruler, he was only a man. His lion-like character, or royal power, was his only at God’s pleasure. The symbolism is accurate and corresponds to the historical facts.”

So in all scholarly studies of this verse. It is agreed that this is an image of Babylon and the first empire of the Gentiles. Then the next verse should describe the next empire in the chain.

Daniel 7:5 – Then I saw a second beast, and it looked like a bear. It was rearing up on one side, and it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And I heard a voice saying to it, “Get up! Devour the flesh of many people!”

The imagery suggested by this verse shows a strong yet less refined empire that has one side stronger than the other. The Persian side being stronger than the Median part which the former had taken over from the latter before its move against other kingdoms. This is shown in the imagery of defeating and devouring three kingdoms, thus the three ribs. That being Lydia, Babylon and Egypt. The bear is also known to be a more ferocious animal than other animals in the animal kingdom as seen within biblical times.

Daniel 7:6 – Then the third of these strange beasts appeared, and it looked like a leopard. It had four bird’s wings on its back, and it had four heads. Great authority was given to this beast.

Starting with the image of a leopard. It is an imagery within the Bible of something not as grand as the lion, but is known for its swiftness. This is amplified by the four wings upon its back. The four heads indicate a division into four parts but of equal power and control. The conquest of Alexander was extremely swift. Upon his death at thirty-two the Greek Empire was given to his four top generals and their power was divided equally.

Daniel 7:7-8 – Then in my vision that night, I saw a fourth beast—terrifying, dreadful, and very strong. It devoured and crushed its victims with huge iron teeth and trampled their remains beneath its feet. It was different from any of the other beasts, and it had ten horns. 8 As I was looking at the horns, suddenly another small horn appeared among them. Three of the first horns were torn out by the roots to make room for it. This little horn had eyes like human eyes and a mouth that was boasting arrogantly.

One of the main tendencies of the Roman Empire was to remove the cultural from those it dominate. This was accomplished through death, destruction and an insistence of following Roman law. In some areas they tried different tactics, but in the end it resulted in their mainstay as mentioned above. This is clearly seen in 70 A.D. when the last temple was destroyed and the Israeli nation scattered throughout the Roman Empire and then the world.

A great debate still continues into the description as to who or what the little horn is that replaces three of the ten horns. Has it happened or will it happen? At this time it is still open for debate. What is made clear is that it is not the little horn of chapter eight.

That little horn has been identified as Antiochus Epiphanes. He is called this due to his representation of the little horn still to come, that being the antichrist. What is known for sure is that Antiochus IV Epiphanes did abolish the worship of God by the Jewish people and he did defile the temple in the 160s B.C. by establishing the worship of Zeus within the Temple and the sacrifice of pigs upon the alter. Antiochus Epiphanes is described by many to be an image of the antichrist that is yet to come during the time of the Tribulation.

In recent times another foreshadowing of the coming antichrist appeared. That being the Obama presidency of the United States. This image of the little horn came to power and brought devastation to this Christian nation, by making it possible to fulfill these words of Jesus Christ:

Matthew 24:10-12 – And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.

Again a fore image of the true antichrist yet to appear.

As you ponder what you just heard. We will end this week’s study of the Daniel dilemma.

God Bless

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.

The Ravenous Wolves (False Christians)

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Matthew 7:15-23 NKJV – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “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!’

Many have assumed and even taught that these verses are exclusively for those that stand upon the dais or behind the pulpit. To a degree that is very True. However, what are those that choose to follow Christ told to do?

Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

“Go therefore and make disciples.”

“Baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ.

“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”

Therefore, you too can be included amongst those that are “false prophets.” You too can be a ravenous wolf.

Now let us focus in on this sentence:

“Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

Many if not most that profess to being “Christian” believe in their own minds that they bear “good fruit.” However, I have observed this is the furthest thing from the Truth. For in reality they are ravenous wolves.

Now why make such a statement? This is why.

As I have looked about at those that are religious I see their hypocrisy. In daily behavior, actions and attitude. I even see it over the long-term is some cases and see how they have failed to follow the Bible time after time all for their status within a building called a “church.”

It is this seeking after status within a building called a “church” that I have witnessed the reality of the description of “ravenous wolves.” They dress in their finest and don’t wish to tarnish their image within this little social club. They berate their offspring, and cause their children to turn away for God and salvation and most likely heading them towards eternal damnation all for the sake of status.

To them they are focused solely upon how they are seen. How they interact with other. It is always about them. How self-centered and egotistical can people be? However, what else can be expected for the Word of God says this about those that are so self-absorbed:

James 3:14-16 NKJV – 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.

If this attitude and behavior is “earthly, sensual, demonic.” The question must be asked: Are they even saved if they had once been or have they never truly been saved?

Becoming saved is the easy part. All you need do is believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and only through Him can you find Salvation which leads to God. However, faith and believing  alone can lead to death.

James 2:14-26 NKJV – What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS ACCOUNTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

If the works that people have accomplished has led their children to sin and to walk away from God. Then they have shown that their fruit is bad and are not welcome into heaven and that Jesus Christ never knew them.

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!’

Which explains why Christ followed this statement with this parable:

Matthew 7:24-27 NKJV – “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Ponder deeply. Have you been foolish or wise. Truly search your soul. Review your actions and behavior before and after you asked Christ to enter your life. If there has been no change between the two are you truly saved? Evidence, your works, says no. If you have been within a building called a “church” and have your children, if you had any, walk away from God? Then you are foolish, and destine to be washed away to damnation. For you not only bore bad fruit, but it was so bad that you were a ravenous wolf and devoured your own offspring to damnation for all eternity unless they find their way to God through trials they may have avoided if you had born good fruit.

For a very long time the buildings called “churches” stopped bring places of God and have given birth to those that are ravenous wolves instead of disciples.

WAKE-UP!! REPENT!!

For many it is already too late for them. However, leave those buildings called “churches” and seek a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ by studying the Word of God for yourselves. Not read. STUDY! There is a huge difference. Because if you had studied the Word of God you would have left those buildings called “churches” long ago and let them go out of business. For that is all they are a business only interested in money not God nor His Son: Jesus Christ.

When you study do not follow commentaries. To Study break down the word as they were originally written down in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic, for the Bible was written in these three languages in the first place. For when you understand what the Words meant when originally placed upon parchment then you will begin to see the Truth of the Word of God.

Obituary of a modern-day Pharisee

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She has lived a long life and still does. Her husband was quickly and violently removed from her life so she could not infect him any further away from his salvation. She has three children. All of whom she drove away from God through her religious fervor. The eldest is wondering lost. The middle seeks after what is esteemed by the world. Both are a reflection of her true self. The third she pushed to commit murder through abortion just so her social standing within the “church” would not be tarnished.

Within the “church” she taught children Bible verses, which has led most into a lukewarm life and most likely damnation. Instead of teaching the full Word of God which made it clear we are to live a needs-only lifestyle and to place all others before our own wants, and desires. However, to her it is all about her placement within the “church.” Her achievements, her standing, her possessions. All opposite the Word of God.

Now as her mind leaves her. All she cares about is her past experiences. Her possessions and that people don’t steal them. Yet, in her mind she believes she is saved and not destined to awaken to the Great White Throne Judgement.

She fears letting go and passing on. For her soul knows what her mind has not yet comprehended. That she will not awaken till she stands in judgement. Even though she hears knocking in her dreams. The knocking of the Lord seeking to accept her and her surrender unto Him. Yet she refuses to let go. Clinging to this temporal existence as her mind and body falls apart.

Let’s Talk Some More About Conformity

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Once again let us look at the verses from Romans 12:

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

And once again let us look at the word “conformed.”

Conformed – G4964 – suschématizó – conform to, fashion yourself according to. Conform to the same pattern.

Now I wish for people to look at these verses following a parable about stewardship in the gospel of Luke:

Luke 16:13-17 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” 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. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

These two groups of verses are related and shows just how far those that profess to being Christian have fallen away from true discipleship to Christ Jesus. Let me explain and break it down for those that aren’t seeing the relationship.

What is esteemed by the world is comfort, leisure and wealth. Most, especially those in the western world cultures, as well as many middle eastern areas seek after all this. This is conforming to the world. This is what we are told not to do. However, all have done so.

Most believe they are the perfect Christian. They say they follow Christ. They pray; they attend church. Sometimes more than once a week. They do so in their best clothes and sing their songs and have their prayer meetings where other humans hear them. To them they are blessed and going to heaven to be with God.

This is a total and complete lie. Because this is what the world esteems. So, to God they are an abomination in His sight. Destine to be left behind in the soon to occur rapture.

“WHAT?” Someone just yelled in total disbelief. This reaction believe it or not is in actuality confirmation that what was written before this outburst in the Truth. Why is it the Truth? Because Jesus Christ said it… I didn’t.

This is one of the major flaws within these co-called “perfect Christians.” They act through emotion not true study and devotion to God through Jesus Christ. They believe they can live exactly as they have lived their entire lives and make no changes, and they will be embraced and welcomed by God. Ingnoring verses like those from the Gospel of Luke that states how they pursue to live actually sickens God. To them this has nothing to do with them but the Pharisees of old. Not seeing that they themselves have become the Pharisees. Living in rituals and breaking commandments without question or even understanding that they are acting in defiance of God through Jesus Christ.

Let’s give prime examples from the teachings found in the Sermon on the Mount.

Where and how to pray:

Matthew 6:5-6 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Key elements of this teaching:

  1. It is a commandment from Jesus Christ Himself
  2. Do not pray in church for that is where the hypocrites pray.
  3. Do not pray in public for that is where the hypocrites wish to be seen.
  4. Prayer is to be done alone not in groups for others can see you.

“But they pray in as a group before the Pentecost?” Someone just said. Yes, and they cast lots to pick their twelfth apostle, not Christ’s twelfth apostle. All without the Holy Spirit or His Blessing. Therefore, Peter made those gathered to sin against God which is why Pentecost was so dramatic. To put Peter in this place as well as the others as well. To remind them all Who was the Son of God. As well as do nothing without the Holy Spirit. As well as don’t break Christ’s teachings like where to pray.

Christ also taught this:

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.

This is said a different way by Paul in these verses:

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.

Those that still don’t get it. Read the rest of 1 Timothy 6, however I would like you to key in on these verses:

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.

A huge church wastes money that could be used to help those in need and to spread the True Gospel.

Wearing fancy clothes is sin and something the gentiles seek after and thus is conforming to the world, which is also taught during the Sermon on the Mount.

Keeping most of your earthly income is opposite the teachings of the Word of God and so is sin and those that do this esteem to be like those of the world. Therefore, they are seen by God as an abomination.

The word “abomination” is used only six times in the NT. Four of those times it is in direct reference to the antichrist and those that have chosen to follow that person. With that in mind. Then those that have turned their backs upon the Word of God yet call themselves “Christian” have no chance of making the soon to come rapture.

This will cause them to make two choices when they find they have been left behind. One will be to beg God for forgiveness and to seek out how to fix their relationship with God, which will result in their martyrdom. The second: they will fully turn against God fulfilling prophecy of the great falling away.

Why? Because to them God has abandoned them.

Now note how that was just said. They think that God abandoned them. That isn’t how a True Christian thinks. Therefore, if they were saved, they lost their salvation long ago. Or they were never saved in the first place. For anyone who thinks God abandoned them or owes them is in fact calling themselves a god. For they think they are greater than their Creator. How extremely vain, self-centered and arrogant of them.

So, when you hear the second blast of the trumpets and find yourself still here in this temporal existence. Realize it is because YOU that rejected God. For God never rejects anyone who truly seeks to be His disciple through His Son Jesus Christ. In fact, He wants ALL of humanity to come to know Him as their God. However, they would rather be their own god, and everyone and everything must cater to their whims and desires. Therefore, worthy of being left behind and the damnation that goes with this belief that it is owed to them. For billions upon billions upon billions upon billions of years in pain and agony in the lake of fire.

REPENT!!!

Seek to be the martyr. For only through that earthly pain and suffering can true Salvation be achieved once you find you have been left behind. For it will be better to suffer a few weeks, months or years. Than to suffer for all eternity because you wanted to be your own god.

Blog of Podcast #30 (Olivet Discourse 6/6)

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Intro

Welcome to another podcast. I am Dreamwalker1960

Today we come to the conclusion of our study of the Olivet Discourse

Discussion

The judgement of the nations

Matthew 25:31-40 – “But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ 37 “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Now once again I wish to remind those that have been following this series about the word “nations.”

Nations is ethnos in the Greek and in actuality refers to races not an actual country.

So basically it is stating that all the people of the earth are gathered before Jesus as He sets upon His Throne. The fact that he is separating them points to the Great White Throne Judgment at which time we will have the books of our life opened and reviewed as well to see if our name is listed in the Book of Life.

Special Note: Being found here at the Judgement of the Great White Throne is something that those that profess to being “Christian” should find to be shameful and something to weep about. For this means they did not participate in any rapture events and missed out on the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ.

By how the verses play out about separating the sheep from the goats and that those on the right, the sheep, “inherit the Kingdom.” Shows that there is a judgment here.

Matthew 25:41-46 – “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 42 For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’ 44 “Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’ 45 “And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’ 46 “And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

Those that deny God and His Son’s teachings will have to join their true master Satan in the pit of fire that has been reserved for them for all eternity.

However if you are found to be righteous and true to God and the teachings of the Bible you will go into the next phase of existence and partake of the tree of life to live for all eternity in the service of God.

Final announcement of his coming death

At the end of the Olivet discourse Jesus finishes His teaching unto the apostles with this final warning of his coming death.

Matthew 26:1-2 – When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, 2 “As you know, Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

The Bible makes no mention of the reaction to these words by the apostles. Instead it goes right to where the elders of the religious order in Jerusalem are plotting with Caiaphas to do just what Jesus had just stated would occur.

The fact that there is no mention of a response from the apostles shows their blindness to most of what they had just heard.

To summarize

What we learn from the Olivet discourse is a snapshot into the future. We learn that Jesus will not have His second return as soon as many expect. In fact He states in the parables that He will appear to be delayed. We learn that His return will be like a thief in the night, and shows that there are different rapture events. One will occur without any warning while a separate one will occur with the sky itself is darkening. We learn that if things do not go quickly the human race will become extinct.

We are warned to stay alert and stay true to the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. We are shown that there will be those that are like the people that were before the great flood and their sins will be seen as the same. They will be living their lives as if nothing is going to happen and yet in the blink of an eye all will change in an instance and will be signaled by the first rapture. This will then cause those that realize the truth to accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah and in turn these will be persecuted.

He tells those of the Jewish faith to watch for the desecration of the Holy of Holies which speaks of a third temple and when it occurs to flee quickly.

Out of all of it though is the warning to stay prepared. To stay alert. To watch for the signs of His return. These signs are now present as never before. They are global. They are affecting everyone and everywhere. There can be no doubt that we are in the end times of the world as we know it now.

So get right with God. Learn the Bible and follow the teachings within it. For we are told to obey and follow the Bible and to do what is right and righteous. For if we don’t we will be left behind and must face the horror that that entails.

In the first three parts of this series we discussed the warning signs that we are to look for. That being the rise of false prophets and teachers which has been happening since the very beginnings of the Christian church. That there would be wars and rumors of wars, which since the beginning of the 20th century there has been no peace on earth at any time up to the present. We can also say that since this same time frame there has been an increase in famines throughout the world. As to earthquakes we also discussed that there has been a dramatic up shift in these just in the last few years. Becoming more and prevalent and numerous.

We have also seen an increase in the persecution of those that profess to be Christian throughout the world and there has been an increase of this in the United States since the onset of the pandemic. We have also seen an increase in those become more apostate as well as betrayals of not only their fellow humans, but of family members just because of their believes.

We have also noted that within the last century there has been an increase in the number of false prophets and teachers and those willing to listen to them all due to the removal of God from the general society at large. As shown, this was due to people not knowing or truly understanding the Bible since they have never read it. As a result they believe these false teachings as fact when that is the furthest thing from the truth. This has resulted in sinners being openly and increasingly unafraid to hide in the darkness and so has become more prevalent throughout all of the world.

Yet, at the same time. Those willing to hear and listen, seek out the Bible and the knowledge within it throughout the world.

In the next part of the series we discussed the short mention of the tribulation and then we looked in the return of Christ as the end of these desperate times that are still ahead of the world.

However, in this part of the series and continued into the next part of the series we showed through the teaching of Jesus Christ Himself that there would be what has been described as the partial rapture. We showed through His words that the Jewish people are the elect and it is for them to be a terrible time for they will have to be present throughout most of the tribulation. We also showed that those faithful to God in Christendom would be removed from the earth before the tribulation. However those that had become foolish would have to suffer through the first half of the tribulation to the point of martyrdom.

So it is here that we end this study of the Olivet Discourse. Again this is not me spouting out my own personal theories. But the Word of God from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. With insights not from me alone, but from thousands of scholar. Condensed and filtered through the John F. Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries.

God Bless.

Special Note: The John F. Walvoord commentaries are the only commentaries I would recommend for anyone to read.

This said, I would warn those using it that it has one major flaw. The fact that he was Baptist and was of the group that believes in faith alone, grace alone, once saved always saved mentality.

Why recommend it at all then? Because it gives multiple views and is not limited to him being Baptist even though some text within it you can see that influence.

When weeding this out. Those using it get an overall image of prophecy. Prophecy that is now and already has been fulfilled.

Therefore, take it with a grain of salt and seek to discern the Truth that can be seen when using these commentaries as a aid to understanding the Word of God.

So, Let’s Talk About Conformity to the World

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Many people make excuses to do things to live their lives as they desire. They make excuses not to conform to God. They say well this is how it was when the Bible was written, or that was made unnecessary by Jesus Christ going to the cross and then raising from the dead on the third day. These excuses say one thing. These people are not truly seeking to have a relationship with God. They are just the religious lukewarm who Christ has vomited out of the Body of Christ long ago and aren’t worthy of being even listened to.

Why make such a harsh statement? Well let us turn to the Word of God.

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

A key command given in these verses:

“Do not be conformed to this world.”

Conformed – G4964 – suschématizó – conform to, fashion yourself according to. Conform to the same pattern.

Let us turn to a main example of this. The placing of tattoos upon your body once you have accepted being a child of God through Jesus Christ.

And here it comes. The railing and complaining.

Let us just use the verses given above and apply this to what can be seen in the world about us. Has there not been TV shows that have a contest between the best tattoo artists within the world that place their artwork onto their fellow human beings? The answer is yes.

Then this is definite proof that tattoos are something that those of the world seek after. Then per just the verses above those that profess to being a follower of Christ should avoid placing this artwork upon their bodies.

However, we shall dig even deeper into the Word of God, plus at the end of this I will share a dream I was given from God in the mid-1980s. But let us get to the first part:

In three separate places within the Gospels Jesus Christ teaches this about the law and prophets:

Matthew 22:34-40 NKJV – But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 16:13-17 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” 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. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

It makes it very clear that the commandments taught in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus are still in effect. The ONLY exception is those about making sacrifices, because Jesus Christ going to the cross ended only these commands.

With that said this means this law is still in effect:

Leviticus 19:28 NKJV – You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the LORD.

Recently I heard of a lady making comments that if this law was still in effect, then those laws surrounding it were in effect as will. My answer to that is. Yes, they are. Now why make this statement?

Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

When people place tattoos upon them, especially Christian imagery, which is in defiance of this commandment:

Exodus 20:4-6 NKJV – “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

Those that do this surrender to the evil spirits that have been given dominion over the world at this time. We are in a spiritual warfare, which includes how we live our daily lives including how we dress. How we cut our hair. Where we live as well as our choice of personal transport.

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT – Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

Once again this conformity to the world applies to how people dress. How they desire to live and what as well as how they get about if they seek to own a vehicle. This is why this is taught in 1 Timothy 6:

1 Timothy 6:6-8 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.

Now as promised the dream:

It was about a year or so after I was born again. It was another of what is called a vivid dream. I have many of them, most I am not able to shared, but this one was.

I found myself inside of a store, but the racks and shelves were ransacked. I was in chains and in a line. In front of me and behind were others, they all wore a grey jumper. I looked down and found myself to be wearing the same.

Several half-naked people that were mostly tattooed and pierced were directing us. One stood on the top of the shelves shouting and laughing as he lashed out with a whip. As it snapped, I heard him say:

“Where is your God now? Why doesn’t He come and get you?” He said things like this repeatedly as he herded the line toward the back of the store. Soon after a twelve-year-old boy, tattooed like the others, came running down one of the hallways made by the shelves. He stopped, as he laughed and held up by the hair the head of a woman and all those that were herding those in chains roared with laughter.

Once we reached our goal, I saw a line of cots set against the back wall and we those chained together were placed into these cots. After a time one by one the cots to my left were emptied, then it was my time. They made me get up and walk through a door at the back of the store. All went black.

Revelation 20:4 NKJV – And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

Like I stated, I had this dream in the mid-1980s. In this time there were tattoos, but they were not as extreme in the number of people having them or the number of tattoos upon their bodies. The very fact that tattoos have exploded in numbers and even entered into the religious communities speaks volumes.

Please note that I did say within Christianity. For those that are true to Christ choose to follow His commands and teachings and so are without tattoos. The only exception to this is those that got tattoos before their salvation and due to the fact that they cannot afford to get them removed.

With this we see that our need to be separate from the world is not just an act of obedience, but also shows that by doing so we wear the armor of God within the spiritual warfare that has been ongoing since Satan and his fellow angels were cast out of heaven.

Those that conform to the world, like getting tattoos. Refusing to wear this armor as an act of defiance against God Himself through Jesus Christ and in fact are in open rebellion against their Savior by getting tattoos. A permanent marking upon their skin in defiance against their Creator.

Why say this?

Because their own personal wants and desires are more important than following the commands and teachings found with the Word of God.

Pentecost: the second tower of Babel

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In the last two postings the topic has been centered about what occurred between the ascension of Jesus Christ to the point we are about to look into: The day of Pentecost.

It was the actions of Peter trying to assert himself as the head of the Christian community is what required Pentecost to become such a tremendous event that it was and in addition turning it into as the title of this posting implies: a second tower of Babel. Peter introduced a procedure of men picking men, which was never the intent of Christ. Peter used questionable scripture and even broke one of Christ commandments taught during the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:5-6). It was Peter’s behavior and actions that required God to manifest His Son’s importance and presence. This was to put the usurper in his place as merely a servant of Christ, not His replacement.

With this said, let us look at the first tower of Babel:

Genesis 11:1-9 NKJV – Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” So the LORD scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth, and they ceased building the city. Therefore its name is called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth; and from there the LORD scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.

Now let us look at the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:1-12 NKJV – When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

What do we see in these two events:

The first thing we see is how it descends upon those that are the followers of Christ. Not in prayer but in one accord. This shows that yes we can gather together as a group and be one in what we seek after without having a prayer spoken. If prayers are being said. They are said in the minds of those gathered together. Where no one is aware that it is occurring. They are all gathered together listening to Scripture and expanding upon understanding of the Word of God. Much like you reading this posting is meant to do.

To show those gathered together that Jesus Christ is the Son of God this occurs:

“And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.”

This was required to remind those gathered together that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The roaring wind and sound as well as the tentacles of fire dividing and touching each and every person present was needed to not only fulfill Christ promise of sending His Comforter, but also to show Peter who was in charge and it wasn’t him. If Peter had not done what he did in verses 12-26 of the first chapter of Acts the Comforter most likely would have come upon them in a more comforting manner.

Then, next we see that those gathered there all spoke in one language “Galilean” most likely Aramaic ended up speaking at minimum sixteen languages. This was comparable to the first Babel, yet it was different. For unlike the first where they were confused and bewildered and scattered to all point of the globe. Those near by gathered together to hear these people speaking in the languages they knew and recognized and cause many to come and see that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and they were to repent and follow Him as one people: Christians.

This is all shown in the verses that follows those shown above. We also see in those same verses Peter as he was meant to be. A servant of Christ not a usurper. For the Holy Spirit had filled Peter and he quoted correctly verse after verse from the OT. Showing that it is the Holy Spirit is who we are to listen to not humans that stand upon a dais acting like they know what is right when most times they don’t. For in the previous chapter Peter used a dubious connection to OT verses to name a new twelfth apostle. When only one being can pick an apostle and this is Jesus Christ Himself as shown later in the book of Acts when He makes Saul become Paul and the new twelfth apostle. An apostle chosen to bring the gentiles into the family of God through His Son Jesus Christ.

In summary we see that the second tower of Babel worked in reverse of the first yet contains the same elements in both. It brings people together under Christ as long as they Study the Word of God. Obey His commandments and follow His teachings. As long as they do this and are filled with the Holy Spirit they will be one with God through Jesus Christ. A servant of Christ and never a usurper.

The Bobbing Heads That Don’t Verify the Word of God (How religion enter into the Christian faith and when)

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Most that go to the buildings called “churches” are those that qualify as the bobbing heads.

Yet why do they qualify?

They qualify because they take the words of the person standing upon the dais or behind the pulpit as sacred and true.

They qualify because they do not verify through the Word of God.

 1 Thessalonians 5:21 NKJV – Test all things; hold fast what is good.

Acts 17:11 NKJV – These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

1 John 4:1 NKJV – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

One of the greatest examples of the need to do this is found in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. For within this chapter, we see two sides of one coin. The coin of belief in God. Yes, it is now Scripture, but within it we must still test it. However, the bobbing heads don’t, nor ever have for the most part.

Therefore, we will do now what most have never done. For they would rather bob their heads then to even bother to open the Word of God and see what is True or was found wanting.

We will begin after the greeting. We see the Truth of the Word of God and of Jesus Christ:

Acts 1:6-11 NKJV – Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

We need to note these Words form our Savior:

“And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’”

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”

The “you” in this sentence was aimed to all. For none had yet received this power that is the Holy Spirit, because we know that this Spirit is named and so is Jesus Christ.

Why point this out? Because something that occurs in the coming verses, which should make people pause. To research, to study, to verify. So, let us now look to these verses:

 Acts 1:12-17 NKJV – Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

In these verses Peter makes mention of the Holy Spirit which has not yet descended upon them:

“This Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who because a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”

Psalms 41:9 NKJV – Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Yet does the Holy Spirit speak through the OT about appointing through humans a replacement for Judas?

Peter used these verses:

Psalms 109:1-13 NKJV – To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Do not keep silent, O God of my praise! For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful Have opened against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, But I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good, And hatred for my love. Set a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, And let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, And let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, And his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds, and beg; Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places. Let the creditor seize all that he has, And let strangers plunder his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy to him, Nor let there be any to favor his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off, And in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Yet we have no record of Judas having a wife or children. Therefore, we must question the relevance of connecting these verses to Judas.

Peter, the man who denied Christ three times. Shouldn’t these verses apply to himself in some form? Additionally, we see nothing within the teachings of Christ to make such an endeavor by those that profess to follow Christ. We are to seek all things through Christ and verify that they fall within the Word of God. Since there is doubt here. Why did Peter insist they pursue such an enterprise without first waiting for what he had made clear David heard ……. The Holy Spirit, which has not descended upon them as of yet. Simply why did He not just wait?

It is the Holy Spirit that is the guide, the leader, the focal point. Without the Holy Spirt how can it even be considered Holy?

Therefore, what is done here is not Blessed by God. This is given foundation by the fact that they seek to pray as a group in defiance of the commandment given by Jesus Christ:

Matthew 6:5-6 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Christ makes it clear where we are to pray and why.

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.”

“For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men.”

Now just because you go into a “secret place” as a group of followers of Christ does not remove the key element of praying secretly.

“that they may be seen by men.” Are not your fellows humans? Then they qualify as men. Therefore, NONE should pray as a group or in a church. Prayer is a private time between you and God.

So, back on topic.

So Peter is forcing an issue with dubious Scripture since Judas had no wife or offspring that we are aware of. We must ask why not wait for the Holy Spirit first then seek to appoint a replacement?

This is an act of religion. Which is something that Peter was found guilty of pursuing in Galatians when Peter was forcing circumcision, as covered by the True replacement to Judas – Saul who will be called Paul when his apostleship begins. Therefore, We see the other side of the coin. Those that seek to place men’s action above the blessing given by the Holy Spirit.

Especially since the choice was achieved through the casting of lots in addition to the breaking of a commandment in how to pray from Christ Himself.

Acts 1:21-26 NKJV – “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

So list for us the great teachings and wonders accomplished from Matthias beyond dying a martyrs death.

There is none!

Because this is what comes from religion and not faith through Jesus Christ via the Holy Spirt whose name is Jesus Christ.

So, let’s talk about Matthias. Who’s that??????

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Most have no idea who Matthias is. There is a reason for this, and a lesson to the modern-day religious that go to the churches and don’t study the Word of God or even abide by it.

The story takes up only fifteen verses in the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. Within these verses the name “Matthias” only appears in two of them. This in itself should send alert signs to those that actually bother to read it. To those that study it becomes understood why this is.

Let’s look at these fifteen verses:

Acts 1:12-26 NKJV – Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) “For it is written in the Book of Psalms: ‘LET HIS DWELLING PLACE BE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE LIVE IN IT’; and, ‘LET ANOTHER TAKE HIS OFFICE.’ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.  And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Within this telling we see that the apostles took it upon themselves to pick the replacement for Judas. They state it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. Yet the Holy Ghost does not descend upon them until after this event.

Therefore, we can come to one conclusion. Peter has once again denied Christ. Peter is confronted about denying Christ in the book of Galatians as well by forcing gentiles to circumcise.

Also note that Joseph called Barsabas Justus and Matthias had witnessed the events of Christ ministry and seen that He had ascended into heaven. In simpler terms they were of once accord and fellow followers of Christ. From other sources we find that Matthias also died a martyr’s death.

Now I made mention about Peter denying Christ once again. He also encouraged those with him to break one of Christ commandments. Therefore, becoming the second time Peter denied Christ. What was this event?

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”

What was Christ commandment about how we are to pray?

Matthew 6:5-6 NKJV – “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.”

Praying in a group as these did was in defiance of this command. For Christ made it very clear:

“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.”

This means each person is to pray by themselves to God where no human can see them. When praying in a group all present see you and thus it is sin.

This sin they committed resulted in the picking, through gambling, a false apostle. Even though he was of one accord with them.

The true replacement for Judas was someone chosen by Christ Himself and in fact hated, hunted and killed those that were the followers of Jesus Christ.

It has been proven that when someone that truly does an 180 degree turn in their beliefs, that was so totally against a cause or a religion, becomes someone that is fully and completely committed to the cause they once opposed.

Saul who was a Pharisee and truly hated those that are now called “Christians” that he killed several hundred of them. The most notable was Stephen. He wrote most of the letters that now form the New Testament.

He was not chosen by a haggle of people gathered together in pray, in defiance of Christ, but by Christ Himself. Additionally, no lots were cast.

The lesson: 1) Obey Christ in all His commandments including where and when you pray to God. 2) God chooses, not humans. 3) Peter denied Jesus Christ three more times. Therefore, is not worthy of any type of praise. Only God through Jesus Christ should be praised and honored forever and ever.