The Daniel dilemma – part three – Chapter eight and the ram and the goat

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Daniel 8:3 – As I looked up, I saw a ram with two long horns standing beside the river. One of the horns was longer than the other, even though it had grown later than the other one. 4 The ram butted everything out of his way to the west, to the north, and to the south, and no one could stand against him or help his victims. He did as he pleased and became very great.
This imagery re-enforces the case for Medo-Persia as the next power to follow Babylon. For the Median Empire was first yet weak, while the Persian part came later took control of the Median part and was stronger. To quote John F. Walvoord once again:
“This prophecy is so accurate that it is embarrassing to the critic who does not want to accept a sixth-century Daniel who wrote genuine prophecy.”
Continuing:
“Not only are both the ram and the goat mentioned in the Old Testament as symbols of power, but Cumont has noted that different lands were assigned to the signs of the Zodiac according to astronomical geography. In this view. Persia is thought of as under the zodiacal sign of Aries, the “ram,” and Greece as sharing with Syria – the principal territory of the Seleucid monarchy – the zodiacal sign of Capricorn, the “goat.” The word “Capricorn” is derived from the Latin, “caper,” a goat and “cornu,” a horn. Taken as a whole. As Driver states. ‘The verse describes the irresistible advances of the Persian army, especially in the direction of Palestine, Asia Minor, and Egypt, with particular allusion to the conquest of Cyrus and Cambyses.’”
So any that state chapter eight has to do with the present era have not fully studied the Bible. They wish to cling to a fantasy that enables them to deny God and the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Those teaching that clearly state that we are in the end time we now live within. That those that do not conform to obedience of the teaching of the Bible are in actuality living in sin, and are not one with God. Even those that say they are with God, for they are showing themselves to be like the Pharisees. Living in their own version of the Bible that does not resemble Jesus Christ in any way shape or form.
Daniel 8:5 – While I was watching, suddenly a male goat appeared from the west, crossing the land so swiftly that he didn’t even touch the ground. This goat, which had one very large horn between its eyes, 6 headed toward the two-horned ram that I had seen standing beside the river, rushing at him in a rage. 7 The goat charged furiously at the ram and struck him, breaking off both his horns. Now the ram was helpless, and the goat knocked him down and trampled him. No one could rescue the ram from the goat’s power.
Again I quote from the commentary on the book of Daniel by John F. Walvoord:
“There is no discrepancy between history, which records a series of battles, and Daniel’s representation that the Medo-Persian Empire fell with one blow. Daniel was obviously describing the result rather than the details. That the prophecy is accurate, insofar as it goes, most expositors concede. Here again, the correspondence of the prophecy to later history is so accurate that liberal critics attempt to make it history instead of prophecy.”
It is clear from those who really study that the leopard with the four wing and four heads, and the goat are one and the same. This is made crystal clear in the next verse of chapter eight:
“The goat became very powerful. But at the height of his power, his large horn was broken off. In the large horn’s place grew four prominent horns pointing in the four directions of the earth.”
From one of the four generals rises a forerunner of the antichrist, Antiochus Epiphanes ruler of Syria from 175 B.C. to 164 B.C. He is the reason for the Maccabean rebellion. Now if you remember in part one of this series I layout the geographical boundaries of these prophecies. Now you will see this come into play at this time”
Daniel 8:9 – Then from one of the prominent horns came a small horn whose power grew very great. It extended toward the south and the east and toward the glorious land of Israel. 10 Its power reached to the heavens, where it attacked the heavenly army, throwing some of the heavenly beings and some of the stars to the ground and trampling them.
South of Syria is Egypt, east was Medo-Persia or Armenia. As for the heavenly army. It is well established within the Bible that even though we live within a physical temporal domain. We are instructed to pray to give strength to the heavenly armies which fight in the domain of heaven. There is a spiritual battle taking place that is beyond our ability to see now, however it is noted and mentioned in the Bible many times.
Ephesians 6:10 – A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. 19 And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Part of wearing the armor of God is truly studying the Bible and coming to a true understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Father: God.

The Daniel dilemma – part two – the four beasts.

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Yesterday I started this look into Daniel and the dilemma it has caused throughout those that try to interrupt the prophecies within this book of the Old Testament. Today 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 winded 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 – 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 Israel 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, that being the previous president the United States. Another image of the little horn came to power and brought devastation to this Christian nation. Again a fore image of the true antichrist yet to appear. Even though his actions could be said to have signaled a major step into the end-times that are shown within the Bible as the signs to look for. For from his actions a power has risen within the former boarders of the Babylonian empire that correspond to the beast described within the book of Revelation 13:7.

The Daniel dilemma – part one

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The main challenge that the book of Daniel encountered. Came from those that believed the book was not first off 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 book 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.
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 Bible by the Pharisees and Sadducees at that time and was noted as such (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.
First we need to understand the four Gentile world dominate kingdoms. As shown above 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 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 of 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 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 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 is, which is shown to be Babylon. However the other, even though described, are not given identity. This changes in chapter seven. Here the seven nations are given identification for those that have the eyes to see and the ears to hear.

The time of the great separation has begun.

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The time has come for God to separate the wheat from the chaff, but here is the catch.
Matthew 3:12 – Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Many do not realize they are chaff.
Revelation 3:15-16 – I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
In these verses two types of chaff are identified. The cold and the lukewarm.
The cold is obvious and simple to understand, those that deny God out right, but it is the lukewarm that are in for a shock. It is these that think they are one with God yet live their lives within and of the world. It is these that will have the hardest time when they realize they have turned their backs upon God.

2 Peter 2:20 – For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
It is the lukewarm that I have been tasked by God to reach, to get them to listen. To give them a chance to once again know that God loves them and wishes for them to be welcomed and embraced by Jesus, Christ our Savior.
In John 15: 5-6 Jesus makes it clear that those that follow Him can falter and fall. This is re-emphasized in 2 Peter. It makes it clear that the lukewarm knew God, but they loved the world more and so turned their back upon Him living in hypocrisy. Acting like they were of God but in reality lived within the world. Causing those that might have turned to God or turned to God sooner to question Christianity.
It is the lukewarm that are a curse upon Christianity which is why Christ in His Glorified form says He will spit them from Him. They are that much of an abhorrence to Him and His Father.
You cannot live to be a friend to the world and to God. It is one or the other. It is Black and white not grey. There is no middle ground. It is stand with God and call a sin a sin and tell those that live in sin that they should seek out Christ or you are a hypocrite, a grey, a lukewarm.
No human being is perfect, and I know fully well that myself, but we must place God first. This means we must follow the 12 commandments:
1) Place God first in all you do and how you think and live and love Him with all your heart. If God cannot see it you shall not do it and this means every single day of the week not just Sunday or Saturday.
2) Love they neighbor, which is everyone other than yourself, as you yourself would want to be treated. Simple I would want someone to tell me I am sinning, but it also means that if I would not treat myself badly why would I do that exact samee badness to someone else.
3) God is the Lord your God
4) You shall have no other gods which includes sporting teams, celebrities, and money and material objects.
5) You shall not worship any graven images or likenesses
6) You shall not use the Lord’s name in vain – which includes “God” or “Jesus”
7) Remember and honor the Sabbath day which means if you don’t need to work on this day don’t and also go to church.
8) Honor your father and mother
9) You shall not murder, which includes abortions or euthanasia
10) You shall not steal, this means not only take from someone’s house, but take something from them without their consent or through lies
11) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor, again this is anyone and means you do not lie period
12) You shall not covet after something that does not belong to you nor are you able to acquire.
When placing God first it also means to follow His teachings. The entire Bible is meant to be read and followed. If it is called a sin within the Bible, then that is exactly what it is. If God says to stop sinning then you are to stop sinning.
Can you do this alone? No, you can only do this through accepting Jesus as your Savior and seeking out those that are truly likeminded.
Remember accepting any sin is living in and of the world and so you are seen as the enemy of God if you support it.

Most have the wrong image of how “Christians” are to act

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We have the appeasers.
We have the love merchants.
We have the prosperity gurus.
All seek one goal to get humanity to come into their buildings called “churches.”
First off the “church of Christ” is not a building it is those that have accepted Christ as their Savior and strife to follow His teaches as best they can. Stumbling and falling, but growing stronger and ever forward are those that have accepted as their Savior, the Son of God.
Second, those that are the Body of Christ are to separate from those of the world. Not to mix and mingle with it, for the Bible states clearly the end result. Those of the Body re-enter the world. Now physically this is not something that can be done, but there is no need to get involved in the discussions about sports, celebrities or the latest fad. You simply state the truth, you have no interest and go on about your business.
Then who are we to fellowship with? The Bible makes it clear, we are to fellowship with each other. To be encouraged and up lifted by our fellow followers of Jesus. We are told time and again to do this, yet how many actually gather with those that are their fellows? Not enough I would gather and many that think just going to the buildings called “churches” is all they need do. They should seek to make friends from within the Body and seek to fellowship with them daily.
We are to be the light of the truth that shines into the darkness that is the world about us. Exposing sin into the light to shame and embarrass. Not with words, but with our actions. Not actions of looking down upon those that sin, but showing that we have no desire to partake of these sins ourselves. We are not to attack, berate or belittle, but to those willing to hear we are to reprove, rebuke and exhort when asked, but mainly we are to do it with our behavior and our attitude of not thinking we are better than those that sin, but their equals even though we do not partake of their actions, which are against God.
It is to be done in knowledge of what is within the Bible and knowing what is right and wrong. Then through right action we show those that are not doing right to at some point within their souls understand that they are wicked, weak and pitiful. For they will see you living in a way they thought impossible and will wonder and question their own lifestyles and behavior as it should be done.
Without knowledge of the Bible as well as the driving forces for sinful humanity you can give a false image, an image of hypocrisy.
Will all be able to accomplish a true image of our Savior? Maybe not today or tomorrow, but it is doable.
One of the main factors that drives people away from God is those that do seek to appease; those that do seek after only love; those that seek earthly rewards.
Yes Christ does seek after peace, but knows that as long as humanity is corrupt there shall never be peace, there will only be murder, hate and war. All driven by humanities selfish desires to say that only they can accomplish what is already promised unto them through the blood of Jesus Christ.
Yes Jesus does love, but the love is so great that He died for our sins to be washed away and never to be repeated.
Yes the Savior does promise rewards, but it is an eternal reward that will never be received here upon the earth, for only corruption comes from the earth and Christ Jesus our Savior is perfection and offers only perfect rewards that are beyond this failing and corrupt reality. Rewards that will last for billions upon billions of years once this reality has been replaced with the new reality yet to be. For God has said that once the testing of those in this reality is completed there will be a new universe and a new earth. One that will not see humanity as beings that walked upon this small planet in the corner of a small galaxy, but as servants of the Most High, the Creator of all there is and all there will be, God.

Too many things are happening

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Within the Bible we are told what to look for when the return of Christ is near one of these lessons was taught by Jesus Himself in the twenty fourth chapter of the book of Matthew. We are told to be watchful and take heed when these signs begin to not only multiple but become global in scope.
There will be wars and rumors of wars.
Nations will turn against other nations.
There will be pestilences. Possibly Ebola, amongst other things of this nature.
Earthquakes shall take place everywhere.
Famine.
These are just sings of “the beginning of sorrows.”
So can we say we are in the beginning of the end? There is enough evidence to support this.
Then those that profess to be “Christian” shall be delivered up to be killed and hated. This is being done at this time. Yet here is something that needs to be noted. Whenever prophecy is made and mentioned from my experience it has to deal with the general area that surrounds Israel. Now since Christ mission was specifically for the Israelites till they rejected Him as their Savior, I still thing the area around Israel is the focal point of all glimpses of the future. That being stated, The slaughter and near genocide of Christians in the Middle East at this time points to true fulfillment of this statement by the Christ.
“And then many shall be offended, and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.”
That is a powerful statement. Why is that? Many shall be offended and shall betray one another. Is not those that hold to the PC propaganda “offended?” Is not this wording fit here?
Offended – skandalizo – I cause to stumble, cause to sin, cause to become indignant, shock, offend.
As you can see there are multiple meanings. The core meaning of the word which has to do with a falling away from God. This is happening. Then we have the “cause to sin.” This is also being seen with events like homosexual marriage. Then we have “to become indignant.”
Indignant: to become angry because of something that is wrong or not fair:
Or as in this most cases lately “appear” to be not fair.
All if not most of the meaning of this word “skandalizo” have meaning now, today.
There shall be many false prophets. The prosperity “preachers” are a prime example of this.
Matthew 24:12 – And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Iniquity – anomia – lawlessness, iniquity, disobedience, sin.
Again this is present on all levels.
All of these actions can be seen throughout the world. Not just one country as an example Germany in the 1930s.
This is now global. This had never been seen to this extent any other time in history. Time is running out.
You need to get your house in order for we do not know when the true end will begin. For Christ will come as a thief in the night and we know not when He shall appear.

“I can’t believe in a fairytale”

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These are the words spoken by many that have never taken the time to learn about Jesus Christ or the Bible or even God.
They listen to people that teach them that Christ is a myth, a fiction, a fairytale.
Many live under the assumption that the Bible did not exist until 1611 when the translation of the Bible into English was competed.
They don’t know its history or the facts that there are documents outside the Bible and physical evidence that Jesus Christ did walk upon the earth.
What is even more astounding is they say they cannot believe in a fairytale yet on the other hand they become fully engrossed into a world or worlds of absolute fantasy.
Examples: Superman. A character that two Jewish men made up and state clearly they based him off of Christ. He has even died and been resurrected.
Anakin Skywalker a.k.a. Darth Vader. In the fourth movie otherwise known as episode one. He is conceived of a virgin birth.
Dune – Paul Atreides Muad’Dib is a messiah-like character.
I can keep going, but I feel I have made my point.
People seek after a messiah even when they deny the one that is the true Savior. It is something that is within us. Something our soul seeks to have filled.
Yet when people deny God and His Son, they become lost, forlorn, confused, bewildered.
So, since they deny the truth, the reality. They fantasize a fiction, a fairytale to believe in. They seek out anything to fill their existence. To make them feel whole, wanted, needed.
So they become engrossed into fantasies and fictions clinging onto to them as tightly as possible. They dress up in costume, identify with the characters.
Spend millions of dollars to see their movies, read their books, their comics and watch their television shows.
All to feel whole and complete a part of the fantasy.
All the while Jesus. A person once again as stated above is documented to have existed outside the Bible.
Who has witnesses that saw Him alive after His resurrection and have letters written to those that saw Him before and after His death no later than a few year after these events took place. At no other time in history has this even happened to any in any other religious group. With a statement of faith and belief that can be shown was made as early as eight years after His resurrection and over five hundred witnesses were still around to dispute these claims yet none ever did.
Then those that state they cannot believe in a fairytale, need to start looking at what they now believe and ponder what fantasy is real and what is not.

All are given a chance to acknowledge there is God

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I heard a question today, that I know needed a response, however the person asking it would not understand the reply. To paraphrase:
“Does being spiritually dead make you blind to the truth of God?”
My response starts in Romans 1:
18 But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
21 Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. 22 Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.
24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 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. 27 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.
28 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. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 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.
At some point in everyone’s life they will see without a doubt that God is real. Now look at verse 21 through 23 once again. In the KJV the word “vain” is used.
Vain – mataioo` – I become vain
Vain – excessively proud of or concerned about one’s own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: (per Dictionary.com)
Conceited – the habit or attitude of thinking yourself better than others, even when there is no reason to think so (per Cambridge Dictionary)
Each individual can make a selfish, self-serving view and causes it to reflect themselves and state that is what is real, when in reality they were to say: “This is God.”
An example: Penn Jillette once made a comment of watching a sunset at a beach and a nearby couple said. “How can someone watch this and not believe in God.” He said he could. Now from what I understand Mr. Jillette is a nice person. This however does not change the fact that he was given an opening by God to say: “God you are real.”
This is the type of opportunities that are given to all.
Why?
For our judgment due to free-will does not come directly from God. For we are our own judge and jury. God has shown us “He is.” Yet people would rather worship themselves and as is shown in this first chapter of Romans, people live in sin willingly and joyfully. So much so, they encourage others to join them.
People pass judgment upon themselves. So on that day that they stand before the Great White Throne Judgment they will have no excuses. Realizing they have chosen their own eternal fate in the creation of God.
This is why Jesus Christ Himself made it very clear to the lukewarm. For the lukewarm are liars. Not only to the world, but themselves, and it will be these that weep and gnash their teeth on the fateful day. This is why the lukewarm are seen as worse than those that see there is a God and reject Him. The lukewarm, the hypocrites, the liars are seen as inferior for they lived of the world and for the world, but told all they served God and so led others into damnation and pain and suffering.
Revelation 20:11 – And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Revelation 21:8 – But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The withered branch

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re-post
I am about to have some Bible verses below that I wish you the reader to look at and think upon. They are words spoken by John the Baptist to the Israelites not long before Jesus started His ministry:
Luke 3:7 – When the crowds came to John for baptism, he said, “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 9 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
Now you are asking: “Why is this important to me? This about the Jews just before Christ came amongst them. “
Let me put it to you this way: “You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are Christians.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create Christians from these very stones. Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
This is reinforced in John 15
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”
We are now in a period where many say they are “Christian.” However, they live in, of and for the world. They seek after worldly rewards, sporting events instead of time with God, money, large homes, fancy cars, expensive clothing, and jewelry. All this is of the world, yet this is their true desire. They show no real desire to serve God. To help others. All that matters is themselves and their wants and desires.
They bear no fruit for God. They are a dead branch upon the vine that is Jesus Christ. They were once saved, yet are now dead and withered.
Their destination is made clear and obvious:
“Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”
“Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.”
So where is it you stand within the eyes of the Lord?

Salvation is not guaranteed – the rebuttal

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re-post
This is a reply I received to yesterday’s post.
“While I agree that the ‘once saved always saved’ theology does not take into account freewill, I also see John saying that he was writing so that believers could know that they are saved. That said, I get annoyed when I see Leviticus 19 quoted as a command to not have tattoos. Why is it we get to pick and choose which commands in that chapter apply to contemporary society? Do you wear clothing that is mixed? Do you know of anyone in Industrial nations who pay their workers daily instead of paying the wages earned out that day? How about the inference that concubines are okay? Or just scales for that matter? Where do we go to determine fair value of goods in relation to the dollar when the dollar itself no longer has backing other than what public opinion sees its value as? The tattoo reference was so that Israel did not mark their bodies as the pagans around them did to worship their pagan Gods. It is the only place in scripture where it is written. Outside of that Jesus will have tattoos on His thighs at His return, right?
“And lastly, yes, there are tons of laws, rules, precepts and commands. Jesus addressed this with the Pharisees multiple times. Obey, but obey because you are in love with God in such a way that you desire to honor Him through doing His commamds. Paul encouraged believers not to be a stumbling block to one another as we work out pur own salvation with fear and trembling. Paul at meat that was sacrificed to idols, or at the least he thought it was okay. It was a direct violation of the laws you desire to be followed. But he goes on to say that he refrains from doing so when it would cause a weaker believer to stumble in their faith.
“Love is the answer, not legalistic obedience. If you are convicted about driving the speed limit then drive the sleed limit. But give Grace to others as they work out their own salvation. Tell them about Paul’s rationale in obeying government authority but don’t try to be the Holy Spirit for them. Peter was faithful in preaching the message but he also fell back on the laws and Paul called Him out for it. But still, preach and give grace as we all are depraved and worthy of death, whether we obey the speed limit or not.”

I feel it is important to make this rebuttal in a more visible manner due to its import upon the topic at hand. I will go through the response this brother in Christ gave to yesterday’s post one point at a time.
I will start with your being upset due to the Leviticus view of tattoos.
You actually answer your own argument. It is a way of separation from the world (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). As I stated, there are those that feel through their tattoos they are venerating their faith and belief in God. However, most that tattoo their bodies do not follow this and furthermost of these get it done as a sign of rebellion. But what is it they are rebelling against? Could it be this?

Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

My own personal view upon tattoos comes from a different source. I know that I am a teacher as is governed by Ephesians 4. However I know that I also fall within the purview of Acts 2:17:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”

I am a dreamer. Thus my name dreamwalker1960.
Now why I mention this:
In a dream I had in the late 1980’s it showed those that were of the lukewarm before the Rapture, but it is a dream set within a post-Rapture timeframe. These lukewarm were all dressed in grey jumpsuits. Chained together like a chain gang. They were being moved in a single file line toward the back of a now ransacked and empty store. You could tell this by the empty and battered shelves and the tattered advertising hanging from the ceiling.
Those forcing the chained people to the rear of the store all had one thing in common. They were all tattooed. This included a twelve your old boy who came running into the area carrying the severed head of a woman by her messed up blonde hair. All those that were covered in the artwork upon their bodies cheered and celebrated.
So to me personally, especially now some thirty years after this dream took place. Seeing tattoos on a massive increase within the population. Mainly due to not knowing God or the teachings within the Bible. I find this increase a sign of the coming Tribulation.

Back to the point that was made of separation between Israel and the pagan nations about them. As I pointed out in Romans we are told to separate ourselves from the world as well.

Matthew 5:14 – Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Is not good works following the teachings of the Bible? The answer is yes.
Part of this separation is by honoring and following, when not superseded by the teachings within the New Testament, those commandments within the Old Testament, as we are instructed to by Jesus Christ.
I have found that if something is not addressed by Jesus or the apostles in their letters it should be adhered too if it is within reason. Tattoos are not directly mentioned in the New Testament, but does fall within what is required of us within Romans 12 and so should be maintained as a sign of separation.
This works into the question that was asked of what applies to contemporary society. This is why reading and coming to understanding the Bible is vital. Especially in this day and age with the onslaught to destroy Christianity and the teachings of the Bible. A sign of which is shown by the increasing popularity of tattooing.
Now does it mention the requirement for clothing in the New Testament? In a way it does:

Matthew 6: 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
We are to live our lives in moderation. For God will provide our needs. Does this mean we are not to work? No it does not. We are not to waste money upon that which we simply need to cover our nakedness. Seeking after luxuries be they clothing, transportation or even our housing is against Biblical teachings both in the Old and New Testaments.
As to wages. We are required to work within Ephesians 6:5-9. The master being our employer, we the slaves. It is due to government regulations which we are to follow under Titus 3:1 and Romans 13:1-5. These regulations state that we are to be paid weekly, bi-weekly and even monthly.
Concubines is covered in the New Testament that a man take only one wife.
As to the fair value of goods. At this time most nations have regulations on how goods are priced. More and more items are being regulated by the government and so a true fair value cannot be seen due to government’s intrusion into the free market. So simply to say a true fair market society for the most part is non-existent.
Obeying the commandments I agree is an act of love toward God. Thus an act of free-will and a coming to understand those that help to separate us from the world. Thus heading us towards a true reflection of Jesus Christ is a major factor of this love. As I stated, God’s love is eternal. However, as exemplified by Hosea, humanities love is fickle and requires renewing and refreshing in various areas and at various times. This is why we are instructed this in 2 Timothy:

4:1 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Now it is implied that I am a “stumbling block.” If this is not the case, sorry for misreading. However, here is how I perceive what a stumbling block is.
It is not those that point out the sin and then show you why it is a sin. Then suggest you change your ways. Thus making you become a better reflection of Christ, which is as I see my ministry to be following, and verified by the verses directly above, which you are implying is me acting as “the Holy Spirit.” This is the furthest thing from the truth as is shown above, and is required for all Christians to help their brethren grow.
A stumbling block is when people say “sure go get a tattoo,” which is a conformity to the world. It is when you do not acknowledge that God established a nation’s government and they would prefer to speed about, breaking the speed limit, and if you are not speeding as they do. They come behind you, tailgating you and flashing their lights at you as if you are doing something wrong. Trying to force you to conform to their behavior.

Faith alone, which is love alone is dead. It is an equal balance of both faith and works (James 2:14-26). Works not being legalism, but following the teachings of Jesus Christ which also includes following the commandments. Mistaking following the commandments as legalism is one of the major flaws in today’s society. Works alone without the love for God, which is legalism is dead as well.
As to obeying or choosing not to obey the speed limit, shows your desire through your love toward God as to how you see His Son and the teachings of the Bible. So disobeying the speed limits is clearly stated as disobeying God and thus bears no fruit for God and in time may lead to being removed from the vine that is Jesus Christ, and thus cast into the fire. Obeying the speed limit is one of the easiest way to show your love for God, and serves as a training tool to help you grow in other works through love for Jesus Christ.

So it is up to you how you wish to live your life. Seeking after your own reward and satisfaction within this temporal plain of existence we live within. Seeking after wealth, and luxuries and only seeking to please your own desires. Or do you seek to follow the Bible. Placing God at the center of your life thus following the speed limit and not getting tattoos.
It is up to you how you wish to live out your eternal life that is yet to come. For this life we now live is how our placement in that eternal life is to be determined. By doing works, which are the commandments and teachings within the Bible and doing so out of love for our Savior and His Father we honor and give praise to God in all His glory. This will head us toward an eternal life of joy in the service of God. The other route of seeking only to please yourself, of only thinking God loves you no matter how you live, or outright rejecting God will lead to eternal damnation.
Our goal as Christians is to reflect Jesus Christ not ourselves and is only accomplished through equal portions of faith and works.