Bible study

Blog for Podcast #37 (People’s true gods)


Intro

Welcome again to another broadcast. I am Dreamwalker1960. 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. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM.

Discussion

For those that have not listened to my past podcasts I wish to once again establish something about myself. I am a dreamer of dreams as shown in Acts 2:17, and thus the name I use in these broadcasts.

“‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.”

The other night I had one of these dreams, which I had to think upon and ponder for a while to gain understanding from it. This is not the first time that has occurred, but that is the way the Lord works at time. To make someone think through what He has given us. Like for example the Bible. It is to be studied thoroughly and taken in context.

Where I was led was back to Matthew 24.

10 – And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 

Let us look at this in the KJV:

“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

I want to key in on the word “offended.” In the actual Greek it is seen as:

“Be offended” – G4624 – skandalizo – to entrap that is trip up (figuratively stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

As you can see there is a lot happening with these two words in the original Greek. So, let us look into each of these.

First off, we have the wording we see in the KJV. To “be offended.” Has not the woke, politically correct crowd taken offence to a ton of stuff including Christianity itself?

The answer is yes.

Has that not entrapped many and caused them to feel guilty when there is no need to feel guilt thus enticing them to enter into sin, by forcing them to accept the sins of others?

Ephesianes 5:6-7 – Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do.

James 4:17 – Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

These which we are told to turn away from are condoning sin. They are becoming apostate. They become lukewarm. Which is seen as worse than denying God and His Son Jesus Christ outright.

Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

This is what is said about those like this in the times we now live within:

1 Timothy 4:1-5 – Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

Does this not sound familiar yet again?

Again, this needs to be made truly clear. These letters that have been made into the New Testament are for those that have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. The four Gospels and the book of acts are the witness to the truth of Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the Messiah. The rest of the New Testament is guides for those that have accepted Christ as their Savior on how to live and act.

When a statement like “some will turn away from the true faith.” It is referring to those that were originally saved and filled with the Holy Ghost and have turned their backs upon God. This means that you can lose your salvation and have betrayed God Himself.

They are labeled as what they are. Hypocrites, liars and since they live in acts of sin yet believe they are right with God they have no conscience.

To them being apostate is normal and natural. They see themselves as one with God, who as I just said they have turned away from and left. It is made clear they receive their teachings and beliefs from “deceptive spirits” and “demons.”

Here some will scoff. They will say there is no such thing as demons.

Is there a heaven?

Is there wars being fought in heaven between right and evil?

Angels must have adversaries. The Devil did not fall to earth alone, those angels that followed him went with him in his defeat. Joining him in his pursuits to deceive humanity.

Let us focus in on apostasy. For that is what betraying God is called.

Apostasy is defined as “the act of giving up your religious or political beliefs and leaving a religious or political belief and leaving a religion or a political party.” Per the Cambridge dictionary.

But this is not how the Bible see it. The Bible says this:

Hebrews 10:26-29 – Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

The implication here is that those that continue to place their sin first in their life. Not only continue to live in this sin are exposed to a worse punishment when they stand before God on the day of the Great White Throne Judgment. But they continue to live their lives as if they are still under the grace of salvation.

A prime example of this was brought to my attention the other day.

A friend of my wife said that her and a friend were going to go to church, which my wife said was an excellent idea. My wife when relating this conversation to me mentioned that her friend’s friend was very happily a homosexual and had no intention of changing his life choice in this regard. Yet to condense Romans chapter 1 especially verses 24 through 32. Says that God turned his back upon those that worshipped God’s creation instead of God and so the people turned to the sin of same sex relationships.

It is shown as a sin in 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Jude 1:7; Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13.

Yet many, especially in today’s world insist that this is fine to live this life choice. Now let me make this clear now. If this is how you wish to live your life. Fine do so. However, when taking all the references I have included here. Does this make you right with God?

Now taking the verses mentioned before into consideration The Bible shows that this life choice is not the best for allowing a person to stand before God. In fact, you are most likely making it worse for yourself. Especially if you say you are Christian. As is made noticeably clear in Revelation 3:15-16.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” 

God would rather you live in this life choice denying God. For it is worse in His sight that you live in this sin and then say you are “Christian.”

God makes it clear that this lifestyle choice does end when you truly accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 6:11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

“Some of you were once like that.”

Does this mean it will be easy and without suffering? No.

Why is living the life of the lukewarm, the apostate, worse than living in the same sin denying Christ?

Let us revisit Hebrews 10:29, which we read a bit ago.

Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

Now let’s look at Luke 12:10

Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

This is seen again in Mathew 12:31-32

“So I tell you, every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which will never be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come. 

Therefore living in sin, which a person sees as greater than God, His Son and the Holy Spirit, which has been given unto those who asked for salvation.

When someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

They are given a part of God to live within them.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 – Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Those who are saved. Makes their body become the holy of holies when being filled with the Holy Ghost. Being filled with the earthly representative of God Himself. When a person places their sin above all else. That is their god. When they say: “I must live in this sin, for it is where my heart is.” That is their god.

This breaks the first of the Ten Commandments. To place no other god before the Lord God Almighty. This breaks the greatest commandment. To love God with all your heart mind, and soul.

This is blasphemy, and so is the unforgivable sin.

This is the line that should never be crossed, but millions cross it daily. They cross it in this blind belief that they are one with God. When it has just been shown is totally and completely the opposite. So, opposite that is the seen as unforgivable.

So how can this be fixed?

First and foremost, the person living in sin needs to come to the realization. That their current god is not the true God. They need to show real unadulterated remorse.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 – I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. 9 Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways. It was the kind of sorrow God wants his people to have, so you were not harmed by us in any way. 10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 11 Just see what this godly sorrow produced in you! Such earnestness, such concern to clear yourselves, such indignation, such alarm, such longing to see me, such zeal, and such a readiness to punish wrong. You showed that you have done everything necessary to make things right. 

This true remorse will change a person. In many cases there will be emotional pain. Most likely a lot of tears and heartache as well. As for my example I gave earlier. At the least those that truly repent. There will be a desire to abstain or enter into celibacy. At the most you will move into a heterosexual relationship, bound in marriage with mutual respect, desire and love.

True repentance means that the god that a person worships. No matter what it is becomes something that makes them sick and upset to even think of worshipping ever again. Their new god becomes the true God through the blood shed by His Son our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Their former god is no longer welcome in their life. Their new desire is to seek to please God. Being filled with the Holy Ghost and being baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Their old desires, their old life is left behind and they begin to seek to find out who they have become. They do this by painstakingly studying the Bible and learning how to live a truly Christian lifestyle.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #35 (A look at the Rapture)


Intro

Welcome again to another podcast. This is 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. As well as Pandora, Spotify and PlayerFM.

Discussion

In the past few months I have been listening to God as I haven’t done in a long time. This is not His fault, it is mine. It is always mine. That is how it is. The human falters, God never does. This is what I have been trying to get across to those that take the time to listen and read to understand. I am but a servant to our Creator. I am a tool being used by the Holy Spirit. To relay unto those out there that have had the urge come over them, to not turn away from what they are now hearing or reading.

The first rapture is approaching.

Time is running out.

The time of being selfish must end.

Remember the greatest commandment.

To love God with ALL your heart, ALL your mind and ALL your soul. (Matthew 22:37;Luke 10:27; Deuteronomy 6:4-7)

I can feel the Holy Spirit touching me as I write these words unto you the ones listening or reading.

The last gathering is coming, and to some it will be painful. But to others it will be like something joyous as they have never felt before.

There are tough times between here and that day when we are gathered up into the sky to meet our Savior face to face. There may be years between here and the time this is first shown to the public. But it will not be decades, or centuries as it has been for those before us.

Israel is a nation and His return is near, and none can stand in the way of Him who created all.

What I just read to you was a message I was given to convey unto those that are now listening to this message. Today we will look into the rapture.

Now you will note in what I said in the message that the “first rapture is approaching.”

There has been a great debate throughout the centuries as to how and when THE rapture would occur. This caused terms like “pretribulation rapture,” “midtribulation rapture,” “posttribulation rapture,” “partial rapture” and “pre-wrath rapture.” To come into existence.

If you have been listening to my previous podcasts like that upon the Olivet Discourse and the Daniel Dilemma. You know I have recommended the John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries. As a matter of fact I still do. Dr. Walvoord insights into prophecy and his presentation of them have been very enlightening and I feel very accurate. However, he had a flaw that was projected into these works. He has a very Baptist point of view which has placed a blind spot into his interpretations. This blind spot has led him to totally disqualify one of the possible types of events of how the rapture could occur. That being “partial rapture.”

If you have been listening to my podcast you will know that my calling has been to instruct through teaching those that are called the “lukewarm.”  These people are real and have turned away from their Savior Jesus Christ. This is counter to the teachings of the Baptist church. The Baptist church insists that once you are saved you are always saved. Yet as I have taught and again shown throughout all my teachings, especially the first four podcast entitled “Who are the ‘lukewarm?’” I have established within the Bible and usually directly form the words of Jesus Christ Himself that the man-made doctrine of once-saved always saved is blinding many and causing them to in many cases to be the “lukewarm.”

But to get back on track.

Dr. Walvoord totally dismissed the idea of the rapture being a “partial rapture.” Because he could not accept that there are those that are living a lukewarm life. Yet if you take in particular the parable of the ten virgins which begins at verse 1 of Matthew 25, from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. You will see, as I covered in detail in an earlier podcast that half of the virgins are left out of the wedding supper. Which occurs in heaven during the first part of the tribulation.

Now how the theory of the partial rapture is explained is that those that have been the vigilant virgins will be accepted into the wedding feast at the pretribulation point. This will leave the foolish virgins behind as well as those that didn’t accept Jesus Christ or even God as real or their Savior.

It is here that the tribulation begins, because all will see that God is real and so is Jesus Christ. It is here that those that are against God will strive to take credit for the first rapture and subvert it from His glory.  Many will accept the lie. However, those within the lukewarm will awaken to the errors of their ways and turn wholeheartedly to their Savior the Son of God, Jesus Christ. They will preach the Word openly and accept the fate that is required of them, which is martyrdom.

What many try to avoid when they don’t keep the Bible in context is how it verifies itself. Many times people mention the uncountable mass of people that stand before the Throne of God at the midpoint of the tribulation. However, they never continue on to where John is asks who are these people. So let us look at these verses in the full context.

Revelation 7:9-14 – After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar,

“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. 12 They sang,

“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

13 Then one of the twenty-four elders asked me, “Who are these who are clothed in white? Where did they come from?”

14And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.”

Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.

So it is the lukewarm that did not heed the call to be diligent that are left to start to minister, after they repented. In the first three and half years of the tribulation it is those that listen that are added to the fold of Salvation and then die in the name of Jesus Christ.

So these that are the billions of people that are standing before God at the midpoint of the tribulation are the next part of the partial rapture theory. Or as I see it the second rapture.

Yet in Daniel there is mention of another rapture, and this rapture does not include any Christians. For it is made clear in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2, that the antichrist will remain hidden even though working in the background until one thing is removed:

7 For the mystery of lawlessness (that hidden principle of rebellion against constituted authority) is already at work in the world, [but it is] restrained only until he who restrains is taken out of the way.

“He who restrains is taken out of the way.” Is speaking of the Holy Ghost. If people are saved DURING the tribulation as is shown in the verses of Revelation. The Holy Spirit MUST be present to accomplish this. So once the last person to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior is killed then the midtribulation rapture occurs. It is here that the desecration of the third temple occurs.

So let us digress a bit because it is clearly established that when the first rapture occurs Jesus will come like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2 – For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

Matthew 24:37-39 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

How did the people in Noah’s time act?

Genesis 6:5-6 – The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.

So not only will people be living their lives as if nothing is going to happen. They will be wicked and causing nothing but evil to occur, and it will be midnight for the world of humanity, for in darkness is where evil lives.

Matthew 25:6 – “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’”

Acts 26:17-18 – “And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’”

So the first rapture singles the beginning of the tribulation. The second rapture removes the Holy Spirt from the world and allows the antichrist his freedom to act. As was shown earlier in 2 Thessalonians 2.

So the third rapture is for who?

Daniel 12:1-3 – 1“At that time Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued. 2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. 3 Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever.

This rapture is reserved for the children of Israel. For no Christian will be left once the antichrist is fully allowed to reveal himself. It is during this time that the two witnesses shall walk the earth, and the sealed 144,000 Jews will witness unharmed the events of this time, the chosen of God. The fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.

Ponder and think upon what you have heard today, and pray upon it as well.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #31 (How should a Christian respond to how the government acts)


How should a Christian respond to how the government acts

Intro

Welcome again to another study of the Bible and I am 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.

This lesson has three parts to it.

The first is how we as Christians are to know why certain rulers come into being, and what we as Christians are to do when it comes to those in power. The Second part is what the Bible says about how we as Christians will be treated when Christ is soon to return. And lastly what has been said in recent weeks by those in places of power.

Discussion

Daniel 4:17 – For this has been decreed by the messengers; it is commanded by the holy ones, so that everyone may know that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world. He gives them to anyone he chooses— even to the lowliest of people.”

God give power to those He chooses. “Even to the lowliest of people.” Prime examples of the lowliest were Hitler and Stalin. Each of these men cause millions to die in concentration and re-education camps. For His goal is ultimately to bring all of humanity to recognize that He is in charge of all events.

This is made clear in Psalms 22:28:

“For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.”

So God places people in power and controls them. Even those that deny Him.

But why?

Let’s look at the most popular of the recent lowly leaders in history. That being Adolf Hitler. His actions not only resulted in the Second World War. It also resulted in 13 million people being killed in concentration camps. Within this 13 million were 6 million Jews. Those that are the promised children of God. This mass slaughter of the Jewish people made them to distrust all the people in all the nations they were living in throughout the world. They decided then and there to reform their nation. The only nation in the history of the world to cease to exist and then be reformed in 1948, which fulfills Ezekiel 36:24.

“For I will gather you up from all the nations and bring you home again to your land.”

In a large part, it was the actions of Hitler that broke the proverbial camel’s back and caused them to return to their promised lands and reform the nation of Israel once again.

This makes it clear that God places those in power He wishes to be in power, and none that calls themselves a Christian should question these events or who is placed into power. So those that opposed Donald Trump were in fact denying the will of God. As is made clear in the verses, which began this lesson, which I have placed as examples. This goes for Biden and Harris as well, if that is what happens. It is not for humans to judge them but for God to do so. How they wish to live their eternity is their problems not ours.

So were these that opposed these people justified to do so? Is now the question we need to address, and so moves us into the second part of this study.

Tutus 3:1 – Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.

Romans 13:1 – Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

So Christians are to obey those that are placed into power. And follow all the laws of the land. Like for example following the speed limit. To not rising up in rebellion against a corrupt power that wishes to subjugate and dominate, by imposing laws which takes away our freedoms. We work within the laws if they do not maintain the goodness that comes from the Bible.

Now admittedly this was not done in the late 1700 in the American colonies, but those in government were not maintaining goodness either. However, at that time not all the pieces were falling into place to fulfill certain prophecies. That is not the case at this time, which leads us into the third part of this study. Now as was covered in the series, which we finished last week about the Olivet Discourse, this is what Jesus Christ stated to look out for when His time of return would be near.

Wars and rumor of wars, false prophets, Races will fight other races and as a result nations will go to war with nations. Famine will take place, which is being caused by the COVID issue, and earthquakes will become more numerous. But this is only the first part. (Matthew 24:4-8)

The next part is something that needs to be noted, in particular verse 9

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”

Within the last few weeks things have been said. Actions have been taken. Now there is evidence that ground work has been laid out in the past to address issues like this. But I have nothing solid to offer here to support that so I will not continue in this line of commentary. However, what has been established I will.

Since the election a theme has started to be seen. The making of a list to separate those that did not fall in line with the dictates of those that see themselves as your betters. If you are a follower of Christ this should not come as a surprise to you. I have been making this clear if you have been listening to my podcasts or reading my blog posts. However, you shouldn’t need to hear or read it from me. As I stated before, you would already be aware of this if you truly are a believer of Jesus Christ as our Savior.

The second division has occurred between the sheep and the goats.

The next division is being made by those that wish to dominate and control. This practice has been done before. It was done during the French Revolution, which I see as the very first Socialist revolution. Which resulted in Napoleon coming to power as the dictator of France and the wars that followed, in which he sought to have world domination.

These lists were made in the 1910s as the communist came to power in what would become the U.S.S.R. due to their revolution. Where again the ultimate goal was global domination.

These lists were also made in the 1930s by National Socialist Workers Party as they came to dominance in Germany. Where once again the goal was to have the world under the thumb of the Third Riche. This list also ended up with the other 7 million of the 13 million mentioned before. This other seven included those that the people in power did not see as worthy. They included Gypsies, actors, scholars, scientist, musicians and Christians.

Again these lists were made in the 1950s and 60s as the followers of Mao purged those that disagreed with them from China. Where their goal is still that of global domination, for the followers of Mao still have the reigns of that nation. At this time they have lists which are used to removed Muslims and Christians and those seeking freedom to live as they chose.

Do not think the threat of a list is just idle talk that will amount to nothing. What is different between those times and today is that this is not just happening in one nation. It is something that is spreading out globally. The last place to truly experience this, is what use to be the last stronghold of God. The United States. Now the list has arrived, so it is time for this to be fulfilled:

Matthew 24:9 – “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”

You will see the great apostasy come to fulfillment. Many that call themselves followers of God will turn upon their fellows and betray them. They will still go to the buildings called “churches,” and they will continue to live the religious lifestyle. Believing they are one with God. However, they have in reality turned their backs upon Him. Wishing to live in their comfort and luxuries they have gathered to themselves here on earth instead of the treasures they should have sought after in Heaven.

Deuteronomy 8:11-20 – “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. 15 Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock! 16 He fed you with manna in the wilderness, a food unknown to your ancestors. He did this to humble you and test you for your own good. 17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

19“But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. 20 Just as the Lord has destroyed other nations in your path, you also will be destroyed if you refuse to obey the Lord your God.”

God also made a covenant with Christianity when He made the United States, remember that.

God will destroy nations that turn their backs upon Him. He did it to Israel, but as mentioned before He also promised to reform their nation and it is here today. So, God’s word is true and faithful. So we need to listen and learn, and be ready for the lists that are coming, or already are here.

Remember when it comes not to fight it, but embrace it.

Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

For we are blessed as is shown in Matthew 5:11

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.”

Embrace the pain. Embrace the torture. Embrace the beatings, and embrace the death.

For we will be blessed and called martyrs for our Savior Jesus Christ.

John 14:1-4 – “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #24 (The Sin God dislikes the Most)


intro

Welcome to another podcast this is Dreamwalker1960. I would like to suggest that you click on the “follow” button on which ever platform you are listening to this broadcast on.

Discussion

As I have established in past podcasts. I have been tasked by God to try and reach out to those that are lukewarm. Most that fall into this category don’t even know that they are, which is one of the problems I have to face in trying to cause these that fall into this group to awaken to the truth before they find themselves still here upon this earth after the first Rapture.

The lukewarm are a reality. I did not say this, the Glorified Jesus Christ says this. All my podcasts have been aimed to try and help those that fall into this group. I am being led by the Holy Spirit in what I write about and what you hear or read. Depending upon which form you partake of this message. I have been called to reprove, rebuke and exhort per 2 Timothy 4:2, just like all others that call themselves truly “Christian.” That is why I go to such effort to spell out the teaching within the Bible which point out that to not be lukewarm we must be fully active in our faith in our salvation through Jesus Christ

Too many have a false impressions upon the Truth. Which led them to first enter into the realm of the lukewarm that in turn leads them in many cases even farther away from God into the realm of the religious.

Now here I will have lost some of you. Because many have a true misunderstanding of faith and religion. They think they are one and the same. Well they aren’t.

I encountered a meme the other day in which it stated that people turned away from God because they had a bad encounters with religious people. The close of the meme was that Christ had a bad encounter as well… they crucified Him.

Now do you start to understand?

The sin that God dislikes the most is hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy – G5272 – hupokrisis – acting under a feigned part; that is (figuratively) deceit

  1. Feigned – pretended, sham, counterfeit
  2. Sham – that is not what it purports to be, a spurious imitation, fraud or hoax

This is what he called the religious leaders of the Jewish people to their face. It is they that had turned the temple in a den of thieves. For they were the thieves. It is this behavior that has been a factor in me not attending the buildings called “churches.” For I encounter more that live a religious lifestyle than I see living a righteous life.

This is something that is mentioned within the Bible.

James 2:2-4 – For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Let’s key in on verse 4. Here it is in the KJV.

Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

Partial – G1252 – diakrino – to separate thoroughly that is (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from or (by implication) oppose, figuratively to discriminate (by implication decide) [Strong’s]

Evil – G4190 – poneros – hurtful i.e. evil (properly in effect or influence)

Now how did the religious leaders behave toward Jesus Christ?

They didn’t like Him. They were jealous of His affect upon the people. He welcomed those that they turned away. He challenged their behavior to the point of Christ becoming angry when it came to the selling of offerings inside the Temple. As well as exchanging monies for those that came to Jerusalem form outside of Israel for fees that were most likely exorbitant and were a hindrance upon those that were in need to exchange their currency just so they could worship God in the Temple made for Him and the Arch of the Covenant.

This behavior can be seen throughout many of the buildings that are called “churches” today. Their focus is upon the world and filling the pews to gain income to live in expensive homes instead of someplace modest and unassuming. As well as giving most of the money that comes into their care to those in need. Instead it goes into their pockets.

While many that attend have the same focus and seek to have wealth here upon the earth and to live in luxury and splendor. This is not a righteous life but a worldly life. Thus, entering them into the realm of the lukewarm and then finally in the realm of the religious hypocrite.

Those that are religious are hypocrites. This has not changed in thousands of years.

What has changed is that people are unaware of this in many cases. Having come from generations living this same lifestyle and never questioning if it was right since it was counter to how we are told to live our lives within the Bible. May think they are right with God when in reality they have forgotten Him.

One of the many things that the religious leaders did in the time of Christ, was to go through the motions of belief thus leaving belief behind. In one instant Christ mentions the priest that stands upon the corner shouting out his prayers and going through ritualistic behavior. (Matthew 6:5)

That is how many go through life now. They are getting their rewards here and now. Not in heaven where we are told to store up our treasures. They are living their comfort and luxurious life in the here and now. This live, that at the most, lasts just over one hundred years. Before the flood a human could live hundreds of years. We are promised by God to live billions of years.

However, people would rather live gloriously in a mere hundred. Then to live a wondrous life without boundaries for billions upon billions of years.

Jesus walked amongst us. Jesus went head to head with those that lorded their positions over the common people.

Matthew 20:25 – But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them.

“Rulers in this world”

So, they were the world. They were the leaders of the Jewish synagogue, the Jewish Temple. Yet they were the world. They were the very definition of hypocrisy. Does this start to sink in? That there are those within the church building communities that live a religious life. Nowhere near God.

2 Timothy 3:5 – They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

“Stay away from people like that!”

For nearly two thousand years many blamed the Israelites for the death of Jesus Christ. They caused them to be persecuted, imprisoned, killed and hounded throughout the centuries. But in reality it wasn’t the Jews, but the members of the Sanhedrin that killed Him. It was the hypocrites that killed Him. It was the religious that killed Him.

Those that are religious go about acting like they are righteous when in reality they are something that is worthy of being spit out from the body of Christ. Many that are religious live openly in lives of sin. Parading like they are right with the Lord. When in truth they are not even welcome at the gates to heaven.

This is not me saying this. This is Jesus Christ saying this. For as I mentioned earlier if you are seeking to have a righteous life. Yet, you are walking into a life that is neither hot nor cold toward Jesus. You are lukewarm. Once you are fully entrenched into this life. Christ will spit you out of the Body. Where you will become fully religious living a life of hypocrisy, and no longer welcome in heaven.

Revelation 3:15-16 – “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

The Glorified Jesus Christ goes on to give those that live this lukewarm life a chance to redeem themselves. For God will never abandons us. He will always give us an opportunity to turn away from the life of a hypocrite and return to Him. For it is fully up to each individual to address their own lives. To either turn toward the darkness of sin, making that sin their master and focal point. Or toward the light of salvation through Jesus Christ. To truly seek out a righteous life void of sin as best can be accomplished within these corrupt bodies we live within.

Revelation 3:17-19 – You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. 19 I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.

Gold purified by fire is gold that is not of this world, but part of our enteral treasure that is stored for us in the life that will be lived for billions of years, not in heaven but here on earth or where ever God sends us in His service. The fire is trials and tribulations that come from turning away from sins that are now that which you love the most. Which, may include turning away from some other human being that you share this sin with, and will devastate you emotionally. But to acquire this gold this sacrifice must be made.

White garments, made so by being truly bathed in the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. Washing the sins away from us as we repent of our sins. Pleading and even begging of God to forgive us every single day of our lives until we are called into the holding place that is called Heaven.

The ointment of being filled with the Holy Spirit and being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior. Which in turn will wash away the scales form our eyes and allow us to see the real truth. To be able to see what is righteous and what is evil. Allowing us to turn away from that which will lead us to our destruction in the life of the lukewarm.

And remember it is better to have turmoil in our lives for that means that God is seeking to correct and discipline us, for God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ loves us. So desire to seek after a righteous life with Jesus as your King.

Revelation 3:20-22 – “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. 21 Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.

22 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

God Bless.

Blog for Podcast #23 (The Daily Tug of War)


Intro

Welcome again to another Bible Study with me Dreamwalker1960

Discussion

In the last few weeks I have been a bit rough in my messaging. I do not deny or regret this. As I stated the evidence is stacking up which points to the return of Jesus Christ and that the turmoil that will occur during the Tribulation. I have been led to Galatians 5 and the exhortation to allow yourself to be led by the Holy Ghost. This is how you allow yourself to turn away from the life within the lukewarm to retuning to be a fruitful part of the Holy Vine, which is Jesus Christ.  So let us start to look into these verses.

Verses 16-17 – So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

First and foremost we see here that our humanity is at conflict with that which is holy. Even after being filed with the Holy Ghost. This once again confirms that we have an active part in our relationship with God in our salvation. But let us break this verses down even further as we look first into the KJV and then into the Greek.

Verse 16 – This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Walk – G4043 – peripateo – to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability): figuratively to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary) [Strong’s]

  1. Deport – to behave or conduct (oneself) in a specified way
  2. Votary – a person who has made a promise to serve a particular religion or god

Ye shall not – G3364 – ou me – a double negative strengthening the denial: not at all

Fulfil – G5055 – teleo – to end, i.e. complete, execute, conclude, discharge (a debt) [Strong’s]

The lust – G1939 – epithymia – a longing (especially for what is forbidden) [Strong’s]

Of the flesh – G4561 – sarx – flesh (as striped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by Implication) human nature (with its frailties [physical or moral] and passions) or (specially) a human being (as such)

This is my version of this verse:

I say to those that have promised themselves to the Holy Spirit. You shall not allow yourselves to enter into your human longings of that which is forbidden.

Verse 17 – For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Lusteth – G1937 – epithymeo – to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise) [Strong’s]

Contrary – G480 – antikeimai – to lie opposite. i.e. be adverse (figuratively repugnant) to [Strong’s]

  1. Repugnant – Extremely distasteful; unacceptable

This verse shows the internal conflict that we all experience daily. Fortifying that we are to strive toward that which is holy over the wants and desires of our human nature. It also shows that we do have a corrupt body even after being filled with the Holy Spirit. This results in the need to be ever aware of our own weaknesses. To struggle through these lust and desires by turning our eyes toward the one who died upon the cross for us. So we would not have to suffer like He did but for all eternity in the pit of fire.

Verse 18 – But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the Law of Moses.

Now let’s see what the KJV and the Greek says for this verse.

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

Ye be led – G71 – ago – properly to lead, by implication to bring drive (reflexively) go (specifically) pass (time) or (figuratively) induce

a)      Induce – to persuade someone to do something

My version: If you are led by the Holy Ghost you are not under the law given to Moses.

In the next verses we are shown the rotten fruit that is born when you allow our corruptible to be our master:

Verse 19 – When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,

So let’s look at each of these sins that we can still fall into if we do not allow ourselves to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Due to time restrictions I will not go into full detail of these sins. However, you can read the full breakdown at dreamwalker1960.com for the blog of this podcast #23.

We will use the KJV for this list:

1)       Adultery – G3430 – moicheia – sex between a married man or a woman that is not who they are married to.

2)    * Fornication – G4202 – porneia – harlotry (including adultery and incest) figuratively idolatry – sex between people not married to each other.

a)      Harlotry – prostitution

3)       Uncleanness – G167 –akatharsia – impurity (the quality) physically or morally

a)      Impurity – impure – containing something unclean, ritually unclean

b)      Unclean – morally wrong

4)    * Lasciviousness – G766 – aselgeia – licentiousness (sometimes including other vices)

a)      Licentiousness – Behavior that is sexual, in a way that is uncontrolled and socially unacceptable

The list continues in verse 20

“Idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,”

We will still go through the KJV of this list:

5)      Idolatry – G1495 – eidololatrria – image worship (literally or figuratively)

6)      Witchcraft – G5331 – pharmakeia – medication (pharmacy) that is (by extension) magic (literal or figurative) sorcery

a)      Sorcery – a type of magic in which spirits, especially evil ones, are used to make things happen

7)       Hatred – G2189 – echthra – hostility, by implication a reason for opposition, enmity)

a)      Enmity – a feeling of hate

8)    * Variance – G2054 – eris – of uncertain affinity, a quarrel that is (by implication) wrangling: contention debate strife

a)      Wrangling – wrangle – an argument, especially one that continues for a long time

9)    * Emulation – G2205 – zelos – properly heat that is (figuratively) zeal (in favorable sense ardor, in unfavorable one jealousy as of a husband [figuratively of God] or an enemy malice)

10)   Wrath – G2372 – thumos – passion (as if breathing hard)

11)  * Strife – G2052 – eritheia – properly intrigue that is (by implication) faction

a)      Faction – a group within a large group, especially one with slightly different ideas from the main group

12)   Seditions – G1370 – dichostasia – disunion that is (figuratively) dissension

a)      Dissension – arguments and disagreement, especially in an organization, group, political party

13)   Heresies – G139 – hairesis – properly a choice that is (specifically) a party or (abstractly) disunion

the list continues into verse 21

“envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

14) * Envyings – G5355 – phthonos – ill will (as detraction) that is jealousy (spite)

a)      Spite – a desire to hurt, annoy, or offend someone

15)   Murders – G5408 – phonos – (to slay)

16)   Drunkenness – G3178 – methe – an intoxicant that is (by implication) intoxication

17)    Revellings – G2970 – komos – a carousal (as if a letting loose)

The implication here, when joined with verse 16, is that we are still able to fall into these sins one again and we should diligently turn away from them. For as is made clear at the conclusion of this verse is that those that do these sins will not make it into heaven.

I must also note a trend that I have noted throughout the books of the New Testament that do list sins showing various other sins. This is due to different sins affecting the different cities to which these individual letters were sent to.

People have used the fact that these sins are not all exactly the same sins as those shown in other books within the Bible. So they use this as to say there is a flaw in the message within the Bible. That is not the case, as I noted a bit ago. Each group is being addressed for their particular sins that are afflicting these servants of God in each of these locations throughout the region between and including Israel and Rome.

What is the important take away from this list of sin aren’t the sins. But what is being asked for all of us that have the Holy Spirit within us. It is to know and realize that we are still vulnerable to sin as long as we live within this earthly realm. So when we find ourselves lacking in self-control and stumble over sins like those listed here and elsewhere in the Bible. Is that we strive to note that we are slipping and do our best with the help of God through prayer that we stop indulging in any and all things that are considered sinful in the eyes of God.

I reiterate that it is made clear as to why we are to seek to have the self-control to end sin. For those that live in sin will not be welcome in Heaven.

As prove of this we are given a list of the fruits of the Holy Ghost:

Verses 22 – 23 -But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Again we are exhorted to live in the Holy Spirit whose fruit we just read about. If we do not see these more in our lives than we see the sins. Then we need to do some self-reflection.

This chapter ends adding three more sins. These are those sins as shown in the KJV:

Desirous of vain glory, provoking one another and being envious of one another.

*Desirous of vain glory – G2755 – kenodoxos – self-conceited

  1. Self-conceited – having an excessive sense of one’s own importance, abilities, and value

*Provoking – G4292 – prolaleomai – to call forth to oneself (challenge), i.e. (by implication) to irritate

  1. Irritate – to make someone angry or annoyed

*Envying – G5354 – phthoneo – to be jealous of

Now these last three sins that are shown are very telling when you look out into the world we now live in. Many people have an attitude of self-importance. Many are jealous of what others have and so they seek after it, to the point of irritation or worse. That is something we all must individually think upon and even pray upon in many cases.

However, let us end today’s message with what that is within us if we are filled with the Holy Ghost.

Love not only for our fellow Christians but for all of humanity. Happiness with what we have and who is in our lives. Peace in our hearts, which results in no anger towards others. Patience to not allow ourselves to become angry or envious, but to approach those that are this way in a way that disarms them and opens their hearts to the Truth. Kindness to those in need of comfort. Goodness in every aspect of our lives. Faithfulness not only to God but to those that we ask to apart of our lives. Which allows us to be gentle to all. And above all is the ability to have control over our own bodies and not be tempted by or into sin.

God Bless

  • *- indicates I went into detail with these definitions in the podcast

Blog for Podcast #21 (The Bitter Pill)


Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960.

This is a fair warning. Today’s message is going to make many of those who listen uncomfortable, upset and even angry. I challenge those that get this way to stick through to the end.

Discussion

Proverbs 13:24 – He who spares his rod [of discipline] hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines diligently and punishes him early. (Amplified Bible classic)

I started this message with this Bible verse for a reason. Many are raising their children today without spanking them. As a result they become spoiled, selfish, arrogant and self-serving. However, this is not just about how a child is raised. This is about how the Bible is being taught to those that come into the buildings called “churches.”

Many go into these buildings and they are given a sugarcoated image of salvation. They are given teachings that make them happy and joyous. Then people on the dais say come down and kneel down here and ask Jesus into your heart and into your life. So they do come down and ask Jesus Christ into their hearts. Not realizing that they were just given a participation trophy.

What is worse of all is that Jesus does come into their lives. Jesus never turns His back upon any who ask for Him to come into their lives. Then people falter and fall away. People say, “Well then they were never truly saved.”

Those that say this, just called God a liar. God through His Son who died upon the cross for all never turns His back on any who ask for Him to come into their lives. So God and Jesus Christ are there for any and all. If they come to Him with a sincere heart He will answer and be there for them.

What is at fault is the sugarcoating. This sugarcoating coating is described in one major Christian sect as “once saved always saved.”

Now I wish to make this perfectly clear. Jesus Christ died for all humanity upon the cross. Christ suffered the whip which tore His skin to shreds and destroyed His muscles to the point that His ribcage was exposed. He bore all of this for all of us, even those that will never accept Him.

The ones that hurt Christ and His Father the most though are those that accept Him and then go about their lives as if Christ is not a part of it.

1 Corinthians 6:19 -20 – Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

A Few weeks back I had an encounter on my Facebook page, which I have established for this podcast. In this exchange the person showed that he only believed in the manmade doctrine of “once saved always saved.” He assumed that I did not read several verses that he offered up to show that this doctrine was the true way into heaven. I countered with the words of Jesus Christ Himself from John 15 verses 1-6.

He laughed at the words of Christ.

He laughed at God.

I often wondered why the Glorified Christ would spit out the lukewarm of Revelation 3:16. To be spit out gives a strong meaning as if it is so distasteful you almost feel like vomiting, so you spit it out as quickly as possible. I no longer speculate as to why anymore.

Why am I so harsh?

Because we are in the end times. We are in the last days and Christ is soon to return. There is no time for sugarcoating. It is time to take the bitter pill and swallow or perish.

Matthew 25:1 – 12 – “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids (or virgins) who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’ 7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ 9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’”

The “Kingdom of Heaven” is those that have asked Jesus Christ to become their Savior. Christ due to His love for all of humanity accepts them. So those that accept Him become a part of the Bride which is the true church. They are washed clean and become as virgins to sin.

The oil is the Holy Spirit. We can only keep the Holy Spirit within us is if we honor our body which is a vessel for the Holy Ghost, as mentioned before. We can only honor it by keeping it clean. Free of sin thus a virgin.

Time and again we are told within the Bible to honor God, to not sin, to have self-control. All the letters that form the New Testament say this in some form or another after the book of Acts.

These letter are the instruction manuals for those that have turned their bodies into the property of God. They are the ways we are to treat that which belongs to God, who is the Holy of Holies. We are the vessel of the Holy Spirit.

Do you grasp the meaning of that?

Our bodies which are called corruptible. Have been turned into a holding tank for something that is incorruptible. However we are told we cannot be given an incorruptible body until we are called into the heavens to be with Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:53 – For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

If we are corruptible, which means immoral. How can we contain something that is moral, something that is pure, and something that is holy?

We are tasked through the New Testament to seek after holiness, also known as righteousness. We are told to gain self-control. We are instructed to turn away from sin.

Those that embrace the belief of “once saved always saved,” do not seek after self-control. They say:  “I am good to go. I can do as I please because I have Jesus Christ in me.”

They believe they can curse and live in sin. They think they can live their lives as they deem is right. Never considering the will and desires of their Creator. Defiling the Holy Spirit within them.

1 Corinthians 3:16 -17 – Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

Since we are corruptible. We must make an active effort to keep our temple clean and pure so it can hold the Holy Ghost within it. That is why when the foolish bridesmaids ask for the wise ones to share their oil. The wise ones reply there is only enough for themselves. For their filling of the Holy Ghost is exclusive to themselves and not to others. You cannot surrender unto others what is given unto you by God.

Now there will be those that challenge what I have said here. There will be those that again say that these people were not saved in the first place.  There will be other that say and will still insist that they are saved and welcome to come into heaven. I am a servant to God. These are not my words. I am merely a messenger. A tool being manipulated by the Holy Ghost.

The implication within the parable of the ten virgins. Is that half of those that call themselves “Christian.” Those that belief they live a Christian life. Will find themselves still here upon the earth, when the trumpet blows calling the rest into the sky to meet Jesus Christ.

At the end of the parable Jesus say “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”

This is said by Christ earlier in Matthew.

Chapter 7 Verses 21 – 23 – Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

They prophesied, they cast out devils and they did wonderful works. (Mark 16:18; John 14:11-13) None of this is doable without the Holy Spirit being within the corruptible. Yet they allowed that which is corruptible to dominate and control, to diminish and extinguish that which is holy. As a result Christ denies them entry into heaven at the rapture saying “I know you not.” Or as shown here in chapter seven:  “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Their oil is lacking. Their lamp has burned out. The Holy Ghost has left, because it cannot be in that which is sullied. The branch is broken off of the Vine that is Jesus Christ and is cast into the fire.

They were saved, they were a part of the Vine. You cannot be of the Vine if you are not saved.

John 15:4 – 6 – 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.

We are called to action here. We are tasked to keep Christ within us. We ae told to live a righteous life. To keep ourselves free of sin. For when we embrace sin we allow ourselves to wither become useless to Jesus Christ. So as is stated earlier in John 15 God Himself removes us from our salvation which is found within the Vine which is Jesus Christ.

So there is no such thing as “once saved always saved.” For as is shown in verse 6 those that do not remain within a righteous live is removed from Jesus Christ. As is shown in the KJV they are gathered up by men, otherwise known as the world. So they return to where they came from. The world of sin, which leads to the fire where they are burnt.

2 Peter 2:20 -22 – 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. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast # 19 (Forced Righteousness)


Intro
Welcome again to another study of the Bible. I am Dreamwalker1960.
Today’s podcast will be longer than usual, but the message that is within it is very important to hear. So let’s get into it.
Discussion
Today I wish to talk about something people have not heard described in this fashion. It is “forced righteousness.”
What is “forced righteousness?”
It is what most people have experienced in going to the buildings called “churches.” Especially those raised in a religious household. Please note I am using wording like “religious.”
This is one of the biggest problems with the relationship between God and humanity that is causing the creation of what is called the “lukewarm church,” or more appropriately the “apostate church.” Which explains why we are in the era of the lukewarm as defined in the letters to the seven churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.
Let us define the word “apostate” so we can have a clear understanding of where I am going within today’s Bible study.
Apostate or apostasy is an act of refusing to continue to follow obey or recognize a religious faith per Merriam-Webster.
But what can cause this to take place?
The answer: Forced righteousness.
Forced righteousness occurs most commonly from the children of a religious household as I mentioned before.
Now again I say “religious.”
Why is this?
Being religious is an act of going through the motions and behavior associated with a religion. This religion can be of any type. From Buddhist, to Muslim, to Shinto, to Jewish, to Christian. A prime example can be seen in one of the oldest Christian based sects, the Catholic Church. Here we see ceremonies, rituals and actions that are repeated time and again. Now don’t get me wrong. There have been some great people that are truly Christian that have come from within the Catholic Church. It is the religiousness that is the issue, not the faith.
It is the religiosity of a religion that is causing forced righteousness.
People fall into a routine. Just going through the motions. Then they have children in most cases. These children are taken to church and indoctrinated to the rituals. Yet no one in most cases truly explains to them the reason why this is being done. They assume they will just come to know why they are going to church. Which is the act that Jesus Christ did for all that Passover day just under two thousand years ago. So, they slowly, due to being forced into a righteous existence, rebel against it, because they really don’t truly understand.
This is why it is so important when choosing a religious leader. If their children rebel and misbehave the Bible states this religious leader must be replaced if their rebellion can be traced back to this leader. Yet I hear of stories where this rarely if ever happens in today’s age. Why must they be replaced? Because if they are not teaching their children the true relationship between God and humanity, which in turn causes them to rebel against the religion. Then how can they be a good shepherd to a flock of church goers needing true guidance to God.
But back on the main topic.
Those that live in a religious household see how their parents live and act. They see the weakness of humanity. They see the sin that may enter into their homes, which creates doubt within the minds of these children. As they grow into adulthood, they question religion due to what they have witnessed firsthand from their role models.
The main issue is that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ is not something that can be addressed with religious behavior. It is a personal relationship with the Creator of all. However, how can they establish a relationship if all they have known, in their lives, is the rituals and motions of religiousness? Thus, when they are told that they must live a righteous life without sin. They have no true concept of how to truly live an active vibrant, yet righteous existence.
Why? Because no one truly explained to them about who God is. About who Jesus Christ is, and how He can affect their life and all of humanities lives by His willing sacrifice upon the cross.
All they know is forced righteousness.
They are told they must know this. They must do that. Never having anyone just sit down with them and explain why it is necessary why they are required to do these things.
They are not given the option or even the opportunity to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. Yes, they are told of Him. Yes, they are given opportunities to accept Him. But has someone set them down and truly explained to them the torment and anguish Jesus experienced the moment He was arrested till the moment He died upon the cross? Did they describe to them the destruction to His back the whip caused, which was a major reason He was unable to carry His cross out of Jerusalem?
Many don’t even understand that it is not rituals that form the relationship for as the Bible states rituals without faith is death as witnessed in Matthew 6:5-15. However, it also states that faith without works is death, as explained in James 2:14-26. It is a combination of works and faith, not one or the other.
Works done with the true Holy Spirit do not include rituals. They are actions of faith. Like helping those in need. Trying to explain how messed up and unnecessary religious rituals are that causes a forced righteousness is an example of a work in faith.
Communion and the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ are the only ceremonies given to us by Jesus Christ. So they are all that is required in the realm of rituals.
Due to a forced righteousness many go through life saying they are Christian. Living a life, they believe is righteous, and in some cases this may be so. Yet when you look into their lives you see it rampant with sin, or lacking a crucial element, a relationship with Jesus Christ. They believe they are saved when they have not even genuinely sought out their Savior. They are living in an apostate life without even knowing they are.
Living in religion doesn’t make you holy. None can make this boast even those that know their Savior and do strive to have a righteous life. For all mess up and sin at some point in their life. It is this element that makes it hard to establish if you are living a life formed from forced righteousness or a true relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Being indoctrinated into a religion, thus making someone go through the motions of a religious lifestyle does not a Christian make. It makes them religious but not truly righteous. For true righteousness comes from faith and faith comes from knowing the existence of God and the belief there in. For living a religious life is like living in the Law of Moses, which we no longer need to do.
Romans 3:21-26 – But now God has shown us a way to be made right with Him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding His blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for He was looking ahead and including them in what He would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He, Himself is fair and just, and He makes sinners right in His sight when they believe in and accept Jesus as their Savior.
It is this faith that is key to our ability to identify ourselves as “Christian.” Without this faith and in turn relationship with Jesus Christ and His Father our Creator a person cannot truly call themselves this title. Yet millions do call themselves this, yet they do not truly qualify for this designation. Because they lived their lives in a forced righteousness, thinking they are “Christian” when they are not truly so.
Is this fully their fault?
That is the dilemma. Each person has a different experience with their relationship or lack thereof with Jesus and His Father, God. For many that don’t have a relationship it goes back to having grown up in a household that professed to be religious. They grew to hate what they were seeing and being forced to do. So, they rebelled against this. Why? Because they perceived it to be authoritarian to some degree. In a religious environment that is very possible. However, that is not what is offered by Jesus Christ through believe in Him and His Father.
We are offered freedom. A freedom that was so crucial to people that a few hundred years ago hundreds then thousands fled the countries of their origin. To seek out a new world free of the doctrines and demands laid upon them by the churches and governments they left behind that were filled with forced righteousness. A freedom that was so important to them that when the parent nation they fled tried to impose restrictions upon them they revolted and started a new nation. A new nation with God’s ideals at the forefront. Ideals for this freedom, though not fully attainable for all at first, was their ultimate goal. For through their belief in God, again for the most part, is what inspired these people. Why?
Because they knew that for freedom to be achieved. There must be individual freedom to seek out God or not to seek out God, and not to be locked into a ridged system of rules and rituals. Which in time would become mandates and then laws.
However, due to forced righteousness this nation lost its way. Once causing a Civil War to occur to help return it to a course of freedom for all. Nevertheless, they never removed the forced righteousness, blinded by their own views and in some cases lusts and desire as well as greed. As a result, this mentality of not teaching their youth to seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and through Him His Father. This nation faulted and pulled further and further away from whom they sought to honor and worship in the first place. Now due to not setting down with their children and causing them to come to understand the truth and reality of what took place upon the cross, they are in turmoil.
Due to forced righteousness they allowed people to come to a place of power that did not seek it out of duty but out of lust. For the Bible states that those that wish to lead must have a servant’s heart. (Matthew 20:25-28) Instead many in places of responsibility are there to control and dominate. Their hearts and souls never truly seeking to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ His Son and our Savior for they are of the world and not of God.
Because of forced righteousness “they will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly…….. (2 Timothy 3:5)

God Bless

Blog for podcast #18 (When a myth is not a myth)


Intro
Welcome to another podcast as we try to come to an understanding of what is within the Bible. Once again this is Dreamwalker1960
Discussion
A myth occurs 150 years after an event was fact. That is what scholars say. A prime example has been seen in this realm very recently. There are those that say Abraham Lincoln was a racist. There are those that say he was a member of the Democrat Party. Both of these things are a myth. He was a member of the Republican Party and it was due to his efforts that slavery was ended. You cannot be a racist if you wish to have all people treated the same thus his desire to end slavery. As a result a Democrat named John Wilkes Booth shot him in the back of the head at close range.
Now why bring up this point about myths?
What causes them?
First and foremost. Those that were alive when the events occurred or when the person lived to counter the “myth,” are no longer around to dispute the fantasy made within it.
Again, why bring this up?
The first solid evidence of the letters that would become the New Testament date to around eighteen years after the crucifixion of Jesus upon the cross. Many people were still alive to verify or deny what is written within the first five gospels of the New Testament due to this fact.
None came forward to deny what is within them.
Archeologist have found and verified several of the locations mentioned in these books.
Historian have found written documentation of the existence of Jesus called Christ outside of the Bible. An example of this is the historian Josephus.
This adds up to saying that Jesus is not a myth, nor is what He did a myth. He did rise from the dead and was seen by many for up to forty days after His resurrection. The day of His resurrection He walked with two of His followers who didn’t even realize it was Him due to God’s design. (Mark 16:12; Luke 24:13-31)
Here is the challenge to us that live in this time of turmoil. A time that shows the fulfillment of prophecy given by Jesus as well as His disciples. We see about us that the behavior of people as described in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 are all about us. We see many about us saying that come in the name of Christ, but instead of teaching the Bible they tell you to seek after riches here in this life we now live. Which is opposite the teachings of Christ Himself who said to place our treasures in the realm that is beyond this life we now live. (Matthew 6:19-21)
It is in these times that Christ said he would spew from Him those that lived in both the world and in the church, known as the lukewarm.
So since Jesus Christ is not a myth, even though unseen at this time. Does this mean we can live our lives separate from what the Bible teaches? The answer is no.
We must turn away from the world and all that it offers and to seek after God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible teaches us how to live our lives. It tells us what is a sin and to leave all sin behind us.
If you cannot turn from what is called a sin yet parade about as if you are of the Bride. Than you are counted amongst the “lukewarm.”
Since we have an active role in where we stand or don’t with God. It is our duty if we truly profess to be Christian to end all sin in our lives. Sins that will in many cases cause us personal anguish. We will have to endure emotional pain, and we will cry. However we must endure this pain if we are to see the promised reward of enteral life.
A few years ago someone whom I call a friend, tried to tell me that the world is not black and white, but it is grey. Now you have to understand why I mention this. This person was the pastor of the church I was attending. To have the spiritual leader of a church say the world is grey is truly sad. It is also another reason I have a distrust of the buildings called “churches.”
Earlier I mentioned Matthew chapter 6. Let me continue from that chapter just a few verses later then I a mentioned a bit ago.
Verse 24 – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”
Our life as Christians is a black and white existence. We cannot cling onto a sin and at the same time attempt to cling to God. The one thing Jesus disliked the most when He walked amongst us was the hypocrisy he encountered. Especially form those that professed to be the spiritual leaders of Israel. When you live in hypocrisy you are within the realm of the lukewarm.
As I have established in my earlier lesson on the chronological order of the letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. We now live in the time of the lukewarm church. We are in the last letter and so are at the end of the church era. This signals that we are in the end times as I showed with my lessons on 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (The Many Faces of the Selfish god).
It is now that we must become more steadfast and more rigid in our beliefs. But not to the point that we would cause those seeking salvation to turn away from God.
Many, especially those under 40 have no true understanding of God or His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. They have been told that God and Jesus are fairytales. That They are a myth. As I have established above. Jesus was no myth. So what is told within the first five books of the New Testament are not a fiction, but historical fact.
Jesus is the Son of God who did walk the earth two thousand years ago. At this time if we look back upon those two thousand years, He would be 20. In ten more years He would begin His ministry which would ultimately lead to His crucifixion and then resurrection three days later.
Jesus never committed any sin. Ever. And was a virgin and pure. Spotless.
Many will scoff at this. They will say none can do that. If He were only human you would be right. No human can go sin free. However, Jesus was not nor even was human. He was God made flesh. To bear witness to the sinful nature of humanity. His flesh was made homely on purpose so those that looked upon Him would scoff and deny His words.(Isaiah 53:2) Just as those that are listening or reading this are scoffing. For they do not understand these concepts I am trying to get them to understand.
The only way we can enter into an eternal life. A life that will last billions upon billions of years is by accepting the reality of what you have been told is not a myth. No one waited 150 years to tell these stories about Jesus. Which would mean they would have been written in approximately 180 A.D. to 210 A.D. We have examples of written parchments dating from 50 A.D. and onward. The book of Revelation the last book of the Bible is said to have been written in the 90s A.D. well before the time when a myth would be written. What is even more important is that it was written by someone who actually walked and talked with Jesus before and after His death and resurrection.
Do you start to understand the import of that last sentence?
Someone who could deny the Bible finished the Bible 60 years after Jesus left. Always professing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and went to the cross for all of our sins and for everyone’s sins. (1 John 1:1-3) That is why it is important to turn away from sin and to seek after a righteous life in the name of Jesus Christ.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast # 17 (Who Causes the turmoil in our lives? [Part 2 Conclusion])


Intro
This is Dreamwalker1960 and welcome to another podcast about the Bible.
Today we continue our look into who causes the turmoil in our lives.
Discussion
James 1:12-15 – God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.
Temptation comes from our own desire.
In the KJV it says “lusts.” – G1939 – epithymia – a longing (especially for what is forbidden) desire, lust (after) [Strong’s]
We are tempted by our own weakness. Our corrupt body we are stuck with until we die or are taken into the sky and given an incorruptible body in its stead.
This is what we must learn to have self-control over. This is our part in this relationship with God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Why did James write these words if we don’t have to do anything but just become saved?
This is one of the things many don’t understand.
These letters that form the New Testament were sent to people who had become saved. They were part of the body of Christ. They were counted amongst those that are called the bride.
Many today do not understand this simple concept with the Bible. They believe they can live their lives as they see fit just because one day they said “Jesus is my Savior.” Then went about their lives as if nothing changed except going to church on Sunday and singing a few songs.
We have an active part to play in our relationship with God and His Son.
Because if we do not seek to be righteous then we will falter and fail and as the verse itself states die once again in the sight of the Lord.
“These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”
We are told that we will be put through tough times. We are told that if there is no discipline then we are not worthy of the effort. If you go through life and experience no trials or tribulations are you truly saved?
If we go through trials it is for our ultimate good that we go through these times. We are told to rejoice for in being placed through these trials we know that we are counted amongst those that in time will inherit the eternal life that is yet to come. If someone does not suffer these tribulations then we are told these people are not counted amongst those that will inherit eternity with God and His Son Jesus Christ.
We are told that after the Great White Throne Judgment as shown in Rev. 20:11-15. There will be a new universe as seen in Rev. 21. What does this mean to us? Only God knows the answer to that question. I do know without any doubt that we will not be limited to an existence just found upon this new earth. The fate of being placed in one location is known for a group of people. For it is the fate of those that are to live their eternal life in the Pit of Fire. Yes I said “their eternal life.” For all humanity will have an eternal life. It will just be in one of two distinct ways. Those that are the children of God will not have the fate of those that reject God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. So those that experienced the death mentioned in verse 15 will be experiencing only a spiritual death that will lead them ultimately to the Pit of Fire. Their holding place at this time, for those that have left this life, is known as hell.
We are all given free will. We are all given the opportunity to accept God and His Son. No one is rejected from the chance to choose to accept or deny God. However, there are those that never known of this choice. Those that are of that group will be judged upon their earthly behavior, because they never knew or heard of God or His Son the Lord Jesus Christ. Unlike most that live in the world today who have heard of God. For all have within them a sense of what is good or bad. This sense is magnified once we accept Christ. For we are given insight by God through His Son and the filling of the Holy Ghost, as well as what is taught within the Bible. Those that never knew of God or His Son will have their actions be their defense. If they lived a good life they will be welcomed into the family of God. If they lived an evil life, they will join those that reject the Creator of all. And as I said a few moments ago that does not include most that live in today’s world. For only a small amount of people that live in isolated areas of the world qualify as never having heard of God or His Son our Savior.
But I have gotten off track.
It is our lusts that causes us to take our eyes off of Christ. It is our lack of self-control that causes the turmoil in our lives. It is our unwillingness to accept these facts that if left alone we will fall from our salvation and lead us away from God and His Son toward the darkness of the world and then spiritual death.
What we need to understand and address is that we must accept that if the Bible says something is a sin it is a sin. It is something that we must turn away from to become righteous and holy. We must have a repentant heart, mind and soul. We must be willing to accept pain and sorrow in many cases if we are to reject sin.
Sin is temporal. It may give us a momentary time of exhilaration. That euphoria it causes doesn’t stay with us constantly. However, the fact that we sought after it and desire it more than we desire God does stay with us. Will we be able to rid ourselves of all sin? No. Nevertheless, we must strive and even struggle to purge sin from our lives. If this means we must leave a type of lifestyle that we enjoy in this earthly realm then that is what we must do.
Depending upon the type of sin we have within us that turns us away from God and our Savior, His Son, Jesus Christ. It may require extreme measures on our part. As an example alcoholism. Many if not all that suffer from this sin enter into Alcoholics Anonymous and go through this 12 step program to help them to gain self-control of this sin.
There are other sins where people have formed a relationship with another human. The pain required to end this sin in that moment can feel extremely painful and will bring you to tears. However, it is a line that must be crossed if we are to seek after true salvation. If we are to pursue righteousness.
Remember this one important fact. That Jesus Christ will be there for you. All you need do is ask, and to seek for Him in your heart, mind and soul as well as the pages of the Bible.
The very fact that Jesus allowed Himself to be arrest. The fact that Jesus spoke little when He was on trial. The fact that Jesus took the lashes to his back that tore His skin. Causing Him to bleed out so much that He could not carry His own cross out of Jerusalem. The fact that He went up onto the cross and died upon it. All of this was due to His love for all of humanity. If Jesus was so willing to endure so much pain and torture. How you can doubt Him or His Father?

God Bless

Blog for Podcast # 16 (Who causes the the turmoil in our lives?)


Intro

Welcome to another podcast. I am Dreamwalker1960
Today we will look at the event that occurred one stormy night on the Sea of Galilee.

Discussion
Matthew 14:25-33 – About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said.
So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
32 When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
When we look at these verses in Matthew. This is what I see.
They all see Christ but think He is a spirit. This is twofold. One, Jesus is walking on the water. Two, Peter has to ask for clarification if He truly is Jesus. So not only is it due to Him walking on the surface of the sea, but His appearance is different to have made them question literally their sanity, and who He was.
Now let’s look specifically at Peter’s interaction with Jesus.
When Peter asks for this verification he asks as evidence that Christ ask Peter to come out to Him walking upon the water as well. Now as this is happening, Peter is looking at the Jesus Christ before him. He has his whole attention upon the Son of God. Peter only falters once he allows his attention to drift off of his Lord.
When this distraction occurs he starts to sink into the water. He cries out to Jesus who does come to his aid. Then they both enter the boat and the storm ends.
At this point all the disciples proclaim Him the Messiah.
So Peter sees Christ. Not Jesus the man, but Jesus the Son of God.
Then Peter requests a verification of Christ’s reality.
Then Peter responds in faith and walks toward Christ.
Peter then turns away from Christ and sees the waves and feels the wind then begins to sink or fall.
Peter cries out for help from Jesus when he sees his peril.
Christ helps him, but they leave where they are and return to something “normal.”
Christ also says to Peter that he has little faith.
Here I have provided seven elements of this encounter. Now let’s go even deeper into these components where God leads us.
The first place I feel we should go is to Peter’s faith.
Hebrews Chapter 11 said this about faith
1-3 – Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.
3 By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
Whomever wrote Hebrews goes on to give example after example of those that were highly regarded throughout the Old Testament and the Tanakh.
It is this basic reaction that comes from these three verses that we are going to go with here. Peter’s response to Christ’s simple answer of “Yes, come.”
While Peter’s full attention is still upon Jesus. He simply walks out of the boat, onto the tossing seas that stand between himself and Christ and walks over to Him.
It is only when Peter no longer has his focus upon Jesus Christ is when he falters and begins to sink. To us when we turn away from our focus upon our Savior, we start to fall away from Him.
Peter became aware of the world. We too in turn become aware of the world and its many turmoil’s, which are like unto a raging sea.
Peter began to sink into the dark waters. We fall away from the light of Jesus Christ and descend toward the distractions of the world about us, which is filled with darkness.
And so we come to the difference between Peter and many of us that have by faith accepted Jesus as our Savior. We have walked upon the waters of our worlds and walked up to Jesus our Savior. Then we let something distract us off of Christ and so we begin to sink, to fall.
Many do as Peter did. Realize their jeopardy and call out to Jesus Christ for His help. Many others do not.
Many get their feet wet. Others get their legs wet. Yet others get wet up to their waist. While others their chest. Then many to their neck. Then other. These others, never call out to Jesus. As a result they no longer bear fruit upon the vine of salvation. So in turn they drown.
Yes. They are lost.
It is here that some reading or listening will scoff, get angry. They will turn away from what is being said here.
They will say “God would never do that.” “God would not allow someone to turn their backs upon Him.”
I have shown time again throughout all of my teachings upon this topic that yes. God will allow us to do as we please. If we so decide to return to the world of sin, then we are free to do so.
God has given us freewill to do as we so desire. It is this desire that results in sin, in wars, in turmoil. Humanity creates its own pain. Its own horrors, not God.
That is shown time and again throughout the Bible. Does every person that is taught of righteousness in the Bible become the focal point of the Old Testament? Like those listed in Hebrews 11.
Abel heard and had faith. His brother Cain did not. Cain had the same choice to accept God but instead he chose himself and in turn killed his brother Abel.
Enoch heard and kept his eye upon God so strongly that God took him into heaven still alive, and is alive to this very day.
Noah showed such faith that he lived through the ridicule for building a boat nowhere near water. Yet those that were about him loved themselves so much more that they totally reject the very existence of God. Even though it is said that giants walked amongst them.
Abraham’s faith was so great that he was promised a nation so vast that those within it would be like counting the grains of sand on the beaches.
Abel, Enoch, Noah and Abraham kept their faith and their eye upon God.
Yet Cain turn his eyes away. Those that were not upon the arc of the flood had turned their eyes away from God. Are they saved? Are they counted amongst those in heaven?
If all kept their eyes upon God, then Eve would never have eaten the forbidden fruit and her and Adam would never have been ejected from the Garden of Eden.
People will accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Then they will love their sins more than God. They will fall away and sink into the Sea of Galilee. To die once again.
2 Peter 2:20-22 – And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
Now as I said there are those that are saying God would not allow this. My response is this.
What did Jesus do when Peter called out?
Christ IMMEDIATELY grabbed Peter’s hand and helped him and returned him to something familiar.
God will never abandons us. It is not God that is allowing the fall. It is the person themselves allowing it. For Peter turned his attention to the storm, to the world.
God would not and will not allow it. We allow it. For we due to our freewill make our own choices, and our own fates.
It is we that decide if we are going to heaven or going to hell.
God wants us to be with Him. It is up to us to decide if we want to be there too.

God bless