Christian

So, Let’s Talk About Conformity to the World

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

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

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

A key command given in these verses:

“Do not be conformed to this world.”

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

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

And here it comes. The railing and complaining.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Luke 16:13-17 NKJV – “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1 Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV – Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Now as promised the dream:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why say this?

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

Pentecost: the second tower of Babel

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

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

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

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

Now let us look at the day of Pentecost:

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

What do we see in these two events:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yet why do they qualify?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We need to note these Words form our Savior:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Peter used these verses:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So, back on topic.

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

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

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

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

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

There is none!

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

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

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

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

Let’s look at these fifteen verses:

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

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

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

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

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

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

What was Christ commandment about how we are to pray?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Covenant and Humanity. Who Really Has It?

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One of the great issues that has come from those that follow religion above following the teachings of God through His Son Jesus Christ; is the belief that one group has more importance to God than any other group. It was this mentality that led in part to the holocaust that resulted in the death of over six million Jews.

This mentality of one group being superior to another group has always been prevalent. It was seen in the rise of Babylon, then Medo-Persa, then Greece and Rome. In which the pagans hunted down those that called themselves “Christians” to being those that Called themselves “Christian” to supplanting the pagans of Rome. It was seen in the crusades. It was seen in the spread of Islam. It was seen in the conquest of Napoleon. It was seen by those that hunted down other humans to make slaves of them no matter the color of their skin. This mentality is showing its head once again, but that is another story.

Why mention all these things that show the sinful nature of humanity at this time?

Because there are those arguing over the covenant of God with a certain groups of people. Are they the Jewish people or are they now the Christians? The real answer?

God made a covenant with Abraham and made it clear that through his descendants His Son would come to redeem ALL. Not just Christian, not just Jews. All that acknowledged Him as God and that His Son is Jesus Christ. Now I want to look at this parable that was stated to the Pharisees and by the way note the Pharisees reply:

Matthew 21:33-41 NKJV – “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. “Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” They said to Him, “He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

The key statement is found in their pronouncement of their own fate:

“He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons.”

“Lease his vineyard.”

Lease – will let out – G1554 – ekdidómi – let forth, rent.

  1. Rent – a payment made periodically by a tenant to a landlord in return for the use of land, a building, an apartment, an office, or other property.

This means the item in question doesn’t belong to anyone. It is being given for use from the True Owner who is God.

Therefore, It doesn’t belong to Christians or Jews. It belongs to God who puts those who are leasing through a screening process.

A screening process called salvation and then seeking sanctification by following the teachings of Jesus Christ. Christ made it very simple. “Go and sin no more.”

Yet nowadays most live in sin and think they aren’t living in sin. Mainly due to how things have been presented to them by various influences about them and they aren’t even aware of it because they have not studied the Bible for themselves.

What do we know for sure?

Those that are left to suffer in the tribulation to come are ALL the enemies of God. Because the word “tribulation” means the punishment of an enemy.

Praying in public is a sin. Per Matthew 6:5-6. Yet they show people praying publicly everywhere. In movies on TV, this in itself should be a sign to those that understand, yet do they acknowledge it? No. Therefore, they live in sin and refuse to change their ways.

People seek after wealth and a fancy house and fancy vehicles as well as fancy clothes. Per 1 Timothy 6 that is all sin as verified by Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:19-24 and Luke 16:13-15.

Yet people again ignore these sins and think they are fine with God, which they aren’t.

So, Study the Word of God for yourselves. I don’t mean to read. I mean STUDY. For when you study the Word of God you will see that true salvation is only accomplished through obedience to God by following the teachings and commandments found in the Word of God.

The Midnight Cry (the assassination of Charlie Kirk)

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SPECIAL NOTE…. ESPECIALLY TO WORDPRESS

Charlie Kirk was NEVER a man of hate. Anyone who says so or blocks this TRUTH needs to do their homework.

Charlie Kirk did not hate the alphabet club. He said their sin was against God and they need to look into changing their life choices.

Charlie Kirk was NEVER a racist in fact he thought those that dwelled upon race where the true racist not he. He believed in ONE RACE… the human race and that skin color was nothing at all. A person must be judged by their behavior not their skin color.

So, once again the light of Truth starts to shine. We turn once again to the parable of the bridesmaids. Why? because the Truth can be seen within it like all of Christ’s parables.

Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV – “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

For years now, those that stand upon the dais have been spouting out that there will come a “great revival.” Yet, how can they say this? How do they know this?

For nowhere in the Word of God can be found anything about a “great revival.” There is however these words found in 2 Thessalonians:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 NKJV – Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Much within these verses occurs within what is called the “tribulation.” Yet, what will cause those that say they are of God to decide to turn against Him and fall away from His Grace?

That is found within the parable. First, we need to understand who the bridesmaids are, and their behavior.

Matthew 25:2-5 NKJV – Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

Part of that understanding is spelled out in a different part of the Word of God:

Luke 21:34-36 NKJV – “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Those that are the “wise bridesmaids” took heed of this warning from these verses:

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Those that have been watchful took the assassination of Charlie Kirk for what it was: The “midnight cry.”

Why say this? Thousands starting going back to churches. Once again the words a “great revival” is heard. What happens after the midnight cry in the parable?

Matthew 25:7 NKJV – Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

Does this not match the behavior we witnessed after Charlie Kirk’s assassination?

The answer is yes. Yet most deny this truth. Most see it as a great revival not what it truly is. The beginning of the great falling away.

Why make this statement?

Matthew 25:8-9 NKJV – And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’

By calling it a “great revival” they are seeking after the oil of those who have been watchful. By going to the buildings called “churches” they are seeking to get more oil from those who sell it… literally.

For those that have been watchful know that the buildings called “churches” are sellers of false religion and not True Faith in God through Jesus Christ. That those that have rushed to these buildings are truly the foolish bridesmaids.

Very soon while they are seeking after their religion Christ will appear and call the wise bridesmaids into the sky above where they will stand before the Son of Man.

Leaving those that are the foolish bridesmaids behind. Then it will be obvious to those that have been left behind that Christ said these words to them, without actually saying it:

“Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.”

Because they were seeking after religion not truly seeking after the salvation they had so long ago forsaken and lost their oil, which is the Holy Spirit.

Being left behind and having the wedding feast door slammed in their face they will turn against God and Jesus Christ thus becoming the great falling away. So most you now see running to the buildings called “churches” now will run away from them into the arms of the antichrist and the mark of the beast.

Legacy and the Christian Faith.

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This is what the Bible says about seeking a legacy:

Isaiah 65:17 NKJV – “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.

Therefore, any who tells someone that is a follower of Jesus Christ to seek after or create a “legacy” they actually teach damnation. They are a false teacher and should be shunned.

Blog for Podcast #25 (Olivet Discourse 1/6)

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Intro

Welcome again to another podcast and I am Dreamwalker1960. Once again, I request that if you have been listening to me to click the “Follow” button on which ever platform you are listening to these messages on as I reach another milestone with episode 25

Today, I will be starting a multiple part series that I first published on my blog site in 2017. It is about the Olivet Discourse. Within it I will also make reference to the John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries, which I highly recommend.

Discussion

 In the book of Matthew, we come to the twenty-fourth chapter. Within this chapter is Jesus teaching of events to come.

The audience

Those that listen to this message is not the masses or those in religious power. This message is to those chosen by Jesus Himself to be his closest followers. His apostles. All twelve were present for this. The last time, really all would be together for this important lesson that Jesus was to bestow upon them.

For the most part they did not understand. They were still blinded to the fact that Jesus was more than a man, more than human. It is something they still stayed blind upon until after His resurrection.

Even though many have studied the word of God. Many of these are still blind to the full truth. God’s plan is complicated, as is the fact that we live within corrupt and sinful bodies. For these reasons God allows us insight to His plan as it is needed and to those that are willing to listen and understand. It has always been this way and it will continue to be so.

The fact that the apostles did not see is telling and something that all of us need to ponder and think upon. For there is much misunderstanding and misinterpretations of this Bible. This is shown in the fact that there are so many subgroups within the Christian faith itself. The Methodist think this way, the Baptist that way, and at the same time the Catholics think an entirely different way. Not realizing that they are all committing a sin, for God says we are to not do this, but to all think in the same manner. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

What is important is that each and every person study the Bible for themselves and never take the words of others as the truth. We are all to seek true understanding of the Bible. If you hear a version that is too far away from what you know. Confirm or deny it yourself by painstakingly studying the scriptures. If what the others says does not match the Bible. Turn away from them and do not listen.

Jesus had already reached this point with the people of Israel. They had rejected Him. So He taught important facts like He is about to relate only to the apostles and no one else. For at that time, even though they didn’t understand most of what He said they would later have the scales fall from their eyes and they would see and understand. That is still true today for those that have accepted Christ as our Savior. In time the scales will fall when the time is right and we will come to understand.

The prediction of the destruction of the temple

Matthew 24:1-2 – As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

It is this statement that causes the apostles to start to think and ponder as they left Jerusalem that day. What Jesus was referring to was the events that would transpire in 70 A.D. some forty year in the future, and only six years after the final completion of the overall temple itself.

The questions

Matthew 24:3 – Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?

Jesus mentioning the destruction of the temple led the apostles to think that the destruction of the second temple would signal His return to earth. This is why they posed the questions to Him in such a manner. Not realizing that their two questions had two completely different answers.

One point that does need to come to light here is the pattern in which are followed with respect to the first temple. When Solomon’s temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. it was followed by Israel’s captivity to the gentile nation of Babylon, which lasted seventy years. It is during this time period, it must be noted, that Daniel lived and wrote his prophecies.

But back on point, it is the fact the temple is destroyed and then there is exile for the Jewish people from their homeland. When the second temple is destroyed the Jewish people are spread throughout the world and do not return to Israel and re-establish the nation until 1948.

The pattern is one that is constant with the Jewish people. They have faith, they fall from their faith. They rebel, they are punished. Each time they are punished it is worse than the time before.  This is God showing all that to spare the rod is to spoil the child and thus rebellion. So God never spared the rod and each punishment suited the nation as a whole, and each one worse than the last. A pattern that is in force even now.

So if they had pondered it correctly they would not have thought that the destruction of the temple meant His return, but their rejection as a nation of God once again.

In today’s climate you can see that out of all the generations before this one that is currently on the rise, there was a form of discipline. Within the last few decades though, discipline has become something discouraged and as a result the youths in all societies no longer respect their elders and in turn are rebelling. Does this not point to a coming correction from God Himself? I think it does, and woe unto to those that deny the existence of God.

So, the questions are:

  1. When will the temple be destroyed?
  2. What signs will single Christ’s return and the end of the world?

As I have just pointed out these are not related, but, to the apostles, they were. All due to their current blindness when they asked the question. The answers are covered as we progress through this series.

Christ’s reply

It is important to note that Jesus does not mention what will happen forty years later when the second temple is destroyed by Roman. What he goes into though is the true core of their question. What the disciples’ minds were truly seeking an answer for. This is where Jesus takes them in the beginning of His reply to their inquiry:

Matthew 24:4-14 – Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

We will look at this response one point at a time, but let’s establish these points:

A) The rise of false prophets and false teachers: “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many.”

B) Rumors of wars: “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

C) Famine and earthquakes: “There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.”

D) Persecution of Christians: “Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers.”

E) Apostasy and betrayal: “And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.”

F) Increase in false prophets and false teachers: “And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.”

G) Open sin will be seen everywhere: “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.”

H) Spreading of the Word of God to all nations: “And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it.”

What needs to be noted in Jesus response to the apostles is that it works in two parts. For there is a transition that takes place when Christ says, “But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.” Or in the KJV: “All these are the beginning of sorrows.” There will be events that are not as obvious to those that live in the times of these events. However, when after the beginning things will become more obvious more clearly seen, harder to deny. The events after the transition marks an escalation not only in the evidence of these events, but in magnitude to not only the numbers affected but at the speed at which it occurs. As an example. Let’s look at rumors of wars. As Roman fell apart, small countries took over former provinces of Roman and many went to war with each other. As time progressed and these new nations settled in there were still unease between many and so time to time war would break out. As we came into the 20th century wars escalated to the point of two world wars and after the second there has never been any year since when there was never any peace. The world at one point or another has been in constant war ever since 1945 till today.

Here we will end part 1 of these series, and we will continue this next week. Until then:

God Bless

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

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

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

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

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

God’s promises

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Throughout the Bible God makes several promises. When God makes a promise, He keeps it.

There is one promise that many that profess to being a disciple of Jesus Christ deny or more accurately refuse to accept. Why? Because they are focusing on the wrong being. The Bible makes it very clear where our focus should be.

Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV – Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

God and His promises are to be our focus. When God makes a promise, He ALWAYS keeps it. He made this promise:

Genesis 12:2-3 NKJV – I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

Genesis 22:15-18 NKJV – Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”

At this time there is approximately 8.2 billion people on the earth. The sand of the seashore and the stars in the heavens. At this time, there are approximately 2 trillion galaxies and within these galaxies are approximately 100 million stars. When God speaks He speaks the absolute truth. Therefore, His promise to Abraham means that the full earth population is a miniscule fraction to the reality of the promised descendants of Abraham alone is nowhere even near being approached.

This promise will be kept. This is why this occurs in the middle of the tribulation:

 Revelation 7:1-8 NKJV – After these things I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, on the sea, or on any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God. And he cried with a loud voice to the four angels to whom it was granted to harm the earth and the sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.

Anyone who teaches that Israel is not the promised people of God just called God Himself a liar and I truly pity them. For they have denied not only God, but Jesus Christ as well.

Matthew 10:33 NKJV – But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

It is truly sad how people desire eternity at the cost of twisting the Word of God to make them feel superior to another human.

It is true that at this time the tribes of Israel are the enemies of God, and yws they made themselves this by killing the Son of God. Why do I say this? Because the tribes must endure the tribulation. You see the word “tribulation” at its base definition is the punishment of an enemy. In the case of the great tribulation all that enter into this time frame of seven years are all enemies of God. This also applies to many that profess to call themselves “Christian” as well for that matter.

The tribulation for the tribes of Israel ends here:

Daniel 12:1-3 NKJV – “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.

As for those that call themselves “Christian” that enter into the tribulation. You are in the tribulation of your own doing. Like say that the tribes of Israel are not the chosen people of God. This has never ended, it never will. For God is, was and will be, and so are His promises. Those that call themselves “Christian” and have made themselves God’s enemy should feel shame that they have made themselves this in the sight of God.

Now those that have done this must fix their relationship with God. They must speak out. They must tell the Truth, teach the Truth, live the Truth.

Never take the mark of the beast and preach against it. They must accept this:

Mark 13:11-13 NKJV – But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

For you must join the other martyrs that have been killed over speaking the Truth, under the altar, which will be fulfilled at the middle of the tribulation. For that is when all that can become and are “Christian” are removed from the face of the earth, but that is another topic for another time.

When a human names the day the rapture will occur.

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Get this in your head people.

I Thessalonians 5:2 NKJV
[2] For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

I know for a fact that the return of Christ will occur at any moment.
However, we know this as well.

Matthew 24:36 NKJV
[36] “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.

IF ANY HUMAN NAMES A DATE FOR THE RAPTURE. THAT PERSON IS A FALSE TEACHER.
IF ANYONE LISTENS TO THAT PERSON THEY ARE FALSE CHRISTIANS.

As for those that listened to September 23th as the day of the rapture.

REPENT!!!!

If you sold off all you had. Now you are ready to learn the Truth.

I Timothy 6:6-8 NKJV
[6] Now godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

You had too much Mammon in the first place.