truth

The new theses to replace those posted by Martin Luther

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

Why is this needed?

Because people are not following the teachings of the Bible yet believe with all their hearts they are. Key items that people believe is true when it is not, yet they continue to insist is correct, when the Bible makes it very clear they are not true. Since they are not true this labels them as a “false teaching.” To challenge these false teachings, they will not be repeated here. We will stick exclusively to what is in the true Word of God. For those that wish to challenge these new theses they will be accompanied by at least two Biblical witnesses: 2 Corinthians 13:1 – This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”).

We are still to follow the commandments. Witnesses -(John 14:15; 14:21; 15:10; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 7:19)

Matthew 5:17-20 – “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

As long as they pass the litmus test of the greatest commandments:

Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

  1.  1 John 2:4 – If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

Salvation can be lost if you do not bear fruit, meaning you do not follow the commandments or any other teachings within the Bible. Witnesses – (Matthew 7:21-23; 25:1-13, Revelation 3:1-6; 3:14-22; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-22; 1 Timothy 6:17-19)

John 15:1-10 – “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

a) Salvation is given to any that asks: Romans 10:9-10 – If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

We are to live a minimalist lifestyle and to give most of our money to the service of God. Witnesses – (Luke 14:25-33, 18:18-30; Acts 2:45; 2 Corinthians 9:6-15; Matthew 6:19-34, 19:16-30)

Mark 10:17-31 – As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” (SPECIAL NOTE: the story of the young rich man is told three times and thus is its own witness and prove we are to sell our property and possessions and give the money to those in need)

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

We are to separate ourselves form those that cause conflict within the Body of Christ and unbelievers. Witnesses – (Philippians 3:17-21; 1 Peter 2:6-12; 1 Timothy 1:19-20, 6:3-10; 2 Corinthians 13:1-2; Ephesians 4:17-25)

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

Romans 12:1-2 – And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 – It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.”

  1. Titus 3:8-11 – This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. 9 Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. 10 If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11 For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.

We are to be given new and immortal bodies that will live forever in a new universe and a new earth, not in heaven. Witnesses – (Isaiah 65:17; 1 Corinthians 15:53-54; Philippians 3:21; 2 Peter 3:10-13; 1 Thessalonian 4:13-18; Revelation21:1-4)

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 – For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

  1. Revelation 20:4-6 – Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

There will be what is referred to as a “partial-Rapture” or more clearly multiple raptures. The first will be Christ returning like a thieve in the night. The second when the Holy Spirit is removed for the earth at the midpoint of the tribulation and the last will be a pre-wrath rapture for the Jews people.

Witnesses of the first rapture- Matthew 24:36-42 – “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 “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. 40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 – Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don’t really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.

Revelation 16:15 – “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

2 Peter 3:10 – But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

Luke 17:26-35 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 27 In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 “And the world will be as it was in the days of Lot. People went about their daily business—eating and drinking, buying and selling, farming and building— 29 until the morning Lot left Sodom. Then fire and burning sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 Yes, it will be ‘business as usual’ right up to the day when the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day a person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return home. 32 Remember what happened to Lot’s wife! 33 If you cling to your life, you will lose it, and if you let your life go, you will save it. 34 That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken, the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

Witnesses of the second rapture – 2 Thessalonians 2:7 – For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

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?” 14 And 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.

Witnesses of the Jewish rapture – Daniel 12:1-3 – “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.

Revelation 7:1-8 – Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” 4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: 5 from Judah, 12,000; from Reuben, 12,000; from Gad, 12,000; 6 from Asher, 12,000; from Naphtali, 12,000; from Manasseh, 12,000; 7 from Simeon, 12,000; from Levi, 12,000; from Issachar, 12,000; 8 from Zebulun, 12,000; from Joseph, 12,000; from Benjamin, 12,000.

Jesus Christ’s 10 % tithe is to be given to those that we are led by Holy Spirit to give to. For it belongs to Jesus not any human ministry or entity.

Hebrews 7:4-28 – Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. 8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. 9 In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him. 11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron? 12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe. 15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, 21 but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. 23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. 26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

What applies to the Levites also applies to any other man-made ministry or position. Paul says this about those that serve God:

1 Corinthians 9:7-18 – What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? 8 Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? 9 For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? 10 Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest. 11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 12 If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ. 13 Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. 14 In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. 16 Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! 17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. 18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News.

Anyone who is a pastor, minister, evangelist, or teacher who is worth their salt will do as Paul did and not demand their right for payment. But if you are led by the Holy Ghost to give your tithe to them then they must accept it.

Any who insist you give them the tithe have entered into this group:

2 Peter 2:1-3 – But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

The wicked shall prosper here on earth. Witnesses – (Jeremiah 12:1; Job 21:7-17)

Psalms 73:1-18 – A psalm of Asaph. Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. 2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. 3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. 4 They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. 5 They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. 6 They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. 7 These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! 8 They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. 9 They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. 10 And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. 11 “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” 12 Look at these wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. 13 Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? 14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. 15 If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. 16 So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! 17 Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. 18 Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

  1. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 – Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. 7 After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. 9 But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

We are not to pray or do our good deeds in public. Witnesses – (Luke 18:9-14)

Matthew 6:1-4 – “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

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

Faith without works is dead. Witnesses – (Matthew 5:16; James 1:22; Titus 1:16; Hebrews 11:1-40; Galatians 5:25; 1 John 2:4)

James 2:14-26 – What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? 17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. 18 Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” 19 You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless? 21 Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. 24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 25 Rahab the prostitute is another example. She was shown to be right with God by her actions when she hid those messengers and sent them safely away by a different road. 26 Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.

We are to seek to speak in tongues, but it is not for use in public unless it is to give prophecy Witnesses – (Acts 2:4, 10:46, 19:6; Mark 16:17)

1 Corinthians 14:1-19 – Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy. 2 For if you have the ability to speak in tongues, you will be talking only to God, since people won’t be able to understand you. You will be speaking by the power of the Spirit, but it will all be mysterious. 3 But one who prophesies strengthens others, encourages them, and comforts them. 4 A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church. 5 I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened. 6 Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. 7 Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. 8 And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle? 9 It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space. 10 There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. 11 But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. 12 And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. 13 So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. 14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. 15 Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? 17 You will be giving thanks very well, but it won’t strengthen the people who hear you. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you. 19 But in a church meeting I would rather speak five understandable words to help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

We should be focused upon God through Jesus Christ. Witnesses – (Matthew 6:24, 33; Isaiah 26:3-4; Romans 12:1-2)

Colossians 3:1-17 – Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 11 In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Blog for Podcast #82 (A look at 1 Timothy)

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Intro

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

Discussion

A few weeks back I did a podcast about the laws within the Bible. In that study I showed mostly from Jesus Christ Himself that we are still to follow those laws within the Bible that pass the litmus test of the greatest commandments. Those being:

Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Today I turned to Paul’s first letter to Timothy and how the Lord Jesus Christ impressed upon him how to see the laws of Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus:

1 Timothy 1:3-11 – When I left for Macedonia, I urged you to stay there in Ephesus and stop those whose teaching is contrary to the truth. 4 Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God. 5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. 6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. 7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. 8 We know that the law is good when used correctly. 9 For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. 10 The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching 11 that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God.

This is the foundation of the laws that govern nations in Europe and the Americas, as well as some parts of Asia. In addition Australia. As we all know though not all the laws that should have been carried forward into this state laws did not make the cut. It took centuries for slavery to be ended, yet it should have been one of the first to die out.

Why? Because of those that falsely taught the Bible. As the first chapter of 1 Timothy concludes Paul names two people that has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and had also been filled with the Holy Spirit. However, Paul states that he had cut them out of the church of Christ:

1 Timothy 1:18-20 – Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.

Throughout this letter we are instructed in how those that seek to follow Jesus Christ should live and behave. Be they a leader in the church or a deacon. It is how all should seek to live their lives if they call themselves “Christian.”

In the fourth chapter it speaks of the end times and how many that believe they are “Christian” will act:

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.

They “will turn away from the true faith.” This means they knew the “true faith.” Marriage is on the decrease in the world today and there are those that say we are not eat certain food. Vegetarians, Vegans as well as those that say we must eat only Organic foods.

Then there are those that are into physical fitness. Paul wrote this:

1 Timothy 4:8 – “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

This is why it is so important to not just read the Bible but study it. Never take any humans words about what is in the Bible. I include myself in this statement. For all humans are flaws and able to sin and make mistakes, even in the understanding of the scriptures. This is why all must approach to seek the true knowledge of God with the help of the Holy Spirit, who will grant discernment to those that diligently seek the truth of the Bible. By prayer and study of the Bible, and to verify what they hear from the mouths of humans.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

In the last verse of chapter four. Paul tells this to Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:16- Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.

How can you stay true to what is right?

The answer is simple. Attempting to live our lives as Jesus Christ instructed:

Matthew 6:19-34 – “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is! 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. 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? 28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. 34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Do not seek after the world and all it offers. Do not seek wealth, or a fancy home. Do not seek after the latest fashion nor those that celebrate or flaunt their worldly standing.

Again, study the Bible and seek to live a righteous and holy life. This echoed in Chapter five of I Timothy. Yet we must approach this fifth chapter with understanding of the world in which they lived within at that time.

A prime example:

1 Timothy 5:23 – Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

Water was not purified at this time. So, this was to prevent dysentery and other illnesses that could be conveyed through unclean water. This is why you studying the Word of God is so important.

In the last chapter of this first letter to Timothy. Paul points out those that have turned their backs upon their salvation and seek only to please themselves and their worldly desires. He states that they will quibble and argue the very wording of the Bible, which is again why it is so important that each and every person come to study the Scriptures for themselves:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast # 83 (Those who they know God but would rather live in sin)

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

Intro

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

Discussion

In my podcast “The laws within the Bible.” A person on Facebook came back with stating that Galatians 2 removed the need to follow the commandments. I explained that if they had bothered to listen to the podcast, they would have heard my explanation about that chapter.

However here I will use the Bible to answer this:

1 John 2:4 – If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

Once again, we see from someone that knew Jesus Christ in person, that the commandments are to be followed as long as they pass the litmus test of the greatest commandments:

Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

John continues with this:

1 John 2:9-11 – If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

Later John says this:

1 John 3:6-10 – Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. 7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

What is it to live righteously?

James 1:19-27 – Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. 26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

How does the world corrupt you?

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

Therefore, seeking after wealth, status, legacy. Seeking after a fancy house, a fancy car, fancy clothing. This is living in sin and thus not a righteous life. Seeking after anything, shows that the you care more for this world than for the eternal life to come, thus revealing you love the world more than God.

1 John 2:17 – And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

“But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

As we heard from James earlier:

“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”

When someone seeks for their own glory ignoring those in need and in dire straits. They are in darkness. They are in sin. They have embraced the world. Then who is of the world?

2 Corinthians 4:4 – 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.

Getting what you want. What you desire. What you lust for. What you crave. Completely falls in line with 1 John 2:15-17. So, you yearn for Satan who is the god of the world.

Who is it that rewards you then with riches, with all you desire here in this temporal realm of existence?

Satan.

All he is offering is this measly one hundred years of existence, compared to that which God offers us.

“But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”

How long is forever?

It is billions upon billions upon billions of years.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 – For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. 2 We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing. 3 For we will put on heavenly bodies; we will not be spirits without bodies. 4 While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life. 5 God himself has prepared us for this, and as a guarantee he has given us his Holy Spirit. 6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. 10 For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.

God Bless

Blog for Podcast #76 (Favorites)

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

Intro

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

Discussion

From time to time I will see someone say: “What is your favorite Bible verse?” or “Who is your favorite person in the Bible?” or “What is your favorite book in the Bible?” or “What is your favorite Testament?”

I can never answer these questions.

For to have a “favorite” means you are ignoring other parts of the Bible. Especially those part of the Bible of the which make you uncomfortable. It is these sore parts that need to be read and understood, because it is these parts of the Bible that God needs you to learn and understand.

Now as to the second question I stated. Someone will say Jesus Christ. I would be one of these. However, Christ is not a person and so does not qualify truly as an answer to this question. Those that qualify as “persons” within the Bible are human beings. That is like saying David is a favorite but saying this leaves you open to failure. For did not David commit a sin so great in God’s eyes that He punished all of Israel just because their king committed adultery and murder? Someone will state: “No I meant the child David.” You cannot take the child without accepting the adult this person becomes. Did David repent of his sins? Yes, he did, but his direct descendants were cursed due to his actions and behavior.

Now you see why there is no answer to questions like these.

Those humans within the Bible, especially those within the Old Testament, are role models. Examples of behavior of how to act or not to act. No more and no less. Consequently, there can never be a favorite. That is like saying there is a favorite testament.

Again, there is no answer to this question. For we should never ignore any part of the Bible. The entire Book, which is the Bible, is there for a reason.

Now here someone will protest that the Bible was put together by a group of men. True, but did they not pray for guidance from God through Jesus Christ when forming it? The answer to that question is yes. But we can go further than that:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Therefore, to have a favorite part of the Bible is to defy God. What else does the Bible say about favoritism?

James 2:1-13 – My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? 2 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? 5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? 8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. 10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. 12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

These verses lead to how should we as “Christians” behave one to the other. For this too deals with having “favorites” in many ways. So now let us look at the fifth chapter of 1 Timothy:

1 Timothy 5:1–2 – Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. 2 Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

continuing:

1 Timothy 5:24-25 – Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. 25 In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

When treating others with respect and kindness. You are treating them as you would treat yourself, as we are commanded by Jesus Christ

Matthew 22:36-40 – “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”

Now let us also look at the book of James once again:

James 3:13-18 – If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

When you are one with Christ and the Holy Spirit is present in your life. There is no favoritism of any type. You accept the teachings of the entire Bible and face them head on and come to understand that there will be those that believe they are one with Christ. However, their lifestyle says the opposite. For that we look to Ephesians:

Ephesians 5:1-21 – Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 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. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. 11 Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. 12 It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. 13 But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, 14 for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” 15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

So, we shouldn’t seek after “favorites” either. For when we do, we are not seeking after God through Jesus Christ our Savior. We are seeking after excuses not to correct our lives so we can continue to live in sin. As shown in the verses we just read. That is excusing sin. Thus, seeking not after God’s blessing but His wrath instead.

What is to follow is another aspect of favoritism that should cause people to think.

1 John 4:7-8 – Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 – You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. 24 Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. 25 So you may eat any meat that is sold in the marketplace without raising questions of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” 27 If someone who isn’t a believer asks you home for dinner, accept the invitation if you want to. Eat whatever is offered to you without raising questions of conscience. 28 (But suppose someone tells you, “This meat was offered to an idol.” Don’t eat it, out of consideration for the conscience of the one who told you. 29 It might not be a matter of conscience for you, but it is for the other person.) For why should my freedom be limited by what someone else thinks? 30 If I can thank God for the food and enjoy it, why should I be condemned for eating it? 31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. 33 I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved.

1 Peter 1:13-17 – So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. 14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. 15 But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. 16 For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” 17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

1 John 3:7-10 – Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

These verses describe how we should act and live for only one being deserves our “favoritism.” That is God through His Son Jesus Christ Our Savior. We should learn the entire Bible so we can learn how to act and behave as His true children. Living a life not in this world and those things that appeal to our eyes and our touch here on earth. (1 John 2:15-17) But we seek to love and help all to come to know the truth. That is done by showing our favor to our Savior Christ by living righteous and holy lives that cause those of this world to seek after this joy and happiness as well.

God Bless

Block for Podcast #68 (Pharisees)

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

Intro

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

Discussion

There are many out there who have become reliant upon this belief that a person cannot lose their salvation. As has been shown throughout several of my podcasts this is not a true doctrine. For Christ Himself makes it clear in John 15:1-10, Matthew 7:21-23, and 25:1-13 salvation can be lost.

Right this moment several are railing against what I have just said.

They need to calm down and think a moment.

I have pointed to three times Jesus said it is possible. Not me. Jesus Christ. So, who is it they are anger with? It is not me. I didn’t say this. Our Savior said it.

I will let that sink in a second.

When you show the words from Jesus Christ Himself, and they still wish to challenge and argue. What does this make those that insist upon doing this?

Pharisees.

In Matthew 23 Jesus confronted the Pharisees and Sadducees about their behavior. How they had changed or made laws to make themselves look important and make it hard for others to come to stand before God. They had created and follow a false teaching.

What does Peter say about false teachers?

2 Peter 2:1-3 – But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.

Let us look at this in the KJV:
2 Peter 2:1-3 – But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

“Even denying the Lord that bought them.”

Therefore, these people knew salvation through Jesus Christ. They turned against the Word of God to preach what was pleasing to their ears. Just as the Pharisees did.

It is here that someone says: “Well they were never saved in the first place.”

Again, the words of a Pharisee.

Romans 10:9-10 – If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Once anyone does this they are saved. Do they fall prey to those within 2 Peter chapter two?

2 Peter 2:12-22 – These false teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed. 13 Their destruction is their reward for the harm they have done. They love to indulge in evil pleasures in broad daylight. They are a disgrace and a stain among you. They delight in deception even as they eat with you in your fellowship meals. 14 They commit adultery with their eyes, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lure unstable people into sin, and they are well trained in greed. They live under God’s curse. 15 They have wandered off the right road and followed the footsteps of Balaam son of Beor, who loved to earn money by doing wrong. 16 But Balaam was stopped from his mad course when his donkey rebuked him with a human voice. 17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 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.”

As you can tell the answer is yes.

But whose fault is it that this happens?

The babe in Christ or those that are mature in the Lord?

       1 Peter 2:1-12 – So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. 4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. 5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him, “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” 8 And, “He is the stone that makes people stumble, the rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them. 9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.

2 Timothy 2:14-26 – Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. 17 This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. 18 They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. 19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

The answer is both.

Those with the knowledge should help those lacking in the Word of God to know what the True Gospel is. And as noted not to get into arguments over details. However, those that are young in the Lord should be willing to listen. They should as well verify on their own by reading the Bible for themselves. For when you study the Bible you are learning what God desires for all that call themselves “Christian.” That is why it is so important to truly study the Bible. Thus, by learning the Scriptures yourself you will not be dependent upon the flowable humans. Many of which embrace false teachings and due to not studying the Bible for themselves are not aware of it.

2 Timothy2:15 – Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. (Amplified Classic)

Our duties to God through Jesus Christ is to know the Bible. All the Bible.

I have encountered those that say the letters that occur after the book of Acts and before the book of Tribulation are not the scripture. I say this:

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

Just think on these words for a moment.

This came from one of these letters. It shows us, just as the verse from the same letter did earlier. That we have an active responsibility in our relationship with God through Christ.

That not only the rest of the Bible, but these letters are useful to teach us how to be a reflection of Jesus Christ and how we are to live our lives. Through our behavior and actions towards others. These are work and deeds referred to in James 2:14-26.

This is how we do not end up being Pharisees, otherwise known as hypocrites. Also known as the lukewarm of Revelation 3:15-16.

Therefore, seek out the Lord by learning the Bible. Not by just reading it but studying it. So, you will know the true meaning of what is written within it.

God Bless.

Blog for Podcast #60 (Epiphanies)

bible, Bible study, Christian, Christian Life, General, government, , , , , , Leave a comment

Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

In recent discussion I had been having God gave me insight that I just have to share.

What it was, was this insight into the Bible itself. To get here I must first start with this Bible verse:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

In the New Testament after the Gospels and the book of Acts and before the book of Revelation are the letters. Most written by Paul, but also Peter, James and John, and even an unknown author. What is to follow is the epiphany that God gave me.

There are many out there that embrace the belief of once saved always saved. But when you really think upon that idea a dilemma occurs. When you really think upon that, something doesn’t quite work when you take the Bible into your hands. When you really analysis this teaching a question comes to the surface:

Why have anything beyond the book of Acts except the book of Revelation?

I mean think upon it for a moment. These letters were all written to groups that had become saved and to ministers of these people or as in the case for the book of Hebrews. An appeal to see Jesus Christ as the Messiah the Jewish people have been waiting for. But if they are saved forever is there any need for these books? Also within these letters are statements about ending sin, but if we are saved forever why be told this?

Yet the Bible is inspired by God. So, there is a need for these letters. So, as we see in the book of Hebrews those saved and filled with the Holy Ghost can have issues. Issues that can actually insult our Savior Jesus Christ. It is clearly stated that they had they Holy Spirit within them yet rejected Jesus Christ and God.

Hebrews 6:4-6 – For it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come— 6 and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.

The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that salvation can be lost by someone who has received the Holy Ghost. You cannot receive the Holy Spirit unless it is given to you by God and Jesus Christ. And you cannot receive the Holy Ghost unless you are saved. This shows that we ourselves have an active and continual part in our salvation. Why else did God give us the letters that fully and completely formed the New Testament. That teaches us how to be faithful and complete disciples of our Creator and His Son our Savior Jesus Christ. The books also tell us time and again that if we refuse to partake in our salvation, we can and will lose it, not only our salvation but our eternal life.

This is why it is so important that each person learn the Bible for themselves. If they question those that speak to them like myself, they should learn what the Scriptures say for themselves as it should be. Humans makes error, humans cause false teachings to come into being. We are all fallible, but the Bible is not.

When you read the letters in what I believe in the true context of these letters. As someone who can loss their salvation, the letters fall fully and completely into perspective. Look at the beginning of the letter to the Galatians:

Galatians 1:1-6 – This letter is from Paul, an apostle. I was not appointed by any group of people or any human authority, but by Jesus Christ himself and by God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead. 2 All the brothers and sisters here join me in sending this letter to the churches of Galatia. 3 May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. 5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen. 6 I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News.

This letter was sent to those that had been saved and accepted Christ as their Savior. Yet, note the wording of verse 6:

“I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ.”

It clearly states that they knew God. They knew salvation from Jesus Christ. They turned their backs upon it. Once again echoing the sixth chapter of Hebrews.

When you go further into Galatians Paul says something important about the True Gospel:

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

Teaching the true Gospel does not please people, but God. Those that say you are always saved are doing one thing. Pleasing those that accept this teaching. For they feel they can do whatever they wish for they are coved by Grace. This is how someone can turn so quickly from God. All the time thinking and believing they are still one with Christ.

What I just said hurt someone out there listening to or reading this. They are angry. They are laughing at me. The thing is it is not me they are laughing at. They are believing opposite what the Bible makes very clear. So, who is it they are really angry with? Who are they really laughing at?

The Scriptures. and as was established at the beginning of this study. The Scriptures come from one source. God!

Then it is God these people are angry with and laughing at.

I will allow that to sink in by changing topics.

In another discussion I had recently had a person asked me: “Where is your list of good works?” The implication deals with James 2:14-26. The answer was simple: The Bible!

The need for good works, to bear fruit is a requirement given to us from Jesus Christ Himself in His teachings shown in John 15:1-10.

Here Jesus also states that we must be pruned. Jesus makes it clear that we will go through trials and tribulations. This pruning is not just emotional and or physical. it is also spiritual. The True Gospel at times is painful. It is especially painful to those that have embraced a false gospel. Thinking all is fine with how they live and want to live. However, this is the furthest thing from the truth. As has been shown in this message in the books of John, Hebrews and Galatians.

2 Corinthians 13:1-10 – This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, “The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses”). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them. 3 I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. 4 Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power. 5 Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. 6 As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test of apostolic authority. 7 We pray to God that you will not do what is wrong by refusing our correction. I hope we won’t need to demonstrate our authority when we arrive. Do the right thing before we come—even if that makes it look like we have failed to demonstrate our authority. 8 For we cannot oppose the truth, but must always stand for the truth. 9 We are glad to seem weak if it helps show that you are actually strong. We pray that you will become mature. 10 I am writing this to you before I come, hoping that I won’t need to deal severely with you when I do come. For I want to use the authority the Lord has given me to strengthen you, not to tear you down.

It is time for many to awaken to the True Gospel. To read it in the framework as if you can lose your salvation, which as has been shown is the True Gospel. If we live our lives as if we can return to death it will cause us to seek to live our lives to please not ourselves but who we should always seek to please in the first place: God.

Ephesians 5:1-7 – Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 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.

1 John 3:17-24 – If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. 20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. 22 And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him. 23 And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. 24 Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.

Romans 12:1-2 – And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1 John 2:15-17 – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

So, when seeking after God we should never seek after anything of the world. We should never seek to store treasures here on earth but in heaven. (Matthew 6:19-24)

Look hard into yourselves, those listening and reading. Who are you seeking to please? Think hard upon that, for all of eternity rests upon who it is we wish to glorify. God or ourselves.

God bless

Blog for Podcast #52 (A Challenge from God)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. Today’s podcast is a milestone. This is the 52nd podcast. Thus marking the one year mark of these teachings. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use Listen Notes, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music or Audible, Google Podcasts or Apple Podcasts. As well as Pandora, Spotify, Podbean and PlayerFM. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

Today’s message is simple and to the point. Jesus Christ is returning very soon. Stop seeking after worldly pleasures and desires. This is not coming from me. This is coming from God.

Too many seek what is in the world. They also pursue to silence those that seek the truth and try to get the true Gospel out to all that wish to listen.

Too many live lives that revolve around what is in the world. However, they think they are of God. We all need to downsize and give the excess to those truly in need. Jesus Christ makes this clear to the young rich man. (Mark 10:17-31; Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 18:18-23)

This was not the only time Jesus told people that wished to follow Him to surrender all:

Luke 14:25-33 – A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. 28 “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? 29 Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. 30 They would say, ‘There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!’ 31 “Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? 32 And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. 33 So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Think upon these words as I add this from 1 John:

3:17 – If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Did that strike a nerve? Did that make you uncomfortable? Then that is the True Gospel. The True Gospel is meant to make the sinner uneasy, distressed, to feel awkward. How else will a person decide if they wish to end sin in their life or not?

Those that make you feel good are teaching a false gospel. Those that say the Bible does not say what it says are teaching a false gospel.

The other day I had an exchange with someone that denied the exact wording of the Bible. She said that only 144,000 will rule with Jesus Christ during His thousand-year reign. First off nowhere in the Bible does it state what number will help rule. She then stated that the 144,000 includes both Jews and non-Jews.

Revelation 7:1-8 – Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree. 2 And I saw another angel coming up from the east, carrying the seal of the living God. And he shouted to those four angels, who had been given power to harm land and sea, 3 “Wait! Don’t harm the land or the sea or the trees until we have placed the seal of God on the foreheads of his servants.” 4 And I heard how many were marked with the seal of God—144,000 were sealed from all the tribes of Israel: 5 from Judah, 12,000; from Reuben, 12,000; from Gad, 12,000; 6 from Asher, 12,000; from Naphtali, 12,000; from Manasseh, 12,000; 7 from Simeon, 12,000; from Levi, 12,000; from Issachar, 12,000; 8 from Zebulun, 12,000; from Joseph, 12,000; from Benjamin, 12,000.

Let’s look at verse 4 from the KJV:

“And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.”

“Of ALL the tribes of the children of Israel.”

This makes it clear. ONLY those that are Jewish will receive the seal. Are the chosen. This is clarified in these verses:

Matthew 24:29-31 – “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.

The key point is seen here: “and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth.”

“ALL the people.”

This implies that no human on earth will seek to follow God but hate Him. So they will mourn Christ’s appearance.

2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 – And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.

“The one who is holding it back steps out of the way.”

This is the Holy Spirit. As long as the Holy Ghost is present within humanity the antichrist cannot come into full view. How does this help explain what I am talking about? Let’s look at these verses from the book of Revelation:

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?” 14 And 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.

In the first half of the tribulation all those that have accepted Jesus as their Savior will be killed or called up into heaven. They are listed as uncountable. To us they will be in the billions. Once the last true believer in Christ as the Messiah is removed from the earth. Then the antichrist will be revealed. Any human left on earth will be of two groups. Those that hate God and those that are of the tribes of Israel. Amongst them will be the 144,000 sealed, the chosen, the elect. Who are only Jewish.  This is why they will morn seeing Jesus Christ in the sky as He begins His return to earth.

Any who imply otherwise are teaching a false gospel. This is their fate:

Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’

There are those this very moment who now argue that they are saved that they asked Jesus Christ into their lives. This is the Bibles answer:

2 Peter 2:1-4 – But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed. 4 For God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.

“And even deny the Master who bought them.” Is the key point here.

This makes it clear that they accepted salvation, then turn their back upon their salvation. By accepting teachings that cannot be backed by the True Gospel.

Jesus makes it clear that people can be removed from their salvation:

John 15:1-10 – “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

We will look at verse six in the KJV:

“If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

This makes it clear that a person can get saved and then loss their salvation as well as cast into the fire. Otherwise known as hell.

Again, any who say otherwise are teaching a false gospel.

Learn the Bible for yourselves and do not listen to others. If you question my words. Fine. Go to the Bible and learn it for yourself and see what is true. I have no problem with you reading the Bible yourself. Then looking in depth into the true meaning of what is within the Bible. For we shouldn’t just read it, but study it. With the aid of a concordance in addition to aids like the theological dictionary. For truly coming to understand the Bible is a duty to any who professes to go by the moniker of “Christian.” Otherwise, they label themselves as the lukewarm. (Revelation 3:15-16)

We are in the last part of the end times. Jesus Christ is coming sooner than many are willing to accept or admit. Tough times are upon us all. But more so for those that profess to being “Christian.” It is time to decide. Are we to be of the world or of God?

I will leave you the listener and the reader of this to think hard upon this message. Again, if you did not like what you heard. Don’t take it out on me but accept this challenge to see if what I have said is true or false by reading and learning that which God has given all of humanity. The Bible.

God Bless

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

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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

Through willful ignorance a nation shall judge itself

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re-post (originally posted 3/22/16)
It is nearly twenty years since Jesus Christ emerged from the tomb alive to walk amongst us once again for a short time and to give His final instructions to those disciples that were still alive in the forty day window.
Now Christ’s last known hand chosen disciple, Paul, once Christ greatest enemy and now one of His greatest servants in the New Testament was in Athens. His teachings had caused a great stirring throughout the people of this city. He was taken to the council of the city and here he spoke to them of the teachings and resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Within these words came a reaffirmation of a truth that many in today’s world wish to forget, deny or in many cases have really never even thought about, and here is that teaching:
Acts 17:22 – So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.
24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.
30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
Some laughed when He mentioned the resurrection of Jesus, but others did not and became saved, and so the great tree of Christianity grew that day and has continued to this day.
In March of 1944 the Second World War still continued, but within Washington D.C. someone listened to God and stood before the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. His sermon this late winter day was like all true messages; it is black and white and never grey (the full transcript will be included at this end of this article). His opening statement set the context of his message. A message that today few want to hear let alone listen to: “My text is taken from the first book of Kings, Chapter eighteen and Verse twenty-one. If the Lord be God, then follow Him. But if Baal, then follow him.”
Dr. Peter Marshall saw within this nation, caught up within a war against evil, the same corruption that had plagued Israel when Elijah was that nation’s prophet. At the end of his sermon the pastor of the church in this nation’s capital made a very clear pronouncement:
IF THE LORD BE GOD, THEN FOLLOW HIM!

BUT IF BAAL, FOLLOW HIM . . . AND GO TO HELL!

Now also in this message was the following statement:
“Now, I suggest to you that America needs a prophet today – a prophet that will set before the nation the essential choices. In the words of that great poet and essayist, J.D. Holland, ‘God give us men – men whom the lust of office does not kill – men whom the spoils of office cannot buy – men who have honor – men who will not lie – men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking – tall men, sun-ground who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking.’”
But why the need for a prophet? Dr. Marshall explains in the part of his sermon:
“Millions of people in America live in moral fogs. They move in a sort of spiritual twilight. Modified morality; modified dishonesty is the practice of millions more. Surely the time has come for us to be honest about it. If we have thrown away our national heritage. If we no longer believe that this nation was founded under God. If contrary to what is stamped upon our coins, our trust is not in God, but in Baal, LET US SAY SO!
Let us at least not be hypocrites. Yes, like the ancient Hebrew nation, America needs a prophet like an Elijah – a prophet who will have the ear of America and will say to her now:”
These are the word that led to the two sentences above in all capital letters. The thing is most never listened, and many more never knew these words were ever spoken. Living in blissful ignorance and their fates they were making for themselves.
Five years after this sermon though. The same year this man passed on to be with our Lord (January 26, 1949), a prophet did come into recognition upon September twenty-fifth upon the opposite side of the country in Los Angles. His name is Billy Graham, even though I feel he will not acknowledge this title.
Millions over the years listened. Yet, still, as was pointed out by Dr. Marshall many continued to live in a moral fog moving in a spiritual twilight lost within the grey, the lukewarm. In all honesty it can be stated that the moral decay within became self-evident to those with eyes just after the First World War. A time that came to be known as the roaring twenties. This resulted in the wrath of God that came to be known as the Great Depression.
It took another World War to awaken many and so this nation partly got back on the right track, but as we can see from Peter Marshall we did not full accept God. So a Prophet was sent to us and due to this prophet many listened and this nation started down the right path, for a while.
Most though did not listen to the prophet, and so God once again sent His wrath upon this nation which came to full awareness in an act that all knew, but few realized the full meaning of on September 9, 2011. This was the wakeup call sent by God, but still the nation did not listen. So more trials hit all within this nation.
Now it is here we must come to an important understanding from the talk that Paul gave to the council at Athens in the winter of 51-52 AD. That being this:
Acts 17:26 – From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.
God, through His servant William Penn, granted this one nation, which is different than any other throughout history. Gave this nation, the second nation created for those that call God Lord; not for His bride, which is Israel, but for His Son’s bride, which are the Christians. Gave this nation, the one thing He gave no other nation. The true ability for each adult within this nation to pick it leaders. This did not happen at first and was not fully realized until August sixth in 1965.
It is a gift that most do not fully understand and many do not participate in due to this lack of knowledge and so as is all that come from the heart of humanity in their ignorance becomes corrupt and evil.
In 2008 God unleashed His judgement upon this nation to see if we would awaken from our materialist ways, but as a whole this nation still continued in its depravity. So His judgement was released upon the United States and we began to go into decline faster than what occurred during the great depression.
In 2012 God gave the people of this nation the ability to show their repentance, but this required that they show true humility and surrender the power of this nation over to someone that followed the teachings of a known false prophet. They had forgotten the words of Daniel though, that being:
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.”
And so in pride and arrogance, as well as ignorance they left this nation in the power of the one that God has sent as His wrath upon it. So the wrath continued and became even more severe. So acute in fact that those that the nation itself was given to came under attack to the point that it was obvious that God was displeased with the bride of Christ.
In fact, so upset is God that the wrath left the boarders of this nation and spread throughout the entire world. It grew to the point that martyrdom and genocide of those that called Jesus Savior became more evident than it had ever been in centuries.
To a degree many have awaken to the truth, yet again God sends us a test to see if our awakening is real or is laced with ignorance.
As of the writing of this article the answer is it is still filled with ignorance. For we are again in the cycle given unto us by God to pick the top leader of this nation. It is again time to see if this Christian nation, yes CHRISTIAN NATION, has truly awaken to the fact that we that live in this nation are here by God’s design, not fate, but by and for His glory and His glory alone.
So our vote is to reflect the glory, and for the honor of God. It is to be given not for our materialistic gain, but to show that we are His children, His servants.
What many do not realize is that these temporal riches they seek after are nothing. For they are only here at this moment and tomorrow they will be gone. So why seek them at all? The answer is they should not, but they do.
They listen to someone that fully fits the description of a false prophet from 2 Peter 2, but they forget or do not know what else this chapter states, which is:
2 Peter 2:18 – They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 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.”
“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.”
Our task as servants of God is not to follow after the lusts promised unto us by false prophets, or after the lies of those that love and prefer sin over their Creator.
Our task is to look and support that person that best reflects the Son of God. Will that person be perfect? No, but they will acknowledge and say in knowledge that God is first. They will know that materialism is a path to destruction. If any promise you things of the world then they love the world, and any that love the world hate God.
The time for willful ignorance is gone. It is time to live in full awareness of the facts that were stated in that sermon in 1949. It is time to remember those words spoken by Peter Marshall and the true black and white choices that are open to us and to accept our fate that we not only chose in our hearts but in the ballot box as well. It is:
IF THE LORD BE GOD, THEN FOLLOW HIM!

BUT IF BAAL, FOLLOW HIM . . . AND GO TO HELL!

“Trial By Fire” Sermon “America Needs A Prophet”
By Dr. Peter Marshall (1902- 1949)
Pastor of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
Washington, D.C.
My text is taken from the first book of Kings, Chapter eighteen and Verse twenty-one. If the Lord be God, then follow Him. But if Baal, then follow him.
The leaders of ancient Israel (including the king) had come together to make a great decision. It was a national emergency. Elijah the prophet had summoned them to meet on Mt. Carmel to settle no less a question than whom they should worship.
William Penn has said that men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants. Here then was a Hebrew prophet facing the very same issue and making his people face it with him. They all knew the history of their nation. How God had led their fathers out of bondage into a new land as pioneers. How His Holy Law had been written into the nation’s Constitution. How The Ten Commandments had become a Bill of Rights and a Declaration of Dependence. But something in the nation’s life had begun to fade. Moral decay had set in. They had begun to love things more than principles. They had become materialists. And materialism had a god – a god of the flesh. And his name was Baal.
Now Elijah saw the danger. He saw what would happen to the nation when its moral fiber was weakened. So he summoned the 450 prophets of Baal, the king and the nation’s leaders. It HAD to be either/or. They had to get on one side or the other.
You remember the dramatic test – the trial by fire. How on the parched, sun-baked slopes of Carmel, Elijah announced his proposed test. Let sacrifices be laid upon the altar. Let him be god who would send down fire and consume the offerings. And let Baal and his priests have the first inning.
Then began the weird, pagan performance. With Elijah jibing at them with pointed sarcasm, “Cry louder why don’t you? Cry louder! He is a god you’re crying to isn’t he? Perhaps he’s gone for a walk. Perchance he’s asleep. Cry louder! Wake him up!”
All day long he taunted at them, until hoarse with their shouting, wearied with their paganistic dancing, they were exhausted. Yet no voice spoke. No voice answered.
Then Elijah went over to an abandoned Jehovah altar, set upon it a sacrifice, and offered his prayer to Jehovah – not ranting or foaming or shouting. And the answer came in fire, which consumed the offering. Then the people looking on cried as they fell on their faces, “The Lord! He is God! The LORD! HE is God!”
Now, I suggest to you that America needs a prophet today – a prophet that will set before the nation the essential choices. In the words of that great poet and essayist, J.D. Holland, God give us men – men whom the lust of office does not kill – men whom the spoils of office cannot buy – men who have honor – men who will not lie – men who can stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking – tall men, sun-ground who live above the fog in public duty and in private thinking.
Millions of people in America live in moral fogs. They move in a sort of spiritual twilight. Modified morality; modified dishonesty is the practice of millions more. Surely the time has come for us to be honest about it. If we have thrown away our national heritage. If we no longer believe that this nation was founded under God. If contrary to what is stamped upon our coins, our trust is not in God, but in Baal, LET US SAY SO!
Let us at least not be hypocrites. Yes, like the ancient Hebrew nation, America needs a prophet like an Elijah – a prophet who will have the ear of America and will say to her now:

IF THE LORD BE GOD, THEN FOLLOW HIM!

BUT IF BAAL, FOLLOW HIM . . . AND GO TO HELL!