THE BEAST REVEALED

🔊⚠️‼️THE BEAST REVEALED 

Who is this beast spoken of in Revelation? The Bible gives us enough of its distinguishing characteristics that we may positively identify this power. From the similarities between the beast of Revelation and the little horn of Daniel it is apparent that they are the same. 

1. The little horn power arises as the Roman Empire is fragmenting into ten different kingdoms. Dan. 7:7, 8, 23, 24.

Note: Between 376 and 476 A.D. the Roman Empire disintegrated as scores of barbarian tribes invaded dividing the empire up among ten main tribes. This is the time period from which the little horn/beast power must emerge.

2. The beast receives its power, seat, and great authority from the dragon. Rev. 13:1, 2. 

Note: The dragon from which the beast gets its power, seat, and authority is a symbol of Satan working through his primary agent of that day, the pagan Roman Empire. So this beast must get its power and authority from the pagan Roman Empire; and it must arise in the city of Rome, the “seat” of the Roman Empire. 

3. The little horn is responsible for eliminating three of the other horns or kingdoms. Dan. 7:8, 24.

Note: This power must be responsible for the elimination of three of the ten main barbarian kingdoms that replaced the Roman Empire. 

4. The little horn becomes greater than the remaining seven kingdoms. Dan. 7:8, 20. 

5. The little horn is somehow different from the other seven kingdoms. Dan. 7:24.

6. The beast speaks great things and blasphemies. Rev. 13:5, 6, 8. 

Note: In the Bible we find several definitions of blasphemy including: 

* Idol worship [Is. 65:7; Ez. 20:27-31]; 

* Claiming the power to forgive which belongs to God [Mk. 2:7; Lk. 5:21];

* Claiming to be God [Mk. 14:61-64; Jn. 10:33]. 

7. The horn speaks great things against God. Dan. 7:8, 20, 25.

Note:,Speaking against God is another form of blasphemy [2 Sam. 12:14; 2 Kgs. 18:35; 19:6]. 

8. The horn makes war with the saints and prevails. Dan. 7:21, 25. 

9. The beast makes war with the saints and overcomes them. Rev. 13:7. 

Note: This power will successfully persecute those who are true to God. 

10. The beast reigns for 42 months. Rev. 13:5. 

11. The horn has the saints in its power for a time, times and half a time. Dan. 7:25. 

Note: Both the 42 months and the time, times and half a time equal 1260 prophetic days which are 1260 literal years according to the principle found in Ezra 4:6.

A time = 1 year = 12 months = (12x30) 360 days

2 times = 2 years = 24 months = (24x30) 720 days

1/2 time = 1/2 a year = 6 months = (6x30) 180 days

A time, times & 1/2 time = 31/2 years = 42 months = (42x30) 1260 days - This power must rule for 1,260 years. 

12. The beast receives a deadly wound, but the wound is healed. Rev. 13:3. 

13. After the wound is healed the world again wonders after the beast and worship it. Rev. 13:4. 

14. The beast power is still a force in the world today, and will participate in the events just prior to the second coming of Christ. Dan. 7:11, 26; Rev. 19:20. 

15. The little horn thinks to change times and laws. Dan. 7:25. 

Note: It is God’s laws this power thinks to change since political powers change the laws governing their people at will. 

There is only one power in all of history that fits all fifteen of these identifying marks. In 330 A.D. the Roman Emperor Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Constantinople leaving the bishop of the church in Rome almost on his own amid the invasion of barbarian tribes from the north. Three of these tribes were from a different branch of Christianity called Arianism. They put a severe limitation on the church of Rome and it’s power. In 533 the Emperor Justinian declared the bishop of Rome “head of the church and corrector of heretics.” By 538 the emperors ruling in Constantinople, to secure the power of the Roman Bishop, had eliminated the three Arian tribes, the Heruli, the Vandals, and the Ostrogoths. Thus the Roman Catholic church inherited pagan Rome’s seat and was given her authority and caused three horns to be plucked up. 

With the conversion or submission of the remaining seven tribes she became greater than the other “horns,” that inherited the power of Rome. 

As a religious and political power she is “different” from the other horns that arose at that time. 

This power commits blasphemy by: 

* Introducing and enforcing the worship of idols, relics, and saints; 

* Claiming the power to forgive sins [“The priest holds the place of the Saviour himself, when, he absolves from sin.” - Liguori, Duties and Dignities of the Priest, p. 34; “And God Himself is obliged to abide by the judgment of His priest.” Ibid., p. 27];

* Claiming to be God [“We hold upon this earth the place of God Almighty.” The Great Encyclical Letters of Leo, XIII, p. 304.

This power has made war with the saints and overcome them. It is estimated that 50 - 100 million people were put to death for “heresy” by this power. 

This power reigned from 538 until 1798 when the armies of France took the pope captive and declared his office and function ended. Rome was in power for exactly 1260 years when it received this “deadly wound.” 

In 1929 the pope was granted full authority over the state of Vatican City and became a political power once again. The wound was starting to heal.

In the Protestant world there has been a change of attitude from active hostility to open acceptance of this power, from the extreme of bigotry to the extreme of denial of history. There is now a trend toward reunion with Rome and a rejection of the foundations of what it means to be a Protestant. Today the pope may be the most respected man alive. The “wound” is well on its way to being fully “healed” and the ”world” is beginning to “wonder after the beast.”

This power has thought to change God’s times and laws. It has removed the second commandment against idolatry and split the tenth commandment into two parts to preserve the number. It claims, “The pope can modify divine law, since his power is not of man, but of God.” Prompta Bibliotheca, Venice: Caspa Storti, 1772. It has also taken the seventh day Sabbath of the Ten Commandments, and replaced it with its own day, Sunday. It claims that, “The church has changed the Sabbath into Sunday on its own authority.” And “We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday.” The Convert’s Cathechism of Catholic Doctrine.

#Jesus #Messiah #Christ #Jewish #Israel #Jerusalem #God #Adventist #seventhdayadventist #Sabbath #SHABBAT

proverbs 30:24

𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝟑𝟎:𝟐𝟒 

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞:

You can learn much from little things God created on earth. The prophet Agur continued teaching wisdom to his prize students through observations of things in nature. He listed four very small things, and he pointed out that much wisdom could be learned from each of these small creatures. Be attentive, dear reader, and you can learn wisdom.

Men consider these four creatures – ants, rabbits, locusts, and spiders – insignificant, stupid, and beneath their respect. They spend much more time and effort trying to destroy these creatures than they do observing and learning the wisdom their Creator gave them. It is quite humbling for man to find wisdom in these creatures that he has not consistently acquired himself. Ah, dear reader, God is also teaching you a general lesson of humility.

The instincts of these small creatures are often superior to man’s higher world of reason and intelligence. Who is as foresightful as the ant? Secure as the cony? Cooperative as the locust? Diligent as the spider? The Creator put man in his place by their wisdom. Without God, men are fools. In the habits of these four animals is wisdom that can teach, correct, and rebuke men. But business schools still speculate on the causes of success.

How perceptive and discerning are you? Are you only impressed by size, beauty, sound, or show? Or do you look for wisdom and conduct, foresight and diligence, and other traits of much greater value than appearance? Wisdom is the principal thing, and it will serve you well to see the wisdom these small, ugly, silent, and reticent creatures have.

Yet Agur also appreciated comely and stately carriage, so he listed four other creatures that are impressive and beautiful in appearance, movement, conduct, and effect (Pr 30:29-31). It is not enough to do right and be wise, for you should also be attractive and pleasing in the way you practice both. Do you adorn godly virtue by attractive manners? 

God is glorious in all His works, even the small ones. God boasted to Job of his largest creatures, leviathon and behemoth (Job 40:15; 41:11), but here you can also see His majesty in small things. Do you look close enough and think long enough to recognize that His whole creation declares His glory? Do you get as much pleasure from the hummingbird as the elephant, from the baboon as the horse, from the sloth as the eagle?

Nature contains lessons of wisdom that have been lost in this so-called enlightened world. For example, the apostle Paul appealed to the natural rules of hair length (I Cor 11:14-15). Long hair on a man is disgusting, but long hair on a woman is glorious. Ignoring the perverts of this generation, this rule has been kept by most societies in history. It does not matter what hippies or designers say; the rule is generally true. Long hair on a man is as shameful as a man wearing a laced nightgown, no matter what Caitlyn Jenner does.

Paul also appealed to universal condemnation of sodomy by most societies (Rom 1:26-27). The Bible condemns this perversion, but so does nature. Most men have always despised it. Modest grasp of anatomy, biology, hygiene, health, character, sexual attraction, and human society create disgust of it. Most nations had laws against sodomy with severe punishments, and all of America’s fifty states had laws against it. Only with great effort were they recently repealed. Several states had them into the 21st century.

The prophet Agur taught four lessons of wisdom in four proverbs, pointing out unique character traits of wisdom in four small creatures. They are the ant (25), the cony (26), the locust (27), and the spider (28). Fretting over precisely which species Agur intended with each of these creatures misses the lessons. The lessons are foresight and savings (25), risk-free security (26), cooperation in societies (27), and persistent diligence (28).

Be careful not to despise the poor and weak of this world when you meet them, for God has chosen them rich in faith and heirs of His kingdom (Jas 2:5; I Cor 1:26-29). And when you need wisdom, you should go to the God of wisdom, Who is able to endow even these small creatures with great amounts of it. Surely He can supply your need (Jas 1:5).

https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-30/proverbs-30-24/

THE DRAVIDIAN PEOPLE OF SOUTH ASIA

THE DRAVIDIAN PEOPLE OF SOUTH ASIA.

Dravidians are the most ancient ethno-linguistic group of South Asia. The migrations of the Indo-Aryans pushed them deeper into the subcontinent. But a few isolated groups still remain to tell the tale. They may not have the Ancestral South Indian (ASI) of most of the Dravidian people, but the Brahui language still spoken in Balochistan in the areas around Quetta, is tell tale evidence of our history. 

The Brahui is an ethnic group residing in Balochistan and Sindh, in Pakistan. Their distant linguistic cousins reside in the states of Karnataka and Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana in India. 

The Brahui are an excellent example of this phenomenon. A Dravidian ethnic group residing in the deserts of Sindh and Balochistan in Pakistan, they share DNA with their Sindhi, Balochi and provincial neighbours of different ethnicities. But their nearest cousins are located in the states of Karnataka in India.

Causal relationships between ethnic groups in the Indian Subcontinent are no strange feat. As a matter of fact, the subcontinent is composed entirely of different ethnic groups constantly mixing and interpolating with each other. However, the separation of an ethnic group from its closest linguistic cousins entirely is a rare phenomenon found in isolated communities.

The Brahui is one such community. Their language, culture and traditions are seen as idiosyncratic and differing in nature from the Sindhi and Balochi cultures surrounding them. There is more to the story. The unique music, linguistic syntax and even the style of dressing of the community are somewhat unique as compared to their neighbours.

The Dravidian peoples are historically linked to the southern most tip of the Indian Subcontinent, which today forms part of modern India. A portion of these people are settled in Sri Lanka, some in Southeast Asian countries. However, a Pakistani link to this ethnic group had yet to be identified before the Brahui.

Perhaps it is the relatively isolated nature of this community which makes it difficult for the connections to be drawn. Now well integrated into the framework of Pakistan, the Brahui community has largely been underrepresented in popular culture and at organisational and legislative levels due to their relatively smaller size and unique language, differing from the provincial and national languages of Pakistan.

the parable

Matthew 25 parable.

A Mini Study

The lamps are our bodies.

The oil is the holy Spirit.

These 10 virgins represent people who claim to be or think they are Christians. The unsaved or heathen have no desire to be associated with Christ. 

We are ALL conceived and born with the holy Spirit in our souls, it is what gives life (Psalms 139 & John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world), and it can be said that when we ALL sin for the first time with knowledge, we lose that holy spirit and our lamps 'go out'. This happens to EVERYONE. The holy Spirit leaves us and God starts drawing us to the cross.

The holy spirit CANNOT BE LOST once we are born again of the spirit into God's family, our souls are SEALED until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13,14 & 4:30), we are NEW creatures/creations in Christ born of God's word and gospel which is an incorruptible SEED (I John 3:9.)

There is no such thing as 'extra oil' or 'running out of oil'. These 2 phrases are often seen when trying to understand what Matthew 25 is speaking about. There are a LOT of false doctrines in the church about this parable, and the issue of this 'oil' is one of the most misunderstood parts of this.

We are all given the SAME MEASURE of the Holy Spirit when we accept the gospel and Christ as our Saviour (John 20:21,22). Jesus did NOT give Peter more of the Holy Spirit than He gave to James or John or any of us. It only takes a drop of this stuff to become a RIVER we often see in the word, so the amount given is NOT AN ISSUE. In Luke 16 we see the rich man wanting just a drop of water to cool his tongue (which he was gnashing.) IF he had a drop of the holy spirit (pictured in the bible as oil and/or water) his soul and tongue would not be in HELL, but in Abarhams bosom.

HAVING SOME OR NOT HAVING SOME is the issue brethren, and once you have received the Lord you will never thirst again...

Eat Jesus’ flesh/ drink His blood??

Jesus’ graphic picture about eating His flesh and drinking His blood is indeed crazy at first glance.Not only is it impossible to do, but repulsive to most everyone.

Context will help us understand what He is saying. As we consider everything that Jesus said and did in John 6, the meaning of His words becomes clearer.

Earlier in the chapter, Jesus fed the 5,000 (John 6:1–13). The next day, the same multitudes continued to follow Him, wanting another meal. Jesus pointed out their short sightedness: they were only seeking physical bread, not spiritual bread.Jesus try’s to turn their perspective away from physical sustenance to their true need, which was spiritual.

This contrast between physical food and spiritual food sets the clear stage for Jesus’ statement that we must eat His flesh and drink His blood. Jesus explains that it is not physical bread that the world needs, but spiritual bread. Jesus clearly identifies Himself 3 times as that spiritual bread (John 6:35, 48, 51). 

Jesus then compares and contrasts Himself to the manna that the Jews had eaten in the time of Moses: (John 6:49–50). Like manna, Jesus came down from heaven; and, like manna, Jesus gives life. Unlike manna however the life Jesus gives lasts for eternity (verse 58). In this way, Jesus is greater than Moses (see Hebrews 3:3).

Those who misunderstood Jesus and were offended by His talk about eating His flesh and drinking His blood were stuck in a purely physical mindset, totally ignoring the things of the Spirit. 

They were concerned with just getting another physical meal, so Jesus uses the realm of the physical to teach a vital spiritual truth. Those who couldn’t make the jump from the physical to the spiritual turned their backs on Jesus and walked away (verse 66).

The Catholic cult believe,s that the bread and wine of communion are somehow magically transformed into Jesus’ actual flesh and blood because they they want to add their own spin and tradition to scripture.These tradition oriented ideas are called transubstantiation per the Catholic cult magisterium CCC 1376 ...

“The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."

WONDERFUL PROPHECIES

WONDERFUL PROPHECIES: 

Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway, Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador, and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name, were not fully understood even by the prophet himself; but before his life labors closed, he was given the blessed assurance that "at the end of the days"—in the closing period of this world's history—he would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place. It was not given him to understand all that God had revealed of the divine purpose. "Shut up the words, and seal the book," he was directed concerning his prophetic writings; these were to be sealed "even to the time of the end." "Go thy way, Daniel," the angel once more directed the faithful messenger of Jehovah; "for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.... Go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." Daniel 12:4, 9, 13.

As we near the close of this world's history, the prophecies recorded by Daniel demand our special attention, as they relate to the very time in which we are living. With them should be linked the teachings of the last book of the New Testament Scriptures. Satan has led many to believe that the prophetic portions of the writings of Daniel and of John the revelator cannot be understood. But the promise is plain that special blessing will accompany the study of these prophecies. "The wise shall understand" (verse 10), was spoken of the visions of Daniel that were to be unsealed in the latter days; and of the revelation that Christ gave to His servant John for the guidance of God's people all through the centuries, the promise is, "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." Revelation 1:3.

From the rise and fall of nations as made plain in the books of Daniel and the Revelation, we need to learn how worthless is mere outward and worldly glory. Babylon, with all its power and magnificence, the like of which our world has never since beheld,—power and magnificence which to the people of that day seemed so stable and enduring,—how completely has it passed away! As "the flower of the grass," it has perished. James 1:10. So perished the Medo-Persian kingdom, and the kingdoms of Grecia and Rome. And so perishes all that has not God for its foundation. Only that which is bound up with His purpose, and expresses His character, can endure. His principles are the only steadfast things our world knows.

A careful study of the working out of God's purpose in the history of nations and in the revelation of things to come, will help us to estimate at their true value things seen and things unseen, and to learn what is the true aim of life. Thus, viewing the things of time in the light of eternity, we may, like Daniel and his fellows, live for that which is true and noble and enduring. And learning in this life the principles of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, that blessed kingdom which is to endure for ever and ever, we may be prepared at His coming to enter with Him into its possession. PK 547.1 - PK 548.2

FOLLOWING JESUS IN WATER BAPTISM 

A common reason given by those who still practice the Jewish ritual of water Baptism today is that they are following the Lord's example in Water Baptism 

Yet, this people cannot be water Baptized for the same reasons for which Jesus was water Baptized 

Water Baptism part of the Kingdom Gospel preached by the 12 Apostles and John the Baptist to ISRAEL 

Repentance and water Baptism was necessary for the remission of sins inorder to enter into the Kingdom of heaven on earth ( Mark 1:4)

The Lord Jesus however DID NOT have any sins to be remitted being the sinless Son of God (Hebrews 4:15).

John the Baptist hesitated to Baptize Jesus knowing that he had no sin but Jesus insisted that he should be water Baptized to fulfill all righteousness

Matthew 3:14-15 

 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

What does to "fulfill all righteousness" mean ?

He was water Baptized to fulfill the Righteousness of the law and the prophets 

Jesus did not come to destroy the promises, prophets, and laws given to Israel. 

He was not setting a new pattern with his water baptism, but fulfilling an old one.

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” – Matt 5:17

Washings with water were required for many different people at different times with different purposes under the law.

 If someone failed to do them, they would be guilty of breaking the law.

One particular law that was being invoked by John was the washing requirement for all priests.

John was preaching the kingdom come and in the kingdom the entire nation of Israel was to be priests unto the Lord (Exo 19:6, Isa 61:6).

Jesus kept the law perfectly, and as such submitted himself to the required ordinances to fulfill all righteousness.

Few prophecies spoke of the messenger coming before the Lord to prepare his way.

“As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” – Mark 1:2-3 (quoting Mal 4:1 and Isa 40:3)

John the Baptist was that messenger, and Jesus was the prophesied Lord.

God told John a prophecy that he would be able to identify the Messiah through his water baptism.

“And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” – John 1:31-33

If Jesus did not fulfil what was spoken of him then the prophecies would be false, the message of John the Baptist a lie, and God would be unrighteous.

Jesus came to fufill the prophets and he fulfilled multiple prophecies by being water baptized of John.

Jesus was water baptized to justify John’s message.

John the Baptist preached the kingdom was at hand. Those that heard his preaching and justified God’s word to him were water baptized of him (just as they justified God in Jesus’ ministry).

“And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.” – Luke 7:29

By being baptized of John, Jesus was saying, “John’s teachings are truly from God”.

In order to align himself with God’s prophet and his message, Jesus needed to be water baptized of John.

Multiple times in Jesus’ time on earth God spoke from heaven and testified that Jesus was His Son (John 12:28, Mat 17:5).

Jesus knew that he was the Son of God (Luke 2:49), and that his water baptism would identify him as such to Israel.

 Therefore, Jesus insisted to John that he be water baptized of him.

When he came up out of the water the Spirit of God descended on him and God spoke for everyone to hear.

John later would preach this event as proof that he was the Messiah.

“And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him… And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.” – John 1:32-34.

Jesus was not water baptized to institute a new ordinance. Water baptism was an old tradition.

He was water baptized to fulfill righteousness of the law and the prophets and to show that was the prophesied Messiah, the Son of God.

If you want to follow the Lord in Baptism today,it is not by his water Baptism under the law in Matthew-John 

In this Dispensation of Grace there is ONE BAPTISM for the church the Body of Christ as Paul clearly said in Ephesians 4:5 which takes place when we trust Christ's atoning shed blood, death burial and resurrection for our sins(1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

This ONE BAPTISM is baptism by the Spirit into Christ's Body which identifies us with Christ's crucifixion,death burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 12:13, Romans 6;3-4, Colossians 2:11-13, Galatians 3:27)

THE CASE AGAINST SUNDAY 

WHY THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK CANNOT BE THE BIBLE SABBATH.

Ask anyone at random which day Christians keep holy and you will probably receive the same answer. Why Sunday, of course! 

In Old Testament times, even before the Jews, God’s people worshipped on the seventh day. So did Jesus, the apostles, and the New Testament church. Yet the vast majority of Christendom worships on Sunday. 

Many arguments are given to justify the change of Sabbath from the seventh to the first day of the week. Do they measure up to the Bible? 

Some argue that we should keep Sunday to commemorate our redemption, since Jesus rose from the dead on Sunday. Redemption, they say, is greater than Creation. Is it? 

But suppose redemption is greater than Creation. God has not honored any particular day as a memorial of redemption. Even if He did, would it be the day of His crucifixion or resurrection? Do we have redemption through Christ’s death or resurrection? Or Both? 

The Bible teaches us to commemorate Jesus’ death through the Lord’s Supper (see 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). His resurrection is commemorated in baptism by immersion (see Romans 6:3-5). Does Baptism or the Lord’s Supper rob the seventh-day Sabbath of its holiness? No. We are to participate in the Lord’s Supper, practice the ordinance of baptism, and keep the seventh-day Sabbath holy. 

Unfortunately, those who claim authority to change the Sabbath to Sunday have also taken the liberty to change the celebration of the Lord’s Supper and ordinance of baptism. 

The word “Sunday” is not found in the Bible, but the term “first day of the week” is found eight times. Six of these references are from the Gospels and are connected with Christ’s resurrection. 

Acts 20 reports a special need night meeting held by the Apostle Paul at Troas (see verse 8😎).As the day begins at sunset, according to the Bible, this meeting was on what we call Saturday night.

On the first day of the week, the Corinthians were encouraged to collect an offering for the poor saints to be “laid by in store” at home and has no reference to any public meeting (1 Corinthians 16:2). 

None of these eight texts attribute sacredness to any day except the seventh-day Sabbath. 

What about John being in the Spirit on “the Lord’s day”? Didn’t that mean Sunday? 

Jesus declared that because He was the Creator, He was also the “Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27, 28). The fourth commandment contains these words, “the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God” (Exodus 20:10). These texts show that the Lord’s day is Saturday. 

Others argue that the Ten Commandments are no longer binding upon Christians, so the seventh-day Sabbath is obsolete. However, Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). Isaiah said of the Saviour, “He will magnify the law, and make it honourable” (Isaiah 42:21). Jesus taught, “It was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). Christ defined adultery beyond the physical act. His teachings lifted the law beyond externals into the realm of the thoughts and intents of the heart. It was “magnified and made honourable.” 

Respected Christian leaders have recognised the binding claims of God’s law. D. L. Moody said, “The law that was given at Sinai has lost none of its solemnity. Time cannot wear out it’s authority or the fact of its authorship… I have never met an honest man that found fault with the Ten Commandments…. The commandments of God given to Moses in the mount at Horeb are as binding today as ever they have been since the time they were proclaimed in the hearing of the people” (Weighed and Wanting, pp. 11, 15). 

John Calvin wrote, “We must not imagine that the coming of Christ has freed us from the authority of the law; for it is the eternal rule of a devout and holy life, and must therefore be as unchangeable as the justice of God, which it embraced, is constant and uniform” (Commentary on a Harmony of the Gospel, vol. 1, p. 277). 

God’s law is as eternal and unchanging as God Himself. “All his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever” (Psalm 111:7-8). 

There is a historical reason why most Christians worship on the first day of the week, but it isn’t a biblical reason.

FORTY BIBLE FACTS CONCERNING THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK 

1. The very first thing recorded in the Bible is work done on Sunday, the first day of the week. (Genesis 1:1-5.) This was done by the Creator Himself. If God made the earth on Sunday, can it be wicked for us to work on Sunday? 

2. God commands men to work upon the first day of the week. (Exodus 20:8-11.) Is it wrong to obey God?

3. None of the patriarchs ever kept it.

4. None of the holy prophets ever kept it.

5. By the express command of God, His holy people used the first day of the week as a common working day for 4,000 years, at least.

6. God Himself calls it a “working day. (Ezekiel 46:1.)

7. God did not rest upon it.

8. He never blessed it.

9. Christ did not rest upon it.

10. Jesus was a carpenter (Mark 6:3), and worked at His trade until He was thirty years old. He kept the Sabbath and worked six days in the week, as all admit. Hence He did many a hard day’s work on Sunday.

11. The apostles worked upon it during the same time.

12. The apostles never rested upon it.

13. Christ never blessed it.

14. It has never been blessed by any divine authority.

15. It has never been sanctified.

16. No law was ever given to enforce the keeping of it, hence it is no transgression to work upon it. “Where no law is, there is no transgression.” Romans 4:15. (See also 1 Johy3:4.)

17. The New Testament nowhere forbids work to be done on it.

18. No penalty is provided for its violation.

19. No blessing is promised for its observance.

20. No regulation is given as to how it ought to be observed. Would this be so if the Lord wished us to keep it?

21. It is never called the Christian Sabbath.

22. It is never called the Sabbath day at all.

23. It is never called the Lord’s day.

24. It is never called even a rest day.

25. No sacred title whatever is applied to it. Then why should we call it holy?

26. It is simply called “first day of the week.”

27. Jesus never mentioned it in any way, never took its name upon His lips, as far as the record shows.

28. The word Sunday never occurs in the Bible at all.

29. Neither God, Christ, nor inspired men ever said one word in favor of Sunday as a holy day.

30. The first day of the week is mentioned only eight times in all the New Testament. (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2, 9; Luke 24:1; John 2:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2.)

31. Six of these texts refer to the same first day of the week.

32. Paul directed the saints to look over their secular affairs on that day. (1 Corinthians 16:2.)

33. In all the New Testament we have a record of only one religious meeting held upon that day, and even this was a night meeting. (Acts 20:5-12.)

34. There is not an intimation that they ever held a meeting upon it before or after that.

35. It was not their custom to meet on that day.

36. There was no requirement to break bread on that day.

37. We have an account of only one instance in which it was done. (Acts 20:7.)

38: That was done in the night - after midnight. (Verses 7-11.) Jesus celebrated it on Thursday evening (Luke 22), and the disciples sometimes did it every day (Acts 2:42-46).

39. The Bible nowhere says that the first day of the week commemorates the resurrection of Christ. This is a tradition of men, which contradicts the law of God. (Matthew 15:1-9.) Baptism commemorate the burial and resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 6:3-5.)

40. Finally, the New Testament is totally silent with regard to any change of the Sabbath day or any sacredness for the first day.

ABRAHAM IS OUR FATHER BUT WE ARE NOT SPIRITUAL ISRAEL.

Those who continue to teach the devilish lie that we are Spiritual ISRAEL often appeal to Pauline passages that identify Abraham as our Father and we as his seed.

Galatians 3:7, 29 

 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Abraham is our Father as members of the church the Body of Christ but that does not make US ISRAEL 

Abraham IS NOT ISRAEL.

Abraham Fathered ISRAEL in the flesh through Jacob who begot the 12 tribes of ISRAEL 

Abraham is called the Father of many nations,he Fathered other nations that were NOT ISRAEL (Genesis 17:4-6)

Abraham is our Spiritual Father because we walk in his steps of Faith

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Abraham was Justified and declared righteous by God by Faith in the promises God made to him of an heir ,a land and a mighty nation..

Abraham believed in God and it was accounted 

to him for righteousness 

Galatians 3:6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.

Abraham was declared righteous by Faith without works of the Mosaic old covenant law 

Those who don't seek to be Justified by the works of the Mosaic law but by Faith are walking in the steps of Abraham and are his Children 

We are Abraham's Children when we believe how Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again on the third day for Salvation and righteousness ( Romans 4:24-25) instead of trying to be Justified by our obedience to the law.

Abraham's content Faith is different from ours.

Abraham's Faith was in the earthly promises God made to him

The Content of our Faith is Christ's finished work 

Yet, when we exercise Faith in God ,we are walking in the Steps of Abraham who also exercised Faith in God and are therefore his Spiritual children.

If we be Abraham's seed because of our Faith in Christ's finished work, then we are heirs of eternal life,the promise made by God in Christ ( Titus 1:1-2, Ephesians 3:6)

Those who would twist scripture totally Miss Paul's point in Galatians 3.

They think that Paul is making us Spiritual ISRAEL and partakers of the Abrahamic covenant and promises 

Instead ,Paul is explaining how Abraham was declared righteous by Faith without works of the Mosaic law and how we can also be Justified by Faith today without the Mosaic law 

God made promises to Abraham and his seed Christ of a land and a mighty nation.

The promises made to Abraham were ultimately going to be fulfilled by Christ 

Abraham was declared righteous because he received this promises by Faith.

God was promising Abraham and his mighty nation eternal life in Christ when he told him that he will live in the land forever with his multiplied seed 

Abraham and his mighty nation will receive eternal life in the land in Christ by Faith 

The old covenant Mosaic law was given to Increase transgression so that ISRAEL could see the need for Christ the promised seed to get the promises made to their Fathers ( Galatians 3:19 ,Romans 15:8)

Both Jews and Gentiles are shown to be sinners. Both have broken the law and they can now be declared righteous and receive eternal life by believing Paul's Gospel, the Faith revealed to him ( Galatians 3:22-23)

So you can clearly see Paul's point in Galatians 3 

Abraham was declared righteous by Faith in God's promises without works of the Mosaic law.

We can also be declared righteous by Faith in Christ's finished work without works of the Mosaic law.

Abraham and his mighty nation of ISRAEL will receive the promise of eternal life in their promised land in Christ by Faith without works of the old covenant law 

Today,we also receive the promise of Eternal life in Christ by Faith in Christ's finished work without works of the old covenant law.

We are NOT Spiritual ISRAEL 

We are the New creature no longer identified as Jews or Gentiles, Circumcision or Uncircumcision ( Galatians 3:27, Galatians 6:15)

WHAT DOES “IHS” MEAN?

WHAT DOES “IHS” MEAN?

The Satanic Roots Of The Roman Catholic Institution and it's Babylonian Mystery Religion.

Nimrod developed astrology, and laid the foundations for black and white witchcraft. Shem (Cush’s great uncle, Noah’s son, and a righteous man), appalled by his nephew’s evil deeds, killed Nimrod.

Before his death, Nimrod married and impregnated his mother Semiramis. After Nimrod was slain, Semiramis convinced the people of Babylon that Nimrod was a god (the sun god Baal), and that she was a goddess (the Queen of Heaven).

Semiramis developed the Satanic religion of Baal worship, including confession (for blackmail and public fear), secret societies (prefiguring Masonry, Mormonism, Jesuits, and the Illuminati), and the idea that she, as the religious leader, was the only medium to G-D (prefiguring the Pope).

Idols appeared featuring mother Semiramis and baby Nimrod (prefiguring the Virgin Mary and Baby J-sus); her symbol was the moon (Isis, Diana), and Nimrod’s was the sun (Horus, Baal, Sol).

Semiramis promoted baby sacrifices and celibacy for priests, foreshadowing Roman Catholicism.

She invented death by crucifixion (crucifixes were originally occult symbols in Babylon and Egypt).

Semiramis bore another child (by her son Nimrod, while claiming she was a virgin) named Tammuz, who she maintained was the reincarnation of Nimrod (Baal). This was the foundation of the virgin mother with child archetype that Satan used to corrupt many world religions.

In Egypt, Semiramis became Isis, and Nimrod became Horus (as a child) and Osiris as an adult (the pyramid eye of Freemasonry is the “eye of Osiris”).

Sun worship dominated Egypt. Egyptian priests practiced “transubstantiation”, claiming to be able to transfer the sun god Osiris into a circular wafer. 

In rituals prefiguring Catholic Mass, the faithful then ate the “body” of their god to nourish their souls. 

The letters IHS on the sun-shaped wafers stood for Isis, Horus, Seb(Set) (later, Roman Catholics claimed they were the first three letters of J-sus’ name in Greek).

THE TWO DECISIVE BATTLES, Culled From Dipo Toby Alakija Books @followers Illustrative Sermon Book Titled Map Of Eternal Destinations.

A woman told me she asked her Pastor this important question after reading a message like this but she could not get satisfactory answer. The question is: “Who is Jesus Christ?” While wondering how a person could possibly believe in Someone she does not know, I realized that a lot of Christians are like this. They just believe without question, which is a very good thing but the implication of not knowing Who Jesus really is is to remain a child of God instead of growing in the knowledge of Whom he or she believes. The question about the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ is what brings about this message titled: The Two Decisive Battles. If you permit me, I would like to start with the first decisive battle which is the war that broke out in heaven.

Lucifer who was created with much precious stones and power in heaven with the purpose of leading other angels in praising God, according to Ezekiel 28:13-15, became so full of himself that he said in Isaiah 14:13-14, “I will ascend into heaven (of heaven), I will exalt my throne (in the kingdom of God) above the stars of God; I will also sit on (control) the mount of the congregation (of all angels in heaven) I will ascend above the heights of the cloud, I will be like the Most High (God).”

With this statement which was intended for self-promotion into the status of the creator, Lucifer – a created being declared war against his Creator in heaven. And so in Revelation 12:7-9, the Bible says, “And there was war in heaven: Michael (another ach-angel) and his (warring) angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels (who teamed up with Lucifer), And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world (as in the case of Adam and Eve who were deceived to hand over the kingdom of the world to the dragon in Genesis 3:1-6): he was cast out into the earth, and his angels (who are later called by different names like devils, demons etc) were cast out with him.”

Since the dragon took over the world from mankind through deception, he owns and rules the world, going by his statement that was not challenged by Jesus Christ in Matthew 4:8-9. It says, “Again, the devil takes him (Jesus) up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto him, All these things will I give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” 

The original place for Lucifer and other fallen angels, according to Isaiah 14:15 is Sheol (hell), located at the “lowest depths of pit” which is part of God’s creations – far below the earth. But these fallen angels have the privilege to move to and from even up to the presence of God, according to Job 1:6, which says, “Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.” All angels, including fallen angels are sometimes regarded as sons of God because they came from God, going by this and other passages like Genesis 6:2 that says, “(when) … the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose."

When God recreated the world which was then without form, according to Genesis Chapter 1, and handed it over to mankind, the dragon came from Sheol like a serpent with anger against God for throwing him out of heaven and with jealousy against mankind for being placed in the position he coveted. Thus Revelation 12:12 says, “… Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.” That is to say, the devil has short time to fight the second decisive battle on earth with mankind through which every human can decide who they want to follow just as the angels fought their own decisive battle in heaven. Anybody who decides to be on God’s side will end up in the kingdom of God while those who do not will end up in Sheol, according to Revelation 21:8.

When the angels fought their own battle, about one third of the angels were influenced to rebelled against God. When all humans begin to fight their own battle with the dragon, he seems to be taking the majority to Sheol. He is able to do this through three old methods and simple ways of deceptions which are as follow, according to 1 John 2:16:

(1) The Lust Of The Flesh like desire of Eve to live forever as in Genesis 3:2-6

(2) The lust of the eyes like use of the eyes to see the pleasant looks of forbidden fruit in verse 6 and

(3) The pride of life like the desire to be wise in the same verse.

But God so love mankind, according to John 3:16, that He has to send His Word, Who is the Spirit that became flesh through virgin birth with the mission to deliver mankind from being taken to Sheol. He was to accomplish this mission by “bruising the serpent’s head”, according to Genesis 3:15.

To bruise Satan’s head, the Messiah or Saviour would have to go to Sheol where he dwells after “His heel is bruised” which is to die a painful death. No one in heaven and on earth is powerful enough go to Sheol and carry out this rescue mission because no one goes to Sheol and then return. So the Word of God who was still resting inside Father after He created the world has to come out of God to undertake the impossible mission of saving mankind. He was to be the sacrificial Lamp that would go to Sheol with the sins of the world and then rescue mankind from dragon by bruising its head. For this reason John, the forerunner of Jesus said in John 1:29, “… Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” And the book of Revelation 5:12 says, “…Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

When Jesus was about to go and bruise the head of the dragon in Sheol, His humanity was revealed when He said in Matthew 26:39, “… O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” When the sins of the whole world that will take Him to Sheol were laid upon Him, He said in a loud voice in Matthew 27: 46, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”

When Jesus created the world, He was the Word of God. When He came into the world, He was a Son of man. When He went to Sheol, He was a Sacrificial Lamp. When He returned from Sheol after bruising the head of dragon, spending three days in the place, He became the Son of God. After He rose up from the dead, He made as many as believed in Him the sons of God who are delivered from the dragon that holds the whole world captive, according to John 1:1-18. When He is coming back the second time, He is coming to judge the world, according to 1 Peter 4:5, which says “…who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.”

My question now is: since God has gone this far to redeem mankind from the dragon, do anyone has any reason to remain the slave of the dragon or to end up in Sheol which is the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, according to Revelation 21:8? 

I pray the missions of redemption of Jesus Christ will not be in vain in our lives in Jesus name.

*❤️RHEMA FOR LIVING❤️*

*WHY DO PEOPLE GROW ANGRY WHEN WE SHARE RIGHT DIVISION WITH THEM?* by Felix Kopiyo.

👍Remember, all things fall apart in the religious system if dispensational Bible study is embraced and upheld. This is especially concerning “friendships,” “marriages,” and “peers.” You may lose your personal business, your spouse, your “friends,” everything. Many in the Grace Movement—myself included—know this all too well.

👍If right division were embraced, if Paul’s apostleship to us were accepted as true, the first thing that would go would be water baptism. Every group in Christendom holds to some type of water baptism, so every group would literally fall apart! Tithing (forced giving), Sabbath-day keeping, “healing” services, confession of sins, prayer books, “praise and worship services,” “anointed preaching,” bodies of scholarship, and so on, all of that would have to go as well. They recognize exactly what they would have to abandon and they grow angry because they are too much attached to these practices and ideas

👍People are going to have to start disagreeing with their “alma maters” (the “higher learning” institutions from which they received their education/training and advanced degrees). For example, a man feels indebted to his denominational college or seminary. 

👍To embrace dispensational Bible study means he must part with his “academic heritage.” That means disappointing his former professors, jeopardizing his friendships with former classmates, losing his endorsements, losing his reputation as a “champion” in that group or denomination, and so on. He will endure a string of very painful names—“heretic,” “apostate,” “church splitter,” “traitor,” “troublemaker,” “fanatic,” “Paul-worshipper,” “Bible-worshipper,” and much nastier words too vulgar to repeat here!

👍Often, people are just not willing to give up their “prestigious” positions in their community. This can be with respect to professing Jesus Christ as Saviour, professing to believe the King James Bible, professing to be a Pauline dispensationalist, or professing to be a Bible-believing creationist. They will have to endure the “stigma” of “someone who believes things that very few people believe.”

👍Another reason why people dislike dispensational Bible study is that it removes works as a requirement to please God. Religion is very popular because it allows you to do things in the flesh. You get a sense that you can do things to make God happy with you. It can be a water baptism, a church membership, a series of prescribed prayers, a monetary donation, whatever. Then, you can brag about your “goodness.” Religionists have been so indoctrinated that they believe their Christian life cannot function without the Law. They believe the Law (especially the Ten Commandments) can help them manage their sin. They think it can help them quit bad deeds and help them start doing good deeds.

standardized and shared as copied.

THE THRONE  OF GOD (YHWH + YESHUA): (Rev. 4)

 John was taken up to Heaven in the spirit and beheld God’s Throne. He could not clearly discern God, although he knew He was upon His Throne, because of the blinding radiance of God’s Countenance which was like glistening and glittering gems. Remember Moses when be came down from Sinai, and how no one could look upon his face? John states elsewhere in – 1 John 1: 5, “God is Light”, and Ezekiel describes God in the same way in Ez. 1: 26-28. Both John and Ezekiel refer to the difficulty of distinguishing God’s Form because of the Glorious light which emanates from Him, and both refer ti the Rainbow which arches roud the Throne. God never forgets His Covenants!

John then goes on to describe the Personages and surroundings rounding about God’s Throne. The 24 Elders, many commentators believe, are comprised of 12 Apostles of Christ, and 12 Priestly representatives of the tribes of Israel. 24 would seem to be God’s governmental order.

* In 1 Chron. 24: 1-19, we find that David distributed the Priestly office of all Israel between 24 elders who represented the whole of the priesthood. These Elders around God’s Throne then, could represent the whole of God’s Priesthood in both Old and New Testaments! Rev. 21: 10-14, we see this combination, where the New Jerusalem has 12 foundation Stones bearing the names of the 12 Apostles of Christ, and 12 Gates named after the 12 tribes of Israel!

There is a difference of opinion however, amongst commentators regarding the identity of these 24 elders. While some see them as redeemed men, others believe they are angelic administration. Rev. 5: 8-12 (A. V.) is used to show that they are redeemed men. But the word “us” is not in the original, so there is an open question here.

John goes on to describe the four living creatures in and around God’s Throne – one like a lion, another like a calf, the third like a man and the fourth like an eagle. Each has 6 wings and is full of eyes. Ezekiel also saw these “cherubim” in his vision of Ez. 1:5-25, if not the self same four, they were of a similar order.

These living Creatures (or ‘zoa’) appear to act in the role of “watchers” around God’s Throne, besides having other mysterious functions to perform at the Father’s bidding.

THE SEA OF GLASS

Before God’s Throne, at this pre-Tribulation point in time, John saw it empty: but later, (in Rev. 7:8-17) we shall see it filled with Tribulation martyrs praising God. This is a vast auditorium or audience chamber before the Throne of God. Also, in Rev. 15:2-3, we see a similar scene.

THE TRUE BIBLE CHURCH

Many people have truly come to know Christ as Savior after having been sincere, religious "church members" for years. Though faithful supporters of some earthly church organization they had never experienced the truth of II Cor. 5:17: "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation." It is possible to be a member in good standing of some church organization, yet be outside of the one true Church of which the Bible speaks.

This is because the true Bible Church is not an organization but a living organism, a spiritual body, with a living Head and living members. Again and again St. Paul, by divine inspiration, calls the Church, the Body of Christ. He says: "We being many, are one Body in Christ..." (Rom. 12:5). "Ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular" (I Cor. 12:27). "We are members of His Body" (Eph. 5:30).

How do we become members of this true Bible Church, the Body of Christ? First, we must acknowledge ourselves to be sinners in God's sight, for Ephesians 2 relates how Christ died for sinful men that He might "reconcile" them to God "in one Body" by the cross (Ver. 16). Thus, when believing sinners are reconciled to God by faith in Christ, they are regenerated, given a new life, by the Spirit, and by the Spirit are baptized into the Church, the Body of Christ.

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5).

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body" (I Cor. 12:13).

Every one of us should ask himself: "Have I been baptized by the Spirit into the Body of Christ?" If not, trust Christ as your Savior and become a member of the one true Bible Church. Then associate yourself with some local assembly where Christ is honored and the Bible taught, "rightly divided."

by Cornelius R. Stam

Shared from Grace ambassador Gary L Smith

🔥🕊️ There is no born-again Christian,

That has never sinned.

Listen to me carefully.

I didn't say one couldn't stop sinning,

i said...

There is no born-again Christian,

On the face of the earth,

That has never sinned.

So now what is John talking about here,

When he says “he that’s born of God,

Does not commit sin.”

Some say “I don’t think I’m born again I sinned last night,

I’m going to hell.”

What,

Wait a minute.

1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; 

and in him is no sin.

6 Whosoever abideth (or remains) in him sinneth not: 

whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

7 Little children, 

let no man deceive you: 

he that doeth righteousness is righteous, 

even as he is righteous.

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; 

for the devil sinneth from the beginning. 

For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, 

that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Here’s the revelation.

9 Whosoever is (being) born (out) of God doth not (continue to) commit sin; 

for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

If you are allowing the birthing of God,

To live itself out through you,

Daily,

Being formed in Christ,

You will not practice sin.

That’s a sign of being born again!!!

Your life is constantly being washed,

And the stuff that used to trip you up,

Is being purged,

As your being born out of God.

Why?

God can’t sin.

So, if what’s in your life is being born out of God,

You cannot commit a sin.

It doesn’t mean a Christian has never sinned.

It means that if a Christian that’s born again,

Is ever being reformed,

And being born out of God,

They will practice righteousness,

They will not continue to commit sin.

9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for “his seed” (the born-again experience, the seed) 

“remains” in him: 

For the duration the seed remains one cannot sin. 

A minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year, a decade. 

As long as the seed remains you cannot sin. 

That’s why the devil works to pluck the seed out.

(satan is after the seed), 

That's why we struggle in agony that the seed remains or abides.

Its abiding in there,

And its regenerating,

It’s producing the offspring,

Or God.

The Christian that allows the born-again experience,

To continue to work,

And remain in him,

Transforming him,

Will no longer continue,

To commit sin.

Because why?

If you’re being born out of God.

If what you are doing every day is born out of God,

It cannot be sin,

It has to be righteousness.

It doesn’t mean one sin,

And going to hell,

It means if you’re being born again,

“Be being”.

Remember when it said be filled with the spirit?

Ephesians 5:18.

It means be being,

Or ever filled,

And constantly guided by Him.

Well born again means,

Be being born out of God.

 

Stuff I used to do years and years ago…

You know how I know I’m remaining in Jesus?

First of all because,

He keeps cleaning me up,

That’s how I know I’m born again.

I’m constantly being formed,

Into the image of Christ.

Therefore, I know I’m being born of God.

From the seed to the sapling to the tree,

From 30 fold, 60 fold, 100 fold.

From the seed (sperma) to the baby,

To the young adult, to the full age man or woman,

Capable of producing my own offspring or fruit.

I love more than I loved 2 years ago.

I put up with some carnal Christians easier now than I did a year ago.

More loving even to my enemies.

More of the fruit of love and longsuffering.

More of the fruit of gentleness, goodness, self control, etc.

That means Christ is being formed in me.

I’m being born out of God,

My actions are being formed and fashioned,

By the spirit of God,

That’s being born out of me.

Therefore, I cannot sin,

When I’m being born out of God.

What’s coming out of me is birthed, 

By God.

And so, the things I used to do,

Many years ago I used to cheat.

I won’t do it anymore and haven’t for many years.

Why?

Because the born-again experience,

Puts to death unrighteousness.

It doesn’t mean I never did.

I used to cheat...

But if the seed remains in me,

And I’m being formed and,

I’m being born out of God,

I become honest and sincere,

Before government,

And all men.

I become like Christ.

I become righteous,

In my conduct.

Therefore I’m going to heaven.

Because I allow the chastening,

And the word of God,

The seed,

To cause me to continually regenerate,

And produce God and His fruit,

Through me and in my actions.

Being born from God.

I used to curse.

Don’t curse anymore.

I use to lie,

Don’t lie anymore.

Used to cheat,

Don’t cheat anymore.

Why?

Being born again.

It’s a continual process of being more and more like Jesus,

Growing from that seed to a child to a young adult to a full age spiritual adult,

In my conduct and actions,

And in my words and my mouth.

The difference between the Christian,

Being born again,

And the seed falling on bad soil,

Where satan took away the word of God,

And he was not saved.

The difference between you and i,

And the person that’s just an emotional hearer,

Is the seed don’t plant.

The seed is aborted.

Because if the seed went into the Christian and remained,

If they were really born again,

Their life would be being formed,

And fashioned ,

And created ,

Into the image of Christ,

More like Him every day.

Less and less sin,

Less and less hang-ups,

Less and less of satan,

Less and less of sin.

More and more of God,

More and more of righteousness,

More and more of the fruit of God,

Some 30 some 60 some 100 fold.

You might be at 30% of love now,

You screw up 70% of the time.

But you got 30% of God's love,

Flowing from you.

Well in 6 months,

You should have 40%,

You should have 60%,

Hopefully after 10 years of training,

Under the word of God,

You can have a hundred percent of love.

A hundred-fold return,

From the fruit of the “seed,”

Remaining in there.

Procreating and reproducing,

The attributes of God...

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness,

Goodness, faith, meekness, temperance,

Against such there is no law.

The fruits of God,

Are born out of the Christian.

How do you know I’m being born out of God?

If I love you more intensely than I did a year ago,

If i'm more loving and more patient,

More self control, more gentle, more goodness,

More faithful...

I'm Truly being born out of God.

Mark 4:28

The earth produces a crop without any help from anyone: 

"first" a blade, 

"then" the ear of corn, 

"then" the full-grown grain (the fruit) in the ear.

Matthew 13:31-32

He put before them another parable: 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard "seed"

that a man took and planted in his field. 

Although it is the smallest of all "seeds,"

yet "it grows" into the largest of garden plants and "becomes a tree," 

so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

Galatians 6:7-9

Do not be deceived: 

God is not to be mocked. 

Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.  

The one who sows to please his flesh, 

from the flesh will reap destruction; 

but the one who sows to please the Spirit, 

from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

Let us not grow weary in well-doing, 

for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Hosea 10:12

Sow for yourselves righteousness 

and reap the fruit of loving devotion; 

break up your unplowed ground. 

For it is time to seek the LORD until He comes 

and sends righteousness upon you like rain.

Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.

6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.

7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.

8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

9 And his disciples asked him, saying, What might this parable be?

10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.

12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh (sin) are manifest,

which are these;

Adultery (sexual immorality), 

Fornication (sexual immorality), 

Uncleanness (moral impurity), 

Lasciviousness (conduct shocking to public decency, lewdness),

20 Idolatry (love of money and covetousness),

witchcraft, (doing things your way, doing your own will, manipulation, diving without the divine)

hatred, (enmity, hostility, alienation)

variance, (quarreling, wrangling, contention, debate, strife).

emulations, (indignation, jealousy, zeal.)

wrath, (fierceness, indignation, wrath., outbursts of anger)

strife, (rivalry, self-seeking; a feud, faction.)

seditions, (disunion, dissension, division)

heresies, (a self-chosen opinion, a religious or philosophical sect, discord or contention.)

21 Envyings, (a grudge, spite)

murders, (hatred)

drunkenness, (intoxication)

revellings, (overeating, partying)

and such like:

of the which I tell you before,

as I have also told you in time past,

that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

A Tree is known by its fruit (works/fruit).

Many shouting "repent or perish"

Haven't repented themselves.

And don't have their own hearts right before God.

The men of sin are being revealed.

The children of God are being revealed.

Repent.

Change the way you think about speaking.

A Tree is known by its Fruit.

Galatians 5:22-23 says,

"But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

meekness,

temperance:

against such ("if" you possess these fruit) there is no law"

The majority of sins listed in Galatians 5, 

Come from a christians mouth. 

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. 

If any man offend not in word, 

the same is a perfect (full age, mature, full grown) man (or tree), 

and able also to bridle the whole body.

Sins of the tongue...

Lying: Speaking or withholding information with the intent to deceive

Gossiping: Spreading rumors or talking about others behind their backs

Reviling: Speaking in an unkind or abusive way

Betrayal: Sharing secrets that should remain private

Badgering: Constantly complaining or criticizing someone

Swearing: Using vulgar language

Foolish jesting: Making jokes that are inappropriate or offensive

Slander: Speaking ill of others or spreading negative information about them

Insolence: Showing disrespect or haughtiness towards others

Pride: an attitude of pride or arrogance, often characterized by an inflated sense of self-importance and a disdain for others.

Blasphemy: Calling what is of god, evil. And what is evil of God. Defamation of character.

James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, 

even the Father; 

and therewith curse we men, 

which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. 

My brethren, 

these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, 

my brethren, 

bear olive berries? 

either a vine, figs? 

so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Psalm 39:1: "I said, 'I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence'"

Romans 14:23

That which is not of "faith (fruit)" is sin. 

Hebrews 11:1

 Now "faith (fruit) is" the substance of things hoped for, 

"the evidence" of things not seen.

Keep the seed remaining and keep growing,

Until Christ is completely and permanently formed within you,

Keep running to the finish line.

John 15:4-5

Remain in Me, 

and I will remain in you. 

Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself 

unless it remains in the vine, 

neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 

I am the vine and you are the branches. 

The one who remains in Me, 

and I in him, 

(The one whom the seed remains)

will bear much fruit. 

For apart from Me you can do nothing.

🔥Word of Wisdom & Truth, given today, 11/18/2024

By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to His Servant, Michael Endtimeprophet

🔥Why?

Ephesians 4:12-15

12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 

🔥Till When?

13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, 

to a perfect man, 

to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, 

tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, 

by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—

Saint Teresa of Avila - Interior Castle - Recollection Prayer

Saint Teresa of Avila - Interior Castle - Recollection Prayer

The effects of divine consolations are very numerous: before describing them, I will speak of another kind of prayer which usually precedes them. I need not say much on this subject, having written about it elsewhere. This is a kind of recollection which, I believe, is supernatural. There is no occasion to retire nor to shut the eyes, nor does it depend on anything exterior; involuntarily the eyes suddenly close and solitude is found. Without any labour of one's own, the temple of which I spoke is reared for the soul in which to pray: the senses and exterior surroundings appear to lose their hold, while the spirit gradually regains its lost sovereignty. Some say the soul enters into itself; others, that it rises above itself.

Saint Teresa speaks here of an involuntary, wordless and exceptionally spiritual form of prayer. This is not verbal prayer where we thoughtfully speak words to God and it's not mental prayer where we think the words instead of saying them. All prayer is of an ethereal nature because it's the corrupted spirit of fallen man reaching back to its holy origins, the One True Spirit of God from Whom our spirit first came. The prayer Saint Teresa speaks of here is beyond us trying to touch God though. It actually sounds more like God trying to touch us by sending this form of prayer upon us, as Saint Teresa explains, “involuntarily the eyes suddenly close and solitude is found. Without any labor of one's own, the temple of which I spoke is reared for the soul in which to pray.”

Saint Teresa describes this type of prayer as a kind of supernatural recollection, the soulful knowledge of its humble place in God, like a drop of rain losing all sense of self as it falls into the ocean and becomes One with the infinite sea of God. Some might think of this as the realization of the souls smallness and others might call it the realization of God's greatness. I tend to think it's both perspectives complimenting each other, that knowing our smallness helps us appreciate God's greatness and likewise, if we know God's greatness it makes our smallness in Him more apparent. Aside from that argument though, I think this all comes down to the joyous discovery of our hidden oneness with God which is ultimately how the soul “regains its lost sovereignty” over fallen self by realizing it's humble place in our Risen Savior.

Saint Teresa specifies this recollection prayer as something that comes upon the soul involuntarily rather than something to be pursued. Despite this, there is a prayer which actively pursues this type of recollection anyway and it's clearly based on Saint Teresa's writings in another famous work of hers, The Way of Perfection.

Give me the grace to recollect myself in the little heaven of my soul where You have established Your dwelling. There You let me find You, there I feel that You are closer to me than anywhere else, and there You prepare my soul quickly to enter into intimacy with You.

Help me, O Lord, to withdraw my senses from exterior things, make them docile to the commands of my will, so that when I want to converse with You, they will retire at once, like bees shutting themselves up in the hive in order to make honey.

I don't know that Saint Teresa actually wrote this prayer or if someone who read The Way of Perfection wrote it. The language of the prayer is similar to certain chapters in The Way of Perfection but I don't think this prayer actually appears in any of Saint Teresa's writings. It seems odd that she would write about the Prayer of Recollection being an involuntary kind of thing in The Interior Castle but also write out a Prayer of Recollection in The Way of Perfection as if it were something to voluntarily pursue. I tend to think the actual prayer was written by someone who was inspired by Saint Teresa's writings rather than Saint Teresa herself. Either way though, this is a beautiful prayer which centers the soul on its small place in the infinite Spirit of God. And it is aimed interioraly, at ones own soul, to lead that soul to knowing itself centered in God, withdrawn from bodily senses and exalted in the truer senses of spirit by which God is most fully known.

Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible

Psalm 45:11 Be still and see that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.

time is running out

TIME IS RUNNING OUT 

🔴Preach the gospel with urgency, because there is no much time.

🔴Don't wait for someone else to do what God told you to do. 

🔴You will feel the pain of not fulfilling your calling both here on earth and in eternity; it is a pain that will never go away.

Ezek.3.18-19 When I say to the wicked, "You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Yet, if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul. 

🔴One of the things you must make up your mind to do is to be very serious with your Christianity. 

🔴In these final hours of the last days, before the Master shows up, you shouldn’t be the one to treat spiritual things with any form of laxity or irreverence. 

🔴Don’t play games with the Lord!

🔴Life isn’t about your personal dreams, plans, aspirations or ambitions. 

🔴The Bible says, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11). 

🔴It makes no difference what beautiful structures you see in this world or the earthly fulfilment of men; everything shall be destroyed.

📖 Luke 9:62 TLB Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.

🔴Never take the Gospel of Christ lightly. 

🔴Your priority should be: Jesus first, and everything else afterwards.

🔴When you face Jesus, He’s going to ask you: “What did you do with the assignment I gave you? Did you do my work?” 

🔴Therefore, finish well; finish strong. 

🔴Refuse to allow anything distract you from serving Him and living for Him as you should. 

🔴Be about His business, doing that work which He planned for you before the foundations of the earth. 

🔴Like the Master Himself, let your goal, your inspiration and driving force, be to do the will of Him that sent you, and to finish His work.

🔴Prove your love for the Master; do the things He’s asked you to do. 

🔴And if you haven't received salvation, kindly do so with all urgency. 

🔴The doors are closing up real fast. 

🔴Don't be caught unaware. 

🔴For those of us who are saved by grace, keep your salvation on steady check as we behold the hour.

🔴𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐖!!!

⭐𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐍𝐎𝐖. 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍???

GOD WANTS YOU SAVED TODAY!!!!

You can receive salvation by confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Rom.10.9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (NKJV)

   Salvation is only in Christ Jesus . Acts.4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)

  

This might be your last opportunity, say these prayer of salvation and mean them from the bottom of your heart.

      PRAYER OF SALVATION.

" O Lord God, I believe with all my heart in Jesus Christ, Son of the living God. I believe He died for me and God raised Him from the dead. I believe He's alive today. I confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life from this day. Through Him and in His Name, I have eternal life; I am born again. Thank you Lord, for saving my soul! I am now a child of God. Hallelujah"

CONGRATULATIONS.

𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔 🙏

THE IMAGE TO THE BEAST SET UP

MARANATHA- June 5

AND DECEIVETH THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH BY THE MEANS OF THOSE MIRACLES WHICH HE HAD POWER TO DO IN THE SIGHT OF THE BEAST; SAYING TO THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH, THAT THEY SHOULD MAKE AN IMAGE TO THE BEAST, WHICH HAD THE WOUND BY A SWORD, AND DID LIVE

Revelation 13:14.

The image of the beast will be formed before probation closes; for it is to be the great test for the people of God, by which their eternal destiny will be decided....

In Revelation 13:11 this subject is plainly presented: 

“I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” 

Then the miracle-working power is revealed:

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:11-17

This is the test that the people of God must have before they are sealed. 

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ

All who prove their loyalty to God by observing His law, and refusing to accept a spurious sabbath, will rank under the banner of the Lord God Jehovah, and will receive the seal of the living God. 

Those who yield the truth of heavenly origin, and accept the Sunday sabbath, will receive the mark of the beast....

While John was shown the last great struggles of the church with earthly powers, he was also permitted to behold the final victory and deliverance of the faithful.... 

Looking beyond the smoke and din of the battle, he beheld a company upon Mount Zion with the Lamb, having, instead of the mark of the beast, the “Father's name written in their foreheads.” 

Revelation 14:1 (14Testimonies for the Church 5:572)

Brother and sister in Christ, let us recognize the significance of the battleground within our minds. The call to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ is not a passive suggestion but an active,transformative journey. 

As we engage in this spiritual warfare, may we take hold of the weapons provided by God—casting down, renewing, and guarding our minds with the truth of His word. In Christ, we find the strength to conquer every thought that seeks to exalt itself against the knowledge of God. May our minds be a sanctuary where the obedience of Christ reigns supreme, bringing glory to His name.

✅The Battlefield of the Mind

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 sets the stage for our understanding, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.)" Our minds are the battleground where spiritual warfare unfolds. The struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces that seek dominion over our thoughts.

✅Taking Captive Every Thought

In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we find the call to action, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." The battleground demands a proactive stance—casting down destructive imaginations and capturing every thought, subjecting them to the authority and obedience of Christ.

✅Renewing the Mind

Romans 12:2 reinforces this transformative process, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The battleground is not just about defense; it is about actively renewing our minds. The world seeks to conform us, but the renewing power of Christ transforms our thinking, aligning it with the will of God.

✅Guarding the Heart

Proverbs 4:23 provides a crucial perspective, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." The mind is intricately connected to the heart, and guarding one requires diligence. A vigilant heart ensures that the thoughts taking residence in our minds are in harmony with the principles of Christ.

✅The Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 emphasizes the importance of spiritual armor, "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The helmet, a vital piece of the armor, protects the mind. Salvation guards our thoughts, reminding us of the redemptive work of Christ and securing our minds in the truth of His salvation.

Understanding the distinctions between the Rapture and the Second Coming is crucial for believers. The Rapture is a rescue mission for the Church, while the Second Coming (return) is a judgment and deliverance for Israel and the world.

🎯The Rapture of the Church-Age Saints:

The Rapture will take the saints of God to Heaven, as described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52. At this event, Christ will not touch the Earth; instead, believers will meet Him in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17, John 14:3). The Rapture occurs before the Seven Year Tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and Jesus comes to resurrect the righteous dead (1 Thessalonians 4:14-16).

The Rapture allows the Antichrist to be revealed, as the saints are removed (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7). This event triggers the 7-year tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:11-18). At the Rapture, Jesus comes for His bride, the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21:9, 22:17).

🎯The Second Coming of Christ

In stark contrast, the Second Coming is accompanied by the saints, who return with Jesus as the armies of Heaven (Revelation 19:14, Jude 14). His feet will touch the Earth at the Second Coming (Zechariah 14:4-5), marking the end of the Seven Year Tribulation (Revelation 19:11).

At the Second Coming, Jesus executes judgment and wrath (Revelation 14:20, 19:15), ending the Antichrist's reign (Revelation 19:20). This event triggers the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:17-20). Jesus delivers the nation of Israel at the Second Coming (Revelation 19:11-21).

Key Differences:

The timing, purpose, location, and accompaniment of the Rapture and Second Coming differ significantly:

👉Timing: Rapture (pre-tribulation) vs. Second Coming (post-tribulation)

Purpose: Rapture (rescue saints) vs. Second Coming (judge nations)

Location: Rapture (meet in air) vs. Second Coming (touch Earth)

Accompaniment: Rapture (alone) vs. Second Coming (with saints)

#PreTribRapture #BibleStudy #EndTimes #Tribulation #Salvation #WrathOfGod #JesusChrist #KJV

How can we say that the children of Israel had idols even before they made the golden calf? The answer is found in the material used to make the idol, which was from the golden rings worn by the people. Since Moses delayed returning from the mountain, the people became restless and urged Aaron to make an idol for them. Aaron then gathered the golden rings worn by the women and children and then used it to fashion a golden calf. Hence, before the idol was made, the material for it was already being worn by the people. Here, we find a further principle concerning idolatry and breaking the law: that self-beautification leads to idolatry. The gold itself was not sinful. Even having a good appearance was not sinful. However, their desire for beautifying the self led them to idolatry.

Self-beautification pervades our society today. Our culture is filled with products and advertisements that promote self-beautification. People spend much time and effort adorning themselves. Even our homes and the places we go are built with aesthetics in mind. We may not have a lot of graven images around us, but we certainly have the idol of self-beautification within us and around us. We may not think that self-beautification is related to our Christian life, but the principle here clearly shows that it is the stepping stone to replacing God with an idol. May we all be warned concerning this principle of self-beautification.

BAAL, ASTARTE AND MOLOCH WORSHIP= TRINITY OF CONFUSION 

The underlying causes of our national conflicts can be attributed to three primary areas, echoing the ancient Canaanite deities Baal, Astarte, and Moloch, who represented wealth and power, illicit sex, and infant sacrifice. These issues have persisted since the emergence of civilization, with the ancient Israelites encountering these deities upon entering the Promised Land. The influence of these deities, linked to greed, sensuality, and child sacrifice, continues to shape modern society, evident in headlines and societal decay, underscoring the need for divine guidance to overcome these desires. So if you think all of these controversies and conflicts are new, think again. 

Baal, who was known as “Prince, Lord of the Earth,” was the overseer of all things relating to commerce, wealth and power. As the supreme god, it was he who controlled the sun, storms, and agriculture. His lightning bolt defeated enemies as well as produced crops and children.  

As such, Baal worship was rooted in sensuality and war and often required human sacrifice. Messiah called Satan “Beelzebub,” linking the devil to Baal Matthew 12:27.

Astarte, the Hellenized form of the Middle Eastern goddess, Ishtar (pronounced Easter), was the goddess of fertility and sexuality. Also known as the Queen of Heaven, the worship of Astarte included ritual prostitution. The female and male shrine prostitutes, known as temple holy ones, were highly respected in their roles of performing these “sacred” acts, which also included homosexuality. Astarte, called Ashtorah in the Hebrew scriptures, was referred to as the consort of Baal or, in other regions, she was designated as the consort of Moloch, the most gruesome of the triad.

Moloch, whose name is interpreted in Hebrew as “the personified ruler of shameful sacrifice,” included sexual rituals along with child sacrifice. Moloch was usually portrayed in the form of a giant metal statue of a man with a bull’s head. The statue had outstretched arms that served as a ramp to a hole in the abdomen. A fire was lighted in and around the statue and firstborn babies were placed on the outstretched arms or directly in the hole to agonizingly burn to death. Drums were played during the spectacle to drown out the screams of the child. This sacrifice was to ensure financial prosperity and future children for the family.

The worship of these ancient deities is alive and well in modern society today. The economy, sex, and war make up the larger part of the headlines in the media. The illegal or obsessive accumulation of wealth, the rising crime rate, the promotion of promiscuity, the addiction to pornography and the approximately 3,000 abortions performed each day in our nation speak volumes on the spiritual decay within. Just as the roles of Baal, Astarte and Moloch were dependent upon and intertwined together in a circle of greed, carnality, and death, so do we see this played out each and every day in the virtual and the real world.  

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”, Ecclesiastes 1:9.

The first commandment given to mankind was, “I am YAHUAH your Aluah, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other elohim before me.” Exodus 20: 2-3.  

He brought us out of slavery to sin and told us not to worship other mighty ones. Each day we do battle against forces we can neither see nor completely understand, and it is only through seeking Him and His will that we can overcome the desires that will lead to eternal death. 

“Whatever is has already been before; and YaHU'aH will call the past to account.” Ecclesiastes 3:15.