Jealynn; You are so right. I book marked this passage way back when people in the name of GOD started beheading Christians because they were Christians. Along with Revelations 20:4. GOD warned us not to seek HIM in churches that don't teach the WORD of GOD but pass a plate around and say a verse and the rest of the hour they tell their congregation of a fishing trip they had Saturday. People who sat in church pews their whole life but never been taught the WORD of GOD will be the first ones taking by the anti-Christ who comes first. They are told you don't have to understand Revelations you will be gone. Anti-Christ will be coming after Christians not the rest of the world, he already has them. Coming after those who claim to be Christian but are not taught the true WORD of GOD. Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear are watchful as commanded. You have people who want to run away from the biggest fight of the ages that even the profits wanted to be in these times. The deception will be great for what they were taught. I plead to anyone who reads this to turn away from false doctrine before it's too late for In an instant at the 7th trump you will be so ashamed that you were had, that you want mountains to fall on you but you will not be able to hide your shame from the KING of kings.
Try to imagine, standing eating hard bread, waiting for the angel of death to pass over your house.
You have just sprinkled blood on your door with hyssop, and covered your doorposts with the blood of this same lamb.
God hardened Pharaohs heart! He hardened it to this point, that He would see the death of the children under His kingdom!
This is not a fable, as many would like to believe! This is the revelation of the prophecy that would come in the life of Christ, the savior of the world!
Do not think that God does not have the power to change hearts for the worse! If He can move hearts for the worse, what will be your outcome?
Will you continue to deny Him as Pharaoh? Or perhaps you are like Pharaoh, and think you have all the power!
I remind myself again, that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! There is none righteous ,no not one! That if not for the shed blood of Christ, we too would have the same fate as the little children in Egypt!
I don't know that song, but think its good to be discerning when it comes to singing words written by men. Saying the Bible out loud is safe as it's God's Word, but singing words written by men has the potential to mislead and go astray.
Example: there's a song with lyrics "Our God is greater, our God is stronger God, You are higher than any other."
This was confusing to someone I knew who came from another religion and said to me she hated this song, because instead of believing in one God, it suggests we believe in other gods. Secondly, it may come across as immature, cocky or boastful, like "my dad can beat up your dad" or "my God is better than yours". So, I understood that point and cannot sing such a song with a clear conscience.
There are many other songs that are popular in Christian radio that I also don't agree with, so I believe it's good to be discerning and take our words seriously and not fall into false teachings.
Generally I dislike contemporary Christian music as much seems to want to please the culture rather than worship God #1. I miss older music that just praised God with simple, but effective and clear words. Today, I see a lot of emphasis and attention on sound checks, song transitions, guitar solos, name brand speaker systems, stage lighting, and expensive gear designed for performances. But do broken people really need such materialism or level of professionalism? Broken people just need Jesus and want to escape the trivialities of the world and not see the same thing infiltrating in churches. Even some pastors try to dress and style their hair a certain way to try to look cool. I think all this is shallow. Emphasis should be on preaching the gospel, that's it. The more raw and less fancy the better in my opinion.
Other phrases from Christian songs with unclear meaning:
"Iraise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me" - Heaven does?
I just felt there was something significant in my Spirit the last few days, that me & my family should read GOD's WORD & seek his face much more than usual. I was suprised to find out about the Totality & went outside to see GOD's wonder. Genesis 1:14,
So, so sad to get this news, GiGi. Your precious Mother is now relieved from all pain & discomfort & with the Lord Whom she loved & longed for. "With Christ, which is far better". May you & her family receive the Lord's unending Peace & Comfort at this time & for the days ahead. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning", in the coming day when we will all be together beholding the Face of our Blessed Lord Jesus.
"When we all get to Heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We'll sing and shout the victory!"
Hello Robyn. I'm unfamiliar with the song, "O come to the altar" or even Elevation/Bethel ministries, so I share this somewhat ignorantly. I did however, check out the words to that song & went through each stanza. I could not detect anything wrong with what was written; appears as a modern Gospel song with an appeal to come to Jesus for salvation. Even the tune was pleasant listening.
From that song title, I thought of Hebrews 13:10, "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle", and admit that the song-writer may not have been thinking of this particular verse, though the message is quite provoking. "We have an altar", an altar quite different to what Israel & their priests attended to. There were restrictions & impositions placed upon them as far as what was sacrificed, where the beast was killed, manner of sacrifice, condition of the high priest, what could be eaten after the sacrifice & by whom, etc.
But "we have an altar", different to the one Israel approached - verse 12, "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate." Using this Scripture, I believe that the song implied that 'coming to the altar' was 'coming to the place of our Lord's Sacrifice'. The lines that are associated with the song are: "O come to the altar; The Father's arms are open wide; Forgiveness was bought with; The precious blood of Jesus Christ". We can understand that the altar referenced to in the song, is the Cross, where our Lord was stricken, smitten, God's Lamb sacrificed for us.
"One who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with" a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old "Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in" "the word "daysman" (q.v.), marg., "umpire." "This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an "internuncius, an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of" communication between two contracting parties. In this sense Moses is called a mediator in Gal. 3:19. "Christ is the ONE AND ONLY mediator between God and man ( 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). He makes reconciliation between God and man by his all-perfect atoning sacrifice. Such a mediator "must be at once divine and human, divine, that his obedience and" "his sufferings might possess infinite worth, and that he might" possess infinite wisdom and knowlege and power to direct all things in the kingdoms of providence and grace which are "committed to his hands ( Matt. 28:18; John 5:22, 25, 26, 27); and" "human, that in his work he might represent man, and be capable" of rendering obedience to the law and satisfying the claims of "justice ( Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15, 16), and that in his glorified" humanity he might be the head of a glorified Church ( Rom. 8:29). "This office involves the three functions of prophet, priest, and "king, all of which are discharged BY JESUS both in his estate" of humiliation and exaltation. These functions are so inherent in the one office that the quality appertaining to each gives character to every mediatorial act. They are never separated in the exercise of the office of MEDIATOR
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, but it (the inheritance) is no more of PROMISE, but God gave it to Abraham by PROMISE.
We have to know what this PROMISE is.
The PROMISE was A SEED.
Luke 8:11 ....THE SEED .....is THE WORD OF GOD.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the WORD (THE SEED), and the WORD (THE SEED) was with God, and the WORD (THE SEED) was God.
Now we know Christ is the SEED, but Christ is also the ANGEL of the Lord; therefore HIS SEED, those born of GOD will also be an angel, because we have become ONE.
Ephesians 2:15 ....for to make IN HIMSELF ONE NEW MAN.
Isaiah 63:9 ....and the ANGEL of HIS (the Father, SPIRIT) presence SAVED THEM.
Christ is the ANGEL.
A SEED always duplicates itself, wheat seed always makes wheat seed, it's a LAW of GOD.
When Christ the SEED is planted in you; at maturity you will be the exact same SEED: two; you and Christ, become ONE.
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added for transgressions, till THE SEED (the WORD, Christ); could come to whom the promise was made; and it (the SEED) was ordained by angels (THE SEED of the SEED) in the hand of a mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5 For the is ONE GOD (ONE SEED), and ONE MEDIATOR, between God and MEN; the MAN Jesus Christ (the SEED).
Psalms 82:6 I (the WORD, the SEED) have said ye are gods (SEED made like the SEED planted), all of you are the children of the most HIGH (the SEED).
THE SEED IS ETERNAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16, ...who (the SEED) only hath immortality, dwelling in the light ....
God is Righteous. He's the judge of all earth. The bible is clear there will be levels of rewards in heaven. And there is levels of punishment. This tells us God has a orderly way by which he do things in a way only he can. He judge the heart and intent of Man. We are saved by mercy through faith, Something I believe a child and some mentally challenged people don't understand or comprehend. So I'm sure you can trust God will judge righteously.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Yeah; I'm stumped on that one verse as well; can't seem to find commentary on it. I can think of when the angels enforced judgment more frequently as a role. I suppose conceivably they could have somehow explained it while God Himself; say carved it into the stone. Hope to find a response to this. Hebrews 2:2 seems also to show angels involved here. See also Job 33:22-26 in regard to an angel proclaiming the ransom (i.e. Christ); and a man arestored to God. Also we have Acts 7:53 which seems to state the same thing. I guess these cross references are enough to show a pattern; the important thing is to remember angels of God can only do His bidding. This is one role I wasn't familiar with until now.
Perhaps the question is better asked of the effectiveness of "altar calls" in the first place. I don't know the answer specifically; although it must be remembered for the wheat and tares to remain there has to be an element of truth in the worship for any poison to work more effectively. For those who wish to keep up an appearance; the preacher can quote those Bible truths convenient for say; a "prosperity gospel". Of course if the leadership is involved with a demonic entity; laying on of hands is dangerous. There are scriptural admonitions for those with true anointing not to be hasty in such matters.
In any event; whether one goes up to an altar or not; any genuine conversion must involve a transformation of the heart; and be a 24 hour a day; seven days a week lifestyle paradigm shift. For a mere emotional high; and the concerns there we only need to look at the parable of the seed and the sowers on those who immediately respond with joy; but have no root. And most get caught up ensnared with the riches and cares of the world; which of course makes such ornate places of worship cater to the tastes of those who for appearance sake like to be in opulent settings. There is a place for those who are pricked to the heart; and it does involve public confession of Christ by mouth and change in the heart as Romans indicates. This cannot be engineered along with all the other "healing ministry" miracles with God being a genie who shows up at the pastor's convenience. And with Steven Furtick wearing a David Bowie androgynous Iggy stardust t-shirt; that may be a more serious indication of trouble. Bethel; of course with it's out of control manifestations is clearly out of control. Better to run out of there than partake in communion with those into idolotrous practices.
Still; God can still do a genuine work for those who seek Him if they are called and chosen. But true converts won't remain where the Spirit tells them to avoid.
I suppose you could google it. It would seem that Genesis is rather sparse on the subject; but the book of Job which was said to be written perhaps before that by Moses does contain a very important passage at the end where he was asked to pray for his three misguided "friends" before everything was restored back. We have Elijah praying for no rain; a king praying for 15 more years of life also in the book of Kings; numerous references on prayer and meditation in the Psalms; and of course many prayers of David in 1 and 2 Samuel; and Chronicles as well. We have Solomon's prayers when the new Temple was built; Daniel's prayers for the nation realizing their sin and rebellion in the Book of Daniel; Jeremiah's desperate plea wishing he had never been born; and the prayer for the sun and moon to stand still of Joshua. There is Hannah's prayer for a child. There is Elijah or Elisha's prayer (can't remember which) for his servant to see that more truly were on his side than the enemies armies. And of course the plethora of prayers in the N.T. including all of Christ's in the gospels; and in the Epistles where Paul was said to constantly be praying for those in his churches. There is even mention in Revelation of the incense of the prayers of the saints in both the seal and trumpet judgments.
This list is by no means inclusive. The effectual prayers of a righteous man availeth much ( James 5:16). The same book warns us; however that if we don't see results when we are asking to fulfill the desires of the flesh; we shouldn't be surprised. A true scriptural approach will seek to be in accordance with Bible truth and the guidance of the Spirit. It is more our heart attitude than what we are asking for which is important. The lack of balance in seeing impreccatory prayer for judgment along with praying for our enemies and blessing them (hating the sin not the individual sinner in question) is because of a skewed view of a loving God also angry with sin.
The serpent on the pole; which indeed with the medical institution represents healing and is also tied in with occult practice is on a surface level appearing to indeed represent this. It foreshadowed Christ; who was to become a curse for us (as anyone hung on a tree was considered accursed; and because He took on the wrath of God for our sake). It was also not established to worship the imagery; but to be looked upon. It could possibly be compared in some way to the Cherubim placed in the Temple; angels or any image was never to be worshipped; but it was a representation of the way angels faced God in heaven. It was also in a broad sense for anyone who was to look upon it; which is unlike a coveted object that individuals would be seduced with. It was not harboring anything that was pleasant to look upon and therefore it would seem the intent was to help people realize that their own hearts were also filled with abominations and vile things. It brings to mind somewhat the fatal wound (head wound) of the serpent mentioned in Gen. 3:15. Perhaps in some sense it reminds us that we have to be "crucified with Christ"-in any event; since He was said to take our infirmities on Himself as Isaiah predicted; that alleviated the plague at the time.
Serita, My Mom died today in the hospital. Last night my husband and I prayed with her. My brother and I sang Amazing Grace over her. And now we trust that she is "moving into" the place Jesus has prepared for her in His Father's house. Jesus is our treasure and heaven is the place of our real "citizenship". I am sorry that you have MS and have matters that hinder you. I pray today that you indeed fall onto the mercy and grace of God to endure whatever suffering He allows in your life and also that He will relieve your suffering, too. We just cannot understand all of what God brings to us but we can always trust Him and rely on Him. I hope your evening goes wonderfully and that you sleep well tonight.
As I read the scripture about the blood moon I see that it is for Jesus' time not the present day here in year 2022 if you can't understand that then I would take a course in English so that you can verify what you are reading. However let's wait to see if anything significant happens as a result of this blood moon.may 15th 2022
The modern gospel message to the whole world is "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
Acts 16:30
And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
You have just sprinkled blood on your door with hyssop, and covered your doorposts with the blood of this same lamb.
God hardened Pharaohs heart! He hardened it to this point, that He would see the death of the children under His kingdom!
This is not a fable, as many would like to believe! This is the revelation of the prophecy that would come in the life of Christ, the savior of the world!
Do not think that God does not have the power to change hearts for the worse! If He can move hearts for the worse, what will be your outcome?
Will you continue to deny Him as Pharaoh? Or perhaps you are like Pharaoh, and think you have all the power!
I remind myself again, that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God! There is none righteous ,no not one! That if not for the shed blood of Christ, we too would have the same fate as the little children in Egypt!
Repent and be baptized
Example: there's a song with lyrics "Our God is greater, our God is stronger God, You are higher than any other."
This was confusing to someone I knew who came from another religion and said to me she hated this song, because instead of believing in one God, it suggests we believe in other gods. Secondly, it may come across as immature, cocky or boastful, like "my dad can beat up your dad" or "my God is better than yours". So, I understood that point and cannot sing such a song with a clear conscience.
There are many other songs that are popular in Christian radio that I also don't agree with, so I believe it's good to be discerning and take our words seriously and not fall into false teachings.
Generally I dislike contemporary Christian music as much seems to want to please the culture rather than worship God #1. I miss older music that just praised God with simple, but effective and clear words. Today, I see a lot of emphasis and attention on sound checks, song transitions, guitar solos, name brand speaker systems, stage lighting, and expensive gear designed for performances. But do broken people really need such materialism or level of professionalism? Broken people just need Jesus and want to escape the trivialities of the world and not see the same thing infiltrating in churches. Even some pastors try to dress and style their hair a certain way to try to look cool. I think all this is shallow. Emphasis should be on preaching the gospel, that's it. The more raw and less fancy the better in my opinion.
Other phrases from Christian songs with unclear meaning:
"Iraise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me" - Heaven does?
"these.bones.will.sing" - Bones?
What do you mean by petals?
I just felt there was something significant in my Spirit the last few days, that me & my family should read GOD's WORD & seek his face much more than usual. I was suprised to find out about the Totality & went outside to see GOD's wonder. Genesis 1:14,
"When we all get to Heaven, What a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, We'll sing and shout the victory!"
107 verses with PRAYER
9 verses with intercession
1 verse with Stand in the Gap; Hedges
Ephesians 6 Spiritual Warfare
Thank you for enlightening me on a controversial topic. Makes perfect sense when viewed beyond the surface.
From that song title, I thought of Hebrews 13:10, "We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle", and admit that the song-writer may not have been thinking of this particular verse, though the message is quite provoking. "We have an altar", an altar quite different to what Israel & their priests attended to. There were restrictions & impositions placed upon them as far as what was sacrificed, where the beast was killed, manner of sacrifice, condition of the high priest, what could be eaten after the sacrifice & by whom, etc.
But "we have an altar", different to the one Israel approached - verse 12, "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate." Using this Scripture, I believe that the song implied that 'coming to the altar' was 'coming to the place of our Lord's Sacrifice'. The lines that are associated with the song are: "O come to the altar; The Father's arms are open wide; Forgiveness was bought with; The precious blood of Jesus Christ". We can understand that the altar referenced to in the song, is the Cross, where our Lord was stricken, smitten, God's Lamb sacrificed for us.
Mediator
"One who intervenes between two persons who are at variance, with" a view to reconcile them. This word is not found in the Old "Testament; but the idea it expresses is found in Job 9:33, in" "the word "daysman" (q.v.), marg., "umpire." "This word is used in the New Testament to denote simply an "internuncius, an ambassador, one who acts as a medium of" communication between two contracting parties. In this sense Moses is called a mediator in Gal. 3:19. "Christ is the ONE AND ONLY mediator between God and man ( 1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 8:6; 9:15; 12:24). He makes reconciliation between God and man by his all-perfect atoning sacrifice. Such a mediator "must be at once divine and human, divine, that his obedience and" "his sufferings might possess infinite worth, and that he might" possess infinite wisdom and knowlege and power to direct all things in the kingdoms of providence and grace which are "committed to his hands ( Matt. 28:18; John 5:22, 25, 26, 27); and" "human, that in his work he might represent man, and be capable" of rendering obedience to the law and satisfying the claims of "justice ( Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15, 16), and that in his glorified" humanity he might be the head of a glorified Church ( Rom. 8:29). "This office involves the three functions of prophet, priest, and "king, all of which are discharged BY JESUS both in his estate" of humiliation and exaltation. These functions are so inherent in the one office that the quality appertaining to each gives character to every mediatorial act. They are never separated in the exercise of the office of MEDIATOR
You have longed for sweet peace, and for faith to increase, And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.
Would you walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, And have peace and contentment always;
You must do His sweet will to be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.
Oh, we never can know what the Lord will bestow Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.
Who can tell all the love He will send from above, And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet we shall share at His feet, When our all on the altar is laid.
Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart, does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest and have peace and rest, in the Spirit.
Mishael:There is no likeness or comparison to an altar to Satan. Curiosity into dark arts and meanings can open a door to Fear and Torments.
Acts 19:19 comment: rid your home of idols, and anything lewd.
Galatians 3:18 For if the inheritance be of the law, but it (the inheritance) is no more of PROMISE, but God gave it to Abraham by PROMISE.
We have to know what this PROMISE is.
The PROMISE was A SEED.
Luke 8:11 ....THE SEED .....is THE WORD OF GOD.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the WORD (THE SEED), and the WORD (THE SEED) was with God, and the WORD (THE SEED) was God.
Now we know Christ is the SEED, but Christ is also the ANGEL of the Lord; therefore HIS SEED, those born of GOD will also be an angel, because we have become ONE.
Ephesians 2:15 ....for to make IN HIMSELF ONE NEW MAN.
Isaiah 63:9 ....and the ANGEL of HIS (the Father, SPIRIT) presence SAVED THEM.
Christ is the ANGEL.
A SEED always duplicates itself, wheat seed always makes wheat seed, it's a LAW of GOD.
When Christ the SEED is planted in you; at maturity you will be the exact same SEED: two; you and Christ, become ONE.
Galatians 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added for transgressions, till THE SEED (the WORD, Christ); could come to whom the promise was made; and it (the SEED) was ordained by angels (THE SEED of the SEED) in the hand of a mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5 For the is ONE GOD (ONE SEED), and ONE MEDIATOR, between God and MEN; the MAN Jesus Christ (the SEED).
Psalms 82:6 I (the WORD, the SEED) have said ye are gods (SEED made like the SEED planted), all of you are the children of the most HIGH (the SEED).
THE SEED IS ETERNAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16, ...who (the SEED) only hath immortality, dwelling in the light ....
God Bless YOU!
My heart goes out to you and your family.
God is Righteous. He's the judge of all earth. The bible is clear there will be levels of rewards in heaven. And there is levels of punishment. This tells us God has a orderly way by which he do things in a way only he can. He judge the heart and intent of Man. We are saved by mercy through faith, Something I believe a child and some mentally challenged people don't understand or comprehend. So I'm sure you can trust God will judge righteously.
God bless.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Comment: it's the Love of money that is unwise
Ecclesiastes 10:19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answers all things.
Money seems to answer all problems of the flesh, but:
Ecclesiastes 1:2 .....all is vanity.
Where does money leave you concerning eternity?
God Bless you!
Great question. Agape.. Rich P.
In any event; whether one goes up to an altar or not; any genuine conversion must involve a transformation of the heart; and be a 24 hour a day; seven days a week lifestyle paradigm shift. For a mere emotional high; and the concerns there we only need to look at the parable of the seed and the sowers on those who immediately respond with joy; but have no root. And most get caught up ensnared with the riches and cares of the world; which of course makes such ornate places of worship cater to the tastes of those who for appearance sake like to be in opulent settings. There is a place for those who are pricked to the heart; and it does involve public confession of Christ by mouth and change in the heart as Romans indicates. This cannot be engineered along with all the other "healing ministry" miracles with God being a genie who shows up at the pastor's convenience. And with Steven Furtick wearing a David Bowie androgynous Iggy stardust t-shirt; that may be a more serious indication of trouble. Bethel; of course with it's out of control manifestations is clearly out of control. Better to run out of there than partake in communion with those into idolotrous practices.
Still; God can still do a genuine work for those who seek Him if they are called and chosen. But true converts won't remain where the Spirit tells them to avoid.
This list is by no means inclusive. The effectual prayers of a righteous man availeth much ( James 5:16). The same book warns us; however that if we don't see results when we are asking to fulfill the desires of the flesh; we shouldn't be surprised. A true scriptural approach will seek to be in accordance with Bible truth and the guidance of the Spirit. It is more our heart attitude than what we are asking for which is important. The lack of balance in seeing impreccatory prayer for judgment along with praying for our enemies and blessing them (hating the sin not the individual sinner in question) is because of a skewed view of a loving God also angry with sin.
Jesus taught more about the kingdom of God, than any other thing.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God ......
God Bless YOU!
Leah and Rachel were born and raised in Harran in northwestern Mesopotamia.