No discipline is enjoyable at the time according to Hebrews 12:11. It leads to good fruits according to the passage; however.
I have stated repeatedly that verses indicating chastising all He loves as well as suffering for His Name's sake are both scriptural statements in regard to the fate of those who are saved. (see Philippians 1:29 and dozens of other verses). So in some sense we have died with Christ but are being crucified daily. WE are the ones where there has to be progressive sanctification; Christ Himself only died once for the propitiation of our sins; in other words He didn't need being perfect the process of sanctification before glorification.
Just as the conversion of a serial killer may appear more dramatic than say a stay at home housewife; the sanctification may also appear so. We see Christ tell Paul how much he will have to suffer for His Name's sake ( Acts 9:16). God has His own unique calling on our lives therefore different things necessary in our sanctification process. Nonetheless; changes must occur.
Once we die or are raptured and called home in glory then of course the process is completed; and the rewards commensurate with our service or lack thereof. This means we should strive to win the prize; but that is involved with a combination of learning how to submit daily to the Lord as well as buffeting ourselves with self discipline; someone He can trust to honor His name; and a servant who obeys because of love for their Master; Lord and Savior.
Sanctification therefore means various things; changing our daily habits and routines; changing the focus of our career and recreational time; and for some means a change of venue; or vocation. It is the small things that add up to make one prepared for the big; the lives of Christ and the Apostles show how they faced martyrdom after daily dying to self. Paul had suffered greatly and preferred to be with the Lord but not before the time ( Phil. 1:23)
There are two major errors as we head towards the Tribulation. One is the increasing number of those rejecting the God of the Bible and espousing a violent revolution; the other is what I believe is the genesis of the "Mystery Babylon" end time one world religion which basically holds to a tenet that man is basically good; and they can be somehow convinced to act upon these innate desires to bring some sort of utopian peace on earth. Such will bring about the first seal with the false peace of Antichrist on a ready and willing world population. Everyone; of course will be given a chance to join that bandwagon; as surely those espousing violence are somehow disenfranchised; explaining their behavior. Thus comes the covenant with "death and hell" knowingly made at that time according to Isaiah 28:15.
One could merely read the beatitudes or other verses about "good works" in the scriptures and somehow think that by doing certain actions they are following the Gospel. Outwardly perhaps; but not inwardly in the heart as man cannot love those who hate them and despitefully use them without the Spirit's assistance ( Matt. 5:44). We cannot; as Joni Mitchell states in the 1969 song "Woodstock" go back to the garden. The exaltation of man as though he has some redeeming quality started to gain popularity in the 19th Century "enlightenment" period.
When we look at other writings outside the Bible; it is certain that certain moral themes are more or less covered in these texts which are similar to scripture. We can see the same thing; of course in pagan cultures with the theme of a virgin giving birth with Isis and Osiris. The Bible is the written Word of God; even if some earlier texts were written down beforehand. God Himself wrote the 10 commandments on stone ( Ex. 31:18). He is the source of all truth; moral and otherwise and has taken care that the revealed Word was preserved and also became flesh ( John 1:14).
Truth mixed with falsehood: further thoughts on O.T. and N.T. and on "cherry picking" scripture
When David wrote in Psalm 119 that he loved the law; it was not necessarily for the regulations itself; at least to the main theme; but it was the nature of God and His righteousness where knowing the Lord personally; such statements could be made. Isaiah 30:10 is a warning that people wanted to hear smooth things; and that reminds us that we can't selectively pick verses that seem encouraging to us. We also have to look at such texts as 1 John 4. Verse 12 shows that we must love one another; but further inspection on this and the entire book of 1 John shows what agape love is; it has to be a perfect love and goes against the flesh where people in the flesh tend to pick and choose who they love. (see 1 John 3:15-16). We could say the same thing in a subject like prosperity. God promised Abraham would become great; and blessed him greatly with possessions. Nonetheless; the cost of this was having to wander around as a nomad in what would become eventually the territory of the Promised Land.
Again; in regard to the law it is actually held to a greater standard in the New Testament as to thoughts and intentions of the heart (see Matthew 5:28). God is also still concerned about vows and covenants made such as with marriage and we cannot live as the world and expect to inherit the Kingdom of God. The lawless one is coming ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). God has written the law in our hearts ( Rom. 2:15).
The Dominionist concept of the church taking over the world before Christ comes back is clearly in opposition to such verses as 1 Timothy 4. We aren't in a Theocracy where we can be expected to conquer as Israel did; we also can't exact restrictions more than Christ did with soldiers ( Luke 3:14); where Christ didn't try to make them lay down their arms. We can learn to wait on God as Romans 12:19 suggests. May we read and apply all scripture in a sound manner.
The word says that scripture has to be understood by applying other scriptures to it.
The NEW COVENANT, the gospel, was preached to THEM as well as unto US.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 2:29 For he is a JEW, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is in the heart, IN THE SPIRIT .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST, has made us free from the LAW of sin and DEATH ...
This same gospel was preached to them as well as us.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way ( John 14:6) who WALK in the LAW OF the LORD ( Romans 8:2).
Ezekiel 36:27 I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to WALK in my STATUTES, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in HIS WAYS.
Psalms 119:5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy STATUTES!
The Spirit CAUSES us TO DO his will, the words that come out of our mouth, are his words, the works of our hands, are his works.
Isaiah 48:18 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I, and HIS SPIRIT HAS SENT ME ( Romans 8:2).
John 14:24 ...and the word ye hear are not mine, but the Father's which sent me ....
Mark 10:8 And they TWAIN shall be ONE FLESH: so they are no more TWAIN, but ONE FLESH ...
The same SPIRIT that sent Christ and raised him up, and we as JOINT HEIRS, abides in us, our words are not ours by the Father's that anoints us.
The wages if UNBELIEF is DEATH.
The GIFT of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTAL LIFE......
It has been said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; and the New Testament the Old Testament revealed. I'm not sure who came up with that I'm sure a quick search can make that evident.
No one can follow the law perfectly; and if we transgress in one thing it is as though we broke all ( James 2:10 loosely translated). No one can be saved by the law; that is where the grace of God comes in. However; we can't dismiss the significance of the 10 commandments as it is clear that murder and adultery are still sins as seen in numerous N.T. scriptures. Of course most believers don't hold to Saturday sabbath today except for Seventh Day Adventists and Messianic Jewish congregants. There are also ceremonial laws which Peter himself was told to bypass with his vision in the Book of Acts in regard to the meeting with Cornelius; a Gentile.
When it comes to comparing both Testaments cross references and prophecies clearly link the two parts of scripture; not to mention life lessons. 2 Timothy 3:16 makes it clear that all scripture is God breathed and useful for various purposes. There are intersections with Gentiles on occasion (such as Nebuchadnezzar; Naaman the Syrian and perhaps most importantly Melchizidek. God's chosen people came from pagan nations first; then were established eventually in a homeland as Jews; with varying interludes of diaspora during times of disobedience. As I stated before there were covenants made with Abraham that are related to promises for the nation that are eternal. What did change was the Old Testament methodology of sacrifices once the Temple was destroyed in AD 70. Actually once the curtain split at the crucifixion we now are able to worship God anywhere as we have access to the "Holy of Holies" being His temple ( 1 Cor. 3:16). The New covenant promises essentially to give us a new heart which will never drift from Him again ( Jer. 31:31-34).
Something that I know and felt very powerfully today . God is our Creator our Sustainer the Breath in our nostrils the Beat of our Heart our Dear Heavenly Father . We are His creation , His children , God is love and He adores us and wants us with Him . We are His babies and He wants us with Him in the way every good and loving Father does only much more than our punny little hearts and brains can comprehend , His love is beyond our knowledge . His love is for us .
Matthew 7:14 ... FEW there be that find it ..... in our time.....
Hosea 4:14 I WILL NOT PUNISH your daughters when they commit WHOREDOM, nor you spouses when the commit ADULTERY: for themselves are SEPARATED with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots, therefore the people that doeth not understand SHALL FALL.
Proverbs 16:6 .... by TRUTH and MERCY iniquity (sin) is purged ....
What is this SIN (in God's eyes) that can be purged by TRUTH and MERCY ......that keeps the many from the Kingdom of God?
Matthew 7:14 ... FEW there be that find it ..... in our time.....
Hosea 4:14 I WILL NOT PUNISH your daughters when they commit WHOREDOM, nor you spouses when the commit ADULTERY: for themselves are SEPARATED with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots, therefore the people that doeth not understand SHALL FALL.
Proverbs 16:6 .... by TRUTH and MERCY iniquity (sin) is purged ....
What is this SIN (in God's eyes) that can be purged by TRUTH and MERCY ......that keeps the many from the Kingdom of God?
I am interrupting my current postings for now as I believe that it is prudent to give a watchman's warning as to the rapidly spiraling out of control demonstrations that are breaking out in many cities across America related to this war between Israel and Hamas and no doubt other factions which has just broken the 30 day mark. This has already exceeded the length of most other recent conflicts in that nation and likely will exceed the length of all wars there from 1948 to today; perhaps even all combined together. The demonstrations here and worldwide are targeting Jews but you can be certain that the Christians are next.
Our choice now seems to be continuing with our current political party (who apparently despite supporting the Palestinians are still hated by the demonstrators); or going back to the former President who no doubt will have to have martial law and brutal crackdowns to get anything under control.
We need to seize every moment to proclaim the Gospel; and wisely prepare for what is to come. Our Lord could be returning any time now; but I don't see that happening until Israel has secured its borders; and eventually comes to some sort of more peaceful existance before the Ezekiel 38 war can commence. That is when I expect the Daniel 9:27 treaty when all the surrounding areas such as Jordan and perhaps Syria are dealt with in the Isaiah 17 prophecy. Whatever that timing is; our country has been invaded by millions and no doubt we have terrible days coming; perhaps as bad as the Civil War. Once we see tens of thousands demonstrating like this; and Jewish students having to hide in libraries we know persecution is near.
Our time of armchair spectator sport Christianity is rapidly waning. On one hand this should help to destroy the prosperity gospel and many false ministries. On the other I pray we all trust in the Spirit to give us words in that hour of trial which no doubt many will face both here and abroad.
In regard to symbolic interpretations of scripture; one of the most extreme I have seen is an interpretation of Revelation 22 as being a symbolic imagery not a literal place paved in streets of gold and all the other details of mind boggling concepts. This was one novel Post Millennial or amillennial concept for a small book that I read several years back. On the other hand, the idea that many from the Pre Millennium camp argue that we should submit to the idea that Satan has basically taken over and controls everything rather than still using God given authority until the end of the church age was a good point. It can be argued that one eschatology is better than another (I myself am a PreMillenialist) but in this case as in all others there is a deeper issue; namely that many clear factual prophetic statements will occur at the Second coming; just as it did at the first. PostMil people and even Preterists for that matter have no problem believing the historical prophecies from Christ's first coming; and the Old Testament Prophecies and writings from history being a literal fact. But often doctrinal issues preclude such ideas for future prophecies; tied into the idea that for instance the church has replaced Isreal rather than the idea that two concurrent covenants could be in effect. Some would even argue with science that corroborates prophecy such as the fault line on the Mount of Olives that explains Zechariah 14:4. They would say that it precludes faith from being belief in what we can't see if it fits in with science! We of course can make this error in reverse with evolution concepts that often are disproven at a later date when more of the fossil record is retrieved; for instance with such fossils as Archaepterix; or "Piltdown" man. Again; there is some room for different interpretations on "secondary" issues but not when primary core doctrines of truth are compromised.
We are told to come out from among them churches, to be a separate people.
2nd Cor 6:14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2nd Cor 7:[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Many people want to stay behind to see what happens. Just like a burning building, many people want to stay around and watch to see what happens. Lot's wife did the same thing, she wanted to see what was going to happen when she was instructed not to. Jesus told us the same thing as well.
Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
[33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
We have to come out from among these churches and look for fellowship with those in the light and not in darkness with sinners. People complain about their church like my parents for example, but they will not come out as the church has them bound in their sin. The synagogue of Satan which claim thry are Christians and are not. Come out
He wants to just reach for something pre-packaged, which is hard to find something with low carbs and high protein. He does boil an egg at times, but I think he should do that more often. And when I make a roast of chicken, I try to cook enough for leftovers. He will reheat those. But vegetables and fruits are another thing he shies away from. I am more fruit and vegetable snacker than him. Also, with him going on motorcycle rides 2-3 days a week, he isn't home to fix a breakfast or lunch and relies on more snack foods. But he did bring his A1C done 1 whole percentage point like I did, but it is nearer to 6.0 now. A good improvement.
He has always been resistant to eat "healthy" type of foods. I embrace them. So, we are on different wavelengths in that regard. He likes to eat at fast food restaurants and I do not because I can make better food at home that is more nutritious. But wit this new diet change, we are coming closer together on what we prepare at home. I am glad for that.
Good Evening, I am getting back to posting on God's MAJESTY
Pt. 2
God is exalted far above all else by nature, not because we place him in this place of esteem.
Gen. 14:22 attests that He is God Most High, as how Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew him.
Ps. 113:5 states that God is the One who is enthroned on high. No one put Him there by appointment. He did not ascend to this position. He has always occupied this place of highest sovereignty. Jesus, in His humiliation of becoming a man, is the only one who ascended to the highest place of God. Ph. 2:9
He ascended back to the glory He always had with the Father prior to His incarnation. John 17:5
There is nothing and no one greater than He and this is eternally so.
Ps. 111:3 says that Glorious and majestic are God's deeds.
Ps. 145: tells of the glorious splendor of His majesty.
The Scriptures say that He is majestic in:
power ( Ex. 15:6
holiness ( Ex. 15:11)
voice ( Job 37:4)
deeds (111:3)
beauty (Ez. 31:7)
splendor ( 1Chr. 29:11)
authority ( Jude 1:25)
victory ( Ps. 45:4)
in raiment (93:1)
His majesty in incomparable (Ez. 31:3)
2 Thes. 2:8 says that the enemies of God will be destroyed by the splendor of His coming.
Neh. 9:5 says that He is exalted above all that could be praised.
Ps. 92:10 says that God is exalted forever.
Ps. 113:4 says God is exalted above the nations. Nothing rises above Him.
Ps. 138:2 says God is exalted above ALL things.
And who can pass up Isaiah's vision of the Lord upon His throne High and exalted! Is. 6:1 Read the way He is described here. Awesome!
Micah 6:6 tells us to bow down before the exalted God.
Let us have a high view of God, esteeming Him to be the best of all, pre-eminent in all things, the height of perfection, the One no one can supplant, the absolute sublimity of anything worthy and holy. His majesty surpasses all that any being can imagine or think. Even the angels do not know the full extent of His majesty, but cry Holy, holy.
We should be mindful of our personal view of God and regularly check ourselves and ask questions such as:
Do I esteem God above all else?
Do I stand in awe of Him?
Do I consider all of His majestic ways?
Do I believe what He said when it is wrong to think that He is altogether UNlike us, being absolutely unique and unparalleled.
Ex. 8:10; Job 9:3; 1 Kgs. 8:23; Is. 46:9
Dominion and awe belong to God Job 25:2
He is a great and awesome God Dt. 7:21
Do I have high and lofty thoughts of God?
Do I tremble because of His splendor and majesty?
If the answer is no to these questions, then one should study what the Scriptures say about His majesty. In doing so, one will expand their view of Him and swell up with praise and honor to Him.
So, in His pure Being, God is truly above and beyond all else. We worship a God that cannot be totally searched out. We can never exhaust the depths of His perfections.
All these ideas speak to His transcendence-His Otherness in relation to his creatures and created things.
But He is also majestic in His eminence-His nearness and involvement and relationship to His creatures.
And the most majestic aspect of His eminence is the incarnation of Jesus.
Heb. 1:3Col. 1:15
Jesus is the image of the invisible God-the exact representation of His Being, the brightness of the Father's glory, the express
image of the person of the Father. Jesus, being God, humbled Himself by taking on humanity into His deity and glorified
God in His perfect humanity as He does in His perfect deity. He brought the glory of God to mankind. He showed us the Father.
John 10 explains this well.
How blessed we are that God bent low for us in giving us His divine Son to show us the majesty of His grace and mercy in
salvation in Christ.
And in viewing the eminence of God in Christ, we can ask these questions.
Do I value the coming of Jesus as the most important thing in all of history?
In regard to misuse of scripture; we risk two extremes-that being making applications to every event in our lives with any verse that even remotely seems to prove a mindset or agenda or life decision and the contrary; which views the Word as a history lesson; disregarding any application of the supernatural in our personal lives; or in speaking to us in our personal lives.
I would say that it is better to randomly open to a scripture verse to find something applicable than to assign meanings to passages through a deliberate twisting of meanings. We need to differentiate between methods of preaching that are more life application oriented with those that are more focused on hermeneutics, for instance. It is a slippery slope once we start to read into scripture with a message that is more like a self fulfilling prophecy than proper exegesis.
Take; for instance personal examples and life lessons. Those obsessed with the charismatic gifts; for instance often talk of miracles that they have seen; but practically speaking; for instance hearing examples of sharing the Gospel and seeing results is just as much; if not more evidence of a miracle in a supernatural transformation of the heart. Knowing our local pastor should help us to establish trust so that we have assurance that we are not being given unsubstantiated tales of miracles; signs and wonders.
Another example is the verses where we are commanded to raise the dead; heal the sick etc such as found in Matthew 10:8. Surely these acts along with deliverance were continued throughout the time of the book of Acts. We need to matter of factly acknowledge when a miracle appears to occur; but also realize that in some cases it may not be God's will; at least in terms of the fact that we are all mortal beings. We certainly should pray for such things; especially spiritual deliverance for those in bondage to the enemy which all with the Spirit can do.
Truth mixed with falsehood (part 2 of introduction outline).
Continuing with my first outline there is a #3 issue. That is not being fully persuaded that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. This results in various sinful results. We are assured that he who teaches one error and practices it will be the least in the Kingdom of God ( Matt. 5:19). There are more serious issues such as what would be categorized as "damnable heresies" ( 2 Peter 2:1) so this isn't something to trifle with.
One thing that contributes to this scriptural mindset are poor translations of scripture; which can involve a few issues or be wanton disregard to the clear meanings of all source texts in order to propagate teachings of cults.
A second issue is the leadership selling their own version of "snake oil" in order to facilitate preaching of some sort of "prosperity gospel" which no doubt is cultlike in placing undue emphasis on the charisma of the teacher or ministry as opposed to a balanced church as mandated in the scriptures. Lack of church discipline for pastors and laypersons alike often results; and other times of course legalism can occur; sometimes even alongside the first error. Scripture should never be used to push an agenda that diverts attention from the Great Commission and other key commands; nor should it promote lawlessness or "cheap grace."
The third issue; often tied in with the others mentioned here is other writings being put on too high a pedestal or revered as somehow being worthy of worship or even worth considering from other religions. This can be as innocuous as obsessing on a classic such as "Pilgrim's Progress" or other worthy Christian fiction at the expense of purely studying scriptures to widespread error from espousing some New Age concept and especially Christ being presented as a great teacher and such which those of other religions would espouse apart from His Deity.
Usually some truth is retained which makes error more potent.
Joyce Tremayne Pickett yes partly on Obadiah 1 Esau is the Edomites which are the so called white race but Jacob are the 12 tribes of Israel the so called Blacks Hispanics and Native Indians of Negroid Descent which were divided into to kingdom the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom the Northern Kingdom is the ten tribes Israel and the Southern Kingdom are the two tribes Judah and Benjamin
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." ( Gal. 5:9). Without naming names; it is clear that error has crept in with many if not most churches of sizeable membership today. Here is a summary list of reasons these falsehoods develop and manifest.
1. Misinterpreting scripture. This can be subdivided into several categories:
a. Isolating a text from the greater meaning of surrounding chapters; and/or other cross references that clearly relate to the subject being discussed.
b. Making a literal text fit into the narrative by ascribing the meaning to a figurative description; or more rarely taking figurative language and attempting to find literal meaning to it. (Actually the second error is something that I haven't really seen in any examples that I can think of at present but is theoretically possible).
c. Over OR Underemphasis on the Old Covenant; its laws and the ways God interacted with Israel in the past. This covers several issues; such as the error of teaching that the church has replaced Israel in all former covenant promises; or that we are still to follow all the Old Testament commandments that were purely for Israel (such as the Saturday sabbath law; or perhaps ceremonial regulations for unclean foods; etc. This can slip into the error of trying to emphasize the New Testament with the implication that God somehow isn't the same in regard to God the Father in the Old Testament and Christ in the New Testament.
This fits into an overemphasis of attributes of love today as compared with judgment and wrath in the past. God is the same yesterday; today and forever ( Heb. 13:8).
2. Setting an agenda by using a passage that fits in to an introduced concept; theme or idea. This broad concept would involve gross error of cherry picking verses that on a surface level may seem to verify clearly heretical concepts; or attempting to fit a doctrine into a selected text while ignoring other scriptures.
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
The WORD says it is God that CAUSES you to SLIP; but, the WORD also says ALL THINGS work together, even the slips we make, for the good of THOSE who love the WORKS of God.
Read and STUDY Isaiah 10.
God runs the lives of every man, but most live in UNBELIEF and deny the WORKS of God.
I'm not trying to be a nuisance, just trying to understand where you are coming from.
I know you believe we are saved by grace alone.
You said, When I came to Christ, I confessed that I am a sinner in need of a saviour.
AMEN
You said, I wasn't let of the hook when God saved me.
I don't understand that.
Does grace only go so far? and not all the way.
God Bless YOU!
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
I believe that scripture works through me as I renew my mind daily
No discipline is enjoyable at the time according to Hebrews 12:11. It leads to good fruits according to the passage; however.
I have stated repeatedly that verses indicating chastising all He loves as well as suffering for His Name's sake are both scriptural statements in regard to the fate of those who are saved. (see Philippians 1:29 and dozens of other verses). So in some sense we have died with Christ but are being crucified daily. WE are the ones where there has to be progressive sanctification; Christ Himself only died once for the propitiation of our sins; in other words He didn't need being perfect the process of sanctification before glorification.
Just as the conversion of a serial killer may appear more dramatic than say a stay at home housewife; the sanctification may also appear so. We see Christ tell Paul how much he will have to suffer for His Name's sake ( Acts 9:16). God has His own unique calling on our lives therefore different things necessary in our sanctification process. Nonetheless; changes must occur.
Once we die or are raptured and called home in glory then of course the process is completed; and the rewards commensurate with our service or lack thereof. This means we should strive to win the prize; but that is involved with a combination of learning how to submit daily to the Lord as well as buffeting ourselves with self discipline; someone He can trust to honor His name; and a servant who obeys because of love for their Master; Lord and Savior.
Sanctification therefore means various things; changing our daily habits and routines; changing the focus of our career and recreational time; and for some means a change of venue; or vocation. It is the small things that add up to make one prepared for the big; the lives of Christ and the Apostles show how they faced martyrdom after daily dying to self. Paul had suffered greatly and preferred to be with the Lord but not before the time ( Phil. 1:23)
There are two major errors as we head towards the Tribulation. One is the increasing number of those rejecting the God of the Bible and espousing a violent revolution; the other is what I believe is the genesis of the "Mystery Babylon" end time one world religion which basically holds to a tenet that man is basically good; and they can be somehow convinced to act upon these innate desires to bring some sort of utopian peace on earth. Such will bring about the first seal with the false peace of Antichrist on a ready and willing world population. Everyone; of course will be given a chance to join that bandwagon; as surely those espousing violence are somehow disenfranchised; explaining their behavior. Thus comes the covenant with "death and hell" knowingly made at that time according to Isaiah 28:15.
One could merely read the beatitudes or other verses about "good works" in the scriptures and somehow think that by doing certain actions they are following the Gospel. Outwardly perhaps; but not inwardly in the heart as man cannot love those who hate them and despitefully use them without the Spirit's assistance ( Matt. 5:44). We cannot; as Joni Mitchell states in the 1969 song "Woodstock" go back to the garden. The exaltation of man as though he has some redeeming quality started to gain popularity in the 19th Century "enlightenment" period.
When we look at other writings outside the Bible; it is certain that certain moral themes are more or less covered in these texts which are similar to scripture. We can see the same thing; of course in pagan cultures with the theme of a virgin giving birth with Isis and Osiris. The Bible is the written Word of God; even if some earlier texts were written down beforehand. God Himself wrote the 10 commandments on stone ( Ex. 31:18). He is the source of all truth; moral and otherwise and has taken care that the revealed Word was preserved and also became flesh ( John 1:14).
When David wrote in Psalm 119 that he loved the law; it was not necessarily for the regulations itself; at least to the main theme; but it was the nature of God and His righteousness where knowing the Lord personally; such statements could be made. Isaiah 30:10 is a warning that people wanted to hear smooth things; and that reminds us that we can't selectively pick verses that seem encouraging to us. We also have to look at such texts as 1 John 4. Verse 12 shows that we must love one another; but further inspection on this and the entire book of 1 John shows what agape love is; it has to be a perfect love and goes against the flesh where people in the flesh tend to pick and choose who they love. (see 1 John 3:15-16). We could say the same thing in a subject like prosperity. God promised Abraham would become great; and blessed him greatly with possessions. Nonetheless; the cost of this was having to wander around as a nomad in what would become eventually the territory of the Promised Land.
Again; in regard to the law it is actually held to a greater standard in the New Testament as to thoughts and intentions of the heart (see Matthew 5:28). God is also still concerned about vows and covenants made such as with marriage and we cannot live as the world and expect to inherit the Kingdom of God. The lawless one is coming ( 2 Thess. 2:9-12). God has written the law in our hearts ( Rom. 2:15).
The Dominionist concept of the church taking over the world before Christ comes back is clearly in opposition to such verses as 1 Timothy 4. We aren't in a Theocracy where we can be expected to conquer as Israel did; we also can't exact restrictions more than Christ did with soldiers ( Luke 3:14); where Christ didn't try to make them lay down their arms. We can learn to wait on God as Romans 12:19 suggests. May we read and apply all scripture in a sound manner.
The word says that scripture has to be understood by applying other scriptures to it.
The NEW COVENANT, the gospel, was preached to THEM as well as unto US.
John 4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship, salvation is of the Jews.
Romans 2:29 For he is a JEW, which is one inwardly, and circumcision is in the heart, IN THE SPIRIT .....
Romans 8:2 For the LAW OF THE SPIRIT OF LIFE IN CHRIST, has made us free from the LAW of sin and DEATH ...
This same gospel was preached to them as well as us.
Psalms 119:1 Blessed are the UNDEFILED in the way ( John 14:6) who WALK in the LAW OF the LORD ( Romans 8:2).
Ezekiel 36:27 I will put my Spirit in you and cause you to WALK in my STATUTES, and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
Psalms 119:3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in HIS WAYS.
Psalms 119:5 Oh that my ways were directed to keep thy STATUTES!
The Spirit CAUSES us TO DO his will, the words that come out of our mouth, are his words, the works of our hands, are his works.
Isaiah 48:18 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this, I have not spoken in secret from the beginning, from the time that it was, there am I, and HIS SPIRIT HAS SENT ME ( Romans 8:2).
John 14:24 ...and the word ye hear are not mine, but the Father's which sent me ....
Mark 10:8 And they TWAIN shall be ONE FLESH: so they are no more TWAIN, but ONE FLESH ...
The same SPIRIT that sent Christ and raised him up, and we as JOINT HEIRS, abides in us, our words are not ours by the Father's that anoints us.
The wages if UNBELIEF is DEATH.
The GIFT of BELIEF is IMMORTAL LIFE.
1 Timothy 6:16 .... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTAL LIFE......
God BLESS YOU!
Re. last para, I am sure you meant John while quoting Luke 3:14.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
I believe the scripture will open gates and doors for me.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
It has been said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed; and the New Testament the Old Testament revealed. I'm not sure who came up with that I'm sure a quick search can make that evident.
No one can follow the law perfectly; and if we transgress in one thing it is as though we broke all ( James 2:10 loosely translated). No one can be saved by the law; that is where the grace of God comes in. However; we can't dismiss the significance of the 10 commandments as it is clear that murder and adultery are still sins as seen in numerous N.T. scriptures. Of course most believers don't hold to Saturday sabbath today except for Seventh Day Adventists and Messianic Jewish congregants. There are also ceremonial laws which Peter himself was told to bypass with his vision in the Book of Acts in regard to the meeting with Cornelius; a Gentile.
When it comes to comparing both Testaments cross references and prophecies clearly link the two parts of scripture; not to mention life lessons. 2 Timothy 3:16 makes it clear that all scripture is God breathed and useful for various purposes. There are intersections with Gentiles on occasion (such as Nebuchadnezzar; Naaman the Syrian and perhaps most importantly Melchizidek. God's chosen people came from pagan nations first; then were established eventually in a homeland as Jews; with varying interludes of diaspora during times of disobedience. As I stated before there were covenants made with Abraham that are related to promises for the nation that are eternal. What did change was the Old Testament methodology of sacrifices once the Temple was destroyed in AD 70. Actually once the curtain split at the crucifixion we now are able to worship God anywhere as we have access to the "Holy of Holies" being His temple ( 1 Cor. 3:16). The New covenant promises essentially to give us a new heart which will never drift from Him again ( Jer. 31:31-34).
What is SIN in God's eyes, NOT man's eyes?
Why do so FEW enter the Kingdom of God?
Does SIN keep them out?
ONLY eight in Noah's time.
ONLY two in Joshua's time.
Matthew 7:14 ... FEW there be that find it ..... in our time.....
Hosea 4:14 I WILL NOT PUNISH your daughters when they commit WHOREDOM, nor you spouses when the commit ADULTERY: for themselves are SEPARATED with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots, therefore the people that doeth not understand SHALL FALL.
Proverbs 16:6 .... by TRUTH and MERCY iniquity (sin) is purged ....
What is this SIN (in God's eyes) that can be purged by TRUTH and MERCY ......that keeps the many from the Kingdom of God?
God BLESS YOU!
The gospel was preached to National Israel as well to PROMISED ISRAEL, today.
Judges 21:25 In those days (God sees not time), there was NO KING in Israel, every man did what was right in his own eyes.
Maybe we have the same problem TODAY.
God BLESS YOU, brother.
What is SIN in God's eyes, NOT man's eyes?
Why do so FEW enter the Kingdom of God?
Does SIN keep them out?
ONLY eight in Noah's time.
ONLY two in Joshua's time.
Matthew 7:14 ... FEW there be that find it ..... in our time.....
Hosea 4:14 I WILL NOT PUNISH your daughters when they commit WHOREDOM, nor you spouses when the commit ADULTERY: for themselves are SEPARATED with whores, and they sacrifice with harlots, therefore the people that doeth not understand SHALL FALL.
Proverbs 16:6 .... by TRUTH and MERCY iniquity (sin) is purged ....
What is this SIN (in God's eyes) that can be purged by TRUTH and MERCY ......that keeps the many from the Kingdom of God?
God BLESS YOU!
I am interrupting my current postings for now as I believe that it is prudent to give a watchman's warning as to the rapidly spiraling out of control demonstrations that are breaking out in many cities across America related to this war between Israel and Hamas and no doubt other factions which has just broken the 30 day mark. This has already exceeded the length of most other recent conflicts in that nation and likely will exceed the length of all wars there from 1948 to today; perhaps even all combined together. The demonstrations here and worldwide are targeting Jews but you can be certain that the Christians are next.
Our choice now seems to be continuing with our current political party (who apparently despite supporting the Palestinians are still hated by the demonstrators); or going back to the former President who no doubt will have to have martial law and brutal crackdowns to get anything under control.
We need to seize every moment to proclaim the Gospel; and wisely prepare for what is to come. Our Lord could be returning any time now; but I don't see that happening until Israel has secured its borders; and eventually comes to some sort of more peaceful existance before the Ezekiel 38 war can commence. That is when I expect the Daniel 9:27 treaty when all the surrounding areas such as Jordan and perhaps Syria are dealt with in the Isaiah 17 prophecy. Whatever that timing is; our country has been invaded by millions and no doubt we have terrible days coming; perhaps as bad as the Civil War. Once we see tens of thousands demonstrating like this; and Jewish students having to hide in libraries we know persecution is near.
Our time of armchair spectator sport Christianity is rapidly waning. On one hand this should help to destroy the prosperity gospel and many false ministries. On the other I pray we all trust in the Spirit to give us words in that hour of trial which no doubt many will face both here and abroad.
In regard to symbolic interpretations of scripture; one of the most extreme I have seen is an interpretation of Revelation 22 as being a symbolic imagery not a literal place paved in streets of gold and all the other details of mind boggling concepts. This was one novel Post Millennial or amillennial concept for a small book that I read several years back. On the other hand, the idea that many from the Pre Millennium camp argue that we should submit to the idea that Satan has basically taken over and controls everything rather than still using God given authority until the end of the church age was a good point. It can be argued that one eschatology is better than another (I myself am a PreMillenialist) but in this case as in all others there is a deeper issue; namely that many clear factual prophetic statements will occur at the Second coming; just as it did at the first. PostMil people and even Preterists for that matter have no problem believing the historical prophecies from Christ's first coming; and the Old Testament Prophecies and writings from history being a literal fact. But often doctrinal issues preclude such ideas for future prophecies; tied into the idea that for instance the church has replaced Isreal rather than the idea that two concurrent covenants could be in effect. Some would even argue with science that corroborates prophecy such as the fault line on the Mount of Olives that explains Zechariah 14:4. They would say that it precludes faith from being belief in what we can't see if it fits in with science! We of course can make this error in reverse with evolution concepts that often are disproven at a later date when more of the fossil record is retrieved; for instance with such fossils as Archaepterix; or "Piltdown" man. Again; there is some room for different interpretations on "secondary" issues but not when primary core doctrines of truth are compromised.
One can eventually lead to the other
2nd Cor 6:14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
[15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
[16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2nd Cor 7:[1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Many people want to stay behind to see what happens. Just like a burning building, many people want to stay around and watch to see what happens. Lot's wife did the same thing, she wanted to see what was going to happen when she was instructed not to. Jesus told us the same thing as well.
Luke 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
31 In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back.
32 Remember Lot's wife.
[33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.
We have to come out from among these churches and look for fellowship with those in the light and not in darkness with sinners. People complain about their church like my parents for example, but they will not come out as the church has them bound in their sin. The synagogue of Satan which claim thry are Christians and are not. Come out
He wants to just reach for something pre-packaged, which is hard to find something with low carbs and high protein. He does boil an egg at times, but I think he should do that more often. And when I make a roast of chicken, I try to cook enough for leftovers. He will reheat those. But vegetables and fruits are another thing he shies away from. I am more fruit and vegetable snacker than him. Also, with him going on motorcycle rides 2-3 days a week, he isn't home to fix a breakfast or lunch and relies on more snack foods. But he did bring his A1C done 1 whole percentage point like I did, but it is nearer to 6.0 now. A good improvement.
He has always been resistant to eat "healthy" type of foods. I embrace them. So, we are on different wavelengths in that regard. He likes to eat at fast food restaurants and I do not because I can make better food at home that is more nutritious. But wit this new diet change, we are coming closer together on what we prepare at home. I am glad for that.
Pt. 2
God is exalted far above all else by nature, not because we place him in this place of esteem.
Gen. 14:22 attests that He is God Most High, as how Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew him.
Ps. 113:5 states that God is the One who is enthroned on high. No one put Him there by appointment. He did not ascend to this position. He has always occupied this place of highest sovereignty. Jesus, in His humiliation of becoming a man, is the only one who ascended to the highest place of God. Ph. 2:9
He ascended back to the glory He always had with the Father prior to His incarnation. John 17:5
There is nothing and no one greater than He and this is eternally so.
Ps. 111:3 says that Glorious and majestic are God's deeds.
Ps. 145: tells of the glorious splendor of His majesty.
The Scriptures say that He is majestic in:
power ( Ex. 15:6
holiness ( Ex. 15:11)
voice ( Job 37:4)
deeds (111:3)
beauty (Ez. 31:7)
splendor ( 1Chr. 29:11)
authority ( Jude 1:25)
victory ( Ps. 45:4)
in raiment (93:1)
His majesty in incomparable (Ez. 31:3)
2 Thes. 2:8 says that the enemies of God will be destroyed by the splendor of His coming.
Neh. 9:5 says that He is exalted above all that could be praised.
Ps. 92:10 says that God is exalted forever.
Ps. 113:4 says God is exalted above the nations. Nothing rises above Him.
Ps. 138:2 says God is exalted above ALL things.
And who can pass up Isaiah's vision of the Lord upon His throne High and exalted! Is. 6:1 Read the way He is described here. Awesome!
Micah 6:6 tells us to bow down before the exalted God.
Let us have a high view of God, esteeming Him to be the best of all, pre-eminent in all things, the height of perfection, the One no one can supplant, the absolute sublimity of anything worthy and holy. His majesty surpasses all that any being can imagine or think. Even the angels do not know the full extent of His majesty, but cry Holy, holy.
Pt 3
We should be mindful of our personal view of God and regularly check ourselves and ask questions such as:
Do I esteem God above all else?
Do I stand in awe of Him?
Do I consider all of His majestic ways?
Do I believe what He said when it is wrong to think that He is altogether UNlike us, being absolutely unique and unparalleled.
Ex. 8:10; Job 9:3; 1 Kgs. 8:23; Is. 46:9
Dominion and awe belong to God Job 25:2
He is a great and awesome God Dt. 7:21
Do I have high and lofty thoughts of God?
Do I tremble because of His splendor and majesty?
If the answer is no to these questions, then one should study what the Scriptures say about His majesty. In doing so, one will expand their view of Him and swell up with praise and honor to Him.
So, in His pure Being, God is truly above and beyond all else. We worship a God that cannot be totally searched out. We can never exhaust the depths of His perfections.
All these ideas speak to His transcendence-His Otherness in relation to his creatures and created things.
But He is also majestic in His eminence-His nearness and involvement and relationship to His creatures.
And the most majestic aspect of His eminence is the incarnation of Jesus.
Heb. 1:3 Col. 1:15
Jesus is the image of the invisible God-the exact representation of His Being, the brightness of the Father's glory, the express
image of the person of the Father. Jesus, being God, humbled Himself by taking on humanity into His deity and glorified
God in His perfect humanity as He does in His perfect deity. He brought the glory of God to mankind. He showed us the Father.
John 10 explains this well.
How blessed we are that God bent low for us in giving us His divine Son to show us the majesty of His grace and mercy in
salvation in Christ.
And in viewing the eminence of God in Christ, we can ask these questions.
Do I value the coming of Jesus as the most important thing in all of history?
Do I treat Jesus as the King He is?
In regard to misuse of scripture; we risk two extremes-that being making applications to every event in our lives with any verse that even remotely seems to prove a mindset or agenda or life decision and the contrary; which views the Word as a history lesson; disregarding any application of the supernatural in our personal lives; or in speaking to us in our personal lives.
I would say that it is better to randomly open to a scripture verse to find something applicable than to assign meanings to passages through a deliberate twisting of meanings. We need to differentiate between methods of preaching that are more life application oriented with those that are more focused on hermeneutics, for instance. It is a slippery slope once we start to read into scripture with a message that is more like a self fulfilling prophecy than proper exegesis.
Take; for instance personal examples and life lessons. Those obsessed with the charismatic gifts; for instance often talk of miracles that they have seen; but practically speaking; for instance hearing examples of sharing the Gospel and seeing results is just as much; if not more evidence of a miracle in a supernatural transformation of the heart. Knowing our local pastor should help us to establish trust so that we have assurance that we are not being given unsubstantiated tales of miracles; signs and wonders.
Another example is the verses where we are commanded to raise the dead; heal the sick etc such as found in Matthew 10:8. Surely these acts along with deliverance were continued throughout the time of the book of Acts. We need to matter of factly acknowledge when a miracle appears to occur; but also realize that in some cases it may not be God's will; at least in terms of the fact that we are all mortal beings. We certainly should pray for such things; especially spiritual deliverance for those in bondage to the enemy which all with the Spirit can do.
Continuing with my first outline there is a #3 issue. That is not being fully persuaded that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. This results in various sinful results. We are assured that he who teaches one error and practices it will be the least in the Kingdom of God ( Matt. 5:19). There are more serious issues such as what would be categorized as "damnable heresies" ( 2 Peter 2:1) so this isn't something to trifle with.
One thing that contributes to this scriptural mindset are poor translations of scripture; which can involve a few issues or be wanton disregard to the clear meanings of all source texts in order to propagate teachings of cults.
A second issue is the leadership selling their own version of "snake oil" in order to facilitate preaching of some sort of "prosperity gospel" which no doubt is cultlike in placing undue emphasis on the charisma of the teacher or ministry as opposed to a balanced church as mandated in the scriptures. Lack of church discipline for pastors and laypersons alike often results; and other times of course legalism can occur; sometimes even alongside the first error. Scripture should never be used to push an agenda that diverts attention from the Great Commission and other key commands; nor should it promote lawlessness or "cheap grace."
The third issue; often tied in with the others mentioned here is other writings being put on too high a pedestal or revered as somehow being worthy of worship or even worth considering from other religions. This can be as innocuous as obsessing on a classic such as "Pilgrim's Progress" or other worthy Christian fiction at the expense of purely studying scriptures to widespread error from espousing some New Age concept and especially Christ being presented as a great teacher and such which those of other religions would espouse apart from His Deity.
Usually some truth is retained which makes error more potent.
"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." ( Gal. 5:9). Without naming names; it is clear that error has crept in with many if not most churches of sizeable membership today. Here is a summary list of reasons these falsehoods develop and manifest.
1. Misinterpreting scripture. This can be subdivided into several categories:
a. Isolating a text from the greater meaning of surrounding chapters; and/or other cross references that clearly relate to the subject being discussed.
b. Making a literal text fit into the narrative by ascribing the meaning to a figurative description; or more rarely taking figurative language and attempting to find literal meaning to it. (Actually the second error is something that I haven't really seen in any examples that I can think of at present but is theoretically possible).
c. Over OR Underemphasis on the Old Covenant; its laws and the ways God interacted with Israel in the past. This covers several issues; such as the error of teaching that the church has replaced Israel in all former covenant promises; or that we are still to follow all the Old Testament commandments that were purely for Israel (such as the Saturday sabbath law; or perhaps ceremonial regulations for unclean foods; etc. This can slip into the error of trying to emphasize the New Testament with the implication that God somehow isn't the same in regard to God the Father in the Old Testament and Christ in the New Testament.
This fits into an overemphasis of attributes of love today as compared with judgment and wrath in the past. God is the same yesterday; today and forever ( Heb. 13:8).
2. Setting an agenda by using a passage that fits in to an introduced concept; theme or idea. This broad concept would involve gross error of cherry picking verses that on a surface level may seem to verify clearly heretical concepts; or attempting to fit a doctrine into a selected text while ignoring other scriptures.
God bless.
From Adam till the present, what is the SIN that separates man from God.
UNBELIEF
Adam didn't believe God's word.
National Israel didn't believe God's word.
Promised Israel today doesn't believe God's Word.
Paul was struggling with this same sin, UNBELIEF.
Romans 11:32 For God HATH concluded THEM ALL (including Paul) in UNBELIEF, that he may have MERCY ON ALL.
Proverbs 16:6 By MERCY and TRUTH iniquity (unbelief) is PURGED.
1 Timothy 1:13 Who (Paul) was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in UNBELIEF.
Romans 11:30 For YE in times past HAVE NOT BELIEVED GOD, yet have now obtained mercy because of their UNBELIEF.
Mark 9:24 .... Lord ....help thou my UNBELIEF .......
Matthew 17:20 ...because of your UNBELIEF .....
Every SIN is CAUSED by UNBELIEF.
God Bless YOU!
Ezekiel 36:27 I WILL put my Spirit IN YOU and CAUSE you to walk in my statutes and keep my judgements and DO THEM.
The WORD says it is God that CAUSES you to SLIP; but, the WORD also says ALL THINGS work together, even the slips we make, for the good of THOSE who love the WORKS of God.
Read and STUDY Isaiah 10.
God runs the lives of every man, but most live in UNBELIEF and deny the WORKS of God.
God Bless YOU!