Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #3 voice of God
Hearing the Voice in the Holy Scriptures
Words to feed
Continuing reading the Words of God in the Holy Scriptures the Holy Spirit shall feed us. He shall be prepared to come close to us and to answer our questions or prayers. But for being able to hear the Voice of God we do need to take on the right attitude. We must humbly let the Scriptures teach us, reprove us, set things straight for us, and discipline us in righteousness. Jehovah knows what we need, for His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts. By His inspired Scriptures, He tells us what is beneficial for us so that we may be fully equipped and competent for the good work of witnessing to His name and Kingdom. Paul gives this outstanding advice in the context of describing the “critical times” that come “in the last days”: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” May all of us survive these critical times by giving heed to this inspired advice! (Romans 15:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
The title page to the 1611 first edition of the Authorized Version Bible. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
6 Seek יהוה {Jehovah} while He is to be found, call on Him while He is near. 7 Let the wrong forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to יהוה {Jehovah}, who has compassion on him, and to our Elohim, for He pardons much. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares יהוה {Jehovah}.9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so is My Word that goes forth from My mouth – it does not return to Me empty, but shall do what I please, and shall certainly accomplish what I sent it for. 12 “For with joy you go out, and with peace you are brought in – the mountains and the hills break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field clap the hands. 13 “Instead of the thorn the cypress comes up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle comes up. And it shall be to יהוה {Jehovah} for a name, for an everlasting sign which is not cut off.” (Isaiah 55:6-13 The Scriptures 1998+)
When we read the Bible we can listen to God His Word. By listening to His voice and by sticking to Him we shall be able to get answers and to get full breath of life, for He is your life and the length of your days.
19 “I have called the heavens and the earth as witnesses today against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore you shall choose life, so that you live, both you and your seed, 20 to love יהוה {Jehovah} your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him – for He is your life and the length of your days – to dwell in the land which יהוה {Jehovah} swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Yitsḥaq, and to Ya’aqob, to give them.” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 The Scriptures 1998+)
With the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures Jehovah, the Creator of all things, provided a means to get in conversation with Him. In the Holy Scriptures we are able to find answers to our many questions. It would be wrong just to take the writings as uninspired human penstrokes. We may not simply read words. When we encounter the words on paper in front of us, we should remember that it was the Voice of God who inspired the human writers to put down the Words of God.
We should visualize the situations about which we read, imagining the voices of those who are quoted.
As you read the opening chapters of the Bible, hear Jehovah Himself reveal, step by step, what is done in making the earth fit for man. Listen as He tells that the time has come to bring the first humans into existence. Picture the scene: Adam and Eve rebel, God passes judgment on them and, subsequently, He ousts them from Paradise. (Genesis, chaps. 1-3) Feel a sense of awe when you read that a Voice from heaven identifies JesusChrist as the Son of God, the beloved, the one sent by God to lay down his life for mankind. (Matthew 3:16, 17) Try to imagine the apostle John’s reaction when he hears Jehovah declare: “Look! I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)
With the 66 books of books God gave the world the Book of Life. We should not for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of our mind. This Book full of instructions and laws shows us the way how to live and how to survive. We should ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure we practice everything written in it. Then we shall get where we’re going; then we shall succeed and find out that our way may be prosperous.
“Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you guard to do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and act wisely. (Joshua 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)
Coming together to study the Word of God in the Holy Scriptures
The Biblical contemplation of nature and man starts from and ends in God and is kept alive by the Breath and the Voice of God. The very smallness of man makes the revelation of God in His dealings with him great. For every Christian Jehovah God, should be the only One brilliant Lord of Lord of lords and a household name. We might be a shimmering reflection, visible to every eye upturned from “this dim spot which men call earth.” But we should know that the Creator does find it important that people get to know Him by His Name and would love to see it shine all over the earth as the majestic name in all the earth.
O יהוה {Jehovah}, our Master, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth, You who set Your splendour above the heavens! (Psalms 8:1 The Scriptures 1998+)
5 Let them praise the Name of יהוה {Jehovah}, For He commanded and they were created. 6 And He established them forever and ever, He gave a law and they pass not beyond. 7 Praise יהוה {Jehovah}, from the earth, You great sea creatures and all the depths, 8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds, Stormy wind that does His word, 9 The mountains and all hills, Fruit tree and all cedars, 10 Wild beasts and all cattle, Creeping creatures and flying birds, 11 Sovereigns of the earth and all peoples, Rulers and all judges of the earth, 12 Both young men and maidens, Old men and children. 13 Let them praise the Name of יהוה {Jehovah}, For His Name alone is exalted, His splendour is above the earth and heavens. 14 He also lifts up the horn of His people, The praise of all His kind ones; Of the children of Yisra’ĕl, A people near to Him. Praise Yah! (Psalms 148:5-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
We are best to act wisely by directing our eyes onto the Words of God in the Holy Scriptures. When we allow those Words from God come from the paper into our heart we shall feel that God shall come with us and shall be willing to come to our aid to understand the many words in those Holy books. The more time you spend reading the Bible, the greater will be your satisfaction as you grow in knowledge of God’s will for you. You shall become less frightened because you shall know that God is close to you. You shall not have so many moments to panic. The assurance that God is with you shall make life so much easier. There’s no need to fear for Jehovah is your God when you are willing to accept Him as the Only One God. He shall give you strength. He shall help you. He shall hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
‘Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not look around, for I am your Elohim. I shall strengthen you, I shall also help you, I shall also uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.’ (Isaiah 41:10 The Scriptures 1998+)
When you listen to all those words coming from the Most High Powerful God, you shall feel that reading the Bible is as going into a very deep conversation. Such a conversation can also be called a prayer. Going into deep meditation about what is written in the Bible, shall bring you closer to your Creator. Truly, reading God’s Word in this way is a delightful experience!
When you do your Bible reading, take time to ponder the meaning of what you read — what it tells you about Jehovah, how it can influence your life beneficially, and how you can use it to help others.
When your regular reading provides you the help you need to deal wisely with problems, you will feel like the psalmist who said: “Your reminders are wonderful. That is why my soul has observed them.” (Psalm 119:129) You too will rejoice as you discern from the Scriptures principles that help to mould your thinking and your desires in a godly way. It might surprise you that Gods way shall not always be your way, but that when you follow God’s way you shall find it to be the most easiest way. But remember that Jehovah does not think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way He works. God His thoughts are most sublime and His ways our much higher than our ways. Jehovah His Decree should be the most important one to follow for us and should enable us to return or to come closer to the AlmightyElohim Jehovah God.
6 Seek יהוה {Jehovah}, while He is to be found, call on Him while He is near. 7 Let the wrong forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to יהוה {Jehovah}, who has compassion on him, and to our Elohim, for He pardons much. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares יהוה {Jehovah}. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. 10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from the heavens, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 11 so is My Word that goes forth from My mouth – it does not return to Me empty, but shall do what I please, and shall certainly accomplish what I sent it for. (Isaiah 55:6-11 The Scriptures 1998+)
Continue reading the inspired record, and you will come to know Jehovah as a Majestic and Awe-inspiring Person. You will feel strongly drawn to this One who loves us, deals mercifully with us, helps us if we humbly keep trying to do His will, and shows us how to enjoy success in all that we do.
As we read the Bible, we will sense that Jehovah is coming near to us and that He, as a loving Father, who knows what problems will result when we give in to imperfect fleshly desires, provides moral guidance that shields us from harm and shows us the right way. He does not want us to suffer the terrible consequences that will inevitably come from flouting His high moral standards. Jehovah God is a loving caring Father who wants us to enjoy the best way of life. Our reading of His Word helps us to appreciate more fully what a blessing it is to have him as our God and heavenly Father.
Daily Words of comfort
When we do love God, we shall be prepared to listen to His Wise Words regularly. We do not have to go to theological colleges or to hang out at Sin Saloon, not slinking along Dead-End Road, not going to Smart-Mouth College. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You would not mind becoming a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. You do not want to be like the common wicked people, who are mere windblown dust.
1 Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers, 2 But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה {Jehovah}, And he meditates in His Torah day and night. 3 For he shall be as a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That yields its fruit in its season, And whose leaf does not wither, And whatever he does prospers. 4 The wrong are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wrong shall not rise in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For יהוה {Jehovah}knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wrong comes to naught. (Psalms 1:1-6 The Scriptures 1998+)
Daily Bible reading shall bring Gods Word every day close into our heart and shall feed us as the necessary breast-feeding for the baby. Regular reading and application of what is in God’s Word will enable us to succeed in everything that involves our relationship with Jehovah.
Getting together at the Ecclesia in Brussels hotel to study the Bible and have a service of Breaking of the Bread
Even when we do not see it any more in this world and cannot follow this world we shall find the necessary solution in the readings of the day and will be blessed when we’re at the end of our rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. Others may call us the poor ones, but we should not mind. We may be the poor in spirit, but knowing our spiritual need, we shall be the ones looking forward to the hope coming true, for God His kingdom may be ours. (Matthew 5:3)
This shall only be true if we are prepared to adjust ourselves to that Word of God. If we adjust our priorities so as to read a portion of the Bible each day, we should think about those words we read, and put them to work in our lives. We should receive the Word with all readiness of mind and search the Scriptures daily to see if those things were and are so. (Acts 17:11)
As the first Christians let us follow their example and also have open minds, recognition of need, searching minds, daily application, and enthusiasm.
“You search the Scriptures, because you think you possess everlasting life in them. And these are the ones that bear witness of Me. (John 5:39 The Scriptures 1998+)
It is never enough to be knowledgeable in the Scriptures in a theoretical sense. The study of God’s Word must lead us to find who is the Messiah and to embrace Christ, with our whole heart and mind. Knowledge by itself is sterile. But intimate, personal experience of Christ brings about deep and lasting changes in our lives, and leads on to the eternal life that may be possessed only through him.
“Scripture is the royal chariot in which Jesus rides, and it is paved with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. The Scriptures are the swaddling bands of the holy child Jesus; unroll them and you find your Saviour. The quintessence of the word of God is Christ” (CHS).
Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #1 Kings Faith
The apostle Peter may have had doubts in what his master Jesus asked him. At the time when the district ruler Herod heard the reports of Jesus and had arrested John the Baptist, Peter was perhaps not yet sure about the intimate relation Jesus had with his Father, the Most HighGod.
In the storm, Christ was there, on the lake, with his hands stretched out to catch Peter who had not enough faith in the words of his master that he could walk on the water.
A plate engraved for the Macklin Bible after a specially-commissioned painting by Philippe Jacques De Loutherbourg. Photographed from the Bowyer Bible, Bolton, England. Bowyer Bible 29.3710. Christ Walking on the Sea. Matthew 14:30. A stormy night with Peter at left walking towards Christ standing on water at right, a boat behind at right. 1795.
“28 and Peter answered him and said, LORD, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water. 29 and he said, come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 but seeing that the wind was strong, he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried, saying, lord, save me! 31 and immediately Jesus stretched out [his] hand and caught him; and said to him, little-faith! Why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31 MKJV)
In contrast, a simple woman had more faith in Jesus, though she was not so much with him and had probably not seen so many miracles yet and not heard so many teachings from him.
“20 and behold, a woman, who had a flow of blood for twelve years, came up behind [him] and touched the hem of his garment. 21 for she said within herself, if only I shall touch his robe, I will be whole. 22 but turning and seeing her, Jesus said, daughter, be comforted; your faith has saved you. And the woman was saved from that hour.” (Matthew 9:20-22 MKJV)
Touching the hem of Christ’s garment was sufficient for healing. Here we have an incident that showed the wonder of God’s power and Jesus’ ability to wield it. In the many New Testament stories we can see how God was with Jesus. From the accounts given in those scriptures we should not only have the comfort of knowing that our master is always there to assist us when we ask, but also that we can see the responsibility we all have to help our Brethren and Sisters when they cry out for help. Jesus more often did pray for others than for himself. His thoughts where more concerning the benefit of others, than about his own prosperity. Only when it became too frightening for him (Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46), he called onto his Father, but did not ask that his will was to be done, but that the Will of his Father would be done.
“38 then he said to them, my soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Wait here and watch with me. 39 and he went a little further and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you [will].” (Matthew 26:38-39 MKJV)
“He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, my father, if this cup may not pass away from me unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:42 MKJV)
God was totally in Jesus his heart and we see that when God’s Word had entered David and Jesus their life, that divine Word became also part of their very being and giving them the desire to know what God really wanted from them. Jesus was fully aware that it was his Father who taught him how to live to please God, because Jehovah was his and David‘s God, who led him by His blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland. Jesus knew he could not do a solitary thing on his own. We ourselves think that we ourselves can manage and that we can do so many things on our own, without the help of anybody else. Most people would never consider needing God for what they want to do and would not listen to the Creator of heaven and earth. Jesus thought it important first to listen to God and only after that to make decisions himself. He was not out to get his own way but only to carry out orders he was willing to receive from his Father above.
“I can do nothing of my own self. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will, but the will of [the] father who has sent me.” (John 5:30 MK
“I delight to do your will, O my god; and your law [is] within my heart.” (Psalms 40:8 MKJV)
“Teach me to do your will; for you [are] my god; your spirit [is] good; lead me into the land of uprightness.” (Psalms 143:10 MKJV)
King David having completed the work God set out for him, has been in the grave, dust and ashes, a long time now.
“For after he had served [his] own generation by the will of god, David fell asleep and was added to his fathers and saw corruption.” (Acts 13:36 MKJV)
The moment Jesus was put into the grave is also a long time ago. For both of them doing the will of God, has been their joy. God’s Torah was in their inmost being. They were never ashamed to pray to their God to ask that He would teach them to do His will, because Jehovah was their God. We also should pray and direct our words to the Most High in heaven, letting His good Spirit guide us. The words Jesus gave the people to say to his Father we may use, as well as many other words. In our prayers we may ask that God’s Kingdom may come soon, but the main thing is that we should also express to God that it is important for us that His will be done on earth as in heaven.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as [it is] in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 MKJV)
King David wrote many psalms in which he cried to God and showed his devotion to the Creator of all things. Jesus from Nazareth became the King of kings, but he was humble enough to pray to his Father many times, asking Him for things and thanking Him for many things.
When Jesus could not do a thing on his own, how would we? Are we willing to be as close as he was to his Father? Are we wanting to seek our own desires or are we prepared to look for doing the desire of the one who sent Jesus? Are we willing to learn from the lessons and the persons who did indeed serve God’s purposes in their own generation?
Faith really make a difference in getting prayers answered. It is a first step into the communication with the right person who shall be able to give the right answers.
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Next: Trusting, Faith, calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #2
According to Your Faith Let it Be Done to You (smritidisaac.wordpress.com)
what is striking is the strong faith of each of these who believed in the power of Jesus to heal them. They did not approach Jesus wondering if this might be yet another thing to try; they came with a ferocious faith that caused them believe that they would be healed.
Jehovah Jireh (cindylivingstoneministries.wordpress.com)
Jehovah Jireh means the Lord is Our Provider. He provides in all things pertaining to life.
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In the New Testament we see Jesus call upon the Lord to show how trusting in Him will bring provision for your needs. We see Jesus feeding the multitudes with only seven loaves of bread and a few fish.
Prayers (dailymannablog.wordpress.com)
Peter neglected prayer at starting upon his venturous journey, but when he began to sink his danger made him a suppliant, and his cry though late was not too late. In our hours of bodily pain and mental anguish, we find ourselves as naturally driven to prayer as the wreck is driven upon the shore by the waves.
Jesus Walking On The Water (stephaniejmcgowanwrites.com)
It is Matthew’s gospel which adds Peter to the story, and illustrates the apostle’s attempt to walk towards Jesus on the stormy sea.
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Terror and uncertainty allows him to lose control of the situation. Peter believes he can walk on the water, but for him it suddenly becomes an impossibility.
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Like Simon Peter there are times when we lose our courage after taking the first step, but we should continue to have courage. We are afraid of drowning, because our Christianity is not of this world, but we are in the world, and we have to cope with difficulties.
I live by faith in the Son of God. Epiphany 1 Sermon 2013. (deprofundisclamaviadtedomine.wordpress.com) Paul pleads with the Romans to offer their bodies to God as sacrifices. Not that they should kill themselves. But they—and we—should be just like a lamb burning on the altar. It was dead to its own will. It would never have willingly lain down on the fire. But it was dead, so it had no choice.
Identifying myself with my High Priest Jesus Christ. (lovepeaceandjoy4all.wordpress.com)
So I ask God to help me identify with my High Priest Jesus Christ. So the question is not whether or not if I’m accepted before God, but is my High Priest Jesus Christ is accepted.
Speaking the Word Part 2 (kittypalmer.wordpress.com)
I can use my mind to get information about healing and health but only the Holy Spirit can quicken and make it work my life.
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Any failure is on my part, never my God who cannot fail
Lord, You Know the Hopes of the Helpless (smritidisaac.wordpress.com) The strangest of things happen, and the reasons are sometimes never clear.
+ it is not our wealth that God is in need of.
In All Your Ways Submit to Him, and He Will Make Your Paths Straight (smritidisaac.wordpress.com) The reading in Matthew continues with the accounts of Jesus healing the people of their illnesses and infirmities. The story of the centurion is a most fascinating one. Even Jesus is taken by the faith that this man shows when he approaches Jesus to ask for help. Would that we might have a fraction of the faith that this man had! He didn’t wish for Jesus to come in person to heal his servant; he simply asks that Jesus speak the word– and believes that it will be done!
Praise Him! (tannngl.wordpress.com)
we have the assurance of God’s Spirit in our very souls.
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God’s promise is that he won’t let us go, that he loves us and will be with us til the end!
And one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Yehuḏah,{1} the Root of Dawiḏ,{2} overcame to open the scroll and to loosen its seven seals.” {Footnotes: 1Heb. 7:14 2Isa. 11:1 & 10. }
(Revelation 5:5 The Scriptures 1998+)
Thus said יהוה, “Hold back your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work,” declares יהוה, “and they shall return from the land of the enemy.
(Jeremiah 31:16 The Scriptures 1998+)
But יהושע {Jeshua}, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Yerushalayim, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
(Luke 23:28 The Scriptures 1998+)
And in that day there shall be a Root of Yishai, standing as a banner to the people. Unto Him the gentiles1 shall seek, and His rest shall be esteem. Footnote: 1Or nations.
(Isaiah 11:10 The Scriptures 1998+)
“See, the days are coming,” declares יהוה {Jeovah}, “when I shall raise for Dawida Branch {1} of righteousness, and a Sovereign shall reign and act wisely, and shall do right-ruling and righteousness in the earth. {Footnote: 1Or sprout.} “In His days Yehuḏah shall be saved, and Yisra’ĕl dwell safely. And this is His Name whereby He shall be called: ‘יהוה our Righteousness.’
(Jeremiah 23:5-6 The Scriptures 1998+)
concerning His Son, who came of the seed of Dawiḏ according to the flesh,
(Romans 1:3 The Scriptures 1998+)
and see, a voice out of the heavens, saying, “This is My Son, the Beloved, in whom I did delight.”
(Matthew 3:17 The Scriptures 1998+)
“For Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only brought-forth Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but possess everlasting life. “For Elohim did not send His Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not judged, but he who does not believe is judged already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only brought-forth Son of Elohim.
(John 3:16-18 The Scriptures 1998+)
“I, יהושע {Jeshua}, have sent My messenger to witness to you these matters in the assemblies. I am the Root and the Offspring of Dawid {1} the Bright and Morning Star.” {Footnote: 1Isa. 11:1 & 10, Rev. 5:5. }
(Revelation 22:16 The Scriptures 1998+)
Elohim is trustworthy, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, יהושע Messiah our Master.
(1 Corinthians 1:9 The Scriptures 1998+)
By this the love of Elohim was manifested in us, that Elohim has sent His only brought-forth Son into the world, in order that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved Elohim, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning offering for our sins.
(1 John 4:9-10 The Scriptures 1998+)
that all should value the Son even as they value the Father. He who does not value the Son does not value the Father who sent Him.
(John 5:23 The Scriptures 1998+)
And they sang a renewed song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, because You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made us sovereigns and priests to our Elohim, and we shall reign upon the earth.”{1} {Footnote: 1Dan. 7:18-27. }
(Revelation 5:9-10 The Scriptures 1998+)
10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Deliverance belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11 And all the messengers stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped Elohim,
12 saying, “Amĕn! The blessing, and the esteem, and the wisdom, and the thanksgiving, and the respect, and the power, and the might, to our Elohim forever and ever. Amĕn.”
(Revelation 7:10-12 The Scriptures 1998+)
3 And they sing the song of Mosheh the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and marvellous are Your works, יהוה Ěl Shaddai! Righteous and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the set-apart ones!
4 “Who shall not fear You, O יהוה, and esteem Your Name? Because You alone are kind. Because all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteousnesses have been made manifest.”
(Revelation 15:3-4 The Scriptures 1998+)
Praise Yah! Oh, give thanks to יהוה {Jehovah}, For He is good! For His kindness is everlasting.
(Psalms 106:1 The Scriptures 1998+)
In order that they might guard His laws, And watch over His Torot {1}. Praise Yah! {Footnote: 1Torot – plural of Torah – teaching. }
(Psalms 105:45 The Scriptures 1998+)
1 Praise Yah! Praise Ěl in His set-apart place; Praise Him in His mighty expanse!
2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
3 Praise Him with the blowing of the ram’s horn; Praise Him with the harp and lyre!
4 Praise Him with tambourine and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
5 Praise Him with sounding cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals!
6 Let all that have breath praise Yah. Praise Yah!
(Psalms 150:1-6 The Scriptures 1998+)
1 Praise Yah! Sing to יהוה a new song, His praise in an assembly of kind ones.
2 Let Yisra’ĕl rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Tsiyon exult in their Sovereign.
3 Let them praise His Name in a dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the tambourine and lyre.
4 For יהוה takes pleasure in His people; He embellishes the meek ones with deliverance.
(Psalms 149:1-4 The Scriptures 1998+)
2 “Yah is my strength and song, and He has become my deliverance. He is my Ěl, and I praise Him – Elohim of my father, and I exalt Him.
3 “יהוה is a man of battle, יהוה is His Name.
(Exodus 15:2-3 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Who is like You, O יהוה, among the mighty ones? Who is like You, great in set-apartness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
(Exodus 15:11 The Scriptures 1998+)
“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are right-ruling, An of truth and without unrighteousness, Righteous and straight is He.
(Deuteronomy 32:4 The Scriptures 1998+)
2 יהוה is great in Tsiyon, And He is high above all the peoples.
3 They praise Your Name, great and awesome, It is set-apart.
4 And the strength of the Sovereign Shall love right-ruling; You Yourself shall establish straightness; You shall execute right-ruling And righteousness in Yaʽaqoḇ.
5 Exalt יהוה our Elohim, And bow yourselves at His footstool, He is set-apart.
6 Mosheh and Aharon were among His priests, And Shemu’ĕl was among those calling upon His Name. They called upon יהוה, and He answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud; They guarded His witnesses And the law He gave them.
8 You answered them, O יהוה our Elohim. You were a forgiving Ěl to them, Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
9 Exalt יהוה our Elohim, And bow down towards His set-apart mountain; For יהוה our Elohim is set-apart.
(Psalms 99:2-9 The Scriptures 1998+)
“There is no one set-apart like יהוה, for there is no one besides You, and there is no rock like our Elohim.
(1 Samuel 2:2 The Scriptures 1998+)
saying, “We give You thanks, O יהוה {Jehovah} Ěl Shaddai, the One who is and who was and who is coming, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
(Revelation 11:17 The Scriptures 1998+)
And I heard another out of the altar saying, “Yes, יהוה Ěl Shaddai, true and righteous are Your judgments.”
(Revelation 16:7 The Scriptures 1998+)
1 Praise Yah! I thank יהוה with all my heart, In the company of the straight, and of the congregation.
2 Great are the works of יהוה, Searched for by all who delight in them.
3 Splendour and greatness are His work, And His righteousness stands forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered; יהוה shows favour and is compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him; He remembers His covenant forever.
6 He has shown His people the power of His works, To give to them the inheritance of the gentiles.
7 The works of His hands are truth and right-ruling, All His orders are trustworthy,
8 They are upheld forever and ever, Performed in truth and straightness.
9 He sent redemption to His people, He has commanded His covenant forever. Set-apart and awesome is His Name.
10 The fear of יהוה is the beginning of wisdom, All those doing them have a good understanding. His praise is standing forever.
(Psalms 111:1-10 The Scriptures 1998+)
9 For You, יהוה, are the Most High over all the earth, You shall be greatly exalted, over all mighty ones.
10 You who love יהוה, hate evil! He guards the lives of His kind ones, He delivers them out of the hand of the wrong.
11 Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness for the upright in heart.
12 Rejoice in יהוה, you righteous, And give thanks at the remembrance of His Set-apartness.
(Psalms 97:9-12 The Scriptures 1998+)
And let them know that You, Whose Name is יהוה {Jehovah}, You alone are the Most High over all the earth.
(Psalms 83:18 The Scriptures 1998+)
What’s in a name? (quest4light.net)
Hidden in plain sight from the reader of the English translations of the Bible are several linguistic nuances that range from how the shaping of the letters are to the number of letters in a parshat to the different names used for the Almighty. You don’t even have to go very far – in the book of Genesis the following names are used – Elohim, YHVH, YHVH Elohim, El Shaddai, and Yah.
The Name of the True GOD (shanecloud.com)
The prophets promised that there would be a shaking of the earth in the last days, and that during the time of trouble the Name of the true GOD would become known throughout all the earth!
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The rendering of YHWH as “Yahweh” is a modern conjecture (first suggested in the 16th century by biblical scholar Gilbert Genebrard, professor of Hebrew at the College Royal in Paris)
Clearing the confusion on the use of Allah in Bahasa Bibles (hornbillunleashed.wordpress.com)
Biblical translators all over the world have used the local language terms for Elohim and Yahweh e.g. God and LORD in English; Dios and Senor in Spanish, Shangti and Zhu in Chinese
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For 15 centuries, Arabic Bibles have used Allah for God and Rab for Lord (predate Islam)
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Forbidding the use of the term “Allah” by Christians not only infringes their rights to practise their faith but also leads to confusion. For example, is the “Tuhan” in Negara-Ku and Rukun Negara not the “Muslim God” or can Christians sing the Selangor Anthem where “Allah” is used?
I am YAHUWAH your Almighty Loving YAH of all Creation.. Have no foreign gods (elohim)before your face (lissakr11humanelife.wordpress.com)
Today’s most popular translations of The Original Scriptures are riddled with political deception, corruption and pagan gods from 1700 years ago in 321 AD when the “Holy Roman Universal (Catholic) Circe (Church)” was formed by sun-god worshipping Constantine and his pagan bishops! They changed the Scripture enormously, over 66,000 times! Primary Biblical scholars today know of these but are afraid to shake up “the goose laying the golden eggs!”
יהוה (doyouseethelight.wordpress.com)
To me the NAME in Hebrew looks like a strong, firm, solid foundation that can hold up to anything. Also I think the NAME in Hebrew looks like a face (eyes, nose and ear). YHWH breathed life life into existence, HE sees all and hears the growing of our spirits.YHWH YOU are awesome!!!
Praise the Lord (wordsofgrace.wordpress.com)
Indicators of skewed priorities in churches abound. Yet this morning’s newspaper contains a statement from a pastor of a “sound,” “evangelical” church that pinpoints the problems in too many contemporary American churches: “We’re really building a community center, more than we are a worship center.”
Ah, Lord God! (aviesplace.wordpress.com)
Father, I thank You for Who You are to me. I thank You for making a way where there seems to be no way and for doing the impossible! You are Elohim, the Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth and all that is within it. You are Jehovah, the Great I AM, the self-existent One, Who is ever-present with us! You are the God Who is more than enough, El-Shadai, the all-sufficient One! You are Jehovah-Jireh, the God who provides for my every need! You are Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals! You are El Elyon, the Most High God! You are El-Roi, the God who sees everything that we go through! You never sleep and You never slumber, but You are always aware of what we are experiencing. You are Adonai, my Lord and Master! I praise You this morning because You are worthy to receive my praise!
Revelation is a very difficult book for us to understand. It is a visual and a cartoon which looks at events that are going to lead up to the return of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
It emphasises that Christ is worthy and is our saviour.
Rev 5:5 Weep no more, behold, the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so He can open the scroll and the seven seals.
The song to the Lamb from the elders:
Rev 5 ; 9-10 – Elders
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals;
For You who were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood –
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on earth.
There is also the second song which is the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb
Rev 15V; 3-4 “Great and marvellous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and brings glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
Behold the Lamb (3) (newjerusalem12.wordpress.com)
The Lamb of God took away the sins of the world by His death. Now, in resurrection, He is still our Redeemer and is also revealed as much more in Revelation.
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We overcome the accuser “because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of our testimony” (12:10-11).
The Emerging of the Anti Christ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
There will be a stirring among the nations (sea) that will result in the emergence of the most evil global leader in history known as the Anti-Christ.
Baby,priest,teacher,prophet,lamb of God,son of God,king,lord (dailymannablog.wordpress.com)
The Rise of Anti-Christ, (Anti-Messiah who opposes the real Messiah) is different from the other nations that ruled the earth. Some believe the Anti-Messiah will serve as a false Messiah for the Jewish People. This is not the case. He is the one world leader who takes over the Jewish Temple and claims himself as God. The Anti-Christ is of Roman origin, the prince of the people who destroyed the city. Daniel 7:24b
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the purpose of the tribulation is to bring people to faith by means of God’s wrath, and cause them to cry out the Messiah.
Behold the Lamb (4) (newjerusalem12.wordpress.com)
The center of New Jerusalem is “the throne of God and of the Lamb” (22:1, 3) from which flows the river of water of life with the tree of life.
When My Spirit Grows Faint Within Me, It Is You Who Watch Over My Way (smritidisaac.wordpress.com)
Nations and armies and wealth and power are of no match whatsoever to the Spirit of the Lord.
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Imagine tens of thousands of these spirit beings following the Lamb of God. Just like that nursery rhyme “Mary had a little lamb”, only here it was Mary and all her tens of thousands of chosen brothers and sisters who were following the Lamb!
Be the Light…. (christianconnect.wordpress.com)
The nation does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is the light.The nations will walk by its light and the kings of the earth will bring splendor to it.
Revelation 21/Today’s reading 12-30-12 (hispassioninme.wordpress.com)
He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
Behold the Lamb (2) (newjerusalem12.wordpress.com)
The Lamb is our Shepherd (7:17). As the Shepherd, He is our Guide (7:17). He is all we need! The emphasis in His guiding is not what to do in details of our daily life; rather the emphasis is to guide us “to springs of waters of life.”
And the Master said, “Who then is the trustworthy and wise manager, whom his master shall appoint over his household, to give the portion of food in due season? “Blessed is that servant whom his master shall find so doing when he comes. “Truly, I say to you that he shall appoint him over all his possessions.
(Luke 12:42-44 The Scriptures 1998+)
After this I looked and saw a great crowd which no one was able to count, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying,
“Deliverance belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the messengers stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped Elohim, saying,
“Amĕn! The blessing, and the esteem, and the wisdom, and the thanksgiving, and the respect, and the power, and the might, to our Elohim forever and ever. Amĕn! And one of the elders responded, saying to me, “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?”
And I said to him, “Master, you know.” And he said to me,
“These are those coming out of the great distress, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Because of this they are before the throne of Elohim, and serve Him day and night in His Dwelling Place. And He who sits on the throne shall spread His Tent over them.
“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun strike them, nor any heat, because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne shall shepherd them and lead them to fountains of waters of life. And Elohim shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
(Revelation 7:9-17 The Scriptures 1998+)
And I saw like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those overcoming the beast and his image and his mark and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of Elohim. And they sing the song of Mosheh the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying,
“Great and marvellous are Your works, יהוה {Jehovah} Ěl Shaddai! Righteous and true are Your ways, O Sovereign of the set-apart ones! “Who shall not fear You, O יהוה {Jehovah}, and esteem Your Name? Because You alone are kind. Because all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your righteousnesses have been made manifest.”
And after this I looked and saw the Dwelling Place of the Tent of Witness in the heaven was opened.
(Revelation 15:2-5 The Scriptures 1998+)
And they sang a renewed song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, because You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made us sovereigns and priests to our Elohim, and we shall reign upon the earth.” {1 Footnote: 1Dan. 7:18-27.}
And I looked, and I heard the voice of many messengers around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders.
And the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and respect and esteem and blessing!”
And every creature which is in the heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying,
“To Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, be the blessing and the respect and the esteem and the might, forever and ever!”
(Revelation 5:9-13 The Scriptures 1998+)
and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Deliverance belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
And all the messengers stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped Elohim,
(Revelation 7:10-11 The Scriptures 1998+)
And they sang a renewed song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders.
And no one was able to learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.
(Revelation 14:3 The Scriptures 1998+)
And Mosheh said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the deliverance of יהוה, which He does for you today.
For the Mitsrites whom you see today, you are never, never to see again.
14 “יהוה does fight for you, and you keep still.”
(Exodus 14:13-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
1 Then Mosheh and the children of Yisra’ĕl sang this song to יהוה, and spoke, saying, “I sing to יהוה {Jehovah}, for He is highly exalted! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! 2 “Yah is my strength and song, and He has become my deliverance. He is my Ěl, and I praise Him – Elohim of my father, and I exalt Him.
3 “יהוה is a man of battle, יהוה is His Name.
4 “He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea, and his chosen officers are drowned in the Sea of Reeds.
5 “The depths covered them, they went down to the bottom like a stone.
6 “Your right hand, O יהוה, has become great in power. Your right hand, O יהוה, has crushed the enemy.
7 “And in the greatness of Your excellence You pulled down those who rose up against You. You sent forth Your wrath, it consumed them like stubble.
8 “And with the wind of Your nostrils the waters were heaped up, the floods stood like a wall, the depths became stiff in the heart of the sea.
9 “The enemy said, ‘I pursue, I overtake, I divide the spoil, my being is satisfied on them. I draw out my sword, my hand destroys them.’
10 “You did blow with Your wind, the sea covered them, they sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 “Who is like You, O יהוה, among the mighty ones? Who is like You, great in set-apartness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
12 “You stretched out Your right hand, the earth swallowed them.
13 “In Your kindness You led the people whom You have redeemed, in Your strength You guided them to Your set-apart dwelling.
14 “Peoples heard, they trembled, anguish gripped the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 “Then the chiefs of Eḏom were troubled, the mighty men of Mo’aḇ, trembling grips them, all the inhabitants of Kenaʽan melted.
16 “Fear and dread fell on them, by the greatness of Your arm they are as silent as a stone, until Your people pass over, O יהוה, until the people, whom You have bought, pass over.
17 “You bring them in and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, in the place, O יהוה, which You have made for Your own dwelling, the set-apart place, O יהוה, which Your hands have prepared.
18 “יהוה reigns forever and ever.”
(Exodus 15:1-18 The Scriptures 1998+)
And on that day Deḇorah and Baraq son of Aḇinoʽam sang, saying,
2 “For leaders leading in Yisra’ĕl, for the people volunteering, bless יהוה!
3 “Hear, O sovereigns! Give ear, O princes! I, I do sing to יהוה; I sing praise to יהוה Elohim of Yisra’ĕl.
(Judges 5:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+)
And Miryam answered them, “Sing to יהוה, for He is highly exalted! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!”
(Exodus 15:21 The Scriptures 1998+)
Please let me sing to the One I love, a song for my loved One regarding His vineyard: my loved One has a vineyard on a fertile hill.
(Isaiah 5:1 The Scriptures 1998+)
And the lyre and the harp, the tambourine and flute, and wine are in their feasts; but they do not regard the deeds of יהוה, nor see the work of His hands.
(Isaiah 5:12 The Scriptures 1998+)
And man is bowed down, and mortal man humbled, and the eyes of the proud are humbled. But יהוה of hosts is exalted in judgment, and the set-apart is set-apart in righteousness.
(Isaiah 5:15-16 The Scriptures 1998+)
Therefore, as a tongue of fire devours the stubble, and the flame consumes the chaff, their root is as rottenness, and their blossom goes up like dust – because they have rejected the Torah of יהוה of hosts, and despised the Word1 of the Set-apart One of Yisra’ĕl. {Footnote: 1“Word” and “teaching” are used as synonyms.} Therefore the displeasure of יהוה has burned against His people, and He stretches out His hand against them and smites them, and the mountains tremble. And their carcass is as filth in the middle of the streets. With all this His displeasure has not turned back, and His hand is still stretched out! And He shall lift up a banner to the nations from afar, and shall whistle to them from the end of the earth. And see, they come with speed, swiftly!
(Isaiah 5:24-26 The Scriptures 1998+)
And after this I heard a loud voice of a great crowd in the heaven, saying, “Halleluyah! Deliverance and esteem and respect and power to יהוה our Elohim!
2 “Because true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great whore who corrupted the earth with her whoring. And He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”
3 And a second time they said, “Halleluyah! And her smoke rises up forever and ever!”
4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped Elohim who sat on the throne, saying, “Amĕn! Halleluyah!”
5 And a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our Elohim, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”
6 And I heard as the voice of a great crowd, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunders, saying, “Halleluyah, for יהוה Ěl Shaddai reigns!
7 “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him praise, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife prepared herself.”
(Revelation 19:1-7 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And now write down this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Yisra’ĕl. Put it in their mouths, so that this song is to Me for a witness against the children of Yisra’ĕl.
20 “And I shall bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they shall eat and be satisfied and be fat, then they shall turn to other mighty ones, and they shall serve them, and scorn Me and break My covenant.
21 “And it shall be, when many evils and distresses come upon them, that this song shall answer before them as a witness. For it is not to be forgotten in the mouths of their seed, for I know their thoughts which they are forming today, even before I bring them to the land of which I swore to give them.”
22 And Mosheh wrote this song the same day, and taught it to the children of Yisra’ĕl.
23 And He commanded Yehoshua son of Nun, and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you are to bring the children of Yisra’ĕl into the land of which I swore to them, and I Myself am with you.”
24 And it came to be, when Mosheh had completed writing the Words of this Torah in a book, until their completion, 25 that Mosheh commanded the Lĕwites, who bore the ark of the covenant of יהוה, saying,
26 “Take this Book of the Torah, and you shall place it beside the ark of the covenant of יהוה your Elohim, and it shall be there as a witness against you, 27 for I myself know your rebellion and your stiff neck. See, while I am still alive with you today, you have been rebellious against יהוה, then how much more after my death?
28 “Assemble unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, so that I speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them.
29 “For I know that after my death you shall do very corruptly and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil shall come to you in the latter days, because you do what is evil in the eyes of יהוה, to provoke Him through the work of your hands.”
30 So Mosheh spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Yisra’ĕl the words of this song till their completion:
(Deuteronomy 31:19-30 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And hear, O earth, The words of my mouth.
2 “Let my instruction fall as rain, My speech drop down as dew, As fine rain on the tender plants, And as showers on the grass.
3 “For I proclaim the Name of יהוה, Ascribe greatness to our Elohim.
4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are right-ruling, An Ěl of truth and without unrighteousness, Righteous and straight is He.
5 “A twisted and crooked generation has corrupted itself, Their blemish, they are not His children.
6 “Do you do this to יהוה, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, who bought you, Who created you and established you?
7 “Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations. Ask your father and let him show you, Your elders, and let them say to you:
8 “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance When He separated the sons of Aḏam, He set the boundaries of the peoples According to the number of the children of Yisra’ĕl.
9 “For the portion of יהוה is His people, Yaʽaqoḇ His allotted inheritance.
(Deuteronomy 32:1-9 The Scriptures 1998+)
“For יהוה rightly rules His people And has compassion on His servants, When He sees that their power is gone, And there is no one remaining, Shut up or at large.
37 “And He shall say, ‘Where are their mighty ones, The rock in whom they sought refuge?
38 ‘Who ate the fat of their slaughterings, And drank the wine of their drink offering? Let them arise and help you, Let it be a hiding-place for you!
39 ‘See now that I, I am He, And there is no Elohim besides Me. I put to death and I make alive. I have wounded, and I heal. And from My hand no one delivers!
40 ‘For I lift My hand to the heavens, And shall say: As I live forever,
41 ‘If I have sharpened My flashing sword, And My hand takes hold on judgment, I shall return vengeance to My enemies, And repay those who hate Me.
42 ‘I make My arrows drunk with blood, And My sword devours flesh, With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the long-haired enemy chiefs.’
43 “O nations, acclaim His people! For He avenges the blood of His servants, And returns vengeance to His adversaries, And shall pardon His land, His people.”
Deu 32:44 Then Mosheh came, with Yehoshua son of Nun, and spoke all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.
45 And when Mosheh ended speaking all these words to all Yisra’ĕl,
46 he said to them, “Set your heart on all the words with which I warn you today, so that you command your children to guard to do all the Words of this Torah.
47 “For it is not a worthless Word for you, because it is your life, and by this Word you prolong your days on the soil which you pass over the Yardĕn to possess.”
(Deuteronomy 32:36-47 The Scriptures 1998+)
and said, ‘See, יהוה our Elohim has shown us His esteem and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire.
Today we have seen that Elohim speaks with man – and he lives!
(Deuteronomy 5:24 The Scriptures 1998+)
“O יהוה, for Your servant’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness, in making known all these great matters.
(1 Chronicles 17:19 The Scriptures 1998+)
“See, My Servant whom I uphold, My Chosen One My being has delighted in! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He brings forth right-ruling to the nations.
(Isaiah 42:1 The Scriptures 1998+)
“You are My witnesses,” declares יהוה, “And My servant whom I have chosen, so that you know and believe Me, and understand that I am He.
Before Me there was no formed, nor after Me there is none.
(Isaiah 43:10 The Scriptures 1998+)
For, let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah יהושע{Jeshua}, who, being in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a matter to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and came to be in the likeness of men. And having been found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, death even of a stake. Elohim, therefore, has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name which is above every name, that at the Name of יהושע every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and every tongue should confess that יהושע Messiah is Master, to the esteem of Elohim the Father. So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much rather in my absence – work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who is working in you1 both to desire and to work for His good pleasure. {Footnote: 1See Messiah in you in the Explanatory Notes.}
(Philippians 2:5-13 The Scriptures 1998+)
Revelation of יהושע Messiah, which Elohim gave Him to show His servants what has to take place with speed. And He signified it by sending His messenger to His servant Yoḥanan,
2 who bore witness to the Word of Elohim, and the witness of יהושע Messiah – to all he saw.
3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and guard what is written in it, for the time is near.
(Revelation 1:1-3 The Scriptures 1998+)
Yoḥanan, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Favour to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne,
5 and from יהושע Messiah, the trustworthy witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the sovereigns of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us sovereigns and priests to His Elohim and Father, to Him be esteem and rule forever and ever. Amĕn.
(Revelation 1:4-6 The Scriptures 1998+)
“See, My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My being did delight. I shall put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall declare right-ruling to the nations.
19 “He shall not strive nor cry out, nor shall anyone hear His voice in the streets.
20 “A crushed reed He shall not break, and smoking flax He shall not quench, till He brings forth right-ruling forever. {1 Footnote: 1This is according to the Shem-Tob Hebrew text. However, this passage is a quote from Isa. 42:1-3 where it reads right-ruling unto truth. }
21 “And the nations shall trust in His Name.”
(Matthew 12:18-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but through a revelation of יהושע Messiah.
(Galatians 1:12 The Scriptures 1998+)
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Ceiling painting, Book of Revelation,”Worthy is the Lamb”, showing the Lamb, Godfather, an angel, the four Evangelists as symbolic animals, a row af angels with harps, ca. 1670 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Exodus 15 – The Song of Moses (inchristalonedevotions.wordpress.com)
The victory over the Egyptians was a really big deal! The victory over Pharaoh’s stubbornness was a big deal, too, but finally God won over him and led his people out of Egypt.
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The Israelites were thankful to God for His blessings. Just like the Israelites, we can do this too. Praise God with a song for the blessings He gives you. Be thankful to God for everything and His power and mercy. Praise God that we still live today.
Related articles
Worthy Is The Lamb (Yeshua Our Salvation) (godlyprinciple.wordpress.com)
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.
The Emerging of the Anti Christ 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5 (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
God’s purpose for Tribulation – to use the least severe means to produce the greatest number of people at the deepest level of love without violating anyone’s free will. I believe that this is one of the main reasons that the revelation of Christ as the Lamb is center stage in the book of Revelation as He administrates the judgments of God on the earth.
Character of Yahweh – Mercy רחם (hadvarim.wordpress.com)
After forty years of exiled — by his own people — Moses finds himself speaking faces to faces with the creator of the Universe.
John the Revelator Saw a Multitude of Angels and Cherubim (vineoflife.net)
Angels are named 75 times in the Twenty-Two Chapters of Revelation. The living creatures or Cherubim, called beasts, are named 23 times. These heavenly creatures are clearly supervising and administering the great visions and activities. Their conversation with John the Revelator is constant.
God Defends His Chosen, Evans Olang (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
Moses was chosen by God when he did not even see himself as a leader and then given a task bigger than himself. He knew that if he was going to do a good job, God had to be on his side, he therefore humbled himself. Point to make, Those who are meek do not fight back in life. They learn the secret of surrender and yielding to God as God fights for them. Note that Moses did not try to defend himself, try to explain even how God might have spoken to him about his marriage. He did not even reason with them because the God who had brought him this far was the only One who could defend him.
When God Is Robbed Of His Glory, Evans Olang (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
The sin of Moses and Aaron was that they did not hallow God in the miracle. The action robbed God of the glory He could have gained in this opportunity that presented itself. How about you, are you about pleasing people or God?, Are you about answering your own prayer than trusting God to direct you?, Are you distancing yourself from what God wants to do through you in the midst of the rebellious that you wished nothing good would happen to them?, if you are dealing with any of this, then God is robbed of the glory He deserves.
Revelation 15 (dailymannablog.wordpress.com)
I saw in heaven another great and marvelous sign: seven angels with the seven last plagues—last, because with them God’s wrath is completed.
John sees in heaven another great and marvellous sign: seven angels with seven last plagues – last because with them God’s wrath is completed.
2
Saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name. They held harps given them by God
3
And sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb: “Great and marvellous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
4
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and brings glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
5
After this I looked and in heaven the temple, that is, the tabernacle of the Testimony, was opened.
6
Out of the temple came the seven angels with the seven plagues.
They were dressed in clean, shining linen and wore golden sashes around their chests.
7
One of the four beasts gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.
8
And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the temple until the seven plagues of the seven angels were completed.
And they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
The Sarejevo Hagadah, 15th century Spain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Verses 3-4 “Great and marvellous are your deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are your ways, King of the ages.
Who will not fear you, O Lord, and brings glory to your name?
For you alone are holy.
All nations will come and worship before you,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
In Elpis Israel Dr Thomas sees that this song refers back to the Song of Moses recorded in Exodus 14 after the defeat of Pharaoh after the crossing of the Red Sea.
They had been saved by the Angel of God and now this salvation is from the Lamb of God.
He writes – (page 293) that this song: “Celebrates his future triumph over all the nations in his deliverance of the twelve tribes from their tyranny; a redemption which will result in the submission of all nations to his sovereignty, as predicted in the song. And it is to be observed that the Lamb’s victory being the accomplishment of the prophecy in Moses’ song, and a victory gained on a similar occasion, and in connection with the same nation, the Lamb’s song is styled, in the Apocalypse, “The song of Moses and the song of the Lamb”.
The context of this song is that the last seven plagues were about to be released on to the earth. The implication is that these indeed are the last seven plagues …
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them is the wrath of God complete.
In the next chapter – they are referred to as the bowls of God’s wrath
There are a number of songs of Moses recorded for us (Exodus 15, Deuteronomium 31:30, 32;3 + Psalms)
The context of Moses bring the people out of Egypt – surely an excellent parable for the time when the saved are brought out from their service to sin into a new relationship with God.
The song is more of a focus on the power of God rather than directed to the Lamb.
It is praising God for what He has done for us in bringing about redemption for His saints and those that have been true to Him.
- Steven Robinson
Marmorkirken ( Copenhagen ). High altar ( 1894 ) – Angel pointing at the lamb of god. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Sermon: Wonders of Heaven (Part 2) (grantspasschurchofchrist.com)
Most people believe singing is the primary activity of heaven, but the text I just read to you, is the only passage in the Book of Revelation that pictures us singing.
The Exodus-Do You Have the Blood of the Lamb On Your Door Post? (lynleahz.com)
God commanded the Israelites put the blood of a lamb on their doorpost so that when the death angel came (Abaddon) he would pass over their house and no person in their home would be harmed.If they did not have the blood of that lamb on their doorpost, then the fate of the Egyptians would also come upon them.
Friends, we are living in the days spoken of in Revelation. Our King is holding God’s people in bondage, and God is mad! We are going to witness some nasty things. We will not be exempt from all the suffering. However, I believe God showed us something very important in the Exodus account: We are His people living in bondage to an evil government…an evil world! His judgment is beginning to pour out because of the sin of the nations!
Exodus 15 – The Song of Moses (inchristalonedevotions.wordpress.com)
The victory over the Egyptians was a really big deal! The victory over Pharaoh’s stubbornness was a big deal, too, but finally God won over him and led his people out of Egypt.
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The Israelites were thankful to God for His blessings. Just like the Israelites, we can do this too. Praise God with a song for the blessings He gives you. Be thankful to God for everything and His power and mercy. Praise God that we still live today.
MikaMocha (burningfireshutinmybones.wordpress.com)
When the Lord opened the Red Sea, enabling the Israelites to cross to safety, and then closed them, putting to death their enemies who sought to devour them, Moses, the servant of God sang a song of praise and worship to the Lord…
Did the exodus of moses and his people happen? (whas11.com)
there was another figure in the ancient world who gave up everything to answer the call from what he believed was the one and only true God.
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The Bible says that after Moses accepted his dangerous mission to get the Israelites out of Egypt, he confronted the pharaoh. The pharaoh refused to let his people go until God unleashed a series of unnatural disasters known as the 10 plagues. Jews commemorate this event and the Exodus on Passover.
“The evening before the 10th plague, Moses instructed the Jews to sacrifice a lamb and to paint its blood on their doors so that the angel of death would know who was Jewish and who wasn’t. This is where the term ‘Passover’ comes from,” said Jonathan Safran Foer, the author of “New American Haggadah.”
“And when the Son of Aḏam comes in His esteem, and all the set-apart messengers with Him, then He shall sit on the throne of His esteem.
(Matthew 25:31 The Scriptures 1998+)And I looked and saw a Lamb standing on Mount Tsiyon, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s Name {1} written upon their foreheads. {Footnote: 1Some texts read: having His Name and His Father’s Name. }
(Revelation 14:1 The Scriptures 1998+)
And I looked and saw in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders a Lamb standing, as having been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of Elohim sent out into all the earth. And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him sitting on the throne.
(Revelation 5:6-7 The Scriptures 1998+)
And they sang a renewed song before the throne, and before the four living creatures, and the elders. And no one was able to learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. They are those who were not defiled with women, for they are maidens. They are those following the Lamb wherever He leads them on. They were redeemed from among men, being first-fruits to Elohim and to the Lamb.
(Revelation 14:3-4 The Scriptures 1998+)
saying with a loud voice, “Fear Elohim and give esteem to Him, because the hour of His judgment has come. And worship Him who made the heaven and the earth, and sea, and fountains of water.”
(Revelation 14:7 The Scriptures 1998+)
Sing to יהוה, bless His Name, Proclaim His deliverance from day to day. Declare His esteem among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For great is יהוה and greatly to be praised, He is to be feared above all mighty ones. For all the mighty ones of the peoples are matters of naught, But יהוה made the heavens.
Excellency and splendour are before Him, Strength and comeliness are in His set-apart place.
Ascribe to יהוה, O clans of the peoples, Ascribe to יהוה esteem and strength. Ascribe to יהוה the esteem of His Name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.
Bow yourselves to יהוה, In the splendour of set-apartness! Tremble before Him, all the earth.
Say among nations, “יהוה shall reign. The world also is established, immovable. He judges the peoples in straightness.”
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Let all the trees of the forest then shout for joy,
At the presence of יהוה. For He shall come, For He shall come to judge the earth. He judges the world in righteousness1, And the peoples with His truth. {Footnote: 1See also 98:9, Acts 17:31, Rev. 19:11. }
(Psalms 96:2-13 The Scriptures 1998+)
Here is the endurance of the set-apart ones,1 here are those guarding the commands of Elohim and the belief of {2} יהושע {Jeshua}{Footnotes: 1In 12:17 they are called “the remnant” 2See Seven-fold Message of Revelation in Explanatory Notes. }
(Revelation 14:12 The Scriptures 1998+)
Say to those with anxious heart, “Be strong, do not fear! See, your Elohim comes with vengeance, with the recompense of Elohim. He is coming to save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf be opened. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing, because waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water – in the home for jackals, where each lay, grass with reeds and rushes. And there shall be a highway, and a way, and it shall be called “The Way of Set-apartness {1}.” The unclean does not pass over it, but it is for those who walk the way, and no fools wander on it. {Footnote: 1See Ps. 77:13. }
No lion is there, nor any ravenous beast go up on it, it is not found there. But the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of יהוה shall return and enter Tsiyon with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
(Isaiah 35:4-10 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And when these matters begin to take place, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
(Luke 21:28 The Scriptures 1998+)
After this I looked and saw a great crowd which no one was able to count, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, and palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Deliverance belongs to our Elohim who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the messengers stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped Elohim, saying, “Amĕn! The blessing, and the esteem, and the wisdom, and the thanksgiving, and the respect, and the power, and the might, to our Elohim forever and ever. Amĕn. ” And one of the elders responded, saying to me, “Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?” And I said to him, “Master, you know.” And he said to me, “These are those coming out of the great distress, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
(Revelation 7:9-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshipped Elohim who sat on the throne, saying, “Amĕn! Halleluyah!”
(Revelation 19:4 The Scriptures 1998+)
And he said to me, “See, do not! For I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who are guarding the words of this book. Worship Elohim.”
(Revelation 22:9 The Scriptures 1998+)
Christ in majesty within a mandorla-shaped aureola, surrounded by emblems of the evangelists (13th century) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
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Paul clearly says here that our battle is not against flesh and blood, that is humans/ the physical, but our battle is against principalities and the rulers of the dark. In other words, our battle is spiritual too!
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If we can’t see the pride in our lives then it will be our undoing and destruction.
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There is NO shadow of turning with Him. He is just and faithful to His Word. You can count on that! Even Yahushua said that when He returns will He even find faith on the earth!
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We see the close relationship of man with the earth when they sinned and the ground was cursed on account of man and from there on brought forth thorns and thistles and man would eat bread by the sweat of his face, meaning that he would have to labour hard for the ground to give its produce. I think this relationship started when God gave man the responsibility to tend and keep/guard the garden.
He is worthy (wordsofgrace.wordpress.com)
We know that God does not share His glory with another (Is. 42:8).But a careful reading of that verse reveals that the Father is not saying that He does not share His glory with anyone else, but that He does not share His glory with another besides His chosen One, His Servant, the Messiah (42:1). In other words, the Father shares His glory with His Son, and no one apart from Him. The Son is worthy to receive the glory received by the Father.
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A people for his Name (hadvarim.wordpress.com)
Yahweh means “cause to breath!”
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Christ is described as the second Adam as compared to the first Adam (1 Cor 15:45-47). Both of them the “son of God” (Luke 3:38), and both typically created the same way. The body of Christ is the Ecclesia εκκλησια (Eph 5:23, 30, Col 1:18,24), and it is being formed from the Abrahamic dust, the seed of Abraham according to the promises of old; compare Gen 2:7 with Gen 13:16, 28:14.
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Israel are the eretz ארץ, or earth, out of which the second Adam will be formed. They are also a prophetic national type of Christ and his bride. In their gathering as a nation they are typing the eventual gathering of the Abrahamic seed – Yahweh Elohim. For this purpose Israel was formed into a people.
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Revelation: The Way it Happened (A Review) (davehershey.wordpress.com)
One could say that my understanding of Revelation has been moving from a futurist perspective, where the whole of it takes place in the future, towards more of a preterist perspective, where the whole of it, or at least much of it, took place in the first century.
Living Prophetically Part One (propheticfilters.com)
Living prophetically is all about being the testimony or the apocalypse of Jesus in the earth.
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as we live prophetically from the place of God’s habitation our lives become testimonies of God’s grace and majesty. I may meet a person who needs the tender, fresh sensitive ministry like that of a new born calf in their lives bringing the innocence of a new creation.
John looked and saw the Lamb standing on Mount Zion and with Him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
2
John hears a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. A sound of harpists playing their harps.
3
They sang a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn that new song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the world.
4
Not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
5
In their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God
6
Another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to all those who dwell on earth – on every nation, tribe, tongue and people
7
With a loud voice Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgement has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs if water.
8
Another angel followed saying Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
9
A third angel, saying with a loud voice If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark in his forehead or on his hand.
10
He himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
11
And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
13
Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”
“Yes” says the spirit “that they may rest from their labours, and their works follow them,”
14
John saw a white cloud and on the white cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His Head a golden crown, and His hand a sharp sickle.
15
And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe”.
16
So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.
17
Another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.
18
Another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, “Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.”
19
So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth, and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God
20
And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of winepress, up to the horses bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs.
Verses 3-4
John hears a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. A sound of harpists playing their harps.
They sang a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn that new song except the 144,000 who were redeemed from the world.
So this is a bit of trick Song to the Lamb in that the words are not actually written for us, as so we can only speculate on the words of this new song.
It is outside the scope of our talk this evening to discuss about what the 144,000 means. But I hope what is being shown to us in the book is the use of symbols which really is almost presenting this lead up to the time of the end. It therefore is difficult to believe that this is a literal number, particularly given its precise nature.
Also, as Wrested Scriptures points out, looking at the context of the chapter – this must surely be visionary and symbolic.
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him on hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads……
Looking at the description of the Lamb from chapter 5, this is described v 6 and 7.
And I looked, and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God are sent out into all the earth.
Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
I am not really sure how we could image or draw this description of the vision.
It is interesting that this song is before the last battle and the defeat of the false religion. This song is a celebration of this multitude being the redeemed of the world. The song of thanksgiving surely is one of thanks for this redemption and what has been done by Christ for us in the giving of His life and the terrible death He suffered for the redeemed.
It is important for us to be part of that great number of those which will be redeemed and saved.
Our own song for the Lamb should also show how worthy we feel He is as He has redeemed us by His life and death. This should be our continual song as we wait for Him to return to the earth and set up His kingdom.
Behold the Lamb (1) (newjerusalem12.wordpress.com)
When John the Baptist first saw Jesus, he declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). John the apostle’s writing about the Lamb concludes with “the throne of God and of the Lamb” in New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:1, 3). The Lamb of God is mentioned in John 1:29, 36 and 1 Peter 1:19, then twenty-five times in Revelation.
Revelation 13-15 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
If any man have an ear, let him hear. He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Armageddon Campaign: The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
The centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose is for Jesus to come back to fully establish His Kingdom rule over all the earth as He joins the heavenly and earthly realms together. God’s purpose has always been for God and His people to live together in this way. This is the interpretive key to understanding the End-Times. Without this foundational revelation, confusion is inevitable when studying the End-Times.
My Favorite Version of the Christmas Story (spurgeon.wordpress.com)
… is of course the version with the dragon in it — Revelation 12:1–6.
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the triumph of Jesus has already been spectacularly introduced in Revelation 4–5. The great vision of Revelation 4–5 controls the entire book. There we learn that Christ, this male child, is the only one who is fit to open the scroll in God’s right hand to bring about all of God’s purposes for judgment and blessing. He is the Lion and the Lamb, the reigning king and the bloody sacrifice, the heir to David’s throne yet the one who appears from God’s throne. Because of his struggle, men and women from every tongue and tribe and people and nation are redeemed. Countless millions gather around him who sits on the throne and the Lamb and sing a new song of adoring, grateful, praise.
Revelation 19-20 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, having been sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong messenger proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loosen its seals?” And no one in the heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. And one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Yehuḏah {1} the Root of Dawid {2} overcame to open the scroll and to loosen its seven seals.” {Footnotes: 1Heb. 7:14 2Isa. 11:1 & 10.} (Revelation 5:1-5 The Scriptures 1998+)
And they sang a renewed song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, because You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made us sovereigns and priests to our Elohim, and we shall reign upon the earth.”{1 Footnote: 1Dan. 7:18-27. }
(Revelation 5:9-10 The Scriptures 1998+)
And Yitsḥaq spoke to Aḇraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “See, the fire and the wood! But where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” And Aḇraham said, “My son, Elohim does provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” And the two of them went together.
(Genesis 22:7-8 The Scriptures 1998+)
and said, “By Myself I have sworn, declares יהוה {Jehovah}, because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, that I shall certainly bless you, and I shall certainly increase your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore, and let your seed possess the gate of their enemies. “And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”
(Genesis 22:16-18 The Scriptures 1998+)
On the next day Yoḥanan saw יהושע {Jeshua} coming toward him, and said, “See, the Lamb of Elohim who takes away the sin of the world!{1 Footnote: 1Mt. 1:21, Titus 2:14, 1 John 3:5 & 8.} “This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who has become before me, for He was before me.’{1 Footnote: 1See v. 15.} “And I did not know Him, but that He might be revealed to Yisra’ĕl, therefore I came immersing in water.” And Yoḥanan bore witness, saying, “I have seen the Spirit coming down from heaven like a dove and remain on Him. “And I did not know Him, but He who sent me to immerse in water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit coming down and remaining on Him, this is He who immerses in the Set-apart Spirit.’ “And I have seen and have witnessed that this is the Son of Elohim.” Again the following day, Yoḥanan was standing with two of his taught ones, and looking at יהושע walking, he said, “See the Lamb of Elohim!”
(John 1:29-36 The Scriptures 1998+)
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear, knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, not with what is corruptible, silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for your sakes, who through Him believe in Elohim who raised Him from the dead and gave Him esteem, so that your belief and expectation are in Elohim.
(1 Peter 1:17-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of Elohim, to those believing in His Name, who were born, not of blood nor of the desire of flesh nor of the desire of man, but of Elohim. And the Word became flesh and pitched His tent {1} among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-forth of a father, complete in favour and truth. {Footnote: 1An indication that His birth was during the Festival of Booths}. Yoḥanan bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has become before me, because He was before me.’ ” And out of His completeness we all did receive, and favour upon favour, for the Torah was given through Mosheh – the favour and the truth came through יהושע Messiah.
(John 1:12-17 The Scriptures 1998+)
Therefore, having girded up the loins of your mind, being sober, set your expectation perfectly upon the favour that is to be brought to you at the revelation of יהושע Messiah, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts in your ignorance, instead, as the One who called you is set-apart, so you also should become set-apart in all behaviour, because it has been written, “Be set-apart, for I am set-apart.”
(1 Peter 1:13-16 The Scriptures 1998+)
‘For I am יהוה your Elohim, and you shall set yourselves apart. And you shall be set-apart, for I am set-apart. And do not defile yourselves with any creeping creature that creeps on the earth. ‘For I am יהוה who is bringing you up out of the land of Mitsrayim, to be your Elohim. And you shall be set-apart, for I am set-apart.
(Leviticus 11:44-45 The Scriptures 1998+)
And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear, knowing that you were redeemed from your futile way of life inherited from your fathers, not with what is corruptible, silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Messiah, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, foreknown, indeed, before the foundation of the world, but manifested in these last times for your sakes, who through Him believe in Elohim who raised Him from the dead and gave Him esteem, so that your belief and expectation are in Elohim.
(1 Peter 1:17-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘Be set-apart, for I יהוה your Elohim am set-apart.
(Leviticus 19:2 The Scriptures 1998+)
And they sang a renewed song, saying, “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals, because You were slain, and have redeemed us to Elohim by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and made us sovereigns and priests to our Elohim, and we shall reign upon the earth.”{1 Footnote: 1Dan. 7:18-27. }
(Revelation 5:9-10 The Scriptures 1998+)
saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb having been slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and respect and esteem and blessing!” And every creature which is in the heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, “To Him sitting on the throne, and to the Lamb, be the blessing and the respect and the esteem and the might, forever and ever!”
(Revelation 5:12-13 The Scriptures 1998+)
And I heard a voice out of the heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder, and I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps.
(Revelation 14:2 The Scriptures 1998+)
And I saw like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those overcoming the beast and his image and his mark and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of Elohim.
(Revelation 15:2 The Scriptures 1998+)
Let all that have breath praise Yah. Praise Yah!
(Psalms 150:6 The Scriptures 1998+)
My mouth speaks the praise of יהוה, And let all flesh bless His set-apart Name, Forever and ever.
(Psalms 145:21 The Scriptures 1998+)
But you have drawn near to Mount Tsiyon and to the city of the living Elohim, to the heavenly Yerushalayim, to myriads of messengers, to the entire gathering and assembly of the first-born having been enrolled in heaven, and to Elohim the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to יהושע the Mediator {1} of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling which speaks better than the blood of Heḇel. {Footnote: 1See 8:6. }
(Hebrews 12:22-24 The Scriptures 1998+)
“But you, Dani’ĕl, hide the words, and seal the book until the time of the end {1}. Many shall diligently search and knowledge shall increase.” {Footnote: 1See v. 9. }
(Daniel 12:4 The Scriptures 1998+)
And when the living creatures give esteem and respect and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and bow before Him who lives forever and ever, and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “You are worthy, O יהוה, to receive esteem and respect and power, for You have created all, and because of Your desire they are, and were created.” (Revelation 4:9-11 The Scriptures 1998+)
Advent Series 2012, Pt. 6 | Shepherds in Search of a Lamb (thereformedwesleyan.com)
The omen that Elias had believed was marked by the star in the sky was a sign. It was the sign of the arrival of the heir to the throne of the great King. Elias remembered the stories he had heard. His father had told them to him since he was old enough understand. His father’s father, and his father before that had all believed that this One would come.
Previously we have seen that the nations are at peace and the saints surround Jesus. John was shown “in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals”Everything is moving towards the end of God His purpose. As the seven seals are broken, some of these details are revealed.
The Song of the Lamb Revelation 5
The first of these songs sung to the Lamb, which I think is the correct way of looking at this.
We have already looked at the context of chapter 5 in terms of Revelation.
The letters to the first seven ecclesia end with the letter to Laodicea at the end of chapter three. The visions then start in chapter 4 when we start to read about the throne in Heaven
4 The throne in heaven 5
1-7 The Lamb takes the scroll
8-11 Worthy is the Lamb 6
1-2 First Seal: The Conqueror
3-4 Second Seal: Conflict on Earth
5-6 Third Seal: Scarcity on earth
7-8 Fourth seal: Widespread Death on Earth
9-11 Fifth Seal: The Cry of the Martyrs
12-17 Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances
1
In the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals
2
A mighty angel proclaimed with a loud voice “who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll”
3
No one in heaven and earth was worthy
4
John wept because no one found worthy
5
One of the elders said – do not weep, the Lion of the tribe Judah, the root of David has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals
6
John sees a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain. Standing in the centre of the throne, encircled by the four creatures and the elders. Seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
7
He took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne.
8
When he had taken it, the four creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 10
They sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; For You who were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood – Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on earth.
11
Heard a voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them of them was 10,000 x 10,000
12
Saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain. To receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and blessing!
13
Every creature which is heaven and on earth and in the sea saying Blessing and honour and glory and power Be to Him who sits in the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever.
14
Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty four elders fell down and worshipped Him who lives forever and ever.
Verse 9/10 They sang a new song:
I think we would all recognize that the Lamb referred to refers to Christ. I think it is still worthwhile reminding ourselves of some of the principles relating to Jesus and the Lamb of God.
The Lamb has been associated with sacrifice since Genesis 22; 7/8 when Abraham offered a lamb as a burn offering on mount Moriah in place of Isaac when the angel intervened.
Abraham names the place Jehovah-Jireh, or “the Lord will provide” and of course we can see the significance of these words to us and God’s plan of salvation for us and there was apt as a symbol.
We know this chapter looks forward to when Abraham’s seed (verse 18-19) who we are told would possess the gate of his enemy / defeat his enemies. Verse 19:
In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.
Ceiling painting, Book of Revelation,”Worthy is the Lamb”, showing the Lamb, Godfather, an angel, the four Evangelists as symbolic animals, a row af angels with harps, ca. 1670 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We know the significance of the Lamb in the Passover service (Exodus 12) where it was importance to select a Lamb without spot. Although this referred to the physical characteristic, Jesus fulfilled this in the spiritual sense as he was without sin in his life.
John, in his Gospel, mentions how John the Baptist refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God in the first chapter verses 29-36, the context being , from verse 19 – John denying being the Christ.
The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said “Behold, The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for He was before me,” I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.” And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God,.”
Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples.
And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God!”.
Another time when Jesus is directly associated as being the Lamb of God is found in 1 Peter 1:19, if we please could turn to this.
The context of this passage is a call to be holy, verses 13/16 set this context and end in verse 16 “Be holy, for I am holy” – an Old Testament quotation taken from Leviticus 11:44,45; 19:2.
V17/21 since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers.
But with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish and without spot.
He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Verses 9-10 – Elders
You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals;
For You who were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood –
Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on earth.
Verse 12 Saying with a loud voice: – Angels
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honour and glory and blessing!
Verse 13 every creature which is heaven and on earth and in the sea saying
Blessing and honour and glory and power
Be to Him who sits in the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever.
The song or chant was made by the four creatures and the twenty four elders that fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and they were holding the golden bowls full of the incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
We will see that from 14.2 and 15.2 that the harp was the common instrument.
This would imply that there is music being played and that there is an actual song being sung.
We read about harps being used to accompany the singing of Psalms.
This was one of those most ancient of instruments.
Could we please turn to Psalm 33 which talks about singing a new song to the Lord.
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath please the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Psalm 145: 21 My flesh shall speak of the praise of the LORD, and all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.
Hebrews 12: 22-24
Daniel 12: 4 But you, Daniel. Shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
Compare this is chapter 4 where the Lamb is worthy to open the scroll.
He is worthy (wordsofgrace.wordpress.com)
the Father shares His glory with His Son, and no one apart from Him. The Son is worthy to receive the glory received by the Father.
+
The twenty-four elders will fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and will worship Him who lives forever and ever, and will cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”(Rev 4:10–11)
Friday, December 7, 2012 @ Revelation 1-6 (phyllisbenigas.wordpress.com)
Through revelation, John was to give a report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ! What a daunting task! Yet, while our witnessing is not the recorded Word of God, we are representing the testimony of Jesus Christ in part as we share the good news and what he has done for us. We, too, have been given a task.
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Jesus came as a sacrificial lamb, pure and spotless, to remove the stain of sin from our lives. Yet, He is the Lion, our resurrected King, whose victorious reign is worthy of all praise.
Jesus You Are Worthy! (bummyla.wordpress.com)
You have 100 billion angels along with the church of the
living God from all time-old and new, all generations, all centuries-in
front of the throne of God with a huge rainbow. Jesus, standing in the
midst with the book in His hands, is about to unleash seven judgments.
Thank God that the true church is not going to be on earth for those
judgments!
Christ The Lamb Of The New Testament – An Outline Study (ptl2010.com)
When the Word of God calls Christ the Lamb, it is teaching us many different truths about Christ.
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The redeemed are firstfruits dedicated to God and Lamb
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Lamb oversees judgment of Lost
Rev 15:3-4 – Song of Praise sung to both Father and Lamb
Rev 17:14 – He overcomes wicked because He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Rev 21:9-26 – He possesses an eternal city where He dwells with His people.
Rev 22:1 – He shares throne with Father
Morning 5am lesson from the Holy Spirit of Truth: What will you wear on that day? (kzlam36.wordpress.com)
The word of testimony of an overcomer must agree with the testimony of God. God has testified His Son. Surely there is no other testimony greater than that of God. What testimony can an overcomer give that is worthy of mention? The same testimony: The Son of God – Jesus Christ.
Worthy – The Savior’s, Sinner’s and Saint’s position (thepauls.wordpress.com)
while listening on the radio, the song “When the stars burn down (Blessing and Honor)” by Philips, Craig & Dean, I started describing to Reuben, our beloved six year old son, that it is highly likely that the song is based on the events that transpire in heaven as described in book the Revelation in the Bible. Revelation chapter 5 records the account of how Jesus, the Lamb of God (Agnus Dei), who took away the sins of the world (John 1:29), was the only one, worthy to open the book that was sealed and in the hands of God who sat on the throne. Jesus takes the book from the hand of God and the 24 elders that sat around him fell down and worshiped him.
Revelation 7 (dailymannablog.wordpress.com)
Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
Carols: A Christmas Devotional – Do You Hear What I Hear? (christlikeministriesnwa.wordpress.com)
If Jesus was born today the news would be all over Twitter, Facebook, CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, and who knows where else. The point is, there wasn’t any news or social networks when Jesus was born. So, God used a star and word of mouth. You know, God really does think of absolutely everything…doesn’t He?
Hymn. Come Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs With Angels Round The Throne (bummyla.wordpress.com)
Come Let Us Join Our Cheerful Songs With Angels Round The ThroneCome, let us join our cheerful songs
with angels round the throne.
ten thousand thousand are their tongues,
but all their joys are one.
“Worthy the Lamb that died,” they cry,
“to be exalted thus!”
“Worthy the Lamb,” our hearts reply,
“for he was slain for us!”
An angel helped Daniel understand the information he was given.
Daniel was told that “the message was true but the appointed time was long (10;1). The information given to John explained events that started in his own day and continued through to the return of Christ and the establishment of the kingdom.
At the end of the prophecy Daniel was told to shut the words and seal the book until the time of the end (Daniel 12:4). At the beginning or Revelation, John was shown “in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals” (Rev 5:1),
Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the metallic image representing the kingdoms of men (Dan 2)
Daniel’s visions:
The four beasts (chapter 7)
Of the Ram and the He-Goat (chapter 8)
Of the One Man (chapter 10)
Of the kings of North and South (chapter 11)
The sealed scroll of the Lamb
The Sealed Book of Daniel Revealed: The Linear Bible Code
Daniel is the not the own prophesy about a scroll written on both sides: Ezekiel 2:10 Zechariah 5: 2,3 – he also saw four coloured horses: red, black, white and dappled, like the horses John saw unleashed in Rev 6.
Zechariah prophesied to the captives returning from exile in Babylon. He spoke of the restoration of true worship after the idolatry they experienced in Babylon and he looked forward to the coming of the “the man whose name is the BRANCH! From his place he shall branch out, and he shall build the temple of the LORD” Zechariah 6:12. This is a prophecy about that Jesus that is still to be fulfilled.
Zechariah also saw a vision of a woman called “wickedness” being carried from Jerusalem to a house built for in her in the land of Shinar (5:5-11) – Shinar was the site of ancient Babylon (Genesis 10;10), and Zechariah’s prophecy explained how a false religious system would develop with a Babylonian-like character. Since earliest times, Babylon has always resisted the truth of God’s word and so the symbol of rebellion of man against God.
Cherubim are mentioned in Genesis 3:24 and appeared in a vision seen by the prophet Ezekiel, who was concerned that God’s glory had departed from Jerusalem and the temple. He was concerned lest the true worship should be overcome by false worship.
Ezekiel, Daniel and Zechariah naturally asked about the outcome of the revelations they received. Daniel said, “My lord, what shall be the end of these things?” Dan 12:8. He received the answer that leads us back to Revelation – “Blessed is he who waits” (verse 12).
Seven blessings
1
The Blessing of the Message
1:3
2
The Blessing of the Hope
14:13
3
The Blessing of Watching
16:15
4
The Blessing of the Call
19:9
5
The Blessing of Immortality
20:6
6
The Blessing of Obedience
22:7
7
The Blessing of the Kingdom
22:14
The last blessing in Revelation mentions God’s faithful people entering into “the city”. The book deals with two cities: one is the city of God; the other is the city of man. Because of the connection with Daniel and other OT passages, the city of man called Babylon. God’s city is called New Jerusalem!
Rev 22; 12-15 Behold, I come soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.
I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.
Blessed are those who wash their robes. So that they have the right to the tree of life and they enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, sorcerers, and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
Shinar () was the Hebrew name of a land which included both Babylon and Erech, i.e., both northern and southern Babylonia.
Cherub, cherubim: Hebrew masculine plural for a word borrowed from the Assyrian kirubu, from karâbu, “to be near”, hence it means near ones, familiars, personal servants, bodyguards, courtiers. It was commonly used of those heavenly spirits, who closely surrounded the Majesty of God and paid Him intimate service.
Eric: Elaine Pagels on the Book of Revelation : The New Yorker (newyorker.com)
In a new book on those end pages, “Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation” (Viking), Elaine Pagels sets out gently to bring their portents back to earth.
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This all leads to the millennium—not the end of all things but the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth—which, in turn, finally leads to Satan’s end in a lake of fire and the true climax. The Heaven and Earth we know are destroyed, and replaced by better ones.
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Pagels shows persuasively that the Jew/non-Jew argument over the future of the Jesus movement, the real subject of Revelation, was much fiercer than later Christianity wanted to admit.
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Pagels turns away from the canonic texts to look at the alternative, long-lost “Gnostic” texts of the period that have turned up over the past sixty years or so, most notably in the buried Coptic library of Nag Hammadi. As in her earlier books (“The Johannine Gospel in Gnostic Exegesis”; “The Gnostic Paul: Gnostic Exegesis of the Pauline Letters”; “The Gnostic Gospels”), she shows us that revelations in the period were not limited to John’s militant, vengeful-minded one, and that mystic visions more provocative and many-sided were widespread in the early Jesus movement.
‘Pre-trib Rapture a Solid Teaching’ (jpfinn7.wordpress.com)
Scripture clearly teaches there is coming a time when God will pour out His wrath against those on this earth. Both the Old Testament prophets and much writing in the New Testament cover the subject. In the time since Jesus left this earth, it was not talked about or preached much until the 1800′s.
Israel: Delivered, Blessed, and Regathered (Zech. 9-10) (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
After the visions in Zechariah 1-6, the question arises, what about the Gentile nations who oppressed Israel?
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Judgment and salvation will come to the nations surrounding Israel (9:1-8). Zechariah specifies three cities in Syria (Hadrach, Damascus, and Hamath; 9:1-2a), two in Phoenicia (Tyre and Sidon; 9:2b-4) and four cities in Philistia (Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, and Ashdod; 9:5-8). The order of the cities mentioned is from north to south.
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When Jesus returns He will liberate, empower, defend, and save Israel (9:11-17). He will destroy the Antichrist armies surrounding Jerusalem and liberate Jewish prisoners (12:2-3; 14:2; Joel 3:2, 12). He will empower the Israeli army as His agents for this before He returns (10:3-7; 12:5-8).
Alchemy Geometry in the New World (wed-gie.com)
In the book of Ezekiel, the Prophecy of New Jerusalem (or City (where) God (is) there (יְהוָה שָׁמָּה, Jehovah-shammah), also titled.
+Many traditions based on biblical scripture and other writings in the Jewish and Christian religions, such as Protestantism, Orthodox Christianity, and Orthodox Judaism, expect the literal renewal of Jerusalem to some day take place at the Temple Mount in accordance with various prophecies. Dispensationalists believe in a literal New Jerusalem that will come down out of Heaven, which will be an entirely new city of incredible dimensions. Other sects, such as various Protestant denominations, modernist branches of Christianity, Mormonism and Reform Judaism, view the New Jerusalem as figurative, or believe that such a renewal may have already taken place, or that it will take place at some other location besides the Temple Mount.
+The surviving New Jerusalem texts in Qumran literature focus specifically on the twelve city gates, and on the dimensions of the entire new city.
Gog As Antichrist: A Historical Survey (midnightwatcher.wordpress.com)
The primary purpose of this article is to catalogue a partial list of historians, Bible scholars, commentators and teachers, both Jewish, Christian, and secular, whose interpretations of ‘Gog of Magog’ of Ezekiel 38-39 support the view that Gog is one and the same with the Antichrist / Beast of the New Testament.
Zechariah Chapter 1: Introduction and the Prophet’s Introductory Address (raymondjclements.wordpress.com)
Luther calls Zechariah Ausbund der Propheten—the quintessence of Old Testament prophecy—and this is especially true in reference to Messianic prophecy. Indeed it seems to be the special aim and mission of Zechariah to condense and concentrate in small compass, and in his own peculiar terse style, almost all that has been revealed to the “former prophets” about the person and mission of Messiah—about His Divine and yet truly human character, and of His sufferings and of the glory that should follow.
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Zechariah (Zekharyah, “he whom Jehovah remembers”) is the central figure in the group of the three post-exilic prophets, and his voice was the last but one of that unique and wonderful succession of men who were, indeed, the oracles of God, and through whom “in divers portions and in different ways” He Himself “spake unto the fathers,” revealing His eternal counsels to men.
In the previous chapter we saw that the symbols in the book of Revelation are often “clashing”. Though they start in the same way, they develop in different directions until they are directly in opposition to each other.
Another feature of the book of Revelation is the seven fold structure of the book. This also follows examples elsewhere in the Bible.
Sevens in Revelation
7 churches
7 spirits
7 golden candlesticks
7 stars
7 lamps of fire
7 horns and 7 eyes on the Lamb
7 angels with 7 thunders
7 thunders
7 heads with 7 crowns on the Dragon
7 angels with 7 bowls containing 7 last plagues
7 mountains and 7 kings
7 blessings
The Jericho pattern: The heart of the message of Revelation there are three sequences of sevens, seven seals, seven trumpets and seven plagues. The seventh seal opens up into the seven trumpets; and the seventh trumpet sounds the start of the seven plagues. These great sequences of important events divide into three successive sections of the period of time between John receiving the message of Revelation and Jesus returning to earth to establish the kingdom.
Page 291: The Opening of the Seventh Seal and the First Four Sounding Trumpets, Revelation 8:1-13 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Three main periods described in Revelation
Seals
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Kingdom
Trumpets
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Plagues
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Each sevenfold sequence always looks forward to the completion of God’s purpose. This is emphasised by the fact that every section starts with a vision of the kingdom, and is completed when the kingdom is established. The kingdom visions are a very important focus of this book:
The sevenfold construction of Revelation
Opening Vision
Chp
Development of God’s purpose
Chp
1
One like the Son of Man
1
Letters to the Seven Ecclesias in Asia
2, 3
2
Throne in Heaven
4, 5
Seven-sealed Scroll
6
3
Multitude no man can number
7
Seven trumpets
8, 9
4
Rainbowed Angel
10
Development of Apostasy
11-13, 17,18
5
Lamb on Mount Zion
14
Seven Last Plagues
16
6
God’s judgement
15
Seven Thunders
10: 3,4
7
Marriage of the Lamb
19
Establishment of the Kingdom
20,22
A direct comparison can be made with the siege of Jericho by the Hebrews at the time of Joshua.
Seven Kingdom Visions:
1
One like the Son of Man. A symbolic figure representing Jesus and his faithful disciples encourage John to write down everything he is shown in visions.
Introduction to the letters to the seven groups of believers in Asia
1: 12-20
2
Throne in heaven – a vision of Jesus sitting on God’s throne in the kingdom. The nations are at peace and the saints surround Jesus.
The vision explains how God foresees future events and they occur only at His will.Whatever happens – everything is moving towards the end of His purpose. As the seven seals are broken, some of these details are revealed.
4:1 – 5:14
3
Multitude no man can number. A great crowd of people from every nation stand before Jesus’ kingdom throne.
They are clothed in white after coming through great tribulation and persecution. This is the introduction to the seven trumpet judgements – they reveal the troubles through which God’s faithful people are preserved for His kingdom.
7:9-17
4
Rainbowed angel. A mighty angel descends from heaven clothed in a cloud and a rainbow, and roaring like a lion – it is a vision of Jesus and the saints establishing peace on the earth.
The urgency of the vision expresses Jesus’ reaction to the corruption of the Gospel, and the difficulties faced by true disciples.
Introduces a section in Revelation where the development of and dangers of false religion are graphically described.
10:1-11
5
The Lamb in Mount Zion. Jesus and the saints stand on Mount Zion, and the saints sing for joy because they have been redeemed from the rest of mankind.
This is the introduction to the seven last plagues, which occur before Jesus returns to set up his kingdom.
Despite the fierceness of the plagues – God will ensure than none of Jesus’ true disciples are lost.
14:1-20
6
God’s judgements. The saints are singing – their song is the Song of Moses and of the Lamb, and they stand on the sea of nations, which has been stilled by the work of Jesus.The stilling of the nations and exactly how it will occur is only briefly mentioned in Revelation. It is a work symbolised by seven thunders, which John was told not to describe. (10;4)
15: 1-8
7
Marriage of the Lamb, the saints rejoice because Jesus is finally united with his disciples – the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready (19;7)Together, Jesus and the saints rule over the nations of the world, teaching them God’s ways and putting down all opposition, so that the kingdom can be handed back to God and He will be “all in all”.
Kingdom Visions of Rainbowed angel, Lamb in Mount Zion
Kingdom Visions of God’s judgements and Marriage of the Lamb
The Song of The Lamb #3 Daniel and Revelation
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Also of interest:
“Baruch Habah Bashem Adonai” End Times also called The Last Days, The Beginning of Sorrows, Nation against Nation, Kingdom against Kingdom -Major world wide conflict that begin the End Times or Last Days: World War I & II (1914 ,1939) Matthew 24:7 Both World Wars had major Jewish implications, The Holocaust, & Zionist Movement, State of Israel is established in 1948. Israel is established as a secular nation in unbelief for a future judgment known as a Time of Jacob’s Trouble, The Bibles speaks of a great gathering of Gentile Armies against Jerusalem.
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The Second Coming is exactly seven years after the signing of the covenant with the Anti-Christ, but the rapture could happen at any moment.
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The Great Tribulation, Daniel’s 70th Seven, Seven Year Period Of Judgement And Wrath Of God, Signing of the Seven Year covenant with the Anti-Messiah Daniel 9:27 – Seventy Sevens
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Related articles
Revelation 5: Worthy is the Lamb! (kingdomnewtestament.wordpress.com)
the Lion has become the Lamb. Let there be no mistake, the Lamb is powerful like a lion, but his work up until now has always been more like a lamb. One must be a lamb before they can be a lion.
Revelation 4-8 (westminsterreads.org)
Beginning in chapter 4, the author’s vision starts. The scene shifts from earth to heaven and we enter another world. John’s visions have been the subject of nearly endless discussion and speculation by readers.
Why the Modern View of the Book of Revelation may be Flawed. (adw.org)
the common modern and majority view is that the context of this book is the persecution against Christians by Domitian (Emperor from 81-96 AD) and the Roman Empire which he headed. John has been arrested and exiled to the Island of Patmos. Thus, the chief context for the majority view is the antagonism of the Roman Empire seeking to force Christians to emperor worship and apostasy from the Christian faith in the one true God. Further, the harlot city is defined in this point of view as Rome.
Sunday (December 2): “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
The people of Jesus’ time expected that the coming of the Messiah would be accompanied by extraordinary signs and wonders. Jesus’ first coming was clouded in mystery and surprising wonderment: Even though he was the rightful heir to the throne of King David, he was born in obscurity in a cave at Bethlehem, near the place where David had watched over his father’s sheep some 1000 years before. A choir of mighty angels chose to announce the good news to a small band of lowly shepherds keeping their night watch nearby.
“The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].” (De 33:27 AV)
The eternal God is your refuge. {De 33:27 }
The word refuge may be translated “mansion,” or “abiding place,” which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home. There is a fulness and sweetness in the metaphor, for our home is dear to our hearts, although it is the humblest cottage, or the scantiest attic; and far dearer is our blessed God, in whom we live, and move, and have our being.
It is at home that we feel safe: we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. So when we are with our God we “fear no evil.” He is our shelter and retreat, our abiding refuge. At home, we take our rest; it is there we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. And so our hearts find rest in God, when, wearied with life’s conflict, we turn to him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose; we are not afraid of being misunderstood, nor of our words being misconstrued. So when we are with God we can commune freely with him, laying open all our hidden desires; for if the “secret of the Lord is with those who fear him,” the secrets of those who fear him ought to be, and must be, with their Lord.
Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness: and it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. We have joy in him which far surpasses all other joy. It is also for home that we work and labour. The thought of it gives strength to bear the daily burden, and quickens the fingers to perform the task; and in this sense we may also say that God is our home. Love for him strengthens us. We think of him in the person of his dear Son; and a glimpse of the suffering face of the Redeemer constrains us to labour in his cause. We feel that we must work, for we have brethren yet to be saved, and we have our Father’s heart to make glad by bringing home his wandering sons; we wish to fill with holy mirth the sacred family among whom we dwell. Happy are those who have thus the God of Jacob for their refuge!
- C.H. Spurgeon Morning {Daily Reading: Ac 4:1-6:15 } {Quick Study: Ac 10:1-12:25 }
God has given us His son, which He had promised long before to His people, Israel, and who was willing to lay down his life for the sins of many. In Christ we can see the radiance of God. We do have to come into Christ as Christ was in God.
As Jesus his joy was in God our joy has to be also in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. In God we may find refuge and be sure that nobody shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39) For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jeshua the Messiah, who was preached among us and anointed the apostles. (2Co 1:21; 2Co 4:6) Thanks be to God, which always causes us to triumph in the Messiah, and makes manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. (2Co 2:14)
Our life is hid with Christ in God, and our ecclesia may be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ, where we remember without ceasing our work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; for we come together as brethren and sisters in Christ, having become followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for we also have suffered like things of our own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews. (Col 3:3; 1Th 1:1, 3; 1Th 2:14 )
“1 … I will give thanks unto Jehovah with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvellous works. 2 I will be glad and exult in thee; I will sing praise to thy name, O thou Most High.” (Ps 9:1-2 ASV)
“9 Jehovah also will be a high tower for the oppressed, A high tower in times of trouble; 10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee; For thou, Jehovah, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. 11 Sing praises to Jehovah, who dwelleth in Zion: Declare among the people his doings. 12 For he that maketh inquisition for blood remembereth them; He forgetteth not the cry of the poor. 13 Have mercy upon me, O Jehovah; Behold my affliction [which I suffer] of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death; 14 That I may show forth all thy praise. In the gates of the daughter of Zion I will rejoice in thy salvation.” (Ps 9:9-14 ASV)
“The eternal God is [thy] dwelling-place, And underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy from before thee, And said, Destroy.” (De 33:27 ASV)
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:” (1Co 1:30 ASV)
“yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.” (1Co 8:6 ASV)
“Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;” (1Pe 3:18 ASV)
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Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Zoek uw Toevlucht bij God
In The Name Of The Lord Almighty. (thejustshepherd.wordpress.com)
How courageous one is when you know that the God Almighty is on your side? And that His name is as strong as He is Himself?
Thursday (November 15): “Behold, the Kingdom of God is among you.” (shechina.wordpress.com)
The Jews is Jesus’ time were watching in great anticipation for some sign which would indicate when the Messiah would appear to establish the kingdom of God. The Pharisees’ question on this matter was intended to test Jesus since they did not accept him as the Messiah. Jesus surprised them with the answer that the kingdom or reign of God was already here! Jesus spoke of the coming of God’s kingdom as both a present event and an event which would be manifested at the end of time.
Storms (godversations.wordpress.com)
Storms in our lives are inevitable just as death is inevitable. Both are difficult and painful but are simply a part of this life. The only guarantee we have, the only promise in terms of suffering, is the hope of Eternal rest and peace and Joy in our next life. Not this life.
Daily Dose of Inspiration – November 14 (deenaroseministries.wordpress.com)
In a world were religious confusion is the norm, just how is one supposed to know what is right? There are so many different factions screaming that their way is the right way – Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Mormonism, Catholicism, Judaism; to name a few. With all the noise buzzing through our heads, how is one to know when they have truly found the “Way”?
Where Have You Fixed Your Attention? by Mark D. Roberts (trinityspeaks.wordpress.com)
How aware are you of God’s presence today? Have you chosen to set the Lord before you continually? Will you remember him when life gets hard? What helps you to know that God is right beside you?
The New Creation A Reality (raymondjclements.wordpress.com) When we realize that it was our spirits that were recreated that really means we have Eternal Life, the Nature of God. Not a theological or a metaphysical, but an actual New Creation, a possessor of the very life of God. That possession of Eternal Life has given me God’s righteousness and that righteousness has taken away sin consciousness, and I can now stand in His presence as Adam did before the fall, as Jesus did in His earth walk.
The Lord Is A Refuge For The Oppressed (shareaverse.wordpress.com)
Sing praises to the Lord, Who dwells in Zion! Declare among the peoples His doings! For He Who avenges the blood [of His people shed unjustly] remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the afflicted (the poor and the humble).
Seeking God – R & R (Rest and Refuge) (essentialthingdevotions.com)
Sometimes, rest can be hard to find though. Sometimes the pressures and worries we have on our minds during the day plague us at night and disturb our peace so much that sleep can elude us completely.
Often you hear people calling non-trinitarians heathen and heretics, members of a cult.
Becoming a member or Getting in and out
Normally you would consider a group as being a cult when it is easy to get in but very difficult to get out. Most of the non-trinitarian groups are not so easy to become a member of because they require full notice of their teachings, the Biblical teachings and a life which is acceptable in the eyes of Jesus and most important acceptable for God. Once allowed to become a member and to be baptised, with some, after a questionnaire to cheque if you fulfil the requirements, the person has to live a Christian life according to the ordinances of the Holy Scriptures. As soon as the person does something against the Law of God he or she is mostly requested to leave the association. No foul play or being unfaithful to a partner are accepted so slutty actions are penalised by being put out of the congregation. Fornication is a good reason not to be allowed in the group any more.
Therefore groups like the Jehovah Witnesses are very easy to get out. Even if you have done no whorehopping but tell them so, you may leave for ever. (By matter of speech.) As you can see not really according to the real definition of a cult.
In case you consider every minority group a cult, then yes you can see in the whole history that many groups which started small, like the followers of Jesus where called a cult (The Way), but as soon as they got more money and political power they became integrated in the normal system and where even taken as the normal standard. As such history has seen growing the Lutherans, Calvinists or recently the Mormons.
The Most profitable considered to be the Main
In the United States once again it is proven that people prefer to choose the groups which they think could bring most profit. The Tea Party which has its mouth full of Judeo-Christian Values would never want to go in the sea with Obama, but do not see the danger into giving hands to Mitt Romney. In earlier days they shouted that Mormons where of the devil and today they call everybody to go and vote for Mitt Romney so that he can save America. Once considered a cult to avoid and never to work with is now the hope of American evangelists and conservative Christians.
In the past we have seen when push came to shove (or prison, or death) also most Protestants supported like the Roman Catholic Church, the Nazi regime regardless of where they fell on the theological spectrum. And prominent liberal theologians like Paul Tillich were just as hostile to the Third Reich as were prominent conservative theologians and pastors like Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. And the tragic thing is that while Catholic Church and the Confessing Church rigorously opposed Nazi claims to totalitarian power over their churches and other church-related organizations, neither said much at all in the way of denouncing Nazi policy towards Jews, Jehovah Witnesses, or to the mentally-handicapped.
Lefebvrists SSPX Priest and altar server of the guild of St. Stephen.
When a group Catholics did not want to agree with the teachings of Pope John Giovanni XXIII and preferred to keep to the Latin rite they where considered heretics and the world was confronted with different Catholic Cults like the Lefebvrists or Marcel Lefebvre his Society of St. Pius X. Pope Benedict XVI had declared that, for doctrinal rather than disciplinary reasons, the SSPX had no canonical status in the Catholic Church and, because of that lack of canonical status, the ministries exercised by its ministers were not legitimate in the Catholic Church. Tensions between the society and the Holy See reached their height in 1988, when Archbishop Lefebvre consecrated four bishops against the orders of Pope John Paul II, resulting in a declaration of excommunication against the bishops who consecrated or were consecrated, an excommunication remitted for those still alive in January 2009 with a hope expressed that all members of the society would quickly return to full communion.
At the end of last century and beginning this century when everything was turned back to previous days they were taken up again in the Roman Catholic Church and are today not seen as a cult any more.
Some years ago people spoke about Catholic institutional cults like the Charismatic Catholics, Opus Dei, a.o.
Several people also used to speak out boldly against the Church of Rome and considered it from the devil or to be the Babylon of which the Bible spoke. Though it no longer seems to be in vogue to speak of the pope as “the antichrist” (Although the following people unhesitatingly did: Martin Luther, John Bunyan, John Huss, John Wycliffe, John Calvin, William Tyndale, John Knox, Thomas Bacon, John Wesley, Samuel Cooper, John Cotton, and Jonathan Edwards.) or the Catholic Church as the “whore of Babylon”. Now many Protestants unwittingly believe that “our differences are not so great”.
Alliances
Franklin Graham told the IndianapolisStar (6/3/99) that his father’s longstanding ecumenical alliance with the Catholic Church and all other denominations, “was one of the smartest things his father ever did.” The charismaticCharisma magazine in 10/95 contained a 7-page article on Franklin Graham. They quoted him as saying, “I thank God for the warmth I see within many of the charismatic churches — their love for the Lord and love for the scriptures. …” He also said, “Probably (Samaritan’s Purse) largest base of support comes from the charismatic community.” He has referred to “Mother” Teresa as an “example of the woman God uses” (4/1/99, CalvaryContender). {Billy Graham General Teachings/Activities}
New Age movements also at one time were considered cults but after a few years many protestants found solace in such groups. Norman Vincent Peale advocated New Age and/or occult teachings as visualization, pantheism, human potential, positive confession, positive thinking, etc. Once on the Phil Donahue Show, Peale, a 33rd degree Mason, said, “It’s not necessary to be born again. You have your way to God, I have mine. I found eternal peace in a Shinto shrine.” (Shintoism is an ancient Oriental religion that fuses ancestor worship with mysticism.) He also denied the necessity of believing in the virgin birth.
Trinity to follow or not
Others would say those who are not following the trinitarian teachings can not call themselves Christian and can not be any different than belonging to a cult.
In case people consider a cult any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith, they should first confine that Christian Faith. In Christendom we see lots of denominations and in each denomination people shall be able to find many more opinions and deviations from their main confession. Some say that “cults often teach some Christian truth mixed with error, which may be difficult to detect.” But they do not give a proper definition of that Christian Truth, which would be, according to the words of the many denominations being something very different from one to the other denomination, so that every denomination could be categorised as a cult.
Features
According the fundamentalism’s leading spokesman evangelist Billy Graham there are some features common to most cults:
• “They do not adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They add their “special revelations” to the Bible and view them as equally authoritative.”
As such all the believers who accept the apocryphal books as worthy spiritual food, would be considered a cult. This also means the Roman Catholic Church is for those Americans a cult. Especially the Roman Catholics should then also be seen as a cult, because they also have several revelations by the saints they take for granted and of inspirational value. But in several protestant denominations we also do find groups which like to use several theological and devotional books by human writers which they consider to be inspired by God. According to Billy Graham they should also come under the denominator of being a cult.
English: The icon was painted by artist Nicholas Morosoff in 1935 at the request of Bishop Wedgwood for the St Francis Church in Tekels Park, Camberley, and hangs above its main altar. Courtesy Liberal Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
• “They do not accept that our relationship to Jesus Christ is a reality “by grace through faith” alone, but promote instead a salvation by works.”
By saying this they do not understand what those Christians get from the Bible, the infallible Word of God. For those, like Christadelphians, who agree that Christians should live up to their faith it is clear that it is not enough to be baptised to be saved, because faith without works is death. Strangely the others forget that they also dismember people from their congregation because they have done something which they consider to be bad. But that is in contradiction with what they say, because when that person would be saved for ever than he also should be accepted as Christian for ever. It is not right to think any murderer or wrongdoer shall go to heaven because there is the reality of Christ dying for all sinners. If they do not repent they shall not enter the small gate of the Kingdom of God (which also shall be on earth).
• For lots of Christians non-trinitarians “do not give Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, full recognition as the second Person of the Trinity, composed of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.”
Yes they do not recognise him as a part of some trio. They recognise him in his full potential. They do not see a God who came onto the earth to fake his death. Jesus really died, while God, as a spirit, can not die and has ever been and shall have no end. Jesus had a beginning (being born) and an end (died at the stake).
Fully recognising the offer Jesus brought, makes his action much more important than trinitarians want to see Jesus. His humility and his preparedness to give his life for people he did not kno, has more value than a God who could straight ahead, in heaven when the first sin was committed, take action and bring everything to an end. In such instance not so many people had to suffer so much. This would make God also to a very cruel person. But God is a God of love, who wanted to give men a change to prove that they could rule the world better than Him. (Part of the question in the garden of Eden).
We had to wait such a long time because it was only with Jesus, that God did find it time to bring a solution with giving a God send man, who could be tempted (remember God can not be tempted) but did not let himself go. Jesus kept straight in line with God’s teachings. Jesus choose to follow his father and to keep totally to His commandments. He is the only one man who could prove to be able to follow God, out of love for God and not wanting anything in return for it. As such, though at first lower than the angels, Jehovah God gave him a higher position and made him unto a mediator between God and men. The ones who consider, like it is written in the Holy Scriptures that Jesus is the son of God and not god the son or God Son, give Jesus full honour for all the work he has done.
Listening and reacting to Scriptures
When Scripture is life-changing, as God’s Word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12) people who get to know the Bible to be infallible should under its inspiration come to insight and how more they come to get to know they should adjust their thinking and their way of living.
When we hear God’s Word, whether at a meeting, church service or in private reading, we should “devour” God’s words to us and allow them to become the joy and happiness of our heart (Jeremiah. 15:16).
After the Torah we got Prophesies and Writings to gut us under way to the Gospels to be able to recognise the God send man Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Jeshua) who was son of men and as son of God brought salvation unto many. His disciples and followers coming out of all sorts of layers of the population where preachers brought the Word of God and the Word of Christ “were persevering in the doctrine of the apostles” (Acts of the apostles 2:42; cf. 2 Timothy 1:14) long before the New Testament was written–and centuries before the New Testament canon was settled. Those who call themselves Christians should carefully to the life and beliefs of those first followers of Christ.
Doing the same
In case you want to call yourself Christian you should do the same as the first Christians who also believed that Jesus never took himself to be God himself or to be equal with Him.
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15 NIV)
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” (1 Peter 2:21 NIV)
“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6 NIV)
“5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature {Or in the form of} God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,” (Philippians 2:5-6 NIV)
They believed in Jesus, to be the long awaited saviour who as son of men and son of God brought God to us all to be our Father as well.
“I looked, and there before me was a white cloud, and seated on the cloud was one “like a son of man” {Daniel 7:13} with a crown of gold on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand.” (Revelation 14:14 NIV)
“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 10:23 NIV)
“And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”” (Matthew 3:17 NIV)
“”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, {Or his only begotten Son} that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)
For us it should be as for them that Jesus shall have to be the Master Teacher and the example for us to come to God and a better life. He, Jesus, should be our main teacher and not theologians or scholars who say they speak in the name of God. Christians should take Jesus as their Rabbi.
“”You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.” (John 13:13 NIV)
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)
“”But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.” (Matthew 23:8 NIV)
“Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1 NIV)
Christians do believe salvationbelongs to God and is in Christ who came into existence only a few centuries ago, after 42 generations, when he was born (begotten) in a special way.
“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ {Or Messiah. “The Christ” (Greek) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “the Anointed One”; also in verse 26.} the Lord.” (Luke 2:11 NIV)
“But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.” (1 Corinthians 15:38 NIV)
“17 Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ. {Or Messiah. “The Christ” (Greek) and “the Messiah” (Hebrew) both mean “the Anointed One”.} 18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 1:17-18 NIV)
“26 In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called {Or So the child to be born will be called holy,} the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37 For nothing is impossible with God.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.” (Luke 1:26-38 NIV)
“Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”” (Matthew 14:33 NIV)
“I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.”” (John 1:34 NIV)
“But these are written that you may {Some manuscripts may continue to} believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31 NIV)
“and who through the Spirit {Or who as to his spirit} of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God, {Or was appointed to be the Son of God with power} by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:4 NIV)
“(and for this we labour and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.” (1 Timothy 4:10 NIV)
“And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14 NIV)
“And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”” (Revelation 7:10 NIV)
“30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.” (Acts 5:30-31 NIV)
“For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9 NIV)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in {Or through} Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NIV)
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, left his followers as a Church in case they listen to him Jesus, with divine authority to teach in his name.
“13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, {Or Messiah; also in verse 20} the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, {Peter means rock.} and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades {Or hell} will not overcome it. {Or not prove stronger than it} 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be {Or have been} bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be {Or have been} loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.” (Matthew 16:13-20 NIV)
“”I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be {Or have been} bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be {Or have been} loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18 NIV)
“”He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”” (Luke 10:16 NIV)
“And I tell you that you are Peter, {Peter means rock.} and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades {Or hell} will not overcome it. {Or not prove stronger than it}” (Matthew 16:18 NIV)
“19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in {Or into; see Acts 8:16; 19:5; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13; 10:2 and Gal. 3:27.} the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you for ever—” (John 14:16 NIV)
Following Jesus his teachings
Christians are those who follow Jesus teachings and are also prepared to do what he asked them to do, to go out in the world and to let the name of God, to whom belongs all authority, be known all over the world.
“”I have revealed you {Greek your name; also in verse 26} to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” (John 17:6 NIV)
“5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1 NIV)
“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 NIV)
“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.” (Ephesians 4:17 NIV)
“19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:19-24 NIV)
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV)
“”You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.” (Isaiah 43:10 NIV)
“I have revealed and saved and proclaimed—I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD {Jehovah}, “that I am God.” (Isaiah 43:12 NIV)
“1 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. … 4 Marriage should be honoured by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” {Deut. 31:6} 6 So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” {Psalm 118:#6,7} 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods, which are of no value to those who eat them. … 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. … 20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. ….” (Hebrews 13:1-25 NIV)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”” (Acts 1:8 NIV)
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. {Or Messiah}” (Acts 5:42 NIV)
“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NIV)
“When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. {Or Messiah; also in verse 28}” (Acts 18:5 NIV)
“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” (Revelation 12:17 NIV)
Praying Christian
Over the times people could get to read the Word of God. They could learn about Adam, Eve, Abraham, Isaac, David, Christ and God. The apostles could seen and we testified that the Father has sent His son, so did not come down Himself as deliverer of the world, but send a man who could feel how every other human being could feel. He really suffered and died in the hope that many would understand his words and come to the Father to whom he often prayed and learned everybody to pray. As Jesus kept his Father, ElohimHashemJehovah holy, he also wanted us to keep his Fathers Name holy and to make it be known all over the world until His Kingdom comes. In our prayers we can make our requests known to God by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving because it is God who chooses us and has commissioned us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last; so that whatever we ask from the Father in Jesus his name God may give us. It shall be in the name of Jesus {Jeshua} that Jehovah God shall give his followers, trusting only His one mediator between Him and humanity, Jeshua the Messiah, himself human.
“”This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,” (Matthew 6:9 NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV)
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 15:16 NIV)
“In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.” (John 16:23 NIV)
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV)
Preaching under Christ for God
The apostles knew that Jesus as son of men was very well aware how limited he was and how limited we are. Jesus left his disciples but promised to come back. If we love Jesus, we should be glad that he has gone to the Father; because the Father is greater than Jesus, who now sits at His right hand.
Jesus wanted us to understand that the head of every man is the Messiah, and the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of the Messiah is God. All Christians should accept that. But yes we do see that the majority does not and want to place Jesus as head of everything. It is true that for the moment the world is still in the hands of evil and that there will come a time that everything shall be subjected to the son. But then comes a time that Jesus himself will subject himself to the only OneGod, who subjected everything to him; so that God may be everything in everyone.
Recognising the humility of Christ, who who served, those who call themselves Christian should also let the greater among us become like the younger, and one who rules like one who serves. Whoever among us wants to be a leader must become servant of the others, and whoever wants to be first must be slave! For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve – and to give his life as a ransom for many. As he also served his Father in heaven, he demanded us to help him and not for a single day, either in the temple court, synagogue, church, public square or in private homes, should followers of Jesus stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News that Jeshua is the Messiah. Declaring with utmost seriousness the same message to Jews and other people from all nations. Telling everywhere to: “turn from sin to God; and put your trust in our lord, Jeshua the Messiah.” Making even more people into talmidim, or pupils and disciples, immersing them into the reality of the Father, the son and the Ruach haKodesh or the Power of the Most High His Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that Jesus has commanded us.
All that call themselves Christian should acknowledge publicly with their mouth that Jeshua is lord, but God the Most High Lord of the lord of lords. Telling everybody that this Almighty God raised Jesus from the dead, so that we will be delivered.
For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues toward deliverance. The one following Christ should not be afraid of the world and go into it proclaiming the Good News of the return of Jesus and the coming Kingdom of God. Like the apostle Paul every Christian should not boast merely because he proclaims the Good News — this they should all do from inner compulsion. Woe is them if they do not proclaim the Good News!
“”You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.” (John 14:28 NIV)
“Now I want you to realise that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3 NIV)
“When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:28 NIV)
“26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:26-27 NIV)
“26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”” (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV)
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. {Or Messiah}” (Acts 5:42 NIV)
“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21 NIV)
“19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in {Or into; see Acts 8:16; 19:5; Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 1:13; 10:2 and Gal. 3:27.} the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)
“9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10 NIV)
“Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’” (Luke 10:9 NIV)
“Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16 NIV)
“Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV)
Willing to follow
Are you willing to follow Jesus, the son of God? Are you prepared to step out of the world and let all traditions for whatever they may be?
Are you willing to follow the example apostles of Jesus and dare trying to imitate them, even as Paul himself tried to imitate the Messiah? Do you want to become like Christ and become a Brother in Christ, sharing with others in the world the Good News and boasting about the works Christ has done for us all?
Do you think that those who really follow up the task Jesus has given his pupils would be a cult?
The Bible affirms that he Word of Adonai lasts forever and that this Word is the Good News which has been proclaimed to many. The things we have heard from Jesus and his disciples, which were supported by many witnesses, these things commit to faithful people, such as will be competent to teach others also. We should make use of it, to give us the spirit to get others to know God and his son Jesus Christ.
Therefore, brothers, stand firm; though some may consider us a cult we should not like them keep to the traditions of the world, but hold to the traditions we were taught by the men who God had chosen, the Prophets, Jesus and his disciples.
Christians should be those who keep to the Word of God, like Jesus did, and who remembered everything Jesus and his followers told and observe the traditions just the way the apostles passed them on to us.
“but the word of the Lord stands for ever.” {Isaiah 40:6-8} And this is the word that was preached to you.” (1 Peter 1:25 NIV)
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV)
“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings {Or traditions} we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 NIV)
“I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings, {Or traditions} just as I passed them on to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2 NIV)
Do you want to be a as “Follower of Jesus, part of a cult, or a Christian”?
Be a follower of the real Jesus of Nazareth who was known as the son of men and the son of God.
Christadelphians or Brothers in Christ, do follow Jesus and accept him for what he did and still does for us, as mediator between God and men.
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Dutch version / Nederlandse versie: Volger van Jezus lid van een secte of een Christen
Cult or True Religion (wordsonsergebenhayon.wordpress.com)
“…if you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps ‘the’ religion; and if you do not care one way or another about it, it is a sect; but if you fear and hate it, it is a cult.” Leo Pfeffer.
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The Roman Catholic Church for example has been around ever since Constantine. He was a Roman emperor who used Christianity, which was a small cult at the time, as a means to impose his belief systems on the bishops; so he promulgated the council of Nicaea and thereby gained control of the populus. Now, over 1500 years later, people in Catholic churches today still recite the creed set down by Constantine.
Many people question the Catholic Church and other religions, seeing them as some of the biggest cults in the World today: they are viewed by many as man-made constructs which have the potential to lead millions of people astray. Religion in its current form has become divisive due to it’s many man-made and dualistic doctrines which continue to divide, separate and cause wars.
Billy Graham’s group removes Mormon cult reference from website after Romney meeting (religion.blogs.cnn.com)
Shortly after Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney enjoyed cookies and soft drinks with the Rev. Billy Graham and his son Franklin Graham on Thursday at the elder Graham’s mountaintop retreat, a reference to Mormonism as a cult was scrubbed from the website of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Billy Graham site removes Mormon ‘cult’ reference after Romney meeting
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The removal of the post from the Graham group’s website was first noted by the New Civil Rights Movement website and then later by the Asheville Citizen-Times, which reported that the information on cults was accessed as recently as Thursday afternoon.
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When asked about Graham’s beliefs about Mormonism, Graham spokesman A. Larry Ross said in a statement that “Through an inclusive evangelistic ministry spanning more than 60 years, Mr. Graham was called to preach the transformative message of the Gospel to the whole world, regardless of one’s religious background, affiliation or none. As such, he never proselytized, targeted or labeled specific people, groups, faiths or denominations.
Defining Christianity (reneland.wordpress.com)
Simply put a Christian is someone who believes in Jesus Christ.
The Whore of Babylon? (inpursuitofhappiness.wordpress.com)
Baal-vs-The “Catholic” God
Billy Graham’s Truce with Mormonism; Scrubs Cult Reference (crooksandliars.com)
The Christian right has cried uncle and issued a truce on Mormons to try and help elect Mitt Romney.
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During the Values Voter Summit in October, sponsored in part by the influential Family Research Council and the American Family Association, it caused quite a stir when Pastor Robert Jeffress, after introducing Rick Perry as a genuine Christian, called Mormonism a cult.
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Christian political operatives are willing to throw away any trace of their contempt for Mormonism during the election cycle. This shows how much hatred they have for the left. They’d rather help elect a ‘cultist’ to the highest office in the land rather than stick to their alleged principles. Typically sickening.
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To distinguish between a cult and a religion is to distinguish between influence and impotence. Both are, in fact, spawns of a smarmy fakery.
Why converting Muslims is taboo in the Catholic Church (catholicherald.co.uk)
What are they talking about at the Synod for Evangelisation? This article by Sandro Magister tells us that the Bishops have broached the taboo subject of conversions from Islam to Christianity. It makes interesting reading, despite the rather ponderous translation, (read the original here ) and I was particularly struck by this section of it, which I beg readers to consider carefully:
“The Muslims do not see the difference between Christians and Westerners, because they do not distinguish, themselves, between what is religious and what is political and social. What precedes the Westerners is perceived by the Muslims as preceding the Christians. Now, Western behaviour, especially on the cultural and political level and in a general way, harms the religious and national sensitivity of the Muslims, their values, their ethics and their culture. Consequentially, this forms an obstacle to their openness to Christianity and to their possible evangelisation.”
Billy Graham: Mormonism No Cult (orthodoxyandheterodoxy.org)
Sociologists of religion use cult to refer to a religious group that does not regard itself as exclusively true yet has negative relations with the surrounding society. Those two factors—exclusivity and societal relations—form the basis for sociological definition of religions into four kinds of groups: church (exclusive with good relations), denomination (inclusive with good relations), sect (exclusive with bad relations) and cult (inclusive with bad relations). Yet almost no one uses these terms in the way sociologists of religion use them.
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I think what is really meant by cult in most modern Evangelical parlance is “bad/weird religious group.” And of course perhaps such a definition is right in its own way.
Grahams tighten Romney ties (newsobserver.com)
The election-year embrace of Mitt Romney by some evangelical Christians now borders on a bear hug, given a series of moves by Billy Graham and his family that appear to say it’s OK to vote for a Mormon.
Jesus has given us life-breath. He had only a little three years to go around in the area where he could come, around his habitat. Distances in his time took many hours to travel. Today we can be somewhere far away in a couple of minutes or just a few hours. What took days for the apostles to go somewhere, takes only a few hours today. but today we do hear more excuses than in Jesus time about having no time to teach others about the Kingdom of God or to have others to learn the Bible.
Travelling Master
To get others to know the Bible we do not have to go far. We even can do it from our home, today. We have marvellous tools which brings us very easily much further than the doorstep. Jehovah Witnesses for a long time took it for granted it was the best way to reach people by bothering them at any moment of the day, ringing the bell and talking to them at the doorstep. But it seems that they today, also have found the modern means of the computer and internet. On the internet they now seem to have opened up and present more literature to the general public. Which is nice, because they also have very good literature, which can bring many more people to God.
Kingdomhall in Essen
But, we should not let them do all the work, and let them get people in their Kingdom hall, while we have other thoughts of which we are sure they are also valuable for the people and leaving them more free. We should get others to know that there are other places of worship where honest God loving people can come together as a congregation.They may offer over there Theocratic Ministry School with a common global curriculum and nest to the weekly services with Watchtower-study they also may offer Pioneer Service School for full-time preachers, and the Kingdom Ministry School for elders and ministerial servants. The Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah Witnesses should be known as the only sort of kingdom hall the world offers good Bible teaching and worship to the One and Only God.
We should be more conscious that we also have a lot to offer to the unbelievers and those looking for the Truth. We Can offer the Truth, but than we may not stay in our little cocoon of our armchair at home. We should get off our ass and do something.
It is more than high time that more people would come out of their house and take up the task Jesus has given them.
Worldly and spiritual works
Jesus, in his three years of preaching, has spend a lot of breath, getting people to see the importance of getting to know his Father, JehovahGod. He also spend a lot of words on getting others to know the Gospel of the Good News, of the coming Kingdom of God. In his time he could find many people interested in him and gasping at his wonders, which he did in the name of his Father.
Interior of a Kingdom hall of Jehovah Witnesses, which could be identical as one of the meeting rooms of Christadelphians
All-right, it is true that our worldly works on their own shall not bring us far and it is not only by the works of the law that we shall be sanctified. Grace has come over us by the offer Jesus brought, but we should remember that without works our faith serves to nothing, because without works the faith is dead. We need the faith to be able to survive, and to be counted righteous we shall have to prove that we are worthy of the grace God has given to all.
Even if we would be Jewish by birth, not sinners from other ethnic backgrounds, we would know that people are not declared to be righteous by obeying sectarian law , but by faith in JeshuaMessiah. All those who call themselves Christians should not only believed in Jeshua, whom they mostly call Jesus Christ. They should know that in order to be declared righteous by faith in the Messiah, and not by sectarian law they also should live accordingly to the Will and Law of God. Jesus has spoken about that many times and has given many parables of what could happen if we do not confirm to the Laws of God. Though no human being will be declared righteous by obeying sectarian law, if we, while trying to be declared righteous by the Messiah, have also been found to be sinners ourselves, it does not mean that Jeshua Messiah is a of sin.
Words and Jesus living in us
Every Christian should take care to die to the Torah, so that he can live for YHVH/JHWH the Elohim Jehovah God. Sin in us should be crucified with the Messiah. From now on it is no longer us who live, but the Messiah who lives in us, and the mortal life we have lived before we became Christians may still be a live that can come onto an end in this world, but it should be a life full of hope by faith in God’s Son who loved us and gave himself for us. We do not disregard the compassion of Jehovah. Because if righteousness is attainable through sectarian law, then the Messiah died for nothing.
For as many as are of works of Torah are under the curse, for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all that has been written in the book of the Torah, to do them.” And that no one is declared right by Torah before Elohim is clear, for “The righteous shall live by belief.” And the Torah is not of belief, but “The man who does them shall live by them.” Messiah redeemed us from the curse of the Torah, having become a curse for us – for it has been written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree.”1 – Footnote: 1Dt. 21:23. in order that the blessing of Abmight come upon the nations in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, to receive the promise of the Spirit through belief. (Galatians 3:10-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
And we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in the Torah, so that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world come under judgment before Elohim. Therefore by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah is the knowledge of sin.1 Footnote: 1Ex. 20:20, Rom. 4:15, Rom. 7:7. But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets, and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim, being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע {Jeshua}. (Romans 3:19-26 The Scriptures 1998+)
“We, Yehudby nature, and not of the gentiles, sinners, knowing that a man is not declared right by works of Torah, but through belief in יהושע {Jeshua} Messiah, even we have believed in Messiah יהושע {Jeshua}, in order to be declared right by belief in Messiah and not by works of Torah, because by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right. “And if, while seeking to be declared right by Messiah, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Messiah then a servant of sin? Let it not be! “For if I rebuild what I once overthrew, I establish myself a transgressor. “For through Torah I died to Torah,1 in order to live to Elohim. Footnote: 1See Rom. 7. “I have been impaled with Messiah, and I no longer live, but Messiah lives in me.1 And that which I now live in the flesh I live by belief in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Footnote: 1Rom. 8:10, 2 Cor. 6:16, 2 Cor. 13:5, Eph. 3:17, Col. 1:27, 1 John 4:4. “I do not set aside the favour of Elohim, for if righteousness is through Torah, then Messiah died for naught.”
(Galatians 2:15-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
Honouring the Names
We may not blaspheme the honourable name that we bear and that we can only do when we fulfil the Torah of Jehovah, the God Most High. And to help us God has given His Word in the Holy Scriptures, for generations to bear and hear. Lots of Christians do seem to forget that it is written in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible which we consider the inspired and infallible Word of God, that whoever obeys the whole Torah, yet fails in one point is guilty of violating the whole Torah! Yes it sounds hard, and it is reality.
But it is also for that reason that Jesus has given his body and blood as an Offer-lamb to his Father, so that we may be purified by his blood. But his death at the stake does not give us the permission to live like we would like and to go on living a frivolous and sinful live. Having been baptised we are cleansed and received a new start. But we should live up to it. From our transformation and baptism onwards we should speak and act like people who are going to be judged by the Torah of liberty.
Faith and works
Faith Without Works is Dead.
What is the use, Friends, if a man says, “I have faith”, but he doesn’t have any works? Can his faith resurrect him to Life?
If you truly accomplish the sovereign law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself,” you do well, but if you show partiality, you commit sin, being found guilty by the Torah as transgressors. For whoever shall guard all the Torah, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of Torah. So speak and so do as those who are to be judged by a Torah of freedom.1 Footnote: 1See 1:25, and John 8:32-36. For the judgment is without compassion to the one who has shown no compassion. And compassion boasts over judgment. My brothers, what use is it for anyone to say he has belief but does not have works? This belief is unable to save him. (James 2:8-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
Many people when they saw Jesus recognized him and his apostles. So the people hurried there by land from all the surrounding cities, arriving ahead of them to be sure to have a place where they could be close to him and hear all what he had to tell. Wherever Jesus came he began to teach the people around him many things. He taught them many things by analogies.
And He began to teach again by the sea, and a large crowd was gathered to Him, so that He entered into a boat, to sit in the sea. And all the crowd was on the land facing the sea. And He taught them much in parables, … (Mark 4:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)
And He went away from there and came to His own country, and His taught ones followed Him. And Sabbath having come, He began to teach in the congregation. And many who heard Him were astonished, saying, “Where did He get all this? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such miracles are done through His hands? (Mark 6:1-2 The Scriptures 1998+)
And having gone out, יהושע {Jeshua} saw a large crowd and was moved with compassion for them because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. And He began to teach them many matters. (Mark 6:34 The Scriptures 1998+)
Jesus had learned everything from his Father. We also can learn a lot from this Father, because as Jesus read the Torah and knew it very well, we can read the Torah and further Holy Scriptures, study them, and try to understand them. Listening carefully to all the words in the Holy Scripture we shall be able to hear the Voice of God. The Bible writers worked for the Highest Author, the ElohimHashem, whose name is Jehovah, the God of gods. Jesus is his son and showed us the way to follow. We also should try to hear everything what Jesus has to tell us. Christ his words are written down in the New Testament. that Bible Book is available in many languages, so we should not have any excuse that it would be in a language we could not try to understand.
Listening and opening up the mind
If we are willing to listen to Christ and God’s Words, we shall feel their breath over our lives. We shall feel that they want to be with us and if we are willing to open up our minds to what the Word of God is saying we shall hear more clearly what those words really meant in their time and what they mean in our time.
Hearing the call of Jesus to go out to preach so that the Word of God shall be know all over the world, we should be aware of this important task and take steps to do this, and not leaving it alone to the Jehovah Witnesses.
As they show the world their love for the Word of God, all Christians should do that. In the love of Christ they will continue to grow with precise knowledge and spiritual insight, but they shall have to react according the knowledge they receive. By studying regularly the Word of God the Bible reader shall be able to recognize what is genuine, and be pure and blameless in the Day of the Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through JeshuaMessiah, to the splendor and praise of Jehovah.
Grace was said before the barbeque was served at the Pie Town, New Mexico Fair (LOC) (Photo credit: The Library of Congress)
Heralding
Reading the Bible the reader should feel God’s Breath and be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit to become driven by the Good News and willing to share it by as many people as possible. Friends in the service of our Master should have courage to go out and to speak God’s Message fearlessly and bolder than ever.
Some actually herald out of envy and rivalry, but others do it out of good will and in the love of the Messiah, knowing that Jesus and his apostles have been appointed to defend the Good News. But those who herald the Messiah from motives of rivalry and selfish ambition are attempting to cause distress. But either way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is heralded and that is what Christians should bear on their heart.
We who would like to be honest Christians and go through life as Brothers and sisters in Christ, should love the work for the Lord and expect that no brother or sister will ever have anything to be ashamed of, but with resolute boldness will continue, now as always, to exalt the Messiah in our body, either by my our or by our death. Because for us, living should be for the Messiah, and if we die, we still ‘win’.
“Go back to your house, and relate what Elohim has done for you.” And he went away proclaiming through all the city what יהושע {Jeshua } did for him. (Luke 8:39 The Scriptures 1998+)
For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Master until He comes. (1 Corinthians 11:26 The Scriptures 1998+)
And this I pray, that your love might extend more and more in knowledge and all discernment, for you to examine the matters that differ, in order to be sincere, and not stumbling, until the day of Messiah, being filled with the fruit of righteousness,1 through יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, to the esteem and praise of Elohim. Footnote: 1Mt. 3:8-10, Rom. 6:22, Rom. 14:17, 2 Cor. 9:10, Eph. 5:9, Gal. 5:22, Col. 1:10, Heb. 12:11, Jam. 3:18. And I wish you to know, brothers, that what has befallen me has turned out for the advancement of the Good News, so that it has become known to all the palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Messiah; and most of the brothers, trusting in the Master because of my chains, are much more bold to fearlessly speak the word. Some indeed proclaim Messiah even from envy and strife, but some also out of pleasure – the former announce Messiah from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to add distress to my chains, but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defence of the Good News. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Messiah is announced. And in this I rejoice, in fact, I shall rejoice. For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of יהושע {Jeshua } Messiah, according to my intense longing and anticipation that I shall not be ashamed at all, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Messiah shall be made great in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Messiah, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:9-21 The Scriptures 1998+)
No Postponing
Please do not wait until tomorrow. Do not postpone.
You can form a study group so that you are not alone and can develop long lasting Christian friendships. You can host Biblestudies on your blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc. It is also not bad to write devotions on a blog, for another blog, or even write a ebook containing a collection of devotions. If you do not know where to place them or do not want to start your own blog, try sharing them on blogs from others so that the blog can become a bigger platform, where like minded people can meet and others can find more information and more impressions about the Word of God.
There are also various ways online to host a class or workshop. For those who do work in the community already, it is only a small effort to share the preparation work with others on the net. But you also may consider of conducting a class to teach lessons just like Sunday School on the net. You can invite people to your virtual classroom and allow them to interact, give handouts, and even record your lesson.
Preaching all over the world
All those who call themselves Christian should try to do what Jesus did. They should try to get the message across through scriptures, testimonies, prayers, songs, video’s and so on.
Growing up in the love of Christ, you should feel his breath in and aspiring you. With growing years of Bible study knowledge you should be getting to know enough to be able to share, even if it was a minimum of knowledge. Those who have a gift of writing and/or teaching should use those gifts to enlighten and encourage others, around them, in their community, parish, village, town, at work on their blog or webpages.
So, do not hesitate and use your breath to proclaim Christ Jesus and show the world how it can become more peaceful, and how people who love God can find a better life in the future.
Christ and the Good News of the Gospel should be preached all over the world and then the end can come. We all should be witnesses unto Jesus, like the apostles had to be both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
“But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim, and in all Yehudand Shomeron, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 The Scriptures 1998+)
“You know what word came to be throughout all Yehuḏah, beginning from Galil after the immersion which Yoḥanan proclaimed: how Elohim did anoint יהושע {Jeshua } of Natsareth with the Set-apart Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for Elohim was with Him. “And we are witnesses of all He did, both in the country of the Yehudand in Yerushalayim, whom they even killed by hanging on a timber. “Elohim raised up this One on the third day, and let Him be seen, not to all the people, but to witnesses, those having been chosen before by Elohim – to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. “And He commanded us to proclaim to the people, and to witness that it is He who was appointed by Elohim to be Judge of the living and the dead. {1 Footnote: 1 See 17:31, John 5:29, Ps. 96:13, Ps. 98:9, Rev. 19:11. }“To this One all the prophets bear witness, that through His Name, everyone believing in Him does receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:37-43 The Scriptures 1998+)
“And he said, ‘The Elohim of our fathers has appointed you to know His desire, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear the voice from His mouth. ‘Because you shall be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. ‘And now, why do you delay? Rise up, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on the Name of יהוה.’ (Acts 22:14-16 The Scriptures 1998+)
“But he who shall have endured to the end shall be saved.1 Footnote:1See 10:22. “And this Good News of the reign shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come. (Matthew 24:13-14 The Scriptures 1998+)
Jehovah’s Witness community mourns Whitney Heichel (oregonlive.com)
The gathering included references to scriptures that might lend comfort in a time of crisis, said a congregational elder, but wasn’t materially different from a regular service.It was Saturday that emotions ran high, when the congregation mourned for Heichel at an impromptu gathering at the hall. Jehovah’s Witnesses from Gresham, Portland, Sandy, and Washington met there, said Jim Vaughn, a family spokesman and one of nine elders who lead Heichel’s congregation.
My Willing Spirit (peaceandbeauty.wordpress.com)
Like Bruno, profiled in the July 15 Watchtower as one of those who offered themselves willingly in Ecuador, I want my service to Jehovah to be not dull, but filled with a variety of activities in service to him.
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Jehovah blesses a willing spirit. I am willing and I have no doubt that he will eventually bless my desire to widen further out to visit and help preach in many other territories as well as to contribute in various other ways to his global organization and to this fascinating, never-to-be-repeated work of making disciples and all that encompasses!
My Jehovah’s Witness Weekend Showdown! (brandimbaldwin.com)
It was a gang of them (yes I said gang….they were wearing all black too, lol j/k). About 8 or 10 walking in 90-degree weather with black wool suits, full-length dresses, and Bibles in tow (I’m being a little silly). The girls thought we were playing a fun game of “freeze” or something…After a moment or so I said, “hurry up!” and we all ran up the steps and into the house. I hoped no one spotted us. I turned the tv on, set the girls up with snacks, and as soon as….and I mean As Soon As I sat down on the couch the doorbell rang!
Ten Years Behind A Bible, My Life in the Jehovah’s Witnesses (personal) (everything2.com)
I’d begun reading the Bible at the age of about ten, and the more I read (and re-read), the more disappointed I became in the state of mainstream Christian churches. So, having strayed from the Anglican Church and spent some time skirting around Christianity, I decided to look at some of the “primitive Christian” groups. I admit that I’d shied away from JWs – Dad was very opposed to them, and after a while I dug down and got his reasons. Turns out that after his father died, a cousin of his (who was a Witness) expressed her view that he wasn’t going to Heaven after all (only 144,000 were destined for that reward). She was blackballedby the family, and for many years, Dad would not even mention her name.+
Life as a JW is more than just knocking on doors, it’s about attending meetings. There are five of them (or were, maybe things have changed in the past twenty years). Firstly, there are two back-to-back meetings, usually on a Sunday. One is a public talk, given by an appointed and approved member of the congregation (although visiting elders often give this talk). The talk must be based on an approved outline, and audience members are encouraged to look up any Bible references. This is followed by the study of an article in a Watchtower magazine. Someone is appointed to read each paragraph, and an elder asks questions printed as footnotes. Audience members then answer the question. rinse repeat. Again, subtle brainwashing – over time, verbalising the approved answers has each individual “make the Truth their own”.On a side note, as if this were not enough, family heads (read “men”) are encouraged to sit and study the articles beforehand with their families, even assigning answers for each family member. Junior members are not excluded, even the wee ones are involved in this process.
It takes a village to build a kingdom (gosanangelo.com)
Several years ago, the four congregations of the Jehovah’s Witnesses cq in San Angelo had a dream of building a new Kingdom Hall.
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Known formally as the Salon Del Reino De Los Testigos De Jehova/the Kingdom Hall of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, it sits on three acres across from Shannon Health System’s St. John’s Campus and next door to the Quicksand Golf Course.
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The Kingdom Hall was built in less than three weeks, thanks to hundreds of volunteers who descended on the work site as part of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Regional Building Committee. People came from Abilene, Odessa, Borger, Alpine, Lubbock and Amarillo, as well as parts of New Mexico and Oklahoma, working with members of the local congregations.
Jehovah’s Witnesses convention kicks off on high note (observer.org.sz)
“The Bible’s depth is much deeper than any other tool we could ever come across. It provides every detail and leaves no questions raised.”
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Despite the damp and cold weather conditions, about 3 500 people including both adults and children attended the morning session. These thousands of people were not discouraged by the weather as they continued to follow and listen attentively throughout the programme.
In the world we may find atheists, believers in all sorts of gods, and believers of all sorts of denominations in the one they call the Only OneGod.
Are those who think they believe in Jesus to be God, or those who think Jehovah being God the only righteous? They should know better, because according to the Gospel of the Apostles there is no one righteous, not even one, there is no one who understands, there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness, not even one.
Ruin and misery are in the paths of this contemporary world. A world where we can see that there is no fear of God.
Some may think the world is going ‘berserk’ because the Judeo-Christian world is not taken serious, as being the only civilisation able to bring forth inventions ans wealth. But they should be aware that God allowed all people to leave on this earth, and that many of them, also those who do not believe, are able to do good works, and able to think and handle the right way, because all men are created in the likeness of God.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For no one is declared righteous before Him by the works of the law, for through the law comes the knowledge of sin. And that should make us think more. Being aware what evil really is. Believing in Christ or God does not make us a more important person than somebody who does not believe at all, or does believe something different than us. For there is no distinction, for all have sinnedand fall short of the glory of God.
English: Reading of the Torah, Aish Synagogue, Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
But the good thing about accepting Christ and believing in all the works he and his Father did is that we can become justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Those who accepted Christ as their Saviour and are willing to read the Holy Scriptures, learning from them, may be blessed when they make work of it to live according those Words of God. Though we shall not be able to be without sin, our sins can be forgiven, when do have regret of what we did wrong and when we also can forgive those who sinned against us. Many their lawless deeds are forgiven, and many their sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will never count sin.
(1) What then is the advantage of the Yehudor what is the value of the circumcision?
(2) Much in every way! Because firstly indeed, that they were entrusted with the Words of Elohim.1 Footnote: 1See 2:20.
(3) For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief nullify the trustworthiness of Elohim?
(4) Let it not be! But let Elohim be true, and every man a liar, as it has been written, “That You should be declared right in Your words, and prevail in Your judging.”
(5) But if our unrighteousness establishes the righteousness of Elohim, what shall we say? Is Elohim unrighteous who is inflicting wrath? I speak as a man.
(6) Let it not be! Otherwise how shall Elohim judge the world?
(7) For if the truth of Elohim has increased through my lie, to His esteem, why am I also still judged as a sinner?
(8) And why not say, “Let us do evil so that the good might come”? – as we are wrongly accused and as some claim that we say. Their judgment is in the right.
(9) What then? Are we better than they? Not at all, for we have previously accused both Yehudand Greeks that they are all under sin.
(10) As it has been written, “There is none righteous, no, not one!
(11) “There is no one who is understanding, there is none who is seeking Elohim.
(12) “They all have turned aside, they have together become worthless. There is none who does good, no, not one.”
(13) “Their throat is an open tomb, with their tongues they have deceived,” “The poison of adders is under their lips,”
(14) “Whose mouth is filled with cursing and bitterness.”
(15) “Their feet are swift to shed blood,
(16) ruin and wretchedness are in their ways,
(17) and the way of peace they have not known.”
(18) “There is no fear of Elohim before their eyes.”
(19) And we know that whatever the Torah says, it says to those who are in the Torah, so that every mouth might be stopped, and all the world come under judgment before Elohim.
(20) Therefore by works of Torah no flesh shall be declared right before Him, for by the Torah is the knowledge of sin.1 Footnote: 1Ex. 20:20, Rom. 4:15, Rom. 7:7.
(21) But now, apart from the Torah, a righteousness of Elohim has been revealed, being witnessed by the Torah and the Prophets,
(22) and the righteousness of Elohim is through belief in יהושע Messiah to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference,
(23) for all have sinned and fall short of the esteem of Elohim,
(24) being declared right, without paying, by His favour through the redemption which is in Messiah יהושע ,
(25) whom Elohim set forth as an atonement, through belief in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His tolerance Elohim had passed over the sins that had taken place before,
(26) to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He is righteous and declares righteous the one who has belief in יהושע .
(27) Where, then, is the boasting? It is shut out. By what Torah? Of works? No, but by the Torah of belief.
(28) For we reckon that a man is declared right by belief without works of Torah.
(29) Or is He the Elohim of the Yehudonly, and not also of the gentiles? Yea, of the gentiles also,
(30) since it is one Elohim who shall declare right the circumcised by belief and the uncircumcised through belief.
(31) Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, we establish the Torah.1 Footnote: 1See 7:12.
(1) What, then, shall we say Abour father, to have found, according to the flesh?
(2) For if Abwas declared right by works, he has ground for boasting, but not before Elohim.
(3) For what does the Scripture say? “Abbelieved Elohim, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”1 Footnote: 1Gen. 15:6, Gen. 17:1 and 26:5.
(4) And to him who is working, the reward is not reckoned as a favour but as a debt.
(5) And to him who is not working but believes on Him who is declaring right the wicked, his belief is reckoned for righteousness,
(6) even as Dawidalso says of the blessedness of the man to whom Elohim reckons righteousness without works:
(7) “Blessed are those whose lawlessnesses are forgiven, and whose sins are covered,
(8) blessed is the man to whom יהוה shall by no means reckon sin.”
(9) Is this blessing then upon the circumcised only, or also upon the uncircumcised? For we affirm: Belief was reckoned unto Abfor righteousness.
(10) How then was it reckoned? Being in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
(11) And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the belief while in uncircumcision, for him to be a father of all those believing through uncircumcision, for righteousness to be reckoned to them also,
(12) and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the belief which our father Abhad in uncircumcision.
(13) For the promise that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abor to his seed through the Torah, but through a righteousness of belief.
(14) For if those who are of the Torah are heirs, belief has been made useless, and the promise has been nullified,
(15) for the Torah works out wrath, for where there is no Torah there is no transgression.
(16) On account of this it is of belief, that it be according to favour, for the promise to be made certain to all the seed, not only to those who are of the Torah, but also to those who are of the belief of Abwho is father of us all –
(17) as it has been written, “I have made you a father of many nations” – in the presence of Him whom he believed, even Elohim, who gives life to the dead and calls that which does not exist as existing,
(18) who against all expectation did believe, in expectation, so that he should become father of many nations, according to what was said, “So shall your seed be.”
(19) And not having grown weak in belief, he did not consider his own body, already dead, being about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb,
(20) he did not hesitate about the promise of Elohim through unbelief, but was strengthened in belief, giving esteem to Elohim,
(21) and being completely persuaded that what He had promised He was also able to do.
(22) Therefore also “it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”
(23) And not because of him alone was it written that it was reckoned to him,
(24) but also because of us, to whom it shall be reckoned, to us who believe in Him who raised up יהושע our Master from the dead,
(25) who was delivered up because of our trespasses, and was raised for us to be declared right.
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Related articles
We Have Been Reconciled – Day 4 (christlikeministriesnwa.wordpress.com)
The book of Romans provides much of the basic principles, and what we know as “foundational truths”. What are “foundational truths”? These are the core beliefs that all Christians ought to have…just like when constructing any kind of building the first thing that needs to be built is the foundation. Once you have a foundation laid then you can begin to construct whatever the building is.
Proper Judgment (conversationinfaith.wordpress.com)
Usually we think of this story as one that helps us think about the relationship between sin and judgment.We are all sinners and that knowledge ought to temper our judgment of others.
Class Notes: The Jewish Experience: During the Biblical Years by Dr Raymond Gannon @ Beth Yachad (paradoxparables.justparadox.com)
Adonai desires that all should come to repentance, everyone everywhere, to worship in spirit and truth. He says I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.
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Circumcision was a nation recognition that the house of Israel belongs to G-d to walk in holiness and purity.
One of the Pilgrims to the New World was the Wightman family. Edward Wightman (Burbage, December 20, 1566 – April 11, 1612) has the rather unenvied distinction of being the last of the religious martyrs in England to be burned at the stake. He was a Separatist (the same religion as the Mayflower passengers followed), which did not go over well with the Church of England, the only accepted religion of England back in the early 1600′s.
Edward Wightman born at Wykin Hall, Burbage, near Hinckley, was most likely as it happened in te 16° Century, baptised, as most infants were christened. He went to Burton Grammar School, served an apprenticeship as a woolen draper in the town of Shrewsbury and entered the clothiers business of his mother’s family. In 1593 he married Frances Darbye of Hinckley and settled in Burton.
Featley correctly notes the several sorts of “anabaptists” that existed in the 1640s
Edward Wightman was a person who wanted to know God and wanted to serve Him how God wanted it, and not how the State wanted the people to worship. He became very interested in the ideas of the anabaptists and became a minister of the local Baptist Church.
Martin Luther‘s view of the “soul sleep” interested him and by going through the Bible several times he got a more clear view. It seems that he must have been a very important religious and well-respected public figure, because in 1596 he was chosen as one of the leaders assigned to the investigation of demonic possession by 13 year old Thomas Darling. His involvement in the Darling case proved a turning point in his life, making him entirely amenable to the possibility of unmediated spiritual intervention. Darling claimed not just to be possessed by the devil, but engaged in a series of ‘spiritual wars’ in which both demonic and angelic voices were said to emanate from him:
“As I know at this present for a certainty, that I have the spirit of God within me: so do I with the like certainty believe, that in my dialogues with Satan, when I [quoted] sundry places of scripture, to withstand the temptations he assaulted me with: I had the spirit of God in me, and by that spirit resisted Satan at those times, by [quoting] the scriptures to confound him.” (S. Harsnett, A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practices of John Darrel, London, 1599, p 290.)
When you think that there are fallen angels who are devils, they would need a place to reside. When they hoover over the earth and try to catch people in their nets, others could see the damage those devils do to people. Would it be right when somebody else brings some one into doing the wrong things and when he got caught would be punished, but afterwards when he got his earthy penalty, once more he would have to die for his sins, and than again he would receive an third punishment, going into purgatory or in hell. But when people already spoke out the punishment on earth and afterwards fallen angels decided to get that person in their living quarters to be put to torture once more, what or whom had Christ Jesus than to judge when he would come back?
When people were wrung with anguish at lifetime with fear of the possibility to go to purgatory or in the worst case to hell to be tortured for ever, going into that doomplace for ever Jesus would not be able to get them out and would not have to judge them any more, because they were already judged and and sentenced on earth and in hell.
Wightman came more to the understanding of the mortality of the soul, adopting the “soul sleep” view of Martin Luther. In one of his early public messages he preached that “the soul of man dies with the body and participates not either of the joys of Heaven or the pains of Hell, until the general Day of Judgment, but rested with the body until then.”
He also got to see that this judge after Armageddon was going to sit next to his father, who was the Most High God. Also afterwards Jesus was going to hand over the Kingdom of God to His Father. So for Wightman there were too many signs in the Bible that Jesus Christ is not perfect God and of the same substance, eternity and majesty with the Father in respect of the Godhead.
Having now the Bible in his own mother-tongue he could find many answers to his questions about the person Jesus, his Father and the Holy Spirit. He came to the conclusion that the ‘Person’ of the Holy Ghost is not God co-equal, co-eternal and co-essential with the Father, who is One God, and the Son who is son of man.
His ideas
THAT the (Nicene and Athanasian) creeds are the heresies of the Nicolaitans
THAT the soul doth sleep in the sleep of the first death as well as the body and is mortal, and that the soul of the Lord Jesus Christ did sleep in that sleep of death as well as his body
THAT the souls of the elect saints departed are not members of the triumphant church in heaven
where not liked by the rulers and where notated in the Royal Writ from King James I sent to the Bishop of Lichfield in 1612 ordering his arrest and execution.
Wightman was fully aware of the king’s firmly orthodox stance, yet he set about to combat both his State and Church. Of the handful of fragments of his defence treatise that have survived, he refers to the doctrine and “heresies of the Nicolaitan;… most of all hated and abhorred of God himself … the common received faith contained in those three inventions of man, commonly called the Three Creeds … the [Apostles’], Nicene and Athanasius Creed, which faith within these 1600 years past hath prevailed in the world.” (Bodleian Library, ms Ashmole, A True Relation of the Commissions and Warrants for the Condemnation and Burning of Bartholomew Legate and Thomas Withman, 1521 B, 7, 1a–1b, London, 1651, p. 8.)
For many Christians it was “heresy” and the teachings of this radical where an atrocity to the common goods and values.
There had come into existence different orthodox groups, but Wightman had by now isolated himself from all the others, by his so weird ideas, calling into question many tenets of orthodox belief. For most people not baptised persons where from the devil and could not come before God but landed straight into hell when they died. So it was considered a horrendous act not to baptize the infants. For Wightman it was an abominable custom to keep doing the practice of the Sacraments as they were used in the Church of England. Those so called Sacraments according to Christ his Institution are totally against the teachings of Christ and not conform the practices of the first Christians. for him it was clear that “only the sacrament of baptism is to be administered in water to converts of sufficient age of understanding converted from infidelity to the faith”.
In Belgium many preachers of the baptism at a later age had been prosecuted. But they had also been killed for a teaching that looked even more horrible and is often today considered as totally out of bounds. There was a great public rejection of Trinitarianism. It was presumably on these points that he so vehemently rejected the formulae of the Nicene Creed of 325 and the subsequent ‘Athanasius’ Creed of 381. (Both of the Creeds had been structured primarily as responses to Arian denials of the Trinity. And like the Arians of the 4th century, Wightman flatly denied them.)
Following the words of the Bible, he could not find any grounds to believe in such Trinity which was never mentioned in the Holy Scriptures. After reading the Bible over and over again he could only come to the conclusion that the doctrine of the Trinity was a total fabrication. Following the essence of the Bible he got to see the true value of Jesus his actions. Only by being a man it all makes sense, having generations waiting such a long time, before the Messiah came to deliver them. Now he could understand why it took such a long time before there was somebody who could live up to the difficult standards of purity. All being descendants of the first sinners, everybody, also Jesus, as a man, had to fight against the temptations, while God even cannot be tempted. Stating that Christ was only a man “and a mere Creature and not both God and man in one person… [Although this did not mean that Christ was a man like all others but] only a perfect man without sin.” was considered over the top. (Bodleian Library, ms Ashmole, A True Relation of the Commissions, p 5.)
He also argued the Old Testament priesthood being abolished and now all Christians are in the priesthood. He also argued the Ecclesia is the church and not the “steeplehouse”, and may meet anywhere. for him it was clear that preaching goes before baptism and that the Church of England is not a church of God. For him the church of Christ was and is the only church, and hence, not a denomination.
He got to see and preached that men have free-will, not only in natural and moral, but also in spiritual actions, that man has freedom to choose or reject God’s Grace whereby they may be saved (through baptism by immersion, after repentance and confession)
There was no choice to put him on the stake on ‘Ordinance for the Punishment of Blasphemies and Heresies’, “principally those of the triune God, the resurrection, the last judgment, and that the Bible is the Word of God…relapse is to be punished as felony with death without benefit of clergy.”
But like many believers at the continent, who preferred to believe that the Bible is the Word of God and can explain everything, and that we should listen to that word and not as such to the Word of the Church, made that the power of the Church was undermined. Therefore those who preached such things should have been done away with. It was unacceptable that people would listen more to what is written in the Bible than what the Church predicated.
That Christianity is not wholly professed and preached in the Church of England, was much over the borderline and therefore, with the for them heretical teachings this unorthodoxy had to be called to an end, before he could get more converts.
The time he was living in was an age where it was dangerous to disagree with church teachings. And yet, the reason why Wightman believed different things was because he read the Bible and came to the conclusion that church doctrines were not taught in the pages of Holy Scripture. His will to hold vast to the teachings of the Bible, like many at the continent, brought that he was confronted with the investigation about his beliefs and with the punishment to die at the stake.
On the appointed date, Edward Wightman was taken to the stake, tied up, and set on fire. Immediately he started screaming and shouting out unintelligible words. For some strange reason, the townsfolk and the sheriffs got it into their heads that he was recanting his religious beliefs, so they quickly doused out the flames, untied him and cooled him off.
Burning at Stake
Once released, he continued to preach his heresies even more strongly than before, so a few days later they tied him back to the stake, and this time burned him to ashes, in Lichfield Market Place on 11th April 1612, where a plaque still commemorates his status as “the last person in England so to die”. Narrowly edging out another accused anti-Trinitarian and heretic, Bartholomew Legate, burned in London three weeks earlier. History has marked him as a heretic, but perhaps he should be remembered simply because he read his Bible for himself.
To Edward Wightman, it mattered what you believed. It wasn’t enough to agree with the priest, every man had a duty to find the Bible Truth out for himself, and then to stand up for it. Such an attitude is quite rare today, but the Christadelphians are among those who firmly base their beliefs on the Bible and no other authority. In fact, we would agree with Wightman on all of the above statements which were taken into the accusation.
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Burton Library is hosting a talk about Edward Wightman on Monday 17th September, where Dr Ian Atherton of Keele University will speak on the subject ‘Edward Wightman: The Burton Heretic’. Tickets cost £3.50 or £3.00 for library members, and are available at the library or on 01283 239556. This talk is not affiliated to the Christadelphians.
Burton – Square in Lichfield next to Saint Mary’s church were the fire was lit under Edward Wightman of Burton-on-Trent
We’ll be heading to England this summer (2010), so I decided it might be fun to trace an ancestor back to the town where he or she originated and pay the town a visit. I broke out the genealogical charts my mother made and began the search. The Pryor line currently peters out in 1818, still in America, so I turned to other family charts.
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The story begins with James I, king of England, a monarch who considered himself a learned scholar of theology. (He had been dubbed “The wisest fool in Christendom”) He was the eldest son of Mary Queen of Scots, the very same Mary who was beheaded by order of Elizabeth I for “Treason”, which really meant she was a threat to the throne. Mary had strong Catholic support in Scotland, England and abroad, while Elizabeth was backed by protestants.
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Edward Wightman was a devout and passionate man. Obstinate was a word sometimes used to describe him. He was a Baptist minister and a successful businessman. The late 16th century was a highly superstitious time throughout most of the western world and it was generally accepted by scholars and clergy alike that things like witches and demonic possession really, truely existed.
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Edward was returned to the jail, where he was presented with documentation to sign recanting his heretical views. Edward carefully read them over, but surprised everyone by refusing to sign them. They gave him a few days to recover and then presented the documents to him again. He again refused to sign, despite the fact they assured him they would complete the burning next time. This went on for three weeks, which would seem to indicated they really didn’t relish the idea of burning a man alive and wanted to provide every opportunity to prevent it.
Finally, on April 11th 1612, he was taken back to the public square:
“[Wightman] was carried again to the stake where feeling the heat of the fire he again would have recanted, but for all his crying the sheriff told him he should cost him no more and commanded faggots to be set to him whence roaring, he was burned to ashes.”
It is said that to his last breath he died blaspheming.
Edward Wightman of Burton-on-Trent the last person to be executed by burning at the stake for heresy in England in 1612.
1612 Last Heretic – Edward Wightman The first day of the trial was held on November 19, 1611. On the second day of the trial on November 26, the crowd was so large that the trial had to be moved to the larger space of the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin. On December 5, Edward was brought before the court for his final appearance. Throughout the trial, Edward did not attempt to defend himself. Instead, he attempted to educate them on the righteousness and intellectual rigor of his arguments, ‘clarifying’ the court’s conception of his heresies.
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Seeing that heresy still survived with a number of religious radicals still emerging, King James I lost faith in burning heretics. After the case of Edward Wightman, it was decided that those found guilty of heresy should instead silently and privately waste away in prison rather than excite others with a public execution.
It was not until 1677 that an act of Parliament expressly forbade the burning of heretics, securing once and for all, Wightman’s dubious position in history as ‘The last person in England to be burned at the stake for heresy’.
Wigthman Families International
The authorities began to take an interest in the outspoken Wightman, particularly when he denounced the Trinity as false, and claimed he was the Messiah. Yet he continued to preach unmolested — until, foolishly, he presented a petition to King James I last year, in which he expounded his belief.
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Wightman’s story is a strange and tragic one, particularly for the family he has left behind. For many years he ran a successful mercer’s business in Burton-on-Trent, and lived happily with his wife and small son.
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The Wightman Family has a long history of family associations. Extensive research has been done in the past, several books have been written, and more recently many web sites have been established.
+ The Family Name
Jesus went to Hell and so will We (fredswolfe.wordpress.com)
If you have read my book or Ecclesiastes you will know that there is no memory, or thinking or imagination or any brain activity at all, in the grave “wither thou goest!”
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No matter what version of the Bible you choose to use, when we die we all go to the same place where there is no awareness that we are even dead. Jesus Christ tasted death just like we will, with one exception: we will rot away.
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Here you can see how Hades, Sheol and Hell are used interchangeably. These words have nothing to do with the Lake of Fire, which was used figuratively of the dump burning outside of Jerusalem.
+ The Question of Hell? (fredswolfe.wordpress.com)
Atrocity (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
Speechless. First, it presumes Satan reads pentebabbleist books and second that he has any concern with pentebabbleist parents. Why would he? They’re already on his side with their false doctrine, their ‘theology of glory’ (in Luther’s terminology), and their nonsensical sub-Christian spiritualism (not spirituality).
Religion and Politics Hmmmm (charliecountryboy.wordpress.com)
Why is it that people say, “No politics and no religion”. The most interesting, controversial topics in the universe and they don’t want to talk about them. This comment is usually followed by, “They’re boring.”
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the only schools that will have their religious education removed are Protestant, you try to take it away from the Catholics, Muslims and Jews and see what happens.
+ jessicaembarlow says: I agree with religion in schools, I’m not religious but I think those classes could be used for teaching kids about various religions around the world so they’re not ignorant as well as some sort of spiritual classes etc instead of ditching them altogether.
+ exceedingspeed says: I believe people are their politics and have learned that is why disagreements can become so heated and personal. As to religion in schools, presenting the world’s religions as a lens for understanding diversity and tolerance is a good thing. Unfortunately, it is the people, not the practice, that tend to become dogmatic. But, I liked the Children’s Lives of the Saints which is actually pretty gruesome.
+ buddyhell says: I can remember a time when you could walk into a pub find a sign that said “No politics. No religion”. The thing is, you won’t get this sort of attitude on the continent. If you walk into a bar in France or Germany, you will always find people talking about politics and religion (mainly politics). But then, politics in Britain was once the sole preserve of the aristocracy and landed gentry and for that reason, many people feel alienated from the political system. Then there’s the aftermath of Culloden, when it was forbidden to sing Jacobite songs (there were English Jacobites too). Politics is never boring. The feminists of the 1970s coined a very useful phrase, ” The personal is political”.
The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, chairman of the Church’s board of education, signalled a new move to promote religion through its schools.
He told the Church’s General Synod meeting in York that plans are being drawn up to overhaul the entire curriculum to reflect the Christian foundation “in every part”. He also called for clergy to be trained to maximise their use of schools to extend the church’s “mission”.
Prayer in Fear and Horror of Death and Hell. (Luther) (deprofundisclamaviadtedomine.wordpress.com)
Dear Lord Christ, even though I have not fulfilled the law, and even though sin still very much remains within me, and I am afraid of death and hell–I still know this from the Gospel, that You have given me all Your works as a free gift.
In Belgium the “Roman Catholic Church” has dominated for years and brought in a lot of tradition, though many based on the old Celtic traditions. To be able to win more souls Catholic Church has always been very handy to adopt many of the local traditions and insert them in their local liturgy. Because of that you can notice lots of differences between a Holy Mass done in Western Europa, Africa or Asia.
In many Belgian houses it has been the tradition to put onto the walls a cross, to keep away the demons out of the house. According to the choice or taste of the person it could be a very old fashion cross or a modern one, an empty piece of wood or metal, or a cross with a figure on it. The Mosaic Law prohibits any pictures of God and warns Gods people not to pray to any figurines, statues or any pictures of gods. The Catholics and many Christians do say Christ Jesus is God and use painting and statues of this god to pray to. This being agains the Law of God, written in the Holy Scriptures.
Jesus Christ Crucifix (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Enter the Church that preaches “Christ crucified” (1 Corinthians 1:23). For Catholics, the crucifix (the cross that is not empty, but has the figure of the crucified saviour upon it) is everywhere – it’s around many believers necks, hanging in their living, kitchen, bedroom, in their schools and even in some offices. Often it is central in their churches, but most importantly, for Catholics it should be emblazoned upon their hearts.
Some priests or pastors would like to recommend gazing upon the crucifix from time to time – because according to them it is a reminder of the love of God for us, but even more importantly, it re-centers the soul upon him whom it should be focused on as much as possible. They do forget that our first focus should be on the Creator of all things, God our heavenly Father and the Father of Jesus Christ.
Putting up a crucifix on the wall is like putting a picture of the most beloved son car-wreck in which he died. When you would have a beloved who died in car-crash or on a ship, would you put photos of the wrecked ship/car everywhere in the house? Would you put a picture on the walls of the human wreck? Several Christians do like to remember Christ Jesus that way, as an awful person full of agony, hanging lost, to die. Instead of heaving pictures of his resurrection they do prefer to present all the suffering. For them those pictures seem to be the only way how they can remember the offering Jesus has given the world. The cruelty and brutality has to be pictured to be taken up in the mind of the believers and to be accepted as something cruel which had to happen to save the world.
For many the crucifix can cause even the most hardened soul to contemplate things it may not wish to contemplate. It is like otherwise they are not able to see their Saviour upon the stake, dying for all the world out of love. It seems that otherwise they would not be able to see in it their redemption and his limitless love for us. They want to take it as the only true symbol that can ground them, and remind them of what their central focus should be.
Many people do light a candle before one’s crucifix, and kneel in prayer before it. They speak to Christ upon the cross in prayer, contemplate his wounds that he suffered for them, and come to the realization of how very much indeed he loves them. It is a pity that they can not come to the understanding of the big offer Jesus brought for them, without such a visual heathen picture and heathen actions.
They should remember that concerning things sacrificed to idols, pictures or statues Christians should know that they should have enough knowledge to know better. They have learned that offerings to statues does not bring anything better or worse to them or others.
Christians should also know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; yet to them there should be only one God, the Father, of whom are all things are. Also we should be of this Father as we should be in Christ like Christ was in God, we unto Jeshua the Messiah whom we have as our master; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.
“1 now about food sacrificed to idols: we know that, as you say, “we all have knowledge.” yes, that is so, but “knowledge” puffs a person up with pride; whereas love builds up. 2 the person who thinks he “knows” something doesn’t yet know in the way he ought to know. 3 however, if someone loves god, god knows him. 4 so, as for eating food sacrificed to idols, we “know” that, as you say, “an idol has no real existence in the world, and there is only one god.” 5 for even if there are so-called “gods,” either in heaven or on earth—as in fact there are “gods” and “lords” galore— 6 yet for us there is one god, the father, from whom all things come and for whom we exist; and one lord, Yeshua the Messiah, through whom were created all things and through whom we have our being. 7 but not everyone has this knowledge. moreover, some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat food which has been sacrificed to them, they think of it as really affected by the idol; and their consciences, being weak, are thus defiled.” (1 Corinthians 8:1-7 CJB)
Like the people in the time before Christ were not allowed to make unto them a graven image, nor the likeness of any form that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, we should not use any image to pray for or to use in our worship. We only should worship the Only One God, not having to have any picture or statue to remind of Him or His son. The memory of the son and the memory of the Most High should be engraved in our heart.
“you are not to make for yourselves a carved image or any kind of representation of anything in heaven above, on the earth beneath or in the water below the shoreline.” (Exodus 20:4 CJB)
In case Jesus would be God then surely those Christians who believe that, should put away all images of Christ Jesus away and not burn candles in front of it or kneel down in front of it, because that would be blasphemy in the eyes of the Lord.
English: The icon was painted by artist Nicholas Morosoff in 1935 at the request of Bishop Wedgwood for the St Francis Church in Tekels Park, Camberley, and hangs above its main altar. Courtesy Liberal Catholic Church of St Francis of Assisi. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Long ago, images and icons were beaten to pieces. There were people who rightly assumed that no effigies could be there to worship. The destruction of the property of others was wrong. But if we ourselves have such pictures or images in the house, we must be careful that we do not pray or use them to worship. there should be a clear separation of the icon as art or as a religious object.
Do you have a crucifix hanging on the wall? How to proceed there? What do you do with it?
The Greatest Moment in History (iseekhim.com)
“The crucifix is a sign that Jesus’ greatest moment in the world was when people thought He was defeated. The crucifix points to the greatest moment in history.”
Why One Should Gaze Upon the Crucifix Often… | Ascending Mount Carmel (amhec.wordpress.com)
Growing up as a Seventh-Day Adventist, the crucifix was an entirely Catholic thing – over there somewhere, buried amongst the many evils and frightening aspects of the Babylonian aggressor that was viewed as the “Roman Catholic Church”.
Jon Kay: Dear Ms. Marois, does my chai pendant count as a banned ‘religious sign’? (fullcomment.nationalpost.com)
As Graeme Hamilton reported this week, PQ leader Pauline Marois is promising Quebecers a “Charter of Secularism” that would prevent public-sector workers from brandishing “conspicuous religious signs.” But she is employing a rather selective definition of “conspicuous” here. Crosses and crucifixes — like the big one that hangs in Quebec’s National Assembly — would be exempt; while Muslim headscarfs, Jewish yarmulkes and Sikh kirpans would be verboten.
If you ask me, the law would be a lot more clear if the word “conspicuous” were simply replaced with “ethnic.” Ms. Marois is just fine with religion per se. It’s the kind that comes with an accent and a suntan she doesn’t like.
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here’s the devilish part: Even the cross and the crucifix — the non-ethnic religious symbols that Ms. Marois likes because they’ve “allowed the Quebec people to survive on American soil” — can be problematic.
That’s because, as this web pageshows us, the familiar Christian symbol comes in a bewildering number of variations. And some, I hate to inform Ms. Marois, are brandished primarily by immigrants.
Christ Crucified(samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com)J. C. Rylereminds us that the church cannot be the Church unless the doctrine of the cross is central in its teaching:+Whenever a Church keeps back Christ crucified, or puts anything whatever in that foremost place which Christ crucified should always have, from that moment a Church ceases to be useful. Without Christ crucified in her pulpits, a church is little better than a cumberer of the ground, a dead carcass, a well without water, a barren fig tree, a sleeping watchman, a silent trumpet, a speechless witness, an ambassador without terms of peace, a messenger without tidings, a lighthouse without fire, a stumbling-block to weak believers, a comfort to infidels, a hot-bed for formalism, a joy to the devil, and an offence to God. (“The Cross of Christ”)
Canada’s Own Little Racist Secret (zwingliusredivivus.wordpress.com)
Attention public servants: turbans, kippahs and hijabs will not be allowed in the workplace under a Parti Québecois government, but by all means, sport that crucifix, as long as it’s not too ostentatious. The party hoping to form the next government Sept. 4 tried to expand on its contradictory plan to protect Quebec values during a campaign stop Tuesday in Trois Rivières.“We don’t have to apologize for who we are,” said PQ leader Pauline Marois, while saying the so-called charter of secularism would be adopted as soon as they come to power. “We are one of the most tolerant and open people on the planet, but we want our values, such as equality between the sexes, respected by everyone.”
Get thee hence, Satan:
for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve.
— Matthew 4:10
DURING the forty days in the wilderness our Lord (Jesus) had come to see that the dominion of earth could be attained only through great suffering.
He was weak from his long fast, and all the details of prophecy were before his mind.
He saw himself as a lamb dumb before his shearers;
as the serpent lifted up in the wilderness. Satan’s suggestion was a temptation, but after consideration he saw that Satan was asking him to violate his covenant
— to go contrary to God’s will.
Immediately he answered,
“Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written,
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and him only shalt thou serve.”
Then the devil left the Lord, finding nothing to work upon
— so loyal was Jesus to the Word of Jehovah.
Afterwards the angels came and ministered unto him.
—Z. 1912-262 (Hymn 200)
Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God (Photo credit: Jim Barter)
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Related articles
Temptation.. (alookintomymind.wordpress.com)
There are many things on this natural earth that tempts us. We come from a falling world. Our flesh dies daily. The question is “Are you strong enough to resist those temptations?”
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Three times Jesus replied to satan. In all three times he stated “It is written.” He was quoting scripture here.+
When you are being tempted, can you quote scriptures to satan and stand your position as a Son of God? ..bodly cast him and all his evil spirits away from you and renew your mind to what promises you hold as a Son of God.
Nourished by the Word (loopyloo305.com)
And thou shalt remember all the way which theLord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
Exodus 24-25 (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
And he said unto Moses, Come up unto Jehovah, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near Jehovah: but they shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him.
It Is Written – Sunday Devotional (blackanddarknight.wordpress.com)
The written word is also used as evidence – everything spoken in court is written down, certain documents must always be signed.Satan didn’t take this into account when he twisted the 91st Psalmas he tempted Jesus to jump from the temple.
In Belgium there shall be the elections for the communities, bringing new mayors, but this year probably also with a vote over the political situation in the whole country. In the United States of America they are not going to look for a new mayor or governor, it is the presidential candidate who shall be on the lips of everybody.
In the Old World as well as in the New World we see similar conditions, people taken for a ride by the banks, taken in by the money-market. Many people being sold not just to pull the wool over their eyes.
In many so called civilised countries, we see not only that capitalism has blinded many people but brought them so far that they are not afraid to fool the others or to bring out a lot of lies enabling them to make more money and to enjoy life themselves at the costs of others.
Muslim Newspaper
Several inhabitants of those industrialised Western countries or States are proud of their birthplace and take pride that they can live in a Judeo Christian culture. But they have really become afraid for their Judeo Christian values. Lots on the inhabitants want to blame the rising Islam and point their finger to the many Muslim who seem to grow like fungi.
Friends and values
In Judeo-Christian values and liberty we mentioned already the problem of people being confronted with the loss of values which were a few years ago of high esteem. Many generations were brought up with values which were nourished as the most important in the family. People cherished their children and loved those who took care that their family could live in a good environment. Many also had high hopes and had the intention of making something good of the family and of the world.
It was found to be a pleasure to bask in some ones love. And friendship was considered as something special.
Today ‘friends’ has become a word that does not seem to mean much. On the social network-sites, like Facebook, people look like they have many ‘friends’, but often it are even less than real acquaintances. Worse is it about the relation in the family itself. Many children can not tell their friends they have one father and one mother. Often they even do not consider it normal that their friends are still living in a happy first married family. Kids, after a few years, go home from school to ask their parents when they are going to behave like normal parents and are going to divorce. Divorcing has become the normal norm is this society. And that has nothing to do with Muslim traditions taking over the world. In such families they do still know the bond of the family.
About telling a lie, we notice that has become come grounds for all sorts of people, of all sorts of religions or secular groups. Lots of people do not mind to lie in his teeth till they are black. To be a fibber has become ‘cool’ and the way to get a place in the community. Many people have come in power by using their words in an other way than the words at first would imply. Many also do like it to hang with their ears at the moth of those storytellers. Rather to be ‘befriended’ than to be considered as a looser or ‘unbeliever’ of those fairytale-masters. Best to be the directors pet or the blue-eyed boy, than the one who is considered as the milksop. No one wants to look as the spoilsport, but several people who want to keep on to certain values are considered as the chickens. though their blanket may stay clean it is being considered the wet blanket, while others who wet their blanket literally do not mind to use the women as usable objects. For this we, yesterday could once more see, like a few weeks ago, that it were North African people living in Belgium who clearly found it not a problem that they went after the girls on the street, because women are just a lust object. Many of the white European men population have been eager to take over this idea, but also many Caucasian women do not mind to take men as their play toy.
We shall not dispute that a lot has also come this way because, while previously generations were brought up by the Word of God, being told about good and bad, heaven and hell, being told to go to mass and worship, while honouring father and mother. Those teaching of the catechism or the teachings of the Sunday school do not exist any more, or when they are still present or available at a denomination, not many are interested in it.
Learning and teaching
A few decennia ago the Christian teachings perhaps could be a huge success, today that’s a different kettle of fish. The horse of a different colour is that everybody finds it balderdash or twaddle to spend time in Old Books or spending time talking about spiritual things and about uncertainties. Nobody wants to stand for fool by outing himself to believe in something which many have long time ago swept it under the carpet.
Many find it pathetic people still want to believe in things which were said so many millennia ago. The death a a man twenty centuries ago is something not to be spoken any more, when there are now so much funnier things to talk off.
Years ago some people could still think they could come off by being a good Christian, but today most of the citizens think they are only able to manage when they can join the successful world by becoming totally part of it, integrated in the world of fashion and stuffed shirts.
English: Map of the Muslim Population by Percentage in the World (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Lots of people do want to blame others for their problems of for the things going wrong in the world. The Muslim world has become the group to blame now while a few decennia ago many Christians blamed the Jews, and did not find it bad to get rid of them for ever by burning their bodies literally.
More than two centuries ago many people noticed the Old World already getting no good place to bring up their children. They learned from the Bible, the Word of God, that in case it became so bad and people did not want to listen to them, it was better to put on the shoes and go to other places. Many oppressed people did not want to wait until it became worse. They thought a lot and spoke with many friends before they decided to go and look for their luck in other unknown countries. They risked their lives to escape the country were power of certain Christian denomination forced such laws and believes on them they could not agree with.
Those people where familiar with the writings of the apostlePaul who wrote: “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” And some of them knew the book of Jasher in which was spoken about the fear we do had to have for God. In such Holy books they had learn that in such places were there was no fear for God it could be not nice to stay and not the right place to live. so why would they sojourn in places were nobody was interested in what they had to tell about what they had learned from the Holy Scriptures?
Jasher 4:3 And Methuselah acted uprightly in the sight of God, as his father Enoch had taught him, and he likewise during the whole of his life taught the sons of men wisdom, knowledge and the fear of God, and he did not turn from the good way either to the right or to the left.
Jasher 15:4 And Abram said to his wife Sarai, Since God has created thee with such a beautiful countenance, I am afraid of the Egyptians lest they should slay me and take thee away, for the fear of God is not in these places.
Living with Fear, every day
Jasher 32:57 And God put fear and kindness toward Jacob in the hearts of the men that came with Esau, and they also kissed Jacob and embraced him.
Jasher 34:59 And Judah said unto Simeon and Levi, and unto all his brothers, Strengthen yourselves and be sons of valour, for the Lord our God is with us, do not fear them.
Jasher 43:41 And Jacob took the beast from the hands of his sons, and he cried out with a loud and weeping voice, holding the beast in his hand, and he spoke with a bitter heart unto the beast, Why didst thou devour my son Joseph, and how didst thou have no fear of the God of the earth, or of my trouble for my son Joseph?
Jasher 47:8 Now therefore my son, teach thy children and thy children’s children to fear the Lord, and to go in the good way which will please the Lord thy God, for if you keep the ways of the Lord and his statutes the Lord will also keep unto you his covenant with Abraham, and will do well with you and your seed all the days.
Jasher 55:3 And Jacob said within himself, I will go and see my son whether the fear of his God is yet in his heart amidst all the inhabitants of Egypt.
Jasher 63:8 And in order to know the signs and mighty wonders which the Lord would do in Egypt on account of his people Israel, in order that the children of Israel might fear the Lord God of their ancestors, and walk in all his ways, they and their seed after them all the days.
In early times of this era it was noticed in Protevangelion 8:3 “and when she was twelve years of age, the priests met in a council, and said, behold, Mary is twelve years of age; what shall we do with her, for fear lest the holy place of the lord our God should be defiled?” Protevangelion 8:14 “then the high-priest replied, Joseph, fear the lord thy God, and remember how God dealt with Dathan, Korah, and Abiram, how the earth opened and swallowed them up, because of their contradiction.
Protevangelion 8:15 now therefore, Joseph, fear God, lest the like things should happen in your family.
Fear, hope, liberty and love
It is because many people do not fear God, who can bring hope, liberty and love, any more that many things do come over their family. It is not because God loving people do warn them that they went astray and have to return to God that they and their country are falling to pieces.
Paul and Thecla warned (4:7) on this account, God sent his sonJesus Christ, whom I preach, and in whom I instruct men to place their hopes, as that person who only had such compassion on the deluded world, that it might not, O governor, be condemned, but have faith, the fear of God, the knowledge of religion, and the love of truth.
In case the men in the several countries where capitalism got the ruling position, would remember that the real value of life would be to go for the gold of the Words of God, and giving themselves in the hand of the only mediator between God and men (Jesus/Jeshua), they surely would find it easier to find the real treasures of life.
To continue with Paul who did find his colleagues believers who were kind to one to another without grudging; being ready to every good work, and being adorned with a conversation altogether virtuous and religious, because they did all things in the fear of God; whose commandments were written upon the tables of their heart. (1 Corinthians 1:15)
Today we do not find many who have the Words of God written onto their hearts, or even in their mind to think about them.
The same as in the early centuries after the death of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, righteousness and peace are departed from many people, because every one of them has forsaken the fear of God; and is grown blind in his faith; nor walked by the rule of God’s commandmentsnor lived as is fitting in Christ (1 Corinthians 2:4)
We all should remember that we are tenants of this world, which God has given to all his creation. Because of man having doubted the right of His Power, He has given the power in the hands of men. Paul knew as we should know that God has given the cities into the hands of those who think they can manage the world; for the fear of them is fallen upon all that dwell therein. (1 Corinthians 6:8)
For those who know God and do like God, they have had all the time to share their ideas with others, and they also had and still have time to let their charity be with respect of persons, alike towards all such as religiously fear God. They can let them learn how great a power humility has with God; how much a pure and holy charity avails with him; how excellent and great his fear is; and how it will save all such as turn to him with holiness in a pure mind. (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)
Double talk and Being Afraid for the right person
Who are Christians following? Who are the real Christians?
They, who believe in God, do know that He knows everything which goes on in the heart, but they are also aware that the actions of believers as well as of non-believers are seen and heard by God; therefore we better fear Him instead of being afraid of ordinary humans, who live now but who shall face the death at a certain moment in their life. At that moment they shall not be able to do anything any more against us. Therefore let us not fear men: but rather God. Wherefore, if we should do such wicked things as many around do and think are the way modern people should do, we shall have to face the judge after life and though we could have considered ourselves Christian and being part of Christ, joined unto the Lord, but not keeping Gods commandments, He would cast this person off, and say unto him: “depart from me; I know not whence you are, ye workers of iniquity.” (1 Corinthians 10:13; 13:1; 2 Corinthians 2:15)
Barnabas wrote to the community to become spiritual, “a perfect temple to God. As much as in us lies let us meditate upon the fear of God: and strive to the utmost of our power to keep his commandments; that we may rejoice in his righteous judgments.” (3:12) and he warned them ” thou shalt not be double-minded, or double tongued; for a double tongue is the snare of death. Thou shalt be subject unto the lord and to inferior masters as to the representatives of God, in fear and reverence.” (Barnabas 14:14 )
It is this double talk that is killing more our general community. It is the dishonesty in talking and handling which brings so many people in difficulties, and not the Muslims who came into our countries and saw how people had gone far from God, so they could not do anything else than to detest their way of life.
Those foreigners and people from other cultures should not have to be bitter in the commands towards any of their servants and co-habitants that trust in God. Still many Muslim fear God, though also a lot went there in a wrong direction and started more to fear people who misuse the name of God, or falsely say that they speak in the Name of God. those Muslims fearing certain Muslim organisations should know better, like Christians should do. They should chance not to fear Him, Allah, God the Only One Elohim Hashem, who is over both.
In case there are some organisations or people who say they can speak in the name of God, all who would like to follow them should investigate if they really live and act according the Laws of God, and follow the Words of God. They should check if those people could really be prepared by the Holy Spirit (= the Power of God). Whomsoever the Spirit had prepared would and should be a person who does not commit idolatry, does not show confidence in the wrong way to his own benefit, puts away pride of power, hypocrisy, double-mindedness, adultery, murder, rapine, pride, transgression, deceit, malice, arrogance, witchcraft, covetousness, and the want of the fear of God. Not having fear of God, does not agree with knowing the Full Power of the Almighty God.
In Commands Hermas we do find «command VII.» “fear God, says he, and keep his commandments. for if thou keepest his commandments thou shalt be powerful in every work, and all thy works shall be excellent. for by fearing God, thou shalt do every thing well.” (Commands Hermas 8:1)
When people got to know that when they fear God they shall be able to live when they do keep His commandments.
“wherefore, fear God and thou shalt live: and whosoever shall fear him, and keep his commandments, their life is with the lord. but they who keep them not, neither is life in them.” (Commands Hermas 8:6 )
“but they that have the fear of the lord, and search out the truth concerning God, having all their thoughts towards the lord; apprehend whatsoever is said to them, and forthwith understand it, because they have the fear of the lord in them.” (Commands Hermas 11:13 )
Reading the right Books
The only way to get to know Gods Commandments is by reading the Holy Scriptures. In case you notice that there are many wrong goings in this world, you probably have already some idea of what would be right or wrong. Without knowledge of good and bad there can not be any judgement over evil and goodness. It is possible that people do notice and even know from the inside that something is not as it should, but do not mind to continue to handle or live that way or to let it happen, because it suits them or they do find it very convenient.
It is that way of feeling at ease with certain situations that brought us down. It is the allowance of so many wrong things that brought the decline of our society. Not Muslims or other believers entering our domain, which in our greediness we prefer to keep to our self, instead of sharing it in love with others. Often it are the evil desires that are the food of our thoughts to go in a certain way in this world.
Pleasures of Life
Instead of so loving the Lord God with all our passion and prayer and intelligence and energy, many of us became loving the pleasures of life and the pleasures of wealth. Many tell others they are such and such person, or believe this or that, but they takes pleasure in foolish gabble. Several call themselves Christian and say that God is their Father, but hey really do not honour Him. Many of them have forgotten that Gods want their full attention as well as their full devotion. they also forget that Jehovah God wants actions by words. When you tell God you’ll do something, do it — now. So if YHWH, Jehovah or Yahweh is their Father, where’s the honour? If The AlmightyCreator of heaven and earth is their Master, where’s the respect? (Mark 12:30; Proverbs 23:26 ; Ecclesiastes 5:4 ; Ecclesiastes 5:5; Malachi 1:6)
Which God?
Jehovah = the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, but also of Jesus
Jews, Christians and Muslims have the God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, as their God, often also as the God of their father and mother. They both claim that Allah, Yahuwah, whose name is Jehovah shall be judge between them as He was in the time of Jacob and by by the fear of his father Isaac. They both also know Joseph who said that he feared God. (Genesis 42:18; 50:19)
Three prophets
An other problem in this world, which was foretold by the prophets, is that a lot of people do not fear their parents and teachers any more. Several Jews and Muslims try to get this patriarchal rule going and demand that there is also taken one day a week especially to honour God. But when you look into the world were they say they have the best civilisation because they are Christians and do keep to the commandments of God, where can you find them keeping Gods sabbaths. In those communities we notice that here is also not much respect or honour for the old man. Also do we find governments who want to rule over others with rigor and where it is allowed to oppress one another, and people can be excused to do certain crimes (working and handling on the black market is often justified because the governments are demanding to much they say; petty crimes and small lies are allowed for the good of ‘the’ cause, etc.)
“3 Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father; and ye shall keep my sabbaths: I am Jehovah your God. 4 Turn ye not unto {1} idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am Jehovah your God. {1) Heb [things of nought]} 5 And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow: and if aught remain until the third day, it shall be burnt with fire. 7 And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination; it shall not be accepted: 8 but every one that eateth it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the holy thing of Jehovah: and that soul shall be cut off from his people. 9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. 10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am Jehovah your God. 11 Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another. 12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of thy God: I am Jehovah. 13 Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him: the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. 14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind; but thou shalt fear thy God: I am Jehovah. 15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. 16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbor: I am Jehovah. 17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people; but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am Jehovah. 19 Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with two kinds of seed: neither shall there come upon thee a garment of two kinds of stuff mingled together. 20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to a husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; {1} they shall be punished; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free. {1) Heb [there shall be inquisition]} 21 And he shall bring his trespass-offering unto Jehovah, unto the door of the tent of meeting, even a ram for a trespass-offering. 22 And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass-offering before Jehovah for his sin which he hath sinned: and the sin which he hath sinned shall be forgiven him. 23 And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as their uncircumcision: three years shall they be as uncircumcised unto you; it shall not be eaten. 24 But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy, for giving praise unto Jehovah. 25 And in the fifth year shall ye eat of the fruit thereof, that it may yield unto you the increase thereof: I am Jehovah your God. 26 Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantments, nor practise augury. 27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am Jehovah. 29 Profane not thy daughter, to make her a harlot; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of {1} wickedness. {1) Or [enormity]}” (Leviticus 19:3-29 ASV)
Idols and things to love
How many persons have not turned to idols, either form the music, television, film, entertainment or sports world? How many persons do not find it most important to get as much possible out of a piece of land, and to use all the upbringing to sell wherever they can to most high price, other-while it can be thrown away better than to give it to the poor?
How many do not find it so wrong to take something home from work, or do not find it so bad to steal something when they have the opportunity, defending themselves that the other person should not be so stupid to let it happen or to give the opportunity to become tempted. Has it not come to a sport for many to deal falsely and not to tell the full truth to others, even to lie one to another, or misusing them and others. Though God wants us to stay honest to our partner, how many do not have other lovers at work or at the sports field?
II (The Presidents of the United States of America album) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
How many do not find it al right that their children experiment with drugs and sex, though they should know that God does not like it that daughters would be used as a prostitute or that there could be something to cause her to be a whore. Dancings have become places to make a sport of conquering a new target, once more an other person to have some good sex with, and leave him or her behind for whatever he or she may be, just as an object to have communal enjoyment.
Instead of looking for the problems in that sort of life, many do want to put the blame on those strangers sojourning with them in their land, though god clearly demanded not to vex such people. But the stranger that dwells with us should be to us as one born among us, and we should love him or her as ourself; for our ancestors were also strangers in the land of Egypt. We do have to be careful to do no unrighteousness in judgement, in length, in weight, or in measure. (Leviticus 19:33-35)
It is so easy to blame other for the wrong going of our civilisation.
One of the Sates which is so proud and in which many think they are the only superstate with the right way of living and the best way of life, brought forth a Catholic president (John F. Kennedy), a Baptist president (Jimmy Carter), a “born-again” president (George W. Bush) and this year, Mormons got all excited that they can go out and elect a Mormon president. For decades, they have been trading Democrats for Republicans, Republicans for Democrats, liberals for conservatives, and conservatives for liberals, and nothing has changed–except the problems kept getting worse, while many did not even notice it until 9/11, when they suddenly got to blame all the Muslim world for their ‘shit’ they were in (to use their own words.)!
Democracy, dignity and achievements
Ian de Silva may think he is living in the only state which was able to come to superhuman achievements, but that is doing violence against historic facts. He is wrongly convinced that there is not a single non-Western culture that indigenously produced a great democracy which continues to attract people from all over the world, because none of those cultures has ever produced a human-rights instrument as powerful as the Declaration or the Constitution.
Marcus Ampe in Christian values and voting not just a game let some rays of light shine on the misconception and the danger of the proud white population their supremacy. Though we as Christians recognise the ability of a lot of courageous people to leave the Old World to try to make a totally New World in the concept of a ‘for God worthy’ country. In that New World many of them got confronted with a sort of people they did not understand, nor their language, nor their habits, and because of the different cultures clashing a lot of blood was shed.
Tamuz, Nimrod and Semiramis or the Holy Trinity
Today lots of Americans do believe the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, because it was written by white men from a Judeo-Christian ethos, the country they founded has become the most egalitarian nation in the world, a refuge for men and women of all races and religions. Though you can wonder how far they would like to go in their acceptance of other thinkers and other religions. Often we notice that it is much easier for them to accept persons who totally have some other believes than those who have similar, but still some important different believes, when they call themselves Christian. For example is it for many Americans impossible to live together with such people who call themselves Christian, because they follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (the Nazarene Jew Jeshua), but only believe in One God and not in the Holy Trinity. For a lot of Americans it is even impossible to accept that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, was a Jew, because they consider him to be a Christian being killed by the Jews. Some even would say ‘horrible ‘ Jews, showing still their hate for that race, which according to the Bible is and shall be for ever, the People of God. (They seem to forget.)
Many Western people think it was the Judeo-Christian view of the human being, that gave the West its hospitals, charities and the language of the ”rights” of the weak. For them there does not seem as yet, an alternative narrative that can guarantee the inherent dignity of all, regardless of capacities. They argue that Ancient Greece and Rome, the cultures against which Christianity first competed, had little by way of philosophical reasoning that could guarantee the inherent worth of those lacking rational capacity or social utility. So infanticide was common and social welfare for the aged and dying was virtually non-existent, but that is totally incorrect to the facts of human history. In many non-believing communities there was already the dignity to take care of the elder and the sick, so much more than we can find today in those so called Christian countries, were many put the sick and elderly away in foster homes. In many industrialist states, those who are not found useful, for the society, are put away so that the population does not want to be confronted by them (mentally and physically handicapped.).
Yale’s great philosopher-theologian Nicholas Wolterstorff in his book “Justice: Rights and Wrongs” argues that a rational justification for treating humans as ”inestimably precious”, regardless of capacities, can only be found in a theistic framework. Only if the abandoned infant on the hills of ancient Rome or the estranged resident in a Sydney dementia unit is created in the image of God, can we secure an intellectual basis for treating both individuals with the same dignity we afford society’s most able.
In case that would be the truth, those Christians should better react swiftly accordingly. But also when this is not the truth, the Christians would better think about what Jesus had to tell the world. Jesus was a man who had the right to speak in the name of his Father, God, and who knew what it was not to be liked and to be scourged and spit at. Torture was not strange to him, and before it came so far he was aware of what was going to wait for him. But even in case he would not have known he told others not to oppress one another; but to fear his Father, which should be also our God:, as it was and is his God, the Most High.
Proud and downfall
The son of god knew very well his Scriptures and has probably also knew other theological writings, like Sirach 28:22 were is written: ” It shall not have rule over them that fear God, neither shall they be burned with the flame thereof.” In the many parables or stories Jesus told the people in the Middle East, he let them know how God was a loving Father, but one who demanded honesty and fidelity. As other believers in God had written, like Sirach, Jesus warned the onlookers not to exalt themselves, because this could bring the downfall. When we look at the United States this is perhaps which might be happening like in so many countries of the Capitalist world is happening. In many countries of the so called civilised world, who thought they had the best juridical and most democratic system we notice that many people do bring dishonour upon their soul, and so God discovers their secrets, and shall cast them down in the midst of the congregation, because they came not in truth to the fear of the Lord, but because of their heart is full of deceit. ( Sirach 1:30)
Even Jeshua or Jesus does not know when the Time of the End shall come
Those who know their Scriptures shall remember how God more than once changed the spirit of the king or ruler into mildness or made him more angry because the people had not listened to the advice of God, given by his prophets. One way or the other, until the Time of the End, people shall have to find systems to be able to live together. Until the return of Jesus God allows them to look for a good system to live with each other and to make the best of the world. But at the end all nations shall turn, and fear the Lord God truly, and shall bury their idols. (Tobit 14:6 ) and every one shall get to know that they had to fear the Lord of Lord of lords, the Elohim Hashem, Jehovah, the One and OnlyOne God, who shall deliver all His followers out of the hand of all their enemies. (2 Kings 17:39 )
Wherefore now we should, as Christians, let the fear of the Lord be upon us; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Jehovah, the Lord of Lord of Lords, our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts or bribes. (2 Chronicles 19:7 ) As many people in ancient times have been in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous, we should find enough reasons in that to be willing to learn to know what exactly this Lord of Lord of the lords wants from His flock. To be able to become in Christ we also should listen to his words and should recognise that he wanted that we got to know his Father. To get to know the father of Jesus we do have His letters or words brought to us by His chosen and appointed special writers and prophets. By getting to know what God told us we shall be able to find better ways of living. We shall be able to transform under the guidance God gives us in His Word, notated in the Holy Scriptures, the Bible. By reading more in those words we shall be able to come closer to God and by willing to praise His word, in God we shall be able to put our trust; not having to fear what flesh can do to us.
“In God (I will praise his word), In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid; What can flesh do unto me?” (Psalms 56:4 ASV)
Those reading the Gospel shall get to know Christ Jesus and how he loved his Father. As such they shall learn to become eager to know even more about this special Father, who is willing to be our Father as well. This interest shall make it that not only the New Testament shall be looked at, but that ther shall come a sincere interest in the Old Testament, so that the words of God can enter the soul more.
In the end, when we follow Jesus we shall get to understand that getting to know the Almighty God is the whole duty of man. (Ecclesiastes 12:13)
Worldly books have become the bible of the people – 1931 Cover of Bezbozhnik, 1920s-1930s Soviet atheist magazine Bezbozhnik u stanka – 35 million unemployed in the capitalistic world
As in Roman times there is no fear of God before the eyes of many people living in the capitalist world. Lots having forgotten the promises which were brought by many prophets, like Abraham, Isaiah and Jesus. So many are not interested any more to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Most of the humans in the capitalist world their concern is to gather as much money as possible. They are not interested in what happens to nature or other created species after them. For those around them they do often not find so much interest. Surely submitting themselves one to another, in the fear of God, sounds as something ridiculous, something very absurd. And today many find it much more interesting to get more power by making others afraid of other people. The problem there is that so many have forgotten that God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, to use to help each other, even when it would be our enemy. (2 Corinthians 7:1 ; Ephesians 5:21; 2 Timothy 1:7)
By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7 )
Today we notice that not many a son honours his father and a worker his master, and you could blame it because not many listen to their father, teachers and are not interested to read in the Bible to learn the lessons from those old times. It is to the people themselves to decide “Whether it’s right in God’s eyes”, as for us Christians, there’s no question—we can’t keep quiet about what we’ve seen and heard, and should let others know what we do think. (Acts 4:19; Acts 4:20)
We ourselves should be careful, when we watch the world going its own way and should not even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life we had before we came a real Christian. (Romans 6:13 ) We should take our everyday, ordinary life — our sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life — and place it before God as an offering. Not blaming others for what is gone wrong in our own life, but trying to adjust our life in the ways of God. Not preferring to be popular and loving their way of living, but embracing what God wants for us and what He does for us, knowing that that is the only best thing we can do for Him, but also for ourselves and our beloved ones. (Romans 12:1)
When we face the world we should know that we do have our own responsibilities. It are we ourselves who are responsible for how our own children act or behave, as well for how those we brought up, our pupils, behave or act in the world we placed them. Or do we not realize that we had to learn from the Holy Scriptures and had to behave accordingly, giving a good example to those around us. We should have been working at our body and soul to make it such that our body could be as a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit. Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Our world is going the wrong way because many of us have not kept to the human instincts of normal behaviour. Having not allowed Gods Word to come over others by our way of living, acting and teaching, we excluded the Creator of all things in the works we wanted to do. God owns the whole works, but to let God shine in our works we do have to allow Him to enter us. So we do have to take care that people can see God in and through our body. Our firm decision should be to work from this focused centre: “One man died for everyone. That puts everyone in the same boat”. Us not loving those who are around us because they do not believe the same things as we do is not having Christ Jesus his love. He loved believers, non-believers and sinners. Christ’s love has to move us to such extremes, that we should be better doing than all those atheists and other believers doing good in this world. Thinking that a non-believer can not do any good work is wrong-thinking. We should know historical facts and also see that ages before Christ was born, also in places were there was not spoken of God, there were people who tried to do good for each other. Therefore we better put our arrogance at the doorstep and look at Christ, who was open for everybody. His love should have the first and last word in everything we do. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life, a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own. (1 Corinthians 6:20;2 Corinthians 5:14 ; 2 Corinthians 5:15)
Living according prescribed rules
We should not look with anger to others. We better should be filled with fear when faced with others sharing their faith. While we blame those Muslims who talk about God and the fear we should have, we better show them that we also are aware of the Wrath of God, and that we are also aware of the way we should live. But that we not only let them think that we ‘know’ what God wants. That we also let the other persons in our environment see that we are prepared to live according the teachings of Christ and according the Law of God.
The Seventh Angel of the Apocalypse Proclaiming the Reign of the Lord – Unknown Miniaturist, Spanish (active around 1180)
We should show others that we want to suit the action to the word. We do have to proceed from Gods Words to deeds, having a word and a blow over many generations. Looking at the wrong goings of the world, moaning about it and not doing anything against it is not going to solve the problem. Jesus has given his followers the task of proclaiming the Good News, but how many Christians do we see walking around and going from door to door proclaiming the Word of God? How many Christians profess, promulgate, publish, or let others hear their voice to ventilate their believes in God?
Instead of having the heart race when talking about Jesus, they are more afraid than those followers of Christ who several hundreds of years ago, were tortured for their believes. They were not afraid to die because they believe in the resurrection of Christ. They were not afraid to die because they had a certainty in their believe. Today when asked about their greatest fears you can find death and the fear to fail or ‘Fear of Falling’. In certain countries this fear of falling, is also transposed into a fear in falling into a fire of destruction or in a fire of damnation and torture. Instead of going for God because He loves us, they are going for God because they are afraid of getting into a hell which is for them a place of torture for ever. While the Biblical hell is just the grave, the end of everything, because by death the penalty is paid for our sins, and we do not have to pay once more.
The Self
One of the problems of this world is that the fear of God, which is part of the Natural Law of God written in men’s hearts, has made place for the fear of the own self. The problem is that far too many people’s hearts have grown callused and hard to the “inner voice” of moral consciousness. Most of the people are most concerned that everything would go all right with them, while they live here on earth, and that they would not fail in front of others. Their fear of death is not because of the wrath of God, but because they would not accept that when they die their life would come to an end, and that all those things they did on this earth, then would be worthless. That is their main concern.
While the natural fear of God is a predicate for a person’s respect for their mother and father. (Leviticus 19:3) and the fear of God is a predicate for a person’s respect for others, especially those who are disadvantaged. (Leviticus 19:14), people have put away their interest in others, surely when it are just plants or animals for them. Because the loss of the creation of God, so many things went wrong in nature. All the things our ancestors did return to us. Also their way of educating others, and their way of teaching and preaching about God, the Father, and about Jesus, the son and Saviour.
Getting or hiding loud noise?
Many have become afraid of ‘Loud Noises’ which make them think, but not of ‘Loud Noises’ which seem to entertain them, as the heavy music sounds. Public Speaking about God is the worst they could think of. They would rather die than speak publicly!They do not mind getting deaf because of the loud popular music, but they are afraid as death, for the noise of people talking about God.
Departing pleasures
They do not want to abandon certain pleasures they got to know from the new media. They love all the desires which can be gratified, by all the new tools. Lots of so called Christians prefer to think they shall be able to live for ever, because they had been baptised, and as such would never ever have to fear for not going to heaven. They are so much mistaken. Bible tells totally different things, but those they do not want to know because that would distort their picture of heaven and hell which makes them not to worry. And they do not want to worry about the future, they want to live today. It is this attitude of not wanting to know what would or what can happen in the future, which has brought also a lot of problems onto this world.
Many do not want to know that the evil lusting is going to bring them down, and not people coming from over their borders. In case everybody would do good in society, new ones would quickly been taken into that society and would not dare to do any thing wrong. The Evil (Satan in Hebrew) shall be as a thorn in the eye, and those wishing it to do such a thing would know they shall have to face a righteous penalty. But the example we have given to other the last few years is that we just all could do as we wanted and that many, also Christians, made it a sport to lure others, so that they could have the best of the world and gain as much money as possible.
The threatening of governments have come to nothing, many words of persons do not have any value any more, because so many people do not keep to their word. The ease of playing with words and actions made that our world has derailed.
Priorities
Those who would like it put in order again, should first make work to get to know the Word of God, fearing Him, instead of the people around them.
The Bible warns there will be no peace in our lives until we make peace with God through His Son, Jesus (Yeshua), the promised Messiah.
Jesus warned his pupils they could have to face persecution because he was sending them out like sheep surrounded by wolves. Being tenants in this world having to sojourn with other religions we should be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
For us today we may see those things happening about what Christ talked, when he spoke of followers of Christ being handed over to councils, being brought before governors and kings, because of faith in Jesus, as a witness to them and the Gentiles. We have to accept that we shall come to live in a time when brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And we will be hated by everyone because of Jesus’ name.
Knowing that, we should find confidence in the words of the Gospel, and compare the evangils with what was written many years before and promised by Bod speaking through the prophets. When we take notice of what is written in the Holy Scriptures, we should not be afraid, because the one who endures to the end will be saved.
But we should take up the tasks given by Jesus because it is expected that the Good News Tellers will not finish going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave greater than his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household! Fear God, Not Man.”
Of whom do you want to be afraid?
We should not be afraid of men of this world, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known. We should not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, we have to fear the One who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
We should let others get to know Christ Jesus and should never deny him before people, because he will than also deny that person also before his Father in heaven.
Yes religions may have set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. But in this all it is important that the right choice is made and that we dare to take up our own cross to follow Jesus. (Matthew 10:16-38)
Commands Hermas 13:6 whosoever therefore shall depart from all evil desires, shall live unto God; but they that are subject unto them shall die for ever. for this evil lusting is deadly. do thou therefore put on the desire of righteousness, and being armed with the fear of the lord, resist all wicked lusting.
Commands Hermas 13:10 and I said, sir, I would know how to serve that desire which is good? hearken, said he, fear God and put thy trust in him, and love truth, and righteousness, and do that which is good.
Commands Hermas 13:22 and turn yourselves to the lord your God, and forsake the devil and his pleasures, because they are evil, and bitter, and impure. and fear not the devil, because he has no power over you.
Commands Hermas 13:27 for if ye resist him, he will flee away with confusion from you. but they that are not full in the faith, fear the devil, as if he had some great power. for the devil tries the servants of God and if he finds them empty, he destroys them.
Commands Hermas 13:33 be not then afraid in the least of his threatenings, for they are without force, as the nerves of a dead man. but hearken unto me, and fear the lord almighty, who is able to save and to destroy you; and keep his commands, that ye may live unto God.
Similitudes Hermas 1:9 but what ye shall do for the name of the lord, ye shall find in your city, and shall have joy without sadness or fear. wherefore covet not the riches of the heathen; for they are destructive to the servants of God.
Similitudes Hermas 6:28 I said unto him; sir, I intreat you still to show me now one thing. what, said he, dost thou ask? I said unto him; are they who depart from the fear of God, tormented for the same time that they enjoyed their false delight and pleasures? he answered me: they are tormented for the same time.
and let us lay aside our wicked works which proceed from ill desires; that through his mercy we may be delivered from the condemnation to come.
now more resembles the oppressed nations that those people fled.
(Nehemiah 5:15 The Scriptures 1998+): “But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty sheqels of silver. Their servants also oppressed the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of Elohim. “
Multicultural apocalypse: Stealth jihad has taken root in Europe and is coming to America (worldnewstribune.com) Geert Wilders spoke at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver, Colorado on July 1. The following is the complete transcript of his speech.
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However, if you really love freedom, you have to speak the truth. If not, we will fall victim to Islam, like earlier the people in the Middle East, North Africa, Persia, India and Indonesia fell victim to it.
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As the Muslim population is concentrated in urban areas, many European cities have very large Islamic concentrations. We are confronted with headscarves and burkas, polygamy, female genital mutilation, honor-killings.
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The rise of Islam also means the rise of sharia law in our judicial systems. In Europe we have sharia wills, sharia schools, sharia banks. The introduction of elements of sharia law in our societies creates a system of legal apartheid. Sharia law systematically discriminates groups of people. …
It’s out with the old as Christian values fall away (smh.com.au)
Given the Judeo-Christian origins of our long-held tradition of caring for the frail, census data indicating the demise of Christianity and the ageing of Australia’s population could herald a perfect social storm.
Takedown: Divided We Stand (persephonemagazine.com)
“The essential difference between liberals and conservatives” is not that conservatives are independent and liberals are leeches. The essential difference between liberals and conservatives is in their political beliefs.
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liberals and regressives and Marxists are all the same, which is a tired joke.
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Nobody owns history. Nobody. And if you want to “keep” it, you should probably keep what came before, with the Native American culture. As far as symbols go? I mean, they’re just symbols. The flag is important, but not because of the colors or the shape — it is important because of what it stands for. Symbols really aren’t important in and of themselves.
+ Takedown: American-Americans
The 6 Most Offensive Things Said in the Wake of the Aurora Shooting (alternet.org)
After reeling in shock from the horrifying details of the Aurora, Colorado massacre, many of us were soon reeling from the callous, exploitative reactions.
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There is a race to come up with the most farfetched things to blame–anything, essentially, besides the ease of purchasing firearms and a system that doesn’t provide for the mentally ill.
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During a radio interview on the Heritage Foundation’s “Istook Live!” show, Gohmert was asked why he believes such senseless acts of violence take place. Gohmert responded by talking about the weakening of Christian values in the country. “You know what really gets me, as a Christian, is to see the ongoing attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs, and then some senseless crazy act of terror like this takes place,” Gohmert said.
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Mike Huckabee blames sin.
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Extremist evangelicals Jerry Newcombe and Fred Jackson blame the liberal media, say victims who aren’t Christian are in hell.
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Internet conspiracy theorists blame government, Obama, Illuminati.
Humanists denounce Rep. Gohmert’s comments linking Colorado shootings to “attacks on Judeo-Christian beliefs” (secularnewsdaily.com)
“Rep. Louis Gohmert truly tortures logic when he concludes that this violence had something to do with perceived attacks on majority faith in America,” said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of the American Humanist Association. “At a time when families are mourning in the wake of this tragedy, Gohmert used it as an opportunity to push a religious agenda.”Gohmert suggested the shootings could have been avoided if the country placed a higher value on God when he stated, “We’ve threatened high school graduation participations, if they use God’s name, they’re going to be jailed … I mean that kind of stuff. Where was God? What have we done with God? We don’t want him around. I kind of like his protective hand being present.”
‘Judeo-Christianity’ – More Jewish mocking and hatred of Jesus Christ (theuglytruth.wordpress.com)
Amy Aremia: Judeo-Christianity are in direct opposition and do not belong together….Christianity brought man out of the darkness of slavery and gave him human dignity and the freedom to make his own way in life.
The Right Wing’s Psychotic Version of God (planetpov.com)
“Some of us happen to believe that when our founders talked about guarding our virtue and freedom, that that was important. Whether it’s John Adams saying our Constitution was made only for moral and religious people … Ben Franklin, only a virtuous people are capable of freedom, as nations become corrupt and vicious they have more need of masters … We have been at war with the very pillars, the very foundation of this country.
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Welcome to the Dominionist Christianity of the Religious Right. It is a travesty of Christianity and the message of peace, love and compassion that was central to the teachings of Jesus.This cult version of Christianity instead obsesses about dominance, hatred and the triviality of the lives of any who aren’t directly supporting or promoting their goals. It is a form of Christianity that packages up all of the traits of their alleged adversary, The Devil, and coats them with a sweet veneer of victimhood, self-righteousness and superiority that makes it easy for them to swallow all that nastiness and keep it inside of them in the name of “faith”.
The antidote for public-school indoctrination (wnd.com)
If you want to see what’s wrong and right with our country, watch Bradlee Dean’s ‘My War’ DVD series. It’s full of surprises.
Are You Full Of Yourself? (highlyfavored74.wordpress.com) Am I an empty vessel for God to use or am I full of myself ? This means am I worthy to stand before God, and if so will I be able to say to my Father who art in Heaven – Lord, I did it with your help! When you are full of yourself you are selfish! Always thinking of self and less of others.
Self Denial and Evangelical Parenting (thechristianpundit.org)
On the weekend I was talking with a mother of teenaged girls about the statistic that 80% of evangelical, college age kids have premarital sex. Obviously, there’s a problem, and this mother was concerned for the future of the church.