Your interpretation using the word, has drawn an eternal picture in the moment and twinkling of the eye. It is as I am riding the realm of heaven in a moment of time! Christ has gone before us, His word as the sword of a spirit that divides the heavens , always moving us forward into who He Is. The forgiveness of sin must always be the covering, it is the repelling force, guiding light moving us further and further into the heavenlies. God Bless, thank you for your reply!"
Daniel 9:18-20 show how Daniel asked the Lord to remember the state of Jerusalem being in desolation and His promises (as seen in the book of Jeremiah) of reoccupation and return of the Jews after 70 years of exile (see Jeremiah 29:10). The sins of the people in question were something Daniel took on as a burden to himself in his prayers; fasting and supplications.
In terms of blessings of a general sort there is that of those who find a wife ( Prov. 18:22). There is also the offspring; or fruit of the womb that is specifically stated to be a blessing ( Deut. 7:13; and several passages in Psalms). Deuteronomy lists blessings for those who obey God's statutes and cursings for those who don't in extensive passages in Deuteronomy 28. As we look at God's chosen people in Exodus; clearly the Lord showed favor in physically delivering the Jews from Egypt; but as Romans 9:6 states not everyone benefitted from it. In fact only Joshua and Caleb survived from the first generation; even Moses was unable to enter the land but saw it from afar due to an isolated sin on his part ( Deut. 3:23 and following verses).
What we can count on in our sanctification and ultimate glorification ( Romans 8:30). All the prophetic scriptures will be fulfilled to the letter. This includes Israel being restored; the earth being renewed; Christ ruling in the Millennium; wars ending throughout the world; extended lifespans; etc.
The blessings of financial matters is promised for those who are living by faith (we see the example of Abraham in Genesis 13:2 as the first demonstration of this in scripture although technically the text of Job may be older as an example of God's financial blessings (see Job 1:16 and subsequent verses). Satan was well aware of God's provisions and favor and therefore we can be certain that he will attempt to thwart OR substitute God's blessings with his own which end up being dead ends and illusions.
Isaiah 30:10 warns about people wanting to hear "smooth things" being prophesied. Such may be the case for those who wish to invoke blessings on themselves for any other reasons than scripturally backed statements. Galations 5:19-21 is one of about ONE HUNDRED verses warning us about those who do NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. This is something also found in Ephesians 5:5; the book of 1 Corinthians; Hebrews; Romans; Revelation AND the Gospels.
To remind God of blessings promised in the Scriptures; if done in the correct way is honoring to God. Without discernment; however we may not be aware of what this means; and also if we are living in a sinful lifestyle we are trying to deliberately ask for something we cannot have as long as we refuse to submit to the Lord and we are producing bad fruit.
The church much like Israel has certain CONDITIONAL as well as unconditional promises. The POSSESSING church (that is those who have the Holy Spirit and are truly saved) is and always will be a subset in this age of the confessing or professing body of believers (i.e. the church). The difference is there are some who believe in the true God and others in a God of their own imaginations; fitting the parameters that a person finds reasonable; or comfortable living with by mentally cherry picking what appeals from the Word and filing the unpleasant verses somewhere in the cobwebs in the back of their mind.
God is no respecter of persons ( Acts 10:34 also Romans 2). He does whatever He chooses and we know for certain that He desires glory for Himself and no other. (See Isaiah 42:8). John 16:10 shows how God seeks glory for the Son; therefore His desire for worship is never selfish as He always does the Father's will. This is selfless love and shows an example of how we are to live. If we thank God for things in our lives that bring us into sin such as excess money for greedy gain ( Titus 1:11); we are only heaping greater condemnation on ourselves.
Thank you for your thoughts and adding to the discussion.
Yes, we are to reap; however, we are still called to sow the seed. Matthew 28: 18-20. This is because we don't know when the LORD JESUS comes and our work is ended here on earth. We keep sowing, because GOD is not willing that any one perish, but all come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
For one plants, another waters, but GOD gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6-11
We sow through CHRIST JESUS in our testimony, and witness as people see our daily relationship with our SAVIOR. In our sharing and declaring of the Salvation of the LORD. Titus 2:11-14.
GOD bless you in your ministry of faith. November 29, 2023
In today's society; we have found a way to extricate our minds from within when it comes to the subject of slavery. What happened hundreds of years ago is someone else's problem or said to be our fault by default as to our race. Closer to home now; of course is the continuing servitude particularly of the sex trade today and that brings attention to the revenue of such a trade.
That; of course comes from those who would exploit such an industry who themselves in actuality are slaves to sin.
Revelation makes it clear; unfortunately that slaves will exist in the end times will exist ( Rev. 6:15). At that time they will be clumped together with all those who attempt to hide from God.
Christ has redeemed us from our state of hopelessness and given us a new life. We have turned from Satan as our master to the Living God ( Ephesians 2:2). A truly redeemed child of God can read a passage such as Isaiah 66:24 and understand how they themselves were an abhorrence in their lost; sinful state. To know that we were under His wrath we proclaim the salvation message. Those who are condemned already ( John 3:18) are not known to us immediately; eventually it will be clear who is saved and who isn't at least by judgment Day. Such amazing love of Christ should motivate us to share the Gospel with others.
I am convinced one reason more people aren't sharing with much conviction is because they have become dumbed down to just how wicked they were; forgotten what they were saved from or in the worst case scenario are really not saved at all but following a form of godliness but denying the power thereof ( 2 Tim. 3:5). It is sobering to remind ourselves that as believers that scripture warns us to stay AWAY from such people.
Satan; I always say is an equal opportunity destroyer. He will take any sin; as seemingly innocuous as gossip and turn it into a full scale conflagration (see warnings in James 3:6). Only Christ frees us from slavery.
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
About 15 years ago and several times before that I had a vision of the pure terror involved with the mark of the Beast. I have since told people that I would ask the Lord would give them such insight but not for those who aren't spiritually strong. The Lord has held back the day of Judgment, but it is promised to be worse than any time in the past and future. Mark 13:19 as well as other New Testament passages and Daniel 12 show proof of this. Without Christ we are dragged in; to the sieve of destruction ( Isaiah 30:28). Suddenly the wicked are broken and that without remedy ( Prov. 6:15).
To realize how fearful judgment is apart from Christ I cannot put into words. When we see Mystery Babylon we can't help but be reminded of the American Pie song with its lyrics
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
These remind us of Ecclesiastes 12:4 as well as Lamentations 5:14 along with other stanzas in this song about the Lord taking off and no more joyful music as stated in Revelation 18:22. We are hypnotized by music and media today and its demonic mantras and dulled in our senses with the vulgar obsenities that increasingly assail the rightous. The agenda is out in the open at this point; Satan's hour is about to arrive. Christ comes soon so rejoice
Today's Dennis Prager show discussed the proposition of reading a statement from George Washington or something to that effect. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence certainly are good things to be thankful for as to the rights which we are still supposed to have as US citizens. There was also a question for those of different beliefs. Atheists can certainly be grateful for those in the past who enable us to still retain the bit of freedom we still possess. There are some who are obviously hostile to anything this country offers who live here; and I would say many others of our youth today just aren't even concerned or aware of these documents of the founding fathers; let alone anything which scripture actually has to say about thankfulness or anything else for that matter.
I pray that others had the same sort of expressions offered for each other toward the Lord as I did yesterday at church for our annual Thankssgiving eve prayer and scripture reading service. When we can dwell together in unity; it says something about the local church body as well as our standing being part of the elect church of God.
Up until now; this holiday hasn't been twisted as much as other ones have been in regard to obnoxious displays and materialism.
Letting certain elements into the Macy's parade which have been pushed by certain groups has perhaps changed this as of this year; however. We may glibly refer to this day as turkey day; but the gravy train as it were may be coming to an end as to our nation's food supply; however. Other nations (at least Canada) have a different day to celebrate a similar event.
As the holidays approach; I usually tend to wait until after them to do my most giving; since it seems there should be enough Thanksgiving meals every year on that day. Serving; however and the privilege of us as children of God to do this was discussed last night. I pray this season we can reach the lonely and aged in His love.
Good evening, guess some of the seals are on the mind this evening.
In Zechariah 3:1-4 Joshua was with an angel of the LORD and Satan was there to resist him. Though Jerusalem was precious in the Lord's eye, Satan looked down on Israel not able to keep the Commandments of God and thus remaining in filthy garments, yet, God rebukes Satan and changes Joshua's raiment by taking away his iniquity.
The white robes of the fifth seal were also a change of raiment for the souls that were slain for the word of God and were given rest under the alter until their fellow servants and their brethren lives were also taken.
What these Saints had battled was Satan and his angels standing up against them as they washed their filthy garments in the blood of the Lamb at Calvary. These Saints are asking how long will the Lord wait to avenge their blood on the earth. It would be likely the vengeance they are asking for is against evil spirits standing against man's salvation.
A recurring theme in Jesus' conversations with His critics is that they are being willfully obstinate. Jesus' life and teachings align perfectly with the Scriptures these men know all too well-but they actively refuse to accept Him ( John 5:39-40). An intent to disbelieve, not a lack of knowledge, is their main problem ( John 7:17). Others have seen Jesus' miracles, and properly interpreted them as signs that He is divinely empowered ( John 3:1-2; 10:21). The men who threaten Him now, however, have proven they're opposed to God ( John 10:1-6) by crediting Jesus' miracles to Satan ( Mark 3:22).
Jesus will continue to answer in the next verse by reiterating the first of His three shepherding-related analogies from this chapter. This puts His answer in plain terms: I already told you who I was, but you're not going to listen.
6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
A prime example of the nature of the true gospel is the parable in Luke 16 of the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, who laid at the rich man's gate, full of sores, and desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. On the face of it, from a physical point of view, this poor beggar Lazarus had absolutely nothing going for him. But when God rolls back the curtain and enables us to see what happens when both of these men die, we learn that Lazarus in actual fact had everything going for him, as we find him resting in Abraham's bosom whilst the rich man lies in the grave in torment, sorrowing for the fact that he can do nothing to change his circumstance.
Please visit ZionInTravail on YouTube and the web to learn more about the True Gospel and the Day in which we are living.
The true gospel has to do with the primary problem facing mankind, namely the wages of sin, which is death, and the penalty demanded by the law of God, which is the second death, eternal damnation. God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners. Christ, who is eternal God in every sense of the word, and who was without sin, was laden with the sins of all the elect who were given to him by the Father before the foundation of the world, which had nothing to do with their works. Christ paid the eternal penalty demanded by the law of God on behalf of the elect, and only the elect, who are just a remnant, a tiny part of the whole. Christ said, I and the Father are one.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Corinthians 15
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The true gospel is circumscribed by the Bible, alone and in its entirety, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, in its original languages. The King James Version is translated from the oldest and most reliable manuscripts available, and the translators have sought to stick as closely as possible to the original text, which is in stark contrast to the modern translations that use inferior manuscripts and seek to reinterpret the original text and put it in more understandable language. That said, the KJV is far from perfect, it does contain errors, and the KJV translators were heavily influenced by the doctrines of the church, which when viewed from the superior vantage point of our day when we are very near the end of time and God is opening our understanding to many truths that were previously kept sealed ( Daniel 12:4,9), were very often faulty. Therefore, the serious Bible student should always carefully check the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek using the modern tools that are readily available, such as interlinears and concordances, which are keyed to the KJV.
By definition, any gospel that cites an authority that is outside the 66 books of the Bible, or narrower than the Bible, is false. That includes gospels that look upon other books as divinely inspired or that feature the teachings of those who claim to have received direct revelation from God, whether in a dream or a vision or tongue, as in the tongues described in 1 Corinthians 14.
Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The geographical land of Israel has been left desolate, by God, on purpose. Punishment for rejecting Christ. If only they had known the hour of their visitation.
As a Minister I often refer to Bible Hub. I Preach out of the King James Version. But People need to understand this . It is not a perfect translation. The only perfect translation You are going to find is to have the Original Manuscripts. And be able to read Greek, Latin and Hebrew of the Ancient World. I find that the other Interpretations shed more light on the Verse without getting crazy out far from the meaning. I would recommend Anyone to Read and learn from the KJV. But as I've said the Bible Hub shows the same verse worded differently in several Interpretations. I use the descriptions of these in my explanation of breaking down the KJV. For those struggling to understand or a New Convert . There is no shame in using all the material available today to learn. If You are sincere God is going to show You how and what to follow when confusion arises. My Father in Law who passed away in 2000 . I was Saved under His Ministry. He had books and Materials by Men that were not particularly in His Christian wheelhouse so to speak. But He always said, You take Their Knowledge and You use it because They are smart Men. You are still going to believe what You believe. I think there is such a Stigma or Shame put on People if They don't go to anything but the KJV. I believe God gave it to Us . I believe it to be the Preferred Choice of Text. But I also believe People should be open to learning. It wasn't until the KJV was published that Man even really knew about Scripture. And this goes back to Moses and the Law . By keeping Man in the dark it allowed Others to hold Power over Them. Ezra built a Homemade Pulpit and taught the People and They asked Questions for the first time EVER and actually cried at hearing The Word of God. Jesus tore down The Elitist System some 2000 years ago of Pharisees and Manmade Sway . We don't need to Rebuild it again. But as soon as Christ got out of sight at Bethany. Man was already busy becoming Man again.
"And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He hath commanded us."
Well, we know how that went. The Israelites found out that they could not, would not, and failed miserably to gain righteousness on their own because they were unable to keep from breaking God's commands. The Law shows us our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. The Israelites as a whole, must have thought that they could fall back on the sacrificial system to remove their sins when they failed God. But they could not truly say they gained their own righteousness because they could not keep the Law.
Only Jesus is righteous, completely sinless, and worthy of God's acceptance as a truly human person. His divine nature always remained divine, but His human nature needed to choose obedience to God always, and He did. His righteousness is imputed to us because He was the perfectly acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He did what we could never do, never sin, and be of such worth that His sacrifice took away all of our sins.
The Israelites grew accustomed to sinning against God, going after idols, and forgetting Him who delivered them from bondage. May we not fall into such a state. Thank God for giving us the Holy Spirit, without Whom we would not be able to continue in faith and obedience to God every day. God provides us with all we need for life and godliness through the work of Jesus for us and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us to sanctify us and empower us to desire to obey our God and Savior. He is the only One who can save us. Let always be turned toward Him, seeking Him wholeheartedly, hiding His word in our hearts, and sharing the hope we possess in Jesus, our Lord.
God tells them to write them on their doorposts where they come in and go out. They are to be able to be read from the inside or outside of the entry to their home. Even to write them on the gates of one's property. To me this sounds like such a good thing to do, to have God's Words visible around one's house.
God then promises to be true to His promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to bring these descendants into the land promised. They will be blessed with the work of the people whom they drive out of the lands they will possess. God plans to give them good cities and homes to dwell in, fields, and vineyards, olive groves, and wells, none of which they planted, dug, or tended so as to be made full of the what the land will already have waiting for them. They will not have to begin from scratch as Noah and his family had to do after the flood. The land will already be ready for them.
But then, God warns them not to forget Him, nor to forget Egypt and the bondage they were brought out of. Rather, they are to fear Him, serve him, and swear by His name and not that of any other idol god. They are to stay clear of idols and the idolaters around them. They should not inquire about them or the way the pagans serve their idols. God says He is jealous for their worship and service and they are to not divide their religious faith and allegiance with idols that cannot help them nor save them.
The Israelites were to be careful about how they lived, worshipped, and taught their children. They are to be ready to explain to their children what God had done for them and why they are to worship Him alone by adhering to His commands, statues, and the good testimony of Him to Israel. We are to be knowledgeable of what we are to explain to our kids about the Lord and His truths. We are not to neglect this important aspect of parenting. I wish I had been even more diligent in doing this with my sons.
After instructing the people to fear Him, listen to Him, and obey His commands, God speaks the great words of the Shema:
Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.
There is not a multiplicity of God that are true and worthy of worship. There is only One: YHWH
This statement will be of utmost importance when He sends His Son and the Holy Spirit, each of Whom is God, but not three Gods, but One unified Divine Being that is three distinct Persons in a relationship of love and unity. There is but One true God, no other, and ever will there be but one God to worship. In the fullness of time, God's elect will learn of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each who is to be worshipped and glorified, but we are to remember that God is One in substance, love, will, and workings.
The Shema goes on to say: Love the LORD your God with all of one's heart, soul, and strength. We are to love Him with all that we are: our minds, bodies, soul, powers, will, actions, words, thoughts, relationships, and emotions. There is nothing about us that we are to withhold from Him. All of us belongs to Him, We have been bought with a price, our life is not our own to live our own way, but to live to God.
God then tells them to put His words in one's heart. To know His commands thoroughly and to teach them to our children often. We are to be a holy example to our children, our spouse, our neighbor, those who are in authority over us, and those who we have authority over. We are to submit to God in all affairs, living according to God's ways, not our own sense of right and wrong. to do what is right in God's eyes, not what seems right in our own eyes.
We are to recall God's Word when we lay down to sleep and when we rise up, when we work and when we rest. The Israelites are to bind God's Law upon their wrists, put them as frontlets between one's eyes. God's ways were to be ever before them, keeping them from being double-minded or forgetful of what God requires of His people.d
In this chapter Moses is setting the stage for the delivering of the Law to the people of Israel who were too young when the nation was gathered at Sinai to fully understand what God was asking of them in regards to worshipping and serving Him individually and as a nation.
First, God calls the Israelites to fear Him. This means to revere Him and understand that He is able to make alive or destroy, raise up or bring down, bless or curse. Recognizing His worthiness for obedience, worship, and service is emphasized in the term: fear. Remembering his mighty, miraculous, and awesome deeds done in the flight out of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the water coming forth in the wilderness, the descent of God upon Sinai, the pillar of cloud and fire, quail and manna each morning, the deliverance from enemies, reminds that He is not a God who is weak and unable to do as He pleases or so congenial that one can take sin lightly and He will not require judgment, and that He is a God who cannot be stood up to and prevail. He puts down the proud and haughty, disciplines those He has chosen, and brings calamity upon the persistently disobedient. He takes offense at idolatry and His anger and wrath is fearsome. The Israelites needed to know all of these things in order to take Him seriously and, knowing that there is no other God to serve, they are obligated to obey, love and worship Him alone.
Then God says that His commands and statutes are ongoing. They pass on to the lives of one's children and grandchildren and future descendants. They are sure and consistent. God will not change nor amend them as time passes. They are for the good of the individual and the nation. (vs. 3)
God tells the people to hear Him, listen attentively and soberly with the intent to obey God's commands. In doing so, life will go well for the obedient. There will be increase of blessing in the life of the obedient, and prosperity in the land they will be entering, as promised to the forefathers.
Notice, Adam and Eve were created on the sixth day. On the seventh day of creation , they RESTED with God. The seventh day sabbath was instituted at creation.
God instituted it as a gift to us. Pleasant, and a joy. Man has ruined it with burdensome laws. Enjoy the sabbath! Make it happy. Don't think about ways to make money. And don't have people work for you on that day. Enjoy God. Clear your calendar and think of him. Learn of him. Enjoy your family. Enjoy special food treats. That is sabbath. Happy and lovely. A gift.
From the 7 day week, we understand the 7 millenniums. Each millennium is like a day of the week. Adam and Eve and the antediluvian people lived during the Sunday millennium. Abraham (2100 Bc) lived around the end of the Monday millennium and the beginning of the Tuesday millennium. We are living at the end of the Friday millennium. The sabbath millennium is nearly here!
This is a reason why the 7th day sabbath is important. It's both a memorial to creation as well as a symbol of the plan.
Jesus did away with the temple service laws and rituals. He fulfilled the law. He was the lamb. There is no longer a need to make sacrifices. This system in the temple is what Jesus did away with. The great event was emphasized by the supernatural tearing of the veil from top to bottom.
The Ten Commandments will never be abolished. It is the law of the universe for eternity.
Daniel 9:18-20 show how Daniel asked the Lord to remember the state of Jerusalem being in desolation and His promises (as seen in the book of Jeremiah) of reoccupation and return of the Jews after 70 years of exile (see Jeremiah 29:10). The sins of the people in question were something Daniel took on as a burden to himself in his prayers; fasting and supplications.
In terms of blessings of a general sort there is that of those who find a wife ( Prov. 18:22). There is also the offspring; or fruit of the womb that is specifically stated to be a blessing ( Deut. 7:13; and several passages in Psalms). Deuteronomy lists blessings for those who obey God's statutes and cursings for those who don't in extensive passages in Deuteronomy 28. As we look at God's chosen people in Exodus; clearly the Lord showed favor in physically delivering the Jews from Egypt; but as Romans 9:6 states not everyone benefitted from it. In fact only Joshua and Caleb survived from the first generation; even Moses was unable to enter the land but saw it from afar due to an isolated sin on his part ( Deut. 3:23 and following verses).
What we can count on in our sanctification and ultimate glorification ( Romans 8:30). All the prophetic scriptures will be fulfilled to the letter. This includes Israel being restored; the earth being renewed; Christ ruling in the Millennium; wars ending throughout the world; extended lifespans; etc.
The blessings of financial matters is promised for those who are living by faith (we see the example of Abraham in Genesis 13:2 as the first demonstration of this in scripture although technically the text of Job may be older as an example of God's financial blessings (see Job 1:16 and subsequent verses). Satan was well aware of God's provisions and favor and therefore we can be certain that he will attempt to thwart OR substitute God's blessings with his own which end up being dead ends and illusions.
( 1 Peter 5:8).
To remind God of blessings promised in the Scriptures; if done in the correct way is honoring to God. Without discernment; however we may not be aware of what this means; and also if we are living in a sinful lifestyle we are trying to deliberately ask for something we cannot have as long as we refuse to submit to the Lord and we are producing bad fruit.
The church much like Israel has certain CONDITIONAL as well as unconditional promises. The POSSESSING church (that is those who have the Holy Spirit and are truly saved) is and always will be a subset in this age of the confessing or professing body of believers (i.e. the church). The difference is there are some who believe in the true God and others in a God of their own imaginations; fitting the parameters that a person finds reasonable; or comfortable living with by mentally cherry picking what appeals from the Word and filing the unpleasant verses somewhere in the cobwebs in the back of their mind.
God is no respecter of persons ( Acts 10:34 also Romans 2). He does whatever He chooses and we know for certain that He desires glory for Himself and no other. (See Isaiah 42:8). John 16:10 shows how God seeks glory for the Son; therefore His desire for worship is never selfish as He always does the Father's will. This is selfless love and shows an example of how we are to live. If we thank God for things in our lives that bring us into sin such as excess money for greedy gain ( Titus 1:11); we are only heaping greater condemnation on ourselves.
Thank you for your thoughts and adding to the discussion.
Yes, we are to reap; however, we are still called to sow the seed. Matthew 28: 18-20. This is because we don't know when the LORD JESUS comes and our work is ended here on earth. We keep sowing, because GOD is not willing that any one perish, but all come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9.
For one plants, another waters, but GOD gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:6-11
We sow through CHRIST JESUS in our testimony, and witness as people see our daily relationship with our SAVIOR. In our sharing and declaring of the Salvation of the LORD. Titus 2:11-14.
GOD bless you in your ministry of faith. November 29, 2023
We haven't heard from Giannis for awhile. I pray everything is well with him and will be back with us soon.
In today's society; we have found a way to extricate our minds from within when it comes to the subject of slavery. What happened hundreds of years ago is someone else's problem or said to be our fault by default as to our race. Closer to home now; of course is the continuing servitude particularly of the sex trade today and that brings attention to the revenue of such a trade.
That; of course comes from those who would exploit such an industry who themselves in actuality are slaves to sin.
Revelation makes it clear; unfortunately that slaves will exist in the end times will exist ( Rev. 6:15). At that time they will be clumped together with all those who attempt to hide from God.
Christ has redeemed us from our state of hopelessness and given us a new life. We have turned from Satan as our master to the Living God ( Ephesians 2:2). A truly redeemed child of God can read a passage such as Isaiah 66:24 and understand how they themselves were an abhorrence in their lost; sinful state. To know that we were under His wrath we proclaim the salvation message. Those who are condemned already ( John 3:18) are not known to us immediately; eventually it will be clear who is saved and who isn't at least by judgment Day. Such amazing love of Christ should motivate us to share the Gospel with others.
I am convinced one reason more people aren't sharing with much conviction is because they have become dumbed down to just how wicked they were; forgotten what they were saved from or in the worst case scenario are really not saved at all but following a form of godliness but denying the power thereof ( 2 Tim. 3:5). It is sobering to remind ourselves that as believers that scripture warns us to stay AWAY from such people.
Satan; I always say is an equal opportunity destroyer. He will take any sin; as seemingly innocuous as gossip and turn it into a full scale conflagration (see warnings in James 3:6). Only Christ frees us from slavery.
Revelation 14:9-11
9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and 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 ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
About 15 years ago and several times before that I had a vision of the pure terror involved with the mark of the Beast. I have since told people that I would ask the Lord would give them such insight but not for those who aren't spiritually strong. The Lord has held back the day of Judgment, but it is promised to be worse than any time in the past and future. Mark 13:19 as well as other New Testament passages and Daniel 12 show proof of this. Without Christ we are dragged in; to the sieve of destruction ( Isaiah 30:28). Suddenly the wicked are broken and that without remedy ( Prov. 6:15).
To realize how fearful judgment is apart from Christ I cannot put into words. When we see Mystery Babylon we can't help but be reminded of the American Pie song with its lyrics
I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
These remind us of Ecclesiastes 12:4 as well as Lamentations 5:14 along with other stanzas in this song about the Lord taking off and no more joyful music as stated in Revelation 18:22. We are hypnotized by music and media today and its demonic mantras and dulled in our senses with the vulgar obsenities that increasingly assail the rightous. The agenda is out in the open at this point; Satan's hour is about to arrive. Christ comes soon so rejoice
4 I will not know a wicked person.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people:"
Only Jesus stands for the children of thy people. Jesus, the great I AM.
Isaiah lists 26 names for our LORD.
Today's Dennis Prager show discussed the proposition of reading a statement from George Washington or something to that effect. The Constitution and Declaration of Independence certainly are good things to be thankful for as to the rights which we are still supposed to have as US citizens. There was also a question for those of different beliefs. Atheists can certainly be grateful for those in the past who enable us to still retain the bit of freedom we still possess. There are some who are obviously hostile to anything this country offers who live here; and I would say many others of our youth today just aren't even concerned or aware of these documents of the founding fathers; let alone anything which scripture actually has to say about thankfulness or anything else for that matter.
I pray that others had the same sort of expressions offered for each other toward the Lord as I did yesterday at church for our annual Thankssgiving eve prayer and scripture reading service. When we can dwell together in unity; it says something about the local church body as well as our standing being part of the elect church of God.
Up until now; this holiday hasn't been twisted as much as other ones have been in regard to obnoxious displays and materialism.
Letting certain elements into the Macy's parade which have been pushed by certain groups has perhaps changed this as of this year; however. We may glibly refer to this day as turkey day; but the gravy train as it were may be coming to an end as to our nation's food supply; however. Other nations (at least Canada) have a different day to celebrate a similar event.
As the holidays approach; I usually tend to wait until after them to do my most giving; since it seems there should be enough Thanksgiving meals every year on that day. Serving; however and the privilege of us as children of God to do this was discussed last night. I pray this season we can reach the lonely and aged in His love.
In Zechariah 3:1-4 Joshua was with an angel of the LORD and Satan was there to resist him. Though Jerusalem was precious in the Lord's eye, Satan looked down on Israel not able to keep the Commandments of God and thus remaining in filthy garments, yet, God rebukes Satan and changes Joshua's raiment by taking away his iniquity.
The white robes of the fifth seal were also a change of raiment for the souls that were slain for the word of God and were given rest under the alter until their fellow servants and their brethren lives were also taken.
What these Saints had battled was Satan and his angels standing up against them as they washed their filthy garments in the blood of the Lamb at Calvary. These Saints are asking how long will the Lord wait to avenge their blood on the earth. It would be likely the vengeance they are asking for is against evil spirits standing against man's salvation.
Jesus will continue to answer in the next verse by reiterating the first of His three shepherding-related analogies from this chapter. This puts His answer in plain terms: I already told you who I was, but you're not going to listen.
6 And the angel of the LORD protested unto Joshua, saying,
7 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
A prime example of the nature of the true gospel is the parable in Luke 16 of the rich man and a beggar named Lazarus, who laid at the rich man's gate, full of sores, and desired to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. On the face of it, from a physical point of view, this poor beggar Lazarus had absolutely nothing going for him. But when God rolls back the curtain and enables us to see what happens when both of these men die, we learn that Lazarus in actual fact had everything going for him, as we find him resting in Abraham's bosom whilst the rich man lies in the grave in torment, sorrowing for the fact that he can do nothing to change his circumstance.
Please visit ZionInTravail on YouTube and the web to learn more about the True Gospel and the Day in which we are living.
The true gospel has to do with the primary problem facing mankind, namely the wages of sin, which is death, and the penalty demanded by the law of God, which is the second death, eternal damnation. God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save sinners. Christ, who is eternal God in every sense of the word, and who was without sin, was laden with the sins of all the elect who were given to him by the Father before the foundation of the world, which had nothing to do with their works. Christ paid the eternal penalty demanded by the law of God on behalf of the elect, and only the elect, who are just a remnant, a tiny part of the whole. Christ said, I and the Father are one.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
1 Corinthians 15
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Continued in part 3
The true gospel is circumscribed by the Bible, alone and in its entirety, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, in its original languages. The King James Version is translated from the oldest and most reliable manuscripts available, and the translators have sought to stick as closely as possible to the original text, which is in stark contrast to the modern translations that use inferior manuscripts and seek to reinterpret the original text and put it in more understandable language. That said, the KJV is far from perfect, it does contain errors, and the KJV translators were heavily influenced by the doctrines of the church, which when viewed from the superior vantage point of our day when we are very near the end of time and God is opening our understanding to many truths that were previously kept sealed ( Daniel 12:4,9), were very often faulty. Therefore, the serious Bible student should always carefully check the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek using the modern tools that are readily available, such as interlinears and concordances, which are keyed to the KJV.
By definition, any gospel that cites an authority that is outside the 66 books of the Bible, or narrower than the Bible, is false. That includes gospels that look upon other books as divinely inspired or that feature the teachings of those who claim to have received direct revelation from God, whether in a dream or a vision or tongue, as in the tongues described in 1 Corinthians 14.
Revelation 22:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Continued in part 2
Reverend Michael Ray Dorsey
"And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before the LORD our God, as He hath commanded us."
Well, we know how that went. The Israelites found out that they could not, would not, and failed miserably to gain righteousness on their own because they were unable to keep from breaking God's commands. The Law shows us our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. The Israelites as a whole, must have thought that they could fall back on the sacrificial system to remove their sins when they failed God. But they could not truly say they gained their own righteousness because they could not keep the Law.
Only Jesus is righteous, completely sinless, and worthy of God's acceptance as a truly human person. His divine nature always remained divine, but His human nature needed to choose obedience to God always, and He did. His righteousness is imputed to us because He was the perfectly acceptable sacrifice for our sins. He did what we could never do, never sin, and be of such worth that His sacrifice took away all of our sins.
The Israelites grew accustomed to sinning against God, going after idols, and forgetting Him who delivered them from bondage. May we not fall into such a state. Thank God for giving us the Holy Spirit, without Whom we would not be able to continue in faith and obedience to God every day. God provides us with all we need for life and godliness through the work of Jesus for us and by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in us to sanctify us and empower us to desire to obey our God and Savior. He is the only One who can save us. Let always be turned toward Him, seeking Him wholeheartedly, hiding His word in our hearts, and sharing the hope we possess in Jesus, our Lord.
God then promises to be true to His promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to bring these descendants into the land promised. They will be blessed with the work of the people whom they drive out of the lands they will possess. God plans to give them good cities and homes to dwell in, fields, and vineyards, olive groves, and wells, none of which they planted, dug, or tended so as to be made full of the what the land will already have waiting for them. They will not have to begin from scratch as Noah and his family had to do after the flood. The land will already be ready for them.
But then, God warns them not to forget Him, nor to forget Egypt and the bondage they were brought out of. Rather, they are to fear Him, serve him, and swear by His name and not that of any other idol god. They are to stay clear of idols and the idolaters around them. They should not inquire about them or the way the pagans serve their idols. God says He is jealous for their worship and service and they are to not divide their religious faith and allegiance with idols that cannot help them nor save them.
The Israelites were to be careful about how they lived, worshipped, and taught their children. They are to be ready to explain to their children what God had done for them and why they are to worship Him alone by adhering to His commands, statues, and the good testimony of Him to Israel. We are to be knowledgeable of what we are to explain to our kids about the Lord and His truths. We are not to neglect this important aspect of parenting. I wish I had been even more diligent in doing this with my sons.
The chapter ends with these words:
Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God is one LORD.
There is not a multiplicity of God that are true and worthy of worship. There is only One: YHWH
This statement will be of utmost importance when He sends His Son and the Holy Spirit, each of Whom is God, but not three Gods, but One unified Divine Being that is three distinct Persons in a relationship of love and unity. There is but One true God, no other, and ever will there be but one God to worship. In the fullness of time, God's elect will learn of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, each who is to be worshipped and glorified, but we are to remember that God is One in substance, love, will, and workings.
The Shema goes on to say: Love the LORD your God with all of one's heart, soul, and strength. We are to love Him with all that we are: our minds, bodies, soul, powers, will, actions, words, thoughts, relationships, and emotions. There is nothing about us that we are to withhold from Him. All of us belongs to Him, We have been bought with a price, our life is not our own to live our own way, but to live to God.
God then tells them to put His words in one's heart. To know His commands thoroughly and to teach them to our children often. We are to be a holy example to our children, our spouse, our neighbor, those who are in authority over us, and those who we have authority over. We are to submit to God in all affairs, living according to God's ways, not our own sense of right and wrong. to do what is right in God's eyes, not what seems right in our own eyes.
We are to recall God's Word when we lay down to sleep and when we rise up, when we work and when we rest. The Israelites are to bind God's Law upon their wrists, put them as frontlets between one's eyes. God's ways were to be ever before them, keeping them from being double-minded or forgetful of what God requires of His people.d
First, God calls the Israelites to fear Him. This means to revere Him and understand that He is able to make alive or destroy, raise up or bring down, bless or curse. Recognizing His worthiness for obedience, worship, and service is emphasized in the term: fear. Remembering his mighty, miraculous, and awesome deeds done in the flight out of Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, the water coming forth in the wilderness, the descent of God upon Sinai, the pillar of cloud and fire, quail and manna each morning, the deliverance from enemies, reminds that He is not a God who is weak and unable to do as He pleases or so congenial that one can take sin lightly and He will not require judgment, and that He is a God who cannot be stood up to and prevail. He puts down the proud and haughty, disciplines those He has chosen, and brings calamity upon the persistently disobedient. He takes offense at idolatry and His anger and wrath is fearsome. The Israelites needed to know all of these things in order to take Him seriously and, knowing that there is no other God to serve, they are obligated to obey, love and worship Him alone.
Then God says that His commands and statutes are ongoing. They pass on to the lives of one's children and grandchildren and future descendants. They are sure and consistent. God will not change nor amend them as time passes. They are for the good of the individual and the nation. (vs. 3)
God tells the people to hear Him, listen attentively and soberly with the intent to obey God's commands. In doing so, life will go well for the obedient. There will be increase of blessing in the life of the obedient, and prosperity in the land they will be entering, as promised to the forefathers.
Circumcision is not a moral law.
God instituted it as a gift to us. Pleasant, and a joy. Man has ruined it with burdensome laws. Enjoy the sabbath! Make it happy. Don't think about ways to make money. And don't have people work for you on that day. Enjoy God. Clear your calendar and think of him. Learn of him. Enjoy your family. Enjoy special food treats. That is sabbath. Happy and lovely. A gift.
This is a reason why the 7th day sabbath is important. It's both a memorial to creation as well as a symbol of the plan.
The Ten Commandments will never be abolished. It is the law of the universe for eternity.
The seventh day is the sabbath.
One day is as a thousand years.
Adam and Eve died on the day that they sinned because they died in the first millennium.
We are at the end of 6000 years. The sabbath millennium is about to begin!
1000 years in heaven with God. A millennium of sabbath rest. We will review all the books at this time and day that God is just and true!