Archive for the ‘Wake Up!’ Category

The Eighth Beast – Chapter 11 – Come out of her My people…

Posted: August 2, 2015 in America, Wake Up!
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NOTE: This is an old post which still generates traffic. However, in 2015 I wrote a Book on America in Prophesy called “THE EIGHTH BEST” which was updated in 2022 and includes more info and better quality audio files, all of which you can link to the Table of Contents >HERE<
The book is free to read on line, but also available on Amazon >HERE<

Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.

Christians are called to be a distinct people, who though living in the world are still separate from it, not succumbing to its various social norms and economic ambitions. Furthermore, Christians are supposed to be spiritually alive and discerning and thus withdrawn from the vain and dead “camp” of religiosity; be it antinomian or legalistic in nature. Still, even apart from all the other religious systems in the world, the Christian pendulum of faith will often be found ignoring the holy plumbline of God’s righteousness and swinging to the extremes of warring dogmas. On one side some are defiantly holding to an effortless believism of mere mental assent to justification, while the other extreme demands a strict adherence to distorted biblical regulations compounded by embellished definitions of self-denial and legalism.

That’s the problem with “-ism’s,” regardless to which side of center the pendulum swings, they all ignore the “legality” of the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus that sets men free from the law of sin and death. God’s law has never been and never will be against faith, for even faith has a legal side to it or else there could be no “law of faith.”

Romans 3:27 – Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith… 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

And thus one’s faithfulness to obediently walk according to the leading of the Spirit of Truth will result in the righteousness of the law being fulfilled in them. For true faith always “works” by love.

John 14:15 – If ye love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever; 17 Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. 21 He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

Romans 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 2:5 – But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Many believers readily admit that the call to “come out from among her My people” applies to one’s spiritual life. But I am persuaded it will soon become necessary (for all those who can) to literally comply with this call of God geographically, to physically separate ourselves from this country. For this warning in Revelation 18 to “come out” appears to be the last call for those hoping to escape those judgments that are ready to befall the Eight Beast as it falls headlong into perdition. A call that must be heeded just as literally as the first century church did when Jesus instructed them to “flee to the mountains.”

Luke 21:20 – And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. 21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. 22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.

There are a lot of Christians in America who need to quit spiritualizing everything and come up with a sound scriptural reason as to why this call to “Come out of her, My people,” should not be taken just as literal as it was given in these following passages. For is this not the exact same word which was given by God admonishing the Israelites to flee Babylon because of the wrath that was about to be poured out upon her?

Jeremiah 51:6 – Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense.

Jeremiah 51:45 – My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the LORD.

Many believers are complacent because they have been taught that this is the rapture call of Christ’s coming to steal away His bride. However, I am persuaded it is intended to be taken just as it was by the saints in Jeremiah’s and Noah’s time; as a stern call to obedience by God for the righteous to prove their hearts and thus condemn the wicked for their disobedience.

Hebrew 11:7 – By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Similarly, the obedience of the godly to this admonishment to “come out from among them” may well prove to be the final witness of the Spirit against the wicked in America that they have gone too far. And now having been weighed in the balances, they have been found lacking as their judgment imminently hangs above them like a sword.

Revelation 13:10 – 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.

 Prayerfully consider this “Come out of her, My people” in the light of Jesus’ words when He sent forth the seventy after giving them power to be witnesses that the Kingdom of God had in truth come unto man.

Luke 9:5 – And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Luke 10:10 – But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,  11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. 12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city. 13 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.  15 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. 16 He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him that sent Me.

Now compare the verses above with Paul’s actions towards the rebellious Jews in Macedonia.

Acts 18:5 – And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

This call to “come out” may very well be the greatest witness the Church of Jesus Christ in America can give to the unbelievers of the world into which they go. As the body of Christ once again exercises the same faith as Abraham, and leaves their natural country trusting God who has prepared for them an eternal City to provide for them here in their obedience. However, please understand there cannot be a survivalist motive or mentality in this coming out. No seeking to save our own lives, no trusting in the wisdom of man, or the strength of the flesh or confidence in silver and gold. Just simple obedience for the glory of His Name alone, for that is the nature of true faith. This call is to be a testimony of God’s righteousness and a witness against the wicked, similar to Noah’s faith in his days, of whom scriptures says he condemned the world to its destruction by his own obedience, or that of just Lot who left all his possessions obediently fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction.

You too may know sincere believers who are preparing for the hard times they know are coming to America, but with many it is out of fear and in the wisdom of their flesh. They are hording up silver and gold trusting in its earthly worth, stockpiling food, buying guns and ammo and are getting ready to fight in order to survive and to keep what is theirs. But what does any man have that is truly his? Or when did God ever deliver His people through filthy mammon or the arm of the flesh? HOWEVER, please do not take that as a blanketing statement dismissing any wise preparation that is done in true obedience to the Holy Spirit’s leading, rather as a warning to be careful of where your confidence is and to scrutinize the motives of your heart, for regardless of peace or war, whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Jeremiah 9:23 – Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24 But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD. 25 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised.

Zephaniah 1:14 – The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hastes greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly. 15 That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, 16 A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers. 17 And I will bring distress upon men,that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung. 18 Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD’S wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy: for He shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Even now judgment is sweeping our land, but for all this they will not hear and will not see.

Revelation 18:6 – Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.

Some will remember when President Bush Sr. began to use his position to openly promote the “New World Order” agenda to the citizens of America and the world. The key to his plan to bring peace to the Middle East was to begin with the division of the heritage of Abraham with Israel’s enemies.

Genesis 12:2 – And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed… 6 And Abram passed through the land unto the place of Sichem, unto the plain of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

Genesis 17:7 – And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Psalm 105:7 – He is the LORD our God: His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations. 9 Which covenant He made with Abraham, and His oath unto Isaac; 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance.

President Bush’s plans laid the foundation for now popular “peace initiative” that is rapidly filling up America’s cup of iniquity to the brim. Thus for decades God has been faithful to recompense America with judgments according to her works that she might see her sins and be humbled and repent. There are many, many examples of this that can be given, as God often faithfully correlates these judgments within a twenty-four hour period or less with the actions taken by America’s leaders against His holy land Israel. Though time and space prohibits cataloging every event and detail, the following is a short list I once prepared for a men’s prayer breakfast; mostly gleaned from William Koenig’s excellent book “Eye to Eye.” The following is only a minute drop in the bucket of the consequences of America’s recent leaders’ hardness of heart of rejecting God and deceitfully dealing with Israel while embracing their enemies.

  • On October 18, 1991 – the administration of Senior President Bush sends letter of invitation to each participant of the Middle East Peace Conference in Madrid, Spain to introduce the “Land for Peace” concept. Consequently, on October 20, 1991 the Oakland Hills Firestorm, the East Bay Hills Fire, and the Tunnel Fire erupt and ultimately killed 25 people and injured 150 others. At least 1,520 acres were destroyed including 3,354 single-family dwellings and 437 apartment/condominium units resulting in an economic loss estimated at $1.5 billion.
  • Through October 30 – November 2, 1991 – the Madrid Middle East Peace Conference transpires while the Perfect Storm, also known as the No-Name Storm develops and moves up along the east coast and into President Bush’s home in Kennebunkport Maine where the windows are blown out as 30 foot waves hurl 100 pound stones into his living room – Total damage estimated to be $208 million with 12 deaths. Worst storm in 100 years.
  • Between February 18-25, 1993 – having already been to Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon, U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher of the Clinton administration visits Israel in an attempt to reopen the Arab-Israeli negotiations. Consequently, on February 26, 1993 the World Trade Center bombing occurs with $750 million in damage.
  • On March 2, 1997 – having been granted an audience with President Clinton, PLO Chairman Arafat arrived in Washington D.C. for requested meeting to protest Israel building housing units in East Jerusalem. Consequently, on March 1-2, 1997 severe weather conditions developed causing Mississippi and Ohio flooding and tornadoes. President Clinton’s home state of Arkansas was devastated by tornadoes where a total of 67 died (26 in Arkansas), and an estimated $1 billion damages. On March 4 the New York Times headline read “In storm’s wake, grief and shock” and was adjacent to photo of President Clinton and Chairman Arafat with caption reading “President Clinton rebukes Israel.”
  • On September 24, 1998 – President Clinton announced meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and PLO Chairman Arafat. The purpose of the meeting was to pressure Israel to give up 13% of her land. Consequently, on September 24-28, Hurricane George develops in Gulf of Mexico on the 24th and makes landfall in three days later with 110 mph winds, heavy rains and extensive flooding resulting in an estimated $5.9 billion in damages.  Hurricane George dissipated when Arafat left the U.S.
  • Next year September 13, 1999 – is the first meeting between Israeli Foreign Minister and PLO official to work out Palestinian State borders. From September 7th to the 17th Hurricane Floyd grows into a monstrous storm on Sept. 13th causing the greatest evacuation in U.S. history. Total estimated $6 billion in damages.
  • March 31, 2001 – President George W. Bush Jr. welcomes both Egyptian President Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II to the White House. Their purpose was to persuade him to be more aggressive in Middle East talks and to continue pressure and support the “Land for Peace” initiative. Consequently, on the same day a Chinese fighter “bumps” into a highly technical U.S. reconnaissance plane and forces its 24 member crew to make an emergency landing in China.
  • August 25 – September 10, 2001 – according to an article in the Washington Post, President Bush, Secretary Powell, and Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Kurtzer together with cooperation with the Saudis worked on the most comprehensive plan concerning “Land for Peace” proposal which was scheduled to be delivered by Secretary Powell on September 24th to Israel. Consequently, on September 11, Terrorist reportedly used 2 airplanes to attack the World Trade Center towers in New York City and supposedly a 3rd was used to attack the Pentagon, while a 4th plane which was intended for the White House has its debris scattered in Pennsylvania leaving almost 3000 dead and $40 billion in damages.
  • On November 7, 2002 – President Bush hosted a dinner at the beginning of Ramadan for Arab Ambassadors. The President publicly honors the Koran and Islam by saying, “We see in Islam a religion that traces its origins back to God’s call on Abraham. We share your belief in God’s justice and your insistence on man’s moral responsibility.” Consequently, on November 9-11, 88 Tornadoes ripped through 7 states; some are category F-4 with 200 mph winds, one of the worst November outbreaks on record.

Quoting Weather.com, “Tornadoes can occur at any time of the year and just about anywhere in the world. However, the unique geography of the United States helps to produce some of the most favorable conditions for their development. The months with the greatest number of tornadoes overall are April, May, and June, but tornadoes can and do occur during any month of the year. Tornado seasons vary in different parts of the United States. In the Southeast, the peak season for tornadoes is February through April. In the northern Plains, tornadoes are most likely to develop from June through August.” Therefore these 88 tornadoes in November stand out significantly as “acts of God.”

  • On January 31, 2003 – Secretary Powell states President Bush would become more involved in Israel-Palestine talks, laboring towards the goal of a Palestinian state by 2005. Consequently, on February 1, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart directly above Palestine, Texas, while re-entering the earth’s atmosphere. This was the first time an Israeli was included on board as a member of the shuttle mission.

It is worth mentioning how the Space Shuttle Columbia had a very similar appearance to that of a shooting star or meteorite as it was disintegrating upon its re-entry. This tragic event was telecast live and thus witness worldwide. However, shooting stars and comets are often considered bad omens, and therefore I consider this event to have been a harbinger and reliable witness to the prophetic verse in Revelation 16:10, which speaks of how “the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain.” Such terminology could be an accurate description of the results of a nuclear detonation in or over Babylon, the original seat and capital of Chaldea. This makes it all the more noteworthy here when we consider that the seat and capital of America is the District of Columbia.

This pattern of America’s defiance to God and its deceitfulness to Israel continued through Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr. and with even greater intensity into President Obama’s administration, though now coupled with an undeniable disdain for Netanyahu and Israel. And thus so did God’s judgments on America as was easily witnessed on April 19, 2010 as Israel was celebrating its independence. Gallups stated in the narration on a video, “On April the 19th, Fox News reports that the U.S. will no longer automatically support Israel in the United Nations.” April 20th, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explodes. Since then we have been witnessing record drought and fires, record flooding displacing thousands, tornadoes setting new records in strength and intensity and cost of lives and damages, while the whole earth is quaking… and for all this the wicked still will not seek God, repent or amend their ways.

All these various judgments have been, as it were, prophetic blows of the axe being laid to the root of the tree of America.

Matthew 3:10 – And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

As it was with Babylon of old, America’s sins and pride have overtaken her. The rebellion steadfast too long, and now judgment is certain and the tree condemned. As with the cutting down of any tree, there comes a time when the axe-man can stop striking the tree, for its strength is broken and ready to fall. All the axe-man needs to do is lay his hand against the tree and gently push and its descent begins with what seems to be slow motion as it will soon come crashing down in a whip like fashion.

It cannot be ignored when considering “the axe is laid unto the root of the tree,” that America has experienced profound noteworthy events with significant trees that I would assert are further prophetic testimonies to her fate. First, on February 19, 2011, a Colorado Spruce which served as the National Christmas Tree, planted in 1978 in the Ellipse south of the White House was snapped by high winds, leaving only a broken stump standing.

Daniel 4:11 – The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earth: 12 The leaves thereof were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all: the beasts of the field had shadow under it, and the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof, and all flesh was fed of it. 13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven; 14 He cried aloud, and said thus, Hew down the tree, and cut off his branches, shake off his leaves, and scatter his fruit: let the beasts get away from under it, and the fowls from his branches.

Daniel 4:23 – And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him; 26 And whereas they commanded to leave the stump of the tree roots; thy kingdom shall be sure unto thee, after that thou shalt have known that the heavens do rule.

Another important event regarding significant trees in America happened on September 11, 2001, when a steel beam falling from one of the collapsing towers struck a sycamore growing on the grounds of St. Paul’s Chapel in New York City and destroyed it. For those who are not aware, St. Paul’s Chapel is part of Trinity Church. Later the tree’s root system was casted and eerily recreated to serve as memorial to the 9/11 event in New York City. The original stump with its remaining roots was removed and treated for preservation that it might then be displayed in the churchyard at St. Paul’s. This church is literally the oldest public building in continuous use in Manhattan.

What makes all this overwhelmingly important is that America’s first president, George Washington, commenced his office of presidency by escorting on foot the Vice President and all members of the Senate and House of Representatives to St. Paul’s Chapel for the purpose of dedicating America to both God’s sovereign care and service. It was there upon bent knees with solemn prayer that the leaders of America humbled themselves and asked for God’s favor and blessings to be upon this nation. It was at that very moment that little parcel of ground, next to where the Twin Towers would later be built and where America was dedicated, became perhaps the most hallowed ground in all America and an undeniable landmark of profound significance to our nation.

Therefore, consider those words which are recorded in the Congressional Record of the Senate which were spoken by Senate majority leader Senator Tom Daschle, when on the very next day following collapse of the Twin Towers on September 12, 2001 as he stood before the house, God, and the world, and boldly stated “America will emerge from this tragedy as we have emerged from all adversity – united and strong. Nothing… nothing can replace the losses of those who have suffered. I know there is only the smallest measure of inspiration that can be taken from this devastation. But there is a passage in the Bible from Isaiah that speaks to all of us at times like this, ‘The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.’”

Since the sycamore tree was destroyed when the World Trade Center collapsed, it was later replaced in November 2003 with a 20-foot Norway Spruce that was confidently given the name “Tree of Hope.”  However, though the spruce was ceremoniously planted with another public reading of Isaiah 9:10, having refused to grow, it withered and died and was therefore was quietly removed and all this remains virtually unknown to many sleeping Americans.

According to Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, the author of The Harbinger, “The keepers of the Tree of Hope did everything they could to save the withering tree. They even changed the soil in which it grew. But no matter what they did, the tree continued to wither away and die. Finally, in the spring of this year, the tree planted in the place of the fallen sycamore of Ground Zero, the symbol of a rising America, was uprooted. … The seventh harbinger is no more.”

So, America’s Tree of Hope planted defiantly in the face of God’s judgments on the most hallowed ground of America, where she was birthed as a nation and dedicated to God, has withered and died, been uprooted and destroyed.

 Revelation 18:7 – How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.  8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is your judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14 And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee.

The next verse in this passage is perhaps the scariest verse pertaining to judgment of America’s imminent fall.

Revelation 18:23 – And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

This is not just the power grid being crippled and taken out, leaving people sitting in dark, powerless houses. It is far worse than that, no more light of the Gospel, no more the voice of Christ the bridegroom being heard pleading with men to repent, no more is the church, the bride with her watchmen crying out “Repent,” warning  “This is the way, walk ye in it.” The time is at hand when Christ will once again say the time is fulfilled; it is over, and will then be too late to repent.

Revelation 22:11 – He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

Fallen angel technology being utilized in government labs around the globe…

Posted: July 29, 2015 in End Times, Wake Up!
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Revelation 17:9-11: And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.  And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. And the beast that was, and is not, even he is THE EIGHTH, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Back in March I gave my book “The Eighth Beast” to several speakers at the Orlando Prophecy Conference 2015. Like so many on the prophecy circuit nowadays, none of them were there speaking concerning “the eighth” that “goeth into perdition.” For that matter I have not heard anyone speak regarding the eighth. Why not? Especially when the angel clearly tells the Apostle John “Here is the mind that has wisdom… the eighth goes into perdition.”

You would think that such a scriptural phrase would jump out at all these students-of-prophecy, many of whom are self-professing prophecy experts, and that it would have grabbed their full attention and compelled them to seek understanding and clarity of the angel’s sure prophetic words above. Instead, it is all the geopolitics, financial fiascos, and garbage in this wicked and perverse world that seem to be successfully consuming their attention. Certainly all those things are signs of the times, but they are not as scripturally as definitive of the last days as “the eighth is of the seven, and goeth into perdition,” for there have always been geopolitics, financial fiascos, and garbage in every nation since the fall of Adam.

The rest of the prophecy experts out are busy writing their series of books articulating incredibly new revelations about the unbelievable power and technology which was possessed by the ancient civilizations around the world, some things never mentioned in scripture and others only mentioned in a few paragraphs. One author has even stated that he knows the end of America cannot be at hand because as he puts it, “God has given me three more books to write.” Amazing.

However, it is only because the demand is out there that book after book are being written by these modern seers and ingested by curious people everywhere… when instead these people should be prudently studying what “is written” in scripture for their admonition, understanding and guidance for this very time to keep them from such deception. By the way, have you priced some of these people’s books? Still, it is like the fictional Left Behind series all over again, but this time the craze seems to be on steroids.

Therefore these “watchmen” and Christians everywhere would do well to remember that the whole world presently serves as the devil’s stage and by his sorcery is presently under the control of the rich and demonically empowered, but nevertheless completely deceived; role players who are currently manipulating global events only to their own demise.

Luke 4:6 – And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

These are but foolish men who are committed to their devilish task because they have wholeheartedly embraced the lies of those fallen angels that they can and will eventually become gods… however these very angels promoting these lies were condemned and defeated at the cross of Calvary by Jesus Christ, The King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God our Savior who OPENLY TRIUMPHED over them.

Just because over thousands of years the father of lies and his fallen companions have purposely staged the world with endless myths, idols, antiquated relics, and other such props seeking the worship of men, all this is no more a verification of their projected spiritual reality or a guaranteed of their success for a New World Order than the props and facades that fill the stages of Hollywood movie sets. It’s all based upon fiction… and fiction is based upon lies and the devil is the father of it and the truth is not in him. These things throughout time have all been intentionally established in order to promote a great end time deception upon humanity to hinder men’s faith and distract them from seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

2 Timothy 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The fact that the whole world, with Christians being the main target, is being overwhelmed by an endless flood of incredible daily alerts of everything from cosmic disasters, alien invasions, to fallen angel technology being utilized in government labs around the globe is nothing more than a cleverly designed illusion. It is working successfully to embolden the wicked and distracts true believers because it all works hand in hand with false doctrines of devils that have crept in churches everywhere. Nevertheless, scripture tells us that the fallen angels’ know their power and time is limited and numbered… therefore they are redeeming the time for their warfare against God’s people.

Revelation 12:12 – …Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time… 15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

And so the sad truth is that all this propaganda and sorcery coupled with the prophetic flood of false theological and prophetic milestones or deceitful time markers, are successfully working to seduce today’s slothful, lukewarm, professing believers into continuing to procrastinate surrendering themselves wholly unto Christ. Too many believing all the lies are now constantly talking about and looking for events which will never occur instead of heeding the warning to flee the wrath to come and obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In all this be assured that I am not ignoring that men are dabbling where they ought not in technology, but I understand that they are being deceitfully manipulated to an end that can only encounter failure, judgment and the wrath of God.

Perhaps now I should apologize for the title of the post, I’m sorry. But honestly, how many of you came to read this post just because its title grabbed your attention like so many others out there nowadays? Were we not warned that “If possible, even the very elect would be deceived?” Do you understand how so many are being deceived? By their lending the power of their faith to the lies of the adversary and accepting the plans of the wicked as prophetic events which must happen. If this has been you then please repent.

Sometimes I wonder if it bothers anyone else or if I am all alone in my concern over just how many popular “watchmen” are no longer just informing others about the scheming lies of the illuminati and the powers of darkness through their latest book release, but are now boldly testifying that these deceitful plans are things that are sure to come to pass. It seems they are completely unaware that their faith has been hijacked by what the adversary and his minions instead of remaining firm and steadfast in what God has said or “is written.”

It just seems the adversary and his messengers are being more diligent and successful in this late hour at making believers and converts than are God’s people. The more incredible the latest revelation or discovery, the more eager Christians seem to be willing to swallow it as truth. Is it because God’s people are failing to recognise the purpose and power of intentionally leaked disinformation? It’s nothing more than lies cleverly designed to control others action or to induce inaction. Wake up brothers and sister, God’s holy word alone is the “sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

I believe the Spirit of God would have us all remember the failure of Babylon and that those who name the Name of Christ should repent and quit speaking about it as if it were a historical success, one soon to be revisited upon all humanity. It doesn’t matter how many props the adversary has set up over thousands of years or how loud and confidently his minions may boast of their plans; the Lord clearly states He will have them in derision and bring their plans to ruin before they reach fruition.

One day the righteous will go in narrowly look into the pit and marvel and in total amazement as they utter to themselves, “This was he that deceiveth the nation?” So much accomplished with nothing more than the power of lies and deception.

Wake up people! The Eight Beast is about to go into perdition!

 

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their Testimony.

Will the spirit of Nimrod truly return?

Posted: July 27, 2015 in Study!, Wake Up!
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I am compelled to share a study I recently did on certain words pertaining to the sons of God (i.e., fallen angels) who prior to the days of Noah had taken wives of the daughters of men and the consequent introduction of their hybridized offspring into God’s creation. I did the study because there has been a considerable amount of speculative chatter out there among the many self-proclaimed watchmen on their respective YouTube channels and the ever-growing and equally diverse so-called Christian endtimes prophecy teachers as to what “really happened” back then.

Now I don’t mean to insult or offend anyone, but when seekers and Christians are being bombarded with so many different voices and messages, I think it is best to go back to the sure word of prophecy and let it be the final discerner. For there is a significant increase in these various, and I would say presumptuous, teachings based upon endless conjecture. Yet such speculative reasoning has become the guiding light whereby these “watchmen” are now authoritatively predicting what the luciferian elite are ultimately planning, and subsequently what must also be getting ready to happen any day now. All this is resulting in more confusion than clarity and we must remember that confusion is never the byproduct of truth. Need I remind everyone that God’s word is the only light whereby we are to be guided?

Nevertheless, some are boldly asserting in their teachings, as if it is undeniable and even biblically obvious, that Nimrod somehow managed to alter his DNA and by such means became a “gibborim.” Consequently, they would assert, Nimrod became the first transhuman after the flood.  However, that is not where all this ends with these variations of this rapidly budding extra-biblical concept, for many are now proclaiming that not only did Nimrod achieve superhuman powers as a result of his DNA modification, but that either he or his spirit will again return in the form of the last days’ antichrist…

I am sorry, but I definitely need some sound scriptural reference for all this, especially that last one. For since when did God’s people begin to interpret “biblical” prophecies by what the deceived and wicked luciferian elite are planning?

First, I like to share this little bit here from TABLE 2 on how the Hebrew word “Gibbowr” was used a total of 158 times in 152 verses. Here is a break down on how it was used in its various references:

  • to the godly 90 times (57%)
  • to the ungodly 45 times (28.5%)
  • to specifically reference The Lord Himself, 11 times (7%)
  • it was used 8 times in the neutral for mighty men (5%)
  • for the captive Israelites 2 times (1.255%)
  • referencing the angels 1 time, (.625%)
  • was even used in reference a lion, 1 time (.625%)

The results show the Biblical usage of “gibbowr” to reference the Lord, the godly, the captive Israelites, and angels, approximately 66% of the time as compared to it being used referencing the ungodly just 28.5% of the time. Therefore, we can see that statistically “gibbowr” is used in scripture in reference to the godly more than twice as many times as it is used in reference of the ungodly. Thus, for anyone to be asserting a positive or negative, natural or unnatural, good or evil connotation to the Hebrew word “gibbowr,” would be to engage in dishonest exegesis which could only result in erroneous postulations from scripture. No passage of scripture should ever be subjected to private or isolated interpretation, for it can result in a flawed theology. We must examine the overall interpretation of a word or verse in light of the available various transliterations; for if our speculation does not remain in contextual agreement with the whole of scripture, then it cannot be deemed worthy of one’s acceptance as truth.

Prove all things and hold fast to that which is good, (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

My position on things is simple, I must stick to what scripture clearly says if I want to be prepared for what lies ahead. Be assured that the fallen angels know that their remaining time is limited, however those who are worshipping and serving them don’t. So as Christians we would do well to remember that the whole world is like a stage full of deceived role players, each committed to fulfilling their part because they wholeheartedly believe the lies. But again, the fallen angels know full well that their time is short because they were defeated openly on the cross of Calvary by Jesus Christ, our King eternal, immortal, invisible, and the only wise God our Savior.

Just because the father of lies has purposely staged the world with endless myths, idols, and other such props over thousands of years,  such antiquated relics are no more confirmative of spiritual reality than those facades on the stages of Hollywood. They have all been placed intentionally in order to promote his great endtime deception upon humanity to hinder men’s faith through fear. What alarms me is how many “watchmen” are no longer just informing others about the scheming lies of the illuminati and the powers of darkness, but rather how they have agressively begun to share these deceitful plans as things sure to come to pass. Brothers and sisters, please wake up! God’s holy word alone is the “sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.”

It doesn’t matter how many props they have set up over thousands of years or how loud and confidently they boast of their plans, the Lord will have them in derision and He will certainly bring their plans to ruin.

The following words are listed in all their scriptural contexts in separate tables for a thorough examination of their usage and application.

  1. TABLE 1 – Nephilim – Translated “giants” in scripture.
  1. TABLE 2 – Gibbowr – Translated “mighty men” in scripture.
  1. TABLE 3 – Chalal – Translated “began, begin, begun, defile, defiled, pollute, polluted, profane, profaned, prostituted” in scripture.
  1. Table 4 – ‘Enowsh – Mainly translated “man” or “men” but has also been translated “the bloodthirsty, certain (chief, of the children, of the elders, of the heads), divers, husbands, merchantmen, people, persons, servant(s), some, strangers, their, them, they, those, we, workmen” in scripture.

In my word study various historic resources were employed in certain of the tables to provide a cross-examination of the historical usage of words in an effort to glean a more thorough awareness of the archaic understanding of the texts where these words were used in scripture. These resources include the Onkelos Targum, the Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel, the Septuagint, and Josephus. The following are brief descriptions of these resources.

  • The Onkelos Targum – “is the official eastern (Babylonian) targum (Aramaic translation) to the Torah. However, its early origins may have been western, in Israel. Its authorship is attributed to Onkelos, אונקלוס, a famous convert to Judaism in Tannaic times (c. 35–120 CE),” (source: Wikipedia).
  • The Targum of Jonathan Ben Uzziel – “otherwise referred to as Targum Yonasan/Yonatan, is the official eastern (Babylonian) Targum to the Nevi’im. Its early origins, however, are western (i.e. from the Land of Israel), and the Talmudic tradition attributes its authorship to Jonathan ben Uzziel. Its overall style is very similar to that of Targum Onkelos, though at times it seems to be a looser paraphrase. The language of Targum Jonathan is Aramaic.
  • In Talmudic times (and to this day in Yemenite Jewish communities) Targum Jonathan was read as a verse-by-verse translation alternatively with the Hebrew verses of the haphtarah in the synagogue. Thus, when the Talmud states that “a person should complete his portions of scripture along with the community, reading the scripture twice and the Targum once” (Berakhot 8a-b), the passage may be taken to refer to Targum Jonathan (as well as to Targum Onkelos on the Torah),” (source: Wikipedia).
  • Josephus – “was a first-century Romano-Jewish scholar, historian and hagiographer, who was born in Jerusalem—then part of Roman Judea—to a father of priestly descent and a mother who claimed royal ancestry. He initially fought against the Romans during the First Jewish–Roman War as head of Jewish forces in Galilee, until surrendering in 67 AD to Roman forces led by Vespasian after the six-week siege of Jotapata. Josephus claimed the Jewish Messianic prophecies that initiated the First Roman-Jewish War made reference to Vespasian becoming Emperor of Rome. In response Vespasian decided to keep Josephus as a slave and interpreter. After Vespasian became Emperor in 69 AD, he granted Josephus his freedom, at which time Josephus assumed the emperor’s family name of Flavius.”

The study is thorough and I leave you with it to reach your own conclusions. Though much of it is the presentation of scriptures, there are notes included I feel are worthy of your prayerful consideration. Simply click to view or right-click Study PDF file and “save as” to download it to your own computer for review.

I have also been doing a study on the antichrist which I hope to conclude shortly. But for the thinkers in the crowd I would like to present a question, but must first present some biblical facts. The word “antichrist” has only been used 4 times in scripture, and only by the Apostle John. He refers to it as a “spirit of antichrist.” Antichrist simply means a false christ. He also stated that there were “many antichrists.”

1 John 2:18 – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1 John 2:22 – Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1 John 4:3 – And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
2 John 1:7  For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

So here is the question,

Why didn’t the Holy Spirit lead John use this word “antichrist” in the Book of Revelation?

Do you love me more than these?

Posted: June 9, 2015 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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“Do you love me more than these,” Jesus asked of Peter who had not too long before boldly stated before all the disciples “Though all men forsake Thee, I will not.”

Here Jesus was graciously administering some much needed comfort and healing to Peter because of his earlier three denials with three precious opportunities to confirm his love for Christ. Yet Jesus takes Peter further as He continues with His instruction to Peter as to how He wants Peter to love Him; 1. Feed my Sheep and 2. Follow me. What a blessing it is that the Lord instructs us how to pray, love, serve and worship Him.

Certainly nobody could deny Peter loved Christ in view of the fact that he had been willing to lay down his life for Jesus who tells us there is no greater love than that . . . however, love needs to be . . . no, actually love must be given to the honoring of its proclaimed point of affection. Godly love doesn’t merely seek its own expression; rather it pursues the gratification of the other. (more…)

When Soldiers Walk a Mile in Her Shoes…

Posted: May 23, 2015 in America, Wake Up!
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 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:15, 16)

GI in heels 6

I recently heard about ROTC Cadets being required to take part of an awareness exercise against rape, domestic violence and gender abuse that required the male cadets to “Walk a mile in her shoes.” I was so taken back by the photos above and I decided to research the incident to learn more about it. To my surprise, this was not a new thing but has actually been going on all over the country for a while now and has even gone international.

.GI in heels 1
GI in heels 2

Like so many things that creep into a society or culture, they often come as a harmless mechanism that always manages to stir up a sense of humor in us by the absurdity of it all, like men in high heels. Many of us can remember Corporal Klinger in the CBS television sitcom M*A*S*H and the bizarre outfits he used to wear trying to get a Section Eight psychiatric discharge from the army by wearing women’s clothing and the endless outfits he appeared in. Back then it was all for laughs and seemingly benign, but in truth it was all societal manipulation to get us to accept that which is absurdly contrary to the norm,  just like this “Walk a mile in her shoes” thing is. (more…)

Faith that removes mountains…

Posted: May 7, 2015 in Wake Up!
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1 Corinthians 13:2  – And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

For about 6 months now I have been having a great burden for God’s watchmen. Therefore I am sharing this very short word with God’s people.

Don’t let the power of your faith be exploited by the adversary who constantly boasts having done many great things. For of late it is evident through his intentional leaking and disclosure of “plans” and agendas, he has convinced too many watchman that what he has said he will do will surely come to pass. (more…)

He that has ears to hear…

Posted: May 3, 2015 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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A couple of years ago I had written an article about the unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods, I discussed the attitudes of the Pharisees that were there listening. Amazingly, instead of agreeing with Jesus that the steward’s behavior was sinful, they instead began to deride Jesus to publicly mock Him. The more I ponder this reactive attitude towards Christ the more I am amazed at just how hard an arrogant and religious heart can be. Not only were they failing miserably at being faithful stewards of the oracles of God which they openly boasted to be the keepers and teachers of, they failed miserably in their living by them. Such is why all who will live godly for Jesus will not only be rejected, but likewise persecuted by today’s arrogant religious leaders.

Jesus said such men were “those who justified yourselves before men,” but warned all that God knows the hearts of all men. But what was it the Pharisees had been “justifying” themselves about? They were the prominent religious leaders of the day . . . that is up until the Light of the world appeared unto men exposing them for what they really were. They were covetous not only of worldly things, but also of the praise and admiration of men. No wonder Jesus spoke such sharp condemning words to them that what they “highly esteemed” was an abomination in the sight of God.

If you are an America Christian who is faring well and yet yearn for, or look for the praise and approval of men, then I strongly urge you to listen to Jesus words against these religious men –

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

In the Gospel of John it was recorded how many of the chief rulers actually believed on Jesus, but only two of which are mentioned in scripture and eventually came forward and stood for Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. However, many of them would not openly confess Jesus because they feared the Jews, i.e., the Pharisees –

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Please take notice that Jesus did not state they were indifferent concerning “the praise of God” for their life and ministry, but rather how “they loved the praise of men more.” Nowadays, the churches are being “led” by ministers out there who are guilty of serving men more than they serve God. Many ministers are simply more concerned with their own position and career as a pastor and therefore their “godly service” is tainted by their trying to keep the deacons that hired them happy with their performance.

Other ministers are motivated in “their calling” by an eagerness to hear praise from the members of their congregation on just how wonderful their message was. They love hearing how the message was precisely the encouragement and comfort their congregants “needed to hear,” as once more they were told how much God loves them just as they are, unconditionally. Meanwhile, they continue living in sin and would be almost impossible to differentiate from non-believers if they were not going to a church on Sunday.

These are only a couple of reasons why most ministers are hesitant to give their whole counsel of God, because they know if preach on the “hard texts” the church would rapidly clear out for many are there with self-serving motives and have no intentions of ever picking up their crosses to follow Jesus Christ. So these ministers excused themselves as being “servants of men,” having blindly compromised the Gospel, and have chosen instead to likewise make themselves comfortable in the religious social centers they dare to call Church.

Doubtless these church leaders were convicted by the Holy Spirit with similar admonitions as those that were giving to the Seven Churches, yet they were too weak and carnal and therefore intimidated by the board of deacons in their churches to obediently stand up and boldly preach the whole counsel of God. Or perhaps even now many people in their church feel the Holy Spirit convicting them through their personal study of God’s holy Word and are too intimidated by their authoritarian pastors to even ask or share what the Lord has been impressing on their own hearts? The verses below show how this intimidation existed and affected the parents of the one born blind which Jesus had healed –

John 9:19 And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who ye say was born blind? How then does he now see? 20 His parents answered them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: 21 But by what means he now sees, we know not, or who hath opened his eyes, we know not. He is of age ask him, he shall speak for himself. 22 These words spoke his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that He was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue.

The religious leaders in Jesus’ day (like many nowadays) had made quite a living for themselves by taking wages of the people who had little to spare while they themselves fared sumptuously. Because of their riches they could not be convinced of their sin unto repentance since they believed they were obviously blessed while others were poor, supposing their prosperity was a sure sign of their godliness. Foolishly they perpetuated this lie deeper into their darkened hearts by exchanging honor among themselves as being the most venerable and praiseworthy leaders of the poor and ignorant. All too often we hear the same foolish clamor in lengthy introduction of certain preachers at public assemblies. Yet listen to Jesus explanation to them as to why such would not be saved –

John 5:44 How can you believe which receive honor one of another and seek not the honor that comes from God only?

What a powerfully strong and indicting question. Hear also the sharp judgment from Enoch recorded Jude against them, yet not only against those in Jesus’ days, but still loudly echoing in ours as well. Razor-sharp words to be applied against all the hypocritical leaders of religion everywhere who “appear to be somewhat” and trust in of their illusion of position, authority and knowledge; yet don’t walk according to the truth of the Gospel.

Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints, 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speak great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember you the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

These apostate covetous leaders unwittingly separated themselves from God because of their carnality and refusal to walk by the leading of Spirit of God. These are they who have run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward. Such leaders nowadays are now governing mega-church-empires all over the globe making merchandise of another gospel to carnal believers convinced they too are heaven bond. Dare to examine these men’s ministry and your own pastors in the light of Paul’s words to the Church –

I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I Thessalonians 2:7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Beloved, Jesus once warned a man who came wanting Jesus to settle a dispute about an inheritance, beware of covetousness. It is a lie from hell that “He with the most toys when he dies, wins.” Riches cannot save a man’s soul, rather they tend to be the very weight that pulls them down into the depths of hell. Some may protest and say, “But wait, with Jesus it is possible for the rich to be saved.” True, but Jesus was the one who warned it is still easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle. Why then make it harder when even with the poor, the righteous are still scarcely saved. Are those things that perish with the using worthy of risking one’s eternal soul?

Luke 12:15 And He said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

Nevertheless, after Jesus’ reference to the unjust steward who wasted his lord’s good the Pharisees began to openly mock Jesus.

Lu 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. 14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided Him. 15 And He said unto them, “You are they which justify your selves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.”

Because the Pharisees openly ridiculed Christ and His sermon against worldliness, He proceeded to tell everyone about “certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously … and a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores.” Now nowhere is it implied by Luke that this rich man and Lazarus were mere fictitious characters created for a parabolic lesson and to assume these were not two actual people lacks any support of scriptural implication. It can be seen in 16 other places in his Gospel account how Luke clearly records “Jesus spoke a parable” unto the people, but not here.

It is therefore more than reasonable to believe that the Pharisees and all those around wholly understood who Jesus was speaking about . . . and were therefore immediately brought back to a sober temperament as the fate of this once highly esteemed and respected individual was declared unto them. Nothing takes the wind out of the prideful mockery out of hypocrites faster than exposing the fate of one of their own, and such seems to be the intention of Jesus so addressing the rich man and Lazarus after the Pharisees deriding Him.

The modern church would do well to listen to the Jesus’ words above, as well as these other words He said later to the disciples once again in front of those who came trying Him with clever questions.

Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people He said unto His disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes and love the greetings in the markets and take the highest seats in the synagogues and chief rooms at feasts. 47 These are they who devour widows’ houses and for a show make their long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.

These religious leaders had all the outward appearance of being teachers and authorities on matters of religion, but they were nothing more than “whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.” They publicly paraded themselves as spiritual leaders from God to the world while they really lived only for themselves neglecting the weightier matters of the Law; judgment, mercy and faith.

So what exactly is the difference from those pharisaical hypocrites then and so many of the chief leaders in modern churches today? Once again too many have neglected the warning that the covetous would again confuse gain with godliness and begin to preach prosperity over holiness, that Christians should be healthy, popular, happy and prosperous as a witness to God blessing us. But how does message that convict a dying world of sin, righteousness and judgment?

Where in this day and age is that lowly servant mentality that our Lord and Savior showed us among all those now confidently claiming to be King’s kids? Is it because we don’t remember when Jesus returns He is going to separate the sheep from the goats? Dividing those who served God and those who didn’t? Just as surely as the rich man pleaded with Abraham to “have mercy on me,” so will many of these confident believers one day beg for mercy and not find any because they too are guilty of neglecting the weightier matters of the Law.

Lu 16:25 But Abraham said, “Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, which would come from thence.”

I cannot help but consider Abraham’s words, “between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot.” It seems that the torment of those on the other side is so great and extreme, that some like Lazarus might be compassionately compelled to try to pass over even at their own peril to try to offer some relief to the tormented, even though they were neglected and suffered greatly in this life. But the wisdom and righteous judgment of God has made this impossible. They had their opportunity to choose life and live, to repent and draw nigh to God and He would have drawn nigh unto them, but the opportunity is now forever gone.

Jesus concludes His accounting of the rich man and Lazarus fates with Abraham’s clear response to the rich man’s desperate pleading for him to send Lazarus back to warn his five brothers lest they too come to the same end, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead.” Like a sharp sword thrusted skillfully into the very heart of the matter, since that was the confidence of these Pharisees who believed their knowledge of the scriptures would save them.

Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. And you will not come to Me, that you might have life. I receive not honor from men. But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father’s name, and you receive Me not, yet if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.

How can you believe which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust. For had you believed Moses you would have believed Me, for he wrote of Me. But if you believe not his writings, how can you believe My words? (John 5:39-47)

There are five articles I wrote all dealing with the apostasy that is now in the churches today. I wrote about “Why judgment must begin in the Lord’s house, with those who are called by His name,” because so many seem believers truly think heaven is going to be so much better off and lucky to have them once they get there. They are proud and arrogant thinking they have been God’s gift to the church. Meanwhile their hypocrisy has been the cause for the Lord’s name to be blasphemed among the unbelievers. We are to walk worthy of the Name of Jesus Christ if we call ourselves a Christian.

Next, “Faith, faithfulness and forgiveness,” in which I reasoned how it seems many are so-called believers are not truly pressing into the Kingdom of God, nor does it appear that they even understand the concept thereof. Maybe because they have been taught they are “king’s kids” and it’s their entitlement. Perhaps because they think that just because it is the Father’s good pleasure to give them the Kingdom all they have to do is wait for it to come to them. Foolishly they are strolling down the broad way that leads to hell itself.

Thirdly, “The rights of man,” and how since the fall of Adam this illusion of “rights” has been repackaged and resold over and over again only to keep men in conflict with each other and their Creator. God has indeed given rights to men, but they are His to give and not a man’s to claim. They are the blessings He bestows upon those who have embraced their responsibilities and so labored and walked accordingly.

Then, “The unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods,” and how our good stewardship requires our keeping God’s word with what it defines as defines as unambiguous righteousness, and likewise not allowing sin to creep into our lives disguising itself as something acceptable.

Lastly, “Faith as a grain of mustard seed,” the last in the series on faith, such faith which if truly obtain, Jesus said we could “say unto this sycamine tree, “Be you plucked up by the root and planted in the sea and it will obey you.” Oh how I pray always for this gift of faith that I might effectually minister the gospel in power to the needs of the afflicted and those tormented in this life. Oh, that all God’s children possessed and lived by such faith.

Now, before we finish, I want to share a conversation I had with one believer many years ago. After one of our house meetings, this individual came up to me and told me he wanted to do something great for God. I told him that was great, to be patient and God may so use him. However, he repeated himself as almost correcting me as if I did not correctly hear him, “Listen, I mean I want to do something really great for God.” To which I again said to him “Good. Be patient.”

At my reply he seemed almost agitated as if I wasn’t quite getting it, so he said again to me, “No, I am saying I want to do something really great for God, something that other believers aren’t doing for Him.” At that I then told him, “Good, I know just the thing.”

“What? What is it?” he eagerly replied, “I’ll do anything!”

I told him “This is something God looking for and really wants done but hardly anyone will do it because it costs too much.”

“I don’t care what it costs, I’ll do it. I want to do something great for God,” he insisted again.

“This is the greatest thing you can do for Him,” I told him, “But you have to be willing to give up everything if you want to successfully do it.”

“I don’t care, it’s OK no matter what it costs! I am the one that will do it!” he insisted “I just want to do something great for God.”

“OK,” I said, “Love Him with all your heart, mind and strength. That’s what God wants, but many can’t or simply won’t do it because it cost them too much.”

“Aaaaaaw man!” he said, “I said I want to do something really great for God.”

Sigh . . . most believers just don’t get it. Why is it so many fail to see the greatest commandment is also the greatest thing we can do? Why is it so many want to do the “really great” thing . . . do they really think that will make them a great person or man of God? If so, then their service is all about them and not God.

Why can’t believers just humble themselves and let God be God, and love and serve Him as He is worthy? Have they forgotten that he who willingly becomes the least, the same shall be great?

Lord Jesus, increase our faith, we desperately need real living faith . . .

Remember that true faith works by love. If we are ever to do great things for God, we must first give Him all our heart and mind and serve Him with all our being. Anything less is not loving Him with pure hearts; anything less is a falling short.

Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked Him a question tempting him and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Luke 16:31 And He said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

Lord, we entreat You again, give us open hearts and ears that hear, for Your name’s sake Lord Jesus.

Worthless salt crushed under foot by men…

Posted: April 27, 2015 in End Times, Wake Up!
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18 months later and this word has only become more appropriate for the Church in America…

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You are the salt of the earth
But if its taste goes from the salt, how will you make it salt again?
It is then good for nothing but to be put out and crushed under foot by men.

As I sat down to write this article I am heavy in spirit.  I have felt the Lord impressing upon me the severity of the judgment that about to come upon those who call themselves “Christians.” I am acutely aware of the criticism that will be directed my way by proud “born-again believers” who are claiming to be “saved by grace” that I would even dare to write this article. But I have not rushed into this article by any means; rather I have been hesitant for a while to approach the subject myself by writing knowing it places me firmly in front of the mirror whereby as we judge others, so shall we be judge. Nevertheless, my convictions to obey the Lord has set me before my keyboard praying for God’s people and humility, grace and wisdom to address this subject as the Lord would lead.

The world is as full of those professing to be Christians as the rainbow is diverse in colors and hues. Today, Christendom encompasses a contrasting spectrum of thousands of denominations from archaic orthodox churches all around the world steeped in tradition to America’s modern social lounge churches settings with couches, subdued lighting and contemporary music and music videos playing on huge screens while some cool guy or gal assures everyone of the greatness of God’s love for them “just as they are.”

Thanks to the Mother of Harlots there is no shortage of places of “worship” and even more reasons that people go to them. Some go regularly out of cultural religious obligations, while others actually go mainly for business reasons. Many people go to church solely for acceptance, though not by God but socially by others, reasoning that at church others as a minimum will have to act like they love them. The prideful go in order to feel important, so they can routinely impress others with their superior knowledge of the bible and philosophy. Then there are the patriotic church goers that go routinely simply accepting it as their religious duty and to boldly declare their faith before men though often having little true charity for others or love and faithfulness to the one they claim to serve.

Sadly, unless they repent, many of these people are destined for a rude awakening when one day they hear the Lord Jesus say unto them, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” and “I never knew you. Depart from Me for you who practice lawlessness!” Such strong words as these should sober up with fear those who claim “The Law” has been done away with “through grace,” Many of people who say such don’t even have the slightest idea what they are affirming as divine truth, and are like mimicking parrots endlessly chattering confidently their position with ignorant boldness.

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Bye Bye Miss American Pie

Posted: April 9, 2015 in America, Wake Up!
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I am sure must have heard already that the original handwritten lyrics to Don McLean’s legendary song “American Pie” recently sold at an auction for 1.2 million dollars.

When I heard this the other morning I was struck with the feeling that the significance of this sell is that America has truly been sold out; the handwritten constitution, the bill of rights….  it’s all gone. I couldn’t reason away the thought that we have just crossed a threshold were all prospects of turning America around are gone. Though individuals may still find life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and personal repentance, I was  left with the depressing feeling that the nation of America has officially been spiritually given over into captivity, with the physical soon to follow…

Below is one of the passage of scripture that I regrettably feel finds application to America today…

Ezekiel 16:35 – Wherefore, O harlot, hear the word of the LORD:
36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;
37 Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.
38 And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy.
39 And I will also give thee into their hand, and they shall throw down thine eminent place, and shall break down thy high places: they shall strip thee also of thy clothes, and shall take thy fair jewels, and leave thee naked and bare.
40 They shall also bring up a company against thee, and they shall stone thee with stones, and thrust thee through with their swords.
41 And they shall burn thine houses with fire, and execute judgments upon thee in the sight of many women: and I will cause thee to cease from playing the harlot, and thou also shalt give no hire any more.
42 So will I make My fury toward thee to rest, and My jealousy shall depart from thee, and I will be quiet, and will be no more angry.
43 Because thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, but hast fretted Me in all these things; behold, therefore I also will recompense thy way upon thine head, saith the Lord GOD: and thou shalt not commit this lewdness above all thine abominations.

It grieves my heart to say these things…

Brothers and sisters, hide yourselves in the Most High.

Wretched Men

Posted: November 22, 2014 in Devotionals, Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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There was a time when I honestly thought I was a Christian, meaning, that I was a real “follower of Christ.” But like so many others professing Christ nowadays, I was believing what so many religious teachers out there teach as the Christian’s dilemma, that we will always be stuck in doing those things we hate and many times completely unable to do those right things we want. My question was and still is, just how is that being “free indeed?”

John 8:31 – Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed ;32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Romans 7:19 – For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.  21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.  22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:  23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

So, how are we supposed to reconcile those words of the Apostle Paul with the words of Jesus? Are we “wretched men,” or are we “free indeed?” Like so many, I was taught that Bible teaches that sin “dwells in me,” and therefore, evil is always going to present with me. Thus, like Paul himself supposedly admitted, I too was always going to be sinning, and that like it or not, I am therefore incapable of ever becoming the person I pray to become in Christ. That if I want any real peace of mind and heart, I just needed to accept all that as fact and quit being so hard on myself. If I did not simply accept who I was “in Christ,” I would never have any peace.

To this day I am continuing meet believers who wholly accepted it as sound doctrinal fact and therefore teach it as so. Consequently, many of these have absolutely no real motivation to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” To me, that is both alarming and frightening, since without holiness no man shall see God on favorable terms.

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Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Posted: September 30, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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I know I have written several times on grace in the past, but we must be obedient to what we feel the Lord gives us to share. So, whoever you are, maybe this is just for you.

The follow list contains three things that God’s word not only fundamentally teaches about God’s grace, but biblical history affirms over and over again to be true as it records without partiality the triumphs and failures of those who believed in God.

  1. Grace is sufficient.
  2. Grace can be frustrated.
  3. Grace can be received in vain.

First, regarding grace’s sufficiency in the life of the believer, Paul was assure by God that His grace would be adequate to see him through whatever temptations he would endure or the trials and persecutions he must suffer for the cause of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Paul learned his confidence was only to be in God’s grace, and that he could not depend on his own strength or power. For it was in his weakness where Paul found he was able to experience God’s fullness in a way he couldn’t in those areas where his own strength or wisdom were adequate, such as making and mending tents. But when it came to his salvation, doing the work of the ministry, fighting the fight, or running the race, Paul knew full well he could not do those things apart from the grace of God given unto him.

Furthermore, the fact that God had given such empowering grace unto Paul, he was fully aware he must take full advantage of it so as not to frustrate it, lest he fall short in the calling God had given unto him.

1 Corinthians 9:16 – For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

I often use the following example when speaking of God’s “sufficient” grace. Someone needs to get somewhere but they have no means to get there. They are at an impasse and do not know what they are going to do because they have to get there or the consequences will be severe if they fail to do so. Upon hearing of their plight I offer them the use of my car, to which they say, “Great, but I have no money for gas.” I tell them no worries, I will fill up the tank and that will be more than sufficient to get them there.

Being greatly relieved, they are now confident that they can safely make the trip because they have been given all they need for the journey, but while on their way they get to thinking they have more than enough time and there is “more than sufficient” gas, so they take the liberty to go sightseeing to other places along the way. Getting caught up in their new found liberty with my car and gas, they carelessly are driving around exhausting the gas. Soon they turn around towards their original destination and suddenly to their surprise the car abruptly stops out of gas!

Is this is not like the parable of the ten virgins Jesus gave us? Or the warning in Hebrews 4-

Hebrews 4:1 – Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

There was no more reason for the people to run out of gas than there was for why the promise of God to give “The promise Land” wasn’t realized by those to whom the promise was given. Yet we too today are being warned of like consequences, the possibility of coming short of our destination by tempting the sufficient limitations of God’s grace. For “To day if you will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” God clearly gave the Israelites a sure promise, and all the promises of God in Jesus are yea, and in Him, Amen, unto the glory of God by us! And so how could it possibly be that they failed to have God’s promise fulfilled?

Numbers 14:34 – After the number of the days in which you searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall you bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you shall know My breach of promise. 35 I the LORD have said, I will surely do it unto all this evil congregation, that are gathered together against me: in this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.

What’s this? God told them they would know His “breach of promise?” How could this be? Surely God doesn’t break His word? There is no doubt that He loved them, and God is no respecter of person, right? And yet what did Peter say when God gave him the revelation of His grace being given unto the Gentiles too?

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that fears Him, and works righteousness, is accepted with Him.

Secondly, scriptures clearly say God’s grace can undeniably be frustrated.

Galatians 2:21 – I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Paul makes it clear; God gave unto him a grace that was sufficient to enable him to be and do all which God had called him to. This grace given wasn’t because of any sacrificed animal or any other ordinance given under the Levitical priesthood, or because of Paul’s own keeping of the Law. Rather, this grace was founded upon what God did through Christ so that Paul and men everywhere could be washed and justified of their sins and then filled with the Spirit of Christ in them, the hope of glory. It was this indwelling grace of the Spirit of Christ that enabled Paul to do and be all that God required of him. Likewise God desires His grace to work in men so they too might fulfill that which God requires of every one who names the name of Christ.

Hebrews 7:11 – If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Romans 8:3 – For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh.

It was impossible for the law to save men, as it was weak through the flesh, meaning “it is not possible” for dead, unholy men to make themselves holy and alive, or “that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away [their] sins,” (Hebrews 10:4). Therefore, God sending his own Son in the likeness of man’s own sinful flesh, through Jesus’ shed blood and it alone men can now be justified of their sins, fully forgiven and sanctified so as to render them fit for the fullness of God’s sufficient grace; the indwelling and empowering of the Spirit of Christ.

Galatians 2:20 – I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

I Timothy 1:12 – And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.

Colossians 1:27 – To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily.

Three, God’s grace can be received in vain.

Grace is so, so much more than just “unmerited favor.” Yes, absolutely God’s offer of grace is unmerited, for it was ordained from the beginning, even before the foundations of the world, long before anyone could have even tried to earn, merit, or deserve it. And when sin did abound, grace did abound all the more in that Christ came and willingly died for the ungodly. But God’s grace doesn’t stop at the offer of forgiveness of sins, for it is the power which quickens dead men and makes them alive and turns sinners into saints.

1 Corinthians 1:24 – But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

God’s grace is the power of God that delivers us from the sinful nature embedded in our hearts and equips us for our unique ministry unto Him and others. It cannot be said enough, grace is the divine indwelling of Christ Himself empowering us, moving us ever towards victory and making us overcomers. It is by this grace and grace alone we are what we are, (or can be as we grow in Christ), or as Paul said, “I am what I am…”

II Corinthians 6:1 – We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

I Corinthians 15:10 – But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Likewise, we all must be sober and recognize that the Kingdom of God suffers violence and they who would take it must take by force as the Jews did the Promise Land. But we need not depend on our own strength, for it is by the force/power which works in us mightily as we exercise our love and faith in Christ that we are empowered to do what He has called us to do.

Like Paul says, faith works through love.

Galatians 5:6 – For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avail anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love.

John 14:23 – Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loves Me not keeps not My sayings: and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

Faith works because it is the consequence of hearing God’s word whereby we can receive grace to enable us to be faithful. For the Apostle Paul said, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” So let’s look into this, first faith comes by hearing God’s word, and then grace through faith saves us. However we know without hearing we could have no faith, and yet it is through faith that grace comes whereby we are saved. So what is the gift? Is it grace or faith? What says the word of God?

Romans 12:3 – For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Every man has been dealt the measure of faith, but what is that measure? What does that mean? It means that for all those who would recognize their personal poverty of spirit, and mourn for their sins before a holy God and quit excusing themselves by blaming everyone and everything for what they are and have done, and start to hunger and thirst for righteousness, that God will give them grace for obedience to the faith. That is the beginning of the Be Attitudes of the Sermon on the Mount.

Romans 1:5 – By whom we have received grace… for obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name.

But how can men know these things without hearing the word of God or be able to recognize it as true? By that measure of faith God has dealt to every man. Every person has enough faith already dealt to them; it is there in their conscience with the writing of God’s law in their inner man that can enable them to properly respond to hearing the gospel, the only question is will they? Even creation is designed so as to stir up that measure of faith, compelling all men to seek after God and truth.

Romans 1:20 – For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

  Consequently, there is no excuse, even Wisdom is said to be continually “in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying, “How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out My spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.” Thus hearing God’s word we are given that increase of faith through which grace can flood our souls and save us, God pouring out His Spirit unto us and changing us from the inside out, from inward virtue to outward godliness.

2 Peter 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus expects to see these things in us, for by “grace through faith” these things should be in us and abounding. Otherwise we will be proven to have been “barren…[and] unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Surely none of us would be content or pleased with a friend or a spouse as our lover who simply “believes” in us. We would expect and settle for nothing less than faithfulness, and rightly so, because that is the reasonable expectation of a love perfected by grace. True faith will always work towards faithfulness because faith works by love. It really is that simple.

Sadly, many believers continue in sin while rejecting correction with “God loves me unconditionally.” They have minimize amazing grace to nothing more than “unmerited favor.” Foolishly they live out their lives giving way to their flesh, continuing their friendship with the world. They don’t even try to keep His words simply because they don’t love Him, having believed the lie it really doesn’t matter anyway… since God loves them unconditionally. But is that what Jesus said or their pastor?

John 14:21 He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him. 24 He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent Me.

Right there in verse 23 is the biggest word in the bible, and often the most overlooked, “If.” Wherever there is an “if” in the scriptures there is also an insinuated “then.” That little word has enormous meaning; for it is a qualifier preceding a condition. That little “if” is a razor sharp edge on the sword of the spirit that cuts through all the pretense and good intentions to the very heart of every man’s faith and belief in God. So much so that the Beloved Apostle John had this to say-

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, [then] we [God and us] have fellowship one with another, and [then] the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

The very first act of grace through faith is the work of repentance, faithfulness to the commandment of Christ to all men.

Acts 17:30 – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men everywhere to repent.

Titus 2:11 – For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

1 Peter 1:13 – Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as He which hath called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be you holy; for I am holy.

Sadly, many professors of faith today will one day find they have exhausted the grace of God, having frustrated it with their persistent unfaithfulness. They neglect that measure of faith dealt to them and thereby limit the effectual working of God’s grace, burying as it were the proverbial “talent” Christ entrusted them with to invest towards for His glory. These are they who will one day find they were actually goats and not sheep they thought they were when the Lord returns to separate those professing to know Him.

Psalm 78:41 – Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

Dear reader, this is a very serious matter, because God has given unto us exceeding great and precious promises that enable us to be holy and separate from the world, doers of His word and not hearers only, to answer the call to be glorious partakers of His divine nature, having Christ formed in us and escaping the wrath to come.

1 Peter 1:3 – According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

No Excuse

Even though Adam sinned and all are now required to escape the corruption that is in the world through lust, there is no excuse for continuing in sin. For God foresaw sin even before anything was created and though as a mystery hid until the appointed time, the remedy was always there. Therefore it must be recognized as an indisputable fact that God foresaw absolutely everything, in infinitesimal detail, and categorically knew every good and evil thing that would transpire throughout all eternity. Therefore before the creation of man, God fully knew all the circumstances which would occur and every opposing force of evil that would arise with all their intensity, destruction and confusion, and accordingly made all the necessary preparations to assure His own purposes and glory. That regardless of the foe or evil intent, He can absolutely assure those who love Him, that each and every circumstance and event in their lives was foreseen and therefore He can successfully work all things together for their eternal well-being.

No, the foreknowledge of sin didn’t discourage God; He still elected to create humanity in His image, knowing that as lights they could still brilliantly manifest the wonders and glory of God through the sufficiency of His amazing grace available through Jesus Christ the Lord. Each created to be temples for the Spirit of the living God, and called to “serve the LORD with gladness… [for] the LORD He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.” Man, every man, is “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” What then will sinners say when they are asked by their Creator why they ignored His calling them?

 It is irrelevant how men may view and dismiss their sin, for what God sees in sin is a willingness of men to trample His Son in order to continue down their own path with a callous indifference for Jesus’ precious blood; devalued to the status of a common product readily available on shelves of the local convenient stores that they assume will always be there whenever they need it. Sadly such people are sitting in churches on Sunday feeling all justified while committing idolatry, worshiping a “Jesus” the modern commercial church system has made just for them and they don’t even know the difference.

2 Corinthians 11:4 – If indeed someone is coming to preach another Jesus, whom I did not preach, or you are receiving a Spirit other than you once received, or another gospel which you did not accept before, you would do well to bear with me.

Dear reader, if Jesus tells us, “Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? And in Your name have cast out devils? And in Your name done many wonderful works?” Don’t you think we better be sure we know who He was talking about? Before He says to us as well, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who work iniquity.”

It has been said the judgment of God is to let men go their own way when they have frustrated His grace. For this cause God permitted the rise of those empires that took the Jews into captivity twice, and why He allows the rise of the last and final, Eighth Beast, a corrupt government system under the authority of Satan eager to force those created in God’s image to desecrate their bodies (God’s temples) with a “mark” that would forever oblige them to now serve and worship the dragon and the beast.

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen.

Hugs . . .

Posted: August 29, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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??????????Are you a hug-giver or a hug-taker?

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Then Jesus took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

What a wonderful passage showing the gentle love of our Savior as He received the little children with hugs and then blessed them. Surely it is evident Jesus was without a doubt a hug-giver. But does that automatically make the little children hug-takers? The answer is no of course, for most often they trustingly hug back echoing the affection they’re given.

Children need hugs, we all do. But why hugs? Perhaps it is the very first embrace in life, as a newborn baby naturally clings to its mother and she hugs the infant in a warm embrace that affirmably assures the child instinctively of the mother’s love and commitment.

Children run to their mother, father, grandmother and grandfather for hugs of comfort and assurance because they have already experienced the undying love and commitment that has selflessly been invested in them since birth. Nothing feels better than being hug from one who has consistently been there giving of themselves freely, investing their time, labor and love in you. There is hardly a greater pleasure than embracing a child, son, daughter, spouse, or parent, and to hug them and feel the flow of mutual love and gratitude for just being there . . .  over and over, again and again and again.

But if it was not for the consistency and proven dependability, hugs would be worthless. For what basis for comfort would there be in a hug when the passage of time doesn’t reinforce the reliability in one’s love and actions to those they hug? Perhaps a better question, why would they even want to hug? The sad answer lies in the fact that there are hug-givers and hug-takers. An embrace from hug-givers affirms what is already known to those they hug, it overflows with significance, conveying love and security to those they embrace.

Hug-takers however, are often people full of good intention but never quite seem to be able to be there when really needed. Their biggest distraction in life is themselves; always being driven, moment to moment by what is important to them. They almost always mean to be there for you, but can’t because other more important things usually come up: things that affirm to others that “you’re not the most important thing in my life right now.” Occasionally they take a moment out of their own time to deceive themselves into thinking they are giving affirmation of love and hug others, but in truth they are taking a hug from another, trying to find that comfort and assurance they only remember.

Sadly, hugs can be like slack sails with no real wind in them, just yesterday I was told by a friend how when someone they care for hugs them it is just empty, “there’s nothing there.” Hugs can never affirm what your history negates and all the good intentions in the world are worthless, unless you are paving a road to hell. Never forget, faith works by love and love is faithful. True love is said to never fail, but should it fail, it is quick to repent and make amends, shoring up what was breached in its moment of neglect.

But sadly, hug-takers are some of the most selfish people out there, hugging others only trying to convince themselves how much they really do care, while their own inactions cause the one being hugged to stand back in bewilderment. Don’t deceive yourselves, if the “love” you feel doesn’t benefit to others, it really isn’t love.

Some people just need to wake up and do the right thing and realize what truly is important to Jesus.

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Those in Lot’s fellowship…

Posted: August 25, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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Brothers and sisters, why do you think Abraham thought he could appeal to God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if there were fifty righteous men in the cities? Most people tend to think it was just “righteous Lot” who was living there vexing his soul among all those vulgarly wicked and profane sodomites. But do you really think Lot would live there alone if there were no other professing “believers” living there? When Ezekiel was sent to reprove Israel, God declared that, “As I live says the Lord Jehovah, Sodom your sister, she nor her daughters has not done as you have done, you and your daughters.” Surely you wouldn’t think that there were no professing believers in Ezekiel’s days? Why then do we tend to dismiss the idea there were other “believers” in Sodom?

No, there were religious people all over the land, many just like those in Ezekiel’s day who were boasting in their arrogance to be God’s chosen people, prophets and priests and faithful followers of Jehovah, the called out ones, or so they thought. They were as surprise as will be so many when they too cry out “Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name cast out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works?” Only to hear the Lord reply, “I never knew you! Depart from Me, you who live working lawlessness!”

No, righteous Lot was alone only in his righteousness, many were there claiming to be the believers in the living God. It was that reason Abraham asked God, “Perhaps there are fifty righteous within the city. Will You also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are in it?” and yet the longer Abraham thought about the “believers” dwelling in Sodom and the surrounding cities, he began to go lower and lower in asking God till he said “Oh do not let the LORD be angry, and I will speak only once more. Perhaps ten shall be found there?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.”

Seriously consider this, you who so confidently profess to be serving God, for out of Abraham’s appeal to God to spare the cities for fifty righteous, only one was led out. That was a speculated “fifty,” out of how many though that was professing faith? Abraham knew they were not all serving God, that many had deceived their own selves into thinking they were righteous, so fifty had to be a conservative number to start with. Then, knowing the holiness of God, Abraham began to whittle the numbers down till he reached ten, only a mere ten and God still said He would have spared the cities. And yet it was only righteous Lot who came out from among them, with his wife looking back perishing. Do you understand the math concerning this? Only 2% of Abraham’s original conservative number was saved.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

 How is it men don’t fear God?

Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it…

Posted: August 4, 2014 in America, End Times, Wake Up!
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A message the Lord gave me to share in open assembly. 

Transcript-

In the beginning of your message, the Lord put this… brought this to my heart. Being a husband and being a father, loving my wife and kids, loving my friends, loving my pastor, this passage has always struck me, motivated me to prayer. Ummm,

(I’m reading from Ezekiel 14)

The word of the LORD came again to me, saying,

Son of man, when a land sins against Me by traitorous betraying, then I will stretch out My hand on it, and will break the staff of its bread, and will send famine on it, and will cut off man and beast from it.

And though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver only their own souls by their righteousness, says the Lord Jehovah.

If I cause destroying beasts to come through the land, and they spoil it so that it is deserted, so that no one may pass through because of the beasts,

though these three men were in its midst, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters. They only shall be delivered, but the land shall be deserted.

Or if I bring a sword on that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it;

though these three men were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Or if I send a plague into that land, and pour out My fury on it in blood, to cut off man and beast from it;

though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, says the Lord Jehovah, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter. They shall only deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

For so says the Lord Jehovah: How much more when I send My four evil judgments on Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the destroying beast, and the plague, to cut off man and beast from it.

Yet, behold, there shall be left a remnant in it that shall be brought out, sons and daughters. Behold, they shall come out to you, and you shall see their way and their doings. And you shall be comforted concerning the evil that I brought on Jerusalem, for all that I have brought on it.

A brother  asks – What passage was that?

William – Ezekiel 14:12 to the end.

God will provide our needs, you said that. You talked about tribulation; you talked about God’s faithfulness and God will provide for us when the time comes… But God is providing for us.  It is fooling… it is foolishness to think that we need to wait till the sword comes and that God’s going to provide. God is providing now.

People in the congregation say “Amen.”

William – Today… we are told in the book of Ephesians “that having done all to stand.” Are we doing all…to stand? Because it is coming. We… you… do all now to stand? We have… I’ve heard it, and, and, I hope I am saying it in the right spirit. You know, God’s put it on Albert’s heart to talk about preparing, and he has prepared. And there are other’s that I know that are preparing. Because God is providing now that preparation for what is coming. God sends His the prophets. God sends His word and says I will do nothing except I reveal it first through my servants the prophets.

And that is the time you receive what God is saying, and you take the time to prepare, first and foremost spiritually. And mentally to prepare you for what’s coming so that you’re not overwhelmed by sudden fear… but also in the practical. Because we have that little warning there, with the five foolish virgins that come to five wise ones and say, “Give us of yours, because our lamps are gone out.”   And they turn around saying to those who had opportunity, who had time to prepare spiritually, emotionally and practically, “Uh-uh, no, not so. Go and buy from them that sell lest we don’t have for ourselves.”

God is speaking to all His people, “Prepare, prepare, prepare, spirit, soul, and body.” To stand in righteousness, to give heed because the God of gods who is righteous and just and has given everything we need now to prepare. And we need to prepare first and foremost in righteousness and repent, and to be the redeemed of the Lord and to let Christ come forth. But faith without works… in that you’re not preparing beyond that to the body, to everybody.

We are the body of Christ, and we need to discern those that are the body of Christ. And we need to let charity move forth beyond words, beyond the walls of the church into true commitment to each other, to stir us up.

This is the word of God today (pointing up towards the pastor), and my prayer is that God’s people lay hold of it, and put actions to it.

 

He that has ears to hear… they that know their God… will do something really great for Him.

Posted: June 11, 2014 in Shared Thoughts, Wake Up!
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A couple of years ago I had written an article about the unfaithful steward who wasted his master’s goods, I discussed the attitudes of the Pharisees that were there listening. Amazingly, instead of agreeing with Jesus that the steward’s behavior was sinful, they instead began to deride Jesus to publicly mock Him. The more I ponder this reactive attitude towards Christ the more I am amazed at how just how hard an arrogant and religious heart can be. Not only were they failing miserably at being faithful stewards of the oracles of God which they openly boasted to be the keepers and teachers of, they failed miserably in their living by them. Such is why all who will live godly for Jesus will not only be rejected, but likewise persecuted by today’s arrogant religious leaders.

Jesus said such men were “those who justified yourselves before men,” but warned all that God knows the hearts of all men. But what was it the Pharisees had been “justifying” themselves about? They were the prominent religious leaders of the day . . . that is up until the Light of the world appeared unto men exposing them for what they really were. They were covetous not only of worldly things, but also of the praise and admiration of men. No wonder Jesus spoke such sharp condemning words to them that what they “highly esteemed” was an abomination in the sight of God.

If you are an America Christian who is faring well and yet yearn for, or look for the praise and approval of men, then I strongly urge you to listen to Jesus words against these religious men –

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

In the Gospel of John it was recorded how many of the chief rulers actually believed on Jesus, but only two of which are mentioned in scripture and eventually came forward and stood for Jesus, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea. However, many of them would not openly confess Jesus because they feared the Jews, i.e., the Pharisees –

John 12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

(more…)

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