A Bishop Must! Sabbath Afternoon. 08/29/2015

The office of a bishop is one of the most sacred to devolve upon the shoulders of men, for it is fraught with eternal consequences for those who are under their care, and thus the spiritual qualifications and stipulations that are given in the scriptures must be closely followed and adhered to, in order that the cause of Christ may not suffer loss, and so that the sacred office might be a conduit for God’s saving grace to all the church and to the world at large. Furthermore, the Biblical instructions given are not only restricted to bishops and pastors, but they also extend out to all those who have been ordained as preachers and elders, deacons and televangelists, and everyone who is called by God, or otherwise assumes the sacred role of leader in one form or another, for it makes no difference whatsoever.

There are those who are ordained to preach, and then there are those who are permitted to preach, but any which way, the stipulations remain the same, because the eternal destiny of souls depend on the faithful administration of truth and duty in the one who is serving in such a sacred capacity. It is worthy of note that none of the twelve disciples of Christ were ever formally ordained by the religious leaders back then, for they received their calling directly from Christ, and as such they were to also fulfill the recommendations given in the scriptures. As Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw some fishermen mending their nets, and to them He addressed the words, “Follow me”.

 Then in another instance He saw a man working with the IRS, and again He called on him to leave his accounting work to follow where He would lead the way. Yet again, on another occasion, a particular person is not called by Christ, but intrudes himself into the inner circle of disciples, and as with any of the other disciples, he is permitted to preach. And the specific calls continued until there were twelve men from the common walks of life, whom Christ ordained and then sent out to preach.  Let’s read:

Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;

4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.

5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying”….

7 “As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of  heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Formal ordination by the church, as Christians are instructed to do in the scriptures, is good, and any person graduating from one of the most prestigious theological seminaries in the land, is quite a great  achievement, and should be encouraged whenever, and wherever possible. But The Lord will have us to understand that these certifications, in and of them selves, do not guarantee that the students are now ordained of God, for it is often the case that persons may graduate with a doctorate in theology, whilst they may have a failing grade in the Holy Ghost, yet the requirements as mentioned in the Bible must still apply. A very interesting commentary on this issue is penned by the servant of the Lord, and is worthy of our observation as we move forward with the presentation for today. Let’s read:

(Last day events pp. 204) The Comforter is to reveal Himself, not in any specified, precise way that man may mark out, but in the order of God—in unexpected times and ways that will honor His own name. He will raise up from among the common people men and women to do His work, even as of old He called fishermen to be His disciples. There will soon be an awakening that will surprise many. Those who do not realize the necessity of what is to be done will be passed by, and the heavenly messengers will work with those who are called the common people, fitting them to carry the truth to many places.

Laborers Qualified by the Holy Spirit.

In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged.... God will work a work in our day that but few anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals”.

Thus it is, that to all who assay to handle the sacred truths of God’s word, whether they are formally ordained, or are “Permitted” to preach, the sacred instructions and requirements will apply, and as we read, let us then consider where we are currently in our day, where a plethora of genuinely ordained, and self-proclaimed preachers and televangelists have overspread the land, some of whom specialize in a wide variety of smooth-sounding, tailor-made gospels that are being dispensed to the multitudes. Let’s read:

1st Timothy 3:1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given

to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

A perusal reading of the previous verses tell us that we are in very serious trouble as it is currently, for not only have the sacred instructions been blatantly disregarded in many instances, but many bishops have gone a step further by incorporating political correctness, and secular agendas into the pulpit, and as a result, we have a greatly compromised gospel that has surfaced in our day, in which the sacred truths of God’s word have been substituted for a host of motivational speeches, by which those who sit in darkness are being flattered into a carnal sense of security, and heaven is being offered on terms that are not recognized nor endorsed by God.

In addition to all these discrepancies, we are also being faced with several instances of sexual abuse by prominent religious leaders, to the point where there are now thousands of cases locally and world-wide, where pedophiles and preachers are found to be wearing the same shoes, and the stipulation of “One female wife” as given in the scriptures, has now been interpreted to include two of the same gender. Thus, the sacred truths of God’s word are being handled, or mishandled by those who are walking directly contrary to what the Bible teaches.

 It cannot be emphasized enough, that it is of critical importance that the dissemination of God’s word be not mixed with spiritual cool-aid, which will then inevitably cause the spiritual demise of those who espouse and endorse such creeds. Most prominent among these teachings is the doctrine which states that God’s law was nailed to the cross when Jesus died on Calvary. This singular doctrine, more than any other has opened the floodgates of moral

abandon upon our world, for wherever there is no absolute moral standard, we become a law unto ourselves, with variable standards of right and wrong being espoused and cultivated from person to person. Thus, the argument often cited by many Christians, that the L.G.b.T community is harboring unscriptural views, is being signally overturned by the fact that we too have endorsed a day of rest that has no Biblical foundation.

Thus, Christians and gays are often found to be sailing in the same boat, by stating that God’s law is no longer valid. But the same God who wrote with His own finger, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” is the same God who said “Remember The Sabbath day to keep it holy”, and if we are found to be in violation of one of the commandments of God, we will by so doing disqualify ourselves from speaking up against other violations that occur in our society. This odd situation was addressed by Christ, with the hope that all who take the name of Christ may live in harmony with what is written, so that as bishops, elders, deacons, and spiritual leaders, we may be “Blameless”, as is written in the instructions given.   Let’s read:

Matthew 7:2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 “First cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Similarly, as Christians we can condemn the act of killing, of the two reporters who were shot dead on live T.V recently, by the deranged gunman, yet if we are found to be in violation of another of the same law, then we are in the same boat, for the apostle James addressed this issue directly, by stating that he who offends in one, offends in all, for God is the Author of all Ten commandments. The law against adultery, stealing, covetousness, and murder, also contains the Sabbath commandment, and therefore one cannot be surrendered in favor of the other, without us being held liable. Let’s read:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

And now ladies and gentlemen, Christians, and fellow believers, straights and gays, seculars and pagans, friends and neighbors, we now present to you the honorable, sacred, and eternal law of Ten commandments, as written by the finger of God, and as we go through them, let us consider that they are given for our best good, and were written down in stone to show their permanence, and will be written in the hearts of all those who choose to be partakers of God’s saving grace, for this is the whole purpose and essence of the plan of salvation, as is written in the book of Hebrews. Let’s read:

Exodus 20:1 And God spake all these words, saying, 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

It is the will of God that every Christian, and every person who desires to be active partakers of God’s mercy and saving grace through Christ, now submit themselves to God, so that the principles of His law be indelibly etched into our consciences. God did not send His Son into the world, to die for our sins, so that we could continue in sin, so that grace may abound, for if that were the case, then it would have been better for us to die in our sins. We therefore end with four passages of scripture which show the purposes, uses, and validity of God’s law of Ten commandments, and it is the will of God that every sincere-hearted person now step up to the plate, and be counted, for God is now wrapping up the process of making up the citizens for His eternal kingdom of glory. Let’s read:

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make”… “saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Revelation 22:14 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.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.

May the Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                        God bless!

Wrong, But Not Guilty! Sabbath Afternoon. 08/22/2015

The study for this afternoon has very far-reaching implications, for it presents a sort of paradox, in which a person may actually have done something wrong, but are not considered guilty in the sight of God. These situations occur more often than many realize, and if the law and will of God are not very clear in our minds, we will be driven to extremes, in either the letter or the spirit of the law. The law of God defines what sin is, and it will do us well to study very carefully when sin actually occurs, so that we may avoid it at all costs. There are instances where God has commanded individuals to do that which in and of itself is not lawful, but because they carried out His mandate they are not held as guilty.

And then there are other instances when the human agent has taken the initiative in doing or saying that which is wrong, but they are not regarded by God as being guilty. And it’s because this issue of being wrong and not guiltless is so sensitive and far reaching in nature, that we must approach this study with a humble and teachable spirit, willing to learn of Christ, and being willing to follow where He leads the way. Furthermore, it is critically important that we know the difference of the sin that is unto death, and that which is not, especially at a time when a knowledge of God’s law and His will is of supreme importance, both on a personal level, and also globally.

In the days of Christ, there was an incident in which His disciples were found plucking the ears of corn upon the Sabbath day, and the Pharisees became very upset at what they deemed a blatant violation of the fourth commandment, being condoned also by Christ. And thus after bringing it to His attention, Jesus was moved to address the issue, since it had to do with a fine balance between the letter and the spirit of the law, something which was seriously lacking in the understanding and interpretation of the scriptures by many of the Jewish leaders. The reason why it is therefore necessary for us to study this issue closely, is so that the letter is not made to cancel the spirit, and vice-versa. Let’s read:

Luke 6:1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.

2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;

4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?

5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

In this instance, David was being hunted as the nation’s most wanted man by king Saul, and being hungry and starving, he went into the house of God and asked for any bread that was available, but there was only the shewbread, which was strictly forbidden for anyone, other than the priests to partake of. But because David could not even go to the grocery to buy food for fear of being killed by Saul, he took the last resort and ate of the shewbread, which under different or normal circumstances, would be considered sin. Thus, in his explanation of this incident, Jesus declared that David did that which was wrong, but was not held guilty, because human life is of greater value than the shewbread which could easily be replaced. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 21:1 Then came David to Nob to Ahimelech the priest: and Ahimelech was afraid at the meeting of David, and said unto him, Why art thou alone, and no man with thee?

2 And David said unto Ahimelech the priest, The king hath commanded me a business, and hath said unto me, Let no man know any thing of the business whereabout I send thee, and what I have commanded thee: and I have appointed my servants to such and such a place.

3 Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present.

4 And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women.

5 And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel.

6 So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the Lord, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

Now, if there had been common bread available, and David still went ahead, and insisted on having the shewbread, then he would have been guilty of the sin of presumption, but because of the current circumstance, in which he had no other choice, he did that which was unlawful, but was guiltless. The question then is whether in similar dire situations, we too may do that which is unlawful, and yet be guiltless. This is a very sensitive topic, and must be approached reverently, lest we be destabilized in our concepts and practice, as is commonly the case with many Christians who may not understand the difference.

 Yet again, on the same occasion, the explanation or precedents cited by Christ deserve our undivided attention, for He again makes reference of the priests, who baked bread over the Sabbath hours, in harmony with the direct instructions of God, for them to put in fresh-baked bread every day, for the services and purposes of the sanctuary. It’s of great importance for us to note, that in both instances, Jesus does not say that what was done is right, for He uses the words “Not lawful” and “Profane”, words which imply that the deeds were wrong. The same words “Not lawful” are also used to describe Herod’s illicit sexual relationship with his brother’s wife, a sin that John the Baptist was moved upon to rebuke, albeit at the cost of his life. Let’s read:

Mark 6:17 For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.

18 For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for

 thee to have thy brother's wife.

19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:

20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man”…

Thus, in His explanations, Christ makes use of the same word, and declares that the priests profaned the Sabbath by baking bread over the sacred hours, but were guiltless in the sight of God. This raises the question of what constitutes sin in the sight of God, for in one instance, a man was stoned for gathering sticks upon the Sabbath day, whereas in another instance, the disciples are plucking corn and eating freely in the presence of Christ, and He declares them to be guiltless. Question: Where is the line of demarcation between doing wrong and being guiltless, and doing wrong and being guilty? This is a very serious question indeed, and must therefore be thoroughly investigated and understood by all who desire a knowledge of God’s law and His will. Let’s read:

Matthew 12:5 Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?

6 But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.

8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

The case study for this afternoon will center around Rahab, who was a known prostitute in her town, yet she had a faint knowledge of the true God, through the historical experiences of the Hebrew people. On one occasion, two spies were sent to search out the city where she lived, and in order to conceal their real intent, they gave the impression that they were going to have a rendezvous with her, in order to  conceal their real motives. So before we move on to Rahab, let’s begin first with the spies, who obviously deliberately gave the wrong impression to the men of that town, by going to the house of a harlot, and so the question is, were they wrong in deliberately planning this move? Was it deception? And if so, were they held guilty?

But Rahab also joined in with them, for news had come to the king that two spies were in town, and therefore he sent to her house to make inquiry as to their whereabouts, upon which Rahab proceeded to give a long story, complete with specific details on how they had come and left her premises, with the additional advice that the kings soldiers should pursue after them quickly, lest they should escape. All this time, the spies were hiding on her roof top, amongst the stalks of flax, and so both the spies and Rahab had studiously cooperated in giving a false impression, to those sought them. Again, the same question is asked: Is Rahab’s story defined as being a deception, and if so, was she guilty of wrong-doing? Before we address this question, let us read a detailed exposition on what actually constitutes deception, so that our conclusions may be in line with what is written. Let’s read:

(Patriarchs and Prophets. Pp 309)  “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”

False speaking in any matter, every attempt or purpose to deceive our neighbor, is here included. An intention to deceive is what constitutes falsehood. By a glance of the eye, a motion of the hand, an expression of the countenance, a falsehood may be told as effectually as by words. All intentional overstatement, every hint or insinuation calculated to convey an erroneous or exaggerated impression, even the statement of facts in such a manner as to mislead, is falsehood. This precept forbids every effort to injure our neighbor’s reputation by misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slander or tale bearing. Even the intentional suppression of truth, by which injury may result to others, is a violation of the ninth commandment.

Joshua 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither tonight of the children of Israel to search out the country.

3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

Similar scenarios have actually been repeated so many times in the scripture, that it is now time to investigate what is God's view’ of the matter. In the days before the Exodus, pharaoh had commanded the Hebrew midwives to kill all the male children, and to save the girls alive. This mandate was then utterly disregarded by the midwives, for the law of God says “Thou shalt not kill”, and so the male children were being birthed, in violation of theking’s word. When he got wind of what was taking place, he sent to find out why the Hebrew midwives were violating the law of the land, and the reason they gave fall into the same category as Rahab’s experience. Let’s read:

Exodus 1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them.

20 Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.

21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.

Question: Was the response of the midwives wrong and was it considered a falsehood, and if so were they held guilty by God? Again, a similar situation unfolds as a large company of soldiers surround the house of the prophet Elisha, for he had warned the king of Israel on several different occasions, of the plots of the Syrian king to invade their territory. As the servant of the prophet sees the size of the army, and realizes that they are both outnumbered and cornered, he exclaims in dismay, “What shall we do”. Elisha then turns to the army and speaks to them, telling them that he is not the person they are looking for, and that they are in the wrong place, and he proceeds to lead them directly to the king of Israel. Let’s read:

2nd Kings 6:10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?

12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

13 And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and

 compassed the city about.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

19 And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.

Again the question is asked: Was it a falsehood that was uttered? Was Elisha wrong in saying what he said, and if so, was he guilty in God’s sight? To be guilty means to be held accountable for something wrong. So was he held accountable by God? And the much larger question to be answered is, what would Jesus have done, if He were placed in similar situations? Would He use short “Stories”, and what is His ideal for His children? Let’s read:

John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?

5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

Let us just make two observations here: (1) That God is leading us to a stage of spiritual maturity, in which we will speak only the perfect truth at all times and in all places, in spite of the consequences. Rahab, Elisha, and the midwives could have chosen to speak the perfect truth, but the only issue with that option is that deliverance is not guaranteed in every instance, and thus, a deliberate decision to be truthful under all circumstances, must be made by every Christian, and God will give us the enabling power to stand firm as a rock, but we must decide.  In other words, if we are squeezed on every side, or if we are shaken upside down, only the truth, and nothing but the truth will come out. God is a God of truth, and He desires nothing more than His people deal only in the currency of heaven.

 (2) It requires a very radical kind of faith to speak the perfect truth, when faced with dire, or life-threatening circumstances, when if we were to go with plan “B”, we may save ourselves and others from certain death. The condition of “No guile” as is described in the book of Revelation, in reference to the 144000, is not easily attained, and it brings to light our dire need of God’s grace and mercy, for as we review our lives with introspect lenses, we see where like Rahab, we too have made up “Stories”, from time to time, and probably with the best of intentions, and like her we have been placed in situations where plan “B” seemed as the only viable alternative on the table.

But God is guiding us into all truth, and as such He may permit certain circumstances to come our way, in which we may have opportunity to practice being truthful, and speaking nothing but the perfect truth. This is the preparation that is now needed by all, so that no guile may be found in our mouths. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

(Excerpts from The Great Controversy pp 622 & 623).  The “time of trouble such as never was,” is soon to open upon us; and we shall need an experience which we do not now possess”… Now, while our great High Priest is making the atonement for us, we should seek to become perfect in Christ. Not even by a thought could our Saviour be brought to yield to the power of temptation. He had kept his Father’s commandments, and there was no sin in him that Satan could use to his advantage. This is the condition in which those must be found who shall stand in the time of trouble.

Let us therefore earnestly seek to cultivate an atmosphere of truthfulness and frankness, putting away all petty lies and various types of fraud, so that our faces and our hearts may be radiant and resplendent with the spirit of truth. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to be truthful, and even though we may have been wrong, but not guilty in the past, let us endeavor by the grace of God, to be like Jesus in thought, word, and deed, for this is God’s ideal for all Christians. Let’s read:

Psalm 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me”….

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                       God bless!

The Third Angel's Message Personalized. Sabbath Afternoon. 08/15/2015

The third angel’s message given in Revelation chapter 14, represents one of the most serious warnings ever given to mortals, for it states that if any person were to accept the mark of the beast for any reason, that individual’s probation will be immediately closed forever, with no possibility whatsoever of that person ever being saved. In other words, to accept the mark in one’s right hand or in the forehead, would be essentially to sign on to a death sentence, from which not even Christ could rescue us. This is the reason why it is given in such stern language, so that all the inhabitants of the earth may understand what is at stake, and also the eternal consequences of the decisions then made, pertaining to the issue. It is therefore necessary for this message not to be watered down or made pretty and appealing, lest we lessen its force, and thereby cause the inhabitants of earth to regard it lightly. Let’s read:

 Revelation 14:9 And the third angel followed them,  saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.

Now it is true that the main issue at stake here is worship and by accepting the mark, individuals will be giving their allegiance to the prince of this world, whilst those who receive the seal of God’s approbation, and who refuse the mark, will thereby signal their commitment to serve The Living God alone. In this decision there is no such thing as straddling the fence, by which we hold onto Christ with one hand, whilst we cling to the world and our economic freedoms with the other. There are only two camps that can be developed in the last great final conflict, and it’s those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith and testimony of Jesus Christ; and those, who by accepting the mark of the beast in their

Right hand or forehead, will deliberately choose the only other option on the table, that of serving satan. This is the reason why in the previous chapter, only two groups are focused on, for there will not be any neutral ground when it comes time to decide on this momentous issue. Let’s read:

Revelation 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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.

Revelation 13:4 And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast”….

13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the

means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a

 man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

Now, it is true that because the final conflict centers on worship, it follows logically that the issues at stake must pertain to the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, for the spurious Sabbath that is held as a sacred legacy by most Christians, stands in direct opposition to that of the Bible, and since most evangelicals and protestants have no problem with the other nine, the issue of worship will be determined by the most controverted and forgotten one, of the laws contained in the Decalogue. As it stands, there are millions of sincere Christians across the globe, who really do not know that the seventh day Sabbath is still valid, and that it is the only day held sacred by The God of the universe.

 Sunday sacredness has been handed down from generation to generation as a sacred legacy, and many have followed in its train, without investigating its origins or whether there is any scriptural basis for keeping it. But the time has now fully come for the spurious day to be unmasked, and that’s why God is now making an urgent appeal to the citizens of earth, to be very careful what we do, and who we worship, lest we be found putting darkness for light, and light for darkness, thus following blindly where only tradition leads the way. To set the record straight, God has never instituted any change in the day of worship sanctified at creation, and there is no scripture which teaches us of another day. The decision to hold an ordinary day (Sunday) as being sacred is a child of the Roman papacy, and has behind it none other authority than that of mortal man.

 God did not institute the Sabbath at Creation, to get rid of it at the cross, only to reinstitute it again in the earth made new, for this is directly contrary to His manner of working, in which consistency and unchangeableness, are visible, active attributes of His character. Furthermore, God has singled out the Sabbath commandment, as the one we should be especially careful not to violate or disregard, for it contains both His name and office, and also the territory which He governs. Let’s read:

 Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Isaiah 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the

 old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:

14 Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

Isaiah 66:22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain.

23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord.

However, as stated before, the purpose of the study is not mainly to determine from the scriptures which day is the correct day of worship, but rather to bring the issue of the mark of the beast to the home-front on a much more personal level. Currently, there are thousands of Sabbath-keepers who have great intellectual knowledge pertaining to the warning given in Revelation, and there are many others who can probably rattle off from the top of their heads, all of the pertinent, historical data, in regard to Sunday worship, yet in heart and practice many of us may be actively preparing ourselves to receive the very same mark, we have warned others of. This very sad scenario was alluded to by the prophet Jeremiah, as he wrote with solemn pathos of the last days of earth’s history. Then again, the very same issue was raised by Christ, as with prophetic vision, He saw many Christians in earth’s final hours, clinging to tradition instead of the Holy Scriptures, hanging on for dear life to a hope that was built in castles made of sand. Let’s read:

Jeremiah 8:19 Behold the voice of the cry of the daughter of my people because of them that dwell in a far country

20 The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.

21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt”.. “astonishment hath taken hold on me.

Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,

24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

25 When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are:

26 Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets.

27 But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west,

 and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

30 And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last.

Thus it is, that God will have us to understand that, even though the mark of the beast centers around the issue of worship, on a personal level it will be the culmination of a series of little and large decisions that were previously made, in what some may consider the simple things of life, which then ballooned into that one final decision, to forever part ways with Christ. Whenever truth and duty conflict, and there is a decision to be made one way or the other, then the fundamental issue of “Cost” rises to the surface, and the choice is made whether to move forward with truth and duty, or whether to forbear. Thus the issue of the mark of the beast is not merely an issue of Sunday or Sabbath observance, but rather a deliberate choice to bear, or not to bear the cost of truth.

Therefore, it is very easy for us to know whether we are preparing ourselves to receive the mark of the beast, or whether we are preparing to stand firm for the truth, for our decisions all have to do with our willingness to bear the cost of living by every word of God, or conversely, buckling under pressure when the heat of the furnace is turned up several notches. When all of our economic privileges are on the line, together with all the creature comforts we can’t seem to do without, then the question will be, are we willing to bear the cost of remaining true to God, when friends and family forsake us.

 A Christian who habitually makes excuses for dipping into his or her tithes and offerings whenever Malachi Chapter 3, and their mortgage note collide, is thereby preparing him or herself to receive the mark of the beast when it does come around, for if we are not willing to fore-go our rent or mortgage in order to be faithful, then we will not be willing to forego our economic privileges when the beast threatens to take them away, if we do not relinquish Sabbath worship. This is essentially what took place with the rich young ruler, who was faced with the decision of relinquishing his earthly possessions, in favor of the immortal inheritance. On the one hand, he ardently desired to be a Christian, and to partake of the joys of service, while on the other hand were his mega millions, which afforded him the luxuries of this life.

 To his wondering mind arose the question of whether a balance could be struck between the two, for if he could embrace Christ and mammon at the same time, then he could have the best of two worlds, or so he thought. But God has specifically stated that one must be surrendered in favor of the other, meaning that our priorities must give truth and righteousness the leeway at all times, in order that God may have the first place in our hearts. And it was this solemn choice that was being pondered by the rich young ruler, when he decided the sacrifice was too great, and so he went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions. Thus, if this young man was living in the last days of earth’s history, he would have indeed taken the mark of the beast, albeit with great sorrow and remorse, but he would have taken it. Let’s read:

Matthew 19:15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

17 And he said unto him”…. if thou wilt enter into life,

 keep the commandments.

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

The following is an excerpt taken from the book Desire of Ages, as the servant of The Lord treats upon the same incident. Let’s read:

(Desire of Ages pp. 520)

 Christ’s words were verily to the ruler the invitation, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15. His exalted position and his possessions were exerting a subtle influence for evil upon his character. If cherished, they would supplant God in his affections. To keep back little or much from God was to retain that which would lessen his moral strength and efficiency; for if the things of this world are cherished, however uncertain and unworthy they may be, they will become all-absorbing.

The ruler was quick to discern all that Christ’s words involved, and he became sad. He was a member of the honored council of the Jews, and Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future. He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful; “for he had great possessions.” He refused the offer of eternal life, and went away, and ever after the world was to receive his worship.

The same scenario of worship was again played out on the stage of action when the multitudes in Christ day were found to be following Him because of the “Loaves and fishes” He provided for them from time to time. The term “Loaves and fishes” must not be restricted to literal food, for they also include the “loaves” of health and wealth, and also the “fishes” of material blessings and all earthly possessions, mixed together in a deadly potion of spiritual Cool aid, that is laced with false doctrines and empty promises, which are then sold to the multitudes via motivational speeches, as being the true gospel. This was the prospect and the desire most prominent in the minds of many of Christ’s disciples, when The Lord decided to bring the whole issue to a head. Let’s read:

John 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.

15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles,

 but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

(Desire of Ages pp. 392)  By the public rebuke of their unbelief these disciples were still further alienated from Jesus. They were greatly displeased, and wishing to wound the Saviour and gratify the malice of the Pharisees, they turned their backs upon Him, and left Him with disdain. They had made their choice,—had taken the form without the spirit, the husk without the kernel. Their decision was never afterward reversed; for they walked no more with Jesus.

Praise and flattery would be pleasing to their ears; but the truth is unwelcome; they cannot hear it. When the crowds follow, and the multitudes are fed, and the shouts of triumph are heard, their voices are loud in praise; but when the searching of God’s Spirit reveals their sin, and bids them leave it, they turn their backs upon the truth, and walk no more with Jesus.

As those disaffected disciples turned away from Christ, a different spirit took control of them. They could see nothing attractive in Him whom they had once found so interesting.

What is worthy of note, is that the point of no return as chosen by these false disciples, ends with John 6:66. Now, whether this is a mere coincidence, or whether it was deliberately orchestrated by The Holy Ghost when the scriptures were being translated, is anyone's guess, but it does remind us of that dire warning as given by the third angel of Revelation 14, which delineates the fate of all those who choose mammon over God. By the simple decisions that are made every day, we too are setting ourselves up to either receive the seal of God's approval, or conversely, the mark of the beast, for whenever the gospel calls for sacrifice of any kind on our part, there the issue of the mark of the beast is present in miniature form, and the choices we then make will shape the larger decisions in the very near future.

If we are only willing to serve God when there is no cost involved, then we are preparing ourselves to receive the mark of the beast, whether we keep the Sabbath or not, for as stated before, the mark will impact every person on the planet in a very personal manner. It is therefore very important, that as we live from day to day, that our choices be in harmony with the principles of Christ’s righteousness, even when sacrifice, self-denial, or other costs are involved, for the pathway to heaven was paved in self-denial, and thus all who will be found in Christ, must cultivate this principle, both in theory and in practice. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encapsulates the very essence of discipleship, and it is the will of God that all who take the name of Christ, be thus exercised, in theory and in practice. Let’s read:

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

                          God bless!

God's Law From Eternity To Eternity. Sabbath Afternoon. 08/08/2015

The Bible teaches us about the sacred nature of God’s law of Ten Commandments, as given at Mt Sinai and written upon two tables of stone, which were to be given to the world as a precious legacy, and to be observed from generation to generation. But it is important for us to understand there was not a time when the sacred law was not in existence, for it is everlasting in nature, being the foundation principles of heaven, of the universe, and also of God’s character. Theologians have tried in vain to propose that the law was first given at Sinai, but the Bible debunks such theories as being totally without merit, and in many instances, are just the means used to get around our obligation to keep it.

 Furthermore, The Lord would have us understand that whenever we presume to interfere with, or alter His sacred precepts, we are thus endeavoring to change the core operational principles of the entire universe, and as such will run into very serious problems in the natural and spiritual realms. The Law of God has always been in existence from time immemorial, long before this world was created, and will continue to exist throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity, for wherever God is, there His law is always to be found. Let’s read:

Psalm 93:1 The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty”…

2 Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.

5 Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.

Psalm 111:7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

8 They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.

Psalm 119:151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.

152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

There is a theology which teaches its adherents that the law of Ten Commandments is divided into two parts, with the first four regulating our vertical relationship with God, and the last six pertaining to our relationship with our fellowmen. Now, while this is true, we must also be aware that the last six also pertain to angels and to all created beings, for the same core principles apply evenly across the board, to every inhabitable world in the entire universe, without exception. This point is of very critical importance for us to understand, for it will shed great light on the gravity of our crimes in attempting to alter the law of the universe. For instance, when satan sinned in heaven, he broke all of the laws contained in the ten commandments, including the last six. When he desired to have the highest place in heaven, and tried to usurp God’s authority and His throne, he was thus guilty of breaking the law which says “Thou shalt not covet. Let’s read:

Exodus 20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's

house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Isaiah 14: 12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

Ezekiel 28:11 Moreover the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

12 Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty.

13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned”…

(Great Controversy pp. 499.)  To the very close of the controversy in heaven the great usurper continued to justify himself. When it was announced that with all his sympathizers he must be expelled from the abodes of bliss, then the rebel leader boldly avowed his contempt for the Creator’s law. He reiterated his claim that angels needed no control, but should be left to follow their own will, which would ever guide them right. He denounced the divine statutes as a restriction of their liberty and declared that it was his purpose to secure the abolition of law; that, freed from this restraint, the hosts of heaven might enter upon a more exalted, more glorious state of existence.

But covetousness was not the only violation committed in the heavenly courts by the enemy of all righteousness, for the Bible teaches us that he was a murderer from the beginning and also the father of all lies. As Lucifer went from angel to angel in heaven, he spread a series of well concocted falsehoods about the law of God, stating that it is too restrictive in nature, and that if angels, who were created perfect were left to do as they well pleased, they could not do anything but right, since righteousness was ingrained in their very being. This infernal reasoning has often been repeated down here on earth, with many popular theologians and politicians echoing the same sentiments, and as a result millions of people are being misled into thinking that the abolition of God’s law will bring us more freedom.

 This is one of the most terrible calculations to make, for there is not a single verse in the entire scripture that promises blessings as a result for disobedience. Thus it was, by the introduction of these falsehoods, that the

 devil sealed the fate of one third of the angelic host, and lied, and stole, and killed in the process. Let’s read:

Revelation 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon”….

4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

Exodus 1:15 And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah:

16 And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live.

17 But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.

18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and

said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive?

22 And Pharaoh charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river, and every daughter ye shall save alive.

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

John 8:44 “The devil”..... “was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

The first five commandments were also broken in heaven, for the first which says “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” was violated when the enemy assayed to be like God. Then again, he and the angels who followed in his train could not keep the set hour of worship in heaven, for they had introduced a false form of self-worship which prevented them from rendering unto God His just due. And the apostle James sums up the whole matter by stating unequivocally, that whoever breaks one of the commandments is guilty of all, for God is The Author of the entire universal law. Let’s read:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

Thus we have unmistakable proof from the scriptures, that God’s law was in existence from the earliest times, and has continued uninterrupted down to our present generation. However, there are some issues that need to be clarified before we continue, for it has often been stated by theologians and laity alike, that the law was given to the Jews, and not intended for other nations. Nothing can be further from the truth, because, as was stated before, God’s law was in existence before any of the nations came upon the scene of action, hence the reason why Adam and Eve, together with Cain were all concluded under sin, because of the transgression of the ten commandments, even though at that time they had not been written down in stone. Whether God’s law is written or spoken makes no difference, for it is just as valid in any form.

 It is not necessary for laws to be written in order for them to have force, because in most of our homes across America, we have rules and laws that are to be implicitly obeyed by the children, yet in almost every single case, those stipulations are never written down anywhere. For instance, if a teenager or child violates a given curfew of 11:00pm, and the father of the home calls him or her to account, the teen does not try to justify the act by saying the curfew is not written, for the parent’s voice carries as much weight as any rule that may be in written form. Thus it was from the creation of the earth, up to the time when God saw fit to have His law written down in stone, it had been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, and was obeyed and respected by the faithful until Mount Sinai. Let’s read:

Genesis 26:2 And the Lord appeared unto him, and said”

4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

5 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8 But he refused, and said”….

9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Romans 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law”….

20 “For by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Furthermore, the command given by God through Moses for the children of Israel to do “Sacrifice unto Him” was indeed a stipulation for the reinstitution of the Sabbath, observance, for whilst living in Egyptian bondage, many of the Hebrews had either forgotten, or could not keep it as they should. Thus when Moses and Aaron appeared before pharaoh with the mandate coming from God, he responded by complaining openly to them that they were encouraging the people to “Rest” from their labors. Pharaoh could not possibly be speaking of the rest as in sleep, for the children of Israel must have sufficient rest in order for them to do manual labor in the blazing sun. So the “Rest” that Pharaoh is referring to is the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, even though at this time it was not written down anywhere, since the giving of the law in written form at Sinai was still yet future. Let’s read:

Exodus 5:4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Wherefore do ye, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens.

5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many, and ye make them rest from their burdens.

6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying,

7 Ye shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves.

8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry,

 saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.

9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.

(Patriarchs and prophets pp. 258.)   In their bondage the

Israelites had to some extent lost the knowledge of God’s law, and they had departed from its precepts. The Sabbath had been generally disregarded, and the exactions of their taskmasters made its observance apparently impossible. But Moses had shown his people that obedience to God was the first condition of deliverance; and the efforts made to restore the observance of the Sabbath had come to the notice of their oppressors.

The reason why it is so very important for the inhabitants of the earth to understand these issues, is because in our day, as we are standing upon the brink of eternity, there is renewed animosity and open rebellion against the Ten Commandments, and according to the scriptures, it is the avowed purpose of satan to abolish all law, leaving all the  inhabitants of earth to be guided by their own individual consciences, and thus abandoning the godly principles of absolute truth. This action will inevitably set up a variable standard of righteousness that changes from person to person, with the comedian Bill Cosby justifying himself in multiple illicit, sexual relationships, and with Bin Laden endeavoring to enter the pearly gates after doing 9/11.

 The recent decisions of the Supreme court are just the headwinds of satan’s efforts to abolish God’s law from the hearts and minds of men, hence the reason why the greatest threat to our national security has never been terrorists, but the abandonment of the eternal principles embodied in God’s law, which as stated before, governs not only this planet, but the entire universe, and thus, the annulling of the sacred precepts, will be the signal for national ruin, this according to the scriptures. Let’s read:

Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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.

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of

 Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

Isaiah 24:1 Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.

3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word. 

4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish. 5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof;  because they have transgressed the laws, changed the  ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Let us therefore not be carried away by any whimsical notions of supposed freedom as a result of abolishing the sacred law, for it was given to us so that peace, harmony, and prosperity, which seems so evasive in our day, could once more become a living reality. Wherever the sacred statutes are observed and cherished, crime goes down significantly, families are raised to honor both God and man, the earth brings forth fruit, grain, and harvests in abundance, adultery and sexual fornication is unheard of, rain falls in its due season, and withering droughts and wildfires cease, terrorists are kept at bay, and riches, prosperity and stability are the sure results, for the Bible states that the law of God is ordained to life, and if by the grace of God, and through the power of His Holy Spirit, we will submit ourselves for the sacred principles to be etched in our consciences, the sure benefits will certainly be made manifest, for they were given with our best interest in mind.

We therefore end with three passages of scripture which show that the universal law of Ten Commandments are given to us for our longevity, prosperity, and our benefit so that we and our children may live happily ever after. Let’s read:

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart:

 the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of  water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of

thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9 “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                                       God bless!

Dispensing With Erroneous Views. Sabbath Afternoon. 08/01/2015

The Bible teaches us that the word of God is given for instruction and admonition, and sound doctrine, so that the Christian may be furnished unto all good works. But these are not the only purposes for which they are given, for the scriptures state that the word is also written for correction, meaning that it must be consulted when we endeavor to correct erroneous views which may have been harbored either ignorantly or deliberately. As it is used by Paul in the book of Timothy, the word correction presupposes that some or all of the views we may have previously harbored about God and spiritual things could possibly be wrong, and thus the Bible is given to either eradicate the preconceived ideas, or to clarify certain controverted points of doctrine. Let’s read:

2nd Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

One such correction had to be administered in the case of Job’s friends who had cultivated erroneous views of God, and the reasons for human suffering. After Job had been hit by one calamity after another, the enemy of souls brought upon him a very loathsome disease, very painful in nature, and abhorrent to the sight, in so much that his friends and family had to stay at some distance when visiting or speaking to him. When his friends first saw him in his distress, they became greatly troubled in spirit, that a godly man could have fallen on such bad times so suddenly, and because of the severity of the disease inflicted by the enemy, they lifted up their voices and wept aloud for their friend, throwing dust upon their heads in a show of abandoned grief. Let’s read:

 Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal;

and he sat down among the ashes.

11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place”….. “for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.

12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.

13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

But after the seven days of mourning had passed, Job’s friend, Eliphaz, could not hold his peace anymore, and he was moved to utter the abundance of his heart in a series of scathing rebukes for the wrongs he supposed had been committed, and which he thought had triggered Job’s terrible disease and misfortunes. And the more he reasoned and spoke, the more it became evident that his views of God and spiritual things were pretty distorted, and thus were in need of urgent correction. Using his line of reasoning, which had become quite common in his day, Eliphaz had concluded that Job’s many and sudden tragedies must have been a direct result of something wrong he had done, and without asking or verifying the facts in the case, he blurted out what was to become the cause for a stern rebuke from God.

In his view, the laws of cause and effect followed their natural course without wavering, and therefore the presumption of Job’s guilt was a foregone conclusion, resulting in the untimely demise of almost his entire family, together with thousands of sheep, and oxen, and menservants in the whole process. Furthermore, Eliphaz lay the blame squarely at God’s feet, painting Him as being very angry at Job for his supposed wrong-doing, whilst he let the real culprit in the matter go entirely free. These preconceived, but erroneous ideas and conclusions must of necessity be addressed, lest we poor mortals view our great Redeemer as our enemy, and the conversely, the devil as our dearest friend. Let’s read:

Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.

8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job.

10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

The purpose of the Bible study for this afternoon is not to clarify who is to blame or who is to be responsible for the tragedies in Job’s case; instead we must of necessity seek to clarify or correct Eliphaz’s views, using the scriptures, which as stated in 2nd Timothy, are given for correction.

Question: Can a straight line be drawn between sin and calamity, and if a person or a nation is in deliberate

 violation of known truth and duty, does that have a direct negative impact on their misfortunes? It is very important for us as Christians to understand this question, and the scriptural answer, because in our day, the song of Eliphaz is often repeated, albeit in much more subtle ways. For example, in many of our insurance policies, hurricanes and deadly tornadoes are described as being “Acts of God”. In other words, let us just say that Job had actually committed some grave iniquity, without repenting, would Eliphaz then be justified in drawing his conclusion, as it pertains to evil cause and calamitous effects? Or would his line of reasoning still be deemed unwarranted and entirely unreasonable?

Answer: Whenever deliberate, high-handed iniquity or sin is committed by individuals or nations, a direct line can reasonably be drawn between sinful cause and adverse effect, if the cause and results are what the Bible says it would be. Under no circumstances is the human agent to presume to make any such connections of his or her own volition, but if the word of God states clearly that such and such would be the result of a certain evil course of action, then we should believe it, and that settles it period. To reason thus can not be categorized as being judgmental, as is often claimed by those in the media, but is simply stating or reiterating what the word of God says. And as far as cause and effect goes, in both the spiritual and temporal realms, God always has the last word.

A perfect example of what the scripture is here referring to, occurred when the Jews had neglected to build the sanctuary of the Lord, but had instead lavished all their means and earnings upon themselves. This constituted the sin of idolatry in one of its most insidious forms, for anything and anyone who we place before God, in order of priority, then becomes a graven image, of the which God has already stated that He will not share His glory with, under any circumstances. The Jews had left God for last, in their order of priorities, and as a direct result, the land refused to produce fruit and grain in abundance, for their own stubbornness was being duplicated by the soil, which was under their jurisdiction, with God being the overseer in chief.

The Hebrews had renovated their own homes, they had

bought stainless steel furniture, some had upgraded the kitchen and bathrooms to granite, and some others had decided to redo their floors with modern artistic tiles, since at that time, home depot back then had them on sale. Still others of the more affluent had chosen to add swimming pools to their back yards, in order to increase the resale value, and a whole lot of other upgrades and additions were being made, whilst shrubs and nettles were growing in and around the house of God, without anyone batting an eye. Now, it’s important for us to understand that God had no problem whatsoever with the addition of swimming pools and other up-grades, for the Bible says nothing against any Christian who desires, and can afford a swimming pool. We must be very careful in harboring erroneous concepts of God, for He delights in giving the very best gifts to His children. Let’s read:

 Ecclesiastes 2:4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:

5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:

6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood

 that bringeth forth trees:

7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:

8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.

The Lord has no problem whatsoever with all these creature comforts, once they do not interfere with the service that is due to Him. The problem was that He was being left for last, and that order of priority is now going to draw a straight and direct line, to the impoverished productions of the earth, because this law of cause and negative effect is not a figment of man’s imagination, but is instead the plain utterances of Jehovah, regarding the relation of a sinful course of action, to resulting adverse circumstances. Let’s read:

Haggai 1:2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the

Lord's house should be built.

3 Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4 Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

8 Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the Lord.

9 Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

10 Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.

11 And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

Now brethren, no one is here to lobby for any church –building fund, neither is it the intended purpose to place a burden on the conscience of anyone. All the Bible is stating, is that whenever there is known iniquity being committed, whether it be by a nation or individuals, a direct line is drawn in the scriptures as to root cause and adverse effect, for the Bible explicitly says that whatever man soweth, that shall he also reap. The question then for us to answer, is whether anything has changed from the days of Haggai till now, and have the same laws of cause and effect become extinct in our era?

In other words, if we pass laws legalizing iniquity in high and low places, can the same direct line be safely drawn between root cause and adverse effect, just as it was in the days of the prophet Haggai?  The Bible explicitly states what will be the result of indulging same-sex marriage, as is currently the case, so the question then is, what should we as a nation reasonably expect, without anyone being judgmental or condemnatory? Should we now expect smooth, easily sailing, as it pertains to the forces of nature, or as it relates to the financial sector, or are we to expect what God says will be the sure result? To answer this very important question we now turn to the word. Let’s read:

Leviticus 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.

26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: 

27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.

29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Now, based upon what we have just read, God has no doubt drawn a direct line between this particular type of  abomination and the negative circumstances that will inevitably accrue, and since the decision to legalize gay marriage in all fifty states was made on the 26th of June 2015, therefore, as an investor, I must expect the Dow Industrials to take a hit, and based solely on what the Bible says, I must now place my bets for the following business day on the down side. And because the word of

 God does not, and cannot fail in any single particular, I can confidently expect my investment to the down side to reap millions. Let’s read:

Friday, June 26th 2015: In a landmark decision for gay rights, the Supreme Court on Friday ruled 5-4 that the Constitution gives same-sex couples the right to marry.

Monday June 29, 2015. 10:14 a.m:

Stocks Sink as Greece Crisis Sparks Global Selloff. Dow Tumbles 350 Points on Greek Debt Crisis:

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Monday's stock selloff picked up speed in the final hour of trading, a warning sign that investors can expect more turmoil from Greece's debt crisis”… “Adding to global fears was Puerto Rico's debt crisis following Gov. Alejandro Garcia Padilla's comments that the island's $72 billion in debt is "not payable."

In the U.S., banks were hit the hardest. JPMorgan Chase (JPM - Get Report) shares closed lower by 2.4%, while shares of Citigroup (C) fell 2.5% and Bank of America

(BAC - Get Report) slipped 2.9%.

The very grave mistake that is being made, and repeated so often is that the spiritual factors which are affecting our everyday lives are not brought into the equation, for they are held and viewed as separate entities. The Bible utterly debunks any such theory or conclusion, because as stated previously, the potent spiritual law, regulates all natural and economic laws under its jurisdiction, and therefore, whenever it is interfered with for any reason, it throws the other laws under its domain out of balance. This is what the scriptures teach, and sooner or later, every member of the human family will have to come to grips with this sacred truth. Let’s read:

Isaiah 24:2 And it shall be, as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the taker of usury, so with the giver of usury to him.

3 The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word.

4 The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.

5 The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate”…..

The doctrine which teaches its adherents that blessings are in store for those who deliberately commit iniquity is nowhere to be found in the scriptures, and as such it constitutes an erroneous view that must be corrected by the word. However, because this nation is a great nation, and the mercies of God are extended to us, it is our positive duty to let everyone know what course of action must be pursued, if we are to return to a state of peace and tranquility. God takes no delight in the hardships and perplexities of the sinner, but He does stipulate what must be done, if a reversal of our misfortunes is to be realized.

 We will first need to confess that we have done wrong, by abandoning God’s order on marriage, and the laws which support the evil will need to be reversed. If this is done with a contrite and humble spirit, we will see a dramatic drop in the senseless killings across the land, mass shootings will drop significantly, the severe drought in California and other places will be erased by torrential rains, and the economic activity of the country will begin to increase exponentially. In addition to these, the oft-repeated standoffs between police and citizens will be reduced significantly, for all of these increased negatives are just spinoffs of the word “Spue”, as it is used in the passage in Leviticus. Let’s read:

2nd Chronicles 7:12 And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him”….

13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

16 “And mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

It is therefore incumbent upon us to do what we know to  be right, by making speedy work of repentance, and if we do, God will respond in the positive by blessing our efforts to walk in harmony with His revealed will. Even though what is stated in the Bible concerning these matters may not bode well with the popular majority, nevertheless it is the word of God, and as such will ultimately find fulfilment in due season, one way or another, for His word is settled forever in the heavens. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms the sacred nature of the word of God, and it is His will that the right proactive measures be now taken, to institute the appropriate, and much needed reforms. Let’s read:

Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit of God is saying.

                          God bless!

The Investigative Judgment. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/25/2015

The scriptures teach us that there is an investigative judgment now taking place in the heavenly courts, which will ultimately decide the eternal destiny of all those who have ever taken the name of Jesus. The serious nature of this judgment must be understood by all for it represents the very final decision to be made as to whether we will be granted the gift of immortality, or whether eternal damnation will be our lot. Although there are some who do not take kindly to the truth that we all will be held accountable for our deeds, yet it is for our own good that we should take the time to understand the import of the judgment, hence the reason why this afternoon’s study will address specific points which need to be clarified in our minds. We start first by establishing beyond all doubt that there is an investigative judgment now taking place in heaven. Let’s read:

Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and

 the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.

 Point # (1) In this first judgment here mentioned by the prophet Daniel, only the names of those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and who have entered into a covenant relationship with God, will be admitted for consideration, for the rest of earth’s inhabitants will be judged at a later time, and because of this the names of those who have refused to appropriate God’s grace to themselves through Jesus Christ, would not even be considered. In other words, a person who has had the opportunity to see and understand the truths of God’s word, and who deliberately turns away, cannot stand a chance, because once the books in the first investigative judgment have been closed, the opportunity to be saved will have forever been removed. This is why it is so very important that every member of the human family see and understand this first point. Let’s read:

Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

33 And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

In order for a person’s name to be blotted out of God’s book, their names would first have to be written, hence the reason why we conclude that there must be two separate judgments which take place. When the disciples were given power over the enemy, they were cautioned not to rejoice because the evil spirits were subject unto to them, but rather to be glad because their names were written in heaven. When Christ made this statement in reference to names being written, which is also similar to the one made in Exodus, He was referring to the faithful as well as unfaithful believers, because at this time the, disciples included Judas who betrayed Him, yet he was an evangelist who had taken the name of Jesus, and because of this, his name too was also written in the very same book as was Moses and Daniel, and therefore he must come up for consideration in the first investigative judgment. Let’s read:

John 6:70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

71 He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.

Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

The reason why the first angel’s message in Revelation Chapter 14 is so important and urgent, is because all the inhabitants of the earth need to know that they must at least have their names registered in the books of the investigative judgment, for without them being written, they will not be brought into the equation. Hence the reason why the first message as given by the angel is included in the “Everlasting gospel”, for it plays a very critical role in the eternal salvation of those who are registered in Christ. This is not to say that our motive for accepting Jesus as Lord and savior should be based solely on being registered, but what we must be aware of is the fact that the investigative judgment represents the only opportunity to be forever linked to Christ, and as such we should make the most of it. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,

7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

Point # (2) The judgment of the finally impenitent takes place during the one thousand years which transpire between Christ’s second and third coming, and the records of their deeds are not considered with the intention of saving them, but rather to mete out due recompenses for the sins that have been committed. In this aspect, the investigative judgment differs greatly, for its purpose is to save as many people as possible, who desire to be saved, whereas with the second judgment, the sole purpose is to assess penalties for sinful deeds done in the body. The records of sins committed by those who are included in the second executive judgment, are not, and cannot be covered with the blood of Christ, for the Day of Atonement will have long been gone. Let’s read:

 Revelation 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and

judgment was given unto them”….. “and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

1st Corinthians 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Point # (3) We are judged not only by our sins and good deeds, but more so by the only remedy that has been provided in Christ. God is not so much concerned with the spiritual deficiencies we are born with, as with what we do with the provisions for our healing that have been made available through Christ. Now it is true that those of us who claim to be Christians must be found walking in harmony with the light that has been diffused upon our pathway, yet in the final analysis, it is the righteousness of Christ and His good deeds that are to be credited to our names, which will then be the determining factor in whether we are saved or lost eternally. There is a tendency to go to one of two extremes on this very important point, and of these two views we must be wary, because the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

The good works that we are commanded in the Bible to do are absolutely essential, and must never, ever be downplayed in significance, because of the superiority of Christ’s righteousness. Believing is just as important as doing, and these two aspects of salvation are members of the same spiritual family that cannot exist apart from each other. In other words, faith in Christ’s righteousness in no way eclipses our sacred duty to walk in newness of life, for at the end of the day it is not what we say nor profess, but rather what we do which will determine whether Christ’s righteousness will cover for us in the heavenly courts. Let’s read:

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work today in my vineyard.

29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.

30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.

31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, the first”…..

The “Doing” part is critically important, however we must be careful not to place excessive emphasis on our doing, to the point where Christ’s perfect righteousness in our behalf is lost sight of, because this represents the other extreme we should be mindful of. Some Christians focus so intently and solely on Christ’s righteousness, that they disregard the doing part, and thus put the onus on Christ alone, without the necessary and accompanying work of self-denial. The fact of the matter is that although as Christians we strive for perfection in Christ, yet we often fall short of His glory, in addition to which we have sinful history that we just cannot shake, except it be through the blood of Christ. Hence the reason why it is important for us to not lose sight of the fact that it is both the blood and the righteousness of Christ that will secure for us a seat at the welcome table, and this sacred truth should ever be uppermost in our contemplation and views of the investigative judgment.  Let’s read:

Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth 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.

Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

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

31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained

Point # (4) The doctrine of “Once saved, always saved” attempts to preclude the doctrine of the judgment, for it presumes to confer perpetual forgiveness on those who are most in need of pardon. The Bible teaches us that it is quite possible for those who were once saved by God’s grace, to turn back to the former life of sin, because our salvation is a deliberate free choice that is made by each individual on an ongoing basis. Therefore, at any given point in our Christian experience, we are free to return to our old ways if we so choose, because God only accepts the free service of love, and as such, will never prevent anyone from retrogressing back to a life of sin, if they so choose.

 This sad scenario has actually taken place many times in the experiences of those who once walked with the Lord, and the Bible itself confirms the possibility, therefore we conclude that the doctrine of “Once saved, always saved” must be a doctrine of devils, designed to lull the unwary into a false sense of security, to which there will be a very rude awakening, albeit too late. If our decisions to follow Christ were immediately locked down for eternity after accepting Him, then one of two results will begin to unfold. The first one is a robotic obedience, by which the Christian has no choice but to obey God, and the second is the freedom to sin at great lengths, since the first and final decision to follow Christ can never be reversed. In both cases these erroneous theories are debunked in the scriptures. Let’s read:

John 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

1st Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in  the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Hebrews 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

2nd Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.

22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

Ezekiel 33:3 When I shall say to the righteous, that he

shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.

1st Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Matthew 10:18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.

21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Ezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write”….

2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not,

 and hast found them liars:

3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

Point # (4) Every thought, word, and action must of necessity be recorded, because all decisions made in the heavenly courts must rest squarely upon verifiable facts, with no exceptions whatsoever. This is one of the aspects of the investigative judgment that scarcely gets any due attention, and because it isn’t presented as it ought to, there is a resulting tendency to live loosely, without any concern about accountability. God does not judge us on just mere hear-say, or what He believes is right. The facts in every case must be presented from the records, and then the final determination is made as to whether the blood of Jesus will permanently cover our sins, a very solemn thought indeed.

We live in an era when many people think that they are accountable to no one but themselves, and thus, the sins and decisions that can forever alter our destiny are not given due consideration, and it is for this reason why our righteousness has now become relative to many, with unstable, shifting moral standards, varying from person to person. But the Bible teaches us that our thoughts and actions are carefully weighed in the judgment, and if sins are not confessed and forsaken during our probationary time, then they will stand against us when the books of record are revealed. Let’s read:

 Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Isaiah 65:6 Behold, it is written before me: I will not keep silence, but will recompense, even recompense into their bosom,

7 Your iniquities, and the iniquities of your fathers together, saith the Lord, which have burned incense upon the mountains, and blasphemed me upon the hills: therefore will I measure their former work into their bosom.

Point # (5) Our sins are not yet blotted out, for this action only takes place after our lives have come up for review in the heavenly courts, and the holy sanctuary has been cleansed. Our confessed sins are currently covered, but not yet blotted out, and they can be uncovered if we were to choose to go back to our former way of life. In the earthly sanctuary the Day of Atonement represented the antitypical day of investigative judgment, and the sins of the people were removed from the sanctuary only after the high priest had presented the Lord’s goat as a sacrifice for sin, and the iniquities of the people were transferred from the sanctuary to the head of the scape goat. Until this process was completed, the record of sin remained. Let’s read:

Leviticus 16:15 Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within

the vail”…… “and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:

16 And he shall make an atonement for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins”….

17 And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place”…..

20 And when he hath made an end of reconciling the holy place, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat:

21 And Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions in all their sins, putting them upon the head of the goat, and shall send him away by the hand of a fit man into the  wilderness.

22 And the goat shall bear upon him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited: and he shall let go the goat in the wilderness.

In lieu of these solemn truths that are transpiring now in heaven, what manner of persons ought we to be, living as those who will be judged by the perfect law of liberty as spoken of by the apostle James. The rapid declension of morality and righteousness in our generation, and by the introduction of many sacrilegious, satanic versions of the Bible, it is obvious, even to the casual onlooker, that the end of all things is at hand, and thus as Christians, we should be at the forefront of not only warning the world of what is to come, but also to be living in harmony with the solemn truths we preach, for soon and very soon, the investigative judgment will close, after which no decision for Christ, no prayers for the sinner, and no intercession for those who do not know God will ever again be accepted. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls us to the urgency of the moment, and it is the will of God that all who have ears to hear, take heed and be counted, for the time is at hand. Let’s read:

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill,

 thou art become a transgressor of the law.

12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

                         God bless!  

Understanding God's Promises Of Success. Sabbath Afternoon 07/18/2015

In the Bible there are written many promises made to those who enter into a covenant relationship with God, and these promises are not given to us as rewards for good behavior, but rather because God is good and takes great delight in giving good gifts to His children. There is nothing we may do to deserve any of the good promises God has made to us, because they are made not because we are good, but because The Lord is good. In addition to the promises given, there are instructions on how they must be facilitated, because it always takes cooperation between the human agent and the Divine for success to become a reality in our lives. Furthermore the promises of success thus given are conditional, meaning that there are certain stipulated steps which must be put in place, before the promises can be materialized. Let’s read:

Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law”…. “turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Because this promise is heavily loaded, it is therefore necessary for us to understand first what is the Bible definition of “Good success” because what the world defines as being successful, is often described in the word as a miserable failure. For instance, this past week a prominent candidate for the presidency released his earnings, and to many he is seen as the epitome of good success, because with the secular world, money, fame, fortune, and higher education are all manifestations of one being very successful, hence the reason why many may look to such individuals as those who should be emulated.

But with the Christian, being successful must inevitably result in being saved in God’s kingdom, or else our lives would not be worth the living. And although there are many undeniable instances in the Bible, where certain individuals who played by the rules, became very rich and famous, yet these elements are not what finally decided whether or not they were successful, because as was stated before, true success must of necessity include a saving relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ.

Hence the reason why we will find many instances in the Bible where individuals were martyred for their faith in God, but were deemed extremely successful in life by the heavenly standards, whilst other characters were very wealthy, and yet their lives were not estimated as being a success, because that one singular element of a vital connection with God was missing. This is the reason why in the scriptures we will find many paradoxes on the issue of success and prosperity, for there are those who were rich in this world’s good, yet were poor, and there were those who were very poor by worldly standards yet were extremely rich. Thus we must be very, very careful when defining what true success is. Let’s read:

Mark 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Psalm 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.

3 For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

5 They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

6 Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain”…

7 Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.

8 They are corrupt, and”… “they speak loftily.

12 Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.

14 For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.

16 When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

Revelation 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

However, there are some important issues we should be aware of when trying to understand God’s promises of success and prosperity, for many Christians erroneously conclude that the blessings of God in this area come with no adverse conditions, and because of this many of us

 often become dismayed at what we see as unwarranted difficulty and hardship in the fulfillment of His promises. We should therefore settle this matter once and for all in our hearts, that prosperity and good success as given by God, often includes major disappointments, obstacles, and hurdles, which will severely challenge our faith in His power to deliver on what He has promised.

 Furthermore, it has been observed on several occasions that playing by the rules is never an absolute guarantee that everything will then go smoothly without a hitch, for there are other nocturnal forces of evil that are hell-bent on forestalling God’s promises to us, and though these unseen, and human agents do not have the power within themselves to overturn one iota of God’s word, yet they will certainly mount an orchestrated and determined challenge, to cause us to buckle under temptation, and thus yield to feelings of despair and discouragement. This fact is critically important for us to understand, so that we may not succumb to doubt and murmuring against God, when it may occur. Let’s read:

Genesis 37:5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed

the saying.

These dreams were not figments of Joseph’s imagination, neither did they occur because he had eaten split peas late at night, but were rather the direct interpositions of God, revealing to him the fact that there was a bright future ahead of him, complete with fame and fortune of no ordinary character, in addition to a position of great authority. However, as sacred history reveals to us, the road to Joseph’s future success would be marked with severe trial and manifold temptations which would try to threaten both his faith and his sanity, and these daunting challenges would come after he had played by the rules.

The reason for this is that whenever it is revealed that God is going to bless his people and make us a great success, the old devil goes to work, and sets a series of challenges in motion, if by any means he could cause us to forget about God and turn our backs on His promises. This he has done time and time again, and in some instances, with great success. It is unrealistic then for us to think that good success will come our way without a hitch, because as stated before, every step of advance

made by the Christian in any line will be subject to the ire of the dragon, who will work both through supernatural and human agencies to try to overthrow our faith in God.

This sobering fact we must always as a rule bring into the equation, so that we may not harbor any unrealistic ideas of how success is accomplished, and thereby become very discouraged and disheartened, when things did not go the way we had planned or expected. In the case of Joseph, his road to success would be marked with a series of impediments, ranging from being sold by his own family into slavery, to attempted rape by his own master’s wife, and then to cap it all off, several years in jail, all because he chose to play by the rules. Yet in and through all the vicissitudes of his life, the Bible tells us that God was with Joseph, and thus we may know for certain, that in the fullness of time, every promise made to him by God, will be fulfilled to the letter in their due season. Let’s read:

Genesis 37:13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I.

14 And he said to him, Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren, and well with the flocks; and bring me word again”…

19 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh.

20 Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.

11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.

12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.

16 And she laid up his garment by her, until his lord came home.

17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:

18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.

19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.

20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

21 But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

Psalm 105:17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:

18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:

19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.

21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:

22 To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.

23 Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.

24 And he increased his people greatly; and made them

stronger than their enemies.

(Excerpts from Early writings pp 266)  I saw that Satan bade his angels lay their snares especially for those who were looking for Christ’s second appearing and keeping all the commandments of God. Satan told his angels that the churches were asleep. “But,” he said, “the sect of Sabbath-keepers we hate. Be very vigilant then. Cause disturbance and confusion if possible. Battle every inch of ground. Crowd every attraction around them, and they will be surely ours. I saw that Satan carries out his plans well. He is constantly putting suggestions into the minds of God’s people. He leads some in one way and some in another, always taking advantage of evil traits”… exciting and stirring up their natural besetments.

The same thing took place after God had promised to bless the Hebrews with a land flowing with milk and honey. At this time the children of Israel were playing by the rules, and as far as God was concerned, they were actually doing that which was right and pleasing in His sight. And so, true to his form, the devil goes to work again, to try if by any means he could present manifold temptations to cause them to stumble, and thus forestall in some measure, God’s promises of good success and prosperity to His people.

We should observe in this next instance that the very same temptation of sexual immorality was used as that which was brought to Joseph, because there are only three categories of temptations the devil can choose from, and whatsoever may be our issue that we are tempted with, we may know for certain that it is just an old temptation in recycled form. However, unlike Joseph, this time he had a measure of success, and although many were thus thrown off course on account of their sins, yet again, the promises of God were fulfilled to His people in the fullness of time, because as stated before, God’s word will be fulfilled one way or another, even if there be distractions and challenges along the way. Let’s read:

Numbers 22:2 And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites.

3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they

were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

5 He sent messengers therefore unto Balaam the son of Beor”… “saying”… 

6 Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed

16 And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

19 God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.

21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the Lord his God is with him,

and the shout of a king is among them.

23 Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob”…

Now brethren, in lieu of the challenges that will certainly be mounted by the enemy to overthrow our faith in the promises of God, there are certain preemptive points we must of necessity take into consideration, in order for us to avoid falling into the snares of discouragement, doubt, and murmuring, which have the potential to derail our faith and resilience in God.

Point # 1: Continue to play by all the rules of engagement that are written as preconditions to the fulfillment of God’s promises of success, for these must be followed diligently, without turning to the right hand or the left. It is of critical importance for us to maintain this first step, for a deliberate departure from the path of rectitude can trigger adverse and unnecessary hardships along the way.

Exodus 23:20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place

which I have prepared.

21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not”.. “for my name is in him.

22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.

Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Point # 2: Maintain an unwavering faith in God that trusts Him even when we cannot trace Him. Sometimes it may seem as if the road to success is shrouded in much darkness and uncertainty, but in and through all of the ups and downs, God is silently working out His own good purposes, and we will reap in due season if we faint not.

Hebrews 10:35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Point # 3: Avoid the temptation to doubt and murmur, for these have the ability to obscure the providences of God, and if left to run their natural course, could actually cause us to interpret blessings as curses and vice versa. Whenever the spirit of complaining is indulged over a period of time, God is seen to be an enemy instead of a Friend, Father, and Redeemer, and whatsoever good He may do for us will often come across as an omen of evil. Doubt and murmuring are the diabolical enemies of faith and trust, and if we suffer with these two maladies, we should now ask God to forgive us, and to grant us a ready and believing mind that dwells in the positive, instead of negative territory. Let’s read:

 Numbers 14:1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.

2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!

3 And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?

4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

7 And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

8 If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and

 honey.

9 Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not.

10 But all the congregation bade stone them with stones”….

1st Corinthians 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured”

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Let us therefore zip up our boots and cultivate a cheerful spirit, in the good times and bad, because all things work together for the good of those who love God. All things may not necessarily be good in and of themselves, but when lumped together as an indivisible whole, it will be seen that God has led us in the very best paths to success and prosperity. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to continue hoping and trusting in God for the future, because He knows and does only what is best for His people. Let’s read:

Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

5 Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                                    God bless!

The Final Conflict Between Faith And Science. Sabbath Afternoon 07/11/2015

The Bible teaches us that in order for our relationship with God to be normalized, it must be faith-based, for trust is an indispensable essential to any relationship, whether horizontal or vertical. In the book of Hebrews the fundamentals are laid out in the clearest language, because no other premise for reinstatement with our Creator is admissible or workable. The reason for this is because there will always be issues that go beyond the realm of rational or logical modes of thought by man, or any created being for that matter, hence the reason why the relationship between God and any created being must rest squarely upon faith and trust. Let’s read:

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The word “Must” is used in the above passage, meaning that there is no other way of building a relationship with God. But modern science is predicated on the belief that statements and theories must be proven first before we can accept them as fact. This mode of thought is directly opposed to the mindset of faith, which believes God’s word first, and acts upon it first before any scientific data or research, experimentation or analysis, is available. But under no circumstances does a lack of scientific data on a particular subject, cause the true Christian to postpone obedience or their belief in what God has plainly said.

These two modes of thought were early introduced in the history of the human race, when God explicitly said that eating of the forbidden tree, or even touching its fruit will result in death. But not long after, a scientific approach to the same subject matter was introduced to Eve by the devil, who attempted to prove that what God said was false. As a matter of fact, according to his own infernal research and analysis, quite the opposite was true, for by touching and eating of the fruit, he showed that he had apparently graduated to a higher state of existence than previously, for not only did he not die, but he instead had acquired the power of speech, something

that was unknown to the animal kingdom.

And thus Adam and Eve were faced with the dilemma of choosing between two modes of thought that were to shape their after history. On the one hand they had the clear instructions of God, with the stated results before them, but with no proof or scientific research to verify that this would indeed be the case. On the other hand, they had living evidence before them which they could not deny, in that the serpent had both touched and eaten of the forbidden fruit, yet there seemed to be no sign of death either in him or in Eve, who was the first to venture outside the perimeter of God’s will.

Question: Which mode of thought and action were they to go with, with God’s word that required faith without first having proof? Or with the undeniable evidence of scientific proof and analysis before them? Thus it is, that on these two modes of thought and consequent action, the eternal destiny of all the inhabitants of the earth will forever be decided, and the final conflict between faith and science will be fought out on the battlefield of the human mind.

From that fatal moment onward, when Adam and Eve chose to go the secondary route suggested by satan, the very same issue has arisen again and again within the context of the human experience, and the very same questions have surfaced on numerous occasions, with the very same results. Furthermore, other serious issues have arisen as by-products of the same two modes of thought, which have perplexed millions for thousands of years. For instance, after Cain had slain his brother Abel, The Lord then told him that the shedding of blood would cause the ground not to produce as bountifully as it did before, because the shedding of blood directly affects the production of fruit and grain. Let’s read:

Genesis 4:9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?

10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.

11 And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;

12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength”…..

Question: Was the curse that was uttered in the above verses a direct act of God against Cain, or would it be the natural result of his wrong-doing? In other words, is this something that God is now going to do to Cain, or will the stubbornness of the earth be a natural consequence of his wrong-doing? And if so, what are the implications for us in our day when the same or a similar courses of action are pursued? There is an electrical substation with a distinct warning sign that says danger lurks on the inside.  

If a person then presumes to scale the fence and gets electrocuted in the process, can we reasonably conclude that FPL did something to him, or was his untimely death the natural result of his wrong course of action. We must be very careful when answering this question, for if we concluded that FPL did something to the man, then we would be agreeing with satan that there are no natural negative consequences for scaling the fence, and that the man’s death was a direct and deliberate act of revenge by FPL against the offender. This is the core concept ingrained in the cryptic words, “Ye shall not surely die”, for here the devil proposes that sin does not naturally carry any negative consequences, and that any adverse side effects are the result of a God seeking revenge.

Now there are instances in the scriptures, where God, in His capacity of Sovereign Ruler of the universe, saw it fit to intervene in the human experience, and He executed direct judgments against nations and individuals, since He retains this right as creator and judge of all the earth. But this is not the question under consideration here. The real issue at stake is whether sin of itself carries with it any natural, adverse consequences or not.

One thing is certain, and has been established beyond any reasonable doubt, that there is no known science that links bloodshed directly to the production of fruit and grain, and so the question arises again, would we believe God when He states that shedding of innocent blood across the land will severely compromise the farming industry, and this without any scientific data or evidence, or do we submit to our finite modes of thought, research, and analysis to the contrary? 

Again, in the days of the antediluvians before the flood, Noah preached for 120 years that torrential rain was on its way, but up to that time, and during the entire period of his sermons, not one drop of rain had fallen, and there was no scientific evidence, or historical precedent to now justify any rational belief of Noah’s singular message of coming rain. Furthermore, there is no known science that can possibly make a direct link between sin and rain.

 And so, the very same question arises again to haunt our minds, should the antediluvians submit to Noah’s mode of thought, which believes God’s word first, and takes proactive steps in that direction without any scientific data, analysis, or research to confirm what he is saying, or should they go with the undeniable evidences of their senses, backed up by historical precedents which clearly show that rain had never once fallen upon the earth? Now, even though there was no known science to back up Noah’s claims, yet the fact remains that it did rain, and it rained in torrential down pours, to the point where about seven billion people drowned in the deluge, for which there was no previous scientific proof.

Then several centuries later, when the Hebrews had been brought into the land of Canaan through the great providences of God, they were like Adam and Eve, given clear instructions on certain courses of action to avoid at all costs, because very detrimental results would accrue, if for any reason the forbidden practices were indulged. The indulgences of pagan nations were then given as the reasons why they were uprooted from their native lands, and were destroyed from the inside out by their own sins and wrong-doings. Let’s read:

Leviticus 18:1 And the Lord spake”…. 2 “Unto them, I am the Lord your God.

3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances.

4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God.

5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.

22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

23 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion.

24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

25 And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.

26 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any

stranger that sojourneth among you:

27 (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)

28 That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.

29 For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people.

30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God.

Now, there is again no known scientific data, analysis, or research that links same-sex marriage and other similar indulgences to the defiling of the land, nor can any man connect the two through any known secular formula of cause and effect. In other words, we are faced with the very same modes of thought that were at first introduced in the Garden of Eden, and thus the same questions are before our faces. Should we believe God’s word, without any scientific proof linking the forbidden activities to the deterioration of the earth, or do we submit to current evidences of science and research, which state that great social progress has been recently made in our modern society?

Now let’s probe the first mode of thought and action a little more deeply to see what are the benefits that will  accrue to the believer. The Bible states that if a person or nation desires to enter into a covenant relationship with God, believing Him is a fundamental essential. This belief is not based on what we can see or prove in a laboratory, but instead takes God at His word and runs with it. When this mode of thought is adopted, it throws wide open the door for countless possibilities that are not available to the skeptic, because faith in God is not constrained by finite research and experimentations.

In other words, a person who adopts this first God-given way of thinking can experience miraculous occurrences in their lives that are simply not possible to those who  limit their belief to what can be seen, heard, proven or felt, hence the reason why the scripture teaches us that “Anything” is possible to those who believe, and that is a

 pretty strong word. Let’s read:

Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Hebrews 11:11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.

29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:

33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection.

1st Samuel 17:1 Now the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle”…

2 And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and pitched by the valley of Elah, and set the battle in array against the Philistines.

4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.

10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.

11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled

 from him, and were sore afraid.

32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.

33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.

36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.

37 David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul

said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee.

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.

In our day there is a dark cloud of unbelief and spiritual darkness that has overspread the land like the shades of night, and because there isn’t any known scientific proof for the prophecies that are to be fulfilled in the very near future, many skeptics and doubters have now adopted the scientific mode of thought, and there are now to be found millions of people across the globe with whom proving is believing. Even the historical precedents set forth in the scriptures are reasoned away on scientific grounds, and as a result we are at a loss to make a direct link between sin, and the many troubles and perplexities that have now become the order of the day.

But the Bible teaches us that the prophecies pertaining to the last days of earth’s history will be fulfilled in their due season, whether we believe them or not, because of the basic fact that scripture has never, ever been subject to our finite science. Furthermore, we will soon have to grapple with the fact that there are indeed supernatural forces of good and evil at work in the 21st century, and therefore the mode of thought and action we now adopt will decide which camp we will be identified with.

 There is not one single instance in the Bible where a nation or an individual was rewarded with blessings for doing evil, not one, and that’s why our expectations as Christians should be based upon the word of God alone, and nothing else to the contrary. In the very final conflict between faith and science those questions that were first introduced in the Garden of Eden will have to be settled once and forever within the domain of our minds, and because we are perilously close to the close of probation, it is now necessary that the mind of Christ be found in us, so that the faith He exercised may become our own daily experience.

The Bible speaks of a time of trouble that will envelope the world, and the mode of thought and action we adopt will determine our eternal destiny. If we now choose to believe science, and the modern philosophers of the day, we will be swept into the ranks of those who cannot ever please God, but if we chose the faith-based mode of thought and action, we will be more than conquerors in the final conflict, because as Jesus said, all things are possible to them that believe. Let’s read:

Daniel 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

The time here spoken of is just ahead of us, and we are already experiencing the headwinds of the coming storm. It is therefore incumbent upon us to make decisions that are commensurate with the teachings of scripture, rather than with the evidences of our finite science, for at the end of the day, those who have believed in God and acted on their belief will never be ashamed, but we will be mighty glad that we followed God’s instruction to believe. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which prepares us to stand in that great day, and it is the will of God that what we have studied this afternoon, will translate into faith in action, because the time is at hand. Let’s read:

Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                                       God bless!

Lessons From The Last Great Recession. Sabbath Afternoon. 07/04/2015

The sacred teachings of the scriptures, coupled together with the practical lessons of history, are to be used as guides in making sound decisions to avoid repeating the grave mistakes of the past. And the Bible also teaches us that the history of individuals and nations was chronicled for the benefit of future generations, so that we too may  reason soberly from cause to effect, and thus make straight paths for our own feet. There are some very basic and important lessons to be derived from the last great recession, which took the world to the brink of financial collapse, spiritual and temporal lessons that should be applied by us as Christians, so that we do not fall a prey to one of satan’s favorite devices, debt.

Now more than ever, is the time for us to get our houses in order, being governed by scriptural principles alone, and not touching the unclean thing as it pertains to us implementing the customs, practices, methods, and

 principles of those who do not fear God.

 As a matter of fact, if for any reason we put these vital lessons on hold, we will become mired in debt, from which it may be very difficult to extricate ourselves, for as stated over and over again, God is more practical in His instructions to us than many people realize, and whenever the sacred instructions contained in the scripture are deliberately disregarded, then the laws of cause and effect are often left to run their natural course, and it is often the case that no supernatural intervention is engaged to save us from the results of a wrong course of action that could have otherwise been avoided.

The financial problems of this world, and what we are seeing taking place in Greece, are omens of what will be coming to our shores in the near future, if changes in methods and principles are not vigorously implemented. One of the crucial lessons, which if adopted could have forestalled the last great recession, is that of cultivating the spirit of contentment by living within one’s means. The Bible is full of instruction on this point, and it is high time that we take heed, because any financial system that is based on borrowing, will collapse sooner or later, for there comes a time when the lender himself runs out of funds to lend.

Furthermore, The Lord teaches us that we can make advances in life whilst at the same time practicing the principle of contentment, because prosperity and contentment are members of the same spiritual family, and should never be divorced one from the other. But to live in constant indebtedness results in huge amounts of unnecessary waste, which in our nation’s case, runs into the hundreds of billions in interest each and every year that goes by. Let’s read:

Available Historical Data For Fiscal Year End

Interest payments only:

2014       $430,812,121,372.05

2013       $415,688,781,248.40

2012       $359,796,008,919.49

2011       $454,393,280,417.03

2010       $413,954,825,362.17

2009       $383,071,060,815.42

2008       $451,154,049,950.63

2007       $429,977,998,108.20

2006       $405,872,109,315.83

2005       $352,350,252,507.90

2004       $321,566,323,971.29

2003       $318,148,529,151.51

2002       $332,536,958,599.42

2001       $359,507,635,242.41

2000       $361,997,734,302.36

1999       $353,511,471,722.87

1998       $363,823,722,920.26

1997       $355,795,834,214.66

1996       $343,955,076,695.15

1995       $332,413,555,030.62

1994       $296,277,764,246.26

1993       $292,502,219,484.25

1992       $292,361,073,070.74

1991       $286,021,921,181.04

1990       $264,852,544,615.90

1989       $240,863,231,535.71

1988       $214,145,028,847.73

So let’s study from the word of God, how this unfortunate situation can be avoided or corrected, using Biblical principles. Let’s read:

Proverbs 15:16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

1st Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.  7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

The Bible therefore gives us the only workable methods for living contentedly and prosperously at the same time, and it will be well if our families would adopt the wise counsels of an All-wise God. The Bible therefore outlines in great detail, the necessary steps to be taken by us as Christians in implementing the lessons gleaned from the recent great recession, and the failures of those who have gone before.

Lesson (1) Whenever money is earned, the very first deduction to be made should be our tithes and offerings, and this system should be put in place without wavering for any reason, for it demonstrates the manner in which we esteem God and sacred things. No mortgage, or car note, and no electric bill or tuition should cause us to put God’s cause in second place, because our current bills and payments should not even be brought into the equation when deducting our tithes and offerings, no matter how urgent or important they may seem.

When this is done on a consistent basis with a willing and cheerful spirit, God promises to replenish our stores with manifold blessings too numerous to mention, and what takes place literally is that some way somehow, The Lord causes a little to go a very long way, because of the blessing He commands on all that we do. There are what we call “Generic blessings” that are bestowed upon the general public, regardless of whether they acknowledge God or not. For instance, Christians and satanists will both receive sunlight and rain on a regular basis, and when the earth is planted it will bring forth fruit for the righteous and the rebellious also, for God has promised these benefits to the good and the evil alike. Let’s read:

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Matthew 5:45 “Your Father which is in heaven”.... “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.

These are not the blessings God is referring to when He bids us return that which is His due. He is speaking of special, tailor-made blessings that are reserved alone for the faithful, who give with a cheerful spirit, that which belongs to God. These blessings are not your average, everyday benefits, but are specifically designed to make the remainder of our income, multiply in ways we know not of, and often causes us to avoid spending money on things which are indispensable to other people. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2 And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God.

3 Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

5 Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.

6 Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7 The Lord shall cause thine enemies that rise up against

 thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8 The Lord shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

Proverbs 3:9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Lesson (2) After God’s due is taken out first, a set portion of our income should be put aside for the rainy day that will certainly come, and these funds should not be touched or interfered with for any trivial reason, but should be left for cases of real emergencies only. There are many man-made “Emergencies” which arise whilst window shopping, and things we never needed nor thought of having previously, suddenly become urgent needs on the spur of the moment, when the “Shine eye” syndrome kicks in. Rainy day funds should be left for rainy days, and we should avoid the temptation to spend recklessly, even if large reserves are available.

One of the reasons why we found ourselves on the verge of financial collapse during the last great recession, is because many of our banking institutions were too highly leveraged, meaning that reserve capital for emergencies were all but nonexistent in many cases. Thus, when the cold realities of the housing bubble hit, many banks, and governments, and individuals, and families were caught without sufficient cushion to weather the storm, and as a direct result, many went under, or out of business, never to resurface again.

 When Joseph was brought into power through the providences of God, the first thing he did was to build storehouses to store food for the rainy day, and though the Bible tells us that there was an overabundance of food during the seven fat years, yet Joseph was prudent and disciplined enough to resist the temptation to use rainy day supplies prematurely, just because there was plenty. There is a tendency for nations, individuals, and families, and churches to spend wantonly simply because there is an abundant supply of funds, and thus many wants are converted to urgent needs on the spur of the moment, with no thought that a rainy day will certainly come. Hence the reason why the scriptural instructions on this point should be given due attention. Let’s read:

Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant”…. “consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.

11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Genesis 41:46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt”…..

47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls.

48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same.

49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

53 And the seven years of plenteousness that was in the land of Egypt, were ended.

54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread.

55 And when all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread: and Pharaoh said unto all the Egyptians, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you, do.

56 And the famine was over all the face of the earth: and Joseph opened all the storehouses, and sold unto the Egyptians; and the famine waxed sore in the land of Egypt.

57 And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

It is worthy of note that at this time, God worked no special miracle to deliver those countries and individuals who had not learned the important lesson of saving for the rainy day, because as stated before, God is much more practical in His instructions to us than many people realize, and as far as He was concerned, sufficient warning had been given so that whosoever would take heed, could make the necessary preparations for the predicted famine. This leads us to our next lesson.

Lesson (3) The unrestrained use of credit cards and other debt instruments, is one of the means by which we are brought into financial slavery, therefore godly wisdom and prudence need to be exercised by the Christian in every area of life, so that we may not fall a prey to the  many devices of the enemy, and thus plunge ourselves and our families into financial ruin unnecessarily. Those Nike shoes that cost hundreds of dollars, and those numerous dresses and hats which fill our closets, that are hardly ever worn, and the many trinkets, indulgences and “Bling” which keep us double-dipping into our rainy day fund, must all be laid to rest, because, as was stated before, The Lord is very practical in His instructions, and the laws of cause and effect are often left to run their natural course, especially if we persist in a wrong course of action. Let’s read:

Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Deuteronomy 15:6 For the Lord thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

“Many poor families are poor because they spend their money as soon as they receive it. When one becomes involved in debt, he is in one of Satan’s nets, which he sets for souls. Abstracting and using money for any purpose, before it is earned, is a snare”. You ought not to allow yourself to become financially embarrassed, for the fact that you are in debt weakens your faith and tends to discourage you. You need to cut down your expenses and strive to supply this deficiency in your character”. [The Adventist home. Pp 392 & 393.]

Lesson (4) Borrowing money to make loan payments is a snare and a deadly cycle that will spiral out of control sooner than later. If a loan or debt cannot be repaid with earned income, then we may know for certain that we are in a death trap that will gradually bind us in shackles from which we will not be able to free ourselves. Greece is currently seeking a loan to make a payment on another loan, a cycle that has become all too common in the developed world, and sadly has had a trickledown effect on families and households.

It’s worthy of note that with all of the previous efforts to pay down our national debt right here in America, that somehow it keeps on growing, and try as we might to make our escape, we seem to be sinking still deeper and deeper in the mire, until such time as the Chinese lender will run out of funds to lend. This cycle however is nothing new, for there is nothing new under the sun, and if the sacred lessons of the past had been adopted and implemented, we would never be in the situation we are in currently. Let’s read:

Nehemiah 5:1 And there was a great cry of the people

and of their wives against their brethren the Jews.

3 Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth.

4 There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards.

5 “And lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards.

The godly principle of being content, coupled together with living within our means, will prevent us to a large degree from following in the footsteps of Greece and other developed nations that are currently riddled with mounting debt, and if America does not awake out of slumber to correct these errors, then we ourselves, together with Greece and Puerto Rico will be singing from the same page in the very same choir, with the very same conductor, because the principle of contentment applies equally across the board, to individuals and nations alike.

In addition to these cautions and instructions given in the scriptures, we have the additional information pertaining to the mark of the beast, which will be instituted when the financial systems of earth will have taken a turn for the worse. Then it will be, that all who would be found owing numerous debts will be offered concessions by the adversary of souls, in return for signing on to the powers that be, and if for any reason this course of action is taken in the future, our eternal doom will be forever sealed. Let’s read:

Revelation 13:16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding

 count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment-keepers. They will be threatened with fines and imprisonment, and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith. [G.C pp 607]

It is therefore important that we implement the godly principles that are written in the scriptures, so that all unnecessary hardship and financial persecution can be averted as far as possible. Let us then ask God for the wisdom and discipline necessary to rein in and pay off our debts wherever possible, and let us now seek to free ourselves from the many shackles that bind us to this present world. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to do so, and if we ask God He will show us ways and means to “Write Fifty”. Let’s read:

Romans 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us

 therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what The Spirit saith unto the churches.

                                        God bless!

To Shack Up Or To Pack Up. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/27/2015

Because of the gravity of the situation we currently find ourselves in, it is imperative that the word of God be now made plain, as it pertains to our present condition, and it’s for this reason why several passages in the scriptures must now be made to speak for themselves, without any personal opinions or human input.  Even though many may not know it, the real unseen tragedy of yesterday’s decision, is that millions of evil spirits were let loose across the globe, and the restraining power of God has been lifted to a large degree. Here are just a few samples of the more prominent tweets that were exchanged yesterday, and may God have mercy upon us. Let’s read:

President Obama ✔ @POTUS

Today is a big step in our march toward equality. Gay and lesbian couples now have the right to marry, just like anyone else. #LoveWins  10:10 AM - 26 Jun 2015

Martin O'Malley

Reminded of Will and his moms on the day we passed marriage equality in MD. There’s no greater human right than love. #LoveWins

10:10 AM - 26 Jun 2015

Joaquin Castro ✔

Today, love prevailed. A historic ruling from #SCOTUS in favor of justice and equality.

Follow Target

✔ @Target

Here's to having, holding and marrying who you love.

It is now imperative that all true Christians be now clad with the whole armor of God, from the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. The following words of Holy writ are therefore sent to us directly from God that we may understand the import of what has recently taken place in this country. Let’s read:

1st John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

12 Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.

2nd Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old”…

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness.

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.

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the Lord:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Zephaniah 1:12 And it shall come to pass at that time,  that I will search”… “and punish the men that are settled on their lees: that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.

13 Therefore their goods shall become a booty, and their houses a desolation: they shall also build houses, but not inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, but not drink the wine thereof.

Isaiah 13:3 I have commanded my sanctified ones, I have also called my mighty ones for mine anger, even them that rejoice in my highness.

4 The noise of a multitude in the mountains, like as of a great people; a tumultuous noise of the kingdoms of nations gathered together: the Lord of hosts mustereth the host of the battle.

5 They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the Lord, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land.

6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

7 Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

8 And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.

9 Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.

11 And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.

13 Therefore I will shake the heavens, and the earth shall remove out of her place, in the wrath of the Lord of

 hosts, and in the day of his fierce anger.

Revelation 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

Revelation 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves

 in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Isaiah 2:10 Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty.

11 The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.

12 For the day of the Lord of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

19 And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

20 In that day a man shall cast his idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats;

21 To go into the clefts of the rocks, and into the tops of the ragged rocks, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth.

Luke 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

1st Thessalonians 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman

 with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

The standards, customs and practices of those who do  not fear God should never be the criteria for Christians, for it is often the case that what is permitted by society, is diabolically opposed to the instructions of God. The true Christian is to be guided by the teachings of the scriptures alone, without any additions, amendments, or variations based on custom and culture. Furthermore, what is often legally permissible in a state or country, may not necessarily be in line with what the scriptures teach on the very same point, and thus it is important that we order our steps according to what is written.

The family unit, which is the God-ordained foundation of all society, has come under increasing attack by both human and satanic agencies, and the sacred marriage institution which God has given to safeguard the families of earth, is now being dragged in the dust. But whatever laws or manmade institutions to the contrary may be legislated, we must remember that God never blesses disobedience, even if it is thus presented by politicians, judges and religious leaders.

The wages of sin always carry negative consequences, and although Jesus Christ has died to redeem us from sin, yet in the real world, the suffering and the estrangement which result from all unscriptural relationships will be the experience of those who continue to live in violation of God’s order. In the beginning when God created Adam and Eve, He ordained that a man should leave his father and mother to cleave unto his one “Female” wife, and whenever this order is disturbed for any reason, the blessing of God cannot rest upon such unions. Let’s read:

Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;

22 And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

However, in our day there are many pastors and clergy who often presume to ask God’s blessing on same-sex marriage, in direct violation of His plainest commands in these matters, but try as we might, blessings will not come down, nor invoked upon that which God has already proscribed in His word. Similarly with those who choose to “Shack up” instead of entering into a lifelong  commitment with the one who they claim to love, for according to the Bible, “leaving” should always lead to “cleaving”, and not the other way around.

In other words, if a man claims to love a woman, and is desirous of living with her, he should put his money

where his mouth is and get married to the woman of his dreams, so that the blessing of God can rest upon the relationship, and the children who may be born to them. But never are we to think that God will bless the relations of those who “Shack up”, for in so doing, we would place ourselves in a condition of continuing sin, in which God’s favor can never be invoked, even if we have the best of intentions.

Furthermore, history and statistical records have shown that the longer a man lives with a “female” woman, the less likely he is to marry her, because the question always arises, why should we commit ourselves after all these years, when we knowingly entered into such and such an agreement in the first place. Thus it is in such a situation, the man is left free to take a hike whenever the going gets rough, or when another person of interest comes along. And the woman, not having the security of a lifelong commitment, may feel at liberty to walk away if she finds another who tells her sweet little lies.

If a man is not willing to tie the knot with the woman he claims to love, then he is lying, because true love always

leads to a commitment. It is not the will of God that the relationship between a man and woman be left in limbo, nor is it His will that they two be kept in sexual purgatory for any length of time, without the security of a marital commitment before God and man, for if God were to sanction such relationships, then the very foundation of society will crumble, and the children of such unions will lack the stability and security of knowing that mom and dad are in it for the long haul.

Furthermore the relationship between a man and woman are likened in the Bible to our relationship with Christ, and in our union with Him, a deliberate decision to be committed for life must be made upfront, or else we cannot partake of the special blessings He bestows on those whom He knows. Hence the reason why several strong statements pertaining to the Christian’s relation  to God are made in the scripture, thereby showing the permanence and indivisibility God originally intended for a man and his female wife. Let’s read:

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God”….

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ephesians 5:24  Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

The current, prevalent practice of having intimate sexual relations with someone of the opposite sex, when there is no legally binding commitment in marriage before God and man is a sin, and must not be indulged by any true Christian for any reason. Before my wife and I were baptized into Christ, and before we were married, we lived for a brief period in a common law relationship without a commitment, but the immediate advice of our parents was to get married if we loved one another, because it is a sin and a snare to live with someone of the opposite sex in any type of intimate relationship, and thus we began to make plans towards that end.

This we did in obedience to the word of God, and ever since that time we have been extremely married, and are happily serving God with a clear conscience in this matter, knowing that His blessing rests upon all such unions. Our children who were born into such a union have always seen their mom and dad go through the ups and downs of life as one, and although it hasn’t always been easy, at the end of the day they see that God is well able to reconcile any problem and to bring that stability, consistency, and longevity to any marriage that is under His care, and which is performed in harmony with the counsels given in scripture.

And so it is with candor that we will address the issue of Cohabiting, without cleaving in marriage. There are now virtually millions of households across the land, in which this situation has obtained, some for financial reasons, and others for the opportunity to second guess one’s first choice as a mate. Women are not as shoes that are purchased from Payless, in which men can try them on for a while, and then return them for a full refund. And men are not as cars that can be test driven or taken for a ride, with the hope that the “Lemon law” will be an option, just in case things do not work out.

When two of the opposite sex are desirous of sharing intimate and friendly relationships with one another, they should refrain from all sexual interactions until such time that a formal, God-ordained commitment is made, for in this way the children that are produced from such unions can have stability, security, and longevity in the family. However, those Christians who have already gone the other route are now faced with a sobering choice, of whether to continue “shacking” or to start “packing”.

Decisions such as these are especially difficult in those situations where children are already born into the relationship, for then one has to decide whether to continue living in sin for the sake of the children, or whether to call the intimate part of the relationship quits, so that the blessing of God can rest upon them.

If any of us as Christians are presently in such a situation it is very important that we pay close attention to the following suggestions, for whatever may be the current situation, earnest efforts will have to be made to correct the evil, if we are to be brought into harmony with God’s revealed will for the family.

Step (1) Pray as never before, for wisdom, guidance and discretion, so that in trying to resolve the issue, it will be done in the spirit of loving kindness, so that cohesiveness may be fostered. But under no circumstances should any coercion be used, for to love is a free choice stemming from a deep appreciation of one’s character, and Jesus is able to touch hearts and minds, bringing them into harmony with His revealed will. Let’s read:

Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

Step (2) Have a candid discussion of the matter with the other person in question, with a determination to seal the relationship through the God-ordained method of marriage. If it is observed that the other party becomes upset, or is avoiding the commitment under various pretexts, then that is a signal that true love probably never existed in the first place, and if the person persists in refusing to tie the knot, then go on to step three.

Step (3) If children are involved, then extreme care must be taken so that the family bonds that have already been established may not be broken. But in such situations where one person refuses to seal the relationship for life through marriage, all intimate, sexual relations should cease, until such time that the person is ready to commit, because as stated before in the example of Christ and the church, no commitment translates into no relationship with those who are undecided. Let’s read:

Romans 8: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Step (4) In certain irresolvable situations, one may have to “Pack up” instead of shacking up, if the desire is to serve God with a clear conscience. There are times in life when very difficult decisions must be made, not only for one’s sanity, but also for one’s personal salvation. In such situations we should remember the words of Christ concerning our priorities, for Jesus must be front and center of all our experiences, and therefore, if one must pack up in order to serve God, then so let it be. Let’s read:

Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

As we live in an ever increasing evil world, there will be a strong temptation to judge ourselves based on the evils that others do, and thus we may inadvertently think of our lesser sins as being of no consequence when they are compared with others. This snare we must avoid at all costs, so that at every step of the way, we may be found living in harmony with the word. May God help us to resolve these issues wherever they may apply, for He has promised to give us grace to help in times of need. Let’s read:

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

May God bless the study and practice of His word.

Remember Lot's Wife! Sabbath Afternoon. 06/20/2015

The sacred history of those who have gone before was recorded for future generations, with the intent that we should study very closely the lessons contained in their experiences, so that we in our day can choose wisely, and thus avoid the blunders and errors of the past. In the instance of Lot and his entire family, there are indeed very important lessons to be deduced and applied so that our own families might be spared the unfortunate end of his. It is here worthy of note that it is quite possible that not a single member of Lot’s family would be saved, except himself, and the Lord bids us investigate the reasons why.

In His discourse upon the issues of the last days, Christ cautions us to remember Lot’s wife, and we may well ask why does He bid us remember the one that is lost, and not the one who was saved. The reason is because Christ observed some of the very same characteristics and behavioral patterns of Lot’s wife in many of His people, and so, to forestall an unnecessary repeat of the same mistakes that were then made, He cautions us to remember Lot’s wife.

The failures of Lot’s family did not occur in a vacuum, or in a moment, but was rather the final pieces of a puzzle that began many years earlier, when there arose a disturbance between Lot’s herdsmen, and those of Abraham’s. As the rhetoric escalated into arguments and feuds, Abraham then took a proactive step in the pursuit of peace, by inviting lot to a reconciliatory meeting, at which He offered the first and best choice of the land to his younger nephew. But instead of relinquishing that privilege to the more senior Abraham, Lot selfishly chose the most fertile part of the land that was closest to the cities, and there he made his abode. Let’s read:

Genesis 19:5  And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.

6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.

7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

Those who allow strictly economic factors to drive their decision making processes, and who esteem the financial and material benefits of life of more value than their

spiritual well-being, run the risk of putting themselves and their families in harm’s way, and worst yet, expose themselves to adverse situations and influences which could endanger their eternal destiny.

The decision to move into the crowded, bustling cities, where corruption and ungodliness bear sway, but where there are many economic opportunities, is a mode of thought we should be wary of, for such a move can precipitate catastrophic loss, both in the temporal and spiritual realms.

From this point forward it was a cascading effect that took hold of Lot’s family, for before he realized what was taking place, his wife and daughters had become deeply acclimatized to the luxuries, indulgences, and creature comforts of the twin cities. There, surrounded by all the temporal wealth and secular philosophies that abounded in their hometown, Lot’s wife and his daughters fell a prey to the materialism and worldly-mindedness that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had become famous for.

They soon found themselves not being able to live without manicures and pedicures, and a whole list of other “Cures” and creature comforts that were not considered necessary in the country setting where Abraham and Sarah had remained in, for there in the countryside, surrounded by wooded hills, bright flowers, and running brooks, no one needed a pedicure to ride a camel. And because of the nature of the environment in which Sarah lived, what seemed to Lot’s wife and family as absolutely necessary and indispensable in the city where they then resided, seemed as inconsequential and trifling in the country setting.

When our families are surrounded by nature and the created works of God, we generally tend to think more about God, and to be more natural and simple in our tastes, choices, and habits. And the same principle holds true for those of us who choose to live in the bustling, crowded cities, where crime and vice and mass murders are the order of the day. There, surrounded by man-made objects, inventions, and philosophies, we tend to gravitate more towards earthly things, and many become so accustomed to city life, that even the very thought of country living causes us to retreat.

 Hence the reason why the Bible teaches us to cultivate a spirit of contentment wherever we may live, for even though most of us now reside in the cities, yet it is still possible to avoid the materialism and worldly-minded  indulgences, which eat up valuable time and resources, whilst the work of God and the salvation of men scarcely get our attention Let’s read:

 1st Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience,

 meekness. 

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

As Christians we must be very careful of the subtle influences exerted over us whilst dwelling in the cities, where the things of this world are given precedence of spiritual things, and where the pride of life and the lusts and indulgences of vanities, cause us to be imperceptibly assimilated into the world, and before long we begin to think, behave, dress, and speak like those whose names are written in the earth. This specific snare, that is scheduled to become predominant in the last days of earth’s history, we are warned against. Let’s read:

1st John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Thus it was that the eternal ruin of Lot’s family began with that one fatal choice, to choose city dwelling over country living, because of the material advantages and business opportunities afforded there in Sodom and Gomorrah. However, it is a fact that with plenty money comes plenty vices, for both are often found to be walking hand in hand, and thus it was that the vilest passions had inflamed both young and old, to the point where traditional marriage had all but become obsolete, and almost every person had gone south, as far as sexual orientations go. Let’s read:

Genesis 19:1  And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 

2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay; but we will abide in the street all night.

3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.

4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round, both old and young, all the people from every quarter:

5 And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

These mighty ministers of God’s judgment came to the city appearing as ordinary wayfarers, in their Levi jeans and Nike sneakers, but no one knew that they were angels sent on a mission of destruction. Thus after the altercation at Lot’s door, they revealed to Lot who they really were, and sent him to warn his daughters and their husbands of the impending doom. Lot obeyed the urgent  command of the angels, but his mission proved to be a total failure, for his daughters and their husbands had laughed him to scorn.

Up to this point, Lot had had no problem with the angels’ message, for he himself was utterly disgusted with the prevailing iniquity of the twin cities. The Bible tells us that his righteous soul was vexed day and night, because of the sins being practiced there, but he never left when he had ample opportunity to. Now, we are not left in doubt as to what his soul was “Vexed” about, for the sacred record delineates the specific sins of Sodom and Gomorrah, so that we who are living in the 21st century may not be blinded to the developments that are now taking center stage in our communities. Let’s read:

Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

2nd Peter 2: 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy

 conversation of the wicked:

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Thus it was, when the angels told Lot of the impending destruction that night, he understood exactly what sins the angels were referring to, which had brought upon the twin cities the judgments of God, and he immediately went into high gear, planning an escape route that would allow him to avoid the coming catastrophe, whilst at the same time trying to retain as much of his material wealth and possessions as possible.

Thus he and Mrs. Lot began to prepare feverishly for their escape. That night they could not sleep but stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning, making last minute plans. He would go to Home Depot early, at 7:00 o’clock in the morning to get a tool kit and a “For sale” sign for their house, which they planned to sell at a hurried open house showing the following day. Then he would run over to Pep Boys quickly, to get two cans of “Fix-a-flat” for their journey, and he would fill up two of his luxury cars with gas so that they would not have to stop along the way.

Mrs. Lot on the other hand had her work cut out for her, for she would run to the nearest bank in the morning to pull out as much cash as she could possibly get, then she would briefly stop by the pawn shop to get rid of most of her jewelry. The kids meanwhile would be packing their belongings into only two of their four vehicles, because since they were only fourteen and fifteen years of age, and had not gotten their drivers licenses as yet, they would be too young to drive, and they would hate to get a traffic ticket on their way out of Sodom.

And pack and pack they did all night, trying to squeeze as much of their belongings into the trunk space available. They tried to take everything, from toothpaste, to cans of Campbell’s soup, from their make-up kit, to the many dresses and high heels they hardly ever wore. Then finally, with just a few square inches remaining, they squeezed in two packs of Oreos, as snacks for their long journey. Finally, after a night of frantic packing and planning, they fell into a deep slumber, hoping to get

some much needed rest before daybreak.

But in the morning, the angels had a startling message for Lot and his family, they were not going to take any of those things they had packed, for they were going to make their escape on foot, and those Oreos, which had been included at the last minute, would also have to be left behind, for they were not a part of the health message. This instruction from the angels stunned Lot and his wife, for they began to feel that they were being treated unfairly, and they could not understand what was the big rush.

From this point forward Lot’s wife began to murmur in her thoughts, because she felt that a loving God should have given them sufficient notice so that at least they could sell their belongings, or even put them in storage. Thus it was that when the angels saw that Lot and his family were lingering and deliberating, they grabbed them by the hand, and started to run with them, for they were not to be involved in the coming conflagration.

 This action by the angels shows us how very difficult it is to separate ourselves from the creature comforts of life, and we are never to be deceived into thinking that it will happen overnight. The sudden adjustment to country living will prove to be too much for many Christians, and like Lot’s wife many will turn back, to gaze on the life of ease and luxury which they once enjoyed, hence the reason why Jesus warns us to “Remember Lot’s wife”.

It is here worthy of note that Abraham did not have to worry as did Lot, for he was already living in the country, and because of his literal location, would be spared the coming judgments. It is also to be observed that Lot could not make the sudden change to country living, hence the reason why he requested of the angels that he be permitted to go to a smaller city, where at least the transition could take place. Let’s read:

Genesis 19:19 Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:

20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.

21 And he said unto him, See, I have accepted thee concerning this thing also, that I will not overthrow this city, for the which thou hast spoken.

22 Haste thee, escape thither; for I cannot do anything till thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar.

Here we see that he had to leave the larger cities for the smaller ones, in preparation for country living, a pattern that is eerily reminiscent of instructions we have long been given in the scriptures. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing new under the sun, and from this we deduce the principle that God teaches by repetition, meaning that certain vital instructions to His chose people are often repeated over and over again. Let’s read:

Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the

prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house:

18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

This is not the only instance in which the very same instruction is repeated, for as stated before, God usually teaches us His will by repetition, so that we may “Remember Lot’s wife”. Let’s read:

          The Signal for Fleeing.

It is no time now for God’s people to be fixing their affections or laying up their treasure in the world. The time is not far distant, when, like the early disciples, we shall be forced to seek a refuge in desolate and solitary places. As the siege of Jerusalem by the Roman armies was the signal for flight to the Judean Christians, so the assumption of power on the part of our nation, in the decree enforcing the papal Sabbath, will be a warning to us. It will then be time to leave the large cities, preparatory to leaving the smaller ones for retired homes in secluded places among the mountains. And now, instead of seeking expensive dwellings here, we should be preparing to move to a better country, even a heavenly. Instead of spending our means in self-gratification, we should be studying to economize.—Testimonies for the Church 5:464, 465 (1885).

In our day, the very same sins that triggered the final destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, are once again on the rise, and they have gone a step further by becoming the law of the land in many states and countries. The inhabitants of Sodom practiced heinous vices by going after strange flesh, but they never presumed to make it law. But we are now taking iniquity to the next level by giving it our stamp of approval, and teaching it to our kids, who will become confused on “Fathers day”.

The Lord is not instructing anyone to make any ill-advised move to the country without first seeking His guidance and direction, but what He is saying is that we should at least begin to enquire of plan “B”, just in case any such move should become necessary at short notice. Prayer, and the humility to submit ourselves to be guided by God’s providence will place us in a position to listen when He speaks, and thus the errors of Lot and his wife may be successfully avoided.

The question then for us to answer is, are we prepared to make a sudden transition from city life, with all of its present creature comforts, to a place in the country, so as to avoid the moral pollution, and the consequent  judgments that will inevitably accrue? Would we like Lot and his wife hesitate greatly at the command of God, and will we begin to murmur against the angel, if we are instructed to uproot from our current comfort zone?

If for any reason, our family members refuse to leave with us, as did the daughters and sons in law of Lot, will we make that move anyway, or will we like Lot’s wife become fretful with God because of the loss of close family and relatives? The disposition to place family ahead of the plain instructions of God constitutes a form of idolatry, and the true Christian will not allow anything or anyone to come between him and his God, for any reason. This order of priority as far as relationships go is clearly stated by Christ, and we will find that as we draw nearer to the close of earth’s history, that it will become a living reality in many instances. Let’s read:

Matthew 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

The answers to these probing issues lie with us, and thus it behooves us to study the sacred history of those who have gone before, but howsoever we choose or decide, let us always pay heed to those solemn words of Christ saying, “Remember Lot’s wife”.  God bless! 

Conquering Genetic Sin Through Christ. Sabbath Afternoon. 06/13/2015

The Bible teaches us one of the most important and sublime truths ever revealed to mortals, that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, and thus any person who truly believes in God can conquer any sin, whether it be cultivated or genetically predisposed. It makes no difference whatsoever, for sin is naturally intimidated by the presence of Christ, and if we so choose, Jesus will obliterate every evil propensity in us, through the omnipotent power of The Holy Ghost. This solemn truth must always be held as a sacred treasure by all who name the name of Christ.

Never should we buy into the devil’s fatal sophistry that because we are born with powerful propensities to evil, that are passed down from generation to generation via our genes, that we cannot live victoriously through the power of Christ, for if we draw this conclusion, we will literally hand the victory to our arch-enemy, and thus we will always be looking for ways and means to evade the sacred requirements and lofty standards set forth in the scriptures.

When the Bible speaks of being genetically predisposed to evil, it is referring to the fact that we all are born with unnatural tendencies that are inherited, and then almost always cultivated by the children who have the genetic codes for a certain course of action stamped upon us at birth. And although all unnatural actions and decisions must pass through the gate of choice as we grow and gain intelligence, yet the sacred record shows that it is usually the case that children walk in the footsteps of their parents, even though we retain the freedom to choose for ourselves. Let’s read:

1st kings 15:1  Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.

2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. and his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.

3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him”….

 8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.

9 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, as his fathers had done: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

And the Bible gives us several other graphic examples of the same problem, for it is the same with every living person born under the sun, without exception. Many people wonder at Solomon, who at the onset of his reign, dedicated himself to God, and asked not for riches, but for wisdom to rule, and prayed that the laws and principles that are written in the scriptures, be implemented both on a personal and national level, how could he then fall so low as to take to himself seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.

These actions were not only his free choice, but they were motivated by a much deeper genetic problem he knew not of, and until he himself came to this realization, he would continue to fall a prey to the very unnatural cravings of his carnal heart. The problem did not even originate with David his father, but went much further back into his family tree, where it is found upon investigation, that most of his progenitors suffered with the same problem to a greater or lesser degree.

And for those of us who might be suffering with the similar urge to merge, and who may be wondering why the problem seems to be so deep-seated, we may well look at our own family history, to better understand our own issues. Solomon’s grandfather was Jesse, from whom David descended, and so we must do a little digging to see why Solomon did what he did. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 16:4 And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.

9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Now folks, we are looking at a pretty “Busy” man, and the probing question that Samuel continued to ask, haunted the mind of Jesse. That question, “Are these all thy children” must have got him thinking, for Samuel had only asked for the sons of Jesse to come to the solemn ceremony, but the daughters of Jesse were never called, not because he did not have daughters too, but because Samuel was sent specifically to anoint a new king for the kingdom of Israel.

And now we turn one more page in Solomon’s family tree to his father David, in order to trace the root of his problem with polygamy, and that seemingly insatiable desire to “merge”. Unless we understand where we came from, we will not know where we are going, or what steps to take to forestall the cascading effects of genetic predisposal to unnatural tendencies. Solomon’s unusually strong sexual desire is not merely the result of his own doing, for there are genetic and hereditary forces at play, forces that must be brought into the equation when evaluating our dire need of Christ. Let’s read:

2nd Samuel 2 And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess;

3 And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;

5 And the sixth, Ithream, by Eglah David's wife. These were born to David in Hebron.

2nd Samuel 5:13 And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.

14 And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon,

15 Ibhar also, and Elishua, and Nepheg, and Japhia,

16 And Elishama, and Eliada, and Eliphalet.

What we are looking at again is a pretty “Busy” man, and as we trace from root cause to effect, we see a definite pattern developing genetically, and being passed down from father to son, and from generation to generation as a legacy. Thus the next logical question is what do we do in our predicament, if we are predisposed by inherited, sinful tendencies? Do we then make laws to accommodate our unnatural propensities, or do we take the bull by its horns, and seek after Christ, who alone can put these tendencies to evil into permanent reverse gear?

What we do from this point forward is of very critical importance, for there are forces that have now been set in motion to confirm sinful desires and activities under the pretext that we are naturally predisposed to act a certain way. Thus, instead of seeking for the abundant solutions and remedies afforded in Christ, through the omnipotent power of the Holy Spirit to exterminate sin, many are bent on wallowing in the mire of inherited tendencies, and thus the work of God’s salvation is being made of none effect to those who need it most.

In dealing with these inherent problems in our nature, there are certain courses of action we should never ever pursue, for if we take any other route that is contrary to the path outlined in the scriptures, we will place ourselves on the wrong side of the fence as it pertains to God’s saving grace, and thus, instead of being liberated from spiritual bondage, we will be permanently incarcerated by evil spirits, who will then take full possession of our minds, if positive decisions for the better aren’t made.

The first thing we must never do is to destroy the God-given diagnostic tools that are to be found in His law, for if the proper diagnosis is not made, then the appropriate remedies cannot be applied. The Ten Commandments are what stipulate what sin is, and if they are interfered with for any reason, or removed from our consciences as being irrelevant, the solutions to be found only in Christ will be of no avail, for God cannot help us in any way, if we determine that nothing is wrong with ourselves. Let’s read:

1st John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Romans 7:7 What shall we say then?”…. “I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

In Jackson Memorial hospital there are x-ray machines and magnetic resonance imaging devices which reveal internal defects and problems that are hidden from the view of the naked eye, and were it not for these devices, which probe deep within our bodies, doctors and physicians would be at a loss to properly diagnose and treat, many of the ailments with which we suffer. Now, no one in their right mind will think of destroying an MRI machine, simply because it is used to detect defects and cancers in us. So how is it that we now endeavor to do away with the spiritual MRI that God uses to properly diagnose and treat the many spiritual cancers we are born with?

We would think that the wise and beneficial thing to do would be to protect the spiritual MRI, but instead we are now making laws to remove it from the hospital, so that no cures for our spiritual maladies can be prescribed by Doctor Jesus, and this is the reason why we are rapidly descending into moral anarchy which will take us into “Never land”, where sinful propensities, evil thoughts, and actions are considered normal, and no remedy is ever needed or prescribed.

 X-ray machines and similar devices are never used by doctors to condemn their patients, neither does Doctor Jesus use His MRI of Ten Commandments to condemn any of His patients, for it is one of the indispensable diagnostic tools God must use, in order to begin the rehabilitation process, and all who submit to the initial stages of diagnostic work, will live victoriously as the appropriate medicines are applied from day to day. Let’s read:

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

In our day we are faced with a philosophy which teaches us to tolerate those evil tendencies we are born with, and for this reason it is stated that gays, lesbians and bisexuals have no choice but to go with their unnatural flow. This form of reasoning or conclusion does not come from God, for at its core it infers that we have no choice but to remain in our sins, and thus it strikes at the very root of God’s purposes to save us from all sin. Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy all the works of satan, and therefore we should never sell His grace short, by saying that we must go with our natural flow.

There are those of us who have a natural tendency to tell lies, and it has become deeply embedded in our nature, to the point where we do not even have to think about it, before it is done. Then there are those of us whose parents and grandparents were heavy smokers and drinkers, and the mere sight of a cold-sweating Budweiser or Johnny walker black sends shivers down our spines. Then again there are those whose inherited and genetic problem might be “girls” or boys, as the case might be. Are we then to go with our unnatural flow, which is diagnosed as sin by the spiritual MRI? God forbid! Let’s read:

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

There is absolutely no sinful tendency, thought, or action that cannot be resolutely overcome through the blood and power of Jesus, for this is the very essence of the work of  salvation, and it must never be belittled, short-changed, or underestimated, because it is the power of God working in and through us. Thus all gays and lesbians can become as straight as a pin, and liars can be made to be truthful and sincere, and those who suffer with adulterous thoughts and inordinate sexual desires, can live victoriously each day, and be more than conquerors through Christ. But never are we to throw in the towel and surrender to satan, through his specious sophistries which are presented under the pretext of love and tolerance. Let’s read:

2nd Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.

Let us therefore be very careful not to subscribe to the many fatal deceptions that are scheduled to proliferate in these last days of earth’s history, for we will find more and more that the world at large is becoming more averse to truth and righteousness, and it will require tremendous focus and a deep relationship with The Lord Jesus, to stay the course with Him. We therefore end with several  statements of facts from the apostle John, which should be treasured by every true believer, for victorious living is well within our reach, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let’s read:

1st John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!

When Tradition And Righteousness Collide. Sabbath Afternoon 06/06/2015.

There is a world of difference between tradition and Christianity, and the two must be understood in their respective contexts, in order that they may not collide. Tradition must at all times, and in all situations, be held subservient to the laws of God, and never in reverse, for it is often the case that what culture stipulates as being good and right, is often reckoned as being sinful or evil in the courts of heaven. In other words, what our traditions and culture may permit in many instances, can also be definitely prohibited by God, and therefore it is our most sacred duty to know and understand the differences.

For instance if a survey were to be done in different denominations of Christianity, and folks were asked for their views of what recreation and entertainment are supposed to be, we will find different interpretations and varying applications, even though the very same King

James Bible may be used. Some may countenance any and all types of entertainments, with no regard to any Biblical principles, for in some minds the word of God is held distinctly separate from their everyday activities.

Other Christians may frown upon activities that our culture and traditions allow, for they believe in a very practical application of Biblical principles governing our behaviors and actions. This disconnect between faith and practice in some members, which occurs in every church without exception, goes a long way in confusing the minds of the young and unwary, for they see double standards being adopted by different Christians, and are thus led to query what indeed is the truth.

However, in all of our experiences we should remember that we are held individually accountable to God for the deeds done in the body, for when our names are called in heaven, we must stand in single file, because God does not ask us what our culture dictated, but rather what His word stipulated, and so it is of the utmost importance

that whatsoever we do, be done in accordance with what is written.

A person who is considered as a law-abiding citizen of earth by man’s standards, who has a perfect credit score, no indictments, and has always paid his taxes on time, could be assessed as a rebellious individual in the sight of God, if his motives and actions do not bear the signet of heaven. State and federal laws do not always translate into righteousness, for there are many instances where the cultural heritage of nations and individuals puts them at odds with what the Bible teaches. This fact and its implications should be clearly understood by all, for we are living in an age where customs and cultures are becoming more and more tolerant of evil.

In the days of Christ there was a practice known as “Corban”, by which individuals were free to relieve themselves of their responsibility to their aging parents, by stipulating in their will that the proceeds from their possessions would be given to the church. Whilst this action was applauded as a gesture of goodwill by church members and leadership alike, the recording angel wrote sin against that person’s name, because they allowed the laws and traditions of men, and their cultural heritage to trump the direct command of God on this point. Let’s read:

 Mark 7:8   For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men”….. “and many other such like things ye do. 

  7:9   And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

  7:10   For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother”…..

  7:11   But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, [It is] Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; [he shall be free]. 

  7:12   And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 

  7:13   Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 

The same is true of many business practices that are countenanced as being acceptable in the courts of human opinion. Some of these practices we actually benefit from as consumers, yet the recording angel writes sin against the names of those who foster and implement them. There is what we call “Minimum wage” where individuals cannot be paid below a certain rate in various states. Now whilst this safety net may serve a good purpose by partially regulating exploitation of the poorer classes, yet the Christian will be held to a much higher standard, than that set by mortal man.

Again, the practice of beating the lowest advertised price may be of tremendous benefit to consumers, yet it is a satanic concept at its core, and has no scriptural basis whatsoever, for its foremost purpose is to squeeze the competition out of their market share, so that the business in question can then be the greatest. Thus the biggest fish eat up the small fish, and other people and businesses are used as stepping stones for other more affluent ones to climb to the top of the economic totem pole.

Hostile takeover bids, and short-selling in stock markets are all concepts and principles that are concocted in the laboratories of evil angels, and their adverse results are seen in market monopolies and consequent domineering tactics which severely limit the purchasing options of consumers. Thus a whole plethora of cultural practices and traditions which are widely accepted in secular and even religious circles, are indeed foreign to the government of God, and those who harbor and practice them will have to give an account one day, if permanent changes are not made.

In the previous financial meltdown which took the world to the brink of financial collapse, many hedge-funds and other banking institutions knowingly gave loans to the

people, with the understanding and the hope that they  would not be able to repay. Then after bundling these mortgages into very complex financial packages and derivatives, the same institutions bought insurance and placed bets against the very loans they issued, with the desire that the borrowers will fail in their payments.

Thus when the financial crisis hit, many of the financial institutions made billions of dollars, collecting on the mortgages they bet against, and so they made money both ways, while millions of borrowers went under. Now, even though these practices may be legal from a mere human standpoint, yet in the records of heaven they are recorded as grave sin, and that’s why the Christian in our day needs to be very careful, lest the customs, traditions and cultures of the day, imperceptibly invade our minds and thoughts, and we act legally according to the laws and permissions of men, whilst living in violation of the laws and principles of God.

This issue of tradition colliding with righteousness is what

 took place with Abraham and Sarah when they were trying to have the son of promise, but were prevented for the time by Sarah being barren. After many years had elapsed, and there seemed no other way out of their plight, they resorted to a sort of loop-hole that the law and culture of the day afforded, by which the maid of the wife in question, could then be legally given to the husband, so that the children born to such a union would be considered the legal children of the husband and wife.

This provision may have been instituted with the best of intentions, but it did not bear the signet of heaven, for it included the sin of adultery, which disturbs the sanctity and stability of the family. There is never a good reason for doing evil, and good intentions never justify a wrong course of action, thus whenever we venture on satan’s enchanted ground, the adverse results of a departure from righteousness will certainly accrue. What seemed to be a favorable plan “B” to Abraham and Sarah back then, turned out to be plan “F”, because we are still witnessing the results of that one tradition even to this day. Let’s read:

Genesis 16:4   And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 

    16:6   But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid [is] in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 

  16:7   And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 

    16:10   And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 

  16:11   And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou [art] with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 

  16:12   And he will be a wild man; his hand [will be] against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 

The same occurrence of tradition colliding with the laws of God is true of the issue of worship in our day, where millions of Christians have inadvertently settled for the substitute day of rest, simply because it came down to us through the centuries as a tradition of men and as a sort of cultural heritage. When Sunday worship was first introduced and instituted by the Roman emperor, it was probably done with the best of intentions, to bridge the divide between pagan sun worship and Sabbath worship. And even though there is not a single scripture which  gives us the authority to do so, yet the majority of Christians in our day follow that which has come down to us as tradition.

The apostle Paul had a vague premonition of what was to transpire after he passed, and he thus warned Christians of future generations to beware of the subtle influences that the traditions and culture of men would exert against the plainest teachings of the word of God. He alluded to this as he wrote, not long before he was executed by Rome. Let’s read:

Acts 20:29   For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 

  20:30   Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 

  20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. 

And so it is, that with the issue of tradition and culture colliding with righteousness, that as Christians we should trace the history of Sabbath-keeping, as one of only two institutions given in the Garden of Eden as a precious legacy for all generations. The two institutions given at creation are marriage between one man and one female woman, which forms the basic building blocks of all society, and the seventh day Sabbath, given as the universal day of rest, which if it was kept as it ought to be, would have prevented the spread of the theory of evolution, which has now been incorporated into the culture and educational systems of the earth. Let’s read:

Genesis 2:1   Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 

  2:2   And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 

  2:3   And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

  2:21   And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 

  2:22   And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 

  2:23   And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 

  2:24   Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 

However, a substitute form of worship was introduced by Cain, by which he sought to gain God’s favor through disobedience, and the principle of substituting our own institutions instead of God’s was thereby established. But there were always a faithful few who differed with Cain, and those who did, worshiped God according to His plainly revealed will. Thus we have the testimony of scripture as it pertains to those who chose righteousness over culture and tradition. Let’s read:

Genesis 5:19   And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: 

  5:20   And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. 

  5:24   And Enoch walked with God: and he [was] not; for God took him.

Genesis 6:5  And God saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. 

  6:6   And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 

  6:7   And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 

  6:8   But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 

  6:9   These [are] the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man [and] perfect in his generations, [and] Noah walked with God.

Genesis  7:1   And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

After the flood there were also generations of the righteous who kept God’s law which was always in existence, even though before Mt Sinai it was handed down from father to son by word of mouth. At Sinai it was written down in stone to show permanence, but it

has always existed. In our homes we have rules that must be honored by those who live under our roof, but none of those laws are written down anywhere. This does not then mean that they are not binding, for they are just as valid in spoken form, as in a written format.

Thus Joseph, Isaac, Jacob, and Abraham, together with their offspring were all Sabbath-keepers, because the Bible states that they kept God’s commandments and His laws, for they had an intimate knowledge of them. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to commit adultery, he refused by stating that such and act would constitute sin. It’s only the law of God that could designate adultery as a sin, for the moral codes of man then permitted polygamy. Let’s read:

Genesis 39:7   And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 

  39:8   But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what [is] with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 

  39:9   [There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Romans  7:7   “I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.

Genesis 26:4   And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; 

  26:5   Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. 

The fourth commandment of the Decalogue begins with

the word “Remember” because God saw that members of the human family were prone to forget, and as people across the globe lost sight of the original seventh day Sabbath, God began to give us a multitude of reminders at every opportunity, and in thousands of ways, so that the number seven, of all the days of the week could be remembered as the God-ordained, universal day of rest. Let’s read:

Exodus 20:8   Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.   20:9   Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 

  20:10   But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: 

  20:11   For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. 

 Hence the reason why we read in so many experiences of the Hebrews and other pagan nations, that the number seven surfaces over and over again, it is not by coincidence, but it’s all by the providence of God, reminding us of the sacred day of rest, the Sabbath, which falls on the seventh day of the weekly cycle. Let’s read:

Genesis 7:4   For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth. 

7:10   And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth.

Genesis 21:28   And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 

  21:29   And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What [mean]

these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? 

  21:30   And he said, For [these] seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me”….

Genesis 29:18   And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. 

    29:20   And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him [but] a few days, for the love he had to her. 

Genesis 33:1   And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah, and unto Rachel, and unto the two handmaids. 

    33:3   And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. 

 Genesis  41:1   And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by

the river. 

  41:2   And, behold, there came up out of the river seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and they fed in a meadow. 

  41:3   And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured and leanfleshed; and stood by the [other] kine upon the brink of the river. 

  41:4   And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So Pharaoh awoke. 

  41:5   And he slept and dreamed the second time: and, behold, seven ears of corn came up upon one stalk, rank and good. 

  41:6   And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. 

  41:7   And the seven thin ears devoured the seven rank and full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and, behold, [it was] a dream.

Genesis   41:25   And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The

dream of Pharaoh [is] one: God hath showed Pharaoh what he [is] about to do. 

  41:26   The seven good kine [are] seven years; and the seven good ears [are] seven years: the dream [is] one. 

  41:27   And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them [are] seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. 

  41:28   This [is] the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God [is] about to do he showeth unto Pharaoh. 

  41:29   Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 

  41:30   And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

  Genesis 50:10   And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a

mourning for his father seven days. 

Exodus  12:15   Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 

  Exodus 29:30   [And] that son that is priest in his stead shall put them on seven days, when he cometh into the tabernacle of the congregation to minister in the holy [place]. 

  29:35   And thus shalt thou do unto Aaron, and to his sons, according to all [things] which I have commanded thee: seven days shalt thou consecrate them. 

    29:37   Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy. 

Leviticus 4:6   And the priest shall dip his finger in the

blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the veil of the sanctuary.

Leviticus 8:33   And ye shall not go out of the door of the tabernacle of the congregation [in] seven days, until the days of your consecration be at an end: for seven days shall he consecrate you.   

  8:35   Therefore shall ye abide [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation day and night seven days, and keep the charge of the LORD, that ye die not: for so I am commanded. 

Leviticus 12:2   Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 

Leviticus 13:4   If the bright spot [be] white in the skin of his flesh, and in sight [be] not deeper than the skin, and

the hair thereof be not turned white; then the priest shall shut up [him that hath] the plague seven days: 

  13:5   And the priest shall look on him the seventh day: and, behold, [if] the plague in his sight be at a stay, [and] the plague spread not in the skin; then the priest shall shut him up seven days more.

  Leviticus 25:2   Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land which I give you, then shall the land keep a sabbath unto the LORD. 

  25:3   Six years thou shalt sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; 

  25:4   But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the LORD: thou shalt neither sow thy field, nor prune thy vineyard. 

  25:5   That which groweth of its own accord of thy harvest thou shalt not reap, neither gather the grapes of thy vine undressed: [for] it is a year of rest unto the land.

25:8   And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. 

  25:9   Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. 

Joshua 6:1   Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. 

  6:2   And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour.   

  6:4   And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets. 

2nd kings 5:9   So Naaman came with his horses and with

his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 

  5:10   And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean.  

And then we cross over from the B.C time period to the A.D time period, and the same continual mention of the number seven continues, because the word “Remember” in the fourth commandment, referring to the seventh day, is not something that God has left up to mortal man, but instead He Himself takes the initiative to remind us over and over again that the seventh day is still the one and only sacred day of the weekly cycle. Let’s read:

Matthew 18:21   Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 

  18:22   Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 

Matthew 12:43   When the unclean spirit is gone out of a  man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 

  12:44   Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth [it] empty, swept, and garnished. 

  12:45   Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there.

Matthew 15:34   And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. 

  15:35   And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 

  15:36   And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake [them], and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. 

  15:37   And they did all eat, and were filled: and they  took up of the broken [meat] that was left seven baskets

full. 

Acts 6:2   Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 

  6:3   Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

And finally we come to the last book of the Bible, in which the God of heaven makes His last and final appeal to the human family, bidding us to “Remember” the number seven as it pertains to the seventh day Sabbath of rest, and as if He were in desperate straits to have us remember, He starts off in the first chapter of Revelation with an abnormal amount of sevens. Let’s read:

Revelation 1:4   John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace [be] unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the

seven Spirits which are before his throne; 

1:11   Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send [it] unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 

  1:12   And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;

1:13   And in the midst of the seven candlesticks [one] like unto the Son of man”….

  1:16   And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance [was] as the sun shineth in his strength. 

1:17   And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying”…

1:20   The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. 

Revelation 5:1   And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

5:6   And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. 

Revelation 15:5   And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened: 

  15:6   And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 

  15:7   And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 

  15:8   And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

There can be no doubt that the number seven is being deliberately repeated in scripture from Genesis to Revelation, and the question we now have to settle within ourselves is why? Why is it that at almost every turn, God mentions the number seven, and is it coincidence that He has told us to “Remember” the seventh day?

There is a collision between traditional Sunday worship, and the original seventh day Sabbath, and therefore the God of heaven is bidding us choose whom we will serve. The final issue in the battle between truth and error, between good and evil, and between light and darkness, is the issue of worship, and it can be no coincidence that the first message of the three given in Revelation 14:7 refers us back directly to the Seventh day Sabbath of the fourth commandment, from which half of the verse is actually taken. Let’s read:

Revelation 14:7   Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 

Exodus 20:11   For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day”….

If we continue to allow Sunday tradition and culture to take precedence over the seventh day Sabbath, then we will be aligned with the beast of Revelation 13, but if we step out in faith, and accept the sign of God’s approval, then the promises to the faithful will be ours. We thus end with a promise to all who by faith, obey the plain commands of God in this an all other matters. Let’s read:

Isaiah 58:13   If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, [from] doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking [thine own] words: 

  58:14   Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken [it]. 

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                                       God bless!

"Ye Shall Not Surely Die" Sabbath Afternoon 05/30/2015

The doctrine which teaches its adherents that the soul of man has natural immortality, had its beginning in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to listen to the specious reasoning of the serpent, instead of the plain utterances of Jehovah. After the earth had been clad in Edenic beauty The Lord gave to both of them the clearest instructions against eating or touching the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for if they were to do so, they would surely die.

This first and very important instruction then meant that immortality was not something inherent in man’s nature, but was rather to be granted on condition of obedience. However, the devil, who was at this time debarred from heaven on account of the rebellion and ensuing war, by

which he was cast out, suggested otherwise to the curious mind of Eve, who bought into his fatal sophistries and thereby became his active agent in facilitating Adam’s downfall.

As Eve wandered from her husband’s side, she soon found herself gazing in wonder at the beautiful fruit, laden on the forbidden tree, and since she was alone, with no one to offer a remonstrance, the serpent seized the opportunity to tempt her into disbelieving God. The method he used is one that is often used in commercials, where the confirmation of a certain course of action is concluded as beneficial, before individuals have the opportunity to reason rationally for themselves. Hence the reason why the first word out of the serpent’s mouth is the word “YES”, a confirmation of the falsehoods which were to follow.

The Ouija board, one of the means by which human beings are directly connected to evil spirits, is so named because it consists of two words, “Oui”, the French word

 meaning yes, and the German word “Ja” which also means yes, and when put together into one word mean Yes, Yes. The first word in the introduction to the false doctrine of natural immortality was therefore inserted by no coincidence, but was well structured to confirm that which was to follow. Let’s read:

Genesis 3:1   Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 

  3:2   And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 

  3:3   But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 

  3:4   And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 

  3:5   For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 

  3:6   And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 

The implications of those words, “Ye shall not surely die” suggest that there are no negative or adverse results for wrong-doing, a theory that has come down to our day, and one which has grown and blossomed into a plethora of philosophies and beliefs which have no scriptural basis whatsoever, and which will soon be exposed for what they really are. However, the study for this afternoon is not going to focus primarily on the issues of death and immortality, but rather on the very concept that is now espoused by millions, that there are no negative results or consequences for sin.

One of the offshoots of the concept then unveiled by satan to humanity, is the doctrine which teaches that there is no absolute truth, and therefore the standard of right and wrong is relative, varying from person to person based on their own convictions and consciences. That familiar saying, “Let conscience be your guide” is a satanic statement, for the consciences of Bernie Madoff and Bin Laden differ greatly from that of Abraham and Isaac, and therefore the fluidity that is inherent in the very concept will allow for the most  gruesome and brutal of crimes, all being committed under the guise of individual conscience.

According to the Bible and all pertinent historical records, sin, as described in the Bible, always carries with it negative consequences, that are never restricted to the individual person, but rather extends to others, very much the same as when a pebble is thrown into water and the ripple effects reach the furthest shores. A person does not necessarily have to be guilty of a particular sin in order for him or her to suffer the direct or indirect consequences of someone else’s wrongdoing. This is a fundamental fact that must be taken into account when dealing with the false doctrine, “Ye shall not surely die”. Let’s read:

Romans 5:12   Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

   5:14   Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 

Proverbs 9:18   Wisdom [is] better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. 

Proverbs 29:2   When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Two young men were returning home one afternoon in their vehicle, when suddenly, without warning, a semi being driven by a drunk driver, jumped the median and hit them head on, killing both of them instantly. These teenagers had absolutely nothing to do with the truck driver’s sin of consuming large amounts of alcohol, yet they suffered the direct consequences of the man’s wrongdoing. Let’s never be deceived with satan’s fatal sophistry that sin does not come at a cost, for any and every violation of God’s law carries negative results of some kind.

When Achan sinned by stealing the goodly Babylonian garment and the shekels of gold and silver, in direct violation of the instructions given, thirty six men who had nothing to do with his crime, and who did not even know that sin was committed, suffered the direct results of his misdeeds, and by his singular act, caused several families to be bereft of husbands and fathers. There is no such thing as sin being committed and everyone or anyone getting off scotch free, this is why the Bible states the laws of cause and effect over and over again so that we will get the message. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 8:12   Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that

it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 

  8:13   But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.

Joshua 7:1  But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi”.. “took of the accursed thing.

7:4   So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai. 

  7:5   And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

7:10   And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 

  7:11   Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put [it] even among their own stuff. 

  7:12   Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. 

The reason why the study is focusing so heavily on the consequences of sin, is because in our day the same lie that was told in the garden of Eden is being repeated under different headings and is being taught in schools and universities through philosophies that draw our attention away from the true cause of many of the difficulties and dangers that are multiplying upon the earth in quick succession. And because we are not placing our fingers on the real problem, we cannot access the real solution.

Any voice which says “Ye shall not surely die”, meaning

that sin does not produce adverse effects for the guilty and innocent, is the voice of satan, and until we become convinced of this sacred truth, there will be no lasting solutions to the many problems plaguing nations and individuals. We will find ourselves spending billions and trillions of dollars, chasing an elusive, phantom enemy, that will keep on metastasizing, all because of the self-righteous tendency to justify ourselves in a sinful course of action. This sacred truth of cause and effect in the spiritual realm is written for our instruction so that all may take heed.

In the days of Haggai the prophet, the people of God were stealing the tithes and offerings that were specially designated for the work and maintenance of the sacred sanctuary, and instead of setting aside from their weekly earnings that which was due to God, they spent lavishly upon themselves, with no thought for the cause of truth. This practice is described in the Bible as being robbery, the equivalent of sticking up God in broad daylight, and the sure results followed, because wherever any sin is committed, adverse effects are sure to follow. Let’s read:

Haggai 1:5   Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. 

  1:6   Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes. 

And just as it is with individuals, so it is with nations, for the principle does not change from country to country, nor does it respect persons of high or low degree. The words, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” are still valid and will remain as such until probation closes. Belshazzar found this out the hard way, but by the time he realized what was going on, it was too late, for he had crossed the threshold of God’s mercy, and had entered the sphere of judgment, from which there would be no escape.

After knowing what his father had passed through, and the forbearance of God towards the king’s folly, the

son,  who had the sacred history before him took the same route, and went even further by making a mockery of God, and the sacred institutions he had established for His worship. And it was while he was in the heat of the moment, celebrating the so-called victory of sin over righteousness, that a bloodless hand was sent from God, writing out the doom of the entire nation, for God is no respecter of persons. Let’s read:

Daniel 5:1   Belshazzar the king made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the thousand. 

  5:2   Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which [was] in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein. 

  5:3   Then they brought the golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God which [was] at Jerusalem; and the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, drank in them. 

  5:4   They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone. 

  5:5   In the same hour came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king's palace: and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. 

5:6   Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. 

  5:7   The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. [And] the king spake, and said to the wise [men] of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and [have] a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. 

  5:8   Then came in all the king's wise [men]: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof. 

  5:9   Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were

astonied. 

This sudden interference from heaven brought the party to a premature halt. The DJ stopped playing, and the bartenders stopped pouring, the clowns stopped joking, and the guests stopped speaking. All was now an eerie silence with the omens of some unknown, impending judgment hanging in the air. It was in this paralyzed state of consternation that the prophet Daniel was sent for, to give what was to be the final explanation to the nation that once dazzled its admirers. And since history is soon to be repeated, the God of heaven bids us take heed to Daniel’s speech, from this point forward. Let’s read:

Daniel 5:13   Then was Daniel brought in before the king. [And] the king spake and said unto Daniel, [Art] thou that Daniel, which [art] of the children of the captivity of Judah, whom the king my father brought out of Jewry? 

  5:14   I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods [is] in thee, and [that] light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee. 

5:17   Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 

  5:18   O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour: 

  5:19   And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. 

  5:20   But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:

  5:21   And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling [was] with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and [that] he appointeth over it whomsoever he will. 

  5:22   And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; 

  5:23   But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath [is], and whose [are] all thy ways, hast thou not glorified: 

  5:24   Then was the part of the hand sent from him; and this writing was written. 

  5:25   And this [is] the writing that was written, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. 

5:26   This [is] the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. 

  5:27   TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. 

  5:28   PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

5:30   In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. 

  5:31   And Darius the Median took the kingdom, [being] about threescore and two years old.

In our day a million and one different reasons are being given for the apparent capricious outbreaks of nature, and the many disturbance that keep arising in different parts of the earth. And just as it was in the garden of Eden, satan has deceived millions into believing that the sacred institutions of God can be trampled upon and violated with impunity, and so the same cryptic words are being repeated, “Ye shall not surely die”. Science has also jumped on the same bandwagon in many instances, chalking it all up to green house gases, climate change and global warming.

Now while it is true to some extent that these are also

contributing factors, the fact remains that the basic problem of high handed sin lies at the core of most of our troubles, and will escalate until there is no remedy. The only solution that will bring positive changes for the better is Christ, but until we acknowledge what the problem is, the remedy provided will be of no avail.

In other words, if we keep seeking scientific explanations for a spiritual problem, then the solution which is right at our doorsteps won’t be of any use, and thus the laws of cause and effect will be permitted to run their natural course. This will then result in unprecedented natural and manmade disasters, which will increase both in cost and severity until an explanation of the writing on the wall is given.

The bloodless hand that wrote on the banquet hall of Belshazzar is soon to write again on the walls of modern Babylon, hence the reason why the following verses of scripture should be studied very carefully, for they contain the answers and methods necessary to avert the

evils that are now being determined. Let’s read:

Jonah 3:1   And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 

  3:2   Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. 

  3:3   So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh”…

  3:4   “And he cried, and said”…. “Nineveh shall be overthrown. 

  3:5   So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. 

3:6   For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered [him] with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 

  3:7   And he caused [it] to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: 

  3:8   But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that [is] in their hands. 

  3:10   And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not.

2nd Chronicles 7:14   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

  7:15   Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place. 

He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying.

                                    God bless!

Reasons Why Some People Leave Christ. Sabbath Afternoon. 05/23/2015

There are many reasons why some Christians turn their backs on Christ, and there are many more reasons given why others stop attending church services. At times in the Christian experience it may become difficult to stay focused on Christ, because of situations that may develop within the brotherhood of believers, but we should never forget who saved us and who died for us on Calvary. Even though we are social beings and we need the support of like-minded believers, yet it is Christ who has called us to Himself individually, and therefore we must take His invitation very personally.

It is a sad fact that in a predominantly Christian nation, church attendance is actually on the decline, for many denominations and congregations are struggling to add members, and others are bleeding many more believers through the back door, than those coming through the front, and so the question is asked “Why are so many Christians leaving their congregations, and what can be done to retain a healthy membership?

One of the more prominent reasons given for persons turning back to the broken cisterns of earth is that there are many “Hypocrites” in the church, a fact that cannot be denied. But if a person is looking for the right church, and they have come across a church with no hypocrites, then they have found the wrong church. According to the Webster’s definition, “A hypocrite is one who claims or pretends to have certain beliefs about what is right, but who behaves in a way that is contrary to such beliefs”. This type of person is to be found in every denomination, in every religion, and even amongst members of God’s remnant people.

Whenever our focus is on what others are doing or not doing, and whenever we become intolerant of those who may genuinely be struggling with weaknesses and sins, then the problem of hypocrites looms large, and if not

 managed properly, could cause us to stumble. In the days of Eli this was certainly the case, for his two sons were found to be doing the exact opposite of what any faithful priest should be doing.

This then caused many of the Hebrews to stop going to church, and as a result, the spirituality of the people took a hit, and every man started doing what was right in their own eyes. However, the Bible tells us of two faithful worshippers who were not deterred by the evils that were then taking place in the sanctuary services, and it must here be acknowledged that it must have required great faith on the part of Elkanah and his family to keep attending the yearly service. It means that their focus was not on what the priests were doing, but rather on what God was doing, and what He was about to do. Let’s read:

1st Samuel 1:1   Now there was a certain man of mount Ephraim, and his name [was] Elkanah”…  1:3   And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, [were] there. 

1:21   And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

1st Samuel 2:22   Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

  2:23   And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. 

  2:24   Nay, my sons; for [it is] no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. 

  2:25   If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall entreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father”…

It is of critical importance then, for us not to allow any

hypocrites to steal our joy in The Holy Ghost, nor should we expend our energies policing others who may have a lesser understanding of the truths we hold dear. We are all in different stages of spiritual growth, and thus there is great need for tolerance and forbearance, so that growth in grace can take place according to God’s will. God is able to save even hypocrites, therefore we should see the potential for better in everyone, even though their actions may speak to the contrary. Let’s read:

  Colossians 3:12   Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 

  3:13   Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. 

  3:14   And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 

  3:15   And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 

3:16   Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

This leads us to another reason why some people turn their backs on God or stop attending church, because of the music, which may not appeal to their specific tastes. This reason is one of the more prominent ones, and must be understood in its proper context. Here in America we have a melting pot of believers coming in from different backgrounds, and different cultures, and because of this there are great variances in preference of music. Some like it hot, and some like it cold, and some like it in the pot nine days old.

In other words, we have believers from some Sunday churches who are accustomed to a high energy form of worship, in which rythm and contemporary music in their church services are the order of the day. These particular kinds of services are emotionally charged, with heart and soul being poured into their song. And then there are those of a completely different orientation, in which a very subdued form of worship and music is what is preferred, where the feelings and emotions are bridled so as not to cause any distractions.

This is all well and good, and both types of worshippers may be sincere in their praises, but according to the Bible, music should not be a determining factor in us leaving the church or turning our backs on Christ. Those who have truly accepted Christ as Lord and Savior will not permit music to be a stumbling block in our blood relationship with The Lord, for according to the Bible the true sheep listen to the Master’s voice, not to music, and so they will not forsake the assembly of the saints if the music is not to their preference. Let’s read:

John 10:27   My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 

  10:28   And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall  never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of

my hand. 

  10:29   My Father, which gave [them] me, is greater than all; and no [man] is able to pluck [them] out of my Father's hand. 

  10:30   I and [my] Father are one. 

Another reason why some folk desert Christ and the assembly of the saints is because church is “Boring” to them, especially if a plethora of unceasing activity is not abundantly provided. Hence we have in our day a multitude of concerts, bazaars, excursions, dinners, and other such occasions to make the Christian life “Interesting”. And whenever these additional activities are removed, there goes the membership of many who had built their relationship with Christ upon the shaky foundation of excitement and entertainment. If we do not enjoy the presence and companionship of Christ as being the center of our joy, then something is seriously lacking and needs to be addressed urgently.

Our highest and most intimate joy should be with Christ, and then the horizontal aspect of our relationship with others will find its rightful place. But never should the presence of God with us be substituted or supplemented with other activities in order for it to have meaning. This is one of the more prominent reasons why church attendance is on the decline, and the issue is addressed in the scriptures, from the right perspective. Let’s read:

Psalms 16:11   Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore. 

Psalm 42:1  “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 

  42:2   My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 

Psalm 98:4   Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 

  98:5   Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 

  98:6   With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. 

  98:7   Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 

  98:8   Let the floods clap [their] hands: let the hills be joyful together 

  98:9   Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. 

In order for us to understand the real reasons why some Christians lose their way, and why some folk turn their backs on Christ and religion as a whole, we will need to study the parable of the sower, as related by Christ. In this parable the Lord reveals to us that the gospel seed falls on different minds, and the results vary from person to person, depending on the reasons why we accepted Him in the first place, and the personal choices we made thereafter. The first type of hearer brought to view is the “wayside hearer”, who hears the good news “By the way” and who then loses what he has seen and heard of Christ.

In His exposition on this first type of hearer, Christ says that a lack of understanding the gospel is what causes the wayside hearer to lose that which as sown in his heart. In other words, the gospel presented is not internalized, but is understood only in a casual manner. Let’s read:

Matthew 13:3   And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 

  13:4   And when he sowed, some [seeds] fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up.

13:18   Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 

  13:19   When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

The next set of hearers described by Jesus are those who receive the word of God readily, because the good news sounds good. As this type of hearer listens to the gospel it seems as if it’s a win, win situation, for the death of Jesus covers all our sins, and then we are given eternal life, and so, when the rubber meets the road, and trials, temptations, and disappointments come along, the stony ground hearers begin to reason that they had never catered for such experiences in the Christian life, and after a while they are offended. Let’s read:

Matthew 13:20   But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 

  13:21   Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 

Yet another type of hearer is brought to view in those who actually understand and accept Christ and the gospel, but then the transient things of earth, together with material wealth and the cares of this life are allowed to take precedence over God, and as a result the word of truth loses its meaning and value to them, and thus they become unfruitful. Whenever Christ is put in second place in our affections for any reason, then we may know that we are in danger of losing our way. Let’s read:

Matthew 13:22   He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Then there is the last set of hearers brought to view by Christ, those who hear the word, understand, and digest it, and who make a deliberate, intentional, and intelligent choice to accept Christ as Lord and savior. This last group indeed received the word with joy, and they received it readily, but their decision for Christ was not based on emotions which are here today and gone tomorrow. This group weighed carefully the import of the gospel, and they realized that the Christian will have sunny days and rainy days.

They understood that following Christ is not a bed of roses, in which all financial, social, and health problems will vanish into thin air. This group sat down and counted the cost, and then they did the wise thing by giving their lives entirely to God, with no reservations or conditions on their part, and with no upfront guarantees or any prenuptial agreements of prosperity and popularity.

When decisions like these are made, neither music, or hypocrites will be able to shatter their relation with Christ, for they built upon the sure foundation of the Rock, Christ Jesus. Those who thus decide to follow Christ are then made impregnable to the assaults of the enemy, and will live victoriously each day. Let’s read:

Matthew 7:24   Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 

  7:25   And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Romans 8:35   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

  8:36   As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 

  8:37   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 

  8:38   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 

  8:39   Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

It is therefore incumbent upon us to search our souls to see what are our real reasons for following Christ. If Christ is just a side order to our main menu, then we need to address the situation by praying to God for a new heart and mind, so that we may serve The Lord in sincerity and joy. If Jesus is not the center of our joy, and if we find ourselves requiring boosters in order to make the Christian life pleasurable, then we may know for certain that something integral is missing, and again, the Lord calls on us to invite Him in for real.

Whatever might be the million and one reasons for turning back, it is not necessary, nor does it have to be  this way, because God has promised to His children grace every day, and strength according to our varied needs. Let us then hold fast the profession of our faith, looking unto Jesus, The Author and Finisher of our faith.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to stay the course with Christ, through all of the ups and downs of the Christian life. Let’s read:

Romans 12:1   Wherefore seeing we also are compassed

about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

  12:2   Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

  12:3   For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                                         God bless!

Freedom Of Religion And Freedom Of Speech. Sabbath Afternoon. 05/16/2015

There are certain aspects to America’s constitution which make this country exceptionally great, and the freedom of religion and freedom of speech that we all currently enjoy, play a critically important role in maintaining the genius of its government over a potpourri of peoples. It is indeed a great blessing and privilege to be able to speak freely, without the threat of intimidation or censure on the part of those who may differ from us in their ideas and opinions. This unique legacy must be carefully guarded at all times from being eroded by existential threats to our democracy.

When God created Adam and Eve, He gave them the inalienable freedom to choose to do good or evil, and this freedom of choice should be carefully protected, especially when it come to religious beliefs. The tendency to persecute those who are of different religious beliefs and persuasions, began with Cain, who hated and killed

 his brother, simply because He was jealous of the favor shown by God to Abel, who had faithfully followed His instructions in bringing a lamb as a sacrifice for sin. Let’s read:

Genesis 4:3   And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. 

  4:4   And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 

  4:5   But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 

  4:6   And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 

  4:7   If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee [shall be] his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 

  4:8   And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. 

If Cain was willing to comply as his younger brother did, he would then be accepted of God, but his disobedience put him at odds with the requirements of God, and for this reason he took his brother’s life. This habit and practice was then further developed into a principle of religious intolerance that has come down to us through the ages, and is what is being currently witnessed in the Middle east, certain parts of Africa, and in other distant lands where a national religion has been established and rigorously enforced by the reigning authorities, with penalties and even death being administered to those who dare to be different.

The author of the principle of religious intolerance is none other than satan, who hates the divine precepts and the very name of Christ, and thus those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior in some foreign

countries, have come under increasing attack for their faith. But here in America we still enjoy the freedom to practice our various religions, with the freedom to speak our convictions in private and in some public places. We hope and pray that these religious liberties will be kept in place for as long as time shall last, for our very existence and prosperity as a nation depend on them.

It is therefore necessary for us to study the nature of the principle of religious intolerance that is gaining steam in certain parts of the world, because we are in danger of importing the very same philosophies under the name of Christ. In Iraq and Syria, and in certain parts of Africa, Christians are being forced to adopt Islam as the national religion, and in many cases the death penalty is the result for non-compliance. What is worthy of note in this phenomena is that there are various strains of Islam emanating from the same common text of the Quran.

For instance there are moderate interpretations to the religious text, where those who understand the Quran a

certain way are very tolerant of other religions, and do not subscribe to the philosophy that teaches all other religious sects to be infidels. Then there is a much more extreme version of interpretation of the very same Quran, in which all who do not subscribe to Sharia law are deemed unfit to live, and as a result mass executions of both Christians and Muslims has ensued, resulting in violence and bloodshed of no ordinary character.

This more radical interpretation of the same Quran text, with the accompanying religious intolerance, is what has bred deep divisions within the general community of Muslim believers, and that’s why we now have Saudi Arabian Muslims fighting against Houthi and Iranian Muslims, all of whom read the same religious text, the Quran. The system of intolerance thus spawned is found to be diabolically opposed to what the Bible teaches on this point.

In ancient days, the Hebrews were sometimes instructed by God to eliminate certain nations, not because they were of different religious persuasions, but rather because their cup of iniquity was full, a fact that was always decided by God alone, since He reserves the singular right to execute judgment when He deems necessary, as was the case with Sodom and Gomorrah.

It is here worthy of note that ancient Israel was a theocracy, being governed directly by The God of heaven, and as such, all military expeditions against other nations on account of unbridled iniquity were to be ordered at His own discretion, and not by mortal man. In one instance for example, when the Hebrews had come across the descendants of the godless Esau, they were tempted to think that God would automatically eliminate them, since they were averse to His government and His laws. But instead, The Lord issued a stern warning to the Hebrews not to even think of meddling with them, for He had made provision for their existence, even though they would have nothing to do with Him. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 2:2   And the LORD spake unto me, saying,

  2:3   Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. 

  2:4   And command thou the people, saying, Ye [are] to pass through the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you: take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore: 

  2:5   Meddle not with them; for I will not give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau [for] a possession. 

  2:6   Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. 

Again, the principle that bears sway in the government of God, as it pertains to religious freedom, is that of free choice, with no coercion of the conscience against one’s own will being entertained. Hence the reason why Christ is represented in the book of Revelation as standing at our heart’s door knocking, seeking entrance only by invitation, for He is never to be found kicking down the door, as someone who we know often does. Let’s read:

Revelation 3:20   Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Joshua 24:15   And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that [were] on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. 

1st Kings 18:21   And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

  Luke 9:49   And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth not with us. 

  9:50   And Jesus said unto him, Forbid [him] not: for he

that is not against us is for us.

Thus we as Christians who follow in the footsteps of The Master are supposed to foster the same principles of freedom of religion and freedom of speech that is enjoined upon us by God Himself. In other words, Hindus Buddhists, Mormons, Catholics, Baptists, Seventh day Adventists, Atheists, Methodists and Evangelicals are all supposed to be able to live peaceably on the same street, here in America, with no bad feelings or ill-will towards one’s neighbors being cherished, because of stark differences in religious persuasion and practice.

And even though there may be very real or imaginary  diversities as to beliefs and the validity of the various religions being represented in the same community, yet the due respect for our God-given freedoms should be the restraining force which prevents unwarranted antagonism and persecution, because of fundamental differences of opinions and practice. In other words, an atheist neighbor who does not believe in “Santa Claws” should not be forced to listen to Christmas carols, and similarly, a Muslim should not be forced to pray to the Christian’s God, through mandatory prayer in schools.

Freedom of religion and practice should be the watch words for all, once the violations of such freedom is not exercised by some who hold very deep convictions of their faith. In other words, even though we may speak passionately about The Lord Jesus Christ, and may even exercise our religious freedom in encouraging others to accept of His grace, yet no compulsion of conscience, or no heated, angry arguments in favor of our convictions should characterize our interactions with those of opposing beliefs.

However, there are growing calls for the establishment of a universal form of Christianity, where all the different denominations and evangelical institutions are given an equal seat at the negotiating table, with deliberate and concerted efforts being made to galvanize the different Christian creeds into one big universal conglomerate, with the common beliefs and interpretations that are most widely held, being the basis for the united order. This is increasingly being suggested in Christian circles, as a viable means to combat the growing threat of global terrorism.

But the same problems that Muslims have run into, with the many different strands of interpretation, will be inevitably duplicated in any universal conglomerate of Christianity, because within the world of Christendom, there are also vastly different interpretations of the same common text used. For instance, if someone were to ask a Sunday-keeping Baptist to substantiate his beliefs and views, he will reach for the Bible in order to give a reason for his faith. But if we were to ask a Jehovah’s witness to give us a reason for the hope he has within him, he too will also reach for the Bible. Thus the forced coalescing of various interpretations of the same sacred text is certain to breed religious intolerance between those who would acquiesce, and those who won’t. 

And therefore, just as there are many variations of interpretation in the world of Islam, ranging from the moderate to the more extreme versions, just so there are many different adopted strands to Christianity which exist today, and even though the same sacred text is being used, the differences of interpretations are sometimes as far as the east is from the west. Hence the reason why we should never endeavor to import the principle of universal Christianity into our culture, lest the same spirit of intolerance bear sway on our very shores.

In lieu of the inevitable results of religious intolerance that has been manifested over the centuries, God has given to Bible believing Christians pertinent instructions as to how to navigate the potential minefields that are incident to religious bigotry, and these commands should be carefully followed by true Christians everywhere, especially given the volatile environment in which we now find ourselves living. We are called upon by God to exercise good judgment and sound discretion in our interaction with those of other faiths, and even though we are never to be found watering down the truth to please the clamors of sin-loving multitudes, yet the words of wisdom, given us by God should be adhered to.

(1) We are instructed to avoid the use of any and all inflammatory language, in regards to other religions, and especially as it pertains to the many gods that are now revered and worshiped by those who may not know better. This first instruction, which is repeated in several passages of scripture is of great relevance to the times in which we now live, and will go a very long way in diffusing the tensions and animosities which have developed between Christians and Muslims. Let’s read:

Exodus 22:28   Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

Titus 2:1   But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

  2:8   Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he

that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 

James 3:13   Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 

  3:14   But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 

  3:15   This wisdom descendeth not from above, but [is] earthly, sensual, devilish. 

  3:16   For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work. 

  3:17   But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, [and] easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

  3:18   And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. 

There is a growing tendency to respond in like currency

whenever incendiary speech or even acts of violence are committed against Christians in our day, but the Bible teaches us to take a different route, following in the footsteps of Christ. In other words, the proliferation of evil and religious extremism should not then cause us to adopt the very same principles in combating these elements, because the laws and principles of Christianity do not allow for such exercises, neither by precept nor in the example of Christ Himself.

If we were to ask any experienced fireman, he will tell us that fighting fire with fire will only breed more fire, for we have never seen any of them spraying flames from their hoses upon a burning building. What the Bible instead teaches us is that we should fight fire with water, because this is what God does, for when the fires of unbridled sin and iniquity are raging within our souls, He bids us be baptized and converted. Christ Himself set us the example for us to follow, and thus it is important that we adopt both His methods and principles as we move forward. Let’s read:

Matthew 27:39   And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 

  27:40   And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 

  27:41   Likewise also the chief priests mocking [him], with the scribes and elders, said, 

  27:42   He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the

cross, and we will believe him. 

The response of Christ to this verbal abuse and heckling was not to respond with similar inflammatory speech, but rather to seek the best interest of His persecutors, thus setting us the example we are to follow when faced with such abusive situations. Let’s read:

Luke 23:34   Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. 

1st Peter 2:19   For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 

  2:20   For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. 

  2:21   For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 

  2:22   Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 

  2:23   Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously.

Luke 9:51   And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 

  9:52   And sent messengers before his face: and they

 went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 

  9:53   And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 

  9:54   And when his disciples James and John saw [this], they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 

  9:55   But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 

  9:56   For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save [them]. And they went to another village. 

 This then brings us to the second instruction given us by God in dealing with those who manifest deep animosity towards Christians. We are never to indulge the spirit of retaliation, for this principle does not originate with God. Now while it is true that Christians are to do all within their power to protect ourselves from harm and danger, yet we should never indulge a thirst for revenge, for if we do, we will place ourselves on the same spiritual side of the aggressor, and thus we will be found to be partaking of the very same spirit. Let’s read:

 Deuteronomy 32:35   To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Romans 12:17   Recompense to no man evil for evil”….

  12:18   If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 

  12:19   Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but

[rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 

  12:20   Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he  thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap

 coals of fire on his head. 

  12:21   Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with

good.

In our day and in our own experiences, we will be faced with challenges to our faith, and forces that are opposed to true Christianity will be pitted against us for various reasons. This will be found to be especially true of those who keep all of the commandments of God, in a world of lawlessness, and therefore the necessary steps and preparations for the coming, final conflict, should now be made, not with the force of arms or other carnal weapons, but rather through prayer and supplication, while we behold the perfection of character exemplified in The Lord Jesus Christ.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture which teaches us both the nature of the warfare, and the means whereby we may be victorious, and it is the will of God that in all situations and in all places, that we live according to what is written, rather than be driven by the devil to adopt principles and methods that are foreign to the kingdom of God. Let’s read:

 Ephesians 6:10   Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

  6:11   Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

  6:12   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. 

  6:13   Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 

  6:14   Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 

  6:15   And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

  6:16   Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 

  6:17   And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

  6:18   Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                                        God bless!

Lessons From The Story Of Mordecai And Esther. Sabbath Afternoon. 05/09/2015

Lessons From The Story Of Mordecai And Esther.

 Sabbath Afternoon

                        05/09/2015

The Bible is full of instruction for any and everyone who is willing to learn in the school of Christ, for God teaches us both spiritual and temporal lessons in the experiences of patriarchs, prophets, and the various characters in the Bible. Two of the more prominent God-faring people ever recorded are Queen Esther and Mordecai, by whom The Lord wrought great deliverance in behalf of His people, and it is with great interest we should carefully observe the various developments which finally led to the people of God being delivered from a single blow that was designed to wipe out the entire nation of Jews in a single day.

The story begins not with Esther, but with the previous queen Vashti, who was removed from her office and position because she refused to follow the king’s order to parade her beauty before the nobles and princes of his realm. King Ahaseurus had given this command to the queen after he had been drinking alcohol for sometime, and through indulgence, his better judgment had been greatly impaired.

It is often the case that under the influence of alcoholic beverages, that men and women say and do things that they would not otherwise say nor do, and because this undeniable fact has been substantiated throughout history, in the likes of Herod, who made  a pledge to Salome because of the way she danced, resulting in the beheading of John the Baptist, the first lesson to be deduced from the book of Esther is that it is not good to consume alcoholic beverages, especially if one is in a position of authority, for then the possibility of perverted judgment becomes all the more a reality.

Thus the Bible strictly forbids kings, rulers, and princes to consume intoxicating wine, lest they say and do that which could result in adverse or evil consequences. Let’s read:

Proverbs 31:4   [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not

for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 

  31:5   Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 

Proverbs 20:1   Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:29   Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 

  23:30   They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 

 23:32   At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 

  23:33   Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 

Thus it was that king Ahaseurus determined that day to remove his wife Vashti from being Queen, after he had consulted with the nobles and princes of his realm. But the next move made by the king, and one which was accessed by both Mordecai and Esther, is a process that deserves serious attention, for it brings to light the fact that as Christians we should cultivate the disposition to follow where God leads the way, even if His ways may involve very unconventional methods, ways and means.

When the prophet Micah speaks of “Walking humbly with God”, he is not referring to a mere outward piety, nor is he speaking of only being willing to follow God in that which is written. He is speaking of an attitude that lives by the word of God alone, without turning to the right hand or to the left, but one which is also willing to follow God outside the box, where He sometimes leads the way.

In this instance, king Ahaseurus’ main focus in finding a new wife and queen was that she should be “Fair”, meaning that she should be extremely good looking, for out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks, and the former queen Vashti, was removed from her position for refusing to display her beauty.

Now who in their right mind would think that God would have anything to do with such a proposal, but the Bible teaches us that God often works through the normal, and widely accepted operations and methods of man to get His will done. In this instance it was a sort of beauty pageant, from which the king was determined to choose his new bride, and Mordecai and Esther, both faithful Christians, were moved upon by the Lord to apply for the position through the normal vetting process.

Was this move by God in harmony with what is clearly written? Absolutely not! Does the buck stop with Him? Absolutely, for whatsoever might be written in the scriptures must be followed to the letter, unless He states or shows us otherwise, because in the final analysis, God has the last word. To begin with, Ahaseurus was not a Christian by any means, and this fact would of necessity put the whole proposal at odds with what the Bible teaches. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 7:2   And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee”…”thou shalt make no covenant with them”…

  7:3   Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy

daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 

  7:4   For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. 

2nd Corinthians 6:14   Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

  6:15   And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 

  6:16   And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

  6:17   Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you.

  6:18   And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 

This leads us to our second very important lesson, the fact that God can countermand His own instruction at His discretion, and we who follow in His train should at all times be willing to make the necessary adjustments as He sees fit, once we have ascertained that it is indeed the voice of God that has spoken, even if it goes against what is clearly written in the instructions given in His word. This aspect of walking humbly with God will play a pivotal role in the near future, when according to the Bible, He will begin to utter His literal voice to His chosen people. Let’s read:

Deuteronomy 4:29   But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find [him], if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 

  4:30   When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, [even] in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

Joel 2:1   Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for [it is] nigh at hand; 

  2:2   A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, [even] to the years of many generations. 

2:10   The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: 

  2:11   And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp [is] very great: for [he is] strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD [is] great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

This leads us to our third and very important lesson of following the voice of God, as is written in His word, in instances where matters of principle and law are at stake. Under no circumstances are we to bow to the popular majority in doing evil, even if it comes down to us as an imperial mandate, for the Christian is to be found standing firmly for the right, even in the midst of the fiercest opposition from the enemies of God and all righteousness.

The vast majority of the populace doing evil does not make it right in the sight of God, and sin does not become righteousness with the passage of time. In other words, holiness is not a fad or fashion that changes in tandem with pop culture, for it is based on the eternal principles and laws of the kingdom of God. In the above-  mentioned instance of Mordecai being urged by his fellows to “Bow” to the proud Haman, he steadfastly refused, even if it meant that he might possibly lose his job as a public figure.

 The Bible specifically states that bowing in reverential worship to a mere mortal man, is a great sin, and as such should never be practiced by those who name the name of Christ. Furthermore, reverence as an act of worship, such as bowing belongs to God alone, for according to the scriptures, His very name is Reverend. Let’s read:

Psalm 111:9   He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend [is] his name. 

  111:10   The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments”….

  Exodus 20:3   Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 

  20:5   Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; 

  20:6   And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. 

When the king Ahaseurus required of his subjects that they should bow the knee to Haman, he had overstepped his bounds, and Mordecai’s sacred duty was to refuse the royal edict. In our day we have many Christians in public office who are “Bowing” to the clamors of the popular majority, since tremendous political and financial pressure is being brought to bear against their persons. As Christians living in the 21st century, we must expect satan to turn up the heat of the furnace several notches, in order to try to force compliance from unwilling hearts, yet like the faithful Mordecai, we should stand for the right though the heavens fall. Let’s read:

Esther 3:1   After these things did king Ahasuerus

promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that [were] with him. 

  3:2   And all the king's servants, that [were] in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did [him] reverence. 

3:3   Then the king's servants, which [were] in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the king's commandment? 

  3:4   Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he [was] a Jew. 

  3:5   And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. 

  3:6   And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had showed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that [were] throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, [even] the people of Mordecai. 

This action to be taken by Haman is representative of an age old principle coming from the enemy of souls, for whenever true Christians refuse to buckle to the various pressures that are exerted against them to depart from the path integrity, the death penalty is sooner or later sought. Thus it was with Cain and Abel, with Daniel, with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, with Christ, with the apostles, with the millions of faithful martyrs throughout the dark ages, and thus it is with the various terrorist groups in our day.

There is always a threat of some sort, associated with not bowing, however it is often when the situation comes to a crisis, that God begins to take steps to overthrow the evils that are determined against His people, just as it was with Mordecai and Esther. Let’s read:

Esther 6:1   On that night could not the king sleep, and he commanded to bring the book of records of the chronicles; and they were read before the king. 

  6:2   And it was found written, that Mordecai had told of”…”two of the king's chamberlains”… “who sought to lay hand on the king”…

  6:3   And the king said, What honour and dignity hath been done to Mordecai for this? Then said the king's servants that ministered unto him, There is nothing done for him. 

  6:4   And the king said, Who [is] in the court? Now Haman was come into the outward court of the king's house, to speak unto the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him. 

6:5   And the king's servants said unto him, Behold, Haman standeth in the court. And the king said, Let him come in. 

  6:6   So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself? 

  6:7   And Haman answered the king, For the man whom the king delighteth to honour, 

  6:8   Let the royal apparel be brought which the king

[useth] to wear, and the horse that the king rideth upon, and the crown royal which is set upon his head: 

  6:9   And let this apparel and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king's most noble princes, that they may array the man [withal] whom the king delighteth to honour, and bring him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaim before him, Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 

  6:10   Then the king said to Haman, Make haste, [and] take the apparel and the horse, as thou hast said, and do even so to Mordecai the Jew, that sitteth at the king's gate: let nothing fail of all that thou hast spoken. 

  6:11   Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city, and proclaimed before him, Thus shall it be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour. 

This dramatic turn of events and change of fortune for

Haman represents the beginning of his overthrow by the omnipotent God, who obviously was speaking directly to Haman through the king. The snares that are often laid for the feet of faithful Christians are often the very ones God uses in the overthrow of their enemies. Thus it was with Daniel in the lion’s den, with the three faithful Hebrews in the fiery furnace, and now with Haman and the gallows he had built, on which to hang Mordecai.

Haman’s period of probation now being closed, he will be shuttered in with a series of dire circumstances that will put his back against a wall, an omen of impending doom, from which he will not be able to extricate himself. In the banquet that was being prepared for the king and Haman by queen Esther, the enemy of God’s people had thought only of promotion, fame and fortune, but now he sees in the circumstances that are unfolding, the very ominous shadows of death settling in upon his soul. Let’s read:

Esther 7:1   So the king and Haman came to banquet with Esther the queen. 

  7:2   And the king said again unto Esther”… “what [is] thy request? and it shall be performed, [even] to the half

of the kingdom. 

  7:3   Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: 

  7:4   For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish”…

  7:5   Then the king Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? 

7:6   And Esther said, The adversary and enemy [is] this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen. 

  7:7   And the king arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath [went] into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the king. 

  7:8   Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther [was]. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. 

  7:9   And Harbonah, one of the chamberlains, said before the king, Behold also, the gallows fifty cubits high, which Haman had made for Mordecai, who had spoken good for the king, standeth in the house of Haman. Then the king said, Hang him thereon. 

Some may be wondering what is the import of these lessons from the story of Mordecai and Esther for us Christians living in the 21st century. The book of Esther actually contains certain blueprints that will repeated in our day, when the same agencies of evil will rise up against true Christians and endeavor to force submission to a form of religion that God neither recognizes nor endorses.

 And just as it was in the days of old, with the deliverance that was wrought on behalf of the Hebrews, God will work in very unconventional ways to bring about the complete overthrow of the conglomerate of evil arrayed against the principles and laws of His kingdom. Thus, of that time we read:

Daniel 12:1   And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 

  12:2   And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame [and] everlasting contempt. 

  12:3   And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

Revelation 17:1   And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 

  17:2   With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 

  17:3   So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 

  17:4   And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 

  17:5   And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 

  17:6   And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus”..

 17:12   And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings”…

  17:13   These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 

  17:14   These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful. 

  17:15   And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 

  17:16   And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. 

  17:17   For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. 

  17:18   And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. 

When any adverse pressure, including the threat of death, is exerted against true Christians, when the heat of the furnace shall be turned up several notches in order to force compliance or to compel our consciences in violating matters pertaining to the sacred institutions of God , then let the people of God look up to heaven, from whence cometh our help, for the same God of Mordecai and queen Esther is just about ready to begin His strange work in the earth, by which He will bring to naught, all of the machinations of evil men, for the deliverance of His people.

 This will be accomplished in ways and means that may surprise many of us, nevertheless it will certainly come to pass, for the prophecies that are written for our day must be fulfilled in their due season. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to be faithful, for it shows that the snares that are laid for the feet of the righteous, will be used in the final overthrow of those who are averse to God and His righteousness. Let’s read:

Psalms 9:15   The heathen are sunk down in the pit [that] they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.  

  9:16   The LORD is known [by] the judgment [which] he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands.

                                 God bless!

Christian Persecution In The 21st Century. Sabbath Afternoon. 04/25/2015

Persecution of Christians is an age old principle by which the devil through human agencies, tries to bully the followers of God into doing that which is contrary to His will. Various methods are adopted to achieve this end, and it is one of the crosses which we will have to learn to bear, even in the 21st century. One of the very great deceptions Christ warns us of in our modern era, is the introduction and promulgation of a cross-less religion, by which the followers of Jesus are exempted from any kind of persecution or self denial, and it is with very grave concern that Christ speaks to us, since this brand of Christianity has become so popular in our day.

The Bible tells us that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer some kind of persecution, in one form or another, and therefore we should not be surprised or dismayed if it were to come our way, even though we are

advised in the scriptures to do all we can to avert it, without compromising the laws and principles we for which we are to stand. But before we get into the core of the presentation there are some important points for us to remember as it pertains to bearing this type of cross.

There is no such thing as a pleasant cross, although we are encouraged to bear ours willingly, because the very concept of a cross denotes a burden that is not a person’s first preference, as was manifested in the example of Christ. When the cross of Calvary was before The Lord, as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, He then requested of God The Father, that if another way could be found to avoid bearing it, He would be more than willing to go that route, but if not, then He would bear it for our sakes. Let’s read:

Matthew 26:38   Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 

  26:39   And he went a little farther, and fell on his face,

and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. 

26:42   He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. 

    26:44   And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. 

And later on, when the actual cross was strapped upon His shoulders, He literally collapsed under its weight, for it was obviously very heavy to bear. Now it is true that we will never be called upon to bear a cross like Christ bore for us, however, the Bible makes it clear that we will have to bear our own personal crosses, in the form of self denial or actual persecution, for the same satanic agencies that have promulgated the principles and methods  of oppression for right doing, are still at work in our day, and according to the scriptures, are scheduled to ramp up their activities in an unprecedented manner, just prior to the return of Christ in the clouds of heaven.

Hence the reason why the smooth sermons of health and wealth that have become so popular in the Christian pulpits of the day, not only do a great disservice to the very religion of Christ, but also lead millions of people down to perdition, by offering them salvation on terms that God neither recognizes or endorses. In other words, Christianity without self-denial or persecution of some kind is a farce, and can thus be described as a whimsical theology that will ultimately lead its adherents into never land, where both the concept and its subscribers will meet with the same fate as those who were outspoken opponents of God and His law.

The Lord Jesus puts it this way, that if there is no cross or persecution, or self-denial of some kind in the Christian’s life, then the person in question is not a true believer, for the Bible makes it plain that this is the norm, for all who name the name of Christ. Let’s read:

Luke 9:23   And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up  his

cross daily, and follow me.

9:26   For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and [in his] Father's, and of the holy angels. 

2nd Timothy 3:12   Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 

  3:13   But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 

1st Peter 4:12   Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

  4:13   But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

  4:14   If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy [are ye]; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 

    4:16   Yet if [any man suffer] as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

And then, that there may be no misunderstanding as to the source of all persecution of Christians, the Bible makes it clear who is the real culprit behind all of the beheadings in the Middle east, in Africa, around the globe and right here in the land of the free and the home of the brave. It is none other than satan himself, who is taking possession of the minds of people at an alarming rate, and driving them to do his bidding, while at the same time he remains hidden from view, and is relegated to the realm of the phantom, by many people who consider themselves intelligent. Let’s read:

Revelation 12:3   And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 

  12:4   And his tail drew the third part of the stars of

heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 

12:7   And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 

  12:8   And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 

  12:9   And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 

12:12   Therefore rejoice, [ye] heavens, and ye that dwell in them. 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. 

  12:13   And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man [child]. 

12:17   And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

This is the reason why Christians living in the 21st century should never harbor unrealistic expectations, for as we just read, the forces of evil are ramping up their activity significantly and because of this, persecution of all kinds are scheduled to proliferate exponentially, as we draw nearer to Christ second coming. But what is worthy of note, and especially to be observed, is the fact that certain types of persecution are masqueraded under disguises that are not readily apparent, as the kinds that are practiced by certain terrorist groups.

The mass beheading of Christians as we now see on the news almost daily, is just persecution in its most brutal and gruesome form, but here in the west, Christians are suffering from a different kind of persecution, which is not readily recognizable for what it really is. Those Christians who dare to stand up for the original, God-ordained marriage institution, are often made the objects of financial and economic persecution, by which their business interests and opportunities are severely restricted, by the sudden and deliberate withdrawal of support. It is becoming more and more difficult for those who choose to live according to the word of God, to hold firm to principle and profits at the same time, and according to the book of Revelation, one will have to be let go in favor of the other, sooner or later, for it will soon be found that as Christians, we cannot serve God and Mammon. Let’s read:

Revelation 13:1   And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 

  13:2   And the beast which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as [the feet] of a bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority. 

13:6   And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 

  13:7   And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 

  13:8   And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 

  13:9   If any man have an ear, let him hear. 

13:16   And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 

  13:17   And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 

But financial persecution is not the only type we are suffering from in the west, for there is also ballot-box persecution, through which those leaders or politicians who embrace right principles are voted out of office, after the masses of people are incited to denigrate their stand for the right, and instead, those who choose to rail against God’s will and His law for political gain or popular support, are installed in positions of trust, and thus the devil gets his will done through the popular vote.

It was a similar circumstance which caused Pilate to sentence Christ to the most degrading and inhumane death, even though he himself confessed that Christ was indeed innocent. It was strictly for political gain and public support that Jesus was finally condemned to die. Let’s read:

John 19:4   Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

19:12   And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar. 

  19:13   When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha. 

19:14   And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! 

  19:15   But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. 

  19:16   Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led [him] away. 

Here a direct link was made between the popular opinion and political office, for the mention of Pilate not being Caesar’s friend, if he were to release Christ, struck a very sensitive chord in Pilate, for it implied that he would be removed from his prestigious political office, if the will of the popular majority was not done. And thus, because with Pilate policy trumped principle, he went with the popular vote and sentenced Jesus to die.

Similarly in our day, the same process and method is being repeated, for there are many prominent Christians in public office, who once dared to stand up in defense of marriage, but who afterward buckled under the weight of public pressure to the contrary, and when threatened with persecution through the forfeiture of large financial contributions and votes, have decided to adopt principles and laws which they know are not right.

But The God of heaven would have us understand that we are not to be made the sport of circumstances, even if our economic privileges or public support are removed, for it is better to die doing the right, rather than to live for the moment, doing the wrong. This is what took place with the three faithful Hebrew boys, who had held public office in the ancient kingdom of Babylon, against whom tremendous political and peer pressure was brought to bear, when they decided to stand firm for principle, instead of caving in to the requests of the then popular majority.

God had throughout history warned His people of the evils of bowing down to graven images, and had made known His will in such matters so plain, that even a child could understand. Under no circumstances were the followers of God to be found bowing down to idols of wood and stone, for the practice was strictly forbidden by God’s holy law, since it had the tendency to interfere with a person’s intelligence. Let’s read:

Psalm 115:4   Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 

  115:5   They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 

  115:6   They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 

  115:7   They have hands, but they handle not: feet have

they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their

throat. 

  115:8   They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them. 

 But in the kingdom of ancient Babylon, idolatry was incorporated into all public worship, and when the King mandated that everyone under his jurisdiction should bow to the golden image he had set up, the royal command put the Hebrew boys in a difficult position, for the mandate conflicted with what the scriptures teach, and thus they made the decision to stand firm for principle, no matter what the cost. Let’s read:

Daniel 3:1   Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height [was] threescore cubits, [and] the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. 

  3:2   Then Nebuchadnezzar the king sent to gather together the princes, the governors, and the captains, the judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 

3:4   Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, 

  3:5   [That] at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up: 

  3:6   And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 

3:8   Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.

3:9   They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.

3:12   There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. 

  3:13   Then Nebuchadnezzar in [his] rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.

3:16   Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and

said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we [are] not careful to answer thee in this matter. 

  3:17  If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver [us] out of thine hand, O king. 

  3:18   But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

The timing of God’s miraculous intervention is of critical importance, for it only occurred after the three Hebrews had decided to stand firm for the right, regardless of any adverse consequences, because it is often the case that the intensity of God’s intervention in behalf of His people, is directly linked to their willingness to put all on the line in defense of truth and principle. Not until they had manifested a willingness to endure any, and all kinds of persecution for the sake of God’s law, did God intrude into the affair in a marked and mind-boggling way that arrested the plots of satanic agencies, and stopped them dead in their tracks. Let’s read:

Daniel  3:21   Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their [other] garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 

  3:22   Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 

  3:23   And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 

  3:24   Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, [and] spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 

  3:25   He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. 

3:26   Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, [and] spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come [hither]. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire. 

  3:27   And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them. 

  3:28   [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. 

3:30   Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and

Abednego,  in the province of Babylon.

The same God who delivered the three faithful Hebrews who stood firmly in defense of truth, is soon to make another terrible intrusion into the affairs of men, for it seems that we have taken His grace and mercies for granted, and have mistaken His self-restraint as license or weakness, and because of this we are digging in, in our determination to legislate evil, just as Nebuchadnezzar did in days of old. In the words of the wise man, we are headed for a spiritual cliff at lightning speed, and have erroneously thought that God is in favor of it, because He has not yet made any signal intervention. Let’s read:

Ecclesiastes 8:11   Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. 

  8:12   Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his [days] be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him: 

  8:13   But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong [his] days, [which are] as a shadow; because he feareth not before God. 

But soon, God is going to take matters into His own hands, and the evils that we are now harboring and fostering on an individual and international level, will meet with severe judgments of no ordinary kind, for His intrusion will not be mixed with any mercy as in days gone by. This is the alarm bell that is now sounding in the ears of all Christians, and it is high time that we take heed. Let’s read:

Daniel 12:1   And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 

  12:2   And many of them that sleep in the dust of the

earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to

shame [and] everlasting contempt. 

  12:3   And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

 Psalm  50:3   Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. 

  50:4   He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. 

  50:5   Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. 

  50:6   And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God [is] judge himself.

In our day, we may not be coerced to bow down to graven images of wood and stone, but there are other abstract idols that have taken center stage, and to which Christians are now being forced to bow down to, on pain of persecution. Satanic concepts, philosophies, and the institution of evils of all sorts are idols that are graven in the forge of man’s carnal nature, and when as Christians we are urged to bow down, we should resolutely resist, even though it be at great political or financial cost, for the word of God should be held in supreme and sacred regard at all times and in all places.

If as individuals and as a nation we were to return to the sound Biblical principles which governed the faithful in ages past, then God will respond in the affirmative by removing the scourge of terrorism and other evils that are costing us billions daily, and which are driving us to both spiritual and financial bankruptcy, from which we may never recover. The indiscriminate loss of life, taking place across the globe, is directly linked to the trampling of God’s laws, and thus it is with solemn pathos that the presentation ends today, with the hope that someone will hear and take note of the passages we are about to close with. Let’s read:

2nd Chronicles 7:13   If I shut up heaven that there be no

rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; 

  7:14   If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 

  7:15   Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer [that is made] in this place. 

  7:16   For now”… “mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word.

                           God bless!

Our Continual Need Of Christ's Righteousness. Sabbath Afternoon. 04/18/2015

After the fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden, the wages of sin was passed on by default to all of his offspring, and thereby we were rendered incapable of pleasing God, in and of ourselves. In treating upon the subject of our continual need of Christ’s righteousness, it is necessary that we begin at this point, to clearly understand the ramifications of what took place when Adam sinned, and also what took place when Christ lived and died, in order that we might be saved from the natural results of sin.

Sin is a problem which affects us genetically, meaning that when Adam sinned all that pertained to Adam also sinned together with him, which includes his genes, his blood, his cells and all of his internal organs, thus when the natural result of sin affected him, it also affected all that pertained unto him, and in the process tainted all who would thereafter descend from him. The same principle of genetic carry over also pertains to good deeds done by the righteous, for the Bible makes this sacred truth abundantly clear. Let’s read:

Hebrews 7:9   And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 

  7:10   For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him. 

This past week Aaron Hernandez, the now defamed former player of the New England Patriots, was found guilty of first degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole. All that pertains to Mr. Hernandez will be taken to jail as a result, for he is an indivisible whole, and therefore his decisions and the results thereof have adversely affected everything he is comprised of.

Similarly, with a woman who is one week pregnant, but who has committed a crime worthy of death. If she is sentenced to die at that point, she will be administered the death penalty, but she will also take down her unborn child in the process, for the wages of sin affects all that pertains to her as a living, indivisible person. This is why the Bible repeatedly makes the statement that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, meaning that all of us living downstream of Adam have by default participated in His sin, and there’s nothing we can do of ourselves to fix the problem. Let’s read:

Romans 5:12   Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 

  5:13   (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 

  5:14   Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression”….

However, Christ entered our world to permanently change the imbalance created by Adam, and He did this by living a perfect life, and then offered Himself as a perfect offering for sin, so that by these two mighty accomplishments, we all can be reinstated to the favor of God in perfection, through the freedom of choice, just as though we had never sinned. This is the genius of the gospel, for it is inclusive of everyone on the planet, regardless of past history, or heinous crimes that may have been committed by persons.

 In Other words, Aaron Hernandez can choose to accept Christ as he sits in prison, and although he may never be released from the earthly jail, yet he can be freed from spiritual bondage, and be fully reinstated to God’s favor, just as if he had committed no crime. The reason for this is because by choosing Christ, we all live downstream of Him, and therefore we all participate in His perfect righteousness by default, just as we participated in Adam’s sin by default, because we lived downstream of him.

This is the grand, central truth of righteousness by faith in Christ Jesus, which to a great extent has been lost upon the Christian world for one or more reasons. In order that we might be saved eternally in God’s kingdom, we will have to continue to live downstream of Christ and His righteousness, so that it can be continually imputed and imparted to those who are found in Him.

However, it is very important for us to remember that when Christ is accepted into our lives, the process and progress of change takes place throughout our lifetime, and it is true that because of our naturally fallen natures, we do continue to grapple with latent tendencies and desires that are lodged in the very fibers of our being. In the book of Romans the apostle Paul describes some of the internal struggles we have to deal with, both before  and after conversion. Let’s read:

Romans 7:15   For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 

  7:16   If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. 

  7:17   Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 

  7:18   For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 

  7:19   For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 

  7:20   Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 

  7:21   I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Controversy over this passage of scripture has raged for years, with some theologians arguing that Paul must be speaking of an unconverted person, whilst others believe he is referring to the ongoing struggles of the Christian. The fact is that it matters not, for we need Christ and His righteousness, both before and after conversion, on an ongoing basis for the rest of our lives. The Bible refers to this need as an integral part of our Christian experience, meaning that at every stage of development and growth, Christ and His righteousness must be essentially involved.

In several passages of scripture we are described as sheep or as plants, and sometimes as branches, all of which need the essentials of water, sunshine, and other nutrients gleaned from the soil, in order that continual growth may take place. There is no point in the life of a tree in which these essentials can be dispensed with, for death and decay will ultimately take place.

Similarly with all of our modern electronic gadgets, light bulbs, or appliances, which must all remain plugged in to their respective source of power, whether it be batteries or ac outlets, in order for them to operate on a continual basis. The same is true of our Christian experience, for we must remain plugged in to the source of our power, which is Christ, in order that continual growth and operation can take place.

However, there are certain issues that should be clearly understood when studying the ongoing need of Christ’s

 righteousness in our lives. The Bible tells us that there is none that doeth good, no not one. This passage is sometimes taken to extremes to mean that no acts of kindness or goodness can be performed by those who are not directly attached to Christ through a covenant relationship with Him. But this is not the case, for there are many people of other religions who practice habitual hospitality as a part of their culture, and atheists have also been known to give their neighbors a loaf of bread, or have otherwise helped in significant ways, when man-made or natural disasters strike.

What the scriptures teach is that these acts of kindness and goodness cannot stand before God on their own merit, to recommend us to His favor, for they all come tainted with sin on account of our fallen nature, and therefore it is impossible for them to be acceptable to God apart from Christ, for God can only accept works that are entirely perfect, hence the reason why we are accepted in the Beloved, and not on any other terms, whether they be sincere or not. Let’s read:

Ephesians 1:3   Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus

Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ: 

  1:4   According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 

    1:6   To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 

  1:7   In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.

The same theme of our continued dependence on Christ and His righteousness, is again reiterated in the book of Romans, in which Paul certifies that a person who is carnal in nature, meaning that he or she is still living downstream of Adam, cannot please God. But the issue is expanded, and also applies to those of us as Christians who have sincerely accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, but who try to do good independent of His power and perfect righteousness.

Romans 8:5   For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the

things of the Spirit. 

  8:6   For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace. 

  8:7   Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 

  8:8   So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

This message of the necessity of Christ’s righteousness on an ongoing basis is particularly relevant to the church of Laodicea, the last Christian church to exist on the earth before Christ comes. In the book of revelation, a very serious warning is given to Christians living in our generation, because of the tendency to live apart from Christ and His righteousness, on account of the spiritual advantages, and knowledge of the scriptures which is often boasted of. Our knowledge of the scriptures cannot save us, without a vital connection to Jesus, and there is no point in our Christian experience at which we can dispense with His righteousness. As a matter of fact, one of the worst and most frustrating things Christians can do is to try to do the right thing without depending on the indwelling power of God. Let’s read:

Revelation 3:14   And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 

  3:15   I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 

    3:17   Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 

  3:18   I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

  3:19   As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

This assessment as coming from Christ Himself, speaks to a church that has become self-sufficient in nature, because of the spiritual advantages granted it. But The Lord would have us understand that without the ongoing presence and power of Jesus in our lives from day to day, the old man of sin will resurface at some opportune moment, with a vengeance, and cause us to say and do things that will surprise even ourselves.

This is what took place with David who walked closely with God during the earlier years of his life experiences, but after a while began to slack off in his daily seeking after God when he became comfortable and complacent. As Christians we cannot run on automatic without Jesus, and David found this out the hard way, when the old man of sin resurfaced with carnal desires and evil thoughts, which David had supposed he had gotten rid of in times past. But yesterday’s victories will not atone for today’s failures, and when satan presented the dazzling allure of temptation, David’s defense was gone, even though he was not aware of it.

It was afterward that David realized that in order for him to be victorious each day, he must remain plugged in to the source of Power every moment of the day, and it was in his deeply reflective and remorseful state of mind that he penned the following verses. Let’s read:

Psalms 19:12   Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults]. 

  19:13   Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 

  19:14   Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalm 51:1   A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 

  51:2   Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 

  51:3   For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me. 

    51:5   Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 

  51:10   Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 

It is therefore of critical importance that we avoid the two most common extremes in our understanding of the need of Christ’s righteousness. One extreme teaches its adherents that because Christ is the second Adam, and we live downstream of Him, then it does not matter what we do or say for we are accepted in the Beloved. This is one of the most detrimental sophistries of satan that was ever introduced to mortals, for Adam fell through the freedom of choice, and even though we as Christians participate in the perfect righteousness of Christ, yet we can also choose to live outside of His revealed will, for salvation is not based on coercion, but rather on our free will.

This first extreme manifests itself in a callous disregard for the commandments of God, with the false doctrine of the moral law being nailed to the Cross, now in wide circulation in Christian circles. The righteousness of Christ which God gives to us as a free gift, requires compliance to His law of ten commandments, which form the basis of His government, and therefore any claim that a person lives downstream of Christ, whilst deliberately trampling upon His law, is a fatal deception, and will be bitterly disappointed when the glory of Christ will be revealed. This sacred truth is confirmed in the scriptures, with the intent that there may be no delusion as to what Christ’s righteousness really covers. Let’s read:

Matthew 19:16   And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 

  19:17   And he said unto him”… “ if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 

  19:18   He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 

  19:19   Honour thy father and [thy] mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

  John 14:15   If ye love me, keep my commandments.

 Acts  5:30   The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 

  5:31   Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 

  5:32   And we are his witnesses of these things; and [so is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 

1st John 2:3   And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 

  2:4   He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 

  2:5   But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 

  2:6   He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 

Question: How did Jesus walk? The scriptures tell us in no uncertain terms. Let’s read:

15:10   If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

And in the very last chapter in the last book of the Bible, as Christ is wrapping up the entire canon of scripture, He again reiterates the need for compliance with His law of Ten Commandments, for as stated before, Christ’s righteousness is never to be used as a cloak or umbrella to cover deliberate sin. This extreme concept is nowhere rooted in the scriptures, and should be utterly forsaken and dispensed with, by those of us who truly desire participation in God’s saving grace. Let’s read:

Revelation 22:12   And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. 

    22:14   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. 

  22:15   For without [are] dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 

The next extreme in thought which must also be avoided, is the tendency to believe that compliance with God’s law warrants us a place in His kingdom, and that good works are in and of themselves meritorious. While we are enjoined in the scriptures to keep God’s sacred law, yet we should never be deceived into thinking that they can earn us a place in God’s kingdom. Adam’s sin, together with the accompanying results and dire penalties were bequeathed to us as a gift, albeit a bad one, and similarly, the perfect righteousness of Christ is bequeathed to us as a free gift, never to be earned or merited, even by the most pious saint. Let’s read:

Romans 5:17   For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 

  5:18   Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. 

  5:19   For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 

Thus the message to the Laodicean church comes down to us in our day, and cautions us not to put our focus or our confidence in good works and charitable deeds, even though they form a part of God’s greater plan to save us. In the final analysis, there are millions of apparently good people who will be lost, simply because they trusted to their own good works as a means of salvation. Amongst those will be very good citizens who may have made great contributions to science and society as a whole, and who may have served their country honorably in the military. Then there will be those who maintained a perfect credit score, and always paid their bills on time.

Then there will be some others who were animal rights activists, and who spent their entire lives protecting the rights and lives of pets, and who saved hundreds of abandoned puppies and kittens. Then there will be those who spent all their energies protecting the environment from companies that polluted God’s air, and who, because of their relentless efforts have succeeded in reducing the world’s green house gases, from the dangerous levels they are currently at.

While all of these and other charitable works are good in their legitimate sphere, yet they cannot change the genetic problem of carryover sin, and without the perfect righteousness of Christ to take up the slack, they would signally fail to earn those who depend on them, a place

in the kingdom of God.

A good, balanced understanding of our continual need of Christ’s perfect righteousness will move us to comply with His moral law, and the sacred principles for which it stands, while at the same time focusing our hopes and aspirations in Christ’s righteousness, with the clear understanding that it is His perfection which renders us eternally acceptable to God. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which confirms this very point, and it is the will of God that Christ be ever kept before our faces, as the be all, and end all of anything pertaining to perfect righteousness. Let’s read:

 Philippians 3:7   But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 

  3:8   Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, 

  3:9   And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

  3:10   That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings”….

  3:11   If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. 

                          God bless!

The Intelligent Third Person Of The God-head. sabbath Afternoon 04/11/2015

In all of our studies of scriptural doctrines, formats and correct methods of doing things, it is very important for us to remember that the Third Person of the God-head is not a doctrine or a teaching, but a Living and Intelligent Person who makes His decisions based on what is necessary to fulfill God’s will in the salvation of men. The loud cry of Revelation chapter 14, represents God’s last great effort to save as many as would be saved, and with this mandate in mind, The Holy Spirit will do whatsoever it takes to maximize the sacred investment in human beings, made at the Cross through Jesus Christ.

This is what motivates The Third Person of The God-Head and therefore whatsoever He deems necessary to have this mission accomplished, that He will do, whether we are prepared to understand His working or not. It is therefore of critical importance for us to study closely,

His manner of doing things, especially as it pertains to the last great outpouring of the latter rain, for we need to be in line with His methods, which are not governed by set guidelines in some manual somewhere, but are rather based on the Intelligence of the moment, and nothing else.

After the outpouring of the early rain on the day of Pentecost, certain developments began to take place within the newly formed body of believers, and these issues should be of grave concern to any student of the Bible who follows the movements of The Holy Ghost. A disturbance arose which threatened the new church with division over the doctrine of circumcision, which was given as a command directly by God to His people, the Hebrews, and to any male who desired to be affiliated with the covenant relationship with God.

The stipulation to be circumcised was given with such clarity and sternness that a violation of the rite was deemed serious enough to carry the death penalty, and

as such was regarded as most sacred by the Hebrew people. The injunction included all male Jews, and any male gentile stranger that was home born, or birthed outside of the Hebrew economy, for it made no difference and absolutely no exceptions, to any male who desired a covenant relationship with God. Let’s read:

Genesis 17:9   And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 

  17:10   This [is] my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 

  17:11   And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 

  17:12   And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which [is] not of thy seed. 

  17:13   He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 

  17:14   And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.

That there may be no misgivings as to the seriousness of this rite, God made it known in no uncertain terms, what He meant when He says  “That soul shall be cut off” who has broken my covenant. When Moses avoided the rite of circumcision on his son, the angel of God appeared to him with a sword drawn in his hand and threatened to slay him, who then realized the gravity of what he had done, and then his wife made haste to fulfill that which was due.

The rite of circumcision was so serious that even John the Baptist who was preloaded with The Holy Ghost before he was born, had to have the procedure completed on the eighth day, just as it took place with all Hebrew males hundreds of years before, for nothing had changed. And even Jesus, who was also filled with The Holy Ghost before he was born, had to have the rite of circumcision administered, just as stipulated when God first introduced it to Abraham. Let’s read:

Luke 1:11   And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

    1:13   But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 

    1:15   For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

1:41   And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 

  1:42   And she spake out with a loud voice, and said,

 Blessed [art] thou among women, and blessed [is] the

fruit of thy womb. 

  1:43   And whence [is] this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

  1:44   For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for

joy. 

1:57   Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. 

    1:59   And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child”…

Luke 2:21   And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

Now, after the outpouring of The Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, Peter was instructed by God to start baptizing the gentiles without administering the rite of circumcision, and this instruction was given to Peter privately, long before the greater body of believers had come together to discuss the matter, and had come to a general decision on such an important issue.

What is worthy of note is that Saul, who later became Paul, was actively hunting down Christians, and bringing them to be slaughtered, when Jesus met him on the road to Damascus, gave him a new charge, and sent him away into the deserts of Arabia where he received specific instructions from God, which also included the removal of the rite of circumcision as a prerequisite when baptizing the gentiles, and this revelation took place privately between Christ and Paul, before the church body gets wind of what was taking place.

This movement by The Holy Ghost should disturb any serious student of the Bible, for it shows that He is willing and able to operate outside the boundaries of human expectations, which may be based on very real scriptural stipulations, for in the final analysis, The third Person of The God-head, is not a doctrine or a belief, but rather an intelligent Person who is vested with singular authority to correctly interpret the scriptures which were written under His direct inspiration. In other words, what He was saying to Peter, Paul, and the other Jewish converts, is that whatever might have been their interpretation of scriptural guidelines, the buck stops with The Holy Ghost, and He will indeed have the last word. Let’s read:

  Acts 10:9   On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 

  10:10   And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 

  10:11   And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 

  10:12   Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 

  10:13   And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 

  10:14   But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 

  10:15   And the voice [spake] unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, [that] call not thou common. 

  10:16   This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 

  10:17   Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 

10:19   While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 

  10:20   Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 

10:24   And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 

    10:27   And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together. 

  10:28   And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. 

  10:29   Therefore came I [unto you] without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me? 

The very same thing The Holy Ghost cautioned Peter about is the very same issue he raises in his first words to Cornelius, and the large gathering of friends and family, who were ready to be baptized, even though Peter had not yet understood the full import of The Spirit’s words, “What God hath cleansed” and so he proceeds with the church format that he has studied for years, and begins preaching. Now The Intelligent Third Person of The God head is standing by waiting, but He cannot wait forever for Peter and his fellows to get it, so He moves ahead and does what He would not normally do under different circumstances, and He falls upon Cornelius and the entire assembly and they begin to speak in tongues. Note the next few verses of scripture, for they sound alarm bells down to our generation. Let’s read:

Acts 10:44   While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 

  10:45   And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

  10:46   For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

The obvious reason for their astonishment is that the rite of circumcision which had formerly carried the death penalty for violation was now done away with, and what is even more disturbing is that there is not one single verse or prophecy in the old Testament which says implicitly that it would be done away with, especially since both Jesus and John the Baptist were circumcised. And so, Peter and Paul start baptizing the gentiles into the newly formed Christian church, long before the general assembly of believers hear of any such tectonic change, a very disturbing occurrence indeed. Let’s read:

Acts 15:1   And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, [and said], Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 

  15:2   When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 

  15:3   And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 

  15:4   And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and [of] the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 

  15:5   But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command [them] to keep the law of Moses. 

  15:6   And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 

  15:7   And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men [and] brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 

  15:8   And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as [he did] unto us; 

The reason why there was much argument is because Peter and Paul were doing that for which in the minds of the church leaders, they had no scriptural authority, but when the argument gets really heated, James then remembers that there is actually a scriptural basis for the movements of The Holy Ghost, and he now quotes the scripture which is brought to his mind by the Intelligent Third Person of The God-Head. Let’s read:

Acts 15:15   And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 

  15:16   After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 

  15:17   That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

Now there is nothing in these verses which explicitly state that the rite of circumcision as a prerequisite will be abolished, and since The Holy Ghost is always right, then it behooves every serious student of the Bible to take note and understand the grave import of what had taken place. This must be done in the context of the verdict given, which includes the supreme intelligence of The Spirit of God, which trumps all other interpretations and ideas of scriptural formats, even those that are held dear to us for many years. Let’s read:

Acts 15:28   For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 

  15:29   That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. 

And that’s the end of the story folks, with The Intelligent Third Person of The God-Head having the last and final word on the matter. Last week there was intense debate about the ordination of women in various capacities, which indeed has caused much back and forth between those who agree and those who differ. Whilst we are not going to belabor that scriptural teaching, yet it is very important for us to make allowance for the intelligence of The Holy Ghost, who as clearly shown, is willing and able to operate outside the box of what we have

believed and followed diligently for many, many years.

In response to the valid concerns raised last week by sincere  believers, we went into prayer concerning the matter, and the answer from God consists of two simple words, be careful, be very careful. Furthermore, because statements coming from the servant of the Lord were cited by some, we are instructed to do what we would not normally do, for God in His wisdom has led us to take all of our references from the scriptures alone. But for the benefit of our online listeners and friends, some of whom are living in war torn countries, where it is quite dangerous to be called a Christian, we will now put up on the screen, pertinent statements from the servant of The Lord, which directly address the second outpouring of The Holy Ghost in the last days of earth’s history, which is better known as the latter rain. Let’s read:

Laborers Qualified by the Holy Spirit

 In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. .. God will work a work in our day that but few

 anticipate. He will raise up and exalt among us those who are taught rather by the unction of His Spirit than by the outward training of scientific institutions. These facilities are not to be despised or condemned; they are ordained of God, but they can furnish only the exterior qualifications. God will manifest that He is not dependent on learned, self-important mortals.--5T 80, 82 (1882).  {LDE 204.3}

Children are impelled by the Spirit to go forth and declare the message from heaven. The Spirit is poured out upon all who will yield to its promptings and, casting off all man's machinery, his binding rules and cautious methods, they will declare the truth with the might of the Spirit's power.--Ev 700 (1895).  {LDE 206.2}

     When the heavenly intelligences see that men will no longer present the truth in simplicity as did Jesus, the very children will be moved upon by the Spirit of

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God and will go forth proclaiming the truth for this time.--SW 66 (1895).

     To souls that are earnestly seeking for light and that accept with gladness every ray of divine illumination from His holy Word, to such alone light will be given. It is through these souls that God will reveal that light and power which will lighten the whole earth with His glory.--5T 729 (1889).  {LDE 205.1}

There is to be in the [Seventh-day Adventist] churches a wonderful manifestation of the power of God, but it will not move upon those who have not humbled themselves before the Lord, and opened the door of the heart by confession and repentance. In the

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manifestation of that power which lightens the earth with the glory of God, they will see only something which in their blindness they think dangerous, something which will arouse their fears, and they will brace themselves to resist it. Because the Lord does not work according to their ideas and expectations they will oppose the work. "Why," they say, "should we not know the Spirit of God, when we have been in the work so many years?"--RH

Extra, Dec. 23, 1890.  {LDE 209.3}

And the last caution we will end with, addresses the various valid concerns that we may have, and directs us to study very carefully, the movements of The Spirit of God on the day of Pentecost and thereafter, so that we too may be instructed and prepared for the last great outpouring of the latter rain. Let’s read:

 Let those who desire to be refreshed in mind and instructed in the truth study the history of the early church during and immediately following the Day of Pentecost. Study carefully in the book of Acts the experiences of Paul and the other apostles, for God's people in our day must pass through similar experiences.--PC 118 (1907).  {LDE 148.1}

May God add His blessing to the study of His word!