All Discussion PAGE 13

  • Unwis3man - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Study the Word with other believers, bear good fruit by doing good works in Jesus name, preaching the gospel, facing affliction for the word's sake if it ever comes our way, trying to keep the commandments, etc.
  • Jaz - 7 months ago
    Hebrews chapter 4 verse 14 through to Hebrews chapter 5 up to verse 9 . These chapters speak very clearly of how Christ shared our human nature completely , especially chapter 5 verse 3 . 1st John chapter 4 verses 1 to 15 .
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    Prosperity teachers: Factors today which allow them to thrive.

    Much as with the conspiracy theorists; prosperity teachers like to prey on people who want to obtain wealth the easy way; because they largely grew up with a lack of a work ethic of previous generations. This is why an atheist with worldly wisdom can see the hypocrisy right away when the "religious" folk have to ponder things further. As to the teachers themselves; we can see patterns in their youth and upbringing that are common to dictators; often spoiled as children and getting much attention; or struggling to some extent but finding a way to dominate and control others through various means and methods (that would perhaps be more true with women who get into this vocation; again I'll leave names out; do your own research).

    Of course; all we need to do is look at Paul in scripture who sarcastically pointed out that they were "kings" in the Corinthian church. ( 1 Cor. 4:8). He spends much time describing his sufferings for their sake as a necessity; not that he wishes to boast about anything of himself. They were; basically spoiled brats; but thankfully got straightened up right quick. Paul of course was the antithesis of a prosperity preacher; living in want and need and providing for himself and other churches at his own expense.

    Of course another appeal in our country is the whole concept of pride about our independence; and the ability to "live out your dreams" in regard to having a big building as an indication of a thriving ministry. That; at least was the fashion up until say the beginning of the 21st century. Today; we see churches branching out to the aforementioned African Megachurches in particular where excesses of the rich are more of a novelty for those who have never seen it before; and sadly many view this type of "Christianity" as typifying the American church. Those with sense run like the plague. Sadly also there is the promise of health along with wealth.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Hey GiGi,

    Sounds like it is going a little slow, tell your construction guy to drink black cherry juice, it will help with gout, he can ask his doctor if he wants to confirm it if his doctor will. Just make it fun, a summer of cookouts and picnics. GiGi, I think it is clear we both love Jesus, and our faith is in Him and by Him is our salvation. We have discussed this before, I know your understanding and how you feel about mine unless that has changed, I hope your repairs go well and you can put things back in order.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Momsage - 7 months ago
    John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

    How do we worship God in spirit and truth? God Bless :)
  • GiGi - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Ronald,

    Our upstairs is nearly finished. Our construction guy had another bout of knee trouble due to newly diagnosed gout, so he was out 3 days last week. If he had worked, he would have finished the bath upstairs and the trim-work on the other bedroom. But I am glad he took time off and has this weekend to recover. He went to the doctor this time, so hopefully they prescribed the usual medication for gout-colchicine.

    Anyway, the downstairs will begin demoing in a week and a half. So we are hoping he can finish the upstairs and possible begin and complete the downstair bathroom, remove the popcorn ceiling and sand it before he begins the demo of the kitchen, which is a total gut job.

    I predict that things may be completed by end of Sept. Going to be cooking and eating outside most of the summer and using paper plates and such. But we will do fine. We have plenty of campwear to use.

    I was thinking last night about how much Jesus humbled Himself by coming from the Father to enter into humanity. Sometimes we tend to think of how similar He is to us, like a "good buddy" as I have heard some say. But He really is unlike us in His perfection and holiness, far different. Something for me to study and give much thought to.

    Have a good Memorial Day weekend. Remembering all of those who fought for our country and our freedom and being grateful to the fruits of their sacrifice. And remembering loved ones who have died.

    Makes me thing of the great cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews 11.
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    PROSPERITY PREACHERS: Favorite verses.

    Proverbs 3:9-10 may be a favorite verse of prosperity preachers. It states:

    Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

    It is too bad they don't go on to the next verse which says: My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights. (verses 11 and 12-so next TWO verses).

    This concept of correction also makes Job 21:13 a frightening perspective because it describes them thriving until the moment of death; then the wrath of God afterwards (see rest of chapter and other parts of the book of Job as well).

    Malachi 3:10 also discusses putting tithes in the storehouse and God's blessings; as well as pointing out their stinginess earlier in the book where they offer lame and sick animals ( Malachi 1:8). Naturally; if the first appeal doesn't work guilt trips like this are also utilized; any trick in the book to get the coffers filled.

    The blessings of God are conditional on obedience to the Lord to His statutes and commandments; and of course that deals with matters of the heart as this verse in Malachi and similar references in Isaiah 1; for example. One can surmise that when one sin (covetousness which breaks the 10th Commandment) there is another; and that often is adulteries and adulterous remarriages that this type of celebrity pastor commonly is involved in. Since the church rarely stands up as they should to these matters with other members they sometimes can seemingly get by; but sometimes this does cost them a significant number of members.

    In my next post I am going to explore factors in society that make such con artists thrive that exist today; as well as that form the personality types of individuals that tend to start on these ventures.
  • Momsage - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Hi Chris:

    Thank you for the time and thought you have put into your comment. I'm afraid I'm of a more simple mind. For example; a lie is a lie, using any kind of profanity whether the culture accepts it or not: "Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks." Ephesian 5:4 These are not suggestions these are commandments. So I'd like to say in my simple way, that the Law of God was given to the Jews in written form excursively but the teachings of the commandments were already written on the hearts of mankind as a conscience. All sin are covered by the commandments including pride: A proud person isn't going to put God first in the things they do. A proud person probably won't honor anyone including their parents. Also #9 and #10 fit the bill. Anything given from God is for all mankind so that all mankind can know Him and follow Him if they surrender to Him. This is all simple but true.

    God Bless :)
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    Prosperity preachers: The bloodless Gospel!

    With the many traits; which left us with a rather bitter taste in our mouths in regard to less than desirable characteristics of Pentacostals and many fundamentalists at least one thing they often get right; that is emphasizing the cost of serving Christ. At least for the layperson whose status is often viewed as being either as a base servant or useless idiots to amass cash for the "fearless leaders" they usually are given strong messages about living a life of "Holiness"; or how important service and sacrifice is for the cause of the Lord. With this mindset; perhaps some good can be accomplished for the Kingdom in the fields of harvest for those who serve in these churches in missions or other services to the down and out in society. That of course would be despite excesses and other garbage from the leaders who are often referred to as "the Lord's anointed." If some of this sounds sarcastic; yes indeed it is. I may not be a worthy vessel but somebody has to say this; if to see just one more person freed from this tyranny.

    Before going on here; I should also say that many fundamentalists do have those even in leadership who truly care for their congregation and are NOT in the category of prosperity preachers. Same could be said for the evangelical crowd; although they have in recent years departed from Orthodoxy so that you can't count on the former foundations or pillars to mean that the current state of any denomination is sound without careful inspection. Sometimes today the rotton stench doesn't take very long to sniff out; if you get my drift.

    Anyway my point in this posting is how come none of these Prosperity gospel preachers are being persecuted? I thought that all who were Godly in Christ Jesus would be persecuted. ( 2 Tim. 3:12-13). We better take heed and read all of 1 and 2 Timothy; it seems because a lot of these issues are well covered there as to what is happening today.
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    Revelation 18:9-14 says:

    9Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her.e 10In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out:

    "Woe, woe to the great city,

    the mighty city of Babylon!

    For in a single hour

    your judgment has come."

    11And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, because there is no one left to buy their cargo- 12cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; 13of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and chariots; of slaves and souls of men. 14And they will say:f

    "The fruit of your soul's desire

    has departed from you;

    all your luxury and splendor have vanished,

    never to be seen again."

    Whether America is Babylon in it's final form or not; it is certainly undeniable that a lot of filth from this nation has been distributed around the world; particularly starting in the second half of the twentieth century. The licentiousness of film; from the suggestive genre of the 50's to the smut of the later decades; along with the music industry and of course all the collateral damage from all the sex and violence with today's internet constantly being spread throughout the earth is one facet of the rot of our society but of course the megachurch is also something that has spread its ugly tentacles outward. From one report a year or two ago it was said that 4 of the top 10 salaried pastors in the world were from Africa. This certainly explains some of the "outreaches" that some of these televangelists were involved with (along with the use of their personal jets that used church money for purchase). They groomed these Pastors; and fleeced the poor. Great business.
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    The Prosperity Gospel: Origins (continued).

    After analyzing what seem to be the two types of churches that began this whole "prosperity" movement in our nation and later throughout the world we could probably look at some elemental psychology involved in their tactics. The ultimate issue as with all things is what is really going down in the spiritual realms; but nonetheless certain common actions are done by men who doubtless are mentored by demons who have their own agenda. Needless to say that explains the verse that people are "deceiving and being deceived" ( 2 Tim. 3:13).

    On the surface; it may seem that a correct Gospel is preached as to the terms of salvific faith in many of these compromised churches. And as the previous scripture also indicates in Timothy; things go from bad to worse over time. We see this often with sons of doctrinally sound preachers of good reputation who go out and begin later to preach a false gospel; but often are able to glean some of the congregation that attended their parent's church.

    Anyway; mind games are the usual means to an end with disingenuous preachers. The pressure to live a life worthy of His calling is manipulated to assigning guilt to those who do not contribute what usually becomes a more and more egregious goal over time as the spending habits of the top hierarchy of the church always seem to outpace the mountain of revenue coming in.

    If guilt doesn't work of course puffing up man's vain aspirations for greed will cause one outrageous promise after another of "blessings" coming to those who give and give big. As with any cult; deprivation is used to control the masses and when necessary there can be physical abuse as well to gain control. OF course the love of money is the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim. 6:10).

    This close knit group of megachurch pastors and leaders often have; therefore strange "bedfellows". Hobnobbing with the rich is necessary; and strangely they don't need to hear the Gospel.
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    The two branches of the origins of the "Prosperity Gospel" in the USA.

    I am going to explore fundamentalism and legalism as well as the Pentacostal churches who developed largely after the Azuza Street Revival in California. Let us do a bullet point analysis.

    FUNDAMENTALIST CHURCHES

    1. Emphasize "Holy living" which is further categorized by

    -Frequent church attendance

    -Many rules and regulations as to recreational activities

    -FOCUS ON TITHING

    -Emphasis on formal dress

    -Focus on doctrinal issues; often more "Arminian" than not (emphasizing "free will" rather than the Calvinist approach

    of Predestination; Election etal.

    -Usually strong on evangelism

    -Fairly strong stance for preaching against "sign and wonders" gifts today

    PENTACOSTAL CHURCHES

    =Frequent church attendance

    -Many rules and regulations as to recreational activities

    FOCUS ON TITHING

    -Emphasis on formal dress

    -Wildly varying focus on doctrines; often more "Armonian (and rest of characteristics listed for fundamentalists).

    Main difference is hyperfocus on "signs and wonders"; and speaking in tongues in particular

    -Also wildly varying as to evangelism; seemingly often obsessed with big revivals and today involved with many

    international outreaches

    A cursory examination here shows there indeed seem to be many similarities between these two types of churches; even though they would normally be less than enthusiastic about any joint fellowship; if not totally ambivalent to it.

    The Pentacostal church sort of broke out of the Assembly of God Charismatic church in the early 20th Century following the 1906 Azuza Street revival. I am no expert as I stated before; but it seems the Charismatic church is different than the other two groups in that they were less focused on rules and such.
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    The Prosperity Gospel-History

    As per my usual process; I am deliberately NOT including names of individuals; although famous preachers with particular peculiarities aren't that hard to surmise. It is the characteristics of the tactics used which I am attempting to explore; but I am certainly no expert on the matter.

    We are reminded of 2 Peter 2:3 which reads

    "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

    The classic method; it seems for prioritizing regular giving is putting people under a "tithe" approach; something which from my study isn't emphasized in the New Testament. Considering this discipline for weekly offerings or better said "collections" ( 1 Cor. 16:1 and other scriptures) gleaning from a working income certainly is reasonable if we have basic needs already met with our income. Most don't consider how hypocritical it is to rob from widows and orphans in order to build "seed money" to borrow a common phrase used by these charlatans for the "cause of Christ" and to enrich others who probably would do better giving directly to the poor rather than these "ministries" whose accounting is questionable to say the least. We have indeed progressed from the old "shell game" to more sophisticated tactics today; I'll probably explore common tactics later on. But I digress...

    We can't ignore either the Catholic church and the large wealth amassed in the Vatican after centuries of acquisitions; or the machinations involved with the Protestants; at least King Henry VIII but also encompassing all the grandiose cathedrals and opulence we see especially in European history. At that time the money was fairly locked up with the aristocracy or establishment; and it would have been illogical to preach a prosperity message to the masses living in squalor.

    Next I will explore what I consider the two primary origins of this phenomenon.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Thank you, GiGi,

    That is so true, as in Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. We can't do it without Him, hope your house is finished or close to it.

    God bless you Gramma GiGi, and your family and the new baby in the family.

    RLW
  • GiGi - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Ronald,

    A very beautiful poem by your grandfather. Thanks for sharing it.

    Yes, we have a hope in Christ that He will make all things new for us when He returns. In the meantime, we have the promise of the indwelling Spirit and the cleansing and regeneration He brings. How good it is that God has provided for us who are in Him all that is necessary for life and godliness, strength and courage in times of hardships, and always His unending love and Presence with us. I appreciate the encouragement in your post. God bless.
  • Ronald Whittemore - 7 months ago
    A poem I found written by my grandfather.

    When the stormy winds are raging, and disasters take their toll

    When the mighty waves of trouble overwhelm your stricken soul

    Look to God who reigns above, never doubt Him He is Love

    Are you filled with eager longing for the earth's night to turn to day

    God will soon dispel all sorrow, He will wipe all tears away

    For His Kingdom will soon come and His will on earth be done

    No matter what we are facing, the tribulations we are in, and those things that we have yet to face. If we are in Christ and He in us, we must remember this life we are living is not our own. Our hope is in the life to come that is given by the grace of God by the sacrifice of His Son and His resurrection. We are to walk with Him daily, if we do, we have been given a promise, that Jesus will return with the gift of immortality to those who are His.

    Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Bennymkje - 7 months ago
    Is.11:4 "The Millennial Reign" (2 of 2)

    The saints redeemed from the earth are preserved till the new heaven and new earth are being ready for them. These are the first fruits. "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."(Re.14:1) Daniel gives us a clue. He touches upon the great tribulation and gives us two numbers, "There shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days./ Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days."(Dan.12:11-12) Blessed refers to the first fruits. ("A thousand two hundred and threescore days'-Re.12:6 is another way of saying time, times and a half the tag on the period of the earthly ministry of Jesus).

    The Millennial reign (Is.11:6-9)is from the holy mountain of Zion while we have the nations enjoying a lull from the terrible times. "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid" Rome (the wolf) the leopard (Greece) are merely labels for many nations. "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain."

    Notice the expression, "in that day"? Is.11:10-12. He shall recover a remnant 'The second time" And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people."

    Re.20:7-8 "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,/And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, " This millennial period is between the breaking of the sixth and the seventh seal.
  • Bennymkje - 7 months ago
    Is.11:4 The Millennial Reign (1 of 2)

    " And he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." Prophet Isaiah is referring to the events in Re.19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." The inaugural vision presented us the Omega aspect of Jesus Christ.(Re.1:18) The same sword mentioned in the earlier verse prepares us to anticipate judgement. "and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength." Ps.2 corroborates it,"It is a conspiracy of nations' "The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed,"(Ps.2:2) His wrath is not kindled but is in full blaze now."Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts is the land darkened, and the people shall be as the fuel of the fire: no man shall spare his brother."(Is.9:19)The breaking the sixth seal prepares us for the wrath of the Lord of hosts, "and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair."

    Between the sixth and seventh seal there shall be many calamitous events taking place for the nations while the holy city of God is being prepared.

    In the Re.15 we find reference to the consequences of great battle we touched upon in Re.19:15. "for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest." So there is a white throne judgment ahead. "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." This is a parenthesis to indicate the change in government below and the inauguration of the holy city. No man was able to enter into the temple. So the saints redeemed from the earth are found on Mount Sion.
  • Jaz - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Amen to you Brother .
  • Jaz - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Excellent post Dear Sister , hope to hear more from you .
  • Richard H Priday - 7 months ago
    The Prosperity Gospel: Babylon exported to the nations.

    Introduction: Jesus was said to be a "man of sorrows; despised and rejected" as Isaiah 53 aptly demonstrates His sufferings; death and eventual exaltation into glory after His Resurrection. Not starting as a man of wealth with a vocation helping His father as a carpenter (which in reality could have involved other related work to that vocation); He gave up all to preach the Word; and expected the same from His Disciples. Despite this; of course we see how Paul had the vocation of tentmaking to help provide financial needs while being an Apostle and spreading the Gospel and starting churches far and wide. ( Acts 18).

    We don't need to limit ourselves to the New Testament to see numerous examples of those who gave up their inheritance from pagan origins to follow God; we only need to look at Abraham; Moses and Joseph to see this principle. The argument can be made; of course that except for Moses the other two individuals ended up with great wealth and or authority. Job is also an example of someone stripped of wealth and eventually gaining even more than he started with. It is clear with all of these individuals that wealth didn't deter them from the mission God sent them for. Abraham; for instance with all his wealth lived in tents; albeit he hadn't yet been given the territory that his descendants would eventually inhabit. Joseph accrued great supplies of food and ruled with great authority under the Pharoah; but perhaps it would be more accurate to say that his family and descendants were able to eventually prosper themselves because of his efforts and earlier struggles that his own brothers forced him into.

    To look into the origin of this aberration of Christianity we are forced to look at how error crept in initially when such overt antics such as demanding money for a corporate jet and other excesses would never "fly" so to speak. Abuse of power and status is one root cause.
  • Sean - 7 months ago
    My girlfriend is becoming a Christian, by the grace of God. And she has been struggling with her mental issues, now in hospital going through treatment. I ask those who can to pray for her, so she stays strong and healthy. So she solves her problems, so she becomes a good Christian, and follows the path of God faithfully. She is a smart and kind person with many problems in past. I hope she can forget the problems and live a blessed life for the good of everyone. God bless you all in your strives to do good!
  • AreteSophia - 7 months ago
    It's a humbling experience when you first begin to understand, when you realize what Peter was saying, when you first realize that loving God, genuinely loving God does not mean you will not suffer, does not mean worldly prosperity, does not mean safety from physical pain, does not mean the salvation of your physical body, i.e. you cannot put new wine into old skins. When I realized the absolute submission and belief in God that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrated, they were going to be thrown into a fire. When I realized the depths of what Jesus did, when at any time he could have ended it all, yet he endured it all. Not my will, he said, but YOUR WILL, Father. How many could genuinely love and trust God anyway, while being tortured, persecuted, suffering and enduring unmerciful and unjust pain and agony. Job never laid the responsibility on anyone else besides God and Jesus said it was God's will and Peter said there is no authority that exist without God and that only those who do wrong need to fear those that he put the governing sword in their hand. Who was it that wrote Colossians 1:16, stating all things were created by him and for him. Can you still love that God, the one that will surely save your spirit and give you the power to the saving of your soul (the overcomer) yet, you may not get anything much that you really want in and of the world and everyone may look at you as if you must have done wrong. You must be evil, because you are suffering so much; you are not successful, you are not a fighter, you are not what they think you ought to be. They had Jesus murdered for it and the fact is that God knew that is what they would do. Jesus knew that is what human beings would do even after he had walked among them for three years, they chose to set a murderer free and crucify an innocent man. They didn't choose the simplicity of basic principles do justly, have mercy and walk humbly. Could you really love and believe God when he allowed evil - Peter?
  • Kevin J Bruneau - 7 months ago
    Heal me of my wounds, Lord God of Israel. Please do not send me to hospital.

    work related accident

    I beseech the Father, do not send me to hospital, Be pleased to deliver me from the threats already made

    i am begging unto thee i beg to Christ the Messiah the healer, and his Spirit.

    Have mercy upon me o Lord for i am weak;

    Let me not fall into the hands of men. I appeal to the Root and offspring of David,

    Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies.

    Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace, i beseech thee, cut me not off, save me for thy mercies' sake.

    Only thou knowest how to heal me without hurting me.
  • Bennymkje - 7 months ago
    Ez.47:11 "Salt"

    "But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt." The living waters shall only work the living and not the dead. In that context the miry clay in the king's dream acquire more clarity thean ever before. Before we come to that let us how Elisha healed the land. "The waters of Jericho was like Marah was too foul to drink. "And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him./And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land./So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake."(2 Ki.2:20-22) Notice the expression "unto this day". Couple the significance of it with the 'new cruse" you have New Jerusalem (of the new earth as different from Jerusalem.

    "Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD."(Is.26:10) This explains the miry places mentioned in the key verses. The miry clay trying to compromise with the the two legs of iron explains the imposter church. " And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken./And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men."(Dan.2 :42-43). In the case of Israel left behind mingles with nations never to to rise; similarly the church compromising with the seed of men are reprobate. Unity of the Spirit is like pearls before the swine. This is what we see how the apologists for Israel bends themselves backward to justify Israel's genocide in Gaza."And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:."(2:44) The ungodly are "but are like the chaff (Ps.1:4)
  • David Allen - 7 months ago
    please remember me and my family in your prayers today
  • Bennymkje - 7 months ago
    Ez.47:21-23 "Division of the Land"

    This inheritance we here discuss is with regards to the earth whereas the new heaven denotes that the Law shall go forth from Zion which is on the holy mountain. "

    Compare the above with the state of the earth and the heaven. "I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and they had no light." This is how the prophet in his prophetic vision gives us a view from the standpoint of the outer darkness. Jeremiah is referring to outer darkness and not of Jesus the Alpha aspect which so Genesis began with,"In the beginning" Here we are looking at Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever that explains his Omega aspect. So end times refer to him as the ending. "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."(Re.1:18; He.13:8) This distinction is crucial to follow the thread of judgment before the white throne and the day of regeneration.

    "When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel."(De.32:8) Ezekiel picks up the thread dropped by Moses. Ezekiel gives the other nations also their share, " and to the strangers that sojourn among you" since the land is of the Son. The earth for this reason abides forever. (Ec.1:4) Israel's claim is as good as that of the Gentiles under the new administration."The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me." The stone that was rejected became the headstone; so were "the little ones" despised earlier now exalted and given thrones and sit in judgment.

    Psalm 1 is a Messianic psalm, "The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away./ Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous./For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous."
  • Bennymkje - 7 months ago
    Ez.47. " North South Divide "(2 of 2)

    North indicates judgement. Jeremiah also refers to 'in that day' which is different from what Prophet Zechariah predicted. It is not to cleanse them but to make a distinction between what is holy and what is not. The holy city of God is holy and the footstool is not. "And it shall come to pass at that day,"and "I will give my sentence against them".(Je.4:9-12) "At that time shall it be said to this people and to Jerusalem, A dry wind of the high places in the wilderness toward the daughter of my people, not to fan, nor to cleanse,/Even a full wind from those places shall come unto me: now also will I give sentence against them."

    The term 'idols" we need see as a tag overarching from Mount Sinai to the end times. The golden calf was in the hearts of nations and Israel like Rachel had by stealth carried along. (Ge.31:34) Jeremiah continues, " For thus hath the Lord said, The whole land shall be desolate; yet will I not make a full end." (4:27) This remnant is what figures in the Zechariah quote. Isaiah also refers to the wrath of the Lamb. "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;/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." Israel shall be wrung through a great tribulation while the throne of the Lamb is established on the holy mountain.

    Compare the line of flax and the reed, "a line of flax in his hand, and a measuring reed," which refers to Israel and other nations. Among priestly garments God stipulated linen,"fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." and "And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen," for Israel.(Ex.28) The reed of 6 cubits signify nations. The golden reed for faith is what made the single measurement.(Re.21:17)
  • Bennymkje - 7 months ago
    Ez.47 "North South Divide" (1 of 2)

    While continuing with Ezekiel the north refers to Zion founded above mountains, "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King." (Ps.48:1-2) This is a holy mountain. Ezekiel is given a guided tour like St John, Ezekiel refers to the city, "and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south."(40:2) The throne of the Lamb is on the right hand of the throne of God. Ps,110:1 also refers to 'thy footstool'. So the nations are given a place in relation to the throne.

    " In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness."(Ze.13:1) Further down in Ez.47 we are shown the living waters in its mighty course, "Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed."(47:8) There shall be a revival for them. Prophet Zechariah refers to in that day' to the day of regeneration where the apostles shall judge the 12 tribes. The throne of glory is set in relation to his 'footstool', "when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."(Matt.19:28) This judgement we shall see in the measurement the angel uses, "a measuring reed of six cubits long by the cubit"(Ez.40:5) The same measure applies to the idol of the nations."Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits."(Dan.2:5). On the other hand in the case of St John it was a single measurement man-angel where the man and his angel in Christ served as one unit. "and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day."(Is.2:11).O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord./Therefore thou hast forsaken ..."
  • Chris - In Reply - 7 months ago
    Page 3.

    James 2:9-12: James is writing in these verses about those who would "keep (fully obey) the whole law", yet go astray even by committing one sin in a moment of time, having demonstrated their inability to keep (continually uphold) the Law as required. "So speak ye ( James 1:26), and so do ( James 2:17), as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty (the Law believers are under, 2 Corinthians 2:17, Galatians 5:1, James 1:25)". The Law of Liberty, can also be referred to the Law of the Spirit Who gives Liberty ( 2 Corinthians 3:17, Romans 8:2), assures our hearts that we are accepted of the Lord because we have been forgiven & the Gift of the Holy Spirit continually ministers to our hearts & lives to help us live holy lives or lead us/discipline us when we stray off course.

    This Liberty, the Law could never give - Israel always remained fearful of it, eventually leading them into idolatry & debauchery, but to those IN Christ Jesus there is now no condemnation who walk after the Spirit ( Romans 8:1) - we should not be bound to the letter that had as its goal to expose & destroy souls, but to the Spirit Who gives Power & Life to obey God perfectly, "hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" ( Jude 1:23). Only the Laws given us by the Spirit to our hearts cover every area of our lives, ministering to us in His Way (& not in human strength), so we can live above the letter's demands but as new creations in Christ. There was nothing wrong with the 10 Commandments, for they are from God & His Truth - but they were for Israel alone, for their conduct before God & man, to show them their sin, God's requirements, & prepare them to approach God in Love, Truth, & Faith. All who did at that time were accepted by their faith alone ( Hebrews 11:39,40) & not on how well they kept the Law. Romans 8:3,4 (we allow the righteousness of the Law to work & be fulfilled in us by God's Spirit - never appealing to the letter, which is devoid of life). Every blessing.


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