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Are You Grateful?

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 19, 2020
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment

Are You grateful?? Are you dealing with an ingrate or with ingrates?

Do you take for granted the things you receive from others and the people who provide them to you? If the answer is yes…then you are indeed a ingrate.

The following is an article on the subject of ingratitude. It was so well written, it seemed fitting to post the writing as is. The article delves into ingratitude in all aspects of daily living and speaks to the ungrateful spirit in the would-be servants of God from the devil’s fall to those who claim to be disciples of Christ.

The Sin of Ingratitude

Ingratitude is an integral part of society. If you ask most people if they are ungrateful, they will probably reply, “Of course not!” However, this attitude is so ingrained in their lives, they cannot openly admit—or even realize—that they are ungrateful.

But how can you tell if you are ungrateful? Are there things that identify ingratitude? And if so, what can you do about it?

Webster’s Dictionary defines “Ingratitude” as: “Forgetfulness of, or poor return for, kindness received.” It can also be defined as not appreciating or valuing what you have, or have been given. Unexpressed gratitude is also ingratitude!

In today’s fast-paced world, most people seem to not have time for thankfulness. Work, traffic, family, soccer practice, doctor appointments, and countless other things are their main priorities. They seem to have no time to thank others.

But consider the following.

Have you ever given someone a gift and not received thanks for it? Have you ever been in a grocery store or restaurant and were not thanked for your business? Have you ever felt unappreciated by family or friends or at your workplace? If so, how did it make you feel? Probably not very good.

Have you ever thought about where this mindset of ingratitude comes from? This is vital to understand before one can overcome this problem.

Past to Present: One Nation—Ungrateful

If you live in America or any other nation descended from ancient Israel, you live in one of the most abundantly blessed lands in the world. This country enjoys plentiful food, shelter, electricity, running water, wealth, air conditioning, heating, transportation, sanitation, and many other blessings. If you live in one of these countries, take a moment to look around and fully take in all of the many blessings.

However, these lands are filled with chronic grumblers and complainers. Although there are countless blessings, there seem to always be countless things to gripe about—be it traffic, the economy, food prices, problems at work, difficulties with family, desire for additional material possessions, ill health, etc. Never before in the history of man has the world shown this horrible characteristic as it does today!

The Bible records the experiences of another nation—the ancient nation of Israel—who also constantly complained and murmured. No matter what God did for them, it was never enough.

After 430 years of slavery to the Egyptians, the Israelites, through God’s miraculous intervention, were released from bondage. As they left Egypt, God allowed them to collect riches, cattle, food, gold, jewels and supplies. God performed many miracles as they traveled through the wilderness. He selected them as His people, promising to take them to a land “filled with milk and honey.”

Notice God’s plain words to the Israelites: “And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:8).

But this was not enough for them!

Upon approaching the Promised Land, the Israelites were instructed by God to send spies to survey the land. It was located between other nations that were enemies of Israel.

After forty days of spying the land, they returned. And presented to Moses, Aaron and the congregation of Israel the fruit from the land, saying, “We came unto the land whether you sent us, and surely it flows with milk and honey…Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great” (Num. 13:27).

Caleb, one of the spies, asked Moses for permission to take the land. But the other spies—except for Joshua—lied to the people, claiming that it was infested with strong, powerful giants.

Notice the reaction of the crowd: “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!…

“And wherefore has 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? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt” (Num. 14:2-4).

Israel was so blatantly ungrateful that they wanted to go back to Egypt—where they had undergone many hundreds of years of brutal slavery. They did not appreciate the astounding blessings that God provided or the many powerful miracles He performed for them.

Notice God’s response to their attitude: “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people PROVOKE Me? And how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have showed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them…” (Num. 14:11-12).

However, Moses reasoned with God, prompting Him to change His mind.

Numbers 14 continues, “And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to your word…Because all those men which have seen My glory, and My miracles…have not hearkened to My voice; surely they shall not see the land which I swore unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked Me see it…

“How long shall I bear with this EVIL CONGREGATION, which murmur against Me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against Me.

“Say unto them, As truly as I live, says the LORD, as you have spoken in Mine ears, so will I do to you: your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness…you shall not come into the land, concerning which I swore to make you dwell therein…But your little ones, which you said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised…and the people mourned greatly…saying, Lo, we be here, and will go up unto the place which the LORD has promised: for we have sinned” (Num. 14:20, 22-23, 27, 29, 31, 39-40).

God called the Israelites an “evil congregation” for their sinful ingratitude. To God, an ungrateful attitude is sin—evil—which provokes Him to anger! Although God did not strike Israel with pestilence at that time or disinherit them, He did cause them to wander in the wilderness for 40 additional years, until those that demonstrated this attitude died! Their murmurings and unthankful attitude condemned them from ever seeing the Promised Land!

Most are familiar with the phrase, “Those that do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” This applies to the modern-day descendants of Israel—the United States, Britain, Australia and other democratic, primarily English-speaking people scattered throughout the world. These nations are foretold to relive history—and experience many soon-coming horrific events for much the same reasons as ancient Israel!

Reaping Curses

Deuteronomy 28 has been called the “Blessings and Curses” chapter. It records a sobering warning to those who will heed it. This prophecy, given almost 3,500 years ago, recounts what is foretold to happen to proud, arrogant and ungrateful nations!

The first 14 verses describe the many wonderful blessings that are to be poured upon the nations that obey and worship God. The remaining part of the chapter lists the countless curses that are reaped for disobeying God:

“Because you serve not the LORD your God with joyfulness, and with GLADNESS OF HEART, for the abundance of all things; therefore shall you serve your enemies which the LORD shall send against you, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon your neck, until he have destroyed you.

“The LORD shall bring a nation against you from far, a nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young: and he shall eat the fruit of your cattle, and the fruit of your land, until you be destroyed…

“And he shall besiege you in all your gates, until your high and fenced walls come down, wherein you trusted, throughout all your land: and he shall besiege you in all your gates throughout all your land, which the LORD your God has given you” (Deut. 28:47-52).

Ingratitude is just one of many sins that the people of this country have committed—and will be led into captivity for! This is the warning from the pages of your Bible! Under captivity, all the grumbling, murmuring and complaining that consume people’s lives will be of no importance.

Ingratitude is a DEADLY SIN! The consequence for this sin is grave—and not to be taken lightly!

Ingratitude in Christ’s Day

Most are familiar with the many Bible accounts of Christ’s miracles. He walked on water, turned water into wine, fed thousands of people from a small amount of food, cast out demons and healed many people. But, although He healed many, how many do you think actually came back to thank Him? You will be surprised.

Luke’s gospel records one such miraculous healing. In this account, Christ healed ten lepers. Verse 12 records, “And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
“And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

“And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said unto him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole” (Luke 17:12-19).

Of the ten lepers, only one returned to thank Christ. Think of that statement. Only one of the ten thanked God for healing them of an awful disease!

Notice Christ’s rhetorical question. Understanding the characteristics of human nature, He perfectly understood why the others had not returned to thank Him.

But why is mankind so intrinsically ungrateful?

The Most Common Sin

From television commercials, programs, movies, shopping malls and homes, a widespread attitude of SELFISHNESS is sweeping the nations of this world. Adults, children and teens are becoming more ungrateful each day.

A main accelerator of this ingratitude is commercialism. Society has been caught up in the “you-work-hard-so-you-deserve-a-new-car-and-a-vacation-in-Barbados” mentality. This, in turn, has caused many to believe the ideology that, if they do not acquire these extravagant luxuries, life is somehow treating them unfairly.

Before calling for a national day of fasting, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln stated, “We have been the recipients of the choicest blessings of heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation ever has grown; BUT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN GOD! We have forgotten the gracious Hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own.”

This is a tremendously powerful statement! Since the time President Lincoln gave this speech, the wealth, prosperity and peace experienced by the United States is far greater—along with the attitude of pride, selfishness and ingratitude.

But if this same speech were given today, there would be quite an uproar!

The apostle Paul wrote, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, UNTHANKFUL, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (II Tim. 3:1-4).

These attitudes are becoming increasingly evident in these “last days.” (By these verses, even an atheist can recognize that we are living in these days by simply turning on the television!)

In contrast to Lincoln’s day, or even to fifty years ago, today’s ungrateful attitude is worse by far. If that generation forgot God, and the many blessings He provided for America, then this de-generation doesn’t even know God exists!

In this world of being obsessed with what’s “in”—from the newest fashions, to the latest songs and to absurd political correctness—GRATITUDE HAS BEEN ALL BUT DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL!

To find the source of this attitude, one must look in the pages of the Bible to find the most selfish, proud, arrogant, self-centered and ungrateful being that ever existed—Satan the devil.

Before his rebellion against God, Satan (first named Lucifer) was a perfectly created archangel. The prophet Isaiah records, “How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations! For you have said in your 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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High” (Isa. 14:12-14).

Lucifer’s heart was lifted up with arrogance—vanity. He was ungrateful to God for giving him life.

Neither was he grateful to God for creating him so perfectly. Instead, he rebelled against God, choosing to believe that he was better than his Creator—that his way was greater than God’s Way.

As the “prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2), he broadcasts this same attitude into us.

How to Be Grateful

It has been said that ingratitude is the most common sin. Although it is a part of our nature, there are ways that you can avoid being one of the many that commit the sin of ingratitude.

Below are just a few simple ways to show your gratitude toward God and fellowman:

Thank God daily: God commands us to go to Him in prayer with praise and thanksgiving. Do you thank Him daily?

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s servants showing their gratitude towards Him.

I Chronicles 29 records King David being deeply moved at the people’s generosity in preparing God’s Temple. David was inspired and expressed his earnest and sincere gratitude in honor of the great God. He exclaimed: “Blessed be You, LORD God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of You, and You reign over all; and in Your hand is power and might; and in Your hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? For all things come of You, and of Your own have we given You” (vs. 10-14).

Paul writes, “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks” (I Thes. 5:16-18).

Psalm 92 records a special Sabbath psalm used to praise God: “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Your name, O most High: to show forth Your loving kindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night…For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work: I will triumph in the works of Your hands. O LORD, how great are Your works! And Your thoughts are very deep…You, LORD, are most High forevermore. For, lo, Your enemies, O LORD, for, lo, Your enemies shall perish; all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered” (vs. 1-2, 4-5, 8-9).

You should never run out of things to thank God for! Go to Him in prayer and continually thank Him for all the blessings He has provided you!

The Bible records God’s faithful servants continuously doing so. We also find that the Bible commands us to always give thanks and praise to God.

Why? Why does God command that we praise Him with thanksgiving? Does He require this because He needs our praises? NO!

This command is repeated throughout the Bible because WE need it! In order for us, as Christians, to be more like God—the most thankful Being in the universe—WE need to learn to be thankful and give praises every day!

Another vital way to demonstrate gratitude towards the great God is through tithes and offerings. The prophet Malachi records God’s words: “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me. But you say, Wherein have we robbed You? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:8-10).

Although God provides absolutely everything that we have, He promises to provide more—through pouring out blessings from heaven—if we merely do our part by paying tithes and offerings! Through our heartfelt dedication in supporting His end-time Work, He promises us much more than we can possibly desire!

Say “Thank you” often: Many people fear thanking others. They often fall into the mentality that, by thanking, they are somehow in debt or owe something to that person. But the truth is far from this!

Throughout history, great men have been known for specifically thanking others. It is not a sign of weakness—it is a sign of MEEKNESS!

Think of the things that people do for you—from opening a door for you, to giving you a ride to the store, or providing a kind and reassuring word. We live in an age when common courtesy and politeness are all but extinct!

Say “thank you” and “please” often. You should never run out of people to thank. You would be surprised how happy those little words can make others feel!

Count your blessings, not your worries: Look around you. When was the last time you lost a loved one to starvation or rampant disease? When was the last time you gave up eating to make sure your children had food? When was the last time you had to sell your children because you did not have the money to survive or even provide for them? Chances are you have never experienced these things.

Unfortunately, these are grim realities that many around the world face each day. Thank God each day for all the terrible things that you have not had to endure!

It is common to fall into the routine of constant “grumbling” and complaining about problems and worries. When you find yourself complaining about finances, traffic, problems at work, family issues, car troubles, or whatever other difficulty or trial you may be experiencing, remember that everything God does and allows is for a reason. Although difficult, it is for a greater good—if you overcome them!

Consider the following analogy: Each ingredient used in making a cake is not always sweet or good to the taste. By themselves, their tastes can range from bitter, to salty, to sweet, to chalky. But the end result—the cake—is delicious and sweet!

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, recorded, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecc. 3:1).

Although it is difficult to do, when you are experiencing trials, look for the good that God wants you to learn from them. For example, if you are having car problems, and will need an expensive repair, perhaps you are mishandling, or wasting money on other things, and God wants you to re-examine your budget. Many of the difficulties that you encounter can help you realize whether or not you are living properly. You can learn from these experiences!

When people grumble, they are complaining about a situation that God has allowed—and sometimes even caused—them to be in!

Paul admonishes us to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:14-15).

Finally, consider Paul’s example of dealing with trials and afflictions: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 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. I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. Notwithstanding you have well done, that you did communicate with my affliction” (4:11-14). We must learn from experiences—both good and bad!

Things to Be Grateful For

The following lists just a few things which we should show gratitude for. Upon reading them, picture how your life would be without them:

Loving family and friends: After creating man, God declared, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him” (Gen. 2:18).

God created humans with the need for family. If you are married, appreciate your husband or wife. If you have children, appreciate all the fond memories that you are building together. Problems and arguments will occur from time to time, but at those moments, imagine your life without your loved ones. Realize how different it would be.

Employment: Without employment, how would you earn a living? How would you eat or feed your family? How would your rent or mortgage be paid? Every day, it seems headlines report some type of corporation “laying off” hundreds, even thousands of employees. Be thankful to God for the job He has provided for you. Although you may experience hardships with co-workers or employers, acknowledge that without your job, you would not have a means to support your family or yourself.

Food, clothing, shelter: Although man has systematically pillaged, destroyed and raped the land that provides the materials needed for food, clothing and shelter, the United States and the other modern-day descendants of Israel have an abundance of these great blessings. Other nations, however, do not. Appreciate these things!

God understands that, as physical humans, we need physical substances for survival. Notice: “And why take you thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, o you of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or, What shall we drink? Or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?…For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things” (Matt. 6:28-32).

If God cares for and clothes even the flowers, how much more will He provide for those that obey Him? This is what His Word declares.

Are you grateful for this promise? Or do you take it for granted?

God’s truth: How much do you appreciate God’s Word—the Holy Bible? God has provided a way for us to know and understand His laws through this great Book of Instruction. Notice President Lincoln’s statement concerning it:

“I believe the Bible is the best gift that God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated through this Book. I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”

The apostle Peter stated to Christ, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

Do you feel the same way?

Dealing With Ingratitude

One of the most awkward and difficult situations for a person is dealing with an ungrateful person. Someone once said, “The quickest way to earn someone’s contempt is to do too much for them.”

An example of this was when some who had received food stamps for years, then had their benefits revoked by the government. This caused quite a commotion—many claimed to be victims of injustice. When in reality, they had long received something they did not earn.

Many times, people find themselves in a position of having done things for others for such a long time, that the other party begins to feel that they deserve it. While there are many principles that can be applied in such situations, there are two basic rules that can be applied to better handle this problem.

“The Golden Rule”: Many millions of professing Christians claim to follow the Bible. But why don’t they follow the laws and principles from it? And why, if so many do enjoy being appreciated or treated with gratitude, are there so many ungrateful people?

Matthew records, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (7:12, NKJV).

Most know this as “the Golden Rule”—to treat others how you wish to be treated. Many quote this verse, but rarely practice it. Yet this principle is vital in combating the pulls and lusts of “the flesh” (Rom. 8). This includes ingratitude.

When someone does something for you, think to yourself, “If I did this for someone, wouldn’t I like to receive a ‘thank you’?” Chances are, you would. You must fight against your human nature and show gratitude.

Paul records, “For what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I” (Rom. 7:15). Paul, who was an apostle and had personal encounters with the glorified Christ, wrote that even he had difficulties combating the inner self. This evidences that it is DIFFICULT to wage a war against the wicked, evil and sinful self! But with humility towards God, and asking for His help, it is possible!

The Principle of Cause and Effect: The principle of cause and effect is all around us. If the floor is wet, someone may slip and fall. If a car runs over a nail, the tire will become flat. This is common sense.

This principle can be described another way: Every action has a reaction. In examining today’s society, many do not recognize that this principle applies in their lives—through more ways than just the physical.

After Lucifer’s rebellion, he became the “prince of the power of the air,” and the “god of this world.” Since then, Satan’s way of life—the GET way—has pummeled humanity with his selfish, proud, rebellious and ungrateful attitudes. This is the CAUSE!

The EFFECT is the attitude present in society at large. Tuned into “the prince of the power of the air,” humanity has had a materialistic, selfish, “me-first” existence. They are following their god.

This is CAUSE and EFFECT!

People always notice when others are rude to them—a purely selfish action. They often think, “Look at how rude people are towards me…I am not being appreciated…I did not receive a ‘thank you’ for kindness that I performed.”

This is the initial action that gets people to react in the same rude, ungrateful attitudes demonstrated to them. Although they did not appreciate it when they were on the receiving end, they “dish it out,” because they feel that they were treated unfairly.

This cycle has always been in effect throughout mankind’s history. After 6,000 years of injustice, misrule and destruction, ingratitude is merely one of the many “effects” mankind has brought upon itself!

The Choice is Yours

Always remember that ingratitude is a deadly sin. God directly calls it evil! An ungrateful attitude is something that most are unaware that they have, but everyone else sees! It is a deep character flaw. Although few will tell you about it, ingratitude sticks out like a sore thumb.

Often, it goes unchanged and untreated, because of people’s ignorance of it. It is something that, after many years of “perfecting,” needs to be completely removed!

Remember Israel’s example. They grumbled, complained and showed ingratitude because they were afraid of being unable to overcome the “giants” that might have kept them from the Promised Land.

But in reality, the only “giant” that held them back from enjoying this great blessing from God was their ingratitude! An entire generation—except for two men—died without seeing this land!

Learn from this example. An ungrateful attitude exists in our human nature. But simple steps can be taken to overcome it. By honestly analyzing yourself, and applying biblical rules and principles of etiquette, you can ENSURE that you are not committing this most common—and DEADLY—sin.

Remember Paul’s three commands for true Christians:

(1) “Rejoice evermore.”

(2) “Pray without ceasing.”

(3) “In everything give thanks.”

Do not let this sin keep you from God’s many promises! Do not let it steal your happiness. The choice is yours!
https://rcg.org/articles/tsoi.html


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Pagan Origin Of The Names of the Days and Months and the Planets

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 19, 2020
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment


We speak the names of the gods on a daily basis and most people do not even realize it. Every day of the week, religious and non-religious people alike follow the old pagan tradition of giving thanks to the gods of old. Many do so unknowingly.

While careful attention has been given over many centuries to make certain that the Hebrew God and names associated with the Bible are not used, evidence clearly shows that pagans have ‘tagged’ everything they can with the names of their false gods. This was not a coincidence.

In ancient Mesopotamia, astrologers assigned each day of the week the name of a god. In a culture where days were consumed by religion, it is unsurprising that the days of the week were made in homage to the gods believed to rule the lives of mortals.

Many centuries later, the Romans, upon beginning to use the seven day week, adopted the names of the week to fit their own gods. These were then adopted by Germanic people who also adjusted the names according to their gods. It is predominantly these Germanic and Norse gods that have lived on today in the days of the week, which are outlined below.



Pagan names of the weekdays

Sunday, as you may be able to guess, is the “Sun’s Day” – the name of a pagan Roman holiday. In many folklore traditions, Sunday was believed to be a lucky day for babies born. Many societies have worshiped the sun and sun-gods. Perhaps the most famous is the Egyptian Sun-god Ra, who was the lord of time.

Monday comes from the Anglo-Saxon ‘monandaeg’ which is the “Moon’s Day”. On this day people gave homage to the goddess of the moon. It was believed by ancients that there were three Mondays during the year that were considered to be unlucky: first Monday in April, second in August and last in December.

Tuesday is the first to be named after a Germanic god – Tiu (or Twia) – a god of war and the sky and associated with the Norse god Tyr, who was a defender god in Viking mythology. Tiu is associated with Mars. He is usually shown with only one hand. In the most famous myth about Týr he placed his hand between the jaws of the wolf Fenrir as a mark of good faith while the other gods, pretending to play, bound the wolf. When Fenrir realised he had been tricked he bit off Tyr’s hand.

Wednesday means “Woden’s Day” (in Norse, ‘Odin’), the Old Norse’s equivalent to Mercury, who was the messenger to the gods and the Roman god of commerce, travel and science. He was considered the chief god and leader of the wild hunt in Anglo-Saxon mythology, but the name directly translated means “violently insane headship” – not exactly the name of a loving and kind god! Woden was the ruler of Asgard, the hoe of the gods, and is able to shift and change into different forms.

Thursday was “Thor’s Day”, named after the Norse god of thunder and lightning and is the Old Norse equivalent to Jupiter. Thor is often depicted holding a giant hammer and during the 10 th and 11 th centuries when Christians tried to convert the Scandinavians, many wore emblems of Thor’s hammer as a symbol of defiance against the new religion.

Friday is associated with Freya, the wife of Woden and the Norse goddess of love, marriage and fertility, who is equivalent to Venus, the Roman goddess of love.

Lastly, Saturday derives from “Saturn’s Day”, a Roman god associated with wealth, plenty and time. It is the only English week-day still associated with a Roman god, Saturn. The Hebrews called Saturday the “Sabbath”, meaning, day of rest. The Bible identifies Saturday as the last day of the week.

The seven-day week originates with in ancient Babylon prior to 600 BC, when time was marked with the lunar cycle, which experienced different seven-day cycles. A millennium later, Emperor Constantine converted Rome to Christianity and standardised the seven-day week across the Empire. Rome may initially have acquired the seven-day week from the mystical beliefs of Babylonian astrologers. But it was the biblical story of creation, God making the Heavens and Earth and resting on the seventh day that will have led the first Christian emperor of Rome to make sure it endured to this day.

But how did this planetary week come to be so commonly used in the professing Christian world?
Hutton Webster, in his book Rest Days, provides the answer: “The early Christians had at first adopted the Jewish seven-day week with its numbered weekdays, but by the close of the third century AD this began to give way to the planetary week. . . . The use of planetary names by Christians attests the growing influence of astrological speculations introduced by converts from paganism. . . . Thus, gradually a pagan institution was engrafted on Christianity”.

This planetary week with its days named after pagan deities is not of God. God Almighty did create the week with seven days, but He merely numbered the days one through seven (Genesis 1:3—2:3). The only day He named was the seventh day, calling it the “Sabbath” (Exodus 16:22-26; 20:8-11).



Pagan origin of the names of the months

A few names of the month were derived from Roman deities( not human). Four came from the numbers of the months. In two cases in honor of Roman emperors who were regarded as deities ( Pontifus Maximus).

January
Named after the Roman god of beginnings and endings Janus (the month Januarius).

February
The name comes either from the old-Italian god Februus or else from februa, signifying the festivals of purification celebrated in Rome during this month.

March
This is the first month of the Roman year. It is named after the Roman god of war, Mars.

April
Called Aprilis, from aperire, “to open”. Possibly because it is the month in which the buds begin to open.

May
The third month of the Roman calendar. The name probably comes from Maiesta, the Roman goddess of honor and reverence.

June
The fourth month was named in honor of Juno. However, the name might also come from iuniores (young men; juniors) as opposed to maiores (grown men; majors) for May, the two months being dedicated to young and old men.

July
It was the month in which Julius Caesar was born, and named Julius in his honor in 44 BCE, the year of his assassination. Also called Quintilis (fifth month).

August
Originally this month was called Sextilis (from Sextus, “six”), but the name was later changed in honor of the first of the Roman emperors, Augustus (because several fortunate events of his life occurred during this month).

The remaining four month’s name are based on prefixes derived from latin numbers:

September
The name comes from septem, “seven”.

October
The name comes from octo, “eight”

November
The name comes from novem, “nine”.

December
The name comes from decem, “ten”.

The Hebrew months were originally numbered, but over time names were given to them. For instance, Abib, the first month of spring, means “green [ears of barley]” (this month is also called Nisan, meaning “their flight [out of Egypt]”). Later, the apostate Jews borrowed Babylonian names for many of their months, some of which (e.g., Tammuz) refer to pagan deities.



Pagan origin of the names of the planets (except Earth)

The official names of planets and their moons are governed by an organization called the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The IAU was established in 1919. Its mission is “to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation”…..and obviously to promote false worship.

Most of the objects in our solar system received names long ago based on Greek or Roman mythology. The IAU has therefore adopted this tradition in its rules for naming certain types of objects in the solar system.

With the exception of Earth, all of the planets in our solar system have names from Greek or Roman mythology. This tradition was continued when Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto were discovered in more modern times.

Mercury is the god of commerce, travel and thievery in Roman mythology. The planet probably received this name because it moves so quickly across the sky.

Venus is the Roman goddess of love and beauty. The planet is aptly named since it makes a beautiful sight in the sky, with only the Sun and the Moon being brighter.

Mars is the Roman god of War. The planet probably got this name due to its red color.

Jupiter was the King of the Gods in Roman mythology, making the name a good choice for what is by far the largest planet in our solar system.

Pluto is the Roman god of the underworld in Roman mythology. Perhaps the planet received this name because it’s so far from the Sun that it is in perpetual darkness.

Unknowingly everyday throughout the world, pagan gods are glorified when we use their names to identify the days of the week, the months of the years, and when we make reference to planetary bodies.

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Flee To The City Of Refuge!

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 18, 2020
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment

Flee to The City of Refuge!

Refuge Is In Jesus

Refuge Is In Jesus

 

The cities of refuge were a provision under the Law of Moses that provided safe haven for the unintentional man-slayer. There were six major cities designated; although recorded history indicates that there were a total of 48 cities that served as cities of refuge. The map below displays their locations:

 

Map Levitical Cities Refuge"

Map Levitical Cities Refuge

 

The first mention of the establishment of such places was recorded in Scripture in the Book of Exodus in chapter 21 and verse 13. From the New International Translation (NIV) of the Holy Bible we read beginning with verse 12:

12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death. 13 However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are to flee to a “place” I will designate. 14 But if anyone schemes and kills someone deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death.”

That these “places” were to be cities, is clearly explained by Almighty God himself when he spoke to Joshua. Joshua 18:1-6 reads:

“The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: that the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not before time. And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.” (Josh. 20:1-6).” King James Version (KJV)

God Almighty had established laws or statues in order that the Israelites would maintain a righteous standing before Him. He gave Laws that governed how they were to respond to both deliberate murder and cases in which someone unintentionally caused the death of a fellow human being.

As we examine Scripture, we will look at the practical wisdom in the application of this provision of His justice system. This provision is a pattern of a more grand Heavenly provision that God has establish in order that we may escape bloodguilt in these all important “last days”. Today is the paramount time in human history in which to seek refuge as the fear inspiring Day of Jehovah approaches.

This provision was created with a specific circumstance in mind that would require a person to flee and seek asylum. Could the issue of unintentional manslaughter in a spiritual sense exist upon an individual or group of individuals today?

This article will highlight the parallels that should concern any Jehovah’s Witness who by ignorance and blindness have aided in teaching false and misleading doctrines. Though they have done this with no malice of forethought, a very similar situation still exist as it did with the unintentional man-slayer back in the days of Joshua. In order to escape Divine Judgement from God, they must seek the one and only City of Refuge available in these final days before Jehovah’s Day of accountability.

God’s Holy Avenger is in pursuit!!

“Clear the Way“

Since the city of refuge was the only safe haven for the unintentional manslayer, it was imperative that the roads to them be visible and unobstructed. The cities that served as these safe-havens would have been of no value if they were inaccessible or if their locations were unknown. Therefore, guidelines were created in order to ensure that the guilty party could indeed successfully reach them. According to Mishneh Torah, Laws Regarding Murder and the Preservation of Life 8:5, “The court is obligated to straighten the roads to the cities of refuge, to repair them and broaden them. They must remove all impediments and obstacles. . . . Bridges should be built (over all natural barriers) so as not to delay one who is fleeing to [the city of refuge]. The width of a road to a city of refuge should not be less than thirty-two cubits” (approximately 42 feet).

At each city served men who acted as a Court. The Court was to weigh the evidence in each case to determine whether or not it was a case of murder or manslaughter. It was also the Court’s responsibility to straighten the roads and broaden them where necessary. The Court of elders’ were obligated to post signs reading “Refuge, Refuge” along the way at all crossroads. However, it was the responsibility of the communities along the road to make sure there were no obstacles in the road that would be an impediment to travel. There are accounts that state that individual citizens would often shout out to the fleeing person, “City of refuge!” and point the way toward safe-haven as well.

Although Jehovah’s Witnesses were mentioned earlier in particular; all humans on Earth who seek to survive the coming Judgment need to get into the modern-day City of Refuge. Because of the sin of the first humans Adam and Eve, all their future children also came under condemnation to death from God as they did. Thus, all humanity after them fell into need of redemption.

The Messiah, Jesus Christ said of himself, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If YOU men had known me, YOU would have known my Father also; from this moment on YOU know him and have seen him.” John 14:6,7. (NWT) The only salvation held out before humankind is offered through Lord Jesus Christ. Only by accepting him and following his commands can we reach the safety of God’s Divine covering. He is the only mediator between God and humankind. He alone is the channel of God. His arrival on the earthly scene and his life was just as clearly marked as those ancient roads to refuge. And as Christ followers our teaching and preaching of the Good News of the Kingdom should be just as clear. We as Christians have a personal obligation before our Lord and our God to clear any obstructions that would prevent someone from reaching the refuge that Jehovah God has offered by means of His son Jesus Christ.

Sad to say that has not been the case anywhere in the world of organized religion. They have all failed, including Jehovah’s Witnesses. How have Jehovah’s Witnesses failed in this sense?It is by preaching and teaching a concoction that is a mixture of truth and lies in the name of Jehovah God. By doing so, they have not cleared the way but rather have obstructed it. By doing so, they have misdirected millions off the Way and led them away from the asylum that the true City of Refuge will provide. They have turned aside those who have come to them earnestly seeking God by misrepresenting Him and His name. They have also shut the ears of those of mankind they attempt to witness to because those people have enough Biblical understanding to know that much of what they teach is contrary to true Christian faith.

 

Stumbling blocks along the road

Stumbling blocks along the road

 

When the Watchtower teaches that its Governing Body is the exclusive source of Divine instruction they usurp Christ authority. They call the Watchtower Society; “God’s spirit directed organization”. Do you notice the complete omission of Jesus Christ in that statement? Reconsider Jesus’ words in John 14:6,7. They effectively stand at the “crossroads” and beckon would be seekers of refuge to take some course that is tangent to the correct course. Imagine unscrupulous people along the roads to the cities of refuge deliberately misguiding runners off the road! This is what the Watchtower and all false Christianity has done and is doing. How well Jesus’ word recorded in Matthew’s gospel applies to them. Matthew 23:13 states:

13 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” (NIV)

The Messiah warned of the grave consequences to all who set stumbling blocks before his sheep. These are his words from Matthew 18:6:

6 “but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” English Standard Version (ESV)

There were no doubt consequences as a result of suchlike behavior meted out to anyone who misled and impeded the passage of those fleeing on the roads to the cities of refuge. Perhaps these inferences drawn from Scripture will help you see that teaching false and misleading doctrine is no light matter in Jesus Christ eyes. Some have convinced themselves that it will all be okay and God will overlook the matter. They may think to themselves, “Surely the Lord will forgive us! After all look at all the good we have done in his name!”

But, cannot that same claim be made by all the so-called Christian denominations? Many are involved in charitable works and the like. And most of their followers have found some benefit by being associated with them. Remember that Satan is very artful at deceiving by obscuring wicked intent with a little dose of truth or good works. William Shakespeare put it well when he said, “The devil can cite scripture for his own purpose! An evil soul producing holy witness is like a villain with a smiling cheek.” [Merchant Of Venice]. Apparently, Shakespeare had more spiritual awareness on this subject than current adherents to the Watchtower Society.

Lord Jesus said such “fake” Christians would be present in the last days.

Matthew 7:15-23

15 “Be on your guard against false prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside they are really like wild wolves. 16 You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. 17 A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 And any tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. 20 So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do.

“I Never Knew You”

21 “Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. 22 When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God’s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’ 23 Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!”
Good News Translation (GNT)

Soon the Son of Man will return and completely reveal and destroy these workers of lawlessness. We for our part, must be involved in the work of exposing these “stumbling blocks” and these “jagged rocks” as Jude calls them.

Jude 1:12

12 “These people are like jagged rocks just below the surface of the water waiting to snag you when they join your love feasts. They feast with you without reverence. They care only for themselves. They are waterless clouds carried along by the winds; fruitless autumn trees, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom the darkness of the underworld is reserved forever.”
Common English Bible (CEB)

Christian imposters inspired by the Devil seek to shipwreck the faith of those seeking the mercy Jehovah God has extended to mankind; true refuge in Jesus Christ. He is the ‘Road’ and the ‘City’ of salvation. And now we will consider his other role.

The Avenger Of Almighty God—–Run for your life!

Colossians 1:16-18 tells us:

16 “For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities– all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.…”
New English Translation (NET)

The verses cited above are so very, very true and are demonstrated by the lessons we glean from the ancient City of Refuge provision instituted at God’s command.

The following text from The Jewish Encyclopedia offers insight into the avenger of blood and who among the family served this role when needed: (Note: The name of the Divine One is shown accurately as the tetragrammaton was written-HWHY. For the purposes of languages that are read from left to right, such as English, the letters would appear as YHWH)

 

THE AVENGER OF BLOOD (Hebrew go’el)

1906 The Jewish Encyclopedia

(Hebrew “go’el”): The Hebrew name for the clansman, “next of kin,” upon whom devolved the duties: (1) of avenging, on the person of the murderer, the blood of a murdered kinsman—in this capacity the more specific term “go’el ha-dam” (blood-avenger) was generally used—and (2) of redeeming the property or the person of a relative that had fallen into debt.

 

Among Primitive Peoples

(1) Among primitive people of low political development—such as the ancient Greeks, Germans, and Slavs, some North American tribes, the modern Sicilians, Corsicans, and Arabs—the clan or family had to assume the right to protect itself. One of the most important clan duties then was plainly for the nearest of kin to hunt down and carry out the death-penalty on a person that had slain a member of the sept or family. That this idea of family retribution—which even today is by no means extinct in some comparatively civilized communities—was also current among the ancient Hebrews may be seen from Gen. xxvii. 45, where the existence of the custom is clearly taken for granted. It appears, furthermore, from Josh. vii. 24, and II Kings ix. 26, that, in the most primitive period, such a vendetta was extended to the entire family of the murderer, as is still the custom among the desert Bedouins. The Hebrew religious justification for the system of family blood-revenge was undoubtedly the firm belief that God, in order to insure the sacredness of human life, had Himself fixed the death penalty for murder (Gen. ix. 5 et seq.; Lev. xxiv. 17). In the earliest times blood-money was not accepted either for murder or for excusable homicide. Such a payment would have made the land “polluted by blood” (Num. xxxv. 31 et seq.). Unavenged blood “cried out” for vengeance to God (Gen. iv. 10; Isa. xxvi. 21; Ezek. xxiv. 7 et seq.; Job xvi. 18). The Avenger of Blood, then, was regarded as the representative, not only of the murdered man’s family, but of HWHY Himself, who was the highest avenger (Ps. ix. 13 [A. V. 12]).

 

The Family Executioner

In a case in which the verdict against the slayer was one of willful murder, the murderer incurred the blood-revenge without any restrictions. If he were already in a city of refuge, the elders of his own city were obliged to fetch him thence by force if necessary, and to deliver him formally to the Avenger of Blood, who thus became little more than a family executioner (Deut. xix. 11 et seq.).

Two very important restrictions should here be noticed: (a) Although the entire family or gens to which the murdered man belonged were theoretically entitled to demand the blood-revenge (II Sam. xiv. 7), still, in the practise of later times, only one member—for example, the next of kin, who was also legal heir—might assume the duty of carrying it out. According to the later Jewish tradition, when there was no heir, the court had the right to assume the position of the “go’el.” (b) The law expressly states that the blood-revenge was applicable only to the person of the guilty man and not to the members of his family as well (Deut. xxiv. 16; compare II Kings xiv. 6). This is a most significant advance on the primitive savage custom that involved two gentes in a ceaseless feud. Anent this advance, it is interesting to note that, in the time of the kings, the king himself, as the highest judicial authority, was entitled to control the course of the blood-revenge (II Sam. xiv. 8 et seq.).

 

Redeemer of His Kinsmen

(2) As indicated above, the term “go’el” had also a secondary meaning. From the idea of one carrying out the sentence of justice in the case of blood-shed, the word came to denote the kinsman whose duty it was to redeem the property and person of a relative who, having fallen into debt, was compelled to sell either his land or himself as a slave to satisfy his creditors (compare Lev. xxv. 25, 47-49). It would appear from Jer. xxxii. 8-12 that the “go’el” had the right to the refusal of such property before it was put up for public sale, and also the right to redeem it after it had been sold (see Ruth).

From the Book of Ruth (iv. 5) it would appear that the duty of the nearest of kin to marry the widow of his relative in case of the latter’s dying without issue was included in the obligations resting upon the “go’el”; but inasmuch as the term is not used in the passage in Deut. (xxv. 8-10) in which this institution is referred to—the obligation resting upon the brother to marry his deceased brother’s widow—the testimony of so late a production as Ruth cannot be pressed. The usage in the book may not be legally accurate.

From this idea of the human “go’el” as a redeemer of his kinsmen in their troubles, there are to be found many allusions to HWHY as the Divine Go’el, redeeming His people from their woes (compare Ex. vi. 6, xv. 13; Ps. lxxiv. 2), and of the people themselves becoming the “redeemed” ones of HWHY (Ps. cvii. 2; Isa. lxii. 12). The reference to God as the “go’el” and as the one who would “redeem” His people was applicable to the relationship between HWHY and Israel in the exilic period, when the people actually looked to their God to restore their land for them, as the impoverished individual looked to his kinsman to secure a restoration of his patrimony.

Hence, of thirty-three passages in which “go’el” (as a noun or verb) is applied to God, nineteen occur in the exilic (and post-exilic) sections of Isaiah—the preacher par excellence of “restoration”—for example, in xlviii. 20, xlix. 26, lii. 9, lxii. 12, etc. See Asylum; Cities of Refuge; Job; Murder.

Bibliography:
A. H. Post, Studien zur Entwicklungsgeschichte des Familienrechts, 1890, pp. 113-137;
W. R. Smith, Kinship and Marriage in Early Arabia, pp. 22 et seq., 38, 47, 52 et seq.;
idem, Religion of the Semites, 2d ed., pp. 32 et seq., 272 et seq., 420;
Nowack, Lehrbuch der Hebr. Archäologie, i., ch. ii., 1894;
Kohler, Zur Lehre von dèr Blutrache, 1885;
Bissell, The Law of Asylum in Israel, 1884;
Jastrow, Avenger, Kinsman, and Redeemer in the O. T., in The Independent, Aug. 27, 1896;
Benzinger, Hebräische Archäologie, p. 335.

end of comments

 

Jesus Christ as the Avenger of Blood

When the angel now known as the Devil and Satan rebelled against Almighty God and then proceeded to induce the first human couple into sinning against Jehovah God, he became a murderer. His actions were the result of no accident; they were intentional. Satan knew what Law God had given to Adam and Eve and what the result of disobedience would be. The question he posed to Eve is proof of that.

Scripture tells us in John 8:44:

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He 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.” (KJV)

There was no refuge available to him any more than there was for the intentional man-slayer. Therefore, Jehovah God called upon the “next of kin” to perform the duties of the family executioner. Jesus is God’s only begotten son and the “firstborn of all creation”. So it is only fitting that he serve in this role. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, the avenger of blood was in most cases the legal heir. This facet also applies aptly to Jesus Christ.

There are many Scriptures that portray God’s only begotten son as His appointed Avenger of Blood.

Below, we read from the Book of Revelation that the Great Justice, Jehovah God has judged what is described as the “great prostitute”, “Babylon the Great”, and “that woman Jezebel” for the spilling of the innocent blood of His servants.

Revelation 19:2

“For his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

2 Kings 9:7

“And you shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, so that I may avenge on Jezebel (see Revelation 2:20) the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the Lord.”

Revelation 6:10

“They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Revelation 18:21-24

21 And a strong angel lifted up a stone like a great millstone and hurled it into the sea, saying: “Thus with a swift pitch will Babylon the great city be hurled down, and she will never be found again. 22 And the sound of singers who accompany themselves on the harp and of musicians and of flutist and of trumpeters will never be heard in you again, and no craftsman of any trade will ever be found in you again, and no sound of a millstone will ever be heard in you again, 23 and no light of a lamp will ever shine in you again, and no voice of a bridegroom and of a bride will ever be heard in you again; because your traveling merchants were the top-ranking men of the earth, for by your spiritistic practice all the nations were misled. 24 Yes, in her was found the blood of prophets and of holy ones and of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth.” (NWT)

Psalm 9:12

“For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.”

We see from the Scriptures above that Jehovah God has throughout human history called for an accounting from those shedding innocent blood and that prophecy reveals He will call for an accounting in these “last days”.

Redeemer of Mankind

The Apostle Paul’s words in his letter to the congregations in Ephesus, speak to Christ Jesus’ role as “Redeemer” of all humans.

Ephesians 1:6-7

6 “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
King James Version (KJV)

Once again we see the pattern God set long ago.

 

Identifying the City of Refuge

There are many that believe that the modern-day City of Refuge is found in application to human religious organizations. Is that accurate? Well, if we ponder on the specific duties performed in the ancient cities of refuge, we will have to admit that this conclusion could not be correct.

The Court of elders in these cities sat in judgement. They deliberated over the evidence in each particular case to come to a decision as to an individual’s guilt or innocence. They presided over a matter concerning life and death. That authority rest in the Heavenly Supreme Court and a Heavenly Judge has been appointed to this responsibility. Note what 2 Corinthians 5:10 states very clearly:

10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (NIV)

Now, we should really be able to appreciate the words of the Apostle Paul at Colossians 1:16-18:

16 “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” (NKJV)

Seek Refuge in Christ While There is Still Time

Seek Refuge in Christ While There is Still Time

 

 

 

It should be clear that Jesus Christ himself is the City of Refuge. He is the Way or Road to refuge and salvation. Lord Jesus is Almighty God’s next of kin, rightful heir, and so justly is the pursuing AAvenger of Blood.

 

Let us take up our responsibility before Jehovah God and His son Lord Christ Jesus as citizens of the Christian Nation. Let us clear the path from the obstacles that the Devil and his minions have set as stumbling block by preaching the pure Gospel of the good news. Let us shout a warning to all seeker of salvation and point them in the only direction that they can find any salvation; to only Savior and Lord Christ Jesus.

If we do not, they will be caught by the Avenger outside the City of Refuge in these Final Days and face eternal destruction.



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‘1914’ The Number That Became A False Image

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 14, 2020
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment

1914 kings have had their day30incheswtext


This post is concerning an important number in the minds of all who have been taught as Jehovah’s Witnesses. 

Why ‘1914’ Doesn’t Equal 1914 C.E./ Different Unit Of Measure

IMPORTANT FOR PRESENT AND FORMER JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES

This brief article will not dispute the method used in determining the start date nor the time length of the prophetic period. For this discussion the period began 606/607 B C.E. when King Nebuchadnezzar took sovereignty away from Judah and was to last 7×360 or 2,520 years.

Nor is about varying arguments about interpreting the prophecy concerning the ‘gentile times’that is found in the Book of Daniel.

In correlation with other Scripture the end of this period would mark the end of the absence of Divine rulership and non intervention and it would mark the beginning of what Scripture referred to as “the last days”.

During these last days, the One with the right to rule (Lord Jesus Christ) would appear and re-establish the presence of Divine rulership near the end of the last days

It does NOT agree with the common assumption of when this prophetic period expired that is, 1914 A.D /C.E.

This can be easy proven.

IF YOU BELIEVE as Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the significance of the number ‘1914’ in knowing when the Gentile Times (appointed times of the nations) came to its end, then please take note and consider:

Different Units Of Measurement

Yard to meters….gallons to liters….etc. When going from one standard of measure to another, naturally some mathematical conversion is necessary.

That is always important to keep in mind when solving math problems.

How The Number 1914 Was Derived

The number “1914″ is a number derived from subtracting 606/607 from the number 2,520. That number is: 1914 lunar calendar years that were remaining till expiration when the Common Era calendar came into use. That number is defined therefore as: 1914 lunar-years counting down.

The Biblical Year Length

The calendar referred to in the Bible is a 360 day per year calendar. We calculate the 2,520 year period using this 360 day per year calendar.

According to the calendar used in the Bible, that number of 1914 years is equal to 1914 times 360 days; which is equal to 689,040 days total.

The Common Era Year Length

Our current Common Era calendar is based on a 365 day year.

1914 common era years are therefore equal to 1914 times 365 days; which is equal to 698,610 days total.

You can easily see the two are not equals of one another.They do not equal and therefore are not the same.

There is a difference of 9,570 days between the two calendars . In Common Era years that equals 26.21 years.

Because of this difference, there is a 26.21 common era year deviation from the original “1914″ we started with.

1914 C.E. is therefore more than 26 years off from the actual end date

Since “1914″ in this math problem is a number in a sequence of numbers counting down, mathematically it is a negative number (-1914) . Since it is used to find the difference between the two calendars, that result is also a negative (-26.21 C.E.).

-26.21 C.E. is the conversion factor needed to solve for the correct common era end date

This all reduces to a simple addition of the two numbers.

-1914.00
–    26.21C.E.
_____________
1940.21 C.E.

The mathematics involved in solving this problem is not as simple and as straightforward as a person might intuitively think.

The plot attached is based on the equation written below it, which is this problem in math form.

This equation is the mathematical representation of the question: What C.E. date corresponds to the end of the Gentile Times?

In conclusion, the date 1914 C.E. is a false numerical positive that ultimately became to be worshipped. The number 1914 as it pertains to this biblical prophecy never has had any connection to the year 1914 CE.

This mistaken identification has altered many’s perception of where they actually stands in the stream of time by better than 26 years.

The Gentile Times came to its conclusion in 1940 C.E.




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Is 607 B.C.E. a Valid or an Invalid Date?

Is 607B.C.E. worthy to be considered as a valid date or not?

For your consideration.

What event marked the beginning of the “gentile times”?



There are several factors that must be scrutinized before one can develop an accurately informed opinion as to whether or not the date 607 B.C.E. is a “valid” date.

The use of the word “valid” is critical of course, because it must first be understood:

Valid of or for what exactly?

What purportedly is supposed to have occurred at that time?

The answer is contained in the Holy Scriptures.

The period of the “gentile times” or  “appointed times of  the nations” is an issue of sovereignty,  kingship, and dominion.

Note Ezekiel 21

English Standard Version

25 “And you, O profane and wicked one, prince of Israel, he whose day has come, it he time of your final punishment, 26 thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low, and bring low that which is exalted. 27 A ruin, ruin, ruin I will make it. This also shall not be, until he comes, the one to whom judgment belongs, and I will give it to him.”

“Remove the turban and remove the crown” is the Scriptural demarcation for the start of this period of gentile domination.

This has nothing to do with the physical destruction of the city of Jerusalem.

The city and Temple both were reconstructed shortly after the exile.

What did not return was the nation’s sovereignty.  From the fall of the last king in the Davidic line until the destruction in 70 C.E. by the Romans, Israel existed as a vassal state to a greater national power. (gentile power)

Logically if it were linked to Jerusalem’s actual destruction which was around 587 B.C.E.  the numbers wouldn’t reconcile.

In 2 Chronicles 36:17-23, Almighty God himself through His prophet, stated that the captivity that would mark the beginning of the gentile time period was to last 70 years.


This event marked the withdrawal of God's sanction of the kingship. This event marked the withdrawal of God’s sanction of the kingship.


New International Version

17 “He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who killed their young men with the sword in the sanctuary, and did not spare young men or young women, the elderly or the infirm. God gave them all into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. 18 He carried to Babylon all the articles from the temple of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the Lord’s temple and the treasures of the king and his officials. 19 They set fire to God’s temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem; they burned all the palaces and destroyed everything of value there.

20 He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his successors until the kingdom of Persia came to power. 21 The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah.

22 In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing:

23 ‘This is what Cyrus king of Persia says:

The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the Lord their God be with them.’”

587 B.C.E., minus the 70 years of captivity period, would produce 517 B.C.E. as the year the release would have to had to occur. But we know for a fact that the captivity ended when King Cyrus conquered Babylon between 539 B.C.E. and 536 B.C.E. This would mean the captivity was only some 50 years long and not the 70 God had pronounced.

Therefore, it is impossible for the destruction of the city of Jerusalem to be the starting point of uninterrupted gentile domination of the Earth.

The gentile times was to be a period during which there would be an absence of a Divinely sanctioned representative of Sovereignty ruling in kingdom of man.

There are indicators that mark when this time period began.


bible-archeology-family-tree-genealogy-josiah-king-Israel-Jehoahaz-Shallum-Jehoiakim-Eliakim-Jehoiachin-Coniah-Jeconiah-Jesus-Christ-Zedekiah-Matteniah-640-587bc



King Josiah was the last faithful king who sat on the throne of his forefather David.

He died about 609 B.C.E. and was succeeded by his son Jehoiakim who reigned between 609 and 598 B.C.E.

Jehoiakim was an unfaithful despot who was overthrown.

The overthrowing of the anointed King of Judah has to be a marking point because “the turban was lifted and the crown removed” from Jehoiakim because of his rebellion against God.

2 Kings chapter 24:1-6 chronicles these events.  Jehoiakim is there described as a “vassal” to the gentile King Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel reports that in third year of Jehoiakim’s reign, Jerusalem came under siege by King Nebuchadnezzar (606/607 B.C.E.)

Daniel 1:1 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it.”

His son Jehoiachin was also wicked. He reigned a brief 3 months and was led off into captivity in shackles to Babylon by the king of the gentiles; well before Jerusalem was destroyed.

As regards his successor Zedekiah, there is a notable sign too about his appointment.

Another apparent marker of Israel’s having been yielded over to continuing gentile domination was the installation of Zedekiah by the gentile King, Nebuchadnezzar.

Wiliam F. Albright dates the start of Zedekiah’s reign to 606 BCE, while E. R. Thiele gives the start in 597 BCE.[1] On that reckoning, Zedekiah was born in c. 627 BCE or 618 BCE, being twenty-one on becoming king. Zedekiah’s reign ended with the siege and fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar II, which both Albright and Thiele agree took place in 586 BCE, though more recent evidence dates the fall of Jerusalem to 587 BCE.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zedekiah

Any of these time frames, place the effects of gentile domination closer to the death of the last faithful King Josiah,the overthrowing and the carrying off into captivity of the last wicked of king to rule officially, Jehoiachin.

This was the period from 609 to 598 B.C.E.

Again, this is a prophecy about sovereignty and sovereignty has to do with kingship and dominion.

Any date suggested should be marked with signs that indicate a change from Divinely consecrated rulership to uninterrupted rulership by gentile nations.

Truthfully, I do not follow how C.T. Russell and the WTS arrived at the date 607 B.C.E. as a legitimate starting point of the gentile times, but the date itself is consistent with the relevant factors marking their begin.

What isn’t accurate is the teaching that Jerusalem was destroyed in 607 B.C.E. and that  the beginning of the appointed times of the nations was linked to that event. (The destruction of the city)


AppleOrange

This is an example of mixing ‘apples’ and ‘oranges’ and causing predictable confusion.

Most people refuse 607 B.C.E. simply because of the false connection to the destruction of Jerusalem. So they hear nothing beyond that error. Oral traditions and not the Holy Scriptures set Jerusalem’s destruction and the desolation as the beginning point the gentile times began. These were effects of that shift that had already been ongoing.

Absent of that, 607 B.C.E. is a year within reason, viable on its own merit.  And, 537 B.CE. + 70 years if captivity equals 607 B.C.E.

Whereas if one claims that the fall of the city of Jerusalem in 587 B.C.E. was the starting point; that will not reconcile with the date Cyrus freed the captives nor did it mark the beginning of gentiles exercising continuing sovereignty over Israel.

The devil knows that all he need do is slightly distort a reality to succeed in misleading.  This is a mixture of truth and falsehood that must be separated; which means it cannot be accepted in whole as valid, but neither should the interpretation in its entirety be rejected.

C.T. Russell was a mixed seed of good and evil personified.  He drank from two different spiritual cups and became a brook babbling both sweet and bitter water. He in turn, produced an organization and a message of like kind.

This operation of error also involves the projected date 1914 C.E.

1914 lunar years (360 days per year) counting down, cannot equal 1914 common era years (365 days per year). 


 




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“Who Really Is The Faithful And Wise Servant?”

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 11, 2020
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment

 

“Who really is the faithful and wise and servant?”

“Who Really Is the Faithful and Wise Servant?” Matthew 24:45

Thus far only the Lord Jesus Christ has been rewarded by God for proving himself as a wise and faithful servant.

Undoubtedly there have been those who, during their lifetimes, have likewise proven faithful. But they lay in death waiting to be rewarded. Christ is the only one who has measured up to the required standard so far. He was judged and approved by his Father upon his resurrection.

When Jesus made the statement recorded at Matthew 24:45, was he speaking of himself and his example?

It seems reasonable to conclude so because it was only Christ whom God appointed over “ALL” of His belongings.

His brothers who would be called to follow the path he set would also have to prove themselves dedicated, competent, and completely faithful.

What is required of a faithful house servant of God?

This servant or ‘steward’ can only be approved (confirmed) after being both trained in priestly service and then thoroughly tested. Jesus has said approval will occur when he returns.

While it is possible to be born in a priestly lineage, one cannot be born a ‘priest’ of God.

To become a priest, a man would have been subjected to thorough instruction and rigorous training by the High Priest.

He must learn and understand the purpose and function of the priesthood, the duties of a priest, and how to carry them out precisely according to directives given by the High Priest.

All Temple priest underwent such training when God established the priesthood in ancient Israel. That Temple arrangement is but a pattern of the one in Heaven. Hebrews 8:25

That all cannot happen in a short period of time. It takes many years of growth and development; development especially of character. It takes many years for a human to become disciplined to strictly adhere to what is required and not be self-willed or arbitrary.

During their training, there is ongoing testing to identify strengths as well as areas in which that priest in training needs to exert more effort.

God does not test with evil. But He did permit Jesus to be exposed to the devil’s test. So too for those who follow.

That is how they are proven “faithful and true” as Jesus was declared at the end of his earthly life.

Since a priest can be called on at any time to perform any of the services in the house, he must be acquainted with all the duties and all of their requirements.

As you consider the question Jesus’ question quoted at Matthew 24, imagine working in a large mansion with many floors, each floor with many rooms.

Ask yourself, to the master of this house who among his servants would be of greatest value in service to him?

It would be the servant who has become the most familiar with the house. The one who knew what should be and what should not be present in the house, exactly where is was located, the various task, and how the various systems function. The most valued house servant is the one most versatile and useful to his master.

Clearly the servant who began his service at the lowest level perhaps even sweeping the basement floor and then over time successively moving up floor by floor while taking on more responsibilities would be of most value.

This servant would have obtained a comprehensive, thorough knowledge and would be more versatile and useful to his master. This one shows proof that they have lent themselves to the masters training and preparation program. They will have also exhibited due diligence and reliability….that they can be trusted.

This servant would have obtained a comprehensive, thorough knowledge and would be more versatile and useful to his master.

No one wants a leader who has never done the job! This kind of leader speaks about what he does not know by experience. Granted, there are many of such so-called leaders in this world. They are not leaders; they are mere taskmasters pushing someone else to do labor.

This is not the example Christ set. There are no such positions in Heaven.

Everyone works in Heaven because our Father and our Lord are workers who continue to keep working and the rest of the House follows their example.

Shaking someone else like a tree and then gathering their fruit is not an offering of your own. We must bear fruit of our own and bring it forth as an offering. We must produce.

Even Christ was not a ‘born’ leader. His father felt it good that He should groom and prepare him to be the Leader of all creation. His role as High Priest is the most critical to the house of God.

High Priest is the Chief Steward of God’s House.

Jesus stressed, “He, who would be greatest in the house of God, would least”, or would be ‘lessor’ before. Luke 9:46-49

At the time of Passover just hours before he was crucified, the Bible states, “He then took a towel, wrapped it around his waist and took a lowly position washing his disciple’s feet”, here setting an example of what he meant. John 13:3-8

Jesus Christ is God’s only approved ‘Faithful and Wise Servant’ who has been consecrated up to this moment and as Head of House he has set this example for any who will to be approved in His Order

He came from the highest possible station under God of his own free will to assume a role in the lowest order of intelligent beings…human and die.

It was a dirty task in the worst of conditions and there was no possibility of coming home alive.

He humbled himself in honor of his father willingly.

His ‘house servants’ that follow must show the same love for God and His house. Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must disown yourself and pick up your cross and follow me. Remember, that that earthly journey ended at Calvary in death.

As Jesus was fulfilling his earthly ministry, he was attentive as well as patient and did not deviate from faithfully following the course God mapped out for him to follow.

He withstood torment from the devil himself and yet he maintained his integrity even to death. His servants also have been being tested by the devil who attempts to break their integrity and they as well may have to die doing so.

It was only after Jesus had completed his earthly ministry and after he had been resurrected that he received the full value of the stewardship God entrusted upon him.

While it is true that he has been blessed with God’s holy spirit from his begetting and he was again at his water baptism. Yet he had to go through a training and confirmation process created and arranged God.

Who really is the “faithful steward” to whom God as entrusted ALL of his belongings?

That is Jesus Christ, for whom God made ALL things as a gift of inheritance and has given him authority over ALL things.

No one lesser than Christ has been given all-encompassing authority over Creation (all of God’s possessions).

The priestly under class of priest who will serve Christ in Heaven will have had to meet the same requirements, be thoroughly tested out over his or her lifetime, and await until after his death on Earth for confirmation as occurred with Jesus our High Priest.

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Creation– Proof There Is A God

Posted by Brother John Jones on August 3, 2020
Posted in: Religion. Leave a comment



Proof of God’s Existence

 



The levels of required proof



Proof

Romans 1:20-21 King James Version (KJV)

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

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Most Bible studiers are very familiar with the words of Scriptural text above. We often observe natural creation around us and clearly see evidence that is all must have had a Maker, a Creator. We see an order that simply could not have arisen of or by itself. That is what the verses quoted above are in essence saying.


Proof of that designed order can be seen at even a deeper level of physical existence. This article will reveal that pattern of order in a way that until recent times could not be fully appreciated.


The two objects to be considered could not be compared until modern technology allowed them to be. And yet, there is a third proof to be added to these two.

From The Macro To The Micro





Above is a pictorial illustration recognizable to be the known pattern of order of the “solar system of planets that the Earth is embedded in.

It has some key distinct features that are also recognizable.

We know that at its center lies the Sun. We know that each planet has a fixed orbit that has been thus far continuous. That each orbit has but one planetary body in it.

As illustrated below, these planetary bodies have sub-planetary bodies that act in conjunction with the planets by orbiting around them.



typical moon orbit



And a closer looks reveals other physical phenomena; comets, asteroids, and gas clouds that are interwoven into the solar system of planets that act in harmony with its workings and preservation.





It is hard to believe that all of this order came from a chaotic, uncontrolled diffusion of matter.

`Order` is a controlled `Effect` that has to have a controlling Causation. Stated simply, `Order`begets `Order`.

Stated simply, `Order`begets `Order`.

There had to be a PRIME MOVER

Those who believe in an uncontrolled ‘big bang’ creation are left to answer, “What or Whom was the prime mover?”. The concept of ‘Order‘ resulting from ‘Random Choas‘ is foreign to real science.

The Solar System is the first “object” of our comparison. And now the second.



Bohr model of the atomic structure at top and bottom. Rutherford model, center



 

At the left, is what is known as the bohr model of the atom (Rutherford model also shown). As with the Solar System of the Sun, it too has some key distinct features that are also recognizable.


First, the nucleus exactly like the Sun is the center mass that the electrons orbit in distinct valence bands. Two planets cannot share the same orbit around the Sun and the same is true of electrons as they orbit the single nucleus.


With the invention of powerful ‘Super Colliders’ like the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) near Geneva, Switzerland (below), gives humans the capability to examine the atom and atomic behavior at an incredible level. Research has revealed much more activity than has been presumed. Atoms are made not only of electrons, protons, and neutrons; but, they are also made of other smaller particles that act in conjunction with or upon the larger ones.

 





The Solar System and the atomic structure compare in ways that could not be the result of a coincidence. One from our vantage point is huge and the other is infinitesimally small. Yet they are the same basic pattern in design.





While explorers have located celestial bodies orbiting other celestial bodies in other regions of the universe, nothing like the highly complex solar system of the Sun has been found. In that regard, it remains totally unique.


This certainly does not fit with what is known about the ‘random drift’ or ‘splay’ of general uncontrolled diffussion. If you were to spray water from your water spray bottle forever, you would not see this phenomena.


There is no rational explanation other than these creations are the result of intelligent creation by a PRIME MOVER.
The Prime Mover who created all things is the One and Only, Almighty God.


And a third proof of fixed order in the universe rather than chaotic diffusion of matter is the fix order of the constellations.


If the universe is the result of some unprovoked mass ejection of matter in a great uncontrolled path of diffusion, then what explains the fact that the constellations, although complex in order, maintain that established order without flying away from one another in varying directions (non pattern-splay)?

Once again, this does not agree with what is known about the behavior of diffusion from a mass uncontrolled ejection of matter into space.


What controls them and what causes them to be bound together?




The Holy Bible points to the only reasonable answer to these questions in Job 38:31-33.:


Job 38:31-32 Good News Translation (GNT);

31 Can you tie the Pleiades together
or loosen the bonds that hold Orion?

32 Can you guide the stars season by season
and direct the Big and the Little Dipper?

33 Do you know the laws that govern the skies,
and can you make them apply to the earth?

Another thing translation expresses it this way:

Job 38:31-32 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

31 Can you fasten the chains of the Pleiades
or loosen the belt of Orion?

32 Can you bring out the constellations[a] in their season
and lead the Bear[b] and her cubs?

33 Do you know the laws of heaven?
Can you impose its authority on earth?


These are the words of the Creator Himself, as He reasons with His servant Job. In fact the entire chapter is Almighty God pointing to proof that there must be a Prime Controller and a Prime Mover of all things. And that is He.


Much of humankind has stubbornly rejected the clear proof of God’s existence for the very reasons stated in the Book of Romans in chapter 1 and verses 21 and 22.


Romans 1:21-22 Good News Translation (GNT)


21 They know God, but they do not give him the honor that belongs to him, nor do they thank him. Instead, their thoughts have become complete nonsense, and their empty minds are filled with darkness.

They say they are wise, but they are fools; (GNT)

The similarity between the pattern of the construction of our solar system and that of the tiny atom, as well as the fixed, unchanging order of the constellations gives ample testimony to the existence of God.

 

Give Him the honor and praise He deserves.




PART TWO



I was taught in public school in 1960 that the solar system is an atomic structure and why.


I was shown diagrams of the solar system and the Bohr model of basic atomic structure side by side as I show in the article ‘Proof’ in an illustration. I was shown diagrams of the solar system and the Bohr model of basic atomic structure side by side as I show in the article ‘Proof’ in an illustration.


Since that time, teaching this truth has disappeared from curriculums and isn’t mentioned anywhere.


It is to cover up flaws in a big bang accidental universe. It cannot explain this order as a result of random diffusion.
The big bang was the only explanation they could think of to explain how the cosmic material got dispersed. But explosion collapse eventually. 
Evidence indicates the opposite is happening to the universe.


Basic physics never entered their minds.


What does physics 101 teach?





“A ball a rest when put in motion”…This is the beginning to understand the concept of how potential energy gets transformed or converted into kinetic energy.


That happens if the ball at rest is set in motion down a potential gradient slope. It falls some distance or height or potential drop.


So, instead of the initial mass at rest exploding, it was send down such a gradient carving it’s own path due to it’s enormous mass and momentum. Imagine a bullet being fired into a wall; a channel is made from motion and mass.


As it traveled down the slope, the friction caused from resistance to it’s forward momentum created a tremendously super-heated plasma cone that separated nuclear bonds and dispersed materials from the mass into it’s wake..the materials that make the physical universe. We are actually following the ball in what it is leaving behind as it continues it’s path forward.


This model explains why the cosmos shows signs of growth the not collapse. It is because the process is ongoing and has no reason to collapse.


The creation was orderly and it produced order. That’s why we behold order.


The big bang was all they could think of. They had a confirmation bias that excluded a truly objective search for truth. Things that disprove it are squelched and covered up.

The ‘Firmament’ and ‘Space’



Hebrew concept of the firmament above creation



Firmament is a descriptive word of Hebrew origin.


The Hebrew word for this is raqia (pronounced ra-KEE-ah). Biblical scholars understand the raqia to be a solid dome-like structure.


The Big Bang theory offers no explanation for how the space was created for an explosion to occur. How was the space produced and what is it contained within? According to the big bang approach, there is endless open space out there.


But remember, before anything occured the great mass sat at rest. It must have rested on a platform of greater strength of material in order for its weight to rest upon it. Therefore, not all is empty space. There must be a firmament above.


Examining a natural physics approach, the initial mass set in motion down a gradient would create a firmament, a substrate in a semi-softer material (similar to carbon or graphite but extremely densely dark matter) and leave substantial residual dust and debris from the carving.

That dust and debris are both heavy and they effect the disposition and placement of materials along the slope.


As it falls it creates a cascading carpet effect with internal eddies, vortexes, and depressions creating an internal ‘ripple’ effect down slope.


Motion is the ‘start up’ to energy conversion as physics 101 teaches us. And yet, it never entered the minds of scientist to put ‘motion’ into their calculus. Perhaps because ‘initial motion’ necessitates a ‘Prime Mover’ or Master Controller.

Albert Einstein’s theory regarding a “time/space continuum in operation in the universe involves a constant, (k) which is equal to ‘the angle of some fixed slope’.

Fluid dynamics play a key role in the perpetual motion of the cosmos making a time/space continuum possible.

The cascading residual dust plus the angle of slope are key how the universe is laid out like a carpet and provides a stream and direction for “time/space” to flow. It is the same principle of a stream water running continuously down a mountain side.


The Big Bang theory offers no fixed slope for a time/space continuum to exist. The explosion would propel materials in all possible directions. There would be no fixed slope and yet their diagrams mysteriously create one. Also an explosion will separate physical structures but will not separate atomic bonds or structures.



The Big Bang theory offers no fixed slope for a time/space continuum to exist. The explosion would propel materials in all possible directions. There would be no fixed slope and yet their diagrams mysteriously create one. Also an explosion will separate physical structures but will not separate atomic bonds or structures.




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Should Christ Be ‘Worshipped’? If So, In What Way?

Posted by Brother John Jones on April 27, 2019
Posted in: Religion. Tagged: Antichrist, honoring Christ, Worship. 2 Comments


Submit to and do obeisance before the “Lord of Lords and the King of Kings



Should Christ Be ‘Worshipped’?

What does the Bible have to say about the matter?

If Christ is to be ‘worshipped’, then how so?

The word ‘worship’ is a translation of the Greek word ‘proskuneo‘ or ‘proskunhsei‘.

Paying ‘obeisance‘ is worshipful honor and respect. It is not in rivalry with worship of God but relative to it and for Christians, in conjunction with the worship of God.

Here is the definition of obeisance according to the Cambridge dictionary:

noun. a movement of the body expressing deep respect or deferential courtesy, as before a superior; a bow, curtsy, or other similar gesture. deference or homage: example: The nobles gave obeisance to the new king.

Hebrews 1:6 tells us it by the Father’s command that all the angels “worship” His “first-begotten”, Christ.

“And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship (proskunhsatwsan) him”.

Note too what Jesus said about his faithful brothers at the time of the End:

Revelation 3:9

“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship (proskunhsousin) before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee”.

Of course Jesus was not saying that they would be ‘worshipped‘ as we worship the Father. So, he is not contradicting the statement he made to Satan when being tempted by the devil:

Luke 4:8

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship (proskunhseis) the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve”.

Here the same Greek root word, ‘proskuneo‘ and ‘proskunhsei‘ is used as found at Hebrews 1:6 (proskunhsatwsan) and Revelation 3:9 (proskunhsousin).

Christ as both High Priest and as King is worthy of worshipful acts of obeisance because God glorified him to be worthy of such. As Hebrews 1:6 clearly states, it is God’s command. The command is not only for the angels in Heaven but applies to humans as well.

There is a difference between worshipful acts of obeisance honoring our Lord and the worship we on render exclusively to God Almighty.


Those Who Refuse to Give Proper Honor to Christ

Jesus said, “You will tell a tree by the fruit it bears”. Conversely it stands to reason that you can also tell about a “tree” by the absence of “fruit”.

This is the lesson found at Mark 11:12-14: ‘The Barren Fig Tree Is Cursed’

12 The next day when they came out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 After seeing in the distance a fig tree with leaves, He went to find out if there was anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples heard it. (HCSB)

“Jehovah’s Witnesses” are among many other professed groups of disciples of Jesus who have all but omitted Jesus from their teaching. They talk around Christ if they even mention him at all.

They bear a type of “fruit” that glorifies others….organizations and men such as Charles T. Russell, J. F. Rutherford, and the man behind the men Frederick Franz. Doing so, they have no “fruit” with respect to Jesus and are “barren” trees according to the Lord.

The Organization and its leaders have become their own attempted intermediary with God in the absence of Christ.

Jesus told the outcome of such barren trees: Matthew 7:15-20

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit”.

Those who attempt to worship God without Christ are ‘antichrist’. Antichrist is simply anyone or anything in opposition to the authority of Christ. Who were the antichrist when Jesus was on Earth? They were those who rejected him and sought salvation through another source…the Jewish State. Today that particular ‘antichrist’ is still in operation. In addition there have over the centuries arisen other antichrist.

Almighty God put Jesus Christ in the position of High Priest. Therefore there is but one means to approach God and that is through Jesus. No more than could a person approach the earthly temple of God and offer a sacrifice without the high priest positioned as the intermediary, can one approach God without doing so through Christ the eternal High Priest of God.



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FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH SATAN’S LABYRINTH

Posted by Brother John Jones on April 19, 2019
Posted in: Antichrist, Babylon, Babylonian confusion, Bible Standards, false prophet, God and Christ, governing body, Heaven, Jehovah, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus, logic, pure religion, Religion, the great harlot, tower of babel. Tagged: Babylonian confusion, Book of Revelation, faithful servant, false prophet, Jehovah's Witnesses, Watchtower Organization. Leave a comment

 



“But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil”



Why sharpen your reasoning abilities now?

When you hear the words ‘Reason’ and ‘Logic’, what do you think?

Some people immediately are put off by the suggestion that we need to logically reason on matters. They somehow view logic as something foreign to “spirituality’.

The Bible teaches that God Almighty is a ‘God of Reason’. He is the One that designed us to have the capability to reason. Why would He create us with this ability if we were not to be expected to use it?

“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;”

1 Peter 3:15

How can a person make a defense of their Christian faith unless they have based their faith on clear evidence and have reasoned on that evidence?

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.”

Isaiah 1:18

Almighty God himself encourages reasoning; even reasoning with Him. God certainly does not discourage a person from using the power of reason.

“Put Me in remembrance, let us argue our case together; State your cause, that you may be proved right.”

Isaiah 43:26

Our beliefs should be tested. God challenges to us to “state our cause” and defend it.

“Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.”

Acts 17:1-3

The earliest disciples of Jesus Christ reasoned with those they preached to, “giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead”. Evidence is found by ‘reasoning’ on facts.

“When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.”

1 Corinthians 13:11

Paul was not satisfied with his current state of personal and spiritual growth and continued to advance through life in personal and spiritual growth. He no longer continued, to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55:8-9

Since God’s thoughts are “higher” than our thoughts, it should be obvious that we need to sharpen what reasoning ability we do have, in order to appreciate the higher and more lofty thoughts of God.

“For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,”

Romans 2:14-15

Using the Holy Bible as a ‘test rod’ to determine whether our thoughts and behaviors are consistent with the will of God or they are not, will either defend our spiritual stance or condemn it. The above Scripture also points out that reason affects everyone’s life; including the unbeliever.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool. “If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;” Isaiah 1:18-19

Here is a clear invitation by God to reason. Not just to ‘reason’; but to reason with Him.



‘mixing’ and ‘confusion’ are hallmark characteristics associated with Babylon



 

Babylonian Traits of Behavior

When examining the pattern of ancient Babylon and then comparing the traits found in modern “Babylon the Great”, the subject of ‘reason’ plays a significant role.

God put the workers of the Tower of Babel into a ‘confused’ state to break up their works and scatter them. Since they were no longer able to converse because their languages had been confused, they could not continue their plan. They were unable to ‘reason’ with one another.

God caused Nebuchaneezzar to think like an unreasoning beast

Later in Daniel’s time, God caused King Nebuchadnezzar to go and live as the ‘unreasoning’ beast of the fields for 7 years.

He exhibited the behaviors of like a ‘wild beast’ and he thought unreasonably.

Today, we see humankind on a grand scale behaving in a confused, unreasoning manner. They think and act as the unreasoning wild beast do. What occurred at the Tower of Babel and what occurred to Nebuchadnezzar is now happening to all who remain under a demonic spell that the devil has cast.

Many will claim that they have ‘escaped’ “Babylon the Great”. But reason says that that cannot be true. While many have escaped the clutches of false worship, they have not escaped the global-reach of Satan’s influence. His influence effects more than organized religion. Babylon the Great is a ‘world empire’ just a the nation of Babylon was.

It was not until King Cyrus came and overthrew the Babylonians that the captives were freed.

There is a big distinction between being ‘free’ from the corruption of the devil’s empire by “not touching the unclean thing”, and being out from under its global influence and its ability to affect you.

So, we remain physical captives of Satan’s global empire until the time the “Greater Cyrus” who is the resurrected, glorified Jesus Christ comes and breaks forever the Babylonian yoke of slavery.

A person cannot simply ‘walk’ out of “Babylon the Great” any more than one could simply walk out of Babylon. One cannot just simply, “get away”. Was that to be expected then? Think of Jesus words in the Revelation He gave to John.

In the vision Christ Jesus gave to John that is recorded as the Book of Revelation, it opens by stating that John was by Spirit, “put into seeing symbolic events that referred to the Day of the Lord, the Day of his Second Coming, the Last Days.

Revelation chapter 2

9 “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation, kingdom, and endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of God’s word and the testimony about Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet 11 saying, “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea.”

So those involved in this messages Christ is giving are souls alive at this time. And also given that these are messages to the “angels” of the churches, then the condition apply to these body members of the church.

In His words to the church in Pergamum, Jesus describes their environment and their current living circumstances clearly.

Revelation chapter 2:

12 “Write to the angel of the church in Pergamum:

“The One who has the sharp, double-edged sword says: 13 I know where you live—where Satan’s throne is! And you are holding on to My name and did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of Antipas, My faithful witness who was killed among you, where Satan lives.”

The Lord indicates an ongoing struggle against ungodly thinking and behavior in an extremely vulnerable proximity to the center of the devil’s operation. He did not instruct them to move somewhere else. Being under the dominance and control of the city-state world empire Babylon did not require one to be within the city’s ‘official’ walls where the throne of the king was. Being near the devil’s center of activity is no different from being on the far-flung edges of his empire Babylon the Great.


‘Babylon the Great’, the Demon-Controlled World Empire

Satan is the ruler of the present global system

3 But if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case, the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4

Babylon the Great is a pervasive demon-inspired Global Culture. This demon-controlled World Empire controls governmental authority, exchange of goods, and set the ethical/moral/social norms.

That power continues to exist and exert itself on ALL of humankind. A key to it’s powerful hold is the element of ‘Blackmail’.

This scenario is well depicted in the Book of Revelation and it is quite recognizable. It is significant as its pattern is followed through, being acted out in the social behavior of human beings.

This form of ‘enslavement’ (the wild beast is enslaved to the harlot against its own will) exist throughout the world from top highest governmental relationships all the way through society to relationships among individual family members in the confined quarters of a single home. The whole world lies in the power of the “wicked one”.

The snare of entrapment centers on personal desire for immoral things and then the desire to hide one’s complicity (sin) so as not to suffer loss.

A person then falls into a baited trap: seduction, compromised interest, secrets that must remain secrets, and blackmailed into submission.

Ask: How does a prostitute gain control over a powerful man? Answer: blackmailed by all the “disgusting things” in her cup.

She holds these secret liaisons over the heads of the kings of the earth and then blackmail them into obedience.

As you look at the illustration, try to appreciate how pervasive and manipulative this wicked spirit has been and how widely blackmail is practiced today over millions, controlling great masses of people.

Surely, the wild beast has great cause to hate the mysterious Great Harlot that sits astride it’s back.

 

 


The “Wormwood” Effect

Wormwood is a result of mixing pure water (truth) with poison (lie). That is a process of adding something to something else.

The pure water is the knowledge from God received from accepting the Holy Scriptures as written. Drinking this knowledge itself requires no special powers of discernment. It only requires acceptance of what is written.

Wormwood is the adding of spurious teachings that distort the pattern of teachings one learns from reading God’s word the Bible. It results in a mixed ‘cup’ of knowledge.

Wormwood applies much more broadly than religious/specific teachings. Wormwood poisoning can be seen in all social settings humans engage in. The lacing of truth with lie is found everywhere.

The best admonition is that each person individually, pay attention to the ‘water source’ they are drinking from.

The pure knowledge of God will not make you doubt or be confused.

This poison water flows from out of the demonic kingdom of confusion, Babylon. Its purpose is to make a person question their own perception of reality and the foundation of their faith. Its purpose is to cause doubt, unsurety, and indecisiveness.

Two books offer the Watchtower’s most in-depth considerations of its interpretation of the Book of Revelation. These are “Babylon the Great has Fallen, God’s Kingdom Rules” and “Revelation-The Grand Climax is at Hand!”.



Watchtower study publications



The Identity of “Babylon the Great”

The identity and scope of “Babylon the Great” is being revealed as the unfolding of events and circumstance reveal it. The word ‘revelation’ literally infers an unfolding exposé.

What was once considered to be correct conclusions of Babylon the Greats’ identity and nature must now be reconsidered.

As a child studying the “Babylon the Great has Fallen” book (mid 1960’s), I wondered how man could get rid of all religious worship in opposition to the true God. It was taught for decades that the United Nations was the “wild beast” in the Revelation to John and it would destroy all false worship.

I could not imagine how a group of humans could possibly accomplish this feat and how long it would take them to do it.

How do you destroy false religion without destroying the people who practice it? False worship isn’t buildings like cathedrals. It’s people and their practices.

It would require a house by house search of the entire world!

Much religious is secretive and not practiced in open sight. As the Bible testifies, people have gone to great lengths to practice pagan rituals. They did so from roof tops to remote sites in the woods according to Scripture.

Recall that in early human history it was customary for individuals to keep personal idols to false gods upon their person and in their homes.

Think of what that would take to stop false worship globally. False worship is practiced in every inhabited place on earth!

The belief Jehovah’s Witnesses have that all false worship will be destroyed before the end comes, is based on the phrase they have heard repeated over and over again in their publications and talks: “Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion”.

This statement cannot be found in Scripture and makes Babylon the Great synonymous to and limited to organized false religious worship.

Given that mankind is on the brink of self-destruction, the vastness of the task of stopping false worship, and the time it would take to accomplish this feat if even possible…it seems quite implausible.

After the “beast” has turned upon it’s rider the Great Harlot, those remaining will still be worshiping the chief demon and his demon angels. This attack results only in a change in the hierarchy of demon authority and it’s control structure. Satan’s system is based on competition and a pyramidal scramble to it’s top.

In the Revelation, the dragon (Satan) gives his power to the beast and it this beast that is the object of worship.

4 They worshiped the dragon because he gave authority to the beast. And they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to wage war against him?” Revelation 13:4

It is not the rider, the Great Whore, who is the object of worship.

Since the beast has the power, the question arises: How does the harlot who sits astride the beast maintain control over it; the beast being more powerful?

It is by seduction, secrets, and blackmail.

So long as the demons are in power there will continue to be ‘false worship’.

That will not end until our Messiah, Jesus Christ, returns and cast the demons out of this realm of existence.

It would be good to re-examine your thoughts on this matter.


Failure to Grasp the Understanding of End Time Prophecy

You may be familiar with the Watchtower publication, “Revelation, Its Grand Climax At Hand!”. It was first published in 1984 and was offered to the public, as well as used as an internal study tool for over 20 years.

This book was being studied by Jehovah’s Witnesses in their weekly book study (book study is their choice of words) up until as recently as the year 2007.

So, attempting to prognosticate Biblical prophecy by the Watchtower is not something in the distant past as they are now claiming. They are simply attempting to cover over their past.

If you can obtain a copy of this book, you will probably be amazed at some of Watchtower’s interpretation of the Book of Revelation and its fulfillment.

Who are the “locust” mentioned in Revelation 9?

An example would be the interpretation of Revelation chapter 9 concerning the “locust” released from the abyss by a “falling star” or fallen angel (see Revelation 9:1).

“And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”
Revelation 9:3

The Watchtower Society teaches that the locust described in Revelation chapter 9, were their spiritual leaders in 1919 A.D.

(See “Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand!” pages 143-154)

Revelation 9:1 tells us that the locust were released by a “falling star” or a fallen angel. So, they are attributing their rescue from an “abyss of spiritual inactivity” in 1919 to a demon.

The locust were permitted to torment only those that did not have the “seal of the living God.”

If these locusts really pictured the anointed brothers of Christ, they would not have had to be instructed not to “harm” one another?

Fooled by as John puts it, “what ‘seemed’ to be gold crowns on their heads, the Watchtower leaders have assumed that the locust must be righteous. They saw these as the kingly crowns to be yet granted to the elect. (page 146)

They have based interpretations of Revelation chapter 9 on what is written later in Revelation chapter 20. That is a huge mistake. In Revelation 20, the circumstances have changed.

Revelation 20:1 refers to a later time when another angel is seen “coming down (not falling down) holding in his hand the key to the abyss”. At this time, that authority will have been returned to the One that has been given authority over all things at the End.

They teach that this latter angel is the same angel who has authority over the abyss in Chapter 9 (Abaddon, “The Destroyer”). That is an assumption.

Revelation chapter 9 is about fallen angels, jurisdictions under their control, and demonic activities. It has nothing at all to do with righteous activities direct by Christ.

Who are the Locust? What do They Do?

As noted in reading, Revelation chapter 9 foretells of the unleashing on humankind of ‘locust’ by a fallen angel called “the Destroyer”.

These demon spirits have been unleashed and they orchestrate anarchy by permitting people and groups of people to act out in anti-social, disruptive behaviors.

This is occurring on a global scale.

Today the grossly mentally ill wander the streets of community behaving in both bizarre and socially disruptive manners. Yet it is tolerated. Why? It is to plague and torment human society.

Criminals dangerous to society at large are released from prison unreformed back into communities. Yet it is tolerated. Plagued severely as the Revelation to John foretold, yet they refuse to repent and turn away from worshipping demons. Yet it is tolerated. Why? Again, it is to plague and torment human society.

It is obvious to most reasoning people that to allow these things is causing social disruption and dysfunction…the goal of anarchist. Their intent is to destroy the social fabric of humanity as Satan’s goal is to disrupt and destroy the fabric of creation.

Have they (the Watchtower Organization) been guided by ‘true’ spiritual light shed by Christ? Evidently not. He would not have led them to confusion and unholy acts.

Progressive understanding is much like a vision-scene that is crystallizing.

Increasing light as the day advances clarifies a dull image. What is in darkness appearing unclear, becomes solidly distinguishable in brighter light.

Example: If someone appears to be Abraham Lincoln in low light, bright light should not reveal that it was Donald Duck all along that they were looking at!

Increased understanding is not a totally new understanding.

When your views/beliefs morph into something different, that isn’t the light getting brighter at all; that is a change to something else unlike what you saw at first.

However this is the reasoning the Watchtower’s defenders use; which is the so-called reasoning used by all false prophets when their predictions fail to materialize.

Is the Bible all symbolism?


The Literal vs the Symbolic:

Is Armageddon a Real War?

Armageddon is God’s Holy war of Divine intervention into this realm. It is a supernatural event. Holy Scripture calls it, “the Great Day of God the Almighty”. Note Psalm 2:2

“The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers take counsel together
against the LORD and against his Messiah.”
(Psalm 2:2)

This war is wage by spirit creatures against real creatures (angels) cast from that supernatural dimension of creation, Heaven and these fallen angel’s human subjects.

Armageddon is a war to rid creation of these creatures and their seed in fleshly, human form.

Falsely defining the nature of the “Great war of God the Almighty” as an internal struggle among elements currently present in this realm, denies the necessity of Divine intervention to overthrow the devil. It also denies the need for Jesus, who is also real and not symbolic, to come and set creation free.

Ask yourself: At the end of what you see and have defined Armageddon to be, where will Satan and his demons be standing?

How and at what point are these wicked angels fought against and conquered literally?

Symbolic speech is used to describe ‘real’ things. Symbolic speech is not for the purpose of creating more symbolism. At what point does one understand and accept what the Bible says literally?

The ongoing spiritual struggle is preliminary to battle of Armageddon and cannot bring what only Christ can bring by fighting and winning.

The demons desire that those seeking to follow the will of God to be unsure, doubtful and confused. The Bible warns to not be turned aside by some ‘new’ teaching or interpretation. But we are to keep with the true gospel that we received by Spirit at the first.

How many of us were taught or have believed that Armageddon is anything other than described in the Bible and here?

The devil and his fellow fallen angels were ousted from Heaven as a result of war. They had to be thrown out.

They are not liking to surrender or go quietly from this realm either; especially knowing what their final destiny to be.

Armageddon is a war involving real spirit creatures, angels, in real combat. It is not symbolic of something occurring internally amongst the affairs of man and it is not a war of words among human beings as some are teaching. It is not telling of truth to conquer lies.

Wormwood affects ALL available knowledge and it is not limited to religious matters alone.


Struggling Against Demonic Attacks and Demonic Influences

 





At this time just before the conclusion of the system of things, the chosen children of God are under extreme harassment by the chief demon, Satan the devil (Daniel 7:25). As the prophet Daniel saw, he would orchestrate events in such a way as to confuse and disorient the chosen ones so that they would not be perceptive as to where they stand in the stream of events and times according to God. That prophecy assures that he would have certain success in doing so for a period. But not for the complete period as it would be cut short and interrupted.

These things are concerning the last days or the conclusion of the system of things. That is borne out by the words of the following verses that could only pertain to the end times:

“He will speak words against the Most High and oppress the holy ones of the Most High. He will intend to change religious festivals and laws, and the holy ones will be handed over to him for a time, times, and half a time.

But the court will convene, and his dominion will be taken away, to be completely destroyed forever.

The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’

“This is the end of the interpretation. As for me, Daniel, my thoughts terrified me greatly, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself.” Daniel 7:25-28 HCSB

Satan’s deception is fully at work now and explains the many competing opinions of where we stand in conjunction with the End. Most people have either been waiting so long that they are unsure why things are “delaying”. While others have convinced themselves by their own observations that this or that needs to occur, so it couldn’t be now.

The Lord will catch them because it was that they relied on their own perceptive powers. They are inattentive and will be caught asleep. But God’s children are not like these.

Added to this are the torments that this wicked world inflicts on all who will not conform and submit to it and the devil.

The artifacts of the occult and demonology are embedded or emblazoned everywhere one can see. They are on all the high places as much today as they were in ancient times. Many items people innocently purchase or possess are branded with symbols related to the worship of false gods. There is a current U.S. television series that portrays the Nephilim as “victims”… as fallen angels who want to be “righteous” but the holy angels are hunting them down. So that the bad becomes good and what is Holy and righteous is cast as bad. This is purely debased and demonic reasoning.

There is a significant trend of mother’s instilling thoughts and teachings of witchcraft and homosexuality in the minds of children at a very early age. It is a type of programming or conditioning to ensure they develop these traits. It is a sort of ‘social engineering’.

Witchcraft has become socially acceptable entertainment under sleek packaging like “Harry Potter” which is ladened down with demon iconography. This book is a witchcraft ‘How To’ guide.

We do indeed have a wrestling not against blood and flesh but we are at war with wicked spirit creatures in heavenly place; there they remain unseen harassing God’s true servants. Nimrod was a hunter of men. They hunt like Nimrod all the loyal ones. They possess Nimrod’s spirit; which is the spirit of the Devil.

The fallen angels, have existed from before the beginning of human history. They just find and use different bodies to inhabit along the course of time.

 

“When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it roams through waterless places looking for rest but doesn’t find any. 44 Then it says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ And returning, it finds the house vacant, swept, and put in order. 45 Then off it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that man’s last condition is worse than the first. That’s how it will also be with this evil generation.”

Matthew 12:43-45

You have brothers and sisters who are currently engaged in this struggle as the Devil more than anything else wants to corrupt the elect ones who have been chosen.

I ask that you include in your prayers your brothers and sisters who are involved in an intense struggle with wicked people and wicked angels in unseen places. Pray that they keep faithful and mindful that they fully discharge their obligation unto the Master, Lord Jesus Christ. And pray for yourself as well that you may not be seduced as Paul said.

“But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure devotion to Christ”.

2 Corinthians 11:3

The combination of events that are now occurring should be enough let you to know what time it is and that NOW is the time.

May our Father’s grace and blessings flow to both of you and may Lord Jesus be your constant guide.

In Romans chapter 1, Paul explains why people act in ungodly ways. It is because they desire ungodliness. Paul states that God yielded them over to the spirit they were following. Paul details how both their thoughts and their behaviors would stink deeper and deeper into mental and spiritual darkness and unreasonabilty.

Jude 10 puts it this way,

“But these men revile (scoff and sneer at) anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand physically [that which they know by mere instinct], like irrational beasts—by these they corrupt themselves and are destroyed (perish).” AMP

‘Unreasoning’ and ‘Confusion’ are traits associated with Babylon from the time of the tower build to the time of Nebuchadnezzer to this very day.

Hebrews 5:14:

“But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil”. (HCSB)



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The Cross And The Crown Symbol-Do you know its origin?

Posted by Brother John Jones on April 17, 2019
Posted in: Religion. 2 Comments




The following is a brief article that explains the origin of the cross/crown symbol. It is not a consideration of the ‘cross’ nor of ‘crowns’; but of this particular symbol depicting a gold prince’s crown hung over a cross (red in particular)

Many have quickly embraced these symbols only seeing a cross and a crown and assumed that these must be in honor of Christ. Many who desire to be identified as Christian disciples use these symbols as depicted in the illustration as a cover photo on their Facebook pages without fully knowing their origin.

 

MASONIC AND EASTERN STAR SYMBOLS by Ray Denslow

One Masonic symbol that appears to be Christian is the cross and the crown emblem. However, this is not the case.

Masonic author, Ray Denslow, reveals:

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR

“The Cross and Crown may be said to be confined almost exclusively to the historical degrees in Masonry as exemplified in the various orders of knighthood of York and Scottish rites. In Gaul we find the cross to have been a solar symbol when it had equal arms and angles; to the Phoenicians it was an instrument of sacrifice to their God, Baal; and to the Egyptians, the crux ansata was his symbol of eternal life.”’

In The Masonic Report we find more about this emblem:

“Question: What does Masonry’s emblem of the ’Cross and Crown’ actually symbolize?

“Answer: The ’Cross’ of Freemasonry is a philosophic- al cross, according to Albert Pike, ’Morals and Dogma,’ p. 771. It is philosophical in the sense that it represents the generating fecundating principle by the perpendicular shaft, and the matrix or womb of nature, the female producing principle. by the horizontal shaft. The philosophy of the Masonic cross is totally phallic.

“The ’Crown’ of this Masonic emblems is also phallic, it being the first emanation of the Cabalistic Sephiroth….”

A former Mason also explains:

“The other York Rite jewelry you may see is the Templar symbol….It is a large Maltese cross with a circle in the center. Inside the circle is a red Latin cross within a crown. Around the arms of the cross is the Commandery motto, ’In Hoc Signo Vinces.’ (In this sign, conquer!)

“Although this may seem harmless enough, the motto is originally attributed to the emperor Constantine, who used it in conjunction with a supposedly heavenly vision to begin the subversion and politicization of Biblical Christianity into the false, apostate Alexandrian cult….

“A similar shell game is played with the word ’sign.’… The sign Constantine referred to was NOT a Christian cross, but a kind of ’X’ which had both Christian and pagan associations. In modern magic, it is the sign of the slain and risen Egyptian god, Osiris (another version of the ’slain and risen’ Hiram Abif).

Again Masonry has downgraded Jesus and replaced Him with its own ‘christ’.”

Two other groups (both with Masonic connections) use the cross and crown. Charles Taze Russell was a Mason who started the Jehovah Witnesses.’4’ He used the red cross and other distinctive features of the Knights Templar logo.’”

He also used the Masonic symbol of the winged sun-disk with snakes and he is ”buried in a pyramid with masonic symbols on its capstone.”

The other group that uses the cross and crown emblem is Christian Science. This group was founded by Mary Baker Eddy in Massachusetts but Mason Henry Steele Olcott, who was co- founder of the Theosophical Society with Helena Petrovna Blavatsky,’” was an associate of Mary Baker Eddy.’”

Some Eddy Brothers held seances and it was at these seances that Blavatsky met Col. Henry Steele Olcott.’” Mary Baker Eddy herself had married a Mason and this was the only secret society which she allowed other Christian Science members to join.’” She even had some of her material published in the Freemason’s Monthly Magazine. ”4 Several people connected with Christian Science such as directors and board members and a number of the editors of The Christian Science Monitor were Masons.’” Even the presidents of the Mother Church in 1922-23 and 1923-24 were Masons.’”

Reference:

http://www.despatch.cth.com.au/Misc/LahayMasonic.htm

Jesus forwarned:

“False messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Matthew 24:24


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The Revealing Of the Lawless One- The Antichrist

Posted by Brother John Jones on March 25, 2019
Posted in: apostasy, Babylonian confusion, Bible Standards, Christian-Zionism, faith, false prophet, man of lawlessness, pure religion, Religion, religion. Leave a comment


Antichrist Opposition To The Only True Messiah



2 Thessalonians 2:1-4

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him: We ask you, brothers, 2 not to be easily upset in mind or troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter as if from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. 4 He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God.”

 

The following article puts the ‘Interfaith Movement’ and ‘Christian Zionism’ ambitions and motivations into Biblical and historical context. As you read, reflect on what opposition the Lord Jesus and his first century disciples encountered.

What Is Antichrist?

Antichrist is that which is opposed to the complete acceptance of Jesus Christ as the only Messiah sent by God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Antichrist pose an ‘alternative’ means of salvation contrary to complete faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Christian Zionism and the Interfaith Movement is the modern-day antichrist.


The Interfaith Movement and Christian Zionism

It’s one of the most successful, and in some ways unlikely, interfaith movements in the modern world

On 23 June 1969, at the Midtown Manhattan headquarters of the American Jewish Committee, the evangelist Billy Graham met with two dozen rabbis and Jewish leaders. According to one rabbi, the meeting was to allow Graham to convey ‘the need for dialogue and communication’ between American evangelicals and American Jews, and to find common ground by explaining ‘his relationship with Israel’. It was a pivotal moment in the American Jewish and evangelical Protestant interfaith relationship.

Though some of the Jewish leaders were wary of the ‘wild raving fundamentalist’, Graham won them over. He cited the Hebrew Scriptures, or Old Testament, to describe his understanding of God’s covenant with the Jewish people, and explained his support for Israel as recompense for past Christian anti-Judaism. ‘All Christians are guilty as far as Jewish experience was concerned,’ he said. Graham also spoke of his conversations with the Israeli prime minister Golda Meir, and assured American Jewish leaders that the United States’ president Richard Nixon was ‘extremely sympathetic’ to Israel.

Today, for many evangelicals, Christian Zionism is no mere side issue. They believe that they are not only correcting the ancient injustice of anti-Semitism, but contributing to the salvation of the world and the completion of God’s redemptive plans. It is, for many, the metanarrative that makes sense of the biblical drama and current events, and provides a road map for the future.

That 1969 meeting contained all the essential elements characterising the exceptional support that evangelical Protestants in the US give to the state of Israel. The spirit of this meeting has since been replicated dozens of times. Graham weaved an evangelical reading of the Bible, a deep-seated longing to aid Israel, and the self-interested power calculations of both communities into a language of interfaith rapprochement and shared Jewish-Christian interests. His Jewish colleagues, concerned about the future of Israel, and cognizant of the evangelicals’ influence, were eager to create new lines of cooperation.

Pressed on theology, Graham would have affirmed his commitment to the exclusive truth claims of Christianity, while the American Jewish leaders undoubtedly retained their own theological exclusivity. Still, their peculiar set of shared interests led to a powerful and lasting partnership. Their alliance is one of the most notable instances of interfaith cooperation in recent history.

In the wake of Europe’s religious wars, exclusive claims to religious truth – ‘theological intolerance’, as Jean-Jacques Rousseau called them in The Social Contract (1762) – grew to be seen as an impediment to civil relations. ‘It is impossible to live at peace with those we regard as damned,’ wrote Rousseau, ‘to love them would be to hate God who punishes them: we positively must either reclaim or torment them.’ But the alliance of American evangelicals and American Jews proves that Rousseau’s dictum is not necessarily true.

Close to 50 years after that meeting, evangelicals and Jews remain at loggerheads on most theological and cultural issues. In the face of these vast differences, they have managed to unite – in ever closer cooperation – over support for Israel. No individual has inherited Graham’s stature atop American evangelicalism, and his multiple successors do not share uniform attitudes toward Israel. But many of them lead influential Christian Zionist organisations that constitute one of the most successful single-issue movements in modern US politics.

Christian Zionists have achieved exceptional unity and influence on support for Israel, using a sophisticated combination of religious, historical and political components. They emphasise a potent type of interfaith engagement that elevates biblical covenantal language, and offer a sanitized version of the Jewish-Christian past, yet also orient their work toward the pragmatic goal of increasing political influence.

Interfaith cooperation is a liberal ideal: the world can be a better place if different religions work together.

Understanding Christian Zionism as an important instance of interfaith cooperation helps us understand the powerful ways in which it has shaped not only relationships between Jews and Christians but the identity of American evangelicals.

Interfaith cooperation is at least as old as Moses’ flight to Midian, when he took refuge from his Egyptian pursuers with Jethro, a priest of an unknown religion, who became his father-in-law. Yet the mere fact of people of different religions working together is not the essence of interfaith cooperation. The term is a modern one, and its meaning is found in the 20th century.

Liberal ideas of interfaith cooperation lionize progressive values, expand tolerance, and help to build more democratic civil societies. And interfaith cooperation is a liberal ideal. From the British writer Karen Armstrong to the American campaigner Eboo Patel, its proponents claim that individuals and communities of different religious backgrounds will make the world a better place if they cooperate and work together.

Nonprofits such as Patel’s Interfaith Youth Core in Chicago and the World Faiths Development Dialogue in Washington, DC offer many historical examples of interfaith cooperation, and they’re always progressive. These include the civil rights partnership between Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, and the collaboration between Mohandas Gandhi and Bacha Khan in the movement for Indian independence. Sometimes, proponents reach back further, to the cooperative culture of Al-Andalus in medieval Spain and the enlightened reign of Akbar the Great of the Mughal Empire. These examples stand for more peaceful cohabitation, more equality, more happiness, more justice, and more civilisation.

But Christian Zionism rejects progressive ideals and embraces a very different understanding of the world. That’s why it’s seen – by mostly liberal social scientists and journalists – not as a pioneer in interfaith cooperation but as an apocalyptic movement, a Right-wing political grouping, or even a neocolonial venture. To be sure, these analyses offer useful insights, but as a movement of Christians seeking cooperation with Jews, Christian Zionism also represents one of recent history’s most important interfaith cases.

Christian Zionists are seeking to enact what they consider the values of Jewish-Christian cooperation in political and religious terms. Starting with a specific political issue – the wellbeing of Israel – Christian Zionism structures the interfaith relationship in its service. The movement is built to make the case that this goal is vital to evangelical Christians and their identity.

Christian Zionism projects a specific vision of God’s covenantal guarantees and their eschatological fulfilment. In short, it makes God’s promises and their scope more certain, more selective, more exclusive in understanding God’s dealings with humanity. This specificity sets Christian Zionism apart from other interfaith movements, and goes far in explaining its affinity to a certain understanding of Jewish identity.

The issue in which this specificity pays interfaith dividends is in securing Jewish possession of Israel’s covenanted land. The ‘land’ consists of the sites of biblical history and the biblically mandated borders that God in Genesis grants to Israel’s patriarchs. For Christian Zionists, these make up the ideal borders of the state of Israel and include the contested West Bank.

It’s key that US evangelicals’ political Zionism took shape after the Arab-Israeli War of June 1967. This timing meant that, post-1967, evangelical understandings of Israel became preoccupied with its sovereignty over the covenanted land. In the wake of that war, which saw Israel take control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, Jews themselves were undecided on Israel’s significance. The trend, more obvious and expected in Israel, was to emphasise the centrality of land to Jewish identity. The entirety of Judaism could be distilled, in the words of the Israeli official Yona Malachy, to ‘the tripartite union of religion-people-land’. ‘The recognition of the tie between the Jewish people and their country must become the central theme of any future dialogue between Christianity and Jewry,’ he warned in 1969.

Among American Jews, there was less consensus on the preeminence of land to the meaning of Israel, though certainly many came to see the success of Israel as core to their own identity. One of the leading US conservative rabbis, Arthur Hertzberg, claimed in 1971 that ‘the state of Israel … is necessary for the continuity of Judaism and Jews’. Rabbi Marc Tanenbaum, the American Jewish Committee’s director of interreligious affairs and an organiser of Graham’s 1969 meeting, insisted that ‘Christians face and accept the profound historical, religious, cultural and liturgical meaning of the land of Israel and of Jerusalem to the Jewish people’.

American Protestant evangelicals found these demands compelling, mostly for reasons related to their own ideas about the ‘end times’ and Christ’s second coming. For some evangelicals, Israel represented ‘God’s timepiece’ and the centre of the fulfilment of biblical prophecy. For others, it was a testament to God’s fidelity to his chosen people. Many of these eschatological interests also emphasised the central role of Israel in the end times.

Each step that Christian Zionists take toward Jews in practice means a step away from Muslims.

Post-1967, Christian Zionists adopted the emerging Jewish emphasis on Israel as their own. For the US evangelical educator and activist G Douglas Young, the tragedy was that ‘Christians in the US did not, nor do they, understand the Jews’ self-understanding of themselves and their interest in the land of Israel’. Young headed an evangelical graduate school in Jerusalem dedicated to the mission of helping students ‘com[e] to grips with the problem of the Jew’s self-evaluation and his interest in the land’. His selectivity of who defined the Jewish interpretation of Israel (largely Israeli Zionists) should not detract from his explicitly interfaith understanding of his mission.

Other evangelicals soon followed. Along with Graham, the presidents of the National Association of Evangelicals and the Southern Baptist Convention in the late-1960s indicated an openness to adopting what they called a ‘Jewish self-understanding’ of Israel. It was basically a ceding of what Israel meant and should mean in the world today, while holding fast to an eschatology that forecast a bad ending for all non-Christians, including the vast majority of Jews.

After 1967, from the narrow starting point of overlapping concern for the security of Israel, Christian Zionists and their Jewish partners developed a shared set of values. Christian Zionists soon extended their thinking to related issues of anti-Semitism, religious persecution and secularism. Today, they are the most active partisans for Israel on US university campuses. They oppose the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and lobby governments around the world to favour Israel.

A shared fixation on those deemed Israel’s enemies has been integral to this worldview. Arab Palestinians (both Christian and Muslim) hardly receive a hearing by Christian Zionists – a justification often voiced on grounds of interfaith solidarity with Israel. Each step that Christian Zionists take toward Jews, however, in practice means a step away from Muslims. The promise of an ‘Abrahamic’ dialogue or a tri-faith cooperative is nowhere dimmer than in Christian Zionism. In the name of interfaith cooperation, Christian Zionists find theological justifications for most Israeli policies.

Regardless of these political choices, Christian Zionists understand their support for Israel as participation in the redeeming work of God. At the dawn of US evangelical organisation for Israel, Young called for action as a necessary extension of Christian faith. ‘Are you helping the new nation of Israel?’ he asked in The Bride and the Wife (1960). ‘Are you helping them in material and physical ways? Are you expressing real friendship always?’ Assuming the burden of Israel’s security, Young argued, was a Christian duty and a tangible expression of interfaith solidarity between God’s two chosen people, the Church and Israel.

The influence of Zionism also led to recasting interfaith cooperation with Jews as a realisation, rather than a deviation, of evangelical identity. This is evident in the area of evangelical missions to the Jews – long the most contentious barrier to any type of Jewish-Christian rapprochement. Largely as a result of Christian Zionist activism, evangelical leaders – from John Hagee, the founder of Christians United for Israel (the largest Christian Zionist organisation in the US) to the European leadership of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (the largest Christian Zionist organisation in the world) – have disavowed missions.

Hagee’s book In Defense of Israel (2007) sought to curb the evangelical obligation of Jewish missions by claiming that Jesus never really meant to save the Jews. ‘The Jews did not reject Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who rejected the Jewish desire for him to be their Messiah,’ he wrote, seemingly opening the way for Jews to be saved through their own covenant with God. Outcry by fellow evangelicals led Hagee to revise this specific language, but not his organisation’s refrain from missions.



Men like Hagee would make reocognizing Jesus as the only Messiah optional, opening the way for Jews to be saved through their own covenant with God.



Rather than endorse missions, Hagee and other Christian Zionists recast support for Israel as necessary Christian penance for the Church’s past mistreatment of Jews. The guilt felt by Christian Zionists is often palpable. ‘Anti-Semitism,’ Hagee wrote, ‘has its origin and its complete root structure in Christianity, dating from the early days of the Christian Church.’ This language is an echo of post-Holocaust Christian theologians – including Father Edward Flannery, whose book The Anguish of the Jews (1965) Hagee cites as formative to his understanding of Jewish-Christian history.

Support for Israel is just one side of the recent evangelical revaluation of Judaism. Once maligned as the religion of ‘Christ-killers’ and ‘Pharisees’, Judaism is now seen by evangelicals in a better light. The reasons for the change include a decline, following the Holocaust, in anti-Semitic views among all Americans, the pluralism of postwar ‘Judeo-Christian’ civil religion, and, less well-known, a revolution in biblical studies and related fields that emphasise ‘Hebraic’ over ‘Hellenistic’ influences on the Bible. Yet it was not principled commitment to pluralism that raised the change in evangelical views of Jews and Judaism, but rather a confluence of politicised eschatology with new intellectual authority urging closer Jewish-Christian cooperation.

Even outside the Christian Zionist movement, evangelical scholars of early Christianity and Judaism have changed their understanding of Jewish-Christian relations. In evangelical colleges and seminaries across the US, instead of Judaism as the negative mirror image of Christianity (the ‘law’ to Christianity’s ‘grace’; the ‘particularism’ to Christianity’s ‘universalism’), scholars now emphasise the Jewish heritage of Christianity and the mutually reinforcing values of the two traditions.

They managed to link academic insights and political organising as two sides of evangelical identity

In the past couple of generations, many evangelical scholars propelling this trend have studied at Jewish institutions: Marvin Wilson, whose book Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of Christian Faith (1989) earned a PhD from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, which is sponsored by the Jewish community; the aforementioned Young, founder of Bridges for Peace, the oldest Christian Zionist organisation, earned a PhD from what was then Dropsie College in Pennsylvania and is now the Herbert D Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies. A later generation of evangelical scholars studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, including Brad Young (no relation to G Douglas Young), now a professor of Judaic-Christian studies at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma who recently graduated his first Orthodox Israeli student in the same field. These scholars have, to varying degrees, personally supported Christian Zionist causes, all arguing that partnering with Jews on Israel is a moral and theological good.

Jewish voices have encouraged this change of attitude. David Brog, the director of Christians United for Israel, calls Jews and evangelicals ‘blood brothers’. Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, a founder of the West Bank settlement of Efrat, heads the Center for Jewish-Christian Cooperation and Understanding, organising joint Jewish-evangelical prayer groups, Bible reading groups and pro-Israel rallies.

The constituent parts of Christian Zionist thinking arise from this milieu of shifting and interacting evangelical and Jewish thought. Less acknowledged but no less important, other Christian work has also informed the transformation of evangelical attitudes. The pioneering scholarship of E P Sanders on Paul’s Hebrew background, the biblical archaeology of William Foxwell Albright, the New Testament research of the Israeli scholar David Flusser provided the foundations for the remarkable Jewish-Christian dialogues that have emerged across North America and Europe, from the Catholic Church’s Nostra Aetate declaration of 1965 to the World Council of Churches’ denunciations of anti-Semitism.

Unlike most interfaith encounters in the 20th century, Christian Zionists managed to bundle these insights and claims with an argument that cooperation was meaningful only if realised through political action. They managed, in essence, to link academic insights and political organising as two sides of evangelical identity. Few if any activists or special-interest groups have more effectively brought scholarship and political action into concert.

Like most American Jews, Israeli Jews differ with American evangelicals on a host of religious, cultural and political issues, from the economy to abortion to women in combat service. The cultural differences between evangelicals and Israelis are vast. Yet Christian Zionism shows that shared values need not be the basis of interfaith cooperation. The evangelical-Zionist bond has faced great challenges and has lasted by clinging to a very narrow set of shared interests. Yet the ideas underpinning Christian Zionism shape both evangelical identity and Israeli understandings of the US.

This is far from an endorsement of Christian Zionism. Criticisms of the movement’s politics, theology, tendency toward apocalypticism, ignoring and ignorance of the Palestinian experience and interests, anti-Muslim stereotyping, and near-unquestioning allegiance to Israel are all worthy of discussion. But Christian Zionism should not be misrepresented. A fundamentally interfaith alliance has informed and propelled Christian Zionists into the very halls of power. They have succeeded, in a way few interfaith movements have.

Reference:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/aeon.co/amp/essays/christian-zionism-the-interfaith-movement-hiding-in-plain-sight


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  • Nisan 14 begins sundown March 27, 2021

  •          Watch Your Footsteps Carefully

    Watch Your Footsteps Carefully…Watch How You Walk

    The word “Christian” does not mean “admirer of Christ,” nor “recipient of Christ’s blessings,” nor even “one who believes in Christ.” It means much more than that.

    “Christian” means “follower of Christ.” Jesus came as a man and left us an example.

    1 Peter 2:21

    For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

    Sin has a hold on all people, and we have all fallen short of God’s will in our lives.

    Even the those of us who attempt to lead a godly life, if we are honest with ourselves, have to admit that we are imperfect sinners and must therefore pay constant attention to our behaviors.

    Consider our thoughts. Are they always so pure and noble, loving and forgiving as we make ourselves out to be?

    Consider our words. Are all our words a blessing?

    Consider our conduct. Are all our deeds unselfish? Are we really following in Jesus’ footsteps?

    Because of the perversion of real Christianity you may never have heard of this kind of Christianity, but God’s Word speaks of no other kind. Pick up your Bible today, and rather than reading what Jesus did in your place, read how you can follow in Jesus’ footsteps to become like Him!

    Ask yourself, “Am I really a Christian, according to the Bible?” If this is the life you want, don’t hesitate – pray that God will give you His Spirit, and start following in Jesus’ footsteps.

    We have this Scriptural admonition as a reminder and as a warning:

    Hebrews 3:12-14

    12-14 So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.

    The holy scriptures long ago counseled worshippers of the living and only true God to watch their steps in order to maintain pure worship and good standing before Him:
    Ecclesiastes 5:1

    Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.

    Proverbs 4:26

    26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

     

    Proverbs 4:12-17

    12 When you walk, your steps will be sure. And when you run, you will not fall.

    13 Always remember what you have learnt. Do not forget it. The things that you have learnt will give you *life. So keep them well.

    14 Do not go where bad people go. Do not follow the ways of bad people.

    15 Do not do it! Keep away from every bad thing! Refuse it and go on your way.

    16 Bad people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have caused someone to fall.

    17 To do bad things is like food and drink to bad men.

    Paul also offered similar counsel to the 1st century Christian congregation:

    Ephesians 5:15-18

    15 So, you must be very careful how you live. Live like people who understand what is right and good. Do not live like people who do not understand anything.

    16 These are bad times, so use every moment well.

    17 Do not be fools. But instead, understand what the *Lord wants.

    18 Do not drink too much wine, because that will cause bad things. It will stop you ruling yourself properly. But instead, let God’s Spirit fill you.

    Everyone is following something or someone.

    Some people follow in the footsteps of their family.

    Some follow a philosophy of life, like the Golden Rule:“Treat others the way you want to be treated.”

    Others follow their own intuition, drawing from the a variety of philosophies, religion, friends, and family. They do whatever they feel is right in their gut.

    However, true Christians do not follow in these paths.

    We can tell if we’re Jesus’ followers if we live out His truth and walk in the light as He is in the light.

    We cannot think and behave like those alienated from God and please Him. There is no fellowship between “light” and “darkness”. There is no fellowship between Christ and the devil.

  • Matt 13:5-7 “5 Some of it fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. The seeds soon sprouted, because the soil wasn’t deep. 6 But when the sun came up, it burned the young plants; and because the roots had not grown deep enough, the plants soon dried up. 7 Some of the seed fell among thorn bushes, which grew up and choked the plants”.

     

    Jesus’ Parable Of The Sower And The Seed

    Matthew 13;3-7

    3 Then he began to tell them many things in parables. He said, “Listen! A farmer went out to sow.

    4 As he was sowing, some seeds fell along the path, and birds came and ate them up.

    5 Other seeds fell on stony ground, where they did not have a lot of soil. They sprouted at once because the soil wasn’t deep.

    6 But when the sun came up, they were scorched. Since they did not have any roots, they dried up.

    7 Other seeds fell among thorn bushes, and the thorn bushes grew higher and choked them out.
    Jesus here speaks of people who had accept the message and became disciples who for different reasons failed to take root and grow.

    I was associated with the Watchtower Society for about 50 years. I talk about it on the About page on this website.

    Looking back, most of those members I encountered never grew beyond spoon-fed spiritual babes.

    They never rooted and became what from a biblical standpoint could be considered spiritually mature.

    We had a song we sang that contained the refrain, “Make the truth your own”. But many never did.

    As a result, many had to put trust into what others told them was the accurate interpretation of the Bible.

    While some simply wouldn’t study the Bible themselves, others didn’t because they were told they couldn’t get the right interpretation studying the Scriptures independently. In effect the weed-like teachings of their elders choked off any chance to develope and grow.

    The psalmist counseled this:

    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.
    Psalm 1:1, 2

    In duplicity JW org beckons in members by ads like this:

    “Receive Full Benefit From Reading the Bible — Watchtower ONLINE …

    What does it mean to read the Bible “in an undertone”? … depart from your mouth, and you must in an undertone read in it day and night”.

    And when they have gotten them they tell them they can’t grow by such independent study. Charles Russell wrote to this effect and they have had a history of breaking up any small group who would get together just to consider the Bible absent WT literature.

    They, the elders were the “thorns” that choked the life out of earnest people seeking to become disciples of Christ in order to make them disciples of men.

    They do not believe in Christ although they say they do. They do not believe in his word. Otherwise they would have heeded his advance warning:

    Matthew 18:

    him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.

    These men will not escape judgment.

     

  • Who are the “locust” mentioned in Revelation 9?

     

    The Watchtower Society teaches that the locust described in Revelation chapter 9, were their spiritual leaders in 1919 A.D. (See “Revelation Its Grand Climax At Hand!” pages 143-154)

    Revelation 9:1 tells us that these locust were released by a “falling star” or a fallen angel. So, they are attributing their rescue from an “abyss of spiritual inactivity” in 1919 to a demon.

    These locust were permitted to torment only those that did not have the “seal of the living God.”

    If these locusts really pictured the anointed brothers of Christ, they would not have had to be instructed not to “harm” one another.

    Fooled by as John puts it, “what ‘seemed’ to be gold crowns on their heads, the Watchtower leaders have assumed that these locust must be righteous.

    They saw these as the kingly crowns to be yet granted to the elect. (page 146)

    They have based interpretations of Revelation chapter 9 on what is written later in Revelation chapter 20. That is a huge mistake. In Revelation 20, the circumstances have changed.

    Revelation 20:1 refers to a later time when another angel is seen “coming down (not falling down) holding in his hand the key to the abyss”.

    At this time, that authority will have been returned to the One that has the right.

    They teach that this latter angel is the same angel who has authority over the abyss in Chapter 9 (Abaddon, “The Destroyer”). That is an assumption.

    Revelation chapter 9 is about fallen angels, jurisdictions under their control, and demonic activities. It has nothing at all to do with righteous activities direct by Christ.

    Who are the Locust? What do they do?

    As noted in reading, Revelation chapter 9 foretells of the unleashing on humankind of ‘locust’ by a fallen angel called “the Destroyer”.

    These demon spirits have been unleashed and they orchestrate anarchy by permitting people and groups of people to act out in anti-social, disruptive behaviors.

    This is occurring on a global scale. Today the grossly mentally ill wander the streets of community behaving in both bizarre and socially disruptive manners. Yet it is tolerated.

    Criminals dangerous to society at large are released from prison unreformed back into communities. Yet it is tolerated.

    Plagued severely as the Revelation to John foretold, yet they refuse to repent and turn away from worshipping demons.

    It is obvious to most reasoning people that to allow these things is causing social disruption and dysfunction…the goal of anarchist. Their intent is to destroy the social fabric of humanity as Satan’s goal is to disrupt and destroy the fabric of creation.


  • The Greatest Gift God Gave To Creation


    God’s Great Gift



    Ephesians 1:10

    “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:”


  • If a person can’t get an accurate understanding of the Bible studying it alone, then why did Joshua instruct his brother Israelites to do so fervently?

    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.” (KJV)

    Obviously Joshua believed that it is personal study of the knowledge of God that lead to true understanding and spiritual maturity. And you can’t meditate on what you don’t understand.

    What does your teacher say?

  • What Is Faith?


    "The assured expectation of things hoped for."

    "The assured expectation of things hoped for."


    The suggestion that 'faith' and 'reason' are incompatible is a based on a false dichotomy. Neither faith nor reason need be mutually exclusive of one another.

    ;In fact, having faith in something "unseen" can at times be the only reasonable response. The force of gravity is an example. You cannot see nor hold it, but deductive reasoning gives you confidence that it exist.

    The following is an excellent treatment of this subject.

    IS FAITH REASONABLE?

    ;By R. Herbert, January 31, 2014
    Faith, Hope and Wishful Thinking
    All definitions of faith involve the idea that it is a response to something intangible or unseen. The dictionary tells us that faith is “belief with strong conviction; firm belief and complete trust in something for which there may be no tangible physical proof.” The Bible puts it this way: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

    Although many secular people reject this concept outright, as though being certain of what we cannot prove is intellectual weakness of some sort, a kind of glorified hope or just wishful thinking, the truth is that we all live by faith in our everyday lives. We plan things for future dates not knowing that we will be there at that time. We arrange to meet a friend somewhere for coffee, and we go to meet the person although we may not have any firm physical proof he or she will show up. It is not that we go hoping that perhaps our friend will show up - we plan and we go because we are sure the person will be there. We have a kind of faith that our friend will appear.


    Below is Hebrews Chapter 11 from the New Heart English Translation which uses Hebrew name pronunciations.

    Confidence and assurance are produce of a reasoning process. One draws a conclusion based on past evidence. It is a matter of deductive reasoning

    Hebrews 11

    1 Now faith is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.

    2 For by this, the people of old were attested.

    3 By faith, we understand that the ages were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.

    4 By faith, Habeil offered to God a better sacrifice than Qayen, through which he was attested as righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and though he died he still speaks through it.

    5 By faith, Khenuk was taken away, so that he would not see death, “and he was not found, because God took him away.” For before he was taken he was attested as having pleased God.

    6 Now without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.

    7 By faith, Nukh, being warned about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared a ship for the salvation of his household, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

    8 By faith, Avraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he was going.

    9 By faith, he sojourned in a land of promise, as a foreigner, living in tents with Iskhaq and Yaquv, the heirs with him of the same promise.

    10 For he looked for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

    11 By faith, even barren Sarah herself received power to conceive when she was past age, and gave birth, since she considered him faithful who had promised.

    ;12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.

    ;13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

    14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

    15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.

    16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

    17 By faith, Avraham, being tested, offered up Iskhaq; and he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son;

    18 even he to whom it was said, “In Iskhaq will your descendants be called;”

    19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.

    20 By faith, Iskhaq blessed Yaquv and Isuw, even concerning things to come.

    21 By faith, Yaquv, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Yauseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

    22 By faith, Yauseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.

    23 By faith, Mushe, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.

    ;24 By faith, Mushe, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,

    ;25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;

    26 considering the reproach of the Meshikha greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

    27 By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

    28 By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.

    29 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.

    30 By faith, the walls of Irikhu fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.

    31 By faith, Rakhav the prostitute, did not perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.

    32 And what more should I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gedeun, Baraq, Shemshun, Naphtakh, Dawid, Shemuyel, and the prophets;

    33 who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

    34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.

    ;35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

    36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.

    37 They were stoned, they were sawed apart, they were tempted, they were killed with the sword. a They went around in sheepskins b and in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, mistreated

    38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.

    39 These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, did not receive the promise,

    40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

    The worshippers of the true God have every reason to be confident that He will fulfill all that He has promised them just as those in the past had.



  • The Value & Meaning of Circumcision



    The Greater Meaning

    The Greater Meaning



    Many have been taught to believe God's requirement of circumcising was nothing more than a superficial mark of identification. It was much more.

    The 'mark' of most importance was a mark of cleanness. God was separating His people apart and teaching them to live cleanly by behavior.

    Some other cultures practiced circumcision, including the Egyptians who adopted the practice when the Hebrew children resided in Egypt.

    Others like the Philistines did not. David called Goliath an, "uncircumcised Philistine".

    God knew the uncleanness spread by uncircumcision.

    The uncircumcised soldiers of the nations brought diseases with them to Europe in two world wars as the medical article below cites. Why were so many uncircumcised in the 1940's is a good question to ask.

    God's simple instruction to the Hebrews was not to mix with gentiles because they would become unclean.

    The Pattern

    The Bible likens Satan the devil to the "filthy foreskin".

    His seed does not issue forth from the shoot or the natural creation of God.

    His seed is the scum that collects beneath the foreskin and inflames and corrupts God's creation.

    The Law of God was that on the eight day after birth, the Priest should take that foreskin outside the city wall and tossed it into the Valley of Hinnom, Gehenna, the Lake of Fire.


    The Uncircumcised And The Spread of Disease


    "US Army report by General John Patton stated that in World War II 150,000 soldiers were hospitalized for foreskin problems due to inadequate hygiene, leading to the statements: “Time and money could have been saved had prophylactic circumcision been performed before the men were shipped overseas” and “Because keeping the foreskin clean was very difficult in the field, many soldiers with only a minimal tendency toward phimosis were likely to develop balanoposthitis [Patton, 1987b]. Army urologists stated “Had these patients been circumcised before induction [into the Army] this total would have been close to zero”. In the Second World War Australia had to send urologists to circumcise all of its troops fighting in the North African campaign who were not already circumcised [Short, 2006]. Similarly sand was a problem for uncircumcised men during the Gulf War in Iraq (“Desert Storm”) in the early 1990s [Gardner, 1991; Schoen, 2007e].

    As discussed in section 4 on the history of circumcision, the Judeo-Muslim practice of circumcision quite likely had its origin in Egyptian civilization. There is ample evidence of circumcised mummies at the time the Hebrews inhabited Egypt, as well as illustrations of the operation itself and of circumcised Pharoahs, dating back to 3,000 BC [Weiss, 1997].

    The Judeo-Muslim practice of circumcision quite likely had its origin in Egyptian civilization, where there is evidence of a circumcised mummy at the time the Hebrews inhabited Egypt, as well as illustrations of the operation itself and of circumcised Pharoahs, dating back to 3000 BC [Weiss, 1997].

    Although the sand theory is compelling, another suggestion is that the Egyptians could have circumcised themselves and their slaves to prevent schistosomal infection [Weiss, 1997; Weiss, 2004]. Urinary tract obstruction and hematuria are common in localities such as the Nile Valley that are inhabited by the blood fluke, Schistosoma haematobium. The preputial sac would undoubtedly possess the adverse ability of being able to hold water infected with the cercaria stage of the life cycle of this parasite and so facilitate its entry into the body. It has also been suggested that the Egyptians believed that when a snake shed its skin, and emerged bright and new again, it was undergoing rebirth. Since they thought by shedding its skin the snake became immortal that humans might do the same by causing the “shedding” of the foreskin.

    The perpetuation of the procedure by the Israelites (and thus Jews) may have subsequently been driven by a desire to maintain cleanliness in an arid, sandy desert environment. When the Israelites were held in bondage in Egypt the men were all circumcised. After Moses led them out of Egypt a ritual of circumcision on the 8th day post-partum was instituted as a “covenant with God”. (Of course this tradition was then lost during their wanderings, and was re-instituted later, as described in section 4 on the history of circumcision.) The Prophet Mohammad, born in hot, dry, sandy Saudi Arabia, was also circumcised as are all Muslims today."

    Reference:
    http://www.circinfo.net/what_caused_many_cultures_to_remove_it.html.


    location of Gehenna

    location of Gehenna


  • Godly Contrition



    In Sackcloth and Ashes



    Can there be forgiveness of our sins without proper remorse?

    Pride will not allow the wicked one to admit and then accept responsibility for their wrong doing.

    The wicked one is more concerned about what humans think of them than how they stand before God.

    They will not acknowledge their fallen condition.

    "Contrition is a key factor in true repentance. Without it, we are like the proud Pharisee, going through the motions of religion but harboring arrogance in our hearts.

    Contrition agrees that a heart intent on following Christ must reject evil in all its forms. A contrite heart harbors no thoughts of repeating its sin; rather, it seeks the strength of God to overcome sin and move on toward holiness (1 Peter 1:15–16)."

    Continue reading at:
    gotquestions.org


  • SEARCH

  • 1914=1940 C.E. Did YOU ever do the math?

    A Herew year does not equal one of our common era years. One has 360 days and the other is 365 days long.

  • Prophecy—-The Ripple Effect



    Prophecy has a Ripple Effect

    Prophecy has a Ripple Effect



    Prophecy's effects can be compared to a stone dropped into the center of a pond. Visualize the concentric circles that form from the epicenter and spread out across the pond. Over time these rings cover the entire pond.

    Each ring is an identical harmonic reproduction of the initial ring. So that no matter where you are positioned spatially in the pond, you see the same thing.

    You can see prophecy's fulfillment everywhere. But there is a critical 'epicenter' to it. These epicenters are circumstances involving 'special' judgements in addition to those common to all mankind.

    Following are a few renderings of 2 Thessalonians 2:8 which reveals how the man of lawlessness is brought to an end.

    2 Thessalonians 2:8

    BBE And then will come the revelation of that evil one, whom the Lord Jesus will put to death with the breath of his mouth, and give to destruction by the revelation of his coming;

    EasyEnglish Then people will see the man who completely refuses to obey God. But when the Lord Jesus will come, he will kill that man. Jesus will kill him with the words that Jesus speaks. Jesus will kill him with the very bright, powerful light that shines from Jesus himself.

    ISV Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will destroy with the breath of his mouth, rendering him powerless by the manifestation of his coming.

    NHEB Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth, and destroy by the manifestation of his coming;

    The Easy English gives the fullest interpretation as it points out how the Lord brings this "man of lawlessness" to his end. That is by revelation of the truth.

    "Jesus will kill him with the words that Jesus speaks. Jesus will kill him with the very bright, powerful light that shines from Jesus himself."

    "Words" will kill the man of lawlessness. Words that the Lord will provide. We certainly don't have an expectation that we will hear His voice from Heaven doing any speaking. Or at least, not prior to His arrival.

    He speaks through his servants he has assigned to do so at the appointed time. As now we live near the close of this period of time, and also knowing that the "hour of test" must also occur before the end of this period, time has to be extremely short. And before this, the man of lawlessness is to be killed.

    Since Christ will judge angels and flesh, and both the living and all who have died, the application of Biblical prophecy has to be more far reaching than the activities of a small modern day group as Jehovah's Witnesses.



  • Identifying Those Branded By The Beast


    The beast-mark is a brand of ownership that is identifiable.

    The mark of the beast is a brand of ownership that is identifiable by behavior.





    What Is The Mark Of The Beast?


    The original Greek word translated as 'mark' or 'imprint' referring to that received from the beast according to Strong means:

    From the same as G5482; a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue): - graven, mark.

    Only those conforming to the will and dictates of the "wild beast" will prosper and being unhindered. So we see the most wicked of people doing well as a reward for worshipping the beast and bearing it's 'mark'.

    The number six is only significant in Scripture as a symbol of imperfection, a missing the Divine mark of purity, 7. Six falls short and does not measure up.

    Six is representative of falling short or missing the mark.

    Thorough corruption involves corruption of the three key elements that make us: spirit, mind, and body.

    666 is representative that one has completely corrupted themselves in spirit 6, mind 6, and finally body 6.

    Revelation 13:11-17

    11 I saw another beast coming up out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it talked like a dragon.

    12 It uses all the authority of the first beast on its behalf, and it makes the earth and those living on it worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed.

    13 It performs spectacular signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people.

    14 It deceives those living on earth with the signs that it is allowed to do on behalf of the first beast, telling them to make an image for the beast who was wounded by a sword and yet lived.

    15 The second beast was allowed to impart life to the image of the first beast so that the image of the beast could talk and order the execution of those who would not worship the image of the beast.

    16 The second beast forces all people—important and unimportant, rich and poor, free and slaves—to be marked on their right hands or on their foreheads,

    17 so that no one may buy or sell unless he has the mark, which is the beast’s name or the number of its name.
    
    International Standard Version 


  • A Non Biblical Qualification

    Clean-shaven is the preference of western European cultures

  • Taking God and His Word Literally


    image1a


    Literal or Figurative?

    Genesis 3:1-5 New Heart English Bible

    Genesis 3

    1  Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really a said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden?’”

    2  The woman said to the serpent, “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat,

    3  but of the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”

    4  The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t surely die,

    5  for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

    Satan, the serpent, was the first creature to question whether or not God's words are to be taken at face value... literally.

    He put forth a question to Eve that opened the door to her second-guessing what she clearly had been told concerning God's commandment. She was even able to recite it when questioned.

    But the devil was able to convince her that Almighty God needed an interpretor to explain hidden nuances in what He has said. That even though isounded an awful lot like she would die it she ate the forbidden fruit, she hadn't got the whole picture and so he appealed to her selfish desires and convinced her of something else.

    HE CONVINCED EVE THAT THE 'DEATH' GOD HAD SPOKE ABOUT WASN'T REAL...THAT IT WAS SYMBOLIC...NOT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY.

    Today many of his weeds try to confuse truth-seeker believers by telling them they can't ttake the Bible literally and that it doesn't really mean what it says.

    This opens the door to alternative reasonings that ignore what God has had written in Scripture.
    Sounds familiar doesn't it?

    Where figurative speech and/or symbolisms are being used in Scripture, it is clearly stated within the context. Otherwise there is no reason not to take what is written most literally.


  • Cast Into Insanity by God




    Who Caused This World To Go Insane?


    It is God who is responsible for casting those who reject what is real truth and those who rejected true reality into the spiritual and mental dense darkness which is manifested in the deprave behaviors we observe today.

    What lead to Him to "give them up" to their hearts desire?

    They replaced the truth with a lie and substitute reality with a falsehood.

    The apostle Paul explains:

    Romans chapter 1

    18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, {who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth}.

    19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

    20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, { have been clearly perceived}, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. {So they are without excuse}.

    21 For although {they knew} God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

    22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

    23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

    24 {Therefore God gave them up} in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

    25 {because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie} and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

    26 {For this reason God gave them up} to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;

    27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

    The bracket words highlight two things. First, that whom is being spoken against knew the truth but refused to act in accordance with the truths they clearly knew.

    Second, that as a result, God yielded them into depraved insane thinking and conduct.

    The word 'fake' gets thrown around quite a lot today. But the realty is that the world is and has held up a false, fake, façade of a nonexistent reality...a delusion. It is not unusual that the news is fake...the world is both delusional and fake because God threw them into their present state of mind.

    They denied the reality of the existence of God himself and, for themselves, replaced him with false reality gods.

    In the following passage, Paul reaffirms his understanding of the mass depravity the wicked.

    The same conditions exist today, only amplified.

    2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

    10 "and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, {because they refused to love the truth and so be saved}.

    11 Therefore God sends them {a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false,

    12 in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness}."

    These verses clearly indicate that those who do not love the truth (which it is understood to live in agreement with it), are purposefully given into that delusional mental state by God as punishment.

    So is clear that we are designed to adhere to the truth in order to keep our mental faculties in order.

    It is also clear that Jehovah God wants us to avoid the world(s) of illusion. So it makes sense that refusing to deny reality is the only way we can insure we are obedient to the One who is real.


    We must actively reject unreality and accept what is real regardless whether good or bad.



  • Fulfillment of A Dream


    What modern Rulership has fulfilled this prophecy?

    What modern Rulership has fulfilled this prophecy?


    Daniel chapter 2- Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

    Daniel 2

    1 In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled, and his sleep went from him.

    2 Then the king commanded to call the magicians, and the enchanters, and the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king.

    3 The king said to them, “I have had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.”

    4 Then spoke the Chaldeans to the king in the Aramaic language, “O king, live forever: tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”

    5 The king answered the Chaldeans, “The thing is gone from me: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a rubbish heap.

    6 But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards and great honor: therefore show me the dream and its interpretation.”

    7 They answered the second time and said, “Let the king tell his servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.”

    8 The king answered, “I know of a certainty that you would gain time, because you see the thing is gone from me.

    9 But if you do not make known to me the dream, there is but one law for you; for you have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, until such time that things might change. Therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation.”

    10 The Chaldeans answered before the king, and said, “There is not a man on the earth who can show the king’s matter, because no king, lord, or ruler, has asked such a thing of any magician, or enchanter, or Chaldean.

    11 It is a rare thing that the king requires, and there is no other who can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.”

    12 For this cause the king was angry and very furious, and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon.

    13 So the decree went forth, and the wise men were to be killed; and they sought Daniel and his companions to be killed.

    14 Then Daniel returned an answer with counsel and prudence to Arioch the captain of the king’s guard, who was gone forth to kill the wise men of Babylon;

    15 he answered Arioch the king’s captain, “Why is the decree so urgent from the king?” Then Arioch made the thing known to Daniel.

    16 Daniel went in, and desired of the king that he would appoint him a time, and he would show the king the interpretation.

    17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

    18 that they would seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

    19 Then was the secret revealed to Daniel in a vision of the night. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

    20 Daniel answered, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wisdom and might are his.

    21 He changes the times and the seasons; he removes kings, and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding;

    22 he reveals the deep and secret things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

    23 I thank you, and praise you, God of my fathers, who has given me wisdom and might, and has now made known to me what we desired of you; for you have made known to us the king’s matter.”

    24 Therefore Daniel went in to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will show to the king the interpretation.”

    25 Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste, and said this to him, “I have found a man of the children of the captivity of Judah, who will make known to the king the interpretation.”

    26 The king answered Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its interpretation?”

    27 Daniel answered before the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded is such that no wise men, enchanters, magicians, nor soothsayers, can show to the king;

    28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head on your bed, are these:

    29 as for you, O king, your thoughts came into your mind on your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has made known to you what shall happen.

    30 But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.

    31 You, O king, saw, and behold, a great image. This image, which was mighty, and whose brightness was extraordinary, stood before you; and its appearance was awesome.

    32 As for this image, its head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze,

    33 its legs of iron, its feet part of iron, and part of clay.

    34 You saw until a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet that were of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces.

    35 Then was the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, broken in pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away, so that no place was found for them: and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

    36 This is the dream; and we will tell its interpretation before the king.

    37 You, O king, are king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory;

    38 and wherever the children of men dwell, the animals of the field and the birds of the sky has he given into your hand, and has made you to rule over them all: you are the head of gold.

    39 After you shall arise another kingdom inferior to yours; and another third kingdom of bronze, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

    40 The fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, because iron breaks in pieces and subdues all things; and as iron that crushes all these, shall it break in pieces and crush.

    41 Whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, because you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.

    42 As the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken.

    43 And whereas you saw the iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mix with one another but they shall not hold together, even as iron does not mix with clay.

    44 In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all those kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.

    45 Because you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God has made known to the king what shall happen hereafter: and the dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.“

    46 Then king Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, and worshiped Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him.

    47 The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is the God of gods, and the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing you have been able to reveal this secret.”

    48 Then the king made Daniel great, and gave him many great gifts, and made him to rule over the whole province of Babylon, and to be chief governor over all the wise men of Babylon.

    49 Daniel requested of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel was in the gate of the king.
    New Heart English Bible

    We live in the age of the crumbling "feet and toes". And we must keep in mind that this image portrays the succession of world rulership.

    Which rulership fits the description that was given to Daniel by the angel today?


    

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  • Wormwood


    They Acted In Direct Defiance Of God’s Warning

    New Heart English Bible

    Revelation chapter 22,

    18 “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

    19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will l take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.”

    By mixing their personal history and stories with the Book of Revelation and then claiming that these events were the fulfillment of specific prophecies contained in the Book of Revelation, the Watchtower organization has done precisely what the above Scripture expressly states not to do. That is what book such as “Babylon the Great has Fallen God’s Kingdom Rules” and “Revelation-Grand Climax Is At Hand!” do.

    Having done so, they not only taught this mixture to their followers; but also distributed it to the world in massive distribution campaigns over decades.

    The angel sent to John was perfectly clear in stating what the consequences would be.

    “Repent therefore and turn around so as to get your sins forgiven.” Acts 3:19


  • ————“Man in a Box”? ———-


    15 - 1


     

    CONDITIONING and MIND CONTROL

    Experimenters will place a mouse into a box that is a totally controlled environment.

    They do this for various reasons including what is known as 'Conditioning'.

    They can introduce or remove anything into the box they choose. It is a totally controlled environment.

    The controller habituates the mouse to some routine of task that the mouse realizes that if it performs, it will receive a reward (for instance a food pebble).

    Generally, the mouse will be so engrossed by this routine that it will lose it's awareness of other things going on in the box.

    A predator or some other threat can be introduced into the mix by the experimental controllers and the unsuspecting mouse stays unaware until it is too late to defend itself.

    Such experimental methods are taught and learned as part of the Human Psychology disciplines.

    These methods can be and are applied to human subjects.

    You have intelligence, whereas that poor mouse did not.

    Knowledge of the existence of these methodologies can help one from falling victim to them.

    Key elements to conditioning are:

    Controlled/conditioned environment. Conditioned stimuli. Conditioned response.

    The mouse is not an intelligent creature as you are and doesn't have the advantage you have by being forewarned.

    If the mouse had known that there were controllers outside controlling it's mind, behaviors, and destiny; I imagine that if it could not escape, he would at least resisted their efforts with all it's might


  • ——-Cognitive Dissonance——-


    Cognitive Dissonance's adverse effects

    Cognitive Dissonance's adverse effects


    Cognitive Dissonance--Individual and Group

    "The theory of cognitive dissonance, proposed by Festinger (1957, 1958, 1964), has been proposed to explain a series of key observations. For example, if individuals are instructed to present some speech, their subsequent attitudes are more inclined to align with this presentation. However, this pattern of findings arises only when individuals are not granted conspicuous incentives to present this speech."

    The way you live versus 'reality' can create dissonance.

    The way you live versus the way you know you should live can create mental conflict (angst) creating cognitive dissonance.

    "The key premise is that individuals experience a sense of unease or discomfort, called cognitive dissonance, when they experience or manifest two cognitions that contradict one another. They might, for example, believe they are typically an altruistic person but then recognize that, nevertheless, they seldom donate money or time to charity. Any such inconsistencies between their attitudes or beliefs and their behavior will provoke this sense of dissonance. Dissonance manifests as feelings of guilt, shame, embarrassment, anxiety, anger, or other negative affective states.

    Dissonance does not tend to arise unless several conditions are fulfilled. First, individuals must feel they can control their behavior& they need to experience a sense of personal responsibility (e.g., Beauvois & Joule, 1999). Second, although some contention remains (e.g., Harmon-Jones, Brehm, Greenberg, Simon, & Nelson, 1996), the behavior is usually regarded as consequential and potentially aversive (Cooper & Fazio, 1984). Third, the cognitions need to be relevant to the self (Aronson, 1969)

    Individuals experience a profound motivation to alleviate this sensation or feeling (see Elliot & Devine, 1994). To ameliorate dissonance, individuals can engage in various processes, all intended to align these cognitions with one another.

    First, they might, for example, change their belief or attitudes. After failing to donate money to charities, for example, they might form the belief that such donations are ultimately futile.

    Second, individuals could trivialize the domain or context. They could, for example, convince themselves the behavior is inconsequential (e.g., Simon, Greenberg, & Brehm, 1995).

    Third, they could deny responsibility for their behavior--an inclination that curbs the negative affect that dissonance evokes (Gosling, Denizeau, & Oberl?, 2006). Similarly, they might justify their behavior, attempting to demonstrate to themselves that such acts do not conflict with their beliefs or attitudes. They could highlight, either to themselves or to someone else, they could not readily access their money. In other words, responsibility is not only a necessary condition to generate dissonance& personal responsibility can be denied to curb dissonance as well.

    Finally, at least in some settings, individuals could change their behavior--and, in this instance, begin to donate money. Individuals might, for example, sometimes express positive attitudes about safety. Nevertheless, the same individuals might engage in unsafe sexual practices. After they become aware of this contradiction, they are more likely to buy more condoms (Stone, Aronson, Crain, Winslow, & Fried, 1994). These behaviors, then, overcome the aversive sense of dissonance."

    There is mass cognitive dissonance today on all social group levels.

    Behaviors do not align with present realities. Most of the world lives in some state of denial.

    Reference
    
    http://www.sicotests.com/


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  • Revelation 6

    1 Then I saw the Lamb break open the first of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice that sounded like thunder, “Come!” 2 I looked, and there was a white horse. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown. He rode out as a conqueror to conquer.

    3 Then the Lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” 4 Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given the power to bring war on the earth, so that people should kill each other. He was given a large sword.

    5 Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. 6 I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, “A quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts of barley for a day’s wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards!”

    7 Then the Lamb broke open the fourth seal; and I heard the fourth living creature say, “Come!” 8 I looked, and there was a pale-colored horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades[a] followed close behind. They were given authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill by means of war, famine, disease, and wild animals.

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