Topic Discussions

To Easter or Not to Easter?: Christ is Our Passover

3 Comments

Have you ever looked at the traditions people celebrate this time of year, calling it Easter, and wonder what they have to do with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus? Do you believe that is how God wants us to celebrate our Lord and Savior? Let’s take a look at what God has to say about the matter through His own Words.

(Exodus 12:1-51)  And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, (2) This month (Abib) shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. (3)  Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: (4)  And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of the souls; every man according to his eating shall make your count for the lamb. (5)  Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: (6)  And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day  (usually the evening of April 3rd—the fourteenth day after Spring Equinox) of the same month (Abib): and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening. (7)  And they shall take of the blood (we use olive oil instead of lamb’s blood today because it is the oil of our people), and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. (8)  And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it. (9)  Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (10)  And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire. (11)  And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover. (12)  For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD. (13)  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood (Christ’s blood), I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. (14)  And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance FOR EVER. (15)  Sevendays shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day YE SHALL PUT AWAY LEAVEN OUT OF YOUR HOUSES: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cutoff from Israel. (16)  And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them (today, Jesus is our Sabbath, so every day we are in the Word, we are in Sabbath), save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you. (17)  And ye shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this selfsame day have I brought your armies out of the land of Egypt: therefore shall ye observe this day in your generations by an ordinance for ever. (18)  In the first month (Abib), on the fourteenth day of the month (usually the evening of April 3rd) at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month (usually April 10th) at even. (19)  SEVEN DAYS SHALL THERE BE NO LEAVEN (traditions of Pharisees and Sadducees, things added into Christianity) FOUND IN YOUR HOUSES: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. (20)  Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. (21)  Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. (22)  And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood (Christ’s blood) that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. (23)  For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door,and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. (24)  And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons FOR EVER. (25)  And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. (26)  And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? (27)  That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD’S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. (28)  And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. (29)  And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. (30)  And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. (31)  And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. (32)  Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. (33)  And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men. (34)  And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. (35)  And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed ofthe Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: (36)  And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. (37)  And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. (38)  And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle. (39)  And they baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought forth out of Egypt,for it was not leavened; because they were thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry, neither had they prepared for themselves any victual. (40)  Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. (41)  And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. (42)  It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations.  (43)  And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: (44)  But every man’s servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof. (45)  A foreigner and an hired servant shall not eat thereof. (46)  In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof. (47)  All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. (48)  And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised (now circumcision of the heart, as the ordinance of circumcision was fulfilled with Christ’s blood, although it still could be used for health reasons), and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof. (49)  One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you. (50)  Thus did all the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. (51)  And it came to pass the selfsame day, that the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Passover is a day that God ordained, which He expected us and told us to celebrate until the end of time, and God never changes; everything in the Old Testament histories was given to us as an example for us today. When God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, He did so to teach us about our salvation through Jesus Christ.

Many people believe that once Jesus came and died for us, the Old Testament was done away with, but we can see here, for example, that God told us then, and it is just as pertinent now, that this ordinance, as well as the rest of the Old Testament is still in effect. However, as ordinances go, the way we observe them often changes from a physical, flesh practice (the shedding of blood for example) to a spiritual practice. In the case of Passover, the way Christians are to observe is to follow the ordinances on a spiritual level by accepting the blood of Christ to cover you from the angel of death.

(1 Corinthians 5:7)  PURGE OUT THEREFORE THE OLD LEAVEN, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even CHRIST OUR PASSOVER is sacrificed for us:

Christ became our Passover Lamb, sacrificed once and for all time. He replaced the sacrificial lamb in the ordinance of Passover, which we are told by God to observe until the end of time.

As we can see here, we are not only told that Jesus is our Passover, but we are to purge out all leaven from our homes during this time, just as God instructed us thousands of years ago. So what is this leaven?

(Matthew 16:5-11)  And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. (6)  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND OF THE SADDUCEES. (7)  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. (8)  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? (9) DO YE NOT UNDERSTAND, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (10) Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? (11)  How is it that ye do not understand that I SPAKE IT NOT TO YOU CONCERNING BREAD,that ye should BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES?

He said this twice for emphasis.

(Matthew 16:12)  Then understood they how that he bade them NOT BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF BREAD, BUT OFTHE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES AND OF THE SADDUCEES.

The leaven is anything that is added into true biblical Christianity, which does not belong there. We are told, by Jesus to beware of this leaven, especially that of the Pharisees ad Sadducees. What is an example of leaven? For one, anything that has been borrowed from pagan religions, such as worship and traditions of Ashteroth, otherwise know as Ishtar. We are clearly told by God to purge our home of all these pagan things and traditions of men, and focus solely on what is biblical.

These pagan deities have been worshiped for millennia, and the traditions associated with Easter can easily be traced to their celebration. Ishtar is a goddess of fertility, hence the eggs (a symbol of fertility), chocolate (regarded as an aphrodisiac), bunnies (known to reproduce very quickly), and other baby animals, which are symbols of fertility in and of themselves. The traditions associated and practiced, in a time otherwise meant to be dedicated to the sacrifice Jesus made for us, are also directly linked to what ancient pagans did to please their Ishtar.

In fact, there is only one instance where the word Easter appears in the English Bible, and it is a mistranslation from the Greek ‘pascha’, which is a term that means Passover. That verse in Acts should never have even said “Easter,” but rather “Passover,” as it was translated the other 28 times it was used.

So we know that God told us, those who are loyal to Him, to celebrate Passover forever, and we know that Jesus became our Passover, so how do we observe it today?

(Matthew 26:26-28)  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. (27)  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (28)  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

This is the way Jesus taught us, via His apostles, to remember Him. We take this Communion to commemorate Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for our sins. We also recognize that as true Christians, He lives in us as we do in Him.

In addition to Communion, another thing which can be a good idea is to anoint our doorways with olive oil, which represents the Holy Spirit of God. This takes the place of spreading Lamb’s blood around our doors. Anointing our homes can serve as a sign that the places we live are dedicated to God, through Jesus Christ, and is a good way to commemorate the first Passover.

We are also instructed by God to teach our kids why we do these things on this day, and they will most likely ask because this is not what most families practice these days. The way children question so many things in the world around us gives us a good opportunity to teach them, especially when it comes to the ways of God.

So ask yourself: Do you really think God wants us to take the focus away form Jesus and put it on the Ishtar Bunny?

 

Topic Discussions

Triple-A Christianity

Recently I read “How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing with People” by Les Giblin. It’s a powerful book and I feel it’s a must read for everybody, but in it he talked about what he called the Triple-A Formula for attracting people. In his first A, Acceptance, he mentions how Jesus accepted others and sat with publicans and sinners while the pharisees never do that.

It got me thinking about how this Triple-A Formula isn’t really just a method to attract others, but it is exactly the way we need to treat others. So, I wanted not only to pass this along, but also to take it a step further as it pertains to the bible.

1. Acceptance

We, as Christians, need to accept people where they are at their starting point, just as Jesus did.

Mark 2:13 And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. (14) And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

The sea almost always symbolizes the world. This is why the children of Israel walked across dry land when they left Egypt and when they entered the promised land. It is why Jesus walked upon it and Peter fell into it when he took his eyes off the Lord. It is why Jesus told Peter he would become a fisher of men, so as to pull people from the world.

Note here how Jesus walked along the seaside which is naturally the edge of the sea, or the edge of the world.

Mark 2:15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Why did they follow Jesus? Because He would sit with them and He accepted them where they were. He did not say they needed to do this and this in order to be worthy of Him.

Mark 2:16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?

The pharisees couldn’t understand this because for them a sinner is trash.

Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Don’t overlook this. Jesus doesn’t just hang out with sinners because it’s fine that they sin. His mission is for them to come to repentance. Let’s take one of the big topics of today, homosexuality. We see churches that don’t accept them at all and we see churches that allow them to become ministers of the congregation, but what does the Bible say? Clearly the bible tells us that homosexuality is a sin. I’ll just give you Leviticus 18:22 for an Old Testament reference and Romans 1:26-28 for a New one. Does this mean we do not allow them to sit down with us? No. That person is a child of the living God and we are to accept him/her as such, but we must understand that that doesn’t mean we accept the sin. We hope that we can help influence them to make the right decisions to turn away from those sins.

Remember Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

That means you and me. Lust and stealing anything; and what do we earn when we sin?

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You see it doesn’t matter what your sin is or how bad you think it may or may not be. Unless we repent of them and work to improve ourselves our sins will be the death of us. Do you think that someone who has conditioned himself to lust after women and watch porn all day is any better than someone who lusts after someone of their own sex? Do you think it’s any easier to overcome? God will accept us where we are, but He doesn’t expect us to stay that way.

2. Approval

The second of Giblin’s Triple-A’s is approval which boils down to finding that certain something that a person has or does that is good. It can be hard at times to find the good in someone. They may be overwhelmed with addiction which totally eclipses their gifts, but we know that they are a child of God and, because of that, they have value. Accept them where they are and start to look for those gifts.

Luke 15:1-10 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. (2) And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. (3) And he spake this parable unto them, saying, (4) What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? (5) And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. (6) And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. (7) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. (8) Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (9) And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. (10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

You may not see the silver in a person, but we know it’s there and it is our job as Christians to seek it. Fan the embers of their soul. God will do the rest. People would run to the church if they found approval.

I can hear people say, “Oh but we couldn’t just approve of everything.”

Did Christ take a tally at the door when He fed the 5000? Did He say you needed to pass this test and that test before you may eat? No, but Jesus knew that once people knew they were accepted that they would want to come to the light because the light is warm. If your church is cold and your congregation looks down their noses at a wayward member, it’s going to die friends because that is not of God.

3. Appreciation

Giblin began this portion by saying that to appreciate means to raise in value. This is what we need to do with God’s children. If we accept people where they are and find something to approve they will appreciate in value.

Let’s go back to the parable in Luke. Jesus likened us to silver, that is to say money or something of value. If you invest money it will appreciate. It will grow. No matter how modest the sum, over time it will grow if cared for properly. The only things on earth today that will be in heaven tomorrow are the children of God, so what has more value than that?

God created us for His pleasure, so do you think that He finds pleasure in us when we shun and disgrace that which He created for His pleasure?

You might say, “Oh, but you don’t understand. This person is a thief and we can’t trust him, and this person is on drugs and no matter what we do he wont get off the drugs.”

Have you approved of him as he is? Have you helped him get off drugs enough to find SOMETHING to approve of? Have you helped and worked with that person enough that you can appreciate them? Have they gone up in value because of your stewardship? How many times did Jesus say to forgive?

Luke 17:3-4 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. (4) And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

If we were all to work on this, the value of this world would increase. We must approve of all where they are and look for their hidden treasures. God will turn up the heat on them and begin to burn away their crud and they will appreciate in value.

John

Jesus vs the Pharisee Bullies John 8:45-59

We pick up on this beautiful day with Christ still speaking to these Jews, whom He said are not the seed of Abraham, but are of their father the devil and just as darkness doesn’t understand light, the children of Satan do not understand the Son of man.

John 8:45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. (46) Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?

Convince Him of sin? There are two types of people that try and convince you of sin. The first ones are the ones that are honestly thinking that they are doing what is right, and the other are those that purposely try to lead someone astray. We recently did an article on the former that you may want to check out. I believe most people fall into this category because most people do not understand God’s law. They have grown up and understand the ways of the world, but not the ways of our Father. The other category is Satan and his children. They know what is right, but love sin. Satan knows who God is yet still tried to tempt Christ in the wilderness.

John 8:47 He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

Some will make the case that the Israelites just can’t understand because God divorced them (Jeremiah 3:8). And they will go on to use Paul to back up their claim that Israel has a spirit of slumber (Romans 11:8) because he was persecuting Christians until he encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). The problem with that thought process is that it misses the point of Jesus ministry, and that, unlike Paul,  most of these Pharisees weren’t actually Israelites.

Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

As the above verse says, Jesus was here specifically for Israel, before salvation was opened to the gentiles. Those who  believe that God will not allow these Pharisees to understand Jesus, though they want to, miss the fact that when Israel heard the truth they came out in droves to the Jordan to be baptized. The fact is that if you love God and seek after Him and put aside your pride or prejudice you can hear His word no matter if you were born Israelite or Gentile. Doesn’t matter–we are all God’s children and there is but one vine to which you can be attached and receive everlasting life, and that is Christ.

John 8:48 Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil?

What the Pharisees said here is so dumb it makes me laugh! It’s like they realized they are caught and are now just going to start tossing whatever they can to make them look better. Do you remember in school when someone makes the bully look dumb and he starts coming at that person with everything he can to try and make it stick?

John 8:49 Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me.

Bullies don’t like it when someone stands up to them. Most people in this day and age couldn’t read, thus they relied on the priests to tell them the laws and commandments of God. So these holy rollers were not used to someone who could stand toe to toe with them and question their authority. Truth be told, most people today cannot stand toe to toe with Satan’s own which is sad. That’s how Satan operates folks. He uses scripture and he will twist it into a thousand directions if you let him. That is why you need to know what God’s plan is and how our Father operates.

Think on this: if someone came to you and said your mother baked you these chocolate chip cookies, I bet you could look at them and know if she did or not, and if not by sight you would know the moment you tasted them. Now I know that some of you out there don’t have moms that bake chocolate chip cookies, but I’m sure you understand the principal. Whether it was good or bad, you know your mom’s cooking and I doubt anyone could copy it. How many wives out there wish they could? How many wives have had better cooking than their mother-in-laws and have to suffer because their husbands know and love the cooking of their parents? Our Father’s Word isn’t any different. If you delve into it and get familiar with Him and His Word, and understand how He works, then even when you are dealing with a bad translation, you know something isn’t right. If you can’t, I don’t say this to shame you. I say it to encourage you to get into your Father’s Word and start to talk with Him. He created us for His pleasure.

John 8:50-51 And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. (51) Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

That begs the question: whose glory are you after? Whose glory do you seek? If Jesus the Christ did not come to seek His own glory, who should you be glorifying? I hope you know the answer to that. I hope that you check yourself frequently because we all have pride and we all struggle with ego to one degree or another.

John 8:52 Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.

Clearly these turkeys don’t know their Father’s word. “Oh but they didn’t have the New Testament and they didn’t know about life after death.” Oh really? David knew it. In second Samuel what did he say right after his first child with Bathsheba died?

2 Samuel 12:23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

You see David knew where he was going and what about this:

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

We came from God and we return to God. End of story. Jesus came from God too, just as Abraham did before he came to earth.

Naturally, we could talk about the Angel of the Lord that came to visit Abraham not to mention Melchizedek, but I wont at this time.

John 8:53 Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Maybe they would have more respect for Abraham and Moses if they realized that they were with the Father.

John 8:54 Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: (55) Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

These guys are running around wanting to kill anyone who doesn’t do and say exactly what they want, and Christ is running around healing the sick and proclaiming the year of the Lord. You know it’s so easy to get caught up in chasing around false teachers and wanting to tear down their false houses, and I know that looking at them can make you sick, but that isn’t what Jesus did. Jesus went out and taught. He let those jokers come to Him and we need to follow that example. Get in God’s ark, keep the bow pointed toward the fixed point in the heavens, God, and put the throttle down. Don’t worry about the wake that the others are making; run over it. Let them worry about our wake.

John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Of course he saw it. Christ came to him and promised him a son. He received a son (Isaac), and through him we got The Son. And he did see it because to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

John 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? (58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Again He uses the sacred name because He was there. In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, (John 1:1).

John 8:59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

They started the chapter wanting to stone a woman, with no regard for the law, as that would require the man to be there as well. Now they want to stone Him, and to do it in the temple of all places. I told you in the beginning that this chapter is giving us a glimpse of the Millennium. Take what you will from that, for when Christ returns, every knee will bow and He will be in the temple, and by the end of the Millennium, many will fall away. I pray that wont be you. Stay in His Word and follow Him. Create your own wake and SHOW the world that you honor God. Words mean little next to deeds. Until next time, may God keep you and Bless you. Amen

John

John 8:42-44 Jesus Calls out the Sons of Satan

In the last post, we kinda left off in the middle of a conversation between Christ and these Jews, where these Jews are claiming to be sons of Abraham, to which Christ responded, “If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.”

This in turn made them angry and they responded by saying, “We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.”

I began that post by saying that we had come to the group mentioned in 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 before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Then when we got to John 8:37, where Jesus agrees with them that they are Abraham’s seed, I told you how I felt Christ was saying that it didn’t matter who your father was, but what mattered was that once you are baptized into Christ then you are Abraham’s seed.

I don’t want to take away from that message because it’s true that no matter who you are, if you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you too CAN become a child of the living God. But today, we are going to focus on this synagogue of Satan.

John 8:42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. (43) Why do ye not understand my speech?even because ye cannot hear my word.

Remember Nicodemus? He was a pharisee as well and, while he didn’t always understand Jesus, he asked questions so that he could understand. He believed Jesus. How do we know he believed him? Because in chapter 19 of this same book, we see that he brings myrrh and aloes to Jesus and helped with His burial.

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.

What on earth is He talking about? Satan. Who was the first murderer? Cain of course. And who was Cain’s father? Despite what many think, it wasn’t Adam. It was Satan. This is why God said to the serpent in Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

He wasn’t speaking about apple seeds. He was talking about children and his children did bruise the heel of our savior when they drove the spike through it when nailing Him to the cross.

We will be doing a more in depth study on this topic, as it deserves further study, but for today let’s get a second witness to this by turning to Matthew.

Matthew 13:24-25 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: (25) But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.

A tare, for those of you who don’t know, is a plant that while it is growing in the field looks just like the good wheat, until it comes to harvest time. Thus a farmer is unaware of them until they begin to bear fruit, and he has to deal with them is because they are poisonous. Their fruit will kill you.

Matthew 13:26-29 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. (27) So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? (28) He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? (29) But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

The reason we aren’t to gather them up early is because, not only are they hard to spot, and you could grab the wrong ones by accident, but their roots are also intertwined with the wheat and pulling them up would harm the good roots.

Matthew 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

Christ here gives us some other parables, and I encourage you to read them in their entirety as they are important, but for the sake of brevity and the topic we are covering, we will jump down to his explanation.

Matthew 13:36-38 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. (37) He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; (38) The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;

God planted good seed in the garden. Satan came and planted his seed. “Well that is talking about the Son of man, that’s Jesus. That isn’t talking about the garden of Eden.” That’s true in part because Jesus here is not only giving us the physical seed, but also the spiritual. What does Christ tell us in this self same chapter?

John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (57) Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? (58) Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus was around long before He showed up wrapped in swaddling clothes. Do you see how He used I AM there? That’s exactly the same name He used when He came to Moses in the burning bush. God is the same yesterday, today, and guess what, He will be tomorrow.

God did not just wake up one day and go, “Gee these Israelites suck I’m going to just open Myself up to all these gentiles and teach them a lesson.” No it was part of His plan from the beginning. That is why He gave us the prophecy about the bruised heel the very moment Satan came to tempt man kind, because He knew that man was weak.

We don’t know how long Adam and Eve were in the garden before the serpent came, but we do know they had full bellies and wanted for nothing and still they couldn’t cut it. We also know that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ came and, even after being hungry in the desert with the sun beating down and His lips split, He told Satan to take a hike.

Regardless of whether you want to buy into the notion that the sons of Cain are represented here or not, the fact remains that there are two trees, two vines you can be attached to. The first is the tree of life which is to say Christ. Israel is the natural, physical seed, but salvation was opened to all spiritually. The second is Satan’s tree, which has gone by many names over the years, but those that are attached to it are are his children, physical or otherwise. I’d suggest you make sure you know which one your attached to, and make sure it is love that is pumping in from the root and nothing else.

We will finish out this eighth chapter of John next time. Until then stay in His word and God Bless.

Topic Discussions

Are you Spiritually Fit?

The world is starving. Spiritual fitness is at an all time low. Confusion reigns. Yet many churches across this country are full. Why? Some will say t hat it is prophecy: Amos 8:11-12 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: (12) And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

While the above scripture is true, it doesn’t excuse us from spreading the Word of God. If we just eat food and sit on the couch watching TV, no matter how good the food is, if we don’t exercise, we won’t be physically fit. We know that couch potatoes usually do not eat the best food. A person who starts out eating healthfully, as they develop bad habits, will usually eat fewer health foods, and more junk food. In turn, spiritual couch potatoes are the same way. Even if you love to read and hear the Word of God, if you stop sharing it, using it, and exercising with it, you will begin to allow the garbage of the world to slip into you.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (5) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Do you know what this “make full proof of” is? It is G4135 in the Strong’s and it means: to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: – most surely believe, fully know (persuade), make full proof of.

So let me ask you: Have you carried out fully your ministry? Have you entirely accomplished your ministry or are you sitting on the spiritual couch?

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

That is from the sermon of the mount, the first thing Christ taught after He was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. Note that this isn’t a suggestion it is a command and note WHY we are to do this: that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In the prior verse, note that He called us: Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Do you want to be trodden under earth?

Turn to the parable of the sower. Luke 8:11-14 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. (12) Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. (13) They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. (14) And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

You have all heard the word of God. Will you allow yourselves to be part of the above crowd or of this next group?

Luke 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

And bring forth fruit with patience. How is your fruit?

Luke 8:16-18 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. (17) For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. (18) Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.

This is much like the parable of the talents written in Matthew 25:14. I encourage you to read that and ask yourself if you are the one hiding your talent in the earth. We are all children of God: even those who claim they are not. Those who have been in darkness shy away from the light. Don’t let that stop you from shining that light. We know when we have been in darkness our eyes adjust to that darkness and the light hurts them, but that doesn’t stop us from flipping the switch.

“But what if I go out, use patience, and spread the word, and I get questions that I don’t know how to handle?” God will certainly send questions and events your way that you don’t know how to answer. He does this so that we can grow and go to Him and our fellow brothers and sisters to strengthen us. A plant that lives it’s whole life inside a greenhouse cannot survive outside. It is time for all of us to get off the couch and get outside.

John

Christ Explains Abraham’s Children John 8:33 to 8:41

This chapter began with Christ coming from the mount of Olives and going to the temple. This tells us that while this chapter can certainly be applied today, it is talking about the time AFTER He touches the mount of Olives, that is to say when He returns to earth. You maybe wondering why I keep emphasizing this point. I do this because I want you to see how Christ is going to deal with these different groups. He knows our hearts so there isn’t any tricking Him. He has dealt with the adulterous woman, which is an example of how He will deal with those who were supposed to remain faithful to Him. Now we are going to see how He deals with those who claim to be Jews but are not and do lie (Revelation 2:9, 3:9).

Jesus has just told them that, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Thus, we pick it up with their response.

John 8:33 They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?

This is interesting because Galatians 4:22 says, “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.”

Those two sons were Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael was born a servant, and the sons of Isaac, namely Israel were enslaved by Egypt. So if if they are not of Ishmael or Isaac who are they? Don’t worry Christ will identify them in a moment.

John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. (35) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

As close as a servant or slave may be to the family, he is never a member of the family.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Naturally, Jesus is telling them that He, being the only begotten Son, can free them from their master, sin.

John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.

Some people will say that Jesus is only paying them lip service here because all of Abraham’s seed were at one point in bondage, and these people claim to never have been in bondage to any man. This could be the case because certainly can trace how the nethinim crept into the priesthood, but I feel as if He is trying to show us it doesn’t matter who is your earthly father.

Let us turn to Galatians 3:26-29 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Paul explains that if we are in Christ then we are part of the family, just as Jesus told us above, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

We can take the concept a bit further by reading this: 1 Timothy 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

And we can read this: Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

John 8:38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.

Here is the crux of the matter because there are two fathers. See Malachi 4:6.

John 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

Abraham lived by faith. Romans 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

You see Abraham recognized God when He came to visit. Having never seen Him before, Abraham knew who The King of kings and Lord of lords was. He gave tithes to Him when He appeared as Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18 (See Hebrew 7 and if you don’t understand this don’t worry) and he believed him when He came and told him he would have a son (Genesis 17).

John 8:40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.

Don’t forget this first chapter of John: John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 8:41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.

Clearly they do not understand God, but as we just said, the darkness does not understand God. Many people today are in darkness. One doesn’t have to go far to find those that mistake the works and ways of Satan for those of God. My friends you are either on the vine or not. People always want to say, “Well the Jews this or Gentiles that,” but as we have seen in Galatians 3:38 as well as other places, to God that doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is if your branch is attached to the Vine.

John 15:4-6 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (5) I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (6) If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

I want to stop here today because I don’t want this article to get too long, and when we pick this back up, I go want to go a little deeper into the two fathers, along with parable of the tares. Don’t miss it!

Reference Notes

Rebellion of Satan

5 Comments

At one time, during the First Earth Age, when we were all spiritual beings that most people call angels, and all was peaceful (Job 38:7), Satan was the most beautiful and powerful of God’s angels; he was created to be the cherub that guarded the Mercy Seat. However, due to the fact that God created all of His children with free will, Satan developed pride and arrogance, and decided he was worthy of being worshiped, and not only that, but he decided that he was more powerful than God. So, because of this self-exaltation, he decided to lead a rebellion against God, and set up a hierarchy (Rev 12:3) similar to the one he will influence during the Tribulation, and take as many of God’s children away from Him as he could (Isa 14:12-14, Eze 28:14-17, Rev 12:3-4).

When this rebellion began, some of God’s children immediately took a stand for God and against Satan (Rom 8:26-39, 11:2-5, Eph 1:4-5). Then there were some who took a direct stand against God and for Satan (Rev 12:4). Aside from those two groups, we can deduce (because those who followed God He made His elect who cannot possibly stray from God, and those who immediately followed Satan were his most loyal who willingly became fallen angels who are sentenced to be destroyed, as they have chosen their destiny) that there was a third part who were lukewarm and could not decide who was worthy of their allegiance, but because of their indecision, were mostly deceived by Satan. This third group were essentially on the fence, and for the most part still are to this day until they care enough to decide to get off the fence and take a stand, either for God, or Satan.

As a result of this rebellion, God split eternity, eternity past from eternity future, and cleared off the earth and recreated it to insert the age we currently occupy, the Second Earth Age, and He mandated that each of us be born once in the flesh, through the womb of a mother (Heb 9:26-27). We would be born without memory of the world that was in the First Earth Age (2Pet 3:4-5), and this would be a test to each of us, in this controlled scenario, whether we would choose to follow God, or Satan by default (or even by choice) (Gen 1:2-31, Psa 104:5-14, Jer 4:22-27, 2Pet 3:5-9).

Because of the free will, which God gave each of us, there were some who chose not to be born through the womb, but instead continue to rebel against God’s will (Gen 6:1-4, Jud 1:4-6) and follow the same path that Satan took during this age. Of course, God also had His most loyal followers whom He chose from the time of the rebellion, and to these God would give a very important role while on earth in the flesh (Jer 1:5, Rom 8:28-30, 9:9-21, 11:2-5).

Our whole existence here on earth in these flesh bodies is a direct result of the Rebellion of Satan, and all of what we see and read in the Bible has a very specific part in God’s plan, which will ultimately end in an ideal Kingdom of Heaven led by God in His full glory after the Millennium.

 

Topic Discussions

Who were the Shepherds Tending their Flocks?

When I was a child I couldn’t wait to watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. The best part is when Linus declared that he can tell Charlie Brown what Christmas is all about and then wrapped his blanket about his head and stepped out onto the stage to speak these words:

Luke 2:8-12 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. (9) And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. (12) And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

The scene is heartwarming and certainly the focus is on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, but today I want to look at the reason the angel came to the shepherds in the first place. I have no doubt that you have heard many sermons on how the shepherds were the lowest of the low during this period of history. That God goes to those that are downtrodden, etc, which is true– shepherds at this time were the poorest class of people. They were so poor that many had long ago sold their lands just to get by and paid to graze their sheep, but that only scratches the surface of what the scripture is telling us.

Christ is the chief shepherd and will be returning with a rod of iron. Before leaving, He said to Peter in the 21st chapter of John, “Feed my Sheep,” documenting to us that God not only uses shepherds as an analogy for those that look over the people, but that He has shepherds to this day. This is much like when David left the flock with a caregiver, when his father sent him to see about his brothers, and he found them all cowering on a hill as Goliath defied the armies of the Living God.

This isn’t only New Testament stuff:

Numbers 27:15-20 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying, (16) Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, (17) Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd. (18) And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; (19) And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. (20) And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient.

The job of the shepherd is to keep the children from falling into sin. Alas, we know that, by in large, they did not do their job.

Zechariah 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.

God isn’t happy with shepherds that don’t do their job. It is why judgment begins at the pulpit.

Zechariah 11:17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

But the angel came not to idol shepherds; he came to those few shepherds that were tending to their flocks. Symbolically this is the remnant. Which were not at the temple in Jerusalem, but out in the fields working, much like John the Baptist would be doing in just a few short years.

Romans 11:1-5 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (2) God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, (3) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. (4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. (5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

Now comes the question: why at night? Is it because we can see stars at night? Sure, but really it is because, before Christ came, the world was in darkness and they were still standing in the shadow of the law.

John 9:5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Christ came to those that were waiting for Him, even when they couldn’t see everything. and even if they didn’t understand everything. The same will be true on His second advent, for He will come like a thief in the night.

Matthew 25:31-34 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (32) And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: (33) And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. (34) Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

Remember that Christ is inside of us, and while He is away, it is our job to be the light of the world.

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (15) Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. (16) Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Those shepherds, to whom the angel came, didn’t have the light of the world yet, but you do, so shine that light. Shine that light, and not just during this holiday season, but everyday. For, this world is a dark place, but putting the light of Christ out for all to see will not only warm your heart, it will help others to find the way.

Revelation

Revelation 8

2 Comments

In the last chapter, Revelation 7, we read about the 6th seal, in which God’s elect are sealed with the truth by the Holy Spirit. And now we are about to read of the 7th seal, which is understanding of all the seals as a whole, in preparation of the coming tribulation and antichrist.

(Rev 8:1) And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.

The 7th seal is the understanding of the sequence of events in the end times. By the time the 7th seal is opened, in this sequence of events, satan, as antichrist, will have been on the earth for the second half of the Tribulation, (666–6th seal, 6th trump, 6th vial), and therefore during that second half, there is silence in heaven because he will no longer be there fighting the battle he had led during the first half against God’s angels.

(Rev 8:2) And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

No we are going to go into the 7 trumpets, which announce the sequence of events of the end times.

(Rev 8:3) And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.

(Rev 8:4) And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

God hears all of our prayers, and He answers them accordingly. The answer isn’t always a yes because God always knows and does what is best for us. However, the faith that comes with these prayers pleases God and He values that. The saints, God’s elect, because they are led by the Holy Spirit, are guided as to what they should pray for, as no one knows God’s complete will because only He has the ability to know and see all.

(Rom 8:26) Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

(Rom 8:27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

(Rom 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

(Rev 8:5) And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

The censer filled with prayers is filled with God’s consuming fire and He sends it to earth with His Holy Spirit to fire up all of His elect. As the trumpets start to sound, it is a call to action for His servants, and it will stir up the entire world because when God’s pure truth is shared, the reaction is either love or hate from the people of the world.

(Rev 8:6) And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

What these trumpets are about to announce will not be seen or perceived in a physical sense; it is on a spiritual level, and you will need spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear or you won’t even know  or understand that it’s happening.

These trumpet began, at the start of this last generation, which took place in 1948. As the generation has progressed, the rate at which prophecies are fulfilled, has been accelerating. These are known as the labor pains, and this is labor of the birth of a new age, which will begin when Jesus returns, after the Tribulation.

(Rev 8:7) The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.

At the sound of this first trumpet, a vast number of people of the world, the trees and the grass, will become spiritually dead, as they do not know God through Jesus Christ, nor do they even care to know Him. This spiritual death can be overcome, but it is very difficult while in the flesh. But for many of them, there will be a chance in the Millennium, under Jesus’ rule on earth.

This spiritual destruction is accomplished through the hidden dynasty of education of the kenites, which is the 4th seal, in chapter 6 of Revelation, and through this means, people’s minds easily become more pliable to those in power.

(Rev 8:8) And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;

As this second trumpet sound the nations (mountains) of the world begin to lose their sovereignty and are cast into the sea, which represents the people of the world. Then the nations of the world slowly become subject to the authority of a world government.

While this is taking place, even more people of the world (the sea again) begin to become spiritually dead. They become deceived by the delusions of people who would rather work out their own salvation to try to bring world peace, rather than turn to Jesus Christ to bring them peace. We are told in the Bible that until the time that Jesus returns, there will be no world peace. Those people who try to establish it on their own are liars and are accursed, because without establishing peace in Jesus’ name, tensions and hatred with fester up in people’s hearts until it boils over. This is inevitable, and for this reason, peace cannot ever be enforced, it must be welcomed through the love of Jesus.

(Rev 8:9) And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Not only are these nations losing their independence, but the world trade between sovereign nations and the world’s economy is affected, and begins to grow weaker. This is accomplished through the hidden dynasty of economy, which is the 3rd seal.

(Rev 8:10) And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;

This great star that falls from heaven is satan, the other morning star. He is the false morning star, or the false light bearer, Lucifer. Just as he is represented by the moon, and God represented by the sun, the poorly reflects the light that the sun gives off on its own, and satan poorly imitates the light of God’s truth and dimly lights the night, which is the Tribulation. Satan likes to try to imitate everything that God is and pass himself off as an angel of light.

(2Co 11:14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

(2Co 11:15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Those who serve satan at the deepest capacities are called the illuminati, which is an organization also run by the kenites. These are the “illuminated ones”, which are really only falsely illuminated. They help spread the deception of satan to control the people of the world through the four hidden dynasties. Just as Christians are to be the lamps of God, the illuminati, those who choose to serve satan, are the lamps of satan.

Their deception sweeps the whole world away in a flood of lies and leads it right into the one world political system. This political system is a product of the political dynasty of the 2nd seal. The fountains of waters represent the Christians of the world, and they are just as susceptible to the deception as anyone else. Only the most familiar with God’s Word will recognize what is happening.

(Rev 8:11) And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Wormwood is the poison of satan and he poisons the fountains of living water from God. The same Christians who have accepted Christ and His salvation will drink this water poisoned by Wormwood, and will be led astray from God, right into satan’s one world system when he arrives as antichrist. When Christians follow antichrist, along with the rest of the world, they will become spiritually dead. For most of them there will be no chance until we enter the Millennium, after Jesus returns.

The religious system that will soon follow will be the result of the dynasty of religion, which has been thousands of years in the making, and is the 1st seal. It first took root when the nethinim worked their way into service in the temple centuries before Christ. They gradually worked their way up in position to be the very priests, slyly taking those positions from the Levites, and pretending to be holy. These are the false jews mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3.

(Rev 8:12) And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

In the 4th trumpet, God’s truth (the sun) is covered more than it has ever been in the past. Anyone who is left who has not been fooled by the lies of satan and his servants will then be pulled in and made ready to worship the beast system and antichrist. The earth will, at this point, be prepared for the Tribulation, and will move swiftly into the 5th trumpet of the One World Government.

(Rev 8:13) And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!

These angels are warning that the world is about to enter into the Tribulation, a time of the greatest troubles the earth and flesh man have ever seen. Anyone who doesn’t know what to expect should hit the books and prepare because it is about to get rough!

Reference Notes

Mark of the Beast

2 Comments

The Mark of the Beast is often misunderstood as a physical mark (or chip) placed on people, during the time antichrist is on earth, for those who worship antichrist and his system. However, that is an assumption based on misunderstanding of scripture.

The Mark of the Beast will be dealt to most of the people on earth (Mat 24:24, Rev 7:3-4, 12:9-15, 13:11-16) while antichrist is here because they will have been deceived into worshiping him and his system (Rev 14:9), and they will have served him because they will believe he is the Messiah. This mark is not a physical mark because it is based on what people feel in their hearts; and therefore it goes much deeper than a physical trait. No one can hold us down and force us to feel something in our hearts and therefore a physical mark cannot change our minds. God cares more about where our loyalties lie, than what someone has made us do to ourselves physically.

This mark is in one’s forehead and in one’s right hand (Rev 13:16), and these terms are symbolic. The mark that is in people’s foreheads is in their brains, and it is those people’s belief that antichrist is the Messiah or God, which he will claim to be. This is the mark of deception that is brought forth in the flood of lies from satan’s mouth (Rev 12:15). The mark in the right hand represents someone’s works in serving the system of antichrist, and doing his will. The right hand in biblical times was always symbolic of power or work.

The Mark of the Beast is mutually exclusive with the Seal of God, meaning that everyone on earth will have either the mark or the seal. The Seal of God is protection against the torment that those with the Mark of the Beast will suffer (Rev 7:3, 9:1-11, 14:9-11,16:1-4, 8-14, 17-21). Those with the Mark of the Beast will continue to be plagued through the tribulation unless they wake up and repent, and turn against antichrist (Mar 3:28-29, Luk 21-12-19, 1Jo 1:9, Rev 16:1-4, 8-14, 17-21) before Jesus returns.

Those without the Mark of the Beast will not be allowed to buy or sell (Rev 13:17), and that can be accomplished by many ways even though the mark is not a physical mark. One such way as there may be a card issued to those who have proven their loyalty to antichrist when they have worshipped him, but that card would not be the mark. God’s people will be provided-for none-the-less because they will remain faithful to Jesus Christ and not fall for antichrist.

The only way to avoid receiving the Mark of the Beast is to read, study, and understand the Bible (2Th 7-12, 2Ti 2:15, Rev 7:1-4), as even many professing Christians will be deceived, along with the rest of the world (Mat 24:22-24, Mar 13:20-23, Rev 12:9-15, 13:11-14), because they don’t care enough for Jesus to pick up God’s Word and read it. Those people who will be sealed by the Holy Spirit as protection are those who know and love Jesus Christ and His Word (2Ti 2:15, Rev 7:3-4), as He is the Living Word, and this sealing will be accomplished before antichrist arrives (Rev 7, 9:1-12).

The receiving of the Mark of the Beast does not condemn someone to die in the Lake of Fire, however, they will be in danger of this sentence (Rev 20:4-6, 11-15) if they do not repent and turn back to and serve Jesus Christ once they realize what they have done. Those who do not do so by the time Jesus Christ returns will have a chance in the Millennium Kingdom to be taught and disciplined to learn the ways of God and forsake their selfish ways (Eze 44, Rev 20:1-6). During this time, they will be considered spiritually dead (Eze 44:23:25, Rev 20:4-6, 12-13), and at the end of the Millennium, they will be tested one last time (Rev 20:7-9), and if they fail this test, after the Great White Throne Judgment, they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:11-15). If they instead pass and are found in the Book of Life, they will be granted eternal life at that time (Rev 20:5, 21, 22).

If someone is truly saved by Jesus Christ, though they may be deceived when antichrist is here, they will overcome in the Millennium, or perhaps before, because they love Jesus Christ and they will do what it takes to make it right (Rom 1:16, 11:23-27, 1Ti 2:10). The only way to salvation is to accept it through Jesus Christ (Joh 14:6-7, 1Th 5:9, 1Ti 2:10, 3:15), and our lives will reflect that salvation if we are truly saved (Tit 2:7-15, 3:1-8, 14-15, Jam 2:14-26, Rev 2:4-5, 20:11-13).

For more information check out the article, RFID Chips Short Circuit Salvation???