Speaking The Truth In Love Updated
New Blogs Part 10 Updated May 18 2018
If you believe it is ok to deny registered sex offenders human rights or U.S. Constitutional rights. If you do not believe registered sex offenders are denied their human and constitutional rights or if you are against free speech.
Please leave this web page now. Thank you.
By remaining on this web page you here by acknowledge that you support human rights and United States constitutional rights for registered sex offenders and that you support freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is understood to be fundamental in a democracy. The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights.
The author of SO FAQ does not affiliate with any other organization or people on the internet or the world for that matter. I have been saying this since I first logged on to the internet. Just because I like organizations like the ACLU; does not mean I believe in everything they believe in or stand for. Just like in our great country when we vote; we will never believe in everything the candidate we vote for; believes in or stands for. That doe not mean we are should not vote.
If you believe it is ok to deny registered sex offenders human rights or U.S. Constitutional rights. If you do not believe registered sex offenders are denied their human and constitutional rights or if you are against free speech.
Please leave this web page now. Thank you.
By remaining on this web page you here by acknowledge that you support human rights and United States constitutional rights for registered sex offenders and that you support freedom of speech.
Freedom of speech is understood to be fundamental in a democracy. The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights.
This blog is not for people to be critical of what is posted here and if the reader is critical of anything here than that means they did not read the disclaimer on the top of each of the pages here and are not welcome here and should stop reading and leave this blog upon my request and in the name of freedom of speech, and my rights as a American citizen.
No sexual abuse is ever acceptable. Sex offense laws and policies should be based on sound research and common sense, not fear, panic or paranoia. Current laws and policies that paint all sex offenders with one broad brush are counter- productive, wasteful, and cause needless harm. Each offense must be judged on its own merits with a punishment that fits the crime and does not waste taxpayer dollars. The public sex offender registry and residency restriction laws do not protect children but instead ostracize and dehumanize individuals and their families. Money spent on purely punitive measures would be better used for prevention, healing, and rehabilitation.
The author of SO FAQ does not affiliate with any other organization or people on the internet or the world for that matter. I have been saying this since I first logged on to the internet. Just because I like organizations like the ACLU; does not mean I believe in everything they believe in or stand for. Just like in our great country when we vote; we will never believe in everything the candidate we vote for; believes in or stands for. That doe not mean we are should not vote.
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Hey, this blog looks real nice on a cell phone; as I have recently discovered.
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Please ignore the official counter on this blog. Shortly after I put this counter on every page of my blog it became impossible to update with it in the html of this blog. I had to take it off all my blog pages. I just realized today it is still on my untouched SOFAQ homepage still and I believe it is true, counting not only computer hits but phone hits as well. I am pasting a copy of it here:
That's right; the home page of this blog registers 215,050 hits. check the bottom of this page to see for yourself: https://sexoffenderfaq.blogspot.com/ |
October 02 2018:
I did some research on my Blogspot editing problem in Google. I found out; it is a issue with me having two blogging accounts, this one with my gmail account and my political blog under my Yahoo email. It is recently easier for me to switch from one to the other. Because this is a new feature Google has not adjusted it's code to work between both. I could be wrong.
Well it is a new month and I am still zealously, resolved; to make this another page of Bible logic against the Laodicean Church; that makes me want to hide the fact that I am a Christian.
I am reading this awesome book right now:
Will Man Survive?: The Bible Looks at Man's Future: J. Dwight. Pentecost
https://www.amazon.com/Will-Man-Survive-Bible-Future/dp/031030931X
The nineties have begun in crisis. Military aggression, economic uncertainty, chemical pollution, famine, nuclear stockpiling, Mideast tensions: Where will they ...
I am fortunate that I own this (unedited) book. It is nowhere to be found on the internet; like so many great books on the end times. If God had his way; this book would be available to all on the internet. I used to say the same thing to people on the internet back in 1995 about the BIBLE. You would have to buy the BIBLE back in 1995 to use it online. The internet has come a long way since then concerning God's Word.
It is frustrating to me not to be able to share what I read from this amazing book. After looking for this author in Google; I found out something about J. Dwight. Pentecost:
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Dwight_Pentecost
John Dwight Pentecost (April 24, 1915 – April 28, 2014) was an American Christian theologian, best known for his book Things to Come.
Pentecost was born in Pennsylvania and died in Dallas, Texas. His wife was Dorothy Harrison Pentecost (1915 - 2000). John and Dorothy had two daughters: Jane Pentecost Fenby and Gwendolyn Ann Pentecost Arnold (1954 - 2011).
Pentecost was Distinguished Professor of Bible Exposition, Emeritus, at Dallas Theological Seminary, one of only two so honored. He held a B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College (1937), in addition to Th.M. (1941) and Th.D. (1956) degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary. During his academic career he taught biblical subjects for over 60 years (Philadelphia College of Bible, 1948–55; Dallas Theological Seminary, 1955-2014). His nearly twenty books are written mostly for the general Christian reader. His pastoral career continued through this period.
Ordained at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania (Presbyterian Church) in 1941
Pastor at the same Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania (Presbyterian Church) from 1941 to 1946
Pastor at Devon, Pennsylvania (Saint John's Presbyterian Church) from 1946 to 1951
Pastor at Dallas, Texas (Grace Bible Church) from 1958 to 1976
He traveled worldwide, speaking on his specialist subjects.[5][6] A Festschrift, Essays in Honor of J. Dwight Pentecost, has been written. Edited by Stanley D. Toussaint and Charles H. Dyer, it was published by Moody Press in January 1986.
Writings
Pentecost is possibly best known for his published writings, which are predominantly focused on issues of Christian living and the eschatological scriptures. Pentecost took a Premillennial and Pretribulational view of the unfulfilled prophetic passages of the apocalyptic biblical literature. He had a Dispensationalist position, however, and his Things to Come (1958) is characterized by a comprehensive review of almost every view on the biblical prophetic subject matter that has any form of prominence.
Bibliography
Things to Come, Zondervan, 1958 ISBN 0-310-30890-9
Prophecy for Today : God's Purpose and Plan for Our Future, Zondervan, 1961 ISBN 0-929239-11-3
Will Man Survive?
The Parables of the Kingdom
Pattern for Maturity (since retitled Designed to Be Like Him)
The Joy of Intimacy with God : A Bible Study Guide to 1 John, Discovery House
Faith That Endures : A Practical Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, 2000 rev. ed.
The Divine Comforter : The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, Kregel, 1963 ISBN 0-8254-3456-4
Designed to be Like Him : Understanding God's Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity, 1966
Your Adversary, the Devil, 1969
Life’s Problems-God’s Solutions : Answers to 15 of Life's most Perplexing Problems, 1971
The Joy of Living : Study of Philippians, Kregel 1973 ISBN 0-310-30871-2
Design for Living : Lessons on Holiness from the Sermon on the Mount, Kregel, 1975 ISBN 0-8254-3457-2
The Sermon on the Mount : Contemporary Insights for a Christian Lifestyle, Multnomah Press, Portland, 1980
The Words and Works of Jesus Christ : A Study of the Life of Christ, Zondervan, 1981 ISBN 0-310-30940-9
A Harmony of the Words & Works of Jesus Christ, Zondervan, 1981 ISBN 0-310-30951-4
The Parables of Jesus : Lessons in Life from the Master Teacher, 1982
Thy Kingdom Come : Tracing God's Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises Throughout History, Kregel, 1995 ISBN 0-8254-3450-5
Things Which become Sound Doctrine : Doctrinal Studies of Fourteen Crucial Words of Faith, Kregel, 1996 ISBN 0-8254-3452-1
Design for Discipleship : Discovering God's Blueprint for the Christian Life, Kregel, 1996 ISBN 0-8254-3451-3
New Wine: A Study of Transition in the Book of Acts.Kregel, 2010 ISBN 0-8254-3597-8
Once again, one of my favorite author's; is from down the road from where I live.
I did some research on my Blogspot editing problem in Google. I found out; it is a issue with me having two blogging accounts, this one with my gmail account and my political blog under my Yahoo email. It is recently easier for me to switch from one to the other. Because this is a new feature Google has not adjusted it's code to work between both. I could be wrong.
Well it is a new month and I am still zealously, resolved; to make this another page of Bible logic against the Laodicean Church; that makes me want to hide the fact that I am a Christian.
I am reading this awesome book right now:
Will Man Survive?: The Bible Looks at Man's Future: J. Dwight. Pentecost
https://www.amazon.com/Will-Man-Survive-Bible-Future/dp/031030931X
The nineties have begun in crisis. Military aggression, economic uncertainty, chemical pollution, famine, nuclear stockpiling, Mideast tensions: Where will they ...
I am fortunate that I own this (unedited) book. It is nowhere to be found on the internet; like so many great books on the end times. If God had his way; this book would be available to all on the internet. I used to say the same thing to people on the internet back in 1995 about the BIBLE. You would have to buy the BIBLE back in 1995 to use it online. The internet has come a long way since then concerning God's Word.
It is frustrating to me not to be able to share what I read from this amazing book. After looking for this author in Google; I found out something about J. Dwight. Pentecost:
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Dwight_Pentecost
John Dwight Pentecost (April 24, 1915 – April 28, 2014) was an American Christian theologian, best known for his book Things to Come.
Pentecost was born in Pennsylvania and died in Dallas, Texas. His wife was Dorothy Harrison Pentecost (1915 - 2000). John and Dorothy had two daughters: Jane Pentecost Fenby and Gwendolyn Ann Pentecost Arnold (1954 - 2011).
Pentecost was Distinguished Professor of Bible Exposition, Emeritus, at Dallas Theological Seminary, one of only two so honored. He held a B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College (1937), in addition to Th.M. (1941) and Th.D. (1956) degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary. During his academic career he taught biblical subjects for over 60 years (Philadelphia College of Bible, 1948–55; Dallas Theological Seminary, 1955-2014). His nearly twenty books are written mostly for the general Christian reader. His pastoral career continued through this period.
Ordained at Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania (Presbyterian Church) in 1941
Pastor at the same Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania (Presbyterian Church) from 1941 to 1946
Pastor at Devon, Pennsylvania (Saint John's Presbyterian Church) from 1946 to 1951
Pastor at Dallas, Texas (Grace Bible Church) from 1958 to 1976
He traveled worldwide, speaking on his specialist subjects.[5][6] A Festschrift, Essays in Honor of J. Dwight Pentecost, has been written. Edited by Stanley D. Toussaint and Charles H. Dyer, it was published by Moody Press in January 1986.
Writings
Pentecost is possibly best known for his published writings, which are predominantly focused on issues of Christian living and the eschatological scriptures. Pentecost took a Premillennial and Pretribulational view of the unfulfilled prophetic passages of the apocalyptic biblical literature. He had a Dispensationalist position, however, and his Things to Come (1958) is characterized by a comprehensive review of almost every view on the biblical prophetic subject matter that has any form of prominence.
Bibliography
Things to Come, Zondervan, 1958 ISBN 0-310-30890-9
Prophecy for Today : God's Purpose and Plan for Our Future, Zondervan, 1961 ISBN 0-929239-11-3
Will Man Survive?
The Parables of the Kingdom
Pattern for Maturity (since retitled Designed to Be Like Him)
The Joy of Intimacy with God : A Bible Study Guide to 1 John, Discovery House
Faith That Endures : A Practical Commentary on the Book of Hebrews, 2000 rev. ed.
The Divine Comforter : The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, Kregel, 1963 ISBN 0-8254-3456-4
Designed to be Like Him : Understanding God's Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity, 1966
Your Adversary, the Devil, 1969
Life’s Problems-God’s Solutions : Answers to 15 of Life's most Perplexing Problems, 1971
The Joy of Living : Study of Philippians, Kregel 1973 ISBN 0-310-30871-2
Design for Living : Lessons on Holiness from the Sermon on the Mount, Kregel, 1975 ISBN 0-8254-3457-2
The Sermon on the Mount : Contemporary Insights for a Christian Lifestyle, Multnomah Press, Portland, 1980
The Words and Works of Jesus Christ : A Study of the Life of Christ, Zondervan, 1981 ISBN 0-310-30940-9
A Harmony of the Words & Works of Jesus Christ, Zondervan, 1981 ISBN 0-310-30951-4
The Parables of Jesus : Lessons in Life from the Master Teacher, 1982
Thy Kingdom Come : Tracing God's Kingdom Program and Covenant Promises Throughout History, Kregel, 1995 ISBN 0-8254-3450-5
Things Which become Sound Doctrine : Doctrinal Studies of Fourteen Crucial Words of Faith, Kregel, 1996 ISBN 0-8254-3452-1
Design for Discipleship : Discovering God's Blueprint for the Christian Life, Kregel, 1996 ISBN 0-8254-3451-3
New Wine: A Study of Transition in the Book of Acts.Kregel, 2010 ISBN 0-8254-3597-8
Once again, one of my favorite author's; is from down the road from where I live.
September 30 2018:
The FEA has a new post: https://feasite.org/node/2689
The new post reminds me of my early twenty's. I went around shopping for a church. When you are 19 years; old any church on this earth will welcome your interest in them. I was a anomaly then just like I am now. I attended a few bible studies and visited a few church library's. While attending a few church meetings, I discovered by staying after and talking to the ministers, that many church organisations that are not Charismatic or Pentecostal; still believe in such things as tongs and prophesies other than God's eternal word.
Remember my art from when I attended the FBC?:
I drew this back in the early 1990's.
Lots of little tiny ink lines.
It took a while.
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I agree with the good Pastor Gary Freel: That "“sign-gifts” (i.e., those miraculous gifts such as tongues, miracles, healings, etc.," are completely not scriptural and against the word of good.
All of the following are are; contrary to The Word of God concerning our present day, lukewarm, Laodicean Church:
2. Cessationist—One who believes only some of the gifts of the Spirit (specifically those for service) found listed in 1 Corinthians 12-14 presently exist to be utilized by the church today. However, none of the miraculous sign-gifts are for the church today; they ceased operation with the passing of the apostles in the first century.
3. Tongues—“The gift of tongues is the power of speaking supernaturally in a language never learned by the speaker, that language being made intelligible to the listeners by means of the equally supernatural gift of interpretation” (Myer Pearlman, Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible, p. 326). In other words, the gift of tongues is simply the ability to communicate in a foreign language the speaker has never previously learned or known. God enabled believers in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost to communicate His message to the many thousands of foreign travelers who happened to be in the city on that particular day (Acts 2). It is not gibberish, or some “heavenly language,” to be used by the speaker to build up self or to “prove” he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
4. Prophecy is defined by one Pentecostal as “a gift that is inspired by God through the Holy Spirit; granted to individuals for purposes of edification, exhortation, and comfort; and intended to communicate the mind of God” (C.M. Robeck, Jr., Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements, p. 738). Richard Gaffin, a cessationist, defines it similarly as “a revelatory gift; that is, it brings to the church the words of God in the primary and original sense. Prophecy is not, at least primarily or as one of its necessary marks, the interpretation of an already existing inspired text or oral tradition but is itself the inspired, nonderivative word of God” (Perspectives on Pentecost, p. 59). Prophecy served to reveal the mind and will of God.
5. Knowledge—Based on 1 Corinthians 12:8, the gift of knowledge, it would seem, is something beyond ordinary knowledge. It is something divinely bestowed to individuals along with prophecy and tongues. In other words, it is a revelational gift (i.e., like tongues, the one who receives this gift is receiving personal revelation from God).
6. Apostle—Literally, the word means a “sent one”—an emissary, an ambassador, one having the power and authority to act on behalf of the one who sent him to accomplish the task. This is a critically important office to understand. Three requirements that qualified one as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ are as follows: first, the man had to have seen Christ and been an eyewitness to His bodily resurrection from the dead (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:3-9); second, he had to have been called to the apostolic ministry either by Christ Himself or by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 10:1-4); finally, he was invested with the miraculous sign-gifts, possessing the ability to work miracles (Acts 5:15-16; Heb. 2:3-4) (Ryrie Study Bible, p. 1433). Based on these criteria, no one today could possibly be eligible to be an apostle as no one today has any of these three qualifications, let alone the third one which requires miracles to be an integral aspect of the apostolic office. In fact, 2 Corinthians 12:12 states that miracles were the “signs of an apostle,” not signs of a Christian or signs of a pastor or signs of an elder or signs of an evangelist. Paul specifically says they belonged, uniquely, to the apostles.
This is a great article ( https://feasite.org/node/2689 )for all those storing up treasures in heaven:
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
1. There is life after death
“It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
“All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28,29)
2. We will all stand before God
“We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Romans 14:10)
“I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God…. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” (Revelation 20:12)
3. All sin must be judged
“There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.” (Luke 12:2)
“Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)
“God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:14)
4. Our “good” is not GOOD enough
“We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
“Whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
“By grace are ye saved through faith … not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
5. God provides a way out
“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
“Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” (1 Peter 3:18)
6. Jesus lives to give you life
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
“There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
7. You must trust in Jesus Christ
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” (Isaiah 1:18)
“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Do you know these 7 things to be true?
It is God’s desire that you know His plan of salvation. Even more than that, it is of vital importance that you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today!
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2)
“God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)
“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” (Luke 15:10)
September 27 2018:
I want to thank the president for this speech on the 25th of September, 2018:
I made this image to celebrate his stand against communism:
Here is a couple good paragraphs from The FEA https://feasite.org/node/1834 :
Finally, the general drift of society into worldliness, materialism, immorality and social-political chaos continued as reasons for faith and concern for the spiritual values of life declined in the minds of the common people. In our century, there is no question that Darwinian evolution lies in the foundations of both Nazism-Fascism and Communism (Marxism-Leninism). Hitler’s vision of the superior, conquering super-race and Communism’s vision of materialistic, economically determined man evolving toward perfection in the collectivist environment both either flow from or are reinforced by Darwinism. And what of the Western world’s present march toward statism and ultimate socialist world government? Darwin’s evolved and evolving man is the subject of all of these schemes for people’s control and exploitation.
What Is the Remedy?
The remedy for this social-political-religious degeneration is the proclamation of the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God. The doctrine of man’s creation in the image of God must be allowed to compete in the public as well as in the private sector with Darwin’s doctrine of evolved man. The responsibility of sinful man before a holy God must be preached to a wicked, unbelieving world. And the believing church must take up its full responsibility to do this evangelism for the glory of the soon-returning King. Is it too late? No, it is never too late to obey God in this world which He created, rules over and will judge.
—By Robert Kofahl, Ph.D. Originally published in the July-August 1999 issue of Foundation magazine.
For God so loved the world
John 3:16 is often called "The Gospel Text," for here we have the whole gospel briefly stated. We see the source of salvation—the love of God; the channel through which salvation comes—His only begotten Son; and the way by which we receive it—faith in His Son.
Perhaps you will say, "Oh, I have read that verse a thousand times." Even if you have, have you ever really believed it—that is, by faith made yourself one of the "whosoevers" by trusting in Christ, and thereby received everlasting life?
A Christian friend told me how he was converted through this verse. He took it, read it word by word, believing as he read, applied it to himself, trusted the Son, and received everlasting life. Multitudes of other searching souls have done the same. Have you? If not, may the Lord help you to do so now.
Just let us look at this wonderful verse, a word or two at a time, always remembering that this is God's Word, and God means what He says.
GOD
That is the first word. Salvation begins with God. Here is man's first mistake. Man begins with himself. Man asks, "What must I do?" God says, "See what I have done." Friend, turn from yourself to God. Hear what He says, and see what He has done.
LOVED THE WORLD
Love—salvation springs from the love of God. God loved what? The world, a world of sinners. Wondrous, undeserved love! But remember, we must accept that love, or else it will do us no good.
But I have omitted a word, have I not? It is such a little word, but very big with meaning.
SO
Oh that "So"! It tells of the great, boundless nature of God's love, love which can only be measured by the action that it produced.
HE GAVE
Salvation is a gift. "The gift of God is eternal life" (Romans 6:23). Friend, are you trying to buy it? It is "without price" (Isaiah 55:1). God cannot sell it, and you cannot buy it—it is far too valuable. But God offers it freely as a gift. Will you accept it?
HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON
What a tremendous sacrifice! What love that offered it! Salvation is through God's Son. "God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1 John 5:11,12). Eternal life is not in us, but in Jesus alone. Therefore take Him as your Saviour, and you will have eternal life!
We have now seen what God has done—"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." Now, in the rest of the verse, we will see why He did it—"That whosoever believeth [trusts] in Him, should [will] not perish, but have everlasting life."
WHOSOEVER
Perhaps you say, "How may I know that salvation is offered to me?" Well, what does God say? "Whosoever," which extends the offer of salvation to every man, woman, and child on the earth. That includes you, my friend, does it not?
BELIEVETH or TRUSTS
Here it is as important to see what God does not say as what He does say.
God does not say, "Whosoever is moral, respectable, honest, well spoken of, and an office-holder or member of the church will be saved." This is man's first false way of salvation—character. It was the Pharisee's way—"God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men." And so he "trusted in himself." (See Luke 18:9,11.) Was he "justified," cleansed of His sins? No (verse 14). Why not? Because he was only righteous in his own sight, and in the sight of those around him. In God's sight he was a sinner, for "all have sinned." When it comes to man's character, there "is no difference" (Romans 3:22,23). In God's sight, "There is none righteous, no, not one" (Romans 3:10), and God is the Judge.
God also does not say, "Whosoever does good works will be saved." This is man's second false way of salvation—works. Did it ever strike you—what good works can a sinner do? As is the tree, so is its fruit; as is the man, so are his works. If you are a sinner, your works are sinful and of no merit for salvation. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). Thus, you see, a sinner can't do any works that please God. Even more than that, my unsaved friend, in God's sight you are a sinner and therefore "dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1). Now, what can dead people do? Nothing! It is life you need, and it is life God offers you.
Does God ask you as a sinner to work for salvation? No, His Word declares that salvation is "not of works" (Ephesians 2:9). Galatians 2:16 tells us three times that salvation is not by works, and three times that it is by faith. Read that verse—it leaves no doubt!
Finally, God does not say "Whosoever has a certain feeling is saved." This is man's third false way of salvation—feelings. This is a common mistake with anxious souls. "Oh," says one, "if only I could feel some new feeling within me, I think I would be all right." You think so, but does God say so? Never. He does not ask you to feel, but to believe His Word and trust His Son.
I know what you want. You want to feel "the joy of salvation." But how can you feel the joy of salvation, until you first have salvation? A drowning man can't feel the joy of being saved until first he is saved, and neither can you. Likewise, just as feeling can't save him, neither can it save you. Salvation is a fact, not a feeling, and rests on these three great facts—Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He has risen again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4).
We've noticed that God does not say, Whosoever is, or does, or feels. He does say, "Whosoever believeth." To believe means to trust yourself completely to the one in whom you believe. Who is that?
IN HIM
The Son of God. Not in yourself, or in yourself and Jesus together, but in Jesus—Jesus only. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
SHOULD NOT PERISH
Perish you will, if you do not trust in Christ. The soul without Christ is in great danger. Did you ever think of that? Friend, if you are still an unbelieving sinner, you are in a terrible state, and on the way to a terrible doom! "He that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36). Escape to Christ, trust in Him, and then you will not perish.
BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE
No matter what kind of person you are, and no matter what kinds of things you have done, if you will right now trust in Jesus, believing who He is—the Son of God—and what He has done—died on the cross and risen again for you, you will right now have eternal life. When you believe God's Word, you will have the assurance of your salvation, too, for it says of those who trust in Jesus, "I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand" (John 10:28).
I also owe the fact that I was grounded in the KJV 1611 from the moment I was saved; from the Chick Tracts. I understand that this is a sensitive subject with people. You get a emotional attraction to versions, like the New International Version. After a time of backsliding and come back to the narrow path with the Lord; I used a NIV for a while; and really liked it emotionally. The Chick tracts are a great way for new Christians to learn to tow that line; of the walk the Lord on the narrow path.
Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Go to the bottom of this page ( My Favorite Gospel Tracts updated September 24, 2018 ) and read the last two tracts; to get grounded like you should be. Whether you like it or not you must tow the line now in this short life for eternal treasures.
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Matthew 6:20 lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven
Like I said; just before I started talking about the Bible on this blog, if you search for all the thing's you must do to be obedient to the Lord and His Word; you will not like everything you find.
The next best thing is to Chick Tracts for new believers is my most loved Church organization of this earth: The Fundamental Evangelic Association.
I have handed out many of these to fellow Christians, I still own many of these type tracts. If you have the opportunity to hand them out these tracts are a must have:
I zipped four of this important subject for Christians to read:
Bible Versions
September 22 2018:
Sometimes I wonder if I could survive in a communist country; quietly worshiping my Lord in my own home. This is America; so time to post on my blog again with true freedom of religion and true freedom of speech.
Why do I not attend church, or why do I not even bother looking for a local church? If there was a local church here that was OKed by the FEA; I would know, because they would tell me. We are in the Laodicean church now.
I quote myself from this page:
"Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. God is so disgusted with today's Christian he says he will spit them out of His mouth."
My message to 99% of the Christian population today is; you are better off having church in your home than joining together with a Laodicean church.
Ephesians 5:7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Here is a great tract for you to read, from my brother in the Lord; who I enjoyed fellowship with, for many years, Pastor Dennis Costella: found here: https://feasite.org/biblical_separation
I will highlight the words that catch my eye.
What Does the Bible Say About Separation?
Submitted by Matt Costella on Feb, 20, 2013
[The following article written by the late Pastor Dennis Costella is available in leaflet format from the Fundamental Evangelistic Association.]
The biblical doctrine of separation is based on one of God’s essential attributes—His holiness. He never looks upon sin with the least degree of tolerance, and this necessarily extends to His will concerning the conduct of His children. As believers, we are called unto fellowship with God who “is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 Jn. 1:5-6). Therefore, there is an absolute necessity for separation from whatever is “darkness,” that is, whatever is in direct opposition to His very nature. The perfect will of God for the saint is always the same: “be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
The notion that it is not important to God whether or not His children distance themselves from what His Word declares to be evil is terribly foolish and also very dangerous. God has given His Word so that we can know what fellowships are permissible as well as which ones are not. Separation from error and the errant is for the believer’s spiritual well-being and usefulness in service.
Most who name the name of Christ agree that the Bible teaches the principle of separation, but comparatively few seem concerned about the need for its personal application. This is especially true when our fellowships and associations are examined. All too often, the things we feel are most loving, expedient or non-divisive determine what we consider to be God’s will in any given situation. But this is a grievous error if the result of such reasoning is contrary to the plain teaching of the Word of God. We should carefully consider what the Bible teaches about “separation” and then direct our walk accordingly.
The believer’s separation from evil and every false way is always God’s order. We were called to be separated unto Christ and declared positionally sanctified “in Him” the moment we believed and were saved. In our Christian lives we are admonished to walk in a sanctified, separated manner that is worthy of our “high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). And when our Lord comes back again and catches away His bride, we will be partakers of that great, final separation. Yes, indeed, separation is a precious biblical truth—past, present and future.
The Practice of Biblical Separation
Although the doctrine of separation is a dominant theme throughout the Scriptures, the difficulty comes, as mentioned before, in its application. The prohibition of participation in, and even identification with, blatant godlessness and unbelief is readily accepted as a biblical imperative. Yet, at the same time, many Christians find it more of a problem to understand why we are also commanded by God to have no fellowship with anyone or anything disobedient to the Word of God. If this commandment of Holy Scripture is taken seriously, then it means we must separate from errant fellow believers and compromised Christian organizations and ministries. God’s directive for the believer with respect to evil is the same whether the leaven is found outside (Lk. 12:1), or within (1 Cor. 5:6-8), the church.
If we truly want to please God rather than men, then we will do as the Thessalonian church did who received the apostle’s commendation, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thess. 2:13). And what was their response to inspired, apostolic instruction? Obedience! “We beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus” (1 Thess. 4:1-2).
Separation from Worldliness
The first aspect of this doctrine is separation from the “wickedness” that saturates our culture. We must “keep [ourselves] from idols” (see 1 Jn. 5:19-21), that is, the allurements and snares that the “god of this world” sets before us on every hand. We are in the world, but we are not to be a part of it. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.…And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (study 1 Jn. 2:15-17). The influence of worldliness through fashion, music, literature, the media in all its forms, philosophies, attitudes, etc. destroys the believer’s sensitivity to what is truly acceptable to God and what is not. “Christian” rock, “Christian” psychology, worldly strategies of evangelism and ministry—these and many more examples could be given of how far many have strayed from truly Bible-based moorings. Dealing with these issues is not “legalism,” but rather it is seeking to apply biblical principles of godliness to our everyday Christian walk and witness. Separation from the worldliness that feeds the old nature and sears the conscience is vital if we are to be vessels prepared and enabled to serve our God (Rom. 12:1-2).
Separation from False Teachers
The next form of separation Christians must seriously consider is the matter of entering into fellowship with the ministries of individuals and organizations that have chosen to disregard (not believe) God’s truth. Second Corinthians 6:14-18 plainly states that the believer must not be “unequally yoked together [fellowship, association or identification] with unbelievers” but is to “come out from among them, and be ye separate.” A fundamentalist must never join with any man or organization in which those represented are not clear in their testimony of the new birth or whose adherence to the truth of the Word of God is clearly marked by unbelief. Any common religious or spiritual endeavor (worship, evangelism, prayer, education, relief, etc.) with those who have rejected Bible truth is in direct conflict with this biblical commandment of separation if we participate with them. Such activities, when undertaken jointly with liberal, apostate individuals or groups are strictly forbidden.
This portion of the Word also reveals how God views the rejection of Bible truth—it is wickedness, and it is His will for His own to separate from all such evil. The believer’s fellowship and communion with his heavenly Father is disrupted whenever he chooses not to separate from wickedness, whether that disobedience stems from filthiness of the flesh (obviously carnal, worldly sins) or filthiness of the spirit (spiritual infidelity marked by disregard for God’s revealed will). God says in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 that He will “be a Father” unto those who separate from apostasy. Remember, unbelief is the sin the apostle Paul is addressing here, and any professed Christian who denies the truth or embraces doctrinal error is guilty of failing to believe the truth of God’s Word. The text then goes on to reinforce the necessity of separating from error: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Cor. 7:1). Such repentance is essential.
Our responsibility, however, does not stop there. Ephesians 5:11 commands us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” We must not only separate from all groups riddled with unbelief, such as the National and World Councils of Churches, but we must also vehemently sound a warning to all believers who might subtly be drawn into complicity with the ecumenical apostasy that also includes Roman Catholicism. The same is true of the delusion and proliferation of error in the charismatic movement. These false religious leaders may present an amiable and pious exterior, but our duty is still to expose and oppose their unbiblical practices that deceive the unwary. See 1 Timothy 6:3-5 and 2 Timothy 3:5.
Separation from Disobedient Brethren
A heretic who denies Bible truth is to be rejected, not embraced (Titus 3:10). A Bible believer must not find himself in common cause with such individuals, whether it is by ecclesiastical affiliation or by any form of joint ministry or worship. The clear call is for everyone who names the name of Christ to separate himself from every dishonorable vessel, that is, those who have turned away from the truth of the infallible Word. Only then will the believer be a vessel “meet [worthy] for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” Only when a believer has “depart[ed] from iniquity” and has separated from those “who concerning the truth have erred” can he truly have fellowship “with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” A believer cannot be in fellowship with apostasy and with the Lord at the same time. Second Timothy 2:15-22 speaks of the iniquity of accommodating those who have erred “concerning the truth” rather than separating from them. If we fail to separate, the leaven of false doctrine will spread through compromised fellowships, and ultimately the faith of some will be overthrown or will be made shipwreck:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus: Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already [this is but one example of how unsound doctrine nullifies godly fellowship]; and overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity [error certainly is iniquity]. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these [those who have erred concerning the truth], he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them [fellowship with those who love and obey the truth] that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” — separated, prepared vessels.
Withdrawal from counterfeit, apostate Christianity, however, is not the only application of this doctrine. Separation from disobedient brethren is also a biblical imperative. It is precisely at this point that many believers turn away from the plain teaching of God’s Word and substitute their own faulty reasoning. Today, there is an abundance of disobedient brethren who are so designated by the Word of God because of their refusal to separate from false teachers and apostate affiliations as previously mentioned. For them, the desire for visible unity, respectability, popularity or success or the avoidance of appearing to be schismatic or “too negative” takes precedence over simple obedience to the Bible. They may even seek to justify their disobedience on the basis of love or opportunities to witness. But it is still disobedience, and God says we are not to walk in fellowship with disobedient brethren. We are to separate from them (see 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” There is no such thing as so-called “first and second degree separation,” just Bible separation as defined in principle and consequently applied.
There are, for example, many brethren in the National Association of Evangelicals who say and do many commendable things. But no matter how much “good” may appear to be accomplished, the fact does not change that, by their very association with this middle-of-the-road organization, they are repudiating biblical separation. Refusing to obey the call to be separate is sin—whether it involves failure to separate from a false teacher or a brother committed to a path of error. Organizations like the NAE, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Campus Crusade for Christ, the Promise Keepers and various church fellowships and denominations, etc. may present impressive numbers and far-reaching influence, but if they do not hold to sound doctrine and warn of false teachers and unbiblical practices, then God’s Word is slighted. It cannot be pleasing to God when there is not, first of all, an agreement on—and then practice of—the truth. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3); of course not, especially when God’s truth is the standard to be agreed upon! All who support and thereby join in fellowship with compromising ministries are partakers with that error. Loss of reward awaits all who thus identify themselves with those who do not hold to the “doctrine of Christ”—all of it, from Genesis through Revelation (2 Jn. 7-11).
Romans 16:17 commands us to “mark them [point them out] which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Sound doctrine is the issue, not personalities or petty grievances. The clear command is to have no fellowship in common ministry with those who have departed from “the doctrine which ye have learned.” The fundamentalist (who, by definition, is one who practices biblical separation) is not the one who causes divisions between believers. Divisions are caused by the brother who does not practice sound doctrine (the doctrine of separation is no exception), and the believer is required to separate from him. The fundamentalist is not trying to be unloving, schismatic or exclusive. He simply seeks to be obedient to the Lord and His Word above all else.
The Purpose of Biblical Separation
There are at least four reasons why separation from disobedient brethren is required by God. First, this type of discipline is necessary in the local church fellowship in order to maintain church purity. First Corinthians 5 presents a case in point. That church was charged “not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous … with such an one no not to eat” (refering to the Lord’s table cf. 1 Cor. 11:27-34). Whether this individual is a sinning believer or an unsaved pretender, the command is the same—to separate from him. Unless such church discipline is enforced, unconfessed and unforsaken sin in the Christian fellowship will harmfully influence and corrupt others (1 Cor. 5:5-7). God has ordained separation to stem the leavening, spreading contagion of sin that always comes to pass within compromising fellowships.
Second, separation from a disobedient brother is for his spiritual well-being. Unless the standard of God’s Word is raised before the erring brother, he may continue in his sin without a needful rebuke. Second Thessalonians 3:6 commands, “Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” The context reveals that laziness is not the only basis for determining disobedience. Any believer who was unfaithful to “the tradition” [all the Scripture that was given to the church] was also considered to be disobedient (cf. 2 Thess. 2:15). Disobedience to the Word of God is the determining factor. Separation will have the effect of making that brother “ashamed” (2 Thess. 3:14). Such an one is not an enemy, nor should he be treated as such. He is an erring brother (2 Thess. 3:15), and the desired result of separation is his repentance and restitution to full fellowship with the brethren. This should be the attitude of every fundamentalist—to lovingly raise a biblical standard by way of separation so that the errant believer will realize his disobedience, repent and return to right fellowship.
The third reason for practicing biblical separation is the desire for a “full reward” (2 Jn. 8) at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ. The believer is “not crowned [rewarded], except he strive lawfully [according to the parameters of the Word]” (2 Tim. 2:5). It is possible for a disobedient Christian to lose reward at the judgment seat of Christ because of compromised fellowship, either directly or by identification (2 Jn. 10-11 cf. 1 Cor. 3:13-15; Rev. 3:11). Make no mistake about it—when a believer is identified with any religious activity that is not true to God’s Word, he will receive the disapproval of God the Father. Our God is a jealous God. He wants our undivided loyalty! He is not pleased when His children are identified, even in the slightest, with compromise or error. Such double-mindedness prevents our fellowship with Him (1 Cor. 10:16-22). Therefore, the support of a mass evangelistic campaign to reach lost souls may seem most noble. But, if disobedient, new evangelical brethren are in the endeavor, even the results can never justify the compromised fellowship. God will never suspend the requirement for separation in order to accomplish any worthwhile cause—even evangelism. That simply is not the way God works. He always leads according to His Word, the Bible. Obedience to the Word is the only way to please the Author of the Word (1 Thess. 4:1-2 cf. 2:13).
And fourth, separation from disobedient brethren is necessary in order to maintain a forthright, consistent testimony in the midst of theological degradation and confusion. Compromised fellowship clouds the issues, dulls the spiritual discernment and silences scriptural reproof. “Be not deceived, evil communications [wrong fellowships] corrupt good manners [right conduct]” (1 Cor. 15:33). Only a separated Bible believer is able, in obedience to God’s clear command, to sound a faithful warning concerning the deception that Satan is sowing in the church today (Acts 20:28-31). Always remember that our God is holy, and He calls us to be holy. In order to be obedient to His command, we must endeavor, by the grace of God, to be separated wholly unto Him, regardless of the cost or the scorn of man. — Dennis W. Costella
Because of the times we live in; I am very comfortable supporting the ACLU on separation of church and state. Better Christians have separation of church and state then church and state combined with polluted, perverted, poisonous religion or a mixture of truth and error, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera .
We all need to worked towards what our Lord wants from us; according to the scriptures. I know after reading through this; I need to do better as well. nevertheless:
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
and...
Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
The only one that knows and see's the heart is the Lord:
Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Only the Lord can know if someone is saved so never think you can judge that:
Heaven's Check List:
Have you done enough?
How many things on the list have you done? Some may say, “I can check off all of them—I’m definitely going to Heaven.” Others might say, “I have only done five—but that should be enough to tip the scales in my favor.” What if you can only lay claim to one item? Will you still make it into Heaven? The truth is, it really doesn’t matter how many good things you’ve done, because none of those things will save you from God’s judgment. Are you surprised?
It’s tempting to think we can repay God for the bad things we do (our sins), and earn a place in Heaven by doing good works. But the Bible says, “By grace are ye saved through faith … not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9).
Do or done?
Someone has said there are really only two religions in the world: one of them teaches “I must do,” and the other proclaims “It is done.” One of them is our attempt to reach up to God, but the other reveals God reaching down to rescue us. The Bible tells of God’s love in sending His only Son, Jesus, to put away our sin and take upon Himself the punishment we rightly deserve. We read that “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
As Jesus laid down His life, He cried out, “It is finished” (John 19:30). Jesus Christ has done it all. What can we possibly add to the perfect work of God’s perfect Son?
God’s way
When the Apostle Paul summarized the way to Heaven, he described it as “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21). What is repentance? It is waking up to the fact that our ways are wrong, and agreeing with God that His way is right. God says “There is none righteous, no, not one” and in His sight we are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Romans 3:10; Ephesians 2:1). We need to align our thoughts with God’s; we must recognize that we are sinners, and abandon any idea that we can save ourselves.
What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? It is taking Him at His word—fully trusting in what He has done to wash away our sins, and simply resting in what He has promised. Jesus said, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).
Your call
Are you going your way or God’s way? None of us are good enough to earn forgiveness and eternal life; likewise, none are too bad for Him to save. Jesus has promised: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Now is the time for you to repent and believe. Call out to God today. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
September 21 2018:
When I first got saved; by my mother witnessing to me, and bringing me to her church, it was in a Pentecostal Church in a really nice neighborhood in the east Hartford Connecticut aria. It was a beautiful big white cement Church. The pastor was extremely nice and down to earth the people were awesome and always joyful. This was a very shaky time in my life, as you can imagine being 18 years old; at the end on the wild 1970's. My mom had tried everything to help me become more responsible and church was her last ditch effort. As I have said before she was right; it turned my life around and I changed for the better; ever since. The Pentecostal church; to me, was too much like the wild rock and roll world, I had originated from, with all my problems of irresponsibly. The church services were conducted mostly on our feet singing and praising the lord along with tongs and the like. Not long after my regular attendance in the Pentecostal church being a roommate with a active member of the church; I found my self going back to my old ways. After a while I figured out the the Pentecostal church was not working for me at all. I did allot of studying and had attended the Middletown Bible church a couple of times. With guidance from the folks there; I studied further in the Bible about miracles ceasing like tongues and dreams. I want to share with a scripture that changed my life for the better and made me the rock solid person I am today:
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
“Thus, when the completed revelation has come, the gifts that communicated partial revelation will be done away, for they are no longer necessary” (Myron J. Houghton, A Re-examination of 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 and Temporary Gifts, p. 7). from: https://feasite.org/sign_gifts_cessationism “But then shall I know even as also I am known.” When? “When that which is perfect is come.” When the Word of God is complete, I will be able to see the whole truth and understand how all its parts fit together in the same way that another person can look directly at me and see exactly what I look like. from: https://feasite.org/the_experience_of_speaking_in_tongues
What this scripture means is; when Gods word comes all the miracles of the Holy Spirit as a witness to set up the church would cease. I was introduced to church that taught me in a calm non emotional setting and it was all I was searching for. That is what led me to embrace Fundamentalism and that has been my foundation for the rest of my life. I have had my problems since then but nothing like the problems I had before I was saved. I consider it a searching road that led me to my final destination of the pinnacle of my faith as a Fundamentalist Christian.
After reading through the article below; I can say the writer reminds me of myself. It is like the Catholic church was one stepping stone for me, then the Pentecostal church was another stepping stone for me; to reach the top. I have never posted this before but have told my wife this story many times. When I was about 8 years old I remember going to my room and deciding not to come out until I decided whether or not I believed in God. I remember crying intensely as I wrestled with my own spirit. I went down stairs and announced to my mom that I decided that I believed in God. That is about the time she started to tell people, she thought I might be a priest. I think she used to call me here little priest, or something like that. I think maybe at that point in my life at the age of 8 years old; I may have been saved with no formal knowledge of what that meant according to God's Word.
I am going to post the newest article from the The Fundamental Evangelistic Association found here: https://feasite.org/node/2687 and I am going to highlight parts that catch my eye:
[The following article was written over seventy five years ago by the late Dr. Franklin G. Huling, a faithful pastor and Bible teacher who not only believed in warning about the wolves in sheep’s clothing that would enter the flock from outside the church, but also about those who would rise up from within to draw away disciples after themselves (Acts 20:26-32). Dr. Huling served as a professor at the Fundamental Evangelistic Association's Fundamental Bible Institute in its early years in Los Angeles, CA. We reprint his article on Pentecostalism believing it will be of real help to believers who want to test all things by God’s Word.]
Pentecostalism was formerly called “The Tongues Movement” or “The Holy Rollers.” Now it is generally known as “The Full Gospel” or “The Four Square Church” or “The Apostolic Faith,” etc. Many dear children of God are connected with this movement. However, the basic teachings of Pentecostalism are unscriptural, and I would ask you, my reader, to do as did the noble Bereans, of whom it is recorded that “they received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily [not their “experience”], whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11).
IT IS NOT SCRIPTURAL TO TARRY FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT
There is not a single line in Scripture, after the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, where anyone is commanded or exhorted to “tarry” for the Holy Spirit. Pentecost means fifty. The Old Testament Feast of Pentecost was celebrated fifty days after the Feast of First Fruits (Lev. 23:16). The Feast of First Fruits typified the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:23). The Feast of Pentecost typified the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ was with His disciples 40 days after His resurrection (Acts 1:3) before ascending back to heaven. Ten days later (making a total of 50 days after Christ’s resurrection), the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost (fifty). He came on that very day as the Scriptures said He would. The disciples tarried only until “the Day of Pentecost [fifty] was fully come” (Acts 2:1). Note carefully, it was not the disciples’ readiness that caused the Holy Spirit to come on the Day of Pentecost, but that God’s Time had arrived for the Holy Spirit to come. Pentecost was the earthly birthday of the Holy Spirit, just as the birth of Christ was His earthly birthday. Furthermore, as the incarnation, crucifixion and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ will not be repeated, so Pentecost never has been and never will be repeated. Christ died on the Cross of Calvary once for all, and the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost once for all. Therefore, it is an insult to the Holy Spirit to “tarry” for Him to come, because, praise God, the Holy Spirit has already come! Would you wait at the railroad station for a friend after he had already arrived? Certainly not. No more should any believer in the Lord Jesus Christ “tarry” for the Holy Spirit to come into his heart. The Holy Spirit is already in your heart if you are saved. Thank Him that He has come in! Amen! You could not be a Christian without the Holy Spirit coming into your heart. Listen to God’s Word: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His’’ (Rom. 8:9).
In the preceding text, the Holy Spirit is called by three Names: “The Spirit,” “The Spirit of God” and “The Spirit of Christ.” Many mistakenly think that “The Spirit of Christ” means a “Christ-like” disposition. Not at all. This is simply another of the many Bible names for the Holy Spirit. The question, “Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2) was not addressed to Christians. Had they been Christians, Paul would not have baptized them “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). No, as the context shows, they were disciples of John the Baptist and knew nothing of Calvary or Pentecost.
IT IS NOT SCRIPTURAL TO SEEK THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Nowhere in the Word of God is anyone admonished to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Not once in their epistles do Paul or Peter or James or John write anything about believers “receiving their baptism,” or “having their Pentecost.” Why not? The Word of God gives the answer: “For by one Spirit [the Holy Spirit] are we all baptized into one Body [Christ’s mystical Body], whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor. 12:13).
Notice exactly what God’s Word says. How many believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit? “All.” Pentecostalism says “some.” When are believers baptized by the Holy Spirit? At the time they are incorporated into the Body of Christ—at conversion— when they are “born of the Spirit” (Jn. 3:8). And so we see God’s Word declares that every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is baptized by the Holy Spirit the very instant he is “born of the Spirit.” Therefore, to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit is to deny what the Word of God says has already taken place.
At the time we are “born of the Spirit” and “baptized” by the Holy Spirit, we are also “sealed” with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). It is the privilege and duty of every believer to “be filled with the Spirit” not by tarrying, but by yielding fully to His blessed control. Amen. Open to this Heavenly Guest every room of your heart and surrender to Him every faculty of your being. Your life will be filled with His glory and joy and peace and fruit and power.
Remember also that the Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is not an “influence” nor an “it” but a Divine Person (Jn. 16:13). He is God (Acts 5:3-4). He is to be worshipped. He is not a “power” for us to seek to get more of, but a loving, divine Person Who longs to have full possession and control of us.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). We neglect this warning at our peril. The way to “try the spirits whether they are of God” is by the Word of God. “To the Law and to the Testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isa. 8:20). If we “tarry for the Holy Spirit” and “seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit” which God has not commanded since the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost, we throw ourselves open to grave spiritual dangers and cannot say that God sends us what we “receive.” Do not make your own or anyone else’s “experience” the test of what is true or false, because Satan can give “experiences,” and he does. It is the Word of God that we are to obey and not “experience.” Any “experience” that is not according to the command of God’s Word is of Satan, no matter how “uplifting” it may seem. We are not told to copy the experiences of the apostles, but rather we are to obey the Word of God which the Holy Spirit gave us through them (2 Pet. 1:21). The Holy Spirit never leads anyone contrary to the Word which He inspired. It is only spiritual pride that causes anyone to put his “experience” above the Word of God.
Beware of seeking a religious “thrill,” for Satan will be glad to gratify your desire. If the devil cannot keep you back from the will of God, then he will seek to shove you beyond God’s will. What Pentecostalism calls “the baptism of the Holy Spirit” is a combination of super-emotionalism, hypnotism and religious hysteria, induced by demonism and psychological suggestion. The seeker falls into a trance, the conscious mind becomes submerged and the subconscious mind governs. This “experience” may bring a feeling of peace and joy and nearness to God, but that is due to the attitude of the heart toward God, and not to the “experience.” In many cases, there is a tragic mental and spiritual reaction to those who obtain this “experience.” Take warning. It is wild fire.
IT IS NOT SCRIPTURAL TO MAKE SPEAKING IN TONGUES EVIDENCE OF THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Word of God nowhere says so nor even indicates it. Paul asks, “Do all speak with tongues?” (1 Cor. 12:30). That plainly implies that all believers do not speak with tongues. However, shortly before, Paul had written, “For by one Spirit are we ALL baptized into one Body” (1 Cor. 12:13). Therefore, it is clear that while all believers are baptized by the Holy Spirit, all believers do not speak with tongues.
The Pentecostal distinction between speaking in tongues and the gift of tongues is not warranted by Scripture. There are but few cases of speaking in tongues recorded in the book of Acts. Three are specifically stated, and one is implied. “Tongues are for a sign” (1 Cor. 14:22). The Holy Spirit thus signified the incorporation into the Body of Christ the first believers from four distinct groups: First, Jewish believers, Acts 2. Second, Samaritan believers (despised, outcasts, mongrels, part-Jew and part-Gentile), Acts 8:17. Third, Gentile believers (Cornelius and other “Gentile dogs”), Acts 10:45-46. Fourth, disciples of John the Baptist, Acts 19:1-6.
“Whether there be tongues, they shall cease” (1 Cor. 13:8) is the declaration of God’s Word. After the first representatives of these four distinct groups (Jews, Samaritans, Gentiles, and disciples of John the Baptist) had been incorporated into the Body of Christ, there is no record of speaking in tongues when the Holy Spirit came into the hearts of believers.
The church at Corinth is the lowest grade church described in the New Testament. They were split into factions. They were going to law against one another. They tolerated a man in their midst who was living with his father’s wife. They grossly perverted the Lord’s Supper. They exalted speaking in tongues. No unprejudiced reader of chapters 12 to 14 can fail to see how Paul disparaged their devotion to speaking in tongues. He said, “I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue” (1 Cor. 14:18,19). Pentecostalism reverses Paul. They would rather speak five words in an unknown tongue, so-called, than ten thousand words with their understanding!
God delivered the writer from Pentecostalism years ago. One Sunday morning, in a Pentecostal meeting, a red-headed man arose and began to read the 14th chapter of 1 Corinthians. I was listening intently. Soon one woman arose and began waving her arms and “speaking in tongues,” and then another, and another, until there were nine on their feet going like windmills. I saw that they did not want to hear the Scripture read. Despite the bedlam they were creating, I managed to hear these Words: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace” and “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:33, 40). The complete contrast between this Scripture and the pandemonium going on around me caused me to begin to see that Pentecostalism is not of God and is therefore of Satan.
IT IS NOT SCRIPTURAL TO HAVE FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN GOD’S WORK
Female leadership in God’s work is not God’s order. It never has been and is not today, and yet it is common in Pentecostalism. Paul writes, “I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man” (1 Tim. 2:12). To justify themselves, Pentecostals quote: “and on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy” (Acts 2:18). Note carefully, the prediction is that both men and women shall “prophesy.” Prophesying does not necessarily mean foretelling, but forth-telling, or telling forth the message of salvation as every saved man and woman should do. This Scripture gives no warrant whatsoever for women to be pastors and leaders in God’s work. Almost every false cult is headed by a woman. Many homes have been broken up and children neglected, because wives and mothers have mistakenly thought they were called of God to preach. The result has been great moral and spiritual wreckage and dishonor to Christ. Women who honor God’s order have a marvelous field of service open to them and should desire no other.
IT IS NOT SCRIPTURAL TO TEACH THAT IT IS ALWAYS GOD’S WILL TO HEAL IF THERE IS FAITH
God’s Word does not teach this. Certainly, “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and today, and for ever” (Heb.13:8). Praise His Name. He has the same power to heal today as always, and He does heal when it is His loving, all-wise will to do so. However, even while the apostles lived, signs and miracles began to wane because they were no longer needed to accredit the Gospel. The claim of Pentecostalism that they have “restored” the lost gifts of the Holy Spirit is pure fiction. They never were “lost.” Even the Apostle Paul, who had wrought wondrous miracles by the power of God, left one of his faithful co-workers sick at Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20). Also, when Paul asked God for deliverance from his own “thorn in the flesh” (probably eye trouble caused by his having been stoned at Lystra—see Acts 14:19 and Gal. 4:13-15), although he besought the Lord three times, God simply answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9).
The “greater works” which our Lord promised His disciples would “do” (John 14:12) are not physical but spiritual miracles. He raised the dead. None do that now and few claim to. Certainly, there is no greater physical miracle than that. However, by the power of the Holy Spirit, 3000 souls “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph. 2:1) received life in Christ on the Day of Pentecost. The salvation of the soul is the greatest miracle of all.
Most assuredly, deliverance from all the consequences of the fall of Adam is made possible by Christ’s atonement, including sin, sickness, death and the curse upon all of the animal and material creation, but this is all in God’s order. Deliverance from the guilt and power of sin are available right now to every one that believeth. However, the redemption of the body is still future. Paul says we are “waiting for the adoption, to wit [namely], the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23). We would not be “waiting” if our bodies were redeemed now. Our bodies will be redeemed when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. He will then transform these bodies of our humiliation into the likeness of His own glorious resurrection Body (Phil. 3:20-21). All weakness, weariness, sickness, sorrow and death will then be forever past—praise His worthy Name. At that time, the animal and material creation will be delivered from the bondage of corruption (Rom. 8:19-23).
James 5:14-15, “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick” is thought to support the view that where there is faith, there will be healing. Note two facts about this Scripture: First, it is addressed to “the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (Jas. 1:1). It was written to Jewish Christians who were still on the ground of Jewish promises as to bodily healing. They were in that overlapping period between the dispensations of Law and Grace, between walking by sight and walking by faith. Secondly, it was the “elders” who were called to pray. Therefore, since “the prayer of faith” was to “save the sick” and the “elders” did the praying, then if the sick one was not raised up, the “elders” could only blame themselves! Modern healers who claim this Scripture do the opposite. They blame the sick ones and not themselves. Thus, they add to the afflictions of the sick by accusing them of lack of faith, thereby, throwing them into the darkness of self-condemnation. This is a great evil.
Ought we to pray for the sick today? Yes, indeed. God’s Word commands it. “Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in everything [which includes sickness] by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). God can heal, with or without means. Therefore, let us pray and use the means God has provided and leave the outcome with Him.
Most Christians pray too little about their sicknesses and depend wholly on human help and remedies. That is wrong. We need also to remember that our bodies belong to God and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. We are not to abuse them by wrong eating, overeating, or otherwise, and we are to present them unto God for His service and glory (Rom. 12:1-2).
Are you unsaved, my reader? Then you are eternally lost. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ who died and rose again for you as your Savior today. He loves you tenderly and died to save you. Are you saved? Then hold fast to His faithful Word. “The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psa. 119:130). Be one of God’s “simple” ones who tests everything by the Word of God, obeying His Word and nothing else. He will thus keep you out of Satan’s traps.
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God (1 Jn. 5:13)."
September 19 2018:
I pray everyday with my wife and almost every prayer I recite part of this scripture:
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. |
September 15 2018:
One thing that no Christian should ever joke about; is hell. Hell is very serious and should never be taken lightly. That last thing a Christian should ever do is shout at someone "you are going to burn in hell" like I have read recently in the news. The news report actually says something like a bunch of Christians were shouting "your going to burn in hell" at someone they did not like. This is what I keep saying about Christians now a days. Christians have become like a very large population of the Facebook, internet/media; judging people to death and torture. Like they did in ancient Rome. I think the average Laodicean church, Christian of our present time, just want's, more than anything; to blend in. What better way to blend in; than become the average Facebook, internet/media, Nazi, hatemonger, prejudice, one sided person. I think that might be what God means when he says about the Laodicean Christian of our present day in Revelation 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. God is so disgusted with today's Christian he says he will spit them out of His mouth. Like if you were to almost drink lumpy rotten milk and then involuntarily; almost vomit it out of your mouth. You are so gross to God it almost makes him vomit. At least that is how I see it. I could be wrong; I can not break down the original Greek like Walvoord.
This is what happens; when the Christian refuses to make a stand for the Lord and His Word. That may mean disagreeing with millions of people. I am not saying their are millions of people of the Facebook, internet/media population, that are against the Bible. I do not believe there is any real way of keeping track of how many people are on the Facebook, and the internet. There is definitely a huge amount of fake Facebook, internet accounts; that must be at least in the millions. Then there are the Trolls; some of who are actually employed by entire country's. All they do is post comments and such; to cause decent and hate. I do not believe that Americans have any real voice on the internet at all.I think the loudest population of the internet is made up of other country's that are not American. The sad thing is that our leaders in America are continually changing and making news laws to please the seemingly blood thirsty Facebook and internet crowds. Isn't it a known fact that country's troll the internet to try to influence elections. The very fact that they are able to do this should prompt; especially elected officials to not act on this contrived, trolling, mob mentality of hate.
When I read this quote by M.R. Dehaan in the book I own and have posted here September 7-11, 2018. When I read it; the first thing I though was: this is exactly why I started talking about the Bible on this blog:
This is at the end of Chapter Three:
"Why do I remind you of this, and repeat all these very unpleasant things? Listen, my friend, it's because I love you more than you will ever realize, and I want you to be saved."
"If a doctor knew you had a terrible disease, but also knew an absolute remedy, he would be a devil if he didn't warn you and suggest the remedy. If I knew a bridge was out down the track, and I didn't try to flag down the train. I would be a murderer. If I saw your house on fire, and you were asleep in the house, and I did not try to awaken you, what kind of a brute would I be?"
Go to the September 11, 2018 post here to cross reference this quote. I will highlight it in light purple.
"And so here is the remedy. Right where you are you can be saved from sin, and judgment, and the fear of Hell forever. Here it is: Simply acknowledge that you are a sinner, believe God's Word, and then accept His promise of salvation. With your head bowed now will you say: "Lord Jesus, I, a poor, lost sinner, the best I know how, now trust thee to save me. I accept thee as my Lord, I believe thou didst die for me and rise again to save me for eternity." My friend, that is all you need to do. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.""
September 14 2018:
I am going to paste one of the tracts I referred to in my last post. I will highlight some arias that catch my eye.
The Truth About Roman Catholicism -By my favorite Pastor of all time!: Marion H. Reynolds, Jr.
The Roman Catholic Church is by far the largest and wealthiest of all the so-called Christian denominations. It has always falsely claimed to be the only true Church—the Church which was founded by Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. In recent generations, the Roman Catholic Church has embellished its image and attracted and held members by claiming to be the one Church that has never changed. However, all such claims are false. In fact, the Roman Catholic Church has done an about-face, actually boasting of the many changes it has instituted to meet the changing needs of Catholics and non-Catholics alike in this modern age Is the Roman Catholic Church the one true Church? Are its past and present teachings and practices Scriptural? Of course not! How has the Roman Catholic Church changed through the centuries? How much has it changed in our lifetime? Have these changes been foundational or superficial? Where is the Roman Catholic Church headed today and in the future. The purpose of this article is to turn the spotlight of truth upon Roman Catholicism, examining both its past history and present teachings. Our sincere desire is to be of help to Catholics, many of whom are well aware that, in recent years, their church has instituted many changes that have left them confused, uncertain, and deeply troubled. For the first time in their lives, many Catholics are raising serious questions about their Church, its leaders, its teachings and its practices. They now realize that their church is not united but divided over issues such as birth control, abortion, divorce, celibacy for priests, women clergy, gay clergy, Papal infallibility, prayer, worship, music, purgatory, confession, Marioltry and even the meaning of the Mass. The moral degeneracy and financial scandals that have rocked the Charismatic movement have also been exposed in the Roman Catholic Church, from the Vatican to the local parish. Confusion reigns supreme and Catholics who take their religion seriously don't know which way to turn. A source of further confusion for many is the fact that for centuries Roman Catholics were taught that all those outside their membership were heretics to be shunned, persecuted or even killed. It was not until the middle of this century that the Roman Catholic Church modified and softened its stand by calling non-Catholics, "separated brethren." More recently, even that negative connotation has been eliminated. Today, Catholics are taught to consider "all Christians" to be "brothers and sisters in Christ." However, these changing outward attitudes on the part of Roman Catholics toward non-Catholics and their increasing usage of evangelical terminology has unfortunately resulted in many evangelicals mistakenly believing that the basic false doctrines and heresies of Romanism have changed, something that simply is not true. Thus, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike should take a fresh look—a Biblical, historical and current look—at this world's largest, supposedly Christian denomination. If it is the one true Church, as it claims to be, then every believer in Christ should become a part of it. But if it is a false church, as it actually is, then all who truly believe the Bible and trust Jesus Christ as Saviour should separate from it, warn about it, and urge others to do likewise. Through our extensive radio and literature ministries, it has been a great blessing to hear from many former Roman Catholics who have been delivered from the bondage of the false doctrines of Romanism. They experienced the new birth by faith in Jesus Christ alone and are now attempting to reach their Catholic loved ones and friends with the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At the same time, it has been a real heartache to realize that so many non-Catholics who profess to know Christ as Saviour have been deceived by the new attitudes and evangelical vocabulary of Catholicism. The Roman Catholic Church is now being accepted by many evangelicals as a sister church with only minor differences rather than a false church which preaches "another gospel"—a false gospel. The Truth About the Roman Catholic Church is that it always has been and continues to be a false church. Those Biblical doctrines it professes to believe and teach are vitiated by Roman Catholic dogma based upon tradition that contradicts the Bible, God's infallible Word. Error is never more deceptive than when it is presented with a veneer of truth. The leaders of the Catholic Church have always fit the description of the false teachers who God warned in advance would come on the scene in the last days, deceiving many by their "feigned" (pretended or hypocritical) words—their "great swelling words of vanity," as described in 2 Peter 2:1-3,18,19. Before examining and refuting some of the well known false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, it is essential to understand that two basic false teachings of Roman Catholicism (even apart from its many other errors), clearly classify it as a false cult rather than a true church. These two basic errors are: First, Roman Catholicism, although teaching that the Bible is the Word of God, adds the spurious apocryphal books to the Scriptures, and also elevates church tradition and the edicts of popes and councils (the words of men), to the same or an even greater level of authority than the Word of God. This amounts to adding to the Word of God, thereby placing Roman Catholicism under God's curse. Deut. 4:2; Rev. 22:18,19. Second, Roman Catholicism, although teaching that faith in Jesus Christ is necessary for salvation, actually denies the truth of the Gospel by adding sacraments, good works, and purgatory as additional requirements for forgiveness of sin and for eternal life. This amounts to the preaching of a false Gospel which places the Roman Catholic Church under God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10. Thus, by Scriptural standards, the Roman Catholic Church is a false church that can only expect God's judgment, not a true church that can claim God's blessing. No amount of outward change should be permitted to obscure this fact. As for the claims of the Roman Catholic Church that its history can be traced back to Jesus Christ, Peter, or any of the other apostles, such claims lack both historical and Scriptural support. The true Church of Jesus Christ was not founded upon Peter, but upon Peter's confession of Christ's deity as recorded in Matthew 16:16: "...Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter was not the first pope, nor is there any Scriptural justification whatever for such an office. Peter's own inspired testimony as to his position and ministry is given in 1 Peter 5:1-4. He then identifies himself in 2 Peter 1:1 as "a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ..." History confirms the fact that there were no popes in the early church nor even in the Roman Catholic Church during the first centuries of its existence. Furthermore, the long-held claim that the Roman Catholic Church was the only unchangeable church is not supported by church history—not even Roman Catholic history. How sad to realize that this false claim influenced so many to join or to stay in this false church, which actually is the product of centuries of changes. Most of these changes resulted from the Roman Catholic Church's yielding to heathen customs and practices that were subsequently incorporated into Roman Catholic teachings and worship. The following is a partial list of heathen, unscriptural practices that became a part of Roman Catholic dogma over a period of seventeen centuries. Some of the dates given are approximate. In many cases, these heresies were even debated for years before being given the status of required beliefs: 1. Prayers for the dead ....300 A.D. 2. Making the sign of the cross ....300 A.D. 3. Veneration of angels & dead saints ....375 A.D. 4. Use of images in worship ....375 A.D. 5. The Mass as a daily celebration ....394 A.D. 6. Beginning of the exaltation of Mary; the term, "Mother of God" applied at Council of Ephesus ....431 A.D. 7. Extreme Unction (Last Rites) ....526 A.D. 8. Doctrine of Purgatory-Gregory I ....593 A.D. 9. Prayers to Mary & dead saints ....600 A.D. 10. Worship of cross, images & relics ....786 A.D. 11. Canonization of dead saints ....995 A.D. 12. Celibacy of priesthood ....1079 A.D. 13. The Rosary ....1090 A.D. 14. Indulgences ....1190 A.D. 15. Transubstantiation-Innocent III ....1215 A.D. 16. Auricular Confession of sins to a priest ....1215 A.D. 17. Adoration of the wafer (Host) ....1220 A.D. 18. Cup forbidden to the people at communion ....1414 A.D. 19. Purgatory proclaimed as a dogma ....1439 A.D. 20. The doctrine of the Seven Sacraments confirmed ....1439 A.D. 21. Tradition declared of equal authority with Bible by Council of Trent ....1545 A.D. 22. Apocryphal books added to Bible ....1546 A.D. 23. Immaculate Conception of Mary ....1854 A.D. 24. Infallibility of the pope in matters of faith and morals, proclaimed by the Vatican Council ....1870 A.D. 25. Assumption of the Virgin Mary (bodily ascension into heaven shortly after her death) ....1950 A.D. 26. Mary proclaimed Mother of the Roman Catholic Church ....1965 A.D. Although some of the preceding Roman Catholic heresies are now being questioned by many individuals inside and outside the church, none have been officially repudiated and all continue to be practiced by millions of Catholics around the world. The urgent need today is for Roman Catholics, as well as all who claim to be Christians, to examine their own beliefs and the teachings of their churches by the only sure standard—the Bible. Whatever contradicts, adds to or subtracts from the sixty-six books of the Old and the New Testaments, is error no matter how many may cling to it. Roman Catholics who read the Bible will soon discover that many Catholic teachings and practices are specifically forbidden by Jesus Christ Himself. Note carefully the following warnings given by the Lord Jesus Christ to the religious leaders of His day concerning vain worship, vain tradition and vain repetitions. All of these are particularly applicable to Roman Catholicism today. Vain Worship – In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said, "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." All worship is indeed vain when it is based upon the commandments of men rather than the Word of God. Vain Tradition – In Matthew 15:6b, Jesus said, "Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition." Valid tradition is based upon Scripture and confirms it. Vain tradition is based upon man's teachings and violates it. In Roman Catholicism, tradition is consistently elevated above the Scripture. This results in vain worship (no matter how sincere) and makes the commandment of God of no effect—a very serious matter. Vain Repetitions – In Matthew 6:7, Jesus said, "But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." A basic part of Roman Catholic worship is the frequent repetition of The Rosary. Its origin is clearly tied to heathen religions such as Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism. Roman Catholics should listen to the words of Christ rather than use the vain repetitions of the Catholic Church. During the past fifty years, at least three important trends in the Roman Catholic Church are clearly observable. These are: (1) A greater emphasis upon the place of Mary, (2) A major emphasis upon ecumenical activities with a view to seeking the full visible unity of all religions, (3) The acceptance of the so-called Charismatic renewal within the Church with new emphasis upon the claimed "ministry of the Holy Spirit." There is every reason to believe that all of these major trends will continue and will even increase. They are all very deceptive, very dangerous, and unscriptural. The place bestowed to Mary in the Roman Catholic Church is not Scriptural nor is it new. It cannot be denied that during the last one hundred years, veneration of Mary has dramatically increased. Note in the historical chart given earlier in this article that the exaltation of Mary and the term "Mother of God," became official Catholic dogma in 431 A.D. with prayers to her proclaimed in 600 A.D. Note also that the "Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary" was not proclaimed until 1854 A.D.; her "Assumption" not until 1950 A.D.; and her title "Mother of the Church" not until 1965 A.D. Some Roman Catholic observers believe it may not be much longer until Mary is officially proclaimed "Co-redemptrix with Christ." In fact, the premier issue of the Roman Catholic publication Catholic Heritage displayed a front page with the title: "Mary, Mother of the Church." In a Question and Answer column the question is asked, "At the foot of the cross, Mary shared in the mystery of the passion. True or False. Answer: True. Mary united her sorrows to those of her Son. The sorrowful and immaculate heart of Mary bled with her Son for all of mankind. For this reason, we invoke her under the title of Co-redemptrix." During the past forty years, each pope has done his part to increase Mary's influence in the Roman Catholic Church based completely on tradition rather than upon the Bible. In the August 28, 1975, issue of the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, Pope Paul VI, speaking of the ceremony celebrated the day before in honor of the Madonna at the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, said, "Her venerate image, known as 'Salus Populi Romani', was carried in procession from St. Mary Major's as part of the Holy Year ceremonies, so that the overflow crowd of pilgrims, coming from all parts of the world, could see it and thus increase their devotion to her. In this way we should all be reminded of the meaning and practice of the cult of Mary, inseparable from the unique and central cult of Christ ... Let us pray to her with humble, trusting and childlike faith." The present pope, John Paul II [died April 2, 2005], has dedicated himself completely to Mary. During his visit to Vancouver, B.C. in 1985, the special souvenir edition of B.C. Catholic carried a full page color photo of the pope under the caption of, Totus Tuas which, in Latin, means "all yours." The following explanation was then given, "When Karol Wojtyla [John Paul II] was consecrated bishop of Cracow by Pius XII in 1958 he took, 'Totus Tuus' (all yours) as his motto, thus presenting himself to Mary. In his first Urbi et Orbi message immediately after being elected pope he said, 'At this difficult hour, full of fear, we must turn our thoughts with filial devotion to the Virgin Mary who always lives in the midst of Christ and exists as his mother. We must repeat the words, Totus Tuus which 20 years ago were inscribed into our heart and soul.'" Pope John Paul II has visited many of the major Shrines to Mary. He attributed his escape from death at the hands of a would-be assassin and the overthrow of communism in Eastern Europe to the intervention of Mary. Millions of Catholics are making pilgrimages to the various Marian shrines, seeking and often claiming miracles of healing and answers to their prayers to Mary. New apparitions of Mary and special messages from her are being claimed in various parts of the world. Yet, there is absolutely no Scriptural foundation for any of these beliefs or practices. Mary was indeed a virgin in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy that Christ would be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14). She was a godly woman, but not sinless. As with all true believers in Christ, when Mary died, her soul and spirit went to heaven, but her body awaits the resurrection. She did not bodily ascend to heaven as did Jesus Christ. Nothing in Scripture indicates that prayers were ever offered to Mary nor that she was worshipped by anyone. Most of Roman Catholic teaching concerning Mary is based entirely on human tradition and contradicts God's Word. The present ecumenical emphasis and activities of the Roman Catholic Church are also of recent origin. When Vatican Council I was held in 1869-1870, the Orthodox Churches refused to participate even though they were invited by the pope. His public appeal to "Protestants and all non-Catholics" to "return to the only true fold" also received resentful refusals. However, in the intervening years, it became increasingly obvious to the Roman Catholic hierarchy that their church needed some serious updating, particularly with regard to relationships with other churches. In 1960, Pope John XXIII established the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity; and in 1962 he convoked Vatican Council II which he called "An ecumenical council for the universal church." Less than a year later, Pope John XXIII died. His successor, Pope Paul VI, attended four sessions of Vatican II before becoming pope and did everything possible to continue and expand the ecumenical emphasis. He said the Roman Catholic Church could best demonstrate the validity of its teaching, not by condemnation or severity, but with the "medicine of mercy." He emphasized "working for the full visible unity in truth among all Christians" and that this unity should extend also to non-Christians. This new approach of Vatican II was successful in gaining the cooperation of the major Orthodox Church bodies as well as 38 delegated observers from almost all the major Protestant denominations. Of course, Pope John Paul II has apparently expanded the ecumenical emphasis in the Roman Catholic Church to unprecedented heights. While this has received high praise from religious leaders and denominations, the kind of unity sought by the Roman Catholic Church is contrary to the Bible. All unity purchased at the expense of doctrinal purity is satanic and deceptive. 2 Cor. 6:14-18, Eph. 5:11, 2 Tim. 3:1-17; 4:1-8. All who join hands in ecumenical fellowship with those who preach a false Gospel are under God's curse. Gal. 1:6-10. The Roman Catholic Church was infiltrated by the false teachings and unscriptural practices of the Charismatic Movement in the early 1960's. Its influence within Roman Catholicism is growing rapidly. As always, the devil has a very clever way of compounding error while giving the results a more respectable appearance. Space limitations prevent a more comprehensive consideration of its past and present approaches but we have prepared other articles providing important details to all who might be interested in knowing why the Charismatic Movement and its teachings are so deceptive and dangerous. Once this movement became entrenched in the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic leaders were quick to see that it would be to their advantage to encourage these teachings rather than to oppose them. They discovered that they could use the Charismatic doctrines and practices to help build the Roman Catholic Church by considering such practices a logical and needed "renewal movement within the church." This "renewal" would come because those who had supposedly experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit felt a greater love and respect than ever for the Roman Catholic Church, including the Mass, the other sacraments, the veneration of Mary and all the other false teachings of Roman Catholicism. Many people are attracted to the displays of healings, miracles, and other supposed demonstrations of Holy Spirit presence and power, not realizing that if this were a true ministry of the Holy Spirit it would lead them to a recognition and repudiation of the false teachings of Roman Catholicism. The Charismatic Movement, both within and outside of the Roman Catholic Church is not a movement of the Holy Spirit, but of a false spirit. John 16:7-14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15. Adding to the religious confusion of our day is the inconsistent, compromising position taken by the world's two outstanding evangelical leaders, Dr. Billy Graham and Dr. Bill Bright. Both of these men now praise and work with ecumenical apostates, charismatic deceivers and Roman Catholics. This represents a complete reversal of their original, biblical positions. Both are widely respected and have charming personalities, but their present willingness to work with anybody who "calls Jesus, Lord" completely ignores the warning Christ gave in Matthew 7:21-23. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." The pope and most Roman Catholics call Jesus, "Lord," but since they reject the one true gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone, their profession is false. Today they are deceiving many evangelicals, but not God. Unless Roman Catholics trust Christ alone as Saviour before they die, they will one day be identified by Christ as those who were workers of iniquity even though they called Him "Lord." When Billy Graham began his ministry 40 years ago, he recognized Roman Catholicism as a false religion and warned against it. Then, as Graham's crowds and popularity grew, warnings about Roman Catholicism ceased and those who made professions of faith in his crusades were sent back into the Roman Catholic Church. Later, Graham accepted Roman Catholics as counselors if they took his prescribed training course. Still later, Roman Catholic priests, bishops and cardinals were included in the Graham Crusade committees, and finally, Graham called Pope John Paul II one of the world's great evangelists—a false identification of a biblically defined evangelist if there ever was one! True believers need to realize that the Mass is at the very heart of Roman Catholic theology and worship, but its observance is based upon Roman Catholic tradition, not upon the pure Word of God. We urge you to take the time to study the Roman Catholic teachings concerning the meaning and importance of the Mass, then, compare those teachings with the Scriptures and see the contradictions involved. After such a study, those who are truly born again and filled with the Holy Spirit—as Charismatic Catholics claim to be—will reject the Mass as a contradiction of Bible salvation and separate from the Roman Catholic Church in obedience to the Word of God, the Bible. What does the Roman Catholic Church teach concerning the importance and meaning of the Mass? Notice the following official statements. The following quotations are taken from THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1994 edition, which contains the written approval of Pope John Paul II and makes an appeal to Mary concerning the future in these words: "At the conclusion of this document presenting the CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, I beseech the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Incarnate Word and Mother of the Church, to support with her powerful intercession the catechetical work of the entire Church on every level, at this time when she is called to a new effort of evangelization." From page 334, Article 3: "The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch ... In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: 'Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking.'" From page 342, Article 4: "In the communion, preceded by the Lord's prayer and the breaking of the bread, the faithful receive 'the bread of heaven' and the 'cup of salvation,' the body and blood of Christ who offered himself 'for the life of the world.' "Because this bread and wine have been made Eucharist ('eucharisted,' according to an ancient expression), we call this food Eucharist, and no one may take part in it unless he believes that what we teach is true, has received baptism for the forgiveness of sins and new birth, and lives in keeping with what Christ taught." From page 344, Article 5: "The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice. 'The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.' 'In this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner."' From page 345, Article 5: "The Eucharistic sacrifice is also offered for the faithful departed who 'have died in Christ but are not yet wholly purified,' so that they may be able to enter into the light and peace of Christ." But what does the Bible say concerning the sacrifice of Jesus Christ upon the Cross? Hebrews 10:10-14, "By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [Jesus Christ], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." What a difference there is between what the Bible teaches and what Roman Catholicism believes and teaches regarding the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross! The supposed continual offering up of Christ by the priests negates His finished work on the Cross. The Bible says, "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." 1 Peter 3:18. What about the future of the Catholic Church? It is a false church, not a true one. It is a divided church, not a united one. Its present head, Pope John Paul II, is not one of the world's great evangelists, he is one of the world's greatest deceivers. He has done more to promote the false teachings of Roman Catholicism than any other pope in history. His mild, humble, reverent demeanor makes him especially valuable to Satan since he appears as "an angel of light" (2 Cor. 11:13-15). His travels have taken him into almost every region of the world. His ability to speak fluently in several languages makes him an effective communicator. He is a master at the art of "double-talk," for he knows just the kind of language to use with certain groups—evangelical, ecumenical, charismatic, traditional Romanists or liberal, avante-garde Catholics. He has the unique ability to speak to large audiences that represent widely varying points of view religiously and politically. He knows how to give each of these groups some tidbits of encouragement even though they may disagree strenuously with his overall presentation. His recent statement concerning the continuing controversy between "science" and "religion" on the question of evolution vs. creation is but a further example of his ability to leave ample room for both views to exist within the Roman Catholic Church. The Bible clearly teaches creation, not evolution. Thus, those who teach evolution should be avoided according to 1 Timothy 6:20, 21. As Pope John Paul II has visited countries where raw heathenism prevails or where professed Roman Catholics are devotees of Voodoo or other forms of devil worship, he has somehow managed to speak words of mild rebuke while leading his hearers to believe that they need not give up their "cultural heritages" in order to retain their "Catholic privileges." He has successfully managed to forge relationships, not only with professed Christian bodies and individuals but also with leaders of heathen religions. Tremendous power and prestige reside in the pope as the virtual dictator of millions of Roman Catholics worldwide. This power, coupled with the untold wealth of Vatican holdings and resources which he controls, causes international leaders and heads of state to bow at his feet as they seek religious, political or commercial favors and, of course, the pope's "blessing." Fidel Castro of Cuba, a communist dictator, tyrant and oppressor of several million of his own people, is the latest to come to Rome to work a deal that will profit him economically and enable the pope to visit Cuba, something John Paul II earnestly desires. What does John Paul II plan for the immediate future? His plans are clearly and concisely set forth in his latest book, "Celebrate 2000!: Reflections on Jesus, The Holy Spirit and the Father" by Pope John Paul II. On pages 8-10 of the introduction by Paul Thigpen, we read, "Pope John Paul II has announced that the Church will observe the year 2000 as a 'Great Jubilee': a particular year of God's favor, a sign of His unfailing love, a season to remember and rejoice that two millennia ago, Christ came to set us free from the bonds of sin. Like all Jubilee years, it will be, he says, 'a year of the remission of sins and of the punishments due them, a year of reconciliation between disputing parties, a year of manifold conversions and of sacramental and extra-sacramental penance' ... It's time to give our souls a bath, to dress in our spiritual best, and to take in our hands the gift of our will, wrapped in a fervent desire to see Christ's Kingdom come. "To help us get ready for this grand party, Pope John Paul II has outlined his strategy in his apostolic letter of November 10, 1994, 'As the Third Millennium Draws Near.' He calls for preparations to take two phases. The first phase, extending through 1996, is to make Christians aware of the value and meaning of the Jubilee Year. The second phase- consisting of the years 1997, 1998, and 1999 is intended to turn the Church's attention to God Himself, to help us grow deeper in our knowledge of Him, our love for Him, our joy in Him. Each of these years is to be devoted to reflection on a particular Person within the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." Remember that all the teachings of Pope Paul II and the Roman Catholic Church (like all religious leaders, churches and organizations) must be carefully examined in light of God's Word, the Bible. Of course, some of the statements of the pope and a few portions of the Roman Catholic Catechism contain scriptural truths. This is why so many people are being deceived today. They do not realize that counterfeit religions, like counterfeit money, must resemble the genuine in order to deceive those who lack spiritual discernment or those who have not had the opportunity or taken the time to carefully compare all the major tenets of Roman Catholicism with the truth of God's Word. Only when one compares men's words with Scripture will it become obvious that Roman Catholicism is a carefully crafted counterfeit, not the pure, genuine, biblical faith. Roman Catholicism makes salvation a long, complicated process with no assurance of eternal life and forgiveness of all sin. Baptism, the Mass, Confession, prayers to Mary and the Saints, good works, and purgatory are all added to faith in Christ. By contrast, the Bible teaches salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Eph. 2:8, 9; Titus 2:13. Bible salvation is God's free gift to any sinner who believes with the heart that Christ died for his sins and rose again for his justification. 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 10:9-13. Bible salvation gives immediate assurance of eternal life. 1 John 5:10-13. Carefully read and believe John 1:12; 3:16-18; 3:36; 5:24; 14:1-6; 20:30,31. No church ever saved anyone, but Christ can and will save everyone who will come and trust Him as their Saviour. Acts 4:12; John 6:37; 10:27-30. Membership or faith in a church does not secure salvation for anyone, but trust Christ and Him alone and you will be saved for all eternity! Speaking of Rome, read the following to get on the road to heaven; if you are lost: What is the Romans Road? Simply put, the Romans Road shows the path to Heaven. It uses points from the book of Romans in the Bible to explain God’s gift of salvation. At each stop we learn something new about why we need salvation, how God has provided for it, and how we receive it. As you look at each of the six points outlined here, take time to reflect on what God’s Word has to say. Remember that the book of Romans was written to people just like you and me: people living in a busy culture, trying to make sense of what is true and what is most important in life. The Romans Road describes the only way to Heaven. Study it, learn it, and follow it! 1. Everyone Needs Salvation For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) 2. Jesus Died For Our Salvation But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 3. Salvation Is A Gift The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) 4. We Are Saved By Grace And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. (Romans 11:6) 5. Salvation Comes Through Faith To him that … believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5) 6. God Saves All Who Call Upon Him Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13) The Bible says there are two roads in life: one is the way to eternal joy in Heaven, and the other leads to eternal punishment in Hell. Which road are you on? Follow the Romans Road to salvation today. Recognize that you are a sinner and that your sin must be judged by God. See that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sin, but that you must choose to accept His provision. Understand that you cannot earn your way to Heaven through good works or religious activity. Now turn to God and put your faith in Jesus Christ who died for you and rose again. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9,10) September 12 2018: I have spoken fondly about the Catholic Church on this blog; many times. I do not regret that one bit. I grew up in a Catholic Church and it was the best schooling I have ever received in my life. The Monseigneur McCanin (I may have the name misspelled) was the Monseigneur of Saint Johns Church and school; at the time I went there. He was a friend to my grandfather and my mother as I have mentioned many times on this blog. My family's, family is Catholic. I never had a bad experience in the Catholic Church ever. I loved going to a Catholic School and even going to Catholic Church. Monseigneur McCanin was a hero to me growing up. I met him latter when I was about 21, on the street, once. I was handing out Gospel Tracts on Main Street in front of a Catholic Church, near Bob's Surplus. I saw him and tried to give him a Gospel Tract, He said no thanks I have enough to read holding up a Bible that was in his hand. My grandfather was my hero and practically built my hometown of Middletown, Connecticut. Every pastor of every Catholic Church service, I every attended in a Catholic church service was a great man and worthy of admiration. I will not deny that the Catholic faith is a part of my heritage and who I am, and how I was raised. If it was required of my family or the friends I grew up with; to go to a Catholic church service for a rewards ceremony or a funeral and the like; I would most certainly go. When it would be time to kneel; I would have to be a witness and not kneel. I learned this from a black sister and brother who attended my Catholic School; when they went to church with my fellow school members. You can not deny how much the Catholic Church has helped our country. Saint Vincent De Paul has saved many a life of our homeless folks. I also think it is great that the Roman Catholic Church is so much more open to Christians in their fellowship with Born Again Christians. They may as well be; we are persecuted along side each others many country's till this day. The American City's are alive with this acceptance of the saved in Catholic Churches and Church organizations. I am sure I can agree with many things; about the Bible, with Catholic Priest's, that much would bring me joy to talk to them. This is from a email to one of my Catholic Family Members: I lived with a young Catholic Priest in Hartford Connecticut for a while in the early 1980's. I kept my room at the YMCA in Middletown while I stayed with this dude. He was a real nice dude. I wanted to hang out with him because he was a Christian. We were going to start up bible studies in the huge church. It was the richest part of Hartford, really beautiful. Near the big insurance schools in Hartford. There are huge pockets of Bible believing Christians in the Catholic church's especially in the city's. I moved back to Middletown because the priest dude would drink wine sometimes and I was against that. After saying all gladly. I could never join together with them in any was as far as Bible Doctrine goes. As I have said I agree doctrinal 100% with the Fundamental Evangelical Association. I provide you with 2 very important links from this almost 100 year American Organization; that will explain why I can not join together with the Catholic Church concerning my faith and belief in the Bible: https://www.truthfulwords.org/articles/rctruth.html https://www.truthfulwords.org/articles/rcchanged.html
September 11 2018:
I found another amazing likeness to when I first started talking about the Bible here on this Blog; in the booklet I own and mentioned below in this update. I just want to say I have never studied Dehaan so much as when I first started posting here. I studied him the most because I own a few books on the end times by him. Since then I also have found recordings of him. I want to say I am very impressed by his speaking ability. He sounds like a drill instructor. He sounds strict and tough. He sounds like a tough dude. Also, I have heard him speak in such a loving heart felt way; it sounds like he is about to weep. You can hear him in my downloads:
Here: MR DeHaan.zip
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1SXioYJhg-kP5FlOkIqK579YZvXfQLmzS
And here: Misc Bible Audio from goodpreachin.com.zip
The part that struck me, as almost exactly how I sounded in April of 2018 (on my art page); when I first started talking about the bible here, is at the end of chapter 2.
There are actually typo's, I think, that I will correct here, but not below also in bold and orange:
How do you explain all the suffering and the death and tears, heartache and sorrow, disease and pain and separation in the world! How do you explain war, which slays millions and the pestilences which kill millions more, and famines with its countless millions! If God is a God of love only, will you explain to me why He permits these things to happen? If God is a God of love only and will not let His creatures suffer, then please tell me why these things are in the world today with an Omnipotent, Loving God ruling over all.
This sounds amazingly like myself from last April. I read this for the first time this morning.
Proverbs 1:7 - The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction.
See what M.R. Dehaan says in his Lake of Fire masterpiece? He says exactly what I have been saying ninety nine percent of the time on this blog page; for the Lord and for the people that might read it.:
"I believe the Bible, I believe every bit of it. I believe what it says about the love of God, about His mercy, His grace, His patience, His long suffering. I believe what it says about Heaven. But I also believe that God is holy, perfect, just, righteous, and will in no wise clear the guilty but will insist that every disobedience and transgression receive its just recompense of reward. And since I am bound to believe this, if I am to be consistent, I would be a despicable hypocrite if I did not warn men about it."
This is exactly what I have been saying all this time. If you think God is only love and not to be feared; than you do not believe the Bible and that makes you "a despicable hypocrite." It is not that difficult to turn it all that around.
Check this out too: "Let me quote for you just a few passages, verbatim" He does exactly what I did in April of this year (see 2018 art page in menu). He quotes random scriptures to put the fear of God in you; basically. Check out these scriptures he quotes to show a God that needs to be feared: In II Thessalonians 1:8 we read, as Paul is speaking here under inspiration, that the Lord is coming: "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." II Thessalonians 1:8-9
And the Apostle John in Revelation tells us: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8
Or listen to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as He describes the destiny of the wicked in Matthew 25: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matthew 25:41, 46 I put it in bold and red below too.
I am posting this hear because I really, really care about people within the deepest part of my being, my very soul. All this about the Lord and His Word posted here are meant to help people. Help them if they are saved to be that much more grounded; to discover what they have been searching for from God. Help them that may think they are going to heaven; to know they are going to heaven. Help them most of all that are unsaved to have everlasting life and all that humans really, only need; from their lives.
BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND." Ezekiel 3:17-18 The Lake of Fire by M. R. De Haan, M.D. Chapter One "For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." Luke 12:2-5 Never were words ever spoken more solemn, more terrible, and arresting than these words of the Lord Jesus Christ as He warns His hearers against the danger of being cast into an eternal Hell. And coming from the lips of the gentle, loving, kind and compassionate Jesus, they fall upon our ears with terrific emphasis. Hardest of Messages In this and several messages to follow, we propose to talk on the subject of the "Bible Hell." As we prepared these massages, we were torn between two violent emotions. As we thought on the subject of our future destinies, our hearts warmed with the thought that the saved would spend eternity in Heaven, and we thrilled at the glorious revelation of the Scriptures concerning the future abode of the saved. But when we studied and contemplated the awful revelation of Scripture concerning the eternal abode of the lost and the damned, and studied the subject of a Bible Hell, we were shocked with fear and trembling at the revealing Word of God concerning this place called "Hell" in the Scriptures. It is also called "The Lake of Fire," and the "Perdition" of the unsaved, and the place of "Outer Darkness." I must frankly acknowledge that it was only after severe heart struggle that I finally persuaded myself, and concluded that I must preach on this subject at this time. I do wish that I could believe that there is no Hell for the wicked. I wish that I did not need ever to preach on this terrible subject. I would give almost anything if I could preach only on the love of God continuously and never have to mention the wrath of God upon the sinner. I must honestly confess that I have tried to find excuses for not having to preach on this subject at all. No Choice But the preacher of the Gospel has no choice in these matters. He is under constraint to preach the full counsel of God, and everything the Word contains. The dire warning of Ezekiel 3:17 and 18 kept ringing, ringing in my ears, and finally persuaded me: "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; BUT HIS BLOOD WILL I REQUIRE AT THINE HAND." Ezekiel 3:17-18 That was enough for me, and I promised God that very moment that by His grace I would warn the wicked with all of my might and power, and keep my hands clean of the blood of my fellow men. The reason then for preaching on the subject of hell may be given under four heads: 1. It is the clear revelation of Scripture. 2. It is commanded that we warn men against it. 3. The modern pulpit is almost completely silent on the subject and that necessitates someone raising his voice about this matter. 4. Hell is a moral necessity in a moral universe. First of all then, the Bible clearly teaches a place called by various names, where the wicked and the unrepentant and the Christ-rejecting will spend eternity. It has been called the Lake of Fire, the Second Death, the Place of Outer Darkness, the Place prepared for the Devil and his angels, and many other highly descriptive names, all summed up in the one word, Hell. The word itself occurs some fifty-three times in our English King James version of the Scriptures; thirty-two times it occurs in the Old Testament, and twenty-one times it is found in the New Testament. However, the word rendered "hell" in our English Bible is a translation of at least three different Hebrew words. The word, whenever it occurs in the Old Testament, without exception is always "sheol," and never refers to "hell" at all, but instead to the temporary abode of the souls of the dead in the center of the earth until the Resurrection of Jesus. Of the twenty-one times the word "hell" occurs in our English Bible in the New Testament, it is the translation of the word "hades " at least ten times. Hades, mentioned ten times is the Greek word for the Hebrew "sheol," and both of them refer to the same place of the lost dead in the heart of the earth. In the ten instances then of the twenty-one occurrences of the word "hell " in the New Testament, it means not the eternal abode of the lost, or the Lake of Fire, but the temporary abode of the wicked in sheol-hades until they will finally be cast into the Lake of Fire at the end of the ages. In Revelation 20:14 we read: "And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire..." Rev. 20:14 The souls of the lost are in hades now. At the end of the Kingdom Age they will be bodily resurrected in the second resurrection, and then cast body and soul into the Lake of Fire. Be sure, therefore, first of all to distinguish between sheol-hades, the temporary abode of the lost, and Hell, which is the eternal abode of those who now already are in sheol-hades. While on this aspect of the subject, there is one other word in the Bible also translated "hell." It occurs only once in the Scriptures, and is found in II Peter 2:4 where we read: "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." II Peter 2:4 Here is God's revelation concerning some of the fallen angels who were cast down to "hell," but again we must remind you that the word translated "hell" is a mistranslation of the original. The word in the Greek is "tartaroo," and refers not to the Lake of Fire, but to a special place prepared for a certain group of fallen angels until finally they, too, with Satan, their leader, will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10). In the balance of the instances where the word "hell" occurs, it is a translation of quite another word, the Greek word, "gehenna." Let me repeat, the word "hell" occurs fifty-three times in your King James version. In twenty-one instances in the New Testament it is not "gehenna," but should have been translated "hades" and not "hell." In one instance (II Peter 2:4) it again is a mistranslation of the word, "tartaroo," and does not refer to the Lake of Fire. Jesus Uses It Ten Times In the remaining eleven instances where the word, "hell" occurs in the Bible, it is a translation of the Greek word, "gehenna," and refers to the eternal abode of the lost in the Lake of Fire. And now here comes one of the most amazing, arresting things of all. In ten out of these eleven times where the word occurs in the New Testament, it falls from the lips of the gentle Jesus, and only once by any other, James in James 3:6. I emphasize this tremendous fact—ten of the eleven occurrences in which the word, "gehenna" (hell) is used in the Bible, it is uttered by the loving, gentle, compassionate, kind and sympathetic Lord Jesus Christ who came to save people from Hell. Twice it is used by Christ in His Sermon on the Mount. Again we emphasize this fact, because modern theology would do away with the fact of a literal Hell. We are told over and over again that God is so loving, so kind, so longsuffering, so tender, that He would never even think of sending His creatures into a literal Hell. We are told, therefore, not to preach on judgment and sin and condemnation and on the Lake of Fire, for this is a medieval, pagan doctrine, a hangover from the dark ages, and pagan polytheism. We are told, "preach the Beatitudes, preach the Golden Rule, preach the Sermon on the Mount. We are admonished to preach on these subjects. Yes, indeed, we should preach the Sermon on the Mount, but if we do, we will have to preach on the subject of Hell, for the first two times that the word "hell" is ever used in the New Testament, it is used by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself in no other place but in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:22 and Matthew 5:29). Hell Is a Fact Beloved, hell is a dreadful fact. We may rebel against it, we may try to do away with it. I, too, wish I could believe that there is no eternal Hell, but to do so I must throw away my Bible, make Jesus a mistaken scarecrow, violate every rule of moral justice in the universe, and give up my faith in a God who is holy, just and righteous. If there is no eternal doom to be saved from, then the coming of a Saviour was unnecessary, His death a miscarriage of justice on the part of God, and the Bible becomes a book of scarey, bogie-man pessimism. If there is no Hell, then every Gospel preacher who warns sinners to flee from the wrath to come is a despicable, repulsive, calamity howler, and ought to be silenced immediately and forever. But if God and the Bible are right, and therefore there is a Hell, then by the very same token, the preacher who does not lift up his voice and cry and warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come, becomes a pitiable, unfaithful traitor to his fellow men, and disobedient to God and to His Word. If you think that these statements are drastic, please, please let me quote again, before closing, the passage I gave you at the beginning of this message. First, Luke 12:4: "And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him." Luke 12:4-5 Or will you listen to this. Jesus is again speaking in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28 Oh, my friend, either these words of our Lord Jesus Christ are true or they are not true at all. It is one or the other. It cannot be anything else. If they are not true, then of course, the Lord Jesus Christ was mistaken, and we might just as well throw our entire Bible away. But these words are the truth, they are God's Word. It is what Jesus Himself said, and this being so, what else can I do as the messenger of God than to cry out, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Flee from the wrath to come, before it is too late. I have no other alternative, as the words of Ezekiel ring again in my heart: "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." Ezekiel 3:18 Oh, may God help me to keep my hands clean of the blood of my fellow men. In our coming messages, the Lord willing, we shall speak on where Hell is, what it is, how long it will last, and other matters clearly revealed in the Bible. But before we close this message, I must tell you how you may escape this awful fate in the Lake of Fire. God says He is not willing that any should perish, and He has made a way of escape through His Son, Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ the Son of God who died on the Cross and rose again from the grave to save you from eternal doom. His Word clearly says: "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." John 5:24 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 Oh, call on Him now. Cry to Him in faith to save you. Receive Him now and believe His Word: "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37 Chapter Two "And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 22:12-13 Jesus and the Bible teach beyond all controversy and beyond every shadow of doubt that there is both a Heaven for the saved and a Hell for the lost. Personally, I would ten times rather preach on heaven than on the subject of hell. I wish that I could believe that there is no eternal hell for the lost; but to do so, I would have to reject the Bible, refuse to believe Jesus, and violate every single principle of moral justice in the universe. This truth of the eternal perdition of the lost is the whole background of Calvary, for if there is no doom and judgment from which to be saved, there is neither point nor reason for the suffering and the death of a Saviour, for the very depth of His agony and his suffering speaks to us of the awfulness of the judgment from which He came to save us. We are, therefore, commanded to preach not only heaven for believers, but eternal doom for the wicked, much as we tremble at and shrink from preaching on the subject of a Bible Hell. It is simply impossible for the faithful preacher to relieve himself of this imperative responsibility, so definitely laid down in the Word of God. Silence of the Pulpits I have felt the necessity of preaching on this subject emphatically for a long, long time. We gave four reasons for this in our previous message: 1. The Bible clearly teaches the fact of a Bible Hell. 2. We are definitely commanded to warn men to flee from the wrath to come. 3. There is a deathly silence on this subject in many pulpits, and therefore, necessitates our emphasis on this truth again. 4. Hell is a moral necessity in a moral universe. We take up therefore now our third compelling reason, the inescapable reason for teaching this very unpopular and painful subject which we are dealing with at present. The idea of punishment forever and ever is in itself so very unpleasant a thought that the subject of Hell is seldom heard in the average pulpit in the land today, and never heard at all in many, many churches. You can hear the word "hell" used far more frequently on the street, on the train, in the business offices, than from the pulpits. Profane men use it in cursing, far oftener than many preachers use it in their pulpits. It is avoided on every hand, in the very place where it should be spoken the most. Satan's Trick It is a clever trick of Satan, our adversary, to take away the fear of God and the fear of hell from the hearts of men. Glibly we are told, "Don't preach judgment, don't scare people with caricatures of an angry God. Tell us about the love of God, His goodness, the dignity of man, and the universal fatherhood of God." But, my friend, that does not change the Word of God nor does it change the facts before us. Hell may have lost its terrors, but it hasn't lost any of its reality. It is still a Scriptural fact revealed in the Bible. A friend, a radio listener, wrote me some time ago and said, "I am surprised that a man of your training with a college, university and seminary background, could still believe in that old, antiquated, motheaten, disproved apparition of the age of superstition and paganism, a literal Hell. No modem scholar believes that at all any more." Well, so then I am not a scholar, if this is true. But suppose that no intelligent scholar believes anymore in eternal punishment. What does that prove? It still does not change God's Word one iota. Of course, it just isn't true that all scholarship has discarded belief in a literal Hell. There are still thousands of the greatest scholarly men in the world who do believe it, and have been saved from it through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. But even though all the wise men and all the theologians and all the scholars in the world should reject it—so what? It would still be true. I don't suppose there was a single scholar in Noah's day who believed a word that Noah was preaching concerning a flood which was imminent. But it came just the same. Not only does the Bible record it, but even geology bears testimony to this fact. There were no scholars in Lot's day who believed the coming judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, but it came just the same and they perished in it. The scholars of Jesus' day paid but scant attention to our Lord when He warned of the destruction of Jerusalem, and the judgment of God upon the nation of Israel, but it came just the same. Ah, yes, my friend, "Let God be true and every man a liar" (Romans 3:4). Satan surely delivered a master-stroke when he convinced man that hell was not real, but just a figment of the imagination, and an outmoded fancy. Few there are, therefore, who today still believe in a Bible Hell. Men use the word so glibly, whereas if they only realized what the Bible says about it, they would tremble at the word. Today we hear on every hand and read in our magazines all sorts of joking about this awful place, and it is made the butt of many a gag and a joke to entertain the poor, blind souls who themselves face this awful doom. Key to Revival If we are to have a revival of soul winning, it will come only when we return without compromise or apology to the preaching of the awfulness and the filthiness of sin, the holiness of God, and the certainty of a Bible Hell. Read the history of revivals throughout the ages and you will find that in every instance it came as a result, and was accompanied by, the preaching not only of the love of God, but the wrath of God upon sinners. We read a lot about the "key to revival"; but I declare that the real key is a return to good oldfashioned Methodist preaching of the holiness of God, His hatred for sin, and a revival of some good fire and brimstone preaching for sinners. I believe the Bible, I believe every bit of it. I believe what it says about the love of God, about His mercy, His grace, His patience, His long suffering. I believe what it says about Heaven. But I also believe that God is holy, perfect, just, righteous, and will in no wise clear the guilty but will insist that every disobedience and transgression receive its just recompense of reward. And since I am bound to believe this, if I am to be consistent, I would be a despicable hypocrite if I did not warn men about it. Bible Is Clear Let me quote for you just a few passages, verbatim, taken from God's own Holy Word. If you believe the Bible you will be convinced; if you do not believe the Bible, of course, then we have no common ground to start with, and we have no more to say to you at all. You become then, like a ship without a rudder, a sailor without a compass. In II Thessalonians 1:8 we read, as Paul is speaking here under inspiration, that the Lord is coming: "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." II Thessalonians 1:8-9 And the Apostle John in Revelation tells us: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8 Or listen to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as He describes the destiny of the wicked in Matthew 25: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matthew 25:41, 46 It is hardly necessary, I am sure, to quote additional passages to show what the Bible says about the future destiny of the wicked. I am not trying to convince you that there is a Hell, not at all; I am merely trying to show you what the Bible says clearly concerning this place. Then if you reject it, you are not rejecting my word, but God's own holy, infallible Word. If you differ with me, that is not serious, for I too may be wrong, but if you differ with the teaching of the Word of God, you do it only at the peril and the expense of your own immortal soul. If you don't believe it, you will have to take it up with Him, who is the Author, the One who wrote this Book, and not with me. All that I can do and am trying to do is to tell you what God says, and then the decision must, of course, be up to you. Must Be a Hell We have time before we close this message on the subject, "The Lake of Fire" to say a word about the absolute moral necessity of future retribution. Again and again we hear the argument, "I can't imagine a loving God sending His creatures to an eternal place of suffering. I can't believe that a loving God would allow His creatures to suffer in a literal Hell." Well, my friend, that doesn't happen to be the point at all. Your sentiments, after all, have nothing to do with it. It is entirely a question, as far as I am concerned, of what God has to say, not what I think or what any other man thinks. I do declare, that was the argument the Devil gave to Eve. God had said to Eve. "The day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." The Devil placed doubt in the mind of Mother Eve, and said, "ye shall not surely die." It was his opinion against the opinion of God, and I repeat again, that I do wish that I did not have to believe in the eternal Lake of Fire. But in addition to the clear teaching of the Word of God and the holiness of God, my common sense and my reason demands that there must be a place of retribution. The fact of Hell rests upon the very foundation of a moral universe. Do away with the punishment of evildoers, and the whole moral fabric and integrity of society breaks down completely. Basis of Government The basis of all good government is justice. Evildoers must be punished. We have laws to punish the thief, the murderer, the liar, the robber, the traitor, the rebel. No one denies that this is just and right. Every jail and prison in the world is a monument to the necessity of a moral government and the justice of punishing the criminal. What a world this would be if there were no laws to govern, and no penalty for the criminal and the transgressor? We even inflict the death penalty as the punishment for certain crimes and no one questions the right of the government to do so. Why then object to the right of a sovereign God of Heaven and earth to punish His rebelling subjects and creatures. Deny this, and I repeat, the whole moral fabric of the universe immediately breaks down. This world is so full of inequalities, there must be a reckoning some day. If death ends all, and there is no retribution for evil, how then do we explain the despots who lived in luxury here below, oppressing their fellow men, murdering, pillaging, subjecting others to their atrocities. Think of the Hamans, the Neros, and the Hitlers whose hands are stained with the blood of thousands and millions of innocents. Did death end all for these men? Is there no punishment for such? Then my faith in the moral integrity of the God of the universe must go by the board entirely. Ah, no, my friend, a God of love who would let sin go unpunished would be no God at all. He would do less than even human justice demands. How explain all the suffering and the death and tears, heartache and sorrow, disease and pain and separation in the world! How explain war, which slays millions and the pestilences which kill millions more, and famines with its countless millions! If God is a God of love only, will you explain to me why He permits these things to happen? If God is a God of love only and will not let His creatures suffer, then please tell me why these things are in the world today with an Omnipotent, Loving God ruling over all. But again we would close on a more hopeful and glorious note. There is a remedy, thank God. There is salvation, there is hope. If God had made no way of escape, how hopeless all would be. But listen, listen, my friend. It is still also true that: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 Your hope, my friend, lies in receiving God's offer of salvation, not in rebelling against His justice, or denying His right to punish the wicked. Why not settle this whole business right now by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ and then, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus..." Romans 8:1 Why not believe God's Word, admit your sin, confess and repent, and receive Jesus Christ as your own Saviour for eternity, and be saved from your sin and the wrath to come. God help you to do it. Why take a chance, why gamble with eternity? Suppose you are right, and there is no Bible Hell, then I who do believe in it, still am losing nothing. But suppose you are wrong then you have everything to lose. I who believe the Word then have everything to gain—and nothing to lose. But you have nothing to gain and everything to lose by rejecting God's remedy of salvation. Believe, Believe, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be SAVED. Chapter Three "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone." Revelation 19:20 In this terrible, awesome verse we have the record of the first occupants ever to be thrown into Hell. These two men, the beast and the false prophet, are the first individuals ever to be cast into the Lake of Fire. Hell today is completely empty, totally devoid of all occupants. The lost are in Hades according to the Word of God. The fallen angels are in the special place called tartarus in 2nd Peter 2:4. After the tribulation period and at the return of the Lord Jesus Christ in glory to this earth, these two men, the beast and the false prophet, will be cast into this place called the Lake of Fire. Here they remain for a period of one thousand years, and then a millennium later they are joined by their master, Satan and the Devil. We have the record of this casting of Satan into Hell in Revelation 20:7: "And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. ...and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Revelation 20:7, 9, 10 Not Annihilation This is an important passage which must not be overlooked. For one thousand years these two men, the beast and the false prophet, are in the Lake of Fire, but they are not destroyed. After one thousand years when Satan joins them we read definitely, "And the Devil was cast into the lake of fire where the beast and the false prophet ARE." After a thousand years they are still there, alive. We cannot therefore teach that Hell is annihilation. It is not in any sense a burning out of existence. Then The Lost So far then, we have two groups in the Lake of Fire. At the beginning of the thousand years the beast and the false prophet are cast into hell. One thousand years later Satan is also cast into the same place with them, and then soon to be joined by all his wicked followers, the unsaved and the lost. In the last verse of this same chapter we read: "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15 Origin of the Lake of Fire While the Bible has a great deal to say concerning the subject of Hell, there are some things which our Lord has not seen fit to reveal to us at this time, and on which the Bible is either silent or only gives the faintest suggestions. We do not know, for instance, when Hell was created, nor where it is located. As to its origin, we can safely say, however, that it was not a part of God's original creative act. In Genesis 1:1 we have the account of the original creation. Before the first verse of Genesis 1:1 there was nothing, of course, except God. God all alone in that perfect holy, family love-life of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In this beginningless life of the great eternal "I Am," God planned a creation to be called into being at a time that He Himself in sovereign wisdom should choose. In the plan of this original creation described in Genesis 1:1, Hell was not included. That must have been a subsequent provision. In Genesis 1:1 we read, for instance: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 1:1 Now will you please notice very carefully that this was the beginning of the creation—not the beginning of the existence of God. In John 1:1 we are distinctly told that in the beginning when God created the universe, "the heavens and the earth," He already was. The Creator is un-created. And so John tells us: "In the beginning WAS the Word, and the Word WAS with God, and the Word WAS God." John 1:1 The verb translated "was" is a Greek verb used only of the existence of God. It denotes existence without reference to any beginning at all. In the following verse in John 1 we read this concerning the creation: "All things were made by him; and without him WAS not any thing made that WAS made." John 1:3 In this verse again the verb "was" occurs three times, twice as "was" and once as "were"; but in this instance it is quite another word which denotes existence from a beginning. It literally means to "become." What a wonderful evidence of divine inspiration. When John uses a verb with reference to God, he uses the word "was" which means to exist without any beginning, but immediately when he begins to speak about the creation, he changes the word and uses another which means "to become" or to "exist from a beginning." In the beginning, then, God created the heavens and the earth. The word in your Bible is heaven (singular) but in the Hebrew text it is plural, "heavens." The word is "shamayim" the ending IM, being the plural ending, just as the letter "s" denotes plurality in our English language. The reference is, of course, to more than one heaven. The Bible distinguishes at least three heavens, the lower heaven (auronos); the middle heaven (mesoranios), and the upper heaven (eporanios). The lower is the atmospheric heaven of air and of clouds and of vapor enveloping the earth. The midheaven is the planetary, astromical, starry heaven, and beyond this, is the third or the upper heaven, also called in Scripture, "the heaven of heavens." But No Hell When God created the heavens and the earth, it included at least the two lower of these heavens, and we believe the atmospheric heaven and the planetary heaven were created at this time, and possibly the third heaven. Remember the word is in the plural, "shamayim," the heavens. But strange, and yet not so strange, there is no mention of Hell in this original creation. The Bible does not say: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and hell." No, Hell is significantly omitted. Of course, God being omniscient knew that sin would come, and a Hell would become necessary later on, but before sin entered, there was no Hell prepared by God, Hell was a later provision. When Was It Prepared? The question then arises, "When did God prepare this Lake of Fire?" To this we cannot give a positive, definite answer, but it must have been after the fall of the angels. From the book of Job we learn that the angels (called morning stars) were present at the original creation of the earth. There is much evidence that the original earth, millions upon millions of years ago, was the habitation of these created angels. And then Lucifer, the archangel, and the leader of the angelic hosts, rebelled against Almighty God with a host of lesser angelic beings, and as a result was cast both out of the earth, and out of heaven, and banished to the upper atmosphere. Some wicked angels are in the place called "tartarus" today (2 Peter 2:4). Now because of the sin of these fallen angels, together with Satan, God prepared a place to which they will be consigned in everlasting damnation, to be tormented day and night forever and ever. This is plain from a statement of our blessed Lord Himself, when He says in Matthew 25:41 of the judgment of the wicked in the words we quoted before: "Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS." Matthew 25:41 What a tremendous solemn revelation! The fires of everlasting Hell were never meant for mankind. They were never meant for you, my poor sinner friend. It was prepared for the Devil and his angels. God never made man for Hell, nor did He make Hell for man. If man goes there, it will be only because he chooses to do so by refusing to receive God's wonderful gift of love and salvation. You will never be able to blame God for sending you into the everlasting fires. Only Two Masters There are only two destinies then, Heaven and Hell. There are only two masters, Christ and the Devil. And you, my friend, as well as I, can serve only one of these. It must be one or the other, Jesus said: "No man can serve two masters." And if you serve Christ here below, it is wholly just and fitting and right that you should spend eternity in bliss in Heaven with the One whom you loved and served here below. But if you choose to serve the Devil, and refuse to receive the Lord Jesus Christ, let me ask you honestly and sincerely, isn't it right and just and proper, consistent and wholly fitting that you should spend eternity with your master, whom you have chosen to serve, even the Devil, in the place of torment prepared for the Devil and his angels? It is your own choice, my friend. You can blame no one else. Certainly there can be no argument here. When this place of torment was prepared we, of course, do not know; but we do know that it was made necessary by sin, and particularly the sin of the angels, and prepared as the place of eternal punishment for the Devil, his angels, and all who choose to follow him, rather than be saved by the Lord Jesus Christ. Ah, my precious friend, as we contemplate these thoughts, why not take Jesus Christ as your Saviour? How awful to be the companion of the Devil throughout eternity in the place of outer darkness. Hell never was meant for you and God does not want you to go there. If you do, it will be your own fault in refusing to receive God's offer of Heaven and salvation. If you end up in the place of eternal doom, it will be over the very body of the Crucified Son of God, so why not receive Him now? Where is Hell? We have just time for one more question concerning the Bible Hell, and then in our next and last message on this dread subject we shall discuss the questions: Who is there now? Who will still go there in the future? What will be the conditions there? And how long will it last? But now, "Where is the Lake of Fire?" Again the Bible gives no definite answer. It may be some blazing star a million light years removed from this earth. It may be some burned out, ruined planet. We just don't know. One or two things we do know, however. It is complete separation from God, the God of light. He says, "Depart from me, ye wicked, into the place prepared for the Devil and his angels." And it is called the place of outer darkness. Outer Darkness But it is not only darkness, but it is called "outer darkness." We may translate it as "Uttermost darkness." A place so far removed from God and probably from the universe as we see it today, that not a single ray of light will ever penetrate. To grope in Stygian darkness without one ray of hope, banished from God forever, in the place of which Jesus says: "...there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 24:51 Why do I say these things? Why do I preach on Hell? Why do I remind you of this, and repeat all these very unpleasant things? Listen, my friend, it's because I love you more than you will ever realize, and I want you to be saved. God loves you and He wants you to be saved. It will be a tremendous relief when I have finished these messages, I assure you. I have preached under tremendous pressure and a heavy burden for lost men and women. But God is my witness, I could not do anything else. If a doctor knew you had a terrible disease, but also knew an absolute remedy, he would be a devil if he didn't warn you and suggest the remedy. If I knew a bridge was out down the track, and I didn't try to flag down the train. I would be a murderer. If I saw your house on fire, and you were asleep in the house, and I did not try to awaken you, what kind of a brute would I be? Well, my friend, what would you think of me, a preacher of the Gospel called to warn men and women of the coming judgment, if I did not warn you. If I for fear of being unpopular or of being criticized should fail to cry out to you, "Flee from the wrath to come," there are no words to describe my despicable condition. And so here is the remedy. Right where you are you can be saved from sin, and judgment, and the fear of Hell forever. Here it is: Simply acknowledge that you are a sinner, believe God's Word, and then accept His promise of salvation. With your head bowed now will you say: "Lord Jesus, I, a poor, lost sinner, the best I know how, now trust thee to save me. I accept thee as my Lord, I believe thou didst die for me and rise again to save me for eternity." My friend, that is all you need to do. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Chapter Four "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Rev. 20:10 "And death and hell (hades) were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Rev. 20:14-15 In these awesome words, the Holy Spirit, through John, tells us of the final end and destiny of the Devil, and all his followers who have rejected God's wonderful salvation. We make no apologies for this revelation. We merely tell you what the Word of God has to say. If you have any objections, you can take them up with the Author of this Book, the One who wrote it. The Bible therefore teaches that there is an eternal Heaven for the saved, and an eternal Hell for the lost. Every single branch of Christendom has believed in the doctrine of final retribution and it is embodied in all the creeds of all the great branches of Christendom from the very beginning. Very true, today it is not being preached in many, many churches, but if you will investigate, you will find that it is still written in their creeds, whether its ministers preach their creeds or not. But our belief in a literal Hell is not based on church dogmas, religious creeds, human opinions, or the sentiments of men, but upon the infallible Word of God. My feelings and my sentiments too rebel against the idea of a literal, eternal Hell, but I am compelled to believe it because my own judgment convinces me and God says it. If it is not true, then there is no moral justice in the universe, but if it is true, I must, I must warn you to seek refuge in Jesus Christ. It is a Place In a former message, we told you the Bible does not locate Hell. We do not know where it is, except that it is in outer space and in outer darkness. However, while we do not know the exact location, we do know it is a literal place. Jesus said that "body and soul" would be cast into hell. Two literal men, the beast and the false prophet, enter it in Revelation 19, and a literal Devil joins them in Revelation 20. Origin of the Name The word "hell" in the original is "gehenna." There is no word for "hell" found in the New Testament, although the word "sheol" is so translated in the King James English version, but is corrected in the revised version. The word "hell" occurs only eleven times, and of these eleven times Jesus uses the word ten times. The word, "gehenna" itself comes from two Hebrew words, "gay" meaning "a gorge" and the word "Hinnom"; and the two words together mean "the gorge or valley of Hinnom." It was the place where the wicked king of Israel, Manasseh, sacrificed his children in the fire (2 Chron. 33:6). It was called "the Valley of Hinnom." Gehenna, then, is the Greek form of the Valley of Hinnom. It was a place of fire and death and sorrow. Later on, the word "gehenna" was applied to the gorge or the valley outside the city of Jerusalem, where the refuse and the garbage and the offal of the sacrifices were cast to be burned. It corresponds to our version of the city dump, with its vermin and smoldering fires; hence, Jesus' description of it as a place "where the worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched." Jesus' Picture This place of burning outside of the city of Jerusalem our Lord Jesus Christ uses as a figure to describe the place of the lost in the Lake of Fire, called by Him, "gehenna" and "hell." The Valley of Hinnom was a literal place, and Gehenna is a literal place. You may insist that this is only a figure, but that again, my friend, cannot alter the fact. If the description of burning, and a Lake of Fire is a figure, then how much more awful the reality itself must be than the figure is itself! Who is There? There is no one in Hell today. Satan is not there, for he will not be cast into Gehenna until after his final rebellion in Revelation 20. Today, we are told he, "as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Peter 5:8 The fallen angels who kept not their first estate are not there, for 2nd Peter 2:4 tells us they are reserved unto judgment in the place called tartarus. The lost are not there, for they are today in sheol-hades, in the center of the earth, and will not be cast into the Lake of Fire until after the judgment of the great white throne (Revelation 20). Hell today then, is empty. Its first occupants as we told you before, will be the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 19:20), to be followed a thousand years later by Satan (Revelation 20:10) and then to be joined by all the lost at the end of the world (Revelation 20:15). The Duration And now we take up the matter on which there is a great difference of opinion. All who believe the Bible, believe in the existence of some kind of a hell. But all are not agreed as to its character and duration. How long will the Lake of Fire last, and how long will the lost be there? There are some who teach that the wicked will be utterly consumed and annihilated in Hell, and burned up into ashes. Still others teach that they will be delivered after a longer or shorter period of time, and therefore, Hell is a sort of a purgatory, more than a place of actual punishment. We believe that the Bible is quite clear on the matter, however. Much as we shrink in fear, and recoil at the idea of eternal punishment, we have no choice but to tell you what God says and the Bible teaches, and then it will make no difference what anyone else may have to say. The wicked are said to be cast into Hell forever and forever. Now the word, "ever," is "aion" in the Greek and means "an age." An age is an indefinite period of time. The expression, "forever and ever," then, means "the ages of the ages," or "indefinite periods of indefinite periods of time." This was the Greek's way of expressing eternity, everlasting or eternal. We seldom weary you with Greek or Hebrew words, but this matter is so vital, so important, that we are going to ask your indulgence just this once. Then go to your concordance or your Greek lexicon, or better still, go to your own pastor, and ask him about it. Here it is. The expression, "forever and ever" is a translation of the Greek phrase "tous aionas ton aionon." Now this expression, "Tous Aionas Ton Aionon,'' translated "forever and ever" in the Bible is used exactly thirteen times in the last book of the Bible alone. Now follow this carefully. This expression translated "forever and ever" occurring thirteen times in Revelation alone is used: 1. Nine times for the existence of God; that is, nine times God is said to live or reign "forever and ever," and the expression is "Tous Aionas Ton Aionon." 2. One time it is used for the eternal existence of the saints in Heaven. 3. Once it is used for the eternal torment of the Devil in Hell. 4. In the other two times the same identical expression is used for the duration of the suffering of the lost in eternal torment. Do you see what is involved in this, my friend, when we teach that when the Bible says "forever and ever," it means FOREVER AND EVER? It is a serious error to say that "forever and ever," is not eternal. If the Bible says that the wicked are cast into the Lake of Fire forever and ever, it must mean just that. If it does not mean "eternal," then it cannot mean that God is eternal, that Jesus is eternal, that the saints will be in Heaven eternally. For the same identical phrase is used to designate all of them. If it means "forever," therefore, in one place it must by every rule of logic mean "forever'' in every other place. Degrees in Gehenna Before we close this series, however, there is one more thing that we want to make clear. While Hell is described in the Bible as a place of torment and suffering, not all the occupants in the Lake of Fire will, by any means suffer in the same degree. To some, Hell will be a little heaven compared with what it will be for others. God's judgment will be according to justice and righteousness, for "his mercy endureth forever." It will be absolutely fair and just. Nowhere is this more clearly taught than in Revelation 20. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS." Rev. 20:11-12 Now I would have you notice particularly those words: ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. This same thing is repeated again in verse 13. This judgment therefore, is according to their works. It is to determine the DEGREE of their punishment. The destiny of the lost was settled forever when they died. That was determined by their rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation does not depend upon works, but on faith alone. But here at the final judgment these lost, whose eternal abode in Hell was already determined and settled by their rejection of Christ, are now to be judged as to the degree of their punishment, determined by the light which they have rejected, the opportunities they have enjoyed, and the works that they have done. It will be infinitely more tolerable in the day of judgment for the pagan who never heard the Gospel at all than for you who have heard and rejected the invitation of the grace of God over and over again. I repeat, therefore, that Hell will be heaven for some who have never had the opportunities which others have had, compared to those of you who have lived in Christian lands, heard the Gospel over and over again, and then rejected it. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself said: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" Luke 12:48 Again our Lord said in Matthew 11:21 to 24: "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Matthew 11:21-24 From this it is perfectly clear that added light and added opportunity will make for added responsibility. And so we repeat, that not all will suffer alike in the Lake of Fire. It will depend upon the opportunity which has been rejected. If one is to be lost, therefore, in the end, then it would be far better that such an one had never heard the Gospel, far better would it be to die in pagan ignorance and heathen darkness, than to be lost in the land of light and opportunity after hearing the Gospel, and the pleading of the Spirit of God. If you are going to be lost, my friend, it would be infinitely better if you had never heard the message of salvation, if you had never heard this broadcast, yea, it would be better for you if you had never been born. The very fact that you have again once more heard the warning in these broadcasts increases your responsibility, and leaves you without any excuse. Now this concludes our series on this difficult subject, "The Bible Hell." I personally feel a deep sense of relief as I conclude this series. Never have I dreaded a subject as I have this one; never before have I felt the opposition of Satan as much as I have during these messages which I have given. Never have I been more severely tempted to pass by this difficult subject and to speak on something else. But I also feel not only a sense of relief that the job is done, but a sense of relief because I have been faithful in warning you. If any of you awaken bye and bye in the place of outer darkness, you will never be able to rise up against me and say, "that preacher knew about this place, he knew I was going to go here, but yet for fear of being called an old fogy, for fear of being unpopular, he failed to warn me." No, my friends, my hands are clean of your blood. Why not flee to Jesus now? Why not accept Him before it is forever too late? Bow your head, acknowledge your sin, call on Him to save you, and then believe His promise: "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13 Won't you come to Him now? God help you. The Lake of Fire. Four Radio Sermons September 07 2018: I have wanted to post this for years, but since I never talked about the bible till recently, I have not posted this. There was a popular bumper sticker and t shirt in the early 1990's when I worked for the FEA; I always considered it as a Biblical reference. One of the first things I learned when I got saved back in 1979 was that the Bible teaches a Christian should never fear anything. I have never feared anything since then. I made this image out of that ultra popular logo: September 06 2018: The image of the beast: From: https://walvoord.com/article/271 The Second Beast (13:11-12) The identification of the second beast as the head of the apostate church is indicated in many ways in the book of Revelation. It is obvious that he is associated with the first beast in a religious way in that his miracles and activities tend to cause men to worship the image of the first beast (cf. 13:13-17). It is also clear that he shares prominence and leadership with the first beast throughout the great tribulation as they both are cast alive into the lake of fire at its close (19:20). Alford’s extended remarks on the character of the second beast are worthy of mention: It may be well to premise a few remarks, tending to the right understanding of this portion of the prophecy. 1) These two beasts are identical as to genus: they are both the„ria, ravaging powers, hostile to God’s flock and fold. 2) They are diverse in origin. The former came up out of the sea, that is, if we go back to the symbolism of Daniel, was an empire, rising up out of confusion into order and life: the latter comes out of the earth: i.e., we may not unreasonably say, arises out of human society and its progress: which as interpreted by the context, will import its origin and gradual development during the reign and progress of the secular empire denoted by the former beast. 3) The second beast is, in its zeal and action, entirely subsidiary to the first. It wields its authority, works miracles in its support, causes men to make and to worship its image; nay, itself is lost in the splendour and importance of the other. 4) An important distinction exists between the two beasts, in that this second one has two horns like a lamb. In other words, this second beast puts on a mild and lamb-like appearance, which the other did not. But it speaks as a dragon: its words, which carry its real character, are fierce and unrelenting: while it professes that which is gentle, its behests are cruel. And now I may appeal to the reader, whether all these requisites do not meet in that great wasting Power which arose, not out of anarchy and conquest, but out of men’s daily life and habits, out of and in the presence of the last form of the secular power, which was the Empire of Pagan Rome; I mean, the sacerdotal persecuting power, which, gentle in its aspect and professions, was yet cruel in its actions; which did all the deeds of the Empire, in its presence, which kept up its image, its laws, its formulae, its privileges; which, coming in as it did by a corrupt and ambitious priesthood, deceived by its miracles the dwellers on earth, and by them maintained the image of the despotic secular power? Surely it is this Latin Christianity, in its ecclesiastico-secular form, not identical with, but as preparing the way for, the great apostasy, helping, so to speak, to place the woman on the beast, as in chapter XVII, that is here depicted before us. It is this which, owing its power in the main to imposture and unwarrantably assumed spiritual authority, deserves best the name of the false prophet, expressly given to this second beast in chapter 19:20.239 Although the primary reference of this passage is to the period just prior to the second advent, it is foreshadowed undoubtedly in history as Alford indicates. While resisting the historical school of interpretation, Alford is nevertheless unduly influenced by it. The Deceptive Miracles of the False Prophet (13:13-14) 13:13-14 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. The first miracle accomplished by the false prophet is described as a great wonder, literally, one of many “great signs.” The frequent use of poieo„ in the present tense seems to indicate repeated action, of which fire coming down from heaven in the sight of men is an illustration. The miracle may be an imitation of Pentecost (Acts 2:3), or it may be regarded as similar to Elijah’s miracles (2 Kings 1:10-12), or to the destructive fire coming out of the mouths of the two witnesses (Rev. 11:5). The Scriptures indicate that the devil does have power to do miracles and that by their use he deceives people into worshiping the beast. The deceptive power of the beast is mentioned specifically in verse 14. By means of this power he performs miracles in the sight of the first beast. On the basis of this power and the impression it makes upon men described as “them that dwell on the earth,” the second beast urges them to make an image of the first beast, described for the third time in this chapter as one which had the wound by a sword and did live. The beast is both the empire and its ruler. As ruler he is the symbol of the empire and the executor of its power. Though the wound by the sword apparently refers to the decline of the historic Roman .Empire and its revival is indicated by the expression “did live,” the man who serves at the head of the empire is the symbol of this miraculous restoration. The image made to the beast is not necessarily an image of the beast but, like the image of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3, is the symbol of his power and majesty. Though the Scriptures do not say so, it is apparent that this suggestion is followed through, and the image, whatever its character, becomes the center of the false worship of the world ruler. This image, referred to three times in the chapter, is mentioned seven more times in the book of Revelation (14:9, 11; 15:2; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4). The image is the center of the false worship and the focal point of the final state of apostasy, the acme of the idolatry which has been the false religion of so many generations. All Required to Worship the Beast (13:15-17) 13:15-17 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Translated literally, the expression “he had power to give life unto the image of the beast” is properly rendered “It was given to him to give spirit to the image of the beast.” The word translated “life” (Gr., pneuma) as in the Authorized Version, is obviously an incorrect translation, as pneuma, commonly translated “spirit” or “breath,” is quite different from zo„e„, which means “life.” Expositors usually hold that the extraordinary powers given by Satan to the false prophet do not extend to giving life to that which does not possess life, because this is a prerogative of God alone. The intent of the passage seems to be that the image has the appearance of life manifested in breathing, but actually it may be no more than a robot. The image is further described as being able to speak, a faculty easily accomplished by mechanical means. In ancient times religious ventriloquism was sometimes used to give the impression of supernatural speech, a practice confirmed by archaeological excavations in Corinth. In Acts 16:16 the slave girl possessed of a demon was able to bring gain to her masters by soothsaying. She also supernaturally recognized Paul and his companions as “servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation” (Acts 16:17). Her power of speech was under demonic control. Whether completely natural in its explanation, or whether some supernatural power is used to create the impression of life, the image apparently is quite convincing to the mass of humanity and helps to turn them to a worship of the first beast as their god. The absolute authority of both the first and second beasts is such that those who will not worship the image of the beast are sentenced to be killed. J. B. Smith attempts to ridicule the interpretation that this verse means what it actually says because some saints obviously survive the period of the great tribulation.240 This is a needless objection, however, as a decree that all who fail to worship the beast should be killed is one thing, and its execution another. Even in Germany under Hitler, it took many months to execute condemned Jews, and the task was never completed. How much greater the difficulty to extend a decree of this sort to the entire world. A countless multitude will undoubtedly be martyred according to Revelation 7:9-17, but the disorder which attends the latter half of the great tribulation as the world empire begins to break up makes it impossible for full execution of this decree. Swete goes so far as to suggest that no decree to kill nonworshipers of the beast is actually issued, but that the beast only causes the image to suggest that this be done. Swete says, As they stand, the words can only mean that the ventriloquist used his opportunity to make the image suggest that all who refused to worship to the image of Caesar should be put to death.241 Warning speculation here: The image of the beast could be a computer image. It could also a human animated by computers. When I was in college one of my professors was working on a project that would make a human like interactive android, like human; pupated by computers. I think it is more likely to be a completely interactive human graphic that can be viewed on any cell phone. You can ask it questions and interact with it. At the end of the, over 1 year year long bible study class on Revelation, that my wife and I took under Pastor Dennis Costella; Pastor Costella told my wife and I, he thought the image of the beast was a computer generated image. It was about 1990; before the internet as we know it, when he said this to my wife and I. From: https://walvoord.com/article/167 The Millennial Temple In Ezekiel 40:1-46:24 the millennial temple is described, a huge building rich in spiritual meaning. The spiritual significance of the millennial temple will differ from the importance of the temple under the Mosaic Law, but it will provide a means of worship of God, including animal sacrifices. Though animal sacrifices in themselves do not provide any relief from sin, as was true in the Old Testament, millennial sacrifices will look back to the cross even as sacrifices in the Mosaic period looked forward to the cross. Though some have opposed the idea of animal sacrifices in the Millennium on the ground that Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient, there does not seem to be any other suitable explanation of the details of the millennial kingdom and the details of the sacrificial system in the millennial kingdom as provided in Ezekiel. During the present age the Lord’s Supper is the scriptural reminder of the sacrifice of Christ. From: https://walvoord.com/article/74 A. C. Gaebelein writes in support of this view: “But what is the meaning and the purpose of these animal sacrifices? The answer is quite simple. While the sacrifices Israel brought once had a prospective meaning, the sacrifices brought in the millennial temple have a retrospective meaning. When during this age God’s people worship in the appointed way at His table, with the bread and wine as the memorial of His love, it is a retrospect. We look back to the Cross. We show forth His death. It is ‘till He comes.’ Then this memorial feast ends forever. Never again will the Lord’s Supper be kept after the Saints of God have left the earth to be with the Lord in glory. The resumed sacrifices will be the memorial of the Cross and the whole wonderful story of the redemption for Israel and the nations of the earth, during the kingdom reign of Christ. And what a memorial it will be! What a meaning these sacrifices will have! They will bring to a living remembrance everything of the past. The retrospect will produce the greatest scene of worship, of praise and adoration this earth has ever seen. All the Cross meant and the Cross has accomplished will be recalled and a mighty ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ will fill the earth and the heavens. The sacrifices will constantly remind the peoples of the earth of Him who died for Israel, who paid the redemption price for all creation and whose glory now covers the earth as the waters cover the deep (A. C. Gaebelein, The Prophet Ezekiel, pp. 312-13). From: https://walvoord.com/article/250 The sixth aspect of the prophecy, “to anoint the most Holy,” has been referred to the dedication of the temple built by Zerubbabel, to the sanctification of the altar previously desecrated by Antiochus (1 Macc 4:52-56), and even to the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:1-27).504 Young suggests that it refers to Christ Himself as anointed by the Spirit.505 Keil and Leupold prefer to refer it to the new holy of holies in the new Jerusalem (Rev 21:l-3).506 A. C. Gaebelein, expressing a premillennial view, believes the phrase “has nothing whatever to do with Him [Christ], but it is the anointing of the Holy of Holies in another temple, which will stand in the midst of Jerusalem,” that is, the millennial temple.507 There is really no ground for dogmatism here as there is a possibility that any of these views might be correct. The interpretation of Keil and Leupold that it refers to the holy of holies in the New Jerusalem has much to commend itself. On the other hand, the other items all seem to be fulfilled before the second advent and the seventieth week itself concludes at that time. If fulfillment is necessary before the second advent, it would probably rule out Keil, Leupold, and Gaebelein, although millennial fulfillment could be regarded as a part of the second advent. On the other hand, the six items are not in chronological order and it would not violate the text seriously to have this prophecy fulfilled at any time in relation to the consummation. If complete fulfillment is found in Antiochus Epiphanes as liberal critics conclude or in the first coming of Christ as characterizes amillenarians like Young, this reduces the perspective. If the final seven years is still eschatologically future, it broadens the possibility of fulfillment to the second advent of Christ and events related to it such as the millennial temple. Amillenarians like Leupold, who hold to an indefinite period of time, can extend the final fulfillment to the eternal state. Warning more speculation here: The entire Millennial life on earth sounds amazing to me. 1,000 years on earth without Satan. Just the Lord and his people. It sounds like heaven on earth. The Millennial Temple where the Lord lives sounds so massive and intimidatingly huge; I long to see it. About 1991, Pastor Dennis Costella, told my wife and I after the class on revelation that we took, that: the Millennial Temple could be a upside down pyramid shape.
Me Knowing God:
Friend, I don’t know who you are and what your life is; but here is something that will help you very much, if you will take a couple of minutes out of your busy schedule to read and ponder in your heart what God is saying to you. Please take time to read all of this tract.
Romans 3:23,"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;"
This is the FACT OF SIN. We are not to have a self-righteous spirit about us. The Bible says:
“all have sinned.”
Romans 6:23,"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
This is the PENALTY FOR SIN.
“the wages of sin is death;”
This is spiritual death away from God, destined to Hell without God. We are born from God through Adam.
Romans 5:12,"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:"
This death again is spiritual death away from God. It is man's nature to sin. You have to be converted, born again. To be converted is to recognize the reality of sin, and to admit that you are a sinner.
“ALL HAVE SINNED”
Now,back to Romans 6:23, which is the RESULTS OF SIN, and that is:
“DEATH”
Romans 2:11,"For there is no respect of persons with God."
The LordJesus has saved thousands, even millions and He is waiting now to saveyou.
John 3:7,"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
This is the way to have life again with God, (Spiritual Life). We are born from God through Adam and if we do as John 3:16 says then we have everlasting life with the Lord Jesus Christ through the new birth into the family of God because of the finished work at Calvary.
John 3:16,"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Jesus said in Mark 2:17b.....
“....I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Romans 5:8,"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Christ paid the penalty for sin at Calvary and the finished work was when He rose the third day out of the grave and went back to heaven.
Hebrews10:12, "But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;"
So it is up to you !!!!!
Romans 10:13,"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
John 1:12,"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
Revelation22:17, "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
IICorinthians 6:2b..., "behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)"
Hebrews2:3a..., "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation;
Friend,I beg you today to ask God to save you, and for you to turn from your wicked ways and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour.
September 04 2018: Read these words of wisdom and heed their teachings. This is truly speaking the truth in love. "No New Thing Under the Sun": https://feasite.org/node/2684 I have just carefully read the latest post by the Fundamental Evangelistic Association. I read it first skipping through it. Then carefully read over every word and find it to be absolutely the truth; every word of it. Christians are under the commands of God to believe and accept the Word of God. This is a constant challenge to the Christian spiritually. No one is without sin and the heart is desperately wicked, but Christians must tow the line spiritually and in accordance with the Holy Word of God. Romans 3: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;* Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? To think a person knows more than the Lord on any given subject of Gods word; is blasphemy at best and demonic at worst, in my opinion. That is not being loving though and it is wrong of me to think such a thing. It seems very wrong to think people think they know more than God's Word plainly explains. The fact that people claim to be Christians and twist God's Word in exclamation makes me almost physically ill. To know people like this personally; I mean, not to read it or watch it on YouTube or television. I understand this is the way of life now the same as Adam and Eve. I have never struggled with accepting God's word as it is recorded in the Holy Bible. I have also accepted that I fall short of the Glory of God. The spiritual health of any Christian lays in the strict adherence of the literal Word of God; whether it is appealing or not. I like to look into the future plans of our modern society and speculate. Speculation and the word of Gods are against each other. The internet makes it possible to read and learn things that boggle my mind. It is absolutely true that the very same opposition to the Word of God is the same as it ever was. The Word of God conflicts with that which is popular the same as it always has. Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. No one knows when Christ shall return and we are to be looking for his return always; while we are here presently in the flesh of our earthly bodies. No one knows when the rapture will take place according to God's Word. I think it is time for me to do better at my presentation of my scriptural belief's online. If anyone has read my online posts lately; there is a difference from now and 6 months ago. I think God pays attention to how we present ourselves online. I think I have always believed that, and that is why I have never typed a cuss word, ever; on the internet. The internet is not like I told my wife the other day "another form of the CB Radio." LOL. It has been a good journey for me to strengthen my walk with The Lord; in my online study of The Word of God. As I have mentioned many times online no one can battle the Devil. No one can bind the devil and so on. This is something I learned very early in my Christian life in the early 1980's and then again after the FEA in the early 1990's. Resting on The Lords Words is much easier than trying to do battle with Prince and Power of the Air; left utterly failed and spiritually banqueted: for nothing. Ephesians 2:2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: This scripture (below) has been a theme; I have gladly bowed to, most of my Christian life. Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. If Michael the Archangel, the most powerful of God's angels showed the the devil this small amount of respect. Who are we as humans to even think we could battle the devil; in even the smallest amount. That is something only God can do. But with the armor of God we can stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11-18 Ephesians 6:10-18 For God so loved the world; John 3:16. John 15:12-14, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Romans5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans5:6, "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." 1John 4:7-10, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." John3:17, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." On the cross of Calvary, Jesus proved His love for you and me. Jesus Christ who was perfect and knew no sin became sin for us so that we could be brought to eternal life. John3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." YES, GOD LOVES EVEN YOU... God will never love you any more than He loves you now. He also will never love you any less than He loves you now. God will never love you anymore than He loves anyone else. The Love of God is: Holy, Pure,Sacrificial, Perfect, and beyond our imagination. Call upon the Lord today while you still have the opportunity. September 02 2018: I see allot of people on the internet, ordering like; people to repent. That does no good. In fact if you order someone to repent; it may actually turn people away from Christ. You do not want to turn people away from Christ. I can not think of a worse sin than turning people away from Christ Jesus. Jesus loves and is patience.The greatest thing that Jesus does is forgive. We do not live under the old testament law. We live under the forgiveness of the new testament. The old testament is just as important as the creation of the earth. The thing I love most about the old testament is the foreshadowing of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The story of Abraham almost sacrificing his son to God for instance is a representation of God giving his only son for our sins: Bible Commentaries Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible Genesis 22 From: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/spe/genesis-22.html "Genesis 22:13. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. Here is another type of our Saviour’s great sacrifice on Calvary,-the ram offered in the place of Jesus. How often do you and I have our great Substitute very near to us, yet we do not see him because we do not lift up our eyes and look. “Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns.” So, if you lift up your eyes, and look the right, ay, you will see the great sacrifice close by you held fast for you, even as this ram was caught to die instead of Isaac. Oh, that you may have grace to turn your head in the right direction, and look to Christ and live!" The foreshadowing of The Lord Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins is mentioned all through the Old Testament. Thee accurate record of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Old Testament is proof positive that Jesus Christ is; The King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Philippians 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. I looked up the word repent in my PDF Bible books I got online: MORNING BY MORNING; by: :C. H. SPURGEON page 10 DAILY READINGS. Jan. 10. Poor doubting one, see the fair inheritance; it is thine. If thou believest in the Lord Jesus, if thou hast repented of sin, if thou hast been renewed in heart, thou art one of the Lord's people, and there is a place reserved for thee, a crown laid up for thee, a harp specially provided for thee. page 14 DAILY READINGS. Jan 14 The words are miiltum in parvo ; indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is not only " mighty to save " those who repent, but He is able to make men repent. He will carry those to heaven who believe; but He is, moreover, mighty to give men new hearts, and to work faith in them. page 24 DAILY READINGS. Jan. 24 Thou shalt yet be brought out of all the evil into which thou hast fallen ; and though thou shalt never cease to repent of thy ways, yet He that hath loved thee will not cast thee away ; He will receive thee, and give thee joy and gladness, that the bones which He has broken may rejoice. No bird of paradise shall die in the fowler's net. BEST THOUGHTS AND DISCOURSES of D. L. Moody: Page 38: He (Moody) touchingly recapitulated his own and his friends' labors for Christ, and at the end tendered the resignation of all honorable offices he and his friends had received. But his address had moved the multitude to tears, and the hearts of his enemies to deepest repentance. Page 113: 94. Repentance.—What is repentance ? Someone says it is a "godly sorrow for sin." But I tell you a man can't have a godly sorrow, or a godly any thing else, till after he repents. Repentance means right-about-face ! Some one says, "Man is born -with his back towards God, and repentance is turning square round." page 87 Heaven by D.L. Moody This idea that all is going well, and that all are going into the kingdom of God, whether they repent or not, is not taught anywhere in the Scripture. page 50 Heaven by D.L. Moody There is joy in heaven, we are told, over the conversions that take place on earth. In Luke xv, 7, Ave read: " 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." page 51 Heaven by D.L. Moody Yet if one little boy or girl, one man or one woman, should repent of their sins, this day and hour that would be noticed in heaven. THE WAY TO GOD By D.L. Moody Page 23 Notice how the Scripture puts it. " Except a man be born again," ** born from above,"* " born of the Spirit." From amongst a number of other passages where we find this word "EXCEPT," I would just name three. " Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." THE WAY TO GOD By D.L. Moody Page 71 This is a great chapter about repentance. Repentance is one of the fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Yet I believe it is one of those truths that many people little understand at the present day. If I were to ask for a definition of Repentance, a great many would give a very strange and false idea of it. A man is not prepared to believe or to receive the Gospel, unless he is ready to repent of his sins and turn from them. Page 72: Before I speak of what Repentance is, let me briefly say what it is not. Repentance is not fear. Repentance is not feeling. Page 73: It seems as if the trial were going to result in true repentance ; but the feeling too often passes away. Neither is it remorse. Judas had terrible remorse—enough to make him go and hang himself; but that was not repentance. A man may do all sorts of penance—but there is no true repentance in that. Repentance is not conviction, of sin. Page 74: True Repentance is not merely breaking off this or that particular sin. Well then, you will ask, what is Repentance? I will give you a good definition: it is "right about face!" Page 75: Christ's definition of repentance. If a man says, "By the grace of God I will forsake my sin, and do His will," that is Repentance—a turning right about. Some one has said, man is born with his face turned away from God. When he truly repents he is turned right around towards God; he leaves his old life. Page 78: Where there is true repentance and a turning from sin unto God, He will meet and bless you; but He never blesses until there is sincere repentance. Page 79: Dr. Brooks, of St. Louis: "Saving repentance and saving faith always go together; and you need not be worried about repentance if you will believe."
"It is not your badness, therefore, but His goodness that leads to repentance; hence the true way to repent is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, ' who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." Page 81: You can repent now, and have the awful record blotted out. God waits to forgive you; He is seeking to bring you to Himself. But I think the Bible teaches clearly that there is no repentance after this life. Page 82: There are some perhaps who think themselves righteous; and that, therefore, there is no need for them to repent and believe the Gospel. Christ said, He "came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Are you a sinner? Then the call to repent is addressed to you. Take your place in the dust at the Saviour's feet, and acknowledge your guilt. Say, like the publican of old, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" and see how quickly He will pardon and bless you. He will even justify you and reckon you as righteous, by virtue of the righteousness of Him who bore your sins in His own body on the Cross. "There is none righteous; no, hot one." "All have sinned,- and come short of the glory of trod " (Rom. iii. 10, 23). Let no one say he does not need to repent. Page 83: Wherever God sees true repentance in the heart He meets that soul. Read this to be saved from eternal torment and possibly the great tribulation: Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. If the Bible says that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:10); that our sins have separated us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2); and that only Jesus Christ can reconcile sinful men to a holy God (Romans 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18), then you see why it is that we urge you to repent of your sins, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved (Acts 16:30-31). Salvation cannot come through a church, for no church ever died for your sins. Salvation cannot come through your good deeds, for the Bible says that in God’s sight there is none that doeth good (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 64:6). Salvation must come through Jesus Christ, for He did what no church, no religion, no pope or priest or preacher can do – He died FOR YOUR SINS, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Only He can take away your sins (1 John 3:5; 1 John 1:7). You can believe on Him and be saved today (Romans 10:9-10). Otherwise, how shall ye escape, if ye neglect so great salvation (Hebrews 2:3)? September 01 2018: One thing that fascinates me and seems to fascinate everyone is "The Mark of the Beast" and the one world government. Sign's of what could be the beginning stages of the "The Mark of the Beast" and the one world government are everywhere nowadays. Here is a recent example of what I am talking about (thanks to Lisa Haven for the topic idea once again): From: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/31/c_137433141.htm UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community of shared future for mankind is well in line with the 2030 United Nations Agenda, a senior UN official said here Thursday. "President Xi Jinping's concept of (building a) community of shared destiny for mankind ties in well with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Ahunna Eziakonwa, assistant administrator and director of the Regional Bureau for Africa, United Nations Development Program, told Xinhua. The concept "builds on the notion of a shared future and prosperity," which calls on the whole world to rebalance the global order, work together against global challenges and protect the most vulnerable groups within society, to ensure that no country or person is left behind in the national and global development process, she said. It is in agreement with the 2030 Agenda, which suggests "a new plan of action for a shared future guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including full respect for international law," she said. Read more: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/31/c_137433141.htm Mark of the beast and the one world goverment: From: https://walvoord.com/article/226 Along with this program for Israel, the Scriptures reveal that tremendous events will take place in the earth. In that period of time the great prophecy of Ezekiel 38—39, predicting a military invasion from Russia of the land of Palestine, will probably take place. There will be other great military conflicts. Out of it will come a world government with a world dictator accompanied by a world religious ruler, both of whom are clearly described in Revelation 13. The whole world will be united in one world government ruled by this evil character who, according to Scripture, is a blasphemer of God and who sets himself up as God. From: https://walvoord.com/article/271 There has been much speculation concerning the mark (Gr., charagma) which is affixed to the right hand or to the forehead. George W. Davis observes that the mark of the beast is in mimicry of the seal of the Holy Spirit on the true believer.243 The mark itself seems to vary according to verse 17 as in some cases being the name of the beast and in others the number of his name. There is no need for a complicated explanation. The mark is simply a token that they are beast worshipers, and it serves as an identification necessary to conduct business and to purchase the necessities of life. It is another device to force all people to worship the beast. From: http://www.av1611.org/666/opinion.html M.R. DeHaan, Studies in Revelation, 1946 What this mark of the beast will be we may not know now. Hundreds of answers have been suggested, but I do not believe these are scriptural. Men have tried to identify this Antichrist, and there have been hundreds of guesses concerning his identity, but all of them have been wrong. . . It is foolish, therefore, to speculate concerning his identity. The same is true of the mark of the beast. What the mark will be we do not know. . . From: http://www.av1611.org/666/opinion.html M.R. DeHaan, Studies in Revelation, 1946 What this mark of the beast will be we may not know now. Hundreds of answers have been suggested, but I do not believe these are scriptural. Men have tried to identify this Antichrist, and there have been hundreds of guesses concerning his identity, but all of them have been wrong. . . It is foolish, therefore, to speculate concerning his identity. The same is true of the mark of the beast. What the mark will be we do not know. . . From: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/isn/revelation-16.html Bible Commentaries Ironside's Notes on Selected Books Revelation 16 In verse 2 we read, “And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.” This answers to the plague in Egypt where God inflicted man and beast with boils and sores. It perhaps symbolizes a spiritual plague on those who have received the mark of the beast and worship his image. This plague will cause as great an annoyance as the physical suffering that would follow such a grievous sore on the bodies of men. Notice that the sphere of this plague is the earth and it answers to the first trumpet of Revelation 8. But it is very evident that while the sphere is the same, the judgment is more intense. From: https://pmicenter.wordpress.com/2016/05/18/chapter-7-revelation-concludes-the-tribulation/ Dr. Keith Brooks writes: In the midst of the great Tribulation, Satan will be cast out of the heavenlies and will be free in the earth. This will be a happy time for those who are in heaven by the blood of the Lamb, but a time of terrible trial for Israel and eternal woe for the Gentiles who submit to the mark of the beast. The only salvation in those days will be bold confession of faith in the blood of the Lamb, which will mean martyrdom to all except those sealed for physical preservation. (Summarized Bible, 1919) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God John 3:3. People want to go to HEAVEN when they die but not much thought is given to how they will get there. Many believe since they have been baptized, that they are qualified to go to heaven. Baptism is good, but it will not wash away your sins. Still others think since they are morally good, or good providers, upstanding citizens, and many other things that they can go to heaven. Preparing for heaven is so simple that multitudes are stumbling over SALVATION and going to hell. Please, take a moment to examine the simple plan of salvation. Look at the three R's of the NEW BIRTH. The First R: REALIZE..... Man cannot get SAVED, until he realizes: 1. He must realize that he is a sinner. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3: 23. 2. He must realize that as a sinner he is going to hell when he dies. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lararus in his bosom. Luke 16:23. 3. He must realize that he cannot save himself. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12. 4. He must realize that Jesus is his ONLY hope. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the Lord shall be saved Acts 2:21. The Second R: REPENT..... To repent means to be sorry for your sins. This is from your heart, not from your head. Repentance is begging God to forgive you for sinning against a Holy God. Repentance gets God's attention. Most people are too full of pride to repent. This same pride has taken millions to hell down through the ages. Don't let it doom your soul also. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3. Every person in hell is there because they would not repent. They wish that they had another chance. But after death, it will be too late. Don’t let time run out on you. It is sad that men will not admit that they are sinners and even worse to die a sinner. Man does not have to go to hell if he will only repent. All man has to do is confess his sins and the Lord Jesus Christ will forgive him and save him. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9. The Third R: RECEIVE..... After you realize and repent, then you must receive the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart. The Lord will not come in as an intruder. He must be invited in. He will knock at the hearts door, but He will not break it down. All you have to do is open the door and let Him in. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20. God will give you the power to become a child of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12.
August 29 2018:
I did what I set out to do since the middle of April, 2018. All this time; I have been trying to prove in writing that The Lord Should Be Feared!
I quote myself from April 17, on my 2018 art page:
"The reason I am creating these graphics is; for all those out there that have been told God is only a God of love, and that is it. I would never take pleasure in people's suffering or them going to hell; that would be unforgivable of anyone to even think such things. I am also creating these graphics and posting the previous graphics, I found on Google images; in the hopes that it may save people from God's wrath, by simply fearing God."
My mom said she reads the Bible in the bathroom in a email, this is my reply I just sent, minutes ago: Mom let me tell you this story I tell my wife every once and a while: When I went to college I had this tough professor who I got a B in. The next semester I listened to every word he said; more than the other semester. He was asking the class, of about 50 people; if they bought they bought the book. I said out loud; I got it. He said; are you reading it? I said; it is in the bathroom. The entire class and the professor; started laughing very loud and for about 8 seconds. The professor agreed and said something like: you would be surprised how effective that is. This made the class and myself laugh even more. I always felt that was one of my greatest moments in college. 😄 Also a little embarrassing. I got a A in that class. It was a printing class. Still have the book. August 28 2018: The Seven Seals of the wrath of God: Revelation 16:1: And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. Walvoord From: http://walvoord.com/article/274 : The First Vial (16:2) 16:2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. "With the pouring out of the first vial, a terrible judgment falls upon men who have the mark of the beast." "Here the judgment is specifically upon men and is directed to a particular group of men, namely, the beast worshipers who have received the mark of the beast. The judgment is described as a sore or ulcer (Gr., helkos) which is bad (Gr., kakos) and evil or malignant(Gr., pone„ros). The judgment is in the form of a physical affliction of unusual severity bringing widespread suffering." "first vial judgment falls on those who are worshipers of the beast’s image." "Almost everyone seems to comply with the demand that all men worship the beast and receive his mark. The vial judgment, therefore, follows this edict. The only ones who escape the judgment are those who have refused to obey the edict of the beast, the few individuals who trust in Christ in those evil days. From 13:8 it would appear that only a small fraction of the earth’s population resists the blandishments of the beast. The warning given in 14:9-11 is now reinforced in a preliminary judgment which anticipates the ultimate doom of the beast worshipers." The Second Vial (16:3) 16:3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. "The second vial is poured out upon the sea with the result that the sea becomes as blood (literally “it became blood as of a dead man”), and every living soul in the sea dies. " "Here the judgment is universal. The reference to the sea may be limited to the Mediterranean, but the same word would be used if the judgment extended to all large bodies of water. In the latter event, a major portion of the earth would be involved in the judgment as most of the earth is covered with water." The Third Vial (16:4-7) 16:4-7 And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. "The angel declares that because men have shed the blood of saints and prophets, God is righteous in judging them in kind in that they are given blood to drink. Even as the saints are worthy of rest and reward, so the wicked are worthy of divine chastening and judgment. The bloodletting during the great tribulation, as saints are slaughtered by the thousands, is without parallel in the history of the race. Christ Himself declares it will be a time of trouble without precedent (Matt. 24:21). The multitude of martyrs in heaven is revealed in chapter 7. The eternal God, the One which is, and was, and shall be (v. 5), though awaiting the proper time, is inexorable in His judgment of those who persecuted the saints." "Combining the judgment of the second and third vials, it appears that all water is turned into blood, constituting a universal testimony to all men that God will avenge his martyred saints." The Fourth Vial (16:8-9) 16:8-9 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. "the fourth vial relates only to the sun and increases rather than decreases the sun’s intensity with the result that men are scorched with fire. The divine judgment thus inflicted, apparently upon the entire earth" "The expression “and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire” is rendered, according to the best manuscripts, “and it was given to him [the sun] to scorch the men with fire.” "The implication is that saints in this period who are true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ will not suffer from this plague, and possibly creatures other than men may also escape." The Fifth Vial (16:10-11) 16:10-11 And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. "The wicked in their suffering are declared to gnaw their tongues for pain, a description of severe agony. The sores inflicted in the first vial were, in this judgment, aggravated and increased." The Sixth Vial (16:12-16) 16:12-16 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared. And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. Alford interprets the passage in this way: "In order to understand what we have read, we must carefully bear in mind the context. From what follows under this same vial, we learn that the kings of the whole earth are about to be gathered together to the great battle against God, in which He shall be victorious, and they shall utterly perish. The time is now come for this gathering: and by the drying up of the Euphrates, the way of those kings who are to come to it from the East is made ready. This is the only understanding of these words which will suit the context, or the requirements of this series of prophecies. For to suppose the conversion of Eastern nations, or the gathering together of Christian princes, to be meant, or to regard the words as relating to any auspicious event, is to introduce a totally incongruous feature into the series of vials, which confessedly represents the “seven last plagues.”274" "What is in view here is something more than a military engagement. It is rather a major war. The evidence, however, seems to point to the conclusion that this is a climax of a series of military events described in Daniel 11:40-45, where the reference to the “tidings out of the east” (Dan. 11:44) may have this invasion in view." "The armies of the world contending for honors on the battlefield at the very time of the second coming of Christ do all turn, however, and combine their efforts against Christ and His army from heaven when the glory of the second coming appears in the heavens. It will be the final challenge to divine sovereignty and power as the military might of the world of that day will be engaged in fighting on the very day that Christ returns (cf. Zech. 14:1-3). It is significant that the battle itself bears the name of “that great day of God Almighty.” In the battle the omnipotence of God will be fully demonstrated. The phrase “unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world” is best rendered according to the Greek text “unto the kings of the whole inhabited earth” (Gr., oikoumene„)." "The conclusion of the combined action of the sixth vial and the enticement of the demons is that the armies of the earth are gathered in the Middle East in a place described as Armageddon. Though the armies are lured by the demons under the direction of Satan,they nevertheless fulfill the Word of God. It is probable that the “he” of verse 16 refers to God Himself." "There has been considerable discussion concerning the meaning of the term “Armageddon,” taken by some to mean “Mount of Slaughter.” Geographically, it relates to the Mount of Megiddo located adjacent to the plain of Megiddo to the west and the large plain of Esdraelon to the northeast. Megiddo is the Hebrew word corresponding to the Greek word Armageddon." "The area, though it is a large one, is not sufficient for the armies of all the world, though the valley of Esdraelon is fourteen miles wide and twenty miles long. What this Scripture seems to indicate is that this area is the central point for the military conflict which ensues. Actually the armies are deployed over a 200-mile area up and down from this central location (cf. 14:20). At the time of the second coming, some of the armies are in Jerusalem itself (Zech. 14:1-3)." That's 200 miles of blood to the horse's bridal. The Seventh Vial (16:17-21) 16:17-21 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great. "The vial of the seventh angel is declared to be poured out into the air and the resulting action is catastrophic. It is accompanied by a great voice out of the Temple in heaven and from the throne stating in emphatic terms, “It is done!” In the Greek, the statement is one word, gegonen, in the perfect tense, indicating action accomplished. It is the final act of God preceding the second coming of Christ." "There has been speculation as to why this vial should be poured into the air, inasmuch as Satan as the prince of the power of the air has already been cast down from heaven. The fact that Satan has been cast out of the third heaven, however, does not mean that he still does not have great power in the atmospheric heavens which are here in view. It is also clear in our modern day that the control of the air as well as space has become increasingly important in military matters. Undoubtedly air and space travel will increase rather than decrease as the end of the age comes upon the world. Some have compared this prophecy to Ezekiel 38:9, 16 where the host from the north is said to “ascend and come like a storm” and “like a cloud to cover the land.” While this may imply an air attack, it is perhaps reading too much into the passage to assume this. In any event the seventh vial, which is poured out in the air, has its principal resulting action on the earth as the verses which follow indicate. The solemn accompaniment of the affirmation “It is done” by the great voice from the Temple in heaven and from the throne is a most ominous introduction to this final judgment. "As in the case of the final seal and the seventh trumpet (8:5; 11:19) the final vial is introduced by the sound of voices, thunderings, lightnings, and a great earthquake. The earthquake is declared to be greater than any previous earthquake. The earth literally convulses as the times of the Gentiles come to an end. The voices, thunders, and lightnings are the prelude to the earthquake which is the express judgment from God." "in the statement “to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.” Here the word for “wrath” is orge„, a strong word often related to thymos which refers to divine anger.277 This is the final judgment of this wicked city. The fact that the judgment is an earthquake seems to indicate that a literal city is in view, either Rome or rebuilt Babylon, and that the judgment results in its physical destruction. The time is just prior to the second coming of Christ." "Not only does every city of the world come under terrible judgment as a result of the great earthquake which leaves all monuments of men’s ingenuity in shambles, but the Scriptures also indicate great changes in the topography of the entire world. The sweeping statement is made in verse 20 that every island is affected and mountains disappear. The fierceness of the wrath of God in verse 19, literally the anger of His wrath, is manifested in the entire physical earth. The movement of the islands and mountains mentioned in 6:14 as stemming from the sixth seal is here carried to a more violent conclusion with apparently the entire earth radically changing its appearance. Such a judgment undoubtedly causes great loss of life and disruption of such world organization as may have remained up to this time." This is proof; that even if man is hiding underground they will be destroyed by this judgement. For all we know, this judgement could be aimed at them in underground shelters; specifically. Still the scripture say's: "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" No matter where you are in the universe you will be in such agony that you would rather be crushed by rocks; from God's wrath: "from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Note the scripture says: "who shall be able to stand?" No one; that's who. All men will fall beneath the wrath of God during the tribulation; no matter where they are. Back to Walvoord: "In addition to mentioning the great earthquake which is the primary means of divine judgment in the seventh vial, verse 21 records a great hail with every stone about the weight of a talent. Though the talent in different periods of history varied in weight, the reference here seems to be to the talent weighing about 100 pounds and representing all that a man could normally carry. Such a hail from heaven falling upon men would have a devastating effect and would destroy much that was still left standing by the earthquake."
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
August 26 2018: I am doing the Vials of Wrath next. Stay Tuned. Revelation 16:1-2 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. 2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image. August 25 2018: The 7 Trumpets are really horrific. The only reason I am writing all this is to warn people and to ask them to believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. That is all you have to do. It can take 1 second; to do that. You will never have to undergo the horrific torments of the Tribulation; you will be Raptured and in Heaven with The Lord; who loved you enough to give His only Son, for your Salvation. The Seven Seals are the first judgement's released upon man after the rapture. The First Seal (6:1-2) From: From: http://walvoord.com 6:1-2 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. "At the noise of thunder, John is invited by one of the four living creatures to come and see. Some texts omit the “and see.” In verse 2 John repeats the expression “And I saw” of verse 1, as if to emphasize the sight he beholds. He further adds the word behold, indicating the startling character of the vision. What he sees is described as a white horse on which a man is sitting carrying a bow. The rider, to whom a crown is given, is pictured as going forth conquering and to conquer." "Stauffer traces the symbolism of the four horses to the custom of having four teams of horses in the races which were a part of the elaborate celebrations which characterized the reign of Domitian.148 The idea, though interesting, does not do much to explain the eschatological significance of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse." "Jennings states, The whole context and character of these seals absolutely forbid our thinking of this rider being the Lord Jesus, as so many affirm. His reign shall not bring war, famine, and strife in its train.151" The Second Seal: War (6:3-4) 6:3-4 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. If the first seal is a period of peace, as some have held, though this seems to be contradicted by the fact that the rider of the first horse conquers, in any case when the second seal is broken, military warfare breaks out and peace is taken from the world. The constant tension among nations and the ambitions of men have their climax in this period before Christ comes. Though “wars and rumours of wars” (Matt. 24:6) are characteristic of the age, it is evident that warfare occupies a large place in the consummation of the age with a resultant great loss of life. There apparently is a series of wars, the greatest of which is under way at the time of the second coming. The hope of permanent peace by means of the United Nations and other human efforts is doomed to failure. The Third Seal: Famine (6:5-6) 6:5-6 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. The explanation seems to be this: to put it in ordinary language, the situation would be such that one would have to spend a day’s wages for a loaf of bread with no money left to buy anything else. The symbolism therefore indicates a time of famine when life will be reduced to the barest necessities; for famine is almost always the aftermath of war. The somber picture is emphasized by the color of the horse, black being the symbol of suffering (cf. Lam. 5:10). The Fourth Seal: Death (6:7-8) 6:7-8 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. "With the opening of the fourth seal a dramatic picture of divine judgment upon the world is unfolded. In some manuscripts the invitation is simply “come” with the omission of “and see.” However, John is obviously invited to witness the scene. He introduces the vision with the same dramatic expression he uses in verse 2, “I looked, and behold,” indicating that what he sees again startles him. He describes a horse on which Death is the rider and which Hell, or Hades, follows. The horse is an unearthly color described as “pale,” literally a pale green, like young vegetation, the same word being used to describe the color of the grass in Mark 6:39 and Revelation 8:7; 9:4. In the context it is a ghastly color. The rider is pictured as Death and the aftermath of his ride, or that which follows, as Hades, the abode of the dead. In keeping with this startling picture, it is revealed to John that this rider has power over one-fourth part of the earth, to kill with the sword, hunger, and the beasts of the earth. The area covered by this judgment, described as the earth (Gr., ge), though sometimes used only of the promised land given Israel, is a general word referring to the inhabited world and in this context apparently extends to the entire earth." "By any standard of comparison this is an awesome judgment. If one-fourth of the world population is destroyed in the fourth seal, it would represent the greatest destruction of human life ever recorded in history. The population of the human race in Noah’s day undoubtedly was far less than the figure here cited as dying. If such a judgment would fall upon a world population of approximately three billion people, (when this was written years ago, now much more) it would mean that seven hundred and fifty million would die. Treated geographically it would be equivalent to the destruction of more than the entire population of Europe and South America. It should be clear from this description that the divine judgments being meted out to the earth are not trivial in character but describe a period of world history awful beyond any words, a period without precedent in its character and extent." (World Population Clock: 7.6 Billion People (2018) - Worldometers www.worldometers.info/world-population/) "So great will be the trial of that period that Christ exhorted those living in Palestine at that time to flee to the mountains to escape their persecutors:" "Jeremiah the prophet refers to the same event in Jeremiah 30:7 when he declares, “Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble, but he shall be saved out of it.” "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened (Matt. 24:21-22)." "The fifth and sixth seals advance the narrative and describe the period specifically as “the great day of his wrath” (6:17), which almost certainly is a reference to the great tribulation." From this introduction to the judgments portrayed in the book of Revelation, it should be evident that the world is facing a time of trouble such as man has never known before. There is much in the modern world which seems to portend just such a period. The introduction of modern means of warfare with new capacity to destroy life and property, the shrinking of the world by rapid transportation, and the invention of modern weapons of war make all the earth vulnerable to such scenes of devastation and destruction of human life in the event of a world conflict. The darkness of the human hour is in sharp contrast to the bright hope of the imminent return of Christ for His church as an event preceding the time of trouble. The Fifth Seal: The Martyred Souls in Heaven (6:9-11) 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And when they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. In the fifth seal the scene shifts from earth to heaven and John sees a vision of those who will be martyred for their faith in Christ. They are described as being under the altar, in keeping with the fact that the blood of the sacrifices of the Old Testament was poured out under the altar (Exodus 29:12; Lev. 4:7). In this case it is the “souls of them that were slain for the Word of God” which are seen under the altar. John hears them crying with a loud voice asking why God has not judged their persecutors. The introduction of these martyred dead in heaven at this point immediately after the fourth seal seems to imply that these martyrs have come from the tribulation scene on the earth. There have been many martyrs in every generation, and even in the twentieth century tens of thousands have died for Christ in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. There are several reasons, however, for believing that a greater period of martyrdom is yet ahead. If the church has already been raptured, the dead in Christ have been raised from the dead before the time pictured here, and those pictured do not include the martyrs of the present dispensation. In the fact that the martyrs ask for judgment upon those that dwell on the earth it is apparent that their persecutors are still living. Their cry for righteous judgment is in the same spirit as the Psalmist’s call to God to vindicate His holiness and righteousness in dealing with the injustice and oppression which characterize the human race. In answer to their question as to how long it will be, the reply is given in verse 11 that there is still a little time required for the fulfillment of God’s program, that other events must take place, that still additional martyrs must be added to their number. In a word, they are to wait until the time of Christ’s return in power and glory when God will deal in summary judgment with the earth. The Sixth Seal: The Day of Divine Wrath (6:12-17) 6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? It would be difficult to paint any scene more moving or more terrible than that described at the opening of the sixth seal. All the elements of a great catastrophic judgment of God are here present, namely, a great earthquake, the sun becoming black, the moon becoming as blood, the stars of heaven falling like ripe figs, the heaven departing as a scroll, and every mountain and island moving. This is an awe-inspiring scene, but what does it mean prophetically? All levels of society are here. Some are great men, some are slaves. In relation to judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, everyone is exactly in the same predicament. Success in the world does not help; no one escapes. The elements of divine judgment pictured here are common in the prophecies pertaining to the end of the age. Christ Himself predicted earthquakes (Matt. 24:7). Both earthquakes and the sun becoming black are intimated by Joel (Joel 2:2, 10, 30-31). The heavens departing as a scroll are mentioned in Isaiah 34:4 (cf. also Isa. 13:6-13). The resulting impression upon the unbelieving world is that the time of the judgment of God has come. They themselves say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” It is apparent that creatures of earth have had some foreboding that their blasphemous unbelief and worship of the beast pictured in Revelation 13 are in defiance of the true God. They therefore seek refuge from the One sitting on the throne and apparently realize that the day of divine wrath has come. In describing the period of judgment as a day of wrath, reference is not to a twenty-four-hour day but to a time period longer or shorter. The day of wrath in one sense is the whole period of the great tribulation, when God will deal in direct judgment with the world, climaxing with the return of Christ in power and glory and divine judgment upon all who oppose His coming. E. W. Bullinger describes the first six seals as a summary of the judgments distributed over the whole book; a brief summary of what will occur in “the day of the Lord,” up to the time of His actual Apocalypse or Unveiling in chap, xix.164 The day of wrath is at the beginning of the day of the Lord, that extended period when God is going to deal directly in governing the entire world. It is significant that early in the book of Revelation the day of wrath is declared as having already come. It is another evidence that the great tribulation is already under way. The book of Revelation discredits those who hold that God is so loving and kind that He will never judge people who have not received His Son. Though the modern mind is reluctant to accept the fact that God will judge the wicked, the Bible clearly teaches that He will. The Scriptures reveal a God of love as clearly as they reveal a God of wrath who will deal with those who spurn the grace proffered in the Lord Jesus Christ. The passage before us is a solemn word that there is inevitable judgment ahead for those who will not receive Christ by faith. From: http://walvoord.com/article/266 The Opening of the Seventh Seal (8:1) 8:1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. In fitting recognition of the important character of this seal, the Scriptures record that there is silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Though thirty minutes is not ordinarily considered a long time, when it is a time of absolute silence portending such ominous developments ahead it is an indication that something tremendous is about to take place. It may be compared to the silence before the foreman of a jury reports a verdict; for a moment there is perfect silence and everyone awaits that which will follow. Death is sure and life is so uncertain. The grim reaper of death stalks our trail every passing day. Eventually, he will come after us to carry us to our eternal home. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27. There are three deaths mentioned in the Bible. PHYSICAL DEATH This is the separation of the soul from the body. At the point of physical death, the body still remains with the same component parts of blood, bones, muscles, and nerves. But, there's no life, a separation has taken place. SPIRITUAL DEATH This is the separation of a human being from God. This took place in the garden of Eden with our first parents of Adam and Eve. Before the fall, there was a perfect harmony and a perfect fellowship with a Holy God. After man sinned, that fellowship was broken. Communion with God came to an end. In the fullness of time, Christ came into the world to heal this wound and to bring this separation to an end. By His death on the cross, He made possible the way of a new fellowship with God Almighty. This separation need no longer exist if man will repent of his sin and trust Christ as his Lord and Savior. ETERNAL DEATH This is eternal punishment in the lake of fire. This is separation from God on an eternal basis. If man by-passes CALVARY, he will find his eternal destiny in the pits of hell. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Revelation 20:13,14. This fate was never planned for man but rather for the devil and his angels. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:41. ..... There is but a step between me and death. I Samuel 20:3. This life is only a dressing room to prepare for eternity. Heaven or Hell and the choice is yours. This choice must be made today, while you are still living. Remember, you will die and you will spend eternity somewhere. If you are not saved, please bow your head, ask The Lord for forgiveness for your sin's, and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ. God is the only one who can give you perfect peace and assurance of eternal life in heaven. Please, do not wait too long. You may have seen your last sunset or your last sunrise on this earth. August 24 2018: Speaking Against Communism: This is a copy of the radio broadcast from: What Does the Bible Say, on November 11, 1981. My friend and brother MH Reynolds is doing what he often used to do; speaking against communism. You can download a bunch of full mp3's here on my Google Drive: https://drive.google.com/open?id=14rn.. WDTBS - Misc 1979 - 1983 3_4_2018.zip https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IBY... The Seven Trumpets: What I do is edit what DeHaan and Walvoord says. I do not ad or take away from what they say, or take them out of context. It makes it more interesting and easier to read. Revelation 8 8 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 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. 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. 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. 6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 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. 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; 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. 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; 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. 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. 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! Revelation 9 9 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 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. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 7 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. 12 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. 13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. 20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. Revelation 10 10 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. 4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets. 8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10 And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter. 11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. Revelation 11 11 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven. 14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. 15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. The First Trumpet (8:7) From: http://walvoord.com/article/266 Walvoord says: "The obvious parallel, however, is found in the tenth plague in Exodus 9:18-26. Inasmuch as in the account of Exodus there was literal hail and fire, and the result of the judgment here is the burning up of the third part of trees and all the green grass, there is no solid reason for not taking this judgment in its literal sense." "This judgment, great as it is, is only the introduction. Six more trumpets are to sound." The plagues indicated by them are entirely inflicted on natural objects: the earth, trees, grass, sea, rivers, lights of heaven: whereas those indicated by the two latter are expressly said to be inflicted on men, and not on natural objects: cf. ch. 9:4, 15.182" Dehaan Says in the booklet: THE TRIBULATION IN REVELATION: This is the judgment upon vegetation and destroys one-third of all growing vegetation on the earth. The Second Trumpet (8:8-9) Walvoord says: "It is not impossible, however, to suggest a reasonable literal interpretation. It is earlier indicated in the sixth seal that the stars from heaven fall and that there are various disturbances of this character during this period." "Again there seems to be a parallel to the plagues of Egypt. Just as the River Nile and all other bodies of water in Egypt were turned to blood when Aaron stretched out his rod over the waters of Egypt, so this object apparently had a similar effect upon the sea." "The probability is that all life and all ships are destroyed in one portion of the earth, the area nearest to the impact of the great burning mountain." The Third Trumpet (8:10-11) Walvoord says: "When the third trumpet sounds, John witnesses a great star burning like a lamp falling upon rivers and fountains of water. It is named “Wormwood” and apparently causes the water to be bitter, resulting in the death of many. " "The star seems to be a heavenly body or a mass from outer space, understandably burning as it enters the atmosphere of earth, and falling with contaminating influence upon the rivers and waters. The Fourth Trumpet (8:12-13) Walvoord says: J. B. Smith comments: "It is of considerable interest to note the progress—one third of the green trees and grass, one third of marine life and shipping, one third of the waters, and one third of the heavenly bodies. Food is destroyed; distribution is crippled; water supply is limited; production is hampered.183" "The earth is warned of judgment to come. The trumpet judgments, which have their beginning in this chapter, confirm the predictions of Christ and the Old Testament prophets of the coming time of tribulation far worse than anything the human race had ever experienced before." "The first four trumpets deal with aspects of the physical world which are taken more or less for granted. The beauty and benefit of the trees, the luxury and growth of green grass are seldom occasions for thanksgiving to the living God. In a similar way, men are prone to take for granted the blessings of water, whether it be the beauty of the sea, the majestic flow of great rivers, or the pure fountains and springs which abound in the natural world. These too are gifts from a loving God to an undeserving world, and they come under the blight and judgment described in the second and third trumpets." "Fearful as these judgments are, they are only the beginning of God’s dealing with the earth; and as indicated in a special announcement, three great woes are still to fall. Though it is difficult in this day of grace to imagine such catastrophic judgments, the Word of God is plain, and men are called everywhere to avail themselves of grace before it is too late." Dehaan Says in the booklet: THE TRIBULATION IN REVELATION about Trumpet's 1 - 4: "Believe it literally and you have no trouble. When the first angel sounds LITERAL hail and fire fall from heaven. When the second sounds a literal burning mass falls into the sea,and turns to literal blood. If you doubt that, then I ask, do you also doubt that Moses turned literal water into literal blood? You believe that in Exodus but when Revelation says the same thing we must argue it away and say that it must not be taken literally but is highly symbolic and figurative. God who made the sun and moon, the mountains and the stars and the rivers can do with them as He pleases. All these attempts to symbolize these statements are born of a heart of unbelief in the Omnipotence of God." "And the fifth angel sounded and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth." "Then it goes on in Rev. 9:2 to say that he opened the bottomless pit and a great swarm of terrible locusts issued forth to torment men upon the earth. But here again the context tells that in this case the locusts were not literal insects but fallen demon beings, for we read concerning them," "And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon." "When the fifth angel sounds the prison of the bottomless pit is opened and there issue forth supernatural spirit beings to torment men five months. The description of them is terrible with faces like men and hair like women and teeth like lions and tails like scorpions. "Beyond doubt these were a class of especially wicked demon beings who were not permitted to be at large until now, because of their vicious character." "And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the JUDGMENT OF THAT GREAT DAY." Jude 6. We are discussing in Revelation that same great day of judgment Jude refers to and these wicked demon beings are let loose for a limited time, for five months only to bring judgment upon all the wicked. "What a terrible, terrible time this will be." "It is not my purpose to alarm you only, but to warn, and if need be, alarm you into seeking shelter underneath the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ." "let me press upon you once more the need of finding shelter in Christ. The time is near. Everything points to the soon return of the Lorn and if you are not ready I plead with you again," "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved and thy hour." The Fifth Trumpet: The Fallen Star and the Opening of the Abyss (9:1-2) Walvoord says: "The opening verse of this chapter, therefore, presents Satan as having the key to the pit of the abyss with power to release those who are confined there." "The second verse records the use of the key. The pit of the abyss is opened, and out of it comes a smoke as the smoke of a great furnace which darkens the sun and the air. It is evident that this event causes that which is contained in the pit of the abyss to erupt, polluting the air and darkening the light of day. It seems to portend the spiritual corruption which will be caused by these demons released from their confinement, and it identifies the character of the judgment involved in the fifth trumpet as that of demonic and satanic oppression." The Fifth Trumpet: Demonic Torment Loosed upon the Earth (9:3-6) Walvoord says: "As John continues to observe the unfolding of the fifth trumpet, he sees locusts coming out of the smoke which are likened to scorpions. As is borne out by the description given later, these are not natural locusts, but a visual representation of the hordes of demons loosed upon the earth." Peake observes: "they are uncanny denizens of the abyss, locusts of a hellish species, animated by devilish instincts and equipped with infernal powers.187" "The locusts are commanded, probably by God or perhaps by Satan himself, not to hurt the grass of the earth or any green thing, or any tree, but only men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. In the Old Testament, locusts were a greatly feared plague because they could strip the country of every green leaf and sprout, leaving man and beast alike to die for lack of food. Frequently in the Bible, locusts are used by the Lord as a divine judgment upon a wicked world." "The locusts in Revelation 9, however, while given this title because their function is similar to that of a locust, represent a divine judgment upon a wicked world." "It would seem improbable that any true believer in that day would be subject to the torment of the locusts; the torment is rather a judgment upon Christ-rejecting men." "The graphic description of the torment is compared to that when a scorpion strikes a man. Scorpions in all climates are fearful and painful scourges. In warm climates, they grow to such size as to make their sting not only painful but dangerous. Frequently small children die from the sting of a scorpion in tropical countries. Though the affliction here described is not actually a sting of a scorpion, it is compared to the pain and suffering caused by such a sting." "Further, the torment is said to extend for five months. Probably the best interpretation is to take this literally as a period of five months. As Alford and other commentators point out, “Five months is the ordinary time in the year during which locusts commit their ravages.”190 In contrast to the pain caused by a scorpion which would pass away in a course of hours, this continues for a long period so that in verse 6 John writes that men shall seek death and shall not find it." "Literal death is meant here. Elliott’s point of view that the command not to kill in verse 5 refers to the security of the church is made impossible in view of the obvious character of death in verse 6 where men seek to die and cannot do so. As Alford notes in commenting on this," "For it surely cannot be allowed that the killing of men should be said of their annihilation as a political body in one verse and their desiring to die in the next should be said of something totally different, and applicable to their individual misery.191" "This is a horrible picture of domination by demons to such an extent that men lose their ability of free choice and are in agony of body and soul. What the Scriptures here convey is that in addition to the natural plagues of the first four trumpets, now wicked men are afflicted by torment of demons." "Undergoing such a strange and painful experience, it is natural that men would seek to die. The prophecy indicates, however, that though they seek death, death shall flee from them. As is common in demonic affliction as recorded in the Gospels, those in the grip of demons are not free to exercise their own will and therefore are not free to take their own lives. Even the hope of death to deliver them from their present troubles is taken away from them in that dark hour. They are left to face then-trial and affliction without any way of escape." The Fifth Trumpet: The Locusts Described (9:7-11) Walvoord says: "The description of the locusts given in these verses makes it clear that they are not ordinary locusts and are so named only because of their function as a judgment and plague from the Lord. They apparently are much larger than ordinary locusts and are compared to horses prepared for battle. Inasmuch as demons do not have physical shape, what John is seeing must symbolize demonic possession. The locusts are described as having crowns of gold on their heads, ordinarily a token of victory, but here apparently a decoration or headdress. Their faces are described as similar to the faces of men. Their hair is described as the hair of women and their teeth as the teeth of lions. This awesome combination of the qualities of beasts and men depicts the utterly fearful character of these instruments of divine judgment. This is in keeping with the general character of the book of Revelation as an unmasking of the true nature of Satan and evil." "In verse 9, the locusts are declared to have breastplates of iron, implying that they are immune to destruction. They are also equipped with wings which give forth the sound of many chariots going to battle, implying speed and the impossibility of evading their attack. Particular attention is given to their tails, which are compared to those of scorpions and by which they have power to hurt men for five months. It would be difficult to describe a more fearful spectacle than these instruments of divine justice, utterly wicked in themselves, and released from the pit of the abyss to accomplish this terrifying judgment. The fact that they have power to hurt men five months is repeated in verse 10, as if to call special attention to the length of their torment." "In addition to the previous description, in verse 11 the locusts are declared to have a king who is the angel of the pit of the abyss, described both in the Hebrew and the Greek. The Hebrew name “Abaddon” and the Greek name “Apollyon” both mean “destroyer.” Such is the character of Satan and those who affiliate with him as wicked or fallen angels. Though in the modern world Satan often appears as an angel of light in the role of that which is good and religious, here the mask is stripped away and evil is seen in its true character. Satan and the demons are seen as the destroyers of the souls of men and as those who can only bring affliction. When divine restraint is released, as in this instance, the true character of the evil one is manifested immediately." Announcement of Two More Woes (9:12) Walvoord says: "Fearful as is the torment inflicted by the locusts out of the pit of the abyss, it is only the first of three great judgments which conclude the trumpet period. In verse 12, we are informed that the woe described as following the fifth trumpet is now past, and two more woes are going to follow. The word woe refers in Scripture to some great calamity, usually a judgment from God such as Christ pronounced upon Chorazin and Bethsaida (Matt. 11:21). Desperate indeed will be the situation of those who know not Christ in these tragic hours preceding His return to judge the wicked world." "The tribulation period unmasks human wickedness and also demonstrates the true character of Satan. In our modern day while Satan is still restricted it is easy to forget the great conflict which is raging between the forces of God and the forces of Satan referred to in Ephesians 6:12. In the great tribulation, and especially in the time of the fifth trumpet, with the release of the confined demons the full character of Satan will be starkly manifested. For the first time in history all those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour will come under demonic possession and affliction. What is true in that hour is also true in some measure today, for there is no deliverance from the power of Satan nor from his affliction apart from salvation in Christ and the delivering power of God." The Sixth Trumpet: The Loosing of the Four Angels (9:13-15) Walvoord says: "From these parallels, it may be concluded that the four angels bound in the Euphrates River are evil angels who are loosed on the occasion of the sounding of the sixth trumpet in order to execute this judgment. It is another instance of the loosing of wicked angels similar to the release of the demonic locusts earlier in the fifth trumpet. They all are prepared for their hour of activity much as the whale was prepared to swallow Jonah and effect divine discipline upon the prophet. These are wicked angels designated to execute the great judgment of the sixth trumpet but prevented from doing so until the proper moment. It is declared that the angels’ function is to slay the third part of men and that they had been prepared to fulfill this purpose at the given hour." "The judgment here depicted, that of slaying the third part of men, is one of the most devastating mentioned anywhere in the book of Revelation prior to the second coming. Earlier in the fourth seal, a fourth of the earth’s population is killed. Here an additional third is marked out for slaughter. These two judgments alone account for half of the world’s population, and it is clear that in addition to these judgments there is widespread destruction of human life in other divine judgments contained in the seals, trumpets, and vials. Never since Noah has such a substantial proportion of the earth’s population come under God’s righteous judgment. The fact that the third part of the population of the world is killed is repeated in verse 18." The Sixth Trumpet: The Sixth Trumpet: Man Still Unrepentant (9:20-21) Walvoord says: "Having declared the purpose of the army, John now gives details. Most impressive is the astounding number of the army of horsemen, 200 million, or literally “twice ten thousand times ten thousand.” "John also gives a graphic description of the horses as well as of the warriors who sit upon them. They are declared to have breastplates of fire and of jacinth and brimstone. Some have interpreted the description as John’s understanding of a scene in which modern warfare is under way. Further, the heads of the horses are compared to heads of lions out of whose mouths fire, smoke, and brimstone issue. This again is a description that might be comparable to modern mechanical warfare. In verse 19 additional details are given in that the power is declared to be in their mouths and in their tails. Their tails are compared to serpents, and even the tails have heads with which they can hurt men. Whether these are symbols or the best description John can give of modern warfare, this is an awesome picture of an almost irresistible military force destroying all that opposes it. The terms “horses,” “lions,” and “serpents” all speak of deadly warfare. The mention of lions can be compared to that in Revelation 10:3 where lions roar, and to the description of the locusts in 9:8 as having teeth of lions, and to the beast of Revelation 13:2, which has the mouth of a lion. As king of beasts the lion speaks of victorious conquest." "Further light is cast on the character of the warfare in verse 18, where it is repeated that the third part of men are killed by the invading force; special mention is made of the means, namely, “by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.” This again seems to be a picture of modern warfare rather than of ancient weapons. This indicates that though there may be a disarmament in the early phases of the time period between the rapture and the second coming, by this time, namely toward the close of the tribulation, modern means of war are once again being fully used. The world that longs for peace and seeks to attain it by the worship of the beast of Revelation 13 will learn the sad lesson that there can be no peace until the Prince of Peace rules." The Sixth Trumpet: Man Still Unrepentant (9:20-21) Walvoord says: "In spite of the dramatic judgment inflicted by this invading military force, those who survive are declared to be unrepentant. Such is the hardness of the human heart even though faced by worldwide destruction and divine judgment from God and a clear testimony of God’s power to deal summarily with every human soul. The character of their wickedness is unfolded in these verses. They do not repent of the evil works of their hands. They do not repent of their worship of devils, or demons, and the worship of idols which their hands have formed, which John dramatically describes in the words “which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.” Their worship of idols does not change their lives, and verse 21 indicates that they do not repent of their murders, their wicked sorceries, their fornication, nor their thefts. Though the power of satanic false religion is evident in the world, it does not have the transforming, purifying, redeeming quality found only in the power and grace of God. Though men can be made to fear God by demonstration of divine power, they are not brought to the place of repentance apart from faith in Christ and divine grace. Scott observes, “The two closing verses of the chapter reveal an astounding picture of human depravity.”197 " The Mighty Angel and the Seven Thunders (10:1-4) Walvoord says: "The description of the angel, however, is in very graphic terms. He is declared to be “clothed with a cloud” and has “a rainbow upon his head.” His face is described as glorious as the sun and his feet compared to pillars of fire. John sees him in a most dramatic pose, with his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot upon the earth, implying a position of power and authority over the entire earth. All of this, however, is introductory to the point of primary importance that in his hand is a little book which is opened." Announcement of the End of the Age (10:5-7) Walvoord says: "One of the indications that the angel portrayed in this vision is not Christ Himself is the fact that he swears by God, implying that God is greater than the angel. It is, however, a very solemn oath. Attention is called to the special character of the authority of God over the earth as the One who lives forever and as the One who created all things in heaven and in earth." "The reference to the mystery of God seems to mean truth concerning God Himself which has not been fully revealed." "The mystery of God which is declared as subject to fulfillment is unfolded therefore in the Old Testament in the many passages which speak of the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth." 1. IGNORE THE BIBLE AS GOD’S WORD. To ignore the Word of God is to help doom your own soul to Hell. The Bible is God’s record to warn each of us of eternity. In it we find the way of Eternal Life. The Bible says: Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 2. SHUN THE PREACHING OF GOD’S WORD. God has chosen the preaching of the Bible to convict us of sin and to tell us of the Savior who died for us. To shun the method God has chosen is a sure way to end up in Hell. 1 Corinthians1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 3. DESPISE THE CROSS OF CALVARY. On a hill far away stood and old rugged cross, the emblem of suffering and shame. And on that old cross died a Savior for your sin and mine. To despise or hate what the Cross stands for will place you another step toward the pits of hell. The Cross of Calvary is an emblem of Salvation. It was on the Cross our sin debt was paid in full so we could have Eternal Life. 4. AVOID THE ALTARS OF REPENTANCE. People everywhere are trying to get to Heaven their own way. To repent of our sins is the only way acceptable with God. To avoid the altar of repentance will close Heaven’s door to our souls. Man must realize he is a wicked sinner before God. After he realizes he is a sinner, he must repent of his sin. A failure to do so is tragedy to the soul. Many Churches have taken out the altars. Those who have not taken them out don’t use them any more. Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 5. TRAMPLE THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST UNDER YOUR FEET. The Blood of Jesus Christ is the only thing that will wash away our sins. The Blood can wash away the blackest sin man could ever commit in this life. Thank God for the Blood of Calvary. There is a fountain filled with Blood, drawn from Emmanuel's veins, and sinners plunged beneath the flood lose all their guilty stains. 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 6. REJECT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR PERSONAL SAVIOR. To reject the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior is to reject the only plan God has to redeem your soul. To say “NO” to Jesus Christ when He knocks on your hearts door is to say that He died in vain for your soul. It is to say that the death of Christ was of no value. The fact is, He is the ONLY way of Salvation. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
August 18 2018:
I had to come back to this page and update it. Sorry as always for the typo's. As I always say, no one is paying me for this. There were just too many typo's to just say forget it to myself.
From: https://onenewsnow.com/legal-courts/2018/08/17/atheist-group-lock-up-usaf-commander-for-his-faith :
LEGAL-COURTS Atheist group: 'Lock up' USAF commander for his faithFriday, August 17, 2018
"The atheistic Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) filed a complaint contending that a Christian commander with the United States Air Force should be fired and imprisoned for expressing his faith."
I am 100% ACLU supporter of separation church and state; as everyone that has read my hundreds of post's on politics knows, but:
The atheistic Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) Go Too Far!
You can not imprison someone for being a Christian! Coo Coo.
Now on with my freedom of speech, only for those that like this kind of stuff:
I made this cool graphic:
Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation by: M.R. DeHaan chapter 23:
Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
Revelation 15:6 And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
I am just going to quote one more thing from chapter 23 that I can not find online:
All DeHaan typed by hand by me.
paragraph 4: A Great and Marvelous Sign
"Revelation 15 speaks of a great and marvelous sign. John sees seven angels to whom are given seven bowls of the wrath of God to be poured upon the earth, to beat into final submission the enemies of the Lord and His Christ. The key to this great and marvelous mystery is given in the last part of verse 1. John says, "for in them is filled up the wrath of God."
Revelation 15:1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.
"The seven plagues are further described as acts of judgment which “filled up the wrath of God.” The concept of “filled up” (Gr., etelesthe„) means to bring to conclusion or to the ultimate goal, that is, a fulfillment of divine purpose. The word for “wrath” is not orge„ but thymos, often translated “anger.” In view is not divine wrath as an attitude, but divine judgment as the expression of God’s wrath. The word orge is used in Revelation 16:19 in the final judgment upon Babylon extending from the seventh vial. As Arndt and Gingrich observe, the combination of thymos and orge„ connotes the strongest kind of outpouring of divine judgment. The word thymos is defined as “anger, wrath, rage.”264 It may be concluded, therefore, that the anger of God is the preliminary expression, the wrath of God is the final expression of divine righteousness." - Dr. John F. Walvoord
Speaking of Generals!:
Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation by: M.R. DeHaan chapter 24 pages 206 and 207 say's: "H.H. Arnold as follows":
"We can direct rockets to targets by electronic devices and new instruments which guide them accurately to sources of heat, light, and magnetism. Drawn by their own fuses such new rockets will streak unerringly to the heart of big factories, attracted by the heat of the furnaces. They are so sensitive that in the space of a large room they aim themselves toward a man who enters, in reaction to the heat of his body."
I am just going to have to type the parts I like from DeHann's book from now on.
Page 207 -208 DeHaan says:
"The Bible had clearly predicted the time when "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up." II Peter 3:10 Moreover, the book of Revelation discusses in detail the last days of this age, which will end in violence and war, and the greater part of the book is devoted to a description of the last great battle of all time ending in Armageddon, when the Lord alone will prevent man from completely exterminating himself. When it seems that all hope is gone. the Lord will return, stop man's reign of terror, and set up His righteousness and peace."
With that said, if you are still in doubt of what I have been posting about salvation; please read the following:
All of us are only one step, one heartbeat, one breath, or one moment from eternity. Many believe that when men die, that is all there is to it. They think that men cease to exist at death. This is just not true. All men everywhere will spend eternity somewhere.
THIS COULD BE YOUR LAST YEAR, YOUR LAST MONTH, YOUR LAST WEEK, YOUR LAST DAY, YOUR LAST HOUR, OR EVEN YOU LAST MOMENT TO LIVE.
Proverbs 27:1, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth."
When men die they either go to heaven or hell. The body goes back to the earth (dust) and the soul goes to its eternal destination. This will either be in a place of glory called Heaven or a place of torment called Hell. Those who have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb will go to Heaven and those who have rejected Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour will go to Hell. The grave will not end it all as some think. The soul will live on in eternity. The grave only holds the body not the soul.
There is no place in between Heaven or Hell. Many think that souls go to a certain place and then can be prayed for. This is not Biblical. We may pray for the living but there is nothing that we can do for those who have departed.
They are either blessed in Glory or tormented in Hell this very moment of time.
Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
TIME IS RUNNING OUT
Now is the proper time to think about where you will spend eternity. After death it will be too late to think about it. There will not be another opportunity when death comes.
Luke13:3, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
Romans10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
August 17 2018:
Just uploaded a video of my audio section of this mp3:
Download this zip and skip to the 38 minute 15 second mark; to hear me speak in The Fundamental Church back in the early 1990's in Los Osos, California. The things I say, are almost exactly the things I say today, in this blog page.
Here is my new YouTube video:
August 16 2018:
I have been working for four days on this new page; click below:
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August 14 2018:
Fundamental Evangelistic Association on Psychology; I recommend reading these pages:
Many professing Christians today are looking for and willing to accept almost any form of worldliness as long as the word “Christian” is coupled with it. As a result, we have “Christian” entertainment, “Christian” psychology, and “Christian” rock music. The satanic premise “The end justifies the means,” has been “Christianized.” This phrase is now applied to unscriptural evangelism in both the message and methods.
However, it is the last verse of this text (v. 8) that many often overlook or ignore, despite the fact that it is an extremely important warning from God about the danger of double mindedness: “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Instability has become a major problem in our society, causing a multitude of people to turn to man’s wisdom for answers and solutions, which helps to explain why psychology has become so popular and why so many people today spend millions of dollars and hours reading self-help books, listening to motivational tapes and attending self-improvement seminars. The fact that unbelievers turn to futile sources for help is understandable, but the reality that believers often make the very same mistake is entirely inexcusable.
Transcendental Meditation—Not a Science
Is Transcendental Meditation really scientific as it claims to be? Psychology Today for April, 1974, not only questions the validity of T.M.'s scientific claims and points out its misuse of data, but it also astutely observes that, "The Science of Creative Intelligence (another name for T.M.) ... is clearly a revival of ancient Indian Brahmanism and Hinduism. Its origins lie in the ancient texts-Vedas, Upanishads Bhagavad-Gita, the teachings of the Buddha and the synthesis of these traditions by Shankara. It has been simplified for modern Western consumption."
The Counsel of the Ungodly
... and other ungodly counsel based upon humanistic psychology, it is much easier for undiscerning Christians to be misled.The ...
From: https://feasite.org/speaking_the_truth_in_love
... meet for the Master’s use.” Humanistic Psychology — The humanistic platform on which modern-day psychology is based is entirely contrary to God’s Word. The ...
... and the Arts," "Evangelicals' Views of Psychology," "Evangelicals and Muslims," "Evangelicals ... Winston Gooden, dean of Fuller Seminary's school of psychology; Evelyne Reisacher, professor of Islamic studies at Fuller; Eddie ...
The sufferings of Christ may be so distorted. The traditional conception of Christ which is rejected in ecclesiastical art is that of a monkish ascetic and a passive pitiable sufferer. A recent critic of Christianity has accused its followers of worshipping weakness instead of strength. He afirms from the standpoint of psychology that Jesus was a neurotic and a degenerate. This criticism shows that the author gets his ideas from tradition and art instead of Scripture.
... Whether or not he was the first to combine theology with psychology, he unquestionably was extremely successful in promoting this ...
... based upon politics, economics, education, philosophy, psychology, sociology and religion. All who depart from the Word of God ... The New Evangelicals possess an af?nity for humanistic psychology and the pragmatic approach to ministry. The New Evangelicals ...
... than patiently waiting on God to work in His way and time. Psychology, mood-altering drugs, or other worldly diversions often replace the ...
Got my first ishue of the PsychoHeresy Awareness News letter. I will offer it here for download.
The crazy world of psychology. This story is a good example:
“My Brain Made me Do It” “After Richard Hodges pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and residential burglary, he appeared somewhat dazed and kept asking questions that had nothing to do with the plea process. That’s when the judge ordered that Hodges undergo a neuropsychological examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) testing. Yet no irregularities turned up. “Hodges, experts concluded, was faking it. His guilty plea would stand. “But experts looking back at the 2007 case now say Hodges was part of a burgeoning trend: Criminal defense strategies are increasingly relying on neurological evidence—psychological evaluations, behavioral tests or brain scans—to potentially mitigate punishment. Defendants may cite earlier head traumas or brain disorders as underlying reasons for their behavior, hoping this will be factored into a court’s decisions. Such defenses have been employed for decades, mostly in death penalty cases. But as science has evolved in recent years, the practice has become more common in criminal cases ranging from drug offenses to robberies. Read the rest of this in the News Letter.
Read the news letter for more crazy stories;
Download from me here:
PsychoHeresy Awareness July 2018 Newsletter:
I am fortunate enough to own several of the The Bible vs. Psychology tracts. If you want to buy some please go to the FEA website and get some.
The Bible vs. Psychology
10 Leaflets for Price: $2.00
This leaflet contrasts the Bible (the Word of God) and psychology (the words of men). It gives four reasons for the danger of psychology, then examines key questions, giving Biblical answers and contrasting them with psychology's claims.
If you want to be truly blessed by the Lord help the FEA. My wife and I have sent them money for years. We also gave money every Sunday when we went to church there. I have been through some ruff times since then and I would not be here; if it was not for my faithfulness to the teachings of this 90 year old ministry.
This really caught my eye:
From: https://feasite.org/node/2681
What Is Truth?
Submitted by Matt Costella on Aug, 10, 2018
V. The Bible afirms that the devil is no myth but a veritable person possessed of marvelous wisdom and almost boundless resources and that he has at his disposal millions of inferior spirits through whom he controls and governs the present world system in the interests of organized lawlessness. The above systems, including the higher criticism, refuse to believe a word of this and, in doing so, put themselves at his disposal to work out his iniquitous designs against God and His people.
That is why C. H. SPURGEON said; God "wields a deadly weapon. He is the Spirit of judgment and the Spirit of burning, and he beareth not the sword in vain. Of him it may be said, "The Lord is a man of war: Jehovah is his name."
Gods war of vengeance against man will come in the form the seven year tribulation. This is not the description of the positive thinking only, flowery God, so many claim exists. More like; the peace and love only God; does not exist at all, and never did. I think we can all blame the Jesus Freaks from the 1960's for that way of thinking. I am sorry but it makes angry that people deceive themselves and others by this false doctrine. I find it very deceptive when people tell me; God is a God of love only. If you believe that you are in a dangerous place and a rude awakening.
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be
God waited for the people to change their wicked ways; before he sent the flood. Before the flood Enoch walked with God. Enoch warned the people that God was coming to judge them all. He warned them of: "all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 15
I wanted to post this because of the part of this scripture that says: "hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." I am sure that hard speeches against the Lord are not too hard to find nowadays. I have always thought of such things as completely boring. I do not know about you but speeches in favor of the Lord are way more interesting. Even today's Laodicean church; speeches are way more interesting than anti God speeches; yet aren't they the same in a way. These are some very strange days. I would never go to a church unless it was approved by the FEA and that means none; most likely. That's OK with me. I would rather have church in my home than join together with those who preach a false gospel or mix truth and error. I have always felt this way. I say this in my audio section of my old church tape.
Download this zip and skip to the 38 minute 15 second mark; to hear me speak in The Fundamental Church back in the early 1990's in Los Osos, California. The things I say, are almost exactly the things I say today, in this blog page.
Still the people did not turn away from their wicked ways even after God warned them. Sounds like today. The Bible is every where nowadays. People only have to want to get some kind of witness of The Gospel. Think about people in the jungles. I believe nature alone has the power to make you believe there is a God and be saved.
When I was about 8 years old:
Partly because I was in a Catholic school; I remember almost coming to tears in my room by myself and not leaving my room until I decided if there was a God or not. I went downstairs and announced to my mom how happy I was to believe in God. She thought I was going to be a priest.
I think maybe I was saved at the age of 8 because of this event in my life.
Back to Enoch and how to tell about when the rapture will come:
Genesis 5:24-25
24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.
25 And Methuselah lived an hundred eighty and seven years, and begat Lamech.
Jude 14-15
14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
My comment again:
We are in the time of our Lord's waiting now. He is waiting for all of us to be without a excuse. God sent people like Enoch to try to evoke them to by preaching to them. Like today it was too late. Our Lord is still patient. His patients is seen everyday to me in the mob mentality that rules over our so called legal system, while the countless acts of violence runs wild approved by the mob. Right is becoming wrong to please the blood thirsty crowds of the Roman colloquiums and the Laodicean church. Hatred is rewarded while true kindness is seen as evil and weak. The Lord warns us always through his word that he will not a be patient forever. The people had opportunity to change before the flood just like we do today before the tribulation. People refused to change then and they refuse still today. It is so sad to see people turn away from the light. That is why I am writing this. No matter how many people warn people with God's Word, they will refuse to see.
The Lord "is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."; If only people were like that. Today's people seem the exact opposite of longsuffering. Our Lord is waiting, till it be to him longsuffering. Since we cannot under stand the extent of what the Lord see's and deems longsuffering; it must be almost infinite.
APOSTASY IN THE DAYS OF NOAH – PART II (SERMON #80 ON THE BOOK OF GENESIS) by Dr. R. L. Hymers, Jr. From: https://www.rlhymersjr.com/Online_Sermons/2014/052514PM_ApostasyDaysOfNoah_P2.html
Dr. M. R. DeHaan said,
Study the record of the days before the flood, says Jesus, if you want an answer to your question, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of My coming? When the conditions before the Flood are repeated, then you may know that it is near, yea, at your very doors (M. R. DeHaan, M.D., The Days of Noah, Zondervan Publishing House, 1963, p.28).
In times like these you need a Saviour,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This rock is Jesus, Yes, He’s the One;
This rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure,
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
(“In Times Like These” by Ruth Caye Jones, 1902-1972).
“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (Matthew 24:37).
Christ’s Olivet Discourse on the End of the Age—Part IV:How Near Is The Lord’s Return?
[John F. Walvoord, President, Dallas Theological Seminary, Editor, Bibliotheca Sacra.]
As in the Days of Noah
Beginning in Matthew 24:37 an illustration why no one can know the day or the hour is given. Christ uses the illustration of Noah and the ark. “But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matt 24:37-42).
If The Lord Returns Before This Day Is Over Will You Be Ready?
In today's modern society, the last thing on the minds of most people is GOD. They are too busy doing worldly things to go to church or to even give the House of God a thought. People have leftt he old fashioned ways of doing things. The Bible tells us that we are living in the last days. It also gives us a few reasons how we can know that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is soon to return.
THE SURENESS OF HIS COMING
The Bible says:
John 14:2-3,"In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
THE SECRECY OF HIS COMING
The Bible says:
Matthew24:36, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels ofheaven, but my Father only."
Many people today are searching the Bible, trying to predict when the Second Coming of Christ will take place. But God tells us that NO MAN knoweth when Jesus Christ will return. Not even the angels of Heaven know the time.
THE SIGNS OF HISCOMING
Matthew24:3-8, "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came untohim privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and whatshall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no mandeceive you. For many shallcome in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be nottroubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is notyet. For nation shall riseagainst nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines,and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
2 Timothy3:1-5, "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, trucebreakers, false accusers,incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than loversof God; Having a form ofgodliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."
Don’tthis sound like we are living in the days of the coming of the Lord? AREYOU READY?
THE SEPARATION THATWILL TAKE PLACE AT HIS COMING
Matthew24:40-41, "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
In today's world, people have left God. One day soon, when the trumpet sounds, if you are saved, you will be taken, but if you are lost, you will be left behind. You will have to go through the Great Tribulation upon this earth. If you have never been saved, repent and ask Jesus to come into your heart today. Time is running out on you. Please be ready (be born again) for JESUS CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN.
Are you ready?
The Lord will soon be here to take away His faithful followers and the wicked will be left behind to face the wrath of God. Oh, flee today from the wrath to come!
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
From: Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation By M.R. DeHaan
August 13 2018:
If I have any enemy's out there because of all my Bible stuff as of late; know this:
I have been on the internet on and off; since 1994.
99% of all my internet posts have been my original art work for; 24 years,
All of the artwork (thousands of images) have been all G rated; for 24 years.
I have posted, all said artwork; for free, for all to see; for 24 years.
I have never posted anything about the Bible on the internet in 24 year.
99% of the things I said about the Bible in 24 years; has been against Christians.
I have been pretty nice so far; and have no plans to stop being nice.
I am going to quote myself from July 19, 2018; on this page:
"I recently sent this email to my old artist friend Dame Darcy:
Email to Dame Darcy July 18 2018
I will always consider Witch's and anyone in complete opposition to the christian right including Satanism; kinship to me. I completely understand why people rebel against organised Christianity, Catholicism, and all the rest. I am always willing to protest; anyone thinking less of someone; even if they are a Satanist; that practice a religion that is contrary; from the so called norm. I have read the Satanic Bible and other books like that and consider Satanism a completely non violent religion and very respectful of people sexually. Your friend in Texas. Thanks for all you do to help people's self esteem.
We should all stand up for the rights, of all American's to practice any non violent religion they please in America; even if the religion is Satanism or Witchcraft. That is the American way. That is according to the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution of the United States is why America has thrived and prospered, without it we would be doomed.
When I started to go to The Fundamental Bible church; one of the first things I learned was never to think I had more power than Satan. You see people on the television saying; I step on the Devil and I rebuke Satan. That is not a good thing to advice anyone to do. Satan can easily be considered the most powerful being on earth. He is the prince of the power of the air.
Ephesians 2:2
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
If you think you are going to rebuke Satan or step on his head, you are very wrong.
Satan works for God:
Satan tried to tempt Jesus and Jesus said:
Luke 4:8
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Even Michael the archangel the most powerful of the Lord's angels "durst not bring against him a railing accusation"
Jude 9
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee."
I do not care what religion you are; more power to you. Whether you accept Christ or not; that is totally up to you. I would not doubt there are many Christians in the Church of Satan, because of their disgust with the Christian church today. OK? Great. So onward I go with free speech in my heart and a bunch of knowledge I have not called upon for many years.
August 12 2018:
This is one of my favorite tracts by FEA:
the BIBLE vs PSYCHOLOGY
THE WORD OF GOD vs THE WORDS OF MEN
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the
serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,
so your minds should be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ."
2 Corinthians 11:3
The author of this article seeks to warn Chris-
tians that when they turn from the Word of God
to the words of men, they are inviting a "corrupt
mind" and a blurred identity. The "bad be-
havior" this article refers to is functional,
having no basis in physically measurable
ailments.
In these days of increasing mental and emo-
tional conflict and strain, many people, includ-
ing Christians, have been encouraged to turn
to psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis
for the solutions to their problems. This is a
dangerous trend for at least four reasons:
FIRST: Because the fields of psy-
chology, psychiatry and psy-
choanalysis are highly speculative,
radically experimental and anti-
biblical in their basic theoretical
suppositions;
SECOND: Because the accepted
authorities in these fields start
from the unscriptural and anti-
biblical theory of evolution, deny-
ing man's present spiritual need
and eternal existence;
THIRD: Because these pro-
grams, including so- called "Chris-
tian Psychology," invariably result
in giving the changing theories of
men precedence over the unchanging
Word of God;
FOURTH: Because it leads peo-
ple to seek the solutions to their
problems apart from submission
to the Word of God and the Spirit
of God, leaving them with a false
hope and a rude awakening.
Consider the answers to these questions...
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT AM I?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
...THE CREATION OF GOD WITH BODY, SOUL AND SPIRIT.
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly: and I pray God
your whole SPIRIT and SOUL and BODY be preserved blame-
less unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians
5:23. See also Genesis 1:26; 2:7.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
...A CREATURE OF EVOLUTION WITH BODY, MIND AND
PERSONALITY. "Another very important influence came from
Darwin and the theory of evolution. For if all animals are blood
relatives in respect to bodily structure must they not be the same
in respect to behavior and mentality?"
-- Dr. Robert S. Woodworth
"Darwin...kept a diary of his infant son.... This record was one of
the sources for the beginning of modern child psychology."
-- Dr. Robert L. Watson
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS MY GOAL IN LIFE?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
TO GLORIFY GOD. "For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor-
inthians 6:20. See also 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Psalm 73:24, 26.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
TO ADJUST TO MY FELLOW MAN. "Of course, to win for one's
self a place in society and so transform one's nature that it is
more or less fitted to this existence, is in every instance an important achievement."
-- Dr. Carl G. Jung
MAN'S QUESTION: WHO IS MY SUPREME
AUTHORITY?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
GOD. "I am the Lord thy God... Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:2, 3. Also Ephesians 1:4, 11.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
MAN. "...psychotherapists are now permitted by tacit agree-
ment, to set the standard of what is right and wrong."
-- Dr. L. B. Lefebre
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS MY STANDARD OF
BEHAVIOR?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
THE BIBLE. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly
furnished unto all good works." 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
THE NORMS OF SOCIETY. "People whose behavior differs
widely and steadily from social requirements are called 'ab-
normal.' Since societies differ in their requirements, an act that is
normal in one place may be abnormal in another."
-- Dr. A. P. Sperling
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT IS THE BIGGEST
OBSTACLE TO ACHIEVING MY GOAL?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
SIN. "...there is none righteous, no, not one. ...For all have
sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:10, 23.
See also Romans 7:11 and James 4:17.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
BAD BEHAVIOR which falls into three general classifications:
Neurosis, psychosis and mental illness. "If anxieties and confu-
sion therefore seriously interfere with one's life, he is considered
emotionally or mentally ill." -- Dr. Clyde Narramore
MAN'S QUESTION: WHY DOES
"BAD BEHAVIOR" EXIST?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
A SINFUL HEART. "The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
SEX, ENVIRONMENT, POWER DRIVE, CULTURE, ETC. "The
most specific example of the negative effects of religion as a
force of repression and control appears in Freud's discussion of
civilized sexual morality and modern nervousness. He deplores
Western religious controls...which are so rigid and unnatural that
the sexual abilities of individuals is impaired, perverted or
neuroticized." -- Dr. Wayne Oates
MAN'S QUESTION: WHAT CAN EFFECTIVELY
CHANGE THIS SINFUL BEHAVIOR?
THE BIBLE SAYS...
[REPENTANCE &]
FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST. "Wherefore, if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17. See also
John 3:3, 16; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 and Luke 4:4.
PSYCHOLOGY SAYS...
FASTENING GUILT ON PARENTS OR SOCIETY; FREEING
REPRESSED DESIRES; DRUGS; PSYCHOANALYSIS; SEN-
SITIVITY TRAINING; GROUP THERAPY; ETC. "And until one
has 'worked through' and resolved his guilt in the face of man-
kind, he is not fully healed and whole." -- Dr. O. H. Mower
THE CHOICE IS YOURS
THE HOLY BIBLE --
INSPIRED BY ALMIGHTY GOD
or PSYCHOLOGY --
INVENTED BY SINFUL MAN
It is essential to recognize that the BIBLE and
PSYCHOLOGY represent two contradictory
views of God, man, sin, the Bible and eternity.
This makes it impossible to reconcile or com-
bine the two as is being attempted in so-
called "Christian Psychology." Regardless of
the sincerety of the people in these fields, they
literally become the "High Priests of Human-
ism." God's people need to be WARNED!
-- B. Pollard
The people from this ministry used to come to the FBC for church.
Sign up for their email list here: Click here
Here is a good old fashioned hymn sung by a choir:
Frances Ridley Havergal
Frances Ridley Havergal (14 December 1836 – 3 June 1879) was an English religious poet and hymnwriter. Take My Life and Let it Be and Thy Life for Me (also known as I Gave My Life for Thee) are two of her best known hymns.
God will take care of you, All through the day. (Occasion or theme: The Good Shepherd.) In Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymn Book, 1881.
1 God will take care of you all thro’ the day;
He who has loved you so keeps you from ill;
Waking or resting, at work or at play,
He will be with you and watching you still.
Refrain:
Under His care,
Under His care,
Safely I’m dwelling while under His care.
2 God will take care of you all thro’ the night,
Holding thy hand, He so tenderly keeps;
Darkness to Him is the same as the light;
He never slumbers and He never sleeps. [Refrain]
3 God will take care of you all thro’ the year,
Crowning each day with His kindness and love,
Sending you blessings and shielding from fear,
Leading you on to that bright home above. [Refrain]
I just uploaded the Bible in Audio format. God never sleeps and watches over the obedient Christians while they sleep. If someone is sick in your family put it by their bed. Anyone would benefit from listening to The Bible while they sleep.
Download complete Bible here:
Audio Bible Audio.zip
August 11 2018:
I changed all my files on Google Drive. You do not have to be logged in to Google to download all my great free files; anymore. Anyone can download them now.
Here is a list of all my Bible type downloads:
Free Bible setup 1110.exe
King James Bible 1611.pdf
M.H. Reynolds, Jr..zip
Misc Bible Audio from goodpreachin.com.zip
Pastor MH Reynolds JR 1985 - 1992.zip
Revelation_KJV.zip
Reynolds 89 -90 RevelationJohn F. Walvoord .zip
WDTBS - MISC - 1981 - 1984 3_4_2018.zip
WDTBS - Misc 1979 - 1983 3_4_2018.zip
wormhole_movie_posted__4_28_2018.wmv
Audio Bible Audio.zip
These are the last of my mp3's: Reynolds 89 -90 RevelationJohn F. Walvoord click here to download them: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nJAY7Z7cHp1oXin7GrVQltvOt5L6Reqs
I redid the Dehaan Quote:
This boggles the mind. It is hard to imagine that entire nations will be the enemy of God. The earth is a different place in the end days. Rome will be resurrected and the nations of the earth will not be like the nations of the earth we know now.
America is long gone by the tribulation and not mentioned during the tribulation, as my teacher of the Book of Revelation; told my wife and I privately after Bible Study ( my wife remembers it), my brother Pastor Dennis Costella. It could be the entire half of the earth is destroyed or it could be we are taken over by another country. "Keep in mind I am just theorizing here. "
The wicked enemy nations of God are as follows:
Thank you, oh great teacher of the future; graduate of the old time
Dallas Theological Seminary, John F. Walvoord :
3:1-7 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon. From: http://walvoord.com/article/244
The first, verses 1-35, describes the major rulers of the Persian Empire and then gives in great detail some of the major events of the third empire following Alexander the Great, concluding with Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 b.c. ). From: http://walvoord.com/article/252
The head of gold according to Daniel’s interpretation represented Babylon and the Babylonian Empire headed by Nebuchadnezzar (Dan 2:31, 37-38). The breast and arms of the vision made of silver symbolized the next kingdom which later in Daniel is identified as Medo-Persia (Dan 2:32, 39; 8:1-20 ). The third empire represented by the lower part of the body and the thighs which were of brass is later identified as Greece (Dan 2:32, 39; 8:21 ). From: http://walvoord.com/article/110
The fourth kingdom is not named in Daniel, but is pictured as continuing up to the time when God establishes a kingdom which shall never be destroyed (Dan 2:44). Normative interpretation accordingly would identify the fourth kingdom as the Roman Empire. From: http://walvoord.com/article/110
The place Armageddon will take place; is a real place on earth.:
There has been considerable discussion concerning the meaning of the term “Armageddon,” taken by some to mean “Mount of Slaughter.” Geographically, it relates to the Mount of Megiddo located adjacent to the plain of Megiddo to the west and the large plain of Esdraelon to the northeast. Megiddo is the Hebrew word corresponding to the Greek word Armageddon. This area was the scene of many of the great battles of the Old Testament such as that of Barak and the Canaanites in Judges 4 and the victory of Gideon over the Midianites in Judges 7. Here also occurred the deaths of Saul and Josiah. The area, though it is a large one, is not sufficient for the armies of all the world, though the valley of Esdraelon is fourteen miles wide and twenty miles long. What this Scripture seems to indicate is that this area is the central point for the military conflict which ensues. Actually the armies are deployed over a 200-mile area up and down from this central location (cf. 14:20). At the time of the second coming, some of the armies are in Jerusalem itself (Zech. 14:1-3).
This is a photo of a view from Mount of Megiddo, I found on the internet.
Echoing a popular viewpoint among the Fundamentalist clergy, John F. Walvoord, former president of Dallas Theological Seminary, says that Armageddon is “the final suicidal battle of a desperate world struggle centered in the Middle East.” Walvoord identifies as the focal point of this great future conflict “‘the Mount of Megiddo,’ a small mountain located in northern Palestine at the end of a broad valley.”: From: https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20080401/Where-Will-the-Battle-of-Armageddon-Be-Fought/
I am a people lover as I have expressed many times online. If I did not care so much about people; I would have never felt the need, to write these things. Some people may say I am being mean by talking like this.Some people will say I am preaching too much. I am writing all this out of kindness only. If you do not like it; after careful examination, then it may be better, if you do not read these things. That is what I have always loved about reading the news; it is so easy to ignore stories you do not want to read.
Tell el-Mutsellim, Megiddo. An aerial photo of the 35-acre tell looking south. In the lower center right of the 19-acre summit is the gate system. The shaft to the water tunnel is visible in the upper right and exposed on the left side of the tell is the archaeological cut exposing an Early Bronze Age cultic center with a round altar. From: http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2014/11/05/Megiddo-The-Place-of-Battles.aspx Lots more photo's vcan be found on this site. |
Exodus 15:3 The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name.
From: http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/sermons/2201.htm
The Sword of the Spirit
A Sermon
(No. 2201)
Delivered on Lord's-Day Morning, April 19th, 1891, by
C. H. SPURGEON
Here we note that the Holy Spirit has a sword. He is quiet as the dew, tender as the anointing oil, soft as the zephyr of eventide, and peaceful as a dove; and yet, under another aspect, he wields a deadly weapon. He is the Spirit of judgment and the Spirit of burning, and he beareth not the sword in vain. Of him it may be said, "The Lord is a man of war: Jehovah is his name."
Judgment Day Is Coming!
You may wonder if I am talking about you standing before a Judge, because you ran a stop sign or failed to stop at a red light, no, I am talking about what God is referring to in Hebrews 9:27 "“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
Friend, Jesus Christ died for your sins. Today, He can be your Savior by receiving Him into your heart. Tomorrow, He could be your Judge, because you rejected Him today. Yes my friend, Judgment Day is coming, because in Psalms 9:17 it says, "“The wicked shall be turned into Hell, and all the nations that forget God."
Yes sir, Judgment Day came for the rich man in Luke 16:23, “And in hell he lift up his eyes,being in torments....”
The other day, I asked a man if he had ever been saved and he got very angry at me. My friend, if you get angry because someone asks you about where you are going to spend eternity, you had better repent and ask Jesus to save your soul before you stand before Jesus, The Judge. My friend, just as you read this gospel tract, God says in Romans 14:11, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” And then it will be too late to cry out for the mercies of God.
A man said to me one time that God would not send a persons soul to Hell, because God is love. My answer was: Mister, you are right. God never sends anyone to Hell, man sends himself to Hell by rejecting the only way out,and that is by receiving the Lord Jesus Christ. Look at John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
My friend, as you read God’s Word in this tract and The Holy Spirit speaks to your heart, please don’t say “No” to Jesus. Right now I am thinking about a neighbor who was on the road to Hell. I went to his house one night. I showed him how simple God’s plan of salvation is. I pleaded with him to be saved, but he rejected Jesus that night. Two months later he died suddenly unprepared to meet God. Judgment Day is coming. ARE YOU READY?
Again, God is warning us in these verses: Hebrews 10:31, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Amos 4:12 “....prepare to meet thy God...” Luke 13:3, “I tell you, Nay: but,except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” But look how we can escape God’s judgment. Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Would you please accept what God is telling you in this gospel tract?
Remember the one that gives you air to breathe into your lungs, has the power to turn it off. II Corinthians 6:2 says. “....Now is the accepted time: Now is the day of salvation....” Judgment Day is coming. Why not say “YES” to God as the Holy Spirit speaks to you through this tract.
Would you please bow your head and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ask Him to forgive you and come into your heart to live. Receive Him into your heart and live forever in heaven.
You know what I figured out? I do not like any of the new Chick Tracts. The old ones that I was saved by were way better! Better art and way longer. They changed all of them. Even the ones I bought like 10 years ago were not half as good as the ones from the 1970's.
Check this website out if you want to see what they were like when I got saved in the late 1970's: https://www.scribd.com/document/77515875/Chick-Tract-Hi-There
I made this from that website:
August 10 2018:
I have another bunch of mp3's. One has me going up to the mic and speaking at 38.4 minutes into the service.
You must understand that Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. announced in church just around 1992 that the FEA and the FBC would be parting company with Pastor Rockwood. Pastor Rockwood is mentioned allot in the tapes. Pastor Rockwood no longer has fellowship with or is not affiliated with the FEA or it's church's.
I taped most of these myself in church.
Click here to download these very precious mp3's:
I came across a great chapter in the book Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation By M.R. DeHaan:
Revelation 14:18-20:
18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs.
M.R. DeHaan says there are whole nations that are enemy's of the Lord. Can you imagine such a thing? Entire mansions enemy's of the Lord. I guess that is a great example of the mob mentality of today. Mob mentality will eventually take over entire nations in the future. If you are a Christian, promoting this mob mentality today; I would hate to be you, when you stand before the Lord.
FROM THE SERIES: THE RETURN OF THE LORD:
"When we stand before God, we are going to stand before the Lord Jesus Christ who knows us better than any human frame can know us. How important it is to extend to every relationship of life, to every contact, the fragrance and the love of Christ! We should manifest in all our relationships that sweetness of Christian testimony which Christ said should characterize the Christian life: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” As people come in contact with us they should see more than orthodoxy; they should see more than zeal; they should see the beauty of Christ. As we stand before Christ in that day, this is the thing that will be so very, very important." From: https://bible.org/seriespage/9-predicted-divine-judgments "
- John F. Walvoord
I am going to put Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr.'s name in bold; because I think. it is disgusting that his name is not mentioned enough, on the internet. I can not even find a photo of him. This man who I am sure is "A Crown of Glory"!
Isaiah 62:3: Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Are to stand before the Lord?:
We make many appointments that we have every intention of keeping but because of various reasons we fail to keep many of them. There is one appointment that every individual will keep. It is also an appointment we did not make. It is called our judgement before the Lord.
Hebrews9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Whether it be sickness and disease, accident, or natural causes,we will all meet the grim reaper at the appointed time. Some think that because they are young and full of life today,that they will be here tomorrow. God has never promised us that we would even have another day here on earth.
James4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
We may ask ourselves the question, “why do men even die?” The answer is found in the Word of God. Notice what God says:
James1:14,15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust,and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Romans6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So we see that the reason men die is because of sin. Sin entered into man in the garden of Eden. We have inherited this sin nature. The Bible teaches us that all are sinners, and as sinners we must repent of our sin in order to be ready to die.
Romans3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
You may be living your last day upon this earth. Some day will be your last day. The sun will set or rise the last time for you. All our ambitions, our plans, our money, and our social standing will be over. With this in mind, we should realize that the most important thing should be to prepare to meet God in eternity.
Many give no thought about where they will spend eternity. We are all living in time now, but time will turn into eternity. The gas may already be in the hearse that will carry our body to the cemetery.
Romans10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Luke13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewiseperish.
August 08 2018:
I just realized that; the What Does The Bible Say mp3's that I first posted here are not the ones I downloaded in 2001. They are very low quality versions of the tapes I have offered recently. They are not my entire collection though. The first batch I made recently are very high quality and all labeled by their names. I will label each one from now on and keep them high quality but not as HQ as the first batch; from 1979, still CD quality though. I will make mp3's out of all I have, that means twice as much as the first low quality mp3s; I first posted. If you want a small easy to store mp3's the first batch is a good one. Speech does not have to be HQ, but I like HQ mp3's. The entire batch will include a 1988 recording of my wife and I speaking in church on Thank's Giving 1988. We moved to Los Osos, California around the end of 1988 and we stopped going around the end of 1992; shortly after we stopped going to the church; my wife joined the army. We never missed a Sunday school or Wednesday night Bible Study or a service of any kind in 3 years. We also volunteered to help with mailing the Feature Bible Study and the Foundation Magazine; that makes us former employees. I subscribed to Foundation Magazine from 1996 to 2009 and I have all my old Foundation Magazine's. Also I will label all my mp3's, that are special like the, when Pastor spoke against communism (one of my favorites). He just had a way of speaking and to hear him speaking about communism was amazing to me the first time I heard it. The good news I still have the WDTBS mp3s I downloaded from the FEA website back in 2001; somewhere. I have so many disks from college, who knows where it could be. I will be looking a little now and then. For now though I even have a tape of Walvoord on Revelation talking about the rapture that I will be sharing here soon.
I added this image because of my last post; below. |
Hear is a batch of mp3's that I made yesterday; that include a labeled version of Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. talking about communism. I wish I had a photo of Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr.. When I was attending his church, I swear he looked just like Santa Clause without a beard. As I remember Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. glowed like a angel. My wife was not quick to agree with that. She did agree with the fact that he had a Godly presents.
Hear is a miscellaneous batch of mp3's that I made yesterday fro the WDTBS radio broadcast from 1981 to 1984:
WDTBS - MISC - 1981 - 1984 3_4_2018:
Here is a copy of the Bible in PDF format:
Here is a little ditty for anyone that might be reading this; that might be unsaved:
Are You Lost?
LOST, means to be gone out of one’s possession, having wandered from, or unable to find the way. If a child were missing, many would look for it, yet we come in contact with multitudes each passing day who are lost in sin and on their way to HELL.
To be spiritually LOST is thousands of times worse than being lost physically. To be lost without God means to be in a horrible pit of sin unaware of the calamity of your soul and unable to lift yourself from this condition. To be lost is to be on your way to HELL FOR ETERNITY.
When men die without God, they do not go to a Sunday School picnic, but to a place called HELL.
Revelation 20:12-15, "And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written
in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
Those who are lost are like men who are drowning, going down for the last time. If you are lost, you are caught in Satan’s web. You are like a blind man stumbling in the dark, not realizing you are headed toward destruction. To be lost is to be heading down the broad road without hope. You are headed for ETERNAL RUIN AND DAMNATION. The bridge is out for you down the road. The lost are building their house on the sinking sands of time and not on THE ROCK OF AGES.
Matthew 7:26-27, "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
Those who are lost are without God or His Son and like a condemned man waiting his execution. He is waiting for his eternal sentence in the PITS OF HELL. Every man and woman upon the face of the earth is scheduled to face Almighty God.
Hebrews 9:27, "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:"
The Devil promises big gains from sin, but he has always been a liar. He promises you that you will not get caught in your sins. His motto is to live it up and have a good time. He does not and will not tell you that you are HOPELESS, HELPLESS, AND HELL BOUND.
John 3:3, "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Romans 10:13, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
August 07 2018:
For right now the only website or church I would recommend trusting is the FEA website. There are allot of websites and churches saying they are Fundamentalists or old fashioned type Christians; but speak mean words, and hateful things. A christian is forgiving not mean or hateful. Jesus excepted sinners and ate with them. Jesus welcomed sinners while he was on earth; as the Son of God. Jesus never turned away anyone. Jesus never turns away sinners today, for we are all sinners; as long as we are in the flesh. Jesus beckons us, he calls us to him no matter who we are or what we believe.
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?”
Matthew 11:19
"The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children."
Matthew 9:10
“And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.”
My advice is to search so called fundamental or old fashioned type Christian websites, you like for hateful words or railing accusations against people. If you find hateful mean words; that is a website and church you need to avoid. We are living in the Laodicean church days, the days of the great apostasy. These things should not be a surprise to me, but I must admit: I am shocked, by such things. I thought the Laodicean church in the end would be more sinful, more worldly; not viscous Nazi like. Wasn't the Nazi's supposed to be white christian only? Didn't they justify killing people like the Jewish people because they say Jewish people killed Christ?
Some Nazis, such as Hans Kerrl, who served as Hitler's Minister for Church Affairs pushed for "Positive Christianity", which was a uniquely Nazi form which rejected its Jewish origins and the Old Testament, and portrayed "true" Christianity as a fight against Jews, with Jesus depicted as an Aryan.
Nazi's were" "54% considered themselves Protestant,40% Catholic,"
"the excuse anti-Semites have use for their racist attitudes over the centuries has been that the Jews killed Jesus"
I thought the Laodicean church would be worldly, I think the reason they are lukewarm is because they are like Nazi's railing accusations and imprisoning and putting people to death penalty's, with a obscene lust. All the while their faith and adherence to the word of God will be lukewarm. Just think how great it will be when they are all gone from the rapture; for the Antichrist. What a great way to set the stage for the Anti Christ and all his wicked plans.
Revelation 3:14-16
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
In; The Revelation of Jesus Christ John F Walvoord says:
Ramsay comments on the state of the church at Laodicea as follows:
The ordinary historian would probably not condemn the spirit of Laodicea so strenuously as St. John did. In the tendency of the Laodiceans toward a policy of compromise, he would probably see a tendency toward toleration and allowance, which indicated a certain sound practical sense and showed that the various constituents of the population of Laodicea were well mixed and evenly balanced.
Maybe the reason the world tolerates the Laodicean church is because their worldliness is in the form; that they have the same blood lust, as the most hateful of the most unsaved people of earth. Maybe they become like the Jewish police force that helped the Nazi's put the Jews to death.
Keep in mind I am just theorizing here.
I searched https://feasite.org/ for hate words and did not find any hateful or mean words mentioned against people. I did find expressions of differences, but nothing hateful or mean; at all. I searched the church http://www.gbc-fresno.com/ ; and did not find anything at all.
I have heard Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. say thousands of times: "speak the truth in love". Never a hateful or mean word should come from a good Christian; ever, especially in the ministering to people through God's Word. I asked my wife this and she quickly acknowledged that Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. would say "speak the truth in love" allot
"In what may be the last days before the return of Jesus Christ, let us all "search the Scriptures" continually, gladly accepting and teaching the precious truths of God's Word and encouraging fellowship with those of like precious faith, while at the same time speaking the truth in love to fellow believers who need to be informed and warned about the dangers of compromise."
- Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr.
I made the image below, from images from the Jack Chick website. https://www.chick.com I was saved by a Chick tract that my mom gave me on January 19, 1979. The message of the gospel was quickened to my heart; because I am a artist and the art work back then, really amazed me. I have made many Christian Comics myself. Some Fundamentalist say Christian comics are using the flesh to preach the gospel, (mixing truth with error). I agree with that to some extent; but art like this on the right, is in Foundation magazine allot:
August 06 2018:
Click here for free Bible:
Click here for audio of The Book of Revelation:
Check this Gospel Video it is done very well:
August 05 2018:
I spent all day yesterday recording my oldest; What Does The Bible Say, cassettes, to MP3's.
These are all dated in a zip file. To hear Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. from 1979 is really a great experience. If you are a old fashioned Christian like me you will love this stuff.
WDTBS - Misc 1979 - 1983 3_4_2018
I am a old fashioned Christian. Also I am always trying to point out when human beings have their basic human rights taken; though. If I know me; that will never change about me. People have a right to live their live's the way they choice; as long as they are not hurting anyone or hurting themselves. God himself has given every human being a free will. Having experienced persecution in my life for differences; has helped me to stand for minority's on life's road.
How do I know I am going to heaven?
Read this favorite tract of mine:
The Eternal Security Of TheChildren Of God
by Fundamental Evangelistic Association
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
True children of God are, according to the Scriptures,forever saved and eternally secure because:
1.They are born, again of incorruptible seed which yields the fruit of everlasting life (1 Peter 1:23).
2.They stand before God clothed in the imputed (credited)righteousness of Christ, and not in their own (2 Corinthians5:21; Romans 5:19-21).
3.His sheep have been given eternal life-they shall never perish (John 10:28).
4.Their eternal lives are forever hid with Christ in God(Colossians 3:1-3).
5.They are already seated in the heavenlies in Christ(Ephesians 1:3; 2:6).
6.The penalty for all their sin has been forever settled through the perfect and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 4:23-5:2; 5:6-9).
7.Loss of reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ is certain for the careless Christians, but not loss of salvation (1Corinthians 3:10-15).
8.God faithfully chastens all of His children, even to the point of taking home those who refuse their Heavenly Father'scorrection (Hebrews 12:6-11; 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 11:28-32).
9.They have already been delivered from the wrath to come(1 Thessalonians 1:9,10; 5:8-10).
10.They are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30; Romans 8:23).
11.The Lord knoweth them that are His; false professors will be revealed as such at the White Throne Judgment (2Timothy 2:19; Revelation 20:11-15; Matthew 7:21-23).
12.God is the one Who has begun the good work in the believer, and He has promised to perform it until the day ofJesus Christ; they are to "work out," not"work for" their salvation (Philippians 1:6;2:12,13).
13.They are already living stones in the spiritual building of God of which Christ Himself is the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20-22).
14.They are members of the Body of Christ, each with a peculiar function and without each one, the Body would not be complete (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).
15.They are kept by the power of God, through faith, not through the efforts or the works of the one who is saved. (1Peter 1 :5).
16.Their incorruptible, everlasting inheritance is reserved for them by God (1 Peter 1 :1-4).
17.They are God the Father's irrevocable gift to God the Son (John 17:6,7).
18.Backsliding is a sin, but the blood of Jesus Christ,God's Son, cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1 :7-9)
19.He is able to save them to the uttermost because Christ"ever liveth to make intercession for them"(Hebrews 7:25).
20.They are upon trusting Christ made "accepted in the Beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).
21.Nothing can separate them from the love of Christ(Romans 8:38-39).
22.By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:10-14).
23.They cannot be unborn (John 3:6-8).
24.Christ dwelleth in them for ever (2 John 2).
25.No man can pluck the Christian out of His Father's hand, and that necessarily includes the believer himself(John 10:29).
26.All who are justified are finally glorified-none are lost along the way (Romans 8:28-30).
27.In their flesh dwelleth no good thing; they are saved by grace (undeserved favor) and not by their own works(Ephesians 2:8, 9).
28.The gifts and calling of God are without repentance;God will never annul His promise or cast out those who have come unto Him through Christ (Romans 11:29; John 6:37; 17:2). .
I am still studying 2 books; Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation By M.R. DeHaan and Walvoord, John F's The Revelation of Jesus Christ. You can not beat having the books in your hand; I highly recommend buying these two books. I have several other great books on prophesy, that I will move on to. I also want to skip around to all the favorite sections of the excellent books I have.
One thing that stands out in Walvoord's book is Revelation 13:16-17 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Walvoord, John F's The Revelation of Jesus Christ, says:
"Even in Germany under Hitler, it took many months to execute condemned Jews, and the task was never completed. How much greater the difficulty to extend a decree of this sort to the entire world. A countless multitude will undoubtedly be martyred according to Revelation 7:9-17, but the disorder which attends the latter half of the great tribulation as the world empire begins to break up makes it impossible for full execution of this decree. Swete goes so far as to suggest that no decree to kill nonworshipers of the beast is actually issued, but that the beast only causes the image to suggest that this be done."
It is nice to see Nazi's brought up in comparison to persecution in a great old fashioned Christian book. It is good to be in the company of others that compare persecution to Nazi's rein of terror.
Bassically Walvoord's book hints at; it would be impossible to kill every Christian that refuses to take the mark. Think about all the resistance to have marks like that nowadays. I imagine there may be many non Christians that would refuse marks. In any case to live during the tribulation, would be like living in hell on earth, with each day being worse than the last. So if you are not saved please read the following:
I typed this meaningful portion of: Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation By M.R. DeHaan.
"When the testimony of the Church has disappeared there will follow a period, brief but intense, when all the wrath of the devil will be loosed upon the earth. There will be earthquakes, pestilence, disease and wars such as have never been known. So fierce will be the destruction that all flesh would perish were it not for the intervention of the coming of the Lord.
Revelation 3:10:
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
Are you ready?
The Lord will soon be here to take away His faithful followers and the wicked will be left behind to face the wrath of God. Oh, flee today from the wrath to come!
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved."
From: Revelation: 35 Simple Studies in the Major Themes in Revelation By M.R. DeHaan
August 04 2018:
I like how easy it is to do this Bible work. I think when I do things like this, God is on my side.
I have found a bunch Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. What does the Bible Say radio broadcast's; I got back around the year 2001 at the McKinney campus of the Collin County College. Back then the FEA website was just starting and offered old M.H. Reynolds, Jr. recordings. I am uploading them to Google Drive now for people to download here if they want.
You can download the new stuff here:
Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. was on the air since at least 1979; I know this because I own a tape from then. I say the older the better. I wish I could get some of those old mp3s. Not withstanding my respect for Pastor Matt Costella. I remember Pastor Matt Costella as being a young lad who could play the piano like Mozart.
I am also uploading Misc Bible Audio from goodpreachin.com. I found some very precious recordings there of MR Dehaan. I am joyfully listening to Pastor Dehaan right now as I right this.
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Get Pastor M.H. Reynolds, Jr. What does the Bible Say radio broadcast's Here:
Get Misc Bible Audio from goodpreachin.com here:
Just unzip these and enjoy; with my whole heartened assurance, that these are awesome audio recordings, you can trust. You can take these audio recordings into your mind to have forever; if you are a Christian. If you are not a Christian:
Salvation is a FREE GIFT given to anyone who acknowledges his lost, hopeless condition as a sinner, turns from every other confidence, and, by faith, accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. Trust Christ NOW!
August 02 2018:
My wife (the scientist) told me Mars was closest to the earth last night. I took this picture for her of Mars last night. If you live in Texas; it will be from East South East to South South West. See here: https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/night/usa/dallas and see here: Mars Is At Its Closest to Earth Since 2003 Today! It Won't Be Closer Until 2035: https://www.space.com/41329-mars-closest-to-earth-2018.html |
August 01 2018:
Also I have been reading my book called Revelation: 35 Simple Studies on the Major Themes in Revelation by M.R. De Haan. I have looked on the internet for this book, so I could paste my references here; to no avail. It seems like, when it comes to books on the Book of Revelation; there are none to be found in html. Since I own this book I scanned what I wanted and arranged it in this jpeg image:
I just really liked how M.R. De Haan describes the Book of Revelation all in one paragraph in chapter 14. I also liked the end of the chapter where he ads a short message of salvation. |
I have noticed some inconsistency's in M.R. De Haan's book on Revelation; in chapter 14. He compares the earth quake prophesy:
Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
Revelation 11:13 “And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.”
Revelation 16:18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
I do not believe that these earthquakes have any thing to do with Atom Bombs like M.R. De Haan's book says. I believe these are miraculous events; that God performs on earth in the future. I am always comfortable to admit that I do not understand everything about the Bible. I do look forward to when I shall be like him; for I shall see him as he is.:
1 John 3:2-3
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
M.R. De Haan's book references uses the memorable ppeech of Gen. Douglas MacArthur from the Surrender Ceremony of Japan aboard U.S.S. Missouri. (Sep. 2, 1945) to compare Atom Bomb explosions to God's wrathful earthquakes. It is definitely worth pasting here:
Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural development of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.
If you ask me what I think these earthquakes will be like; that move whole mountains out of there places will be like:
Revelation 6:14
14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
I think God will make the entire earth twist; like twisting off a cap from a bottle. The core of the earth would twist one way and the outer shell of the earth twist another. That is the only way I could invasion God moving whole mountains out of their place. It could also be a way for God to destroy not only the surface of the earth but what is under the earth as well. At any rate Revelation 6:14 boggles the mind.
Like I always say to my wife (the scientist) don't think about things you don't know about the Bible; think on things you know instead; like salvation. Pastor M.H. Reynolds Jr. Used to say don't put the cart before the horse.
I call my wife the scientist because she has a associates degree in science.
A cart is a vehicle which is ordinarily pulled by a horse, so to put the cart before the horse is an analogy for doing things in the wrong order. The figure of speech means doing things the wrong way round or with the wrong emphasis. The idiom is about confusing cause and effect.
Revelation 6:14 "And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;" is such a intense scripture as well. What could it mean?
Here is some cool stuff I found on the subject by some of my favorite authors:
Harry A. Ironside
After the true church has been caught up to meet the Lord in the air, there will be a vast host of unconverted ecclesiastics left behind; thousands of church dignitaries, both Protestant and Romanist, who, though looked upon as guides in things spiritual, shall be manifested as utterly bereft of divine life--professional clergymen who, despite their pretentions and exalted calling, are simply natural men intruding into spiritual things, like the Philistines of old who dwelt in the land of Canaan and gave their name, Palestine, to the whole thing as though it belonged of right to them, while all the time they were unwarrented intruders of Egyptian descent. These are the stars who will be hurled from their places of power and eminence in that awful day of the wrath of the Lamb, and who, apostatizing from the last vestiges of Christianity, will soon become leaders in the worship of Antichrist.
Thus the heavens, the ecclesiastical powers of every description, will depart as a scroll when it is rolled up. The whole fabric of Christendom will be wound up as something obsolete and out of date.
Lectures on the Book of Revelation
By H. A. Ironside. 1919. p. 117-118.
J. Dwight Pentecost
The 6th [seal] speaks of the great convulsions that will shake the whole earth. This may signify the condition in which every authority and power loses its control over men and anarchy reigns. Kelly says: "The persecuting powers and those subject to them will be visited judicially, and there will ensue a complete disruption of authority on the earth."
Things to come: a study in Biblical eschatology
By J. Dwight Pentecost
John F. Walvoord
Revelation 6:12-17. After observing these stirring scenes, John next recorded observing the opening of the sixth seal, "I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to the earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. The sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who can stand?'" (vv. 12-17)
It would be difficult to paint a scene more dramatic, more awful than that which is described in these verses. All the elements of catastrophic judgment are present: a great earthquake, the sun turning black, the moon becoming as blood, the stars of heaven falling like ripe figs, the heavens demonstrating major movements departing as a scroll, and on the earth every mountain and island moving. The picture of God's judgment on the world at this time is so dramatic that some recoil from it and attempt to interpret it in a less than literal sense. They would hold that this simply refers to political and social instability that will characterize the end time. However, the objections to a symbolic interpretation for which there is no norm or guiding principle are such that it is far better to interpret it in its literal sense.
John F. Walvoord, Every Prophecy of the Bible p. 557.
"the Lord Jesus Christ had done it all, that salvation was finished" "Dear friends, let us learn this lesson; let us give up our struggling and striving, and accept salvation" - DL Moody
“Salvation is a gift, and just as you would take a present, you should take God's present. God's present to you is His Son from Heaven. Receive Him.” - DL Moody
"Now God is offering salvation to every sinner. You have nothing to do but to take it." - DL Moody
July 28 2018:
I am very happy I have not talked about the Bible online all these years. I happy because; I only care about things I say wrong about the bible. Things that can could bring God's judgement's on me. I can talk about the Bible all day; yet what I say that is not accurate about the Bible; hurts my conscience more than anything.
I am thankful for my last post here about "the moon became as blood". It taught me not to say anything that would be against the bible. No events of the tribulation will ever take place until after the rapture.
I am going to stop writing and post a tract by my brother, who has gone to be with the Lord: Pastor Dennis Costella. I am going to highlight the words that apply to me most:
"SIGNS" of
His Coming
WHAT "SIGNS" WILL PRECEDE the
return of our Lord Jesus Christ? This
theme is a very popular one today among
Christians. Well known Bible teachers have
gained large followings by setting a date for
Christ's return. Some point out political,
economic, religious and earthly develop-
ments that, they say, must occur before the
Lord's return to catch away His [saints].
They refer to passages in the Bible that
appear to support their claims. The Word of
God, however, presents the imminent
return of the Lord Jesus Christ--He could
come at this very moment! No calamitous
phenomenon on earth or in the heavens,
no political, religious or economic develop-
ments, no Scriptural prophecies need to be
fulfilled before Jesus Christ can return for
His Bride (Jn. 14:1-6; Eph. 5:23-32).
Why, then, is there confusion on this
subject? It is simply this: there is not a
proper delineation between the time
preceding the Lord's return in the air for
the saints and the time preceding His
return to the earth with the saints to
inaugurate His Millennial Kingdom. These
two events have great dispensational
significance and must be kept separate. Any
signs mentioned in the Scriptures as
preceding "the Lord's return" must be
placed in the correct context and dispensa-
tional setting. The order of prophetic
events yet future is as follows:
1) The "latter times" or the last days
of the Church Age (today).
2) The return of the Lord Jesus
Christ for His Bride--the Rapture
of the [saints] (1 Thess. 4:13-18).
3) The seven year Tribulation period
on earth (Rev. 4-19); the "Seventi-
eth Week of Daniel" (Dan. 9:24-
27); the "latter days" for Israel
(Jer. 30:22-24).
4) The return of the Lord "with
power and great glory" to estab-
lish His Millennial earthly reign
(Matt. 24:29,30; Rev. 20).
The believer today lives in the "latter
times[,]" the "last days," the Apostles referred
to in addressing the [local] Church. The portions
of Scripture that describe this period of
time must, therefore, apply to the believer
in this dispensation. Biblical texts that
meet this qualification are: 1 Timothy 4:1-
5, 2 Timothy 3:1-9,13; 2 Timothy 4:3-4, and
2 Peter 3:3,4. A study of these texts reveals
the characteristics and attitudes that will
prevail in the days immediately before the
Rapture. These prophesied "last days" for
the [local] Church will be marked by apostasy,
seduction by false spirits, unnatural
affection, pride, treachery, sensuality and
skepticism, to name only a few. Read these
texts carefully.
This is the condition of the world at
this very moment! The believer in this
Church Age is never instructed to look for
signs that will precede the Lord's return.
We are to look for Him! This has been the
Blessed Hope of every born-again believer
in this dispensation (Titus 2:13). There are
no signs that must appear before the Lord
can return for the [saints]. All is ready. The
character of the last days of this Church
Age is at this moment abundantly evident.
The disciples of Christ were well-
aware of the literal, earthly reign of the
promised Messiah (as plainly prophesied in
the Old Testament Scriptures). The Church
Age and the Rapture were not taught in the
Old Testament and they could not, there-
fore, be inquiring about doctrines that had
not yet been revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, in Matthew 24:3, they requested
of the Lord, "Tell us...what shall be the
sign of thy coming, and of the end of the
world[.]" They desired to know what mani-
festations would precede His coming as
their promised King to set up the promised
kingdom on earth. The disciples did not
have the Rapture in mind when question-
ing the Lord; they were only concerned
about what would transpire before His
return to reign. The Lord detailed the
seven-year Tribulation period that would
set the stage for His return "with power
and great glory" to inaugurate His
Millennial reign in fulfillment of promises
made to the patriarchs (Matt. 24:29-30).
The twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew
is often erroneously used to describe the
scene before the Lord's return in the air for
His [saints]. For example, some say that
Christ's return is not imminent because
the "gospel of the kingdom shall be
preached in all the world...then shall the
end come" (vs. 14) before His return.
Therefore, they say that universal evangeli-
zation is a prerequisite to the Rapture of
the [saints]. The context of Matthew 24
reveals that this universal proclamation of
the Gospel of the Kingdom (see also Rev.
14:6-8) will occur during the Tribulation,
not during the Church Age. It is pro-
claimed in all the world by God's miracu-
lous means, not by the church [saints] which [are] in
Heaven. This Gospel of the Kingdom is the
message of the coming King and the
pending judgment upon all who fail to
trust in Him. This world evangelization will
take place after the Rapture!
There will be, however, signs that
Israel is to look for during the seven year
Tribulation following the Rapture. The
Church [saints are] then in Heaven. God will, at this
time, deal with Israel again in judgment. It
will be a terrible ordeal for Jew and Gentile
alike. During this time, Israel is tried and
refined in preparation for the return of the
King of kings who will rule the earth from
Jerusalem -- "the city of the great King"
(Matt. 5:35). A few other signs for Israel
during this time (many more could be cited
from companion texts) are:
•False christs and prophets who
will deceive many (Matt. 24:5, 11).
•Wars and rumors of wars (vs. 6).
•Political turmoil, famine, disease
and earthquakes (vs. 7).
•Martyrdom, betrayals within
families (vss. 9, 10).
•The regathering of elect Israel (a
believing remnant) from the four
corners of the earth (vs. 31).
•Days like unto the days of Noah
(vss. 37-39).
•A ten nation confederacy of the
revived Roman Empire (Dan. 2;
Rev. 13).
•Construction of the temple in
Jerusalem (Dan. 9:26, 27).
•Visible, physical signs in the earth,
sun, moon and stars (Lk. 21:25;
Joel 2:30, 31).
•Men's hearts failing them for fear
(Lk. 21:26).
What do these signs precede? They
pave the way for the coming of the Lord in
"power and great glory" to redeem a
purified Israel and to usher in His
Millennial Kingdom upon the earth (Lk.
21:27, 28; Matt. 24:27, 30, 42).
Today, many of the previously
mentioned "signs" are evidenced in one
degree or another (they will be literally,
fully manifested during the Tribulation just
as they are described in Scripture). This
can only mean that the stage is rapidly
being set today for the final fulfillment of
each of these prophesied signs given by the
Lord to His disciples. If the Great Tribula-
tion is, therefore, looming on the horizon,
then the catching away of the [saints]
before that time must be near, indeed!
Nothing must come to pass before the
Lord can return "in the air" to receive the
[saints] of Christ unto Himself. To believe
otherwise is to be shaken from the blessed
hope God has given His Church. The
believers in the Thessalonian church were
troubled by false teachers who taught that
they had somehow missed the Rapture (2
Thess. 2:1-3). The severe trials and tribula-
tions they were experiencing made them
wonder if they were at that very time in the
midst of the Great Tribulation--the "day of
the Lord"--of which the Old Testament
prophesied (1 Thess. 5:1, 2 cf. Amos 5:16-
20; Joel 2:1-11; Zeph. 1-7, 14-18; etc.).
The apostle then proceeded to explain
future events and how they affect the
believer. That day, the "day of Christ" (2
Thess. 2 cf. Rev. 6:16), will not come until
two things happen. First, the Antichrist will
be revealed and second, the great "falling
away" (2 Thess. 2:3 cf. 2:8-12) will take
place when all the world will be deceived by
the beast and the false prophet (Rev. 13:3-
14). The revelation of the Wicked one (the
Antichrist) and the events surrounding the
"time of Jacob's trouble" take place after
the Rapture, but before the full manifesta-
tion of the great and terrible Day of the
Lord that will culminate when Christ
returns to destroy the wicked. We are not
to watch for supernatural signs, nor the
Antichrist. We, like the early Church was
instructed, are to be looking for our Lord!
The lukewarm, Laodicean spirit that
the Bible sets forth as characteristic of the
"last days" is readily apparent. Our Lord's
return is imminent -- He could come back
today to catch away every true believer.
That was the "blessed hope" of the early
church (the Epistles are full of admonitions
to watch for the Lord's imminent return),
and it has been the glorious expectation of
the Christian in every generation since the
time of the apostles. The saint who daily
watches for his Lord's return is not ill-
equipped to face hardship and tribulation
as the opponents of the Pre-Tribulational
Rapture position suggest. He is, on the
contrary, truly prepared to do the Lord's
work of reaching the lost for Christ,
walking in the Spirit and earnestly con-
tending for the faith. The prospect of the
Lord's immediate return fosters this kind of
circumspect walk (1 Jn. 2:28-3:3).
When the Rapture is not the believer's
daily expectation and joy, then there will
inevitably be a tendency to become caught
up in programs and causes that are foreign
to the church's calling and mission.
"Kingdom building," "Dominion Theol-
ogy," or even "digging-in" in an attempt to
weather the coming Tribulation are not
instructions left the [local] Church.
Watch! Work! Witness! (1 Tim. 6:14).
"it is high time to awake...for now is our
salvation [our deliverance from coming
wrath] nearer than when we believed"
(Rom. 13:11). May we say with the apostle,
"Even so, come, Lord Jesus." q
-- Dennis W. Costella
Fundamental Evangelistic Assn., P. O. Box 6278, Los Osos, CA 93412
I realized after posting my last post that "the moon became as blood" will not take place until toward the last part on the tribulation. That would be many years after the rapture.
Thanks to Lisa Haven again for this interesting subject about doomsday preppers:
Put "doomsday preppers" in google to see more.
You can not escape the all knowing, all seeing all, powerful God.
I can not imagination how terrible it may be for those who try to hide from the 7 year tribulation.
This scripture comes to mind:
Revelation 6:16
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitter on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
I made this quickly:
July 25 2018:
Longest eclipse in 100 years “Blood Moon” will be visible from Ireland this week
IrishCentral Staff @IrishCentral July 24, 2018 04:31 AM
Once believed to be a Biblical prophecy of the End of Days Ireland is in for a celestial treat on Friday as the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth.
Parts of the longest lunar eclipse of the 21st century, a “Blood Moon”, will be visible from Ireland on Friday, July 27 all the way through to Saturday morning. The total phase of the eclipse will last 1 hour and 43 minutes, from start to finish, the entire celestial event will last nearly 4 hours.
A “Blood Moon” occurs when the moon passes through the shadow of the Earth, but instead of plunging the world into darkness, it picks up some sunlight from the redder spectrum as it passes through the Earth’s atmosphere. The effect is quite dramatic.
"the moon became as blood":
Revelation 6;12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;
If this was the sixth seal about to take place this Friday; there would have been the rapture taken place.
Have a huge amount of people mysteriously diapered lately?
I always like to say to Christians, on the rare occasion I meet one; there is no mention of the word church, in the book of revelation, after the 3rd chapter. There is no mention of the word church because the church is gone in the rapture.
My wife used to know this scripture by heart. I just tested her and she still remembered verse 17 pretty good.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
So unless the rapture has taken place; "the moon became as blood" mean's nothing.
Here is some great reading on the rapture from M. R. DeHaan here: http://anothervoicerev184.blogspot.com/2013/04/mr-dehaan-on-rapture-of-true-believers.html
M. R. DeHaan On The Rapture Of True Believers Only: "God's Magnet"
M. R. DeHaan was a widely respected bible teacher and pastor. He founded the Radio Bible Class in 1938, conducting a weekly program for 27 years. From that ministry came also the well-known "Our Daily Bread" daily devotional:
***
God's Magnet
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord...the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air" 1Thes. 4:15-18
The most certain thing in all the world is the return of Jesus Christ. He said to His disciples, I will come again and receive you unto myself” (John 14:3). Death is not the “surest” thing in the world for “we shall not all sleep” (1Cor. 15:51). When the Lord Jesus comes (and each day brings us one day nearer), He will shout from the air and two things will immediately happen. First, all the dead who have died in faith shall be resurrected (1Thes. 4:16). Then, all living believers shall be instantaneously changed (1Cor. 15:52; 1John 3:2), and be joined with the resurrected ones and together be caught up to meet the Lord (1Thes. 4:17). But all the rest of the wicked dead shall remain in their graves and the wicked living ones will be left behind to [enter into] the Tribulation (Dan. 12:1; Matt 24:21)
The coming of Christ will be like a magnet. If I place on my desk a mixture of dust, paper scraps, pieces of glass and wood and steel shavings it may be impossible to see all the bits of steel among the scraps. But now I take a magnet and hold it above the pile of material and immediately something happens. The magnet lifts out every bit of steel to itself and separates it from the refuse, leaving everything else behind. It is the nature of steel to be attracted to the magnet. There may be bits of metal which look like steel but when the magnet is applied they fail to respond. The magnet makes no mistakes It reveals the true nature of the metal and distinguishes the true from the false.
It may be impossible now to tell the difference between the true and the false, but when the Saviour Jesus shouts from the air all deception will be revealed. Only the dead in Christ (Col. 3:1-3) shall respond to the "pull" of His blessed voice. Have you received the new nature (2Peter 1:4), the nature of Him whose voice will soon be heard? Make your calling and election sure, by receiving Christ Jesus the Lord as your personal Saviour. Yield now to the pull of His Spirit. The magnet makes no mistakes!
M.R.D. (1891-1964) - Our Daily Bread 1959
This is a great online reference to "the moon became as blood"; from Dr. John F. Walvoord.:
Found here: http://walvoord.com/article/264
The Sixth Seal: The Day of Divine Wrath (6:12-17)
6:12-17 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
It would be difficult to paint any scene more moving or more terrible than that described at the opening of the sixth seal. All the elements of a great catastrophic judgment of God are here present, namely, a great earthquake, the sun becoming black, the moon becoming as blood, the stars of heaven falling like ripe figs, the heaven departing as a scroll, and every mountain and island moving. This is an awe-inspiring scene, but what does it mean prophetically?
Students of Revelation have had difficulty interpreting this passage, and the tendency has been to regard these judgments as symbolic rather than real. The motive behind this interpretation has been a reluctance to accept a literal interpretation of these judgments falling on the earth at this time; hence, the disturbances of the heavens have been taken to refer to changes in human government, and disturbances in the earth as referring to the upsetting of tradition and commonly fixed ideas.
H. A. Ironside, for instance, comments:
It is therefore not a world-wide, literal earthquake that the sixth seal introduces, but rather the destruction of the present order—political, social, and ecclesiastical—reduced to chaos; the breaking down of all authority, and the breaking up of all established and apparently permanent institutions.161
On the other side, Peake urges interpretation of Revelation in its plain sense unless good reasons indicate otherwise:
The Apocalypse is no doubt often obscure and its language is often allegorical. But it has to be interpreted in its plain sense far more frequently than many expositors are willing to admit. Much is written in simple characters which expositors have insisted on treating as hieroglyphics. In particular natural phenomena have been interpreted of historical events and the author has been credited with describing a political movement when he has been really speaking of God’s judgments through nature. And the temptation has been especially great to find allegories where the author describes things in a matter-of-fact way, when the descriptions are bizarre and uncongenial to modern taste.162
There are a number of reasons for preferring to take this passage in its literal meaning. While this is not the final breakup of the world as described later in Revelation, when a further period of terrible judgments will be poured on the world, it does seem to indicate that beginning with the sixth seal God is undertaking a direct intervention into human affairs. The judgments of war, famine, and death, and the martyrdom of the saints have largely originated in human decision and in the evil heart of man. The judgment described here, however, originates in God as a divine punishment inflicted upon a blasphemous world.
In view of the catastrophic and climactic character of the period, there is no good reason why there should not be precisely the elements mentioned here, namely, disturbances in the heavens and earthquakes on the earth. This is borne out by the effect upon the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the chief captains, the mighty men, bondmen, and freemen mentioned in verse 15, who hide themselves in dens and in the rocks of the mountains. The events are of such character that all are impressed with the fact that the day of the wrath of the Lord has come and their judgment is now about to take place. In support of this, E. W. Bullinger writes, “It is impossible for us to take this as symbolical; or as other than what it literally says. The difficulties of the symbolical interpretation are insuperable, while no difficulties whatever attend the literal interpretation.”163
It is questionable whether changes in government and in human affairs would have brought such a striking transformation in the hearts of these wicked people. As is often the case with desperate men, instead of availing themselves of the grace of God, they attempt to hide from the wrath of the Lamb by seeking escape in death. However their hope is futile, for death is not an escape but merely a change from one state to another. Those who escape through death from the immediate judgment of God are destined for eternal judgment at the judgment of the great white throne. The earth today so indifferent to the claims of God, so bent upon pleasure, luxury, and fame, will face in that day its terrible need.
All levels of society are here. Some are great men, some are slaves. In relation to judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ, however, everyone is exactly in the same predicament. Success in the world does not help; no one escapes.
The elements of divine judgment pictured here are common in the prophecies pertaining to the end of the age. Christ Himself predicted earthquakes (Matt. 24:7). Both earthquakes and the sun becoming black are intimated by Joel (Joel 2:2, 10, 30-31). The heavens departing as a scroll are mentioned in Isaiah 34:4 (cf. also Isa. 13:6-13). The resulting impression upon the unbelieving world is that the time of the judgment of God has come. They themselves say to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” It is apparent that creatures of earth have had some foreboding that their blasphemous unbelief and worship of the beast pictured in Revelation 13 are in defiance of the true God. They therefore seek refuge from the One sitting on the throne and apparently realize that the day of divine wrath has come.
In describing the period of judgment as a day of wrath, reference is not to a twenty-four-hour day but to a time period longer or shorter. The day of wrath in one sense is the whole period of the great tribulation, when God will deal in direct judgment with the world, climaxing with the return of Christ in power and glory and divine judgment upon all who oppose His coming. E. W. Bullinger describes the first six seals as
a summary of the judgments distributed over the whole book; a brief summary of what will occur in “the day of the Lord,” up to the time of His actual Apocalypse or Unveiling in chap, xix.164
The day of wrath is at the beginning of the day of the Lord, that extended period when God is going to deal directly in governing the entire world. It is significant that early in the book of Revelation the day of wrath is declared as having already come. It is another evidence that the great tribulation is already under way.
The day of wrath is in contrast to the day of grace. Though God in every dispensation deals with believers and saves them by grace, the present age is supremely designed to manifest grace not only as the way of salvation but as the way of life. Today God is not attempting to bring divine judgment to bear upon sin. Though there may be some forms of immediate retribution, for the most part God is not settling accounts now. Neither the righteous are rewarded nor the wicked judged in a final sense today. This day of grace will be followed by the day of the Lord which features early in its progress the day of wrath.
By contrast to the judgments which are inflicted upon a Christ-rejecting world, believers in this present age are promised escape from the judgment which the world richly deserves (cf. John 3:18, 36). The person who trusts in Christ is not only uncondemned in this world but he has eternal life and is a member of God’s family. By contrast the unbeliever shall never see life, but abides under the wrath of God which in due time will be inflicted.
The book of Revelation discredits those who hold that God is so loving and kind that He will never judge people who have not received His Son. Though the modern mind is reluctant to accept the fact that God will judge the wicked, the Bible clearly teaches that He will. The Scriptures reveal a God of love as clearly as they reveal a God of wrath who will deal with those who spurn the grace proffered in the Lord Jesus Christ. The passage before us is a solemn word that there is inevitable judgment ahead for those who will not receive Christ by faith.
The close of chapter 6 of the book of Revelation advances the narrative to a new high in the progress of the book. In some sense chapter 6 is the outline of the important facts of the period of great tribulation, and the rest of the events of the book of Revelation are comprehended in the seventh seal introduced in chapter 8. Chapter 6 closes with a pointed question: “Who shall be able to stand?” The answer is obvious: Only those who avail themselves of the grace of God, even though they suffer a martyr’s death in this future tragic period. This is brought out in the next chapter. The given revelation emphasizes the importance of partaking of the grace of God in this present age with the bright prospect of the Lord coming for His own.
I discovered while writing this; you can find some M.R. DeHaan books here: http://rightdoctrinematters.com/
July 21 2018:
I made this graphic July 21 2018:
Here is a tract I found from when I attended Fundamental Bible Church in beautiful and secluded Los Osos California. This church no longer exist's since about around the terrible year of 1997.
Please support this website where I found this: http://gochristianhelps.com/cbc2b.htm and http://www.discoverthebible.org/
Facing
Facts
WE ARE ALL GUILTY BEFORE GOD
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not
one:" --Romans 3:10
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory
of God;" --Romans 3:23
NONE CAN ENTER HEAVEN WITH THIS SIN
"And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing
that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomi-
nation, or maketh a lie: but they which are written
in the Lamb's book of life." --Revelation 21:27
ALL WHO DIE IN THEIR SIN WILL SUFFER ETERNALLY
"And whosoever was not found written in the
book of life was cast into the lake of fire."
--Revelation 20:15
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO
ABOUT OUR SIN?
Can church membership, church ordinances,
or good works save us? NO! God says these
cannot save from the penalty of sin!
"Not by works of righteousness which we have
done, but according to his mercy he saved
us..." --Titus 3:5
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no
flesh be justified in his sight..." --Romans 3:20
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." --Isaiah 64:6
WHAT MUST WE DO TO BE SAVED?
Believe that Christ died and shed His blood to pay the
penalty for our sin and rose again bodily from the grave.
"For when we were yet without strength, in due
time Christ died for the ungodly." --Romans 5:6
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
us." --Romans 5:8
"In whom we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace;" --Ephesians 1:7
Trust (believe) in Jesus Christ as your risen
Saviour and Lord today!
"To him [Jesus Christ] give all the prophets wit-
ness, that through his name whosoever believ-
eth in him shall receive remission [forgiveness]
of sins." --Acts 10:43
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my
word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath
everlasting life, and shall not come into con-
demnation; but is passed from death unto life."
--John 5:24
"But as many as received him, to them gave he
power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:" --John 1:12
"Who [the Lord Jesus Christ] was delivered for
our offences, and was raised again for our jus-
tification." --Romans 4:25
Salvation is a FREE GIFT given to anyone who
acknowledges his lost, hopeless condition as
a sinner, turns from every other confidence,
and, by faith, accepts the Lord Jesus
Christ as his personal Saviour. Trust Christ
NOW!
I found all my old bible books and have them out and ready to read.
July 20 2018:
This guy posted this video yesterday:
About above video:
He talks about earthquakes being inevitable because of the planets being where they are. He says 5 times out of six we have earth quakes, when the planets do this. He say's that two earthquakes a 6.0 and a 5.7 have already taken place since all the planets are on the right side of the sun.
This is a scan I did of my engraved book. |
This reminds me of this book that I own with the fancy cover and all:
Download the PDF here:
There they are, men, women, children; blacks, whites: Mary Magdelen
without her repentance, and Lazarus without his God.
These are "the dives" into which the pickpockets and
the thieves go, as well as a great many who would like
a different life, but cannot get it.
These places are the sores of the city, which bleed per-
petual corruption. They are the underlying volcano
that threatens us with a Caraccas earthquake. It rolls
and roars, and surges, and heaves, and rocks, and blas-
phemes, and dies, and there are only two outlets for it — the
police court and the Potter's field.
Matthew 6:19-21
19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 24:35
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
This is art I did while attending the Fundamental Bible Church in 1989. |
God is going to destroy the entire earth:
2 Peter 3:10
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
Go will create a perfect, beautiful new earth:
Revelation 21
21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
July 19 2018:
This is interesting:
Rare planetary alignment to occur in Solar System July 19, 2018 for several days
June 18, 2017: Looking ahead down the superhighway in the sky I couldn’t help but notice something very interesting about to unfold as I approached the July 2018 timeframe. Something very unique was revealed to me. Pretty rare actually.
My most recent Movie reviews on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/user/ur45931580/
The Movie Shock Treatment:
The filmmakers intended to shoot on location in Denton, Texas, but production screeched to a halt in 1980 when the Screen Actors Guild went on strike.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shock_Treatment
Just knowing this movie is made after the town of Denton Texas makes this worth while. Denton, Denton, Texas is the next county over from my county;, Collin County.
When we first moved here to McKinney in 1994 we traveled allot around Texas and we went to Denton every once and a while. It had a strange attraction to it, and the people seamed overly friendly and put offish at the same time. Weird in other words, but in a good way.
My wife was thinking about going to college there back in 1994. We hung out there for a while and checked out the college. It seemed to invite you to like Denton at the same time push you away.
I can not believe how much Shock Treatment reminds me of the movie True Stories. I wonder if some of the same people were involved in the making of both movies? I wonder if True Stories was modeled after Shock Treatment? True Stories is 100 times a better finer quality movie though. The sound quality in
True Stories Movie:
True Stories is thee best rock and roll movie I have ever seen. My wife actually loves this movie too and that is rare for her to like music themed movies. In fact I was so intrigued by it I thought about moving to Texas; when I rented it, when it first came out in 1986. The army moved us here, so I thought I would check Texas out by staying hear and we have been here in McKinney Texas ever since. We are still here for many reasons other than I like it here, but I do like it here. This is not the same town it was in the early 80's but I still like it.
The film is presented as a series of vignettes centered around Byrne as an unnamed, cowboy-hat-wearing stranger who visits the fictional Texas town of Virgil, where he observes the citizens as they prepare for the "Celebration of Specialness" to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of the town. The event is being sponsored by the Varicorp Corporation, a local computer manufacturing plant.
This is strange to me because I think McKinney; one of the oldest towns around here, was about 150 years old then. And around that time Texas Instruments was thriving here too.
Also from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_Stories_(film):
An early working title for the project (endorsed by bassist Tina Weymouth) was Wild Infancy. Locations for the filming took place in Dallas and its suburbs Allen, MCKINNEY, Mesquite, and Red Oak. The interior mall and fashion show scene was filmed in NorthPark Center in North Dallas,citation needed and the exterior mall was filmed at the now-demolished Big Town Mall in Mesquite.
also see: Films set in Texas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_set_in_Texas and: Films shot in Texas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_shot_in_Texas
I recently sent this email to my old artist friend Dame Darcy:
Email to Dame Darcy July 18 2018
I will always consider Witch's and anyone in complete opposition to the christian right including Satanism; kinship to me. I completely understand why people rebel against organised Christianity, Catholicism, and all the rest. I am always willing to protest; anyone thinking less of someone; even if they are a Satanist; that practice a religion that is contrary; from the so called norm. I have read the Satanic Bible and other books like that and consider Satanism a completely non violent religion and very respectful of people sexually. Your friend in Texas. Thanks for all you do to help people's self esteem.
We should all stand up for the rights, of all American's to practice any non violent religion they please in America; even if the religion is Satanism or Witchcraft. That is the American way. That is according to the Constitution of the United States. The Constitution of the United States is why America has thrived and prospered, without it we would be doomed.
When I started to go to The Fundamental Bible church; one of the first things I learned was never to think I had more power than Satan. You see people on the television saying; I step on the Devil and I rebuke Satan. That is not a good thing to advice anyone to do. Satan can easily be considered the most powerful being on earth. He is the prince of the power of the air.
Ephesians 2:2
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
If you think you are going to rebuke Satan or step on his head, you are very wrong.
Satan works for God:
Satan tried to tempt Jesus and Jesus said:
Luke 4:8
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
Even Michael the archangel the most powerful of the Lord's angels "durst not bring against him a railing accusation"
Jude 9
9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
July 16 2018:
I did not mention yesterday, that the video I added yesterday, was, what I believe to be about the bible too. :
This video (above) by Lisa Haven is; in my opinion about the one world government. The one world government is mentioned in the book of Revelation. All the nations are mentioned except America, as being apart of the one world government in the book of Revelation. Eventually the Antichrist will rule the one world government.
Here America, in our present day; is the mightiest country on earth; then not even mentioned in any way during the tribulation? That to me means to me; that America is long forgotten history, long before the rapture.
To say that America is made up of so many Christians that when the rapture comes America is desolate; can not be true at all. It does not make sense to believe that. You most be very naive to believe that. I have lived half my life on the east coast and the other half on the west coast and the bible belt; where I am now. I have never, ever had the impression that most of the population is Christian in America.
July 15 2018:
I want to give credit for the person I got the info on the Mark of the Beast type news:
This lady is pretty cool. I am posting her link so I can have reference myself.
This is her YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDrbqudUtPUQxAK_K2JaNQ
I found a great link to D.L. Moody's book Anecdotes and Illustrations, it is my favorite book by him.
Here is something from that book I picked out really quick:
GOLD.
—All you have got to do is to prove that you are a sinner, and I will prove that you have got a Saviour.
—Do you believe the Lord will call a poor sinner, and then cast him out? No! his word stands forever, "Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out."
—If God put Adam out of this earthly Eden on account of one sin, do you think He will let us into the Paradise above with our tens of thousands sins upon us.
—The only charge they could bring against Christ down here was, that He was receiving bad men. They are the very kind of men He is willing to receive.
—"Lord, you don't really mean that we shall preach the Gospel to those men that murdered you, to those men that took your life?" "Yes," says the Lord, "go and preach the Gospel to those Jerusalem sinners." I can imagine Him saying: "Go and hunt up that man that put the cruel crown of thorns upon My brow, and preach the Gospel Jto him. Tell him he shall have a crown in My kingdom without a thorn in it."
Here is a actual recording on D.L. Moody: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justin-taylor/rare-audio-recording-of-dwight-l-moody-reading-scripture/
I believe it was destiny; that this is the only recording of him. D.L. Moody reading the Beatitudes is the only know recording that has survived. Amazing, really.
Matthew 5 1 - 11:
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
We attended this church from 1989 to 1992. Life was fast back then. It always is when your young. My best days of my youth was devoted to the Lord and His Word. I walked the narrow path back then from 1979 to 1992; most of the time. I had my moments falling out of grace now and then; everyone does. People would always be so shocked how devoted I was to the Bible and at the same time so young. This church does not exist and more and both of it's pastors have gone to be with the Lord.
Pastor M.H. Reynolds Jr was to me a angel on earth. I loved him like my own family. I know he is in heaven and is: "a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God." :
Isaiah 62:3
3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
Here comes that date again 1997.
From: https://feasite.org/node/2361 :
In September 1997, the Lord called home Pastor M.H. Reynolds Jr., and Pastor Dennis Costella became the third director of the FEA. Pastor Costella graduated from Fundamental Bible Institute in 1974, at which time he joined the staff of the FEA. He was the son-in-law of Pastor M.H. Reynolds Jr., and he became the voice of the “What Does the Bible Say?” radio broadcast following Pastor Reynolds’ death.
My fondest memory of Pastor Reynolds was when he drove up with his wife for church. He got out of his car and he walked toward me and my wife, as I was glad to see him. I walked toward him and he tripped on the parking curb. I flung myself forward and caught him before he fell. I was in really good shape back then and he was a very big dude.
From: https://feasite.org/node/2361 :
In October 2011, Pastor Dennis Costella went home to be with the Lord, having been the director of the FEA for fourteen years.
I was privileged to take a class on the Book of Revelation under Pastor Dennis Costella; it took 2 years to complete. He is the one who told me about America not mentioned during the 7 year tribulation.
July 14 2018:
Have you heard this?:
Hoosiers encouraged to get federal-approved driver's license
The StatehouseFile.com Jul 4, 2018
INDIANAPOLIS—In a little more than two years, the already-strict security requirements to board an airplane in the United States will become even more stringent as Real ID becomes the law of the land.
Real ID is a form of identification, often a driver’s license, which meets federal government standards. Effective Oct. 1, 2020, it will be required for air travel, entering courthouses, military plants and as well as nuclear power plants.
After the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, security checkpoints before boarding a commercial jet were tightened. Along with this heightened security Congress passed the Real ID Act of 2005 to require stricter standards for identification forms such as driver’s licenses.
In Indiana, under the headline “Will Your License Fly,” the Bureau of Motor Vehicles encourages people to get their Read ID before October 2020. A gold star in the upper right corner of a driver’s license indicates that it has met federal standards.
In Indiana, in order to obtain a Real ID, individuals must provide the following:
A document, such as a birth certificate or unexpired passport, to prove identity.
The same or similar document to prove the individual’s lawful status in the United States.
A social security card or W-2 form to prove the individual’s social security number.
Two documents that prove Indiana residency, such as a utility bill, bank statement, pay stub or insurance policy.
Once the documents are approved by the local BMV, the Real ID will be delivered to the resident’s home within 14 days.
Residents have the ability to apply for a non-compliant ID online, for voting or driving purposes, but it will not work for federal identification purposes.
Opposition to the federal law, titled “Amendments to Federal Laws to Protect Against Terrorist Entry,” delayed implementation for 15 years because of a concern that too much information was being shared with the government.
Part of the process includes the sharing of information, including driver histories, among states. That is why, as part of the requirements for the Real ID, the photo on the identification form must be facial-recognition compatible, which means no smiling or wearing glasses when the photo is taken.
Seth Fleming is a reporter with TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
Global Biometric Point-Of-Sales Terminals Market Size, Status and Forecast 2025- QY Research, Inc.
This report studies the global Biometric Point-Of-Sales Terminals market size, industry status and forecast, competition landscape and growth opportunity. This research report categorizes the global Biometric Point-Of-Sales Terminals market by companies, region, type and end-use industry.
Biometrics technology is used for identification and authentication of people with the help of their biological and behavioral characteristics. An employee is asked for his user ID as soon as he logs into the retail PoS system. However, without typing in his password, he can simply scan his finger on the biometric fingerprint reader. Every time an employee tries to access a password-protected area, he is required to scan his finger. This leads to increased accountability, which ensures protection from accidental and intentional damage to the company’s data.
The emerging technologies in the payment systems and increasing number of PoS terminals are the primary growth drivers of the Biometric PoS Terminals market. Also, the rise in fraud in merchant PoS terminals is one of the major factors which is driving the growth of biometric PoS terminals market as biometrics makes it very difficult for the fraud to obtain the sensitive information of the cards and thus, enhancing the security of the transactions. Apart from this, the increased usage of biometric PoS terminals in restaurants and the growth of the self-service market which includes retail check-outs and kiosks are the major factors which are fueling the growth of the biometric PoS terminal market. Moreover, the Biometric PoS Terminals helps to increase effectiveness and operational efficiency and thus, enhances the security of the payment systems, and due to this factor, many organizations are adopting biometric PoS terminals. During 2015, the fingerprint biometric segment dominated this market and accounted for close to 85% of the market share. Fingerprint biometric are easy to use and install which will aid in the growth of this segment until the end of 2020.
In 2017, the global Biometric Point-Of-Sales Terminals market size was xx million US$ and it is expected to reach xx million US$ by the end of 2025, with a CAGR of xx% during 2018-2025.
You know what this sounds like to me? It sounds like the mark of the beast:
Revelation 13:16-17
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
This and many other things in the news; tells me the Tribulation is near.:
Revelation 7:14
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Now here is the big question. If the tribulation is so very close, why is our country still here? The Bible does not mention The United States of America during the great tribulation. That not only means that we are not here; but that we are so forgotten that not even a trace of America is remembered in the bible during the tribulation. Your not going to find that much info on this subject on the internet, but you can email the two Bible churches I mention on this web page, and ask them. You could always try to find any old fashion Bible believing Pastor and ask him directly.
Please read the end of my last post from July 11 for more info of what you need to do to prepare for such a (what a I believe to be a inevitable) event.
I have always loved my DL Moody books I own. I have loved to read his illustrations; especially. Sometimes they have made me want to cry when I read them, they are so touching.
Here are some I found here: https://www.biblebelievers.com/moody/23.html
LET THE LOWER LIGHTS BE BURNING
A few years ago, at the mouth of Cleveland harbor, there were two lights, one at each side of the bay, called the upper and lower lights; and to enter the harbor safely by night, vessels must sight both of the lights.
These western lakes are sometimes more dangerous than the great ocean. One wild, stormy night, a steamer was trying to make her way into the harbor. The captain and pilot were anxiously watching for the lights. By and by the pilot was heard to say, "Do you see the lower light?"
"No," was the reply: "I fear we have passed them."
"Ah, there are the lights," said the pilot;" and they must be, from the bluff on which they stand, the upper lights. We have passed the lower lights, and have lost our chance of getting into the harbor."
What was to be done? They looked back, and saw the dim outline of the lower lighthouse against the sky. the lights had gone out.
"Can't you turn your head around?"
"No; the night is too wild for that. She wont answer to her helm."
The storm was so fearful that they could do nothing. They tried again to make for the harbor, but they went crash against the rocks, and sank to the bottom. Very few escaped; the great majority found a watery grave. Why? Simply because the lower lights had gone out.
Now with us the upper light is. all right. Christ himself is the upper light, and we are the lower lights, and the cry to us is, Keep the lower lights burning; that is what we have to do.
THEY ARE OLD ENOUGH.
I have no sympathy with the idea that our children have to grow up before they are converted. Once I saw a lady with three daughters at her side, and I stepped up to her and asked her if she was a Christian.
"Yes, sir."
Then I asked the oldest daughter if she was a Christian. The chin began to quiver, and the tears came into her eyes, and she said:
"I wish I was."
The mother looked very angrily at me and said, "I don't want you to speak to my children on that subject. They don't understand." And in great rage she took them away from me. One daughter was fourteen years old, one twelve, and the other ten, but they were not old enough to be talked to about religion! Let them drift into the world and plunge into worldly amusements, and then see how hard it is to reach them. Many a mother is mourning to-day because her boy has gone beyond her reach, and will not allow her to pray with him. She may pray for him, but he will not let her pray or talk with him. In those early days when his mind was tender and young, she might have led him to Christ. Bring them in. "Suffer the little children to come unto Me."
Is there a prayerless father reading this? May God let the arrow go down into your soul! Make up your mind that, God helping you, you will get the children converted. God's order is to the father first, but if he isn't true to his duty, then the mother should be true, and save the children from the wreck. Now is the time to do it while you have them under your roof. Exert your parental influence over them.
"FOR CHARLIE'S SAKE."
Some years ago at a convention, an old judge was telling about the mighty power Christians summon to their aid in this petition for Christ's sake;" "in Jesus' name;" and he told a story that made a great impression on me. When the war came on, he said, his only son left for the army, and he became suddenly interested in soldiers. Every soldier that passed by brought his son to remembrance; he could see his son in him. He went to work for soldiers. When a sick soldier came there to Columbus one day, so weak he couldn't walk, the judge took him in a carriage, and. got him into the Soldiers' Home. Soon he became president of the Soldiers' Home in Columbus, and used to go down every day and spend hours in looking after those soldiers, and seeing that they had every comfort. He spent on them a great deal of time and a great deal of money.
One day he said to his wife; "I'm giving too much time to these soldiers. I've got to stop it. There's an important case coming on in court, and I've got to attend to my own business."
He said he went down to the office that morning resolved in future to let the soldiers alone. He went to his desk, and then to writing. Pretty soon the door opened, and he saw a soldier hobble slowly in. He started at sight of him. The man was fumbling at something in his breast, and pretty soon he got out an old soiled paper. The father saw it was his own son's writing.
"Dear Father:-
"This young man belongs to my company. He has lost his leg and his health in defense of his country, and he is going home to his mother to die. If he calls on you, treat him kindly, "For Charlie's Sake."
"For Charlie's Sake." The moment he saw that, a pang went to his heart. He sent for a carriage, lifted the maimed soldier in, drove home, put him into Charlie's room, sent for the family physician, kept him in the family and treated him for his own son. When the young soldier got well enough to go to the train to go home to his mother, he took him to the railway station, put him in the nicest, most comfortable place in the carriage, and sent him on his way.
"I did it," said the old judge, "for Charlie's sake."
Now whatsoever you do, my friend, do it for the Lord Jesus' sake. Do and ask everything in the name of Him "who loved us and gave Himself for us."
A BEAUTIFUL LEGEND
There is a beautiful tradition connected with the site on which the temple of Solomon was erected. It is said to have been occupied in common by two brothers, one of whom had a family, the other had none. On this spot was sown a field of wheat. On the evening succeeding the harvest - the wheat having been gathered in separate shocks - the elder brother said to his wife:
"My younger brother is unable to bear the burden and heat of the day; I will arise, take of my shocks and place with his without his knowledge."
The younger brother being actuated by the same benevolent motives, said within himself;
"My elder brother has a family; and I have none. I will arise, take of my shocks and place with his."
Judge of their mutual astonishment, when, on the following day, they found their respective shocks undiminished. This transpired for several nights, when each resolved in his own mind to stand guard and solve the mystery. They did so; and on the following night they met each other half-way between their respective shocks with their arms full. Upon ground hallowed by such associations as this was the temple of Solomon erected - of the world! Alas! in these days, how many would sooner steal their brother's whole shock than add to it a single sheaf!
"DINNA YE HEAR THEM?"
During the Indian mutiny, the English were besieged in the city of Lucknow, and were in momentary expectation of perishing at the hands of the fiends that surrounded them. A little Scotch lassie was in this fort, and, while lying on the ground, she suddenly shouted, her face aglow with joy:
"Dinna ye hear them comin'? dinna ye hear them comin'?
"Hear what?" they asked.
"Dinna ye hear them comin?"
She sprang to her feet. It was the bagpipes of her native Scotland she heard. It was a native air she heard that was being played by a regiment of her countrymen marching to the relief of those captives, and these deliverers made them free.
Oh, friend, don't you hear the voice of Jesus Christ calling to you now?
"THROW THE REINS TO CHRIST"
An interesting story is told of Professor Drummond. He was staying with a lady whose coachman had signed the pledge, but afterward gave way to drink. This lady said to the professor, "Now this man will drive you to the station; say a word to him if you can. He is a good man and really wants to reform; but he is weak."
While they were driving to the station, the professor tried to think how he could introduce the subject. Suddenly the horses were frightened and tried to run away. The driver held on to the reins and managed them well. The carriage swayed about, and the professor expected every moment to be upset, but after a little the man got the better of the team, and as he drew them up at the station, streaming with perspiration, he exclaimed: "That was a close shave, sir! Our trap might have been smashed into matchwood, and you wouldn't have given any more addresses."
"Well," said Professor Drummond, "how was it that it did not happen?"
"Why," was the reply, "because I knew how to manage the horses."
"Now," said the professor, "look here, my friend, I will give you a bit of advice. Here's my train coming. I hear you have been signing the pledge and breaking out again. Now I want to give you a bit of advice. Throw the reins of your life to Jesus Christ." And' he jumped down, and got into the train.
The driver saw in a flash where he had made the mistake, and from that day ceased to try to live in his own strength.
A REMARKABLE PICTURE
Some years ago a remarkable picture was exhibited in London, As you looked at it from a distance, you seemed to see a monk engaged in prayer, his hands clasped, his head bowed. As you came nearer, however, and examined the painting more closely, you saw that in reality he was squeezing a lemon into a punch bowl.
What a picture that is of the human heart! Superficially examined, it is thought to be the seat of all that is good and noble and pleasing in a man; whereas in reality, until regenerated by the Holy Ghost, it is the seat of all corruption. "This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light."
"HE IS MY BROTHER"
A fearful storm was raging, when the cry was heard, "Man overboard!"
A human form was seen manfully breasting the furious elements in the direction of the shore; but the raging waves bore the struggler rapidly outward, and ere the boats could be lowered, a fearful space separated the victim from help. Above the shriek of the storm and the roar of the waters rose his rending cry. It was an 'agonizing moment. With bated breath and blanched cheek, every eye was strained to the struggling man. Manfully did the brave rowers strain every nerve in this race of mercy; but all their efforts were in vain. One wild shriek of despair, and the victim went down. A piercing cry, "Save him, save him!" rang through the hushed crowd; and into their midst darted an agitated man; throwing his arms wildly in the air, shouting, "A thousand pounds for the man who saves his life!" but his staring eyes rested only on the spot where the waves rolled remorselessly over the perished. He whose strong cry broke the stillness of the crowd was captain of the ship from whence the drowned man fell, and was his brother.
This is the feeling we should have in the various ranks of those bearing commission under the great Captain of our salvation, "Save him! he is my brother."
The fact is, men do not believe in Christianity because they think we are not in earnest about it. When the people see that we are in earnest in all that we undertake for God, they will begin to tremble; men and women will be inquiring the way to Zion.
A FRAGRANT ACT
There is a preacher in Edinburgh, but I never think of him as a preacher, although he is one of the finest preachers in Scotland. There is just one act associated with that man that I will carry in remembrance to the grave.
There is a hospital for little children in Edinburgh, and that great minister, with a large parish and a large congregation, goes one afternoon every week and sits down and talks with those little children - good many of them there for life; they are incurable. One day he found a little boy, only six years old, who had been brought over from Fife. The little fellow was in great distress because the doctors were coming to take off his leg. Think how you would feel, if you had a little brother six years old and he was taken off to the hospital, and the doctor said that he was coming forty-eight hours afterward to take off his leg!
Well, that minister tried to comfort the boy, and said: "Your father will come to be with you.
"No," he said, "my father is dead; he cannot be here."
"Well, your mother will come."
"My mother is over in Fife. She is sick and cannot come.
The minister himself could not come, so he said, "Well, you know the matron here is a mother; she has got a great big heart."
The little chin began to quiver as the little boy said: "Perhaps Jesus will be with me."
Do you have any doubt of it? Next Friday the man of God went to the hospital; but he found the cot was empty. The poor boy was gone: the Saviour had come and taken him to His bosom.
One little act of kindness will often live a good deal longer than a most magnificent sermon.
CALLING ON GOD
Some old divine has pictured Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost. A man pushed his way through the crowd, and said, "Peter, do you think there is hope for me? I am the man who made that crown of thorns and placed them upon Christ's brow; do you think He will save me?"
"Yes," said Peter, "'Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' You are a 'whosoever;' if you call He will hear your cry. He will answer your prayer and save you. The man might have cried then and there, and the Lord saved him.
Another man pushed his way up and said to Peter, "I am the man who took that reed out of His hand, and drove it down upon that cruel crown of thorns, sending it into His brow; do you think He will save me?"
"Yes," said Peter, "He told us to go into the world and preach the Gospel to every creature, and He did not mean any to be left out; salvation is for you. He did not come to condemn men; He came to get His arm under the vilest sinner and lift him up toward Heaven."
Another man, elbowing his way through the crowd, pushed up to Peter, and said, "I am the Roman soldier who took the spear and drove it to His heart, when there came out blood and water; do you think there is hope for me?"
"Yes," said Peter, "there's a nearer way of reaching His heart than that; 'whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.'" And the Roman soldier might have cried then and there, and might have obtained forgiveness and salvation.
If the Lord heard the cry of those Jerusalem sinners whose hands were dripping with the blood of the Son of God - if He heard their cry and saved them, do you not think he will hear your cry and save you?
A PENALTY NECESSARY
A person once said to me: "I hate your God; your God demands blood. I don't believe in such a God. My God is merciful to all. I do not know your God."
If you turn to Lev. xvii. ii, you will find why God demands blood: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the souls."
Suppose there was a law that man should not steal, but no penalty was attached to stealing; some man would have my pocketbook before dinner. If I threatened to have him arrested, he would snap his fingers in my face. He would not fear the law, if there was no penalty. It is not the law that people are afraid of; it is the penalty attached.
Do you suppose God has made a law without a penalty What an absurd thing it would be. Now the penalty for sin is death; "The soul that sinneth it shall die." I must die, or get somebody to die for me. If the Bible doesn't teach that, it doesn't teach anything. And that is where the atonement of Jesus Christ comes in.
GRIP OF PROMISE
Mr. Moody once told me that he was conducting meetings in Scotland, passing through an inquiry meeting he saw two little girls crying as if their hearts would break. He stopped long enough to ask them their difficulty, and one of them replied that she wanted to be a Christian. The great evangelist took his Bible and, opening it at the fifth chapter of John, the 24th verse, he asked her if she could receive that, and, with her face brightening, she said she thought she could and would. The next night, passing through the same room, he saw the same two girls upon their knees, and one of them crying bitterly. He was greatly perplexed, and, coming near enough to hear their conversation, he heard the child of the night before saying to her companion, "I say, lassie, you do just as I did, grip a promise and hold on to it, and he will save you, for he saved me." And this is true not only for the Scotch girl, but for every one who will simply take God's Word and trust Him fully.
ONE YEAR'S RECORD
The following illustration of Dr. Gordon was much loved by Mr. Moody.
Very tiny and pale the little girl looked as she stood before those three grave and dignified gentlemen. She had been ushered into the Rev. Dr. Gordon's study, where he was holding counsel with two of his deacons, and now, upon inquiry into the nature. Of her errand, a little shyly preferred the request to be allowed to become a member of his church.
"You are quite too young to join the church," said one of the deacons, "you had better run home, and let us talk to your mother."
She showed no sign of running, however, as her wistful blue eyes traveled from one face to another of the three gentlemen sitting in their comfortable chairs; she only drew a little step nearer to Dr. Gordon. He arose, and with the gentle courtesy that ever marked him, placed her in a small chair close beside himself.
"Now my child, tell me your name, and where you live?'
"Annie Graham, sir, and I live on K_________ Street. I go to your Sunday-school."
"You do; and who is your teacher?"
"Miss B_______ . She is very good to me."
"And you want to join my church?"
The child's face glowed as she leaned eagerly towards him, clasping her hands, but all she said was, "Yes, sir."
"She cannot be more than six years old," said one of the deacons, disapprovingly.
Dr. Gordon said nothing, but quietly regarded the small, earnest face, now becoming a little downcast.
"I am ten years old; older than I look," she said.
"It is not usual for us to admit anyone so young to membership," he said, thoughtfully.
"We never have done so still –
"It may make an undesirable precedent," remarked the other deacon.
The Doctor did not seem to hear, as he asked, "You know what joining the church is, Annie?"
"Yes, sir;" and she answered a few questions that proved she comprehended the meaning of the step she wished to take. She had slipped off her chair, and now stood close to Dr. Gordon's knee.
You said, last Sabbath, sir, that the lambs should be in the fold
"I did," he answered. "It is surely not for us to keep them out. Go home now, my child. I will see your friends and arrange to take you into membership very soon.
The cloud lifted from the child's face, and her expression, as she passed through the door he opened for her, was one of entire peace.
Inquiries made of Annie's Sabbath school teacher proving satisfactory, she was baptized the following week, and, except for occasional information from Miss B., that she was doing well, Dr. Gordon heard no more of her for about a year.
Then he was summoned to her funeral.
It was one of June's hottest days, and as the doctor made his way along the narrow street on which Annie had lived, he wished, for a moment, that he had asked his assistant to come instead of himself, but as he neared the house, the crowd filled him with wonder; progress was hindered, and as perforce he paused for a moment, his eye fell on a crippled lad crying bitterly as he sat on a low doorstep.
"Do you know Annie Graham, my lad?" he asked.
"Know her, is it, sir? Niver a week passed but what she came twice or thrice with a picture or book, mayhap an apple for me, an' its owin' to her an' no clargy at all that I'll ever follow her blessed footsteps to Heaven. She'd read me from her own Bible whiniver she came, an now she's gone there'll be none at all to help me, for mother's dead an' dad's drunk, an' the sunshine's gone from Mike's sky with Annie, sir."
A burst of sobs choked the boy. Dr. Gordon passed on, after promising him a visit soon, making his way through the crowd of tear-stained, sorrowful faces. The doctor came to a stop again in the narrow passageway of the little house. A woman stood beside him drying her fast-falling tears, while a wee child hid his face in her skirts and wept.
"Was Annie a relative of yours?" the doctor asked.
"No, sir; but the blessed child was at our house constantly, and when Bob here was sick she nursed and tended him, and her hymns quieted him when nothing else seemed to do it. It was just the same with all the neighbors. What she's been to us no one but the Lord will ever know, and now she lies there."
Recognized at last, Dr. Gordon was led to the room where the child lay at rest, looking almost younger than when he had seen her in his study a year ago. An old bent woman was crying aloud by the coffin.
"I never thought she'd go afore I did. She used to run in regular to read an' sing to me every evening, an' it was her talk an' prayers that made a Christian of me. You could a'most go to Heaven on one of her prayers."
"Mother, mother, come home," said a young man, putting his arm around her to lead her away. "You'll see her again.
"I know, I know; she said she'd wait for me at the gate," she sobbed, as she followed him; "but I miss her sore now.
A silence fell on those assembled, and, marvelling at such testimony, Dr. Gordon proceeded with the service, feeling as if there was little more he could say of one whose deeds thus spoke for her. Loving hands had laid flowers all around the child who had lead them. One young girl had placed a dandelion in the small waxen fingers and now stood, abandoned to grief, beside the still form that bore the impress of absolute purity. The service over again and again was the coffin lid waved back by some one longing for one more look, and they seemed as if they could not let her go.
The next day a good-looking man came to Dr. Gordon's house and was admitted into his study.
"I am Annie's uncle, sir," he said simply. "She never rested till she made me promise to join the church, and I've come.
Dr. Gordon sat in the twilight, resting, after his visitor had left. The summer breeze blew in through the windows and his thoughts turned backward and dwelt on what his little parishioner had done.
"Truly a marvelous record for one year. It is well said, Their angels do ever behold His face."
From:
THE LIFE AND WORK OF
DWIGHT LYMAN MOODY
(1837-1899)
BY THE REV. J. WILBUR CHAPMAN, D.D.
For many years a close colleague of Mr. Moody
Originally published in 1900 as a 555-page book.
July 11 2018:
Here's one for the records:
At the same time we are having a relentless heat wave here in the south west. My wife and I pray everyday since March; when this all began. We pray for normal weather and rain; everyday, sometimes twice a day.
I know, I am always about rock and roll and having fun; but I plead with who ever reads this, please believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
Acts 16:31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
That's it. That is all you have to do. Believe. How hard is that. It could be done in a second.
This is a tract I found from my second favorite church of the best days of my youth.:
Is a Person Saved by Calling on the Name of the Lord?
Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Here in Romans 10:13 we find a wonderful salvation promise. Man must do the CALLING; God will do the SAVING. This verse is a quotation of Joel 2:32 which has reference to the Name of JEHOVAH. The New Testament quotes this Joel passage in Acts 2:21 and also here in Romans 10:13, both having reference to the Name of JESUS (thus Jesus is equated with Jehovah, a solid argument for the deity of Christ, see our paper on The Deity of Christ).
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him" (Romans 10:12). The richest people in all the world are those who are saved! The unsaved billionaires of this world are rich for a second but poor for all eternity! Notice the important invitational words in this passage: Romans 10:11--"whosoever"; Romans 10:12-- "all"; Romans 10:13--"whosoever."
There are two clear Biblical examples of men who called upon the Name of the Lord: 1) The publican or tax-collector of Luke 18:10-14--"God be merciful to me a sinner." 2) The malefactor on the cross of Luke 23:39-43--"Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom." Knowing their desperate need they cried out in faith to the only One who could meet their need. The publican was "justified" and the malefactor was soon to be in "paradise." The Pharisee and the other malefactor both refused to call upon the Lord and refused to cry out for salvation, and they both remained in their sins. They would face a Christ-less eternity in hell.
Calling upon the name of the Lord is not condition of salvation which is separate from faith. Calling upon the name of the Lord is an outward expression of inward faith. Before a person calls on Christ, he must first believe on Christ in his heart. Before the malefactor cried out, "Lord, remember me!" he first believed in his heart. His words merely expressed the faith which he already had. When the publican cried out to the Lord for mercy, he had already believed in his heart. This is why Romans 10:17 says, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?" You cannot call upon Christ for salvation unless you have first believed on Him in your heart. Calling upon His name is a natural manifestation or expression of the faith the person already has.
People can call upon the Lord in many different ways. The thief said, "Lord remember me." The tax collector said, "God be merciful to me a sinner." A person may say, "Lord, save me" or "Lord, come into my heart and forgive all my sins" or "Lord, I'm a great sinner and I need Your mercy and grace" or "Lord, I don't know what to say, but I need You to be my Saviour." It's not the words that count; it's the heart. A person could insincerely pray the most eloquent "sinner's prayer" but words do not save. God looks on the heart. God is looking for a person who is resting all his weight on the Person and work of Christ, depending on Christ and on Christ alone.
Have you called upon the Name of the Lord?
For Further Study: How does Romans 10:13 affirm the absolute deity of Christ?
From May 02 2018...from this page:
I found this picture of my old church from my old home town on their website. I really loved going to this church since the early 1980's. I even took my dad there on a father and son day. Every time I met a young lady I was serious about; I brought her to this church. http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/ |
April 19 2018:
I made some more images this morning:
April 18 2018:
I am not trying to be a preacher. That is the farthest thing from my mind. I do have something most precious, in my bookmarks; staring me in my face everyday; that I would love to share:
Go here for great Bible studies: http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/ssnotes.htm
One of the things I really miss about my old hometown is going to the beautiful neighborhood where the friendliest church I have ever been to; Middletown Bible Church. I used to do theses Bible Studies and bring them into the church to be graded. These are actually online. If you want to learn about the bible I highly recommend them.
I fixed this graphic today. The previous graphic was not a conforming size to the others. I like everything neat and orderly. |
Here are some definitions from Google; of the three main words of God from the Bible, I used in these graphics:
Wrath:
extreme anger (chiefly used for humorous or rhetorical effect).
"he hid his pipe for fear of incurring his father's wrath"
synonyms: anger, rage, fury, outrage, spleen, vexation, (high) dudgeon, crossness, displeasure, annoyance, irritation; literaryire, choler
"I refuse to subject myself any longer to her wrath"
Indignation:
anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
"the letter filled Lucy with indignation"
synonyms: resentment, umbrage, affront, disgruntlement, displeasure, anger, outrage, annoyance, irritation, exasperation, vexation, offense, pique; informalaggravation; literaryire
"she was filled with indignation at having been blamed unjustly"
Vengeance:
punishment inflicted or retribution exacted for an injury or wrong.
synonyms: revenge, retribution, retaliation, payback, requital, reprisal, satisfaction, an eye for an eye (and a tooth for a tooth)
"your appetite for vengeance has destroyed your life"
April 17 2018:
After posting those cool graphics yesterday; I decided to make some of my own. I title this series of graphics as: Graphics to Help for 4 16 2018. I had to create these graphics myself; because I believe this is a side of the Lord; most people do not want to except as being popular. I could not find these with good backgrounds, or not at all; on Google Images. There is a abundance of knowledge on Google; about the Lord and his word, that is impressive.
The reason I am creating these graphics is; for all those out there that have been told God is only a God of love, and that is it. I would never take pleasure in people's suffering or them going to hell; that would be unforgivable of anyone to even think such things. I am also creating these graphics and posting the previous graphics, I found on Google images; in the hopes that it may save people from God's wrath, by simply fearing God.
I quote myself from February 17 2018; on this blog page. The last thing I posted that day was this:
"I have also owned ( Revelation, and Analysis and Exposition ), like all these books since around 1991; when I was searching for the truth; even if I did not like what I found. If you really search for the truth; you will not like what you find. God is not just a God of love; he is a God to be feared. I have spent most of my life since then learning to understand that; and it is not something I enjoy."
April 16 2018:
People should never forget; that to fear God, may be the only thing that saves them, from the wrath of God. Here are some images I found on that subject:
Job 28:28 |
My wife just asked me to look this up:
Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American statesman and lawyer who served as the 16th President of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the United States through its Civil War—its bloodiest war and perhaps its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. In doing so, he preserved the Union, paved the way for the abolition of slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy.
There was this haunting photo of Abraham Lincoln there too. He has a beard like me. All scraggly. You can see every wrinkle in his face. It is amazing the quality of this photo.
Abraham Lincoln was definitely a Christian. "Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right." Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/abraham_lincoln_388944 |
I totally recommend this book unedited: Revelation (The John Walvoord Prophecy Commentaries) John F. F. Walvoord, Philip E. Rawley, Mark Hitchcock
With all the pastors now a days preaching fantasy's about Book of Revelation, it can get pretty confusing. I mean I can understand how it is hard not to try to make sense of the Book of Revelation. We want to say the half insect man creature, that stings and torments men; is a with a jet pack and a machine gun. We want to say the scripture that talks about not being able to die is zombies. This book is the answer to us all that have trouble making sense of the future; as it is described in the Book of Revelation. I have owned the original copy of this book for about 26 years now. *I thought I owned this book but after a extensive search this morning for it I could not find it. I must have took it out of the churches library I was going at the time. They have since moved to Fresno California; here. I did find 3 more books in the process at the end of my rants and raves.*
About the author:
John F. Walvoord (May 1, 1910 – December 20, 2002) was a Christian theologian, pastor, and president of Dallas Theological Seminary from 1952 to 1986. He was the author of over 30 books, focusing primarily on eschatology and theology including The Rapture Question, and was co-editor of The Bible Knowledge Commentary with Roy B. Zuck. He earned AB and DD degrees from Wheaton College, an AM degree from Texas Christian University in philosophy, a ThB, ThM, and ThD in Systematic Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a LittD from Liberty Baptist Seminary.
*About those books I found this morning that I fully recommend to people who want to know the future in accordance with the word:
If you ever get a chance to hear these radio broadcast I bet they were really good. I recommend any book by this gentleman:
Martin Ralph DeHaan (March 23, 1891 - December 13, 1965) was an American Bible teacher, the founder of the Radio Bible Class, and the co-editor of a monthly devotional guide Our Daily Bread.
I own this book:
Amazon says this:
The well-respected Bible teacher and founder of Radio Bible Class, M. R. De Haan, presents these devotional commentaries on Bible books and topics that will be appreciated by lay readers as well as pastors and teachers.
I own this book: https://www.amazon.com/Revelation-Verse-verse-study/dp/B0007DOWMW
Again I recommend any book by this great man. Again I would have loved to hear this on the rado from his ministry:
The Gospel Hour was heard on 150 stations at the time of his death.