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===== The Pierre Statement on Biblical Doctrines by Confessing Christians - A Declaration of Faith ===== <html><tt>Note: once the current article 'Areas and Doctrines' is adequately summarized with about 25 Areas and Doctrines that are central and relevant to the Christian faith - The article is going to be made open to participation from others and for group (roundtable) discussion - Then a more finalized version of the article will be published similar to 'The Chicago Statement on Biblical Application' though with the working title of 'The Pierre Statement on Biblical Doctrines' by confessing Christians - The publishing of the document 'The Pierre Statement on Biblical Doctrines' by confessing Christians should be able to be accomplished sometime within 2012 [now 2016] - I'll update the post with an email that people can contact me with regarding the Pierre Statement on Biblical Doctrines [Contact: davidansonbrown@hotmail.com] - All the best, God bless everyone ~ David Anson Brown</tt></html> <fs 120%>**Basic Christian: Areas and Doctrines where we can all Agree to Agree!**</fs> **Introduction** As the Christian Church there are areas where we can all Agree to Agree! Over the years the Christian Church has virtually been defined by its vast ability to disagree. In fact the quote "let's agree to disagree" can almost be the new banner of Christianity. Some people readily point out and wonder if there really is a Christian truth because the Church itself agrees on very few Christian tenants. But this is not really an accurate reflection because the Church does agree on many things and is united on many beliefs. This is a discussion list where we as Christians can "Agree to Agree" and then the next time someone says "the Church doesn't even agree" well here are some areas of agreement. These topics are starting beyond the already given basics of Christianity in that Jesus Christ is God born of the Virgin Mary, Himself a Godly encounter physically among humans yet remaining consistent with the Triune nature of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is Divine and without sin. He was rejected by mankind crucified and died. His death is the Full Payment for all of the sins of the world. His resurrection is of Everlasting Life and provided to those who personally receive Him as God and their Savior. Jesus is the rightful and righteous Ruler of the world and He will physically return to righteously reign, rule and judge His creation that we call the universe. <blockquote>1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures:</blockquote> ==== The Church Beginning ==== <fs 120%>#1 The Christian Church began on Sunday the (Easter) Day Resurrection of Jesus, by Jesus breathing, giving Life - His Spirit into each individual disciple who follows Him</fs> <blockquote>John 20:19-23 Then the same day (Resurrection Day) at evening, being the first day of the week (Sunday), when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, "Peace be unto you." And when He had so said, He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me , even so send I you. And when He had said this, **He breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost**: (Become a Christian) Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.</blockquote> <blockquote>Luke 24:44-53 And He (Jesus) said unto them (Disciples), These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you [before the cross], that all (Scripture) things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. **Then opened He their understanding** [Jesus imparted His Holy Spirit baptism into each of them], **that they might** [become Christians and] **understand the Scriptues**, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise [that Jesus being that acceptable offering for all the sins of mankind the Father would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and accompany Christians] of My Father [(John 14:26)] upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power [empowerment of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4] from on high. And He led them out as far as to [the town of] Bethany (house of figs, figs are a fruit of the Promise Land, the Christian Church partakes in the fruit of Heaven), and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.</blockquote> The first area of Christian agreement can be that the Christian Church obviously does exist and that it has continually existed since it was first created and that the creation of the Christian Church is on the Sunday the (Easter) day of the Resurrection of Jesus, as Jesus is the Founder and head of His Church. In fact the Christian Church meets every Sunday in Commemoration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Start of His Christian Church. To separate Jesus and distance His sacrifice on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection Life from the formation of His Church and then to separate Jesus from the conclusion (Rapture) of His Church is to engage in the most cultish of exploits as all cults seek to separate Jesus from His Church. The Christian Church is a unique gathering of people who acknowledge their sins and accept that their sins have been paid in full by Jesus on the cross. The word Church means "out- gathering" those that are taken out of the sinful condition and gathered together into the sinless image of Jesus by individually acknowledging the sinless eternal life resurrection of Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit of God from Jesus and then having receiving the Holy Spirit of God from Jesus the Christian has passed from death in sin into eternal Life in Jesus. The Church did not exist during the Old Testament times. In other words, Noah, Abraham, King David, Solomon, and even John the Baptist, although each was in a relationship with God, were not Christians, and for a very good reason, each of these people lived and died prior to the Cross of Jesus. Before the Cross of Jesus the remedy for Sin had not yet occurred and with sin a "Gathering of the Sinless (in Image)" was not available as God's Spirit is not intimately available with Sin. Once Jesus came into humanity in the Virgin Birth and then died on the cross as full payment for all of the sins of the world then on His "Resurrection Day" the Church age could then begin. The Church could not be gathered prior to the cross and without the resurrection there would not be the Living Leader. The Church/Christians are Identified as the ones who have Received by faith in Jesus the Spirit of God and by receiving the Spirit of God are now in the Sinless Image of Jesus and God the Father is now also our Father as the Christian is now a Child of God. This event of Jesus giving the Spirit and the individuals each receiving the Spirit of God began on Sunday the very day of the Resurrection of Jesus. <fs 120%>The Christian Church was formulated and grew in a deliberate and decisive way</fs> <blockquote>2 Corinthians 5:19-21 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.</blockquote> The Apostle Peter was given the keys [knowledge that Jesus Christ is the Son of God] to the entire Kingdom of Jesus Christ here on earth. <blockquote>Matthew 16:16-9 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock [confession that Jesus is the Son of God] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.</blockquote> Christianity went from the Jews first to the Samaritans [part Jewish] second and the Romans [Gentiles] third. Christianity did not advance to the next group of people until the Apostle Peter personally presented the Gospel to each individual group. <blockquote>Acts 1:8 But ye (Christians) shall receive power [at Pentecost], after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me (Jesus) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea (Israel), and in Samaria (part-Jewish), and unto the uttermost [Gentile] part of the earth.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them (Samaritans), that they might receive the Holy Ghost: For as yet He (Holy Spirit) was fallen upon none of them (Samaritans): only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they (Peter and John) their hands on them, and they (Samaritans) received the Holy Ghost.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 10:21-22 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius [a Roman]; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come? And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 10:34-45 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, **preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all**: <html>That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached</html>; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the [countryside] land of the Jews, and in [the Jewish city of] Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, **even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead**. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick [living] and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them [Romans - Gentiles] which heard the word.</blockquote> In Peter's lifetime the Gospel spread to the entire world comprising of Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles. Sometimes people think that the Church did not start until fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus during a Feast called "Pentecost" Acts 2:1-4 but remember it is the Cross and the Resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the Church and the individual receiving (by faith in Jesus) the Holy Spirit of God, and not the waiting of Fifty days by the disciples that paved the way for the Church. There is a Feast of Pentecost every year but there is only one Cross and one Resurrection of Jesus Christ to initiate the one Church of Jesus Christ. There is not a fifty day gap between the Resurrection of Jesus and the start of the Church, the people in Acts 2:1-4 had already received the Holy Spirit back in John 20:19-23 and were later empowered by the same Holy Spirit in Acts 4:31. Since it is the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus and Only the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus that paved the way for the Christian Church the Christian Church has continued and will continue until Jesus receives His Christian Church unto Himself in Heaven where He is. In order for the Church to have started and stopped and started again would Require that the Holy Spirit would no longer be available and then Jesus would have to be re-Crucified and the Holy Spirit re-given, events that could never happen again and would never happen again as the one Crucifixion of Jesus is sufficient for ALL time. True Christianity means a Relationship with God and a Relationship with God is as old as Creation is so it can be said that Adam and Eve are the first Christians but then Sin separated mankind from God and therefore postponed Christianity until after the Redemption of mankind via the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. So we can readily "Agree to Agree" that The Christian Church began with Jesus, the Leader and Founder, giving (breathing) His Spirit into each of His Disciples on the day of His Resurrection Sunday and continuing as Jesus continues to breathe His Spirit into His followers and that the Church will continue until Jesus Himself returns and Receives His Christian Church up into Heaven where He is currently seated in Glory, Majesty, Power and Authority. ==== Christianity is Based on the Series of Actual Real Life Human Events ==== <fs 120%>#2 Christianity is based on a series of physical and spiritual events that are overseen at the very hand and discretion of God</fs> Christianity is not a simple idea, philosophy or a notion of mankind but is in fact the events of God being carefully revealed to mankind through physical and spiritual phenomena. Following are some of the physical and spiritual events that make Christianity reality-based events and not the fiction, fable or philosophies of mankind. Creation: We exist in a created physical and spiritual environment, both of which had a beginning. (Genesis 1:1) Sin: Sin, rebellion against God and therefore death both physical and spiritual are also undisputed physical and spiritual realities. The original sin of Adam and Eve was a visible physical event with spiritual and eternal implications. (Genesis 3:1-13) Promise to save mankind: God promised to come Himself to recover (Redeem) mankind back to Himself. (Genesis 3:15, 22:8) Virgin Birth: God came physically to mankind in the Virgin birth of Mary. The Virgin birth of Mary is unique and unlike any other human birth ever. There are many reasons why the Virgin birth is unique. It is a Virgin birth meaning that No sexual relationship of any kind occurred. Mormons (LDS) falsely claim that Mary had a sexual relationship with God the Father though the Bible says the Holy Spirit overshadowed her, the shadow of one person (or the shadow of God) passing over another person is not a sexual-physical encounter. By definition any sexual relationship removes one's virginity and it was a "Virgin Birth" meaning Mary was a virgin the entire time from conception until the "Birth of Jesus." Mary rejoiced that God had chosen her to be the vessel in which God would come to be with mankind as a man the way every human enters the world via a physical birth. The mystery isn't that Mary had the Miraculous Virgin birth as every human birth is a miracle of God. The mystery is that God chose to redeem mankind back into His holy presence and didn't decide to wipe mankind out and start over again with a different more obedient creation. (Matthew 1:18-25) Miraculous Powers: Jesus physically demonstrated His Divinity in performing a variety of miracles including, knowing people's thoughts and intentions, raising the dead back to life, healing the sick and lame, feeding multitudes of people, calming nature's storms, and walking on water. (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John) New Covenant: Jesus personally instituted the New Covenant whereby in the following death and resurrection of Jesus those repentant of their sins and trusting in God will be reunited with God in heaven. (Matthew 26:26-30) Death: Jesus purposely suffered and died on the cross and He did it for us, to pay for our sins, so that we can be united Spiritually and Eternally with Him in His heavenly Kingdom. (John 19:17-42) Resurrection: Jesus rose from death. The resurrection of Jesus is unique in that no other person has ever returned from death having actually conquered over death as Jesus has. (John 20:1 - 21:25) (1 Corinthians 15:4 - 28) Church: Jesus instituted His Church by personally breathing - baptizing His individual followers with His eternal life giving Spirit and currently the Christian Church is a living testimony to the existence, love, kindness, goodness, mercy and forgiveness of God. (John 20:22) Judgment: Jesus will judge the world in righteousness, condemning individuals in their sin and rewarding individuals who accomplish compassion in His name. (Revelation 20:11-15) These are just a few of the many Supernatural events and Divine encounters with God that make Christianity a series of events and not the imagination or philosophies of man. Note: Something that everyone needs to know about the human existence is that there is a propensity of humans to do the wrong thing and for some even an evil thing and then to shift the blame for the wrong behavior over to someone or something else. Satan did this blame shifting in the Garden of Eden when Satan tempted Eve (the woman) to disobey God and then Satan tried to convince Eve that she had disobeyed God by her own choice. In some of the first events recorded in the Bible regarding mankind God talks to Adam first about eating the forbidden fruit and not the woman because had God talked to Eve first about what went wrong Eve would have blamed herself. <blockquote>Genesis 3:9-13 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.</blockquote> God knew that Adam had slipped up himself in not being with Eve and that being embarrassed Adam would blame the woman for the disobedience. The woman hearing herself being blamed then realized that Satan had tricked her and revealed the false accusation of Satan. Satan had both tricked Eve into sinning against God and Satan had tricked Eve into accepting the blame for what Satan had initiated in sinning against God. Had God spoken to the woman first and she accepted full responsibility for the disobedience to God then any plan of God for mankind's redemption would have been rooted in a false accusation and not in truth. It is even uncertain if there would have been a plan of redemption if mankind had admitted to willingly sinning against God not to mention that Satan would have gotten away with his heinous ruin of mankind. If mankind had willingly disobeyed God as Satan and the other fallen angels had would there then be redemption for mankind? Possibly not! God knew what He was doing in dealing with Adam, Eve and Satan in the Garden of Eden and God knows what He is doing in dealing with all mankind, Satan, the fallen angels, demons, and the Antichrist here in the garden of End Times. The next time someone claims that the Bible is a collection of man's ideas and man's edited writings ask them what part man had in creating the world or in giving life both spiritual and physical and ask what part man had in creating God or heaven. It is readily apparent that there is a larger portion to life than man is currently capable of understanding and that larger portion of life is God Himself. ==== Faith in Jesus is the Only Way to Eternal Life ==== <fs 120%>#3 We Christians are saved from Death (separation from God and separation from one another) and given Eternal Life by Faith in Jesus Christ and not by our own works, our abilities or our own capabilities but only by our Faith in the One true Living God Jesus Christ</fs> It is obvious that mankind is currently separated from the perceivable presence of God and as evidence of our sin and separation from God death plagues All of mankind. In fact because death does come to all it is said "that to be born is to die." It is obvious that mankind cannot save ourselves or one another from death and the separation which comes from death. Just as man cannot live, God cannot die therefore it is necessary for God to save us from our death by giving to us from His life. Humans are created in the spiritual image of God and therefore we are intended to have a relationship an interactive life with God. But through sin we are all conceived in a disrespectful, rebellious, sinful nature towards God and as sinful we are separated (dead) from the Holy God and in need of having our sinful condition changed into a holy condition that results in allowing us into the perceivable Presence of God to have a Relationship (life) with the Holy God. The remedy for our sin and death and the cleansing to make us holy and alive are not done by our abilities as individuals but were gladly accomplished by Jesus on the cross as He gave Himself in His death with His cleansing blood and His eternal life giving Resurrection for our new holiness. Our new holiness is being imparted to us by God as His free gift to all mankind for whoever will choose to receive forgiveness of their sins and enter into fellowship and life with God. <blockquote>Romans 5:1-Therefore being justified (made holy) by Faith (Jesus' resurrection), we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have Access (relationship) by Faith into this Grace wherein we Stand, and Rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God.</blockquote> <blockquote>Ephesians 2:8-9 For by Grace are ye Saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God Not of Works least any man should boast.</blockquote> <fs 120%>The word Faith is a special word in the Bible and it is a word that is used in its singularity meaning that there is only one meaning and only one defining moment for the word Faith</fs> The Faith that the Bible speaks about is our Faith in the Resurrection Life of Jesus, the faith that Jesus has indeed risen from death never to die again and that we Christians will also enter into the Eternal Resurrection Life of Jesus in our own resurrection provided in and by Jesus. <blockquote>Galatians 3:23 But before Faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto (until) the Faith which should after words be revealed.</blockquote> With the Cross - death, and Resurrection - life, of Jesus came the "revealing" of our Faith. We are to have Faith in God that God is the God of Life. That is who God is, He is the creator, granter and sustainer of all Life even Spiritual life after death and even now in life after sin as is our current case. <blockquote>Philippians 3:9-10 ? that which is through the Faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith: That I may know Him and the Power of His Resurrection ?</blockquote> We can agree to agree that Faith in God and not in mankind is what unites a separated mankind back to God and into Eternal Life. Faith is specifically the Fact that Jesus gave Himself to die for our sins and that in His own Righteousness being God He is Resurrected to Everlasting Life the same Everlasting life that we as Christians are now untied into with Jesus. <fs 120%>All of this is made possible for us because God is Life, Eternal, Immortal and Abundant</fs> Jesus came to save sinners therefore working for salvation is irrelevant. <blockquote>Psalms 25:8 Good and upright is the LORD (YHWH): therefore will He teach sinners in the way.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him (Jesus) that Justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.</blockquote> Once saved it is not works that we offer to God but a relationship where our thoughts, efforts and accomplishments are all directed to God. ==== The Promises of God are the Laws of God ==== <fs 120%>#4 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death</fs> <blockquote>Romans 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. <html>For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death</html>. For what the [Levitical] law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the (Holy) Spirit.</blockquote> The Laws of God are precise, accurate, higher, stronger and more binding than the laws of nature (space, time, gravity) and much more accurate, meaningful and binding than the laws of men. <fs 120%>The Promises of God include all of His Kingdom, all of His creation, including both the present human physical realm and the eternal spiritual - angelic realm</fs> <blockquote>Luke 16:15-17 And He (Jesus) said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The (physical) law and the prophets were until John (the Baptist): **since that time the (Spiritual) kingdom of God is preached**, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 18:36-37 Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if My Kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My Kingdom not from hence (here). Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. <html>To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world</html>, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 4:23-24 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.</blockquote> Jesus taught His disciples to transition from observing a purely physical law into observing the Laws Spiritually in nature and physically manifested. The laws of God start in our heart and mind then manifest into the physical realm. For instance emotional greed comes before the physical theft, emotional lust comes before physical fornication and emotional hate comes before a physical murder would occur. <blockquote>Matthew 22:36-40 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.</blockquote> <fs 120%>The teaching of the New Testament is that the Laws of God are to be obeyed in our spirit and our soul with our heart, mind, and emotions</fs> <blockquote>Romans 9:30-33 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion (Zion) a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on Him (Jesus) shall not be ashamed.</blockquote> <blockquote>Mark 3:4 And He (Jesus) saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?</blockquote> <blockquote>Luke 10:25-28 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He (Jesus) said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.</blockquote> <blockquote>Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.</blockquote> The Laws of the New Testament are therefore considered spiritual first and physical second while the laws of the Old Testament are considered physical first and spiritual second. This reversal in law is consistent with the Born Again reversal of human nature. Before the Born Again Spirit of Jesus man did not have the ability to appropriate Spiritual Laws into his being and therefore the Laws were physical in nature directing towards Spiritual standards. Now since the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus for the Born Again Christian with the Spirit (Seed) of God residing within them a Spiritual Christian can understand the Spiritual nature of the Laws of God and is more readily able to live according to the Spiritual implications with the Spiritual intentions of telling the truth - do not lie, love your neighbor - do not hate, live a pure moral lifestyle - do not commit sexual sin. <blockquote>Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I (Jesus) say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.</blockquote> <blockquote>James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.</blockquote> <blockquote>James 2:8-13 8 ye fulfil the royal law (love God, love your neighbor) according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.</blockquote> <blockquote>James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?</blockquote> <blockquote>1 John 3:4-11 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him (Jesus) is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born (Again from Above) of God doth not commit sin; for His seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born (Again from Above) of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 John 3:13-16 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I (Jesus) say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.</blockquote> ==== The Christian, Water Baptism ==== <fs 120%>#5 Water Baptism a Commandment of God to be obeyed by every Christian</fs> Baptism, being immersed in or wet with water, is a commandment given directly from God to be observed and obeyed by all of the followers of Jesus Christ. <blockquote>Matthew 28:17-20 And when they (Disciples) saw Him (Jesus), they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. **Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost**: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.</blockquote> <blockquote>Luke 24:44-53 And He said unto them (Disciples), These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you [before the cross], that all (Scripture) things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. Then opened He their understanding [(John 20:22) Jesus breathed His Holy Spirit baptism into each of them], that they might [become Christians and] understand the scriptues, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise [that Jesus being that acceptable offering for all the sins of mankind the Father would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and accompany Christians] of My Father [(John 14:26)] upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power [empowerment of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4] from on high. And He led them out as far as to [the town of] Bethany (house of figs, figs are a fruit of the Promise Land), and He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 2:38-42 Then Peter said unto them (audience), Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then **they that gladly received his word were baptized**: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.</blockquote> Water Baptism is an act of obedience towards God it is a public declaration of one's Christian faith declaring openly to both the human physical realm and also to the Angelic spiritual realm that a person is now a child of God. Baptism is like communion in that it is also an act of participation in the Kingdom of God. Notably water Baptism does not save a person from their sin as only a belief in Jesus Christ particularly that His blood that He shed on the cross covers our sins and that His resurrection declares us to be righteous proving our sins are forgiven. Water Baptism is an act of obedience committed by an already believing, Spirit filled, submitted, child of God, disciple of Jesus Christ in obedience to Jesus Christ. <blockquote>1 Peter 3:21-22 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not [the water and] the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, <html>by the resurrection of Jesus Christ</html>: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 8:35-38 Then (the Christian) Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, <html>If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest</html>. **And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God**. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; **and he baptized him**.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 10:33-48 Immediately therefore I (Cornelius a Roman Centurian) sent to thee (Apostle Peter); and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we (Romans) all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all: That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea (Israel), and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John (the Baptist) preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree (cross): Him God raised up the third day, and shewed Him openly; Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with Him after He rose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is He which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick (living) and dead. To Him give all the prophets witness, <html>that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins</html>. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they (Jews) of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, **Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost** as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.</blockquote> <fs 120%>When Jesus was Baptized it wasn't to take away sins, Jesus didn't have any it was to reveal Jesus as the Messiah and was for Jesus to set an example for us to follow as an opportunity for His followers to be baptized like Jesus was and in fact to enter into His one baptism</fs> <blockquote>2 Corinthians 5:21 For He (Heavenly Father) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, [Jesus] who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 1:31-34 And I (John the Baptist) knew Him (Messiah) not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the (Holy) Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus). And I knew Him not: but He (Heavenly Father) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this (Jesus of Nazzareth) is the Son of God.</blockquote> Note: Baptism by water does not take away our sins it is only the blood of Jesus that removes our sins. Our Baptism in water represents our faith in the blood-death and resurrection life of Jesus the Messiah-Christ. Baptism represents that we are dead with Jesus (immersed in water) and buried to this world and then (reemerged) resurrected with Jesus and alive in heaven. <blockquote>Romans 6:3-5 Know ye (Christians) not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:</blockquote> <fs 120%>There are three types of Baptism; Water, Holy Spirit and Fire (Trials, Tribulation)</fs> The baptism by water is usually a onetime occurrence but many Christians partake in more than one water baptism in their life. Christians visiting Israel will often get water baptized in the Jordan river and Christians who have grown significantly in their Christian walk can also build on their previous water baptism and be baptized in water continuing their one water baptism. Where the water, washing baptism is usually a once or twice event in the life of the Christian the baptism of the Holy Spirit is continual and ongoing. First a person is baptized by Jesus with His Spirit, this first "Born Again" baptism is by faith and faith alone there is no speaking in tongues or flames of fire or any Holy Ghost experiences associated with this first baptism because it is a baptism of faith in the resurrection life of Jesus. The empowerment baptism of the Holy Spirit comes after the "Born Again" faith baptism and it might be more accompanied by feelings, emotions and experiences like speaking in tongues. The empowerment baptism usually comes at a time when it is needed for growth in the Christian walk especially in doing personal devotions and Christian ministry like witnessing to people or speaking to an audience. <blockquote>Luke 24:44-49 And He (Jesus) said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning Me. **Then opened He their understanding** [inparted - breathed His Spirit individually into each of them, at this moment with the Spirit of Jesus inside of them they each became a Christian], that they might understand the scriptures, ... And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, <html>until ye be endued with power from on high</html>.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 1:4-5 And, (Jesus) being assembled together with them (Christians), (Jesus) commanded them [Christians] that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. For John (the Baptist) truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized [endued with power from on high] with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.</blockquote> The third type of baptism is the baptism of fire and it is the fire, trials and tribulations in life that also help to form, shape, mold and strengthen our Christian identity into the image of Jesus Christ. The trials by fire vary in intensity and in duration and are all directed personally by Jesus as Jesus baptizes His church with both the Spirit and the fire. <blockquote>1 Peter 1:7-9 That <html>the trial of your faith</html>, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, **though it be tried with fire**, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 3:11 I (John the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He (Christ) that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, <html>and with fire</html>:</blockquote> <blockquote>John 4:2 Though Jesus Himself baptized not [with water], but His disciples [did],</blockquote> **Criteria for Christian Baptism** 1. The person being baptized confesses a personal individual faith in Jesus Christ [the Apostles' Creed, a Psalm or a Bible verse can be read or recited]. Acknowledging the sinless Divine life, sacrificial atoning death on the cross and three days later the resurrection [eternal life] of Jesus Christ. 2. he person administering the baptism is to baptize in the Name of God the Father, the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit [not in the name of any individual, group or denomination] i.e. (Matthew 28:18-20) "I baptize you in the Name of God the Father, the beloved Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit." 3. The water baptism event [submerging into water] signifies our (dying) death and burial to this world (sin and death) while then [emerging from the water] signifies our own personal resurrection with eternal life in Jesus Christ entering into a new life in the eternal Kingdom of God. Note: The water baptism [and accompanying confession of faith] is the Biblical public confession of faith for each individual Christian and is not to be confused with an alter call that although being a public stand it is not in its entirety the Biblical confession of faith. <blockquote>Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them [Disciples], saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach [Disciple] all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son [Jesus], and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Corinthians 15:12-26 Now if Christ be preached that He [Jesus] rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man [Adam] came death, by man [Jesus] came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His [2nd] coming. Then cometh the end [of mans' separation from God], when He [Jesus] shall have delivered up the Kingdom to God, even the Father; when He [Jesus] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Corinthians 15:35-50 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest [seeds of plants] is not quickened [sprouted], except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain [seed], it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a [flower] body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial [stars] bodies, and bodies [planets - moons] terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It [human body] is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that [physical] flesh and blood cannot inherit the [sternal] Kingdom of God; neither doth [sin] corruption inherit [heaven] incorruption.</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 3:17-19 And unto Adam He [God] said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for [bodily] dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 17:1-8 And after six days [six, incomplete not yet a permanent transfiguration] Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart [outside of Israel], And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses [Law] and Elias (Elijah) [Prophets] talking with Him. ... While he (Peter) yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I Am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise [Resurrection], and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. - Note: Jesus was without sin and therefore could be bodily Transfigured something sinful humans cannot do we need to first die and separate from our physical body of sin (Romans 8:3) and then we Christians receive our new transfigured (1 Corinthians 15:35-55) bodies.</blockquote> <blockquote>Colossians 2:6-17 As ye [Christian] have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and [established] stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in [Jesus] Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are [spiritually] circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision [new heart; mind, soul and spirit] of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen [resurection] with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened [made alive] together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; And having spoiled [Satanic] principalities and [Demonic] powers, He [Jesus] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat [food], or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [essence of reality] is of Christ.</blockquote> ==== The Christian, Bread and Wine (Grape) Communion ==== <fs 120%>#6 Christian Communion is Open to Everyone Who Wants to Participate</fs> Communion is to be open, available and accessible to everyone who wants to partake in communion between themselves and God. Communion is a time to participate in the cross (broken bread) and resurrection (new life wine) of Jesus and in participating it is a time for reflection and self-examination. We are to reflect on the past in "remembrance of Jesus" to look to the future "until Jesus returns" we are to look up and see God in heaven and to look into ourselves to see where we are at in our relationship with Jesus. <blockquote>1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye Holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye Holy; for I am Holy.</blockquote> Communion is a time and an opportunity for each person to participate in the Kingdom of God and to examine themselves. Communion is not the opportunity for one person to examine the worthiness of another person for all are fallen and all fail before the true glory of God. <blockquote>1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Corinthians 11:1-34 Be ye followers of me (Apostle Paul), even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. ... But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night (Passover) in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken (cross) for you: this do <html>in remembrance of Me</html>. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament (Eternal Life) in My blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, <html>in remembrance of Me</html>. **For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come ** (second comming). Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily [by examining others and not themselves], shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, <html>not discerning the Lord's body</html> [that it is God alone who is Holy, God died as a sacrifice for an unholy, ungodly world full of sinful people]. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [unconcise to the things of God]. <html>For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged</html>. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry (wait) one for another. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.</blockquote> While Jesus gave Himself on the cross as our sacrifice about the very moment that Jesus said "it is finished" the veil in the Temple was torn open from top to bottom signifying that the access for mankind that was blocked into the Holiest place with God is now open to mankind. <blockquote>Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus [on the cross], when He had cried [It is finished: (John 19:30) and Father, into thy hands I commend My Spirit: (Luke 23:46)] again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And [after His resurrection] the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city (Jerusalem), and appeared unto many.</blockquote> <blockquote>Hebrews 9:1-14 Then verily the first covenant (Old Testament) had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary (Temple). For there was a tabernacle [temporary tabernacle (tent) during their desert wanderings after leaving Egypt, later a permanent Temple (building) in Jerusalem] made; the first [room], wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil [3rd room], the tabernacle which is called <html>the Holiest of all</html> [where the Shekinah Glory presence of God dwelt]; Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always [daily] into the first [room] tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second (mentioned place) [Holiest of all - 3rd room] went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood [and also with enough smoke that the High Priest could not see the Shekinah Glory of God (Leviticus 16:13)], which (blood and smoke) he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: <html>The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing</html>: Which was a figure for the (Old Testament) time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him (Levitical Priest) that did the service perfect (completed), as pertaining to the conscience (mind and soul); Which stood only in (physical) meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal (fleshly) ordinances, imposed on them until the time of (Spiritual) reformation (New Testament). But Christ being come an High Priest [Eternal order of Melchizedek] of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but <html>by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place</html> (in Heaven), having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God [Jesus being God became a man to offer on behalf of mankind His sacrifice to God], purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?</blockquote> <blockquote>Leviticus 16:11-17 And Aaron (Levitical High Priest) shall bring the bullock of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make an atonement for himself, and for his house, and shall kill the bullock [outside the door of the tabernacle by the burnt offering alter] of the sin offering which is for himself: And he shall take a sensor full of burning coals of fire from off the (incense) altar [2nd room] before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil [3rd room]: <html>And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he (Levitical High Priest) die not</html>: And he shall take of the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it with his finger upon the mercy seat eastward; and before the mercy seat shall he sprinkle of the blood with his finger seven times. Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat: And he shall make an atonement for the holy place [3rd room], because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. And there shall be no man in the tabernacle of the congregation when he goeth in to make an atonement in the holy place, until he come out, and have made an atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the congregation of Israel.</blockquote> <fs 120%>The concept of Christianity is that each individual person is their own Priest officiating at their own alter before God with Jesus being the one High Priest for all Christians</fs> <blockquote>1 Peter 2:1-6 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn (Christian) babes, desire the sincere milk of the word (Bible), that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have (Spiritually) tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, <html>Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual (Temple) house</html>, **an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ**. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone (Jesus), elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Peter 2:9-10 But ye (Christians) are a chosen generation, <html>a royal priesthood</html>, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: Which in time past (Gentiles) were not a people, but are now (Christians) the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.</blockquote> <blockquote>Hebrews 16:15-16 By Him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But do good to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.</blockquote> <fs 120%>Communion represents both the Physical and the Spiritual blood of Jesus</fs> <html> [Christian Communion 1 of 3] The necessity of having the correct Communion elements in the Christian Communion - Wine/Grape product (fruit) of the Vine and the unleavened/unsweetened Bread 'body of Jesus Christ' -- "John 15:5 I (Jesus) Am the Vine, ye (Disciples/Christians) are the branches: he that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me [Vine] ye can do nothing." </html> <blockquote>1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I (Apostle Paul) have received of the Lord (Jesus) that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same [Passover Feast] night in which He was betrayed took [Passover - unleavened/unsweetened] bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body [both His sinless, physical body and also His eternal, resurrection Spiritual body], which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the [Passover - Communion] cup [wine], when He had supped, saying, This Cup [physical and Spiritual] is the New Testament in My blood [physical blood for the remission of our sins and also Spiritual blood for our eternal life]: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me [Jesus]. For [being both physical and Spiritual] as often as ye eat this bread (body), and drink this cup (wine/vine), ye do shew the Lord's [physical] death till He [bodily/Spiritually] come [return - 2nd Coming]. -- Note: Jesus is clearly the Vine and we are attached to, fellowshipping with and partaking of the Vine (Jesus Christ) as Born Again Christian believers. -- Also Note: The Olive Tree/Oil is generally considered to be a representation of the Holy Spirit and is not to be confused with Jesus. "Romans 11:24 For if thou [Gentiles] wert cut out of the [disassociated] olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good Olive Tree [Holy Spirit]: how much more shall these [Jews], which be the natural [associated with God] branches, be graffed [knowingly] into their own [natural] Olive Tree [the Holy Spirit]?" -- Further Note: The Fig Tree (branch, fruit, leaves) are often associated with mankind and the works, fruits and natural unrighteousness of humans, though with potential to give good fruit (figs). Three main Biblical plants [Vine, Olive Tree and the Fig Tree are each mentioned in James 3:12]. -- "James 3:12 Can the Fig Tree [man], my brethren, bear Olive [Holy Spirit fruit] berries? [or] either a Vine [Jesus - Wine], figs? so can no fountain both yield salt [undesirable drinking] water and fresh [desirable drinking water]." [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_agree.html|article link]]</blockquote> <html>Note: Regarding the Hebrews/Jews as a continuing society, religion, ethnicity of people and their affiliation with the Messiah Jesus Christ</html> <html><tt>Possibly: The Jews as a people never rejected the Messiah (Christ) [True Vine] - many of the Jews rejected Jesus as a man claiming to be the Messiah though a remnant of Jews believed Jesus and began the Christian Church. It is important to note that signs, wonders and miracles alone Do Not authenticate the person of Christ. It is necessary for fulfillment of Bible prophecy (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and for the resurrection from death [conquering human sin and death] to provide for the authenticity of the Messiah. The Jews rejected the man Jesus and being Spiritually blinded (Romans 11:7, Romans 11:25) have been unable to see the Messiah until "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Romans 11:25, Acts 15:14-18) and the un-blinding (Acts 9:17-18) of the Hebrews/Jews can take place. Having not rejected the Messiah, the resurrected and proven Messiah Jesus Christ, due to their Spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 3:14) the Jews as a people and a society are not condemned and far from it they are instead much beloved of God being among (Romans 9:4-5) His called, chosen, elect and redeemed people. -- Note: Judas was the only Jewish/person to take N.T. Communion with Jesus, at the 'Passover' Last Supper, and then (John 17:12) "the son of perdition" [Judas first coming] reject (John 13:30) Jesus as the Messiah. {Note: "the son of perdition" during the 2nd coming return of Jesus is going to be the Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3)}. The other 11 Disciples all believed and all who follow the resurrection of Jesus believe. -- Also Note: There were still ramifications for rejecting the physical presence of Jesus as both the Temple and the city of Jerusalem were later destroyed but the continuity of Judaism as the chosen people of God remains and it remains under the New Testament (Ephesians 2:12) - the New Testament having been implemented by Jesus in Jerusalem, among and for the Jews (Hebrews 8:8-10) not at the exclusion of the Jews but for all people Jewish and Gentile.</tt></html> <html> [Christian Communion 2 of 3] Both the physical Communion body of Jesus and His Spiritual resurrection body are without sin -- "Matthew 17:1-3 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was Transfigured [from physical body to Spiritual body] before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias (Elijah) talking with Him (Jesus)." ... "Matthew 17:5-7 While he (Disciple Peter) yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice [from God] out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise [in Jesus Christ's resurrection-transfigure], and be not afraid." </html> <html><tt>Note: Jesus being God and without the curse of human sin (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Corinthians 1:29) was able to bodily Transfigure on the Mt. of Transfiguration and also able to bodily resurrect (John 20:5) into His eternal Spiritual body. Jesus will be the only person in heaven who was able to retain any semblance (Revelation 5:6-7) to his previous earthly physical body. The rest of us (Romans 8:3) having within us the curse of sin and death (Romans 6:22-23) do not retain any resemblance to our physical, sin laden, body (2 Corinthians 5:1-9) but instead resurrect as disembodied human spirits to be judged by God (2 Corinthians 5:10, Romans 14:10, Revelation 20:14) and then if Adopted as Sons/Daughters of God we receive a new spiritual body a body that matches our spiritual composition [i.e. a devout handicapped person on earth doesn't just receive legs in heaven that can walk, like everyone that person receives a new (Spiritual) body]. We Humans receiving our new Spiritual body is the correction to sin and is not in any way any type of reincarnation because being given a new body we will still be (soul, spirit) of who we are and more importantly will still be recognizable as who we are by others, it will just be a better, more accurate and more complete eternal bodily match to our soul and spirit than our sin laden physical body could ever be. Reincarnation would involve receiving a body that is not recognizable to others for instance a person reincarnating and becoming a different person or even an animal. -- "2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all [sinner and non-sinner] appear [w/o a physical body] before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his [physical] body, according to that he hath done [on earth], whether it be good or bad." </tt></html> <html> [Christian Communion 3 of 3] The eternal pre-existent nature of Jesus [Communion both physical and Spiritual] is revealed in the multi-dimensional, multi-realm (physical, spiritual) aspects of Jesus -- "Matthew 14:25-28 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a [multi-dimensional] spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water." -- "John 20:19 Then the same day [Easter - Resurrection Day] at evening, being [Sunday] the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst [of the locked room], and saith unto them, Peace be unto you." </html> <html><tt>Note: Mankind seems to have been originally created to be in the 6th dimensional realm along with the Angels however after the sin and fall of mankind it appears that mankind fell two dimensions into the 4th dimension [height, width, length, time]. The Salvation restoration of mankind, those saved in Jesus seem to be restored to the higher 7th dimension. While God [Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit] have always existed outside the 7 created realms in their un-created, un-restricted, eternal realm. -- "John 1:18 No [restricted - mortal] man hath seen [unrestricted - eternal] God [the Father] at any time {unrestricted dimensions}; [except] the only begotten Son (Jesus), which is in the bosom of the Father, He (Jesus) hath declared [revealed] Him (Father)." -- "John 5:26 For as the Father hath [eternal] life in Himself; so hath He given (G1325 - administration) to the Son (Jesus) to have [eternal - giving] life in Himself;" -- "John 10:30 I and My Father are One [unrestricted dimension]." -- "Hebrews 1:3 [Jesus] Who being the brightness of His [Father's] glory, and the express (exact) [Spiritual] image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His power, when He (Jesus) had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty [Father God] on High;" -- "Hebrews 9:24 For [resurrection] Christ is not entered [earthly] into the holy places [Jewish Temple] made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:" </tt></html> <html>BasicChristian.org: Article Introduction - The 7 physical and spiritual dimensions as unfolded in the 7 Days of the Genesis creation model {the 8th dimension being God's realm of unrestricted eternity}</html> <html><tt>Humans exist in and are limited to the first three physical dimensions (length, height, width) and also the fourth dimension (restriction) of time. The spiritual realm of demons, angels and in part the coming Antichrist exists in the less restricted 5th and 6th dimensions. In fact the coming Antichrist is going to bring down or "contact" the 5th and 6th dimensions and infuse 4th dimensional human beings with 5th dimensional demons [Nephilm spirits] and 6th dimensional fallen [Satanic] angelic spirit beings consequently orchestrating 5th and 6th dimensional miracles and signs and wonders in order to deceive mankind. Note: So who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek is the manifestation [into our human realms] of the infinite dimensional (infinite dimensions - no restrictions - unrestricted) God in Person. Melchizedek is God the Holy Spirit in Person. Melchizedek is the Order of the Holy Spirit Priesthood. -- Also Note: In the Basic Christian article "Who is Melchizedek?" the 8 dimensions (restrictions) are listed in conjunction with the original creation week (Genesis 1:1-2:4) and are categorized as follows: 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness] 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below] 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants] 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons] 5. Demonic [Nephilm spirits] - demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above] 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) - humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of creation also fell from its original creation status] 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest] 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, Eternal, Wise, 8 Infinite, Almighty God consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. -- "Genesis 2:4 These are the generations [dimensions] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens ..." </tt></html> <html>VFTB Live: How and Why We Believe (Mp3) </html> <html><tt>WHAT WE believe determines how we live. Do you know why you or your church does what it does? Keith Giles joins us to discuss his new book, This is My Body: Ekklesia as God Intended, which expores the difference between church as we know it and ekklesia the way God meant it to be. Then we're joined by Doug Harris, host of Simply the Truth on Revelation TV. He talks about Reachout Trust, his ministry to those in cults, the occult, and the New Age. Please visit the VFTB Facebook page and check out the great Christian podcasters at the Revelations Radio Network. -- {Note: Ekklesia (G-1577) 'Ek' out of; 'Kaleo' called; called out ones (called out of the world and into God's heavenly gathering), congregation. -- i.e. Exodus Ex?o?dus [éksedess] 'out of - departing' leaving (earthly) Egypt and following God to (heavenly) Israel and Jerusalem. The Christian Church [Ekklesia] on earth, biblically is not just an in-gathering of believers but is more represented as an out-gathering from the world who have assembled together before God and with one another. -- "Hebrews 13:12-14 Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without (outside) the [city] gate. Let us go forth therefore unto Him without (outside) the camp [society], bearing His reproach. For here [earthly] have we no continuing city, but we seek [the holy, eternal] one to come."}</tt></html> [[http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pidradio/2011/06/04/vftb-live-how-and-why-we-believe|article link]] <html>Littleshots Productions: Presents Two animations of Jack Chick's popular tract stories 'The Sissy' & 'Tiny Shoes' ? ON ONE DVD! ($4.95) {Scroll Down} (On-line View) </html> <html><tt>Four years ago, Steve West called Chick Publications with an idea, and a vision. He asked for permission to make video animations of Chick tracts, using software currently available. His vision was to deliver these gospel messages to a generation that is reading less and less. He hoped to have them translated and make something that would help missionaries spread the Gospel. We gave him permission, and he formed Littleshots Productions and produced videos from two of Jack Chick's stories, "The Sissy" and "Tiny Shoes." ... You can show them to your Sunday School class, youth group, or even your church. Then discuss the message of the story and lead people to Christ. Also, if you purchase a copy, you are free to make as many copies as you wish for your own use. You can give them away like a tract, too.</tt></html> [[http://www.chick.com/catalog/videos/1416.asp|article link]] <fs 120%>**Communion is an opportunity to participate with God in the Kingdom of God.**</fs> Communion is a reenactment of Jesus' cross (His broken body, bread) and resurrection (His new resurrection life, cup of wine). Communion is an act of obedience towards God and it is also an opportunity to participate in a new life with God and a way to appropriate the new Kingdom of God into our lives. Jesus did not limit His blood to the physical realm. <blockquote>Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.</blockquote> The blood of Jesus is physical and it is also Spiritual His blood has both Spiritual and physical implications therefore the message of the Bible is both Spiritual and physical. <blockquote>Matthew 26:27 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 1:21 And she (Virgin Mary) shall bring forth a son ("her seed" Genesis 3:15), and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 26:27-28 And He (Jesus) took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them (Disciples), saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is <html>shed for many for the remission of sins</html>.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 26:39 And He (Jesus) went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father (God), if it be possible, let this cup [death on the cross] pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 1:29 The next day John (the Baptist) seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb (Sacrifice) of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 1:31-36 ... but that He (Savior) should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I (John the Baptist) come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus). And I knew Him not: but He (God) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him (Jesus), the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! -- "Again the next day ... and looking upon Jesus as He walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"</blockquote> John the Baptist twice in two days proclaimed Jesus to be the Holy blood Sacrifice (Lamb) of God and Jesus did not challenge or even alter in any way the statement of the Prophet John the Baptist. <blockquote>John 12:30-33 Jesus answered and said, This voice (from Heaven) came not because of Me, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world (Satan) be cast out. And I, if I be lifted up (crucifixion and resurrection) from the earth, will draw all men unto Me. This he said, signifying what (crucifixion) death He should die.</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 3:14-15 And the LORD God said unto the serpent (Satan), Because thou hast done this [deceived mankind], thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: And I (God) will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy (Satanic - Antichrist) seed and her (Jesus - Salvation) seed; it (cross of Jesus - "Golgotha") shall bruise thy head, and thou (Satan) shalt bruise His heel (nailed feet and a bruised heel on the cross at Golgotha (Matthew 27:33)).</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 1:4-5 John (the Disciple) to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten (Resurrected) of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 5:6 And I (Disciple John) beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts (Spirit beings), and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain,</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 5: 8-9 And when He (Jesus) had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they (Saints of Heaven) sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God [the Father] by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;</blockquote> Revelation, reveals the living resurrected Jesus Christ in Heaven and the resurrected Jesus in the final verses of the entire Bible puts His seal of approval on the entire Bible. <blockquote>Revelation 22:20-21 He (Jesus) which testifieth these things saith, Surely I (Jesus) come [return] quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.</blockquote> The shed blood of Jesus covers both the physical on the earth and the Spiritual heavenly realms. The Communion and the Communion elements the unleavened broken bread and the wine mixed with water represent the Promises of God to complete and finalize the Redemption (bread) and the Salvation (wine) process. <blockquote>John 6:27 Labour not for the meat (food) which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man shall give unto you: for Him (Jesus) hath God the Father sealed.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 6:34-35 Then said they (Disciples) unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this (everlasting life) bread. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 6:53-63 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. <html>He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him</html>. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. This (the body of Jesus) is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? **It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.**</blockquote> Just like in the days of Abraham when the Promises of God came first before the actual shedding of the blood covenant with Abraham the Christian Communion bread and Cup are tokens and symbols coming first representing the Promises of God and then later enacted on the cross and with the resurrection. Abraham was given the promises of God to be blessed, to multiply, to possess the land and to have Jesus the Redeemer come through his lineage all while Abraham was yet uncircumcised then later at 99 years of age Abraham was circumcised shedding his own blood in confirming the covenant promises previously given to him by God. <blockquote>Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country (Babylon-Iraq), and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land (Israel) that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 15:1-6 After these things (after Lot was rescued) the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus? And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir. And, behold, the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, This (servant) shall not be thine heir; but he (son) that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And He brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed (descendants) be. And he believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness.</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 17:1-14 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine (age of 99), the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect (completed). And I will make My covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with Him, saying, As for Me, behold, My covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but <html>thy name shall be Abraham</html>; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and <html>it shall be a token of the covenant</html> betwixt Me and you. And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. And the uncircumcised [those without the covenant tokens] man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 4:10-12 How was it (his faith counted for righteousness) then reckoned? when he (Abraham) was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of <html>the righteousness of the faith (belief in the promises of God) which he had yet being uncircumcised</html>: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also **walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham**, which he had being yet uncircumcised.</blockquote> **Criteria for Christian Communion** 1. First the 'body' (of Jesus Christ) bread [wafer] is to be unleavened (sinless), unsweetened (reality), salt (preserved), holes (pierced) and browned (bruised). 2. Second the 'blood' (of Jesus Christ) cup [grape juice, wine] is to be mingled (combined) 1/3 water with 2/3 grape [fruit of the vine]. Use three separate glasses or containers, 1 with water, 1 with grape, 1 empty. Then pour [mingle] at the same time both the grape and the water into the empty cup creating the cup of 2/3 grape mingled with 1/3 water. 3. Reading a Bible verse or passage provides the 3rd element of Communion the element of the Word of God being the Spirit of God. Note: When the Communion bread is lifted up blessed, exalted and broken it represents the physical body of Jesus Christ on the cross then when the bread is eaten (consumed, eternalized) it represents the Spiritual [resurrection] body of Jesus Christ. Likewise when the Communion blood is mingled [grape, water] it represents the physical blood and water of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross [after His death - by the spear wound (John 19:34-35)] for the remission of our sins and then when the blood is drink (consumed, eternalized) it represents the resurrection eternal life Spiritual blood of Jesus Christ. Both [the one body] the physical (earthly) body of Jesus Christ and His eternal Spiritual Resurrection [bodily resurrection] of Jesus Christ [along with our new eternal spiritual body in Jesus Christ] are represented in the one Communion of bread and wine (grape). <blockquote>Matthew 26:26-29 And as they were eating, Jesus took [Communion] bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the Disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the [Communion] cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed [after the atoning death on the cross] for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that [Heavenly] day when I drink it new with you in My Father's Kingdom.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Corinthians 11:23 For I [Apostle Paul] have received of the Lord [Jesus] that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed [by Judas] took bread ... - Note: The Communion represents and is a part of the Levitical Feats of "The Lord's Passover" Jesus was betrayed on the night of the Passover Feast [14th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:5]. The very next day, the day of the crucifixion (cross) of Jesus is the Levitical Feast the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" [15th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:6] then that first day of the week [Sunday] is the Feast of Firstfruits [Leviticus 23:7] - Jesus Resurrected on Sunday the Feast of Firstfruits and began (John 20:22) to give individually to each one of His disciples the Firstfruits of His Holy, eternal resurrection life - Romans 8:23 And not only they [all of creation groans for redemption], but ourselves also, which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [from Children of God to Sons of God], to wit, the redemption of our body.</blockquote> Christian Communion - The New Testament - The body [both the physical and the resurrection body of Jesus] and the blood [both the physical blood and the resurrection - eternal life, spiritual blood] of Jesus Christ: <blockquote>1 Corinthians 11:23-32 23 For I [Apostle Paul] have received of the Lord [Jesus] that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body [representing both the physical body and resurrection (spiritual) body of Jesus], which [physical body] is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood [both physical blood and resurrection Spirit-life blood]: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this [unleavened] bread, and drink this [grape and water mingled] cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily [thinking they are not a sinner], shall be guilty of the [sacrifice for our sins] body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body [that the physical body of Jesus was given physically for our sin on the cross (redemption) and that the Spiritual body of Jesus is given to us from His eternal life resurrection (Salvation)]. For this cause [not knowing that the same body of Jesus from the cross is the same body that resurrected and is for our eternal, resurrection life, salvation] many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [are unaware of the power and of the pending resurrection in our own life]. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened (Hebrews 12:6) of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.</blockquote> Note: The 'cup' is in reference to both the physical life-blood and the Spiritual life-blood of Jesus. The Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the body on the cross and the resurrection life body of Jesus. The New Testament - The Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the Redemption (cross) and Salvation (resurrection) body of Jesus Christ. - Also Note: Jesus being without sin in His body (Matthew 17:2), bodily resurrected in His same body. We having sin our own physical body we vacate our physical body and it returns to dust [Genesis 3:19] then we each receive a new spiritual body - not a new physical body [not a reincarnation of a physical body] but a new eternal spiritual body for the purposes of our [continuing] eternal spiritual life. <html>Christian Living - Can I take communion at home like the disciples did? YES! - Communion brings you closer to the Lord as it is to be a proclamation of what Jesus did for you - your mind and heart become saturated with the truth of who Jesus is and all that His blood purchased for you - We pay tribute and honor to Jesus when we remember Him via administering communion to [ourselves and or] one another</html> <html><tt>Can I take communion at home like the disciples did?" YES! I will give you the scriptures that support my answer. I am familiar with the practices that surround the modern day observance of the Lord's Supper...taking communion during special times of the year, taking communion to signify the beginning of certain seasons & celebrations...and the administering of communion just before one passes from this world. I'd like to start by telling you a few inportant things concerning communion..the Lord's Supper..the meal that heals. Communion brings healing to your body..wholeness to your life. Communion brings you closer to the Lord as it is to be a proclamation of what Jesus did for you..your mind and heart become saturated with the truth of who Jesus is and all that His blood purchased for you. We pay tribute and honor to Jesus when we remember Him via administering communion to [ourselves and or] one another..our family, our friends, our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Quite often I have wondered (other Christian's have as well) why the modern Church doesn't seem to have all that which the early Church had..the power of God on their lives, the stick-to-it-ness or longevity when it comes to serving the Lord. I mean, we pray, we fast, we worship, we read the Bible..and yet, something seems to be missing. The answer? Daily communion [or weekly, or occasional communion]. The New Testament believers (who were the Body of Christ ..as we are today) met in one another's home daily and did what Paul (in 1 Cor. 11:26) instructed them to do: "For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord's death until He comes again. While it is common practice to take communion in a church (like you mentioned having done) we know that the Church is really the Body of Christ Jesus...the New Testament believers gathered daily..ate together daily..observed the Lord's Supper daily. Keeping Jesus (and everything Jesus did) in the forefront of their lives made them strong as a family..communion, prayer, worship & the teaching of Jesus' words became the glue that held the early Church together...and it is no different for us today.</tt></html> [[http://en.allexperts.com/q/Christianity-Christian-Living-1401/communion-home-disciples.htm|article link]] <html>Communion Bread Recipe</html> <html><tt>Communion Bread Recipe Ingredients: 1/2 cup Water (cold), 1/2 teaspoon Salt, 6 tablespoons Olive Oil, 2 cups Whole Wheat Bread Flour [unleavened - no yeast]. -- Directions: Blend first three ingredients (water, salt, oil) in blender or beat vigorously in a bowl until white. Pour into flour and mix. Turn out onto floured board and knead for 5 minutes. Roll out to 1/4-inch thick {or thinner}, mark {a cross and or squares} lightly with a pizza cutter {or a knife}, cutting most squares almost through, but leaving some to be broken {off later - if necessary for Church} by {Church} Elders {also make pierce marks or holes with a fork}. -- Bake at 275:F degrees until nicely browned; (about 45 minutes to 1 hour). Note: Leftovers are traditionally burned or buried [it's not necessary and some or all of the bread can also be eaten by itself apart from Communion as a regular flatbread and also as a bread in a fellowship with God (break bread with God) meal/snack i.e. with cheese, smoked fish, sausage, olives, artichokes or other items and snacks, possibly including (unwatered) regular grape juice {juice can of course be watered down (and probably should) but not mingled like Communion wine just watered down to taste} or wine (if preferred) to drink]. Source: Adapted from Eat for Strength - Agatha M. Thrash, M.D. This recipe from CDKitchen for Communion Bread serves/makes 200.</tt></html> [[http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/2/Communion_Bread16829.shtml|article link]] <html>Baking Stone - Do you have a stone oven? We don't - But we make "stone oven" pizzas, flatbreads [Communion Bread], and hearth breads with this pizza baking stone</html> <html><tt>For the absolutely crispiest-crusted pizza and bread. Do you have a stone oven? We don't. But we make "stone oven" pizzas, flatbreads, and hearth breads with this pizza baking stone. Brick-oven baking stone absorbs the oven's heat, then transfers it to bread. Moisture disperses out through the crust, making terrific, light-textured breads and pizzas with an incredible crackly-crunchy crust. ... Cook's Illustrated Top Choice! "We tested 10 baking stones and came to prefer a fairly large one (16 by 14 inches is ideal) with smooth edges. The Baker's Catalogue Baking Stone's moderate weight and ample size make it our favorite."</tt></html> [[http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/pizza-baking-stone|link]] ==== Only Christians have Salvation and are the Children of God ==== <fs 120%>#7 Only Christians are the Children of God, non-believers are separated from God by their own choice and actions and not by God's choice</fs> <blockquote>Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we (Christians) are the children of God.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 9:8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh (physical), these are not the children of God:</blockquote> Only Christians are "Born Again - Born from Above" therefore only Christians have the Spirit of God making Christians "Children" of God and as Children in the Family of God partaking in an intimate relationship with God our Father. <blockquote>Galatians 3:26-27 For ye (Christians) are all the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been Baptized into Christ have put on Christ.</blockquote> It is evident that people are humans and as humans we live within the limitations of humanity and as humans we also die within the limitations of humanity. There cannot be any dissension regarding the frailty of the human existence, no one physically lives much longer that about the span of 100 years. The human lifecycle is clearly revealed in the Bible that All mankind has descended from Adam and Eve and therefore All mankind is inherently in the sinful condition passed on from Adam and Eve and All mankind is in need of an individual Spiritual rebirth from Jesus in order to overcome the physical death that is certain for everyone. The Bible shows us that there are distinct and different categories of people. <fs 120%>Everyone is conceived in sin and therefore begins life separated from God</fs> <blockquote>Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God.</blockquote> God is calling out to everyone to no longer continue in separation but to be reunited to God through the cross and Resurrection of Jesus. <blockquote>John 12:32 And I (Jesus), if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto Me.</blockquote> Those that Respond to the Call of God by Faith acknowledging the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus, these people are cleansed of their own sins and Jesus then Breathes His Spirit into this person creating a new Child of God. <blockquote>John 20:22 And when He (Jesus) had said this, He breathed on them and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost" (become a Christian).</blockquote> <fs 120%>The New Christian now has the Spirit of God and is now a Child of God no longer separated but is now in the family of God and in Spiritual fellowship with God Himself</fs> <blockquote>Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 8:16-17 The (Holy) Spirit itself beareth witness with our [Christian] spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.</blockquote> The Children of God are now Predestined (appointed outcome) to the Adoption of God to become Sons of God. <blockquote>Ephesians 1:5 Having Predestined us [children] unto the Adoption of Sons (5206) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.</blockquote> A Child of God then becomes a Son of God in their own individual resurrection, after physical death, when the soul and spirit of the Christian enter into the perceivable presence of God in Heaven then God adopts the Child elevating the Child to a Son by giving the Son a new Spiritual body to replace the physical body that has just died. It is upon receiving the new unique Spirit body from God that the child (5043) of God become Sons (5206) of God and as a son (5207) the status and privileges of Sonship are then available. <blockquote>Romans 8:23 And not only they (creation groans), but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit (Christians), even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting for the Adoption, to wit the Redemption of our Body.</blockquote> As a Son of God and now in Heaven (Perceivable presence of God) with God the Son receives an Inheritance from God his Father. The Inheritance includes an Abode (Place to live) an Occupation and resources to live and thrive on. We are Children of God while here on earth then we become Sons of God in Heaven in the Manifested presence of God. Another distinction between Children and Sons is that we Children on earth struggle with sin and the physical realm. Once a Son in Heaven we are freed from sin and enter the ease of the Spiritual realm. <blockquote>Jeremiah 3:19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children [lit. **sons**], and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage [lit. **inheritance**] of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call Me, **my Father**; and shalt not turn away from Me.</blockquote> <blockquote>Jeremiah 4:22 For My people is foolish, <html>they have not known Me; they are</html> sottish (intoxicated) **children**, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.</blockquote> <blockquote>Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light.</blockquote> The people here on earth are either non-believers or they are believers and when believers they are children of God, the non-believers that have lived and have now died and died in their own sins are now separated from God forever as there is no longer a remedy for human sin after human death. While the people in Heaven are now Sons of God. Note: Once a person becomes 'Born Again' by receiving the Spirit breath Baptism directly from the resurrected living Jesus Christ we become 'children of God' and the entire time we are in our physical body we remain children of God. It is only after physical death and we separate our spirit and soul from our fleshy body of sin that we enter into the presence of God. Once in the presence of God and having met God face to face, the non-believer departs from God while the child of God remains and God adopts His children of God to become His 'sons of God' in heaven. We become sons of God only when we are in a spiritual body in heaven. To be Born Again in our physical body is to be a child of God the entire time we are physically alive on earth later only after meeting God and having a new spiritual body in heaven do we become sons of God. It's possible to be an infant or a child of God and not know our Father face to face however it is not possible to be a son without having met and being able to recognize the Father through Jesus face to face. <blockquote>Colossians 1:12-15 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son (Jesus): In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: **(Jesus) Who is the image of the invisible God**, the firstborn [inheritor] of every creature:</blockquote> <blockquote>Colossians 3:10-11 And (Christians) have put on the new (Spiritual) man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him (Jesus) that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all [children of God - sons of God].</blockquote> <fs 120%>It is the Holy Spirit that seeks to bring people to God (Jesus) </fs> <blockquote>John 12:32 And I, if I (Jesus) be lifted up (cross and resurrection) from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.</blockquote> <blockquote>Hebrews 3:7-8 Wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith, Today if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your hearts ...</blockquote> <blockquote>Hebrews 10:15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us ...</blockquote> The Holy Spirit covers the entire world and in conjunction with the work of the Holy Spirit all of creation also testifies to all of mankind about the glory, goodness and abilities of God. <blockquote>Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For <html>the invisible things of Him (God) from the creation of the world are clearly seen</html>, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead [Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit]; so that they (sinners) are without excuse:</blockquote> Because the Holy Spirit is everywhere pleading with all mankind, all mankind is without an excuse as to why they do not accept the love and a relationship with the one True God revealed to mankind in Jesus Christ. We can agree to agree that not all people are the same in the sight of God yet it depends on the individual as to their relationship or lack of relationship with God because God has made it clear that He is available for everyone. Note: The Jewish people are in the redeemed presence of God and are heirs (inheritors) in the Kingdom of God. The Jews become children - sons of God in the resurrection while the "Born Again" Christian Church are now children [in the Spiritual image] of God and as children Christians a part of the family of God. <blockquote>John 5:25 Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall [become Christians and] live.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 11:23-27 Jesus saith unto her (Martha), Thy [Jewish] brother (Lazarus) shall [physically] rise again. Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall [spiritually] rise again in the [Jewish] resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the [Spiritual] resurrection, and the [Spiritual] life: he that believeth in Me, though he were [physically] dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never [Spiritually] die. Believest thou this? She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.</blockquote> Also Note: The Jewish people are heirs (inheritors) of God because of the promises of God and through their faith in the promises of God and not by abilities, works or their keeping of the law. <blockquote>Romans 4:14-15 For if they (Jews) which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 9:3-5 ... my (Jewish) brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob], and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.</blockquote> Note this topic is mainly in reference to the Church and to the Gentiles as the Jews are a separate matter in regards to their relationship with God. Note the King James Version of the Bible often interchanges "child" (5043) and "son" (5207) a Greek language reference guide (Strong's Concordance) may be used to determine if the original word is son or child. ==== The Jewish People are the Chosen and Redeemed of God ==== <fs 120%>#8 God is revealing, enacting and fulfilling His plan for mankind through the chosen Jewish people, the covenant nation of Israel and their holy city Jerusalem</fs> <blockquote>Luke 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this child (Jesus) is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, **that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed**.</blockquote> <fs 120%>The covenants and promises of God belong to the Jews. The Gentiles have entered into the Jewish rewards via the death, blood and resurrection of Jesus</fs> <blockquote>Jeremiah 31:31-33 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a New Covenant with the <html>house of Israel</html> [Ten Northern Tribes], and with the <html>house of Judah</html> [Two Southern Tribes - Judah, Benjamin]: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.</blockquote> <blockquote>Deuteronomy 26:16-19 This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee (Israel) to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. <html>Thou hast avouched (declared and affirmed a valid truth) the LORD this day to be thy God</html>, and to walk in His ways, and to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and to hearken unto His voice: <html>And the LORD hath avouched (declared and affirmed a valid truth) thee this day to be his peculiar people</html>, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which He hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as He hath spoken.</blockquote> <blockquote>Ezekiel 11:17-20 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you (Jews) from the people [Nations], and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered (Diaspora), and I will give you the land of Israel (May 15, 1948). And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: That they may walk in My statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.</blockquote> <fs 120%>Romans 3:29 Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:</fs> <blockquote>Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the (Jews) commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh (near) by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 3:22-31 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (full payment) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Is He the God of the Jews only? is He not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision (Jews) by faith, and uncircumcision (Gentiles) through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.</blockquote> <fs 120%>Ultimately whether a Jew or a Gentile is saved it is from the Promises of God that redeems and saves a person while works do not make a person saved</fs> <blockquote>Romans Chapter 4: What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 22:31-32 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.</blockquote> <blockquote>Mark 12:26-27 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the [burning] bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living:</blockquote> Abraham received the promises of God and the Covenant of circumcision 430 years before Moses received the 10 Commandments, the 613 Laws of God and the instructions for building the Tabernacle. Abraham, his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob are each clearly living in the resurrection though all three were born before the Laws were given to Moses so as the Bible says the Law does not save us but it does instruct us in Who God really is. <blockquote>Genesis 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 15:12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And He said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation [Egypt], whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But <html>in the fourth generation they shall come hither [return to Israel] again</html>: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day <html>the LORD made a covenant with Abram</html>, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:</blockquote> <blockquote>Exodus 12:40-43 40 Now the sojourning of the children of Israel, who dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, <html>even the selfsame day</html> [430 years to the day after the covenant with Abraham] it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out from the land of Egypt. It is a night to be much observed unto the LORD for bringing them out from the land of Egypt: this is that night of the LORD to be observed of all the children of Israel in their generations. And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the Passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof:</blockquote> Note: God made the covenant with Abraham it is a one-sided covenant as Abraham did not pass-through the offering only God passed through the offering therefore only God can break the covenant as only God passed through it, meaning that the actions, intentions or deeds of Abraham and his descendants could not nullify or void this covenant because it is one sided exactly like the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is also a one-sided covenant and no one can interfere with the terms of the covenant of the cross the New Covenant. Like Abraham we can only take part in the covenant that exists with God but we cannot alter, void or null it as a whole as far as an agreement between God and people goes the covenant will always exist. <blockquote>Genesis 17:7-11 And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed (children) after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt Me and you.</blockquote> Note: The children if Israel spent 430 years total being afflicted by several nations mostly in Canaan (Israel) and finally enduring the slavery in Egypt where Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. The slavery in Egypt lasted for four generations the four generations being Levi, Kohath, Amran and Moses. <blockquote>Exodus 2:1 And there went a man (Amram a grandson of Levi) of the house of Levi, and took to wife (Jochebed) a daughter of Levi.</blockquote> <blockquote>Numbers 26:57-59 57 And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites. ... and <html>Kohath begat Amram and the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt</html>: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 46:8-12 And these are the names of the children of Israel (Jacob), which came into Egypt [when Joseph brought the whole family into Egypt], Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.>And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi. And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman. <html>And the sons of Levi</html>; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the sons of Judah; Er, and Onan, and Shelah, and Pharez, and Zarah: but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. ...</blockquote> Biblically the Covenants of God given to mankind throughout history (Adam, Noah, Abraham, the Jews, and the Disciples of Jesus - comprising both the Old and New Testaments) are the Promises of God. There are not separate Covenants of God but one set of Promises of God. <blockquote>Romans 4:9-14 Cometh this blessedness (Salvation) then upon the circumcision (Jews) only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:</blockquote> Looking at Adam and the woman (Eve) they both did sin against God, yet both of them are alive in the resurrection as well because they believed in the Promise of God to send His Redeemer. <blockquote>Genesis 2:17 - 3:20 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. ... And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. ... And I will put enmity between thee (Satan) and the woman, and between thy seed (Antichrist) and her seed (Redeemer); it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel. ... And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living.</blockquote> After the fall and now that death had entered into creation and would afflict mankind Adam then named the woman Eve "the Mother of all living." Adam was acknowledging the Redemption Promise of God the Promise to bring mankind back into an Everlasting Living relationship with God. Noah Lived before Abraham but like Abraham Noah was saved by the promises of God as God promised that He would not send the flood until Noah had the Ark ready. <blockquote>Genesis 6:17-18 And, behold, I (God), even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. But with thee (Noah) will I establish My covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.</blockquote> Job lived before Abraham and like Noah Job believed the promises of God. Job believed that yet after his own death he would live in the resurrection and meet God face to face and it was counted to Job as righteousness. <blockquote>Job 14:14-16 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my (resurrection body) change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands. For now Thou numberest my steps: dost Thou not watch over my sin?</blockquote> <blockquote>Job 19:23-27 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that My redeemer liveth, and that He (Jesus) shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after (death) my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins (desires, passions) be consumed within me.</blockquote> Jesus believed in His Father and in Himself when He laid down His life to die on the Cross knowing full well that He would resurrect His life back to His full Glory and Majesty. <blockquote>John 10:14-18 I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and Am known of Mine as the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep and other (Gentile) sheep I have, which are not of this (Jewish) fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one (Christian) fold, and one shepherd (Jesus). Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down (on the cross) of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power (resurrection) to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father.</blockquote> <fs 120%>Abraham: God's Chosen People</fs> <blockquote>Genesis 12: 1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land [Israel] that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.</blockquote> <blockquote>2 Chronicles 13:5 Ought ye not to know that the LORD God of Israel gave the kingdom over Israel to David for ever, even to him and to his sons by a covenant of salt?</blockquote> <blockquote>Psalms 89:34-37 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips. Once have I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David. His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.</blockquote> <blockquote>Acts 2:30-35 Therefore (King David) being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise up Christ to sit on His throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on My right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 9:4-5 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.</blockquote> <blockquote>Galatians 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.</blockquote> <fs 120%>Acts Chapter 13: The transition from emphasis on Jewish converts to Gentile converts in Christianity</fs> <blockquote>Acts 13:14-52 But when they (Paul and Barnabas) departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. ... And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that He hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that He raised Him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, He said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Wherefore He saith also in another Psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: But He, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by Him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest that come upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you. And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious (Gentile) proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, **I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles**, that thou shouldest be **for salvation** **unto the ends of the earth**. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against (in contrast to) them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.</blockquote> Jews have eternal life so it seems that the Apostle Paul is insinuating that their conduct "blaspheming" is to the point that it is calling into question their Jewish redemption. Then the comment "and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life" seems forward looking and is interesting because there is no doctrine that some are worthy and others are not worthy since Biblically no one is worthy of everlasting life. I wouldn't build doctrine around the verses in this exchange because it is like the "baptism for the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:29) verse in that the Apostle Paul is using a certain logic to refute an argument and he is not making doctrinal statements. God has always (Genesis 18:8) intended for the Gospel to be for both the Jews and the Gentiles. The Gospel was given first to the Jews and then later the Church included Gentiles. Even today the Gospel is not exclusive to either the Jews or the Gentiles but is available to all who call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Paul is appointed (Galatians 2:7) by God as an Apostle to the Gentiles in the same way that God appointed Peter as an Apostle to the Jews. Along with Peter and Paul the Disciple John (Revelation 4:1) is the representative for the Christian Rapture Church and James (Acts 12:2) the brother of John is the representative for the future Martyred Saints of Revelation. Salvation, healing - eternal life in God (Jesus: Je=Jehovah God is sus=Salvation) is the Gospel message. The Jews have God the Father and have redemption but require a future salvation in Jesus while the Gentiles need both redemption and salvation and get both redemption and salvation immediately by belief in Jesus. <fs 120%>Acts Chapter 15: The first Church Council - Don't eat blood as it will offend the Jews</fs> <blockquote>Acts 15:6-21 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this [Gentile converts to Christianity] matter. And when there had been much disputing [over whether Gentiles could become Christians without first becoming Covenant, Circumcised Jews], Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke [of the Law] upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His (Christian) name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this [Christian Church Era] I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. [Christians are not to offend the Jews] For Moses of old time hath in every city them (Jews) that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.</blockquote> <fs 120%>The Jews are temporarily blinded from Salvation by God, while sinners are blinded from Redemption by Satan</fs> <blockquote>Romans 11:1- I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I (Apostle Paul) also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away His people which he foreknew. ... What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded [temporarily by God] According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear; unto this day.</blockquote> <blockquote>2 Corinthians 4:3-7 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.</blockquote> Unfortunately a not so uncommon Church error has been for the Church itself to blame the children of God and to persecute the children of God all the while the persecutor is thinking that they are doing God's work for God. The middle-ages and the dark-ages of Christianity were filled with Christian leaders torturing and burning other Christians at the stake, for the non-existent crime of belonging to a different denomination, all in the guise that they were doing it on behalf of God. Likewise today to oppose the safety of Israel or to harm a Jew is just as unnecessary and revolting as the needless and detrimental persecutions of the dark and middle ages and to presume that to oppose Israel is to be doing God's work is the height of misconception. <html> [via aomin.org] With All Due Respect, The Vatican's Latest, Painful Pronouncement On Israel is Wrong by Joel Rosenberg - As such, it is the duty of all true followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to bless Israel and reaffirm her fundamental legitimacy and right to the Land - Yes, we should bless and love the Palestinians, as well, because our Lord Jesus said as a Jew living in Israel, "Love your neighbor" and, "Love your enemies" But we should never accept the false teaching that God has rejected the Jewish people or rescinded His promises to the nation of Israel - That simply is not Biblical {Note: I agree with this article and it is a major position of the Basic Christian Ministry that Christians are called by Jesus Christ to support the Jewish people in all locations and especially in their right to live peaceably in the land of Israel. The Vatican is in a position to be a substantial blessing to Israel and to the Jewish people and I think they will be. Also Note: I have been looking for pro-Israel charities to financially support but I don't think that these are the charities to financially support (ECFA membership is actually not a good sign), when I do locate an effective (Christian and Jewish recommended) pro-Israel charity I'll pass it along.} </html> <html><tt>A new headline in the Jerusalem Post reads: "Vatican synod calls for end to Israel's 'occupation': At conference on Christians in the Middle East, US Melkite archbishop says: 'There is no longer a chosen people.'" With all due respect, the Vatican is wrong on this issue. The entire Bible - from Genesis to Revelation - makes crystal clear again and again the Lord's love for the Jewish people, His decision to choose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants for His very own, and His eternal promise to give the Holy Land to the Jewish people. As such, it is the duty of all true followers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to bless Israel and reaffirm her fundamental legitimacy and right to the Land. Yes, we should bless and love the Palestinians, as well, because our Lord Jesus said as a Jew living in Israel, "Love your neighbor," and, "Love your enemies." But we should never accept the false teaching that God has rejected the Jewish people or rescinded His promises to the nation of Israel. That simply is not Biblical.</tt></html> [[http://thechristianworldview.com/tcwblog/archives/4306|article link]] Grape Vine - represents Jesus Christ Olive Tree - represents the Holy Spirit <fs 120%>To become a Christian is to receive Salvation the "Born Again" Spirit of Jesus Christ by being grafted into the Grape Vine of Jesus Christ</fs> <blockquote>1 Peter 1:23 Being **born again**, not of corruptible seed (sperm), but of incorruptible (Spirit), by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 15:1-8 I (Jesus) Am the true [Grape] Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth (washes-cleanses) it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I Am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in Him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.</blockquote> To remove oneself from the presence of Jesus and to no longer be a part of the Grape Vine is eternal damnation. <blockquote>Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift [Salvation], and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; <html>seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh</html>, and put Him to an open shame.</blockquote> The Holy Spirit empowers people and nations at different times, intensities and durations. <blockquote>Romans 11:13-24 For I (Apostle Paul) speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them (Jews) which are my flesh, and might save (Salvation) some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the [Holy Spirit] olive tree; Boast not against the branches. <html>But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee</html>. Thou wilt say then, The (Jewish) branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith (belief). Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off [from both the Olive Tree and the Grape Vine]. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: **for God is able to graff them in again**. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?</blockquote> <blockquote>Ezekiel 37:1-5 The hand of the LORD was upon me (Ezekiel), and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And He said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath (Spirit) to enter into you, and ye shall live:</blockquote> <blockquote>Ezekiel 37:11-14 Then He said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O My people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I Am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up out of your graves, **And shall put My spirit in you, and ye shall live**, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.</blockquote> <fs 120%>It is the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the Jews that are dealing with and contending with the great end time events</fs> The Jews fulfill the End Times of God's plan as it is revealed in His Holy Bible. If all of the Jews became Christians then there would be no more Jews and no more End Times. Therefore God has blinded a portion of the Jews from the Gospel in order that a group of Jews remain Jews until the Second Coming of Jesus is completed. Jesus returns to the Jews as the Christian Church has been Raptured into heaven and returns with Jesus. <blockquote>Matthew 24:3-24 And as He (Jesus) sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming (Kingdom rule), <html>and of the end of the world?</html> ... When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the [Jeruaslem Temple] holy place, whoso readeth (NT Matthew), let him understand: Then let them (Jews) which be in Judaea (Israel) flee into the mountains (Petra, Jordan): Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: 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. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.</blockquote> Jews are the redeemed of God the Apostle Paul offered the Jews Salvation not Redemption as they are already redeemed. The Jews are currently 'redeemed' (physically redeemed - in the presence of God) by God, it is their 'salvation' (Spiritual healing) that is postponed. It is first necessary for a person to be Redeemed by God and brought back into His Holy presence for God to then begin to do His work of healing (Salvation) in the life of the person. Redemption is completed at the cross of Jesus where through the shed blood and the death of Jesus sin was removed as a barrier between Holy God and sinful mankind. Salvation then begins at the Resurrection of Jesus where we now enter into eternal life for an eternal salvation healing. <blockquote>Isaiah 43:1-2 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee...</blockquote> The Apostle Paul offered Salvation to the Jews but he did not offer redemption to the Jews because they are already redeemed back to God. The cross of Jesus finalized the one sacrifice for all people for all time completing the Redemption that the Jews were already a part of. <blockquote>Acts 28:23-28 And when they (Jewish elders in Rome) had appointed him (Apostle Paul) a day, there came many to him into his (jail cell) lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet unto our fathers, Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal (Salvation) them. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.</blockquote> The Jews have the Father; they are heirs in the Kingdom of God. The Jews have the promises of God and to them belong the covenants of God. Having the promises and the covenants of God if the Jews are then not redeemed and do not receive salvation then who is redeemed and who is saved? If the Jews are not saved then no one is saved. <blockquote>1 John 2:23 Whosoever {Gentile} denieth the Son (Jesus), the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.</blockquote> **Conclusion:** <blockquote>1 Corinthians 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the Church of God:</blockquote> People think that because the Jews are God's chosen people that they are infallible but that is not the case. People also think that because the Jews make mistakes that then they are not God's chosen people but that is also not the case. The Bible in both the Old Testament and the New Testament goes to great lengths to point out the mistakes of the Jews all the while confirming that they remain God's chosen people. <blockquote>Romans 11:31 Even so have these (Jews) also now not believed, that through your (Christian) mercy they (Jews) also may obtain mercy.</blockquote> ==== Pre-Trib Rapture of the Christian Church ==== <fs 120%>#9 It is the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the Jews that are dealing with and contending with the great end time events</fs> The three New Testament groups (Church, Jews, Martyred Saints of Revelation) are each represented at the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus (Matthew 17:1-2) where Jesus was glorified in their presence. These are the only groups of redeemed-sinless people that will ever be in the glorified presences of Jesus Christ. It is the position of the Basic Christian material that the Gospel of John is the primary gospel to the Christian Church. The Gospels of Matthew, Luke and Mark are Gospels that also include "End Time" information intended for both the Jews and for the future Martyred Saints of Revelation, two groups that are separate from the born again Christian (raptured) Church. The error is in applying prophetic information in Revelation, Daniel, Isaiah, Matthew, Luke, Mark and other material that is intended for the application of the Martyred Saints and for the Jewish people (Israel) to the Christian Church. The Christian Church is not mentioned in the End Times Bible passages though the Church is mentioned in the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), as the Church is raptured (taken up) into heaven and is in heaven during the tribulation events that are mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It is the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the Jews that are dealing with and contending with the great end time events. The Christian Church is the unique time period beginning with the cross and resurrection of Jesus when on the day of the resurrection Jesus joined the presence of His disciples and breathed His eternal Holy Spirit life into each of them individually (John 20:21-23) creating the Born Again Christian Church. Membership in the Christian Church will come to a close and the Christian Church will end in the Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:14-18) as all of the Holy Spirit filled Christians will be gathered together into heaven at the voice of the Archangel and the trumpet (announcement) of God. Remember all of the Old Testament Saints up to and including John the Baptist were not Christians because they lived and died before the cross and resurrection of Jesus and did not have the opportunity to confess Jesus as the sufferer for their sins and were unable to receive by faith the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament Saints comprised the Jews who followed God and obeyed His commandments, ordinances and customs and the righteous gentiles who not personally knowing God like the Jews the righteous Gentiles obeyed their conscious towards God (Romans 2:14-15). The Martyred Saints of Revelation will not be of the Christian Church as the Church is removed and the Holy Spirit is not available to be indwelt among people (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7) during the Tribulation time period. The Martyred Saints of Revelation will again be like the righteous Gentiles of the Old Testament times obeying God with their conscience and not like the Christians who were able to obey God with our conscience and in our Spirit. The promise of Jesus (Matthew 16:18) to His Christian (Born again-Spirit filled) Church is that the Church will always stand and Satan will not prevail against Jesus' Church. However after the Church is raptured into heaven Satan is then given authority (Revelation 13:7) to overcome the precious Martyred Saints of Revelation. Not having the Born Again Spirit the Martyred Saints of Revelation and also the 144,000 Jewish witnesses will be overcome by the antichrist and will give their life to Jesus. It is not available for Satan to overcome the Born Again Christian Church. <blockquote>**Matthew 17:1-2** And after six days Jesus taketh Peter [Jews][Galatians 2:7 the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter], James [Martyred Saints of Revelation][Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword], and John [Born Again Raptured Church][Revelation 4:1 I (John) looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven] his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain [Mt. Nebo] apart, And (Jesus) was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.</blockquote> Note: Mt. Nebo is very likely where Moses who had sinned against God and was unble to enter into the promise land died and where he was buried. Mt. Nebo is in modern day Jordan and is located outside of Israel separate from the Holy Land it was also very likely the location of the Mt. of Transfiguration where Jesus, Moses and Elijah were all three transfigured into their Spiritual bodies. Because the Transfiguration of Jesus, including Moses and Elijah took place before the cross of Jesus the sins that kept Moses out of the Promise Land the first time would also keep Moses out of Israel this second time and this is likely the reason that Jesus and His Disciples traveled outside of Israel to Jordan to witness the Transfiguration of Jesus and of the two departed righteous men. If Moses is one of the Two Witnesses of Revelation (Revelation 11:1-12) in Jerusalem during the Tribulation Period Moses will be allowed in Jerusalem the Holy City because it is after the cross of Jesus and the sins of Moses are now gone having been nailed to the cross with all the other sins of humanity so Moses can now enter Israel. <blockquote>Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances (sins) that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;</blockquote> Note: Jesus was without sin and therefore could be bodily Transfigured something sinful humans cannot do we need to die first like Moses and Elijah and be separated from our body of sin and then we Christians receive our new transfigured (1 Corinthians 15:35-55) bodies. <blockquote>Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:</blockquote> <blockquote>1 Corinthians 15:35-55 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also (heavenly) celestial bodies, and bodies (earthly) terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a Spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam (Jesus) was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man (Adam) is of the earth, earthy: the second man (Jesus) is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed [translated], In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?</blockquote> <html>The Rapture [Just a reminder! - We didn't go down this road "Feast of Trumpets" possibly equals Christian Church Rapture last year, but let's do it this year, also on Sept. 11, 2010 this year - and for the record I don't think the rapture is this year - I have no idea of when the rapture is or if it actually exists but I suspect it does Biblically exist and will happen and happen sooner than later, whenever that is but only according to God's exact will and His exact timing -- still to come a few more rapture topic postings!] - The taking (Rapture) into Heaven the Church body [Ekklesia - G1577] of Jesus Christ {Note: The Rapture [speculated to possibly occur on a future Feast of Trumpets day] of the 'born again' Spirit Church by Jesus into Heaven is the conclusion of the giving of the 'born again' Spirit (John 20:22) by Jesus that started on the Resurrection Day the Feast of Firstfruits (Easter) and continues [by Jesus] throughout the entire Church Age concluding at the Rapture. The rapture is not the conclusion to the later, separate and distinct work and giving of the Holy Spirit that occurred on the later Feast Day of Pentecost. The [witness and empowerment] work of the Holy Spirit that began at Pentecost continues on throughout the Tribulation period while the 'born again' working of the Feast of Firstfruits will be concluded with the Spiritually 'born again' Church being removed from the earth and brought into Heaven by the call "shout" of Jesus.} </html> <html><tt>The Church Rapture: "1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you [Christians] to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [passed away], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe [cross and resurrection] that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus [are already in Heaven with Jesus] will God [Jesus] bring [at the rapture] with Him. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, that we [Christians] which are alive and remain unto the [rapture] coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep [they are already in Heaven]. For the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout [a bidding call - command - G2752], with the voice of the archangel, and with the Trump of God: and the dead in Christ [already in Heaven] shall rise first: Then we [Christians] which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air [the rapture precedes the 2nd coming where Jesus physically returns to earth - unto to His brethren the Jews]: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." - "Acts 3:19-21 Repent ye therefore, and be converted [become a Christian], that your sins may be blotted out [The O.T. didn't forgive 'blot out' sin as the N.T. does the O.T. only temporarily (yearly) covered sin], when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord [Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit]; And He shall send Jesus Christ [2nd coming], which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive [Jesus will remain in Heaven - the rapture, uniting of the Church with Jesus will occur in the air (heaven) not on earth - Jesus returns to the earth to the Jews (not the Church) later in the 2nd coming (Zechariah 12:10, Revelation 14:1)] until the [2nd coming] times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began." -- The Spirit baptism of Jesus began on the feast of Firstfruits and continues throughout all of Church history until it concludes at the event of the Rapture of the Church. - "John 1:32 And John [the baptist] bare record, saying, I saw the [Holy] Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him [Jesus]. And I knew Him not: but He [God] that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He [Jesus] which baptizeth with the [Spirit] Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God."</tt></html> <html>Feast of Trumpets: The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the Fall Feasts [of Israel] - The interval of time between 'first coming of Jesus' [3 Spring Feasts (Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits (Easter)) and] the last of the spring feasts [or middle Feast] (Pentecost [4th Feast] or Weeks) and the first of the [three] Fall Feasts {to be completed at the 'second coming of Jesus'} [a total of 7 Holy Feasts - 8 Feasts counting the weekly Feast of Sabbath that was also fulfilled on the first visit of Jesus - from Leviticus Chapter 23] (Trumpets) corresponds to the present Church Age - In other words, we are presently living between Israel's fourth and fifth feasts - {3 Fall Feasts} Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah) is on September 11, 2010 [in 2001 the Feast of Trumpets (a lunar calendar feast, not a solar 365 day year) was on September 18, 2001] - Day of Atonement (Yom Kippurim) September 20, 2010 - Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) September 25, 2010 - Source: escapeallthesethings.com/holy-day-calendar.htm</html> <html><tt>The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts. The Jewish people call this feast Rosh Hashanah, which literally means "Head of the Year," and it is observed as the start of the civil year (in contrast with the religious year which starts with Passover) on the Jewish calendar. The Feast of Trumpets is so important in Jewish thinking that it stands alongside Yom Kippur ("Day of Atonement") to comprise what Judaism calls "the high holy days" on the Jewish religious calendar. It begins the "ten days of awe" before the Day of Atonement. According to Leviticus 23:24-27, the celebration consisted of a time of rest, "an offering made by fire [only the normal acceptable Levitically prescribed Temple offerings not some made-up 'strange fire' offering]," and the blowing of the trumpets. Modern Rosh Hashanah (Ezekiel 40:1) is traced back to the Feast of Trumpets which is the sounding of the trumpets on the first day of the seventh month (Tishri) of the religious calendar year (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 29:1). The trumpet referred to here was the shofar, a ram's horn. It was distinctive from the silver trumpets blown on the other new moons. Silver trumpets were sounded at the daily burnt offering and at the beginning of each new month (Numbers 10:10), but the shofar specifically was blown on the beginning of the month Tishri. The interval of time between the last of the spring feasts (Pentecost or Weeks) and the first of the fall feasts (Trumpets) corresponds to the present Church Age. In other words, we are presently living between Israel's fourth and fifth feasts. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost started the Church Age [coming after the 40 day Christian Apostolic Age (the personal earthly fellowship of the Disciples with the resurrected Jesus)]; and Trumpets, which will signal Christ's second coming to rapture the Church and {begin Revelation to ultimatly} judge the wicked, will end the Church Age.</tt></html> [[http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/feasts/trumpets.htm|article link]] <html>{Flashback} The Blood Moon Scenario - tracking solar and lunar eclipses and comparing them with Levitical Feasts</html> <html><tt>In the spring of 2015 Israel's religious year will begin with a total solar eclipse, followed two weeks later a total lunar eclipse on Passover. And then six months later the sequence will repeat itself with a second solar eclipse on Rosh Hashanna followed two weeks after that by another total lunar eclipse on the Feast of Tabernacles, all in 2015. The last time anything like this happened was in 1967, when Jerusalem became an undivided Jewish city again, and before that there were several occurrences during the years of 1948-50, as Israel was becoming a nation. There were none at all in the 1800's, 1700's, or 1600's, and none in the 1500's that coincided with Feast Days. ... If these earlier Blood Moons did in fact announce the re-birth of the nation and the reunification of Jerusalem as it appears, then the next major step in Israels' journey toward the Kingdom is their national reunion with their Creator. This is the way Ezekiel saw it happening, and in my view is important enough to God to merit such a celestial announcement. After all He's been waiting to take them back for 2000 years.</tt></html> [[http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/the-blood-moon-scenario|article link]] <html>Pentecost - Three different things were being accomplished on the one Feast Day of Pentecost - 1. The Apostles who were already Christians (Luke 24:45, John 20:22) became Holy Spirit empowered and emboldened in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - 2. Ordinary Citizens (those who had not witnessed the resurrection of Jesus as the Apostles had) began to respond to the teachings and preaching of the Apostles and became Christians [without receiving the miraculous wind, speaking in tongues or the flames of fire that the Apostles had just received] - 3. According to the Apostle Peter quoting the Prophet Joel the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon all people [the world having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus] as a witness [the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31) now globally doing the sanctifying and witness work that the (Tabernacle and later the) Temple in Jerusalem once did] witnessing (Colossians 1:6) to the world regarding the accomplished resurrection of Jesus Christ in order that all people [since Pentecost] will have the Spiritual opportunity to come to faith and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior</html> <html><tt>1. "Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [Apostles] were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled [empowered] with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. -- 2. "Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:" - "Acts 41-42 Then they [new Christians] that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [to the Christian Church] unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." -- 3. "Act2:16-21 But this [Holy Spirit outpourning] is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh [all people, Jews, Gentiles - saved, unsaved - as a witness to every one of the completed works of the Messiah Jesus Christ - note: it is the 'upon' witness of the Holy Spirit and is separate and different from the 'indwelling' presence of the Holy Spirit in the 'born again' Christian, a person who has responded to the 'upon' presence of the Holy Spirit receives God inside and becomes a 'born again' Christian]: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: {during Revelation} The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day [2nd Coming] of the Lord come: And it [through it all] shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord [Jesus Christ] shall be saved [eternal life].</tt></html> <fs 120%>Two Separate 'End Times' Teachings of Jesus</fs> <blockquote>**Matthew 21-23 [Jesus teaching in the Temple]** And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them ...</blockquote> <blockquote>**Matthew 23** Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples (followers), Saying, ... Verily I say unto you, All these things (rejection and crucifixion of Christ, destruction of Jerusalem, scattering-diaspora) shall come upon this [current] generation.</blockquote> <blockquote>**Matthew 24-25 [Jesus teaching at the Mount of Olives, a new location and a new teaching]**</blockquote> And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: ... And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these (Kingdom of Jesus) things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming (in power, 2nd coming), and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, ... Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch [Jewish Temple in Jerusalem - yet to be rebuilt] is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves (fig leaves, man's religious covering and activities, no fruit), ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these [Jerusalem, Jewish Temple] things, know that it (2nd coming) is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This [future] generation shall not pass, till all these (end times) things be fulfilled. Just like the Christian Church needs the information in the Old Testament the Martyred Saints of Revelation and the end time Jews in Israel will need the information of the New Testament. The Bible is completely written and finished there is no more information or material to be added to the Bible. There will not be a Martyred Saints of Revelation addition to the Bible. The future Martyred Saints of Revelation and the end time Jews of Israel (Judea) will need to know the Biblical information and Biblical events of their day. For example in Matthew 24:16 in order to flee to the mountains when the antichrist is revealed in the temple in Jerusalem they will have to know the New Testament so the New Testament is also written to them like the Old Testament is also written to the Christian Church. <fs 120%>Currently much of the deception that is going on in the world is just manipulation and not miracles but when the Antichrist does come on the scene he will perform actual miracles in a combination with "all power and signs and lying wonders"</fs> <blockquote>2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 Even him (Antichrist), whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.</blockquote> The manipulation of mankind is taking form with political lies, media deceit, statistical misrepresentation, digital imagery, fake photography, advanced science techniques, electromagnetic waves, sound, radio, digital TV, lights, space mirrors, rumors, stories, innuendos, accusations, ancient history rewrites, recent history rewrites, present time rewrites and a host of other methods. After the "Born Again" Christian Church has departed in the Rapture then the "man of sin" the Antichrist will be revealed "whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness" <blockquote>2 Thessalonians 2:1-10 Now we (Apostles) beseech you (fellow Christians), brethren, by the [2nd] coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together [Rapture] unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit [demonic spirits], nor by word [false teachers], nor by letter [extra biblical writings - Gnostic gospels] as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [Rapture] shall not come, except there come a falling away [backsliding - apostasy] first, and that man [Antichrist] of sin [666] be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the [Jerusalem] temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I (Apostle Paul) was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what [Holy Spirit] withholdeth that he [Antichrist] might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only He [Holy Spirit] who now letteth will let, until He be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.</blockquote> <fs 120%>The coming Antichrist is completely separate and distinct from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is God revealed to mankind, manifested as the Son of God, Divine, Holy and pure</fs> <blockquote>1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.</blockquote> <blockquote>Romans 16:26-27 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.</blockquote> <blockquote>Luke 10:18 And He (Jesus) said unto them (Disciples), I beheld (observed) Satan as lightning fall from heaven.</blockquote> <blockquote>John 14:30-31 Hereafter I (Jesus) will not talk much with you (Disciples): for "the prince of this world" [Satan] cometh, and hath nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 John 2:22-23 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He (denier) is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.</blockquote> The Antichrist is a "man of sin" a demonically cobbled together concoction of human flesh and demon possession who specializes in manifesting sin, death, lies, deceit, greed and manipulations. <blockquote>Revelation 16:13-14 And I (Disciple John) saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon (Satan), and out of the mouth of the beast (Antichrist), and out of the mouth of the false prophet (Antichrist's personal prophet, like John the Baptist was for Jesus). 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.</blockquote> Jesus died for us, Jesus gave His life to us to save mankind. Satan never died for anybody, Satan only came to kill, steal and destroy mankind. <blockquote>John 10:7-12 Then said Jesus unto them (Disciples) again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I Am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I Am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I Am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.</blockquote> <fs 120%>Jesus has given His promise to be with us always! </fs> <blockquote>Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I (Jesus) am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (lit. end of the ages). Amen.</blockquote> It is sometimes translated "the end of the age" the Greek is "the end of the ages" the KJV translators instead of using ages plural translated it to "the end of the world." This encompasses all of God's ages, dispensations and eras for mankind. Some have hypothesized their own dispensations i.e. the Age of Pisces and the Age of Aquarius however the Bible is clear that Jesus Christ is and remains supreme forever and ever. **Conclusion:** <blockquote>Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.</blockquote> ==== The Church Ending - End Time Summary ==== <fs 120%>#10 The second coming of Jesus is the gathering [rapture] and conclusion of His "Born Again" Christian Church Era</fs> The Bible has much to say about the interactions of God with mankind and of the various times regarding mankind particularly the time during the first coming of Jesus and of the start of His "Born Again" Christian Church and also about the second coming of Jesus and the gathering and conclusion of His "Born Again" Christian Church. It is the individual's belief in the complete sin cleansing cross and eternal life giving resurrection of Jesus Christ that then prepares the way for Jesus Christ to breath His life giving Spirit into each believing person. The new presence of the Holy Spirit within the person now creates a new "Born Again" Christian. Each person is inducted into the Christian Church only by personally receiving the Holy Spirit within themselves through the personal act of baptism in the Holy Spirit by Jesus Christ. <blockquote>Matthew 4:11 I (John the Baptist) indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He (Jesus) that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:</blockquote> <blockquote>John 1:32-33 And John (the Baptist) bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon Him (Jesus). And I knew Him not: but He (Father God) that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, the same is He which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.</blockquote> <fs 120%>If the living resurrected Jesus Christ has not breathed His Eternal Life giving Spirit into an individual person then that individual person is not a Christian</fs> <blockquote>1 John 2:22-26 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah - Eternal Living One)? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son (Jesus). Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that [Gospel] therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.</blockquote> <blockquote>1 John 5:9-13 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this [resurrection] is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son (Jesus). He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth not the [resurrection] record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that 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. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name (Jesus) 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.</blockquote> After the conclusion of the "Born Again" Holy Spirit filled Christian Church era the attention of God and the focus of the Bible will remain on the Jews and also the Martyred Saints of Revelation a new group of redeemed people will enter the Biblical setting. After the "Born Again" Christian Church is raptured into heaven the whole Christian Church starting since the day of the resurrection of Jesus over 2,000 years ago will be gathered together for the first time and in heaven will participate in the Eternal Rewards Ceremony and in the Marriage Banquet Feast. <blockquote>Revelation 4:1-2 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither (Church Rapture), and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter [after the Church Rapture]. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 11:15-19 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 (Jesus); and He shall reign for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 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. And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and <html>that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great</html>; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth. 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.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 19:5-9 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great. And I heard as it were the voice of a great (Christian Church) multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife (Church) hath made herself ready. And to her (Church) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of (Christian) saints. And he (Angel) saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.</blockquote> While the Christian "Born Again" Church is in Heaven there is here on earth a time period generally regarded to be about seven years long until Jesus returns to the earth with His Christian Church accompanying Him. <blockquote>Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks [70 seven year periods] are determined upon thy (Jewish) people and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem), to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting [Kingdom of Jesus] righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. ... And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah (Christ) be cut off (Cross, crucifixion), but not for Himself: and the (Roman) people of the prince (Caesars) that shall come shall destroy the city (Jerusalem) and the sanctuary (Temple); and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week (seven years): and in the midst of the week (3 ½ years) he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation [the antichrist will declare himself Christ and offer his 666 Mark of the Beast], and that determined [the judgments of Revelation] shall be poured [the bowl judgments of Revelation chapters 15 and 16] upon the desolate [kingdom of Antichrist].</blockquote> <fs 120%>The Martyred Saints of Revelation are precious to Jesus in that they give their life to be with Jesus where the Christian Church merely confessed faith in Jesus to be with Jesus</fs> The purpose of the rapture is to gather all of the Christian Spirit filled believers into heaven removing them from the earth and the End Times wrath to come. The Martyred Saints of Revelation remain on the earth after the rapture and are individually brought into the presence of Jesus by the great End Times persecutions. The Martyred Saints of Revelation are a part of the Christian Church in that they belong to Jesus Christ but coming after the "Born Again" Church era they do not become members in the "Born Again" part of the Christian Church. After the "Born Again" Christian Church has been raptured-called into heaven by Jesus the Holy Spirit will not indwell each individual Martyred Saint remaining on the earth like the Holy Spirit did indwell each Christian starting with the Resurrection day of Jesus and continuing until the group rapture of the Church. The Martyred Saints of Revelation are like the Jews and also like the righteous Gentiles during the Old Testament times in that they worship, know and obey God in their soul and in their conscience and not in the Spirit as the "Born Again" Church has been able to do. <blockquote>Revelation 6:9-11 And when He (Jesus) had opened the fifth seal, I (Disciple John) saw under the altar the souls of them (Martyred Saints) that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony (confession of the resurrection of Jesus) which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying How long, O Lord, holy and true, doust thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto everyone of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season [7 years] until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus:</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 13:7 And it was given unto him (Antichrist) to make war with the saints and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds and tongues and nations.</blockquote> In the middle of the seven year time period without the Church the Antichrist will reveal himself forcing his 666 "mark of the beast" on the remaining people. The 666 mark of the beast event divides the seven year time period into two 3 1/2 year time periods the time before the mark and the time after the mark until Jesus returns to earth with His Church. The Martyred Saints of Revelation will all give their life to Jesus and as a result will be martyred by the government here on earth. Corresponding with the two groups of 3 1/2 years in the seven year period there are two parts to the martyrdom of the Martyred Saints of Revelation. The first 3 1/2 years the Saints are martyred for holding to the words of God and then after the Antichrist more Martyred Saints of Revelation are martyred for wisely refusing to take the 666 mark of the beast. <blockquote>Revelation 12:11 And **they overcame** him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 15:2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and **them that had gotten the victory** over the beast (Antichrist) and over his (Satanic fake born again) image and over his mark and over the number (666) of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.</blockquote> When Jesus returns with his Church He will have His long awaited 1,000 year rule on earth it will be a Divine time when all of creation and all inhabitants will finally experience the true loving, righteous and just leadership of Jesus Christ as He reigns as King of the World. <blockquote>Revelation 20:1-3 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him (Satan) into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them (Martyred Saints of revelation) that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.</blockquote> After the 1,000 year Kingdom reign of Jesus Christ here on earth there will then be a New Heaven and a New Earth. <blockquote>Revelation 21:1 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.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 21:3-7 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.</blockquote> <fs 120%>This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled</fs> <blockquote>Matthew 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This [1967 Jerusalem - Temple rebuilding] generation shall not pass, till all these [End Time] things be fulfilled.</blockquote> 1967 Jerusalem - Rabbi Shlomo Goren blowing a Shofar announcing the End Time generation and the heralding of all End Time events. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15YesIVc5FM|1967 Jerusalem - Rabbi Shlomo Goren blowing a Shofar]] (Video - YouTube) A generation is a peer group of people who are alive during an event or time period and are old enough (minimum of about 12-14 years old) to comprehend the event's occurrence and significance. The great December 7, 1941 Pearl Harbor - WWII generation is rapidly passing, the 1967 Jerusalem - Temple rebuilding generation is rapidly maturing and the 9-11, 2001 WTC generation is just getting underway. <blockquote>Matthew 24:32-35 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 3:6-7 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and <html>they sewed fig leaves together</html>, <html>and made **themselves** aprons</html>.</blockquote> Grape Vine - represents Jesus Christ Olive Tree - represents the Holy Spirit Fig Tree - represents man and the works of man While Jesus was on the cross the Temple veil tore from top to bottom signifying the end to the physical Temple system and the perfecting of the Spiritual system yet man is now in the process of recreating the Jerusalem Temple including the tools, implements, instruments and the accompanying procedures. There is also a plan in place to rebuild the Jerusalem Temple. With the blood cleansing cross and the Holy Spirit life giving resurrection of Jesus the Jerusalem Temple is no longer needed as a place for God to meet with mankind. The coming Jerusalem Temple is therefore equated to man's religious (fig tree) practices and is not a part God's prescribed Holy instructions. It seems most likely that the "parable of the fig tree" in Matthew 24:32 is the rebuilding of the Jerusalem Temple. <blockquote>Matthew 24:10-16 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. <html>When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel (Daniel 9:27) the prophet</html>, stand in the Holy Place [rebuilt Jerusalem Temple], whoso readeth, let him understand: Then let them which be in Judaea (Israel) flee into the mountains:</blockquote> <blockquote>Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy (Daniel's) people [Jews] and upon thy Holy City [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.</blockquote> <blockquote>Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem [Holy City], he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.</blockquote> For almost 2,000 years (August 30, 70 A.D. - May 14, 1948) there was not an independent Jewish nation in Israel and no accompanying Jewish Temple in Jerusalem so some parts of the Christian Church began to engage in "replacement theology" by replacing the Church with the Jews in regard to the prescribed promises and prophecies given to the Jews. The replacement of the Jews with the Church in theology was done to help explain and fulfill End Time prophecies since so many of the prophecies include Israel however since 1948 and the reestablishment and re-gathering of the Jewish nation of Israel the replacement theology has become completely obsolete. One of the most prominent End Time prophecies in the Bible is Isaiah and the promised "re-gathering of the Nation of Israel" re-gathered strictly to fulfill and complete all the End Time events. In End Time prophecy before Israel was back in the land it technically was not the End Times however with Israel back in their land in 1948 and especially since regaining control of Jerusalem prophetically we now live in the End Times. <blockquote>Isaiah 11:11-12 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands [far away countries] of the sea. And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.</blockquote> <blockquote>Daniel 7:7-8 After this I (Daniel) saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast [Roman - European Empire], dreadful and terrible, and strong exceedingly; and it had great iron teeth: it devoured and brake in pieces, and stamped the residue with the feet of it: and it was diverse [European] from all the beasts that were before it; and it had ten horns [rulers]. I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn [Antichrist], before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great [blasphemy] things.</blockquote> <blockquote>Daniel 7:15-28 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them [Angels] that stood by, and asked him the truth of all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things. These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth. But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I would know the truth of the fourth beast, which was diverse from all the others, exceeding dreadful, whose teeth were of iron, and his nails of brass; which devoured, brake in pieces, and stamped the residue (lit. left down behind) with his feet; And of the ten horns that were in his head, and of the other which came up, and before whom three fell; even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows. I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints [Martyred Saints of Revelation], and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days [Jesus Christ] came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, <html>and shall devour the whole earth</html>, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces. And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings. And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times (BC-AD) and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time (1 year) and times (2 years) and the dividing of time (1/2 a year) [3 1/2 years total]. But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High (Jesus Christ), whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. Hitherto is the end of the matter. As for me Daniel, my cogitations (reflective thoughts) much troubled me, and my countenance changed in me: but I kept the matter in my heart.</blockquote> Note: Israel was a family and not yet a Nation when they entered Egypt (Exodus 1:1-5) God promised Mosses that He would make Israel a Nation (Exodus 19:6) and then the day Israel departed Egypt (the first Passover) is the day Israel became a nation (Isaiah 66:8). The first captivity of Israel [722 B.C.] when the ten northern tribes of Israel went to the Assyrian Empire (Nineveh was the capital) and later Babylon (Iraq) conquered the two remaining southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin by attacking and destroying [9th day of the 5th Jewish month Av in 586 B.C.] the Temple in Jerusalem that Solomon had built and taking most of Israel into captivity in Babylon [586 B.C. - 538 B.C.]. Assyria represented strength with military and political power while Babylon represented mysticism and false religion. God sent each portion of Israel into captivity into nations that represented the false idol worship that the Israeli tribes were following. The northern tribes had forsaken God for political and military might and power so God sent them into captivity into Assyria then the reaming two tribes practiced mysticism and other false religion so God had them conquered and sent them into captivity in Babylon. The second dispersion of Israel began after August 30, 70 A.D. [9th day of the 5th Jewish month Av in 70 A.D.] when the Roman General Titus Flavius Vespasianus destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Then on May 14, 1948 A.D. Israel was given its independence signifying the second and final re-gathering of Israel back into the promise land that God had given to them. <fs 120%>The Second Coming of Jesus Christ</fs> The first coming of Jesus was divided into segments or dispensations of generations. <blockquote>Matthew 1:16-17 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary (the Virgin), of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.</blockquote> Since the beginning of the Christian Church in about 33 A.D. much has been written about the dispensation segments and of the timeframe for the second coming of Jesus. Generally the timeframe for the second coming of Jesus consists of dispensations for the entire human existence and segments into a structure of eight 1,000 year sections of time for a total of 8,000 years. The structure is in part modeled after the creation week where for six days mankind was to labor and the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest while the eighth day is a new day. Basically the 6,000 years of human history from Adam to the Antichrist equate to the fall and six days of labor and oppression for mankind. The coming 7,000 year starting approx 2033 A.D. is thought to be the Millennial Kingdom rule of Jesus Christ where mankind will finally be given rest from our oppression by the presence and righteous reign of Jesus Christ. Then at the end of the thousand years of Jesus' rule the 8,000th year will be the begging of the New Heaven and the New Earth of eternal existence. The dispensations are divided into 1,000 year segments based on what the Apostle Peter wrote in his 2nd letter to the Church. <blockquote>2 Peter 3:8-9 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise [to return], as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.</blockquote> Eden B.C. 4000 -- Noah B.C. 3,000 -- Abraham B.C 2,000 -- King David 1,000 B.C --- Jesus Christ A.D. 0 --- Church Age A.D. 33-2,033? (an unknown amount of time thought to be about 2,000 years) - Tribulation-Antichrist A.D. 2033-2040 (7 years total) - New Millennium A.D. 2040-3,040 (1,000 years total) -- New Creation Eternity 3,040 A.D. (eternity) [a total of 8,000 years for all the dispensations of mankind and then comes the eternal existence]. Source: [http://www.preservedwords.com/charts.htm www.preservedwords.com] <blockquote>Hosea 6:1-3 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for He hath torn, and He will heal us; He hath smitten, and He will bind us up. After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: His going forth is prepared as the morning; and He shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.</blockquote> Clearly this verse is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ "His going forth is prepared as the morning" and it is thought that the first part of the verse is about the resurrection of the Church "After two days will He revive us" and of the Jews "in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight." It was in the twilight of the morning that Jesus the "Dayspring" resurrected from the grave. <blockquote>Leviticus 7:16-18 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten: But the remainder of the flesh of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burnt with fire. And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on the third day, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity.</blockquote> The sacrifices and offerings of God all had time limits attached to them the Passover lamb was to be eaten that evening, peace offerings were to be consumed within two days, the atonement by the Jewish High Priest was to last exactly one year, etc. <blockquote>John 14:27-29 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I [Jesus in human form]. And now I have told you before it [crucifixion - resurrection] come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.</blockquote> It is possible that the peace offering in the Bread of Life of Jesus Christ is only to be offered for the two days (2,000 years) and that there is an expiration date of approximately 2,033 A.D. for the gathering together of the Christian Church the body of Jesus Christ. With the 1967 return of the Holy City of Jerusalem to Jewish possession and a possible last date of 2033 for the Christian Church to be gathered together it creates the one end time generation that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:34. Considering that a fourteen year old young adult could have witnessed or certainly would have known about the June 7, 1967 return of Jerusalem to Jewish control via TV, radio or newspaper and knowing that it was way back in August 30, 70 A.D. about 42 generations ago that Jerusalem was taken from the Jews by the Romans making the return of Jerusalem a very significant event and even more significant in that it was very unlikely that the event would even occur at all let alone that it occurred within the lifetime of a Biblical last generation. A fourteen year old in 1967 would only be about 65 years old in 2033 clearly an End Time timeframe of one generation. Note: The year 2033 is being presented for consideration as a possible expiration date for the gathering together of the Christian Church. The Christian Church in its present earthly form does not continue on indefinitely it does conclude at some future point in time. The 2033 year date is not being presented as a Rapture or a Second Coming date as the Second Coming - Rapture of the Christian Church could occur at any moment. When the Christian Church does conclude it will be completely at the discretion, pleasure and direction of God. God is the only overseer of His Christian Church as God alone has the power, majesty and authority to begin and end His Christian Church era. <fs 120%>Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time</fs> <blockquote>Revelation 12:12 ... Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 12:7-13 And there was war in heaven: Michael (the Archangel) and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth (humans) and of the sea (demons)! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman (Jews) which brought forth the Man Child (Jesus Christ).</blockquote> <blockquote>Jeremiah 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman (Virgin Mary) shall compass a Man [not an infant in status at birth but a man the Son of God in status at birth].</blockquote> That the Virgin Mary would give birth to Jesus who is the Christ already the Son of God (before birth), being the Son of God Jesus does not get adopted by God to become a "sons of God" like humans do. Humans start out unsaved, then once 'born again' humans become 'children of God' then after death and once in heaven children of God are 'adopted as sons of God' by God and receive from God an inheritance, a new Spirit body and a new home including a new occupation (projects and responsibilities) in heaven. <blockquote>Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.</blockquote> <blockquote>Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.</blockquote> <fs xx-small>First Posting: 10/14/2002 - Basic Christian: Discussion Forum Latest Update: 05/18/2009 - BasicChristian.org</fs> ==== Predatory Tithing and Predatory Preaching are both Cultish and unBiblical ==== <fs 120%>#11 No more enabling, perpetuating and furthering the very serious and real problems of Predatory Preaching (exercising spiritual authority over others) and Predatory Tithing (receiving finances from others for personal lifestyle uses) and the many other compromising and Emergent/New Age spirituality problems that are now creeping up within the true Christian Church!</fs> <html>Bible Verse: Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord (Jesus) hath made ruler over His household [fellowship], to give them meat [sound doctrine Bible study] in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}</html> <html><tt>Matthew 24:45-51 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord (Jesus) hath made ruler over His household, to give them meat [sound doctrine Bible study] in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall make him [faithful servant] ruler over all His goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delayeth His coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -- Matthew 13:41-43 The Son of Man (Jesus) shall send forth His [Holy] Angels, and they shall gather out of His Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath [Spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. -- Holy Bible</tt></html> <html>The New Testament concept of Fellowship financial openness and accountability -- "John 15:14-16 Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I (Jesus) command you. Henceforth I call you not servants (lit. slaves); for the servant (slave) knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends (lit. brotherly love); for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known [openness] unto you. ... that [with brotherly love and openness] whatsoever ye shall ask [i.e. Moses in the Tabernacle (Tent) of the Congregation speaking to God - Numbers 7:89] of the Father in My name, He may give it you." </html> <html><tt>John 15:11-27 These things have I (Jesus) spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 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. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that [with brotherly love and openness] whatsoever ye shall ask [i.e. Moses in the Tabernacle (Tent) of the Congregation speaking to God - Numbers 7:89] of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him (Father) that sent Me (Jesus). If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke [covering] for their sin. He that hateth Me hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin [of open rebellion]: but now have they both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this cometh to pass, that the Word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They [sinners] hated Me without a cause. But when the Comforter (Holy Spirit) is come [Pentecost], whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He (Holy Spirit) shall testify of Me (Jesus): And ye (Apostles) also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning.</tt></html> <html>The Old Testament concept of Congregation financial openness and accountability - Moses publically reported the gifting, finances and tithes given and offered to his congregation --"Numbers 7:89 And [after public openness and accountability] when Moses was gone into the Tabernacle [Tent] of the Congregation to speak with Him [God], then he heard the voice of One speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the Ark of Testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto Him." </html> <html><tt>Example: Numbers 7:10-89 And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar in the day that it was anointed, even the princes offered their offering before the altar. And the LORD said unto Moses, They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedicating of the altar. And he that offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah: And his offering was one silver charger [a serving tray], the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them were full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: One spoon of ten shekels of gold, full of incense: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab. On the second day Nethaneel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, did offer: He offered for his offering one silver charger [a serving tray], the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering: One spoon of gold of ten shekels, full of incense: One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering: One kid of the goats for a sin offering: And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Nethaneel the son of Zuar. On the third day ... And all the oxen for the sacrifice of the peace offerings were twenty and four bullocks, the rams sixty, the he goats sixty, the lambs of the first year sixty. This was the dedication of the altar, after that it was anointed. And [after public openness and accountability] when Moses was gone into the Tabernacle [Tent] of the Congregation to speak with Him [God], then he heard the voice of One speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the Ark of Testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto Him.</tt></html> <html>FBCJaxWatchDog: Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) Webinar - "Unleash a Generosity Surge at Your Church" - This webinar will encourage generosity in your church as we review the results from the State of the Plate and the View from the Pew surveys {Note: We as Christians can't do much about the level of greed, abuse and corruption at the U.N. but we can certainly still do something about it in our local Churches. If the Church is not 100% Transparent with their financial statements [readily assessable legal - tax documents] then don't donate or donate only a minimal amount. We all have to take part in reducing the greed and corruption within the current Christian Church system, it is at the point that if we don't take a stand against it we are becoming a part of the problem! - Also Note: the ECFA is seemingly a very unaccountable and suspect [red flag] organization itself. The ECFA though pretending to provide financial oversight for Churches and Ministries refuses to make their own financial statements publically available. Any Church or organization that is ECFA affiliated should be immediately removed from being considered a good, accountable, responsible, viable or safe place for our hard earned donations. - It's not too much to ask any Church or fellowship to display their financial [tax filings] documents and statements, in fact, it's a minimum that an honest and open Church or Ministry must do!} </html> <html><tt>The same group that Senator Grassley is hoping will encourage churches to be more financially transparent and thus avoid federal legislation in the area of religious organization fund raising - is actually hosting a webinar to help churches squeeze more money out of their people. And their logo has a pastor's head overlay-ed on top of a pile of money. I'm sure Grassley is going to love that! It would have been better to have him with a fist full of cash in his hand! Who has ECFA hired for their webinar? Why none other than "bestselling generosity author" Brian Kluth, also described as "one of the world's leading authorities on charitable giving and generosity". Experts in generosity? Can't we just call it what it is: "fund raiser". We've had people for decades know how to "raise funds", but in the church that wouldn't go over well, so we call them "generosity consultants". Click here to see Brian Kluth's "Maximum Generosity" website where churches can buy his resources on how to get your people to be more generous. Can't be too much longer and we'll see informercials on this. If we have "generosity experts" marketing their wares to pastors, how long before the SBC seminaries start pumping out PhD's in "generosity"? Shouldn't every mega church have a PhD in "generosity", aka "fund raising"? Look below at the blurbs from the ECFA website and blast email - while the speaker isn't using Alec Baldwin's "AIDA" approach, it is awfully close: the five I's: Instruct, Inspire, Influence, Involve, and Ignite! And of course, he'll explain three things you can do, pastor, to increase giving 10% in the next 12 months. -- Here's a strategy: how about preach the gospel, convert the lost, and then just let the Holy Spirit grow your church and let them give according to New Testament standards? Nope, the gospel and Jesus aren't good enough anymore. We need more. We need to pay generosity consultants to tell our pastors how to tell us how to give more money and stop being stingy. -- Preach Jesus, love people, teach people to love Jesus, and see what happens.</tt></html> [[http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2011/04/ecfa-webinar-unleash-generosity-surge.html|article link]] <html>Looming [U.N.] Financial Crisis Forces U.N. to Mull Less-Than-Radical Cutbacks - The government of Britain was the first to deliver that message last month, when its ministry for international development announced it would cut off four minor U.N. organizations entirely from funding at the end of next year, and put others on warning that they would face the same fate if they did not improve performance - Other generous U.N. funders, like Norway, have started financial reviews that could lead to similar results</html> <html><tt>One country that has not yet taken the austerity approach is the U.S., which provides at least $6.4 billion for the U.N., according to U.S. government compilations. What most of the suggestions sent to the Nairobi meeting reveal is that despite years of a widely-touted effort to "deliver as one" united organization in its humanitarian and other efforts, the U.N. is still a widely disparate array of uncoordinated bureaucracies, ranging from such giants as the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the World Food Program, to such relative backwaters as the International Labor Organization and the International Maritime Organization. ... They also call for "intensification of audits of operations at country, regional and global level," which would reinforce "the sense of fiscal discipline, responsibility and cost consciousness." The suggestion does not note, though another systemwide U.N. study does, that U.N. auditors are already over-stretched, under-qualified for their work, and often impeded and ignored by their bosses. None of the ideas presented to the Nairobi meeting included a drastic change in the ramshackle way the U.N. system itself has grown in the past six decades. Notably, nothing in the suggestions addresses the inefficiency of having 28 international funds, agencies, programs, regulatory agencies and other major global bureaucracies in the first place, many with overlapping and competing mandates for their activities, especially in such rapidly expanding areas as environmentalism. Changes in that overall bureaucratic challenge likely are beyond the pay-grades of even the top-most U.N. executives -- not to mention, perhaps that the changes might not be in their personal or bureaucratic interest.</tt></html> [[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/04/06/looming-financial-crisis-forces-mull-radical-cutbacks/|article link]] <html>CNN: NATO takes command in Libya - U.S. officials, opposition warn Libya could get bloodier - CIA operatives have been in Libya working with [Al-Qaeda backed?] rebel leaders to try to reverse gains by loyalist forces, a U.S. intelligence source said {Note: these stunning Middle-East developments and the UN response and involvement could be no less than the disintegration of the UN as a viable organization. Only days before the Libya crisis began England was in the process of reducing their funding commitment to the UN. The UN response to Libya has been disastrous, when Libya a UN member Nation asked for impartial observers the UN responded with one of the most outrageous military assaults in modern history by delivering untold death and destruction upon the tiny UN Nation of Libya. Biased UN decisions and actions that can only ultimately in all likelihood result in the withdrawal of reasonable (UN) member Nations particularly the Middle-East Nations.} </html> <html><tt>Tripoli, Libya (CNN) -- From the halls of Congress to the shell-pocked streets of Libyan cities, intertwined themes rang clear Thursday: Leader Moammar Gadhafi is determined to prevail, and the opposition needs more training and allied airstrikes to have a chance. ... The United States, insisting it is now fulfilling more of a support role in the coalition, shifted in that direction as NATO took sole command of air operations in Libya. The ferocity of this month's fighting and Gadhafi's advantage in firepower was clearly evident in Misrata, which has seen snipers, significant casualties and destruction. ... The CIA has had a presence in Libya for some time, a U.S. official told CNN earlier this month. "The intelligence community is aggressively pursuing information on the ground," the official said. The CIA sent additional personnel to Libya to augment officers on the ground after the anti-government protests erupted, the official said, without giving details. ... NATO emphasized Thursday that the U.N. resolution authorizing action in Libya precludes "occupation forces." NATO Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, indicated that the presence of foreign intelligence personnel does not violate U.N. Security Council 1973, which authorized action in Libya. The term "occupation forces" has "a quite clear meaning," he said at a news conference in Brussels, adding that NATO receives and uses intelligence from allies and does not judge the sources. The NATO mission, called Operation Unified Protector, includes an arms embargo, a no-fly zone, and "actions to protect civilians and civilian centers," NATO said Thursday. It follows U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, allowing member states to take all necessary measures -- "while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form" -- to protect civilians under the threat of attack in Libya. </tt></html> [[http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/03/31/libya.war/index.html|article link]] <html>Heartlight.org: The Authority of Reality "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you" (James 4:8) - from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers</html> <html><tt>It is essential to give people a chance of acting on the truth of God. The responsibility must be left with the individual, you cannot act for him, it must be his own deliberate act, but the evangelical message ought always to lead a man to act. The paralysis of refusing to act leaves a man exactly where he was before; when once he acts, he is never the same. It is the foolishness of it that stands in the way of hundreds who have been convicted by the Spirit of God. Immediately I precipitate myself over into an act, that second I live; all the rest is existence. The moments when I truly live are the moments when I act with my whole will. Never allow a truth of God that is brought home to your soul to pass without acting on it, not necessarily physically, but in will. ... We have to go clean over on some word of our redeeming Lord and transact business with Him. His word "come" means "transact." "Come unto Me." The last thing we do is to come; but everyone who does come knows that that second the supernatural rush of the life of God invades him instantly. The dominating power of the world, the flesh and the devil is paralysed, not by your act, but because your act has linked you on to God and His redemptive power.</tt></html> [[http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/my_utmost/utm.cgi?1104|article link]] <html>Pimppreacher via Apostasywatch: Minister or Sinister? How to know when your Church has become a cult - Everything is about CONTROL - The main tools used to control members are INTIMIDATION and MANIPULATION - The intimidation and manipulation are very subtle and disguised with a false sense of love and concern - It's all a strategic COURTSHIP</html> <html><tt>RUNNING GAME The Cult [suspect Church] will have a team of people (we will call them the GAMERS) who are assigned to COURT you (THE PROSPECT) [for their gain - power, prestige, finances, etc]. The courtship begins with COMMUNICATION. Good communication starts with paying attention to what is said. The Gamer will ask strategic questions about the PROSPECT, their family and their life. Once they hear something they can identify with the prospect (YOU) they will begin telling the prospect how wonderful the church is (disclaimer: they will always say "we're not a perfect church, but we love God and our Pastor loves the people of God, we are a loving church"). -- The Gamer will tell a story about how they were so lost, broke down, and hurt BUT because of this ministry they were able to get their lives together and they don't know where they would be without this ministry (not GOD, but the ministry) this will of course include many examples of how the Cult Pastor is very sincere and loving. This call will conclude with an invitation (FIRST DATE). This first date may be an invitation to come to the midweek service, a fellowship, or next Sunday's service and the prospect is told to ask for the Gamer as soon as they come through the door so the two of them can sit together. The members are moved by what they HEAR they are compelled to say YES TO THE FIRST DATE. ... PROPHET OR PROFIT? In treating the members as children they are taught to NEVER speak against the leader. If fact, any questioning of the ministry teachings, any criticism, any independent thinking is considered a form of rebellion. "Touch not my anointed and do my prophet no harm" I Chron. 16:22. There will be a strong emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. Members become afraid to say anything, even if they know something is wrong because speaking against what they KNOW to be wrong is speaking against the "Pastor" and it's a SIN. They are convinced that if the Pastor is wrong - God will get him and when the "wrong' is continued they assume the Pastor was right. And if anyone is ever so bold to speak against the leader they are ostracized by the entire church. Yes, this "loving" church will turn their back on you. -- SiGNS TO LOOK FOR: 1. LOST OF IDIVIDUALITY. You are no longer a creative, independent thinking individual. Everyone must speak the SAME thing.say what the leader says at all times.any other opinion is going against God. 2. LOST OF RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS. Relationship with friends, relatives, and children - ANY NON-MEMBER is severed. - RELATIONSHIP IS BASED ON MEMBERSHIP 3. EXCESSIVE GIVING. Extreme pressure to give all you have. Several offerings, large sums, public announcement of your amount resulting in guilt and intimidation. 4. ISOLATION. Isolation from anything and anyone not directly affiliated with the church. 5. CONTROL OF TIME. 6. LOSS OF FREE WILL. Members cannot make any independent decisions concerning personal life. Cannot question leadership.</tt></html> [[http://www.pimppreacher.com/How-to-know-when-your-church-has-become-a-cult.html|article link]] <html>Predatory Tithing - Ed Young's Tithing Sermon: Show Me the Money! - The video of Ed Young posted here on Sunday has gotten quite a bit of play around the blogosphere It has even moved over to YouTube - Christians and non-Christians alike are flabbergasted that a pastor from the pulpit is trying to get people to commit to give 10% of their income to his church through automatic withdrawal {Note: the Corporation Churches [501(c)3] need to own up to their public accountability and financial obligations in reporting and accounting for every single dime that they collect in offerings [so called tithes, offerings, gifts]. The Basic Christian Ministry is going to designate 2011 as a year of Church accountability [actually starting now!!] - No public disclosure of legal financial statements provided by the church and staff then no money provided by the congregation it's that simple!! - Also Note: The people that are blindly donating to demanding and offensive personalities are the very people that are enabling, perpetuating and furthering this very serious [Predatory Tithing] problem within the Church. It's important that everyone within the congregation accept responsibility and withhold financial support from any Church or organization that is not 100% transparent with its organizational structure, affiliations or income disbursements.} (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>He tells them they are cursed if they don't tithe. He wonders why they come to church if they don't bring the tithe, tells them to stay home or play golf, to quit wasting Ed's and God's time. He says to watch your wallet if you're sitting next to a non-tither. He brags that "blessings track him down" for his 29 years of faithfulness. He even declares multiple times that the blessings of the Christian life are "all about the money". Ed even says "Show me the money" - which I take to mean "show me your bank account and routing number". He says that if you don't tithe, your marriage, your job, your kids, will all suffer because you're under God's curse. I hope that someone in Ed's circle of friends - maybe John Cross, or maybe Ed's father - someone, will help Ed see that he is abusing his congregation. Comments: Anonymous said... 80% of Ed young's church membership need to leave the church now. Those people should choose a place to meet and have a great time in fellowship. choose a God fearing man as a teacher while giving him some living standards. No jet. And learn the truth of the [B]ible.</tt></html> [[http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/ed-youngs-tithing-sermon-show-me-money.html|article link]] <html>Note: Only informed responsible giving (tithing) is cheerful giving - Previous year 501c3 non-profit tax form filings should be open and publically available (in Church offices) and on the internet for anyone and everyone to look at and only then is a person capable of making an informed decision about personally donating to charitable 'Churches' and causes i.e. a Harvest Crusade type of event -- "2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth [responsibly] in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful [responsible] giver." </html> <html><tt>Only informed responsible giving (tithing) is cheerful giving! Not the ignorance is bliss, dutiful giving that the modern Church now wants us to participate in. -- "Ecclesiastes 7:12 For wisdom is a defense [refuge], and money [opportunity, power, influence, prestige] is a defense: but [more important than money] the excellency of [Biblical] knowledge [accurate, reliable Biblical doctrine] is, that wisdom giveth [eternal] life to them that have it."</tt></html> <html>Donor Bill of Rights - PHILANTHROPY (Charitable Donations) is based on voluntary action for the common good - It is a tradition [and religious requirement] of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life - To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights: I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes - II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities - III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements - IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given</html> <html><tt>I. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes. II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities. III. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements. IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given. V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition. VI. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law. VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature. VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors. IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share. X To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.</tt></html> [[http://www2.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/donor-bill-of-rights.aspx|article link]] <html>Questions to Ask a Nonprofit (Church - Crusade - Conference - etc.) Before Investing in [or contributing to] It - 3. What are your annual goals, needs, and results? How do they compare to similar organizations in your community? - 6. How well have you utilized your funding? Describe how efficiently you have fulfilled your goals of recent years in relationship to the amount of funds you have raised</html> <html><tt>Thinking of donating to a nonprofit? Here are some suggested questions to ask nonprofit organizations before investing in them. The answers can help you determine which charities to give to and evaluate the performance of the philanthropies you already support. 1. How are you collaborating with similar organizations on a local, regional, or national level? 2. What are the main obstacles that inhibit the fulfillment of your mission? How are you planning to overcome them? 3. What are your annual goals, needs, and results? How do they compare to similar organizations in your community? 4. How much turnover have you experienced of employees and board members in the last two years {and how many related family members are employed and in what places within the organization}? 5. To what degree have you attracted new people {non-family members} and new ideas to your organization and board? 6. How well have you utilized your funding? Describe how efficiently you have fulfilled your goals of recent years in relationship to the amount of funds you have raised. 7. Most for-profit organizations have recently restructured themselves in recent years to become more efficient and productive. How, if at all, are you considering (or have you implemented) some version of this approach? 8. How efficiently is your organization run? To what degree have you assigned day-to-day management responsibilities to a tightly run executive committee instead of relying upon your full board? 9. Who are your main competitors and how do your results in recent years compare to theirs?</tt></html> [[http://www2.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/questions-to-ask-a-nonprofit-before-investing-in-it.aspx|article link]] <html>Tips for Choosing a Charity: A Donor's 9-Step Guide to Giving Wisely - Avoid charities that won't share information or pressure you - Reputable nonprofits: Will discuss their programs and finances - [they] Don't use pressure tactics - Are willing to send you literature about their work or direct you to a Web site - Will take "no" for an answer - Trust your instincts: If you still have doubts about a charity, don't contribute to it - Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and with which you feel comfortable, then make your donation</html> <html><tt>Tips for Choosing a Charity: A Donor's 9-Step Guide to Giving Wisely - Here are GuideStar's tips for donors who want to give with their heads as well as their hearts. Researching Charities Clarify your values. Do this before you open your checkbook, volunteer your time, or look at that letter from a charity. Identify your preferences. Ask yourself: "What is important to me?" The environment? Education? Hunger? Animal welfare? Helping sick children? Where should the charity do its work-in your neighborhood, region, the nation, or internationally? Ask yourself if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or an old one. Search the GuideStar database to find charities that meet your criteria. Focus on the mission. Look at each charity's description in the GuideStar search results, on its Web site, or in its literature. Find the nonprofits that fit best with your values. Eliminate organizations that don't meet your criteria. Now you're ready to look more closely at these organizations. Evaluating Charities Get the cold, hard facts. A reputable organization will: Define its mission and programs clearly. Have measurable goals. Use concrete criteria to describe its achievements. Compare apples to apples. Be sure to compare charities that do the same kind of work, especially if you're looking at their finances. The type of work a charity does can affect its operating costs dramatically. Avoid charities that won't share information or pressure you. Reputable nonprofits: Will discuss their programs and finances. Don't use pressure tactics. Are willing to send you literature about their work or direct you to a Web site. Will take "no" for an answer. Trust your instincts. If you still have doubts about a charity, don't contribute to it. Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and with which you feel comfortable, then make your donation.</tt></html> [[http://www2.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/tips-for-choosing-a-charity.aspx|article link]] <html>Servants Will Abuse Finances [and people (Luke 12:42-48)] When There is No Transparency - The solution? It's so easy - Public disclosure of ALL sources of income of people who are public servants - We do it in Jacksonville, Florida - With about 3 mouse clicks the salary and overtime pay can be obtained for any government employees - Any - From the mayor, to the sheriff, all the way down to the lowest- paid city worker - The same should be for these "men of God" - If they trust God so much, trust God to let their total comp be known - If they fear their salaries being made public, then they are absolutely earning too much - They are using their position to gain financially, wasting God's money that church members faithfully fork over - If they don't do it willingly, I hope the day will come when the IRS demands it - And not just "salary" should be known of these mega church pastors, but their entire compensation packages - One of the ways the Bell [part time city] council members were able to earn $100k a year was their "salary" was broken up by parts, a separate income from each board on the city they sat on - So we don't just want base salary of these mega church rock stars, but how much is their salary, housing allowance, travel allowance, clothing allowance, etc. etc. And please, disclose any large gifts you receive from your members, just like our Congressmen must</html> <html><tt>If you haven't heard of the scandal gripping the City of Bell, California, you should take a close look to see what can happen when leaders who are supposed to be servants of the people operate with no transparency and accountability to the very people who give them the money, and whom they are to serve. Those of you who are members of mega churches where the total compensation packages of your pastor and family members, and payments to former pastors are a closely guarded secret, take notice: there is a reason why they don't want you to know their salaries. Because they know you would be absolutely disgusted to know the details of their total compensation. ... But make no mistake about it: these mega church pastors view themselves as talented rock stars, ordained by God himself, and think themselves deserving of the large incomes they draw from their churches, their speaking engagements, books, and gifts given to them by their star-struck followers. Ed Young, Jr, the jet-setting pastor of Fellowship Church views himself as the church's "franchise player", responsible for "raising" the millions needed by the church. Who can forget the image of Jerry Vines and Mac Brunson high-fiving and hugging on the platform during the 2007 FBC Jax Pastor's Conference when Vines was preaching about people complaining about preacher's salaries - and Vines' comment of "you don't pay me enough to be yo preacha, brutha" - easily one of the most uncomfortable sermon moments in FBC Jax history. ... I pray for the day when Senator Grassley or someone else in Congress will finally require these mega churches to disclose detailed financial records including pastor compensation. The day will come, I'm confident, the only question is how much money will be wasted in the mean time. Lastly, I became aware of the Bell, California story over at SBC pastor William Thornton's blog, where he wrote the following blurb about it: "Scenes of vein-popping outrage ensued when citizens of the obscure town of Bell, CA found out that its manager was being paid over $800k, police chief about half-a-million, and part time councilmen $100k annually. Rightly so. What would happen if Baptist Press published the total compensation package of all SBC entity heads (and don't give me a 'salary' figure, most clergy are onto that game)? apoplexy? Raised eyebrows? Ho hum? Let's do it and see. It's our money." I agree with William. It is our money. Let's see what the total compensation package for these men who lead the SBC agencies, and the mega church pastors also. Not just "salary" - total compensation. If they don't want to, let them go with Bell's Robert Rizzo into the private sector searching for the $800,000 salary. The preachers will be shocked when they realize they have to compete in a cut-throat employment market, where no one kisses their hineys and calls them "God's man".</tt></html> [[http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/08/city-of-bell-ca-servants-will-abuse.html|article link]] <html>Update: Predatory Preaching - Why So Much Angst About Anonymous Critics? {Note: I was listening to this [terrible outburst] again this morning [and again I'm very disheartened to have to listen to it - such an obvious wolf in sheep's clothing speaking from behind the pulpit]. I was left wondering why does this pastor only rail against anonymous criticism, if he were to be consistent wouldn't he be equally offended by anonymous donors as well. If the modern church leadership [and I use that term lightly] is going to take such a self-imposed righteous stand against anonymous criticism then equally they need to reject all anonymous donations as being equally "pathetic" and from "narcissistic zeros" and for the record, whoever made that anonymous comment, he or she was very smart to make it anonymously. It seems that some leaders-pastors want info in order to use it [seriously] in [Satanic] curse rituals against the person that is trying to help the Church move forward in a godly way. So yes, be very careful about letting your name, as a helpful person or as a critic get in the hands of some of these pastors where once they have an identity they can go to work behind the scenes [demonically casting spells and socially casting dispersions] making life very difficult for anyone they desire to do harm to.} (Audio) </html> <html><tt>I recently came across the audio excerpt below from Matt Chandler, where he absolutely blasts people who would dare send him anonymous, critical emails. He angrily calls them several choice names like "pathetic" and "narcissistic zeros". I came across this audio clip at Dr. Alvin Reid's blog site, as he included Chandler's clip with his blog post here entitled "Dealing with Critics". You really have to listen to this. It gives I think a glimpse into just how much disdain there is for anonymous emailers and bloggers critical of the Southern Baptist power structure. It is my view, based on my experience as a formerly anonymous blogger, that Chandler's disdain for anonymous critics is shared by many of our Southern Baptist leaders. After all, Alvin Reid posts it for his readers (many of whom are our future pastors!), presumably as an example of how to view those who dare to criticize anonymously.</tt></html> [[http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/09/why-so-much-angst-about-anonymous.html|article link]] <html>Say Goodbye to the Untouchable Preachers - God is shaking His church and removing corruption - But we share the blame for giving charlatans a platform - Our movement is eaten up with materialism, pride, deception and sexual sin because we were afraid to call these Bozos what they really are-insecure, selfish, egotistical and emotionally dysfunctional - If we had applied biblical discernment a long time ago we could have avoided this mess - "There is no way we can know how many unbelievers rejected the gospel because they saw the church supporting quacks who swaggered, bragged, lied, flattered, bribed, stole and tearfully begged their way into our lives-while we applauded them and sent them money"</html> <html><tt>I hate to compare any minister of God to a gangster. But the sad truth is that today there are a handful (well, maybe more) of unscrupulous preachers who share some of Capone's most disgusting traits. They are notoriously greedy. They are masters of deception and manipulation. They have bought their way into the charismatic religious subculture and used their uncanny hypnotic ability to control major Christian TV networks. And, like Capone, their days are numbered. Justice will soon catch up with them. These false prophets probably all started out with a genuine call from God, but success destroyed them. They were lured away from true faith by fame and money, and when their ministries mushroomed they resorted to compromise to keep their machines rolling. Now, in the midst of the Great Recession, God is closing in on them. But before we rejoice that these imposters are being removed from their pulpits and yanked off the airwaves, let's hit the pause button and reflect. How did these false preachers ever achieve such fame? It couldn't have happened without help from us. We were the gullible ones. When they said, "The Lord promises you untold wealth if you will simply give a thousand dollars right now," we went to the phones and put the donations on our credit cards. God forgive us. We were the undiscerning ones. When they said, "I need your sacrificial gift today so I can repair my private jet," we didn't ask why a servant of God wasn't humble enough to fly coach class to a Third World nation. God forgive us. We were the foolish ones. When it was revealed that they were living in immorality, mistreating their wives or populating cities with illegitimate children, we listened to their spin doctors instead of demanding that ministry leaders act like Christians. God forgive us. We were the naïve ones. When they begged for $2 million more in donations because of a budget shortfall, we didn't feel comfortable asking why they needed that $10,000-a-night hotel suite. In fact, if we did question it, another Christian was quick to say, "Don't criticize! The Bible says, 'Touch not the Lord's anointed!'" God forgive us. We have treated these charlatans like Al Capone-as if they were untouchable-and as a result their corruption has spread throughout charismatic churches like a plague. Our movement is eaten up with materialism, pride, deception and sexual sin because we were afraid to call these Bozos what they really are-insecure, selfish, egotistical and emotionally dysfunctional. If we had applied biblical discernment a long time ago we could have avoided this mess. There is no way we can know how many unbelievers rejected the gospel because they saw the church supporting quacks who swaggered, bragged, lied, flattered, bribed, stole and tearfully begged their way into our lives-while we applauded them and sent them money. When well-meaning Christians quote 1 Chronicles 16:22 ("Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm," NASB) to cover up corruption or charlatanism, they do horrible injustice to Scripture. This passage does not require us to stay quiet when a leader is abusing power or deceiving people. On the contrary, we are called to confront sin in a spirit of love and honesty-and we certainly aren't showing love to the church if we allow the charismatic Al Capones of our generation to corrupt it. ~ J. Lee Grady is contributing editor of Charisma and author of the new book The Holy Spirit Is Not for Sale. Follow him on Twitter at leegrady.</tt></html> [[http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/fire-in-my-bones/29039--say-goodbye-to-the-untouchable-preachers|article link]] <html>Extremely Important Viewing!!! Part 8 - Dialectic Deception - [To Download Click the Share Button] (Online Video) </html> <html><tt>Emerging Church DVD (Online) This two hour and forty-five minute DVD takes a hard look into the beliefs and practices of what has become one of the most dangerous deceptions assaulting God's people today - The Emergent Church. - Part 8: Sandy Simpson speaks on: Methods used by false teachers to deceive God's people.</tt></html> [[http://reformednazarene.wordpress.com/emergent-church-what-is-it/1-emerging-church-dvd-2/|article link]] ==== The 8 Global Kingdoms that Rule over the Earth and Dominate the Inhabitants ==== <fs 120%>#12 Update [Continuing]: The postings, Information and Resources regarding the 8 Kingdoms Study - The study will continue until about the 2010 Christmas Holiday Season</fs> <html><tt>Also Note: The current introductory material of the 8 Kingdoms Study [Days of Noah - Flood of Noah (ancient earth 1.0 - and then the new present post flood 2.0 earth - 2 Peter 3:6) Kingdom of Nimrod (Tower of Babel), Days of Job, Hammurabi, Abraham, King Melchizedek, Kingdom of Egypt] is being presented in a merged fashion because it is important to note and to grasp that the early Kingdoms, with the exception of [called out] Abraham and [Divine - Eternal] Melchizedek were all merged. Once we can get ahold of the concept that the ancient civilizations were a continuing and ongoing concentration of the same [occult] work and teachings then we can more easily understand the environment of the ancient civilizations and apply it to our day in that we are also living in a modern environment that has been handed down via the previous 6 occult Kingdoms of the world and [Mystery Babylon - the fallen angelic realm (Revelation 17:5)] is steadily working to bring in and enact the 7th and final occult Kingdom [NWO] of the human world. -- Soon, as the study progresses all the introduction material will be grouped and categorized [like the blog Bible Study] into an easy to access.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_historystudy.html|article link]] <html>The 8 Global Kingdoms of the Earth -- 8 Kingdoms [Revelation 17:10] Introduction: Some brief criteria for the 8 Global Kingdoms of the earth - Throughout human history there have been many glorious [in man's eyes] Empires, Kingdoms and Dominions but only 8 of the Kingdoms of mankind are the incredible (Revelation 17:10) Kingdoms of the earth {Note: The Basic Christian blog History Study is also going to include some of the additional great Kingdoms primarily Hammurabi (Saudi Arabia), Queen of Sheba (Ethiopia), Solomon (Israel), and Sennacherib (Assyria)} </html> <html><tt>8 Kingdoms Summary: The Seven incredible Global Gentile Kingdoms of Revelation 17:10 are Nimrod (Tower of Babel), Egypt, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and [revised Rome] the Antichrist Kingdom. While the 8th and final Kingdom is the eternal, righteous Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Each of these 8 Kingdoms is going to share some remarkable similarities: Each Kingdom will have possessed all of or a majority of the world's wealth [gold, silver, precious gems] at one time. Each Kingdom has or will have knowledge [both public and secret knowledge] beyond that of their peers. The Kingdoms will also possess influence, military power and political prestige beyond the peers of their day. Most importantly each of the 8 Kingdoms will also have exerted FAVORABLE influence over the Jews, over Jerusalem and over the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The Kingdom of Nimrod [about two generations and 100 years after the flood of Noah] encompassed all of humanity including Abraham's forefather Arphaxad (Genesis 11:11), the Kingdom of Nimrod possessed all human wealth, knowledge and wisdom and the Kingdom of Nimrod built a Temple (the Tower of Babel). Egypt the 2nd Kingdom amassed much of the fortune of the world and much of the knowledge of the world and a great part of that fortune would be "favorably" given to the Jews at their Passover departure from Egypt (Exodus 3:21-22). The wealth of Egypt would then be used by the Jews in the building of the Tabernacle of God by Moses at Mt. Sinai (Saudi Arabia) and later the wealth of the Tabernacle would be transferred into the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. The wealth of the Temple in Jerusalem would be given back to Egypt by the Jewish King Rehoboam (1 Kings 14:25-26). The 3rd Kingdom Babylon [initially very favorable to the Jews, Jerusalem and the Temple] captured the wealth of Egypt in Egypt and took it to their Palace in Babylon. The 4th Kingdom Persia [Iran] conquered Babylon [Iraq] and consolidated the wealth of the world into the Palace at Shushan (Esther 1:4) part of the wealth of Persia was given to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem (Isaiah 45:28, 2 Chronicles 36:23). The 5th Kingdom Greece and Alexander the Great [on either 10 or 11 June 323 B.C., Alexander the Great died in the palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, in Babylon at the age of 32 - wiki.com]. King Alexander the Great who immersed the world in Greek thought and philosophy and after sparing the Jews, Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple then "at the age of 32" died among the wealth of ancient Egypt, Babylon and Persia. The 6th Kingdom Rome oversaw an extensive expansion in the size of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem beginning with Julius Caesar [July, 47 B.C.] Cæsar determines "That the Jews shall possess Jerusalem, and may encompass that city with walls; and that Hyrcanus, the son of Alexander, the high priest and ethnarch of the Jews, retain it in the manner he himself pleases ..." [Source: JewishEncyclopedia.com]. The 7th Kingdom the Kingdom of Antichrist is going to sign a favorable [7 year] covenant with the Jews and the Nation of Israel (Daniel 9:27) and will also in some way rebuild [and eventually occupy (Matthew 24:15)] the now destroyed Temple in Jerusalem. The 8th and final Kingdom the Eternal, Righteous Kingdom of Jesus Christ [Jesus being Jewish] will of course be very favorable to the Jews as Jesus will rule the entire world from the unprecedented Millennial Temple (Ezekiel 43:7) in Jerusalem.</tt></html> <html>Background - The 8 Kingdoms Study: The 7 worldly Kingdoms starting with Nimrod and the Tower of Babel cumulate in the coming Kingdom of Antichrist, Satan's reign on earth and is replaced by the Millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom of Jesus Christ - The Bibles' Book of Daniel [chapter 2] gives us the most information regarding both the structure and sequence of the 8 Kingdoms</html> <html><tt>Structure of the Kingdoms: The Jewish prophet Daniel interprets a dream from the Babylonian King [3rd Kingdom] Nebuchadnezzar. In the dream given from God to Nebuchadnezzar there is a statue that is presented in diminishing prominence [diminishing occult value]. The statue in the dream has a head of gold, a chest of silver, belly and thighs of brass, legs of iron and finally feet of part iron and part clay. - Meaning that as Satan is forming and building his eventual Antichrist Kingdom it [deception - the submission/slavery of mankind to Satan] is being accomplished primarily in seven predetermined and calculated events. According to the dream given by God the events [concepts] that Satan is introducing into the human realm are diminishing in importance to Satan. The earlier Kingdoms revealed the most necessary concepts and accomplishments that Satan desired to use to build his coming Kingdom. Meaning that the [major] building blocks [of deception] for the coming Antichrist Kingdom are already in place and have been in place for several Millenniums and what is being accomplished now is the final tuning and implementation of an occult structure that already exists and has existed for a very long time. According to the dream with the 'head of gold' etc. the big shifts in human behavior and deception have already occurred and the future and final Antichrist deception is not going to be a radically new element but simply an element that was already exposed [primarily in the 1st Kingdom - the Kingdom of Nimrod] and a combining of all the existing elements of deception into the one grand deception of Antichrist. - The dream given to King Nebuchadnezzar is in the 3rd Kingdom and begins with the head of gold but by the time of the Babylonian Kingdom of King Nebuchadnezzar there have already been two Kingdoms [Nimrod and Egypt] and each of the two previous [occult] Kingdoms would have been more important [valuable] than even the head of gold of the Babylonian Kingdom. -- An etching in one of the anchor stones of Noah's Ark represents Nimrod's Tower of Babel and an accompanying etching in the shape of a diamond is thought to represent Nimrod himself. Diamonds being more valuable than gold [and considered the most valuable commodity on earth] could very well have been the occult element of the Tower of Babel, Kingdom of Nimrod. - Briefly, diamonds [diamond ring] even today represent an engagement of a pending marriage [a necklace representing marriage, a bracelet representing friendship]. It's possible that the Tower (Temple) of Babel [the most significant occult event initiated from Satan to mankind - and still instituted today in a minor form in the LDS/Mormon cult rituals of Temple ordinances and marriages] was intended to be the demonic mating [marriage] between the human soul/spirit and the demonic spirit/realm [physically expressed in DNA (animal and human) gene-splicing] in what will eventually be accomplished in the coming 666 Antichrist Mark of the Beast. In short the Tower (Temple) of Babel was a Satanic ritual [passage] that 'engaged' (espoused) mankind to a future wedding [666 union] with Demonic spirits.</tt></html> <html>Basic Christian: - The Basic Christian Bible Study: The 8 Global Kingdoms of the Earth - The 7 anointed Gentile Global Kings of the Earth (anointed from God) and the anointed 8th Kingdom the Eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ -- The Kingdoms: beginning with Nimrod (Tower of Babel - Genesis 10:8-10) --- Pharaoh Akhenaten (Egypt - Joseph's Pharaoh, the Dream Pharaoh - Genesis 41:1) --- Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon - Jeremiah 27:4-7, Daniel 2:37) --- Cyrus (Persia - Isaiah 45:1-7, Ezra 1:1-4) --- Alexander the Great (Greece - Daniel 8:21) --- Julius Caesar (Rome - Luke 2:1) --- The Revised [10 Kingdom] Roman Empire (Daniel 7:19) - Antichrist (Satan - Daniel 7:20) emerges from within the Revised Roman Empire --- The Messiah, Jesus Christ's Kingdom (Heaven and Earth - Daniel 2:35, Daniel 2:44-45) </html> <html><tt>Genesis 10:8-10 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty [occult] one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter {spiritual seeker, occult} before {anointed of} the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before {in the presence of} the LORD. And the beginning of his [Nimrod's] Kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar [later Babylon - modern Iraq]. {Note: all 7 of the Gentile global Kings-Kingdoms are anointed, for a time, given by God even as the Gentile King might at times or throughout thier duration be at odd with God.} -- Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed [a dream from God] {this is possibly or most probably the Pharaoh Akhenaten}: and, behold, he stood by the river. -- Jeremiah 27:4-7 ... Thus saith the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto Me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all Nations shall serve him, and his son [Nabonidus], and his son's son [Belshazzar], until the very time of his land come: and then many Nations and Great Kings shall serve themselves of him. -- Isaiah 45:1-7 Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus [of Persia], whose right hand I have holden, to subdue Nations before him; and I will loose the loins of Kings, to open before him the two leaved gates [of Babylon]; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the Treasures of Darkness [Mystery Babylon - secret knowledge - the 7 Gentile Kingdoms 'beginning' with Nimrod and ending with Antichrist once manifested are aggregate and ongoing], and hidden riches [wealth] of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob [the Nation of Israel] My servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I Am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. -- Ezra 1:1-4 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, that the Word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his Kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia, The LORD God of Heaven hath given me all the Kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an House [Temple - 2nd Temple] at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the House [Temple] of the LORD God of Israel, He is the God, which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the House of God that is in Jerusalem. -- Daniel 8:16-27 And I heard a Man's [Jesus'] voice [standing on the water] between the banks of [the river] Ulai, which called, and said, [Angel] Gabriel, make this man [Daniel] to understand the vision. So he [Gabriel] came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man [Daniel]: for at the Time of the End shall be the vision [the four Gentile global governments after (Nimrod, Egypt, Babylon) - Persia, Greece, Rome and Antichrist]. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia [4th Kingdom]. And the rough goat is the King of Grecia [Greece - 5th Kingdom]: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first King [Alexander the Great]. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four Kingdoms [Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in the east, the kingdom of Pergamon in Asia Minor, and Macedon - wiki.com] shall stand up out of the Nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their [Roman] Kingdom {Rome annexed and acquired the Kingdom of Greece more by default (a weakened Greece) and through political contracts than through direct military conquest}, when the transgressors are come to the full, a King [Antichrist] of fierce countenance, and understanding dark [occult] sentences, shall stand up. And his [Antichrist] power shall be mighty, but not by his own power [by Satan's]: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft [occult - Satanism] to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by [false] peace shall destroy many: he [Antichrist] shall also stand up against the Prince of Princes [Jesus Christ]; but he [Antichrist] shall be broken [spiritually] without [physical] hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's [Belshazzar - son of Nabonidus - grandson of Nebuchadnezzar] business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. -- Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron (Rome), the clay (Revised Rome - Antichrist), the brass (Greece), the silver (Persia), and the gold (Babylon), broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them [Kingdoms of the Earth]: and the Stone [Jesus Christ] that smote the image became a Great Mountain [single government], and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:44-45 And in the days of these Kings [Kings of the Earth] shall the God of Heaven set up a [eternal] Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the [eternal] Kingdom shall not be left to other [unbelieving] people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these [7 earthly] Kingdoms, and it [the Kingdom of Jesus Christ] shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the Stone was cut out of the Mountain [Divinely] without [physical] hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the Great God hath made known to the King [Nebuchadnezzar] what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.</tt></html> <html>Revelation Chapter 17 - Mystery Babylon -- "Revelation 17:9-10 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven [Kingdom] mountains, on which [the seven Global Gentile Kingdoms] the woman [Mystery Babylon] sitteth. And there are seven kings [Nimrod (Tower of Babel), Pharaoh Akhenaten (Egypt), Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon), Cyrus (Persia), Alexander the Great (Greece), Julius Caesar (Rome), Antichrist (Satan)]: five are fallen, and one (Rome) is [in the Disciple John's day], and the other (Revised Rome) is not yet come; and when he [Antichrist - Satan] cometh, he [7th Global King - Antichrist] must continue a short space." </html> <html><tt>Revelation 17:1-18 And there came one of the seven Angels which had the seven vials [Great Tribulation - measured bowl judgments of Revelation], and talked with me [Disciple John], saying unto me, Come hither [near]; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the Great Whore [Mystery Babylon] that sitteth upon many waters [people - Nations]: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication [intimacy], and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk [influenced] with the wine of her fornication. So he carried me away in the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness [an empty place]: and I saw a woman [Mystery Babylon] sit upon a scarlet coloured beast [Revised Roman Empire], full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads [authority of all seven Gentile Global Kingdoms] and ten horns [Revised Rome]. And the woman [Mystery Babylon - spirit of Deception] was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the Saints [of God], and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration [astonishment]. And the Angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns. The beast [Antichrist] that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven [Kingdom] mountains, on which [the seven Global Gentile Kingdoms] the woman sitteth. And there are seven kings [Nimrod (Tower of Babel), Pharaoh Akhenaten (Egypt), Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon), Cyrus (Persia), Alexander the Great (Greece), Julius Caesar (Rome), Antichrist (Satan)]: five are fallen, and one (Rome) is [in the Disciple John's day], and the other (Revised Rome) is not yet come; and when he [Antichrist - Satan] cometh, he [7th Global King - Antichrist] must continue a short space. And the [7th] beast that was, and is not [gets assassinated], even he [then has a fake resurrection] is the eighth, and [but] is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. And the ten horns [Revised Roman Empire (Daniel 7:7)] which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour [a short time] with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast [Antichrist]. These shall make war with the Lamb (Jesus Christ), 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. And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the [manipulating] whore [of false religion], and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled. And the woman which thou sawest is that great {unseen spiritual deception} city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.</tt></html> <html>Rosetta Stone - British Museum [Home Video] (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>The Rosetta Stone - From Fort St Julien, el-Rashid (Rosetta), Egypt [Greek] Ptolemaic Period, 196 BC. Valuable key to the decipherment of [ancient Egyptian] hieroglyphs. The inscription on the Rosetta Stone is a decree passed by a council of priests, one of a series that affirm the royal cult of the 13-year-old Ptolemy V on the first anniversary of his coronation. -- In previous years the family of the Ptolemies had lost control of certain parts of the country. It had taken their armies some time to put down opposition in the Delta, and parts of southern Upper Egypt, particularly Thebes, were not yet back under the government's control. -- Before the [Greek] Ptolemaic era (that is before about 332 BC), decrees in hieroglyphs such as this were usually set up by the king. It shows how much things had changed from Pharaonic times that the priests, the only people who had kept the knowledge of writing hieroglyphs, were now issuing such decrees. The list of good deeds done by the king for the temples hints at the way in which the support of the priests was ensured.-- The decree is inscribed on the stone three times, in hieroglyphic (suitable for a priestly decree), demotic (the native script used for daily purposes), and Greek (the language of the administration). The importance of this to Egyptology is immense. Soon after the end of the fourth century AD, when hieroglyphs had gone out of use, the knowledge of how to read and write them disappeared. In the early years of the nineteenth century, some 1400 years later, scholars were able to use the Greek inscription on this stone as the key to decipher them. Thomas Young, an English physicist, was the first to show that some of the hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone wrote the sounds of a royal name, that of Ptolemy. The French scholar Jean-François Champollion then realized that hieroglyphs recorded the sound of the Egyptian language and laid the foundations of our knowledge of ancient Egyptian language and culture. -- [French] Soldiers in Napoleon's army discovered the Rosetta Stone in 1799 while digging the foundations of an addition to a fort near the town of el-Rashid (Rosetta). On Napoleon's defeat, the stone became the property of the English under the terms of the Treaty of Alexandria (1801) along with other antiquities that the French had found. -- The Rosetta Stone has been exhibited in the British Museum since 1802, with only one break. Towards the end of the First World War, in 1917, when the Museum was concerned about heavy bombing in London, they moved it to safety along with other, portable, 'important' objects. The Rosetta Stone spent the next two years in a station on the Postal Tube Railway fifty feet below the ground at Holborn. - C.A.R. Andrews, The Rosetta Stone-1 (London, The British Museum Press, 1982) - R. Parkinson, The Rosetta Stone (London, British Museum Press, 2005) - R. Parkinson, Cracking codes: the Rosetta St (London, The British Museum Press, 1999) - C.A.R. Andrews and S. Quirke, The Rosetta Stone: facsimile d (London, The British Museum Press, 1988) - R.S. Simpson, Demotic grammar in the Ptolema (Oxford, Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum, 1996).</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_CYOYH0SA|article link]] <html>History of the Rosetta Stone (Youtube) </html> <html><tt>History of the Rosetta Stone and Israel Archaeology. Randall Niles looks at the importance of Egyptian Hieroglyphics to Biblical Studies. Visit http://www.AllAboutTheJourney.org/isr to read how the history of the Rosetta Stone and other Egyptian artifacts impact the integrity of the Jewish scriptures. Also, go to http://www.RandallNiles.com/videos.htm to watch more videos about the history of the Rosetta Stone and other archaeological treasures related to Israel Archaeology! </tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efLdL-Y4Evo|article link]] <html>History Channel - Ancient Mysteries - The Rosetta Stone part 1 of 5 (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>The Rosetta Stone is an Ancient Egyptian artifact which was instrumental in advancing modern understanding of Egyptian hieroglyphic writing. The stone is a [Greek] Ptolemaic era stele with carved text made up of three translations of a single passage: two in Egyptian language scripts (hieroglyphic and Demotic) and one in classical Greek. It was created in 196 BC, discovered by the French [men of Napoléon's army] in 1799 at Rosetta [near the town of el-Rashid (Rosetta) Egypt - Source: BritishMuseum.org] and contributed greatly to the deciphering of the principles of hieroglyph writing in 1822 by the British scientist Thomas Young and the French scholar Jean-François Champollion. Comparative translation of the stone assisted in understanding many previously undecipherable examples of hieroglyphic writing. The text on the stone is a decree from Ptolemy V, describing the repeal of various taxes and instructions to erect statues in temples. Two Egyptian-Greek multilingual steles predated Ptolemy V's Rosetta Stone: Ptolemy III's Decree of Canopus, 239 BC, and Ptolemy IV's Decree of Memphis, ca 218 BC. -- The renaissance translation of Egyptian hieroglyphs in the early 1800s promulgated the immediate three-language translation of the tri-lingual Behistun Inscription in cuneiform scripts, by scaffolding work on the cliff-wall face, before the mid-1800s. Both hieroglyphs and cuneiform were starting a translation revolution, as were the physical sciences of describing fossil evolution. -- The Rosetta Stone is 114.4 centimetres (45.0 in) high at its highest point, 72.3 centimetres (28.5 in) wide, and 27.9 centimetres (11.0 in) thick. It is unfinished on its sides and reverse. Weighing approximately 760 kilograms (1,700 lb), it was originally thought to be granite or basalt but is currently described as granodiorite of a dark grey-pinkish colour. The stone has been on public display at The British Museum since 1802. </tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAYpH7tLZE8|article link]] <html>History Channel - Ancient Mysteries - The Rosetta Stone 2 of 5 (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Modern-era discovery: In preparation for Napoleon's 1798 campaign in Egypt, the French founded the Institut de l'Égypte in Cairo which brought 167 scientists and archaeologists to the region. French Army engineer Captain Pierre-François Bouchard discovered the stone sometime the sources are not specific in mid-July 1799 (July 15 or July 19), while guiding construction work at Fort Julien near the Egyptian port city of Rashid (Rosetta). The Napoleonic army was so awestruck by this unheralded spectacle that, according to a witness, "It halted of itself and, by one spontaneous impulse, grounded its arms." (As quoted by Robert Claiborne, The Birth of Writing [1974], p. 24.) After Napoleon returned in 1799, 167 scholars remained behind with French troops which held off British and Ottoman attacks. In March 1801, the British landed on Aboukir Bay and scholars carried the Stone from Cairo to Alexandria alongside the troops of Jacques-Francois Menou. French troops in Cairo capitulated on June 22, and in Alexandria on August 30. -- After the surrender, a dispute arose over the fate of French archaeological and scientific discoveries in Egypt. De Menou refused to hand them over, claiming they belonged to the Institute. British General John Hely-Hutchinson, 2nd Earl of Donoughmore, refused to relieve the city until de Menou gave in. Newly arrived scholars Edward Daniel Clarke and William Richard Hamilton agreed to check the collections in Alexandria and found many artifacts that the French had not revealed. -- When Hutchinson claimed all materials as a property of the British Crown, a French scholar, Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, said to Clarke and Hamilton that they would rather burn all their discoveries - referring ominously to the destruction of the Library of Alexandria - than turn them over. Hutchinson finally agreed that items such as biology specimens would be the scholars' private property. De Menou regarded the stone as his private property and hid it. How exactly the Stone came to British hands is disputed. Colonel Tomkyns Hilgrove Turner, who escorted the stone to Britain, claimed later that he had personally seized it from de Menou and carried it away on a gun carriage. Clarke stated in his memoirs that a French scholar and an officer had quietly given up the stone to him and his companions in a Cairo back street. French scholars departed later with only imprints and plaster casts of the stone. Turner brought the stone to Britain aboard the captured French frigate HMS Egyptienne in February 1802. On March 11, it was presented to the Society of Antiquaries of London and Stephen Weston played a major role in the early translation. Later it was taken to the British Museum, where it remains to this day. Inscriptions painted in white on the artifact state "Captured in Egypt by the British Army in 1801" on the left side and "Presented by King George III" on the right.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8QM55OndJ8|article link]] <html>History Channel - Ancient Mysteries - The Rosetta Stone 3 of 5 (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Experts inspecting the Rosetta Stone during the International Congress of Orientalists of 1874In 1814, Briton Thomas Young finished translating the enchorial (demotic) text, and began work on the hieroglyphic script. From 1822 to 1824 the French scholar, philologist, and orientalist Jean-François Champollion greatly expanded on this work and is credited as the principal translator of the Rosetta Stone. Champollion could read both Greek and Coptic, and figured out what the seven Demotic signs in Coptic were. By looking at how these signs were used in Coptic, he worked out what they meant. Then he traced the Demotic signs back to hieroglyphic signs. By working out what some hieroglyphs stood for, he transliterated the text from the Demotic (or older Coptic) and Greek to the hieroglyphs by first translating Greek names which were originally in Greek, then working towards ancient names that had never been written in any other language. Champollion then created an alphabet to decipher the remaining text. -- In 1858, the Philomathean Society of the University of Pennsylvania published the first complete English translation of the Rosetta Stone as accomplished by three of its undergraduate members: Charles R Hale, S Huntington Jones, and Henry Morton.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffOsvtnL0lw|article link]] <html>History Channel - Ancient Mysteries - The Rosetta Stone 4 of 5 (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>In essence, the Rosetta Stone is a tax amnesty given to the temple priests of the day, restoring the tax privileges they had traditionally enjoyed from more ancient times. Some scholars speculate that several copies of the Rosetta Stone must exist, as yet undiscovered, since this proclamation must have been made at many temples. The complete Greek portion, translated into English, is about 16001700 words in length, and is about 20 paragraphs long (average of 80 words per paragraph): -- In the reign of the new king who was Lord of the diadems, great in glory, the stabilizer of Egypt, but also pious in matters relating to the gods, superior to his adversaries, rectifier of the life of men, Lord of the thirty-year periods like Hephaestus the Great, King like the Sun, the Great King of the Upper and Lower Lands, offspring of the Parent-loving gods, whom Hephaestus has approved, to whom the Sun has given victory, living image of Zeus, Son of the Sun, Ptolemy the ever-living, beloved by Ptah; In the ninth year, when Aëtus, son of Aëtus, was priest of Alexander and of the Savior gods and the Brother gods and the Benefactor gods and the Parent-loving gods and the god Manifest and Gracious; Pyrrha, the daughter of Philinius, being athlophorus for Bernice Euergetis; Areia, the daughter of Diogenes, being canephorus for Arsinoë Philadelphus; Irene, the daughter of Ptolemy, being priestess of Arsinoë Philopator: on the fourth of the month Xanicus, or according to the Egyptians the eighteenth of Mecheir. -- THE DECREE: The high priests and prophets, and those who enter the inner shrine in order to robe the gods, and those who wear the hawk's wing, and the sacred scribes, and all the other priests who have assembled at Memphis before the king, from the various temples throughout the country, for the feast of his receiving the kingdom, even that of Ptolemy the ever-living, beloved by Ptah, the god Manifest and Gracious, which he received from his Father, being assembled in the temple in Memphis this day, declared: Since King Ptolemy, the ever-living, beloved by Ptah, the god Manifest and Gracious, the son of King Ptolemy and Queen Arsinoë, the Parent-loving gods, has done many benefactions to the temples and to those who dwell in them, and also to all those subject to his rule, being from the beginning a god born of a god and a goddess-like Horus, the son of Isis and Osirus, who came to the help of his Father Osirus; being benevolently disposed toward the gods, has concentrated to the temples revenues both of silver and of grain, and has generously undergone many expenses in order to lead Egypt to prosperity and to establish the temples... the gods have rewarded him with health, victory, power, and all other good things, his sovereignty to continue to him and his children forever.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao9NRat8geU|article link]] <html>History Channel - Ancient Mysteries - The Rosetta Stone 5 of 5 (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>The term Rosetta Stone came to be used by philologists to describe any bilingual text with whose help a hitherto unknown language and/or script could be deciphered. For example, the bilingual coins of the Indo-Greeks (Obverse in Greek, reverse in Pali, using the Kharosthi script), which enabled James Prinsep (1799-1840) to decipher the latter. -- Later on, the term gained a wider frequency, also outside the field of linguistics, and has become idiomatic as something that is a critical key to the process of decryption or translation of a difficult encoding of information: "The Rosetta Stone of immunology" and "Arabidopsis, the Rosetta Stone of flowering time (fossils)". An algorithm for predicting protein structure from sequence is named Rosetta@home. In molecular biology, a series of "Rosetta" bacterial cell lines have been developed that contain a number of TRNA genes that are rare in E. coli but common in other organisms, enabling the efficient translation of DNA from those organisms in E. coli. "Rosetta" is an online language translation tool to help localisation of software, developed and maintained by Canonical as part of the Launchpad project. "Rosetta" is the name of a "lightweight dynamic translator" distributed for Mac OS X by Apple. Rosetta enables applications compiled for PowerPC processor to run on Apple systems using x86 processor. Rosetta Stone is a brand of language learning software published by Rosetta Stone Ltd., headquartered in Arlington, VA, USA. The Rosetta Project is a global collaboration of language specialists and native speakers to develop a contemporary version of the historic Rosetta Stone to last from 2000 to 12,000 AD. Its goal is a meaningful survey and near permanent archive of 1,500 languages.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsQjS8VJUJk|article link]] <html>The London Walks [Brief - Ancient Kingdoms] British Museum Tour (YouTube) </html> Award winning London Walks tour of The British Museum. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km1uRxK4Tyk|article link]] ==== The Secular Gentile Societies/Governments are Occult [Satanic] in Nature ==== <fs 120%>#13 Governments often referred to as Secular are generally Occult [Satanic] in nature and practice</fs> <html>Note: The Basic Christian Info Feed is going to begin to transition out of the Summer 2010 Discernment [events] postings and into the Fall 2010 Bible Studies: "The Fall Feasts of Israel" (Second Coming events of Jesus Christ), "Human accountability and the Three Biblical Judgments" [Water, Blood and Fire (Spirit)], "The Vagabond Priesthood," and "The 8 Kingdoms of the World" studies</html> <html><tt>Also Note: Throughout the remainder of August there are going to be a few more pauses and breaks to the postings and then by early September a new posting routine with the Bible Studies should be getting established. ~ God bless everyone, David Anson Brown </tt></html> <html>Revelation 18 - The sins of Mystery Babylon will result in the plagues of God upon Mystery Babylon -- 'Revelation 18:1-5 And after these things I saw another Angel [messenger] come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with His Glory [Jesus Christ]. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all Nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication [unfaithfulness], and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from Heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins (Genesis 11:4) [The Tower of Babel] have reached unto Heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities [intentional sins].'</html> <html><tt>Mystery Babylon is to be judged and destroyed all in a single day: Revelation 18:6-10 Reward her [Mystery Babylon] even as she rewarded [betrayed] you [humans], and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. ... Revelation 18:20-24 Rejoice over her [Mystery Babylon], thou Heaven, and ye Holy Apostles and Prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. And a mighty Angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down (Jeremiah 51:63), and shall be found no more at all. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>The Vagabond Priesthood - Sons of Sceva - a Bible Study by David Anson Brown</html> <html><tt>Acts 19:11-20 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of [the Apostle] Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you [evil spirit] by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the [vagabond] priests {not Levitical priests}, which did so [exorcisms]. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul [a servant] I know; but who are ye [vagabond]? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the Name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and [publically] confessed, and shewed their deeds [Christian characteristics]. Many of them also which used curious arts [witchcraft] brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the Word of God and prevailed. -- Wiki.com Vagabond: A vagabond or "drifter" is an itinerant person. Such people may be called drifters, tramps, rogues, or hobos. A vagabond is characterized by almost continuous traveling, lacking a fixed home, temporary abode, or permanent residence. Vagabonds are not bums, as bums are not known for traveling, preferring to stay in one location. Historically, "vagabond" was a British legal term similar to vagrant, deriving from the Latin for 'purposeless wandering'. Following the Peasants' Revolt, British constables were authorized under a 1383 statute to collar vagabonds and force them to show their means of support; if they could not, they were jailed. By the 19th century the vagabond was associated more closely with Bohemianism. The critic Arthur Compton-Rickett compiled a review of the type, in which he defined it as men "with a vagrant strain in the blood, a natural inquisitiveness about the world beyond their doors." Examples included Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Leo Tolstoy, William Hazlitt, and Thomas de Quincey.</tt></html> <html>Preview: The Vagabond Priesthood [man's rogue, independent, unsanctioned priesthood] and The 8 Kingdoms of the world - The biblical concepts of Earthly Kingdoms does not regulate the kingdoms and governments of the world [or of hell] to Satan - Satan the eventual Antichrist will in all actuality have only one Kingdom, his coming [brief] Antichrist Kingdom - Satan does not currently have direct Kingdoms of his own yet he does have influence and persuasion [deceit, lies, manipulation] into the affairs of mankind</html> <html><tt>In Matthew 4:10 Jesus did not directly dispute the claims of Satan that he [Satan] had kingdoms of the world to seemingly offer to Jesus or to anyone else at Satan's desire. However, Jesus not refuting Satan's claim is only in line with a reasonable person (Jesus) not disputing with an unreasonable entity (Satan) and is not indicative of Satan actually possessing kingdoms to distribute at his will. "Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the Devil taketh Him (Jesus) up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto Him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me [Satan]. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him [God] only shalt thou serve [see also Hebrews 2:17-18]." -- In the same concept that Satan does not directly possess his own kingdoms Satan does not officiate as the head [high priest] of his own priesthood or of any [i.e. rouge "Vagabond"] priesthood - as even the "evil spirit" did not recognize the Vagabond Priesthood (Acts 19:15). The concept of mankind serving Satan (the "man of sin" 2 Thessalonians 2:3 - instigating and manipulating human sins) is in the context of man actually serving and being in the slavery of sin. "Romans 6:16-23 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience [to God] unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of [Christian - Apostolic] doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness [not in sin, not in a Vagabond (cult) priesthood, but only in the eternal Melchizedek Priesthood (Hebrews 6:19-20) - Jesus being the High Priest (Hebrews 3:1)]. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those [sin] things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin [rejecting Jesus] is death; but the gift of God is eternal life [Hebrews 13:20-21] through Jesus Christ our Lord." </tt></html> <html>Conclusion - The Vagabond Priesthood (i.e. Emerging Church): Definitions of the Vagabond Priesthood -- "Acts 19:13-17 Then (1)certain of the vagabond Jews, (2)exorcists, took upon them [themselves] to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you (3)by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests [lit. the Vagabond High Priest], which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and (4)overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (5)And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified." </html> <html><tt>1. The Vagabond Priesthood was a vagrant, wandering sect of pseudo Judaism attempting to Merchandise their minimal knowledge and abilities to the local populations. 2. Good intentions are a part of the Vagabond Priesthood in that its practitioners are generally out to perform a service (exorcism) for the good of mankind. Note: both good works and money were a motivating factor but money and reputation surpassed the works of good intentions. 3. Plagiarism and borrowing from other religions (i.e. New Age Religions, Cults) is a common and acceptable practice within the Vagabond Priesthood. 4. Ultimately the Vagabond Priesthood not being grounded in either reality or in Biblical Truth the Vagabond Priesthood is a powerless priesthood. 5. The Vagabond Priesthood being a pseudo and powerless priesthood is a contrary [don't do what they do] witness to mankind.</tt></html> <html>Slaughter of the Sheep: Reports of Benny Hinn and Paula White Affair - The National Enquirer is currently reporting that Benny Hinn and Paula White are having an affair - I know, I know, it's the Enquirer and they're unreliable - There's one catch?. they've got pictures of Hinn/White going into and out of a hotel in Rome holding hands [two weeks ago] - I bought an issue when a fellow researcher called and told me about this story and I have seen the pictures - Is it true? I don't know - But, judging from the photographs, Hinn may have some explaining to do! </html> <html><tt>Comments: Video 3: Benny asks Paula where she has this incredible teachings from? She says from God, from revelation and experience. But I listened to her (this was a real trial!) but she just puts all the false teachings together from Word Faith, Dominion, seven mountains, little gods and more. She throws the words out on her listeners without time for them to think and uses methods (hands, snapping fingers, response). ... It appears Paula is broad in her teachings. you are correct, she does appear to be hooked up with the Dominionism/kingdom now - New Apostolic Reformation!!! Here she is with non-other that Chuck Pierce. ... that video's says it all. And Paula is also into 'the glory'. So her story that God showed her all this and that she got revelation is a lie. ... Chuck Pierce is into mysticism. There you see the mix in this false teachings with the occult and Gnosticism. It's strange fire ["Vagabond Priesthood"]. But that is another topic. ... When I see all this happen, and the articles here on the website and other discerning sites it reminds me of something I think God showed me two years ago. I saw that all these false ministries that seemed to have no connection, are going to connect. It made me think of a web from a spider. The line at the edge of the web are far from each other, but when the spider makes the web he goes to the center and there the lines come together. It is shocking to see it happen these days? Time is running out. ... I already knew that Benny Hinn was Latter Rain and Manifest sons of God teaching. Well, I just found a video with Benny Hinn and Bill Hamon (Christian International) I have been to one of bill Hamon conferences , He is crazy and dangerous. I went to a woman pastors church who was under Bill Hamon and it was a crazy place. Thank God he brought me out of the mess. ... OMG! That's Oh my goodness! for us Christians. I just watched that video with Paula and Chuck. Are we supposed to take these people seriously???? I hope not! Chuckle? They take themselves seriously?I think, but at least we don't have to! Boy, am I glad I am not taken in by these swelling words of fanciful suggestions anymore. Thank God! He set me free. I'm going to enjoy every minute of my freedom from these charlatans! Love you all! God keep you in his love and sweetness! ... You made me laugh girl. We are smart to their enticing words, but lots of people are deceived by these jokers. They are crazy and dangerous. Talk about the Tower of Babel, babel, babel, one can't understand their language. Seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. ... Dominionism, Word Faith, Latter Rain, Manifested Sons have the same roots as the New Age 'theology': the Christ-consciousness. 'The Christ' will not bodily return, but in the mind, spirit of the people. Alice Bailey, the 'mother' of the New Age [Satanism version], already said years ago that New Age had to influence Christianity so New Age would be the new world religion. This was written on a website about Christ Consciousness (they even use the bible): 'It is our destiny to attain to the level of Christ consciousness and to be aware of the self as God'. 'Speak as Christ would speak and Christ will speak through you? Think as Christ would think and Christ will think through you and the mind of God will become congruent with your physical vessel?Practice sweet thoughts, sweet feelings, sweet words and soon they will come naturally to you. Finally perform deeds that you know Christ would perform and you will manifest the Christ consciousness in your daily life.' "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." -The Bible- This means: Seek ye first the Consciousness of God, the consciousness of the Living Christ in you and the scientific application of the Universal Law to the mastery of self in time and space and all these things in the world of form shell be added unto you by the multiplicated alchemy of the Holy Ghost.' Sounds familiar to what Word Faith teaches, 'little gods'. Scary how it fits in with those false teachings?</tt></html>[[http://slaughteringthesheep.wordpress.com/2010/07/24/reports-of-benny-hinn-and-paula-white-affair-pictures-included/|article link]] <html>The postings, Information and Resources regarding the 8 Kingdoms Study - The study will continue until about the 2010 Christmas Holiday Season</html> <html><tt>Also Note: The current introductory material of the 8 Kingdoms Study [Days of Noah - Flood of Noah (ancient earth 1.0 - and then the new present post flood 2.0 earth - 2 Peter 3:6) Kingdom of Nimrod (Tower of Babel), Days of Job, Hammurabi, Abraham, King Melchizedek, Kingdom of Egypt] is being presented in a merged fashion because it is important to note and to grasp that the early Kingdoms, with the exception of [called out] Abraham and [Divine - Eternal] Melchizedek were all merged. Once we can get ahold of the concept that the ancient civilizations were a continuing and ongoing concentration of the same [occult] work and teachings then we can more easily understand the environment of the ancient civilizations and apply it to our day in that we are also living in a modern environment that has been handed down via the previous 6 occult Kingdoms of the world and [Mystery Babylon - the fallen angelic realm (Revelation 17:5)] is steadily working to bring in and enact the 7th and final occult Kingdom [NWO] of the human world. -- Soon, as the study progresses all the introduction material will be grouped and categorized [like the blog Bible Study] into an easy to access .</tt></html> <html>{Flashback} Genesis 12-14 - Abraham comes back from Egypt and Returns to Bethel (House of God) in the Promise land (Israel) - Abraham and his Nephew Lot come to an amenable parting of the ways - Lot seeing with his eyes chooses to dwell near Sodom while Abraham choosing to dwell with God moves to Hebron [near modern Jerusalem] - Abraham was to arise and walk through the land 'Genesis 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee' - to take possession and appropriate the promises of God into his life - Later Abraham meets Melchizedek King of Righteousness and Peace the Priest of the Most High God "Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek [Spirit of God] King of Salem (Peace) brought forth [Communion] bread (body of Jesus) and wine (mingled grape (blood) and water): and He was the Priest of the most high God." - Abraham [Father of the Jewish Nation] gives a tithe a tenth of all he owns to Melchizedek - Melchizedek blesses Abraham - 'Genesis 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand [in praise and worship] unto the LORD, The Most High God, The Possessor Of Heaven And Earth'</html> <html><tt>Melchizedek the name means King of Righteousness and Peace, He is the Priest of the Most High God. This is the first mention of a Priest in the Bible. The idea of a priest comes from the conciseness of the Holiness of God and of the sinfulness of man, in order for a man to touch God to go into the presence of the Holy God man will need a mediator a go between, a priest. The ministry of the priest was twofold the priest was to go before God for the people and then the priest [or a prophet] would return and tell the people a message from God if there was one. - Melchizedek's birth is not recorded and his death is not yet recorded because Melchizedek is eternal, without genealogy and without death He lives on forever 'Hebrews 7:3 [Melchizedek] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest Continually.' ... 'Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou (Jesus Christ) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.' Jesus is our [Christian, heavenly] High Priest after the order of Melchizedek not after the earthly Levitical/Aaronic priesthood. The episode of Melchizedek was enacted into the Bible's history of the Old testament to reveal to mankind even before the establishing of the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood that mankind would know that there is indeed a better priesthood a holy, eternal, established priesthood of Melchizedek. As Jesus reigns He is Melchizedek "The LORD, The Most High God, The Possessor Of Heaven And Earth."</tt></html> <html>{Flashback} Genesis 40-41 - The King's butler (cup bearer) and the Kings baker were suspected in a plot to kill the King of Egypt and were imprisoned with Joseph until the details of the plot could be sorted out - The butler and the baker each had a dream - Joseph was able to correctly interpret each of their dreams -- 'Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it - And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you' -- Later Joseph is brought from the prison to interpret a dream for Pharaoh after correctly interpreting the dream Joseph is installed by the Pharaoh to be the second ruler over all of Egypt in order to carry out the interpretation of the dream - An Egyptian wife is chosen for Joseph and she [Asenath] bares him two sons Manasseh and Ephraim both of which will receive inheritances in Israel as Jacob awards Joseph a double portion of land in Israel with his double portion of blessings</html> <html><tt>Note: Melchizedek the Priest of the Most High God introduced bread and wine (communion) into the Bible. In keeping with Biblical consistency we now again have the bread [cross] and the wine [resurrection] in the illustration of the king's baker [bread] - and the king's butler/cup bearer [wine]. The baker as was according to his dream from God was broken, he was executed. The butler as was according to his dream, also given to him by God, was restored the third day being freed from prison he is sent into the presence of the Kingdom's King handing a cup of wine (vine) to the King. - The communion bread and the communion wine of Jesus Christ: The bread represents the body of Jesus 'broken for us' and the wine represents the life blood of Jesus in the New Eternal covenant between God and mankind. 'Matthew 26:26-28 And as they (disciples) were eating [Passover], Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the cup (grape of the vine), and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it [be connected to Jesus Christ the true Vine]; For this is My Blood [eternal Life, the eternal living covenant] of the New Testament (Covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' - Also Note: Once Benjamin [Christian Church] comes into the Kingdom presence of Joseph and meets Him face to face Joseph [Jesus] calls Benjamin 'My Son'. 'Genesis 43:29 And he [Joseph] lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin [Christian Church], his mother's (Rachael's) son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto Me? And He said, God be gracious unto thee, My Son.</tt></html> <html> (Part 1) Note: Before we begin to look at "The Fall Feasts of Israel" (Second Coming events of Jesus Christ) study starting about Sept. 1, 2010 we need a little more background on the "Covenants of Israel" (1st Moses [Mt. Sinai, in the desert] - 2nd Jesus [Mt. Zion, Jerusalem]) and of the "Promises of Israel" (Ephesians 2:12-13) </html> <html><tt>Israel began with a promise from God to Abraham (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:18) - Then [430 years later (Galatians 3:17)] the 1st Covenant [Law - instruction] was enacted from God to the Nation of Israel through Moses for the purpose of temporary instruction (Galatians 3:24) regarding the coming permanent [eternal - salvation] Covenant of Jesus Christ - The Promises of God and the Laws (1st Covenant) of Moses provided an unregenerated (Redemption) relationship between God and mankind. The Promises of God and the (2nd Covenant) accomplished events (works) of Jesus Christ and the accompanying giving of the Holy Spirit provide a regenerated (Salvation) 'born again' relationship between God and mankind. Where the Promises of God [starting in Genesis 1:26] came before any of the Covenants [Noah, Abraham, Moses] and all the covenants facilitate the promises of God, the "Feasts of Israel" [the individual Feasts (Leviticus 23:1-2) primarily being observed as "a statute for ever (eternally)" Leviticus 23:41] arch between the two Covenants of Israel and facilitate both the Promises of God and the Covenants of God by helping to reveal and provide the structure of God's unfolding and ongoing reconciliation plan regarding mankind.</tt></html> <html> (Part 2 - Transition from Law to Grace) Jesus continued to transition the people from Law [Mt. Sinai] to Grace [Mt. Zion] - First it is important to understand, as the early Jewish Christians did, that Jesus is the physical manifestation of the voice that spoke from the burning bush (Exodus 3:2, Exodus 3:14 - John 8:24) and that also spoke from the Mountain top at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:11-25) -- "Hebrews 12:26 (Jesus) Whose voice then shook the earth [at Mt. Sinai]: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." {Note: The Levitical Priesthood was primarily an earthly Priesthood while Jesus' Melchizedek Priesthood [encompasses] has authority both on the earth and also in heaven.} </html> <html><tt>Exodus 19:11 And [followers of God] be ready against [on] the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai. -- "Matthew 5:1-3 And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up into a (Biblical, Government) Mountain [Jesus is starting His 2nd Covenant Ministry - where He left off His previous 1st Covenant Ministry - on a Mountain]: and when He was set, His disciples {only - Peter, Matthew, John, etc.} came unto Him: And He opened His mouth [naturally - no occult activity], and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." ... "Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these [Sermon on the Mount] sayings, the people [Jesus had transitioned from Law to Grace and also from just disciples being the audience to everyone being the audience] were astonished at His doctrine: For He [Jesus] taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."</tt></html> <html> (Part 2) Mount of Beatitudes Location of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - a small hill or eminence in the vicinity of Capernaum (Photo) </html> <html><tt>What is known as Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:20-49) is believed to have been given near the top of the ridge in the above photo (where you see part of a church). Although called the Mount of Beatitudes, Jesus did not speak from an actual mountain but [a Biblical Mountain (Government)] from a small hill or eminence in the vicinity of Capernaum. Scriptural References: Matthew 5-7; Luke 6 (KJV Bible) Sources Used: Easton's Bible Dictionary; Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible.</tt></html> [[http://www.biblestudy.org/biblepic/mtbeatt.html|article link]] <html> (Part 3 - The Nation of Israel) The Nation of Israel, separate and distinct from the Christian Church, is comprised [Redemption - Salvation] of the Promises of God (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:18) and of the accomplishments of God, not just the Laws of God - The Law [apart from the Promises of God, combined with the Actions of God and an individual's faith in God] in itself the 1st Covenant (Law) does not offer Salvation [then or now] or even Redemption for that matter - Therefore the removal of the Law the 1st Covenant and the accompanying Temple sacrifices and ordinances did not remove Redemption (Isaiah 43:1) from Israel [the Jews] in that the Promises of God to the Jews remains eternal [Numbers 18:19, Psalms 89:34-37] </html> <html><tt>The Promises of God to the Jews are embodied in five primary instances. 1. Male circumcision on the 8th day. 2. The keeping of the Jewish Sabbath on the 7th day [sundown Friday to sundown Saturday] of each week. 3. The keeping of the of the 10 Commandments [Exodus 20:3-17]. 4. The keeping of the 8 Levitical Feasts [Leviticus chapter 23]. 5. Identity with the Nation of Israel (Jacob) as a Jew (i.e. Jewish customs, traditions, dietary and food laws, etc.) [Isaiah 2:3]. -- "Genesis 17:9-10 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep My covenant [promise] therefore, thou, and thy seed [children] after thee in their generations. This is My covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised." - "Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised." -- "Exodus 20:9-11 [10 Commandments] Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it." - "Leviticus 23:1-3 [8 Levitical Feasts of Israel] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the Children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the Feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be Holy Convocations, even these are My Feasts. Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of rest, an Holy Convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the Sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings." -- "Isaiah 56:4-8 For thus saith the LORD [even] unto the eunuchs [and foreigners] that keep My Sabbaths, and choose the things that please Me, and take hold of My Covenant [promise of Redemption/Salvation]; Even unto them will I give in Mine House and within My walls a place and a name better than of [earthly royalty] sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD [Jesus Christ], to serve Him, and to love the Name of the LORD, to be His servants, every one that keepeth the Sabbath [rest - trust in God, the finished works of Jesus Christ] from polluting it, and taketh hold of My Covenant; Even them will I bring to My Holy Mountain [Government], and make them joyful in My House of Prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for [only in Jesus Christ] Mine house shall be called an House of Prayer for all people. The Lord GOD which gathereth the [Jewish] outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others [Gentiles] to Him (Jesus), beside those [Jews] that are gathered unto Him." -- Jewish Redemption: "Exodus 12:14 And this [Passover] day shall be unto you for a [Redemption] memorial; and ye shall keep it a Feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a Feast by an ordinance for ever." -- "Exodus 15:11-13 11 Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in Holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? Thou stretchedst out Thy right hand, the earth swallowed them. Thou in Thy mercy hast led forth the [Jewish] people which Thou hast redeemed [the Passover in Egypt]: thou hast guided them in thy strength unto Thy Holy habitation." -- "Isaiah 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee [at the Passover in Egypt], I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine."</tt></html> <html>AGES [EONS] OR ETERNITY AND THE KING JAMES VERSION (List of Bible Verses) </html> <html><tt>Let us examine the English word AGE as used in the Old and New Testaments of the King James Version. The English word AGE is a true single word translation of the Hebrew word OLAM and the Greek noun AION. These words have a common meaning and are used interchangeably as the scriptures well note. Check Psalms 45:6 and Hebrews 1:8. Although the word AGE is a direct translation of the words OLAM and AION, it must quickly be added that AGE will not imply the same meaning to everyone. Now our only course of action, in order to form a most correct definition of this word AGE as was in the mind of the inspired writers, is to observe the way it is used in the scriptures. Let us proceed to observe the use of the Hebrew word CLAM, and the English noun AION, its plural AIONS, and their adjective AIONION, to ascertain their common meaning. -- "2 Timothy 4:10. For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world (Eon, Age - G165, Aion), and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia." - "Romans 1:25 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever (G165, Aions - all Eons, Ages). Amen." </tt></html> [[http://richardwaynegarganta.com/AGES OR ETERNITY AND THE KING JAMES VERSION.htm|article link]] <html> (Part 4 - Transition from physical to Spiritual) The ultimate transition from physical to Spiritual, from Nations, Jew and Gentile and into both eternal Redemption and Salvation occurs after the completion of the earthy [eon, age] (Matthew 28:20) - after the 1,000 year (Revelation 20:6) Millennial [Eon, Age] Reign of Jesus Christ</html> <blockquote>Romans 8:23 And not only they [creation], but ourselves also, which have [Salvation] the Firstfruits ('born again' - Easter, Firstfruits Feast Day) of the [Holy] Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the [Spiritual] redemption of our [physical] body.</blockquote> <blockquote>Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a Mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw Him, they worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world [lit. Eon (Age), end of the earth, world - G165, Aion (Eon - Eternity)]. Amen.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 20:1-8 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years [Reign of Jesus Christ] should be fulfilled: and after that he [Satan] must be loosed a little season (Time - G5550). And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them [Martyred Saints of Revelation] that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the [condemned] dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection [Holy]. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death [Judgment] hath no power, but they shall be [Melchizedek] Priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters [all reaches] of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of [unfaithful] whom is as the sand of the sea.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 21:1-3 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. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.</blockquote> <blockquote>Revelation 21:4-7 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new [completed bodily Spiritual Redemption and soul Spiritual Salvation]. And He said unto me, Write: for these Words are True and Faithful. And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.</blockquote> <html> (Part 5 - Conclusion: Transitions and Unifications in Progress) The Transition from the Old Covenant [Physical] to the New Covenant [Spiritual] was completed almost 2,000 years ago in Jesus Christ [the Word was made {transitioned to} flesh (John 1:14), Last Supper, Cross and Resurrection] yet the resulting transitions [physical to Spiritual, time to eternity] and Unifications [heaven - earth, ages (Adam, Eve, Abel, Seth) - ages (Noah, Job, Abraham, Jews, Church, Martyred Saints of Revelation, 144,000, etc.), Jews - Gentiles, Angels - humans] have yet to be completed -- See Also: The Three Fall Feasts</html> <blockquote>Ephesians 4:4-10 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace [individuality] according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He saith, When He [Jesus united Heaven and earth the past, present and the future] ascended up on high [Heaven], he led [the O.T. saved Saints from captivity (hades) into Heaven] captivity captive, and gave gifts [to the newly formed Christian Church] unto men. Now that He [Jesus] ascended [into Heaven], what is it but that He also descended [went down into 'hades' - for three days and three nights after the cross] first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended [and reconciled the past O.T. Saints] is the same also that ascended [and reconciled Heaven - God to man] up far above all [visible] heavens, that He might fill [reconcile] all things [Heaven, earth, past, present and future]." - "Revelation 10:5-7 And the Angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to Heaven, And sware by Him [God] 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 [completing] no longer [separation between God and mankind]: But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the Mystery of God should be finished [final revealing begins], as He hath declared to His servants the prophets [and is recorded in the Holy Bible]."</blockquote> <html>The Three Fall Feasts: of Leviticus Chapter 23 seem to be the Transition Phase out of the approximately 2,000 years of individuals serving and fellowshipping with God in the Christian Church Age - Into the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom of Messiah the reign of Jesus Christ among the Nations on the Earth</html> <html><tt>The whole concept of the 8 Kingdom Study has been that there is a major transition in the Kingdom of God that is to take place and that is the Kingdom of God being shifted from the individual perspective (Church Age) to the National perspective (Kingdom Age). The shift from the individual (remnant) worship of God to the (corporate) National worship of God is continued and completed during the transition of the Antichrist Kingdom. In short throughout human history and particularly while going through the Book of Revelation there are two separate [parallel] Kingdoms at work in the Kingdom of Antichrist and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Revelation while the Antichrist Kingdom is attempting to unify (666 - fallen angels, fallen humans, demons) and is unable to do so the Kingdom of God [888 (in a sense) - Holy God, holy Angels, redeemed mankind] does unify. The Kingdom of God starts out in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:10-18) with Jesus walking among the 7 Churches of the earth and holding the stars of Heaven in His hand as Jesus is in the process of reconciling the earth back to Heaven to make the two separate Kingdoms of Heaven and earth back into one Kingdom. Jesus writes seven letters to His Church in each letter identifying Himself with each Church. Then in Revelation (Revelation 5:6) Jesus is seen as The Lamb Slain as Jesus identifies Himself with all of His Martyred Saints from all of the Children of God from throughout all human history. During the events of Revelation the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ becomes so identified with and intermingled with the Saints on earth and the holy Angels of Heaven in bonding and closeness that as an Angel appears (Revelation 10:1-7) it is difficult to tell if it is an Angel speaking and acting or if it is Jesus Himself speaking and acting. Note: In concluding this 8 Kingdom summary by reading the events of the Bible's Book of Revelation the Kingdom of God becomes identified with the Christian Saints, the Martyrs and even the holy Angels of Heaven at the very same time that the Kingdom of Antichrist is attempting to unify with fallen mankind, fallen angels and the demons but the Kingdom of Antichrist is falling apart and coming apart at such a rapid pace and in reality is never anywhere close to mixing into a unified Kingdom as the "iron does not mix with the clay" of Daniel. While in complete success the Kingdom of God is unified, united and completly identifiable with both mankind and with the holy Angels of Heaven all through the accomplishments and achievements of God the Son Jesus Christ. -- Ephesians 1:10-14 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times [ages] He [God] might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we [Christians] have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we [Apostles] should be to the {Anointing} Praise of His Glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye [individuals] also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: in whom also after that ye [individuals] believed, ye [individuals] were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our [individual] inheritance until the redemption {Kingdom Age} of the purchased possession, unto the {Anointing} Praise of His Glory.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] ==== The 3 Glogal Judgments - 2 Global Judgments Yet To Come ==== <fs 120%>#14 The 3 Global Enitire Earth Judgments</fs> <html>Preview: The Biblical triune (3 in 1) nature [testimony, salvation, judgment] of the water, blood and Spirit (also represented in breath, wind, fire) that are each freely offered and given from God to all of mankind globally as a witness of sin (and eventually as a judgment against sin), a testimony of the once physical presence of Jesus Christ and as an eternal remedy for our own individual Salvation</html> <html><tt>Where the Apostle Peter's significant life changing event during his time with Jesus seemed to be at the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-8, 2 Peter 1:16-18) the Apostle John's significant life changing event with Jesus seems to have been at the cross (John 19:34-35, 1 John 5:7-9) when Jesus was pierced by the Roman spear and the blood and water poured out from the wound in Jesus' side. The Apostle John then regards the presence of the Spirit and the separation of the blood and water coming out from Jesus as a witness, a judgment, and a testimony of salvation for all of mankind. When the Basic Christian blog History study returns in about a week we will Biblically look into the blood, water and fire (spirit), testimonies and judgments of the Bible from throughout the Old Testament starting in Genesis and continuing consistently throughout the entire Bible then concluding in book of Revelation [the sin of Adam and Eve and the shedding of blood, the flood of Noah, the Aaronic Priesthood, the Last Supper Communion, the atoning cross of Jesus Christ, the Resurrection of Jesus and birth (Alpha) of the Christian Church, the Pentecost global Spirit empowerment and witness, the calling home into heaven by Jesus the rapture (Omega) of the Christian Church, Revelation-Tribulation]. -- "John 19:34-35 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His [Jesus'] side, and forthwith came there out {the global Judgment, global Testimony and global Salvation of} blood and water. And he (Disciple John) that saw it bare record [testimony], and his [testimony] record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye [individuals] might believe [salvation]." -- "1 John 5:7-9 For there are three (triune) that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness [Spirit, water, blood] of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son [Jesus Christ]."</tt></html> <html>Overview: The cross of Jesus and the Triune witness of Jesus' Spirit, blood and water each released from the physical body of Jesus while He was on the cross -- "Colossians 1:19-23 For it pleased the Father [God] that in Him [Jesus] should all fulness dwell [manifest to mankind]; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him [Jesus] to reconcile all things unto Himself [God - Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit]; by Him [Jesus], I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven. And you [Gentiles, sinners], that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He [Jesus] reconciled in the body of His flesh [Spirit, blood, water] through death, to present you Holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature [by the Holy Spirit, since Pentecost] which is under heaven; whereof I [Apostle] Paul am made a Minister;" </html> <html><tt>John 19:26-30 When Jesus therefore saw His mother [Mary], and the disciple [John] standing by [the cross], whom He loved [G25 (Agape) - highest love, Spiritual, non-sexual], He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son [in Christian fellowship]! Then saith He to the disciple [John], Behold thy mother [in Christian fellowship]! And from that hour that disciple took her [in Christian fellowship] unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the [bitter drink] vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost [G4151(Pneuma) - Spirit, Holy Ghost, Spirit of God - source: Srong's Concordance]." -- "John 19:34-35 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His [Jesus'] side, and forthwith came there out {the global Judgment, global Testimony and global Salvation of} blood and water. And he (Disciple John) that saw it bare record [testimony], and his [testimony] record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye [individuals] might believe [salvation]." -- "1 John 5:7-9 For there are three (triune) that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood [from the cross of Jesus]: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness [Spirit, water, blood - from the cross of Jesus] of God is greater: for this is the witness of God [from the cross] which He hath testified of His Son [Jesus Christ]."</tt></html> <html>Creation Earth 1.0 (Adam - Noah) -- Earth 2.0 (Noah - Revelation) -- Earth 3.0 (Millennial Kingdom reign of Jesus Christ) -- Earth 4.0 (unjudged, eternal earth) </html> <html><tt>Earth 1.0 the original creation earth was a water vapor based environment and had the dual [water below the earth, vapor - water canopy above the earth, firmament] witness of water witnessing of God's creation. Water [life giving water - womb (John 3:5)] was then the witnessing element that then judged the original earth. - Earth 2.0 our present earth is under the [prophesied and enacted] Life givng (Matthew 26:28) and Judgment blood (Revelation 6:12, Revelation 8:7-8, Revelation 11:6) of Jesus Christ. - Earth 3.0 the restored Millennial earth [final judged earth] having the [spirit (life) and fire (judgment)] presence of Jesus during the Kingdom, Millennial reign of Jesus Christ, the earth (3.0) will be judged by fire [spirit]. Resulting in the final, eternal [earth 4.0] the final earth not being judged is the eternal earth. -- "2 Peter 3:5-7 For this [unbelief of Word of God - Biblical prophecy] they willingly are ignorant of, that by the Word of God the heavens were of old, and the [1.0] earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the [1.0] world that then was, being [judged] overflowed with water [Noah's flood], perished: But the [2.0] heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same Word [of God - prophecies] are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of [3.0] judgment and perdition of ungodly men." -- "2 Peter 3:11-14 Seeing then that all these things [earth 2.0] shall be dissolved [judgment 3.0], what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements [earth 3.0] shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His Promise, look for New Heavens [skies] and a New Earth [eternal - earth 4.0], wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of Him (Jesus Christ) in peace, without spot, and blameless."</tt></html> <html>"Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven [sky] and the earth." - Christian Creationism vs. Secular Evolution</html> <html><tt>Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven (sky) and the earth. - It is only through creation and not by means of evolution that people can be "created in the image of God" therefore creation is the very heart of the plan of God. "Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image ..." Either people are created and are therefore in the image of God making us capable of fellowship and able to have a relationship with God or we are involved in some random evolution process in a random universe that is without meaning and ultimately is totally useless. "Revelation 14:6-7 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every Nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, 'Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made (created) heaven, and earth' ..."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_creation_evolution.html|article link]] ==== The 8 Realms of all Existence - Encompassing all Physical and Spiritual Life ==== <fs 120%>#15 The 8 Realms [Dimensions] of Our Physical Existance</fs> <html>The 8 Global Kingdoms of the Earth -- BasicChristian.org: Article Introduction - The 7 physical and spiritual realms as unfolded in the 7 Days of the Genesis creation model {the 8th realm being God's realm of unrestricted eternity}</html> <html><tt>Humans exist in and are limited to the first three physical dimensions (length, height, width) and also the fourth dimension (restriction) of time. The spiritual realm of demons, angels and in part the coming Antichrist exists in the less restricted 5th and 6th dimensions. In fact the coming Antichrist is going to bring down or "contact" the 5th and 6th dimensions and infuse 4th dimensional human beings with 5th dimensional demons [Nephilm spirits] and 6th dimensional fallen [Satanic] angelic spirit beings consequently orchestrating 5th and 6th dimensional miracles and signs and wonders in order to deceive mankind. Note: So who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek is the manifestation [into our human realms] of the infinite dimensional (infinite dimensions - no restrictions - unrestricted) God in Person. Melchizedek is God the Holy Spirit in Person. Melchizedek is the Order of the Holy Spirit Priesthood. -- Also Note: In the Basic Christian article "Who is Melchizedek?" the 8 dimensions (restrictions) are listed in conjunction with the original creation week (Genesis 1:1-2:4) and are categorized as follows: 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness] 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below] 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants] 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons] 5. Demonic [Nephilm spirits] - demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above] 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) - humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of creation also fell from its original creation status] 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest] 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, Eternal, Wise, 8 Infinite, Almighty God consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. -- "Genesis 2:4 These are the generations [dimensions] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens ..."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_truth_deception.html|article link]] <html>Hebrews 1 - The Apostle Paul's Trilogy of Systematic Theology to the Nations [Romans, Galatians, Hebrews] - The Book of Hebrews is to give the Hebrew, Jewish Nation a perspective of their past, present and future glory with God in Jesus Christ the risen Savior, Messiah - 'Hebrews 1:8-9 But unto the Son He (Father) saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness [the cross] is the sceptre of Thy Kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy [Father] God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy [human] fellows.'</html> <html><tt>Hebrews 1:1-4 God, who at sundry times [in history] and in divers manners spake in time past unto the [Jewish] fathers by the Prophets, Hath in these last days {after the cross it's the last days until the second coming} spoken unto us by His Son (Jesus), whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds [physical and spiritual realms]; Who being the brightness [equal in Glory] of His [Father God's] Glory, and the express image [exact representation] of His [Father God's] person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself [carried His cross] purged our sins, [resurrected and] sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.' - The Apostle Paul immediately sets out the Divinity and the Superiority of Jesus Christ even over the angels. Paul notes that Jesus is both the creator and the inheritor of all things. Then Paul presents a reminder that the present universe is going to vanish and concluding that Jesus Christ as the creator, inheritor and redeemer of the Universe is not just an improved version of Judaism but is the ultimate consummation of the plan of God given throughout the ages to all mankind and to miss out on the plans of Jesus Christ is to miss out on the one and only plan available to mankind. Note: It is important to know that Jesus is currently seated at the right hand of the Father in Majesty on High. Any thought or notion of the previously rejected Jesus is an ancient aberration of human history as Jesus is currently reigning and ruling in Authority, Splendor, Majesty and Glory while all heaven rejoices at the presence of Jesus Christ. -- Also Note: A clarification technically Daniels' 70th Week [Last Days] began on the day of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem [Palm Saturday or Palm Sunday depending on how you figure it] so about six days, Saturday Triumphal Entry through the Thursday crucifixion, of Daniel's 70th week have happened. With the crucifixion the 70th week came to a temporary halt until the fullness of the Gentiles [Acts 15:17] can be brought in. - 'Daniel 9:20-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Jews] and upon thy Holy City [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision [Law] and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy (Jesus). Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah (Jesus) the Prince shall be seven weeks [seven Jewish decades 49 years - these weeks were the Jewish decade of seven years the Levitical decade seventh year of release], and threescore and two weeks [62 Jewish decades 434 years]: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks [the 434 years] shall Messiah be cut off [crucifixion], but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [the 70th and final week regarding Jerusalem]: and in the midst of the week at [3½ years] he [Antichrist] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation [in the rebuilt Temple] to cease, and for the overspreading [saturation] of abominations [evil] he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation [end of the Book of Revelation], and that determined shall be poured [vial (measured) judgments of Revelation 16:1] upon the desolate.'</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - Introduction 1 of 5</html> <html><tt>The teaching of the Basic Christian ministry is that according to the Bible's Genesis Creation model [Genesis chapters 1 and 2] there are 8 dimensions total 7 of the dimensions are represented in God's 7 days of creation [six days of creation and the 7th Day of Rest (Genesis 2:2)]. Accordingly mankind [Adam - Eve] were originally created about equal (Hebrews 2:6,7) to the angels and functioned in a higher 6th dimension [mankind created on the 6th day (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:31)]. Through sin mankind was reduced to the lower 4th dimension [height, width, length and time] restrictions that we now physically inhabit (Genesis 3:9,10). It is the further teaching of the Basic Christian ministry that both holy and fallen angels still inhabit the less restricted 6th dimension while according to Genesis Chapter 6 fallen angels [6th dimensional beings] mated with fallen humans [4th dimensional beings] producing 5th dimensional beings commonly referred to as demons.</tt></html> <html>Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - The Doctrines of Demons 2 of 5</html> <html><tt>The demonic 5th dimension seems to be a realm of doom and destruction purposefully visited upon the human realm via the guidance of the fallen angel Satan aka Lucifer. The 5th dimension often attempts to trap mankind into a hopelessness and despair. The primary teaching of the Doctrines of Demons (1 Timothy 4:1) is that hell [and legalism] is real and is an inescapable reality that mankind cannot avoid having a 'hellish' existence either on earth in this life or in the life to come. -- Many people are successfully able to identify, reject and for the most part avoid the false Doctrines of Demons and their destructive teachings and the accompanying dangerous, addictive, lifestyle results. However many of the same people who successfully recognize [even secular people] and avoid the dangers of the demonic 5th dimension are themselves unaware of the even more deceptive and destructive 6th dimension and the Doctrines of Fallen Angels.</tt></html> <html>Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - The Doctrines of Fallen Angels 3 of 5</html> <html><tt>After successfully navigating the battering of the demonic 5th dimension a person is often presented with the 6th dimension and the even more clever and deceptive Doctrines of Fallen Angels (2 Corinthians 11:14). Doctrines that seemingly reject the brutalities of the Demonic 5th realm but present an even greater deception in that the 6th realm is offering a false peace, false hope, false love and a false security all absent the very real human predicaments of our own fallen sinful nature and of our individual need for Redemption and Salvation only by and through the finished works of Jesus Christ. -- Isn't it interesting that Satan and the other fallen angels would be most interested in having a Doctrine where hell is not a part of reality. "Matthew 25:41 Then shall He [Jesus] say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared [originally] for the devil and his angels:"</tt></html> <html>Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - The Doctrine of Jesus Christ 4 of 5</html> <html><tt>Instead of the 5th dimension Doctrines of Demons and the 6th dimension Doctrines of Fallen Angels there is another Doctrine it is the True and reliable 7th dimension Doctrine of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28). Jesus said that He is Life made available for all of mankind. Those who wisely want to reject the destructive Doctrines of Demons and avoid the false and misleading Doctrines of Fallen Angels have real hope and real life in the very real Doctrine of Jesus Christ. The simple, pure, loving, truthful Doctrine of God in the person Jesus Christ having come to mankind with truth and reality to provide a way out of our sins and into the everlasting hope and glory of Jesus Christ! -- "Matthew 11:28 Come unto Me (Jesus), all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I (Jesus) will give you rest."</tt></html> <html>Basic Christian: Spiritual Warfare - Conclusion 5 of 5</html> <html><tt>Conclusion: The (7th dimension) restoration [Luke 5:37-39] of mankind is at a higher level (dimension) than even the original Genesis (6th dimension) creation of mankind. God has the ability and the desire to not only overcome the fall and sin of mankind but to make the restored version (realm) of mankind an even higher, better realm than the original glorious 6th dimension creation of mankind. -- "John 5:24 Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him [Father] that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." - "John 6:63 It is the Spirit that quickeneth [makes alive]; the flesh [physical] profiteth nothing: the Words that I (Jesus) speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are [eternal] life." - "John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way (8th dimension) [for humans into the 7th dimension], the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father [Heaven - both a different dimension and a different (non-physical) realm], but by Me."</tt></html> ==== Child of God - Sons of Man - Sons of God (Genesis 6:2) ==== <fs 120%>#16 Only "Born Again" Christians are Children of God</fs> <html>The Christian Basics 132 Topics - Easy to Use & Easy to Understand - 'Sons of God' (PDF) </html> <html><tt>Studying Theology: Is just like piecing together a puzzle. Individual Theology pieces fit together and the picture begins to emerge. The picture Theology displays is the image of Jesus! -- Sons of God see also Child of God, Adoption, Inheritance -- First Use: Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Job 38:7 When [at the designing and building of the earth] the morning stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy? The sons of God are individual spirit life creations of God the Father. As sons they are also inheritors of the Father's kingdom. Sons currently exist in the kingdom of God. Angels are referred to as Sons of God because they currently exist in the kingdom of God and each of them is a unique individual creation of God. Adam being a unique creation of God and originally living in God's kingdom is also called a Son of God. Currently each human is a son of man. When a human enters into the covenant relationship with God by acknowledging God, then the human becomes also a child of God and a son of God. A human fully becomes a son of God when we physically die and enter into the perceivable presence of God, where we are adopted as sons; we receive a new unique spiritual body and an inheritance in the kingdom of God.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/Theology.pdf|article link]] <html>Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam - The Bible traces the genealogies of Adam --> Noah, Noah --> Abraham, Abraham --> King David [and lastly] King David --> Jesus Christ - The New Testament book of Matthew [Matthew 1:1-25] traces the Jewish genealogy from Abraham to Jesus Christ - God created Adam in His likeness and now Adam in sinful nature is going to have sons (children) in his sinful nature - at 130 years old Adam had the son Seth [the lineage of Noah - Jesus] - Adam lived for 930 years and was still alive for 100 years when Lamech (Noah's father) was born - Adam almost lived until Noah was born - because of the long lives the people were not separated and the whole story of creation could have been [spoken] by Adam to Noah's father then to Noah and his three sons including Shem who was still alive when Abraham was born - the events of creation were not that removed from the early generations up until Abraham - The 'Sons of God' a reference to angels [Job 1:6] - in this particular case fallen angels so we are dealing with an abnormal angelic & human female [sexual activity] - The days preceding and up until the Flood of Noah were a time of great immorality including abundant Satanic activity</html> <html><tt>Enoch a prophet [the eight from Adam - Jude 1:14] is interesting because he did not die he was 'translated' by God and brought directly into heaven to God. Enoch was a prophet and prophesied of the [2nd] coming of Jesus Christ - [Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible being about the 1st coming of Jesus]. Enoch again prophesied in the naming of his son Methuselah [Metushélach "Man of the dart/spear", or alternatively "when he dies/died, it (Noah's flood) shall be sent/has been sent") is the oldest person whose age is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, given as 969 years - The name Methuselah has become a general synonym for any living creature of great age -- wiki.com] the year Methuselah passed away the flood of Noah occurred. -- Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the [2nd] coming of [Jesus Christ] the Son of man be. -- In the days preceding the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ the days are going to resemble the hectic days of the time of Noah before the flood. A time of great satanic activity and satanic worship. Note: The Biblical concept of 'Sons of God' is that Son is given in designation only to those who have been in the actual presence of God [in heaven] therefore no human while on earth is actually a 'Son of God' but a 'Child of God' until entering into the actual presence of God in heaven. Currently the only designation for 'Son of God' could be for angels or for Jesus Christ who is both 'Son of God' and 'Son of man' an angel would not be called a 'Son of man.'</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Genesis 33-34 - Faced with the dangers of Esau's approach Jacob separates his family exposing Leah and her children to the dangers up front while retaining Rachael and Joseph back in relative safety with himself - The separating of the children highlighted and extended current divisions among the family and within the children of the family and created new animosities among the family of Israel that have stubbornly continually persisted even unto the present day and age - Jacob meets Esau for the first time since fleeing his vengeance - Esau invites Jacob to stay, Jacob immediately departs Esau's presence and continues on his own way</html> <html><tt>Note: There is a Biblical progression of the believer. 'Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate [as Isaac was predestined - children of God are predestined to become sons of God], them He also called [as Abraham was called]: and whom He called, them He also justified [as Jacob was justified]: and whom He justified, them He also Glorified [as Joseph was glorified].' First an individual has to answer the call of God to come out of the world to separate from this world and to walk in a relationship with God as Abraham was called to walk with God. Those who have answered the call having left the world and are 'born again' in the promise land [heaven] as Isaac was born in the land [promised to Abraham] and remain in the promise land as Isaac remained in the land they become children of God and once a child then predestined to become a son of God. The predestined children of God are justified (conformed into the image of God in Jesus Christ) and elected to an office a duty for God's Kingdom as Jacob was justified from Jacob to Israel and elected [duty to perform] to be the father of the 12 tribes (family groups) that would comprise the entire nation of Israel the nation that would safely bring the redeemer to mankind. In completing the task and honoring God the justified and elected Christian is also glorified (accomplished) as Joseph (a Biblical type of Jesus) was glorified [covered in clothing (righteousness) and given the (adoption) signet ring of Sonship and authority] having saved the family from famine and reuniting the family back together under one roof all while being raised up from the pit of prison (death and hell) to be a ruler in all of the world, all of Egypt. - Also Note: With the rape of Dinah their sister [Genesis 34:1-31] and in vengeance two of her brothers Simeon and Levi destroyed an entire city, [without the foreknowledge of Jacob who completely disapproved of their actions and later Jacob diminished their blessings because of their actions]. It might seem like a tall tale that only two men could destroy an entire city and it might seem like an ancient fluke that it could happen however the warfare that Simon and Levi practiced is now the concept of the most modern, most devastating warfare of our day. First nonlethal force is applied (the entire city being circumcised) in modern times loud piercing audio sounds and or accompanying noxious 'ray gun' type transmissions will easily incapacitate an entire neighborhood and then once incapacitated a few operatives like Levi and Simon can quickly and easily decide to dispatch, capture or leave alone each incapacitated individual. Coming later in Egypt we will learn how the entire nation, a very prosperous, diverse and secure nation, quickly became ruined and the possession of a single ruler (Pharaoh) yet another concept that is very important in our time and day.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Job 1 (Part 2) - The Bible makes a clear distinction between the 'Sons of God' Angels and the Sons of Man i.e. Job's children - In the matchup between Satan a Son of God and the sons and daughters of Job the Sons and Daughters of man are not going to fare very well in fact they are quickly and almost effortlessly annihilated on their first encounter with a Son of God -- 'Job 1:6-8 Now there was a day when the Sons of God [Angels] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan [an Angel] came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered [lit. how to conquer - Suwm, H7760] my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?'</html> <html><tt>Job 1:9-22 Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge [protection] about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: And the Sabeans [raiders] fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven [actually it was fire from Satan], and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged [accused] God foolishly. - Note: The difficulty the people of Job's day were having in distinguishing between events caused from God [God was blessing the people] and events caused by Satan both naturally (wind, raiders, crime) and supernaturally (fire from heaven), it's very much like in our day - though in our day we now have to factor in the additional possibilities of human technology and human deception [i.e. a televised and much discussed and analyzed event might never even have happened] as yet more possible explanations to events that happen or seem to happen in our day.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Job 2 - Even in Job's day the earth did not belong to Satan but Satan apparently has no qualms about trespassing on the earth and attempting to administer his own kingdom among mankind -- 'Job 2:1-2 Again there was a day when the Sons of God (Angels) came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan [a fallen - unholy Angel] came also among them to present himself before the LORD. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.' - Note: Ownership of the earth was not given to Adam and Eve [ownership remained with God (Psalms 24:1)] they were simply given 'dominion' (Genesis 1:26) stewardship over the plants, animals and the earth with human ownership [inheritance] yet to come but sin entered into the world before the inheritance postponing the earthly inheritance of humans (Matthew 5:5) until after the cross of Jesus Christ. - Also Note: With the fall of mankind into sin Satan did gain some advantage in his deception over mankind but Satan has never actually legally owned anything on earth, or in hell for that matter, though before his fall he did have his own inheritance among the other Sons of God in heaven. </html> <html><tt>Job 2:3-10 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. - Note: Job will find out later that what mankind often considers to be difficulty and even evil [and true there is evil in the world] is actually an opportunity to overcome, to grow and to mature in the grace and knowledge of God. Without difficulty in the world it would be difficult; difficult [as a fallen human] to grow and mature into a capable adult human being. - Also Note: Mankind (Adam and Eve) introduced sin and experiential knowledge of sin into the world and Satan and the rest the fallen Angelic and demonic realm are furthering evil against mankind however God is using what Satan intends for evil as an ability for [fallen] mankind to now overcome, to achieve beyond what we are individually capable of and in the process to grow and to fellowship in an unprecedented level of cooperation with God.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Job 38 - Job an upright man who was in a close personal relationship with God (as close as Job could be to God in his time before the Blood Covenants [1st (O.T.) and 2nd (N.T.) Covenants] of God) - But Job was also practicing his own form of a self-righteous religion and everything that Job had attempted to sanctify by his own righteousness [including his own children - Job's wife was covered by his burnt offering sacrifices and Satan didn't touch her] had just been allowed by God to be destroyed by Satan - Now God speaks to Job -- 'Job 38:1-3 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel [the Redemption and Salvation plans of God] by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me.'</html> <html><tt>Job 38:1-7 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou Me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the [original creation] earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or Who [Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:2)] laid the corner stone thereof; When the Morning Stars sang together, and all the Sons of God shouted for joy? - Note: God does not directly speak to Job but speaks to him through creation "the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind." After the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden mankind was completely separated from God but immediately God began to bring mankind back into His Holy presence. Job was living in a time when mankind was more separated from God than we are today. In Job's day they were doing 'bloodless' whole animal [a sheep, goat or oxen] burnt sacrifice offerings for the sins of their household. The bloodless burnt sacrifice offering [they probably bled the animal into the ground but it was unceremoniously done] that spoke of offering of Jesus enabled God to interact with the righteous people of Job's day but in a very remote way as is witnessed by God speaking to Job through the whirlwind. Later the Hebrew/Jewish prophet of Elijah would flee to Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb) where God would speak to Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-13) in the more personal 'still small voice' and not in the wind, earthquake or fire that God had previously spoken to mankind through. Elijah the Jewish Prophet had been sanctified to God through the blood atonement of the 1st Covenant by the Levitical High Priest that had been offered on behalf of the entire Nation of Israel once each year (Yom Kippur). Later the Christian Apostle Paul would say that God had spoken to him (Romans 8:16) even more intimately through the Spirit that was within him. -- 'Romans 8:16 The [Holy] Spirit [of God] itself beareth witness [fellowships] with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Luke 24 - Resurrection Sunday - The Feast of Firstfruits - Jesus fulfills the Feast of Firstfruits by breathing the Firstfruits of His Resurrection Spirit life [Romans 8:23] into each of His Disciples - The Christian Church era begins - The Ascension of Jesus Christ back into Heaven takes place -- 'Luke 24:1-7 Now upon the first day [Sunday] of the week, very early in the morning [the Feast of Firstfruits the 4th of the 8 Levitical Feasts], they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared [on Friday], and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre [tomb]. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men [Angels] stood by them in shining garments: And as they [Disciples] were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they [Angels] said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here [in the tomb], but is Risen [eternally Alive!]: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee [from the beginning], Saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' -- 'Romans 8:23-24 And not only they [all of creation], but ourselves also, which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit [each Christian personally breathed upon by Jesus, no exceptions - every person has to acknowledge the Kingdom of God [Jesus] (cross and resurrection) to then be baptized by Jesus and receive (by faith not by experience) His Spirit from Him [Matthew 3:11] in order to become a Christian, no exceptions - yesterday, today, tomorrow, the first day of the Christian Church [Resurrection Day] the last day of the Christian Church [Rapture Day] and every day in between - every Christian needs to recognize the Kingdom of Jesus and be baptized by Jesus with His Spirit life to then enter into the Church and be a part of the eternal Kingdom of God], even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [becoming Sons of God], to wit, the redemption of our body [receiving an eternal Spiritual body like Jesus now has]. For we are saved by hope [faith in the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ] ...'</html> <html><tt>Luke an early Christian convert, travel companion to the Apostle Paul and first Church historian concludes his incredible Gospel of Jesus Christ with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the beginning and formation of the Christian Church and of the ascension of Jesus Christ back up into Heaven. - Luke 24:45 Then opened He their [new Christians] understanding [John 20:22], that they [Christians] might understand the Scriptures [Holy Bible], And said unto them [Christian Disciples], Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His [Jesus'] Name among All Nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses [lit. martyr - G3144] of these things. And, behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high [at Pentecost]. And [forty days after the resurrection] He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and Blessed them. And it came to pass, while He Blessed them [Christians - Christian Church], He was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven. And they [Christians] Worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Romans 8 - The Apostle Paul reminds us that with all the condemnation in the world and it is a world of condemnation that Jesus is one person who is not condemning us - Jesus Christ died for us, Jesus is for us and certainly not against us - Jesus is our biggest supporter and in fact the support of Jesus Christ is the complete opposite of the condemnation of the world - His support for us is confirmation and affirmation at the highest level that God does love us and that God does want us to have eternal life and a relationship with Him - 'Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even [acceptable] at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession [mediation] for us.'</html> <html><tt>Romans 8:2-13 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law [of Moses] could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending [incarnating] His own Son (Jesus) in the likeness of sinful [human] flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the [Holy] Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be [Holly] spiritually minded is [eternal] life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity [at war] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the [Holy] 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. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the [Holy] Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him [Father, Holy Spirit] that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [make alive] your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die [eternally]: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live [eternally]. - Throughout the book of Romans and with all of his writing about the ease and certainty of receiving the free gift of the Holy Spirit of God and our becoming a new creation in God the Apostle Paul is revealing to the Gentile Empire a Spiritual and Personal Truth about God. It is that God is the God of Life and that God is so much the God of life that it is actually easier to receive Salvation Life from God then it is to receive damnation from God. God is for us and has not condemned us, He died for us, it is we who condemn ourselves. Those who do receive eternal damnation will have done it at their own hands by their own conduct with their own strenuous hard work and mortal striving in order to receive the damnation that they so diligently sought for so long. Had they sought the righteousness of Jesus Christ they could receive it instantly and freely however it has taken them a lifetime to turn from God and to reject the eternal life and goodness of God.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Romans 8 (Part 2) - The Apostle Paul now having established the transition from our mortality in earthy sin to immortality in Jesus Christ - now begins to explain more about the heavenly realm and more about eternal Christian concepts and principles -- 'Romans 8:11 But if the [Holy] Spirit of Him (God) that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in [inside] you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken [make heavenly aware] your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.'</html> <html><tt>'Romans 8:14-17 For as many (Christians) as are led by the [Holy] Spirit of God, they [looking ahead to the adoption in heaven] are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are [now while on earth] the children of God: And if children, then [after the adoption in heaven] heirs [sons]; heirs [sons in heaven] of God, and joint-heirs [a living inheritance in heaven] with Christ; if so be that we suffer [on earth] with Him, that we may be also glorified [in heaven - accomplished and in our new heavenly spiritual body] together [the Christian Church and Jesus].' - The Biblical concept of adoption is that a child when mature enough (adulthood) is then adopted and once adopted becomes a son and as a son receives an inheritance from the father. Abraham was a father of many Nations however Isaac was his only son, his only child to be adopted by Abraham and his only child to receive the inheritance of the promises, covenants and land in the Promise Land given by God to Abraham. Isaac would later adopt his child Jacob and give Jacob the inheritance over his brother Esau. Jacob then would adopt all twelve of his male children (Joseph via his children) as Jacob would even adopt two of his grandchildren Ephraim and Manasseh to give his son Joseph a double inheritance in his portion of land in the Promise Land. Ephraim and Manasseh are grandchildren of Jacob but because of their adoption by Jacob [Genesis 48:5-6] Jacob told Joseph that he would adopt his first two children but if Joseph had any more children Jacob would not adopt them, they would not get a same sized portion of the Promise Land as their uncles they become equal to and receive and equal portion of land in the Promise Land that their Uncles the children of Jacob received. Part of the adoption and inheritance process on earth and in heaven is then to receive glorification the fine robes, family ring, finances, authority and recognition by others as a son. A child cannot make decisions regarding the family wealth and possessions but an adopted son now has authority that a child doesn't have and a son is able to make decisions and do things a child is not permitted to do. Joseph in the Bible is the only person besides Jesus to be glorified. Joseph as a type of Jesus was glorified twice. First [Genesis 37:3] as a Jew by his father Jacob with the coat [robe] of many colors of glorification and second [Genesis 41:42] as a gentile when he received raiment and a ring from the Pharaoh of Egypt. Jesus was actually bodily temporarily glorified [Matthew 17:2] meaning that Jesus had no sin as sin will not be glorified in the presence of God. It is because sin will not be glorified in the presence of God [1 Corinthians 1:29] that the adoption as sons and the inheritance as sons has to take place in heaven after we have physically died and separated from our physical body were sin [Romans 8:3] has been confined.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Romans 8 (Part 3) - The Apostle Paul concludes his section on Christian heavenly spirituality by proclaiming the spiritual truth that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ - 'Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither [physical] death, nor [events of] life, nor angels, nor principalities [fallen angels], nor [demonic] powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height [success], nor depth [failure], nor any other [i.e. unexplained UFOs (Note: UFOs are either manmade objects, or fallen angels manifesting or just demons manifesting)] creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.'</html> <html><tt>'Romans 8:28-30 And we know that all things [for the believer] work together for good to them that love [agape, highest love] God, to them who are the called [all are called] according to His [election] purpose. For whom He did foreknow [those who answer His call like Abraham did], He also did predestinate [eternal destination] to be conformed [glorified] to the image of His Son (Jesus), that He [His Son Jesus] might be the firstborn [inheritance with a double portion - both the Jews and the (Gentile) Nations] among {very, very} many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate [eternal destination], them He also called [i.e. Abraham]: and whom He called, them he also justified [i.e. Jacob]: and whom he justified, them he also glorified [i.e. Joseph].' - The predestination of the Bible is that the people who answer the call of God and enter into a relationship with God like Abraham answered the calling of God are then after answering the call predestined to be completed [eventually in Heaven] by being changed into the glorious resurrection image of Jesus Christ. What this is saying in part is that God will complete what He has began in us and that God will never leave us or abandon us part way but that He will guaranteed get us safely into Heaven. With predestination we can also know in advance a little of what our completed process will be like because we will be somewhat similar to the resurrected Jesus Christ in that we will be able to belong in Heaven and to interact in the Heavenly realm among God and among the Angels of Heaven. - The predestination is only after the calling and everyone is called so it isn't that some are predestined to heaven and others are predestined to hell. Eternity is our own freewill decision a decision that we all have to make and in our decision we all have the same opportunity in Jesus Christ to go to heaven. Lastly predestination rules out a variety of false teachings that would allude to different heavens or different levels of heavens or vastly different appearances in heaven based on individual rewards because with predestination we are all predestined to the same place and into about the same image though there will be slight variations because we remain individuals and do not become clones but we do become Sons of God transfigured into the glorious image of Jesus Christ.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Romans 9 - The Apostle Paul in continuing his systematic approach to theology now changes topics from sin and justification to the current standing of his fellow Jews - Paul expresses his regrets that the Jews are not partakers with the Christian Church in salvation [though the Jews still have the promises of God and are partakers of the adoption in the eternal Kingdom of God] - 'Romans 9:4-5 Who are Israelites (Jews); to whom pertaineth the adoption [heavenly adoption as Sons of God], and the glory [earthly glory and heavenly glorification], and the covenants [including the New Testament], and the giving of the law [of Moses], and the service [producing the Holy Scriptures, bringing in the Messiah, the 144,000 witnesses of Revelation, the Second Coming, etc.] of God, and the promises [of God]; Whose are the fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (Israel)], and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ [the Messiah] came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.'</html> <html><tt>'Romans 9:27-28 Esaias (Elijah) also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved [become Christians]: For He (God) will finish the work [among the Gentiles and the Jews], and cut it short [make His work effective] in righteousness: because a short [effective] work will the Lord make upon the earth.' - A Summary of the righteous effective 'short work' of the Lord upon the earth: After the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden mankind has been separated from God and dispersed from one another. In re-gathering a separated and dispersed mankind unto Himself God has used segments of groups and epochs of time to re-gather His Kingdom. After the fall of Adam and Eve the first group of Biblical redeemed people were the Ancient Sacrificing Righteous Gentiles, this group had to sacrifice their own animals in order to have the blood covering for their sins and to be in a relationship with the Holy God. The Ancient Sacrificing Righteous Gentiles as a group and as individuals had little knowledge of God who they were sacrificing to and in fact they primarily had a physical relationship with God and they thought the blessing of God were physical in wealth and status and that curses from God were physical as well in poverty and sickness, this group also understood that to see God was to die that a sinful human could not enter the presence of the Holy God and live. Job was one of the later Sacrificing Gentiles [Job 1:5] and in the book of Job it is revealed that Job had some knowledge of God but really no idea how to fellowship with God and later Balaam possibly the last Sacrificing Gentile the system of Gentile sacrifice has become so misrepresented that Balaam just goes completely off course in serving God and Balaam becomes one of the Bibles primary examples in how not to conduct your life. From the Ancient group of Sacrificing Gentiles, a system that was spinning out of control, God called Abraham [Genesis 12:1] and created the Jewish Nation. Through Abraham and His Jewish Nation descendants especially through the giving of the Law to Moses and of the teachings of the Prophets that God was able to correct many of the misconceptions that persisted during the Ancient Sacrificing Righteous Gentile era. The Jews with their improved knowledge of who God is were able to get closer to God in their relationship with God. To the Jews God sent Himself the Redeemer and the Savior [Jesus Christ] of all mankind. The Christian Church was started from the midst of the Jewish Nation chosen of God and with the Churches advanced knowledge of God, knowledge [Romans 5:5-8] that God loves mankind so much that God was willing to die for mankind in order to reconcile mankind back to Himself the Church is in a much more intimate relationship with God then the Jews are able to be in. After the Christian Church has been completed and is taken (raptured) into Heaven there is another group after the Church called the Martyred Saints of Revelation [Revelation 6:9] and this group having missed out on the Church age but coming to the realization of their desire to fellowship with God they will be put to death by the world for their love of God. The Martyred Saints of Revelation will have been forgiven much for their sins and because they have been forgiven much they will love God much [Luke 7:47], even more than the Church loved God and the Martyred Saints with their love for God will be close to God in Heaven [Revelation 7:15] even in His Temple. The group that will become the closest to God in love and knowledge will be the 144,000 Jewish Witnesses of Revelation they will follow God continually in Heaven and they sing a song [Revelation 14:3] that no other group knows. However no group of people or person gets to know God completely as Jesus will have on Him a Name [Revelation 19:12] that no one knows.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>1 Corinthians 11 - The Church is instructed in the Communion of Jesus Christ -- '1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord [Jesus] that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed [by Judas] took bread ...' - Note: The Communion represents and is a part of the Levitical Feats of "The Lord's Passover" Jesus was betrayed on the night of the Passover Feast [14th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:5]. The very next day, the day of the crucifixion (cross) of Jesus is the Levitical Feast the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" [15th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:6] then that first day of the week [Sunday] is the Feast of Firstfruits [Leviticus 23:7] - Jesus Resurrected on Sunday the Feast of Firstfruits and began (John 20:22) to give individually to each one of His disciples the Firstfruits of His Holy, eternal resurrection life - 'Romans 8:23 And not only they [all of creation groans for redemption], but ourselves also, which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [from Children of God to Sons of God], to wit, the redemption of our body.'</html> <html><tt>Christian Communion - The New Testament - The body [both the physical and the resurrection body of Jesus] and the blood [both the physical blood and the resurrection - eternal life, spiritual blood] of Jesus Christ: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32 23 For I [Apostle Paul] have received of the Lord [Jesus] that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body [representing both the physical body and resurrection (spiritual) body of Jesus], which [physical body] is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in My blood [both physical blood and resurrection Spirit-life blood]: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this [unleavened] bread, and drink this [grape and water mingled] cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily [thinking they are not a sinner], shall be guilty of the [sacrifice for our sins] body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body [that the physical body of Jesus was given physically for our sin on the cross (redemption) and that the Spiritual body of Jesus is given to us from His eternal life resurrection (Salvation)]. For this cause [not knowing that the same body of Jesus from the cross is the same body that resurrected and is for our eternal, resurrection life, salvation] many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [are unaware of the power and of the pending resurrection in our own life]. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened (Hebrews 12:6) of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. - Note: The 'cup' is in reference to both the physical life-blood and the Spiritual life-blood of Jesus. The Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the body on the cross and the resurrection life body of Jesus. The New Testament - Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the Redemption (cross) and Salvation (resurrection) body of Jesus Christ. - Also Note: Jesus being without sin in His body (Matthew 17:2), bodily resurrected in His same body. We having sin our own physical body we vacate our physical body and it returns to dust [Genesis 3:19] then we each receive a new spiritual body - not a new physical body [not a reincarnation of a physical body] but a new eternal spiritual body for the purposes of our [continuing] eternal spiritual life.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>1 John 3 - The Disciple John explains that our partaking in the Love that has been and is manifested in Jesus Christ reaches its ultimate conclusion in our eternal life in Jesus Christ -- '1 John 3:1-3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons [lit. children] of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons [lit. children] of God [see also - Romans 8:14, Sons of God], and it doth not yet appear what we shall be [in the resurrection]: but we know that, when He shall appear [2nd Coming], we shall be [bodily] like Him [Jesus Christ]; for we shall [bodily] see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope [eternal life] in him purifieth himself, even as He [Jesus Christ] is pure.'</html> <html><tt>The Disciple John explains that God is far greater than our own uncertain heart, fears and worries and that to trust in Jesus Christ with our life is to receive a full eternal life from Jesus Christ: 1 John 3:4-24 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He [Jesus Christ] was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen [lit. perceive - Horao, G3708] Him, neither known Him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the Devil [Lucifer, Lucifer]; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning [of mankind]. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works [strength] of the Devil. Whosoever is born [again] of God doth not commit sin [separation from God]; for His seed [Holy Spirit] remaineth in him: and he cannot [separate from God] sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew [Abel] his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and [Abel] his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto [eternal] life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer [like Cain]: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart [thoughts] condemn us, God is greater than our heart [thoughts and imaginations], and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him [as we have need], because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the Name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He [Jesus Christ] gave us Commandment. And he that keepeth His Commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the [Holy] Spirit which He hath given us.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] ==== Church foundation is built upon the O.T. Prophets and N.T. Apostles with Jesus being 'the chief corner stone' (Ephesians 2:20) ==== <fs 120%>#17 The Two Biblical Human Foundations of the OT Prophets and the 12 NT Apostles</fs> <html>Pentecost - Three different things were being accomplished on the one Feast Day of Pentecost - 1. The Apostles who were already Christians (Luke 24:45, John 20:22) became Holy Spirit empowered and emboldened in the Gospel of Jesus Christ - 2. Ordinary Citizens (those who had not witnessed the resurrection of Jesus as the Apostles had) began to respond to the teachings and preaching of the Apostles and became Christians [without receiving the miraculous wind, speaking in tongues or the flames of fire that the Apostles had just received] - 3. According to the Apostle Peter quoting the Prophet Joel the Holy Spirit was also poured out upon all people [the world having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus] as a witness [the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:31) now globally doing the sanctifying and witness work that the (Tabernacle and later the) Temple in Jerusalem once did] witnessing (Colossians 1:6) to the world regarding the accomplished resurrection of Jesus Christ in order that all people [since Pentecost] will have the Spiritual opportunity to come to faith and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior</html> <html><tt>1. "Acts 2:1-4 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [Apostles] were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled [empowered] with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. -- 2. "Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:" - "Acts 41-42 Then they [new Christians] that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [to the Christian Church] unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." -- 3. "Act2:16-21 But this [Holy Spirit outpourning] is that which was spoken by the Prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh [all people, Jews, Gentiles - saved, unsaved - as a witness to every one of the completed works of the Messiah Jesus Christ - note: it is the 'upon' witness of the Holy Spirit and is separate and different from the 'indwelling' presence of the Holy Spirit in the 'born again' Christian, a person who has responded to the 'upon' presence of the Holy Spirit receives God inside and becomes a 'born again' Christian]: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: {during Revelation} The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day [2nd Coming] of the Lord come: And it [through it all] shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord [Jesus Christ] shall be saved [eternal life]. </tt></html> <html>Acts 15 - The 1st Church Council takes place about 52 A.D. at the Church in Jerusalem - The 1st Church Council was specifically in regard to the major number of Gentiles that were now joining the Christian Church daily [predominantly through Missionary efforts] and whether or not the Gentiles would have to be circumcised and observe any of the Jewish customs or take part in any of the established laws of Moses -- 'Acts 15:6 And the Apostles and [Church] Elders [including James the ½ brother of Jesus] came together for to consider of this matter.'</html> <html><tt>Acts 15:6-22 And the Apostles and Elders came together for to consider of this matter. And when there had been much disputing [arguing], [Apostle] Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago [Cornelius and his household at Caesarea] God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as He did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke [law of Moses] upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we [Jews who are Redeemed] shall be Saved, even as they [Gentiles who are now being Saved - Salvation]. Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. And after they had held their peace, James [the ½ brother of Jesus - Church leader in Jerusalem] answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon [Apostle Peter] hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a [Christian] people for His Name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After [Gentile Christian Church] this I [Messiah] will return [2nd Coming], and will build again the Tabernacle [House - Dwelling] of [the Throne of King] David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That [during the Christian Church Age] the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom My Name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God [those who have the Holy Spirit]: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of [Gentile] idols, and from [Gentile] fornication, and from things strangled [Jewish law], and from blood [Jewish law]. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him [abstain from idols and fornication because it is un-Christian, abstain from unclean food and blood only if it offends the local Jewish population], being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day. Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole Church [in Jerusalem], to send chosen men of their own company to [the Church in] Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren ? - Note: The early Church recognized that God was active in calling Gentiles into His Christian Church and they also recognized that the Gentiles would have to conduct their new life in a manner consistent with Biblical Christianity and finally they concluded that it is important for Christians not to openly offend those that have remained Jewish. Also Note: All food including blood is now clean because the eternal blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed the world. Eating animal blood and probably human blood if it were obtained in a legal manner does not make a person unclean. Satan has devised a scheme that the world is unclean however it is not. It is unprofitable to do questionable things and germs and disease might be involved but if someone for example drank pig blood thinking it is an evil act the act itself is not but the intentions of their heart might be. - Some cultures eat blood foods and if the Jews are simply notified that it is a custom and not a slight on Moses then they are free to eat their blood food of course not offering any of it to a devout Jewish person because that would be terribly offensive. The 1st Church council was saying to the Gentiles to have our Christian Gentile liberties but also to be mindful and respectful of the [Redeemed] Jews who do still follow the laws of Moses.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Prophet, Seer, Apostle, 144,000 Witnesses [the coming Dispensation of Revelation Tribulation with the 144,000 Jewish witnesses (i.e. announcers, forerunners - Prophets, Seers, Apostles) for the 1,000 year Kingdom Reign on earth of Jesus Christ] -- 'Matthew 11:13 For all the [O.T.] prophets and the law prophesied [of the coming Messiah - Jesus Christ] until John [the Baptist - the last O.T. prophet]. And if ye [Spiritual Church] will receive it, this [John the Baptist] is [Spiritual] Elias (Elijah) [Elijah - "Elohim is my God"], which was [announcer, forerunner - of Christ] for to come. -- '1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all He [resurrected Jesus Christ] was seen of me [last N.T. Apostle - Apostle Paul] also, as of one born out of due time.' -- 'Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye [Gentiles] are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the [Jewish] Saints, and of the Household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the [N.T.] Apostles and [O.T.] Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief [foundation] Corner Stone; In [Jesus Christ] whom all the [Temple] building fitly framed together groweth unto an Holy Temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation [living place] of God through the [Holy] Spirit.' - {Note: The Prophets prophesied of the coming Messiah (Christ) and wrote the Old Testament of the Bible with the words of their prophecies. Then with the actual arrival of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) the O.T. prophecy was completed (in John the Baptist) and scripture authority was then given to the Apostles who were in the actual presence of Jesus Christ and it was the Apostles [not Prophets] who wrote the Kingdom of God instructions in Righteousness of Jesus Christ - the New Testament. Also Note: This is Not replacement theology - the 'Spiritual Church' (seperate from physical [redeemed] Israel) began at the giving of the Spirit of Jesus after His resurrection on Resurrection Sunday [Easter Sunday] and continues until the 'Rapture' taking of the Spiritual Church into heaven. Then with the Spiritual Church removed from the earth the events of Revelation revert almost exclusively to physical events and physical [redeemed] Israel -- the only or primarily 'spiritual' events of Revelation Tribulation are the counterfeit spiritual events of the Antichrist. Also Note: We are currently in the 'Church Age' [not the Prophet, Apostle or 144,000 Dispensation or Age] the Church Age started after the Apostles [Disciples of Jesus] with the Church Fathers [disciples of the Apostles] i.e. Polycarp of Smyrna, Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch.} </html> <html><tt>Seer: The Seer was part of a short distinct time period in the history of Israel and came from the office of the Prophets. The office of Seer took place during the unique time period of Israel when God was their King. With God in the midst of Israel He was no longer Prophesied about but was seen by the Seer. This time period began after the Passover and upon leaving Egypt. Exodus 13:17 "God led them" He could be Seen leading the new Nation of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promise Land. In those days everyone in Israel could See God as He appeared in a pillar of Cloud by day and in a pillar of Fire by night. The Seer time period lasted from the Egypt Exodus throughout the wilderness into the Promise Land including the time period of the Judges and until the regretful moment when Israel as a Nation rejected the leadership of God and chose for themselves an earthly king named Saul ('asked for') so they could be like all of the other nations around them and like all of the other nations they could no longer see God in their midst. With the anointing and placing of Saul into the office of King the brief Seer period of Israel reverted back to the prophet period and remains the prophet period for Israel until this day. "1 Samuel 10:17-19 And ye have this day rejected your God." As that day they were anointing Saul King. The Church however has God as King and is at times in a position of a Seer. "Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." As the "Born Again" "Pure in Heart" Church we at times do get to glimpse and to see God at work as He leads and directs our path into His righteousness. There are times that are just too Compassionate, to Divine and to Miraculous to be anything but the occurrence of God. It is only the Christian that is equipped and able to be a Seer into these very special moments in life [with God] ....</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_theology.html|article link]] <html>Note: A Basic Christian Update - The purpose of the Fall 2010 Series of Bible Studies</html> <html><tt>The purpose of the Basic Christian Fall 2010 Series of Bible Studies is to present the individual Christian Walk to individual Christians. As Christians we are "saved" out of sin and out of this present world system but then the question is often asked, since we are not saved into an empty void what exactly are we saved into? Being saved is having entered into the realm and Kingdom of God, a realm that has a very definite meaning and purpose for each of us in the present here and now. -- Becoming a Christian is having received a new 'born again' Spirit of God inside of each of us. The Spirit of God, along with giving Spiritual life to each of us, is also comprised of the properties of God (love, patience, longsuffering, endurance, etc. - Galatians 5:22-25), the offices of God (prophet, priest and king) and also some of the authority of God. Instead of studying at this time all of the attributes, characteristics, offices and authority of God that are now within each Christian, the Fall 2010 Bible Studies are going to lead into an eventual (Summer 2011) focus and study of primarily our own individual Priesthood (offerings) to God - and at a later date studying more of the other offices and characteristics of the Holy Spirit of God within each Christian. -- Of the three offices [prophet, priest, king] that each Christian is currently taking part in it is the Office of Priest [eternal, righteous, Melchizedek Priesthood] our offering to God, comprised of our own present and current individual offerings [lifestyle] to God that is the most direct, continuous and most relevant for each of us as New Testament Christians. A Christian in rare instances might prophecy and in even more rare occasions might exercise kingdom authority over an evil spirit but it is the individual Priesthood [a major portion of the moment by moment] relationship with God that is most important to us in the shaping and defining in the eternal Kingdom life of each Christian. -- "Romans 12:1 I urge you brethren by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual [priestly] service of worship." -- "1st Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." </tt></html> ==== Holy Week: The Historic Events Included -- The Triumphial entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on Saturday (Sabbath) - The Crucifixion on Thursday - The Resurrection on Sunday at Sunrise ==== <fs 120%>#18 The Origional 10 Day Holy Week</fs> <html>Sunday, 8 May 2011 : Third Sunday of Easter - Sunday, 5 June 2011 : Ascension of the Lord - Sunday, 12 June 2011 : Pentecost Sunday</html> <html><tt>Sunday, 24 April 2011 : Easter Sunday [Resurrection Sunday - Matthew 28] -- Sunday, 1 May 2011 : Second Sunday of Easter [doubting Thomas touched Jesus - John 20:24-29] -- Sunday, 8 May 2011 : Third Sunday of Easter -- Sunday, 15 May 2011 : Fourth Sunday of Easter -- Sunday, 22 May 2011 : Fifth Sunday of Easter -- Sunday, 29 May 2011 : Sixth Sunday of Easter -- Sunday, 5 June 2011 : Ascension of the Lord [from the Mt. Of Olives (Olivet) at Bethany near Jerusalem - Luke 24:50-51, Mark 16:19] -- Sunday, 12 June 2011 : Pentecost Sunday [5th Feast, Middle Feast - of the 8 Levitical Feasts (Leviticus 23, Acts 2)]. -- Note: Sabbath (1st Feast) -- Lord's Passover, Unleavend Bread, Firstfruits 'Easter' (The 3 Spring Feasts - Fulfilled during the 1st Coming of Jesus) -- Pentecost (Middle Feast) -- Trumpets 'Rosh Hashanah', Day of Atonement 'Yom Kippur', Tabernacles 'Sukkot' (The 3 Fall Harvest Feasts - To be Prophetically fulfilled during the 2nd Coming of Jesus).</tt></html> [[http://www.liturgy-ireland.ie/liturgycalendar2011.htm|article link]] <html>A Preview and look at some of the aspects of Holy Week and of the 10 Day Jesus Walk 2010 Easter Timeline Devotion - 1.) The events that Jesus Christ participated in and completed or initiated for us to receive from are primarily distributed throughout the 8 Levitical Feasts [Leviticus Chapter 23] the Jewish Feasts days that were in occurrence during the Holy Week Events - {Note: It is important to know that Leviticus stipulates that the Feasts themselves are to be Observed and Fulfilled in their proper order beginning with the Feast of Sabbath. In other words there would not be a proper observance of either the Passover or Pentecost feasts without first having properly observed and having entered into the Feast of Sabbath Rest as fulfilled and offered to us in Jesus Christ.} </html> <html><tt>Leviticus 23:4 These are the [8] Feasts of the LORD, even Holy Convocations [gatherings], which ye shall proclaim in their Seasons [in their proper order and at their proper time]. - The Jesus Walk 10 Day Easter Timeline Devotion originally started out [in 1994] as a Bible study simply attempting to following Jesus through the events of Holy Week. The original study-devotion did not start out as a devotion focusing on the 8 Levitical Feasts as the devotion has primarily become since 2000. The essence of the Jesus Walk devotion is fellowshipping with Jesus by following along with Jesus during His origional Holy Week events, events that happen to be foretold and previously explained by Moses in the 8 Feasts of Leviticus Chapter 23. The original Jesus Walk Easter Timeline Devotion started as a Bible study project in 1994 however I was completely unable to fit the 10 days of Biblical events [Anointing Friday - Resurrection Sunday] into the eight days [Palm Sunday - Easter Sunday] observed in the current modern Holy Week format. Frustrated with trying to fit the Biblical events into the modern timeline I twice [in 1997 and later in 1999] gave up on the Jesus Walk project but in 1998 with the verse "1 Corinthians 5:7 ... For even Christ our Passover (the week of Passover - Holy Week) is sacrificed for us" ringing in my head I also read some of a book [Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny] by Grant R. Jeffery and he pointed out that Easter Sunday was actually the Feast of First Fruits and also that the crucifixion was on the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Previously most of the preaching that I had heard only referenced The Feast of Passover and it was usually wrongly associated with the crucifixion day of Jesus while 1 Corinthians 11:23 says that the Last Supper "Passover" was on the night Jesus was betrayed not on the day he was crucified so clearly the events of Holy Week had been enacted on specific days in accordance with the 8 Feasts of Leviticus Chapter 23 where the Holy Week events had originally been embedded for our later understanding. After another major effort during Easter 1999 the Jesus Walk project was again given up in failure until previous to Easter 2000 when some really horrible teaching [by Dave Hunt - saying that Jesus never even kept the Passover] put me right back into the Jesus Walk project and in 2000 I thought I had a word of discernment from the Holy Spirit that the project would come together that year and as Easter 2000 came and went I still felt encouraged to continue the study and at the end of May 2000 the devotional timeline days were shifted in my study notes [because they just didn't fit in the modern timeline] and Palm Sunday was backed up to [Palm Saturday] and I couldn't believe it Sunday had become a Saturday fulfilling the First Feast Day but I immediately thought that there was a verse in the Bible that proclaimed the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem to be on a Sunday but there was no such verse and after some careful examination in the Greek I realized that [not Sunday] but Saturday is the day Biblically supported as the Day of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem and then finally with the day of the Triumphal Entry established the Jesus Walk Holy Week Study Devotion became the completed 10 Day Holy Week Timeline Devotion. ~ David Anson Brown</tt></html> <html>Continuing to examine the Thursday and Friday of the ancient Holy week Timeline - The original Holy Week days of Thursday and Friday having been meshed together into the one Friday of the modern Holy Week [a Friday crucifixion - because Saturday is the Sabbath Day] excludes the purchasing of additional oils and ointments to further anoint the body of Jesus while it lay lifeless in the tomb -- 'Mark 16:1 And when the [Thursday] (evening) Sabbath [from the 1st day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread] was past, [on Friday - a normal working day] Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought (purchased) sweet spices, that they might come [on Friday] and anoint Him (Jesus).' {Note: it appears that by the time of their arrival to the tomb on Friday, with the oils and spices to anoint the body of Jesus, the tomb had just been sealed by Roman guards and they would have to come back on Sunday [at the end of three days] when the seal was to be removed by the Romans intending that the un-resurrected body of Jesus would still be in the tomb on Sunday but early Sunday morning Jesus resurrected.} </html> <html><tt>The Gospel of Luke tells us that the newly purchased oils and spices were prepared in order to further anoint the body of Jesus. "Luke 23:55-56 And the women also, which came with Him [Jesus] from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre (tomb), and how His body was laid. And they returned, and [Friday] prepared [labored] spices and ointments; and rested the [Saturday] Sabbath day according to the Commandment [4th of the 10 Commandments - Exodus 20:9-10]." -- On Thursday [15th of Nisan] the Feast Day [Feast of Unleavened Bread] the Jewish leaders stayed outside of the presence of the Romans in order to observe the Feast day. "John 18:28 Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas [the Jewish High Priest] unto the [Roman] Hall of Judgment: and it was early [Thursday]; and they [Jewish leaders] themselves went not into the [Roman] Judgment Hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the [Unleavened Bread] Passover." while on the next day [Friday] the day when the Jewish elders requested that the tomb of Jesus be sealed the Jewish leaders did not remain outside of the presence of the Romans because Friday being a normal day the Jewish leaders were able to enter into the presence of the Romans. "Matthew 27:62 Now [Friday] the next day, that followed the [Thursday] day of the preparation [Feast of Unleavened Bread], the [Jewish] Chief Priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate," -- Noting again that the ancient events that took place over two days [Thursday and Friday] are combined into the one Friday of the modern Holy Week timeline of events. Also Note: "Luke 23:56 ? and rested the Sabbath day according to the [4th] Commandment" Luke now references the Sabbath [the week] after the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as the Sabbath of the Commandments. Luke might be saying that the Sabbath of the Levitical Feasts was previously fulfilled and completed on the previous week with the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and that what was taking place now was a Commandment Sabbath and not a Feast Sabbath. - The 4th of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) and the first of the Eight Feasts of Leviticus chapter 23 are both the weekly Sabbath day.</tt></html> <html>Matthew 27 - After the Communion (Passover) Celebration Jesus and now eleven of His Apostles go to the Mount of Olives while Judas had departed earlier to betray Jesus - Jesus suffers betrayal, arrests, rejection, mockery and finally crucifixion and physical death</html> <html><tt>The Atonement Sacrifice of Jesus Christ: 'Matthew 27:33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They [Romans] gave Him (Jesus) vinegar to drink mingled with gall [extreme bitterness]: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink [Jesus had said during Communion that the next wine He would drink would be sweet wine in Heaven with His disciples, Jesus had no intention of drinking the bitter cup from Rome and mankind (the myrrh also in the wine revealed it to be Roman wine as adding myrrh to wine was a common Roman practice)] and they crucified Him ...' - 'Romans 5:11 And not only so [we have eternal life], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement.' - The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the start a part of the fulfillment of the Atonement sacrifice for the Day of Atonement Feast [Leviticus 16:1-34] a Feast that is actually a Fall Feast and will have its complete fulfillment in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. - In corresponding with the Atonement Sacrifice Barabbas is the Scapegoat who was set free while Jesus was the permanent sacrifice offering. In Hebrew Barabbas (Bar = son and Abba = Father) literally means son of the father and is actually a duplicate claim to the true status of Jesus Christ as Jesus is the Son of the Father. Barabbas in name is actually also claiming to be the son of the father therefore claiming to be the replacement of Jesus and Barabbas is actually a type of the Antichrist [anti in Greek is 'instead of' and means replacing] and it is possible even plausible that Barabbas may actually be the Antichrist. - When the scapegoat was released as Barabbas was released the scapegoat was to take with it all the sins of the Nation of Israel and if at any time the scapegoat returned all of the sins of the Nation of Israel returned with it. Jesus Christ is Atonement offering for all the sins of the world and therfore Barabbas as the scapegoat was departing with all the sins of the world. When the scapegoat Barabbas as the Antichrist returns to mankind claiming to be the son of the father instead of Jesus the Antichrist will bring with him all of the sins of the world all of the sins ever committed. Note: The custom of the Roman Governor to release one condemned Jewish prisoner during the Passover was a custom of the Roman Governor playing God saying to the Jews that they think their God will provide Passover life but instead the Governor was showing the people that he believed Rome to be God as Rome could grant life and pass over death so it was actually a mocking gesture from Rome towards the Jews and their customs as the people of God.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>2.) Examining the Dave Hunt Heresy [John 18:28] where Hunt incorrectly contends that Jesus intended to celebrate the Passover but was unable to do so - Hunt's theory is only speculation and confusion on Dave Hunt's part - Hunt confuses the later Feast of Unleavened Bread [15th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:6] for the earlier Feast of the Lord's Passover [14th of Nisan - Leviticus 23:5] </html> <html><tt>It is easy enough to prove that Jesus and the 12 Apostles did observe the Lord's Passover Feast: Luke 22:7-16 Then came the day [14th of Nisan - Feast of the Lord's Passover] of unleavened bread, when the Passover (lamb) must be killed. And He (Jesus) sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover, that we may eat. And they said unto Him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And He said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city [Jerusalem], there shall a man [thought to be Mark] meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. And when the [evening] hour was come, He sat down, and the Twelve Apostles with Him. And He [Jesus] said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat [fulfill] this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it [Feast Days] be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. - Dave Hunt's Heresy contends that based on [John 18:28] Jesus was unable to fulfill the Passover. - "John 18:28 Then [the next day the 15th of Nisan (Thursday, crucifixion day) - the Feast of Unleavened Bread] led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they [Jewish leaders] themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the [Unleavened Bread] Passover." -- {This verse proves that the crucifixion took place on the 15th of Nisan the day after the Lord's Passover because the Lord's Passover [14th of Nisan] is not a Sabbath Rest Feast but the next day [15th of Nisan] the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread is (at sundown) a Sabbath Rest.} "John 19:31-35 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the [Unleavened Bread] Sabbath day, for that Sabbath day was an high day [not the regular Saturday Sabbath], besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. And he [Disciple John] that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe. - Note: The Feast of the Lord's Passover [14th Nisan] is not a Sabbath (rest) feast [that is why Jesus and the 11 Apostles were able to go out to the Garden of Gethsemane that night - had the Lord's Passover been a Sabbath (evening rest) Feast, by Jewish (Torah) Law they would have had to remain inside resting] (the original Lord's Passover [Exodus 12:11] was not a day of rest it was the [busy] day "in haste" when the children of God busily prepared to leave Egypt) the accompanying Feast the Feast of Unleavened Bread [starting the 15th of Nisan] is a seven day feast and the first day [15th Nisan] and the seventh day [21st of Nisan] are both (evening rest) Sabbath rest days. Leviticus 23:6-8 And on the fifteenth day of the same month [Nisan] is the Feast of Unleavened Bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day [15th of Nisan] ye shall have an holy convocation [evening Sabbath]: ye shall do no servile work therein (after sunset). But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD [for] seven days: in the seventh day [21st of Nisan] is [also] an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. -- The Dave Hunt Heresy is so easily wrong in so many ways and in so many obvious aspects that it can almost be concluded that Dave Hunt is deliberately, intentionally and systematically propagating disinformation within the Christian Church, regarding the life, ministry and accomplishments of Jesus Christ.</tt></html> <html>3.) Continuing with the Hunt Heresy - Dave Hunt after deliberately offending Protestants by wrongly claiming that Jesus did not observe the Passover Feast - Hunt then goes on to deliberately and to systematically offend the Catholics by haphazardly pointing out that the crucifixion was on Thursday rather than on the common Friday [Good Friday] of modern Catholic tradition - {Note: Roman Catholicism is a Christian sect [the main Christian sect] it is also highly built upon traditions and as a part of their traditions they seemingly [a very long time ago] shortened Holy Week by one day so that for convenience Holy Week [Palm Sunday - Easter Sunday] would encompass two Sundays (for convenient Church attendance) instead of the Saturday [Triumphal Entry] to Sunday of the Biblical events. The Catholic Church is not engaging in deceit because they have never said that Jesus didn't fulfill His three days and three nights prophecy the way Dave Hunt is saying that Jesus never observed Passover even though Jesus Himself had said [Luke 22:7-16] that He had highly "desired" to eat the Passover with His 12 Apostles.} </html> <html><tt>The error in a Friday crucifixion is that clearly only two days and two nights are fulfilled in Jesus' own prophecy. [Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas (Jonah) was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.] Jesus prophesied that He would spend three days and three nights in the center (heart) of the earth. With Dave Hunt previously stating that Jesus did not observe the Passover and with the common teaching of the Friday crucifixion opening the door to yet another 'seemingly' unfulfilled prophecy then it does clearly open the way for a usurper an Antichrist to enter in and to pretend to fulfill prophesies, prophesies that are already fulfilled and completed by Jesus Christ it is just that modern teachers (pastors), teachings and modern interpretations have readily and systematically edited Jesus out of His own fulfillments and out of His own accomplishments. Dave Hunt does offer Thursday as the crucifixion day however in his already greatly confused and highly truncated timeline of events Hunt offers the Thursday crucifixion seemingly more as a momentary opportunity to deride Catholicism than as a fundamental opportunity to express fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy. All the while Dave Hunt continues to attempt to lead the Christian Church into confusion and with confusion into factions [Protestant, Roman Catholicism] and with factions then comes unwanted strife and division within the Christian Church.</tt></html> <html>Jesus Walk 2011 -- Jesus Christ has risen from the grave - Truly He has risen - He has risen indeed! </html> <html><tt>Jesus Christ has risen from the grave - Truly He has risen - He has risen indeed! -- Thank you for taking part in the 2011 Jesus Walk Holy Week Timeline Devotion! Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, I pray that God will richly bless you, keep you and that His everlasting Divine face will continue to shine upon you. The Lord Jesus Christ be with you in all things as we look to the soon return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. ~ God bless you, David Anson Brown</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>The Jesus Walk Holy Week Timeline Devotion - The 11th Annual [Started in 2001] 10 Day Jesus Walk Easter Timeline Devotion it will change your life! - Friday April 15th ---> Easter Sunday April 24th, 2011 (PDF Available) </html> <html><tt>An Ancient Holy Week Timeline, Bible Study, Devotional & Personal Journal for Easter Week 2010. ... Follow along with Jesus in the current Resurrection (Easter) holiday dates of 2010 during the last Ten days leading up to and including His Cross and His Glorious Resurrection. It also marvelously explains and demonstrates that Jesus did indeed die and remain deceased for a total of 3 days and 3 nights and that He then Resurrected' returned from death' just as He prophesied that He would. This is a Personal Study-Journal encouraging the reader to include their own devotions during this 10 day journey with Jesus. ... It will change your life!</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Friday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Anointing - Preparation Friday - Catching up with Jesus and His disciples in the town of Bethany</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Friday April 15, 2011: On our journey to be with Jesus we find that Bethany is located on the Mount of Olives, (Luke 19:29, Mark 11:1) and that Bethany is less than 2 miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18). Once we walk up the Mount of Olives and ask directions to Lazarus', Mary's, and Martha's house, we would come into a small stone house to find Martha busy working in the kitchen while Mary is seated and at rest beside Jesus. Lazarus whom Jesus had recently raised from the dead (John 11:44) was also seated at the table no doubt he had much to talk to Jesus about. If we came in at just the right moment, we would smell the aroma that filled the house as Mary anointed Jesus with almost a pound of very costly Spikenard oil (John 12:3). We would hear Judas complain that the expensive ointment was wasted and hear the rebuke of Jesus as He defended Mary and proclaimed that she had committed an honorable act of worship in anointing Him for His coming burial. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #1 Anointing Oil: Mary Anointed Jesus with very costly and very precious oil. Biblically oil is a symbol of acceptance. To anoint someone is to accept them, to accept them for who and for what they are. Judas on the other hand did not want to bother with anointing Jesus. He didn't even want to be bothered with other people anointing Him. Mary was accepting Jesus. She had accepted that He had come to die for her in her place and was anointing Jesus for His coming burial. The cross of Jesus was something that even the disciples had not yet been able to come to grips with yet Mary had and Mary acknowledged and accepted Jesus for it. Having accepted the gift from Jesus that He was to die in her place for her sins she had now entered into a place of rest and comfort. Rest in that she did not have to work to amend for her own sins and comfort in that all things would be taken care of for her through God who is also King, her King Jesus. - As we begin our walk with Jesus let's pause and reflect (Selah) about acceptance ... are there people in our own lives who we need to anoint and to accept even though we don't understand them? How much could our fellowships gain by this one simple act of anointing one another in the simple affection of acceptance. Anointing others with the precious oil of acceptance can only come from our own rest and security through the knowledge of what Jesus Himself has done and will do for us in our lives. - "Psalms 133 Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head that ran down upon the beard even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded His blessing, even life forevermore." Are we anointing and accepting of ourselves? Biblically people are allowed to anoint - refresh themselves with oil (Matthew 6:17). In fact it is crucial that we accept ourselves. God has already accepted us. He created us and He is for us. How is it that we can reject what God has already accepted? Are we anointing and accepting of Jesus? Even today we can anoint Jesus with His precious costly oil of acceptance by accepting His accomplishments in His sacrificial death and eternal resurrection life for us and by trusting in His authority and Kingly rule over and in our lives. We would like to be bold enough to take the steps to walk where Jesus walks, but it is now evident even on this day, day one, that Jesus does not walk as a human walks but that He walks as God walks. For us to walk with Jesus we are going to have to be bold and remove our focus from others and place it on God.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Saturday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Triumphal Entry Saturday - Jesus is King The Triumphal Entry - Jesus Enters Jerusalem the capital city of Israel and presents Himself as the Lord and King for all people</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Saturday April 16, 2011 Palm Saturday - Feast of Sabbath Rest - 10th of Nisan, Selection of the Passover Lamb, (Exodus 12:3). "Psalms 84:3 .. O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God." - On this next day Saturday, (John 12:12), we would rise up early with Jesus and the disciples. The people gathering for the celebration of the week long Passover Feast in the city of Jerusalem would hear that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem and would gather palm branches to wave in honor of their coming King, Jesus. Because Saturday is a Sabbath day it is unlawful for the people to gather branches for their own personal use but it is not unlawful to gather the branches and wave them in an act of worship of Jesus (God). It is work to sustain our lives but it is not work to worship God. Jesus would send two disciples ahead to get a donkey and the donkey's baby that Jesus would ride on His way into Jerusalem. This will be a direct fulfillment of what the Prophet Zechariah saw and wrote about 400 years earlier. "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout O Daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; upon the colt the full of a donkey." We would see on this day Jesus would present Himself to Israel as the King. The prophet Daniel also saw and wrote about this day, (Daniel 9:25). The event of cheering Jesus as King would take the entire day. There would be one dispute with the Pharisees as they would demand that Jesus silence His disciples. Jesus would reply that if the disciples remained silent that the very rocks would cry out in testimony to the glory of God. "Mark 11:10-11 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest. And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide [close of this Saturday Sabbath day] was come, He went out unto Bethany with the twelve." We will enter into the Temple with Jesus and look around but we will soon depart as the evening is near and with the darkness of nightfall the Jewish Sabbath day will draw to a close. We depart the Temple and Jerusalem with Jesus keeping all of the Triumphal entry and the Temple events of that Glorious day enclosed within the one (Saturday) Sabbath day and not permitting the Triumphal Entry events to continue into the next day (Sunday) a non-Sabbath, non-Feast day. That evening we would return with Jesus back up to the Mount of Olives to Bethany (Mark 11:11). We would have to leave at the evening time to get to our destination before nightfall as this day is a Sabbath day and is a day of rest. (Acts 1:12) tells us that Mount Olivet is "from Jerusalem a Sabbaths day's journey" so we know that we would be able to walk that distance and not break the Sabbath law. -- That night laying at the top of Mount Olives and looking at the stars and reflecting on the day's events, it would begin to seem that the events that Jesus is carrying out have already been written about by the prophets hundreds even thousands of years earlier. As disciples wanting to be informed about the situation at hand, we would rethink the scriptures in a new light and begin to consider that Jesus has presented Himself as King to the people and this occurred on a feast day the feast day of "Sabbath." Examining Leviticus 23, we would notice that God prescribed eight Feasts that were to be followed in order, by His people the Jews. The first feast was the weekly Saturday feast of "Sabbath" or rest. This was the feast we celebrated today. Suddenly, life flows through our bodies as we remember a Bible passage from the Apostle Paul, Colossians 2:16;17 "Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of any holy day, or of the new moon or of the Sabbath days: which are shadows of the things to come; but the body is of Christ." Wow! We realize that Jesus is now at this very moment in the process of fulfilling scripture, the prophecies and the feasts appointed in Leviticus 23 which were written in advance for Jesus to later fulfill. We consider and savor the thought that our King has come and we can now find rest. With Jesus in rule and authority over our lives we can now rest or Sabbath. Jesus is our King! In Him is Justice, righteousness, Truth, Light and Life! In Him we can trust and in Jesus we find our [only] rest. No more striving with a world that is full of inhumane wrongs and cluttered with injustice. In King Jesus we now have comfort. We note that the "Sabbath" is first a commandment, the 4th of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai and it is also the 1st prescribed feast day of God. We then pay special attention to entering into the rest that Jesus provides as King in our lives, we do not want to disobey both a Commandment and a Feast day. Life becomes much more meaningful as we peacefully rest-Sabbath the night in Jesus. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #2 Jesus our Savior, our King, our Friend, our Rest: "Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork." We too would like to join in with the rocks of Jerusalem and indeed all of creation and declare the glory of our God and King in Christ Jesus and as we do declare the Deity and Honor of Jesus we declare that we to can now rest in His rule and in His Authority. We rest in Jesus, resting physically, emotionally and spiritually. It is a wonderful accomplishment to be able to cease from worry, fear and anxiety. Few are they that enter into it but blessed are those who do as rest is something to be entered into, it is an achievement, an accomplishment. "Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same [wilderness wondering] example of unbelief."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Update: We are going to have a briefly expanded look at the Saturday [Sabbath Feast day] and then after the 2011 Easter Timeline Devotion is completed on Easter [Feast of Firstfruits Day] we can have an expanded look at the coming Feast Day of Pentecost [Sunday, June 12, 2011] - The Feast of Pentecost is one of the most confused and misunderstood of all the 8 Levitical Feast Days of Israel so we will take a good look and close examination at what the very important and relevant Pentecost Feast Day is and what it has had in store for mankind for almost 2,000 years since the original Pentecost events of Acts 2:1</html> <html><tt>Transition of Days and Dispensations: Jewish Congregation Era - 1st Coming, Christian Church Era (Spring Feasts) - 2nd Coming, 1,000 year Kingdom Reign (Fall Feasts): The Feast of Sabbath [Saturday] is the first of the 8 prescribed Feasts of Israel (Leviticus 23:3). -- Notice how the 8 Feasts start out focused and anchored on the weekly Jewish Saturday Sabbath day the Dispensation and congregation of Moses [Mt. Sinai Exodus 20:8 - the 4th of 10 Commandments given to Moses] but at the conclusion of the Jerusalem Passover Festival [Feast of Firstfruits (Easter)] with Jesus [Dispensation of the First Coming of Jesus] the Church oriented Feast Days of both Firstfruits ["morrow (day) after the Sabbath" (Sunday) - Leviticus 23:10,11] and Pentecost ["morrow (day) after the seventh Sabbath" (Sunday) - 50 days after Firstfruits - Leviticus 23:16] are on Sunday having transitioned from an emphasis on the Jewish Saturday to now emphasizing the Dispensation of Christianity and the accompanying Christian Sundays. - Later: The transitions of Pentecost.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Sunday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Cleansing - Holiness Sunday - Jesus cleanses the Temple by removing unholy activities including overthrowing the tables of the moneychangers and the merchandisers</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Sunday April 17, 2011 - We awake early Sunday morning, the first day of the week, to see Jesus and the disciples on their way back to Jerusalem and the Temple (Mark 11:12). Catching up we would find Jesus examining a fig tree for fruit. Finding no fruit Jesus will curse the fig tree (Mark 11:14). We will stand by in amazement as we realize that this Jesus is the same God that Adam and Eve sinned against and then used a fig leaf in an attempt to cover their sins. Jesus is now saying that there are no more self-made, man-made coverings for sin. The system of fig tree religion is now a curse by God because fig tree religion never did produce fruit for God. We will then follow Jesus into the Temple as acting King. Jesus will now cleanse the Temple of ungodliness (Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19) and we will know that the true Temple is our bodies and that we need to present our bodies holy and undefiled to God (Romans 12:1-5). Listening we hear Jesus proclaim that His Temple will be a House of Prayer for ALL nations (Mark 11:17) and we rejoice to be a part of the Kingdom of God and to know that above all, God desires for us to pray (talk/listen) to Him in getting to know Him. That evening we will return with Jesus and the disciples to the Mount of Olives. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #3 Unfruitfulness in our own life: Jesus recognized unfruitfulness and He took action to remove it. Every one of us (unlike Jesus) has an unfruitful aspect in our own life. We too can be bold like Jesus, in that when we see unfruitfulness we can declare it as unacceptable to God and recognize it as a cursed item, not a blessing. In cursing it, curse it at its root so that it will immediately wither and dry up no longer sustaining an appearance of being potentially fruitful but being what it truly is, something that does not give pleasure to God. "Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Traditional] Palm Sunday to mark beginning of Holy Week - The [Lenten season modern Church tradition days - not the original historical] days of Holy Week</html> <html><tt>UTICA - For practicing Christians locally and around the world, the upcoming week will be a roller coaster of emotions. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a series of holy days commemorating the final moments of Jesus Christ's life and his death, but also his followers' belief in the resurrection on Easter Sunday. "Holy Week is very intense and emotionally gripping," said Bruce Smith, organist and choir master at Grace Church in Utica. "You go from the depths of despair on Good Friday, following the death, to extreme joy on (Easter) Sunday, when you come to the realization that Jesus is alive." In addition to being the holiest week of the Christian calendar, Holy Week also is the last week of the Lenten season. Many of the days have special significance. ... Here are the [Lenten season modern Church tradition days - not the original historical] days of Holy Week: Maundy Thursday: Also known as Holy Thursday, this day commemorates Christ's Last Supper with his apostles. Traditional Maundy Thursday rituals include a washing of the feet and a communion ceremony. Good Friday: On Good Friday, Christians remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Good Friday services include the Stations of the Cross, as well as the Good Friday liturgy, which centers around the reading of The Passion of Christ and the Adoration of the Cross. Holy Saturday: Holy Saturday marks the day Christ's body laid in rest in the tomb. The Easter Vigil, a major liturgy, takes place on Holy Saturday. Easter Sunday: Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief that Christ rose from the dead after his crucifixion. Services are joyous and often feature uplifting music. For example, one of Grace Church's two Easter services will include brass and timpani accompaniment for their choir.</tt></html> [[http://www.uticaod.com/topstories/x432884357/Palm-Sunday-to-mark-beginning-of-Holy-Week|article link]] <html> [Monday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Teaching Monday - Temple teaching and later the Mt. Olivet Discourse End Time Teaching is given</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Monday April 18, 2011 - Arising early the next day Monday, we know from Mark 14:1 and Matthew 26:2 that we have two days left until the Passover (Wednesday). We would again follow Jesus to Jerusalem and to the temple as Jesus spends another day preaching in the temple and having discourse with the Scribes and Pharisees. On the way to the temple we would again pass the fig tree that Jesus had cursed the day before and be astonished with the other disciples that the fig tree has completely dried up and withered from the roots up (Matthew 21:19, Mark 11:20). We would again consider that the fig tree cannot be our covering for sin and that God finds man-made religious practices unacceptable, not one day will pass where the religious practices of man are acceptable to God. We would follow Jesus back into the temple where the Scribes, Pharisees and lawyers will make a final assault on the authority of Jesus (Matthew 21:23-23:39, Mark 11:27-12:44). Jesus will end His discussion with the Scribes and Pharisees with the comments of "Woe to you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Jesus uses strong words for strong circumstances. The leaders of Judah are misrepresenting Jesus. They are misrepresenting the word of God in the Bible and all that God stands for. Jesus refers to them as a "brood of vipers", referring to the words and actions of the leaders that their deeds are separating people from the true God and are therefore as poisonous as the poison of a snake. Earlier, through the prophet Isaiah, Jesus said to the leaders of ancient Judah that when the circumstances of their lives pressed against them and caused them to be uncomfortable that they would responded from their heart. Jesus saw that the leaders were upset with circumstances that they didn't understand and that their actions really revealed their true heart towards God. Jesus was therefore quoting the prophet Isaiah in order to encourage the leaders to search the scriptures in a new light and gain new insight into the person of God and new insight into the kingdom of God. After the death and resurrection of Jesus the book of Acts tells us that many of the Priests came to believe in Jesus (Acts 6:7). Jesus is showing us that although strong words were used, Jesus did it in a way of Reconciliation. There is only one Ministry, it is the ministry of reconciliation, man to God and man to man. After this discussion, Jesus left the Temple for the last time (Matthew 24:1, Mark 13:1). We can immediately remember the Prophet Ezekiel, (Ezekiel 10:1-22) and his depiction of the presence of God departing from the temple as the people had rejected God. Ezekiel wrote of a temple from which the presence of God had departed and later that temple would be destroyed by the invading Babylonians. Likewise, this temple with the presence of God, in the person of Jesus departing, would later be destroyed by the Roman armies. After the discussion between the leaders and Jesus, Jesus walked out of the temple and the disciples followed (Matthew 24:2, Mark 13:2). The disciples thought that this was the long awaited moment, the moment when the King Jesus, would take control and according to scripture would reign and rule from Jerusalem. The disciples were now interested in the buildings of the temple. In effect, the disciples were saying these are great buildings to rule from and probably wondering where their office would be. As we stand there and eavesdrop, we would hear Jesus reply and give a prophecy that the temple would be destroyed, one stone block at a time, until there were no more stone blocks left stacked upon another. The disciples were stunned. They realized that they were not familiar with the current plan of Jesus. - That evening when they returned to the Mount of Olives, some of the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked "what is the time or sign of Jesus coming into power?" In other words, when is Jesus the King going to reign and rule on earth as the King? Jesus told them that it was not for them to know the times and gave a long informative discourse into the end time events. Jesus specifically warned the disciples not to fall for deception, that many will be deceived by the vast amount of lies and deceit being told in the world. He taught that only the Bible is the true word of God. The teaching is now called "Jesus' Mt. Olivet Discourse" (Matthew 24:3-26:2, Mark 13:3-14:1). -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #4 Our Ministry of Reconciliation: What is our part in Reconciliation? Jesus came to Reconcile. The very Ministry of Jesus is Reconciliation, reconciling man back into a relationship with God and also reconciling us humans into a relationship with one another. "2 Corinthians 5:18,19 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us (Christians) to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation." The word reconciliation is called the Gospel, the "Good News" of our Life in Jesus as opposed to the sour fact of our death in this earthly world. The ministry of Jesus is the embodiment of the Cross that Jesus would be crucified on as on the cross Jesus is lifted up - suspended, between Heaven (the dwelling of God) and Earth (the dwelling of man). The vertical post of the cross represents reconciliation between God and Man while at the same time the outstretched - reaching out arms of Jesus and the horizontal beam of the cross represent the reconciliation of one to another. Reconciliation is accomplished only in and by Jesus. There is no other hope for mankind but in Jesus, His Cross and His Resurrection.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Israel prepares for Passover festival 2011 - Members of the ancient Samaritan community gather around fire-pits before placing sheep on stakes into the fire during the traditional Passover sacrifice in Mount Gerizim, overlooking Palestinians West Bank town of Nablus, Sunday, April 17, 2011. Samaritans descended from the ancient Israelite tribes of Menashe and Efraim but broke away from mainstream Judaism 2,800 years ago - Today, the remaining 700 Samaritans, live in the Palestinian city of Nablus in the West Bank and the Israeli seaside town of Holon, south of Tel Aviv. Photo: Ariel Schalit / AP {"John 4:19-24 The [Samaritan] woman saith unto Him [Jesus], Sir, I perceive that thou art a Prophet. Our [Samarian] fathers worshipped in this mountain [Mount Gerizim]; and ye [Jews] say, that in Jerusalem [Mt. Zion - Temple Mount] is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we [Jews] know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the [New Testament] hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in [Holy] Spirit and in Truth."} (Photo) </html> <html><tt>JERUSALEM (AP) - Israelis cleaned their houses, cars and offices Monday and cooked furiously in last-minute preparations for the weeklong holiday of Passover, which marks the biblical story of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. ... The [Bible] story recounts that God killed the first-born boys of Egypt [with a plague] after the pharaoh refused to release the children of Israel from bondage, but "passed over" the houses of the Israelites. After that divine blow [illustration that only the death of the firstborn son (Jesus Christ) can free mankind from sin and the bondage of Satan], the pharaoh [a type of Satan] gave in and let the Israelites go. They were then given the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and wandered in the desert for 40 years before arriving in the Land of Israel. The holiday begins Monday night with a traditional seder meal. Extended families typically gather to retell the story of the exodus and eat unleavened bread called matzoh.</tt></html> [[http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Israel-prepares-for-Passover-festival-1341287.php|article link]] <html>Jewish Passover 2011 begins at sundown tonight (Monday) - During Passover [bread and wine], Jewish people commemorate the liberation from slavery and the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, as told in the Haggadah (or Haggada) - These events took place around 3000 years ago - The center of the ceremonial meal is the Seder Plate and red wine or red grape juice - Each food (six traditional food items) has a special meaning in relation to the Passover story {Note: This year the Passover Seder is on Tuesday the Passover of Jesus in Jerusalem is thought to have been on a Wednesday. The actual day fluctuates from year to year based on the Lunar calendar. -- The Jewish Passover is to commemorate the Jewish deliverance events in Egypt over 3,000 years ago while the Christian 'Last Supper' Communion is a commemoration of the Passover [deliverance from eternal sin and death] originally celebrated in Jerusalem as the New Covenant of Jesus Christ with His Apostles.} </html> <html><tt>In Israel, Passover lasts for seven days, but in other countries people may observe it for seven or eight days. The first and last day (or two days in some countries outside Israel), are particularly important. People recite special blessings or prayers, make a particular effort to visit a synagogue or listen to readings from the Torah and eat a ceremonial meal. Readings of the Haggadah, the story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and their exodus from Egypt are particularly important. The center of the ceremonial meal is the Seder Plate and red wine or red grape juice. Each food has a special meaning in relation to the Passover story.</tt></html> [[http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/jewish/first-day-of-passover|article link]] <html>Passover Seder [Dinner]: Order out of chaos - Of the rich content of Seder [dinner] and the Hagaddah [instruction booklet] I cite the inclusion of Elijah the prophet and a special glass of wine set for him - Elijah is the only biblical figure who doesn't die but is whisked to heaven in a fiery chariot - In Jewish tradition he will return and be the forerunner of the Messiah - In Jewish thinking there are three Passovers: the historical one in Egypt; all the Seders of the present, and the ultimate Passover, harbinger of the redemption of all humanity from enslavement, from poverty, from cruelty of any form {During the Passover in Jerusalem with Jesus and His Apostles [2,000 years ago] only three of the four prescribed Passover Seder glasses of wine were consumed. The fourth Passover cup the cup of rejoicing is yet to be consumed and it is intended to be drunk from in Heaven [the Great Congregation] by Jesus along with all of His disciples Church wide encompassing all Church membership from throughout history (Matthew 26:29)} </html> <html><tt>The Passover ritual observance on the first and second nights of the holiday known as Seder "makes order out of chaos." It is more than just a play on words, the Hebrew term for the ritual, "Seder," referring to the order of the rituals of the night. It is more than restoring order to the household after a thorough cleaning and complete change of dishes, pots and silverware. There is a higher meaning that reaches from antiquity to us. Passover is timeless and speaks to every generation. ... The most popular symbol of Passover is the matzoh, called "poor man's bread" or "bread of poverty." It must be unleavened because leavening is a process of fermentation, which is really a corruption of the grain. Every time I eat a piece of matzoh I remember that slavery is a corruption of the human condition, that bondage destroys both the enslaver and the enslaved. Matzoh is dry. Slavery dries up the human spirit. Even tears don't necessarily help the matzoh go down. Just as normally we wish for bread that has risen, we realize the need to raise our fellow citizens from poverty, out of economic or any other enslavement to a redemptive life. -- The unique booklet used at the Seder is called the Hagaddah, meaning "the telling." Created in antiquity with continued layers added, it cites passages in Deuteronomy and Joshua for it speaks to generations like us, who weren't there, who didn't have the personal experience. In unique fashion, we the readers of the Hagaddah speak in first person present, citing other biblical verses "as if we were there." We read ourselves into history. Psychologically, spiritually, we transport ourselves in time to imagine the horror of Egyptian bondage and then give abundant gratitude to God for our redemption. In the Hebrew language there is no clear delineation of tenses - the past, present and future merge into an unbroken continuum. I am part of the Israelites in Egypt and they are part of me sitting at Seder in Richmond, Virginia. -- Of the rich content of Seder and the Hagaddah I cite the inclusion of Elijah the prophet and a special glass of wine set for him. Elijah is the only biblical figure who doesn't die but is whisked to heaven in a fiery chariot. In Jewish tradition he will return and be the forerunner of the Messiah. In Jewish thinking there are three Passovers: the historical one in Egypt; all the Seders of the present, and the ultimate Passover, harbinger of the redemption of all humanity from enslavement, from poverty, from cruelty of any form. At the Seder we open the door, and ceremonially invite Elijah into our homes, into our hearts and into our lives. We hope that our Seder will presage the imminent redemption of all. Then the true divine order will be restored and we will all live in peace and tranquility.</tt></html> [[http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/oped/2011/apr/18/tdopin02-creditor-passover-seder-order-out-of-chao-ar-978977/|article link]] <html>Looking ahead a few days to the Feast of Firstfruits [Easter Day - Resurrection Day] - After the close of the Church Age with the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ the "redemption-salvation" process moves away from individual events and during the 1,000 year Kingdom Age the people on earth will physically live [for the most part] the entire 1,000 years (Isaiah 65:20) at the conclusion of the 1,000 year Kingdom Reign the Harvest of Nations will take place, were like the fields the entire globe will be harvested at once. In other words during the 1,000 year Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ people will be living in obedience [or disobedience] to God but then all the people will be dealt with regarding eternal Salvation at the same time unlike the [Firstfruits] Church Age where individuals are coming into eternal Salvation at any given individual moment. -- "Matthew 25:31-34 When [Jesus] the Son of Man shall come in His glory [at the end of His 1,000 year Kingdom reign on earth], and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the [eternal] throne of His glory [after sitting on the Throne of King David for the 1,000 year reign]: And before Him shall be gathered [for Harvest] all Nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King [Jesus] say unto them [1,000 year Saints] on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the [eternal] Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:" </html> <html><tt>Some concepts of the Feast of Firstfruits: The Feast of Firstfruits is a part of the week long Passover celebration and is observed on the first Sunday after the Passover Lamb is killed. The Feast of Firstfruits [i.e. the Church Age] is a small select 'individual' harvest day. The later Fall Festivals are the whole field Harvest [i.e. the 1,000 year Kingdom Age] where the entire field is harvested at one time and then anything that is left in the field cannot be harvest but must be left to others to glean from. - Example: Usually the early crop in ancient Israel was the barley crop. If a person saw that their barley field had a few patches of barley that had started to ripen and they wanted to harvest a small patch and make a few loves of barley bread they couldn't do it. A person would first have to wait for the Feast of Firstfruits then on that day a handful (sheaf) of grain and a offering had to first be taken to the Priest and the Priest would 'wave' the grain towards the sky (before God) as a wave offering to God. Then after the offering the farmer could select one small or a few small individual patches of his field that have ripened enough to harvest and harvest a selected firstfruits of his crop for his own personal use while the entirety of the field continued to ripen for the actual harvest day. Weeks later on the harvest day the farmer, this time with a crew, can harvest the entire field at once [leaving the corners] and anything that is not harvested was to be left for the poor to come and glean from. - The current Church Age having begun on the Feast of Firstfruits is a select, individual harvest of individual people to God (2 Corinthians 6:2). After the close of the Church Age with the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ the "redemption-salvation" process moves away from individual events and during the 1,000 year Kingdom Age the people on earth will physically live [for the most part] the entire 1,000 years (Isaiah 65:20) at the conclusion of the 1,000 year Kingdom Reign the Harvest of Nations will take place, were like the fields the entire globe will be harvested at once. In other words during the 1,000 year Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ people will be living in obedience [or disobedience] to God but then all the people will be dealt with regarding eternal Salvation at the same time unlike the [Firstfruits] Church Age where individuals are coming into eternal Salvation at any given individual moment. -- "Matthew 25:31-34 When [Jesus] the Son of Man shall come in His glory [at the end of His 1,000 year Kingdom reign on earth], and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the [eternal] throne of His glory [after sitting on the Throne of King David for the 1,000 year reign]: And before Him shall be gathered [for Harvest] all Nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King [Jesus] say unto them [1,000 year Saints] on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the [eternal] Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:"</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_historystudy.html|article link]] <html> [Tuesday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Betrayal Tuesday - Judas Agrees to betray Jesus for Thirty pieces of silver</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Tuesday April 19, 2011 (Matthew 26:6-16, Mark 14:3-11) - As we awake Tuesday morning we will not go to Jerusalem and the Temple as Jesus had departed the Temple for the last time on Monday. Instead, today we will go with Jesus to Bethany and enter the house of Simon, a leper whom Jesus has previously cured. A woman will anoint Jesus with more oil. Judas will depart to meet with the Jewish leaders to betray Jesus. Judas will receive the promise of thirty pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:2, Matthew 26:15) for promising to deliver Jesus into the hands of the Jewish leaders. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #5 Fellowship with the one who has cleansed us: Jesus has returned to spend time with Simon a Leper whom Jesus had previously cleansed. How is it that Jesus would want to visit someone that was previously Unclean? How is it that Simon would trust Jesus? Usually when someone has knowledge of the unclean areas of our life we want to get away from them because we are vulnerable and do not want to be exposed by them for what we were or for what we truly are. Yet Simon welcomed Jesus into his own home and prepared for Him a meal. All throughout the Bible we read how hurting and longing and suffering people have turned to God and have found compassion and healing and like Simon, we too have the privilege of hosting Jesus, the one who has healed us. "Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me (Jesus), all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and Learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your Souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Jesus Walk 2011 -- Betrayal Tuesday: Robert Schuller's Glass House of God - But last October [2010], the reverend's church and TV show filed for federal bankruptcy protection after he spent nearly $50 million more than he had in dozens of bank accounts - Church officials have attempted to blame the crisis on Schuller's unswerving, daily commitment to aiding the poor - For example, during a four-month period when the ministry took in donations totaling more than $14 million, Schuller gave an average of just $22 a day to feed the poor, according to church records {Today Religious leaders continue to betray Jesus Christ just as in the days of Judas. Like Judas the betrayal is usually a threefold betrayal consisting of a betrayal of trust, finances and doctrine. Today it is imperative that we as Christians understand the doctrines [and the seriousness of them] that are being espoused from not just the pulpits but also the Sunday Schools and small groups as well. Financial openness and accountability is a must for every Church or fellowship and anything less than 100% financial accountability is a fraudulent act by any ordinary standard of business accounting practices. Thirdly, deceptive doctrines and fraudulent financial conduct can often most easily be discovered by realizing the betrayal of trust that is often already taking place when Church leadership is committed to and associated with unChristian associations and compromised individuals.} </html> <html><tt>By R. SCOTT MOXLEY Thursday, Apr 14 2011: Legendary Garden Grove televangelist Robert H. Schuller once noted, "High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly." The creator of Crystal Cathedral, a best-selling author and star of Hour of Power broadcasts, Schuller has long served as Exhibit A of that credo. In the 1950s, he saw an opportunity to build a profitable church, grabbed it and-thanks largely to donations from poor and lower-middle-class folks trying to win the blessings of God-created an $89-million religious empire with hints of opulence. ... Records also show that the reverend wasn't a cheapskate in one charity case. Indeed, the recipients of his generosity weren't poor at all. They were a wealthy Newport Beach couple, Kenneth and Glenia Reafsnyder. Ken's first wife was a member of Buena Park's Knott family, founders of Knott's Berry Farm. He also palled around with actor John Wayne. In 1995, Schuller agreed to divert $4,000 a month in church donations to the Reafsnyders for the rest of their lives in exchange for a quarter ownership in the couple's home. Ken has since died, but the deal calls on Crystal Cathedral Ministries to continue to pay Glenia. In 2008, the ministry increased the payments to $4,500 a month while reducing its ownership percentage. This means that the church's current 8.5 percent portion of the house has cost more than $1,250,000-$55,000 more than the value of the entire house. Speaking of houses, over the years the Schuller family has purchased oceanfront property in Orange County, a Big Bear vacation house, a San Diego County time-share, a Colorado mansion and a Honolulu condo. Just before filing for bankruptcy, Schuller sold a San Juan Capistrano property that had been bequeathed to the church decades ago and pocketed $22.5 million. The reverend's son, Robert Anthony Schuller, has lived in a $2.2-million oceanfront Laguna Beach dream house worthy of an Architectural Digest feature. Fred Southard, a longtime Schuller aide, lives behind palatial, guarded gates in a 13-room, 13,600-square-foot Newport Coast estate that could fetch $3 million on the open market. ... In court filings, they've remained optimistic that, despite a 50-percent drop in church membership to 5,000 attendees, the ministry can eventually pay off all of the debt. To accomplish that feat, however, the Schuller clan is going to have to stir up the congregation and then, despite all the unsettling revelations, ask them to dig deeper into their wallets.</tt></html> [[http://www.ocweekly.com/2011-04-14/news/moxley-confidential-crystal-cathedral-robert-schuller/|article link]] <html> [Wednesday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- New Covenant Wednesday - Last Supper - Communion - Passover Dinner - Jesus covenants to die for us in our place therefore by the death of Jesus eternal Death now passes over and skips over us humans</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Wednesday April 20, 2011 the start of the Passover week with the Feast of the Lord's Passover, 14th of Nisan - Wednesday we would wake up to the second of the feast days known as the "Lord's Passover." This feast was first observed by the Jewish people in Egypt the night the plague killed all of the Egyptian firstborn sons, while death "Passed over" the Jewish firstborn because they were saved by the "Covenant blood" placed above the doors of their houses (Exodus 12:1-36). This feast is also prescribed by God in Leviticus chapter 23. We will follow Jesus to Jerusalem to eat the Passover dinner and celebrate it with the disciples in an upper room made ready by some friends. As we come into the upper room in the early afternoon prior to the Lord's Passover feast which will be observed and eaten later "at evening". We will see that Jesus and the disciples have just finished eating a lunch/supper (John 13:2). Jesus is telling the disciples that God the Father has given all authority in heaven and on earth to Him. We marvel that this Jesus standing before us is not just the King of Judah but is the King of the Universe, the King of heaven and of the earth, of the physical realm that is seen and also of the unseen spiritual realm. Jesus presides over all as King. Before we can comprehend the enormity of the kingdom of Jesus, we see King Jesus lay aside His garments, pour water into a wash basin and begin to wash the disciples feet. We are in total agreement with Peter when Peter says to Jesus "Thou shall never wash my feet," after all, kings of the earth do not wash their followers feet, so much more the reason that the King of the universe should not wash our feet. Then Jesus explains to Peter that unless He washes our feet that Jesus will have nothing to do with us. We wonder, "why have Jesus wash our feet and only our feet"? Then we realize that Jesus is King and He is also our Abba, Daddy, Father, and likewise He is also the Holy God. Being Holy, Jesus requires that we be cleansed in able to approach Him. Our creator, Abba, Father, Jesus is happy to take all of His authority and use it to clean us and draw us near to Him. We now know that Jesus is really talking about cleansing our "Souls", our thought life and our emotions as the foot is a reference to the soul. We realize that one dirty item cannot make another dirty item clean. We gasp as we realize that ONLY Jesus can make us clean because only Jesus is clean and without Jesus washing us and cleansing us, we will remain dirty and Jesus will "have nothing to do with us." We make a mental note to spend more quality cleansing time with Jesus in prayer and in reading the Bible. - It is now evening and time for the Lord's Passover Supper. All of the disciples are seated around Jesus (Matthew 26:20). Jesus begins to explain how one of the disciples will betray Him. We join the other disciples wondering if we will betray Jesus? After the events of the past week, we now know that we are not that familiar with the plans of God and that Sin is deceitful. Knowing that we can easily be deceived and betray Jesus in our thoughts and actions, we make another mental note to walk in the Spirit with Jesus at all times, seeking the wisdom and will of God continually for each and every activity we do during the moments of our lives. Jesus speaking up tells the disciples that to identify the one who will betray Him, He will dip His bread in the sauce at the same time the betraying disciple dips his bread. As Judas dips his bread Jesus also dips His (Matthew 26:23). We now know why, after the foot washing that Jesus said "not everyone is clean" (John 13:10) because Judas is not clean, he is a betrayer. Judas asks Jesus if he is the betrayer. Jesus tells him "yes he is." We marvel that sin is so deceptive, that one can betray God and actually think that he is doing God's work. We shudder as we think of all of the killing and all of the wrong that has gone on by the deceived ones throughout the Church ages in the name of Christianity. We are very glad to make the journey back to Holy Week to walk with Jesus and to learn who He is so that we can be true disciples and true followers of Jesus. Judas, after receiving a bread dipped in sauce by Jesus, then departs the room to proceed to betray Jesus. The disciples wonder were Judas has gone. Some think he is going to make arrangements for the next feast, the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" which begins tomorrow, (John 12:29). At first we think it is unlawful for Judas to go out at night on a feast day but then a quick glance in our Bibles back to Leviticus 23 reveals that the Lord's Passover is not a "Sabbath Feast." We wonder at the thought that the Lord's Passover feast is not a "Sabbath - Rest" feast like all of the other feasts and therefore there is no evening curfew for the feast. Unfortunately, as Judas leaves the presence of Jesus, Satan then enters into Judas and demonically possesses Judas (John 13:27). Again we realize the importance of staying in the presence of Jesus to keep ourselves safe from the demonic/Satanic realm. - Jesus then takes the unleavened bread of the "Lord's Passover Feast" (Matthew 26:26, Mark 14:22) and giving Thanks, Jesus breaks the bread explaining that this is His body broken for us, speaking of the cross that is to come tomorrow. He then passes the bread for the disciples to eat. Much earlier while following Jesus the disciples had dealt with this very issue of Jesus' body. In John 6:47-58, Jesus told a large group of disciples that He, "is the true bread of life that came down from heaven and any man who would eat of it that man would not die but would live forever." Many disciples were disturbed at that saying of Jesus, (John 6:66) "and some walked with Jesus no more." But Jesus had also explained to the disciples (John 6:63) that it is the Spirit that aids a man not the physical. Jesus said that His words are Spirit. -- So here this night of the Passover the disciples readily enjoy the bread knowing that it is the Spirit of Jesus that gives Spiritual life. -- Next Jesus takes a cup of wine. It is the third cup of the four prescribed cups of the feast. The third cup is known as the cup of redemption. The first cup is the cup of Sanctification, meaning to be set apart to God for the feast. The second cup is the cup of instruction, instructing that there were many plagues on the land of Egypt, yet the children of God could not go free from slavery until there was a death of the firstborn. Now this night Jesus is proclaiming that He is the Firstborn of God and that His death will set us free from the slavery of sin and the cruelty of Satan just like the death of the firstborn did so many years ago back in Egypt. Then Jesus taking the cup (Mark 14:23) of redemption and like the bread, giving thanks, Jesus passed the cup to the disciples and said "take drink all of it," (Matthew 26:27) this cup is the New Testament in His blood: this do, that as often as we drink of it, to do it in remembrance of Jesus. The disciples are fully aware that Jesus is speaking of a better blood than man has, of His Spiritual life blood. They gladly take the cup of wine and gladly drink all of it. We marvel that Jesus wants us to "Drink all" that He has for us, all of His Life, Love, Compassion and Mercy. Jesus then mentions that He will not drink again of the wine until He drinks it anew with us in His Father's Kingdom. The fourth cup of wine that Jesus is postponing to drink is called the "cup of Rejoicing." After the feast, the cup of rejoicing is to be drunk as we rejoice in all that God has done in our lives in setting us free and reuniting us with Him in the promise land of Heaven. Jesus says that He will drink that next cup with all of us for real in the real heaven. Jesus and the disciples then sing a Psalm in the closing of the "Lord's Passover Feast." Jesus now reminds us again that He is about to be betrayed. He tells us in advance so that we will know that He does indeed know all things. Jesus then reveals to us that this dark moment is Satan's time. Judas has already left to betray Jesus. Jesus instructs us saying that "Satan has nothing in Him", but that Jesus will show His love for the Father by giving His life as a sacrifice to reunite us back to God, as this is the will of the Father and it is also the will of the Son Jesus. - Arising they depart the room (Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, John 14:31). We marvel that this feast is not a Sabbath feast so they are able to walk in the night and not break the law of the feast. Now during a short walk, Jesus talks to the disciples about Himself being the vine, the source of life and that the disciples are the branches and that the disciples are to abide in Jesus for life. He also teaches about the persecution that will come to all of His followers. Then Jesus instructs them some more about the Holy Spirit who the Father will send. Jesus then prays His "Priestly High Prayer" to the Father (John 17:1-26), asking the Father to receive all of His followers including us, His future followers and to unite us all with Himself in Heaven with the Father. As Jesus prays to God the Father we conclude that we know that Jesus' prayers are heard by the Father and answered! After His priestly prayer of intercession for us to the Father, Jesus commits to His crucifixion and then crosses over the brook of Cedron (John 18:1) as He proceeds on to the garden of Gethsemane, the Garden of destiny. (Matthew 26:36, Mark 14:32). We now know why God has not made the Lord's Passover to be a "Rest - Sabbath Feast" because Jesus and the disciples would have to remain at home or inside after the feast and could not have legally walked to the Garden of Gethsemane, the Garden of destiny. Had this been a "Sabbath - Rest Feast", it is also very unlikely that the Temple guards would have broken the Sabbath themselves to journey to the Garden to arrest Jesus who, after all was only peaceably praying to the Father. This is another powerful demonstration that these events are events orchestrated and allowed by God Himself and not man just as these events are foreseen in the prophetic writings by the prophets of the Old Testament. -- The Garden is the ideal place to reveal that God is in control. It was so many years ago that Adam and Eve lost mankind's relationship with God through their own disobedience in the original garden, the Garden of Eden. Jesus is now stepping into another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane. Through His desire and obedience Jesus will continue to restore back the lost relationship between God and mankind, this time for forever. Had Jesus been arrested anywhere but in a Garden, say for instance in the streets or in the upper-room, it would be difficult to correlate the events of the Last Supper to the events of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Since God made certain to go to the Garden we have to correlate these two garden events and also the coming event of the resurrection of Jesus from yet another garden, the Garden Tomb. This again reveals the detailed plan of God as He has set it out for us in His Prophetic Word, the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. -- We follow and see that Jesus is separated from His disciples and engaged in prayer to the Father. Jesus asks for the third time for the Father to remove "this cup" (Matthew 26:42) but there is no other "cup" of redemption available to mankind. Either Jesus gives His life for us or mankind will never be reunited to God. Angels come and minister to Jesus. He arises. Judas can now be seen leading a group of Temple soldiers intent on arresting Jesus. Judas then betrays Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26:49). Jesus in turn calls Judas "friend" (Matthew 26:50). Jesus is arrested, bound with ropes and led off as all of the disciples abandon Him and flee. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #6 New Covenant Reflection: The New Covenant - God has agreed to take on the appearance of a Human, to come for us and to die in our place for our sins so that we can Live anew in a new Spiritual relationship with God. God in His Love for us has taken our penalty of death so that we can live in His life of love. With the New Covenant and our New Spiritual Life "All things have become New." "2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold All things are become New." Are we allowing ourselves to live in our newfound Relationship with God and are we allowing ourselves the New Freedom that this relationship has to offer? When Jesus took His Communion cup and offered it to His followers Jesus gave with it the instruction and the invitation to "Drink all of it." Amen - and drink all of it we will.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Thursday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Crucifixion Agony - Redemption Thursday - Jesus is betrayed and arrested He is then tried and by popular demand is sentenced to die - Jesus is crucified and suffers Death on the Cross - This is the end and Removal of Death and Sin (Leaven) </html> <html><tt>Thursday {Crucifixion - Agony (Bitter) Thursday} This day coincides with Thursday April 20, 2012 Crucifixion Thursday - Feast of Unleavened Bread, 15th of Nisan (Matthew 26:47-27:28, Mark 14:53-15:47). In the next few hours Jesus will undergo six trials all of them will be a mockery of justice. Jesus will come out of His third trial just in time to hear the disciple Peter deny a third time to being a follower of Jesus. A rooster will crow marking the dawn to the sunrise of a new day. This is the day in which Jesus of Nazareth, the true and living Son of God, will be despised, rejected of man and crucified on a wooden cross. This day will be the seventh day of our journey back and the third feast day, the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" - the feast of the removal of sin/leaven. Jesus will be despised, rejected and beaten all of this because of the love that God has for His own creation and of an ultimate desire to reunite the people that are rejecting Him back unto Himself. - The horrific beating (Isaiah 52:13-53:12) that King Jesus will endure for us will be a savage fit of rage, the rage of mankind and a fit of Satanic rage all wrapped into one. No person has ever been so savagely beaten as Jesus was that day. It is the kind of abuse that all evil has against all innocence. Peter will have gone out and wept bitterly for his part in denying Jesus. Peter will not look to himself but will again look to God and experience the total love and forgiveness that God Has for mankind. Judas, who also betrayed God, will not look to God, but instead Judas will look to himself and will find no hope but only despair and in despair Judas will go out and commit suicide. Jesus is now led to a hill and crucified. It is the same hill that the Jewish forefather Abraham brought his son Isaac to 4,000 years earlier (Genesis 22:1-19), to enact out a loving father offering his only beloved son, a parallel to the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus is offered wine mixed with bitter gall to drink but Jesus rejects the bitter wine because He has promised that the next wine He drinks will be with us in Heaven and it will be a sweet cup of Heavenly rejoicing not the bitter cup of this world. - Jesus' first words on the cross (Luke 23:34) will be "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." Forgiveness. Even as He is rejected, Jesus forgives. We stand amazed as the two thieves being crucified along with Jesus, mock Him. Then one of the thieves turns and says "we are getting our just rewards; but Jesus is innocent". Then one of the thieves says a most remarkable thing. He says "Jesus remember me when you enter into your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). We look on in dismay. "Enter the Kingdom of Jesus?" True, Jesus declared Himself to be a King only a few days ago and a King has to have a kingdom, but Jesus is dying on a cross - No! Not death! The thief is right. Jesus is entering into His kingdom, one where there is no more curse of the flesh. Where sin does not reign. In fact sin is not even present in the Kingdom of Jesus. That's it - only the Spiritual Kingdom of God is good enough for Jesus. He died to the sin and human flesh of this world so that we can be united with Him in His glory, in His Holy Spiritual Kingdom. Jesus will remain alive on the cross for six hours, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. At noon, the sky will grow dark (Amos 8:9, Matthew 27:45). Jesus will cry out from the cross "My God, my God why hast thou forsaken Me?" (Psalm 22:1-31, Matthew 27:46). At 3:00 p.m., Jesus will give a victory cry and proclaim "It is finished" (John 19:30). We marvel that the prophecy given to Eve in Genesis 3:15 is now fulfilled as Jesus, the Son of God, has His own heal bruised for us while supporting His weight on the cross. It was also on the same cross of victory on a hill called Golgotha or Skull (John 19:17) that Jesus has crushed the head (skull) [Genesis 3:15] of the deceiving serpent Satan. - Jesus will then commend His Spirit to His Father, He will then permit His Spirit to leave His body (Luke 23:46). It is now near the evening of the third feast day, the "Feast of Unleavened Bread." This feast according to Leviticus chapter 23, is a Sabbath - Rest feast and in order to properly keep this feast the followers need to be at home before sundown and are unable to engage in any work. The legs of the two thieves on the other two crosses are broken to hasten their deaths and to proceed with their burials before sundown. Jesus' lifeless body is taken down from the cross and placed into a new nearby tomb, which is really a cavern carved out of solid rock and has been provided by Joseph of Armethia. Jesus will be laid in the new tomb. His body, including His face, will be wrapped with fresh linen cloth and soaked with 75 lbs. of anointing oils (John 19:39). Those taking part in the burial of Jesus will quickly depart to get home before the Sabbath curfew of sundown. That evening we will return with the disciples back to the upper room where the Lord's Passover feast was held the night before. The door will be shut and locked as everyone will cower in the dark and in silence for fear that Romans will knock down the door to seize more of the disciples and drag them off to be horribly crucified. It is the first night without the presence of Jesus. It is a dark and bitter night. We sit down to consider the events. The third feast - we wonder what are the odds that everything of major importance would happen on a Feast Day? We know the odds are the same as those that brought life into existence and the same as those that could write the pages of the Bible before the events actually happened. We know that no odds could do this because there are no odds. There is no chance involved. It is the predetermined plan of God. Not chance, but a plan! It is a plan being carried out carefully and deliberately before the eyes of mankind. We ponder the feasts, first was "Sabbath" the required rest and Jesus presenting Himself as our King. Next was the "Lord's Passover", the Covenant feast of escaping death and entering into life with Jesus in heaven in the presence of the Father. Now it is the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" the third feast of the eight feasts prescribed by God to Moses in Leviticus chapter 23. That's it! Jesus often referred to leaven as "sin." "Beware of the leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees" Jesus would say and this Feast is to remove the leaven, that is to remove the sin that infects mankind. Jesus' shed blood and His death on the cross are a complete removal of our sin. It is complete because death is the end result of sin therefore in Jesus' death all of our sins died. The death of sin occurs on the cross. Later in the Resurrection of Jesus, we will receive of His eternal Resurrection Life. Sin has to be removed. We cannot have fellowship with the Holy God in the New Covenant until the Sin is removed. Jesus on this day became the penalty for the sins of the world reconciling those who choose to be reconciled with God in the New Covenant. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #7 The Cross - a place of no compromise: Jesus reached out to us - all the way and without compromise. He didn't compromise as He took on the appearance of a human and entered into our physical realm so that He could interact with us on our level. He entered into our physical level because we are separated from the Holy God on His Spiritual level. We are separated from Him by our sins and it is impossible for God to bring us and the sin that accompanies us into His direct presence, so God in Jesus, came to us in our existence. In reaching out to us Jesus didn't compromise. He reached out with both arms open and fully extended all the way, even to the cross. Mankind in return didn't compromise as mankind rejected God. Mankind then reaching back with a hammer, nailed both of His open and extended arms onto a wooden cross. Today it is still our opportunity and our turn to reach out and touch Jesus even though we do not see Him as He is in the Spirit realm like we see one another in the physical realm. We can still come to that place of no compromise and touch Jesus in that no compromising place called faith. "Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- (Catholic) Pope's Holy Thursday [Last Supper] Mass Dedicated to Priests - The ceremony is described by the Vatican as a sign of strict union between the Pontiff (Pope) in his role of pastor of the world's 1 billion Catholics and his fellow priests</html> <html><tt>VATICAN CITY - Pope Benedict XVI urged priests to oppose violence as he led a ceremony dedicated to the priesthood Thursday, marking a Holy Week with his church buffeted by clergy sex abuse scandals. "As priests, we are called in fellowship with Jesus Christ, to be men of peace, we are called to oppose violence and trust in the greater power of love," Benedict said in his Holy Thursday homily in St. Peter's Basilica. He made no mention of the scandals. Spread out before him, in white robes, was row after row of priests, who responded in chorus to his chants in Latin. A choir of men and boys intoned solemn hymns. The late morning Mass, the first of several appearances Benedict will make in the final days of Holy Week before Easter, was described by the Vatican as a sign of strict union between the pontiff in his role of pastor of the world's 1 billion Catholics and his fellow priests. In the evening, Benedict will wash the feet of 12 priests -- a traditional sign of humility -- at a Holy Thursday ceremony in St. John Lateran Basilica in Rome. ... In his homily Thursday, Benedict said Christians "as good citizens" must "keep the law and do what is just and good," while not accepting "a wrong that is enshrined in law," citing as example legalized abortion.</tt></html> [[http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/01/popes-holy-thursday-mass-dedicated-priests/|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- The Power Of The Cross - Oh To See The Dawn (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>The Power of the Cross: Written by Keith Getty, sung by Stuart Townend. - Comments: The preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God unto salvation to those who believe. ... Amen... What a poweful song, I am grateful everyday for what God has done for me.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwzt9jRUPNg|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Song: Where you there when they crucified my Lord?</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lstYf5Jpg2c|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- You Were There - God You were always there for us {Most of the movie scenes are from - The Bible [Series] - Apocalypsis Revelation (2002) - Starring Richard Harris} (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Comments: What a fantastic song which means the world to me, when I was going through the hardest thing that I will possibly go through, he was there.... Thank you Lord. Thank you for dying for me and even tho we were the ones that put you on the cross, you still show us mercy.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5R5jRz3IeMU|article link]] <html> [Friday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Sealed Tomb Friday - Roman Guards seal the Tomb - additional Spices and Ointments are purchased and prepared to further anoint the body of Jesus</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Friday April 22, 2011 - We awake Friday morning our first day without the presence of Jesus. Today, the day after the Feast of Unleavened Bread and before the weekly Saturday Sabbath that begins at Sundown Friday, Jewish time, today is another regular day that happens to be sandwiched between the two Sabbath day Feast days in this year's original "Jesus Passover" celebration. Therefore with today not being a Sabbath day the usual work including buying and selling can take place. Several people go to purchase spices and ointments (Mark 16:1, Luke 23:56) and mix them together to prepare them in order to further anoint the body of Jesus. "Mark 16:1-2 And when the Sabbath (feast of unleavened bread) [Thursday] was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, [Friday] had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day [Sunday] of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun." Early in the day we also find out that the Jewish leaders have just conferred with the Roman leaders (Matthew 27:62-66) to have guards placed at the tomb of Jesus. This is to prevent the disciples from stealing the body of Jesus and then claiming that He rose from the dead, something I'm sure that no disciple intended to do, after all what good is a dead leader? The tomb is now sealed with a Roman "seal" signifying that the body of Jesus is inside and that all is secure in the tomb. The guards stand in front of the sealed tomb and wait for Sunday. The intent is that on Sunday the tomb will be unlocked/unsealed and the body of Jesus will be shown to the Jewish leaders and all will be back to normal in Jerusalem because Jesus said that He would live the third day, not the second day or the fourth day. Jesus remaining dead in the tomb on Sunday would reveal that He was not a prophet able to prophesy that He would be alive the third day and also that He is not God able to overcome human death. There is no chance to enter the sealed tomb until the three days are up and the seal is removed by the Romans who placed it on the tomb. None of the soldiers on duty have the authority to remove the seal and open the tomb, only the Roman government has the authority to open the tomb and according to the contract with the Jews, it will be after the third day. The frightened disciples are in no condition to reveal themselves as followers of Jesus. So back to the familiar upper room everyone journeys. In the lonely darkness that comes on with despair the disciples lament that they are not prophets. One proclaims that he is just a herder of flocks from his youth (Zechariah 13:4-6). Likewise we sit in the dark and also wonder if we have the spiritual stamina that it takes to make it through this "dark night of the soul." We begin to think about Jesus and His ministry here on earth. We think about the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:1-23) and how hard and compacted the soil of our heart is. Emotionally we are against obstacles and unable to push our spiritual roots down any further into fresh new soil. We wonder what has become of Jesus the master Gardener, we need Him. We need the Gardener to pull the weeds of doubt, to help us through life's thorns, to break up the shallow rocky soil and to direct His seed into the good soil of our heart so it can bring forth much fruit. Oh, it's no use a garden needs a gardener to keep it pleasant. The garden can't maintain itself from the hard soil, shallow rocks and choking weeds. Without a Gardener, the good plants will come to nothing as they are choked out and perish among the weeds and hard soil. We need God's direction and His plan in order for us to fulfill our life's purpose. -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #8 Man puts his seal of approval on God's death: "Matthew 27:66 So they went, and made the sepulchre sure [inventory of the tomb contents], sealing the stone, and setting a watch." With the death of Jesus comes the Seal of approval from mankind. You can be certain that Jesus died on the cross and you can be just as certain that the dead body of Jesus was in the tomb on this the next day when the tomb was closed and the seal was placed on it. Certain because mankind would have it no other way than that God, would be declared dead, null, and void. Oh they sealed the right tomb of death alright but they sealed the wrong object. What they should have placed their seal on is on the death of sin, the sin that has separated mankind from the Holy God for all of these years as God knows and as the Christian knows it is sin that has been declared dead, null, and void and not God. As we reflect on the death of sin, that the penalty for sin has been removed from us by Jesus, do we really understand that the worst that can possibly happen to us is death from sin? But that Jesus died for us so the worst thing that can happen to us has happened to Jesus as He took our penalty for us. Now with the worst behind us thanks to Jesus, we now have the best and a new opportunity as a new relationship with God is now before us. "Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Saturday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- 3 Day & 3 Night Prophecy Fulfillment Saturday - The Third Day of Death is Fulfilled</html> <html><tt>This day coincides with Saturday April 23, 2011 - Saturday is again the weekly Sabbath day of rest. We rest physically but emotionally we are anything but at rest as we ponder an uncertain future without a leader, without our King Jesus. -- Let's recap Thursday - Sunday by looking at some verses in Luke: "Luke 23:52-24:1 [Thursday][Crucifixion day] "This man, Joseph of Arimathaea, went to Pilate and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down [from the cross] and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulcher (tomb) that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation [preparation for the evening Sabbath of Unleavened Bread], and the Sabbath [Unleavened Bread, evening Sabbath curfew] drew on. And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld (observed) the sepulcher, and how His body was laid. And they returned (home) and [Friday] [normal Day] prepared (worked & labored) spices and ointments; and rested the [Saturday][Sabbath Day] Sabbath day according to the commandment [the 4th of the 10 commandments, the weekly Saturday Sabbath]. Now upon the first day of the week [Sunday][Resurrection Day], very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them." -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #9 Getting through the darkness: It's dark in there; it's a dark and lonely place in those deep dark tombs. Death is dark, and it's dark when we look death in the face. Will the light shine? Will there be life? Will life live and conquer the darkness; the loneliness, the despair, the finality of death? We as humans have to know. We have to know if there is any hope, any permanent existence, any purpose, any reason to life and our existence or if our brief existence here on earth is only a byproduct of some random collision of molecules. Only God - Jesus can answer this question for us and it can only be answered in the Resurrection Life of Jesus as only life can hold the answers to the problems that face mankind. God has given to us, a long time ago, the answer and His promise in each new day. In the beginning of creation God created the Physical Light. He created light as a representation for us to see that indeed His true Spirit light of life shines and it does indeed remove the darkness of death. Every time life gets dark just remember the New Day the Sunrise the Resurrection Sunshine from on high as the Sun represents to us the True Son Light, Jesus. God made it that way! The Sun is our daily and momentary reminder of God, of His Son Jesus, of His light, His warmth, His promises, His Life, His Love and His Eternal Resurrection Life for us. "Lamentations 3:21-23 This I recall in my mind, therefore I have hope. It is the Lord's Mercies that we are not consumed, because His Compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is Thy Faithfulness."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html> [Sunday] Jesus Walk 2011 -- Jesus' Glorious Resurrection Life Sunday - Glorious Salvation Resurrection (Easter) Day! - Jesus conquers death by Love & Eternal Life - The Rebirth of Life and we now have Salvation and live an Eternal Life in the Resurrection life of Jesus Christ</html> <html><tt>Sunday {Jesus' Glorious Resurrection Life Sunday} This day coincides with Sunday April 24, 2011 Resurrection Sunday (Easter) also the "Feast of First Fruits," the first Sunday of the week after the feasts of the "Lord's Passover & Unleavened Bread" (Matthew 28:1-15, Mark 16:1-14, John 20:1-23). Sunday, the first day of the week, we arise early and ponder that today is also a feast day, the fourth feast, the "Feast of First fruits". We wonder why Leviticus 23 this Feast did not have an actual date to be celebrated like the Lord's Passover, the 14th of the month and the Unleavened Bread, the 15th of the month but the Feast of First Fruits is specifically to be celebrated on the first Sunday of the week after the Passover. Today is also the day the seal is scheduled to be removed from the tomb of Jesus. Some of the women go early in the morning at first light to await access to the tomb to continue to anoint the body of Jesus. While walking to the tomb the women encounter an Angel who asks them why they are seeking the "Living" among the dead? For Jesus whom you seek is Not Dead but He is Alive! The women continue walking. They arrive at the tomb and they see the Roman seal is broken, the stone is rolled back and looking into the tomb they notice that the body of Jesus is missing but His burial wrappings remain there in an undisturbed manner. Seeing what appears to be the Gardener, the women ask him where he has moved the body of Jesus too? "Mary" replies the Gardener, WAIT! Mary knows that voice. This Gardener is JESUS, HE'S ALIVE! Mary and the women grab the feet of Jesus. Jesus tells them that He has not yet gone to the Father (John 20:17) but to go and tell the Good News "of the resurrection" to the rest of the disciples. Peter and John, like the rest of the disciples doubt the good news of the resurrection of Jesus but they run to the tomb to see for themselves. John and Peter enter the empty tomb together. John had been one of the disciples at the crucifixion and he helped place Jesus into the tomb. As John saw the anointed strips of cloth used to wrap the body of Jesus, John realized that the cloth was not unwound but just empty, vacated and collapsed down in a way in which a human body could not have been physically removed from within the cloth covered with ointment. John seeing this, believed (John 20:8). Back in the upper room two, disciples are excitedly telling of meeting and journeying with the Risen Jesus on their way to the town of Emmaus, (Luke 24:33). Meanwhile, in the upper-room the door is shut and locked (John 20:19) and Jesus suddenly appears in their midst in a supernatural way. The newly Resurrected Jesus presents Himself to the disciples. The disciples marvel that Jesus is alive again and then King Jesus breathes His Holy breath on them to give them His resurrection Spirit life. Amazed we realize that this is the same way and the same giver of Life who had previously breathed life into Adam our first forefather (Genesis 2:7). Jesus said "receive you the Holy Spirit" (John 20:22). The disciples by faith receive the Holy Spirit offered by Jesus and by receiving the Holy Spirit they become "Born Again" new creations. - We realize that it is by Faith that we are saved, this Faith! The faith in the risen, living, resurrection Jesus. The faith that Jesus has personally sealed us with the Holy Spirit. We realize that this is the true feast the "Feast of First Fruits" as Jesus breathes into us the "First Fruits" of the Holy Spirit. We know that this is just the First Fruit, the first fruits of the Holy Spirit with much more to come. This fruit is special because it is, according to Leviticus 23, the first of the fruit from within the Promise Land (Joshua 5:10-12) that is from the Promise Land of Heaven and eternal life. We rejoice. Like the children of Israel who were delivered from Egypt, we have escaped the bondage of this world and the cruelty of Satan and the certain death that goes with it. We have escaped by the death of the Firstborn Son of God, His Son Jesus Christ, and we are now alive in His resurrection glory. We like, the Jews of Egypt, have wandered in the desert wilderness of unbelief until our unbelief has vanished. Through faith in Jesus Christ we have crossed the dangerous Jordan river and entered into the Promise Land of Heaven having accepted Jesus as our leader, our King, and our Lord by entering into His New Covenant, the covenant of life. Now alive we realize that the death of sin has "Passed Over" us by our receiving His shed blood as the cleansing of our sins through the death of Jesus on the cross. We now rejoice in the Gospel of Good News that Jesus being Righteous, Holy, Just, and True, the Son of God and God Himself, that He cannot die as humans die but He is alive in the Spiritual realm, the eternal realm that Jesus existed in with the Father before He took on a fleshly body in the womb of Mary (John 16:27-28). -- {Basic Christian Devotion: Becoming united in Jesus} Personal Reflection #10 Resurrection Day "The Re-birth of Life" [after the original life in Garden of Eden] Jesus demonstrates His Authority of Life over death: Life, our meaning and purpose in it have now been answered once and for all in this the very Resurrection Life of Jesus. We now know that there is a God, that He has power to remove sins and to then give life over death, that He Loves us and that we are made alive to be friends with Him forever in His Eternal Resurrection Kingdom of Heaven. How can we ever comprehend this joyous event, Life in Jesus, but comprehend it we must as it is the only way to eternal Life. "Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead." Light shines! And with it Life! Jesus is the True Light! Jesus is the Life! God is not dead, God is Alive! Now we too are alive when Jesus breaths His Resurrection Spirit Life into us. Alive and united with the Holy God inside of us, that is Eternal Life! "John 1:3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehend it not." "2 Corinthians 4:6 For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus."</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Bible verse: Psalms 118:19-29 ... Open to me the gates of righteousness [the resurrection of Jesus Christ]: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my Salvation. ... God is the LORD, which hath shewed us [resurrection - sunrise] light ... O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}</html> <html><tt>Psalms 118:19-29 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my Salvation. The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity [lit. wellbeing]. Blessed be He (Jesus) that cometh in the Name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the House of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us [resurrection - sunrise] light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever. -- Holy Bible</tt></html> <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Easter Song by 2nd Chapter of Acts (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>This track is from the live album, "To the Bride," a Jesus Music Classic, featuring Barry McGuire, 2nd Chapter of Acts, and A Band Called David. "Easter Song" is performed in this track by the 2nd Chapter of Acts. Enjoy, and Happy Easter.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB53Sx7oK94|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Easter Song by Keith Green (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Keith Green performing "Easter Song" live from The Daisy Club -- LA (1982).</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3kc1jDahU4|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Easter Song by Glad (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Another Classic from Glad.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM6x-udOF84|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Rich Mullins - [Apostles] Creed (YouTube)</html> <html><tt>This is the Rich Mullins music video featuring the song "Creed" as it appears on the "Rich Mullins: Pursuit of a Legacy" DVD.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tpq4MoRVV4|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Creed by Third Day (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>This is the song by the Late, Great, Rich Mullins, it's about the Apostles Creed. I belive this song is true in all manner, and every time I sing it, it fills me with Gods will and glory. Enjoy it.</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGRUaN4bwAs|article link]] <html>{Flashback} Jesus Walk 2010 -- Easter Sunrise Baptism {Video is usually preceded by a commercial - Try the Continue to Video (option)} (Metacafe) </html> <html><tt>Comments: Awesome God power - The water is still chilly in March, yet everyone has a huge expression of joy on their face, like the water doesn't even phase them because their so focused on and in love with Christ. beautiful.</tt></html> [[http://www.metacafe.com/watch/446413/easter_sunrise_baptism/|article link]] <html>Jesus Walk 2011 -- What if Moses had Facebook? - (Short Video) </html> <html><tt>Google Exodus - What if Moses had Facebook?</tt></html> [[http://www.aish.com/h/pes/mm/Passover_Google_Exodus.html|article link]] <html>Jesus Walk 2011 -- World Clock: Current local time in Jerusalem {Note: Setting a 2nd Widget or Gadget clock on your computer to Jerusalem time is also a good option.} (clock - pop-up window) </html> <html><tt>Jerusalem, Israel. Jerusalem is the capital of Israel The native name of Israel is Yisra'el. Most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv.</tt></html> [[http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=110|article link]] <html>Jesus Walk 2011 -- [Holy Week 2011] Easter Week in Rome, Italy - Holy Week in Rome - There are very few examples of Pageantry grander than Holy Week in Rome - The Pope himself delivers several masses between Palm Sunday and Easter, and tens of thousands of pilgrims and fellow travelers are on hand to celebrate with him</html> <html><tt>The following will give you an idea of what's going on and when for Easter Week in 2011; most services take place in St Peter's Square or inside the Basilica (consider a walking tour in Rome to get your bearings, or one of Viator's Vatican tours if you arrive early enough to avoid the crowds). You can certainly expect crowds in Rome and the Vatican during Easter Week. But for Catholics and religious-minded travelers (frankly, for anybody and everyone who appreciates ritual and pomp), the experience of Easter Week is unforgettable. Palm Sunday (April 17) Palm Sunday, a sort of prequel, starts off Holy Week with the Pope's blessing of the palms in St Peter's Square (9:30am). At the end of the mass, the Pope usually sends a special message - the 'Angelus' - to the youth of the world. Holy Thursday (April 21) The Pope honors his predecessor, John Paul II, on Holy Monday with a mass at 6pm. Then, after a few days' break during which you will notice a steadily increasing population density in and around the Vatican, the Easter celebration begins in earnest on Holy Thursday (also called 'Maundy Thursday'). The Pope performs a rare morning mass at 9:30am, known as the 'Mass of the Chrism', in St Peter's Basilica ('chrism' is a mixture of olive oil and balsam, which, once blessed, is used in some of the sacraments). In the evening, the Mass of the Lord's Supper commemorates Christ's bathing of the feet of the Apostles. Good Friday (April 22) On Good Friday, instead of a mass, choirs sing St John's version of Christ's crucifixion. Later that night, the Pope traces the Via Crucis, or Stations of the Cross, from the Coliseum to Palatine Hill. This torch-lit procession is one of the grandest, most solemn things you can witness in Rome. (Saturday) Saturday night is traditionally the time of the Easter Vigil, when the Pope celebrates a late mass in St Peter's Basilica. This is also traditionally when converts are accepted into the Catholic Church. Easter Sunday (April 24) On Easter Sunday, the Pope says mass in St Peter's Square starting at 10:15am. Despite the crowds - typically this is the most attended event of Holy Week - you should be able to spot the Holy Father, high above the square on a balcony of the church. At noon, he delivers the 'Urbi et Orbi' message - 'to the city and the world - in which the Pope grants forgiveness to those present and to Catholics world wide. Visiting Rome During Holy Week Pope Benedict XVI Although these events are generally free, some require tickets (a must if you want a seat, or in some cases if you want to get in at all). Honestly, it is not easy to get tickets - we're saying this simply to set your expectations. For Catholics, this is usually arranged through your bishop. You might also try the American Seminary in Rome. For non-Catholics, it's a bit dicier, but you might try the American Seminary. The official Vatican liturgical calendar for Holy Week can be found here. The Vatican museums (and those throughout Rome) are generally open during Holy Week, with the exceptions of Easter Sunday and the following Monday. Ideas on spending the rest of your time in the Eternal City [Rome] can be found in our complete list of things to see and do in Rome.</tt></html> [[http://travelblog.viator.com/easter-week-in-rome-italy/|article link]] <html>Holy Week 2011 and the 10 Day Jesus Walk 2011 Easter Timeline Devotion starting on Friday April 15th, 2011 until ---> Easter Sunday April 24th, 2011</html> <html><tt>We are going to look at some of the aspects of Holy Week regarding what actually happened during the final 10 days the Amazing events of Jesus Christ while He was physically here on earth. We will be considering what His events accomplished and how His completed events affect us today both personally and individually as Christians and as a whole as the Christian Church. - God bless you ~ David Anson Brown</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Starting Friday the 2011 Basic Christian: Jesus Walk Holy Week (Easter) 10 Day Timeline Devotion</html> <html><tt>Note: This year the blog postings for each day's activity following Jesus and the Apostles during the original Holy Week will be posted the evening-afternoon before the day of the events [this was done last year and turned out to be more consistent]. - This year for the first time the blog portion is going to blog both of the main Jesus Walk components, blogging both the Timeline of events and for the first time also blogging the Devotion "Becoming united in Jesus" portion. Ultimately there are intended to be the one original Timeline of events and two devotions, the group oriented devotion "Becoming united in Jesus" and the yet to be completed individually focused devotion "All the Way, Walking the Long Road [The High Road]". The second devotion "All the Way, Walking the Long Road" though not yet completed has been in development for a while. The concept of the "All the Way, Walking the Long Road [The High Road]" devotion is for each individual Christian to get a sense of how much [personal relationship] individual value [i.e. 1 Peter 1:7] we each are to God. The devotion has been mostly written a couple of times but each time the devotion spins off into what could be considered a slightly works based devotion so I don't want to release the devotion until I can be sure that it is a uniquely relationship, value, prized devotion between the loving God and people. Looking forward to joining you in this year's 2011 Holy Week and the Christian growth, prayer, fellowship, study and maturity that can come from it. ~ God bless everyone, David Anson Brown</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>HeartLight: Taken from My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers - Have You Ever Been Carried Away For Him? - Have I ever realized that I can bring to God things which are of value to Him, or am I mooning round the magnitude of His Redemption whilst there are any number of things I might be doing? - It is never a question of being of use [works], but of being of [precious] value to God Himself - When we are abandoned to God, He works through us</html> <html><tt>If human love does not carry a man beyond himself, it is not love. If love is always discreet, always wise, always sensible and calculating, never carried beyond itself, it is not love at all. It may be affection, it may be warmth of feeling, but it has not the true nature of love in it. Have I ever been carried away to do something for God not because it was my duty, nor because it was useful, nor because there was anything in it at all beyond the fact that I love Him? Have I ever realized that I can bring to God things which are of value to Him, or am I mooning round the magnitude of His Redemption whilst there are any number of things I might be doing? Not Divine, colossal things which could be recorded as marvellous, but ordinary, simple human things which will give evidence to God that I am abandoned to Him? Have I ever produced in the heart of the Lord Jesus what Mary of Bethany produced? There are times when it seems as if God watches to see if we will give Him the abandoned tokens of how genuinely we do love Him. Abandon to God is of more value than personal holiness. Personal holiness focuses the eye on our own whiteness; we are greatly concerned about the way we walk and talk and look, fearful lest we offend Him. Perfect love casts out all that when once we are abandoned to God. We have to get rid of this notion - "Am I of any use?" and make up our minds that we are not, and we may be near the truth. It is never a question of being of use, but of being of value to God Himself. When we are abandoned to God, He works through us all the time.</tt></html> [[http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/my_utmost/utm.cgi?0221|article link]] <html>KJV 1611 Holy Bible - Red Letter Edition {A Free PDF KJV Bible} (PDF) </html> <html><tt>The King James Version (KJV) 1611 with the Words of Jesus Formatted in Red is a complete Bible containing both the Old and the New Testaments.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/HolyBible.pdf|article link]] <html>Shakespeare's Globe Theatre To Read KJV Bible Over Holy Week 2011 - William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre will mark the 400th anniversary of the [1611] King James Bible with a cover-to-cover reading</html> <html><tt>LONDON (RNS/ENInews) William Shakespeare's Globe Theatre will mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible with a cover-to-cover reading between Palm Sunday and Easter Monday (the day after Easter - Sunday). Twenty actors will take part in the reading, which is scheduled to take 69 hours over eight days. They will recite all 1,189 chapters of the historic Bible in the theater built as a replica of the place that saw many of Shakespeare's greatest plays. "Four hundred years ago, a set of church scholars sat in Stationer's Hall by St. Paul's Cathedral and put the finishing touches to the King James Bible. Across the river, a set of playwrights, Shakespeare foremost amongst them, entertained a town," artistic director Dominic Dromgoole told ENInews. "The playwrights listened to the clerics in church, the clerics sneaked in to listen to the plays in the theater. Between the two of them they generated an energy, a fire and wit in the English language." The theater's 2011 season will also include the story of the creation of the King James Bible in the play "Anne Boleyn," by Howard Brenton. The story looks at the legacy of King Henry VIII's second wife, who conspires with the exiled William Tyndale to make England Protestant forever. Starting 70 years after her death, the play examines how King James united England's religious factions with a common [English language] Bible, and the debt he owed to Anne. ~ By Jo Siedlecka Religion News Service</tt></html> [[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/30/shakespeares-globe-theatr_n_842765.html|article link]] <html>{Excellent!!} Church History - A Biography of William Tyndale (Mp3) </html> <html><tt>William Tyndale part 2 by Andy Davis | Mar 7, 2009 | Topic: Christian Biography</tt></html> [[http://thegospelcoalition.org/resources/a/william_tyndale|article link]] <html>{Celebrating 10 Years!!} Basic Christian Theology: Answers to Bible Questions 132 Topics (PDF) </html> <html><tt>A Complete handy Reference - Study Guide/Tutorial. It covers 132 Christian Subjects and Topics from Adoption - Yahweh in an easy to read and understand format. An extensive resource, unparalleled in convenience and ease of use yet advanced in topic research. {The original Basic Christian: Theology was released in about May of 2001 as a free PDF file - At that time the first few PDF files were without any color fonts consisting of only black text and a white background - Links of any kind either internal or external were also not available in the original Theology PDF download file - The color fonts feature was soon added within a year of the first PDF file but it would take about a year after that to bring in the linking features and then it wasn't until about 2007 (Microsoft Office 2006 updated) that the links worked properly, previously clicking on a link was often an unsuccessful event - The Basic Christian: Theology presentation was the beginning to much of the resources of the Basic Christian ministry - The Basic Christian: Theology document was the groundwork for the later, highly successful Basic Christian: blog Bible Study.}</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/Theology.pdf|article link]] <html>Part 2: {Celebrating 10 Years!!} Basic Christian Theology: Answers to Bible Questions 132 Topics (PDF) </html> <html><tt>Part 2: The Basic Christian: Theology presentation was initiated with extremely high hopes that the document would be a viable resource material for many Christians however the intentions have never been materialized as the Basic Christian: Theology document consistently remains one of the lesser accessed and downloaded of the Basic Christian materials. - One of the first problems encountered regarding the Basic Christian: Theology project was that in 2003 when the project was finally converted into a html website page the 132 topics of the Basic Christian: Theology project was simply too big [long browser loading time] as a website page especially back in 2003 and the search engines like Google were never able to successfully index it and present it as a viable Christian website page listing for search queries. - Initially among the few people who were able to locate it on the internet the Basic Christian: Theology concept document was considered to be a groundbreaking achievement and an extraordinary accomplishment in the listing and referencing of so many Biblical topics in such an easy to use and understand way [Basic Christian: Theology was one of two files from Basic Christian selected for use in the early Tract-CD project (Biblical Proof Jesus is God was the other document) a project that combed the internet for the best Christian resources and then made them available to other people via CD's]. Despite the initial early successes [much like the 2001 released Jesus Walk 10 Day Easter Timeline Devotion] the next few years would find the Basic Christian: Theology project underutilized and underappreciated by much of the Christian community. Today the Basic Christian: Theology document remains available as a free internet download as there continues to be the hope and passion that one day the material will be a leading resource used in the lives of many Christians seeking to quickly understand Biblical concepts, ideas and practices. ~ God bless everyone, David Anson Brown</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/Theology.pdf|article link]] ==== The 8 Levitical Feast Days (Leviticus Chapter 23) have their Prophetic fulfillment only in Jesus Christ ==== <fs 120%>#19 The 8 Eternal Feast Days</fs> <html>The Three Fall Feasts: of Leviticus Chapter 23 seem to be the Transition Phase out of the approximately 2,000 years of individuals serving and fellowshipping with God in the Christian Church Age - Into the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom of Messiah the reign of Jesus Christ among the Nations on the Earth</html> <html><tt>The whole concept of the 8 Kingdom Study has been that there is a major transition in the Kingdom of God that is to take place and that is the Kingdom of God being shifted from the individual perspective (Church Age) to the National perspective (Kingdom Age). The shift from the individual (remnant) worship of God to the (corporate) National worship of God is continued and completed during the transition of the Antichrist Kingdom. In short throughout human history and particularly while going through the Book of Revelation there are two separate [parallel] Kingdoms at work in the Kingdom of Antichrist and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Revelation while the Antichrist Kingdom is attempting to unify (666 - fallen angels, fallen humans, demons) and is unable to do so the Kingdom of God [888 (in a sense) - Holy God, holy Angels, redeemed mankind] does unify. The Kingdom of God starts out in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:10-18) with Jesus walking among the 7 Churches of the earth and holding the stars of Heaven in His hand as Jesus is in the process of reconciling the earth back to Heaven to make the two separate Kingdoms of Heaven and earth back into one Kingdom. Jesus writes seven letters to His Church in each letter identifying Himself with each Church. Then in Revelation (Revelation 5:6) Jesus is seen as The Lamb Slain as Jesus identifies Himself with all of His Martyred Saints from all of the Children of God from throughout all human history. During the events of Revelation the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ becomes so identified with and intermingled with the Saints on earth and the holy Angels of Heaven in bonding and closeness that as an Angel appears (Revelation 10:1-7) it is difficult to tell if it is an Angel speaking and acting or if it is Jesus Himself speaking and acting. Note: In concluding this 8 Kingdom summary by reading the events of the Bible's Book of Revelation the Kingdom of God becomes identified with the Christian Saints, the Martyrs and even the holy Angels of Heaven at the very same time that the Kingdom of Antichrist is attempting to unify with fallen mankind, fallen angels and the demons but the Kingdom of Antichrist is falling apart and coming apart at such a rapid pace and in reality is never anywhere close to mixing into a unified Kingdom as the "iron does not mix with the clay" of Daniel. While in complete success the Kingdom of God is unified, united and completly identifiable with both mankind and with the holy Angels of Heaven all through the accomplishments and achievements of God the Son Jesus Christ. -- Ephesians 1:10-14 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times [ages] He [God] might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we [Christians] have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we [Apostles] should be to the {Anointing} Praise of His Glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye [individuals] also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: in whom also after that ye [individuals] believed, ye [individuals] were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our [individual] inheritance until the redemption {Kingdom Age} of the purchased possession, unto the {Anointing} Praise of His Glory.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Introduction: The Book of Hebrews - The Book of Hebrews is probably the main content from the Apostle Paul's Synagogue visiting ministry [Acts 17:2] - Acts 9:15 'for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto Me (Jesus), to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the [Jews] Children of Israel' - The Apostle Peter mentions Paul's Book of Hebrews in 2 Peter 3:15-16 'our beloved brother [Apostle] Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written [Book of Hebrews] unto you; as also in all his [other] epistles' - The Book of Hebrews is unsigned and undelivered most likely indicating that Paul wrote it himself while in Jerusalem and that Paul personally gave it to the Church in Jerusalem</html> <html><tt>The Book of Hebrews from the earliest times of the Christian Church has been attributed to the Apostle Paul without any previous controversy. It has only been in more recent times that scholars have attempted to remove the Apostle Paul from his writing. The Apostle Peter had read Paul's Book of Hebrews and mentions it along with his other epistles in one of Peter's writings. - '2 Peter 3:15-16 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation [Hebrews 2:10]; even as our beloved brother [Apostle] Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written [Book of Hebrews] unto you; As also in all his [other] epistles ...' - The original proclamation by God for the Apostle Paul is in Acts 9:15 'But the Lord said unto him [Ananias], Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Israel' the Apostle Paul is to reach with his ministry; Gentiles, Kings, and Jews. Paul starts out his ministry reasoning with Jews on every Sabbath (Saturday) in the Synagogues as was his custom [Acts 17:2]. - In short on a visit to Jerusalem [Acts 21:17] the Apostle Paul was entangled in Christian Jewish customs and Temple rituals and it was in attempting to appease the Christian Church leaders in Jerusalem that the Apostle Paul was talked in to joining in on a Temple vow with some other Christians. The Apostle Paul went to the Temple in Jerusalem with the other Jewish Christians and was spotted by some of the Jews who had been outside of Jerusalem and were in opposition to his preaching. A riot ensued and the Apostle Paul was ultimately arrested by the Roman guards and held in confinement in the Roman 'castle' dungeon probably the same place where John the Baptist had early been confined by Herod. While in confinement it's most likely that the Apostle Paul figured that his long intended letter to the Hebrews in Jerusalem was in order and Paul wrote down in a sense the same message that he had been reasoning with all along with all the Jews in every synagogue he entered. Probably the Book of Hebrews is the main content of the Apostle Paul's synagogue visits. Unlike the Book of Romans the Book of Hebrews is undelivered and unlike the Book of Galatians the Book of Hebrews is unsigned because likely the Book of Hebrews was written in Jerusalem [while confined in the castle] and was not delivered by messenger but was given from the hand of Paul into the hands of Peter or possibly via the nephew of Paul [Acts 23:16 'Paul's sister's son'] into the hands of Peter and to the rest of the Christian Church in Jerusalem.</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Hebrews 1 - The Apostle Paul's Trilogy of Systematic Theology to the Nations [Romans, Galatians, Hebrews] - The Book of Hebrews is to give the Hebrew, Jewish Nation a perspective of their past, present and future glory with God in Jesus Christ the risen Savior, Messiah - 'Hebrews 1:8-9 But unto the Son He (Father) saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness [the cross] is the sceptre of Thy Kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy [Father] God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy [human] fellows.'</html> <html><tt>Hebrews 1:1-4 God, who at sundry times [in history] and in divers manners spake in time past unto the [Jewish] fathers by the Prophets, Hath in these last days {after the cross it's the last days until the second coming} spoken unto us by His Son (Jesus), whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also He made the worlds [physical and spiritual realms]; Who being the brightness [equal in Glory] of His [Father God's] Glory, and the express image [exact representation] of His [Father God's] person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself [carried His cross] purged our sins, [resurrected and] sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.' - The Apostle Paul immediately sets out the Divinity and the Superiority of Jesus Christ even over the angels. Paul notes that Jesus is both the creator and the inheritor of all things. Then Paul presents a reminder that the present universe is going to vanish and concluding that Jesus Christ as the creator, inheritor and redeemer of the Universe is not just an improved version of Judaism but is the ultimate consummation of the plan of God given throughout the ages to all mankind and to miss out on the plans of Jesus Christ is to miss out on the one and only plan available to mankind. Note: It is important to know that Jesus is currently seated at the right hand of the Father in Majesty on High. Any thought or notion of the previously rejected Jesus is an ancient aberration of human history as Jesus is currently reigning and ruling in Authority, Splendor, Majesty and Glory while all heaven rejoices at the presence of Jesus Christ. -- Also Note: A clarification technically Daniels' 70th Week [Last Days] began on the day of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem [Palm Saturday or Palm Sunday depending on how you figure it] so about six days, Saturday Triumphal Entry through the Thursday crucifixion, of Daniel's 70th week have happened. With the crucifixion the 70th week came to a temporary halt until the fullness of the Gentiles [Acts 15:17] can be brought in. - 'Daniel 9:20-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Jews] and upon thy Holy City [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision [Law] and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy (Jesus). Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah (Jesus) the Prince shall be seven weeks [seven Jewish decades 49 years - these weeks were the Jewish decade of seven years the Levitical decade seventh year of release], and threescore and two weeks [62 Jewish decades 434 years]: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks [the 434 years] shall Messiah be cut off [crucifixion], but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [the 70th and final week regarding Jerusalem]: and in the midst of the week at [3½ years] he [Antichrist] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation [in the rebuilt Temple] to cease, and for the overspreading [saturation] of abominations [evil] he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation [end of the Book of Revelation], and that determined shall be poured [vial (measured) judgments of Revelation 16:1] upon the desolate.'</tt></html> [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Part 1 of 2: Authorship of the Bible - The Old Testament (via an Earthly Initiation) -- Written by Moses given directly earthly location from YHWH (Jesus) "Exodus 33:11 And the LORD [YHWH - Jesus] spake unto Moses [the first five books (Pentateuch) of the Bible including the O.T. Law] face to face [on earth - in the Tabernacle], as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he [Moses] turned [returned] again [after writing O.T Bible for the day] into the camp [of the 12 Tribes of Israel]: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, [stayed - guarded] departed not out of the Tabernacle." </html> <html><tt>The O.T. Law was completed via Moses: "Deuteronomy 31:24-26 And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this [O.T.] Law in a Book [Pentateuch - first five books of the Bible - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy], until they [Laws] were finished [Joshua concluded the book of Deuteronomy after the death of Moses], That Moses commanded the Levites [Priests], which bare the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, saying, Take this book of the Law, and put it in the side [inside] of the Ark of the Covenant [as a Temple Scroll - not as the public Bible Scriptures that would come later - The Bible Scriptures of today are the ancient Temple Scrolls complied [some genealogies reduced - some events changed from historical odrer in the Bible to a Biblical, bad to worse O.T. teaching oder] during the captivity in Babylon (Daniel 10:21, Matthew 21:42, Matthew 22:29, Matthew 26:54)] of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.</tt></html> <html>Part 2 of 2: Authorship of the Bible - The New Testament (via a Heavenly Initiation) -- Written by the N.T. Apostles given directly Heavenly from YHWH (Holy Spirit) on behalf of Jesus Christ "John 1:17 For the [O.T.] Law was given [earthly] by Moses, but Grace and Truth came [Heavenly] by Jesus Christ. No man [not even Moses] hath seen God [YHWH - Father God] at any time; the only begotten Son [Jesus], which is in the bosom [presence] of the Father, He [Jesus from Heaven] hath declared Him [God the Father]." -- "John 10:18 No man taketh it [Life] from Me [Jesus], but I lay it down of Myself. I [Jesus] have power to lay it down, and I [Jesus] have [resurrection] power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father." - "John 16:12-16 I [Jesus] have yet many things to say unto you [12 Apostles], but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the [Holy] Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He [Holy Spirit] shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear [in Heaven from Jesus], that shall He [Holy Spirit] speak [to the Apostles]: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me [Jesus]: for He [Holy Spirit] shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you [Apostles and all Christians]. All things that the Father [God] hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He [Holy Spirit] shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. A little while [cross], and ye shall not see Me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me [resurrection], because I [Live and] go to the Father [in Heaven]." </html> <html><tt>The N.T. Bible was completed via the N.T. Apostles: Hebrews 12:25-29 See that ye [people] refuse not Him [Jesus, Holy Spirit, Father God] that speaketh. For if they [Congregation of Moses] escaped not who refused him [Moses] that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him [Jesus] that speaketh from Heaven: (Jesus) Whose voice then [Mt. Sinai] shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also Heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made [by man], that those things [of God] which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a [eternal Heavenly] Kingdom [from God] which cannot be moved, let us have grace [individuality in God's truth and righteousness], whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire [removing sin]." - "2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture [O.T. Prophets and N.T. Apostles] is given by inspiration (Lit. God's breath - G2315) of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man [disciple] of God may be perfect [complete], throughly furnished unto all good works."</tt></html> <html>Apprising Ministries: The Emerging church - Three voices from the "emergent church" will explore this capacity of postmodern Christianity to embrace and redefine tradition, ... Who should attend: Any futurist who feels that everything must change about [traditional Christian] religion and is curious about how progressive [New Age] Christianity is a leading indicator of change - What you'll learn: Attendees will learn how to ground</html> [embed and saturate] <html>their leadership and foresight in the concerns of tomorrow's [New World Order] spiritualities and relate religious concepts to futures thinking through a theology of (false and deceptive) hope - How can this new knowledge be applied: Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how postmodern spiritualities are reshaping conservative theologies and communities</html> <html><tt>Back in November of 2005 the online apologetics and discernment work Apprising Ministries warned you about what is now a full blown cult of neo-liberalism operating within mainstream evangelicalism, the sinfully ecumenical Emerging Church. These past few years this EC has been busy forging together its new form of postmodern liberal theology, a Liberalism 2.0 many call Emergence Christianity, which Emergent Church guru Brian McLaren begins laying out in his latest book A New Kind of Christianity. ... Three voices from the "emergent church" will explore this capacity of postmodern Christianity to embrace and redefine tradition, ... Who should attend: Any futurist who feels that everything must change about religion and is curious about how progressive Christianity is a leading indicator of change. What you'll learn: Attendees will learn how to ground their leadership and foresight in the concerns of tomorrow's spiritualities and relate religious concepts to futures thinking through a theology of hope. How can this new knowledge be applied: Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how postmodern spiritualities are reshaping conservative theologies and communities.</tt></html> [[http://apprising.org/2010/06/05/mike-morrell-on-matthew-fox-john-wimber-and-the-emerging-church/|article link]] <html>Apprising Ministries: MYSTICISM PART 5 - Pietism [personal righteousness] & Subjective [my version of self-righteousness] Christianity - Where Did Pietism Go Wrong? Of course that is a loaded question and presupposes that Pietism did go wrong - Given the fact that Pietism, to some degree, lives on in church related groups as diverse as Amish, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal and the Amana Society it is hard to be precise - But, wherever experience and subjectivity reigns supreme over Scripture in the lives and churches of twenty-first century believers there is something wrong {Note: The Basic Christian ministry at its core is really a remnant of the Anabaptist - Pietism movement. In about 2001 the Basic Christian: Statement of Faith was re-written and expanded including the phrase "while to the righteous He [Jesus Christ] will give of His life, His gifts, and His glory" this was added with much consideration and what it means is that the purpose of the Basic Christian ministry at its core is a Ministry of Righteousness in Jesus Christ. Righteousness is an extremely loaded word and it should be but it is so loaded that after that one small phrase [and a few more words] were added to the Basic Christian: Statement of Faith that article went from among the most popular articles on the website to one of the least popular articles on the site yet Righteousness (our righteousness only in Jesus Christ) is such an important Biblical concept that I decided to leave that phrase in the Statement of Faith just to help us keep our goals and ambitions on track and in a proper order. - The coming Millennial 1,000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth is going to be His Kingdom of Righteousness [Isaiah 5:16, Isaiah 26:9, Isaiah 45:8, 19, Romans 1:17, 1 Corinthians 15:34, 2 Corinthians 3:9, 5:21, Galatians 5:5, Revelation 22:11] and in order for us as individuals to be able to inhabit properly within the Kingdom of God we need to have a concept of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ in our own lives. - Starting in about 2012 the Basic Christian Ministry is hoping to transition into more Biblical exploration of just what is the Righteousness of Jesus Christ and how does it apply to each Christian in our own personal life and really the Righteousness of Jesus Christ functions and is displayed through the Holy Spirit and in the eternal Melchizedek, Righteous High Priesthood of Jesus Christ.} </html> <html><tt>Although Pietists adhered to the inspiration of the Bible, they advocated individual feeling as being of primary importance. That may have been an adequate method for avoiding cold orthodoxy of "Protestant scholasticism," it opened the door for the equally dangerous enemy of "subjective experientialism." The first generation of Pietists could recall and reflect on its grounding in Scripture while validly advocating the need for individual experience. A second generation would stress the need for individual experience, but often without a proper Biblical or catechetical basis. This would leave a third generation that would question individual experience with no Biblical or doctrinal "standard" to serve as an objective criterion. In turn, their unanswered questions would tend to demand an authority. When Scriptures were neglected, human reason or subjective experience would fill the need as the required "standard." Thus while not causing other movements Pietism gave impetus to three other movements in the post-Reformation church: deism [reason and logic used apart from the Bible to get to know God], skepticism [doubting Biblical passages that don't seem to relate to the physical realm] and rationalism [placing personal human physical reasoning and understanding as a higher authority than the scriptures of the Holy Bible]. ... The great-grandchildren of Pietism live on in modern evangelicalism. On the positive side, much like original Pietists there is a great hunger today for spirituality. People want a spirituality that works in the trenches of life. They want a faith that is relevant, provides answers and draws them closer to God. There is little interest in "dead orthodoxy." People want to feel something - experience something. George Gallup documents this spiritual hunger in his book, The Next American Spirituality. Unfortunately much of the spirituality that he observes is without biblical foundation leading him to warn, "Contemporary spirituality can resemble a grab bag of random experiences that does little more than promise to make our eyes mist up or our heart warm. We need perspective to separate the junk food from the wholesome, the faddish from the truly transforming." But perspective is hard to come by due to the massive level of biblical illiteracy, not only in America but among Christians as well. Half, he says, "Of those describing themselves as Christians are unable to name who delivered the Sermon on the Mount. Many Americans cannot name the reason for celebrating Easter or what the Ten Commandments are. People think the name of Noah's wife was Joan, as in Joan of Ark." Then there is what some have called "the great disconnect." That is, there is a wide chasm between what Americans in general, and self-proclaimed Christians in particular, claim to believe and how they live. While the general populace claim to have a great interest in spirituality, and Christians claim to be followers of Christ, our societies, homes and churches are inundated with corruption, violence, substance abuse, racism, divorce and materialism. This "cluster of moral and theological shortcomings seemingly throws into question the transforming power of religious beliefs," Gallup admits, leading him to state, "Just because Americans claim they are more spiritual does not make them so." That leans into an excellent question, "Is the church really rediscovering its spiritual moorings - or just engaging in retreat from seemingly insoluble problems?" ... Such [emotional self-experience] "piety" is changing every facet of Christian and church life. Take worship for example. Monte E. Wilson has noted, "For the modern evangelical, worship is defined exclusively in terms of the individual's experience. Worship, then, is not about adoring God but about being nourished with religious feelings, so much so that the worshiper has become the object of worship." The cause for this type of worship, Wilson believes, is the loss of devotion to Scriptures. He writes in pejorative terms, "Others-probably the majority in modern American evangelicalism-have utterly neglected any commitment to the content of the Word and have ended with narcissistic 'worship' services where everyone drowns in a sea of subjectivism and calls it 'being bathed in the presence of the Holy Spirit.' These people come to church exclusively to 'feel' God." Pietistic leanings, of course, are not limited to worship and the gathered church. Where they are most evident, and most concerning is in the area of "God's leading." How does God speak to and lead His people according to Scripture? And how has Pietistic understanding of these things affected the way we interpret both Scripture and our subject feelings? This will be the topic of our next paper.</tt></html> [[http://apprising.org/2010/06/04/mysticism%e2%80%94part-5/|article link]] <html> [Modern] Pietism - Pietism was a movement within Lutheranism, lasting from the late 17th century to the mid-18th century and later - It proved to be very influential throughout Protestantism and Anabaptism, inspiring not only Anglican priest John Wesley to begin the Methodist movement, but also Alexander Mack to begin the Brethren movement - The Pietist movement combined the Lutheranism of the time with the Reformed, and especially Puritan, emphasis on individual piety, and a vigorous Christian life</html> <html><tt>History: Although pietism surely had roots prior to the Reformation and to some extent the cause of it, as a distinct movement within Protestantism pietism became identifiable in the 17th century. The Lutheran Church had continued Philipp Melanchthon's attempt to construct an intellectual backbone for the Evangelical Lutheran faith. By the 17th century the denomination remained a confessional theological and sacramental institution, influenced by orthodox Lutheran theologians such as Johann Gerhard of Jena (d. 1637), and keeping with the liturgical traditions of the Roman Catholicism of which it saw itself as a reformed variation. In the Reformed Church, on the other hand, John Calvin had not only influenced doctrine, but for a particular formation of Christian life. The Presbyterian constitution gave the people a share in church life which the Lutherans lacked, but it appeared to some to degenerate into a dogmatic legalism which, the Lutherans believed, imperiled Christian freedom and fostered self-righteousness. However, in the pietist view, ritualistic elements which Luther wanted to remove were captivating the mainstream of the Lutheran church, squeezing the pietists into fellowships with which they were comfortable. ... In Pia desideria "Pious Desires" (1675), Spener made six proposals as the best means of restoring the life of the Church: 1. The earnest and thorough study of the Bible in private meetings, ecclesiolae in ecclesia ("little churches within the church"). 2. The Christian priesthood being universal, the laity [people] should share in the spiritual government of the Church. 3. A knowledge of Christianity must be attended by the practice of it as its indispensable sign and supplement. 4. Instead of merely didactic, and often bitter, attacks on the heterodox [variant views] and unbelievers, a sympathetic and kindly treatment of them. 5. A reorganization of the theological training of the universities, giving more prominence to the devotional life. 6. A different style of preaching, namely, in the place of pleasing rhetoric [examples directed from news, events and stories], the implanting of [Biblical] Christianity in the inner or new man [spiritual man], the soul of which is faith, and its effects the fruits of life. - This work produced a great impression throughout Germany, and although large numbers of the orthodox Lutheran theologians and pastors were deeply offended by Spener's book, its complaints and its demands were both too well justified to admit of their being point-blank denied. A large number of pastors immediately adopted Spener's proposals. ... In modern societies where Pietism has had a profound impact its religious foundations are no longer apparent. Atheistic pietism is a term used by Asgeir Helgason to describe a pietistic (moralistic) approach to life without religion. "We have denied the existence of God but kept the pietistic rules". Atheistic pietism has been suggested to be one of the characteristics (traits) of the modern day Swedish national spirit. The term is first known to have been used by W.H. Mallock in 1879.</tt></html> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pietism|article link]] <html> [Modern] Anabaptist - Anabaptists "re-baptizers" or "adult baptism" [believer's baptism - credobaptism (reciting the well-known "Apostles' Creed" or a personal Bible verse or a Psalm at baptism)] are Christians of the Radical Reformation - Puritans of England and their Baptist branch arose independently, but were influenced by the Anabaptist movement - Where men believe in the freedom of religion, supported by a guarantee of separation of church and state [government], they have entered into that [Anabaptist] heritage - Where men have caught the Anabaptist vision of [N.T.] discipleship, they have become worthy of that heritage - Where corporate discipleship submits itself to the New Testament pattern of the church, the heir has then entered full possession of his [N.T. - Anabaptist] legacy</html> <html><tt> [Some] Anabaptists rejected conventional [common and Biblically acceptable] Christian practices such as wearing wedding rings, taking oaths, and participating in civil government. They adhered to a literal interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount and Believer's baptism. The name Anabaptist is derived from this, because credobaptism ('Believer's baptism' - adult baptism) was considered heresy by all other major Christian denominations at the time of the reformation period (specifically, all major Christian denominations saw [infant] baptism as necessary for salvation and necessary for infants, and held that it was wrong to delay baptism until the child had reached a certain age; they did, however, require that those who converted later in life should confess a baptismal creed [the Apostles' Creed] at baptism (credobaptism). Anabaptists required that candidates be able to make their own confessions of faith and so refused baptism to infants). As a result, Anabaptists were heavily persecuted during the 16th century and into the 17th by both Roman Catholics and other Protestants. ... Somewhat related to this is the theory that the Anabaptists are of Waldensian origin. Some hold the idea that the Waldenses are part of the apostolic succession, while others simply believe they were an independent group out of whom the Anabaptists arose. Estep asserts "the Waldenses disappeared in Switzerland a century before the rise of the Anabaptist movement." Ludwig Keller, Thomas M. Lindsay, H. C. Vedder, Delbert Grätz, and Thieleman J. van Braght all held, in varying degrees, the position that the Anabaptists were of Waldensian origin. ... The Anabaptists were early promoters of a free church and freedom of religion (sometimes associated with separation of church and state). When it was introduced by the Anabaptists in the 15th and 16th centuries, religious freedom independent of the state was unthinkable to both clerical and governmental leaders. Religious liberty was equated with anarchy; Kropotkin traces the birth of anarchist thought in Europe to these early Anabaptist communities. According to Estep: Where men believe in the freedom of religion, supported by a guarantee of separation of church and state, they have entered into that heritage. Where men have caught the Anabaptist vision of discipleship, they have become worthy of that heritage. Where corporate discipleship submits itself to the New Testament pattern of the church, the heir has then entered full possession of his legacy.</tt></html> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anabaptist|article link]] <html>Part 1. Reconciling the general community (Corporate) [Kingdom on earth] Messiah Prophecy of Daniel [Daniel's 70 Weeks (Daniel 9:25-26)] with the [Eternal Spiritual] individual (Remnant) Kingdom Revelation of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:42-43) </html> <html><tt>Daniel a Prophet to the Nations: A summary of Daniels (Corporate) Messiah's Kingdom on earth "70 Weeks (490 years) Prophecy" - Daniel 9:22-27 And he [the holy angel Gabriel] informed me [Daniel], and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding [of the previous vision from God]. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. Seventy weeks [490 years (involving all of the Global Kingdoms from Babylon until the Kingdom of the Messiah totaling 6 of the 8 Global Kingdoms - Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Antichrist and finally the Kingdom of the Messiah, Jesus Christ)] are determined upon thy [Jewish] people and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish [make an end of] the [world's] transgression {intentional sins}, and to make an end of [all] sins {intentional and unintentional}, and to make [global] reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness [the 8th Kingdom - the Kingdom of God], and to seal up [conclude] the vision and prophecy, and to anoint [Messiah - Jesus Christ] the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks [it would take 49 years to rebuild Jerusalem], and threescore (60) and two weeks [434 years of a rebuilt Jerusalem]: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after [the] threescore and two weeks [after 483 years of the 490 years] shall Messiah be cut off [lit. executed - crucifixion], but not for Himself [but for the sins of the people]: and the people of the [Antichrist] prince that shall [future] come [7th Kingdom - Antichrist (Satan)] shall destroy the city [70 A.D.] and the [Temple] sanctuary [also destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D.]; and the end thereof shall be with a flood [overflowing of destruction], and unto the end of the war [with Satan] desolations are determined. And he [Antichrist - 7th Kingdom] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [the 70th and final week - the final 7 year period - not yet started]: and in the midst of the week [3½ years] he [Antichrist] shall cause the [Temple - 3rd Temple in Jerusalem] sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading [completeness] of abominations he [Antichrist] shall make it [the entire earth unholy] desolate [empty], even until the consummation [end of human history - human separation from God], and that determined [vial-bowl judgments of Revelation] shall be poured upon the desolate [sky and earth].</tt></html> <html>Part 1a. The anointing of the Messiah, Jesus Christ being anointed individually by His followers - The corporate (group) anointing of the Messiah prophesied by Daniel the Prophet is alluded to but [temporarily] becomes individualized as individuals are anointing Jesus the Messiah for His Kingdom in the same way that the thief on the cross as an individual [not yet the Nations of the world] acknowledged and entered into the eternal Kingdom of the Messiah - In short the two individuals [women] who anointed Jesus with oil and the thief on the cross were all doing the very same thing, each individually anointing and acknowledging the Kingdom of Messiah - Individuals (a remnant) acknowledging and entering into the Kingdom of Messiah [Kingdom of God] long before the Prophesied Nations as a whole are to enter into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ</html> <html><tt>Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint [Messiah] the most Holy. -- John 12:3 Then {Friday} took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. -- Matthew 26:6-7 Now {Tuesday} when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman [thought to be Mary Magdalene] having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat [dinner]. -- Luke 23:42 And he [thief on the cross] said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy Kingdom. {Note: How the corporate (group) anointing (the head) of the Messiah and the general acceptance of the Messiah as spoken of by Daniel the Prophet becomes an individual anointing of the feet of the Messiah and later another anointing by another individual this time anointing the head of Jesus. Both anointings and the acknowledging of the Kingdom of God [also divine revelation from the thief on the cross] are in reference to the Prophecy of Daniel {the thief on the cross was probably directly recalling Daniel 9:26} but are not yet a direct fulfillment of the anointing and general acceptance of the Messiah as Prophesied by Daniel in his 70 Week prophecy.}</tt></html> <html>Part 1b. Daniel's 70 Weeks Prophecy is an explanation of an earlier Vision [Daniel chapter 7] regarding the Kingdoms of the Earth [Daniel 7:17 the 4 remaining Kingdoms - Persia, Greece, Rome, Antichrist] - Keep in mind that the 490 years of Daniel's 70 Weeks Prophecy are all years that occur only during one of the Kingdoms of Earth - Currently we are not directly under one of the Kings of the Earth nor are we directly in one of the Kingdoms of the Earth and therefore not yet using up one of the 490 years of the prophecy [but we are in the period (Daniel 2:42) of the Revising of the Roman (iron) Empire without yet the direct global King] - 483 years [Persia, Greece, Rome] of the 490 years have been completed and only the final [Antichrist] Week '7 years' of the prophecy remains to be fulfilled</html> <html><tt>According to Daniel (Daniel 9:25) at end of the 69th Week the Messiah would reveal Himself [the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem] and make available His Kingdom [ending the reign of the Kings of the earth] then "after" the 69th Week "shall Messiah be cut off" the crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred 4 days after the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ. The Triumphal Entry did end the reign of the Global Kings of the Earth {as King Herod (part of a Global Kingdom - Rome) feared it would in Matthew 2:2-3} the rejection of Jesus Christ by both Rome and Jerusalem and the crucifixion of Jesus 4 days later then re-opened the (now postponed) 70th Week and the Antichrist Kingdom. The 70th Week specifically belongs to the Antichrist and since the Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem at the completion of the 69th Week the timeline of the Prophecy of Daniel has stopped until the Kingdom of Antichrist claims its 1 Week (7 year period) that will be given to it by God. The amount of time [2,000 years so far] between the 69th week of Daniel and the 70th and final week of Daniel has been the Church Age. The Church Age where almost the entirety of the Book of Acts was spent grappling with the issue that the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ had momentarily become completely individualized {the early (remnant - firstfruit) rain (Hosea 6:2-3)} [with the individuals entering into the Kingdom of God primarily being the Gentiles] and that it will not be until the final events of the Book of Revelation [the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ on earth] that the Kingdom of God becomes evident primarily through the Nations of the earth {the later (community - harvest) rain (Hosea 6:2-3)} and not just primarily through the individuals of the earth as it is now.</tt></html> <html>Part 2. The Anointing and Throne of a King: King David was anointed three times [first among his own family (by Samuel on behalf of God), later by the Tribe of Judah (lit. Praise) and lastly by the Elders of the Nation of Israel] -- Saul was anointed twice both times by the same person [Samuel] - Solomon was anointed King twice [first by a select committee (1 Kings 1:32-40) - then by the people (1 Chronicles 29:22)] - Jesus Christ is anointed King three times, First by His family [God (Matthew 3:16-17, Acts 10:38)], Secondly [among His Praise] the Church Age of individuals, Thirdly by each of the Nations as a whole [in the Kingdom Age] beginning with the Nation of Israel at the 2nd Coming return of Jesus Christ</html> <html><tt>King Saul [a type of Satan] was chosen by God and anointed the first time privately by the Prophet Samuel [1 Samuel 10:1]. Saul was initiated [1 Samuel 10:17-24] as the 1st King of Israel [in Mizpeh of Gilead] without anointing and while Saul was personally in hiding (i.e. hidden as Satan is in hiding now). Saul was anointed by Samuel a second time though oil is not mentioned it might have been strictly a verbal anointing with the Prophet Samuel speaking prophecy over King Saul and not anointing him with oil. -- King David [a type of Jesus Christ] was anointed three times [1 Samuel 16:12-14 (Bethlehem), 2 Samuel 2:4 (Hebron), 2 Samuel 5:3 (Hebron) - the first (person) anointed in Jerusalem was the Temple (a direct representation of Jesus Christ), it was dedicated (anointed) in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10-11) before Solomon or any of the later Kings, the descendants of Solomon, were anointed in Jerusalem] and the moment David was anointed the first time the anointing of God departed [1 Samuel 16:14] from the presence of then King Saul [a type of Satan] so only one of them was anointed by God as King at any one time and when King Solomon [a type of the Antichrist] was anointed there is no indication or recording of the anointing of God leaving King David the way it previously had left King Saul. -- King Solomon [a type of the Antichrist] was anointed twice, first [1 Kings 1:32-40] by a chosen and selected committee [the High Priest, the Prophet and the people gathered in Gihon who happened to be in knowledge of the event] and later by all the people [1 Chronicles 29:22]. -- Jesus Christ the Messiah has been anointed twice. First by His family of God [Matthew 3:16-17]. "Matthew 3:16-17, Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me [Messiah, Jesus Christ], because He [God] hath anointed Me [Jesus] to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." - "Acts 4:26-28 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against His Christ. For of a truth against thy Holy Child Jesus, whom Thou [God] hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined [to kill Jesus] before to be done." - Jesus is currently being anointed throughout His Christian Church Age. "1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God [Jesus] was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on [anointed] in the world, received up into glory." - "2 Corinthians 1:20-22 For all the promises of God in Him are yea [yes], and in Him Amen [Truth], unto the glory of God by us. Now He which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit [Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit] in our hearts." {My perspective on the Church rapture is just when is the Antichrist 'anointed' by God to receive his Kingdom on earth is it pre-tribulation [this happens to be my position on End Time events]? or is it 3½ years later at pre-wrath [also a very possible position for End Time events]? The anointed Church (2 Corinthians 1:20-22) and the future Kingdom of Antichrist are not going to co-exist and when the anointed 'born again' Church is raptured only then will the Antichrist be anointed for his Kingdom on earth. Then with the Christian Church gone the Antichrist will preside over a Kingdom on earth that will go horribly wrong for everyone involved as the Antichrist attempts to receive the anointing of the Nations starting in the Holy of Holies (Matthew 24:15) with the Nation of Israel.} - There is yet a third and future anointing of the Messiah Jesus Christ the anointing among the Nations starting with Jesus being anointed King by the elders of Israel in Jerusalem. "Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks [490 years] are determined upon thy people [the Jews] and upon thy holy city [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness [the Kingdom of God among the Nations], and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint [Messiah] the most Holy." - "Zechariah 12:10-14 And I will pour [anoint] upon the House of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the [Holy] Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me [Jesus Christ] whom they have pierced (crucified), and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in [agony] bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon. And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the House of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart; The family of the House of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart; All the families that remain [after the Tribulation], every family apart, and their wives apart." {Note: the coming Tribulation during the events of Revelation is primarily a Gentile (Martyred Saints) Holocaust the Jews having already suffered their [WWII] Holocaust will primarily be exempt from the Holocaust to come but still it will be dangerous and difficult times for everyone and not every family will make it through the events. Presumably the Nation of Israel will emerge (anoint the Messiah Jesus Christ) and enter into the Kingdom Age [1,000 year reign of the Messiah] far more intact than any of the Gentile Nations.} - "Ezekiel 43:5-7 So the [Holy] Spirit took me up, and brought me into the inner court [Millennial Temple - 4th Temple in Jerusalem]; and, behold, the Glory of the LORD filled the House. And I heard Him speaking unto me out of the House; and the Man [Jesus Christ] stood by me. And He said unto me, Son of man [Ezekiel], the place of My Throne, and the place of the soles of My feet, where I will dwell [as anointed King] in the midst of the children of Israel for ever ..."</tt></html> <html>Part 2a. The 7 anointed Gentile Global Kings of the Earth (anointed from God) and the anointed 8th Kingdom the Eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ -- The Kingdoms: beginning with Nimrod (Tower of Babel - Genesis 10:8-10) --- Pharaoh Akhenaten (Egypt - Joseph's Pharaoh, the Dream Pharaoh - Genesis 41:1) --- Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon - Jeremiah 27:4-7, Daniel 2:37) --- Cyrus (Persia - Isaiah 45:1-7, Ezra 1:1-4) --- Alexander the Great (Greece - Daniel 8:21) --- Julius Caesar (Rome - Luke 2:1) --- The Revised [10 Kingdom] Roman Empire (Daniel 7:19) - Antichrist (Satan - Daniel 7:20) emerges from within the Revised Roman Empire --- The Messiah, Jesus Christ's Kingdom (Heaven and Earth - Daniel 2:35, Daniel 2:44-45) </html> <html><tt>Genesis 10:8-10 And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty [occult] one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter {spiritual seeker, occult} before {anointed of} the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before {in the presence of} the LORD. And the beginning of his [Nimrod's] Kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar [later Babylon - modern Iraq]. {Note: all 7 of the Gentile global Kings-Kingdoms are anointed, for a time, given by God even as the Gentile King might at times or throughout thier duration be at odd with God.} -- Genesis 41:1 And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed [a dream from God] {this is possibly or most probably the Pharaoh Akhenaten}: and, behold, he stood by the river. -- Jeremiah 27:4-7 ... Thus saith the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say unto your masters; I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto Me. And now have I given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon, My servant; and the beasts of the field have I given him also to serve him. And all Nations shall serve him, and his son [Nabonidus], and his son's son [Belshazzar], until the very time of his land come: and then many Nations and Great Kings shall serve themselves of him. -- Isaiah 45:1-7 Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus [of Persia], whose right hand I have holden, to subdue Nations before him; and I will loose the loins of Kings, to open before him the two leaved gates [of Babylon]; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the Treasures of Darkness [Mystery Babylon - secret knowledge - the 7 Gentile Kingdoms 'beginning' with Nimrod and ending with Antichrist once manifested are aggregate and ongoing], and hidden riches [wealth] of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. For Jacob [the Nation of Israel] My servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me. I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I Am the LORD, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things. -- Ezra 1:1-4 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia, that the Word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his Kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia, The LORD God of Heaven hath given me all the Kingdoms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an House [Temple - 2nd Temple] at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all His people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the House [Temple] of the LORD God of Israel, He is the God, which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the House of God that is in Jerusalem. -- Daniel 8:16-27 And I heard a Man's [Jesus'] voice [standing on the water] between the banks of [the river] Ulai, which called, and said, [Angel] Gabriel, make this man [Daniel] to understand the vision. So he [Gabriel] came near where I stood: and when he came, I was afraid, and fell upon my face: but he said unto me, Understand, O son of man [Daniel]: for at the Time of the End shall be the vision [the four Gentile global governments after (Nimrod, Egypt, Babylon) - Persia, Greece, Rome and Antichrist]. Now as he was speaking with me, I was in a deep sleep on my face toward the ground: but he touched me, and set me upright. And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be. The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia [4th Kingdom]. And the rough goat is the King of Grecia [Greece - 5th Kingdom]: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first King [Alexander the Great]. Now that being broken, whereas four stood up for it, four Kingdoms [Ptolemaic kingdom of Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in the east, the kingdom of Pergamon in Asia Minor, and Macedon - wiki.com] shall stand up out of the Nation, but not in his power. And in the latter time of their [Roman] Kingdom {Rome annexed and acquired the Kingdom of Greece more by default (a weakened Greece) and through political contracts than through direct military conquest}, when the transgressors are come to the full, a King [Antichrist] of fierce countenance, and understanding dark [occult] sentences, shall stand up. And his [Antichrist] power shall be mighty, but not by his own power [by Satan's]: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people. And through his policy also he shall cause craft [occult - Satanism] to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by [false] peace shall destroy many: he [Antichrist] shall also stand up against the Prince of Princes [Jesus Christ]; but he [Antichrist] shall be broken [spiritually] without [physical] hand. And the vision of the evening and the morning which was told is true: wherefore shut thou up the vision; for it shall be for many days. And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's [Belshazzar - son of Nabonidus - grandson of Nebuchadnezzar] business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. -- Daniel 2:35 Then was the iron (Rome), the clay (Revised Rome - Antichrist), the brass (Greece), the silver (Persia), and the gold (Babylon), broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them [Kingdoms of the Earth]: and the Stone [Jesus Christ] that smote the image became a Great Mountain [single government], and filled the whole earth. Daniel 2:44-45 And in the days of these Kings [Kings of the Earth] shall the God of Heaven set up a [eternal] Kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the [eternal] Kingdom shall not be left to other [unbelieving] people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these [7 earthly] Kingdoms, and it [the Kingdom of Jesus Christ] shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the Stone was cut out of the Mountain [Divinely] without [physical] hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the Great God hath made known to the King [Nebuchadnezzar] what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.</tt></html> <html>Part 3. The Three Fall [Harvest] Feats of Leviticus 23 - the Three [Second Coming] Fall Feasts of Leviticus 23 - The Three [First Coming] Spring Feasts [month of Nisan] initiated the individual Church Age and it is thought that in the same way the Three Fall Feasts of Leviticus 23 [month of Tishri] conclude the 8 Kingdom Feasts of God and initiate the 8th Kingdom the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Messiah) and His 1,000 year Kingdom of Nations reign on earth</html> <html><tt>The 8 Holy Feasts of Leviticus 23: Three Feasts corresponding to the Second Coming and the Kingdom on Earth of Jesus Christ. --Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Rashanah) "Leviticus 23:23-25 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an Holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." The offering of fire is likely the Baptism of Fire that the Christian is undergoing since the Flames of Fire upon the heads of the believers occurring at the Feast of Pentecost. The Trumpet is an announcement and in this case it is an announcement for God's people to gather together into one place. For the Church this is very likely fulfilled in the Rapture, the calling by God of His Church into Heaven to be with Him and to escape His coming judgment that is about to come upon the entire world of non-believers. "Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the voice which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter." -- Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) "Leviticus 23:27-32 Also on the Tenth day of this Seventh month there shall be a Day of Atonement." This feast in a large part was completed at the cross of Jesus as Jesus is the Atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Atonement is the repair the mending of a broken relationship. For a relationship to be repaired there has to be a desire to repair the union and there needs to be an acknowledgment of the wrong that severed the relationship in the first place. It is corresponding to the second coming of Jesus because there is still much to be fulfilled with this particular feast. For starters at the Atonement Feast Leviticus 16:1-34 there are two goats the first goat is sacrificed for the atonement, the removal of sin, because the result of sin is death so only when death occurs is sin satisfied. This sacrifice is a representation of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us. Meanwhile, the second goat called the "scapegoat", the carrier of sins is released far away carrying with it the sins of the people and if that scapegoat never returns then the sins never return and are completely removed and stay away. If the scapegoat does return then all of the sins return with it. It is evident that at the cross of Jesus that a man called Barabbas was the scapegoat, as Barabbas was set free and he was never heard from again. That is until the Antichrist comes because the Antichrist will be carrying the name of "Son of the Father" which translated into Hebrew is "Barabbas" Bar = son and Abba = Father. Unfortunately the scapegoat the carrier of sin "Satan" will be returning one day as he will again be accepted by the people to be their friend and their king and when he does come he will bring with him the sins of the world. Also the Jewish people as a nation have not yet recognized Jesus as the true Messiah and this will happen at the second coming of Jesus so this feast is still partially yet to be fulfilled. -- Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) "Leviticus 23:34-43 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The Fifteenth day of this Seventh month shall be the feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. ... That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." The Tabernacle is a Tent a temporary shelter as opposed to a Temple which is a permanent building. The Jewish Temple originally was a Tabernacle a Tent that the Hebrews carried with them and set up during their wilderness journey prior to their entry into the Promise Land of Israel. Once in the Promise Land, the permanent living place the Tent was then replaced in Jerusalem by the permanent Temple made of stone. This is the comparison of our earthy body to our future Spiritual body. Currently we Tabernacle in a Tent body a temporary body made of flesh. Whenever anyone dies their spirit and soul departs this tent and if you are a child of God, God then accepts you into Heaven our Permanent home and we receive our new Temple body, a Spiritual body to match our spirit and our soul. {Note: The 8 Holy Fests of Leviticus Chapter 23 have been separated primarily into two parts, the three Spring Feasts of the 1st Coming [Firstfruits] of Jesus Christ and the three Fall Feasts and the2nd Coming of Jesus Christ. Together the 8 Holy Feasts combine to usher in on earth the one Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ.}</tt></html> <html>Part 4 the Conclusion: The three Fall Feasts of Leviticus Chapter 23 seem to be the Transition Phase out of the approximately 2,000 years of individuals serving and fellowshipping with God in the Christian Church Age - Into the 1,000 year Millennial Kingdom of Messiah the reign of Jesus Christ among the Nations on the Earth</html> <html><tt>The whole concept of the 8 Kingdom Study has been that there is a major transition in the Kingdom of God that is to take place and that is the Kingdom of God being shifted from the individual perspective (Church Age) to the National perspective (Kingdom Age). The shift from the individual (remnant) worship of God to the (corporate) National worship of God is continued and completed during the transition of the Antichrist Kingdom. In short throughout human history and particularly while going through the Book of Revelation there are two separate [parallel] Kingdoms at work in the Kingdom of Antichrist and the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. In the Book of Revelation while the Antichrist Kingdom is attempting to unify (666 - fallen angels, fallen humans, demons) and is unable to do so the Kingdom of God [888 (in a sense) - Holy God, holy Angels, redeemed mankind] does unify. The Kingdom of God starts out in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 1:10-18) with Jesus walking among the 7 Churches of the earth and holding the stars of Heaven in His hand as Jesus is in the process of reconciling the earth back to Heaven to make the two separate Kingdoms of Heaven and earth back into one Kingdom. Jesus writes seven letters to His Church in each letter identifying Himself with each Church. Then in Revelation (Revelation 5:6) Jesus is seen as The Lamb Slain as Jesus identifies Himself with all of His Martyred Saints from all of the Children of God from throughout all human history. During the events of Revelation the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ becomes so identified with and intermingled with the Saints on earth and the holy Angels of Heaven in bonding and closeness that as an Angel appears (Revelation 10:1-7) it is difficult to tell if it is an Angel speaking and acting or if it is Jesus Himself speaking and acting. Note: In concluding this 8 Kingdom summary by reading the events of the Bible's Book of Revelation the Kingdom of God becomes identified with the Christian Saints, the Martyrs and even the holy Angels of Heaven at the very same time that the Kingdom of Antichrist is attempting to unify with fallen mankind, fallen angels and the demons but the Kingdom of Antichrist is falling apart and coming apart at such a rapid pace and in reality is never anywhere close to mixing into a unified Kingdom as the "iron does not mix with the clay" of Daniel. While in complete success the Kingdom of God is unified, united and completly identifiable with both mankind and with the holy Angels of Heaven all through the accomplishments and achievements of God the Son Jesus Christ. -- Ephesians 1:10-14 That in the dispensation of the fullness of times [ages] He [God] might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: In whom also we [Christians] have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will: That we [Apostles] should be to the {Anointing} Praise of His Glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye [individuals] also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: in whom also after that ye [individuals] believed, ye [individuals] were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our [individual] inheritance until the redemption {Kingdom Age} of the purchased possession, unto the {Anointing} Praise of His Glory.</tt></html> <html>The Jewish Feast Day Rosh HaShanah (Feast of Trumpets) Ends Today (Friday) at Sundown - Possibly meaning that there is no Church rapture until at least the next year and the next Feast of Trumpets {I pray for God's continued blessing upon the Jewish people throughout the New Year!} </html> <html><tt>The next Jewish Feast Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is on Saturday Sept. 18, 2010 also starting at sundown the previous day [Friday the 17th of September 2010]. We will have a lot of material and also a lot of speculation about End Time scenarios regarding the yet to be completed 'Day of Atonement'. The 'Day of Atonement' was initiated and completed regarding sin on the cross of Jesus Christ however if the atonement 'scapegoat' (Leviticus 16:8, Leviticus 16:27-30) were to return to the people it would bring with it extra difficulty (sin) and a prolonged atonement realization process. </tt></html> <html>Re: Rapture on the feast of trumpets - The 2 Witnesses are really the key to understanding the timing of [not] the 1st Resurrection [but the] and Rapture! {Ok, so the Feast of Trumpets is a Two Day Feast, both in the days of Jesus and also in our modern day. The two days are necessary to 1. Establish and confirm the New Moon event by two witnesses (usually on a darkened hill in the country outside the lights and distractions of the city of Jerusalem) 2. To relay the news of the New Moon and the start of a New Year to Jerusalem and also to other cities throughout Israel. Though the primary focus is on the Two Witnesses and of an accurate and reliable New Moon [Lunar Calendar] sighting. -- With the 8 Feasts of Leviticus 23 being fulfilled in order [Sabbath - Triumphal Entry being the first fulfilled] and Pentecost [5th of the 8 Feasts] being the last initiated/ fulfilled Feast and the Feast of Trumpets [the 6th Feast] is the next Feast in order to be initiated/fulfilled. Since all the Feasts are initiated in Jerusalem the question then becomes are the Two Witnesses of Revelation (Revelation 11:3-12) the Two Witnesses that will Witness the lunar New Moon and bring in the Tribulation Period? - The Two Witnesses of Revelation prophesy for 1,260 days or 3½ years but their 3½ years seems to start prior to the revealing of the Antichrist and during the reign (or at the start) of the reign of Antichrist the False Prophet (Revelation 11:7) is going to make war with and kill the Two Witnesses in Jerusalem.} </html> <html><tt>The 2 Witnesses are really the key to understanding the timing of [not] the 1st Resurrection and Rapture! Let me explain... In Matt 24:36 & Mark 13:32 when Jesus' disciples asked him when will these things be fulfilled, he answered them "On the day and the hour no one knows, not even the angels, but the Father in Heaven." Jesus was actually pointing to the Feast of Trumpets by using the Jewish idiom describing this feast. Of the 7 Feasts of the Lord, it is the only one that begins on the 1st day of the month so no one knows the exact day or hour... until the New Moon comes out. You see in the Hebrew lunar calendar a month can either be 29 or 30 days, so the custom is to wait for at least 2 witnesses to see the New Moon, then the start of the feast is declared. In Rev 11:7-12 is the prophecy of the 2 Witnesses. At the end of their 3.5 yrs of testimony (end of GT) they were killed by the Beast and their bodies left in the street of Jerusalem, 3.5 days later they came back to life and a voice from heaven called them "COME UP HITHER!" and they rise up to the sky. Do you see the parallel meaning of this event? Their resurrection marks the momentous fulfillment of the prophecy of The Feast of Trumpets! The 2 Witnesses are actually declaring the start of the Feast in the tradition of Ancient Israel when at least 2 witnesses must see the New Moon for "the day and the hour." The 2 Witnesses ARE [NOT] the first of the First-Fruits leading the Resurrection of the saints and then the Rapture of the elect!</tt></html> [[http://watchermeetup.50.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6303&start=90|article link]] <html>The Blood Moon Scenario (Revelation 6:12) - tracking solar and lunar eclipses and comparing them with Levitical Feasts</html> <html><tt>In the spring of 2015 Israel's religious year will begin with a total solar eclipse, followed two weeks later a total lunar eclipse on Passover. And then six months later the sequence will repeat itself with a second solar eclipse on Rosh Hashanna followed two weeks after that by another total lunar eclipse on the Feast of Tabernacles, all in 2015. The last time anything like this happened was in 1967, when Jerusalem became an undivided Jewish city again, and before that there were several occurrences during the years of 1948-50, as Israel was becoming a nation. There were none at all in the 1800's, 1700's, or 1600's, and none in the 1500's that coincided with Feast Days. ... If these earlier Blood Moons did in fact announce the re-birth of the nation and the reunification of Jerusalem as it appears, then the next major step in Israels' journey toward the Kingdom is their national reunion with their Creator. This is the way Ezekiel saw it happening, and in my view is important enough to God to merit such a celestial announcement. After all He's been waiting to take them back for 2000 years.</tt></html> [[http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ikvot/the-blood-moon-scenario|article link]] <html>Revelation 11 - The 3rd Temple in Jerusalem is measured and described - At the time that the Disciple John was writing this in about 95 A.D. the 2nd Temple in Jerusalem had already been destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Legions of forces of Rome -- 'Revelation 11:1-2 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the Angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the Temple of God [3rd Temple], and the altar, and them that worship therein. 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 [Jerusalem] shall they tread under foot forty and two months [3½ years].' - Note: There are several 3½ year segments in the Tribulation time period however they are not all a part of the same 7 year period. This 42 month period could be well under way before the Rapture then the 3½ years of the Two Witnesses could occur right after the Rapture and at the start of the 7 years of Tribulation. Just keep in mind that there are multiple 3½ year periods with different starting times and different completion times. http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html</html> <html><tt>Revelation 11:3-13 And I [God] will give power unto my Two Witnesses [Two Prophets - possibly Moses and Elijah], and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days [1,260 days, 3½ years - 360 days in a Biblical prophetic year], clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth (Zechariah 4:3). And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them [the Two Witnesses], he must in this manner be killed. 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. 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. And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city [Jerusalem], which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see [via global television] their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 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. And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood [resurrection] upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 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. 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. The second woe [demonic infestation - demons from the bottomless pit] is past; and, behold, the third woe [Satan himself - Antichrist] cometh quickly. 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 [the 8th Kingdom] for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 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. 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. 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. - Note: The 7th</tt></html> global Kingdom of mankind gives way to the Kingdom of God, the 8th Kingdom, the eternal Righteous Kingdom of Jesus Christ. [[http://basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>THE RAPTURE ON ROSH HASHANA [Feast of Trumpets] - In the Christian world, Rosh Hashanah is known as The Feast of Trumpets - Many Christians observe this festival for its Christian prophetic application the Rapture of the [Christian] Church - All the Spring Feasts were fulfilled at Christ's first coming - All the Fall Feasts picture the Second Advent, and the Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts, picturing the Rapture - Now there are more feasts to be fulfilled with the second coming -- Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShanah) / Feast of Trumpets [possibly] The Church Rapture; the last trump; wedding of the Messiah [to the Church bride]; New Moon; Open Door [Church goes into Heaven] -- Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement -- Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles (Booths - structures - dwelling places - homes for individuals) </html> <html><tt>In the Christian world, Rosh Hashanah is known as The Feast of Trumpets. Many Christians observe this festival for its Christian prophetic application - the Rapture of the Church. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." (1 Corinthians 15:51-53) "For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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: 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." (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) All the Spring Feasts were fulfilled at Christ's first coming. All the Fall Feasts picture the Second Advent, and the Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts, picturing the Rapture. ... A special season known as 'Teshuvah' which in Hebrew means "to return or repent", begins on the first day of the month of Elul and continues 40 days, ending with Yom Kippur. Thirty days into Teshuvah, on Tishrei 1, comes Rosh HaShanah. This begins a final ten-day period beginning on Rosh HaShanah and ending on Yom Kippur. These are known as the High Holy Days and as the Awesome Days. The sabbath that falls within this ten-day period is called 'Shabbat Shuvah', the Sabbath of Return. Five days after Yom Kippur is 'Sukkot', the Feast of Tabernacles. Teshuvah begins on Elul 1 and concludes on Tishrei 10, Yom Kippur. Each morning during the 30 days of the month of Elul, the trumpet (shofar) or ram's horn is blown to warn the people to repent and return to God. Rosh HaShanah is also referred to as 'Yom Teruah', the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar, or the Day of the Awakening Blast. On Yom Teruah, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar, it is imperative for every person to hear the shofar. Yom Teruah is the only festival that no man knows when exactly it will occur. This is due to the fact that it begins on the new moon. The new moon was sanctified when two witnesses see the new moon and attest to it before the Sanhedrin in the Temple. This sanctification could happen during either of two days, depending on when the witnesses come. Since no one knew when the witnesses would come, no one knew when the Feast of Trumpets would start. On the 30th of each month, the members of the High Court assembled in a courtyard in Jerusalem, where they waited to receive the testimony of two reliable witnesses. They then sanctified the new moon. The new moon is very difficult to see on the first day because it can be seen only about sunset, close to the sun, when the sun is traveling north. So, looking for a very slim faint crescent moon, which is very close to the sun, is a very difficult thing to do. If the moon's crescent was not seen on the 30th day, the new moon was automatically celebrated on the 31st day. For this reason, Yom Teruah is always celebrated for two days. These two days are celebrated as though it is just one long day of forty-eight hours. The reason that it is celebrated for two days is because if they waited to start the celebration until after the new moon had been sanctified, they would have missed half the celebration because the new moon can only be sanctified during daylight hours. The command seems to be that we know the season, but not the day or the hour (Matthew 24:32-36). Yom Teruah, or the Feast of Trumpets, is the only feast that we do not know the day in which to keep it. Therefore, we have to be on the alert and watch for it. Teruah means "an awakening blast". A theme associated with Rosh. HaShanah is the theme "to awake". Teruah is also translated as "shout".</tt></html> [[http://watch.pair.com/rosh-hashana.html|article link]] <html>Rapture! Pentecost or Feast of Trumpets? - The Feast of Trumpets [an 'observed' Feast Day only after the New Moon event first appears and is apparent to the eye - not a calculated Feast Day i.e. Pentecost [always 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits] or The Lord's Passover always on the 14th of Nisan] is the best fit for the rapture of the bride and is consistent with Jewish marriage customs</html> <html><tt>We see a pattern emerging in the Feasts that shadows [foreshadows - prophecy] the steps of the Messiah. There is really no denying the accuracy of the life of Jesus Christ to that of these first three feasts. The gift of the Holy Spirit was the fulfillment of Pentecost the 4th feast. What I've noticed is that many anticipate the rapture to be on Pentecost because of the two loaves presented at Pentecost as a wave offering. But if we kept with the pattern of the Feasts with the eyes of a bride prepared for her wedding we will keep the order of the feast. ... The Feast of Trumpets is the best fit for the rapture of the bride and is consistent with Jewish marriage customs. We need to look at the Feast with Jewish eyes. The Jews had several idioms for the Feast of Trumpets that are significant in identifying the nature of this feast. The feast was referred as "No one knows the day or hour". It was referred to this because it was celebrated by the first appearing of the moon. This could be difficult if there was any overcast, therefore, the feast could be delayed. No one literally knew the day or hour it would be celebrated. If after two days the new moon could not be detected then it was celebrated. The two days were considered one. ... Here are the signs to look for. Just when the bride of Christ is recognized she will be gone. The Feast was celebrated at the first appearing of the moon, which is not its on reflection but that of the suns. When we see the bride emerge from all the others she will be reflecting the glory of the Lord. As of now the true meaning of Jesus' bride has not been understood even by those who are called by His name. The Shulammite in the Song of Songs is the epitome of the bride of Christ she says, "Before I realized it, my desire set me over the royal chariots of my people (Song 6:12). She was caught up above her people and her desire was that of intimacy. Desire here in this verse is the Hebrew word "yada". Her people, i.e. Church says, "Come back, come back, O Shulammite; come back, come back, that we may gaze on you" (Song 6:12)! Once the bride is taken out from among her people there will be a cry to know more about her and to be with her as well. But Jesus reply's, "Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim" (Song 6:13). The dance of the Mahanaim was a dance where the young virgins would go out and dance. As they danced, men would come and steal them to be their bride's. His reply to them is why do you look for the bride she has been stolen by me! Number two the rapture can't be this year 2009! For one, the day's in-between the Feast of Trumpets 2009 and the Feast of Yom Kippur 2016, the Day of Atonement is 2,580 days. This is 30 days more than what Daniel says the number of days for the 7year covenant will last and 60 days longer than what Revelation allows. So this year can not be the rapture scripturally. Look for the rapture on the Feast of Trumpets in the month of September and October of each year where there is 86 moon duration like the year 2011 and you will be closer to what Scripture has revealed about the 7 year covenant and rapture lengths.</tt></html> [[http://www.unveilingthebride.com/rapture-pentecost-or-feast-of-trumpets|article link]] <html>Wikipedia: Prophecy of Seventy Weeks -- The Prophecy of Seventy Septets or literally 'seventy times seven' appears in the angel Gabriel's reply to Daniel, beginning with verse 22 and ending with verse 27 in the ninth chapter of the Book of Daniel, a work included in both the Jewish Tanakh and the Christian Bible; as well as the Septuagint - The prophecy is part of both the Jewish account of history and Christian (last things - end times) eschatology - There have been objections raised to some of Anderson's calculations [April 6, 32 A.D., which he offered as the date of the (Palm Sunday) Triumphal Entry] - For instance, later calculations have confirmed that Anderson was off by one day [originally making the Sabbath (Palm Saturday) the more correct date as Anderson was thought to have added 1 too many correction i.e. leap year days - though now Monday (adding even 1 more day) is considered a possibility by some] {Note: The Daniel 70 Weeks prophecy and several other numerical prophecies [i.e. Ezekiel 4:4-6] are interesting and very helpful however the dating and timing of each prophecy is extremely difficult, just in dealing with lunar calendars, leap years and the 0 year [B.C to A.D.] for each prophecy. The important aspect for the Christian Church is that Jesus had a 3½ year earthly ministry starting when He was 'about' thirty years old (Luke 3:23) - Jesus' events of Holy Week are generally considered to be the events of Passover 32 A.D. [counting the zero year] putting Jesus at 33½ years old at the time - though I'm not certain of these dates and I'm still looking for more information and conformation and posting this material as a work in progress.} </html> <html><tt>Sir Robert Anderson used lunar data to fix the date of the first day of the first month of the twentieth year of Artaxerxes (the day implied in Nehemiah) to March 14, 445 BC. He showed that, based on various apparent references to the Great Tribulation both as three and a half years and also as 1260 days, 360 days could be fixed as the length of what he called a "prophetic year". He fixed the end date to April 6, 32, which he offered as the date of the Triumphal Entry. Alva McClain and others have since concurred with this viewpoint. There have been objections raised to some of Anderson's calculations. For instance, later calculations have confirmed that Anderson was off by one day, as the opening date was a Friday, but the closing date a Sunday, something that could not happen in a whole number of seven-time periods (keeping in mind that in any given whole seven-time period, the closing date will always be shifted by one day from the opening date [for example, counting seven complete days from Noon on a Tuesday will end on Noon on a Wednesday]). Also, Babylonian records appear to show a leap month in 445 BC (so Nisan 1, the date of the decree, should be one month later on April 13). Moreover, Sunday, April 6 was almost certainly not Nisan 10, and more likely Nisan 6, with Passover eight days later on Monday the 14th. Furthermore, even if we took Anderson's start and end day to be correct, it has been proven that his calculations are incorrect by 3 days due to his lack of understanding in regards to Julian and Gregorian dates. Harold Hoehner set forth revisions to Anderson and gave an opening date of March 4, 444 BC (the one year shift being due to a different accession date of Artaxerxes) with the end of the 69 weeks on March 30, 33. The same errors with Anderson's calculations also plague Hoehner's, for he miscalculated the length of a year. The leap month means that Nisan 1 probably occurred on April 3 or 4. Ron Bigalke Jr. set forth revisions to Anderson and Hoehner based on the year of Artaxerxes succession as August 465 BC which Hoehner timed as December 465 BC. According to Bigalke, the end of the 69 weeks may be March 26, 33. However, this event loses its significance as the Triumphal Entry, for it does not occur on Sunday as church tradition dictates, nor on Monday as some new interpretations report. Bigalke did indicate the problem of a 26 March date since it would be too soon before Jesus' arrival in Bethany and the Passover. He stated that Hoehner did admit the possibility that Artaxerxes may have given permission to Nehemiah later than 1 Nisan. Bigalke's conclusion was if the starting date was 5 Nisan (which Hoehner left possible) then the number of days would be an exact 173,880 days. The 19th century theologian Nathaniel West offered a completely different Christian solution and utilized internal biblical evidence to begin the prophecy with the decree of Cyrus (see Isa. 44:28, 45:13) and end the 69th week with the birth of Jesus' rather than with Jesus' Triumphal Entry. This solution has recently been further developed and defended by T.T. Schlegel.</tt></html> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prophecy_of_Seventy_Weeks|article link]] <html>THE FIRST 69 WEEKS [Global Gentile Kingdoms] OF THE 70 WEEKS OF DANIEL - "Calculation of the 69 Weeks" - PALM SUNDAY [actually Saturday], DAY 173,880 MARKS THE TERMINUS OF THE 69 WEEKS - This then, is that all important number that Scotland Yard Inspector Sir Robert Anderson (29 May 1841 - 15 November 1918) arrived at for the 69 weeks - He did this work in the late 19th century [1800's] and wrote the book, "The Coming Prince" outlining his discoveries - For a fuller outlining of the calculations involved for the first 69 weeks see article #8 in this series or click on the chart below - These are calculations you can verify yourself [I have to confirm it but apparently Robert Anderson's 69th Week calculation ended on Saturday but he felt 1 day was missing from his (modern - Gregorian based calendar) timeline adjustments so he added 1 day to conclude on Palm Sunday (in keeping with the modern tradition) instead of on the actual Saturday [Sabbath Day] Triumphal Entry of the Bible.] {Note: The 69th Week of Daniel concluded on Saturday the Triumphal Entry day of Jesus into Jerusalem fulfilling the 1st of the 8 Feast Days of Leviticus 23. While the [2,000 year] gap exists between the 69th and 70th (Revelation - Tribulation Week - final 7 years) is waiting to be fulfilled many of the 8 Feasts [at least 6 of the 8] are being fulfilled. Also Note: Apparently any way that the math is done the 69th Week ends about Passover 32 A.D. within 25 or so days without taking into account any necessary calendar adjustments that bring the calculation to the day of (Palm Saturday) or within a day of traditional Palm Sunday. -- Jesus being 33½ years old at His death and resurrection. John the Baptist began his Levitical ministry at the priestly age of 30 and then Jesus six months younger than John the Baptist began His (reconciliation) Melchizedek Priesthood duties also at 'about' the age of 30 (Luke 3:23). Jesus' birth is marked as the year 0 then at 29 A.D. or 30 A.D. began to minster on earth for 3½ years concluding in about 32 A.D. [during Passover in Jerusalem 32 A.D. - counting the zero year for Daniels 70 Week Prophecy] in the 33rd year of Jesus' physical life on earth. -- Daniel 9:26 And after (the 69th week - 483 years) threescore and two weeks (60 + 2 + previous 7 = 69) shall Messiah (Christ) be cut off (lit. execution, crucifixion), but not for Himself (for the sins of the people)} </html> <html><tt>THE 70 WEEKS BEGINS WITH THE EDICT OF ARTAXERXES LONGINUS [King of Persia (Iran) - 4th Global Gentile Kingdom]. THE AUTHORITY TO RESTORE THE POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY OF JERUSALEM WAS GIVEN TO NEHEMIAH. And how would the 70 weeks begin? On a certain special day in holy history a king would issue a royal edict. The story is told in Nehemiah chapter 2. And as the new moon of Nisan came up that year Nehemiah, his cup-bearer, laid out the burden of a scattered people to the supreme ruler of Persia. Nehemiah had been sad as he had remembered Israel's former Passovers in happier times. Now the holy city was under the sovereignty of the Medo-Persians, the superpower of that time. And in spite of a rebuilt temple and the return of many from Judah the city was still in ruins. It was a day of high drama. In fear of his very life Nehemiah had asked the king for something of a very sensitive nature. He was asking Artaxerxes for permission to restore the city of Jerusalem, its walls and its gates. He was, in effect, asking for a royal edict allowing the Jewish House of Judah to return with supplies, money, and royal authority to restore the sovereignty of the Holy City as a self-governing city-state. This was a very tense moment. He could have been executed for this. But Nehemiah found favor in the eyes of the king. And the Medo-Persian ruler Artaxerxes Longimanus issued that all important decree. It was a stupendous day in holy history. The edict given by Artaxerxes in his 20th year was highly significant. It gave permission for the political restoration of the city of Jerusalem. -- Medo-Persia was the world superpower of the time. This edict would give authority for returning Jews to do something they had not been able to do before. They were being given this edict in the peace, security, and and superpower protection of Artaxerxes to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. The City of Shalom, the city of the coming Prince of Peace was to be restored. Soon its walls and gates would be rebuilt. And it would function as a sovereign city-state. The key to all this was the stipulating of restoration of "gates and walls". The "city gates" were the entrance to the city. This was more than just a portal for entry. The city gate was an enclosed structure, the place where the town elders sat and judged in all sorts of governmental matters. This edict, would set in motion the restoration of the integrity and sovereignty of Jerusalem as a self-governing city-state. King Cyrus is often mentioned in this context of the 70 weeks prophecy. But this earliest edict was given nearly 90 years earlier in 537 B.C.. The edict of Cyrus is outlined in Ezra chapter 1. The edict given by Cyrus was a proclamation of emancipation for the captives of Judah. It had its religious side to it as well. Cyrus had given them a grant and every encouragement the returning Jews to rebuild the Temple. But the political side to the equation was missing. Because in the Cyrus decree (and also the decree of Artaxerxes given to Ezra 80 years later in 457 B.C.), there was no mention of any permission being given to attend to the restoration of gates and walls of the city of Jerusalem. Cyrus had not given this critical permission for restoration of political sovereignty. That would come in the century to follow and only with the grant given to Nehemiah in 445 B.C.. This is an extremely important point overlooked by many Bible teachers. -- These earlier edicts allowed the Jews to return to the land of Israel and to rebuild the Hebrew Temple in Jerusalem. And they did return, initially experiencing some delays due to opposition in the land. Finally, in the time period 520 B.C. to 516 B.C. and after the exhortations of Habakkuk the rebuilding program got under way under the able leadership of Zerubbabel. The following century would see another significant event, the decree of Artaxerxes in his 7th year in 457 B.C.. This came about by a revival among the Jews who remained in Persia. That revival began like all revivals. The Word of God was shared with the people. The discovery of the scrolls was followed by a public reading of the Torah by the scribe Ezra. This is what sparked the revival of interest by the Jewish exiles. Suddenly, they remembered their destiny. Soon after the edict was issued large numbers of former captives began returning back to Jerusalem. It was Ezra who prepared the hearts of the people, not only for another Aliyah to the Land but also for the civic responsibilities that would come later on under Nehemiah. But it was only after the later edict given to Nehemiah that the city of Jerusalem would be restored to political sovereignty. We know for a certainty that neither Zerubbabel or Ezra had rebuilt the walls and gates. Because when Nehemiah came along, (and this was eight years after Ezra in the spring of 445 B.C.), Nehemiah had received sad news. We read (in Nehemiah 2) that he had been told that the walls of Jerusalem were still in ruins. And the gates were burned with fire. There were some sad social consequences to this. The city walls were a broken shell. and offered no had no civic protection. And so the people camped out within these broken down walls were being oppressed by marauders. It was still a wild Persian territory without the law and order that brings peace and security. This is what prompted Nehemiah to petition the king. As the king's cup-bearer he was in a privileged position to take the bull by the horns and to pop the big question. As he did so he was trembling. In this act he was actually taking his life in his hands. If the king did not give his scepter and his favor Nehemiah was a dead man. His request would be regarded as a rebellious act against the Persian realms. He could have been charges with treason and executed speedily. But Nehemiah, as the king's cup-bearer was energized by the God of Israel. And so he asked the king to allow the Jewish returnees to rebuild the city walls and gates. This was no light matter. This act of rebuilding and restoration was not just a beautification program. This rebuilding of city infrastructure would restore the city of Jerusalem as an independent sovereign city-state. -- And so it was, that in 445 B.C., in the month of Nisan, the Persian King Artaxerxes Longimanus in his 20th year would receive a petition from his Jewish butler. And Artaxerxes would issue a royal edict to allow the restoration of Jerusalem, God's holy city. (Neh.1-2) This was not an obscure event. It was a highly significant event and it was recorded in the pages of holy history. This edict we see showcased in Nehemiah 2 would set the clock ticking for the seventy weeks of Daniel. 173,880 days later, the people of God, and the city of Jerusalem, would come to a pivotal and epic moment in holy history. In all of His three and a half year earthly ministry this particular day would be a time like no other. On this specific and momentous day, in the springtime of 32 A.D., in the month of Nisan, and on the 10th day of the moon, they would see their coming Prince! On this special day He would enter into His holy city!</tt></html> [[http://endtimepilgrim.org/70wks6.htm|article link]] <html>DebbieSchlussel.com: Happy New Year (Rosh Hashanah 2009) - Tonight, at sundown, Rosh HaShanah-the Jewish New Year-begins - One of the two most important Jewish holidays the other is Yom Kippur, it marks the beginning of the Jewish "Ten Days of Repentance" [10 Days of Awe] during which we repent for our sins and pray for a good new year - On the holiday, we traditionally eat apples with honey (and other items with honey) to signify that we seek a new year that is as sweet as that uber-sweet combination - Thanks to all of my readers who sent me e-mails and i- and e-cards wishing me a Happy New Year - Right Back at Ya! [Note: Regarding all 8 Jewish Feast Days of Leviticus 23 - a good summary is that - only Jesus fulfills each Feast in His accomplishments alone [1 Corinthians 5:7] - while the Jews 'Proclaim' each Feast in its appointed season (time) [Leviticus 23:4] - yet the Christians simply acknowledge each Feast [Acts 18:21, Acts 20:6], not observing it as the Jews do, but receiving [i.e. Sabbath Rest (Hebrews 4:3)] from it the accomplished works of Jesus Christ. -- "Acts 18:18-21 And [Apostle] Paul after this tarried there [at Corinth with Priscilla and Aquila] yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; [Paul] having shorn [shaved] his head in Cenchrea: for he had a [Nazarite] vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. When they [Christians] desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means {as a personal choice} keep [G4160 - to declare (commemorate), to do, do well, to carry out, to celebrate] this Feast [Passover - Holy Week] that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus."] </html> <html><tt>Tonight, at sundown, Rosh HaShanah-the Jewish New Year-begins. One of the two most important Jewish holidays (the other is Yom Kippur), it marks the beginning of the Jewish "Ten Days of Repentance," during which we repent for our sins and pray for a good new year. We believe that on Rosh HaShanah, G-d inscribes our fate for the year, and that at the end of Yom Kippur, that fate is sealed. ... On the holiday, we traditionally eat apples with honey (and other items with honey) to signify that we seek a new year that is as sweet as that uber-sweet combination. (My favorite apples, BTW, are McIntosh.) The holiday ends at nightfall on Sunday Night. During two days of intense prayer at synagogue, we hear the blowing of a ram's horn (called a "shofar"), which makes several different kinds of sounds we are required to hear. A little bit more about the Jewish New Year excerpted from my post on this in a previous year. ... To all of my Jewish readers and friends, Shanah Tovah u'Metukah KeTapuach B'Dvash-May You Have a Good New Year, As Sweet as an Apple with Honey. Thanks to all of my readers who sent me e-mails and i- and e-cards wishing me a Happy New Year. Right Back at Ya! I hope you have a happy and healthy new year.</tt></html> [[http://www.debbieschlussel.com/9219/happy-new-year-2/|article link]] <html>Judaism 101: Rosh Hashanah - The Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year - More on this concept at Days of Awe (The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement] are commonly known [in Judiasm] as the Days of Awe) - No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah - Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded - In fact, there is a special prayerbook called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays - Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's (God's) sovereignty</html> <html><tt>Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American midnight drinking bash and daytime football game. There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one: Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year. More on this concept at Days of Awe. The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. There are four different types of shofar notes: tekiah, a 3 second sustained note; shevarim, three 1-second notes rising in tone, teruah, a series of short, staccato notes extending over a period of about 3 seconds; and tekiah gedolah (literally, "big tekiah"), the final blast in a set, which lasts (I think) 10 seconds minimum. Click the shofar above to hear an approximation of the sound of Tekiah Shevarim-Teruah Tekiah. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is that the shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat. No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. In fact, there is a special prayerbook called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays. Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It's yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason. Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). We walk to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty our pockets into the river, symbolically casting off our sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom. Tashlikh is normally observed on the afternoon of the first day, before afternoon services. When the first day occurs on Shabbat, many synagogues observe Tashlikh on Sunday afternoon, to avoid carrying (the bread) on Shabbat. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty. The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah ("for a good year"). This is a shortening of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or to women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." More on that concept at Days of Awe.</tt></html> [[http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm|article link]] <html> [The Three Fall Feasts of Israel (Second Coming of Jesus Christ) - Rosh Hashanna/Feast of Trumpets starting at Sundown Sept. 8 - Sundown Sept. 9, 2010 (two days are Traditional in that it took time, two days for a messenger from the Temple in Jerusalem to spread the news of the New Moon sighting to all the ancient Nation of Israel i.e. the traditional Jewish celebration will be Sundown Sept. 8 - 10, 2010)] - Summary of reasons why Christians expect to see the rapture happen on the Feast of Trumpets / Rosh Hashanna - Feast of Trumpets "At the instant that the Jewish workers heard the trumpet sound, all would immediately stop harvesting, even if they were not finished (think about that!) and go to the Temple for worship! [Christians at the Rapture will go to the Temple in Heaven and Worship Jesus/God] - Rapture parallels with the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShana) - The New Moon is "born again" at the Feast of Trumpets while Believers are "born again" at [belief/identity in Jesus] baptism - Since the Feast of Trumpets is the only Feast of the Lord that falls on a new moon, we should take particular note</html> <html><tt>Summary of reasons why Christians expect to see the rapture happen on the Feast of Trumpets / Rosh Hashanna: 1. All the Spring Feasts were fulfilled at Christ's first coming, and on the exact day of the feast. All the Fall Feasts picture the second advent, and the Feast of Trumpets is the first of the fall feasts, picturing the rapture. 2. The Feast of Trumpets is when the "last trump" of the rapture of 1 Cor 15 is blown. 3. The Feast of Trumpets is known as the Wedding of the Messiah, and the Church is the Bride of Christ, and the rapture is when the Church is caught up to heaven to be wed with Christ. 4. The Feast of Trumpets happens on the "new moon", which is 29.5 days after the last one, meaning it might occur on the 29th or 30th day, nobody knows for sure. "Of that day or hour no man knows" is an expression referring to this feast, and thus, the rapture. 5. "Of that day or hour no man knows, but my Father only" is an expression used by a groom when asked when his wedding will be. He says this because it is his Father that will tell him when his preparations on the bridal chamber are completed and it is time. Again, the wedding pictures the rapture. 6. The "Open Door" of the rapture in Matt 25, and Rev 3, & Rev 4:1 is a symbol of the Feast of Trumpets. [Ezek 46:1] "Thus says the Lord GOD: The gate of the inner court that faces east shall be shut on the six working days; but on the sabbath day it shall be opened and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened. 7. We are told that the new moon and the Feasts of the Lord are a shadow of things to come in Col 2:16,17. Since the Feast of Trumpets is the only Feast of the Lord that falls on a new moon, we should take particular note. 8. There are seven days of awe in between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement. These picture the seven years of tribulation. Atonement pictures Satan being defeated and cast away at the end of tribulaion. If you add the two day Trumpets feast, and the day of atonement, the 7 days of awe are "ten days of tribulation" which might be referred to in Rev. 2:10. 9. In the Jewish Wedding [For seven consecutive evenings following the wedding, it is customary that friends or relatives host festive meals in their honor. The act of feasting recalls the "seven-day celebration" after the marriage of Jacob to Leah -- 1) During the week before the wedding, it is customary for the groom and bride not to see each other, even during the day. - Source: http://www.jewish-history.com/minhag.htm], a marriage takes place over a period of time known as the "bridal week". During the bridal week, the groom and bride have sex [Intimacy] in the bridal chamber. At the end {beginning} of the week, there is a marriage supper [21) During the week of rejoicing following the wedding, the groom or bride should try not to go alone, even in each other's company - They should always be escorted by another person - Source: http://www.jewish-history.com/minhag.htm]. Compare Judges 14, Rev. 19, and Gen. Genesis 29:22-28 This bridal week will be the tribulation week on earth, while the bride of Christ is in heaven. 10. In the Jewish Wedding, the groom comes for his bride "like a thief in the night" [at an unannounced/unknown time] to take (size / rapture) her away and into the bridal chamber for the bridal week at his father's house. 11. The Feast of Trumpets is also known as the coronation of the Messiah, when he will start reigning as king, thus the beginning of the "Day of the Lord", which includes the tribulation. 12. It is also time for the bema judgment, or the judgement of the works of the righteous, and judgement must begin at the house of the Lord. -- [2Cor 11:2] For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.</tt></html> [[http://www.bibleprophesy.org/introtrumpets.htm|article link]] <html>Basic Christian: Jesus Walk 10 Day Timeline Devotion for Easter, Holy Week - The Eight Appointed Holy Feasts of Leviticus Chapter 23 - Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) </html> <html><tt>Feasts Observed on the Seventh month (Tishri) [approx. September - October] Corresponding to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ: Trumpets - "Leviticus 23:23-25 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an Holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD." The offering of fire is likely the Baptism of Fire that the Christian is undergoing since the Flames of Fire upon the heads of the believers occurring at the Feast of Pentecost. The Trumpet is an announcement and in this case it is an announcement for God's people to gather together into one place. For the Church this is very likely fulfilled in the Rapture, the calling by God of His Church into Heaven to be with Him and to escape His coming judgment that is about to come upon the entire world of non-believers. "Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the voice which I heard was as it were of a Trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter." -- Atonement: "Leviticus 23:27-32 Also on the Tenth day of this Seventh month there shall be a day of Atonement." This feast in a large part was completed at the cross of Jesus as Jesus is the Atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. Atonement is the repair the mending of a broken relationship. For a relationship to be repaired there has to be a desire to repair the union and there needs to be an acknowledgment of the wrong that severed the relationship in the first place. It is corresponding to the second coming of Jesus because there is still much to be fulfilled with this particular feast. For starters at the Atonement Feast Leviticus 16:1-34 there are two goats the first goat is sacrificed for the atonement, the removal of sin, because the result of sin is death so only when death occurs is sin satisfied. This sacrifice is a representation of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us. Meanwhile, the second goat called the "scapegoat", the carrier of sins is released far away carrying with it the sins of the people and if that scapegoat never returns then the sins never return and are completely removed and stay away. If the scapegoat does return then all of the sins return with it. It is evident that at the cross of Jesus that a man called Barabbas was the scapegoat, as Barabbas was set free and he was never heard from again. That is until the Antichrist comes because the Antichrist will be carrying the name of "Son of the Father" which translated into Hebrew is "Barabbas" Bar = son and Abba = Father. Unfortunately the scapegoat the carrier of sin "Satan" will be returning one day as he will again be accepted by the people to be their friend and their king and when he does come he will bring with him the sins of the world. Also the Jewish people as a nation have not yet recognized Jesus as the true Messiah and this will happen at the second coming of Jesus so this feast is still partially yet to be fulfilled. -- Tabernacles (tents) - Booths (temporary shelters): "Leviticus 23:34-43 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The Fifteenth day of this Seventh month shall be the feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. ... That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God." The Tabernacle is a Tent a temporary shelter as opposed to a Temple which is a permanent building. The Jewish Temple originally was a Tabernacle a Tent that the Hebrews carried with them and set up during their wilderness journey prior to their entry into the Promise Land of Israel. Once in the Promise Land, the permanent living place the Tent was then replaced in Jerusalem by the permanent Temple made of stone. This is the comparison of our earthy body to our future Spiritual body. Currently we Tabernacle in a Tent body a temporary body made of flesh. Whenever anyone dies their spirit and soul departs this tent and if you are a child of God, God then accepts you into Heaven our Permanent home and we receive our new Temple body, a Spiritual body to match our spirit and our soul. "John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt (tabernacled, 4637)[physically, temporarily stayed among us] among us." It is possible that the Birthday of Jesus occurred on the Feast day of Tabernacles as John in the Gospel of John uses the word Tabernacle to describe Jesus manifesting into our physical earthly realm.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_jesuswalk.html|article link]] <html>Conclusion - Day of Atonement Scenario {Note: Dating a possible End Time scenario - a rapture occurring in 2012 would put the Blood Moon scenario on track at 3½ years later in the Mid-Tribulation [revealing of the Antichrist] in 2015. Also Note: The original Basic Christian: Royal Priesthood article (about 2002) was intended to include the concept that a 'voluntary' individual freewill offering (Leviticus 7:16-17) i.e. the cross of Jesus Christ - a freewill offering could only be offered for two days and the unused portion was to be consumed in fire the third day -- seemingly it would put an expiration date on the sacrifice of Jesus at 2033 - meaning all Christian Church activity would be concluded by 2033 A.D. - Though it is pure speculation and I don't now consider it as important as a concept as I once did I still intend to update the Royal Priesthood article [in about 2011] with the concept just to tie together some loose ends regarding Church theology. Remember: That 2012 is the 2,000 year anniversary of Jesus [revealing His ministry] entering the Temple (Luke 2:41-49) as a child and teaching in the Temple in Jerusalem.} </html> <html><tt>A possible End Time scenario could look like this - The Christian Church is raptured on the Feast of Trumpets then 10 days later [after political intrigue] on the Day of Atonement {Jesus has already atoned for the sins of the world} steps are taken in a global kingdom as one man [the return of the scapegoat] is initiated in a global governance position and signs a covenant of protection (Daniel 9:27) with the Nation of Israel - A position that 3½ years later will reveal the Antichrist and breaking the Covenant with Israel will user in the Great Tribulation - The Time of Jacob's Distress -- "Jeremiah 30:7 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."</tt></html> <html>The Blessed Savior: Barabbas The Scapegoat And Jesus The Perfect Sacrifice - Pilate carried out a "lot" of sorts in deciding between Jesus and Barabbas which one would be set free - Barabbas played the part of the scapegoat and was set free [but did Barabbas the scapegoat return to Jerusalem? and will he [in DNA] eventually return as the Antichrist?] - After the High Priest sent the scapegoat into the wilderness they were to wash themselves - Pilate washed his hands after he let Barabbas go</html> <html><tt>The fact that Pilate offered the people a choice between Jesus and Barabbas has a much deeper meaning that may not be obvious at first. In order to understand what was going on in verses 15-24 we must go back to the Old Testament book of Leviticus. In Matthew 5:17 Jesus says he did not come to destroy the Law or the prophets but rather he came to fulfill them. God was preparing his people in the Old Testament for the coming of Jesus and as such the sacrificial system was getting his people into the mindset that the blood is what makes atonement for sin. Leviticus chapter 16 is the key to understanding why it was necessary for Pilate to offer both Jesus and Barabbas before the people. Jesus had to fulfill God's requirement for atonement. ... Jewish tradition says that a red string was tied around the horns of the scapegoat and after the other goat was killed the string on the scapegoat would turn white. The Talmud says this stopped happening around 30 A.D. which was around the time Jesus was crucified. This was also 40 years before the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. [Talmud Bavli, Yoma 39b "Forty years before the destruction of the Temple the lot did not come up in the right hand, nor did the crimson stripe become white, nor did the westernmost light burn; and the doors of the heikhal (the Holy Place of the Temple) opened of their own accord, until Rabbi Yochanon ben Zakkai rebuked them".] According to some sources Barabbas full name was Jesus bar-Abbas which means "Jesus son of the Father". Jesus Christ was the Son of God (John 1:34). Even though Pilate thought Jesus was innocent the crowd wanted Jesus crucified and Barabbas set free. Pilate then washes his hands in front of the crowd and declares he is innocent of the blood of Jesus and for them to see to the crucifixion. Pilate's biggest sin is he condemned Jesus even though he believed him to be innocent. Pilate carried out a "lot" of sorts in deciding between Jesus and Barabbas which one would be set free. Barabbas played the part of the scapegoat and was set free. After the High Priest sent the scapegoat into the wilderness they were to wash themselves. Pilate washed his hands after he let Barabbas go.</tt></html> [[http://theblessedsavior.blogspot.com/2008/10/barabbas-scapegoat-and-jesus-perfect.html|article link]] <html>Conclusion - Return of the Scapegoat: The return of the scapegoat brought with it the omen of great destruction for the city of Jerusalem (Luke 23:28) </html> <html><tt>In reading the Bible most people are generally left with the impression that something is missing, something in a deep dark burden is being left untold by the early Church Apostles and too often many people conclude that the untold secret of the New Testament is that Christianity and the resurrection of Jesus is untrue however the Resurrection of Jesus is true; it is as true as life, light, truth and liberty. Seemingly following on the Old Testament tradition (Leviticus 16:9 - a possible return of the scapegoat is not mentioned - mentioning the return of the scapegoat is too disastrous to contemplate) the 'deep dark secret' of the New Testament was that the scapegoat (Barabbas) had returned to Jerusalem, foretelling of the coming 70 A.D. destruction of Jerusalem. Barabbas was released from his sentence of crucifixion (Matthew 27:26) while Jesus and the other two prisoners were then executed. Seemingly Barabbas [probably also of the Tribe of Judah and a direct descendant of King Solomon - his followers felt Barabbas could overthrow Rome and reestablish the throne of Solomon in Jerusalem (Mark 15:7, Luke 23:19)]. Barabbas probably not the wisest person on the streets of Jerusalem thought his momentary pardon from Herod was good for the rest of his life and quickly returned (days later) to Jerusalem where he would be quickly recognized now by nearly everyone and instantly arrested by Roman soldiers. Rome having just crucified the innocent Jesus in the place of Barabbas then might have crucified Barabbas in a similar (but not nearly as severe as Jesus) manner (crown of thorns, mocking, beating, spear in the side) as Jesus had been recently crucified. The followers of Barabbas also having great hope in Barabbas received his body and might have thought that he too would resurrect as it was being told that Jesus had resurrected. Barabbas unable to resurrect could possibly be the image and the blood belonging to the mysterious Shroud of Turin. The Apostles of the Early Church grappled with the knowledge and with the burden of the knowledge that Barabbas (the scapegoat) had returned to Jerusalem and of the knowledge of the then pending destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Underwritten in every N.T. epistle is the idea that yeah the Church has various problems but there is this bigger mostly unmentionable [Hebrews 8:13 - Apostle Paul mentioned that the Temple was about to pass away] pending destruction of Jerusalem problem that the early Church didn't really know how to deal with until Paul was given evangelical insight and later (after the destruction of Jerusalem) and the giving of Revelation to the Apostle John [Note: Mary the mother of Jesus and the Disciple John were both present at the crucifixion events (John 19:25) and were probably both also present in the crowd when Barabbas was released over Jesus]. -- "Revelation 11:13-14 And {because Antichrist (scapegoat) policy is taking effect in Jerusalem} the same hour [after the two witnesses have been killed and ascend up into heaven] was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city [Jerusalem] fell [is destroyed], and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of Heaven. The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly."</tt></html> <html>Observing Yom Kippur By Debbie Schlussel - Tonight [Friday], the Jewish fast day of Yom Kippur begins (and ends on Saturday Night) - It's a day of atonement for our sins and a day full of prayer to G-d, asking for forgiveness and a good year - Religious Jews use dashes in the word "G-d" and do not write it out completely out of respect for Him and the wish not to write the name in vain</html> <html><tt>Yom Kippur is one of the holiest Jewish holidays, at the end of which we believe our fate for the next year is ?sealed' by G-d. We believe that on Rosh HaShanah, that fate is written by Him, and on Yom Kippur, he issues his final Judgment. This is Judgment Day. On Yom Kippur, we fast and pray for about 25 hours to ask G-d for a good year. Before the fast, we eat a big, sumptuous meal, which expands the stomach and makes the fast more difficult. During the holiday, there are strict prohibitions: no food, drink, shower, TV/radio, phone, etc. the whole day, which is mostly spent at synagogue. The idea is that you are removing yourself from worldly concerns and focusing on spiritual ones, most importantly repentance for your sins. We also don't wear leather shoes, as back in the day, those were a luxury of the wealthy, and the holiday is not about ostentatious displays, but about humble requests before G-d. It starts just before sundown, tonight, and ends after dark tomorrow (Saturday) night, with one sound of the shofar (ram's horn-see explanation of shofar here). To my Jewish friends and readers, have an easy fast and a great year. Gmar Chatimah Tovah [May you be finally sealed for good.]</tt></html> [[http://www.debbieschlussel.com/27000/observing-yom-kippur/|article link]] <html>Yom Kippur 1945, in a camp for Holocaust survivors - The older generation was almost not there - They were the first victims, since they lacked the physical strength to withstand the horrors of the camps - Few children survived - They, too, succumbed quickly - The survivors prayed, remembered, wept and found a little comfort in those tears</html> <html><tt>After morning prayers, I decided to visit other synagogues and spend some time with other groups. I left the synagogue and walked across the half empty streets. There were many people who remained in the street and refused to attend services. They were angry at G-d. Among them were formerly religious Jews who could not accept the apparent indifference of G-d to the suffering; the torture, and the tragedy they had both witnessed and experienced in their homes and in the camps. They could not reconcile their former beliefs and convictions of an All-Merciful, Almighty Divine Being, with the catastrophe that had struck their communities. They would not pray. When they heard the recitation of the Kaddish, the special prayer of mourners expressing praise of the Lord, they reacted angrily that G-d did not deserve the Kaddish. They were broken in spirit. They could not reconcile recent events to which they were witnesses with the contents of the Hebrew prayers. These Jews roamed the streets. They wanted to express their anger, to show G-d that they defied Him, as he seemed to have abandoned them. Some ate their food on the fast day publicly in the streets, as a gesture of defiance - of revolt. In one of the streets, I saw a large group of people standing in a circle. I approached nearer to find out what was going on. In the middle of the circle stood a seven-year-old girl, embarrassed, perplexed. She could not understand why all these people stood around her. She, of course, could not know that they were surprised to find a Jewish child. So they stood, silently, and just looked at this miracle of a Jewish child in their midst. They could not tear themselves away from this one child who said nothing and to whom nothing was said. They just stood and gaped. A special prayer is normally recited on Yom Kippur for the departed members of one's family. It's called Yizkor, the memorial prayer. As those people looked at the little girl, they remembered their own children, or their younger brothers and sisters, the nephews and nieces who at one time were their pride and joy, and who were no more. Each one of them looked and remembered, recalled the beloved children who were cruelly exterminated. As they remembered, they recited without any words the Yizkor for all those who once were part of their lives and now were gone forever. This was a silent, most moving Yizkor, without words, without prayer books, recited in that street in Landsberg, by a group of Jewish survivors, watching a bewildered little Jewish girl. It was the most moving, most eloquent, most heartfelt, most silent Yizkor I have ever heard.</tt></html> [[http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/09/17/my-faith-yom-kippur-1945-in-a-camp-for-holocuast-survivors/|article link]] <html>Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) [Saturday] September 18, 2010 - Jewish Year 5771: sunset September 17, 2010 - nightfall September 18, 2010 -- Sukkot (Feast of Booths - 7 days) - Starting the fifth day after Yom Kippur - sunset [Wednesday] September 22, 2010 - nightfall [Wednesday] September 29, 2010</html> <html><tt>Yom Kippur is probably the most important holiday of the Jewish year. Many Jews who do not observe any other Jewish custom will refrain from work, fast and/or attend synagogue services on this day. Yom Kippur occurs on the 10th day of Tishri. The holiday is instituted at Leviticus 23:26 et seq. The name "Yom Kippur" means "Day of Atonement," and that pretty much explains what the holiday is. It is a day set aside to "afflict the soul," to atone for the sins of the past year. In Days of Awe, I mentioned the "books" in which G-d inscribes all of our names. On Yom Kippur, the judgment entered in these books is sealed. This day is, essentially, your last appeal, your last chance to change the judgment, to demonstrate your repentance and make amends. As I noted in Days of Awe, Yom Kippur atones only for sins between man and G-d, not for sins against another person. To atone for sins against another person, you must first seek reconciliation with that person, righting the wrongs you committed against them if possible. That must all be done before Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; no work can be performed on that day. It is well-known that you are supposed to refrain from eating and drinking (even water) on Yom Kippur. It is a complete, 25-hour fast beginning before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ending after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. The Talmud also specifies additional restrictions that are less well-known: washing and bathing, anointing one's body (with cosmetics, deodorants, etc.), wearing leather shoes (Orthodox Jews routinely wear canvas sneakers under their dress clothes on Yom Kippur), and engaging in sexual relations are all prohibited on Yom Kippur.</tt></html> [[http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday4.htm|article link]] <html>CLONED ANTICHRIST BEAST REVEALED 8/12 - Cloned from blood removed [1978] from the Shroud of Turin [possibly cloned/gene-spliced with Prince Charles sperm and] used to impregnate Princess Diana (married 1981 to Prince Charles 13 years her senior) for the 1982 timed birth [30 in 2012] of Prince William {Princess Diana's son William turning 30 in 2012. The age of 30 is the biblical legal priestly age (before 30 a Levite could only be an assistant priest), both John the Baptist (Levitical and Jesus [Melchizedek Priest]) began their ministries at the legal age of 30 [John's mother and Mary were of the House of David/Judah but John's father was a Levitical Priest (Luke 1:8) a descendant of Aaron from the house of Levi]. Also the London 2012 Olympics the XXX Olympiad (unholy trinity Olympiad) is deliberately timed and placed to be in London in 2012 the birth of the New Age, for a desired Satanic awakening in 2013 [Fox News uses the numer 13 in everything now]. </html> <html><tt> It will also probably come out that Prince Charles is unable to naturally have children as Henry, the younger brother of Prince William is already considered by most not to be the son of Prince Charles but the son of James Hewitt.}[Note: Its possible and probable that Satan quickly realized who his scapegoat was in Barabbas and that Barabbas soon after his Passover release was recaptured by Roman soldiers and quickly crucified as Jesus had just recently been crucified and that Satan would devise a way to keep some of the blood [life] of Barabbas for future End Time use and that the image created on the Shroud of Turin and the blood on the Shroud of Turin are that of Barabbas. The unique image and bloodstained shroud cloth could be of Barabbas and having been kept and passed on by the followers of Barabbas until ultimately it came into the possession of the Crusaders and Knights Templar in about 1300 A.D. The shroud of Turin possibly being a cloth and image of Barnabas it's certainly not the image and blood of Jesus.] (YouTube)</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNnmp1vWRA|article link]] <html>foxnews.com: Italian Scientists Reproduces Shroud of Turin - A professor of organic chemistry at the University of Pavia - Garlaschelli made available to Reuters the paper he will deliver and the accompanying comparative photographs - But scientists have thus far been at a loss to explain how the [origional Shroud of Turin] image was left on the cloth</html> <html><tt>ROME - An Italian scientist says he has reproduced the Shroud of Turin, a feat that he says proves definitively that the linen some Christians revere as Jesus Christ's burial cloth is a medieval fake. The shroud, measuring 14 feet, 4 inches by 3 feet, 7 inches bears the image, eerily reversed like a photographic negative, of a crucified man some believers say is Christ. "We have shown that is possible to reproduce something which has the same characteristics as the Shroud," Luigi Garlaschelli, who is due to illustrate the results at a conference on the para-normal this weekend in northern Italy, said on Monday. A professor of organic chemistry at the University of Pavia, Garlaschelli made available to Reuters the paper he will deliver and the accompanying comparative photographs. The Shroud of Turin shows the back and front of a bearded man with long hair, his arms crossed on his chest, while the entire cloth is marked by what appears to be rivulets of blood from wounds in the wrists, feet and side. Carbon dating tests by laboratories in Oxford, Zurich and Tucson, Arizona in 1988 caused a sensation by dating it from between 1260 and 1390. Sceptics said it was a hoax, possibly made to attract the profitable medieval pilgrimage business. - But scientists have thus far been at a loss to explain how the image was left on the cloth. Garlaschelli reproduced the full-sized shroud using materials and techniques that were available in the middle ages. They placed a linen sheet flat over a volunteer and then rubbed it with a pigment containing traces of acid. A mask was used for the face. PIGMENT, BLOODSTAINS AND SCORCHES: The pigment was then artificially aged by heating the cloth in an oven and washing it, a process which removed it from the surface but left a fuzzy, half-tone image similar to that on the Shroud. He believes the pigment on the original Shroud faded naturally over the centuries. They then added blood stains, burn holes, scorches and water stains to achieve the final effect. The Catholic Church does not claim the Shroud is authentic nor that it is a matter of faith, but says it should be a powerful reminder of Christ's passion. One of Christianity's most disputed relics, it is locked away at Turin Cathedral in Italy and rarely exhibited. It was last on display in 2000 and is due to be shown again next year. Garlaschelli expects people to contest his findings.</tt></html> [[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,561081,00.html|article link]] <html>The Shroud Of Turin - The image on the Shroud is uniquely three-dimensional - The life-size image on the cloth is NOT the result of pigment, stain, acid, dye, or any applied material - The image itself is confined to the top-most fibrils of the cloth's fibers - Whatever made the image did not penetrate the fibers of the cloth as all known artistic materials would - The exact way the man was crucified closely matches biblical accounts of Jesus's crucifixion. Among other things, there are 120 lesions, the shape of dumbbells, distributed over the back and running around the front of the body--probably caused by a Roman whip called a flagrum whose thongs were tipped with bits of lead or bone. There is a deep wound on the right side of the body between the ribs which bled profusely (which is what Biblical records indicate happened when a spear was thrust into Christ's side). There are thorn-like marks on the victim's head (possibly from a crown of thorns). And the victim's legs were not broken (which is significant both because Roman-style crucifixions ended with their victim's legs being broken and because the New Testament account of Christ's death indicates that this was a Roman custom which Jesus was spared from) - The beard and hair style of the crucified man were not common anywhere in the Roman Empire except Palestine. The image has semitic features, including sidelocks and a unplaited ponytail</html> <html><tt>The Shroud Of Turin by David Sunfellow: The Shroud of Turin is one of the most venerated, most remarkable, most mysterious, most thoroughly studied artifacts in the world today. Believed by many to be the actual burial cloth of Christ, the Shroud made its first recorded appearance in 14th century France. Housed in the Italian city of Turin since 1578, renewed interest was generated in 1898 when the first photographs were made of the relic and it was discovered that the image on the Shroud was a photographic negative! How was such an image made? And how does one explain the incredibly life-like details which are remarkably consistent with Biblical accounts of Christ's crucifixion? Historians, pathologists, linguists, biblical scholars, textile experts, chemists, physicists, photographic specialists, artists, botanists, microbiologists and other scientists from around the world have been trying to answer these important questions for decades. Over the centuries, dozens of shrouds--some with images and some without--have surfaced claiming to be the burial cloth of Jesus. In the case of the Shroud of Turin, it has been publicly declared a forgery by both Roman Catholic Church officials and prominent scientists. In 1389 the local bishop of Troyes denounced the Shroud claiming an artist had confessed to forging it. More recently, in 1988, after three different laboratories Carbon-14 dated the Shroud and found it to be some 1200 years younger than it should have been, the Roman Catholic Church announced to the world the results of the test. As word spread that the Shroud of Turin was, after all, a medieval forgery, a firestorm was created in the Shroud community. While scores of Shroud scientists hotly challenged the entire Carbon-14 testing procedure, as well as the test results, lay people around the world had to wrestle with what appeared to be solid scientific proof that the Shroud was a fake. -- So where are things at now? Is the Shroud of Turin authentic, or not? Could a medieval artist, or for that matter, any artist, have forged it? And if the Shroud is an authentic burial cloth from the first century, is the man whose crucified image appears on the Shroud actually that of Jesus Christ? Combining ongoing discoveries about ancient Palestine with cutting-edge scientific analysis, a growing number of scientists (Christian, Jewish, agnostic and otherwise) are coming to the conclusion that the Shroud is indeed the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ. If this is true, then not only does the Shroud bear witness to the fact that a man named Jesus actually lived and died in ancient Palestine, but it may also present physical proof that some kind of miraculous event took place after his death which caused his image to be imprinted on the Shroud! What's more, we may also be able to learn something about Jesus himself: What his physical characteristics were like, what kind of Jewish traditions he adhered to and rejected, how he, and his body, faced a horribly violent death. -- So what, exactly, do we know about the Shroud of Turin? Here are some of the astonishing findings that modern day science has uncovered so far: The body that appears on the Shroud is naked. Under Roman law, criminals were whipped and executed in the nude. (These are facts that most medieval artists would not have known, or if they had known, would not have dared to publicly reproduce.) The man that appears on the Shroud was crucified with nails driven through his wrists. Although artists throughout the centuries (and even stigmatists) have traditionally thought that Christ was nailed to the cross through his palms, it is now known that crucifixion victims were nailed to crosses through their wrists. This is supported both by archeological digs that discovered crucifixion victims with spike marks on their wrists (not palms) and also by studies that were conducted on corpses which proved that nails in palms will not support the weight of a body. The life-size image on the cloth is NOT the result of pigment, stain, acid, dye, or any applied material. The image itself is confined to the top-most fibrils of the cloth's fibers. Whatever made the image did not penetrate the fibers of the cloth as all known artistic materials would. The image on the Shroud is uniquely three-dimensional. Although most scientists believe that the image was made by the body emitting a burst of energy of some kind (which caused the body's image to be lightly burned onto the Shroud), they have no idea how this could have been done. Efforts to lightly burn images into shroud-like fabrics have all failed to reproduce the extraordinarily delicate, detailed, three-dimensional effect found on the Shroud. The way the image was burned onto the Shroud is also flawlessly accurate in terms of how a body emitting energy would imprint itself on a cloth that was covering it. The image of the Shroud is absolutely accurate in both anatomical and physiological details. The anatomical and physiological details of the Shroud accurately record what would happen to a man who experienced a Roman-style crucifixion (see Robert Bucklin's pathological report at the end of this summary). -- The Shroud is stained by human blood that has run out of the image's wounds. The way the blood flowed, puddled and stained the Shroud are perfectly correct. Unlike the Shroud's image which only appears on the topmost fibrils of fabric, the blood on the Shroud soaked deeply into the fabric. The exact way the man was crucified closely matches biblical accounts of Jesus's crucifixion. Among other things, there are 120 lesions, the shape of dumbbells, distributed over the back and running around the front of the body--probably caused by a Roman whip called a flagrum whose thongs were tipped with bits of lead or bone. There is a deep wound on the right side of the body between the ribs which bled profusely (which is what Biblical records indicate happened when a spear was thrust into Christ's side). There are thorn-like marks on the victim's head (possibly from a crown of thorns). And the victim's legs were not broken (which is significant both because Roman-style crucifixions ended with their victim's legs being broken and because the New Testament account of Christ's death indicates that this was a Roman custom which Jesus was spared from). -- The beard and hair style of the crucified man were not common anywhere in the Roman Empire except Palestine. The image has semitic features, including sidelocks and a unplaited ponytail. The Shroud itself was woven with techniques common to the first century. The Shroud's distinctive weave is so rare that researchers seeking to find a control sample could not find one anywhere in the world. A dirt sample taken from near the Shroud image's feet was identified as a relatively rare form of calcium carbonate. Samples of dirt taken from Jerusalem revealed an unusually close match. This strongly suggests the man pictured on the Shroud was crucified in Palestine. 58 varieties of pollen were discovered on the Shroud. 11 of the pollen samples were from plants that do not exist in Europe, but which do exist in the Near East. The pollen samples also indicated that the fabric of the Shroud had to have been made in Palestine before circulating in Europe. Pollen samples also helped trace the Shroud's route from Palestine through Anatolia and Constantinople into Europe. Furthermore, two of the pollen samples that were discovered on the Shroud coincided with highly distinctive plants found in the region surrounding Jerusalem. The pollen study concluded that the Shroud itself was probably made near Jerusalem and that it had been in the vicinity of the Holy City for some time before being transported out of the area. Images of 28 different types of flowers, small bushes, and thorns have been detected in bunches around the Shroud image. All 28 grow in Israel, either in Jerusalem or in the nearby desert or Dead Sea area. Most of them are not found in Europe. 25 of the 28 flowers matched the pollen samples found on the Shroud. 27 of the 28 plants bloom during March and April, which corresponds to the time of the crucifixion. An image of a coin appears over the right eye of the Shroud image. This coin, a very rare Pontius Pilate lepton struck in 29 to 32 A.D., was not found until 1977. Tests which were conducted in 1993 on a piece of first century fabric similar to the Shroud's now indicate that a fire the Shroud passed through in 1532 corrupted the October 1988 Carbon-14 dates that concluded the Shroud was not authentic. According to these recent tests, which were conducted by scientists at the University of Arizona and Russian scientists in Moscow, the 1988 Carbon-14 dates were some 1200 years in error. This dates the Shroud back to the first or second century. Some historians believe the Shroud of Turin may be The Mandylion, or Edessa Portrait, a holy relic mentioned in some accounts as early as the first century. If this is so, then the Shroud can be traced, through various legends and stories, all the way back to first century Jerusalem.</tt></html> [[http://www.nhne.com/articles/sashroud.html|article link]] <html>ANTICHRIST - PRINCE WILLIAM 2012 - Is Prince Williams the Face on the Shroud of Turin? Is the Image on the Shroud the Antichrist - The Image of the Beast? (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>This video is intended to be just a "teaser" to the very real possibility that Prince William is the Beast of Revelation. Comments: Of course, his name is Will-I-Am; a play on the words of what God Himself said, "I Am."</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT34cIASFqM|article link]] <html>How do you know that there is real blood (and not paint or a stain) on the Shroud of Turin? - 1980 They (Gilbert and Gilbert) concluded that the blood flecks are real blood - Several claims have been made that the blood has been found to be type AB - The blood appears to be so old that the DNA is badly fragmented</html> <html><tt>Alan Adler was an expert on porphyrins, the types of colored compounds seen in blood, chlorophyll, and many other natural products. He and Dr. John Heller, MD, studied the blood flecks on the STURP sampling tapes [Heller and Adler, Applied Optics 19, (16) 1980]. They converted the heme into its parent porphyrin, and they interpreted the spectra taken of blood spots by Gilbert and Gilbert. They concluded that the blood flecks are real blood. In addition to that, the x-ray-fluorescence spectra taken by STURP showed excess iron in blood areas, as expected for blood. Microchemical tests for proteins were positive in blood areas but not in any other parts of the Shroud. -- Several claims have been made that the blood has been found to be type AB, and claims have been made about DNA testing. We sent blood flecks to the laboratory devoted to the study of ancient blood at the State University of New York. None of these claims could be confirmed. The blood appears to be so old that the DNA is badly fragmented. Dr. Andrew Merriwether at SUNY has said that "? anyone can walk in off the street and amplify DNA from anything. The hard part is not to amplify what you don't want and only amplify what you want (endogenous DNA vs contamination)." It is doubtful that good DNA analyses can be obtained from the Shroud. It is almost certain that the blood spots are blood, but no definitive statements can be made about its nature or provenience, i.e., whether it is male and from the Near East.</tt></html> [[http://www.shroudstory.com/faq/turin-shroud-faq-02.htm|article link]] <html>July 08, 2009: British Scientists Claim to Create Human Sperm - British scientists claim they have created human sperm from stem cells. But other experts have questioned their data</html> <html><tt>LONDON - British scientists claim they have created human sperm from stem cells. But other experts have questioned their data. Researchers at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute say they used a new technique to derive what they described as sperm cells from embryonic stem cells. ... But many other British experts say they are unconvinced by the research. They also say the sperm cells created in the laboratory were clearly abnormal.</tt></html> [[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530621,00.html|article link]] <html>IUC World Exclusive: Prince Charles Not Harry's Real Father - the fact that Diana's ex lover James Hewitt is the Harry's real father - Diana stopped having sex with Charles years before Harry was born - Just the way they killed Diana they'll kill James {Prince Charles might not be able to have children and it's thought that neither son, William or Harry, are direct natural descendants of Charles.} </html> <html><tt>A longtime employee of Harry's mother Princess Diana told IUC that the Royal Family was involved in a massive coverup to hide the fact that Diana's ex-lover James Hewitt is the Harry's real father. According to the source Prince Philip threatened Hewitt's life if he didn't go along with the coverup. "They made him lie about the timeline," the source told IUC. "Prince Philip told Hewitt he would destroy him if it ever leaked out. It's impossible that Charles is Harry's real father. Hewitt was on the scene as Diana's lover two years before Harry was born. Diana stopped having sex with Charles years before Harry was born. Harry looks exactly like Hewitt." -- The massive coverup involved Hewitt lying to the world about when his dalliance actually began with Diana. Originally he told the world he met Diana in 1986. Harry was born in 1984. Under hypnosis for a tv interview Hewitt admitted he met Diana in 1981 or 1982, had sexual relations with her then - some two years before Harry was born. A relative of Hewitt told IUC that privately Hewitt has always believed he's Harry's dad but has denied it in public because he fears for his life. He also wants to protect his son from being dethroned. ... The relative added that this is another example of why the Royal Family should be abolished. "They're the biggest crooks and liars in the world," he said. "All the evidence clearly demonstrates that James is Harry's real father. Just the way they killed Diana they'll kill James. You'll see, one day his body will be found mysteriously in a hotel room and the Royals will try to convince the world that James committed suicide."</tt></html> [[http://ianundercover.com/2009/05/31/iuc-world-exclusive-prince-charles-not-harrys-real-father-ex-diana-lover-keeps-silents-because-of-death-threats-from-royal-family/|article link]] <html>Diana: Charles wanted rid of Camilla - so that he could marry Tiggy! - Princess Diana feared she and Camilla Parker Bowles were to be eliminated in a royal plot, paving the way for the Prince of Wales to marry another woman - But Operation Paget's report also provides startling details of the princess's state of mind as her marriage to Charles disintegrated - It read: 'This particular phase of my life is the most dangerous - my husband is planning "an accident" in my car, brake failure & serious head injury in order to make the path clear for him to marry' -- Comments: The image they created together made her of interest to the public and the media were responding to the that appetite. Without them [press] she would have been nothing more than a royal baby machine {Note: the concept is that a young Diana was used by Prince Charles to provide male children for the throne. Then after their irreconcilable differences Princess Diana was used again to date (seduce) eastern [Islam] men and help pave the way for a global (British) throne for William.} </html> <html><tt>The extraordinary allegation against the prince is at the heart of the report published yesterday by Lord Stevens into the death of Diana and Dodi Fayed when their chauffeured Mercedes crashed in a Paris underpass. The 832-page report stops short of naming the other woman, but the Daily Mail understands it is Miss Legge-Bourke, who became a surrogate mother to Princes William and Harry after their parents' divorce. The exhaustive £3.6million dossier systematically demolishes conspiracy theories that Diana and Dodi were murdered in an Establishment conspriacy. It dismissed claims by Dodi's father, the Harrods tycoon Mohamed Al Fayed, that Diana was pregnant and planning to marry his son. But Operation Paget's report also provides startling details of the princess's state of mind as her marriage to Charles disintegrated. Diana was convinced that he and Tiggy were having an affair and that Charles wanted to marry her. The 'plot' was revealed by the highlyrespected royal lawyer and Labour peer Lord Mishcon. He took a confidential note of Diana's fears when he met her two years before her death in August. A similar claim was made by Diana in a letter sent to her former butler Paul Burrell. It read: 'This particular phase of my life is the most dangerous - my husband is planning "an accident" in my car, brake failure & serious head injury in order to make the path clear for him to marry.' Interviewed by Lord Stevens, Prince Charles said he had no knowledge of Diana's claims until the 'note' was released by Mr Burrell in 2003. 'The Princess of Wales did not speak to him about it,' the report says. 'HRH the Prince of Wales knew the woman named in the note as a family friend. There has never been any possibility of marriage to her.' The Stevens report's main findings were that: there was no conspiracy to kill Diana and Dodi -and no cover-up; Diana was not pregnant; the couple were not engaged; and the princess might have survived the crash had she been wearing a seatbelt. Details of Lord Mishcon's note were given to Lord Stevens three years ago after Mr Burrell published his letter. In it Diana's mention of another woman was widely believed at the time to be a reference to Camilla. However, the Stevens report said: 'This is not so. The Princess of Wales did name a woman in her note. It was not Camilla Parker Bowles.'</tt></html> [[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-422674/Diana-Charles-wanted-rid-Camilla--marry-Tiggy.html|article link]] <html>cuttingedge.org: 2012 - Is This The Year When (British) Antichrist Might Arise? - "All right, I have seen enough calculations and discerning facts to convince me: Antichrist will arise from the House of Windsor (British Royalty) - If the timing is soon, Prince Charles will be that man; if the timing is delayed, Prince William will be Antichrist. However, Prince William must turns 30, which is the Jewish minimum age for a man to be a Rabbi. Williams turns 30 on 2012. Since the Illuminati always has a "Plan A" and a "Plan B", this scenario could be very probable</html> <html><tt>Suddenly, both Christian and New Age leaders are teaching that the year 2012 might be the year in which Antichrist arises. Cutting Edge weighs in on this discussion, with our knowledge of the occult, to conclude that 2012 might, indeed, be the year when the Masonic Messiah comes to the world scene! ... What Is So Special About 2012? This is the year in which the ancient, pagan Mayan Calendar changes to a New Age, an age in which a Messiah is supposed to arise. Listen to the official write-up from a New Age website. ""It is my great honor and privilege as Master Quetzalcoatl to return to Earth in this overt fashion to spearhead so to speak and bring to your attention the I AM University End of the Mayan Calendar and Countdown Project! As you might know, I Am Quetzalcoatl, Grand Master of the Mayan days ? You all know that the Mayan calendar as has been channeled and introduced to the Earth in the Ancient Days from Higher Cosmic Sources, ends in the year 2012 - on December 21st at 21:21:59 pm to be precise. This exact date and time marks the Official Ending of the Kali Yuga or Dark Age and the Official Birth of the Age of the Christ / Buddha / Krishna / Mohammed / Moses, and God! It is December 21st 2012 at 22:00 pm which marks the Official Return or Second Coming of the Christ, Imam Mahdi, Buddha Maitreya, Kalki Avatar, Great Tao, and Messiah!" ... The House of Windsor: The time in which a knowledgeable Christian will make a discerning decision regarding the identity of the man who will be Antichrist will be before he is arisen; and, this knowledge beforehand will require Biblical discernment, knowledge of Scripture, and a series of calculations! With this point made to me by a pastor, I bought Antichrist And A Cup of Tea and began to read, albeit still with a high degree of skepticism. About three-fourths of the way through this book, I set it down and said to myself, "All right, I have seen enough calculations and discerning facts to convince me: Antichrist will arise from the House of Windsor. If the timing is soon, Prince Charles will be that man; if the timing is delayed, Prince William will be Antichrist. However, Prince William must turns 30, which is the Jewish minimum age for a man to be a Rabbi. Williams turns 30 on 2012. Since the Illuminati always has a "Plan A" and a "Plan B", this scenario could be very probable.</tt></html> [[http://www.cuttingedge.org/NEWS/n2275.cfm|article link]] <html>Renaissance Radio #6: the New World Order's fake alien invasion set for the 2012 London Olympics (Mp3-Secular) </html> <html><tt>Renaissance Radio #6: Renaissance Radio is back to talk about Project Blue Beam, Rik Clay's murder, and the New World Order's fake alien invasion set for the 2012 London Olympics.</tt></html> [[http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renaissance-radio/page/2|article link]] <html>Rik Clay - London-Zion-2012 - London the New Jerusalem - The New World Order's fake alien invasion likely being prepared for the 2012 London Olympics [iPaper Book - Right Click and Print] (Book-iPaper-Secular) </html> <html><tt>Thanks to infowarrior Andrew for compiling the entirety of Rik Clay's research on the New World Order's fake alien invasion likely being prepared for the 2012 London Olympics. Why is it both the Beijing and London Olympic logos can be arranged to form the word "Zion"? What is the plan for Project Bluebeam's top secret holographic technology? Why was Rik Clay killed (quite probably) shortly after releasing all this information on his blog?</tt></html> [[http://www.atlanteanconspiracy.com/2009/02/rik-clay-london-zion-2012-book.html|article link]] <html>Matthew 28 - The betrayal, rejection, crucifixion and death have all happened to Jesus as man has had his say about the Son of God - Jesus in turn has forgiven mankind for all of our transgressions - Jesus then conquered death as He resurrected from the grave the third day and began His Christian Church - The Old Testament has come to a conclusion and the New Testament has now begun being instituted in the person, life, power and resurrection authority of Jesus Christ -- 'Matthew 28:2-5 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here [dead]: for He is [alive] risen, as He said'</html> <html><tt>Jesus reveals His eternal life Resurrection to His Disciples instructing them to go throughout the entire world teaching others and baptizing others all in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus confirms that all power and authority in both heaven and earth are His and that therefore the Disciples are to go out into all Nations proclaiming the good news of the eternal life giving Gospel of Jesus Christ! - 'Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away [from the upper room in Jerusalem] into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they (Disciples) saw Him, they Worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.'</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>ChristiaNet Forum Discussion: Adventists believe that the scapegoat in Leviticus typifies Satan - The truth is that Jesus became our scapegoat [actually not our scapegoat but our sacrifice] on the cross - He bore the blame for sins he did not commit - Any comments? -- When animals are used as types along with the sanctuary, to be a figure of Christ they must shed blood - There are other scriptures in the Bible which support the scapegoat as satan [antichrist - scenario] - What most poeple are missing is that before the scapegoat [Antichrist] is addressed, the sin of Israel has already been cleaned and removed [i.e. New Testament (Matthew 26:28, Romans 9:4)], or atoned for by God</html> <html><tt>When animals are used as types along with the sanctuary, to be a figure of Christ they must shed blood. There are other scriptures in the bible which support the scapegoat as Satan. In Revelation for example: Satan, the beat, false prophet are cast into the fire ALIVE. In genesis, there is the duality of the heel bring bruised, and the head being crushed as Christ and Satan are contrasted. and there are other passages to support that this scapegoat is Satan. What most people are missing is that before the scapegoat is addressed, the sin of Israel has already been cleaned and removed, or atoned for by God.---francis on 4/24/10 ... Lev 16:8-26, R.V., "the goat for Azazel" At a later period a modification of the law of Moses was introduced by the Jews. "The goat was conducted to a mountain named Tzuk. Judean desert was supposed to commence, and the man in whose charge the goat ..while setting him free, was instructed to push the unhappy beast down the slope of the mountain side, which was to insure the death of the goat. The reason of this barbarous custom was that on one occasion the scapegoat returned to Jerusalem after being set free, which was considered such an evil [end of the world] omen that its recurrence was prevented for the future by the death of the goat" Easton, M. G. "Scapegoat," Easton's Bible Dictionary. Blue Letter Bible. 1897.---Samuel on 4/23/10. ... Story of Jesus and Barabbas, Barabbas = Scapegoat- full of sin yet he was freed (just like the scapegoat in Leviticus) Jesus = sacrifice for SIN - totally sinless and sacrificed for sin. See Matthew 27 where Pontius Pilate asks who they choose to be killed and who they wanted set free.---miche3754 on 4/20/10. ... If this scapegoat is the [supposed] future [co-redeemer] sacrificial lamb, why is not NEVER Sacrificed?---francis on 4/20/10. ... If anyone thinks that the scapegoat is the TRUE LAMB OF GOD then he is mistaken. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission for sins. The text clearly says ONE goat for the Lord's and the other the scapegoat. Both goats are not for the lord. Blood must be shed to take sins away. There is no other way. That is a fundamental truth that cannot be changed. Our sins can only be atoned for by the shedding of blood. First the atonement is made with THE LORD'S Goat for OUR SINS, then after the atonement is made, and all our sins are wiped away, then and only then is the scapegoat dealt with.---francis on 4/20/10.</tt></html> [[http://christianblogs.christianet.com/1195136639.htm|article link]] <html>The Scapegoat Dilemma by John P. Pratt an astronomer and computer programmer, specializing in ancient calendars - There are several problems with that interpretation, or at least many questions remain unanswered - For starters, the goat usually represents evil - Christ compared his followers to sheep, but those who did evil to goats (see Mat. 25:32-46) - The scriptures testify that Jesus was the "Lamb of God" (John 1:36; Rev. 5:6, 12), which is consistent with that symbolism - But why would an (evil) goat be used to symbolize Christ [John 3:14 - the brass serpent used by Moses (Numbers 21:9) is a symbol of Jesus only on the cross]? Where does scripture even suggest that He was the "Goat of God" [2 Corinthians 5:21 - Jesus became our sin - a goat]? -- "2 Corinthians 5:21 For He [Father God] hath made Him [temporarily - on the cross - because there was no other way (Matthew 26:39)] to be sin for us, [Jesus] who knew no sin; that we [sinners - goats] might be made [sheep] the righteousness of God in Him." </html> <html><tt>1.3 The Enigma: There are several problems with that interpretation, or at least many questions remain unanswered. For starters, the goat usually represents evil. Christ compared his followers to sheep, but those who did evil to goats (see Mat. 25:32-46). The scriptures testify that Jesus was the "Lamb of God" (John 1:36; Rev. 5:6, 12), which is consistent with that symbolism. But why would an (evil) goat be used to symbolize Christ? Where does scripture even suggest that He was the "Goat of God"? And even if He is a goat in this case, the other goat (scapegoat) of this pair seems like a much better candidate. After all, he was the one chosen to be "for Jehovah", and he was sacrificed to atone for the sins of mankind, as was Christ. If the scapegoat represents Christ [standard Christian interpretation is that Jesus is the sacrifice not the scapegoat] who bore all of our sins, then what was the point of the other goat [two goats - two kingdoms in this world - sin that is atoned for (God's Kingdom) and sin that remains (Satan - Antichrist Kingdom)] which was sacrificed to pay for them? Most commentators conclude that both goats represent Christ, but have no compelling explanation for the difference between them. Why were two goats necessary? Both of them were said to atone for or bear mankind's sins. Have there been two people in history who have done that? If so, did the one who is not Christ have any experience similar to that of the scapegoat? The standard answer is that only Christ suffered for our sins, so they must both symbolize Him. But when was it that Christ was led into the uninhabited wilderness to be banished forever? Why is it worth mentioning that the scapegoat was led by an "appointed" (translated "fit" in the KJV) man? Does he represent someone in particular? And if it was Christ he was leading, why was that man "unclean" afterward? Is the additional feature of sending the goat to its death off a cliff into jagged stones a barbaric perversion which reverses the whole concept of freeing the goat, or does it capture the intended symbolism of sending both goats to their death by different means? If the scapegoat was intended to be freed, then why does it get off with no suffering, if it is bearing the sins of all mankind? That certainly doesn't seem to be like Christ, who suffered more than is humanly possible. And if the cliff death is a correct symbolism, or even being exiled, then what does it correspond to in the life of Christ? What is the point of the elaborate ceremony where lots are chosen to determine the fate of each? If two animals are needed for some reason, why not just sacrifice one and let the other one go as was done with birds in the cleansing of a leper (Lev. 14:1-7)? Why have spectators witness the high priest determine which goat was which? Who cares which goat is chosen? Surely the answer has something to do with the fact that one was "for Jehovah (God)" and the other "for Azazel (Satan)", so another question is, what does Azazel really mean? Let us dig deeper to answer all of these questions. ... 2. Barabbas: If this incident was indeed symbolized by the scapegoat ceremony, several questions remain. If the scapegoat represents a false Christ [Antichrist], then what about bearing the weight of the sins of all mankind? And what about being led by an appointed man into the wilderness? We may be on the right track but we need some more answers. ... 4. Conclusion: The results of this investigation suggest that the standard Christian interpretation of the scapegoat as representing Christ is probably in error [standard Christian interpretation is that Jesus is the sacrifice not the scapegoat]. The more straightforward Hebrew interpretation that Azazel is Satan can be explained in terms of Christian doctrine by the Book of Enoch. In particular, the goat "for Jehovah" is indeed Jesus Christ, who atoned and was sacrificed for all the sins of mankind. But the other goat, the scapegoat "for Azazel," also bears the weight of the sins of all mankind because Satan (Azazel) is ultimately responsible for them all. And he will be punished for them, first by being cast into the bottomless pit, and later by being thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone at the last day. This ceremony teaches these two truths simultaneously. One practical lesson to be learned is that it can be very difficult to judge between the two nearly identical goats, representing Christ and a false Christ. Jesus appeared to the Jews to be a false Christ. They believed He performed His miracles by Satan's power (Luke 11:15) and some may have thought they were doing Jehovah a service by crucifying Him (compare John 16:2). Even though they were fulfilling scriptural prophecy, the Jews chose poorly between Barabbas and Christ. Perhaps next time the choice will be between two lambs instead of two goats (Rev. 13:11). Satan is the great deceiver and can do miracles (Rev. 13:13-15). He disguises himself in sheep's clothing (Mat. 7:15). The Savior warned us not to be deceived by false christs who will show great signs and wonders, who will, were it possible, deceive the very elect (Mat. 24:24). If we had to choose between two candidates, both of whom claimed to be Christ, to do miracles and to have the power to save us, would we vote for the One who is indeed the true Savior? Would we go along with the screaming crowd and cast our vote against Christ, or would we have the courage to stand against the throng and heed the still, small voice that testifies of the true Son of God?</tt></html> [[http://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/lds/meridian/2009/scapegoat.html|article link]] <html>The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) - "For the life of the flesh is in the blood [besides oxygen, nutrition, etc. is this also a refrence to DNA?]; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life" Leviticus 17:11 NASB - Next, the High Priest proceeds to the east side of the Alter, where there are two young goats waiting - He took two golden lots and placed them inside a golden box, and shook them. He then pulled one from the box, and held one before each goat's head - On one lot was engraved "For YHWH," and on the other lot was engraved "For azazel" - The one which received the azazel lot was marked with a scarlet thread tied around one of its horns - There is much speculation concerning the word azazel, since it is both the name of a fallen angel in Hebrew, and also implies the concept of escape (PDF) </html> <html><tt>A week before this day, the High Priest would leave his home, and reside in the Temple itself, in special quarters set apart for this purpose. This was to keep the High Priest away from any unintentional defilement, so he could perform the duties he was required to perform. An alternate was appointed, in case the High Priest were to suddenly become ill, or die, or become unclean. During this week, the High Priest himself performed all the Temple services which were normally performed by the priests within the section assigned to that week. -- On the morning of Yom Kippur, the High Priest would wash himself completely (on other days, he would wash his hands and feet only), and dressed in his normal service linens (purple, with bells hung at the bottom, and the gold breastplate with the twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel). Once this morning service was performed, the High Priest would return to the chambers within the Temple, and being preparing for the afternoon service. He immersed his entire body again, and then put on a new set of white linen garments, identical to the linens the normal priests wore during their performance of the Temple services. The white linen garments he wore on this day were never worn again; they were disposed of at the end of the day. -- The High Priest now returns to the Court of the Priests, where there is a young bull waiting for him. He presses his hands on its head, and confesses his sins. During this confession, the name of God is spoken three times; this name was forbidden to be spoken at any other time during the year. At this point, he is confessing and atoning for his sins. -- Next, the High Priest proceeds to the east side of the Alter, where there are two young goats waiting. He took two golden lots and placed them inside a golden box, and shook them. He then pulled one from the box, and held one before each goat's head. On one lot was engraved "For YHWH," and on the other lot was engraved "For azazel." The one which received the azazel lot was marked with a scarlet thread tied around one of its horns. -- There is much speculation concerning the word azazel, since it is both the name of a fallen angel in Hebrew, and also implies the concept of escape. Thus, the goat which escapes becomes the scapegoat, but it escapes to a demon, where all the sin of Israel is carried. The goat with the scarlet thread was turned to face the congregation, while the other was turned to face the alter. -- The High Priest now returned to the young bullock, and places his hands upon its head a second time. This time he confesses the sins of the priests onto the bullock. He then slaughtered the bullock, and placed some of its blood in a golden bowl. This was given to an attending priest. He then walked up to the alter and took a small scoop of live coals in a censor, and two handfuls of incense, placing them in a golden ladle. With these two, he walked into the Temple, through Holy Place, and into the Holy of Holies. He poured the incense on the censor, and waited until the smoke filled the air. -- Once this was done, he returned and took the golden bowl. With this, he moved back into the Temple, through the Holy Place, and back into the Holy of Holies. He dipped his fingers in the blood seven times, each time sprinkling the blood downward. Again, he dipped his fingers in the blood seven times, sprinkling the blood upwards. He then moved from the Holy of Holies back outside the Temple to the courtyard where the two goats were left standing. He now slaughtered the goat set aside for the Lord, the one which was facing the Alter, and placed it on the Alter to burn, setting aside a golden bowl of its blood. He took this bowl of blood into the Holy of Holies, and sprinkled it fourteen times as well. Now, he moved back to the courtyard and mixed the two bowls of blood together. He sprinkled this mixture on the four corners of the Alter which stood in the courtyard. Finally, the High Priest moved back to the Court of the Priests, where the one goat remains standing. He placed his hands on its head, and confessed the sins of the people onto the goat. The goat was then led out of the Eastern gate, to a distance about 10 miles from the city (camp), where it was released. In the days of the second Temple, the scapegoat wasn't actually released, but was rather pushed off a cliff, so that the goat, carrying the sins of the people, would not accidentally wander into some inhabited place, and bring the sins of Israel with it. The High Priest now passes through the Temple once again, and into the Holy of Holies. This time he removes the censor and ladle used to bring the coals and incense into the Holy of Holies. He then bathes, and changes into his normal priestly clothes, and performs the evening Temple service. -- An interesting aside: They tied a rope around the High Priest's ankle when he went in to the Holy of Holies, in case something happened [in case the High Priest didn?t put enough smoke and incense inside the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:2, ) before he entered and he accidently saw the glory of God - to see the actual glory of God without Jesus as an atonement is to immediately die], and he couldn't make it back out. In this way, they could pull the High Priest back out without breaking the sanctity of the Holy of Holies. This is the only time during the year that the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies.</tt></html> [[http://thinkinginchrist.com/media/rw%20feasts%2008/dayofatonement.pdf|article link]] <html>Brazen Serpent Sculpture (July 25, 2005) - [Note: The red iron T depicts the ancient wooden 'pole' it was a pole (T or t shaped) that held a banner - originally the cloth banner was removed and the brass serpent was placed on the pole by Moses. -- In the sculpture the serpent is the darker item that loops around the pole several times near the top and then loops over the top of the T shaped pole (also stylistically forming an Ankh ancient Egyptian cross [unChristian], known as key of life - Wiki.com).] (Photo) </html> <html><tt>Description: The Christological Symbol (Brazen Serpent Sculpture), created by Italian artist, Giovanni Fantoni, stands atop Mount Nebo. It is symbolic of the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (John 3:14). -- Date: 14:56, 25 July 2005.</tt></html> [[http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brazen_Serpent_Sculpture.jpg|article link]] <html>Wikipedia: Mount Nebo located in Jordan - According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the Hebrew prophet Moses was given a view of the promised land that God was giving to the Israelites - "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho" (Deuteronomy 34:1) - The serpentine cross sculpture (the Brazen Serpent Monument) atop Mount Nebo was created (25 July 2005) by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni - It is symbolic of the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (John 3:14) (Photos - scroll down) </html> <html><tt>Judaism and Christianity: According to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Mount Nebo is where the Hebrew prophet Moses was given a view of the promised land that God was giving to the Israelites. "And Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho." (Deuteronomy 34:1). According to Jewish and Christian tradition, Moses was buried on this mountain by God Himself, and his final resting place is unknown. Scholars continue to dispute whether the mountain currently known as Nebo is the same as the mountain referred to in the Torah. ... Ruins: On the highest point of the mountain, Syagha, the remains of a church and monastery were discovered in 1933. The church was first constructed in the second half of the 4th century to commemorate the place of Moses' death. The church design follows a typical basilica pattern. It was enlarged in the late fifth century A.D. and rebuilt in A.D. 597. The church is first mentioned in an account of a pilgrimage made by a lady Aetheria in A.D. 394. Six tombs have been found hollowed from the natural rock beneath the mosaic-covered floor of the church. In the modern chapel presbytery, built to protect the site and provide worship space, you can see remnants of mosaic floors from different periods. The earliest of these is a panel with a braided cross presently placed on the east end of the south wall. ... Recent History: On March 20, 2000, Pope John Paul II visited the site during his pilgrimage to the Holy Land (Mount Nebo being one of the most important Christian sites in Jordan). During his visit he planted an olive tree beside the Byzantine chapel as a symbol of peace. Pope Benedict XVI visited the site on May 9, 2009, gave a speech, and looked out from the top of the mountain in the direction of Jerusalem. The serpentine cross sculpture (the Brazen Serpent Monument) atop Mount Nebo was created by Italian artist Giovanni Fantoni. It is symbolic of the bronze serpent created by Moses in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9) and the cross upon which Jesus was crucified (John 3:14).</tt></html> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Nebo_(Jordan)|article link]] <html>DebbieSchlussel.com: Happy New Year (Rosh HaShanah) - To all of my Jewish readers and friends, Shanah Tovah u'Metukah KeTapuach B'Dvash-May You Have a Good New Year, As Sweet as an Apple with Honey - Ktivah v'Chatimah Tovah-May You Be Inscribed and Sealed for a Good Year - Thanks to all of my readers-Gentile and Jew-who sent me e-mails and i- and e-cards wishing me a Happy New Year - Right Back at Ya! I hope you have a happy and healthy New Year</html> <html><tt>Tonight, at sundown, Rosh HaShanah-the Jewish New Year-begins. One of the two most important Jewish holidays (the other is Yom Kippur), it marks the beginning of the Jewish "Ten Days of Repentance," during which we Jews repent for our sins and pray for a good new year. We believe that on Rosh HaShanah, G-d inscribes our fate for the year, and that at the end of Yom Kippur, that fate is sealed. It is one of the holidays that unites Jews around the world because most Jews-no matter how non-religious-celebrate at least part of this holiday in some way.</tt></html> [[http://www.debbieschlussel.com/26697/happy-new-year-rosh-hashanah/|article link]] <html>Jews, Muslims approach holy celebrations; Rosh Hashana starts tonight; Eid-il-Fitr likely will begin Friday</html> <html><tt>By ELAINE ROSE - The appearance of the new moon tonight will mark the start of holiday celebrations for southern New Jersey's Jews and Muslims. The Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashana, starts at sunset tonight. It is the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, which culminate with the fast of Yom Kippur. Area Muslims will most likely celebrate Eid-il-Fitr beginning Friday morning, a three-day feast to mark the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. Both the Jewish and Islamic calendars are lunar, based on the cycles of the moon. But there are two differences in the way the calendars work. The lunar year is 11 days shorter than the solar year. The Jewish calendar adds a leap month seven times every 19 years to keep in sync with the solar year. So Rosh Hashana always occurs in the early fall. But the Muslim calendar makes no such adjustment, and the holidays fall back 11 days every year. ... The Jewish Rosh Hashana celebration is a bit more somber, as Jews spend a large part of the day in synagogue as they begin repenting for their sins. The shofar, or ram's horn, is blown as a wake-up [Psalms 3:5] call to come back to the right path. In the afternoon, communities go to a body of water - usually the beach in southern New Jersey - to symbolically cast their sins into the sea [Psalms 55:22, Psalms 103:12]. At a festive meal, it is a custom to eat apples dipped in honey as a symbol for a sweet year.</tt></html> [[http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/article_14425ce2-bae2-11df-bac8-001cc4c002e0.html|article link]] <html>Rosh Hashanah 2010 [Jewish New Year 5711] - Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - It is celebrated on Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 {Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) - the 6th of the 8 Levitical Feast Days begins tonight at Sundown it is the next Feast in order after Pentecost to be prophetically initiated/fulfilled and is thought to signify the calling of the Church (rapture) into Heaven and the assembling (uniting) of the Nation of Israel on earth.} </html> <html><tt>What is Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish new year. It takes place on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, which finish at the end of Yom Kippur.</tt></html> [[http://www.myjewishlearning.com/hot_topics/ht/rosh-hashanah-2010.shtml|article link]] <html>Rosh Hashanah 2010 [Jewish New Year 5711] - Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - It is celebrated on Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 {Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) - the 6th of the 8 Levitical Feast Days begins tonight at Sundown it is the next Feast in order after Pentecost to be prophetically initiated/fulfilled and is thought to signify the calling of the Church (rapture) into Heaven and the assembling (uniting) of the Nation of Israel on earth.} </html> <html><tt>What is Rosh Hashanah? Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Jewish new year. It takes place on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance, which finish at the end of Yom Kippur.</tt></html> [[http://www.myjewishlearning.com/hot_topics/ht/rosh-hashanah-2010.shtml|article link]] <html>Update: Coming in the next weeks the study of the "Fall Feasts of Israel" - The first of three Feasts is Rosh Hashanah [Feast of Trumpets] Thursday 9 September 2010 (not 9/11 as was previously posted in error) - It also looks like in the coming study we might divert again into some more End Time scenarios Also: There should be several postings to upcoming Audio and Mp3 postings from other various Ministries. -- Then there are a couple more topics that I want to suggest before we begin our actual 8 Kingdoms study that is coming soon. It has been on my heart to go over some material regarding "original sin" and the error of "infant salvation" two topics that generally seem to be getting further and further apart from standard Biblical precepts. [Hint: Sin originated with Adam and Eve and is (physically) passed down through the human bloodline to each generation - presumable each person inherits the sin background and potential from the previous two or three generations.] -- Looking forward to the coming studies and material postings ~ God bless everyone, David Anson Brown</html> <html> [3 Fall Feasts 2010] Rosh Hashanah in 2010 is Sundown Wednesday, the 8th of September and will continue for 2 days until Sundown Friday, the 10th of September 2010 - Then Yom Kippur [Day of Atonement] is on Saturday, the 18th of September 2010 - Sukkot [Feast of Booths] in 2010 will start on Sunset Wednesday, the 22nd of September and will continue for 7 days [1 week] until Wednesday, the 29th of September 2010. {Jerusalem time is +7 hours (later) than NY time and +10 hours (later) than West Coast time.}</html> <html><tt>Rosh Hashanah in 2011 will start on Thursday, the 29th of September and will continue for 2 days until Friday, the 30th of September. Note that in the Jewish calander, a holiday begins on the sunset of the previous day, so observing Jews will celebrate Rosh HaShanah on the Sunset of Wednesday, the 28th of September until Friday, the 30th of September 2011.</tt></html> [[http://www.when-is.com/rosh-hashanah-2010.asp|article link]] <html>Another remarkable mathematical Bible prophecy - The Return of Israel ... May 14, 1948</html> <html><tt>You are about to read one of the most fascinating and remarkable prophecies in the Bible. What makes it even more remarkable is what it implies. For when we realize how precisely this prophecy has been fulfilled after 2,500 years, we must realize all the Bible prophecies concerning Israel and the world including the coming 'Apocalypse,' the Battle of Armageddon, Messiah's Return, and the many promises and warnings concerning both Heaven and Hell will be fulfilled just as accurately and literally as the amazing prophecy presented here ... The Prophecy ... Ezekiel 4:4-6 ... Israel Back in Her Land as a Nation . . . in 1948! Judah (Israel) was taken into captivity by the Babylonians in 606 B.C. They were released from captivity 70 years later by the Persians in 536 A.D., exactly as the prophet Jeremiah had prophesied, but their land was still under the control of the Persians. The Persians were later conquered by the Greeks, and the land of Israel remained under Greek control. The Greeks were then conquered by Rome and the land of Israel remained under Roman control. After failed rebellions against Rome around 70 A.D. and another around 100 years later, the Romans removed the Jews from the land of Israel, dispersed them around the world and then renamed the land 'Palestine' after the enemies of Israel. Then, after 2,500 years, and for the first time since the Babylonian captivity in 606 B.C., the world watched as Israel once again appeared on the world map as a sovereign nation, on May 14, 1948 ... exactly when the Bible said it would!</tt></html> [[http://www.alphanewsdaily.com/mathprophecy2.html|article link]] ==== The Unified Church ==== <fs 120%>#20 Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Reformed Protestantism, Evangelical Christianity, etc. comprise the entirety of the greater Christian Church - excluding the cults of Seventh-day Adventist, Jehovah's Witnesses, LDS Mormons, etc.</fs> <html>Note: The Article 10 Areas and Doctrines where we can all Agree to Agree! Has been updated and now covers 15 Areas and Doctrines - It is soon to be updated to 20 Areas and eventually to a total of about 25 Areas and Doctrines that are central and relevant to the Christian faith</html> <html><tt>Note: one of the areas and doctrines that I want to address in the coming update is the universal nature of the one true Christian Church [headed by Jesus Christ and facilitated by the Holy Spirit] especially regarding Protestantism, Evangelicalism and the Roman Catholic Church. However I don't want to address it right now because of two reasons. 1. Both Protestants and Evangelicals would probably be uncomfortable with that area of agreement. 2. I would like to submit that the Roman Catholic Church in Rome is historically and futuristically the leadership Church of Christianity - however the Vatican has to actually act substantially on behalf of true Christian and Judeo/Christian causes. When Rome [the Vatican] can make a definitive statement and a concerted effort towards real and beneficial support and assistance to the Jews [worldwide], Jerusalem and Israel then I would certainly be willing to see Rome as the unchallenged authority and leadership of the one true Christian Church. - Noticing that our alternatives within modern [infiltrated by cults i.e. Emergent doctrines] Evangelicalism and the almost completely compromised Protestant denominations are in reality almost non-existent when it comes to relevant meaningful Christian representation.</tt></html> ==== Mt. Sinai is located outside of Egypt ==== <fs 120%>#21 (Exodus 18:1,5) in Arabia (Galatians 4:25) - In modern day Saudi Arabia</fs> <blockquote>21: Exodus 18:1,5 When Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father in law, heard of all that God had done for Moses, and for Israel his people, and that the LORD had brought Israel **out of Egypt**; ... And Jethro, Moses' father in law, came with his sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness, where he encamped at the mount of God:</blockquote> <blockquote>Galatians 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in [Saudi] Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem [Mt. Moriah - Grace, cross and resurrection of Jesus] which now is, and [Mt. Sinai - the Laws of Moses] is in bondage with her children.</blockquote> <html>Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 2 of 5 - The boundary markers around Mt. Sinai (Video) - Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount [Mt. Sinai], or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:' (YouTube) </html> <html><tt>Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai. -- {Note: The Apostle Paul is writing about Mt. Sinai from both common knowledge of the day and his experiential knowledge having been to Mt. Sinai himself. After his Damascus road experience and departing Damascus the Apostle Paul went to Saudi Arabia and stayed in Saudi Arabia for about three years. Earlier the Prophet Elijah [1 Kings 19:8] had also gone to Arabia [Mt. Sinai also called Mt. Horeb] and stayed for a short time in the cave on Mt. Sinai (video part 4 of 5).} 'Galatians 1:17 Neither went I [Apostle Paul] up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia [for about three years], and returned again unto Damascus.' - 'Galatians 4:25 mount Sinai in Arabia ...'</tt></html> [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym5h5A42YGo|article link]] <html>ArkDiscovery.com: Biblical Archeology - Ron Wyatt's "Discovered Series" (5 DVD Set $22) </html> <html><tt>The entire DVD series of the late Ron Wyatt's discoveries. This amazing series will show such discoveries as: The Red Sea Crossing site, Mt. Sinai, Noah's Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ark of the Covenant and dozens of other faith building discoveries! 4 hour, 20 minute DVD covering the all the discoveries, plus Ron Wyatt presentations. Select a larger quantity of 10 or 50 and receive a price reduction, perfect for you to resell or give away while spreading the word about the discoveries.</tt></html> [[http://www.arkdiscovery.com/DVD-RGT.htm|article link]] <html> (Part 1) Note: Before we begin to look at "The Fall Feasts of Israel" (Second Coming events of Jesus Christ) study starting about Sept. 1, 2010 we need a little more background on the "Covenants of Israel" (1st Moses [Mt. Sinai, in the desert] - 2nd Jesus [Mt. Zion, Jerusalem]) and of the "Promises of Israel" (Ephesians 2:12-13) </html> <html><tt>Israel began with a promise from God to Abraham (Genesis 12:3, Galatians 3:18) - Then [430 years later (Galatians 3:17)] the 1st Covenant [Law - instruction] was enacted from God to the Nation of Israel through Moses for the purpose of temporary instruction (Galatians 3:24) regarding the coming permanent [eternal - salvation] Covenant of Jesus Christ - The Promises of God and the Laws (1st Covenat) of Moses provided an unregenerated (Redemption) relationship between God and mankind. The Promises of God and the (2nd Covenat) accomplished events (works) of Jesus Christ and the accompanying giving of the Holy Spirit provide a regenerated (Salvation) 'born again' relationship between God and mankind. Where the Promises of God [starting in Genesis 1:26] came before any of the Covenants [Noah, Abraham, Moses] and all the covenants facilitate the promises of God, the "Feasts of Israel" [the individual Feasts (Leviticus 23:1-2) primarily being observed as "a statute for ever (eternally)" Leviticus 23:41] arch between the two Covenants of Israel and facilitate both the Promises of God and the Covenants of God by helping to reveal and provide the structure of God's unfolding and ongoing reconciliation plan regarding mankind.</tt></html> <html> (Part 2 - Transition from Law to Grace) Jesus continued to transition the people from Law [Mt. Sinai] to Grace [Mt. Zion] - First it is important to understand, as the early Jewish Christians did, that Jesus is the physical manifestation of the voice that spoke from the burning bush (Exodus 3:2, Exodus 3:14 - John 8:24) and that also spoke from the Mountain top at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:11-25) -- "Hebrews 12:26 (Jesus) Whose voice then shook the earth [at Mt. Sinai]: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven." {Note: The Levitical Priesthood was primarily an earthly Priesthood while Jesus' Melchizedek Priesthood [encompasses] has authority both on the earth and also in heaven.} </html> <blockquote>Exodus 19:11 And [followers of God] be ready against [on] the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon Mount Sinai." -- "Matthew 5:1-3 And seeing the multitudes, He (Jesus) went up into a (Biblical, Government) Mountain [Jesus is starting His 2nd Covenant Ministry - where He left off His previous 1st Covenant Ministry - on a Mountain]: and when He was set, His disciples {only - Peter, Matthew, John, etc.} came unto Him: And He opened His mouth [naturally - no occult activity], and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven." ... "Matthew 7:28-29 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these [Sermon on the Mount] sayings, the people [Jesus had transitioned from Law to Grace and also from just disciples being the audience to everyone being the audience] were astonished at His doctrine: For He [Jesus] taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."</blockquote> <html>Rapture - The Old Covenant [Old Testament] is considered an earthly covenant while the New Covenant [New Testament] is considered a Heavenly Covenant - causing the gathering of the Christian Congregation [the Rapture] to occur in Heaven - {Note: It seems to be that this is why Jesus did not write documents while He was on earth [as Moses did] because it would replicate the (O.T.) Old Covenant. Therefore Jesus speaks (writes) from Heaven as the N.T. is based in Heaven "Heavenly Jerusalem" and no earthly documents were from Jesus because that would have duplicated the O.T. Ministry of Moses. Also Note: The Book of Revelation in parts i.e. (Revelation 1:17-3:22) is a direct transcript from Jesus "Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God [the Father] gave unto Him [the Son], to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel [mesenger] unto His servant [Disciple] John:"} </html> <html><tt>Hebrews 12:18-29 For ye [Christians] are not come unto the [unapproachable] mount [Mt. Sinai "out of Egypt" (Exodus 18:1,5) in Saudi Arabia - where God came down] that might be [physically] touched [and the person who touched it died], and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of Words; which voice they [Congregation of Moses] that heard intreated that the Word should not be spoken to them any more (Exodus 20:18): For they [Congregation/Church of Moses] could not endure that which was commanded [by the voice of God], And if so much as a beast touch the mountain [Mt. Sinai], it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: But ye [Christians] are come unto [approachable] mount Sion [Mt. Zion in Jerusalem - cross and resurrection of Jesus], and unto the city of the living God, the Heavenly Jerusalem [Heaven - where God (Jesus) ascended up into], and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly [O.T. Saints] and [Christian] Church of the Firstborn [Jesus Christ], which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect [complete in Jesus Christ], And to Jesus the mediator [for mankind to God] of the New Covenant, and to the [N.T.] blood of sprinkling (O.T. Exodus 24:4-8), that speaketh better things than that of Abel (Genesis 4:10). See that ye [Christian] refuse not Him [Jesus] that speaketh [from Heaven]. For if they [Congregation of Moses] escaped not who refused Him [God revealed] that spake [O.T. Covenant] on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him [Jesus revealed] that speaketh from Heaven: [Jesus] Whose voice then shook the earth [at Mt. Sinai]: but now He [Jesus] hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this Word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made [man-made], that those things [of God] which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a [eternal] Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.</tt></html> <html>The Revised Roman Empire - Saint Helena - the mother of Emperor Constantine I - She is traditionally credited with finding the relics of the True Cross, with which she is invariably represented in Christian iconography - Constantine appointed his mother Helen as Augusta Imperatrix, and gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury in order to locate the relics of Judeo-Christian tradition - In 326-28 A.D. Helena undertook a trip to the Holy Places in Palestine [Israel] - The chapel at St. Catherine's Monastery [in Sinai Egypt - including Helen's Chapel of the Burning Bush] often referred to as the Chapel of Saint Helen-is dated to the year AD 330 {Note: every 'discovery' of Helena the mother of Emperor Constantine I is considered to be discredited - especially her [confirming] Mt. Sinai in Egypt [the Chapel of the Burning Bush - Source: SacredSites.com] when the Bible proclaims that the real Mt. Sinai was 'outside' (Exodus 18:1,5) of Egypt (Galatians 4:25). Also Note: it is one of the most blasphemous concepts to locate God in Egypt - God is not in Egypt, He is outside of Egypt [human slavery and human bondage] - the whole concept of the Bible is to leave Egypt and for worshipers go outside of Egypt (the world) to have a true relationship with God - pastors who preach that one corner of Egypt (St. Catherine's Monastery) is acceptable to God have missed much of the entirety of the Bible - The Apostle Paul tells us that Jesus was even crucified outside the city of Jerusalem so we would know to look outside the city for a true relationship with Jesus (Hebrews 13:12-14)} </html> <html><tt>Family life: The bishop and historian Eusebius of Caesarea states that she was about 80 [years old] on her return from Palestine (Israel). Since that journey has been dated to 326-28, Helena was probably born in 248 or 250. Little is known of her early life. Fourth-century sources, following Eutropius' "Breviarium," record that she came from a low background. Saint Ambrose was the first to call her a stabularia, a term translated as "stable-maid" or "inn-keeper". He makes this fact a virtue, calling Helena a bona stabularia, a "good stable-maid". Other sources, especially those written after Constantine's proclamation as emperor, gloss over or ignore her background. ... Relic discoveries: Constantine appointed his mother Helen as Augusta Imperatrix, and gave her unlimited access to the imperial treasury in order to locate the relics of Judeo-Christian tradition. In 326-28 Helena undertook a trip to the Holy Places in Palestine. According to Eusebius of Caesarea she was responsible for the construction or beautification of two churches, the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, and the Church on the Mount of Olives, sites of Christ's birth and ascension. Local founding legend attributes to Helena's orders the construction of a church in Egypt to identify the Burning Bush of Sinai. The chapel at St. Catherine's Monastery--often referred to as the Chapel of Saint Helen-is dated to the year AD 330. -- Jerusalem was still rebuilding from the destruction of Emperor Hadrian, who had built a temple dedicated, according to conflicting accounts, to Venus or Jupiter over the site of Jesus's tomb near Calvary and renamed the city Aelia Capitolina. According to tradition, Helena ordered the temple torn down and, according to the legend that arose at the end of the fourth century, in Ambrose, On the Death of Theodosius (died 395) and at length in Rufinus' chapters appended to his translation into Latin of Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History, which does not mention the event, chose a site to begin excavating, which led to the recovery of three different crosses. Then, Rufinus relates, refusing to be swayed by anything but solid proof, the empress (perhaps through Bishop Macarius of Jerusalem) had a woman who was already at the point of death brought from Jerusalem. When the woman touched the first and second crosses, her condition did not change, but when she touched the third and final cross she suddenly recovered, and Helena declared the cross with which the woman had been touched to be the True Cross. On the site of discovery, Constantine ordered built the Church of the Holy Sepulchre as well as those on other sites detected by Helena. -- She also found the nails of the crucifixion. To use their miraculous power to aid her son, Helena allegedly had one placed in Constantine's helmet, and another in the bridle of his horse. Helena left Jerusalem and the eastern provinces in 327 to return to Rome, bringing with her large parts of the True Cross and other relics, which were then stored in her palace's private chapel, where they can be still seen today. Her palace was later converted into the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem. This has been maintained by Cistercian monks in the monastery which has been attached to the church for centuries. Tradition says that the site of the Vatican Gardens was spread with earth brought from Golgotha by Helena to symbolically unite the blood of Christ with that shed by thousands of early Christians, who died in the persecutions of Nero. -- According to one tradition, Helena acquired the Holy Tunic on her trip to Jerusalem and sent it to Trier. Several of Saint Helena's treasures are now in Cyprus, where she spent some time. Some of them are a part of Jesus Christ's tunic, pieces of the holy cross and the world's only pieces of the rope to which Jesus was tied with on the Cross. The latter has been held at the Stavrovouni Monastery, which was also founded by Saint Helena.</tt></html> [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_(Empress)|article link]] ==== Melchizedek is an O.T. Epiphany of God ==== <fs 120%>#22 Did Abraham when he paid his onetime tithe to King Melchizedek pay his tithe to God or simply to another man? The book of Hebrews tells us that the man that Abraham Tithed to is eternal</fs> <blockquote>Hebrews 7:8 And here men [Levitical Priests] that die (mortal) receive tithes; but there [with Abraham] He [Melchizedek] receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed [by God to Abraham - by God to Moses when Moses wrote the book of Genesis and also later by God to King David in Psalms 110:4] that He [Melchizedek] liveth (immortal - eternal life).</blockquote> <blockquote>Genesis 14:1-6 And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king (of) Shinar, Arioch king (of) Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king (of) Elam, and Tidal king (of) nations; That these made war with Bera king (of) Sodom, and with Birsha king (of) Gomorrah, Shinab king (of) Admah, and Shemeber king (of) Zeboiim, and the king (of) Bela, which is Zoar. All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim, And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto El-paran, which is by the wilderness. ... Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek King [of] Salem brought forth bread and wine: and He was the Priest of the most high God.</blockquote> Note: in the Greek (O.T.) Septuagint "LXX" manuscript in v. 18 the word [of] is not present for Melchizedek as it is for all the other kings of the world, it is simply "Melchizedek King Salem" and it is the "Melchizedek King Salem" that the Apostle Paul references' in Hebrews 7:2 "first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace" the name "Melchizedek King Salem" is first to be interpreted [not having the 'of' that the other kings have] as a title because there was and is no earthly city of "Salem" (Peace). The name Jerusalem is derived from the [Hebrew] words 'Ir Shalom' which mean "city of peace" Source: allexperts.com King Salem and Jerusalem 'city of peace' are not the same thing at least not until the 1,000 year Kingdom reign of Jesus Christ on earth - the 8th Kingdom. Jerusalem 'the city of David' as a righteous city with a king did not exist in ancient times and did not exist at all until King David conquered (2 Samuel 5:5-9) the pagan Jebusite (Genesis 10:16) city of Jebus and renamed it Jerusalem. Previous to King David the ruling city in Israel was Gilgal (1 Samuel 11:14) where King Saul had his throne located. Had an ancient earthly city of Salem existed with an earthly king Melchizedek then certainly king Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:2) with his legions would have attacked and attempted to conquer Salem along with the rest of their universal conquest. Psalm 112 tells us about the attributes of a righteous man modeled after the righteousness of God displayed to us in Melchizedek. Why did Melchizedek receive an earthly tithe from Abraham and what did Melchizedek do with it? Melchizedek received a tithe [tribute] from Abraham because God is King over mankind and then Melchizedek seemingly distributed the tithe among the poor as it is righteous to do. <blockquote>Psalms 112:9 He [Melchizedek] hath dispersed, He hath given to the poor; His [Melchizedek King of righteousness and King of peace] Righteousness endureth for ever; His horn shall be exalted with honour.</blockquote> ApostasyWatch.org: To Tithe or Not to Tithe mp3 <html>2 Samuel 1-2 - Saul and three of his four sons including Jonathan are killed in battle - After hearing of the death of Saul and of loss of his good friend Jonathan and knowing he was next in line to be the King of Israel David inquired of God what he should do next - God instructed David to go live in Hebron -- '2 Samuel 2:1 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.' {Hebron is where Abraham lived for much of his time while he was in the Promise Land [Genesis 13:18]. It was while living in Hebron that Abraham rescued his nephew Lot and after the battle met with Melchizedek.} </html> <html><tt>David is instituted as the King of Judah but not yet all of Israel: '2 Samuel 2:4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.' - Abner the leader of Saul's army [it was probably Abner that gave the account of the death of Saul, three of his three sons and of his armor bearer on Mt. Gilboa at the end of 1 Samuel] set Saul's remaining son Ish-bosheth as a competing king over Israel. '2 Samuel 2:8-10 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ish-bosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.' - A long drawn out war prevailed between the House of Saul and the House of David. '2 Samuel 3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.' Later Abner would have a falling out with Ish-bosheth and leave that camp to join David's side. Joab the general of David's army killed Abner and later Ish-bosheth was assassinated by two Captains of his own army. King David is then installed to be the second King over all of Israel. - '2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.'</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>2 Samuel 6 - The Ark of the Covent (Old Covenant) with the presence of God comes to its final destination, the Holy City of Jerusalem -- '2 Samuel 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the Ark of God, whose Name is called by the Name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims.'</html> <html><tt>The Ark of the Covent with the presence of God comes to Jerusalem: '2 Samuel 6:6-22 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the Ark of God, and took hold of it [to steady the Ark]; for the oxen shook it [the Ark was to be carried by levites not carted on an ox cart as the Philistines had don]. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error [the Kingdom of God does not need steadying or the assistance from any person]; and there he died by the Ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach [gash] upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the Ark of the LORD come to me [the way God prescribed in the Bible not on an ox cart as the Philistines had done]? So David would not remove the Ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the Ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household. And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed- edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the Ark of God. So David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they [Levitical Preists] that bare the Ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouting [rejoicing], and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the Ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the Ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle [the Tabernacle was relocated from Shiloh to Jerusalem, later the Temple would be built by Solomon] that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself {David removed the restrictions of the Law [Levitical system] and entered a new dimension [Melchizedek system where everyone is the same and equal before God] to worship God} to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.' - The Ark of the Covenant with the presence of God arriving in the Holy City of God at Jerusalem is one of the greatest moments in human history and King David did not miss the significance of the moment in having the presence of the Holy God now permanently in their midst. King David had removed his royal apparel and worshiped God while wearing a linen ephod and finally David removed the ephod and worshiped the True and Holy God of Israel as just one simple person unrestricted in his worship and rejoicing in the presence of the Holy God.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>2 Samuel 22-23 - Late in King david's life he recounts the Blessings from God in his life -- '2 Samuel 22:47-51 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God of the Rock of my Salvation. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy Name. He is the tower of Salvation for His King: and sheweth mercy to His anointed, unto David, and to his seed [descendants] for evermore [eternity].'</html> <html><tt>King David reflects on his eternal salvation in God: '2 Samuel 22:31-37 31 As for God, His way is perfect [Melchizedek]; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler [personal shield] to all them that trust in Him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a Rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and He maketh my way perfect [Melchizedek]. He maketh my feet like hinds feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.' - 'Psalms 110 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall He lift up [be alert] the head.' - King David was a psalmist, a prophet, a king, a warrior and an intimate participant in the Levitical system of laws, ordinances, covenants and sacrifices yet King David having had it all and having seen it all only desired an intimate one to one fellowship with God. A spiritual fellowship that cannot be attained by any means of human status and is not found in any religious system but is only available in the intimate fellowship provided by the mercy and grace of God and given one to one in a personal intimate relationship with the Holy God.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] ==== The Melchizedek Priesthood is in effect today while the Levitical Priesthood has been accomplished ==== <fs 120%>#23 The Melchizedek Priesthood - The Royal Priesthood - Christian Priesthood</fs> <html>The Royal Priesthood - The High Calling of each Christian - The Alter - Then there is the Altar, made of Stone, to place the offering on - The Church individual likewise builds each altar out of stone, our stones are not the physical stones of this world but our stones are the Spiritual rock of Jesus Christ - We build our stone altar one stone or experience with Jesus at a time</html> <html><tt>An altar needs to be built upon which the sacrifices are to be offered. God would name the location that the stone altar was to be placed at. For the Levite, only an altar with a base of stones was acceptable to God. The stones had to be natural stones, man could not chisel or shape the stones into man's desires, in fact for man, any man, to modify what God has already done in shaping of each stone is to actually "profane it. Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn (carved) stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. -- The Church individual likewise builds each altar out of stone, our stones are not the physical stones of this world but our stones are the Spiritual rock of Jesus Christ. We build our stone altar one stone or experience with Jesus at a time. For instance as we know and perceive Jesus each instance is a stone in our Priestly altar of worship to God. Example: I do know that Jesus loves me, that knowledge or experience is the placing of a Spiritual stone into the altar of our sacrifice in this case a stone of love is placed into our altar. - Likewise, I know that Jesus personally sacrificed His life for me on the cross, that I can live and be reunite to Him, there is another altar stone. - I remember when Jesus took my hand and comforted me through some circumstances and tragedy, again more personal altar stones. - I remember the sunset and praying to God and Jesus seemed so near that I felt His presence, altar stone. - I remember reading the Bible and a verse that made almost no sense to me then God showed me His wisdom and the meaning became perfectly clear, altar stone. - I remember witnessing to a person who so desperately needed Jesus and that person responded to Jesus, I know I had nothing to do with it and seeing the look of joy and relief on their face as they accepted Jesus reminded me of God's love and grace in my own life, altar stone. -- As we go through life we build an altar, made of stone, made from encounters with the living stone Himself Jesus, our altar is an Eternal memorial built of everlasting stone from the Eternal Rock Himself forever memorializing our interaction with the Holy Almighty God. -- Acts 10:2-4 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy Prayers and thine Alms are come up for a Memorial before God.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_royalpriesthood.html|article link]] <html>Leviticus 1-5 - The Laws for the offerings of the Levitical Priesthood - {There are multiple parts to the Old Testament Levitical Atonement 'Kaphar' (3722) Covering Sin Offering: 1. The sacrifice has to have a cost to the sinner, a precious useful animal was to be sacrificed. 2. The laying on of hands onto the animal's head then the confession and transfer of sins from the sinner to the innocent sacrifice. 3. The sacrifice dies with your sins, death of the sins. 4. The blood [life] of the animal is poured out providing a New Life opportunity (for a season, often one year) from the blood of the sacrifice for the sinner.} </html> <html><tt>1. The Burnt Offering Sacrifice: Giving totally to God, the entire sacrifice is consumed in fire and given to God. [Note: humans can and should concentrate themselves to God for a time, a season or even just an event. Where the animal offering was burnt and given to God it is the human service, fellowship that is consecrate to God. - The pagan practice is to burn a human in the fire but if a Christian person died in a fire that would end their consecration not start it and there is no such alter of God that would ever accept a human offering, a human is never ever to enter a physical fire as a sacrifice in Judaism/Christianity. The pagan practice of human sacrifice is strictly forbidden and prohibited in worshiping the true God of Israel.] 2. The Grain Offering: A sweat smelling (savor) freewill offer given to God. Bread flower covered with oil and sprinkled with Frankincense aroma is burnt in the fire with the smell of baking bread ascending up into heaven. No human induced ingredients are allowed no leaven [sin] and no honey [mans accomplishments] are allowed in the offering. 3. The Peace (Fellowship) Offering: An animal to be roasted as a celebration meal. The animal had to be without spot [inherited birth defect] or blemish [acquired defect]. The animal was to be roasted the fat [worry] was to be removed and burned separately and given to God the people couldn't eat the fat [worry]. The blood [life] was also to be poured out as at no time could they eat any blood [life of the animal]. 4. Sin Offering for Unintentional Sin (weaknesses): A young bull for the sins of individual people. A mature bull for the sins of a Priest. A [goat] that the leader was to lay hands on it for the sins of the nation. 5. Trespass Offering for Intentional Sin: A sin offering plus a grain (flour) offering withholding the oil and the Frankincense aroma. -- Having sacrificed to God and their sins now covered for a year the O.T. Saints could then live in the presence of God to commune and interact with God however the O.T. animal sacrifices did not provide the individual direct access to God. The individual people did not live in the perceivable presence of God, did not have direct access to God and did not experience God the way individual N.T. saints often do.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>1 Kings 4-6 - King Solomon begins construction on a seven year project in the building of the 1st Jerusalem Temple - King Hiram of Tyre sends his servants to help and provides timber from Lebanon for the Temple -- '1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year [480] after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.' - 'John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto Him (Jesus), What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these [Messiah] things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy This Temple, and in three days I will [Resurrection] raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this [stone] Temple [2nd Temple, Herod's Temple] in building [in Jerusalem], and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But He spake of the Temple of His body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because he knew all men [mankind], And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what [deceit] was in man.'</html> <html><tt>The Temple of God is built in Jerusalem: '1 Kings 6:7 And the House (Temple), when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither [to the Temple Mount]: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the House (Temple), while it was in building.' - Peter quotes this well known fact that one of the requirements to building the Temple in Jerusalem required that the granite stones had to be quarried away from the Temple site and that the stones had to be chiseled into their proper dimensions before leaving the stone quarry because there was to be no hammering, chiseling or shaping of the stones once at the actual Temple site. Peter [whose name means rock] refers to his fellow Christians as 'living stones' meaning that the true Temple is in Heaven and that while we are here on earth in this quarry the shaping and molding process is taking place however when we get into heaven [the Temple Mount] there are no sharp tools for the shaping of people in heaven so when we leave the earth we are already to have been completely shaped to fit into the Kingdom of God in Heaven. - '1 Peter 2:1-6 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word (Bible), that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an Holy Priesthood (Melchizedek), to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture [Isaiah 28:16], Behold, I lay in Sion (Zion) a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.'</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Excellent Article!! - SolaSisters: Anne Rice "No Bloody Atonement Necessary?" [12/24/2010 - WSJ] [no original sin] - A baby in a manger cannot save anyone, and in truth, we cannot - must not - stop at the manger - The manger is just the beginning of the story of Jesus, and ultimately, this story leads to the Cross - {It should also be noted: Regarding the incorrect doctrine of 'Limited Atonement' that the Atonement [Christ] was sacrificed here on earth - there is no atonement blood being sacrificed in heaven to be given down to mankind. The atonement blood sacrifice was shed on the cross of Jesus on earth and the works of the cross of Jesus offered up and accepted by God the Father in Heaven creating a completed atonement [the repaired relationship between the Holy God and a sinful mankind] at one time for all mankind; past, present and future. -- "Romans 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement." -- "Leviticus 6:7 And the priest (Hebrews 3:1, Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:20) shall make an atonement for him [sinner] before the LORD [God]: and it shall be forgiven him [sinner] for any thing of all that he hath done [sins] in trespassing therein." - Also Note: The atonement sacrifice of Jesus is complete, conclusive and eternal for all mankind who are willing to receive it because the blood that Jesus shed on the cross after His death [full payment for our sins] is blood that is sinless [unlimited], Holy [in fellowship with God] and eternally [pre-existent] alive [Spirit life]. We receive our eternal life from the life of the blood (Leviticus 17:11) of Jesus promised at the Last Supper Communion (Matthew 26:28) then shed and poured out (John 19:34 - Psalms 22:14 - Isaiah 53:12) on the cross.} </html> <html><tt>I would remind anyone reading what Anne Rice wrote that the atonement was not simply a theory. It was an actual event that happened in history, and it is only through the atonement that we are able to touch Christ's "outstretched hand." In fact, without the atonement, no one may approach God, and all who reject the atonement will remain under God's wrath. -- To me, it is far more amazing to have a Savior who was human - yes - but who was fully God, too. And because of his Deity, Christ was able to make the ultimate sacrifice: offering up his own perfect, sinless life and suffering God's wrath on behalf of those who would repent and place their faith in this atoning work done on their behalf. God - in his magnificent, unsurpassable wisdom - made a way to reconcile wretched, sinful men and women to himself without compromising his perfect, holy justice. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, who was both fully God and fully man, and who lived a perfect life, never sinning in thought, word or deed, and who, because of this, was able to offer up his life as a ransom for many. I broke God's laws, and Jesus paid my fine in his life's blood so that I could be released from the rightful condemnation of the law. But this gift of salvation, though given freely, is narrow and exclusive. Only those who recognize their sinful wretchedness and need for a Savior, and repent and place their faith in Christ's atoning work done on their behalf, will see the kingdom of Heaven. -- A baby in a manger cannot save anyone, and in truth, we cannot - must not - stop at the manger. The manger is just the beginning of the story of Jesus, and ultimately, this story leads to the Cross. -- Anne Rice is celebrating the "what" of Jesus's incarnation [Christmas] (that He actually came, that He entered into time and space), but she is leaving out the most important part of Christ's incarnation, which is the "why" of his incarnation: the Cross. Quite literally, Jesus was born so that one day He would die. His life's mission was that He would be born, live a perfect life, and then die and rise again, conquering sin and death and reconciling God's people to himself.</tt></html> [[http://solasisters.blogspot.com/2011/01/anne-rice-no-bloody-atonement-necessary.html|article link]] ==== Christianity is the Gospel of Peace and Forgiveness freely available from Jesus Christ to all mankind ==== <fs 120%>#24 Christians are to offer the Gospel in a spirit of Peace, understanding, compassion and forgiveness</fs> <html>2 Corinthians 6 - Paul now focuses on the opertunity that life is the opportunity to enter into an eternal life relationship with God -- '2 Corinthians 6:1-2 We then, as workers together with Him [God - Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit], beseech you also that ye receive not the grace [personal individuality allowed by God] of God in vain. For He saith, I [God] have heard thee [prayers] in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured [assisted, aided] thee: behold, now [today] is the accepted time [to become a born into the family of God - child of God]; behold, now is the day of salvation [eternal life].'</html> <html><tt>2 Corinthians 6:3-10 Giving no offence in any thing [offending not the Jews, Gentiles or the Church of god], that the [Christian] Ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving [representing] ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes [whippings], in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings [looking for the 2nd Coming of Jesus], in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy [Spirit] Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the Word of Truth [Holy Bible], by the power [lit. life creating, resurrection eternal life power - Dunamis, G1411] of God, by the armour of [Jesus'] righteousness on the right hand [in Christian fellowship] and on the left [outside of Christian fellowship], By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. - Note: Paul gives a list of precautions to take and he includes in his list of precautions to be equally cautious and alert inside of the Church [right hand of fellowship] as with those who are outside the Church [the left hand path]. Inside of a Church particularly a metropolis (city) [mega-Church] like Corinth was is no place to remove our Christian armor and no place to set aside our individual discernment. There can be and are just as many perils within Church fellowships as there are outside of Church fellowships and inside the Church there is always the ever-present wolves seeking take advantage of people in the fellowship with their Christian guard down and sometimes the wolves are behind the pulpits and in the Universities and in the classrooms and write books and broadcast on the radio and other very public and prominent positions so always be careful inside of Church as well as outside of Church. Also Note: Because we do have the discernment of God we can interact more with people both inside and outside of Church. This is not an invitation to close up and disassociate with others, just the opposite it is a calling to interact more in a fallen imperfect world but with the admonishment to maintain at all times a prayerful, purposeful Christian demeanor and attitude at all times and in all places.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] ==== There is an Eternal state ==== <fs 120%>#25 The Eternal State of the human spirit and soul - A New Heaven (sky) and a New earth</fs> <html>Revelation 21 - The earth and sky are going to pass away as humanity enters into a new earth and a new sky in the eternal state with God -- 'Revelation 21:1-5 And I saw a new heaven (sky) and a new earth: for the first heaven (sky) and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle [dwelling] of God [the Father] is with men, and He [the Father] will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God [Jesus] Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these Words [being from God] are True and Faithful.'</html> <html><tt>The New Jerusalem, the new Holy City on the new earth is revealed and the gates of the Holy City are permanently open inviting all the eternal Saints to freely enter into the eternal city to bring in their glory and honor in worship and praise to God: Revelation 21:6-8 And He [God] said unto me [Disciple John], It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My [adopted] Son. 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 21:22-27 And [in the New Jerusalem, the new Holy City on earth] I saw no Temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the Glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings [mighty] of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the Nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but [only] they which are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. - Note: There appears to remain a societal structure for mankind (Saints) complete with individual Nations, cities and towns even out into the eternal state.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <html>Revelation 22 - The Disciple John is shown the Eternal State of the Saints with the New Jerusalem containing the Eternal Throne of God [Father, Son Jesus (Lamb), Holy Spirit] on earth - The beloved Disciple John closes the great Revelation of the beloved Jesus Christ by sealing (the 8th Seal) it with a promise, this final Seal is an unbreakable promise from Jesus Christ Himself to return quickly, when it is time (opened) and when the 8th Seal is opened Jesus will return according to all of His promises - The Disciple John then prays in agreement with Jesus Christ and requests the return of Jesus Christ - The Disciple John then finalizes all Holy Bible Scripture with a blessing from Jesus Christ to all the beloved Saints in Jesus Christ -- 'Revelation 22:1-6 And he [Angel] shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the Throne of God and of the Lamb [in the New Jerusalem]. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the Tree of Life (Genesis 2:9), which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing [wellbeing] of the Nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the Throne of God and of the Lamb [Jesus Christ] shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him: And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. And he said unto me, These sayings are Faithful and True: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His Angel [messenger] to shew unto His servants [Christians - Saints] the things which must shortly be done [accomplished].'</html> <html><tt>The Bible's book of Revelation concludes completing the Holy Bible: Revelation 22:7-21 Behold, I [Jesus Christ] come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I [Jesus Christ] come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do His Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine Angel [messenger] to testify unto you these things in the Churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the [Holy] Spirit and the Bride [Christian Church] 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. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the Words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the Book of Life, and out of the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this book. He [Jesus Christ] which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.</tt></html> [[http://www.basicchristian.org/frame_blog_biblestudy.html|article link]] <fs xx-small>Latest Update: 08/27/2012 - BasicChristian.org</fs> ==== Additional Resources ==== **The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy** Preface: The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian Church in this and every age. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to show the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying God's written Word. To stray from Scripture in faith or conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the total truth and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture is essential to a full grasp and adequate confession of its authority. -- The following Statement affirms this inerrancy of Scripture afresh, making clear our understanding of it and warning against its denial. We are persuaded that to deny it is to set aside the witness of Jesus Christ and of the Holy Spirit and to refuse that submission to the claims of God's own Word which marks true Christian faith. We see it as our timely duty to make this affirmation in the face of current lapses from the truth of inerrancy among our fellow Christians and misunderstanding of this doctrine in the world at large. This Statement consists of three parts: a Summary Statement, Articles of Affirmation and Denial, and an Exposition. It has been prepared in the course of a three-day consultation in Chicago. Those who have signed the Summary Statement and the Articles wish to affirm their own conviction as to the inerrancy of Scripture and to encourage and challenge one another and all Christians to growing appreciation and understanding of this doctrine. We acknowledge the limitations of a document prepared in a brief, intensive conference and do not propose that this Statement be given creedal weight. Yet we rejoice in the deepening of our own convictions through our discussions together, and we pray that the Statement we have signed may be used to the glory of our God toward a new reformation of the Church in its faith, life, and mission. We offer this Statement in a spirit, not of contention, but of humility and love, which we purpose by God's grace to maintain in any future dialogue arising out of what we have said. We gladly acknowledge that many who deny the inerrancy of Scripture do not display the consequences of this denial in the rest of their belief and behavior, and we are conscious that we who confess this doctrine often deny it in life by failing to bring our thoughts and deeds, our traditions and habits, into true subjection to the divine Word. We invite response to this statement from any who see reason to amend its affirmations about Scripture by the light of Scripture itself, under whose infallible authority we stand as we speak. We claim no personal infallibility for the witness we bear, and for any help which enables us to strengthen this testimony to God's Word we shall be grateful. This article may be reproduced without permission. Please credit the source by citing the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. --- //[[davidansonbrown@hotmail.com|David Anson Brown]] 2015/06/01 14:19//

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