The Lord's Room

The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse

Revelation 9:1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit. ² And he opened the bottomless pit, and smoke arose out of the pit like the smoke of a great furnace. So the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit. ³ Then out of the smoke locusts came upon the earth. And to them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. ⁴ They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. ⁵ And they were not given authority to kill them, but to torment them for five months. Their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it strikes a man. ⁶ In those days men will seek death and will not find it; they will desire to die, and death will flee from them.

⁷ The shape of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle. On their heads were crowns of something like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. ⁸ They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like lions’ teeth. ⁹ And they had breastplates like breastplates of iron, and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots with many horses running into battle. ¹⁰ They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months. ¹¹ And they had as king over them the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon, but in Greek he has the name Apollyon.

¹² One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things.

Revelation 9:13 Then the sixth angel sounded: And I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14 saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet,  “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” ¹⁵ And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. ¹⁶ The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them.

¹⁷ And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. ¹⁸ By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths. ¹⁹ For their power is in their mouth and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents, having heads; and with them they do harm.

²⁰ But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. ²¹ And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

This part of the Book of Revelation is very clear about what is coming upon the earth during the 7 year Tribulation. But this only tells part of what is coming. It is not a metaphor or anything but the actual future.

Nobody will be able to escape that terrible time when the Anti-Christ takes over control of the earth, unless you are saved and Raptured out. Read the article about the Rapture. The most important decision anyone can make is weather you accept Jesus or reject Him. See the Salvation article.

God bless, Dan Beliveau

https://thelordsroom.org

The Tribulation

During a conversation a young man said this to me. “you are not even sure and you are still doubting, what is the meaning of tribulation? I am sharing this because I believe it’s that important. What is coming, and which people will be effected.

First, I am totally sure what is coming, and doubt is not in me! It was very easy to find the answer. This is the future during the tribulation for those who reject Jesus.

Those on earth will endure devastating judgments. The tribulation is a future seven-year period when God will finish His discipline of Israel and finalize His judgment of the unbelieving . The rise of the Antichrist (Rider on a White Horse, Rev. 6:1-2)

1st Series of Judgments

– War & civil upheaval (Rider on a Red Horse, Rev. 6:3-4)

– Famine & poverty (Rider on a Black Horse, Rev. 6:5-6)

– Death of 25% of population (Rider on a Pale Horse, Rev. 6:7-8)

– Believers are martyred (Rev. 6:9-11)

– Devastating Earthquake (Rev. 6:12-17)

2nd Series of Judgments

– A third of all vegetation destroyed (Rev. 8:7)

– A third of all oceans polluted & a third of all sea life destroyed (Rev. 8:8-9)

– A third of all fresh water polluted (Rev. 8:10-11)

– A third of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened (Rev. 8:12)

– Demonic torment for 5 months (Rev. 9:1-11)

– A third of mankind killed by a demonic army of 200 million (Rev. 9:13-21)

3rd Series of Judgments

– Plague upon those who received the mark of the Antichrist (Rev. 16:2)

– The entire sea is polluted and all sea life destroyed (Rev. 16:3)

– All freshwater is polluted (Rev. 16:4)

– People scorched by the sun’s intense heat (Rev. 16:8-9)

– Darkness (Rev. 16:10) – Euphrates River dries up (Rev. 16:12)

– Most destructive earthquake in history (Rev. 16:17-18)

The Tribulation Clarifies the Seriousness of Rejecting Jesus

Isaiah 13:9 Behold, the day of the Lord comes, Cruel, with both wrath and fierce anger, To lay the land desolate; And He will destroy its sinners from it.

Someday, I think soon it will be too late. Remember you have been warned.

Watch Tower

Bible Answer Man

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Jehovah’s Witnesses and Matthew 24: “New Light” or New Hermeneutic?

Brian J. Wright and Timothy Ricchuiti

On October 2012, nearly five thousand Jehovah’s Witnesses gathered in New Jersey for the 128th annual meeting of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania to hear the Governing Body’s “new light.”1 The Governing Body, currently made up of eight men, is the sole entity responsible for defining orthodoxy and orthopraxy for roughly eight million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide.

The most recent “new light” focuses on Jesus’ parable in Matthew 24:45–51, which begins with the question, “Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time?” (NRSV).

“In the past,” the Governing Body states, “our publications have said the following:…the slave represents all anointed Christians on earth as a group at any one time since then.” Going forward, though, “a small group of anointed brothers who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food” is now the slave, and “these anointed brothers make up the Governing Body” (emphasis added).

In one radical announcement, the Governing Body designated themselves—and themselves alone—the faithful and wise slave. How should we assess such a claim? Is this really “new light” or is it a new hermeneutic?

According to experts in rhetoric,2 there are four solid reasons you can properly criticize someone else’s viewpoint: demonstrate that they are uninformed, misinformed, illogical, or incomplete in their justification. As Christians, we add a fifth category to their list: unbiblical.

Using these five categories, we will assess the latest interpretative shift coming from Jehovah’s Witnesses’ headquarters. We will focus on one key issue per category in an attempt to evaluate the radical shift at play in the Governing Body’s “new light.”

Read the rest of this article > https://www.equip.org/…/jehovahs-witnesses-and-matthew…/ #Watchtower#theology#apologetics

The Crucifiction

David B. White

“In 1986, The American Medical Association published an article titled “The Physical Death of Jesus Christ”. It details the entire process of Jesus’ trial to His death on the cross. In Luke 22, before Jesus is arrested, it is written that He was in great distress & sweating blood. Although rare, it is recognized as Hematidrosis, caused by high amounts of stress.

At the time, the crucifixion was considered the worst death for the worst of criminals. But this is not all Jesus faced. He endured whipping so severe that it tore the flesh from His body. He was beaten so horrific that His face was torn & His beard ripped. A crown of thorns, 2-3 inches long cut deeply into His scalp. The leather whip used to flog Him had tiny iron balls & sharp bones. The balls caused internal injuries while the sharp bones ripped open His flesh. His skeletal muscles, veins, & bowels we’re exposed, causing major blood loss. Most men do not survive this kind of torture. After Jesus was severely flogged, He was forced to carry His own cross while people mocked & spat on Him.

Crucifixion was a process meant to instill excruciating pain, creating a slow & agonizing death. Nails as long as 8 inches were driven into Jesus’ wrists & feet. The Roman soldiers knew the tendon in the wrists would tear & break, forcing Jesus to use His back muscles to support Himself to breathe. Imagine the struggle, the pain, the courage..Jesus endured this reality for 3 hours!

The Gospel of John writes that after Jesus’ death, a Roman soldier pierced His side with a spear & blood & water came out. Scientists explain that from hypovolemic shock, the rapid heartrate causes fluid to gather in the sack around the lungs & heart. The gathering of fluid in the membrane around the heart is called Pericardial effusion & the lungs, Pleural effusion.

To the world, Christianity is as foolish as it can get. They believe it’s for the weak. But when you are confronted by the reality of the cross, it’s clearly not a pretty sight. It is brutal & horrific. This is the weight Jesus carried. The weight of the sins of the world, all so that we can live. God’s wrath is fully satisfied in Jesus. This is what it took. Repent & believe! Jesus is “God among us” in the flesh. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus loves you so much, He went through this spiritual and physical punishment for your sins and mine. Jesus is Lord, Almighty God, Everlasting Father.”

I AM

Not a big fan of taking single verses and trying to make it doctrine. But these verses confirm that Jesus is the one. Many people reject what Scripture says. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.

John 10: 17 “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.

John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

John 8:23 And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 10: 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;

John 11: 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” 15 Moreover God said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’

Acts 9: 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Revelation 1: 7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” 9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,”

Hebrews 13: 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.

John 8: 28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” 30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

John 8: 12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Deuteronomy 32:39 “See now that I myself am he!
    There is no god besides me.
I put to death and I bring to life,
    I have wounded and I will heal,
    and no one can deliver out of my hand.

God bless, Dan Beliveau

THE PROPHET *** Dr. Larry Gilbert

Most people think of a Prophet as someone God uses as a foreteller, such as the Prophets of the Old Testament. Today’s New Testament Prophet is a forthteller, one who tells or “speaks forth” the mind of God: boldly preaching, speaking, and teaching God’s Word.

The Greek word prophétés means “a prophet, poet; a person gifted at expositing divine truth.” While the Prophet who is called to preach tends to focus on pointing out sin and explaining what is wrong, this gift goes beyond the call to expose other people’s sin and teach the truths of God’s Word, to actually doing something in daily life to use the gift—to expose injustice and expound the truth, and to lead people to make changes that are biblically based. As the prophet “tells forth” God’s Word, knowing what God’s Word teaches and expects of us, the prophet also leads others to make a difference in today’s society and world.

If you are a Prophet, you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by boldly and fearlessly proclaiming God’s truth.

HOW DO YOU VIEW THE PROPHET?

People will view the Prophet’s ministry with an open mind or a closed mind.

Open-minded people will accept the Prophet’s teaching. They may become very uncomfortable sitting under a Prophet’s preaching because the truth can hurt, but they are willing to do something about it. The next time the preacher preaches, these people come back listening.

Close-minded people will rebel or reject the Prophet’s message. I’ve seen some people get so mad about what is preached, they become red in the face. These people will never grow as long as they are not willing to listen, learn, and change.

The bluntness of the Prophet’s message will stir some people to take action and others to get mad. Prophets may find it difficult to pastor a church for any length of time unless they are able to temper the message with a loving spirit and possibly have the gift of Shepherding as well as Prophecy.

One of the biggest challenges for Prophets is to keep a spirit of love. When Prophets keep tender, loving hearts, they will be blessings to their homes, their churches, and to individual believers, making a real impact on their spirituality. In order to do this, Prophets must always “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

When Prophets keep tender, loving hearts, they will be blessings to their homes, their churches, and to individual believers, making a real impact on their spirituality.

ABOUT THE PROPHET

If you are a Prophet, you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by boldly and fearlessly proclaiming God’s truth.

You are the person with discernment and have the goal of making people aware of sin in their lives so they will repent. You have the ability to easily spot what is wrong and often have to look to find something right. Your concern over the sinful condition of your loved ones, church family, community drives you to pray, and sometimes weep, over them. Because of this, you take every opportunity to share the message of God’s Word.

You are a person with a strong sense of duty who speaks out publicly about wrongdoing in any environment, whether home, church, school or community. You will stand up for what is right as well as speak for those who are wronged.

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Dr. Larry Gilbert is founder and chairman of Ephesians Four Ministries, and founder of ChurchGrowth.org. For more on spiritual gifts, see Dr. Gilbert’s books from which this article was excerpted: Team Ministry: Gifted to Serve (for pastors and group leaders) and Your Gifts: Discover God’s Unique Design for You (for individuals and groups).

Permission granted to copy, forward, share, post and reproduce everything in this article, please include this link Source: ChurchGrowth.org, CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE

Why is there evil?

I keep seeing a commercial where a women says “These children don’t deserve whats happening to them.”
I totally agree with her that it’s very painful to watch, and trying to understand it is painful. Especially when our child is involved.

We need to step back and look at what is really happening.

First it’s not about deserving things like Cancer or missing limbs, etc. It really goes back to Biblical knowledge.

When Israel kept sinning against God, He removed His protection from them. This has been going on for centuries. Sadly it’s no different for the Gentiles. Jesus came and gave Hus life for our sins. But peoples behavior for the most part is not any different.

Mankind thinks we are smarter than God. Up to believing He doesn’t exist. What I see are things like massive murder everywhere.
Homosexuality being promoted as some kind of badge of honor. The murder of millions of unborn children. Sometimes being murdered after birth!

What people don’t seem to realize is that it’s the same Sun that shines on everyone. It’s the same Earth for all of us. The diseases, etc we have effect everyone. In other words, nobody is immune.

The United States despite some of it’s horrible history. Slavery, confiscation of land and murder of natives, etc. Has been an example of what a nation can become if it puts God first. But, now we are seeing America turn it’s back on God. Moral values are being portrayed as evil.

If you understand the Bible, these things won’t change until Jesus returns. My plea is that you seek out and find Him. Because if your not saved then no suffering on earth will compare to what will happen at judgment.

God bless, Dan Beliveau

This is what much of the world is like. Humans are only for sacrificing to the God of this world.

Salvation a choice

BABYLONIANISM AT THE GATES: CHRISTIANS AND THE ENCIRCLING WORLD OF THE OCCULT

from apprising.org
Ken Silva pastor-teacher

By Pastor Larry DeBruyn of Guarding His Flock Ministries, republished here with permission:

And when they say to you, “Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter,” should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? The Prophet Isaiah, Isaiah 8:19

Introduction
Like many others in the world, our culture has become obsessed with the paranormal, the appetite for it being stimulated and fed by video games played, television programs and movies watched, books read, music listened to, art exhibits visited, spiritual activities engaged in, and more. Recently, a local arts center hosted an exhibit called “Encounter” that was “devoted to dragons, robots and other science fiction and fantasy themes.” [1] The same sectional front page also publicized “LARP-ing” (that is, live-action-role-playing) where participants gather together to act out “vampire-themed” scripts related to “those tabletop Dungeons and Dragons-style games that gained huge popularity in the 1980s and continue to draw a steady base of faithful players.” [2] In his coverage of the vampire-themed games, the reporter issued the following caveat: “They pretend to be vampires, but that doesn’t make them devil worshippers.” [3]

Souls under Siege
At first glance, “LARP-ing” might appear to be the activity of people belonging to one of society’s eccentric fringe groups (perhaps that’s why they consider themselves “nerds”), unless, of course, it is set against the backdrop of our overall culture, a culture fascinated not only by vampires, but also by werewolves, wizards, witches and warlocks (a la the popular Harry Potter novels and movies), Halloween, visits to and visitations from the netherworld (23 Minutes in Hell), near-death experiences (NDES), intergalactic soul travel, alien visitations (E.T., Cowboys and Aliens), spiritist séances, demon possessions (Rosemary’s Baby), Satanism (The Omen Trilogy), fortune telling, horoscopes, psychic readings, apparitions and poltergeists (The Apparition), horror films and TV programs (NBC’s Grimm), drug induced altered states of consciousness (experiencing the divine), extra-sensory perception (ESP), Sci-Fi, and on and on a listing can go. In fact, one can walk in any American shopping mall and see people, from adults to kids, wearing dark T-shirts and sporting tattooed bodies emblazoned with occult themes, grotesque human-like images, skulls and bones, and other occult symbols. The signs and stuff of the occult seem to be everywhere! [4]

A Post-Christian Phenomena
The popularity of paranormal spirituality, as it has now emerged in the United States during the latter half of the 20th century and the beginning of this 21st century, mirrors in many ways what happened at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th in Great Britain. History repeats itself. As the influence of Christianity began to wane amongst the British at that time, there arose a corresponding popular interest in the occult. As one historian describes the spiritual morphing that took place in Great Britain during late 19th and early 20th centuries:

A revival of interest in mysticism and mystery traditions of all kinds, however, abounded . . . and a variety of groups promised access to esoteric readings of the world’s sacred literatures and an unmediated experience of the divine. In this heightened spiritual atmosphere . . . most [of the] spiritually inclined no longer identified in any way with formal Christian observance. They turned instead to the heterodox spirituality of occultism, with its animistic sense of a living universe and a broad range of teachings drawn from sources as diverse as those of mystical Christianity, the Hermetic traditions of the West, and the religions of the East. [5]

As it became in Great Britain then, so it has become in America now. As the influence of Christianity has waned, and our society too has morphed to become a culture besieged by the occult. Seemingly, mankind cannot live without the supernatural. So the question arises, from whence does this all derive?

From Time Immemorial
Since the occult is sourced from a time when before creation Lucifer—a created light-bearer within the angelic realm—aspired to be the Light (“I will be like the most High,” Isaiah 14:14b); and from a time when after creation in the Garden of Eden Satan conned Eve into thinking she possessed the potential to reset her life and become God (“Ye shall be as gods[“like God,” NASB] knowing good and evil,” Genesis 3:5), the influence of unseen forces (i.e., evil spirits) has been pervasive in this universe and our world (See Ephesians 6:12.).

In this world, the occult, sourced in Lucifer’s rebellion against God in Heaven, and then transplanted by him on earth, initially appeared in the Garden of Eden, in the same geographical vicinity where the religious system called Babylon “the mother of harlots and abominations on the earth” emerged (Revelation 17:5). The multifaceted spiritual religious system called Babylon is a magical belief system in which humans think they, if even by digital imagery, can manipulate and control their reality and destiny. Such spirituality totally opposes faith in the sovereign God who rules the universe. Therefore, from the biblical perspective, occultism is at the heart of an “i-am-ness” system of religion that designs to unseat God as the creator and ruler of the universe. Repeatedly, the Lord affirmed His sovereign “I-am-ness” to Israel and the nations when He said: “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me” (Isaiah 44:6; 45:5, 6, 18, 22; 46:9). Then there had developed the competing claim of the Babylonian religion which, amidst her “sorceries . . . enchantments . . . astrologers . . . star gazers . . . monthly prognosticators,” dared to declare its “i-am-ness”: “I am, and none else beside me” (Isaiah 47:8-13; *10).

A Prevalent Worldview
In their godlessness, ancient civilizations became intrigued by and possessed of a magical worldview sourced from ancient Babylon (Isaiah 47:12-13; Ezekiel 21:21; Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; 4:6-7; 5:7), and from there, dispensed to the Egyptian (Genesis 41:8; Exodus 7:11, 22), Canaanite (Deuteronomy 18:9) and Assyrian (Nahum 3:4) civilizations and cultures. But in his day (circa2000 B.C.), God called upon Abraham to separate himself from the hotbed of the occult arts that was Ur (Genesis 12:1), and journey by faith to an unknown land which the Lord would show to him. Upon ending their seventy-year exile of captivity in Babylon (circa 520 B.C.), the Lord also instructed the Israelites to “Depart ye [from Babylon], depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing [anything contaminated by the occult Babylonian religion]; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord [the clean things]” (Isaiah 52:11; Compare 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 for commentary; See Revelation 18:4.). All of which is to say, any involvement in the occult is, in God’s eyes, “an unclean thing” and therefore a serious breach of faith!

No “Crossover” Spiritualities
The spirituality of these civilizations posed an ever-present threat to the spiritual life of the nation of Israel for reason of that nation’s necessary commerce with and concourse amongst them. So the great question was, would the Lord’s people, as His priestly nation in that world (Exodus 19:5-6a), maintain a testimony of their abiding faith in Jehovah and remain separate from the heterodox and occult spirituality of their neighbors? Therefore, commanded the Israelites: “Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31).

Deadly Dispatches
To exhibit their keeping covenant with Him, the Lord through Moses, just before their entering the land of Canaan, the Lord expanded His commandment telling the nation:

When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14) [6]

All of the idolatrous activities listed above, and more, served as litmus tests for the faith-keeping of the Israelites. Repudiating those activities would mark them out to be covenant keepers. On the other hand, indulging in those activities would mark them as covenant breakers, as being unfaithful to the Lord their husband (Isaiah 54:6). Unfortunately, much of the Old Testament record portrays how the Israelites spurned their covenant with the Lord, and like a spiritual whore, chased after the abominations of the occult (Isaiah 8:19; Jeremiah 27:9-10; Ezekiel 8:1-18; 13:1-23; Malachi 3:5). So it was to a people who refused to consult “the law and . . . the testimony” (Isaiah 8:20) that God sent Isaiah as His ambassador announcing the coming of divine judgment, all the while knowing that the apostate majority within Israel, having been so mesmerized by a magical worldview, would spurn the Word He had given the prophet to speak (Compare Ezekiel 3:4-11.).

“This People” and “My People”
As our nation is fascinated with, even captivated by, the occult, so was Israel during the days of the prophets. [7] During Isaiah’s days of ministry, there were two groupings of people: the majority, who had been seduced by spiritualities of the surrounding culture, and who Yahweh designated as “this people” (Isaiah 6:9-10; 8:6, 11, 12; 9:16; 28:14; 29:13; etc.); and a minoritywho, by refusing to conform to the religion of the surrounding culture, the Lord called “my people” (Isaiah 1:3; 5:13; 10:24; etc.). [8]

Seducing Spirits
As for Isaiah, the Lord instructed him “not walk in the way of this people,” the majority who, manifesting their denial of the coming judgment, counseled that Isaiah and his disciples should seek a more favorable verdict, and “Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter” (Isaiah 8:11, 19; Compare 1 Timothy 4:1.). Think of it . . .

Salvation a choice

* You must be born again *

How can I be “born again” if I’m already alive? Being “born again” is not about changing what is on the outside. It’s about the inside, how your spirit/soul responds to God.

This is a very long article but it concerns the most important decision you will ever make. Please read it and then decide because your eternity is in the balance. It’s important that you know as much as possible, You have to know the truth to make an informed decision. Everyone is given the freedom to choose…

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. See the Book of Genesis. God created man on the 6th day and put them [includes Eve] into the garden. God formed a covenant between Himself and Adam, who was given dominion over all things.

“Man was made, who was the chief of the ways of God, who was designed to be the visible image of the Creator’s glory and the mouth of the creation in his praises” Matthew Henry.

The only real condition was that he could not eat the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. When Adam took the fruit from Eve and ate it, he broke that covenant. His singular act caused sin to be brought into the creation that was given to man. Just a few of the results of that action was the perfection He created was now flawed. Not only that but Adam who became sin now passes on his sin nature to all mankind.  We now have to look at what all this means. Including: Genesis 3:17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:  “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. 18 Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. * Because of what Adam did not just man but the environment was also effected. 

If you need proof of the ‘sin nature’ look at the evil prevalent throughout the world. Murder, rape, theft, etc. This will continue until Jesus returns.

 Throughout life we are all searching for that inner peace, or whatever you want to call it. What am I here for?… Sooner or later a person must decide where they stand with God. Everyone will either accept or deny Him, we must decide which path we will take, and your decision effects your eternity. This is a very serious subject so I’m going to tell the truth about the way things are, with no sugar coating. 

According to His word, The one thing we can be sure of is, we will all be judged. Agree or disagree, it doesn’t make any difference! God has declared that all people will stand before Him.

“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

The afterlife has no “do-overs.” You have to get it correct now!

 Lets look at what His word says.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God”. Romans 3:23

Nobody is above God’s Law.

 “As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God; They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12

 There fore if you say that your a good person, look at the 10 commandments. If you’ve broken even one, according to God’s word; you’ve broken them all. That is why nobody is worthy according to His standards. James 2:10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.

“Every man, woman, and child wants to do what’s right on his or her terms. These are the steps to imprisoning the heart. First the desire, then the deception, and finally the decision.” Dr. Ravi Zacharias

 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:17-20

The doctrine of original sin holds that every person born into the world is corrupted by the Fall and people are powerless to restore themselves but must be rescued by God.

Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is calling Him a liar. Matthew 12:31-32. It is the only unpardonable sin. The Holy Spirit is the one true witness of who Jesus is. God {Holy Spirit} is telling you Jesus is the only way, to deny Jesus is to call God a liar.

“BUT”

“For the wages of Sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

 “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in you heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness. and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10: 9-10

“For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

God’s Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace Alone. Faith Alone. Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17 *  Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

 “The New Covenant is a gift of love. It’s all about the Cross. Jesus had to die to fulfill the covenant. Read Hebrews chapters 9-10. He is reaching down to us with this free gift of eternal life. All we must do is recognize that we fall short of God’s glory and acknowledge that we need the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Savior. Hebrews 9:22 “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness”. The shedding of Jesus’ blood fulfilled the requirements of the law.

We then walk in a personal relationship with God. I live to give God the glory. I am not seeking any glory for myself.” Bev an ex Morman

Many times either in person or on TV, I’ve heard someone say that if my good deeds out weigh my bad deeds, then I’m sure I’m going to heaven. A just God wouldn’t send anyone to Hell.

 It’s because He is a just God, that judgment is certain. Because of God’s perfect nature He can’t have sin in His presence. That is why all people will be judged, unless you accept the gift that Jesus provided for you, when He took your sins upon Himself on the cross. You must surrender to the Christ!

 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2

 “If we truly, sincerely repent and stop waging war with God by our defiance to His standards of right and wrong and humbly come before Him seeking mercy, He will cleanse our soul by the blood of Christ and give us a clean slate.” Author unknown to me

 “There are many who speak only of the forgiveness of sin, but who say little or nothing about repentance. If there is nevertheless no forgiveness of sins without repentance, so also forgiveness of sins cannot be understood without repentance. Therefore, if forgiveness of sins is preached without repentance, it follows that the people imagine they have already received the forgiveness of sins, and thereby they become cocksure and fearless, which is then greater error and sin than all the error that preceded our time.”   Melanchthon

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” Acts 17:30-31

 As a wise man once said: “Our sin is great by God’s standard, But His Love is greater.”

 “Take heart, Jesus did not remain in the grave, He had the power to overcome the grave and offers us a free gift of salvation so that we can choose to be with Him. Because Jesus covered the debt you and I owe in our sinning against God [Ephesians 2:8, 1 Peter 1:3-5]; all you and I need to do is honestly confess our sins and truly accept Jesus as your savior.

If you have not accepted God’s love for you, I suggest that your seriously consider doing so as His infinite wisdom and love is comforting and is always there for you. All you need to do is to honestly confess your sins and receive His Son Jesus into your life as your savior from your sins.” Victor E. Pearson

You may have heard the expression “are you saved?” Or something of this nature. The term saved means to be free from judgment. For those who are under the blood of Christ will not go to the Great White Throne judgment. Belonging to a church, or having parents, or a spouse that are saved, calling yourself a Christian, or being baptized as a baby is not being saved. If you believe any of this protects you, It’s just not true. Being saved only happens when you come to the Cross in repentance, and your under the Blood of Christ.

 9. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:9-10

 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

 If after reading this information, you’d like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you need to repent and ask Him for forgiveness. Jesus because of the blood You shed, You have made a way for me. When you come to Him, ask Him to hide His face from your sins, and blot out all iniquities {in your words}. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen

 The next step is to find a Church that uses the Bible as their only authority. A Church that allows a Minister more importance than God’s word, is not following God. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20) the church will help you with that. If you don’t have a bible get one, start with the book of Matthew and read at least one chapter a day. After reading the new testament, then go to the old testament. It will help you understand how to see Jesus in the old testament. Jesus is in every book of the Bible. I recommend the NKJV, but it’s up to you.

 Remember that Christianity is a journey, and in that walk with Christ we must be obedient to His word. Saying a prayer is only the first step. Salvation is something only the individual can work out with God, it’s between the both of you. Not between the person and others and God. Being a Christian means being a disciple of Jesus, you must to be willing to follow in His ways. It’s not repentance if you say a prayer and then continue to serve the world. You do not have Salvation without repentance.

“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. 3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 1 John 2:1-6

There is a path we all have to take. Things like giving up drunkenness, doing drugs or whatever separates us from God. Nobody can tell you it will be easy. But you will find you have a new strength. Like it’s been said “take one day at a time.” Salvation is a choice you have to make…

God bless, Dan Beliveau

 “Just as God gave man the sign of the rainbow showing that we wouldn’t go through a flood again. He gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit as a sign showing us we wouldn’t go through judgment when we accept Christ as our Savior.” Patrick Hammett 

Newsboys – God’s Not Dead * https://youtu.be/S_OTz-lpDjw

Mercy Me – I can only Imagine * https://youtu.be/N_lrrq_opng

Four Key Principles of Repentance

In our family devotions we have been sharpening some big beliefs, learning some big truths. We have been doing this with help from David Helm as he has led us through the Westminster Confession of Faith. This was a confession that played an important role in my younger years, but one I had neglected until recently. It has been a joy to return to it and learn from it again. Lately we have been learning about salvation and, more specifically,

“My friend you can get saved anywhere, at any place, if the Holy Spirit is tugging at your heart and mind to make that choice of eternity and if you are really ready to surrender to God with all your heart, your will, your heart and your life just the way you are completely to him. Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His own precious blood for the forgiveness of all your sins. All you have to do is open your heart and give yourself fully to him. Jesus alone is the Savior of all souls born into this world. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost.” John D. Butler 

Some people will tell you that it’s grace and works that are what save you. When we come under the blood of Christ. We aren’t earning our salvation by our works, but we are evidencing it. This sounds really good: The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall. The truth is the greatest glory comes from receiving Christ.

Living as the world does?

Friend, you talk like the world, dress like the world, think like the world, act like the world, you listen and watch secular movies and music yet you call yourself a Christian? You love to read fictional stories and give more to that instead of reading your Bible and then you call yourself a Christian? Really? Did God tell you to do those things? He simply said “DO NOT LOVE THE WORLD NIETHER THE THINGS IN THE WORLD.” ( 1 John 2:15) He said walk in Spirit and do not fulfill the lust of the flesh!

Your eyes are the lamp of the body, but your watching crime, pornography, forms of carnal dramas and etc. do you think it would help you? Do you think it’s a good for you? NO!

Then why are you listening a secular music? Then you really think it might glorify God? Do you think it’s a good thing for your soul? NO!

Then why do you conformed to this wicked and fallen world?? Are you a LUKEWARM, Or a professing Christian who knows to honor God in your mouth and ways, but your heart is away from Him!

Are you really now a new creature? Or you’re creating a new creature in you that will help you fulfill your own lustful desires? Are you really doing it for God? Or it is all about you instead ? ‘copied’

Please be reminded about the true Christian walk.

Many ‘Christians’ Lack discernment mostly because they don’t verify what is said bt false teachers… Verify! https://fb.watch/3TK1YLPoJ8/