tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45457320341409187052024-03-04T20:07:49.936-08:00Worship Him in Spirit and in TruthNan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-22000450539773861692011-06-17T16:00:00.001-07:002011-06-17T16:23:52.831-07:00The Seduction of the Modern Day Church<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt'> </span><span style='font-size:16pt'><strong><br /> </strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'>The perversion of the true Gospel in the world was foretold by Christ himself concerning those who would attempt to destroy the faith. </span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'><em>"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them."</em></span><br /> </span><span style='font-family:Arial'>Acts 20:29-30<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>The hireling (false prophet) that preaches from the church pulpit today has replaced the true Word of God with humanistic psychology…in other words, the study and belief that people are innately good; it stresses the importance of <em>personal choice</em>. The humanist will speak out against ideologies, beliefs and practices which they say holds down a people.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>This is also the stand they take on 'religion', that it is merely the means to keep a people and nations in line to accomplish economic and political ends. Through this influence who has not heard it said to them that 'religion is a <em>crutch</em> for the weak'?!<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt'>Yes friend, these ideas have crept behind the pulpits of the modern day church. The opinions of man are given precedence over God's Word.</span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>In church congregations everywhere we find a growing indifference and carelessness in the handling of Biblical doctrine. Nobody cares whether the message preached is true or false. Christians who claim a '<em>simple faith'</em> are far from the Biblical example that was set before us and found in the <em>Bereans</em>… "What sayeth the Lord?" <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>There is no search for truth. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Multitudes are led astray as they are too busy to concern themselves with what God says in his Word. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'>2 Thess. 2:9-12</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> <br /></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:12pt'><em>"Even him</em>, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,<br/>And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.<br/>And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:14pt'>Today's contemporary churches have become feel good, seeker friendly social centers with hand clapping and pop groups performing under a guise of 'Christian entertainment'. There is no longer any fear of God or reverence when worshipping Him. Deluded congregations everywhere are living in self serving complacency</span><span style='font-size:12pt'>.<br /></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>The modern church has become one with the world. This apostate church (Babylon) sets itself up as being of God; when in truth, it appeals to the unregenerate man of the world. It has invented a false god (of love only) in order to attract many but offend none. Pride and vanity have replaced a life of holiness and dedication to God. Sin has become relative. We are told to be 'tolerant' to avoid dissension. There is no longer any right or wrong. Biblical <em>discernment</em> is frowned upon today. <em>Man now calls it judging! <br /></em></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Gone are the days when we last heard the words sin, repentance, God's judgment and eternal damnation. The true holy God of love <em>and of justice</em> (judgment) has been eliminated. Men have become their own gods. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt; text-decoration:underline'><strong><em>That which takes the place of Christ: <br /></em></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Saving faith is no longer an act of God, but an act of the will of man. Man believes he plays a role in <em>saving himself</em>. This work is called, 'making a decision for Christ'. In contrast, <em>the true message of Christ is centered upon the Grace of God </em>and His free gift<em> to man</em>.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Man is born in sin as a result of the fall and thus incapable of any good thing. This truth is unacceptable to the carnally minded man. It is vain man who claims that he is essentially good, and can therefore 'make a decision' for Christ (<em>or</em> deny him), all according to his own 'free-will'. They believe it is man and <em>not God</em> who determines their eternal state. It is the Tower of Babel all over again in the modern day church.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><span style='color:black'><strong>Ephesians 5:6</strong><br/> "Let no man </span><span style='color:red'>deceive</span><span style='color:black'> you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."<br /></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>He has convinced himself of God's favor, so therefore believes God is pleased and will guarantee him a spot in heaven. It is a false gospel with a false notion that God is waiting in hopeful anticipation of yet another coming to 'accept him'.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>In all this, God is taken off the throne and relegated powerless. With the simple act of raising a hand and walking down an aisle, men and women are assured that they are now "saved" and told to <em>never doubt their</em><br /> <em>'salvation.' </em>God's word tells us, examine yourselves!<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><strong>2Corinthians 13:5</strong><br/><em> "<strong>Examine yourselves</strong></em>, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Nowhere is there a mention of repentance from sin nor, living a life of holiness. To follow Christ is a separation from the ways of the world. We are commanded by God to "come out from among them"! This is both the false church and the world, for they are one, "and be ye separate".<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><span style='color:black'><strong>2Corinthians 6:17</strong><br/> "Wherefore come out from among them, and </span><span style='color:red'>be ye separate</span><span style='color:black'>, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean <em>thing</em>; and I will receive you,"<br /></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>The depravity of man is totally unacceptable to the modern church. It is contrary to the 'decision making' and 'free will' now spread throughout the 'evangelical' world.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Modern theology denies that man is wholly dependent upon the grace of God in order to be saved. In contrast, the true believer <em>bows before a sovereign and holy God</em> whose mercy and grace he acknowledges.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Imputed righteousness is given by God, through faith in Christ alone, whereby the elect are able to believe the promise of eternal life through the forgiveness of their sin, as a result of Christ's all sufficient sacrifice. As man is dead in sin, he is utterly incapable of doing anything of himself to obtain this faith, including putting up a hand, coming "to the front", or "making a decision". Faith is the merciful gift of a loving God to those who are naturally his enemy.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>What is the reason for so many denominations in the world since there is only<em> one truth</em>? <em>Man</em> simply wants to choose and select what doctrines or beliefs <em>he</em> is willing to follow. Man as gods. This also goes for what church <em>he</em> feels comfortable in. 'Feel-good worship' and ecumenical unity, has become a major influence in the evangelical church. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Genuine salvation manifests itself in a desire for personal holiness. The regenerate heart is evidenced by a mortification of sin; and separation from the ways of the world. The man and woman of God will never forget that their battle and their faith are spiritual; they are wholly dependent upon the one true God whose face they constantly seek. Through Gods' work in our lives we come to recognize our own depravity and selfishness. Our lives become God centered rather than self-centered.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>The Biblical Gospel is not to be presented as a proposal or as an 'offer of Christ<em>.'</em> It does not matter whether the hearer likes it or not. Properly presented, it is a call to holiness and a separation from the things of the world. The true man of God does not try to 'win the world to Christ' but witnesses against the world and its works.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>The preaching of the Gospel is how God brings the message of salvation through Christ to His own. It is a call into the kingdom for the true child of God. The Gospel does not try to 'entice' the unregenerate, or young and old alike to "accept Jesus", yet the message of Christ is proclaimed to <em>all</em> as <em>no man</em> knows whether the elect are present before him or not. The Holy Spirit alone applies God's truth to the heart. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Reconciliation with God is only possible by a turning from sin <em>(sin separates us from God)</em> and a turning to the Lord Jesus Christ.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>As we draw nearer to Christ's return God has been withdrawing his restraining hand. Satan was "bound" until the gospel was proclaimed throughout the world. Evil <em>did not cease</em> in the world with the binding of Satan, but that evil which would hinder the spread of the gospel was held back. Once the gospel of Jesus Christ was established throughout the world, the bonds that limited Satan and prevented him from interfering with the spread of the gospel were loosed. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>In our day, faithful preaching and true doctrine is rare and certainly not often found in the modern church, if at all. The 'beasts' found in the book of Revelation are symbolically the ministers and agents of Satan. Their followers are hypocrites disguised as true believers. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>The Holy Spirit reveals to us those who will enter into apostasy:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial'>"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."<span style='font-size:14pt'><br /> </span>2 Thessalonians 2:10,<span style='font-size:14pt'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:16pt'><strong>Modern Translations cast doubt on God's Word:</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>A false Christianity is maintained through a false gospel (together with false and corrupt 'bibles'). <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>What had already started in the early years of the church has become characteristic of the modern evangelical church… it has disowned the Word of God. The modern church has replaced God's true Word with the false…these are bible translations which include alterations, corruptions and omissions.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><em>The world has little desire to be transformed by the Word of God. They change the Bible, rather than yearn for God's work to bring about a change in them.<br /></em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'>Some modern Bible versions carry deceptive footnotes which are added to cast doubt concerning God's Word. An example of this is seen below:</span><em><br /> </em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong><em><span style='font-family:Arial'>"The earliest and most reliable manuscripts do not have, etc. etc."</span><br /> </em></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>This statement along with similar ones willfully<em><br /> </em>suggests that the Bible is not reliable. Once doubt is cast the validity of the Word of God is called into question.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>These footnotes are the opinions of the supposedly 'enlightened' men and women who wrote them… some are so-called 'evangelicals', others are liberals, apostates, atheists, or feminists. Yet the modern church remains unconcerned. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>A popular excuse used to support the doctrine altering modern "translations" is the claim that they are easier for modern readers to understand; surely, these bibles appeal only to the sloth and laziness of modern man. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'>But hundreds of omissions, alterations, and doubt-casting footnotes are seen in the modern bible<em> translations</em>, most notably concerning the deity of Christ. These <em>translations</em> butcher the Hebrew and Greek; and omit the doctrines of God that do not suit their tastes.</span><br /> <span style='font-family:Arial'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-family:Arial'>"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." <strong>2Timothy 2:15<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>Confusion is in the churches.<em><br /> </em>With the many available translations sold today it is no longer possible for people attending services to read along together from one Bible. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style='font-size:12pt'>*The Authorized Version 1611 (King James)<em> is a faithful translation of the Textus Receptus. It is exceedingly rare that the translators departed from the original, literal Greek wording.</em></span><span style='font-size:14pt'><em><br /> </em></span><span style='font-size:12pt'>Another is the Geneva Bible.</span><span style='font-size:14pt'><em><br /> </em></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial'><em><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong>**</strong></span><span style='font-size:12pt'>Any obscure text must agree with the Bible as a whole. Isolated texts must take into consideration all others found in scripture. <br /></span></em></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'><em>Antichrist- </em>denotes not merely that which is opposed to the cause of God and the kingdom of Christ in this world; but also, <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'><em>that which takes the place of Christ in this world. <br /></em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'>Sadly, the modern church has been subtly seduced …away from the biblical gospel of Jesus Christ; their attention has been turned to a false Christ and a counterfeit gospel… <em>that which takes the place of Christ</em>.</span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'><em>Christ gives us this sombre warning:<br /></em></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'>"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if <em>it were</em> possible, they shall deceive the very elect."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Arial; font-size:14pt'><br /> </span><span style='color:black; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'><strong>Matthew 24:24</strong></span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-46202172044776740722011-05-24T17:31:00.001-07:002011-05-25T22:34:53.932-07:00The Return of Christ<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Dear Friend,</span><span style='font-size:16pt'><strong><br /> </strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>In recent days the entire world witnessed a unique moment in our time. An American minister grabbed the attention of all by using mathematical calculations and the Bible to try and predict the end of days and the return of Christ. By his calculations Saturday May 21, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. was to be that day and hour. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>His prediction prompted skeptics and believers alike to spend huge chunks of time to blog about it while newspapers wrote detailed articles and television news programs spent valuable air time on the subject. All had an opinion. A few took the time to recall that in just a few short months, the year had brought earthquakes, many tornadoes, a volcanic eruption, and a major tsunami/nuclear crisis to Japan.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>One thing is important to remember- Christ Himself declared <em>NO ONE</em> knows the exact hour or day when His return will be, only the Father. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Can the days we are living in <em>now</em> be likened to the conditions that Scripture tells us will foreshadow the return of Christ? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Let's look at Luke 17:26-30<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"And as it was in the days of Noe (Noah), <em>so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man."<br/></em>"They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe (Noah) entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all." <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong>Yes, just like any other day for the unbelieving.<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;"<br/>"But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all."<br/>"Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed."<strong><br /> </strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong>And to the wise:</strong></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br/><span style='font-size:12pt'>"But ye, brethren, <span style='color:red'>are not in darkness</span>, that that day should overtake you as a thief."</span> 1Thessalonians 5:4<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The word <em>Rapture</em> itself is not found in the Bible but is used by Christians to describe a certain event in Scripture, meaning <em>to be</em><br /> <em>caught away</em> or <em>to be caught up</em>. It has been conveniently used to avoid repeating the whole verse whenever speaking of this event:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"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:"<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"Then we which are alive <em>and</em> remain shall be <span style='color:red'>caught up</span> together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."<strong> 1 Thess. 4:16-17</strong><span style='font-size:14pt'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Some have not completely understood the term <em>Rapture</em><strong><br /> </strong>and<em><br /> </em>are unsure as to <em>the order </em>the Bible says this will occur. Many mistakenly believe this occurs <em>before</em> the great tribulation. They feel that God has not appointed the Church to wrath and use the scripture verse found in 1<sup>st</sup> Thessalonians below to erroneously prove their point. <em><br /> </em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><span style='font-size:14pt'><br /> </span>1 Thessalonians 5:9</span><span style='font-size:14pt'><em><br /> </em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><em>But the tribulation is <strong>not </strong>the wrath of God</em> which is reserved for unrepentant sinners in judgement.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>True believers <strong>are still here</strong> during the great tribulation though Christ warns us there will be many false prophets and false Christs. The below verse should help make this clear to us.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><em>"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."<br/>"And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: <strong>but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened."</strong><br /> </em></span></p><p><em><span style='font-size:14pt'>"Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not."<br/>"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that<strong>, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."<br/></strong>"Behold, I have told you before."</span> <span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Matthew 24:21-25</span></em><br /> </p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>This short period of the great tribulation is that time when Satan will be loosed from the pit to deceive the nations (Rev. 20), and then the end will come. The <em>Rapture</em> occurs with the Sound of a great Trumpet and the Lord will descend with a shout! <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The unsaved have been living in darkness. To them, His coming will be <em>as a thief in the night</em>. They are not expecting Him!<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>2Peter 3:10</strong><br/> "But the day of the Lord will <span style='color:red'>come as a thief in the night</span>; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Many will be caught unaware at His coming, but all will know as every eye shall see Him.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>Revelation 1:7</strong><br/> "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and <span style='color:red'>every eye </span>shall see him, and they <em>also</em> which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>This occurs at Christ's second advent, <em>at the last day</em>, the end of the world.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Matthew 24:29-30<br/>"Immediately <span style='color:red'>after the tribulation of those days</span> shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:" <br/>"And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and <span style='color:red'>they shall see the Son of man coming</span> in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>It is <strong><em>after</em> the tribulation</strong> that Christ returns to gather (rapture) His elect.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Mark 13:27<br/> "And then shall he <span style='color:red'>send His angels</span>, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>When Christ returns on that last day, it will be to raise up believers to everlasting life and unbelievers to judgement.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>1Corinthians 15:52<br/> "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and <span style='color:red'>the dead shall be raised incorruptible</span>, and we shall be changed."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>For the world, the Great Tribulation period will come either as judgment or as a test of our faith.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>2Timothy 3:13</strong><br/> "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being <span style='color:red'>deceived</span>."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>We are commanded to <em>watch</em> so that we are not deceived.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"And he said, Take heed that ye be not <span style='color:red'>deceived</span>: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am <em>Christ</em>; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them."<strong> Luke 21:8</strong><br /> </span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-22008195237110096412011-05-20T20:37:00.001-07:002011-05-21T13:45:06.658-07:00Babylon<div align="center">God's Judgment Against Sinful Man?<br /></div><br /><p>"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, <span style="color:#000000;">Babylon</span> THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." Revelation 17:5<br /></p><br /><p>Dear Friend,<br /></p><br /><p>Have you ever wondered who or what is <em>Mystery, Babylon</em> that the Bible speaks of? It is often described by Bible scholars as the world of false religion. The meaning of Babylon means <em>confusion</em>. Previous generations were of the popular opinion that it was surely Roman Catholicism. Many say the same thing today. Others say Babylon is part of the church which will fall away into apostasy. Others add that it is God's judgment against sinful man.<br /></p><br /><p>God's true Church is made up of all who have been born again of God's Spirit (those who by the grace of God have been regenerated).The false church (the imitation), made up of unregenerate man, has always been around but has rapidly gained strength in these last days.<br /></p><br /><p>Unsaved man, ruling in the churches, is preaching an overwhelming number of false gospels made to fool and to deceive the unsuspecting. These false prophets teach doctrines of devils and every unclean spirit.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>Jeremiah 23:11<br /></strong>"For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD." </p><br /><p>God gives us a description of this apostate church found in <strong>Revelation 18:2</strong><br /></p><br /><p>"And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the <span style="color:#ff0000;">habitation of devils</span>, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird."<br /></p><br /><p><strong>Babylon, the Great Spiritual Harlot</strong><br /></p><br /><p>This harlot or whore mimics that which is righteous and holy.<br /></p><br /><p>In <strong>Rev. 17:1-2</strong> God speaks of a great Harlot that sitteth upon many waters,<br /></p><br /><p>1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: </p><br /><p>2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. </p><br /><p><strong>Rev. 17:3-5</strong><br /></p><br /><p>3 "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns." </p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsPtlUI7-PwqFwnUH00m2v9DS7smyLZgyylUXpfoepqtu8t1Zm1QKniRy8JLju2Yp9DMJbRCnE2bh9yb4AhagZuDbl7lpXzm0d2FmkRUsc5Xmd1BQosuuk3O1wsC53irXQszja0zxdWo/s1600/Ancient_Dragon.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609268769565502242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsPtlUI7-PwqFwnUH00m2v9DS7smyLZgyylUXpfoepqtu8t1Zm1QKniRy8JLju2Yp9DMJbRCnE2bh9yb4AhagZuDbl7lpXzm0d2FmkRUsc5Xmd1BQosuuk3O1wsC53irXQszja0zxdWo/s200/Ancient_Dragon.jpg" /></a><br /><p>When we look at the next verse, God tells us she has an appearance of Christianity. She has a form of Godliness but hasn't experienced the power thereof, nor does she have the Grace of God and has never known regeneration. In other words, she (the apostate church) is this woman which is blind and poor yet thinks she can see. </p><br /><p>4 "And the woman 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:"<br />5 "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."<br /></p><br /><p>Man has replaced God's true Gospel of Grace with the Abomination (anything <em>man must do</em> for Salvation is a false gospel).<br /></p><br /><p>The Law has shown us how much we need a Savior, but man will not come to Christ. Is this not the Abomination? Man trusts not in the Grace of God but in his own Works. We are told in <strong>2 Thessalonians 2:9-12</strong> God will send unbelievers strong delusion because they have not believed the truth preached in love.<br /></p><br /><p>Free grace is the great enemy of sinful, works oriented man. Man makes war with the fact he must come to God <em>His way</em>, through the Cross of Salvation. A <em>Works gospel</em> denies that we are already bought with a price by Christ.<br /></p><br /><p>God's true Gospel of Grace is through Jesus Christ alone….apart from the Law and the works of man.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>2 Thessalonians 2:3-4</strong> is in reference to this unsaved church (Babylon) who will be deceived and goes into apostasy.<br /></p><br /><p><em>"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that <strong>man of sin</strong> be revealed, the son of perdition;<br />Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God."</em> <strong>2 Thess 2:3-4</strong><br /></p><br /><p>Who is that<strong> man of sin</strong> but any and all who are without respect to God and His Law. Listening only to the counsels of their own hearts, they are as gods believing themselves capable of judging between good and evil.<br /></p><br /><p>Christ warned us in the last days our enemies would be, 'of your own household'. Our enemies are hidden right in the church, the household of faith.<br /></p><br /><p>When the testimony of the faithful is completed, Satan will be loosed from the pit and lead the nations, as a ferocious beast, to come against the camp of the saints.<br /></p><br /><p>Let us turn to <strong>Revelation 11:7</strong> "And <em>when they shall have finished their testimony</em>, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."<br /></p><br /><p>The Book of Revelation is steeped in symbolic imagery. <em>'They shall overcome them and kill them'</em> speaks of the time when the voice of God's prophets (His children), declaring the true Gospel message, will no longer be heard in the world's churches. They have been silenced. God's true message of Salvation is rejected in the congregations led by unsaved man.<br /></p><br /><p>As we see the signs approaching we are told to flee from Babylon, the Lord's vengeance is on her! </p><br /><p>" Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this <em>is</em> the time of the LORD'S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence." <strong>Jer. 51:6</strong><br /></p><br /><p><strong>Revelation 18:4</strong> may signify the last irresistible, effectual call into everlasting glory.<br /></p><br /><p>"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, <span style="color:#ff0000;">that ye be not partakers</span> of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."<br /></p><br /><p>The time when iniquity will abound, or <em>comes to a full</em>, coincides to the time when Satan will be let loose. Satan was destroyed at the Cross but will be released for a 'little season' at the end time. (<strong>Rev. 20:3</strong>)<br /></p><br /><p><strong>Daniel 8:23-25<br /></strong>"And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a <span style="color:#ff0000;">king of fierce countenance</span>, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up."<br /></p><br /><p>24 "And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people."<br />25 "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify <em>himself</em> in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many."<br /></p><br /><p>Smooth words which offend none is the message of peace preached in today's churches. None are convicted, none are alarmed, none are called to war against the enemy of our souls. Many are unconcerned….they sit as if in peace and safety. The stage has been set.<br /></p><br /><p>The time is coming that God's entire spiritual Church will be built and all remaining in the apostate church (Babylon) will be destroyed.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>Jeremiah 51:1<br /></strong>"Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will raise up against Babylon, and against them that dwell in the midst of them that rise up against me, <span style="color:#ff0000;">a destroying wind.</span>" </p><br /><p>We come to one more question many still wonder about:<br /></p><br /><p>Is Rome the <em>Mystery, Babylon</em> of scripture?<br /></p><br /><p>Let us read some history concerning the early days of Rome. The Web Bible Encyclopedia tells us:<br /></p><br /><p><em>The literal Babylon was the beginner and supporter of tyranny and idolatry.<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>Rome eventually succeeded to the power of old Babylon after conquering the Macedonians and it was her method to adopt the worship of the false deities she had conquered.<br /></em></p><br /><p><em>She became the successor of all the Babylonian idolatry that was introduced into it by the immediate successors of Babylon and consequently of all the idolatry of the earth. Rome pagan and papal is regarded as one power.<br /></em></p><br /><p>The O.T. kingdom of Babylon prefigured the apostate, visible church (<em>Mystery Babylon, the great</em>) which God will bring judgment upon prior to Christ's return. </p><br /><p><strong>Revelation 17:18<br /></strong>"And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth<span style="color:#ff0000;"> over the kings of the earth</span>." </p><br /><p>Surely, Roman Catholicism follows man (known as a Pope) and not the God of the Bible. Obviously, <em>she is</em> and always has been a <em>huge</em> part of <em>Mystery Babylon</em>, but she is not alone.</p><br /><p>Presently, more and more of those in Protestant denominations are following this influence which originated out of Rome. Many claim that they are saved yet do not possess God given faith that Salvation is by Grace alone through Jesus Christ. (<span style="font-size:85%;">God's work of Salvation in us from beginning to end</span>). Deception, going hand in hand with confusion, has crept into the mainstream Churches. It is the lie that is thriving, not the Gospel of Christ.</p><br /><p>Let us review <strong>Revelation 13:3-9</strong><br />"And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; <span style="color:#ff0000;">and his deadly wound was healed</span>: and all the world wondered after the beast."<br /></p><br /><p>This could only be Satan who was bound at Christ's victory of the Cross. He will be let loose again for a short time at the end to deceive the nations.<br /></p><br /><p><strong>Revelation 13:4<br /></strong>"And they <span style="color:#ff0000;">worshipped the dragon</span> which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?" </p><br /><p><strong>The great deceiver will manifest himself in man. </strong><br /></p><br /><p>The dragon (Satan) gives his power to the false prophet, spiritually a 'beast'. </p><br /><p>5 And there was given unto him a <em>mouth speaking great things and blasphemies</em>; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months.<br />6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.<br />7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.<br />8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.<br />9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. </p><br /><p>Things have not changed since the beginning of time.</p><br /><p>Would you recognize Babylon? </p><br /><p>Have you believed the lie, "surely, you will not die"?<br /></p><br /><p>Let us make certain we are following Christ, and not the 'tares' planted by Satan.<br /></p><br /><p>No friend, without Christ we are capable of being easily deceived. Many are on that road leading to Babylon.<br /></p><br /><p><em>"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."</em> <strong>Jeremiah 10:3</strong><br /></p><br /><p>Are you a sinner? Then God is talking to you. </p><br /><p>Have you heard His call? Hearken unto it. </p><br /><p>Christ tells us, "I came not to call the righteous, <span style="color:#ff0000;">but sinners to repentance</span>."<br /><strong>Luke 5:32</strong> </p>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-54126816023021776162011-04-17T19:29:00.001-07:002011-04-17T19:49:30.220-07:00The Captivity of the Israelites by Babylon<span xmlns=""> <br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">As good parents to our own children, we tell them about Jesus and teach them from stories in the Bible. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">What child does not love hearing about Jesus and want to learn more about Him? </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">But it seems as they grow and mature into teens and then young adults, most have lost that enthusiasm for God's truth; they've been captured by the persuasions of the world. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">Since the time of Adam, man has rejected God's rule over him and has continued to desire forbidden fruit. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">This is just what happened when the Israelites told Samuel they wanted a king <em>as the nations</em> around them had. They weren't content with a heavenly King and gave Samuel the excuse that it was because of his wicked sons. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">Let us turn to<strong> 1 Samuel, Chapter 8</strong> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:black;">After praying to God for guidance the Lord said unto Samuel, "Hearken unto the voice of the people </span>in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."<span style="color:black;"> </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God knew their hearts and told Samuel to warn the people what a heavy price they would have to pay in their desire of earthly man to rule over them. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; that we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles."<em> <strong>1 Samuel 8:19-20</strong></em> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Thinking that their own works were not wicked, notice one of the things these people wanted, "<em>that our king may judge us</em>." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God gave these people who did not want to serve Him their own earthly king(s). </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">What happened throughout the Babylonian captivity will be our main focus, keeping in mind that much of what is revealed to us from Old Testament scriptures concerning this subject will point us ultimately to the Babylon and the remnant of our day. By seeking to understand this captivity through God's Word we ourselves should benefit from it and come to a better understanding of Who God is, His ways, and how He works in the lives of His children. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyLQJoA9C2cNEN3afKYQY3_K75K02hQtTfgXHpZdae1tTEoDEppRn2ywIg4fAEAg5YMbGnKNhcucZvIusHMPeIYgq0D3pVsE_vIu3U4Cz_bnrIKd3-DMxq3pmQxH1hbGxWMdPT1vPmWg/s1600/Nebuchadnezzar001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596749349280134322" border="0" alt="**Statue of Nebuchadnezzar**" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyLQJoA9C2cNEN3afKYQY3_K75K02hQtTfgXHpZdae1tTEoDEppRn2ywIg4fAEAg5YMbGnKNhcucZvIusHMPeIYgq0D3pVsE_vIu3U4Cz_bnrIKd3-DMxq3pmQxH1hbGxWMdPT1vPmWg/s200/Nebuchadnezzar001.jpg" /></a>Proverbs 23:26</strong> "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe <span style="color:red;">my ways</span>." <span style="color:black;"></span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God allowed Babylon to capture Israel and carry them away to a strong country. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">There Nebuchadnezzar became their new king. He put a yoke of iron upon the necks of all nations he ruled over. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:black;">Let us consider some things about this king who would rule over them.</span> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:black;"><strong>Nebuchadnezzar </strong><em>(more accurately</em> <em>Nebuchadrezzar</em>)</span> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">We will read some very interesting scripture verses concerning him, yet at first they can be difficult to understand and even confusing. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="color:black;"><em>Who</em> was this mysterious person Nebuchadnezzar that God would give him power over the whole earth? In Jer. 25:9 The Lord calls him 'My Servant', and yet he is King of Babylon! </span>One thing is important to understand: God rules over the whole earth and gives to whomever He wills to govern it, but as followers of the One true God we must <em>always obey Him </em>rather than man.<span style="color:black;"> </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Nebuchadnezzar was a heathen king, meaning Gentile, not an Israelite; and <span style="color:black;">although Nebuchadnezzar and his kingdom seem to have been shown favor, it is important to remember he is an enemy to the Israelites. </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">By the time of Zedekiah (Israel's last king) the Israelites had sinned worse than their fathers who forsook the Lord and walked after and worshipped other gods.<em> </em>Their children walked after the counsels and in the imaginations of their own heart. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Jeremiah 7:24 </strong>"But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but <span style="color:red;">walked in the counsels </span><em>and</em> in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">When God brought Babylon against Israel Jeremiah counseled the Jews to come under Nebuchadnezzar's yoke. His counsel from God was in essence: <em>don't fight against Nebuchadnezzar but rather bear this oppression. If you don't come under the yoke to Nebuchadnezzar you'll be destroyed. </em>Yet Israel continued to rebel against God, they fought against Nebuchadnezzar and were taken into captivity by Babylon. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The message to the Jews was that they ought to accept this chastisement from God. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God's desire was that they acknowledge their iniquity and return back to Him in repentance and contrition. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We find throughout the earlier history of the Israelite people that God constantly brought heathen nations against His elect to trouble them and chasten them so they would hearken more diligently to Him. When God's people are slack in seeking His face and obeying Him, God chastises. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">Understanding this captivity can be confusing, not because the Israelites are punished for their disobedience but because of <em>how</em> God accomplishes His will in them. His commandment to them is, 'to <em>come under the yoke'</em> of Nebuchadnezzar and the heathen nation of Babylon. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Isaiah 55:8</strong> "For my thoughts <em>are</em> not your thoughts, neither <em>are</em> your ways <span style="color:red;">my ways</span>, saith the LORD." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">When God brought Babylon to chastise Israel, Jeremiah's counsel was <em>not </em>to bow to the wickedness and tyranny of Babylonian Laws, but to accept God's chastisement through the captivity of Babylon. We find in Jeremiah's letter to Israel (Chapter 29) a message from God carefully instructing them on how to live while in their captivity.<span style="color:black;"> </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;color:black;">We also see the principle that when sin is discovered in the camp all are punished until it is removed. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In a raid by Nebuchadnezzar a few years earlier, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were brought to Babylon along with others but purposed in their hearts they would not offend God. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Hence they did not eat of the portion of the King's meat. This 'meat' is a figure of the Abomination (false gospel). </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God raised them up as prophets in the land of Babylon. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Daniel and his three friends represent how all true believers should live in the world. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Babylon, a figure of the unregenerate church is<em> also</em> pictured as the world. Many see the world ruling in the churches today, replacing God's Word with the teachings of Man. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Let us turn to <strong>Jeremiah 43:10 </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Incredibly, we see a type of Christ in Nebuchadnezzar! </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>'My Servant'</em> can only be a revelation of Jesus Christ. (God's elect are 'these <em>stones that I have hid')</em>. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Nebuchadnezzar can be seen as God's Perfect Law. He comes against a rebellious Israel with his Holy Law, the yoke of iron <em>(hard bondage).</em> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">(The New Testament saints, who are also Israel circumcised of heart, are chastised by the Spirit as he uses this rod of correction upon them). </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Proverbs 3:11-12</strong> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son <em>in whom</em> he delighteth." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Traditionally we think of Satan as the Adversary, the accuser of the brethren. Nebuchadnezzar is also a picture of the adversary <em>(though not of the fallen, angelic being), </em>as God's Holy Law it accuses and convicts the sinner. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Law of God because of sin is the enemy of man. The Holy Law is an adversary (an accuser) because of sin. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God uses His Law for humbling purposes. It is the power of God's Word which destroys the workings of the flesh (indwelling sin). </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"For I <em>am</em> with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished." <strong>Jer. 30:11 </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Let's find out what this chastisement from God accomplished in the Israelites, once again, keeping in mind Mystery Babylon and the small remnant remaining in our day. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Turning to 2 Chron. 36:13-21 we find some lengthy but detailed verses important to study and understand, </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>13</sup></strong> And he (Zedekiah) also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel. <strong><sup>14</sup></strong> Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The reason God sent them to Babylon. Listen carefully! </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>15</sup></strong> And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>16</sup></strong> But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till <em>there was</em> no remedy. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>17</sup></strong> Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, <strong>who slew their young men with the</strong> <strong>sword</strong> in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave <em>them</em> all into his hand. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We have just read the compassion the Lord had upon the Israelites. How could this be compassion? </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">To <em>slay with the (S)word</em> through God's Law, His Word, accuses the sinner and convicts all who are in rebellion. It is this which 'slew their young men with the sword <em>in the</em> <em>house of their sanctuary'</em>. In other words, when God's people come together, in the house of their sanctuary (Church <em>or</em> wherever two or more are gathered) to hear His Word, it brings conviction to the sinner. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><span style="color:black;"><em>"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." </em>-Hebrews 4:12</span> </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em>The Elect, the vessels of God's mercy: </em></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>18</sup></strong> And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all <em>these</em> he brought to Babylon. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>19</sup></strong> And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The only thing that destroys the workings of the flesh is the Law of God. It is the power of God's Word which aids in the destruction of the flesh. It is "the flesh and the pride of life" which the Lord brings destruction upon and is a correcting discipline. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>20</sup></strong> "And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:" </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Those who are not of His seed He gives up to their own depravity and the power of sin. Within the great assembly called the Church are both the unregenerate and the true saints. His chastisement is brought about for the true saints only, that they may profit from it. This remnant will persevere and return to God in contrition and repentance. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Reading on, 70 years later; Cyrus, the King of Prussia, sounds very much like Nebuchadnezzar as he proclaims, "all the kingdoms of the earth hath the Lord given me". God stirred up Cyrus to free the Israelites with a remnant returning to Jerusalem. In Cyrus also is a picture of Christ…the Savior of His people. I believe many times God both teaches us and continually reminds us of His spiritual truths through the physical pictures He gives us throughout the Bible. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>"Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which <em>is</em> in Judah. Who <em>is there</em> among you of all his people? <em>The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up". 2 Chron. 36:23 </em></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Elect are the 'stones' God uses to build His spiritual house in Jerusalem. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In <strong>Ezra, Chapter 2</strong> you can see how this captivity brought a remnant of many thousands back to the Lord; the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Ezra 3:11</strong> "And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; because <em>he is</em> good, for his mercy <em>endureth</em> for ever toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, <span style="color:red;">because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid</span>." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">What did God accomplish by this captivity and why did it change some hearts and not others back to God? For one thing, it brought humbleness back to God's people, His Elect. That they would seek after Him with all their hearts. It also separated His Own from the unregenerate of the world, bringing the remnant back into the land. <em>(spiritually, into His kingdom).</em><strong> </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">God will not have His heritage associated with the abominations of the world, nor His Land (kingdom) defiled, </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Jeremiah 2:7</strong> "And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, <span style="color:red;">ye defiled my land</span>, and made mine heritage an abomination." </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Listen to Ezra's beautiful prayer of repentance found in Ezra 9:5-15 </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>5</sup></strong> And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God, </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>6</sup></strong> And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over <em>our</em> head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>7</sup></strong> Since the days of our fathers <em>have</em> we <em>been</em> in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, <em>and</em> our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as <em>it is</em> this day. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>8</sup></strong><em> <strong>And now for a little grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape,</strong></em> and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>9</sup></strong> For we <em>were</em> bondmen; yet our God hath not forsaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>10</sup></strong> And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>11</sup></strong> Which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land with the filthiness of the people of the lands, with their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their uncleanness. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>12</sup></strong> Now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their wealth for ever: that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave <em>it</em> for an inheritance to your children for ever. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>13</sup></strong> And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities <em>deserve</em>, and hast given us <em>such</em> deliverance as this </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>14</sup></strong> Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed <em>us</em>, so that <em>there should be</em> no remnant nor escaping? </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>15</sup></strong> O LORD God of Israel, thou <em>art</em> righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as <em>it is</em> this day: behold, we <em>are</em> before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this. </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">What happened next was a great multitude came and wept before the Lord.<strong><sup> </sup></strong></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore." <strong>Ezra 10:1</strong><em> </em></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Nebuchadnezzar's praise of God, </span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Daniel 4:37</strong> "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works <em>are</em> truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Christ's life, death, and resurrection was sufficient to secure the salvation of man. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">He succeeded in saving all those for whom He died and not one was lost or in vain. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">There is no flesh that will glory in God's presence, the Law of works cannot save. The salvation of man is by God alone and for the glory of God. <strong></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">We have just seen throughout these scriptures how Babylon was used by God for chastisement through the Law, but there is coming a time when God will bring Judgment upon Babylon. Let us take a closer look at that subject next time.<strong> </strong></span></p><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." <strong>Jer. 29:11</strong></span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-45432522657820188412011-03-27T17:37:00.001-07:002011-03-27T18:08:50.360-07:00“What was it Satan Really Said to the Woman in the Garden?”<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>We cannot read too far along in our Bibles before God reveals to us the condition of the human heart. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Sinful man thinks that he has no need of God to direct and guide him in his life and so he rebels against the Lord. Readily leading man into believing <em>the</em> lie is his own pride and vanity. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Satan approached the woman in the garden and said to her, 'Ye shall not surely die'. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>What did he mean by that? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Let us turn to Genesis, Chapter 3 to examine what happened at the very beginning of time:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>1</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong><sup>2</sup></strong> And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:<br/><strong><sup>3</sup></strong> But of the fruit of the tree which <em>is</em> in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong><sup>4</sup></strong> And the serpent said unto the woman, <em>Ye shall not surely die:</em><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong><sup>5</sup></strong> <strong>For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.</strong></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>"</strong></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>What was he <em>really</em> telling the woman?<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Just this…. if she did not listen to the voice of God, she needn't worry. She would not die. Things would continue to go well with her. She did not need God to guide her, nor keep her in the way she should walk! <em>She</em> too was intelligent. Why she herself could 'be as a god', knowing good and evil. After all, she was not walking in darkness! Didn't <em>she</em> also have knowledge of how things should be? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Yes, he appealed to her pride and vanity. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The woman listened and believed Satan's lie. (<em>the man was not deceived. </em>See 1Tim 2:14). <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>She and the man 'ate' from that forbidden tree. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Afterwards, realizing they were naked (in sin), <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Eve told the Lord, <span style='font-family:Book Antiqua'>"The serpent <em>beguiled</em> me, and I did eat".</span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>(Let us clearly understand, the Bible is <em>not</em> talking about a physical tree, it is not talking about eating a physical piece of fruit!) <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The forbidden tree brings death and is representative of the original lie started by Satan <em>but continued by man</em> who believes and teaches this very same lie, "You surely will not die". Its fruit is sin and death.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>God tells us: <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"For the <span style='color:red'>wages of sin</span><em> is</em> death; but the gift of God <em>is</em> eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." <strong>Romans 6:23 </strong><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>We must eat from the 'Tree of Life' which is Christ.<span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>He died on the 'Tree' (the Cross) which gave us life.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong>John 6:53</strong><br/> "Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the <span style='color:red'>flesh</span> of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>What happened next? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>This sin continued on in their son Cain, who<em> remained</em> in rebellion, and refused to bring the proper sin offering before the Lord.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Though all men are in darkness without God, they believe their eyes are open and listen only to the counsels of their own heart.<span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Yes ... </span>"<em>ye shall be as gods</em>, knowing good and evil." <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Sin is, simply put… not obeying the voice of the Lord. Man listened to another voice; a voice that would lead him astray.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong>Jeremiah 23:16-17<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own <span style='color:red'>heart</span>, and<em> not </em>out of the mouth of the LORD<em>.</em></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><em>"</em></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> <br /></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'>"They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, <span style='color:red'>no evil shall come upon you</span>."<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:black; font-size:14pt'>Turning to Genesis 10:8 we will find the story of Nimrod.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Nimrod was descended from Cush who was a son of Ham, one of Noah's three sons. <span style='color:black'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong><sup>8</sup></strong> And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.<br/><strong><sup>9</sup></strong> He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD.<br/><strong><sup>10</sup></strong> And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The English language is lacking in translation of the original Hebrew word 'Nimrod'. It is a description of a rebel and in all likelihood this was not his name but a derisive term. He led rebellion against the Lord.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> The original Hebrew says he began to be a tyrannical hunter <em>before</em> the Lord (meaning in opposition to the Lord). He hunted men by strategy and force.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The beginning of his kingdom was in the land of Shinar, Babel being one of those cities. Those who gathered together to follow him built the tower at Babel, "whose top may reach unto Heaven." They rebelled against the true God and desired to make a name for themselves. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong><sup>Gen. 11:4</sup></strong> "And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top <em>may reach</em> unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Let us stop for a moment and examine the phrase "let us make a name". The people of Babel were in rebellion against the Lord and wanted to make a name for <em>themselves,</em> rather than giving to God all the Glory due Him. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Is that not like the world of today? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Man is moved by pride and ambition, looking for their own self elevation and glory. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> But what does Christ tell us? We must <em>humble</em> ourselves, and yes, even <em>deny</em> ourselves:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> "And he said to <em>them</em> all, If any <em>man</em> will come after me, let him <span style='color:red'>deny himself</span>, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." <strong> Luke 9:23</strong></span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'>By obeying the Lord, we <em>gain</em> life, not lose it.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."<span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> <strong>Matthew 10:39</strong></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'>We become more Christ-like.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>He must increase, but I<em> must</em> decrease.</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> <strong>John 3:30</strong><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Two other examples who taught rebellion are Hananiah and Shemaiah. Let us read what Jeremiah says about them. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong>Jeremiah 28:15-17<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Candara; font-size:14pt'> Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah; The LORD hath not sent thee; <strong>but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.</strong> <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Candara; font-size:14pt'>Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, <strong>because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD</strong>. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Candara; font-size:14pt'>So Hananiah the prophet died the same year in the seventh month.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>Jeremiah 29:32</strong><br/> "Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught <span style='color:red'>rebellion</span> against the LORD." </span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Another interesting story is found in<em><br /> </em></span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>John 10:33-37<br /></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong>Man as Gods:<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong><sup>33</sup></strong> The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for<strong><br /> </strong>blasphemy; and because that thou,<strong> being a man, makest thyself God.<br/><sup>34</sup></strong> Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said,<strong> Ye are gods?<br/><sup>35</sup></strong> If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong><br /> </strong></span></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong><sup>36</sup></strong> Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>What they wrongly accused Jesus of doing is exactly what they were doing. Though they knew the scriptures they did not know God, they were walking in the counsels of their own heart, <em>man as gods</em>.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong><sup>Jeremiah 16:20</sup></strong> "Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they <em>are</em> no gods?</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Turning to the book of Jeremiah we find a much more in-depth study concerning the problem of rebellion; God reveals what is in man's sinful heart and how it is so easily deceived by the lie.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Let us also look at just a few verses found in this book.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'>"wherefore say my people, <span style='color:red'>we are Lords</span>; we will come no more unto thee?" <strong>Jer. 2:31<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'> "Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have <span style='color:red'>walked after vanity</span>, and are become vain?" <strong>Jeremiah 2:5</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'> <strong>Isaiah 47:8 <br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"Therefore hear now this, <em>thou that art</em> given to pleasures, that dwellest carelessly, that sayest in thine heart, <em>I am, and none else beside me</em>. " <em><br /> </em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><em>Yes</em>… men as gods! No longer following after the One true God but walking after the counsels of <em>their own hearts</em>. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>God warns us of man's lie:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong><sup>"</sup></strong>Thus saith the LORD; Cursed <em>be</em> the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> <strong>Jeremiah 17:5</strong></span><strong><br /> </strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Today man teaches that God is a God of Love (only), therefore, many are unconcerned about their sins and where they will spend eternity. They have been given confidence their sins will not keep them from entering Heaven. Many do not even consider that they are sinners and will think of themselves as good persons. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>In other words: "surely you will not die".<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Another version of this same lie: surely you will not die….. <em>If</em>. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The unregenerate man believes a false Gospel of Salvation, this always through some sort of works. He wants to claim a part in his own salvation… even saying, "it was I who chose to follow Christ!" <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The Gospel of God's Grace is through Jesus Christ alone,<em> apart</em> from the Law and the works of man. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Anything other than this is a false gospel. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'><strong>Matthew 23:4</strong><br/> "For they bind heavy <span style='color:red'>burden</span>s and grievous to be borne, and lay <em>them</em> on men's shoulders; but they <em>themselves</em> will not move them with one of their fingers." <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Let us always remember what the Lord tells us concerning the hearts of man….<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:14pt'>"The heart <em>is</em> deceitful above all <em>things</em>, and <span style='color:red'>desperately wicked</span>: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9<br /></span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-60147513141849098982011-03-13T17:51:00.001-07:002011-04-04T18:09:54.647-07:00“Tares Among the Wheat”<span xmlns=""><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Dear Friends, </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">In the coming weeks ahead we will be looking at the subject of "Mystery Babylon". </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">To fully understand some of the scripture verses pertaining to that study it may benefit us to first look at <em>how</em> Mystery Babylon came to be. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">One subject in connection to this, and which will be appearing on this site soon, I have titled "What Was it Satan Really Said to the Woman in the Garden." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">The other is seen below. </span><span style="font-size:22;"></span><span style="font-size:14;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Throughout the New Testament </span><span style="font-size:12;">(also hidden in the O.T.)</span><span style="font-size:14;"> God tells us that His true children and the children of the enemy would grow<em> together </em>until the Harvest. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">He also shows us how this will occur. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Let us briefly review some earlier history of this region. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">The Ancient Near East was composed of many powerful kingdoms that preyed upon smaller less fortunate ones. These smaller kingdoms that were unable to defend themselves would have no choice but to look to other kingdoms more powerful than themselves to protect them against these invaders. They would make a treaty with the kingdom defending them in which everything was outlined in great detail. In exchange, they would also promise how they would serve them. The greater king was known as the <strong><em>Suzerain</em></strong> and the lesser was called the <strong>vassal</strong>, or lesser lord. The lesser lord represented <em>all</em> the people under the protection of this great king. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">This treaty would also contain the blessings and curses of the Suzerain if the vassal failed to meet the stipulations. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">The most common ceremony used to ratify this was the cutting in half of certain animals and positioning them in two rows where both parties of this treaty would walk side by side, vowing as they walked between these pieces, "May what has happened to these animals, happen to me if I break this covenant with you". </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">What must surely come to our minds as we read the above is God's Covenant promise with Israel. Yes, it was just like that. See below! </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Genesis 15:17</strong> "And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that <span style="color:red;">passed between those pieces</span>." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Yes, God Himself passed between those pieces. He could swear by none other greater than Himself. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">God (the Suzerain King) promised to protect Israel (the vassal people) as long as they listened to His voice. God told them exactly what he expected from them </span>(Exodus 20-23).<span style="font-size:14;"> In return He told them of all the blessings He would provide them. This was a covenant promise never to be broken! </span></p><br /><p>Of course, all of us have broken our side of this covenant, both regenerate and unregenerate man. </p><br /><p>Every human being in the world, through Adam, was given all the commandments. </p><br /><p>Yet, it is only the eternal and elect church who are restored by Grace. </p><br /><p>It was <em>Christ's </em>Work (His Perfect Life) which fulfilled the Law for us. </p><br /><p>The Law is Perfect but it must be kept to the letter. It knows no forgiveness. There is no Grace found in it. </p><br /><p>It was meant to show us our sins and how we are incapable of keeping the whole Law. Sinful man can never enter Heaven and stand before a Holy God! God is unapproachable to a sinner. </p><br /><p>God tells us we are NOT saved by the keeping of the Law. The Only Sacrifice He <strong><em>accepts</em></strong> is through Christ, His Sacrifice alone. It is His Righteousness (His sinless, perfect life) which is imputed to us through the Atoning Blood of the Cross. </p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The earlier above history review of the ancient near east may help explain this next story which is found in Joshua. It should be read in its entirety for a better understanding on our subject. (Joshua 9:1-27) </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">At the time of Joshua the atmosphere was yet the same, w/ kingdoms and peoples continuing to band together seeking mutual protection and safety against their enemies. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">God had previously told the Israelites that when they came up against certain peoples in battle they were to save nothing alive. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:14;">See Deut. 20: </span><strong><sup>17</sup></strong> </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">But thou shalt utterly destroy them; <em>namely</em>, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Let us turn to Joshua: </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;color:black;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">See Joshua vs.1<span style="font-size:14;"> The Hivites were people who also mixed among other various groups in the region, (</span>these being the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, and the Jebusites)<span style="font-size:14;">. </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;">Yes, the same peoples God said to utterly destroy in Deuteronomy 20:17. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">They came to Joshua and told him they were from a far country, presenting themselves as </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">'</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">strangers</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">'</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> thereby likening themselves to the children of God who are </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">'</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">strangers and pilgrims in the world. They lied and were actually neighbors who had gathered to fight against Joshua. </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong><sup><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">4</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span></sup><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">They did work wilily,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span></strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">This people had disguised themselves in humbleness: </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9;">5</span><span style="font-size:14;"><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><sup>"</sup></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them,</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span></strong></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;">They appeared as people who had come searching for knowledge of the Lord. They feared for their lives after hearing of all God did for Israel to protect them. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;">Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">But after finding out that they were actually their enemies, Joshua could not go back on what they had sworn to them by God</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">'</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">s name. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:9;"><strong><em>19 </em></strong></span><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><em>"</em></strong></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.</strong> <strong><sup>20 </sup>This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them.</strong></span><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;color:black;"><strong><sup>22</sup></strong> And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, wherefore have ye <em>beguiled</em> us, saying, we <em>are</em> very far from you; when ye dwell among us? </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Joshua told them they are cursed and made them </span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">hewers of wood and drawers of water.</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><em> </em></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">but let them be hewers</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:14;"><em> </em></span>(meaning to strike with cutting blows, to cut down)<span style="font-size:14;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">of wood</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:14;"><em> </em>(</span>wood and tree are terms<span style="font-size:14;"> </span>representative of man)<span style="font-size:14;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">and drawers of water</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">"</span></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size:14;"> <em></em></span>(living fountains of water are found only in Christ but God tells us there are also broken cisterns which hold no water.)<span style="font-size:14;"> </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">What is interesting is that we will later find these words in Jeremiah 6:6. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">God uses this phrase, <strong><em>"Hew ye down trees</em></strong> and cast a mount against Jerusalem" as the <em>enemy</em> comes into Jerusalem to carry them away to Babylon! </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Important points to consider: </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Joshua made a league with them and swore by the Lord's name! He did not consult with God, nonetheless it is a treaty honored between God and them. Once again, what were the promises made from this league: </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Joshua's side –they let them live and dwell in peace. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Hivites side – as servants, they would be hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation of God, but yet they are a cursed people <em>never to be freed from being bondsmen. </em></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Verse </span>27 tells us that these 'hewers of wood and drawers of water' are with us "even unto this day, in the place which he should choose"…</span>Joshua is sometimes seen as a shadow of Christ. </p><br /><p>These deceivers, the enemy, are disguised as true children of God; and yet at this time they will live and dwell in peace according to the oath Joshua made in the Lord's name. </p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Turning to the book of Ezra we will find the Israelites did not separate themselves from these bondsmen. </span></p><br /><p>Ezra 9:1-2 </p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;">Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites<strong>, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, <em>doing</em> according to their abominations</strong>, <em>even</em> of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">Some verses to also remember here are found in</span> <span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Matthew 13:24-30 </strong></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>24</sup></strong> Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field:</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong> </strong></span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong><sup>25</sup></strong> But while men slept, <strong>his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat,</strong> and went his way. <strong><sup>26</sup></strong> But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. <strong><sup>27</sup></strong> So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? <strong><sup>28</sup></strong> He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? <strong><sup>29</sup></strong> But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. <strong><sup>30</sup></strong> <strong>Let both grow together until the harvest: </strong>and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. </span></span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>God's true children, though they are in the world, will never be fooled by the imitation….the lie!</strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"> </span></span></p><br /><p><strong><sup><span style="font-size:22;">Let us turn to II Kings 4: 38-44 </span>38</sup></strong><span style="font-size:14;"> And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and <em>there was</em> a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets <em>were</em> sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. <strong><sup>39</sup></strong> And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred <em>them</em> into the pot of pottage: for they knew <em>them</em> not. <strong><sup>40</sup></strong> So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O <em>thou</em> man of God, <em>there is</em> death in the pot. And they could not eat <em>thereof</em>. <strong><sup>41</sup></strong> But he said, then bring meal. And he cast <em>it</em> into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot. <strong><sup>42</sup></strong> And there came a man from Baalshalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. <strong><sup>43</sup></strong> And his servitor said, What, should I set this before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave <em>thereof</em>. <strong><sup>44</sup></strong> So he set <em>it</em> before them, and they did eat, and left <em>thereof</em>, according to the word of the LORD. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">The wild vine is the imitation, those (imitators) who would almost pass for the true children of God. The 'wild gourds'<em>, a </em>false gospel. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">But the true children recognize the poison and death 'in the pot' and will not eat. </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:14;">It is only the true Gospel of the flesh and blood of Christ we eat: </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>John 6:56</strong> "He that eateth <span style="color:red;">my flesh</span>, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him." </span></p><br /><p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:14;"><strong>Matthew 24:24</strong> "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if <em>it were</em> possible, they shall deceive <span style="color:red;">the very elect</span>." </span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 180pt"><span style="font-family:Book Antiqua;font-size:16;"><strong></strong></span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-59528499931469028282011-01-30T19:26:00.001-08:002011-01-30T20:01:40.630-08:00Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit<span xmlns=''><p><br /> </p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>The difficult passages found below are some those knowledgeable in God's Word have gone to great lengths to explain. In brief, here is how they explain this sin, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit: it is a sin which can be committed only by those who have had the true witness of God's Word. They had been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, being among the fellowship of true believers; but after having had the knowledge of God's truth they walked away, returning back to the world (the world of lusts and desires they had seemingly been set free from). It is much<em> stressed</em>... this sin is <em>not</em> committed by the unchurched, it is <em>not</em> using God's name in vain, <em>nor</em> is it a temporary backsliding! They have rejected God's truth wholly, counting it as unworthy, or an unholy thing. They have betrayed Christ and have now become His enemy.</span><span style='font-size:1pt'><br /> </span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>The first scripture of study is found below:<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy'><strong><span style='font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:12pt'> </span><span style='font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Mark 3:22-30 <br /></span></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.<em><sup><br /> </sup></em></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> And he called them <em>unto him</em>, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?<sup><br /> </sup></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.<sup><br /> </sup></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.<sup><br /> </sup></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.<strong><sup><br /> </sup></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.<strong><sup><br /> </sup></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:<strong><sup><br /> </sup></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:<strong><sup><br /> </sup></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'> Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong>The second is found at:<span style='color:navy'><br /> </span></strong></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'><strong>Luke 12:9-10</strong><br /> </span></p><ul style='margin-left: 72pt'><li><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>"But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. <br /></span></li><li><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven." <br /></span></li></ul><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>The two scriptures, along with the prior brief explanation, certainly offer a sound interpretation regarding this particular sin, and yet it cannot be misunderstood . . . . Jesus is telling us this sin is not greater against Him (the Son of God) but <em>is </em>an <em>unforgiveable</em> blasphemy against the Person of the Holy Ghost. <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>Experts on the Bible also point to Judas, the betrayer of Christ, in regard to this sin of blasphemy.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>Even as he dwelt among the body of believers the heart of Judas was not changed. The Bible called him a 'thief'.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>John 12:6</strong><br/> "This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because <span style='color:red'>he was a thief</span>, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>This identifies him with the evil one, Satan.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>John 10:10</strong><br/> "The <span style='color:red'>thief</span> 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 <em>it</em> more abundantly."<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy'><span style='font-size:14pt'>Let us also look at another story found in </span><span style='font-size:12pt'>Acts 5:1-11</span><span style='font-size:14pt'><br /> </span></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>It is the story of Ananias and Sapphira. Satan filled their hearts to<em> lie</em> to the Holy Ghost, to keep back part of the price of the land. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><span style='color:navy'>Peter said, "</span>Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God". "Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost"<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Later, when Sapphira came in, this same judgment awaited her.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>The Bible describes their sin: they 'tested the Spirit of the Lord'. <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>Let us not be found guilty in any way of sinning against the Holy Spirit. We must study and know God's Word.<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>One last story we <em>cannot</em> forget here: Sodom and Gomorrah and Lot's wife, who God turned into a pillar of salt. <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>God gives us a perfect <em>picture</em> in this story of what we have been describing. While fleeing the coming wrath and destruction of God upon sinful man, Lot's wife revealed all her heart by looking back at her true desire. . .the world and it's pleasures. We all know what happened next!<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>Some excellent scripture verses often used in connection to this unforgiveable sin are:<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>Hebrews 6:4-6<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"For <em>it is</em> impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,<br/>And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,<br/>If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put <em>him</em> to an open shame."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>2 Peter 2:20-22<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known <em>it</em>, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog <em>is</em> turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>We are told in 1 John, that they were <em>not of us</em>. Even though they were <em>among</em> us they were not the truly saved who are sealed by the Holy Spirit unto the day of Redemption. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>1John 2:19</strong><br/> "They went out from us, <span style='color:red'>but they were not of us</span>; for if they had been of us, they would <em>no doubt</em> have continued with us: but <em>they went out</em>, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>Let us go back and take a closer look at <em>verse 30</em> in Mark Chap. 3:<br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>"Because they<em> (the scribes)</em> said, He <em>(Christ)</em> hath an <em>UNCLEAN SPIRIT</em>." <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>The '<em>unclean spirit'</em> was the blasphemy directed at the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is also known as the <em>Spirit of Truth </em>so to call Him an unclean spirit is the greatest of blasphemies. <br /></span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-family:Book Antiqua; font-size:14pt'>The previous verses reveal that the Scribes accused Christ of casting out devils through the <em>power of</em><br /> <em>Satan</em>. This blasphemy was towards the Holy Spirit (Ghost) who performed all miracles through Christ. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'><strong>See Acts 10:38</strong><br/>"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the <span style='color:red'>HOLY GHOST</span> and with power: who went about doing good, and <strong><em>healing all that were oppressed of the devil</em></strong>; for God was with him."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>*Another name given the Holy Spirit is the</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>'</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Comforter.</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>'</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>John 14:16-17<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;<br/>Even the <strong><em>Spirit of truth</em></strong>; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>We should understand the sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost <em>can</em> be committed today…but not by a true believer.<em><br /> </em></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>Ephesians 1:13</strong><br/> "In whom ye also <em>trusted</em>, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were <span style='color:red'>seal</span>ed with that holy Spirit of promise,<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>The Holy Spirit indwells all true believers. Any and all of God's children may be and <em>will be</em> ridiculed by the world; as Christ was, and not only by the<em><br /> </em>Scribes but by the world then and now. We are told to expect this. . . it will be.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Yet, even as God's truth is preached today with <strong><em>power from the Holy Spirit</em></strong> producing conviction, repentance and the<em> leading of souls to Christ,</em> it is ridiculed, mocked and sometimes called a 'lie' (again, comparing the truth to an <em>unclean spirit)</em>. Could it be that mocker or blasphemer is committing this same sin against the Holy Ghost? </span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br /> </span></p><p><span style='color:navy; font-size:14pt'>Christ gives us the Holy Spirit. He indwells and empowers the children of God.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><strong>Acts 1:8</strong><br/> "But ye shall receive power, after that the <span style='color:red'>HOLY GHOST</span> is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>God's true Gospel has the power to save! It is the Word which God uses to bring us to Christ. The greatest<em><br /> </em>miracle ever performed is Salvation. And </span><span style='font-size:16pt'>YES</span><span style='font-size:14pt'>, part of this miracle includes the 'casting out of devils'. This miracle of casting out demons happens even today, every time someone is truly saved! <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>And not how one of the world's leading influences might want you to believe it happens... no, not by calling in the priests to perform an exorcism. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>How does <strong><em>God's Word</em></strong> reveal to us by which means demons are cast out? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>God's truth! <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>"The truth shall set you free"! John 8:32<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Contrary to what some churches may be teaching . . . Demons cannot, <em>NO CANNOT</em>, <strong><em>NOT EVER</em></strong>…. reside in the same individual as the<em> Holy Spirit.</em><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'><br/> "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name <span style='color:red'>have cast out devils</span>? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'>"</span><span style='font-family:Times New Roman'> Matthew 7: 21-23<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:14pt'>Christ tells us to go <em>into</em> all the world to proclaim this powerful message of Salvation.<br /></span></p><p><br /> </p><p><br /> </p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-51322955255689714132010-11-28T16:55:00.000-08:002010-11-28T18:23:06.038-08:00<span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">JESUS SAVEZZZZ!!!!!!</span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-55447990688350167262010-11-28T14:02:00.001-08:002010-11-28T18:11:47.324-08:00God’s Way of Salvation<span xmlns=''><p><span style='font-family:Arial'> </span><span style='font-size:12pt'>Dear Friend, <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Recently I contacted a cousin I don't normally get the chance to see. Looking back, I do not remember spending much time at all with this dear cousin, running into her only occasionally at a few family reunions. Sadly, I had never seized upon any available opportunities through the years to reconnect. It seems this may be the case with many in today's fast paced lifestyles where families everywhere seem to have lost touch with one another. But as time marches on I've come to regret not having kept in closer communion with many more of my extended family members. </span><span style='font-family:Arial'><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> I've since discovered my cousin Nancy is a bright, sincere, outgoing individual with a radiant personality that draws many to her. She has a natural ability of making all those around her feel accepted and comfortable in her presence. With our own move to this area some months ago Nancy and I are now living in closer proximity to each other and giving her a call had been increasingly on my mind. I definitely enjoyed catching up with her. As we reminisced about several family members, who have now passed on, Nancy expressed hope, as many of us do, that we will once again see all our loved ones in Heaven. To my surprise, she quickly added, "No. . .God chooses who are saved". <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Now to many, of course, the idea that all our cherished family members are in a good place would be very comforting to contemplate. But does this popular idea, which many hold on to, have any truth to it according to God's Word? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> This will be the focus of this study. As we dig deeper into God's Word we will better understand God's plan of salvation. We may have heard many conflicting voices in the world on <em>how</em> we are saved or if God has a chosen or elect people. (It may not be as some would like to think!) Was it for the elect alone that Christ died? Was this choice based upon, as some say, God looking through time and knowing those who would one day make a decision to follow after Him? And was it your decision to freely make, perhaps as you answered an altar call, accepting Christ as your Lord & Savior? Or, possibly you believe as some are taught, that you must lead a good life, go to a good church, receive Communion regularly and follow God's Commandments and then, only in the end will you know if you are counted worthy to be saved?<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Sadly, most in the world today believe in a Salvation of works. They believe they will be saved through the good works they have accomplished in this life, and therefore believe they will earn salvation through their own merits.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> But what does the Bible say regarding all this?<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Let us discover God's truth as He Himself reveals it in His Word. God does not leave us to speculate. He gives us these answers and more by revealing all through His Holy Scripture. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Let us begin at <strong>2Timothy 1:9:</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>As we study the above verse we will receive some answers to a few of those earlier questions: <br /></span></p><ol style='margin-left: 50pt'><li><span style='font-size:12pt'>God reveals that He has <em>saved </em>and<em> called</em> us not because of anything we have, or have not done (<em>not according to our works!)</em> but according to <em>His own purpose</em> for us, a holy calling.<br/> <br /></span></li><li><div><span style='font-size:12pt'>We are saved by <em>Grace</em>. <em>Grace is</em>. . . . God's undeserved kindness (or favor), given to us freely, this is only through His Son, Jesus Christ. <br /></span></div><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><em>Before we go on, we should understand God is Holy; there is no darkness in Him. He cannot look upon sin or the sinner. His perfect justice demands payment for sin and this payment was satisfied through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. We are now reconciled to God and are able to freely have Fellowship. When God looks upon the saved, He sees the righteousness of His Son and not our sins. We have also received the gift of eternal life. Without God's grace, given through His Son, this would be impossible. We would be eternally lost.</em><br /> </span></p></li><li><span style='font-size:12pt'>Finally, we see that this was given us in Jesus Christ <em>before </em>the world began. Some have suggested that God's plan of salvation was thwarted by what happened in the Garden of Eden and a new plan was necessary! But God tells us "before the world began" His plan of salvation was by grace through Jesus Christ. <br /></span></li></ol><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>It should be clear from the verse we just studied that God <em>did not</em> look through time to see who would choose to follow Him. Neither is one saved by going to a good church and doing good works. As we read above, He <em>calls</em> us and we are <em>saved</em> by <em>Grace</em>, not Grace <em>plus</em> works. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Let us turn again to God's Word to get a clearer understanding of just what God says concerning man and his efforts at righteousness <em>(or goodness).</em><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Romans 3:10-12</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"As it is written, <span style='color:red'>there is none</span> righteous, no, not one." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"There is none that understandeth, <span style='color:red'>there is none</span> that seeketh after God." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; <span style='color:red'>there is none</span> that doeth good, no, not one."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>One more verse:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Isaiah 64:6</strong><em><br/></em><strong>"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as <span style='color:red'>filthy rags</span>; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>God tells us that whatever righteousness we think we have, <em>'are like filthy rags!'</em> <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Now let us turn to the O.T. where we find an interesting story: <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Numbers 15:32-36</strong>: <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong><sup>"</sup>And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>This little story above, not mentioned too often, illustrates how the anger of the Lord came upon this man's work (gathering sticks). He was put to death. It is the Sabbath, the Day of God's rest, which we also must enter into spiritually, <em>(not the physical day of the week)</em> and this man was working rather than trusting in <em>(resting in) </em>the promised Savior who would come. This is also the same picture for many today that trust in their own works to save them. They will perish as this man did. (Old Testament saints looked forward to the promised Messiah who would come to take away their sin. New Testament saints look back and trust in the <em>finished</em> work of Christ.)<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>We must not be mistaken into thinking that by our own efforts at good works we will be saved from God's wrath.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Man without God is blind and in darkness<em>. </em>The Old Testament Law was a schoolmaster to teach man what sin is. It also showed sinful man he was incapable of keeping all of God's Law. But God promised He would send a Savior who <em>would come</em> to do just that <strong>and </strong>heal us (from sin) <strong>and</strong> save us <em>from</em> our sins (and its consequences). Sin brought death into the world (not only physical death), a <em>Spiritual</em> death. With sin came a separation from God.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>This <em>faith</em> in the promised<em> coming</em> Savior was the hope of all O.T. Saints. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Romans 3:20<br/>"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law <em>is</em> the <span style='color:red'>knowledge of sin</span>." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Galatians 3:24-25</strong><br/> <strong>"Wherefore the law was our <span style='color:red'>schoolmaster</span><br/><em>to bring us</em> unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a <span style='color:red'>schoolmaster</span>."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>God's justice against sin was totally satisfied when Christ died at the Cross. The sins of all whom Christ represented (all those chosen for salvation from before the world began) were imputed to Him and He suffered the just penalty that these sins deserved. It is the only sacrifice accepted by God, payment has already been made! Our faith must be in His finished work.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Romans 3:23<br/>"For <span style='color:red'>all have sinned</span>, and come short of the glory of God."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Christ alone led the perfect sinless life that God demanded. His righteousness is imputed on those who are His, so that they are perfectly righteous in the eyes of God's Law and justice.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> The Atoning Blood of Christ:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>It was the blood that God demanded for sin because Christ became a physical man (flesh & blood) for us. The<strong> life</strong> of all flesh is in the <strong>blood</strong>. His sinless, perfect <strong>life</strong> (<strong>blood)</strong><em><br /> </em>was the perfect sin offering that was required for our imperfect lives. God accepted the blood of Christ as full payment for sin. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Leviticus 17:11</strong><br/><strong>"For the <span style='color:red'>life</span> of the flesh <em>is</em> in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it <em>is</em> the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>There are many "shadows' or pictures in the O.T. These 'shadows' were meant to teach us some kind of a Spiritual truth. The Old Testament animal sacrifices were a <em>'shadow', </em>a picture, they could not take away sin but <em>pointed </em>us to Christ, the One Who would one day come and take sin away completely. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Ephesians 2:8-9 <br/><sup>8</sup>For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: <br/><sup>9</sup>Not of works, lest any man should boast.</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>If trust rests upon one's own good works his belief is in vain. This is trust by his <em>own</em> faith in his <em>own</em> works, not the faith of Christ given us.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The burden on this sinner has not been lifted. He may be so blinded and totally unaware that this is so with him. He will continue to believe his own works will be rewarded, and sin overlooked by a 'God of love', not the God of love <em>and of justice</em>.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>So then who can be saved? This is also the question Christ's disciples asked Him.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Let us read what Jesus Himself told them:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Mark 10:27<br/> "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is <span style='color:red'>impossible</span>, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>God does <em>a work</em> in the lives of those elected for salvation:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Ephesians 2:10</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>It is only through God's work in our lives that we are changed. We become new Creatures in Christ.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>2Corinthians 5:17<br/>"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a <span style='color:red'>new</span> creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become <span style='color:red'>new</span>."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Without God's transforming power in our lives we would yet be blind and continue on in sin. Left alone, there are <em>none</em> who would turn from sin and <em>seek </em>after God. Man is powerless, in himself, to break this bondage to sin without God's powerful intervention in his life. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Jesus tells us that we must be born again. We have been born physically but we must be born of God's Spirit. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>John 3:3<br/>"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be <span style='color:red'>born again</span>, he cannot see the kingdom of God" </strong><br /> </span></p><p>1 <span style='font-size:12pt'>There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:<br/><strong><sup>2</sup></strong> The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.<br/><strong><sup>3</sup></strong> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.<br/><strong><sup>4</sup></strong> Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?<br/><strong><sup>5</sup></strong> Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and <em>of</em> the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.<br/><strong><sup>6</sup></strong> That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.<br/><strong><sup>7</sup></strong> Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.<br/><strong><sup>8</sup></strong> The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>John 3:16</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." </strong> <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Some will say that the above verse proves Christ died for all . . . <em>each</em> and<em> every</em> single human being, the 'whole world'! But God's grace falls upon all nations, it is no longer confined to the nation of Israel. This is the meaning of 'world'. Salvation is now no longer confined to just national Israel but the gospel of Christ has gone out into all the world and the saved are taken out from among all nations (the world). <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Micah 5:8</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Christ did <em>not</em> pray for all mankind (the whole world), but only for those which the Father gave Him. <em>Those alone are whom He died for</em> at the Cross. They are those found in Him.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>John 17:9-12</strong><br/></span><span style='font-size:10pt'>9</span><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong> I pray for them: <span style='color:red'>I pray not for the world</span>, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong><sup>10</sup> And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.<br/><sup>11</sup> And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name <em>those whom</em><br/><em>thou hast given me</em>, that they may be one, as we are.<sup><br/>12</sup> While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: <em>those that</em><br /> <em>thou gavest me I have kept</em>, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The word<strong><em> Election </em></strong>is used by Paul in the book of Romans. He cites the rejection of Esau before either twin was born, or good or evil done, as an example of God's election.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Romans 9:11-16 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong><sup>11</sup> For <em>the children</em> being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to<em> election</em> might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;<br/><sup>12</sup> It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger.<br/><sup>13</sup> As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.<br/><sup>14</sup> What shall we say then? <em>Is </em>there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong><sup>15</sup> For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.<br/><sup>16</sup> So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>In these revealing verses found above, God makes things very clear. His mercy was on the elect before they were born, not because of any good or evil they have done. It is <em>His election and calling that <strong>will </strong>stand! </em>God has <em>predestinated</em> us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Let us turn to:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Romans 8:29</strong><br/> <strong>"For whom he did foreknow, he also did <span style='color:red'>predestinate </span><em>to be</em> conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Here we find the word <em>predestinate</em>. It is used along with 'whom he did foreknow.' So those He, 'saved and called according to His purpose' were predestinated to be 'conformed to the image of His Son'. We know this was, <em>'given us in Christ Jesus</em> before the world began'. (2 Tim. 1:9) These are the "chosen" (or elect) kept in Christ.<strong> </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> What is God's purpose in saving a certain people? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>We are only told God 'works all things after the counsel and good pleasure of His own will.' It was God's good pleasure to save a chosen or elect people from among mankind for His own purpose. They are a people chosen for His name, a Holy priesthood. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Ephesians 1:4-5 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, <span style='color:red'>according to the good pleasure of His will</span>." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Ephesians 1:11</strong><br/><strong> "In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things <span style='color:red'>after the counsel of His own will</span>." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The redeemed of the Lord are a chosen generation and a royal priesthood.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>1Peter 2:9</strong><br/> <strong>"But ye <em>are</em> a chosen generation, a <span style='color:red'>royal priesthood</span>, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Isaiah 62:12<br/> "And they shall call them, The <span style='color:red'>holy people</span>, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Since it was <em>not</em> our decision to follow Christ, how does it happen?<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> It is God Himself, who <em>draws</em> us (<em>causes </em>to come near to Him) with bands of love.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Hosea 11:4<br/>"I drew them with cords of a man, with <span style='color:red'>bands of love</span>: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>John 6:44<br/>"No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me <span style='color:red'>draw</span> him: and I will raise him up at the last day."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The original Hebrew meaning of the word '<strong><em>draw</em></strong>' is 'to drag' or to 'forcefully compel'. It is not possible for the blind to <em>choose</em> to follow after God. It is not up to man. The unregenerate heart is in need of a healing, we <em>cannot</em> and could not choose to follow after God. We may <em>think</em> that it was our decision to follow after Him but it is entirely God's work in our lives.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Numbers 16:5</strong><br/><strong>"Even tomorrow the LORD will shew who <em>are</em> his, and <em>who is</em> holy; and will cause <em>him</em> to come near unto him: even <em>him</em> whom he hath <span style='color:red'>chosen</span> will he cause to come near unto him."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>John 15:16</strong><br/> <strong>"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and <em>that</em> your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>All men are in darkness and in bondage to sin (and Satan) since that first sin in the garden. It is only through the power of the Cross we are set free. Christ came to set the captives free . . to heal us from sin and its bondage. This was the work which the Father sent Him to do. He willingly laid down His life for the sins of His people.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Matthew 8:16 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits <em>with his word</em>, and healed all that were sick." </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><em>Yes, It is God's living Word in us (His truth), which sets us free.</em><br/> <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Matthew 15:30</strong><br/><strong>"And great multitudes came unto him, having with them <em>those that were </em><span style='color:red'>lame, blind, dumb, maimed, </span>and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them."<span style='color:red'><br /> </span></strong></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Let us briefly review a little Bible history and God's Grace: <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Genesis 6 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. 'Noah was a just man <em>and</em> perfect in his generations, <em>and</em> Noah walked with God.' Only Noah and his family were saved in the flood, all others perished. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Genesis 25: 29-34</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Jacob sold a bowl of lentils to Esau in exchange for his birthright. Later, Jacob deceived his father into giving him the blessing of the firstborn. God loved Jacob but hated Esau.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Exodus 2:12 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Moses slew an Egyptian man and hid him in the sand. God later used him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to the Promised Land.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Book of Jonah</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Jonah ran from God's command to go to Nineveh and warn the people to turn from their wicked ways. After being in the belly of a fish for 3 days & nights Jonah prayed to the Lord whereupon the fish spew him up onto dry land. Throughout this story we see how much love and patience God had with Jonah even to comforting him by shading his head with a gourd. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Jonah 4:6 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>2 Samuel Chapters 11 & 12</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>David committed adultery with Bathsheba and sent her husband Uriah to a position on the battlefield where he would surely die. Despite this, David was mightily used by God.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>N.T. </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Paul, a zealous Pharisee, persecuted Christians but was used by God to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Before his conversion, outside of Damascus, he was blinded, healed and then filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul considered himself the greatest of sinners. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>We begin to see God's great mercy on some but on others judgment was swift, as in the story of Uzzah.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>As Uzzah helped carry the Ark of God, fearful it would fall, he put forth his hand to steady it, whereupon God immediately struck him down and he died there for touching the Ark. (the entire story is found in: <strong>2 Samuel 6</strong>)<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The great people of God we find in the Bible were <em>not</em> perfect. . . they had committed sin as everyone ever born has done. Why was it some had such great faith? What is the <em>reason</em> some were shown mercy and others were not? <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>One reason alone . . . God's grace!<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>David's inspired words are found in:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Psalms 65:4 </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>"Blessed is the man whom Thou chooseth and causeth to approach unto Thee, that he may dwell in Thy courts."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>The 'chosen' of God are seen throughout the Bible. In the Gospels, we see Jesus, the Good Shepherd searching out His sheep. He calls all those that are the <em>chosen </em>to Himself. In the Gospels of Mark and Luke we read of a special trip Jesus made into the country of the Gadarenes. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>"There met Jesus out of the tombs a <em>certain</em> man with an unclean spirit: 'My name is Legion, for we are many.'" He had often been bound with fetters and chains. No man could tame him. (This is a picture of Man in bondage to sin). But when he saw Jesus from afar off, he ran and worshipped Him. This <em>certain</em> man, knew immediately his only hope lay in the Savior.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>In <strong>Mark 5:25-34</strong> We read of the woman with the issue of blood for 12 yrs. and her great faith. In the midst of the throng around Jesus she said, "If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole." Jesus immediately knew that virtue had gone out of Him and asked, "Who touched my clothes"? When the woman came and fell down before Him and told Him all the truth, He told her, 'daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.' <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Ezekiel 34:12<br/> "As a <span style='color:red'>shepherd</span> seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep <em>that are</em> scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'> Whether greatly used of God or those whose names we know not, their stories reveal that they are among the chosen. These were not of the seed that fell by the wayside, but planted in God's good soil. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>Let us turn to:<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:18pt'><strong><sup>Romans 9:18-24</sup></strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:9pt'>18 </span><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will <em>have mercy</em>, and whom he will he hardeneth.<br/><sup>19 </sup> Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?<br/><sup>20</sup> Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed <em>it</em>, Why hast thou made me thus?<br/><sup>21</sup> Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?<br/><sup>22</sup> <em>What</em> if God, willing to shew <em>his</em> wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:<br/><sup>23</sup> And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,<br/><sup>24</sup> Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? </strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>According to the purpose and good pleasure of His will, God has chosen a certain people (an elect) to obtain salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, who would die for the sins of this people. His <em>shed blood,</em> at the Cross <em>(the atoning blood), </em>was accepted by God as full payment for their sins. Christ's blood delivered all those ordained for eternal life and with His blood He bought them as His very own! <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Hebrews 9:12</strong><br/><strong>"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but <em>by his own blood</em> he <span style='color:red'>entered in once</span> into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption <em>for us</em>."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>As for the rest of mankind, God has simply left His hand off from them. They will go on to live their lives but will remain unsaved. We may hear some say, this cannot be, as it is unfair and God is a God of justice! But what<em> is</em> fair for <em>All</em> is death. It is the judgment that all are deserving of for sin.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Ezekiel 18:4</strong><br/><strong>"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: <span style='color:red'>the soul that sinneth</span>, it shall die."</strong> <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>It is for all believers in Christ <em>to know they have eternal life</em>. <br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>1John 5:13</strong><br/> <strong>"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have <span style='color:red'>eternal life</span>, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Acts 13:48</strong><br/><strong> "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were <span style='color:red'>ordained to eternal life believed</span>."</strong><br /> </span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>There it is friend, God's true plan of Salvation. It has been denied. It has been twisted. It has been ignored. And it is not accepted by the world … just as Christ <em>was</em> not, and <em>is not</em>. The world has found hundreds of variations (of false Gospels) with which to replace the one true Gospel of God. No, the world will not hear God's truth and even seeks to destroy it.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'>But God's truth will prevail throughout eternity.<br /></span></p><p><span style='font-size:12pt'><strong>Zechariah 4:6<br /></strong></span></p><p><strong><span style='font-size:12pt'>"Not by might, nor by power, <span style='color:red'>but by My Spirit</span>, saith the LORD of hosts.</span><span style='font-size:14pt'>"</span></strong></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-88621910179686124472010-08-17T14:00:00.000-07:002010-08-29T19:03:36.357-07:00A Vision of Jesus. . . or Something Else?Dear Friends,<br /><br />It has taken many months of planning and preparation before finally settling into this small remote part of the country, a hundred miles away from immediate family, close friends and the comfortable place we once called home. The majority of those presently living in this community and the surrounding areas seemingly are of Eastern European heritage with a strong emphasis placed on the traditional Catholic upbringing. Many of their ancestors arriving by boat in the earlier part of the last century found work in the surrounding areas during the boom period of the coal mining industry.<br /><br />We have been here now just a little over a month and are slowly becoming familiar with the surrounding area and a few of our neighbors in this small quaint town of 950 or so people. Just this morning while taking our new puppy Molly for a stroll around the grounds, Molly starting jumping anxiously and wagging her tail furiously at the sound of Bob’s voice. Bob who is our neighbor, is retired and an animal lover. He always has time to say ‘hello’ to Molly.<br /><div align="center"><br /><b>A Vision of Jesus... or Something Else?</b></div><br />On this particular morning while stopping to chat with Bob a few moments he related to me how bad his health has been. There had even been a suggestion by doctors of the possible need for kidney dialysis treatment in the future. He stressed, “but I won’t do that. I am ready to go if it is my time because I know there is a Heaven. I have seen Jesus."<div><br /></div><div>This is how he related the rest of his story to me:<br /><br />“One day I came back from work, took off my shoes and layed down on the bench on the front porch. After a little while, I heard someone calling my name. Looking around I saw no one but I continued to hear someone call and was told to look up in the sky. Then I saw Jesus.”<br /><br />Friends, how can we be sure that this vision was not from God? What does Holy Scripture say about it? And has Christ warned His children about these things?<br /><br /><strong>Mark 13:21 "And then</strong> <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">if any man shall say</span> to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not:"</strong><br /><br /><strong>2Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an <span style="color:#ff0000;">angel of light."</span> </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Do not leave the matter of where your soul will spend eternity up to chance, nor have confidence in how your fathers were taught, passing along those same beliefs and traditions on to you without question. It is commanded to each one to serve the living God.<br /><br />Why will God allow delusion? Let us read on:<br /><br /><strong>2Thessalonians 2:10-12<br />"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the <span style="color:#ff0000;">truth</span>, that they might be saved."</strong><br /><strong>“And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed <span style="color:#ff0000;">not the truth</span>, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."</strong><br /><br /><strong>Isaiah 66:4 "I also will choose their <span style="color:#ff0000;">delusions</span>, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not."</strong><br /><br />God gives us His truth freely and it is found in the Bible. The Bible says all scripture was given by God to the prophets of old under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br /><strong>2Peter 1:21 "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but <span style="color:#ff0000;">holy men of God</span> spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Holy Scripture is not given to select preachers to understand and interpret for us! Nor to Catholic priests! Nor to the many hundreds of sects out there, to be passed on to us ‘second hand’. No friends, God’s Spirit through the written Word is in itself enough to guide us even today. The Bible is our handbook, given by God himself to guide His own children through this dark deceitful world. He reveals His truth to our hearts which lights the way in which we are to follow Him home.<br /><br /><strong>Isaiah 58:11<br />"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."</strong><br /><br />Turn to Ezekiel 34:8-16 to see what our Lord says against the shepherds:</div><div><br /><strong>8 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>9 Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.</strong><br /><br /><strong>11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.</strong><br /><br /><strong>Ezekiel 34:11 "For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both <span style="color:#ff0000;">search</span> my sheep, and seek them out.</strong><br /><br />Do not be deceived! Nor leave yourself open to delusion or the many lies and false gods that are in this world. Arm yourselves with the knowledge of God’s Word.<br /><br /><strong>Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the <span style="color:#ff0000;">wiles</span> of the devil." </strong><br /><br /><strong>1Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may <span style="color:#ff0000;">devour</span>." </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>All false gods are of the evil one. If you are not worshipping the God of the Bible, you are worshipping a false god.<br /><br />Your soul cannot be satisfied where God’s true Word is not found. I am not speaking of where you may or may not go to worship services. I am speaking of the condition of the heart. Your soul cannot have peace and joy without God’s living Word abiding in a circumcised heart.<br /><br /><strong>Isaiah 49:10 "They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the <span style="color:#ff0000;">springs</span> of water shall he guide them." </strong><br /><br />Who are the astonished that God will reject though they believe they both know God and are doing His work?<br /><br /><strong>Matthew 7:23:</strong><br /><strong>21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Is it your desire to know God? To know Who he is? He is found in truth, revealed in Holy Scripture. Who keeps you from studying God’s Holy Scriptures? You may say it is too difficult to understand and I am not learned, so I will trust others who are more qualified to teach me, but it is to His children alone that He reveals Himself to. There is only One true God, which this ‘world’ does not know. He is not found in organized religion but in the heart, and as we wash ourselves in His Word, He reveals Himself to us.<br /><br /><strong>Matthew 11:25 "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast <span style="color:#ff0000;">revealed</span> them unto babes." </strong><br /><strong><br /></strong>Listen to what God says about the popular ways of the world:<br /><br /><strong>Matthew 7:13 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereafter.</strong><br /><b>"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto Life, and few there be that find it."</b><br /><br />It is God alone who knows His sheep (His own chosen) and by His Spirit He will lead His children to living waters of life.<br /><br /><strong>2Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."<br /></strong><br />Let us humble ourselves and sit at the feet of Jesus. Become a student of the Bible and listen to what our Lord has to say to you. I encourage you to search the Holy Scriptures for yourself; it may be, He will reveal Himself to you.<br /><br /><strong>“Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29<strong><br /></strong><br /><br /></strong><strong></strong></div>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-47766657776763212502010-03-30T18:45:00.001-07:002010-03-30T19:00:25.613-07:00Cain and Abel<span xmlns=""><p><span style="font-size:14;">As we continue in the book of Genesis we will focus on both the first sin and the first animal sacrifice for sin, we will also include verses on why Abel's offering was accepted by God but Cain's was not. Hopefully this study will edify many who are confused in this part of God's Word.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Let us review what happened after sin entered into the world through Adam and Eve:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Genesis 3:7</strong><br /><strong>"they knew that they were naked and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Genesis 3:8 "And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><em>Sin </em>in the Bible is oftentimes described as 'Nakedness'. It is meant to teach us how serious God views our sin and the need of a <em>covering</em> for it.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Now let us proceed with a verse taken from <strong>Hebrews 9:22</strong><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And without the shedding of blood is no remission</strong> <em>(of sin).</em><strong>"<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">This above verse is very important because in it God tells us what is needed for sin. God revealed this first to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:21<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"Unto Adam also, and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Gen. 3:21</strong><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">The above is the first example of an animal sacrificed to cover sin. We would see this sacrifice repeated again and again throughout the Old Testament. The animal sacrifices were meant to teach man how grievous sin is and what God himself tells us he requires for sin, which is . . the shedding of blood. We read that God made a <em>covering</em> for Adam and Eve with the animal skins. These animal sacrifices were to <em>point</em> us to the Savior who would shed his blood for us and<em> be</em> our covering for sin. The garment he would clothe (<em>cover</em>) us in is <em>his own righteousness. </em>Without this covering of Christ's righteousness we could never stand before a holy God, but now God does not look upon our sins, he sees only his Son!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61:10<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Let us turn to Genesis 4:2-5<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>2 "Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>3 "And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.<br /></strong></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>4 "And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:<br /></strong></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>5 "But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We should now understand why Cain's offering of the fruit of the ground was rejected by God. Since it was <em>bloodless</em> it was not what God required. Cain in his rebelliousness <em>rejected </em>God's only plan of salvation.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Abel ( a keeper of sheep), in contrast did what was right in God's eyes and brought the sacrifice he required, which was the firstborn of his flock and the fat portions <em>(that which burns most quickly rep. of fire, holiness.)</em><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Once again, these sacrifices are a picture </span><span style="font-size:12;"><em>('a</em></span><span style="font-size:14;"> </span><span style="font-size:12;"><em>shadow or type')</em></span><span style="font-size:14;"> which points us to the true Lamb of God who would be sacrificed (on the cross) <em>for his sheep, his flock.</em> This is what God's people in the O.T. understood and laid their hope upon. Christ was the firstborn of the dead:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the <em>firstborn </em>from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence." Col. 1:18<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Abel (a picture of the <em>spiritual</em> man) knew he was a sinner but had faith in the One who would eventually come to take away the sins of the world:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh!" Hebrews 11:4</strong><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Cain is a picture of the man of the earth who is rebellious and angry towards God. He does not come before God with the only sin offering that God accepts, which is Christ, the <em>true</em> Lamb of God.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>Hebrews 10:4<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We now have Christ:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself." Hebrews 9:26</strong><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-15624926551354074932010-03-22T18:11:00.001-07:002010-03-23T13:55:49.420-07:00The Book of Genesis, ‘Made in God’s Image’<span xmlns=""><p><span style="font-size:14;">There can be some confusion in God's first book of the Bible and we do not have to go too far along in our reading before questions may pop up; therefore, I believe it would be profitable for us to examine what God has said in this foremost book of the Bible. Genesis is at the top of my favorite books in the Bible and is one which I never tire of reading, mainly because God reveals the end from the beginning. I hope that if it is not already a favorite of yours, it will soon become one. From these pages we will lead up to our main focus in this study which will be <em>who</em> is made in God's image and how God goes about doing this work.<strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">And as God himself created us, so He also knows how best to teach us; it is just as we teach <em>our</em> very children. He takes us by the hand and holds us up as we take our first steps, talking to us and teaching us things all the while He is walking with us. As parents to our own young children we see how quickly they learn by reading to them from picture books. This is also how our heavenly Father teaches us many spiritual things, using 'pictures'. Sometimes these 'pictures' in the Bible are called 'types or shadows' of things to come.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">In this study from the book of Genesis, I have tried to write very carefully and simply. As we are God's children, we will proceed cautiously, as with children.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">For those who do not have their Bibles close at hand, I will place below the verses we will focus on as we go along. Let us pay close attention as the Lord speaks to our hearts through his Spirit.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." </strong><br /></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">We take note the first mentioned-heaven, the second-earth.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">God gives to <em>us</em> the description of the earth. His Word is true. It was "<strong>WITHOUT FORM"</strong><br /><em>(w/o an essential nature)</em> and "<strong>VOID"</strong><br /><em>(vain</em> <em>and useless.)</em> The first mention of 'darkness' is seen here. It was upon the "face of the deep". God does not add anything to this darkness "upon the face of the deep", but we take a cue here as it is mentioned right after God describes the earth.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">Now we have something new! It is 'waters.' We have now so far been introduced to three things, heaven, earth and waters. Right now God does <em>not</em> mention just where the waters <em>are</em>. We note it is in the plural form. We are told, "And the Spirit of God <em>moved</em> upon the face of the waters." So now, we associate God's Spirit with the 'waters'. His Spirit is "moving upon the face of the waters."God is active here.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>3 "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">Now, what we already had was: God's Spirit moving upon the waters. God next says, "Let there be light." God's Spirit is now moving upon the waters, and we also have light.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>4 "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">God saw the light was good. It has already been connected to God's Spirit moving upon the waters. We note that there was no work done with the 'darkness' at all, only that these two are divided<em>.</em><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>5 "And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 18pt"><span style="font-size:14;">Light-Day Darkness-Night Evening & Morning = Day One<br /></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 39pt"><span style="font-size:14;">We note that God first gave a name to the <em>light </em>(day) then a name to <em>darkness</em> (night), but that each day will begin the opposite way, first with the evening then morning.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>6 "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">Now we come back to something God talked about earlier, the 'waters'. They are to be divided. By what? Something called a 'firmament'!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>7 "And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">Here God makes the firmament. Now He divides the 'waters'( under/above the firmament). It was so.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>8 "And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">It is now that God reveals to us what this firmament is . . . Heaven! So we now have an idea just where God's Spirit was as He moved upon the waters in the light.<em> </em>We also know where this separation of waters occurred; it was all done above, in heaven<em>. </em>Evening and Morning = Day 2.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>9 "And God said, let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so."<br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">Now we begin to see a picture forming. The waters that were <em>under</em> the heaven were gathered together and the dry land appeared. (In our minds we will probably see a picture forming of the earth with the oceans/seas, all as one.) But <strong>wait</strong>. . . !!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>10 "And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good." </strong>Please Note . . .<strong><br /></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:14;">It was the <strong>DRY</strong> land <em>only</em> that God called EARTH! The gathering together of the <strong><em>WATERS,</em></strong> (those that were <em>from</em> <em>the heaven</em>) he called <strong><em>SEAS</em></strong>. These are separate.<br /></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:" 2 Peter 3:5<br /></strong></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><br /></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-size:14;">Now that we have an idea what God has said in his Word from chapter One, verses 1-10 we can proceed cautiously:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." Gen. 1:2<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We remember at that point, these waters were all yet above, with God's Spirit, in heaven. We saw:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">God's Spirit, Moved upon the face of the Waters, & Light.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">From these three, mentioned above, we should start to see a picture (or shadow) forming of the <em>child of God</em>. One who is born of God's Spirit from above, from water as we are in His light.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Let us turn to <strong>John 5:4 </strong><em>(For a thorough review, start at John 5: verses 1 through 9).</em><strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:13;"><strong>"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Does the above sound familiar? Yes, from these verses in John we see the same picture we saw from the very beginning in Genesis 1:1-10. God reveals to us the beautiful 'picture' of salvation.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>For an angel</strong> (Spirit of Christ) <strong>went down </strong>(to world) <strong>at a certain season</strong> (in the day of salvation) <strong>into the pool</strong><em> (picture of the gathering together of the waters or "seas")</em> <strong>and troubled the water</strong> (moved in our lives): <strong>whosoever then first</strong> (Christ is the <strong>firstfruits</strong> . . . we are found <em>in him)</em><strong>after the troubling of the water stepped in </strong>(that work he continues to do in our lives) <strong>was made whole of whatsoever disease</strong> <em>(set free from sin/bondage) <strong>he had</strong>.</em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">That above pool of water is where <em>all</em> God's children are gathered, we live in it. We should realize that this pool of water is '<strong>the washing of water'</strong> through God's Word:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." </strong>We are<strong> </strong>sanctified (set apart, made Holy) through the <em>washing </em>by God's word.<strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Let us look at <em>another </em>picture of this same healing . John the Baptist<strong> </strong>was in prison when he heard the works of Christ, <em><br /></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">See<strong> Matthew 11:4-6</strong><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">"He sent two of his disciples to ask<strong>: Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" Jesus answered and said unto them:<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>" Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:"<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and poor have the gospel preached to them."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><em>This</em> is a spiritual picture of the healing that God does in the life of each of his children. For we were <em>all</em> blind, lame, as lepers, deaf, dead! The blindness he heals are the scales from our eyes; he opens them anew whereby we can see those things spiritual. The lame now walk in his light. <strong>"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105)</strong> Sin is pictured as disease <em>(leprosy)</em>. It is for this reason Christ came into the world. He came to save us from sin and its bondage. This is the healing he came to do described throughout the Bible in many different pictures. We are no longer servants to sin, but servants unto God. The deaf can now hear and fully understand. The "dead are raised up' and become new creatures (creations) in Christ, whereas we were once considered dead to God when we followed after our own lusts and desires. We are raised up in newness of life and have Christ's promise of <em>eternal </em>life. God's children are those 'blessed' who will <em>not be offended</em> at the Gospel of salvation through Christ. It is to those 'poor' that the gospel message reaches. This 'poor' God equates with the spirit. The poor in spirit are humble before God. They repent of their wicked ways and follow after him. (Repent means to<em> </em>'turn from', it is a turning <em>away</em> from sin and a turning <em>to</em> God). The opposite of those 'poor' are the 'rich' in spirit who believe they have no need of a Savior and will think they are doing just fine in themselves. In the Bible they are likened to the Pharisees. <em></em><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We need not look any further than our <em>own</em> baptisms to see a picture of this new life, as we follow the example that Christ set before us in Matt. 3:13-17.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And Jesus answering said unto him, <em>Suffer it to be so now</em>: for thus it becometh us to <em>fulfil </em>all righteousness. Then he suffered him.<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him." Matthew 3:14-17<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We read in <strong>Exodus 2:10</strong> She (Pharaoh's Daughter) called his name Moses, "<strong>because I drew him out of the water."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Two more:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"He sent from above; he took me; He drew me out of many waters." 2 Samuel 22:17<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">David repeated the same prayer in<strong> Psalms 18:16, "He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We were told by Christ himself, we would be 'fishers' of men (Matt. 4:19). Here again Christ is talking of water ('seas'). The <strong>fish</strong> Christ is talking about are the poor, the humble to whom the gospel message is preached and <em>will reach</em>. There are numerous pictures in the Bible where water is used in connection to <em>washing</em> and to make someone (or something), such as clothing or vessels clean (holy). We are <em>washed</em> by water through the <em>reading of his Word</em>.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"Jesus answered verily, verily, I say unto thee: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">God's children are born from the Spirit. The 'woman' who was taken from man's side (rib) was then reborn (or born again) from Christ's pierced side, of water and blood. In her is pictured the elect or chosen of God. Once again, the water is the washing through his word and the blood, that which Christ shed for his children.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water." John 19:34<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I say unto thee, you must be born again." John 3:6-7<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness." 1 Thessalonians 5:5<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">God's spiritual food (his Word, his truth) is often times seen as rain. 'Manna' was also a picture of this bread of life which was rained down from Heaven to Israel. <strong><br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">The opposite is seen of the earth. A lack of God's word in the earth is seen as drought or famine, or darkness and 'no sun'.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">After sin, God said that the serpent (Satan) would be upon his belly and eat dust. Man is formed from the dust of the ground.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"Because thou hast done this, 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." Gen. 3:14<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">From all of the above we should be able to see the distinction that God makes in those who are born of the Spirit and those who are of the earth. It is the spirit which lives on, the physical body will disintegrate.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Gen. 3:19<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">Christ's promise to his own:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"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." Acts 13:48</strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>"In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised <em>before</em> the world began. Titus 1:2<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:14;">We see from the start of Genesis, that when God's Word is <em>spoken</em>, it <em>is</em> as good as done! </span></p><span style="font-size:14;"></span></span><br /><p><span xmlns=""><span style="font-size:14;"></span></span></p><p align="center"><span xmlns=""><span style="font-size:14;"><strong>read the rest <em><a href="http://john4-ver24.blogspot.com/2010/03/made-in-gods-image-pt-ii.html">here</a></em>.</strong></p></span></span><p><br /></p>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-45712487891096091742010-03-08T20:03:00.000-08:002010-03-31T20:54:31.943-07:00God's Grace From Eternity<div align="left"><strong>“And you shall be unto me a kingdom of Priests, and an Holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9 </strong></div><div align="left"><strong><br /></div></strong><strong></strong><div align="left">God’s wonderful eternal plan for His children is seen in the above verse. </div><div align="left"><br />Yet, we learn through scripture that from before time God knew how mankind would sin and also how He would send a Savior to redeem them. </div><div align="left"><br />We read God’s message of salvation through a Savior in both the Old and New Testaments. It is through the covenant of grace God made with man that we would see his plan. This covenant of <strong>Grace <em>is</em> undeserved favor</strong>. What sinful man deserved was God’s wrath.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">To see the first mention of God's plan we must go back to the book of Genesis. When man was first formed he was without sin. There was <em>no</em> commandment given from God yet,<em> therefore</em> he was not in sin. (I do not agree with the phrase that some will use, 'Adam was perfect'. When I buy a new appliance for my home I believe it is good but <em>until</em> I have tested it I do not say it is perfect. To say something is 'perfect' we must put it through various tests or circumstances.)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>Let us begin at Genesis 2:8</strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed.” </strong><br /></div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“Out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” Gen. 2:9</strong></div><div align="left"><br />Here we <em>now</em> see the One Commandment God gave the man:</div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“Of every tree of the garden, thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat, for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Gen. 2:16-17</strong></div><div align="left"><br />God would make a ‘help meet’ for man, taken from his side:<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>“And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman. She shall be called woman, because she was taken out of man.” Gen. 2:22-23</strong><br /></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">We see how subtle the serpent was, whereby he deceived the woman in making her doubt what God had said. She was also told “<strong>ye shall not surely die</strong>.”<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>“And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, plea</strong><strong>sant 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.” Gen. 3:6</strong><br /></div><div align="left"><br />Afterwards they knew they had sinned <strong>(“the eyes of them both were</strong> <strong>opened; they knew that they were naked”).</strong> They attempted to make their own covering for sin (made from fig leaves), and then hid from God. </div><div align="left"><br />The Shepherd’s voice was soon calling out for His lost sheep, <strong>“where art</strong> <strong>thou?”</strong> And the man said, <strong>“I heard thy voice in the garden and I was afraid</strong> <strong>because I was naked and I hid myself.”</strong> He would blame the woman: <strong>“She gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”</strong> And the ‘woman’, she also found someone to blame: <strong>“the serpent beguiled me, and I did eat."</strong> Gen 3: 9-13 </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">From this first sin of disobedience we see how mankind has since failed to recognize sin in their own lives.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Now to those 'Blessed' of God. . . <strong>"And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and <em>every tree in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat."</em></strong> <strong>Gen. 1:29</strong></div><div align="left"><br />Surely, from this lesson in God’s Word we now realize that there are two trees to eat from. Man <em>will</em> eat from either one or the other. We must ‘eat’ from God’s ‘tree of life,’ from the true ‘seed’ Christ who died on that tree (the Cross) which brings eternal life. </div><div align="left"></div><br /><strong>“And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.” Mark 14:22</strong><br /><div align="left"><br />There is only one other tree to eat from. . . the ‘tree of good and evil’. Satan would try to deceive the very 'elect' (if it were possible) into following after him <strong>into disobedience!</strong><br />We must recognize <em>who</em> Satan approached with his deception. It was ‘the woman’, who was to be the ‘help meet’ of man. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>“She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat.” Gen. 3:6</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />We shall see what happened to the man:</div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Gen. 3:23-24</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />Has Satan beguiled you? Do you know from which tree you are eating? </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Christ is seen as the 'second Adam', whereas earlier the 'woman' was taken from Adam's side . . . On the Cross, it was Christ's side that was pierced and the Church (the 'woman') was born (or <em>born again</em>).<br /><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"Jesus answered and said unto him: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3 </strong></div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came their out blood and water.” John 19:34</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br /><em>(His children are washed in His blood and continually cleansed through the washing of water, His word.)</em></div><div align="left"><br />The Bible tells us that man was banished from the garden. He was <em>now</em> a sinner, following after the serpent in rebellion and would eventually also die physically. Since man descended from Adam, they inherited his sinful nature and are under God’s wrath and curse.</div><div align="left"><br />The first hint of God’s plan is told us in the garden when he told Satan:</div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.” Gen 3:15<br /><br /></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">This verse reveals to us that the ‘woman’ (the ‘help meet’) would become the church, the redeemed. She is taken out of man and redeemed through the 'Son of man', Christ. She is the ‘elect’, the ‘chosen few.’ Christ is the true seed.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"But ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."</strong> <strong>1Cor.6:11</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Let us carefully read Genesis 1:26-28:</div><div align="left"><strong>"And God said, "Let us make man in <em>our image</em>, <em>after our likeness</em>: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth. So God created man in his <em>own</em> image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he him. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it.</strong></div><div align="left"><strong><br /></div></strong><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">We<strong> </strong>must remember God is Spirit. The Old Testament saints looked forward to a Savior, the N.T. saints look back on Him. All believed God and are 'created in God's image'. We <em>were</em> already flesh and blood but are now led by God's Spirit.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">Let us also read Genesis 2:7:</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."<br /></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left">The above is a description of the physical man formed <em>only</em> of the dust of the ground. (God breathed<em> into his nostrils.)</em> But, he is not of the spirit. He needs a 'help meet' which was 'the woman.'<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"That which is born of flesh is flesh and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again." John 3:6-7<br /></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We can <em>now</em> understand. One is of man <em>'formed'</em> out of the dust of the earth and one "created in God's image", Jesus Christ. Have you been born again?<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. </strong><strong>Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Romans 8:29-30</strong></div><div align="left"><strong><br /></div></strong><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">God's children were known by Him even in those days when<strong> "the heavens and earth were finished, and all the host of them." Gen. 2:1</strong> We realize God saw us through time, even as He said, <strong>"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."</strong></div><div align="left"><strong><br /></div></strong><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">As we look ahead into the book of Revelation, we see how angry Satan is with the woman who was born again in Christ.</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"And the Dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."</strong> Rev. 12:17<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">And once again, going back to the Old Testament, we see a gradual unfolding of God’s plan of salvation. Man is in such darkness he must first recognize what sin is. The law is seen as a <strong>“schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we may be justified by faith” Gal. 3:24.</strong> We are taught how grievous sin is through the many blood offerings and sacrifices of bulls and goats to ‘cover sin.’ The Old Testament sacrifices had no power to take away sin but God used these types or shadows to point us to the true Lamb of God who would yet come to redeem us from our sin. Christ was that fulfillment. Man was not saved through the keeping of the law, but by the law is the knowledge of sin. Through it God shows man how much he is in need of a Savior. Christ fulfilled all the law for us. </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.” Romans 3:20-22</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />Christ was the ‘mediator of a better Covenant’. This covenant was made with man in which God purposed to save the ‘elect’ or ‘chosen few’ from among mankind. These few are sometimes called the Woman, the Church, his children, the redeemed of God, etc. </div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.” Eph. 1:4-5</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />This covenant is by faith in Jesus Christ. It is through faith in His finished work alone that our sins are forgiven. We lay hold of the salvation found in Christ as the Holy Spirit applies God’s grace to our hearts by giving us the very faith to lay hold of Christ. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit was a most important gift that was promised and received by us after His Ascension. Through the Holy Spirit’s power of regeneration and sanctification we are made new creatures in Christ. </div><div align="left"><br />It was on the Cross that Christ, the true lamb of God, redeemed us with his blood; and through His death on the Cross, God’s penalty for sin was paid. He died in our place.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong>"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."</strong> John 3:16<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">We are blessed with eternal life and are once again in fellowship with God. It is only because of Christ’s sacrifice and His obedience to God that His children inherited these blessings in the covenant of grace. We are now clothed in the righteousness of Christ.<br /><br /></div><div align="left">God Himself declared the price of sin, but . . He Himself paid the price in our stead!</div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burndt offering: so they went both of them together.” Gen. 22:8</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br /><strong>“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4: 12</strong></div><strong></strong><div align="left"><br />Through the Cross the power that Satan had over Man was broken. Man is no longer held in bondage to sin.<br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">For God <strong>“hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.” Col. 1:13</strong><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />We can freely serve God and receive His blessings. Christ was the true ‘seed’ in which “all the families of the earth would be blessed.” This is no longer confined to the nation of Israel. True Israel consists of those ‘circumcised of the heart.’ All nations now have the knowledge of the Lord and His salvation, both Jew and Gentile. </div><div align="left"><br /><strong>“Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life." Revelation 22:14.</strong></div>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-78630236699668686432010-02-18T21:38:00.000-08:002010-02-24T19:30:23.550-08:00No Comfort Without HopeAfter saying <em>hello</em> in the telephone, the next thing I heard was the voice of an angry and irate sister who sternly told me, “Don’t impose your God on mom!!”<br /><br />My dear mother was dying and had expressed to us several times throughout her life that she did not believe in an afterlife. This was the way she was raised in the Japanese Shinto religion. My mother was an active, busy woman, much younger than her true years. Never idle, always doing for family. This came to an abrupt halt in late 2004. Now her life was quickly passing away from an uncontrollable and fast moving cancer racing throughout her body.<br /><br />The hospice nurse asked, ‘would you like a minister to start visiting’? I thought this would be wonderful and might bring her some measure of comfort, if any was to be found for her. It did not materialize. I too, was as a leper and an outcast for bringing Christ’s name into the sick room.<br /><br />I understood, when I heard the irate voice of my sister on the other end of the telephone, that it had not entered her heart that by trying to prevent someone’s right to hear the full Gospel of Christ, she herself was imposing and reinforcing her own unbelief system, even up to our mother’s death bed!<br /><br />My sister was raised a Catholic and is an unbeliever in anything today. To believers, Christ and His promises are our only hope. This was also the hope at the end for one repentant thief crucified next to Christ:<br /><br /><strong>And he said unto Jesus, “Lord, remember me when Thou comest into Thy kingdom”. And Jesus said unto him, “Verily, I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” </strong><br /><div align="center"><strong>Luke 23:40-43</strong></div><br />Where is there any value to anyone in anything in a world that is quickly passing away? There is no comfort found anywhere but in the Savior and His Truth.<br /><br />A priest was called in to perform the last rites. He came and left.<br /><br />No... without hope, it is a sad passing. Soon after, alone with my dear mother at her bedside, she did indeed hear God’s full Gospel, and I believe even through her pain she knew and confirmed to me that Christ is true. Two days later, Mom opened her eyes briefly to say good-by, then took her last breath.<br />April 30, 2005<br /><br /><br /><strong>“God is Spirit. Those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in Truth”. John 4:24</strong>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-46736596632552217122010-02-18T21:25:00.000-08:002010-03-15T03:22:00.852-07:00Christ’s Work AloneChrist said, <strong>“My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34)</strong> His finished work of salvation is proclaimed all over the world in and through His children. Yes, we are zealous!!! We are the body of Christ, His hands and His feet in this dark world. Yes, we preach Christ’s Good News of salvation to those around us, making sure all have had an opportunity to hear, or to reject God’s truth. To the humble, we continue to instruct in doctrine and truth, knowing it is God’s work <em>alone</em> to change man’s sinful heart and bring one to salvation.<br /><br /><strong>“With men this is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) </strong><br /><br />It is His sheep He came to save from sin. In today’s world, many are taught by false prophets that they themselves must make the decision to either accept Christ or be lost. Man in his fallen, sinful state could not, <strong>cannot</strong> act to follow Christ, unless God would enable him! Yes, it is God who does that work in a sinner’s life which brings him to the point where he is open to receiving His truth; however, <span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>how many of those who have walked down those long aisles in the Billy Sunday and Billy Graham crusades had actually thought this act and repeating a simple prayer would save them?</em></span><br /><br />How many persevered, and how many were those seeds that fell by the wayside? How many were brought out of bondage from Egypt? How many went through testing in the wilderness? How many put on the full armor of Christ ready for battle with the enemy of our souls? How many were crucified and arisen with Christ? Are they among those who "follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth” <strong>(Rev. 14 )</strong> ?<br /><br />Where are the thousands of these today who, <strong><em>‘decided to accept Christ’</em></strong> at these crusades? <strong><em>Was it man’s decision or an act of God? No, it is not man’s decision to make. Furthermore, that would imply an All-Powerful God is under the authority of sinful man, and is not able to act in the sinner’s life unless He is granted some sort of permission!! </em></strong><br /><strong><em><br /></em></strong>Christ says <strong>‘no man can come to Me except the Father which has sent Me draw him and I will raise him up at the last</strong> <strong>day.’ (John 6:44)</strong><br /><br /><strong>“He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." (John 10:1)</strong><br /><br />One cannot enter the sheepfold but through the Door, which is Christ.<br /><br />It is God’s work to bring the sinner to salvation…. <strong>“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)</strong><br /><br />Salvation in a man is all God’s work. His Grace. When have we last heard this word…Grace? No, in today’s churches most are taught, we must have a part in salvation. We must act! We must <strong><em>‘accept Him’!!</em></strong> <strong><em>How like the human heart to want to remain in control & declare a part in his own salvation!</em></strong> The proud man wants only to trust in his own righteousness, his own works. What does God say about that?<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>“All our rightousnesses are as filthy rags.”</strong> <strong>(Isaiah 64:6 )<br /></strong><br /><strong>“For by Grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.”</strong><br /><div align="center"><strong>(Ephesians 2: 8-9)</strong></div><br />Have you humbled yourself? Are you clothed in the righteousness of Christ? It is this wedding garment we must be clothed in for the marriage feast God has prepared for his Son in heaven <strong>(Matthew 22:11-14).</strong><br /><br />Do you trust in the One who moved heaven and earth to save his own people-- those He knew from before the world was created?<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong>"According as he hath chosen us in him, before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.’’ </strong></div><div align="center"><strong>Ephesians 1:4-5</strong></div><br /><br /><div></div>Have you trusted in the Cross of Christ to wash away your sins? ALL this too, is of GRACE. The God given faith of Christ. Yes, Christ’s actual faith. <strong>(Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:22, Romans 3:22, Philippians 3:9)</strong> Are you now, yet today depending on your own righteousness?<br /><br />At the Cross, Christ said,<em> ‘It is finished.’</em> Were <span style="font-size:130%;"><em>you</em></span> at the Cross?<br /><br /><strong>“God is Spirit. Those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)</strong>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-8808763360357930472010-02-18T21:16:00.000-08:002010-03-15T03:18:53.792-07:00“One Lord, One Way, One Truth”How many times in your ministry have you heard these next phrases: <em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>That’s your interpretation!</em><br /><br /><em>I’m not that bad! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion! </em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Don’t be judgmental!</em> (or,<em> intolerant</em>!)<br /><br />And finally:<br /><br /><em>DON’T impose YOUR God on others!</em><br /><br />Nothing new, is it? The world is not open to the one true Gospel of Christ found only through God’s Word. If anything, it loves and wants to hear the ‘God of love’ only teachings of <span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>Joel Osteen</strong></span> or similar televangelists and false prophets who are leading the masses astray, NOT a God of love and of justice who will one day return to judge the world for sin. Instead, they choose to hear something smooth, or one which does for <strong>ME !</strong> A God of ‘signs & wonders’ who will physically take away their arthritis, cancers, diseases, cure their bad eyesight, cataracts & blindness, strengthen their weakened and crippled legs, one who can take away bad hearing & deafness, and cast out demons! Give me money and make me rich?! YES, YES. . . I’ll plant a seed!!!<br /><br />What is wrong with these pictures? What has happened to the true gospel? How has it become so perverted? Or. . . has it always been so? In your love and mission to proclaim God’s Word in a dark and unbelieving world, some of the above is most often what you will see and hear. The greatest miracle that Jesus performs today is the same as was in His ministry on earth . . . the healing of sin in the human heart.<br /><br />But since the beginning of time, when God made known his plan of salvation, there has been the lie and those who would distort God’s truth, just as there are followers of these men… ones who pick and choose from among the many hundreds of false teachings out there. The sad truth is that most of those sitting in today’s churches have not made a simple ‘read through’ of the entire Bible, let alone made a vigorous daily study in His Word, and thus are easily led astray.<br /><br /><strong>“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” </strong><br /><div align="center"><strong>( II Timothy 2:15)</strong></div><br /><br />It is only through God’s gift of His Holy Spirit that we know and follow the One true God.<br /><br /><strong>“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."</strong> <strong>(John 16:13-14)<br /></strong><br /><strong>"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)</strong><br /><br />But yet, the lukewarm churches are adamant in their views and chirp back to you either what they want to believe or what they are taught in their denomination of choice. God’s truth and His Way of salvation will never alter because of what man may want to believe. We understand God’s truth as revealed in scripture through the leading of His Holy Spirit. We must be as the Bereans, examining everything (see Acts 17:10-11), comparing all things to Holy Scripture. Not simply look to the vast variety of preachers out there, all with their own particular teachings, many of whom Christ warns us against. Needless to say, these followers (of men) are content to just sit in their churches, or in front of the T.V. set and listen to whomever tickles their ears. Most do not seem to care or dispute what is taught them by taking the time to open God’s Word, to study scripture and verse in the proper context that it is written in.<br /><br />Christ says,<br />“<strong>Enter ye in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because straight is the gate & narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."</strong> <strong>(Matthew 7:13-14)<br /></strong><br />If you find yourselves listening to one STANDING before you in the church with a Gospel perverted by man (the abomination), could you recognize poison (‘death in the pot’)? (2 Kings 4:38-41)<br /><br />God’s Word says, you are to ‘flee to the mountains’. He alone, is our ‘Mountain’. He is the revealer of truth.<br /><br /><strong>‘But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand),then let them that be in Judaea, flee to the mountains." (Mark 13: 14) </strong><br /><br /><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:3)</strong></p><br />Potipher’s wife said to Joseph, ‘Lie with me.’ Joseph <strong>fled</strong>.’ (Gen. 39:12) We are to flee from the adulteress. She is in the apostate churches today, built by man. Have you spiritual ears? Has He taken away your <strong>DEAFNESS</strong>? Has He healed your <strong>BLINDNESS</strong> so you can see His truth, are you no longer <strong>CRIPPLED</strong> but walk in His Light? Has Christ's Truth (<em>found in his word)</em> <strong>CAST OUT ALL DEMONS</strong> so Satan can no longer harm you? Has He healed you from all sickness and disease (SIN), so that you stand before Him in newness of life?<br /><br /><strong>“God is Spirit. Those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth’.<br />John 4:24</strong>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-38195270462508076852010-02-18T21:12:00.000-08:002010-02-21T18:15:07.686-08:00About Nan E. Moss and the Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth BlogAs time goes on, I find churches are straying from God’s truth in vast numbers everywhere. Wicked men are creeping in and church doctrine is changing to ‘commandments of men’.<br /><br /><strong>‘But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” (Matthew 15:9)</strong><br /><br />Preachers in every denomination, brought in from liberal seminaries, are teaching congregations very misleading and just plain incorrect theology. A lie. Their teachings have taken the place of God’s Word. Study materials used in Bible classes are not being carefully scrutinized, with much of the material being ordered from the convenient Bible bookstore around the corner which sells every kind of filth from the creative and inventive minds of the wicked. Many are simply manuals to twist unsteady hearts and minds to the ungodly doctrines of these men, in the guise of ‘instruction’. I believe there is only one instruction manual necessary, and that is the Bible. . . His Word to be held in our hearts and read in the spirit daily. This is the only truth and instruction worthy to be studied vigorously, more than enough for any one person’s lifetime. Yes, a weekly gathering in a Bible study led by one strong in the Lord’s work is useful, indeed most especially for ‘babes in Christ’ and for those who may otherwise not be able to get away for quiet moments in their own home to study His Word. We must always remember, it is to Christ alone (in His Word, the Bible) that we look to and lean upon, who reveals Himself and His truth to our hearts in words that cannot be spoken. He is the good shepherd.<br /><br /><strong>“He shall feed his flock like a Shepherd, he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.<br />(Isaiah 40:11)</strong><br /><br /><strong>“I Am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep”. (John 10:11)<br /><br />"I Am the good Shepherd and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (John 10:14)</strong><br /><br />For myself, God’s guidance and revelations are found in the quiet setting of my own home, with the Spirit leading according to my own personal growth and knowledge in the Lord. I believe this pace differs with each one.<br /><br />Some years earlier, in my ignorance, but hoping to follow the Lord in a Bible believing church, I wandered from one church to another. I realized none, for want of a better phrase, could “connect the dots” with everything I was reading in scripture. It left me very confused until realizing that ‘we’ are the church, a spiritual church not made with hands, not a physical building, church nor a synogogue. He is in us. We tabernacle with Christ spiritually. He is our High Priest. Just as Joseph & Rachel were hidden <em>(hindermost from Esau)</em> so the true spiritual church also is, from the world. (A picture of the New Testament Church hidden in the world is seen in Rachel: Gen. 33:1-16)<br /><br /><strong>“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, Not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.” Hebrews 9: 11</strong><br /><br /><strong>"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." John: 4:19-24</strong><br /><br />There is a wonderfully true saying, attributed to a number of people, but it struck me as very appropriate for these times:<br /><br />‘ I looked for the church and I found it in the world, and I looked for the world and found it in the church’.<br /><br />I decided I must put all of the confusion from these churches (buildings) out of my mind and follow only Christ. I found Him ONLY in His Word, the Bible.<br /><br />Below is one of God's many beautiful promises, one I keep in my heart:<br /><br /><strong>"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." Deuteronomy 4:28-31</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />I refer to this time as, “when the Lord called me out of Egypt.” Yes, we follow the Lord wherever He goes. 'Egypt' is a <em>picture </em>of the house of bondage (<em>the world and its bondage to sin). </em>Christ broke these chains and through the Cross washed away our sins in his own blood. Not just covered them, but He came to <em>BE our covering</em>. He came for the remission of sin, to <em>heal</em> us...the Bible likens our sins to 'sicknesses and diseases.' <em>There are a number of beautiful 'pictures' in the Bible in which Christ heals many, sending some away with the admonition to "sin no more."</em> Ironically, the world of today considers addictions to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, hoarding and many more sins as diseases. Yes, <em>SIN</em> is <em>disease.</em><br /><br /><strong>“When Israel was a Child, then I loved Him, and called Him out of Egypt.”<br />(Hosea 11:1)<br /><br />“These are they which were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. These are they which follow the lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.” (Rev. 14: 4)</strong><br /><br />One last note-<br /><br />If pressed by those who would ask, I am not a member of any physical church body at this time. My beliefs today would be found similar to the reformed teachings found in the earlier church age. I am not against all organized religion, as there may yet be found a very few God fearing church congregations, but I believe the time is close, if not already upon us, that there has come a ‘falling away’.<br /><br /><strong>“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition”. 2Thessalonians 2:3</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">RB8YC8D9F4HU</span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4545732034140918705.post-61371390158805594952009-03-22T18:24:00.000-07:002010-03-29T11:17:17.910-07:00‘Made in God’s Image Pt II’<span xmlns=""><p><span style="font-size:12;">It is disturbing to see that both students of the Bible and theologians as well, will repeat the same idea that all men were created in God's image. For I do not see it nor read this term in the Bible applied to all men. Let us spend some time studying the next verses found in:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><em>Genesis Chapter One<br /></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." Genesis 1:26-28<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Let us now skip ahead to <em>Genesis, Chapter 2<br /></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Now you may say . . .already, we have a problem! For the above verses certainly do not appear to be describing the same man! Who did God give dominion to? To the man 'formed out of the dust of the ground', or the man 'created in His image'? Sadly, more often, most will say that they are one and the same. But look again, God himself tells us he gave dominion to those He did make/create in His own image, male and female. (See Genesis 1:26-27)<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">From our review earlier describing the spiritual man (from water) vs. the physical man(from dust) we should realize who God gave this dominion to. It was to his spiritual children, made in his image and likeness. The term 'formed man' from the dust of the ground should show us that this is the physical man only. Taken from the dust of the ground! How much more earthly can you get? This cannot possibly be the same man that was created in God's image!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">We know that regenerated man is the one born from above, who has God's living Spirit in him. He is spiritual and is led by God and walks in His Light.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><br /><strong>Genesis 2:16<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the Lord God commanded the man, saying of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:"<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"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." Gen. 2:17<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." Gen. 2:18<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">We should take note here in Chapter 2 that there is a lapse in time before God goes on to make him a help meet. God reveals all in His Truth and He does not sway. This is the order it was written in and we know God is a God of order. From Gen. 2:18 we go directly on to read:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." Gen. 2:19<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there there was not found an help meet for him." Gen. 2:20<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">It is in <strong>Genesis 2 verses 21-22</strong> where we read:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof:"<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">I believe God when he says he shows us all things from the beginning and so believe that these above verses are <em>ALSO</em> a spiritual picture of the man of the world. He is asleep to those spiritual things of God which are going on about him. Meanwhile God has started to build his church, stone by stone, as each one is brought to Christ, who is the Son of Man, the 'second Adam'. This is the reason for the break in the above scriptures. God shows us that this is the time when those in Christ are purified until she (the 'woman') is presented to Christ as 'the bride of the Lamb!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Genesis : Chapter 3<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">As we read on we see that <em>doubt</em> entered the woman after the serpent asked "Hath God said"? The serpent then told her:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." Gen. 3:4-5<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"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." Gen. 3:6<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Does this sound to you like they were created in God's image and likeness? I think not! We do know this one thing, that God knew they would eat from that tree, as nothing is hid from him.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Next we will review some verses many may quickly overlook because they do not understand them:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil:"<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever:"<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken." Genesis 3:22-23<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">How interesting are these above verses! We may think, but is this not what God wanted for us? To be as He is. After all, some may think, did He not say, "Let us make man in our image?" On the one hand, we are forbidden to take from <em>the tree of the knowledge of good and evil</em> yet God says: "Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil." But, he is then sent forth <em>from</em> the garden!! Does it not make you wonder why God seems to be talking in riddles? We will get back to these very important verses a little later but let us first focus on the last verse where "The Lord God sent 'him' forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence 'he' was taken." Here we must focus on the physical man, it is where God is directing us through his word. Adam is a picture of the man of the earth, <em>not </em>the spiritual man. It is he who is sent from the garden, while the woman will be nurtured. Adam was not deceived </span><em>(we remember how easily Esau also gave up his birthright!),</em><span style="font-size:12;"> but the woman was. They both ate from the forbidden fruit, but it is the 'woman' (the help meet') who will be redeemed and purified to become the bride of the Lamb! She is representative of all God's elect!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel." Gen. 3:15<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand, two hundred and threescore days." Rev 12:6<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression." 1 Tim.2:14<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">We are not saved by anything we have or have not done:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness are as filthy rags." Isaiah 64:6<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">And are chosen of God before the foundations of the world:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be Holy and without blame before him in love." Ephesians 1:4<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><em>All </em>God's children are prophets. A prophet is simply one who preaches God's truth as <em>found in </em><em>his Word</em>, the Bible. </span><em>(Today, many will mistakenly associate it with those who foretell the future, <strong>outside</strong> of God's Word, these are called false prophets!)</em><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">God will draw his elect to himself:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:44<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth." Rom. 9:11<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Let us jump ahead now and turn to the book of Ezekiel, Chapter 28. It is important to read all the verses pertaining to this immediate study. They extend from verses 11 to 19, but we will focus on the next three verses for now, starting at Ezekiel 28: 14-15<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Let us proceed very carefully as we read:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Whoa! Was this a description of Satan? The cherub that was described in Genesis as a serpent! Indeed it was! He must have been quite beautiful then as we see from the above description. And yes, he was clothed in all his beauty of precious stones there in that garden, set on deceiving the woman. He was the anointed cherub who walked upon the holy mountain of God, and up and down in the midst of the stones of fire! We are also told that he was perfect in all his ways from the day he was created. . .till sin was found in him! We can now understand why it was not impossible for man to sin. Man's eyes never took him to the places that an anointed cherub had seen! After all, was man not formed from the dust of the ground! We could hardly compare man to the magnificence of that cherub Lucifer, and how he must have been before sin! He was anointed and created by God himself, but even so. . .he fell!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" Isaiah 14:12<br /></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>Hebrews 4:13<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"Nothing in all creation, is hidden from God's eyes. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Surely, God could not have been surprised when fragile man sinned in the garden. Could this be why each one is taught by God now, how to listen and obey Him!! With the Lord's leading and his Holy Spirit we are kept in Christ. Yes, man was formed from the dust of the ground, but the woman. . . She was born again from Christ's pierced side (both male and female).<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Lucifer was created and fell. But<em> . . . <strong>"Christ in you, the hope of Glory!" Col. 1:27<br /></strong></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Now we can better understand, why God did things the way he did.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, saith the Lord."<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Though Lucifer was created perfect by God, he was <em>not made in God's image</em>. God created his children<em> in his own 'image and likeness'. Christ shed his blood for us and our sins were washed away; we are continually cleansed through the washing of water of his Word.<br /></em></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Paul said in Romans 8:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord." Romans 8:38-39<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Let us now go back to Genesis 3:22<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil":<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong>"And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever":<br /></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Now we can <em>ALSO</em> see . . . why God commanded us <em>NOT</em><br /><em>to eat</em> from <em>the tree of the </em><em>knowledge of good and evil. </em>Just as we would not allow our very young children to cross a busy highway by themselves, God also knew that we were not properly equipped to handle more. But now, strengthened with Christ in us <em>we know good and evil. (Yes, just as God!) </em>We have been weaned from the milk and taught by God himself how to Listen and Obey! <em>Through Christ and his (S)Word we are now prepared to handle ALL. </em><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong><em>"I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths." Psalms 4:11<br /></em></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;">Surely, we know it was when God looked through time (Day 6) that He saw us and said:<strong><em><br /></em></strong></span></p><p style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"><span style="font-size:12;"><strong><em>"Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:" Genesis 1:26"<br /></em></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong><em></em></strong>It was as good as done.<br /></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong><em>"Thus the Heaven and the earth were finished, and all the host of them." Gen. 2:1<br /></em></strong></span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong><em>"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reineth."<br /></em></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size:12;"><strong><em>Rev. 19:6<br /></em></strong></span></p></span>Nan E. Mosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05179906680930652991noreply@blogger.com