Differences in Theology Concerning Covenants

There is much debate over the theology and beliefs surrounding the covenants God has made with his people.

There are three major beliefs that I know of:

Dispensationalism, Covenant, and New Covenant Theology

Dispensationalism 

In its original form claimed God has dealt with man in many different ways or "dispensations". Many have identified these seven periods.

1. Innocence (ended with the fall of Adam).
2. Conscience (Enoch followed his conscience and was approved of God),
3. Human Government (given to Noah after the flood)
4. Promise (given to Abraham)
5. Law (given to Moses)
6. Grace (given by Jesus to us)
7. Kingdom (when Christ returns and physically rules the world from Jerusalem).

Dispensationalism is tightly tied to its eschatology in that it is exclusively premillennial. It also holds a futurist and literalist view of the book of Revelation where most of its events (except the letters to the seven churches and a few other things) are yet future and are expected to be fulfilled literally. This is in contrast with post and amillinialists viewpoints that accept a spiritual interpretation of Revelation. 

So salvation under the age of Law was obtained by obeying the Law but now under grace, salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Dispensationalism also leans towards an unchanging moral law of God and is similar to Covenant Theology in that way. 

Dispensationalism also maintains that the Church and Israel are separate entities in the Bible. This is key to its prophetic viewpoint.  John MacArthur points out that the separation of the Church from Israel is the key tenet of Dispensationalism. He also asserts that replacement theology requires one to spiritualize major portions of prophetic scripture for the position to stand.  To me that isn't a Biblical approach to determining what the scripture is saying.

All prophecies that have been fulfilled have been fulfilled literally.  Spiritualization allows the interpreter to imagine what it is he wants the Bible to say to him.  

John MacArthur has adopted a stand that salvation has always been by grace through faith alone, but retains the eschatology and separation of the Church from Israel and dubs his position Biblical Dispensationalism. 

This form of dispensationalism joins with the Covenant and New Covenant Theology camp and maintains that salvation is by grace through faith.

Covenant and New Covenant theology believe that anywhere Israel is mentioned that is now referring to the Church.  A dangerous belief for many reasons.  One reason is that they will likely be fooled when the Anti Christ shows up to save humankind from the perils of our day.  The other is that it also tends to cause people to join in on the bandwagon of hate against Israel.  

Little do many of these Christians know they are playing into the hands of Satan.  Satan hates Christians and Jews because God has chosen them.  Do a little research on the UN and you will see that they are very much against Israel and Christians too. 

In fact many of the people that established the UN and that are running it now are known Satanists or Luciferians.  It is so crazy that most people don't believe it.  Those that don't believe this also tend to think that dispensationalism is crazy.

Some Questions From My Friend About Christianity

Lunch Today

I have a friend that I meet with from time to time to discuss life, politics, and religion for the most part.  He is a smart guy and also happens to be a Muslim.  We've had some discussions which I would call somewhat heated about our differing religious beliefs. 

My buddy's knowledge of his religion and my lack of knowledge of Christianity and the Bible in the past were obvious. 

But since I've experienced becoming regenerated by the Holy Spirit and being born again I've become driven to seek God and read the Bible.  So I am thankful for this friendship in that it has helped me grow in what I believe.  I pray my friend would turn to Jesus and that the Holy Spirit would open his mind.

Today we had lunch and he was very cool about how he asked me what I believe. He really sounded like he wants to know what this means: By faith and faith alone we are saved.

He asked me and I told him but wasn't able to quote scriptures which is what he wants.  I know he doesn't believe in anything Paul wrote so I'm going to give him the words of Jesus.

One thing I did mention because it is important is that when you really believe that the Holy Spirit dwells withing the believer and regenerates the believer.


So his questions are:


1. What is the Holy Spirit?

2. What is "faith" in reference to being saved by "faith" and "faith" alone?


3. Also, why do Christians have so many different "religions" that contradict each other (like the Jehovah's Witness?)

4. What do Jehovah's Witness believe?


I'm working up some answers to email him. 

Is Replacement Theology a False Teaching?

Most preterists believe that most all prophecy has already come true.  There is a big problems with this belief:



Believing that prophecy is already completely fulfilled, either literally or allegorically, and with the expected return of Christ. This makes them perfect candidates for believing the deception of the real Antichrist and accepting him as Messiah (because they believe the Antichrist has come and gone).


Jesus said in Matt 24, take heed that no man deceive you ..... He also said, "watch therefore ...." etc, etc. What are we to "watch" for. 

We are to watch for the SIGNS of His Coming. And when we see the SIGNS of His Coming, then we are to look up for our redemption to draw near.

Revelation 16:12-16 describes how the Battle of Armageddon will commence (or how it did commence - allegedly). 

Can a Preterist answer this question?

Who conquered Jerusalem in fulfillment of this prophecy and from where did they come?

Preterist teaches that this prophecy was fulfilled in the year 70 A.D. when the Roman General Titus and his Roman army conquered Jerusalem.

There is a problem with this explanation.  Rome is to the West of Jerusalem.  Revelation 16:12 states that the Euphrates was dried up so that the kings of the East could be prepared to make war against Jerusalem at the battle of Armageddon.

I find it unnecessary to further explain the core teachings conflicts of Preterism.  There are obviously many more logical problems with this false teaching.

Satan loves to confuse and divide Christians.  The fact that most Christians do not read the Bible opens up the door to this confusion and for many also opens the gates of hell.  

The Word is our armor.  Arm yourselves lest you be fooled.

2 Peter 1:20

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.


Matthew 24:4-5

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Matthew 7: 13-15

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves

So are you going to believe the word of God or the dogma of men? The choice is always your to make.  If in your thought process you feel the need to factor in what everyone else believes before what you feel the Holy Spirit is showing you then you need to read the Bible more and pray more.




This was taken word for word from RaptureReady.com website: Thanks RR!

Israel / Church Distinction: The 4th Foundation

by Thomas Ice


The Distinction Between Israel and the Church

"The New Testament consistently differentiates between Israel and the church," claims Arnold Fruchtenbaum.1 Fruchtenbaum supports this conclusion through a powerful twofold argument in which he first demonstrates the biblical view of Israel and secondly, by showing that the church is viewed in the New Testament as a separate entity.

Belief that God's single plan for history includes the two peoples of Israel and the church does not imply that there are thus different ways of salvation. When it comes to the issue of salvation there is only one way, since all peoples down through history descend from a single source-Adam. Christ's saving work is the only way of salvation for anyone, whether they are a member of Israel or the church.

Israel

Fruchtenbaum notes that "the term Israel is viewed theologically as referring to all descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also known as Jews, the Jewish people, Israelites, Hebrews, etc." (113). He notes that national election distinguishes Israel from those peoples who were not chosen that we know as Gentiles (113-14). Fruchtenbaum outlines four reasons for Israel's election: 1) they were "chosen on the basis of God's love . . . to be 'a kingdom of priests and a holy nation' (Ex. 19:6) . . . to represent the Gentile nations before God." 2) "God chose Israel to be the recipient of His revelation and to record it (Deut. 4:5-8; 6:6-9; Rom. 3:1-2)." 3) Israel "was to propagate the doctrine of the One God (Deut. 6:4)." 4) Israel "was to produce the Messiah (Rom. 9:5; Heb. 2:16-17; 7:13-14) (115)."

No biblically oriented christian would deny these purposes relating to Israel. The differences begins to emerge when we consider Israel in relation to the church. "Some theologians insist," notes Fruchtenbaum "that at some point the church receives the promises given to Israel and thus become the 'New Israel' (known as replacement theology). Some believe the terms church and Israel are used virtually 'interchangeably,' most citing Galatians 6:16 and some Romans 9:6." (116).

However, those commonly known as dispensationalists interpret the Bible literally and thus do not confuse the terms Israel and the church, since there is no basis in the text of any biblical passage for supporting such an approach.

Having noted important aspects of the biblical use of Israel, I will now examine the nature of the church.

The Church

Six reasons are given by Fruchtenbaum from the Bible supporting the notion that the church is a distinct work in God's household from His people Israel.

1) "The first evidence is the fact that the church was born at Pentecost, whereas Israel had existed for many centuries" (116). This is supported by "the use of the future tense in Matthew 16:18 shows that it did not exist in gospel history" (116). Since the church born at Pentecost is called the "Body of Christ" (Col. 1:18), and entrance into the body is through "Spirit baptism" (1 Cor. 12:13), in which Jew and Gentile are united through the church. It is evident that the church began on the Day of Pentecost since Acts 1:5 views Spirit baptism as future, while Acts 10 links it to the past, specifically to Pentecost.

2) "The second evidence is that certain events in the ministry of the Messiah were essential to the establishment of the church-the church does not come into being until certain events have taken place" (117). These events include the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to become head of the church (Eph. 1:20-23). "The church, with believers as the body and Christ as the head, did not exist until after Christ ascended to become its head. And it could not become a functioning entity until after the Holy Spirit provided the necessary spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:7-11)" (117).

3) "The third evidence is the mystery character of the church (117)." A mystery in the Bible is a hidden truth not revealed until the New Testament (Eph. 3:3-5, 9; Col. 1:26-27). Fruchtenbaum lists "four defining characteristics of the church [that] are described as a mystery. (1) The body concept of Jewish and Gentile believers united into one body is designated as a mystery in Ephesians 3:1-12. (2) The doctrine of Christ indwelling every believer, the Christ-in-you concept, is called a mystery in Colossians 1:24-27 (cf. Col. 2:10-19; 3:4). (3) The church as the Bride of Christ is called a mystery in Ephesians 5:22-32. (4) The Rapture is called a mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. These four mysteries describe qualities that distinguish the church from Israel" (117-18).

4) "The fourth evidence that the church is distinct from Israel is the unique relationship between Jews and the Gentiles, called one new man in Ephesians 2:15" (118). During the current church age God is saving a remnant from the two previous entities (Israel and Gentiles) and combining them into a third new object-the church. This unity of Jews and Gentiles into one new man covers only the church age, from Pentecost until the rapture, after which time God will restore Israel and complete her destiny (Acts 15:14-18). 1 Corinthians 10:32 reflects just such a division when it says, "Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God."

5) "The fifth evidence for the distinction between Israel and the church is found in Galatians 6:16" (118). "It appears logical to view 'the Israel of God' (Gal. 6:16) as believing Jews in contrast to unbelieving Jews called 'Israel after the flesh' (1 Cor. 10:18)" (124).2 This passage does not support the false claim of replacement theologians who claim that Israel is supplanted by the Church. Instead, the Bible teaches that a remnant of Israel is combined with elect Gentiles during this age to make up a whole new entity the New Testament calls the church (Eph. 2).

Replacement theology tries to teach that because Gentiles believers are described as the "seed of Abraham" (Gal. 3:29) that this is equivalent to saying that they are Israel. This is clearly not the case. Paul's description of Gentile believers in Galatians 3:29 simply means that they participate in the spiritual (i.e., salvation) blessings that come through Israel (Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11, 14). "Those who are the spiritual seed are partakers of Jewish spiritual blessings but are never said to become partakers of the physical, material, or national promises" (126). Therefore, Israel's national promises are left in tact awaiting a yet future fulfillment.

6) "In the book of Acts, both Israel and the church exist simultaneously. The term Israel is used twenty time and ekklesia (church) nineteen times, yet the two groups are always kept distinct" (118).3 Thus, the replacement theologian has no actual biblical basis upon which he bases his theological claim that Israel and the church have become one.

The Significance of the Distinction

If Israel and the church are not distinguished then there is no basis for seeing a future for Israel or for the church, as a new and unique people of God. If Israel and the church are merged into a single program, then the Old Testament promises for Israel will never be fulfilled and are usually seen by replacement theologians as spiritually fulfilled by the church. The merging of Israel's destiny into the church not only makes into one what the Scriptures understand as two, it removes a need for future restoration of God's original elect people in order to fulfill literally His promise that they will one day be the head and not the tail (Deut. 28:13).

The more that the believer sees a distinct plan for Israel and a distinct plan for the church, the more they realize that when the New Testament speaks to the church it is describing a separate destiny and hope for her. The church becomes more distinct in the plan of God. Israel's future includes the seven-year tribulation and then shortly before Christ's return to Jerusalem she will be converted to Jesus as her Messiah as the veil is removed and then she looks upon the one Who was pierced and is converted. On the other hand, the distinct hope (the rapture before the 70th week of Daniel) for the church is Christ's any-moment return.

Thus, a distinction between Israel and the church, as taught in the Bible, provides a basis of support for the pre-trib rapture. Those who merge the two programs cannot logically support the biblical arguments for the pre-trib position.

ENDNOTES
1 Fruchtenbaum, "Israel and the Church" in Wesley Willis, John Master, and Charles Ryrie, ed., Issues in Dispensationalism (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), 129. This article by Fruchtenbaum is a highly regarded defense of the Bible's distinction between Israel and the church and should be read by all interacting with this subject. The remaining citations of Fruchtenbaum's article will appear in brackets after a quotation in the rest of this essay.
2 For an extensive and convincing treatment of Galatians 6:16 see Fruchtenbaum's article, 120-26.

3 Fruchtenbaum lists all 73 times Israel is used in the New Testament and demonstrates that Israel always is used to refer to ethnic Jews and never is used of the church (118-20). For an exhaustive and definitive study of the word for church and how it is never merged with Israel in the New Testament, see Earl Radmacher, What the Church is All About (Chicago: Moody Press, 1972), 366-84, 389-93.

I Believe...Now What?

I Believe...Now What?

Pray 

Why?


Prayer is powerful and you can use prayer to get to know God and give Him thanks.  You can also pray for help leading others to Jesus and even for things of this earth (health and safety)



How to pray?



You pray to the Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus.

Example: "Heavenly Father I come to you in the name of Jesus.  Thank you for  this life you have given me and my family.  Thank you for the gift of salvation.  Please help to make me a better man, father, husband, and servant for the advancement of Your Kingdom if that be Your will.  Help my family members that do not know that Jesus is the only way to You.  I ask these things in Jesus's name, Amen."


You can pray alone

You can pray with two or more other people.

You should pray both ways.



Bible - Read and study the scriptures

Why?

Because God's Word is a gift to help us know Him.  Treasure it.  It is supernatural and amazing.  From fulfilled to unfulfilled prophecy to the attributes of God and why it was required that Jesus die for our sins in
order to satisfy God's Justice.  The Bible should light your way and the Holy Spirit will show you what all this means.

It is really important to read the Bible.  There is not a substitution.  If you decide that instead of reading the Bible you are going to read a book that someone wrote instead that you think may give the same benefit then you will be lost.

If you do not regularly expose yourself to the Bible then you will be weak in your faith and may not receive gifts of discerning truth that the Holy Spirit can provide.



Talking to others about Jesus:

Christians feel a need to help others see what is going on in the world and to realize that Jesus is the only way.  The idea of being evangelistic is difficult to comprehend.  But after you believe and see where this is all going you may not even give your former anxieties about talking to people about Jesus a second thought.

Also, the more you read the Bible the more you know the truth. The truth really will set you free.

Amazing Example of Bible Prophecy That Has Come To Pass

Bible prophecy helps us understand how the Bible must be studied in its entirety.  I like to point this out that there has never been a book written outside of the Biblical Scripture that has prophecy that 100% accurate.  If any of the prophecy in any of the books were to be proven false, then the entire book would have to be thrown out and any other book that the author wrote.

If you don't believe in the Bible I would assume you haven't studied it.  So I've pulled this article that Jack Kelley posted recently.  I think it is a great example of how amazing and accurate and complex these prophecies are.  I also keep in mind that if all the prophecy in the Bible that has come to pass has come true then we need to know and understand end times prophecy.  When the end times prophetic events start being fulfilled we will not have much time left here on earth.

I'll be putting up more on end times prophecy soon, but for now let's look at what Jack has to say:

Messianic Prophecy In The Old Testament

"In the time after their sin and expulsion from the Garden Adam and Eve must have felt incredible despair. They had experienced life both before and after the curse, the only ones to do so, and had first hand knowledge of the difference. And what a difference it was. Even the part of it we can relate to had to have been devastating.

For example suppose that one day you were the resident manager of the world’s richest and most luxurious estate, with all of its comforts and privileges, and the next you were a poor hardscrabble farmer, at the opposite end of the economic and social structure. And that was just the beginning. How about no longer being immortal, no longer one with your Creator in spirit.

The Seed Of The Woman

To keep them from becoming incurably despondent, God had promised them a redeemer. In Genesis 3:15 we read,

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring (seed) and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

He was speaking to the one indwelling the serpent and in Hebrew the promise contains a biological impossibility. Seed comes from the male. It’s the Bible’s first hint of a virgin birth. An offspring of the woman’s would destroy Satan and reverse the consequences of the act he had manipulated, redeeming mankind from its bondage to sin.

Two chapters later in Genesis 5 the Bible gives us another hint of this. The Hebrew root words of the names of the 10 patriarchs listed there form a sentence. When taken in order  it reads like this in English.

“Man is appointed mortal sorrow, but the blessed God will come down teaching that His death will bring the despairing rest.”  (For detail click here)

It’s a prophecy that God Himself would come to Earth as the Seed of the Woman, and man’s redeemer.

Centuries later, this was confirmed by the Prophet Isaiah.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

As New Testament believers, we can see that the five names listed here describe all three members of the Trinity. Wonderful is the name by which The Angel of the Lord identified Himself while visiting Samson’s parents. (Judges 13:18).  When the phrase “The Angel of the Lord” appears in the Old testament, it’s in conjunction with a pre-incarnate visit by the Lord Jesus. That He’s being referenced in Isaiah 9:6 is confirmed by the title, Prince of Peace.  Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Counselor in John 14:26 , and Mighty God and everlasting Father can only refer to God.

A Descendant Of Abraham

In Genesis 12:1-3 the origin of this redeemer becomes clearer. There God promised Abraham that all the nations of Earth would be blessed through him, and in Genesis 22He had Abraham act this out with the sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham’s “only son” on Mt. Moriah. 2000 years later another Father would offer His only Son as a sacrifice for sin in that same place. Abraham knew this and named the place Jehovah Jireh, saying, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided” (Gen. 22:14).

The Lion Of Judah

Later, as Abraham’s grandson Jacob neared death, he narrowed it down still more by saying that all of Israel’s kings including the ultimate one, “the one to whom it (the ruler’s staff) belongs”, would come from among the descendants of one of his sons, Judah, (Gen. 49:10) giving birth to the title “Lion of Judah” as a Messianic reference.

The Son Of David

In 2 Samuel 7:12-15 we read that David longed to build a Temple for God, but God refused him, saying that it would take a man of peace to build a house for Him. He said that David’s son Solomon would be that man, and during Solomon’s reign Israel experienced peace as never before or since. But to ease David’s disappointment God promised to build him a “house” and the Davidic Dynasty was founded. Hence forth there would always be a direct descendant of David’s on the throne of Israel. It was an everlasting promise made in about 1000 BC, and Solomon would be the first fulfillment. But since neither Solomon nor any other Davidic King was flogged by men for “doing wrong” (2 Sam. 7:14) there’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye.  The wording casts shadows of the Messiah.

So through God’s progressive revelation we’ve narrowed things down from learning that the redeemer would be a son of Eve’s, which would exclude no one, to the family of Abraham, then Judah, then David. But we’re not finished yet. Over the next 400 years the Davidic Kings went from bad to worse with few exceptions. Finally, in the time of the Prophet Jeremiah God had had enough and pronounced a blood curse on the Davidic line, saying that no son of then King Jehoiachin would ever rule over Israel. (Jere. 22:30) The Davidic line, begun with Solomon, was seemingly ended and God’s promise to David broken.

The Branch

However, before the nation was taken to Babylon, while a Davidic King still sat on the throne, God had Ezekiel announce that the line was being suspended and wouldn’t be restored until “He comes to whom it rightfully belongs.” (Ezekiel 21:27) recalling Jacob’s prophecy to mind. In 519 BC, after the Jews had returned from the Babylonian captivity, God said that a man He called The Branch would be the one, and that He would hold the priesthood as well, combining the two. (Zechariah 6:12).

There are four references to The Branch in the Old Testament and all point to the Messiah. In Zechariah 3:8 He’s called God’s servant, in Zechariah 6:12 He’s a man, both king and priest. In Jeremiah 23:5 He’s called a righteous king, and in Isaiah 4:2 He’s the Branch 0f God.

Born Of a Virgin, Born In Bethlehem

But how was God going to get around the blood curse? For the answer to that, we have to back up to about 750 BC. In that time two of the most specific Messianic prophecies ever given narrowed the field down to just one possibility. In Isaiah 7:14 the Lord proclaimed that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, and in Micah 5:2 that he would be born in Bethlehem, the City of David.

In order to legally qualify for a seat on David’s throne, the Messiah King would have to be of the house and lineage of David. To be from the house of David means being a biological descendant of David’s. Being of David’s lineage means belonging to the Royal Line. How can this be?

When we read the Lord’s genealogies in Matt. 1 and Luke 3, we can see differences beginning at the time of David. Matthew’s genealogy runs through Solomon, the cursed royal line. But Luke’s goes through Solomon’s brother Nathan. Nathan’s line wasn’t cursed, but neither were they kings. Further study reveals that Matthew is actually giving us Joseph’s genealogy while Luke shows us Mary’s. Both were descended from David, and in addition Joseph was one of many who were heir to David’s throne but unable to claim it because of the curse on his line.

So through His mother Mary, Jesus was a biological descendant of David’s. When Mary and Joseph became husband and wife, Jesus also became Joseph’s legal son and heir to David’s Throne.  But not being biologically related to Joseph, He didn’t have the blood curse. He was of both the house and lineage of David.   To this day He’s the only man born in Israel since 600BC with a legitimate claim to David’s throne. The angel Gabriel confirmed this to Mary when he told her that although a virgin, she would soon give birth to the Son of God, who would occupy it forever. (Luke 1:32-33) Isaiah 9:7 had revealed the same fact centuries earlier. God’s promise to David stands.

Daniel And The Magi

200 years after Micah identified Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace, The Lord told Daniel the time of His death. It would be 483 years after the decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity, but before an enemy army came to destroy it again. (Daniel 9:24-27) This places the Messiah’s death somewhere between 32 and 70 AD according to our reckoning of time.

Daniel formed a group of Persian priests to pass this information down from father to son, and according to tradition set aside the bulk of his personal wealth as a gift for them to present to the Messiah when the time came for His birth. He apparently also gave them a confirming sign to look for from Numbers 24:17, later known as the Star of Bethlehem.

The descendants of these priests, now a very influential political force in Parthia (as Persia came to be known), remained true to Daniel’s commission, and upon seeing the star set out for Jerusalem. Arriving there they sought an audience with King Herod, asking for the whereabouts of the one born to be King of Israel. Summoning the chief priests, Herod repeated the question and was referred to Micah 5:2 where Bethlehem is identified. The Parthian priests, or Magi as we call them, went there and found the baby Jesus.

The field of candidates for Redeemer of Mankind, the Seed of the Woman, the Descendant of Abraham, the Lion of Judah, the Son of David, the Messiah of Israel, had been narrowed down to one. His name is Jesus." -Jack Kelley

http://www.raptureready.com/featured/kelley/jack257.html

How to Speak to a Jehovah's Witness

How to speak to a Jehovah Witness:

I would like to say that at this point I haven't spoken to many Jehovah Witness members. The purpose of this post is to help Christians that may be approached by a Jehovah's Witness to respond in a way that may help this non Christian understand that what they believe is not in line with Biblical Scripture.

I fully believe that this is a false religion for many reasons.  And for these people to be caught up in this cult and then to go door to door to find more victims is dangerous.

God wants all his children to know the truth about Him and to be saved:

1 Timothy 2: 3-4

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Of course many people might say that Christians are dangerous.  And to that I say, in many cases these days we do have a lot of people that claim to be Christian that are not.  You are not a Christian if you believe that Jesus is not God.  You are not a Christian if you believe that there is more than one way to get to heaven.

This post is more of an interesting study of Bible Scripture using the verses that Dr. John White suggests.  Take a look at the Bible verses he suggests and also listen to or watch Paul Washer below.  He is always passionate and in his way funny.

Galatians 1: 9 is the final point of all this:

As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

I like Dr. John White and he gave a talk on how to address these lost cult members.



Show them Bible verses from their own Bible and give them the context that is relevant in the Scripture:

For example John 12 is when Jesus was ending his public ministry and primarily ministering privately with his disciples before he was to be crucified.

Often the JW will ask us if or why we believe in Jesus as God.


We believe in the Bible.  The Bible tells us that the Trinity is the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and is God..

This is how we prove that Jesus is God.

     a. Use of God in the Scripture


     b. Indication of Jesus as Yahweh.


     c. Ascription of divine attributes to Jesus





For the Jehovah Witness Dr. John White says it is best to use the second (b.) method above with is Bible scripture with indications of Jesus as Yahweh.





Show them the following versus only (there are way more than two texts but these are potent for them)



1. Psalms 102: 25-27


Ask them, "Will you read a verse of scripture to me from your Bible a text about Jehovah from Psalms?"

Then tell them:


Psalms 102: 25-27

Talks about how Jehovah created the earth.  It is all about how Jehovah is the Creator of all things and does not change.


Hebrews 1: 6-10

Verse 10 is the key and there is a footnote in the JW Bible to Psalms 102 and that ties it together and proves that Jesus is Jehovah.

Emphasize that the Son is referred to as the Creator not the creation.  Jehovah is Jesus.

Then there is silence:

You say: "You may not have seen that before so I'll let you check that and get back with me; Can I show you another verse"

Ask them: "Can we look at John 12 in your Bible?"

Say to them:  "Here in John chapter 12 this is the end of Jesus's public ministry and right before the private ministry to Jesus's disciples."


John 12:39-43

39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.


Then we look to Isaiah 6 which is the prophet's vision of Jehovah sitting on the throne


"Let's look at Isaiah 6: 7-10"


Isaiah 6:7-10

7 And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.


If you look at Isaiah 6:1 and point out the Greek Septuagint translation says "and I saw His Glory".  The Hebrew translations says "and I saw His temple".


So John made sure to point out to those that would be reading the Greek and referred to "and I saw His Glory"; So John was referring to Isaiah 6:1 and identified that Jesus is Jehovah the same as Isaiah identified Jehovah.


So you can then say to them, "Why do I believe in the Trinity and that Jesus Christ is God?  It is because I believe in the Bible.

Then say to them before they can walk away or say something else to you:

Galatians 1: 9 
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

At this point you can expect the Jehovah's Witness to walk away.

Another technique that Paul Washer uses is also very interesting and probably can only be pulled off by those that really are filled with the Holy Spirit.  His video is below

What I Believe

My Belief

There is one God, eternally existent in three persons which is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit

He created everything out of nothing for His own pleasure and purpose.

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the inspired Word of God, inerrant and infallible in the original manuscripts, and the supreme and final authority in all matters of faith and life, interpreted by the Holy Spirit to each individual believer.

The church is not a building.  It is the people.  You can have church in your home with two or more people and that will please God. Also, he will be there with you at "church".

The Bible is how we get to know God.  Using other books from writers that are Bible experts is not wrong, but relying on that instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you is a mistake.

Man is evil by nature.  It is dangerous to put your trust in men.

Jesus Christ was begotten of the Father through the Holy Spirit, was born of the Virgin Mary, and is true man without ceasing to be God.


Jesus Christ lived a sinless and perfect life that fully pleased His Father;He died for our sins on the cross, bearing the judgment demanded by God's Holy Justice against sin, thus making it possible for God to remain Just and at the same time to justify those who believe in Jesus.


Jesus Christ rose bodily from the dead, never to die again, and is ascended to the right hand of the Father, where He intercedes as Advocate on behalf of all who believe in Him on earth.


It is by faith alone and through no merit of our own, that we receive Jesus Christ as Savior and are miraculously born again of the Holy Spirit and become, as children of God, experience His divine nature and receive eternal life.


The Holy Spirit baptizes all true believers into the one true Church, His Body.

The Holy Spirit indwells them eternally, bestows spiritual gifts upon them, and empowers them for service and holy living.

God through His Word promises those who believe, all things that pertain to life and godliness, including not only salvation from the penalty of sin but instruction in righteousness for present sanctification and holy living to the glory of God.


The bodily resurrection (rapture) of the redeemed will occur at the premillennial return of Christ for His Church, when the souls and spirits of those who have died will be reunited with their bodies, now immortal, and that believers who are alive at that time, their bodies likewise transformed into immortality, will be caught up together with them to meet Christ in the air, ever to be with Him.

Therefore I believe the Rapture will occur before the second half of the Tribulation begins.  We should always be watching and be ready.


Jesus Christ will return physically to rescue Israel at Armageddon and to establish His millennial kingdom, reigning over this earth from Jerusalem, and that His redeemed will reign with Him in resurrected bodies for 1,000 years.



At death the souls of the redeemed pass immediately into Christ's presence, to remain there until the resurrection of the body at Christ's return for the Church. At death the souls of the lost go to Hell, where they remain until they are brought before Christ at the Great White Throne final judgment to be judged according to their works and cast into the Lake of Fire, there to remain eternally.

The Fruits of a Christian

Matthew 7: 20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

1 John 4:16 

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

John 14: 26

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.

Galatians 5: 22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,


When we believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior and God something awesome happens.  The Holy Spirit indwells the believer.  When this happens the desire to know God by his Word grows.  We live with different priorities.  

I believe it is critical to read the Bible regularly.  The Holy Spirit will teach and belief can deepen. After belief  many notice the conviction of the Holy Spirit of our sins.  And then we are to repent of our sins.  We struggle not to sin and hate our sin and try to help others know the one way of Jesus.




Alternatively



Those that do not believe cannot receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 2:14

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Have you ever studied the Bible?

Do you currently read the Bible daily?

Do you pray most every day?

Do you understand why humans are by nature evil and that there is nothing we humans can do that will make us good enough to be worthy of eternal life with God?

Do you comprehend that without Jesus coming to earth and to die for our sins in our place as a suitable human blood sacrifice that we are granted eternal life in heaven with God simply by believing that Jesus is the savior?

I grew up believing in Jesus and considered myself a christian and still do.  But something I did not do was read or study the Bible.  


I've created a list of questions that either I discovered while reading the Bible or have always had but never addressed. 

What I've learned has solidified my belief that the Bible is truth. 


John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.


So the information here is for anyone.  This is long. If you want to read it all it may take you a number of days and the videos are also long.  The videos just provide more detail into the points.



Below is a number of questions I had, but now have been resolved through Bible scripture.  I reference Biblical scripture in the answers I've found.



1. How should I learn about the truth in the Bible?

2. Is it enough to just go to church on Sunday?

3. Is it more important to go to a church or to read the Bible?

4. So what does it mean to be saved and born again?

5. Are there paths to God and Heaven other than through Jesus?

6. How can God be just and allow sinners of all sorts into Heaven?

7. Must we seek God and if so how?

8. How to pray basics

9. Do we need God to know us?

10. What is the Tribulation and when will this happen?

11. What is the Rapture?

12. What happens to the young children at the time of the Rapture?

13. What happens to those that are not taken in the clouds with Jesus just before the Tribulation?

14. What happens when Jesus comes back on Earth?


15. Is there really power and authority in the name of Jesus?


Before we get deep into these above questions I first want to point out that most Americans do not believe the Bible to be fully accurate.  Many people refer to characters and fairy tales when speaking of the people and accounts in the Old Testament.  If you are one of those people then I can confidently say that you just haven't studied the Bible.  I've found that arguing with Muslims or Christians that have never read the Bible to be a waste of time.  Only bad things come out of that.

Proof of Bible Truth Can Be Found In Prophecy

Did you know that the book of Daniel chapter 9 verse 25 predicted to the precise day when Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on a donkey and soon after be killed? 

The excerpt below was taken from the following site: http://www.alphanewsdaily.com/mathprophecy1.html

The Prophecy ... Book of Daniel 9:24-25  (written around 500 BC)    "He (Messiah ... the King)      will be revealed      7 weeks + 62 weeks ( = 69 weeks of years)      AFTER the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem      and its walls,      THEN He (Messiah)      will be CUT-OFF   (executed!)      but NOT for Himself."      (He willingly died on the Cross as the sacrificial "Lamb of God".)      (Daniel 9:24-25) This is a mathematical prophecy . . .    -  A week of years (shabua or shabu’im)  =  7 years                 - "Cut-off". . . the actual Hebrew word used was karath, literally means "executed!"                      -   The "70th Week" (the last 7 years) of this prophecy is yet future ... the coming "Apocalypse." God gave the Jews the most sophisticated calendar on Earth.  It is both a Lunar and a Solar calendar.  The Jewish calendar uses a 360 day lunar (and prophetic) year and then adds a 'Leap Month' on specific years to accurately coincide with the Solar cycle we use on our 'Julian' calendar ... The Bible uses 360 day years for prophecies and expects us to add the appropriate 'leap months' on schedule.  So, the easiest way to unravel this prophecy is to first convert this prophecy into days ...   1.  Add 7 + 62 weeks of years  =  69 weeks of years in this prophecy   2.  Multiply 69 (weeks) x 7 (to get the total number of years in this prophecy) =  483 years   3.  Multiply 483 years x 360 (to get the total number of days in this prophecy) =  173,880 days So, the prophet Daniel, who lived 500 years before Jesus (Yeshua) wrote that from the day of the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls, until the coming Messiah would be 173,880 days! (Note:  This prophecy was also translated from Hebrew into Greek in the Septuagint almost 300 yearsbefore Jesus made His prophetic entry into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey.) To convert the 173,880 days found in this prophecy into our 365.25 day solar years (the .25 adjusts forleap years) . . .    173,880 days ÷ 365.25 (days in a year)  =  476  years   (our solar 'Julian' calendar) So, the prophet Daniel told us it would be 476 years from the "commandment to rebuild Jerusalem and its walls" to the time the Messiah of Israel would first be revealed to Israel (and to the world.) The Commandment ... This prophecy of the coming Messiah is both remarkable and extremely precise.  There were other orders to rebuild the Temple, but, there was only one commandment to restore Jerusalem and its wall.  On March 14th, 445 BC, as confirmed by modern archaeology, King Artexerxes I of Persia issued the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem and specifically included its wall  (see Nehemiah 2:2-9 ... the book of Nehemiah records this account of rebuilding the city and its wall.) Prophecy fulfilled ... Now take the 476 years in this prophecy and simply start counting from March 14, 445 B.C. (when the command to rebuild the city Jerusalem and its wall was given) and you end on the exact year (even thevery day) Jesus (Yeshua) rode 'triumphantly' into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), being praised as King and Messiah by thousands upon thousands of the Jewish people who had gathered from all over for the Passover Holidays.  Honored, yet lowly, riding on a donkey - exactly as another prophet, the prophet Zechariah, said He would ...    "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion (Israel)!      Behold, your King (Messiah) is coming to you;      He is just and having salvation,      yet He is lowly and riding on a donkey."      (Zechariah 9:9 ... written around 500 B.C.) Thus, on the 10th day of Nisan ("Palm Sunday") 32 AD ... 476 years after the command was given to rebuild the city and its wall ... Jesus (Yeshua) made His famous "triumphal entry" into Jerusalem, riding on a donkey.  It was the only day that He ever allowed Himself to be honored as Messiah or King (Mark 11:1-12) as the people of Israel cried out and sang "Hosanna to the Son of David (this is a Psalm of the Messiah), blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!" from Psalm 118 ... (and all this took place just a few days before He was "executed" exactly as Daniel's prophecy said He would!) A remarkable prophecy . . . simply count the years! March 14, 445 B.C.       Commandment is issued by Artexerxes I to rebuild the wall    to  April 6, 32 A.D.       "Palm Sunday", 10th of Nisan - Jesus welcomed as King and Messiah                =  477  years               -       1  year         Subtract one for no "0" A.D. or B.C.               =  476  years       Exactly! Who else around 32 A.D. fulfilled all these many prophecies?  No one!!!  Only Jesus (Yeshua) of Nazareth (born in Bethlehem in the line of King David) ... the promised Messiah! Source: http://www.alphanewsdaily.com/mathprophecy1.html

Many people that study the Bible talk about the fact that most churches teach that if you believe in Christ you will receive Jesus.  People like Joel Osteen run ministries that only focus on having the best life you can have now.  

Of this world prosperity and wealth are never the focus of the Gospel.  Why is it that so many of the most popular churches speak about how God wants us to be rich?


Many questions arise while in a search for the truth.  Why is it that we have so many books written by people like Rick Warren and Joel Osteen that are so very popular with christians?  The messages they teach will distract you from the truth in the Bible.

There was a time I watched Joel Osteen and thought nothing but good things about him and his church.  But he never touches on the most important pieces of Jesus Christ's doctrine.  I give examples below.  


Having money and surviving and doing well is a good thing.  God doesn't require us to be poor.  But we are required to believe in Jesus and repent of our sins.  Why don't we hear this in most churches today.  


According to Jesus this time of the church falling away from Christ's doctrine must happen before the end times.  

Some Bible Facts:

The Bible contains truth about our past, present and future and by reading it we can grow in our relationship with God.  

The Bible is composed of 66 books by 40 authors written down by man but inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

The book of Genesis was recorded in Hebrew almost 3500 years ago by Moses.  

Approximately 1/3 of the Bible is prophecy.  

Bible prophecy is accurate 100% of the time.

Bible scripture always has one meaning, but can have multiple applications.



The Bible reveals the perfect nature of God and contrary to humanistic beliefs demonstrates that man is inherently sinful and unworthy of an eternal life in Heaven with God.  In spite of our unworthiness there is hope.

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

1. How should I learn about the truth in the Bible?

You should learn about the Bible by reading it.  You do not need to go to a church first.  First start with reading the Bible because you need to understand that there are people and churches out there that will try to pull you into their church of no learning and no teaching.

A couple verses read and explained to you every week is not enough to get the full picture.  Also, the Bible is like water.  We need water daily to be strong.

It is written in the Bible that before the Tribulation time (2 Thess 2:3) that a falling away of the church will occur.  This is evident in most churches (Baptist, Methodist, and pretty much all christian churches that I've attended).

You may see it referred to as apostasy (falling away from the church).  Apostasy is the movement away from biblical Christianity and it is happening in most churches today.  This is the teaching of false truths and the suppression of key biblical information.  For example many churches today do not talk about the salvation message and shy away from prophecy which is something we must study during these times.



2 Thessalonians 2:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Let no one in any way deceive you, for it [Jesus' return] will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction

Matthew 24: 24

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Below is a quote I took from a Paul Washer sermon and I like it so here it is:

"False teachers are God's judgement on those people that don't want God but in the name of religion plan on getting everything their carnal heart desires.  That's why a Joel Osteen is raised up.  Those people who sit under him are not victims of him.  He is the judgement of God upon them because they want exactly what he wants and its not God." -Paul Washer






2. Is it enough to just go to church on Sunday?


In these times of apostasy, we cannot trust that our churches are telling us all that we need to know.  We must read the Bible for ourselves and figure out things not by asking ministers or priests (trust no man without verification of the Biblical scripture), but by reading the Bible and allowing the Holy Spirit to show us truth.

If you make the effort you will know God and also through your own prayer He will know you.  If you don't then it will be hard for Him to know you.  Knowing how to pray can be difficult but there are some simple things we know from the Bible on how we should pray which is a little further down.

Matthew 7:14 (KJV)
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.







3. Is it more important to go to a church or to read the Bible?

Reading the Bible is more important that attending some church.  If you want to go to church you can gather 2 or more and God will be there and that is the church.  The church building is not the church.  A group of people that happen to be attending a church building are the church.  Don't let anyone fool you that you need to go to some man's church building.  You don't have enough time to go to a church and expect them to show you anything because the majority of churches today do not.

Home church is a real church and probably more real than most churches

I read something by Ron Graham recently and I'm stealing this excerpt because he makes some good points about going to "church".



Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

"Jesus says where two or three are gathered in His name there He is also.  Obviously, God considers two or three a significant representation of an assembly or gathering – a congregation. Of course it can be many more than just two or three but there’s no prerequisite that there must be dozens or hundreds to make up such a gathering."



"Ever wonder why the enemy has had such a field day infiltrating the “churches?” They were never meant to be set up under the auspices of the doctrines of men.

Doctrines of men are not God’s doctrines. That departure of the emphasis on the temple that houses the Holy Spirit has permitted the enemy to come in our midst and pick us off one congregation at a time.

The reason is the unity of this “church age” is so incredibly fragmented that the “Ekklesia” today has become powerless, even ignorant, when it comes to false teachings infiltrating the congregations of the saints.

In the scriptures we’re told that we are one body joined together, we are one in Christ. Jesus was and is the foundation of His Ekklesia. He is the Head of the body of saints. He is the Husband to His bride. The early believers had no hierarchy such as a clergy lording over them. Yes there were Elders, Bishops, and Deacons but these were ministers, servants of the Ekklesia, able men of good report who were capable of teaching others, not as lords seeking fame, fortune, and their own self-importance.

The early believers met in their homes, and they functioned like the cells in a body and as members of a close knit family. As the time of the end becomes more and more evident, we need to get back to that closeness the early Christians embraced. Food for thought."


credit to that content above: http://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/g260.html




4. Are there paths to God and Heaven other than through Jesus?  There are not.  


John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.



Few will find the right way.  Today I don't know many people that have really studied the Bible.  The way I see it is if I died without even attempting to read this book God has given us written by men through the Holy Spirit, how could I possibly know God?

Based on the Bible I believe that by reading the Bible I will know God and by praying to God that he will know me.  Of course God is all knowing, but we have to show him who we are in prayer.  This is what people that are changed by Christ are driven to do.  The fruits of our beliefs are evident and our fruits speak loudly to God.

If you don't feel this drive just keep praying and reading the Bible and I believe the drive will show up in your life.


Most "Christians" I've ever been approached by have left me feeling defensive:


Growing up I use to hear people say things like, "Are you saved?" and "Are you born again?"  Personally I feel that these questions did more to push me away from the Bible than closer to God.  When you have people that you don't know asking questions and trying to manipulate you into saying that they are "saved" for whatever that means.

It never feels right when someone tries to manipulate others this way.  Or maybe these people that approached me were ignorant in the ways of talking to someone about their beliefs in a non offensive way.  Approaching someone with information like this in an arrogant way is not the right way to go about sharing the truth of the Bible.


For the Humanist out there that believe there are many ways to Heaven, you need to realize that a great deception has been carried out so that many believe this.  And this belief will not allow you into Heaven because you cannot be a non Christian and make it to Heaven.


1 Corinthians 3:18-20
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain




1 Corinthians 1:25-27
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty





5. So what does it mean to be saved and born again?

It does not mean this.

The justice that you deserve by God's wrath is what you need saving from.  This must be fully understood so that you can comprehend that you actually need to be saved from God. If you think by being saved you are being saved from Satan directly then you don't understand what it means to be saved.


Simply put when you have Jesus Christ in you and you believe that He is your savior then you are changed in a way that you cannot help but repent of your sins and desire to grow closer to God.

I believe that when you understand that you are a sinner and acknowledge this to God and also understand that because we are sinners by our very nature of being a human that we are not good enough for Heaven.

Because Jesus came in the flesh and was perfect his blood sacrifice washes us from our sin.

The Holy Spirit helps us to recognize our sinful ways and thoughts and we repent.  Repent just means we hate our sin, continue to work on those areas and ask for forgiveness.  We will always struggle with sin.  We accept Jesus is our savior and God and we try to get to know him by reading the Bible daily and praying to him daily.

Why do I believe the above statement?  There are a few verses from the Bible that make this very clear:


John 11: 25-26
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?


John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.



I believe that you become born again when you accept that Jesus is your savior. The Holy Spirit becomes a part of you and helps direct your understanding of Scripture.   Jesus save us from the judgement of our sins that would prevent us from being with God in heaven when we die and on the day of judgement.

The change for me has intensified more recently.  I've been reading Bible scripture and praying regularly.  There are moments when I feel as if I've been helped to understand something by the Holy Spirit.  It is a powerful event when that happens. You read the Bible on your own and you should expect to receive discernment for the truth.

According to the verse below I must not have been in Christ until I fully believed in  Him.  I feel the born again realization.  Why?  Because I know that Jesus is the only way for me to get to Heaven and I know that I am a sinner and I know that I am repenting of my sins (yes, I'm still a sinner, but now I feel the need to ask for forgiveness for all my sins).

My attitude is that of a grateful servant to God and I want to live as He wants me to live.


2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. The old has passed away; Behold, the new has come.

6. How can God be just and allow sinners of all sorts into Heaven? 


First of all know that God is love and just and good and all powerful.  We are not.

Jesus was a propitiation or a solution to an seemingly unsolvable problem which was this:


How can God be just and allow sinners of all sorts into Heaven?


The scriptures tell us that those that lift up wickedness are an abomination.  Abomination is a harsh term.  So God cannot lift up sinners otherwise he would be an abomination.  So the only solution was for God to become flesh and live a perfect life and die on the cross as a blood sacrifice for our evil nature.

Men are evil.  Don't think you aren't evil.  Compared to God you are a vile sinner.  God hates sinners and that too is in scripture. Therefore we are given the gift of salvation because Jesus was God in the flesh and He came intentionally to die for our sins and to let it be known that he has come for that reason.

Let us say that you had a family member murdered by someone.  You left your house and return to a home that is bloody and your family member is laying there dead. The police catch the guy that did it and you know he did it because you caught the whole thing on your home security cameras.


So what do you want?


Justice, or do you think it is fine for the guy to say, "Hey, I'm sorry, but I just thought it would be fun to do that one time."

The judge decides to let the murderer go because he thinks the guy is sorry.  No, that's nuts and you would want to go get your own justice if that happened.

So we want God to be a just judge.  But that also means that we must not be lifted up because all men are wicked and deserve nothing more than eternity in Hell.  If you still believe you are not evil or sinful by nature then the Bible cannot help you.

You cannot believe that you need a savior if you think that men are generally good and that by trying hard you can make it to Heaven.  There is nothing you can do that will earn you enough points to get you to Heaven without Jesus.


So how can one man's sacrifice be enough to cover all our sin and wickedness so that despite all our sin we are allowed to be with God in Heaven when we die?

Because Jesus life is worth more than all the lives in the world that have ever lived combined.  There was never another man that lived that did not sin and there was never a man that lived in the flesh that was God.  Jesus was real and he was really crucified.

So if you think that you should get to Heaven because you are good then you don't understand the point of the Gospels.  You can go to Heaven despite your evil nature and sinful life, but only if you understand that you need Jesus because he is the only way.


Our human dilemma restated once more:

That because we humans are sinners by nature and in deeds that we are not worthy to be in God's presence in Heaven.  Therefore a blood sacrifice was required.  The only problem with that is that the only sacrifice could be that of a perfect human which did not exist.

So Jesus came to be that perfect sacrifice and in order for us to take this free gift we must bow our knee to Jesus and accept Him as God and our savior.  By doing this in faith and faith alone we receive the gift of salvation.

We also receive the Holy Spirit which convicts us of our sin.  The Holy Spirit helps us see the truth.  And that truth also applies to our thoughts and actions.


Therefore we will notice our sins and repent and ask forgiveness regularly.


The truth in the Bible becomes more evident the more you read it.  For example just looking at the fact that the things prophesied in the Bible that have already come true are astounding.  One example is the plight of the Jews and their eventual return to the Holy Land in the end times to establish a nation (Israel).  It was prophesied and it is very precise.  The Bible is supernatural. God knows the beginning from the end.





7. Must we seek God and if so how? 


We pray daily both alone and with others.  You can use the Our Father as a model for prayer and look at "How to pray" below:

2 Chronicles 12:14 (KJV)
And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the Lord.




8. How to pray

When we pray we can thank God for all things, pray that others are made able to see the truth in the Bible by power of the Holy Spirit, praise Him by saying his name and recognizing his greatness.

1. Pray alone

As the bible instructs, we pray to the Father (Heavenly Father) in the name of Jesus.  So, "Father.....pray stuff......in Jesus name we pray"

2. With 2 or more in prayer

This is good because God is there and it can be more powerful.  It makes God proud that we praise Him and pray to Him and more so when we do it together. This can be your church as it was in the early christian days.

All knees must bow to Jesus

Philippians 2:10 (KJV)

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Be sure you know who God is by reading the Bible daily at least some.  And pray to God daily so that he knows you.  Remember that God is just.  God's love is not unjust; therefore a perfect sacrifice had to be made so that we could be saved and allowed to be in God's presence.

We can't understand the supernatural science behind how God has done everything, but He has otherwise we would not be.  Living for the things of this world with a focus on money, fame and success leads us away from God, but living in the spirit brings us closer.  The more you try to live in the spirit by praying and reading the Bible and loving your family and friends the more you want to reject the things of this world.







9. Do we need God to know us?  Based on this verse I say yes.



Matthew 7: 17-23

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.





Being in Christ is not popular

But this is the most important decision and practice we all must choose to be saved from the upcoming Tribulation and Hell.  The end times are close as you will see when you study the Bible.

The Tribulation will be happening likely in our lifetime.  There are specific pieces in place now that demonstrate a soon to be one world government, one world currency, and one world religion.  This is really happening even if you are not aware.


Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.


Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.






10. What is the Tribulation and when will this happen?

The word "tribulation," used as a prophetic term, comes from Jesus' Olivet discourse, during which He laid out the future course of human history all the way to its climax at His Second Coming. The Lord said, in response to His disciples’ question, "What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"


Matthew 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be

"Tribulation" is the term for the general era of God's judgment on a rebellious world of earth-dwellers. It is a time that will begin with Antichrist signing a seven-year covenant guaranteeing Israel's peace and security (Dan. 9:27).

Revelation 6:1
This era is kicked off, symbolically, beginning with the first horseman of the Apocalypse

"Great Tribulation" is considered to be the last three and one-half years of that seven-year period known as "Daniel's seventieth week." The last three and one-half years is called "the time of Jacob's trouble" in Jeremiah 30:7, when God's most horrific, but totally righteous, wrath is poured directly upon the rebels of planet Earth. These judgments are portrayed and precisely outlined in Revelation, chapters 6 through 19. The Tribulation will end when Christ returns from Heaven to defeat God's enemies and set up His Millennial Kingdom on earth (Rev. 19:11-16).






11. What is the Rapture?

The word rapture is not found in the Bible.

The rapture is an event that takes place during the end times and likely before the Tribulation begins. Jesus will come in the air, catch up the Church from the earth, and then return to Heaven with the Church.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, we are given a clear description of the rapture: "the dead in Christ will rise, then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord."








12. Do we know through Scripture what happens to children that are not of the age of accountability at the time of the Rapture?


Many prophetic writers make blanket statements that all children will be taken up during the rapture. No place in the Bible is this stated for an all-inclusive rapture of every child. However, the children of Christians are most likely to be raptured because of a blessing from their parents’ faith. Two situations in the Bible when God blessed people because of an association:

The first example is the instance when the Egyptian's house was blessed because Joseph was his servant (Gen. 39:5) and the other example is when the house of Obededom was blessed because the Ark of the Lord remained on his property for three months (2 Sam. 6:11).

The reverse of this is also true. When King David sinned, his whole house was cursed. David's infant son died and his son Absalom rebelled against him. God himself said that He would visit judgment to the third and fourth generations for those who turn against Him (Ex. 20:5).

Also this verse is promise for hope for the children:

Acts 16:31 (KJV)
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Thy house is your family.





13. What happens to those that are not taken in the clouds with Jesus just before the Tribulation?

If you are still here during the Tribulation those will be horrible times and it will be happening worldwide.  Most everyone will be confused because the believers will all be gone and the media and governments will all be in on the deception of the masses.

It seems as if they already are today, but it will be even worse.  If you are christian and profess your faith you will be killed.  If you are forced into a camp of some sort you may have to take a Luciferian oath and a mark on your forehead or wrist as an identifier.

This is the mark of the Beast and that will damn you to Hell.  If you do not deny your Christian beliefs during the Tribulation you will likely be killed.  Know that you should choose death over life in this situation.





14. What happens when Jesus comes back on Earth?

That will be the final battle of Armageddon. Jesus will destroy the Army of Satan and the Anti Christ and Satan in a breath.  Then all the dead will be judged.  Jesus will renew the earth and all that are saved will be with Him.

We will be appointed as servants of God for His purposes and have eternal life with the saints (all that are saved and in Heaven are saints).



15. Is there really power and authority in the name of Jesus?

According to Bible scripture the answer is yes:


Christ was a title and for Jews it still refers to someone coming to save them. Technically Christians believe in Jesus Christ as the savior, but His name is Jesus and the title assigned with being the prophesied Messiah is Christ.  So in my study of the Bible I have determined that I will only be saying Jesus and Jesus Christ in prayer and in my words.


The name of Jesus was given to Joseph by an angel in Mathew 1:20-21.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins.”


So it was divinely assigned by an angel of God and the name wasn't literally Jesus because that is the transliteration from Aramaic name given (which was actually Hebrew in origin) into Greek and translated into English.

The actual name given was Yeshua or Yehoshua and it has the following meaning:

The name Yehoshua has the form of a compound of "Yeho-" and "shua": Yeho- יְהוֹ is another form of יָהו Yahu, which stands for thename of God יהוח (the Tetragrammaton YHWH, sometimes transcribed into English as Yahweh or Jehovah), and שׁוּעַ shua‘ is a noun meaning "a cry for help", "a saving cry".

So Yehoshua  literally means, "God is a saving-cry," or, shout to God when in need of help.


Is it any wonder that the people that are possessed with evil spirits claim to be released from those evil spirits crying out in the name and authority of Jesus OR Jesus Christ?  Same with people having sleep paralysis and those many instances where people that think they are being abducted by aliens.  Why do they all claim that simply yelling out, :"Help me Jesus." Or "Save me Jesus!"  And at that moment the spirits disappear?


This is very important and reinforces the importance of knowing what the Bible says.  Why? Because today in the catholic church they refer to Jesus a lot as the Christ.  But so do Jews when they are talking about the one they think will come to save them (which is also Jesus according to what we know).  The non governmental organization that is an authority on religion and thoughts and policy setting for worldwide improvements in EDUCATION and RELIGION is called LUCIS TRUST.  Nice.

Originally Lucis Trust was called Lucifer Publishing and their Great Invocation is a prayer to bring in "the Christ" into the world.  Except their "the Christ" does not refer to Jesus.  In fact in their literature they promote Lucifer as the good Angel of Light.

More Bible versus and a screenshot of the misuse of Christ:

John 14:13
 – And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:14
 – If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 15:16
 – Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 16:23
 – And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

John 16:24
 – Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.



Below is a screenshot of the Christ reference in the Luciferian prayer called the Great Invocation or (the great invitation).

Notice the terms they use.  If you study their writings you will come to see some things.  I'll point them out now. One thing is they want everyone to pray this prayer.  This prayer is evil because it tells all to pray for Christ to return to earth.  But that is just to trick people into thinking that it is the same Jesus Christ we consider and know to be the Christ.

These anti christian groups purposefully use the term:"Christ" and "the Christ" but never use the name of Jesus.  The Master's purpose is actually what those that channel messages that have turned into known Luciferian texts and writings is here being referred to as man's purpose.  That is for man's purpose to be guided and that purpose is known by the Masters know and serve.

This is a secret purpose and not ours.  Also, the Masters are not God or Jesus.  That refers to all those that Luciferians refer to as Ascended Masters and they are all of Satan.



This is how people get confused because they don't know about these evil deceptions being contrived.  The UN endorses Lucis Trust and this is a prayer that is spoken at UN events.  So the UN is of the devil no doubt.  This is no accident.



THE FOLLOWING HIGHLIGHTED LUCIFERIAN WORSHIP PRAYER IS DIRECTLY FROM THE LUCIS TRUST WEBSITE.  WARNING: DO NOT PRAY THIS INVITATION TO SATAN.

The Great Invocation

A Mantram for the New Age and for all Humanity

From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.

From the point of Love within the Heart of God 
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.

From the centre where the Will of God is known 
Let purpose guide the little wills of men – 
The purpose which the Masters know and serve. 

From the centre which we call the race of men 
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.

Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.

Many religions believe in a World Teacher or Saviour, knowing him under such names as the Christ, the Lord Maitreya, the Imam Mahdi, the Bodhisattva, and the Messiah, and these terms are used in some of the Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish versions of the Great Invocation.

Men and women of goodwill throughout the world are using this Invocation in their own language. 

Will you join them in using the Invocation every day - with thought and dedication?

By using the Invocation and encouraging others to use it, no particular group or organisation is sponsored. It belongs to all humanity.

There are many examples from trust worthy sources that claim the name of Jesus repels demons.  One example is from a lady that experienced sleep paralysis as a child.  When she discovered that just saying Jesus caused this supposed medical condition to be cured, she was released from the spirit that was physically restraining her body in the bed.

There are many examples of this working on others with sleep paralysis.




Another area that is interesting to learn about for me was the subject of alien abductions.  Apparently there are millions of people that claim to have been abducted by aliens.  Funny thing is that there are many cases of aliens disappearing simply at the spoken name of Jesus.  Do you think there is any chance that these aliens aren't aliens at all but rather they are demonic spirits?

When the day of judgement comes, will God turn his back on you?  That is a terrifying possibility for most. 

Don't be a slave to the things in this world

LIST OF BOOKS IN THE BIBLE AND WHEN THEY WERE WRITTEN DOWN

Book	Author	Date Written
Genesis	Moses	? - 1445 B.C.
Exodus	Moses	1445 - 1405 B.C.
Leviticus	Moses	1405 B.C.
Numbers	Moses	1444 - 1405 B.C.
Deuteronomy	Moses	1405 B.C.
Joshua	Joshua	1404-1390 B.C.
Judges	Samuel	1374-1129 B.C.
Ruth	Samuel	1150? B.C.
First Samuel	Samuel	1043-1011 B.C.
Second Samuel	Ezra?	1011-1004 B.C.
First Kings	Jeremiah?	971-852 B.C.
Second Kings	Jeremiah?	852-587 B.C.
First Chronicles	Ezra?	450 - 425 B.C.
Second Chronicles	Ezra?	450 - 425 B.C.
Ezra	Ezra	538-520 B.C.
Nehemiah	Nehemiah	445 - 425 B.C.
Esther	Mordecai?	465 B.C.
Job	Job?	??
Psalms	David	1000? B.C.
	Sons of Korah wrote Psalms 42, 44-49, 84-85, 87; Asaph wrote Psalms 50, 73-83; Heman wrote Psalm 88; Ethan wrote Psalm 89; Hezekiah wrote Psalms 120-123, 128-130, 132, 134-136; Solomon wrote Psalms 72, 127.
Proverbs	Solomon wrote 1-29 Agur wrote 30 Lemuel wrote 31	950 - 700 B.C.
Ecclesiastes	Solomon	935 B.C.
Song of Solomon	Solomon	965 B.C.
Isaiah	Isaiah	740 - 680 B.C.
Jeremiah	Jeremiah	627 - 585 B.C.
Lamentations	Jeremiah	586 B.C.
Ezekiel	Ezekiel	593-560 B.C.
Daniel	Daniel	605-536 B.C.
Hosea	Hosea	710 B.C.
Joel	Joel	835 B.C.
Amos	Amos	755 B.C.
Obadiah	Obadiah	840 or 586 B.C.
Jonah	Jonah	760 B.C.
Micah	Micah	700 B.C.
Nahum	Nahum	663 - 612 B.C.
Habakkuk	Habakkuk	607 B.C.
Zephaniah	Zephaniah	625 B.C.
Haggai	Haggai	520 B.C.
Zechariah	Zechariah	520 - 518 B.C.
Malachi	Malachi	450 - 600 B.C.

New Testament

Book	Author	Date Written (A.D)
Matthew	Matthew	60's
Mark	John Mark	late 50's early 60's
Luke	Luke	60
John	John	late 80's early 90's
Acts	Luke	61
Romans	Paul	55
1 Corinthians	Paul	54
2 Corinthians	Paul	55
Galatians	Paul	49
Ephesians	Paul	60
Philippians	Paul	61
Colossians	Paul	60
1 Thessalonians	Paul	50 - 51
2 Thessalonians	Paul	50 - 51
1 Timothy	Paul	62
2 Timothy	Paul	63
Titus	Paul	62
Philemon	Paul	60
Hebrews	(Paul, Apollos, Barnabas...?)	60's
James	James, half brother of Jesus	40's or 50's
1 Peter	Peter	63
2 Peter	Peter	63 - 64
1 John	John	late 80's early 90's
2 John	John	late 80's early 90's
3 John	John	late 80's early 90's
Jude	Jude, half brother of Jesus	60's or 70's
Revelation	John	late 80's early 90's

An example of Bible Prophecy which has come to pass:


Examples of Bible Prophecy that has been fulfilled:

Genesis 5

Hebrew root words of the names of the 10 patriarchs listed there form a sentence. When taken in order  it reads like this in English.
“Man is appointed mortal sorrow, but the blessed God will come down teaching that His death will bring the despairing rest.”



Name Born Died Name Means
Adam 1 930 Man
Seth 130 1042 Appointed
Enosh 235 1140 Mortal (Lived 905 years. Only 821 when Noah was born)
Kenan 325 1235 Sorrow
Mahalel 395 1290 The Blessed God
Jared 460 1422 Shall come down
Enoch 622 987 Teaching (By tradition Adam, Seth and Enoch named the stars, putting the gospel story in the 12 constellations of the Mazzaroth … later perverted in the signs of the Zodiac)
Methusaleh 687 1656 His death shall bring (The flood came the year He died)
Lamech 874 1651 Despairing (56 years old when Adam died)
Noah 1056 2006 Rest (Still around when Abraham was born)



Seed of a Woman


Genesis 3:15

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring (seed) and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.


Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.


Judges 13:18

Wonderful is the name by which The Angel of the Lord identified Himself while visiting Samson’s parents.


When the phrase “The Angel of the Lord” appears in the Old testament, it’s in conjunction with a pre-incarnate visit by the Lord Jesus. That He’s being referenced in Isaiah 9:6 is confirmed by the title, Prince of Peace.

Jesus called the Holy Spirit the Counselor in John 14:26 , and Mighty God and everlasting Father can only refer to God.




A Descendant Of Abraham


n Genesis 12:1-3 the origin of this redeemer becomes clearer. There God promised Abraham that all the nations of Earth would be blessed through him, and in Genesis 22He had Abraham act this out with the sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham’s

“only son” on Mt. Moriah. 2000 years later another Father would offer His only Son as a sacrifice for sin in that same place. Abraham knew this and named the place Jehovah Jireh, saying, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided”

(Gen. 22:14).



The Lion Of Judah

Later, as Abraham’s grandson Jacob neared death, he narrowed it down still more by saying that all of Israel’s kings including the ultimate one, “the one to whom it (the ruler’s staff) belongs”, would come from among the descendants of

one of his sons, Judah, (Gen. 49:10) giving birth to the title “Lion of Judah” as a Messianic reference.






The Son Of David

In 2 Samuel 7:12-15 we read that David longed to build a Temple for God, but God refused him, saying that it would take a man of peace to build a house for Him. He said that David’s son Solomon would be that man, and during Solomon’s

reign Israel experienced peace as never before or since. But to ease David’s disappointment God promised to build him a “house” and the Davidic Dynasty was founded. Hence forth there would always be a direct descendant of David’s on the

throne of Israel. It was an everlasting promise made in about 1000 BC, and Solomon would be the first fulfillment. But since neither Solomon nor any other Davidic King was flogged by men for “doing wrong” (2 Sam. 7:14) there’s a lot more

going on here than meets the eye.  The wording casts shadows of the Messiah.
So through God’s progressive revelation we’ve narrowed things down from learning that the redeemer would be a son of Eve’s, which would exclude no one, to the family of Abraham, then Judah, then David. But we’re not finished yet. Over

the next 400 years the Davidic Kings went from bad to worse with few exceptions. Finally, in the time of the Prophet Jeremiah God had had enough and pronounced a blood curse on the Davidic line, saying that no son of then King Jehoiachin

would ever rule over Israel. (Jere. 22:30) The Davidic line, begun with Solomon, was seemingly ended and God’s promise to David broken.






The Branch

However, before the nation was taken to Babylon, while a Davidic King still sat on the throne, God had Ezekiel announce that the line was being suspended and wouldn’t be restored until “He comes to whom it rightfully belongs.” (Ezekiel

21:27) recalling Jacob’s prophecy to mind. In 519 BC, after the Jews had returned from the Babylonian captivity, God said that a man He called The Branch would be the one, and that He would hold the priesthood as well, combining the two.

(Zechariah 6:12).


There are four references to The Branch in the Old Testament and all point to the Messiah.

In Zechariah 3:8 He’s called God’s servant, in Zechariah 6:12 He’s a man, both king and priest.

In Jeremiah 23:5 He’s called a righteous king, and in Isaiah 4:2He’s the Branch 0f God.



Born Of a Virgin, Born In Bethlehem


But how was God going to get around the blood curse? For the answer to that, we have to back up to about 750 BC. In that time two of the most specific Messianic prophecies ever given narrowed the field down to just one possibility. In

Isaiah 7:14 the Lord proclaimed that the Messiah would be born of a virgin, and in Micah 5:2 that he would be born in Bethlehem, the City of David.


In order to legally qualify for a seat on David’s throne, the Messiah King would have to be of the house and lineage of David. To be from the house of David means being a biological descendant of David’s. Being of David’s lineage means

belonging to the Royal Line. How can this be?


When we read the Lord’s genealogies in Matt. 1 and Luke 3, we can see differences beginning at the time of David. Matthew’s genealogy runs through Solomon, the cursed royal line. But Luke’s goes through Solomon’s brother Nathan. Nathan’s

line wasn’t cursed, but neither were they kings. Further study reveals that Matthew is actually giving us Joseph’s genealogy while Luke shows us Mary’s. Both were descended from David, and in addition Joseph was one of many who were heir

to David’s throne but unable to claim it because of the curse on his line.


So through His mother Mary, Jesus was a biological descendant of David’s. When Mary and Joseph became husband and wife, Jesus also became Joseph’s legal son and heir to David’s Throne.  But not being biologically related to Joseph, He

didn’t have the blood curse. He was of both the house and lineage of David.   To this day He’s the only man born in Israel since 600BC with a legitimate claim to David’s throne. The angel Gabriel confirmed this to Mary when he told her

that although a virgin, she would soon give birth to the Son of God, who would occupy it forever. (Luke 1:32-33) Isaiah 9:7had revealed the same fact centuries earlier. God’s promise to David stands.



Daniel And The Magi
200 years after Micah identified Bethlehem as the Messiah’s birthplace, The Lord told Daniel the time of His death. It would be 483 years after the decree to rebuild and restore Jerusalem following the Babylonian captivity, but before an

enemy army came to destroy it again. (Daniel 9:24-27) This places the Messiah’s death somewhere between 32 and 70 AD according to our reckoning of time.
Daniel formed a group of Persian priests to pass this information down from father to son, and according to tradition set aside the bulk of his personal wealth as a gift for them to present to the Messiah when the time came for His

birth. He apparently also gave them a confirming sign to look for from Numbers 24:17, later known as the Star of Bethlehem.
The descendants of these priests, now a very influential political force in Parthia (as Persia came to be known), remained true to Daniel’s commission, and upon seeing the star set out for Jerusalem. Arriving there they sought an

audience with King Herod, asking for the whereabouts of the one born to be King of Israel. Summoning the chief priests, Herod repeated the question and was referred to Micah 5:2 where Bethlehem is identified. The Parthian priests, or

Magi as we call them, went there and found the baby Jesus.



The field of candidates for Redeemer of Mankind, the Seed of the Woman, the Descendant of Abraham, the Lion of Judah, the Son of David, the Messiah of Israel, had been narrowed down to one. His name is Jesus.



Faith In Action
By faith, with nothing more than Daniel’s word to their ancestors, the Magi mounted up and undertook a dangerous 800 mile trip into enemy territory to meet the Messiah. (The Parthians and Romans were technically at war.) With 4000 years

of fulfilled prophetic scripture in their hands, the chief priests, who no longer took it literally, refused to join them for the last 5 miles from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to see if God’s Word really was true. In so doing, the leaders of

the people He came to save missed out on the central event in human history, consigning themselves to eternal separation from the very God they had been seeking.


If history repeats itself like they say it does, then when He comes back many of today’s religious experts, who also don’t take the prophecies literally, will make the same mistake. As you recall the Reason for the Season, take time to

thank Him for making you like the Magi instead of like them, because if you listen carefully, you can almost hear the footsteps of the Messiah 12-22-12 - Jack Kelly Bible scholar (his site is http://gracethrufaith.com/)










How do you know if you are saved?

The following versus say that you must simply believe:

Ephesians 1:13 says we were saved at the moment we first believed and the Holy Spirit was immediately sealed within us as a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. Guaranteeing our inheritance! Before we had done anything good to earn it

or anything bad to lose it.

Romans 10:9 says that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts the God raised Him from the dead we will be saved.

John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave His only beloved son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

More Bible Scripture examples: Titus 3:4-7, John 6:28-29. John 6:40, 2 Cor. 1:21-22, Hebrews 7:25 and 10:14.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil 1:6)


But I happen to be concerned with the fact that sometimes we tend to believe at various levels of conviction.  If you believe in something with all your being then you have a deeper belief.  My level of belief now has deepened now due to

some clarity on some questions I had such as:

"Why would God need to have His only son be a sacrifice for us humans?"

"Is it possible that some of my non Christian friends that are really good people will also go to heaven? Simply put, is Jesus the only way to heaven?"

"What is this saved and born again business all about?"

"Do true believers have some kind of feeling or do they really notice the Holy Spirit and deliver discernment to the believer?"

"What is the deal with Bible prophecy and is it real?

If so are we in end times?"




After reading the Bible and discovering the answers to the above questions I now know that because God is just and cannot just lift up wickedness (sinners which all men are) because that would make an abomination out of Him.

Therefore it was required that a perfect blood sacrifice (propitiation) to bear the wrath of God for our sins by crucifixion on the cross. Jesus died for us and bore the wrath of His Father and did this in our place.  So it is only through Jesus that we can go to the Father and have everlasting life in heaven.  Jesus came to earth as man to save the world not condemn it.  The fact is as humans we are all sinners and therefore already condemned.  When you believe in Jesus what happens next is the Holy Spirit indwells you thereby giving you a discernment for truth that can only be achieved through the Holy Spirit.

When believers sin the Holy Spirit points this out and breaks us.  Over and over we feel our sins against God and it hurts us. Because we notice the sin so clearly we also know that we must repent of our sins and do. Some feel very guilty about their sin and some feel physically ill or sick I believe.  Believers can get a lot out of reading God's word in the Bible because the Holy Spirit helps us understand.  We can know God through His word found in the Bible.

If we pray regularly we become more holy and that pleases God.  I feel that is how I can let Him know me intentionally.  God is all knowing, but I want to have a relationship with the God.  I think that believers by default do have the Holy

Spirit and therefore it changes people drastically for the better.  The fruit of your life demonstrates that you believe, but that fruit is an indirect result of belief.


In Bible Scripture Jesus does say that some will come to Him and say that they did good works in His name and claimed that Jesus is God, but Jesus says that many will think they know they are good but really never believed which is evident by the way they live.  Therefore Jesus says to those that they cannot be with Him because they are workers of inequity and He never knew them.  Although I'm not 100% on the meaning of that verse I believe it means that those people were never believers and therefore God was never indwelling them through the Holy Spirit and thus He doesn't "know" these people.


Also, it seems that there are a lot of people that go to Christian churches and do things and say they believe, but they don't study the word of God and don't really know why they should fully believe in Jesus so they don't really.  But they still go to church and they still proclaim that they are Christians   But I believe they have been blinded and have not really been exposed in most cases to the truth that leads to a true believing in Jesus.