The World Today. Where is this leading...

The other day my grandsons and their father went to Touch Football. While they were there a group of teenagers who were prospects for a local gang arrived and started to pray on the youngsters there for sport. They surrounded children at the park and took their bags, physically abusing them as well. One of the boys lost his hat and took a blow to the back of his head. This situation degenerated into an altercation between two gangs and then a full on brawl between adults and children armed with crow bars and other weapons. Later the police became involved.

This is symptomatic of the direction that society is taking today. You may be familiar with the scripture “They sow the wind, And reap the whirlwind....” from Hosea 8:7. Well what we’re doing today is precisely that thing. We sow the wind and are beginning to reap the fruit of our foolishness. The whirlwind or the tornado. We’ve all seen the damage that a tornado can do to peoples dwellings. Destruction, chaos and even death are possible when you are confronted by the whirlwind.

 

We live in a day when science has given our governments the understanding of how weather processes work so that we can literally sow the clouds with chemicals to achieve a number of outcomes. People speak of aeroplanes crisscrossing our skies with chemicals and leaving a visible trail called a chem-trail. Not everyone is sure what the outcomes of doing this are but it has been speculated that they are manipulating the weather. They might be doing this to produce clouds to reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface to lower the temperature in the hope of slowing global warming. Other’s have theorised that the motives for laying chem-trails are not so pure and that they are in fact creating severe weather events to make people believe in global warming. Perhaps, so that strong new laws can be enacted that would curb many of the peoples personal freedoms. Whatever the reason they are certainly sowing the wind and we may well reap the whirlwind.

 

Secularism is no less dangerous than experimenting with our planets weather. It is now a global experiment in social engineering. It is touted as the best way to promote tolerance and understanding of our fellow men. The reality is that this experiment has been well tried in the history of man and without fail it results in strict constraints on the freedoms of the people of the society that adopts it.

 

 Gradually as rules are made to enforce protection of some groups rights while other groups have their rights ignored. An example is the right of Christians to freedom of religious expression. Increasingly Christian’s’ rights are nullified by the rights of other groups who claim that Christians are using hate speech against them. One can foresee the time, in the not to distant future, when the bible is outlawed because it is said to encourage intolerance against other secular groups.

 

Secularism is devoid of moral values and is purportedly based on atheism and evolution. The outcome of this is that there is that there are no binding rules on how dominant groups treat other groups that are in opposition them or a threat to their agenda. They can make up lies about opposition representatives, make threats against them or if they have the power they can even physically abuse them or have them imprisoned. We see this happening in China where Christians are detained, tortured and often brainwashed into giving up their faith. In East Turkestan the Uyghur race are being persecuted in the same way. The government has built large prison facilities in which they are detaining Uyghur people. They are being tortured, brainwashed and reeducated. People often disappear without trace.

 

It is possible to envisage a time when our, (Kiwi) society becomes extremely socialist or extremely fascist or even some combination of both philosophies. An era where individual rights are curbed and the people are told what they should think down to the minutest level. Socialism championing the rights of secular groups and fascism causing certain parts of society to face mistrust and prejudice. We see that happening in New Zealand with Feminism and LGBTQ groups seen as society’s darlings while Christianity and the Homeless are seen as society’s ugly ducklings. Some groups in society seemingly unimpeachable while other’s viewed with absolute suspicion and abhorrence. 

 

We are witnessing in this time evil on the ascension and the implementation of the “Do what you wilt.” commandment from Satanism. The fulfillment of Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Little do these foolish people realise that their foray into evil will only bring them the judgement of the Almighty. Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.

 

So for a time my friends our society will sink into the depths of depravity. Those who belong to Jehovah and His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, will endure great persecution from the tyranny of the evil one. We are on the verge of the last days of the Age of Grace which end in a time of Great Tribulation. Many who proclaim Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God will be martyred for their faith. But in the end those who call “evil good and good evil,” will face the Judgement of the Almighty God. This will happen when the followers of the evil one assemble in the Valley of Mageddo and face the wrath of the returning Lord Jesus Christ. Then comes the Millennial Kingdom and the perfect and righteous reign of the Messiah. All praise and glory to God in the highest. Come Lord Jesus. 

 

Reference List

 

All scriptures sourced from http://www.biblegateway.com and the King James Version of the Bible.

 

Barnabas Fund. 2018. Turn the Tide: Reclaiming Freedom in New Zealand. McClean. Virginia. Issac

 

Radio New Zealand News. https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/364033/china-denies-detaining-one-million-uighurs 25.11.18

Faith without works is dead...

For many years I yearned to be useful for God. I also thought in the back of my mind that if I did some good works hopefully God would let me into heaven. In the front of my mind I knew that no works that I could do would help me to earn salvation. That Jesus of Nazareth has died for my sins on the cross and I am purchased by Christ Jesus and hidden in Christ before the Father. 

 

The enemy had planted the thought that I wasn’t worthy and therefore perhaps if I tried really hard to keep doing the right type of things that I might still earn my way into heaven. Even though I already knew that thought was foolishness. This was very depressing. I felt that I didn’t measure up and I had doubts that I could be saved or that God could really love someone like me at all. The enemy had planted that seed that he often plants in the hearts of Christians to damage our faith and to hinder our witness to those around us. 

 

As a consequence I compared myself to others around me and found myself lacking. This made going to church nearly impossible because I saw myself as being worthless and just an impediment to those around me. The result is that I stayed away rather than go to church and constantly feel inadequate. Actually I still don’t attend church for that reason. I know I should but I just devote myself to being useful to God through blogging and trying to be prayerful and obedient at home. Hopefully at some point Jesus will help me to overcome my feelings of inadequacy. Maybe some of us are supposed to be solitary individuals like some of the Old Testament prophets of God were?

 

James 2: 14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. NKJV

 

Faith without works is dead. I believe this to be absolutely the case. Everyone I know who is a genuine John three sixteen Christian has over time become obsessed with the need to win people to Christ and devote every effort to become a temple of God and dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. Part of being grafted into the vine is being aware that God is pruning with the intention of the believer bearing fruit. Those who bear no fruit run the risk of being cut off so you see this is a serious business. Works won’t get you into heaven. Only Christ’s redemptive work on the cross will, but if there are no works... Is your faith in Jesus of Nazareth alive?

 

John 15: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

 

So regardless of what the devil brings against you. You need to know that Christ Jesus has won the victory for you already. You want to bear fruit. God wants you to bear fruit. So ask God to show you where you can bear fruit and look at the areas that you know you can contribute too. Think about your strengths and talk to the Lord about your gifting and what he would inspire you to do. Everyone has a different part to play.

 

I have a gift to write. My writing is connected to the work of the Spirit in my heart. He guides me to write the things that he wants me to get out there. He inspires me and I follow the themes he reveals to me. Sometimes I run out of ideas and I have to pray for the next topic to come to my mind and I always quickly move on to the next focus. If I were to do video I don’t think that I would be very successful because my mouth is connected to the flesh. My writing comes from within and isn’t connected to the flesh or the world. I feel that the Lord uses my best part when he gets me to write about something.

 

So don’t let the enemy talk you out of what ever you feel the Lord Jesus is leading you to do for Him. Just pray about it and He will show you the way he needs you to go. I remember a story about a man who felt that he couldn’t witness to anyone. He decided he needed to serve Jesus Christ as best he could. So what he did was pray for the lost and walk up to complete strangers as the Spirit led and he would ask “Where will you spend your eternity?” One day the pastor of a church asked his congregation if anyone would like to share testimony of how they got saved. Several people stood and told of how a man had come up to them and asked “How will you spend your eternity.” and described how this had led them to give their hearts to the Savior.

 

Their is simply no need to be afraid to do what you can to promote the gospel at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Remember to resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4: 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. NKJV The the apostle James also said “Faith without works is dead.” Now works may not get you into heaven but they will certainly ensure that you are not friendless when you get there. If you can’t do it for yourself then do it for the dear folk that you know that aren’t going to be in the Kingdom of God if you say nothing at all. Do it for Jesus of Nazareth and Dare to be a Daniel. 

 

Reference List

 

All scriptures reproduced from http://www.biblegateway.com and the New King James Bible. 15.11.2018

The Woman in White...

In the book of Revelation a woman is described who is clothed in the sun and the moon under her feet about to give birth. The dragon appears by her and is ready to devour her child. When the child is born he is caught up to God to his throne. The question of course is who is she? 

 

The Woman, Israel

Revelation 12: 1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; 2 and she was with child; and she *cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

The Red Dragon, Satan

3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. 4 And his tail *swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

The Male Child, Christ

5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she *had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

 

She has been called Israel, The Virgin Mary, The Apostolic Church of the Age of Grace. Who she is appears to depend on which Church you belong to and their view of End Times Eschatology. Predictably the Roman Catholics believe the woman is the Virgin Mary. In the fleshly realm she is Mary the mother of Jesus Christ, who was a virgin overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. The mother of the prophesied Messiah. In the celestial realm the woman in white is symbolic of the Nation of Israel and is also the mother of the Christian Church through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Bear in mind that the Church was essentially Jewish for the first two hundred years after the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.

 

She is not the Virgin Mary of the Roman Catholic Church because that is Mithra who is the Zoroastrian angelic divinity (Yazata) of Covenant, Light, and Oath. The Statue of Liberty is actually a graven image of Mithra. At least, I understand that to be the case because the Emperor Constantine began the process of Christianising the Polytheistic religion of Pagan Rome. There is a statue in Rome that many believe is Mary but is actually an ancient statue of Mithra. There are many Catholics who are in all probability Christian and who have no knowledge that beneath the Christian subterfuge the hierarchy of the Church is secretly still quite pagan. 

 

As I mentioned before which Church you belong too has a huge impact on your view of End Times eschatology. For instance the Adventists are adamant that they have usurped Israel and are heirs to the promises made to her through Abraham. So to them the woman of Revelation twelve can only be the Christian Church. Obviously the Catholic Church has tended to favor that view as well evidenced by the rabid antisemitism that they have rained upon the Jews throughout the Church Age. Both contend that Israel can only access the promises made to Abraham through the Christian Church along side gentile believers.

 

To me it is obvious that the woman of Revelation is not the Bride of Christ because the Church did not give birth to a male child who was caught up in to heaven with God on the throne. Through Mary the mother of Jesus it can be said that Israel gave birth to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Hence, Israel is the only realistic choice for the identity of the Woman in Revelation Twelve. 

 

I hold a dispensational view of eschatology and part of that is a belief that God will honor his promises to Abraham and his descendants, both physical and spiritual. So to the nation of Israel and to those gentiles grafted into the fig tree through our faith in Jesus of Nazareth and his redemptive work on the Cross. 

 

I have been brought up with a love for Israel and a hope that as many Jews as possible can be won to Christ. So when I read of the Woman in White who is heavily pregnant and being harassed by the Dragon. I can’t help but tear up about her plight and how the Lord protected her and the child Jesus Christ. I can’t understand how anyone can read Revelation Twelve and think that the woman is anyone but the nation of Israel. I guess it’s all just about how you interpret the scriptures and the lens that determines your eschatology. 

 

Reference List

 

Scriptures http://www.biblegateway.com NASB

 

Mithra https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithra 7.11.18

A Short Note to my Adventist Friends

I know very well that you believe that the work of the Holy Spirit in the believers life is to reveal the nature of Jesus Christ in their hearts. 2 Corinthians 3: 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord NKJV

 

So just a few short questions on the Investigative Judgement. If we agree that Holy Spirit is in the hearts of all who have been baptised in the name of Jesus Christ. Why does He need to stand in the inner sanctuary investigating our works to see if we will make it to heaven? Would God dwell in the heart of the un-sanctifed?

 

Are we not cleansed in the shed blood of the Lamb of God. 1 John 1: 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Therefore as we are justified by His redeeming work on the Cross are those same sins not washed away by his cleansing blood so that we are cleansed, sanctified and then hidden in Christ. Colossians 3: 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Not as a consequence of the Investigative Judgement.

 

Finally God knows us intimately through His relationship with his sons and daughters in Jesus Christ. He knows already who are His and where they all are at this very moment because He dwells in us in the person of the Holy Spirit of God. Romans 8: 16 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God...”

 

Reference List

 

All scriptures from http://www.biblegateway.com and the New King James Version of the Holy Bible.