Jesus the Killer!

One of the things I dislike about how our Lord is portrayed are these pictures and paintings of Jesus as an effeminate, weakling, bleeding-heart-in-the-chest GIRLY-MAN!

[Note: The use of the “Sacred Heart” symbol is Roman in origin and is used as an iconic object of idol worship.]

Although Jesus is the preeminent figure and example of love in the universe, He is not the pacifist presented by most Christian groups of today.

In fact, many denominations actually teach man’s predilection of pacifism as Christianity! Some even teach that military service is sinful. At least one denomination advises it’s adherents to claim Conscientious Objector status and another advises serving in some medical field, instead of the “fighting force”. Some teach that owning weapons is a sin. Christianity, however, is neither pacifism or Bushido.

The great lesson of the 6th Commandment is that of MURDER. Two of the best examples of murder in the Bible are Cain murdering Abel and Moses murdering the Egyptian taskmaster. These are classic examples of crimes of passion. It can be argued that Cain was not forgiven for this, but Moses was. The judgment of these two cases came from God not man.

All one has to do is read his Bible and he finds that God (Jesus) did, in fact kill millions, at the very least. Whether you accept this fact is up to you. IMO, Jesus has the right, as the Eternal and as our Creator, to pass judgment on all of us – even to the point of refusing us our next breath!

Now, this doesn’t mean all of us are cockroaches to be stepped on with a whim from God. But it does mean that when the situation calls for it, by God’s determination, killing does occur.

However, our Lord is no murderer!

[ Famous Southern quote: “Yep, he needed killin!” ]

Today’s Christians are so infused with the message of God’s abiding love and forgiveness (truth that it is) that they forget the whole picture of God’s character. This study of God’s character can be very upsetting to some people, so be forewarned. We must ask the question: Did Jesus use military-like force when He deemed it necessary?

Consider the antediluvian times. The state of mankind was so wicked that God had no choice but to “kill them all and let God sort it out”! Of course, He didn’t kill all but rescued Noah and family. How many millions or hundreds of thousands were living on earth at this time? Adam lived 930 years, Methuselah the longest lived of the patriarchs lived 969 years. Noah lived 950 years. Many offspring can be had during these long fertile lifespans.

Gen 7:20 The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.
Gen 7:21 And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man.
Gen 7:22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died.
Gen 7:23 So He destroyed all living things which were on the face of the ground: both man and cattle, creeping thing and bird of the air. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah and those who were with him in the ark remained alive.

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Exo 11:4 Then Moses said, "Thus says the LORD: 'About midnight I will go out into the midst of Egypt;
Exo 11:5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.

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Exo 32:27 And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: 'Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbor.' "
Exo 32:28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day.

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Num 31:15 And Moses said to them: "Have you kept all the women alive?
Num 31:16 Look, these women caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the incident of Peor, and there was a plague among the congregation of the LORD.
Num 31:17 Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately.
Num 31:18 But keep alive for yourselves all the young girls who have not known a man intimately.

There are many such examples in the Old Testament. What about the New Testament? Is it true, as some churches teach, that Jesus represents a “changed God”, one that has found peace with His “WRATH” ? Not in the least ! [See Heb:13:8, Mal 3:6]

Luk 22:36 Then He said to them, "But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.
Luk 22:37 For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: 'AND HE WAS NUMBERED WITH THE TRANSGRESSORS.' For the things concerning Me have an end."
Luk 22:38 So they said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." And He said to them, "It is enough."

In this passage Christ knew what was about to happen. His followers would need to run for their lives and would do so. He had earlier told Peter about his denial. We know the full story, of course, later Peter cuts off the ear of one of the “arresting officers” of Jesus and Christ tells him to stop. Christ wants what has to happen next, to happen. Notice that nowhere in the biblical text does Christ say, “do not own weapons or use them for self-defense only – sometimes they are used offensively”. We are to use such things judiciously, not carelessly.

Joh 2:13 Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Joh 2:14 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers doing business.
Joh 2:15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.
Joh 2:16 And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"
Joh 2:17 Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "ZEAL FOR YOUR HOUSE HAS EATEN ME UP."

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2 Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
2 Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

[Note: so much for a silent rapture, huh?]

Still believe Jesus is a pacifist?

Churches that teach He is are in error - not by my claim, but by the very Word of God.

Many more biblical quotes can be added but I think you’re getting the idea. Jesus (God) is no pansy. He is no panty-waist effeminate. He is way beyond Special Forces. He is the ULTIMATE FORCE for good, for moral judgment, for correction and discipline of those He loves, and the destruction of those He does not.

The Observer

Additional Reading

Question for Thought: Did God use physical force to remove 1/3 of the Angels (Satan and his followers) from heaven - or did He turn the other cheek?

The 5 “Solas” of the Protestant Reformation

Imagine a world gone mad; run by powerful dictators insanely exercising power over your daily life. Your government representatives have to pay homage to these malignant ogres and kowtow to their wishes. Even your Kings and Monarchs bow down to them. What if an official of this system, lacking in character, integrity, and virtue of any description had control over your spiritual and material well-being? What if he even controlled the destiny of your very “soul”?

No, I’m not referring to the Obama czars … I’m speaking of a system of rule that existed in Europe from AD 538 to AD 1798 (approx.). We call it; the Dark Ages.

The individual Priest could demand payment for forgiveness of sins, demand possession of your daughter’s virginity, or stop you from earning a wage.

[See here for additional study]

Such was the norm when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the castle church door at Wittenberg, Germany.

The resulting reformation declaration against this abusive Catholic/Beast system became know as the 5 Solas. It has been said that this single set of statements, derived directly from the study of scripture, is the best description of the original Apostolic teaching ever generated by man!

They are as follows:

1. Sola Scriptura (Bible Alone) – The reformers declared the Bible to be the only rule of faith and practice. They believed that God had made a revelation to men in written form in the Bible. They taught that the Bible was inspired by God and authoritative, and that it took precedence over the declarations of popes, church tradition and church councils. The Bible, hitherto written in Latin and read only by the clergy, was translated anew into the vernacular tongues of Europe and made a book of the people. Thus, the development of great Reformation Bibles culminating in the Authorized King James Version in the English language also came about because of this cardinal doctrine.

In other words, if you are confused over a denomination’s rules and statements, the Bible is the sole arbiter.

In the Roman Catholic Church, this teaching authority is given to man and is referred to as the Magisterium, understood to be embodied in the episcopacy, the aggregation of the current bishops of the Church in union with the pope. (scripture can be interpreted by clergy only)

2. Solus Christus (Christ Alone) – Salvation is located not in the church which is an organization, but in the person which is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ actually secured and procured the salvation of all who are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. (and this "grace" is a free gift)

This principle rejects "sacerdotalism," which is the belief that there are no sacraments in the church without the services of priests ordained by apostolic succession under the authority of the pope.

3. Sola Gratia (Grace Alone) – The reformers believed that salvation was caused totally by God’s grace. Man is not saved by works but by God’s grace in Christ. No man deserves salvation; and if he is saved it is because of God’s unconditional grace.

4. Sola Fide (Faith Alone) – Faith alone is consistent with God’s grace in calling to salvation. Thus, the reformers taught that salvation was appropriated by faith alone. Good works could not save but only Christ can save those who believe in Him. Any and every person who trusts the Saviour will be saved, but even that person’s faith is a gift from God.

In Catholic theology righteous works are considered meritorious toward salvation in addition to faith, whereas in Protestant theology, righteous works are seen as the result and evidence of a truly Justified and Regenerate believer who has received these by Faith Alone. The actual effectual means by which a person receives Justification is also a fundamental division between Catholic and Protestant belief. In Catholic theology, the means by which Justification is applied to the soul is the Sacrament of Baptism. In Baptism, even of infants, the grace of Justification and Sanctification is "infused" into the soul, making the recipient Justified even before he has exercised his own faith (or indeed in the case of an infant who is baptized, before he even has the ability to consciously understand the Gospel and respond with faith). In Catholic theology, faith is not a prerequisite to Justification. For the Catholic, baptism functions "ex operere operato" or "by the working of the act", and thus is the efficient and sufficient act to bring about Justification.

In Protestant theology, however the Faith of the individual is absolutely necessary and is itself the efficient and sufficient response of the individual that effects Justification.

You must decide which teaching is more biblical. As for me, I know that my works aren’t good enough. I do good works only through prompting of the Holy Spirit – because of my faith. Whatever good works I do is a result of my faith.

It is very clear that Roman teaching is centered in MAN. Protestant teaching, being truer to the Apostolic faith, is centered in CHRIST.

5. Soli Deo Gloria (God’s Glory Alone) – The underlying, foundational doctrine of the reformers was that God’s glory was the ultimate purpose of all things. They held tenaciously to the doctrines of God’s sovereignty in election, predestination and the efficacious call of God in salvation, and saw how these contributed ultimately to God’s glory rather than to man’s or to the church’s.

[Note: “predestination” here means God’s knowledge of the future and what will transpire – not “predestination” as supposed by Calvinists.]

Soli Deo gloria is the teaching that all glory is to be due to God alone, since salvation is accomplished solely through His will and action — not only the gift of the all-sufficient atonement of Jesus on the cross but also the gift of faith in that atonement, created in the heart of the believer by the Holy Spirit. The reformers believed that human beings - even saints canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, the popes, and the ecclesiastical hierarchy - are not worthy of the glory that was accorded them. That is that one should not exalt such humans for their good works, but rather praise and give glory to God who is the author and sanctifier of these people and their good works.

If you’ve ever wanted a set of guidelines to determine what the true gospel really says, only the Holy Spirit can give you better than the 5 Solas!

The Observer

Are These Churches The Remnant ? What Does The Bible Say About It ?

Throughout biblical history God has always established a remnant, a small remainder of highly devoted worshippers of the one true God. He has used this remnant to rebuild after numerous abominations and desolations; abominations from His worshippers - desolations from whatever tool God deemed to use.

From Noah and family, Lot and Abraham; continuing through Isaac, Jacob (Israel) and through Joseph in Egypt; to Moses, through all the patriarchs and prophets of old until the advent of the Messiah, when the “end times” started; a remnant has always been preserved.

Through the 1,260 years of the dark ages a remnant preserved the true worship in the mountains and far away places while the majority accepted false teachings.

The very end of the “end times” will have a remnant as well but will be different in the sense that this last remnant will be saved from a false-worshipping church and then the world will be destroyed. (1 Thess. 4:16-18, 5:1-8; 2 Peter 3:10) After the millennium the New Heaven and New Earth will be the culmination of all the struggle and the true worshippers throughout earth’s history will live with God on earth. (Rev. Ch. 21)

Arguably, we are near the end now, and it so happens that several churches have laid claim to being this end time remnant. Although I’ll mention a handful of these the real purpose of this blog entry is to define biblically what the remnant is.

[Note: I fully expect all readers to look up the bible verses for themselves. Do not believe me – believe the Word instead.]

As always folks, please remember, I’m referring to institutions here, not individuals; and also remember, this is a blog, therefore opinions abound! Read 2 Timothy, Chapters 3 & 4 – it tells us how not to be and how we should be regarding these admonitions.

So … I’ll briefly mention a few organizations that lay claim on being the remnant church, though many more exist:

- The Roman Catholic Church

- The Mormon Church

- The Jehovah’s Witnesses

- The Seventh Day Adventist Church

I could expend years of energy writing about each church but it’s not my purpose. The Roman church, from my viewpoint is obviously described in the biblical text as the Beast church, false and deceptive, full of idolatry, vain ritual and blasphemous teaching. Yet, it contains individuals who are part of the remnant.

The Mormon and Jehovah’s Witnesses churches both have their own unique teachings and I’ll just leave it to say I don’t believe they are the remnant either. However, as I begin to list the biblical description of the remnant you’ll see bits of the remnant in each of these churches! And yes, I believe that both these churches have individuals who are part of the remnant.

I have saved the SDA for last on purpose. It has been said that we discipline those we love the most. The SDA church comes very close to the biblical teaching of the remnant but I believe it’s not the remnant. I say this because of it’s efforts to become loved and accepted by the “beastly” political entities of the world and it’s anti-biblical teaching of vegetarianism (1 Tim 4), among other things. Just one visit to Adventist.org with a glance at the parent organization’s official statements and one can almost smell the desire to be “one with the world”!

To be fair, the SDA church does not teach vegetarianism in it’s “official doctrine”, they teach it as a health benefit, but just bring a meatloaf to a covered-dish luncheon and you’ll understand what I’m saying. As a regular attendee of an SDA church I can say without hesitation that vegetarianism is taught. Timothy actually refers to this teaching as a “doctrine of demons”.

SDA officials and the churches parent organizations are involved with the U.N., Prop. 8 in California, and the banning of so-called assault rifles (civilian approved, semi-auto deer rifles essentially).

Can any of us picture Noah, in cooperation with his peers, issuing a world peace proclamation? Can we envisage the Apostles and Paul working with Caesar to ban spears, javelins, and swords? Did they work with Rome in feeding the poor and needy?

No … we can’t even begin to think these things, yet this is exactly what modern church organizations do. SDA is no different. It is my opinion that the SDA church does these things to glorify itself in man’s eyes. This is in direct conflict with the 5 Solas taught in Reformation doctrine.

As you may know, I have a great deal of respect for this church because most of their teaching is biblically accordant! However, I have to refer to them as RINO, “remnant in name only” because they try so hard to be part of the world. This does not reduce my love for the individuals in this church. Most of them are unaware of their organization’s connection with these “worldly” entities. In fact, a frequent quote I hear from my SDA friends is; “SDA was better when it was a movement – it was a mistake to organize”.

Is A Congregation Necessarily Part Of Man’s Church ?

All churches contain a mixture of wheat and chaff, true believers and hypocrites mingled. Individual believers from all these various churches can be described as the “body of Christ”; His one true church! (read John Chapter 10 and Ephesians Chapter 4) In the book of John, Jesus does not preclude a man-made church from being His true church, but He proclaims that He, Jesus, calls His sheep into one fold because His sheep hear Him (the sheep do not hear man). With many members of the remnant in many different churches and denominations, in these last days, it becomes clear that Jesus calls His followers from many different flocks. For a man-made organization to lay claim to be that ONE FLOCK it must meet ALL of the biblical criteria.

In Ephesians Ch. 4 Jesus speaks very directly of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism and of the use of man’s church to edify the saints for the edifying of the Body of Christ. That we all may be “joined together in unity” into One Body.

So, there is a definite coming together of unity and doctrine which can be referred to as the true, remnant church. However, look at verse 14 of Ephesians Ch. 4! If a church organization and the men in it speak and behave contrary to the Word, then we are to be forewarned. It is my opinion that the SDA church speaks contrarily, as mentioned above.

The SDA church also has individuals who are part of the remnant.

It is clear to me from John and Ephesians that Jesus’ one true church is motivated and created by FAITH – not by doctrines of men!

Is it unguided to chastise churches? With love, no; with malice, yes. For if a part of the body offends, then cast it off. (Matt. Chapters 5 & 6) In the book of Matthew, Jesus is not just speaking of individuals here, casting off those things that cause them to sin, but also churches casting off those things that cause them to sin.

A true believer is one that has developed into a new person by the influence of the Holy Spirit! It has nothing to do with applying yourself to the teachings of a man-made church and it’s rules!

Naturally, men wish to have a church, seen by others as representing specific teachings that present their core beliefs. In my thinking, they actually devolve into an organization that emphasizes man’s rules. Therefore, they establish their own laws. Man’s rules within church organizations actually reflect a lack of faith, a lack of faith in the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, most churches don’t believe that God will write His Law on men’s hearts, so they try to force it with obedience to man’s rules!

True Christian belief in God is NEVER FORCED, whether that be by violence, government, or man-made rules.

So! What else does the bible say concerning it’s true church? I fully expect you to open up your bibles and look these up for yourself. Don’t ever trust me, trust the Word!

Matthew 16:13-18 – Jesus states the He will build His church beginning with Peter (on this rock). It does not state that man will build the church.

[Note: It is an obvious thing that men run churches and that Peter and company ran the early church. They did so under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. That fact is not necessarily true in some churches today.]

Acts 2:41,47 – Those who believed in Christ were baptized and added to the church BY THE LORD. And what was the criteria for someone to be baptized?

Acts Ch.8 – Chapter 8 is a wonderful summation of what is required for your acceptance into the Lord’s church. You repent of your sins and believe in the Lord Jesus with all your heart, and you are old enough to know what this means, you may be baptized into the Lord’s church.

Ephesians Ch. 5 – another wonderful chapter describing Jesus’ church. And more importantly, a declaration of WHO is the HEAD of THE CHURCH. It is the Lord – not man.

Revelation Ch. 12 – part of the great prophecy concerning God’s church.

Revelation Ch. 12:17 – Jesus declares that His church will keep the Commandments of God (all 10) and have the Testimony of Jesus.

Revelation Ch. 19:10 – An angel of the Lord states what the Testimony of Jesus is. It is the “spirit of prophecy”. The word spirit is translated as pneuma, or breath. That is; His church will speak with a prophetic voice and testify concerning prophecy.

[Note: It becomes clearer why the SDA church and the Mormon church believe they are “The Remnant” because they both have a modern-day prophet; Ellen G. White for the SDA’s and the President of the Mormon church for the Mormons. Jehovah’s Witnesses lay claim to the 144,000 “Elijahs” mentioned in Rev. Ch. 7. BTW, It is up to you to decide if you think most Christian churches have the “spirit of prophecy” or not. Some man-made churches teach prophecy and some don’t.]

Exodus Ch. 20 – the angel of the Lord says in Rev. Ch. 12 that the church will keep the Commandments of God (all 10).

[Note: Many, many man-made Christian churches keep the Sabbath and some don’t. (over 500 keep it, at last count) The bible declares that all true Christians will eventually come together as one flock as described. So, you may allow me to interject my opinion here. I believe the remnant church is coming together at this time. It may eventually be just one persecuted denomination or it may be the body of Christ spread out amongst all denominations and non-denominations. Either way, it will reflect what’s in the bible and won’t be clamoring after the world’s affections! Also, you must look at a complete study concerning the Sabbath and the “mark of the Beast” before you say all Sunday worshippers are not part of the remnant. I happen to believe that true Christian Sunday keepers, who don’t yet know better, are part of the remnant.]

In closing, it is up to you to decide who and where is the remnant church. You have been shown some of the criteria – the most important criteria, I believe. Is it a product of man’s work? I think not. Especially when one can see so much error in man’s organization. Jesus does say that His church will come together as a remnant but it will be by the criteria of the bible, not man's. And, it will not be in the name of ecumenism! It will be on the basis of wanting to do God's will, not ours!

The Observer