tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-170777462024-03-17T23:03:58.866-04:00The Observer"It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man"
(Psalm 118:8)Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.comBlogger1835125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-13605529157129147602023-12-16T13:06:00.006-05:002023-12-27T01:24:38.300-05:00Why Every Christian Should Celebrate Hanukkah<p>In the dark spirit of the Greeks and Romans, Christianity has ignored Yehovah's biblical holy days and created their own pagan celebrations. They have also ignored the memorial days of the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. Please enjoy this wonderful story-telling of the Maccabean revolt as laid out by Michael Rood.</p><p>I recommend forwarding to 14:35 to skip the show opening and get right to the teaching. If you wish to observe the wine and bread blessing skip to 12:13. The teaching is just after the blessing.</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AhhkiH7in6M?si=Ra99j6JoPvx6Udl8" title="YouTube video player" width="535"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-64476846155290756362023-12-09T11:39:00.001-05:002023-12-10T17:57:11.811-05:00The Biblical Model of the Church<p>As luck would have it, 119 Ministries has just issued a very appropriate video concerning the recent subjects at hand vis a' vis this blog site. It's a wonderful teaching describing the biblical organization of the Church.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SVOhtXUsCgI?si=bMR8st6hT2aoZOFP" title="YouTube video player" width="540"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-3187642958707882422023-11-29T12:06:00.016-05:002023-12-27T02:04:04.533-05:00Errors in the Church 1<p>Over the years, as my family and I made the transition from Sunday Church goers to Christians following our Jewish Messiah and the Hebrew Roots of the Faith, many doctrinal and dogmatic Church errors have been discovered and abandoned.</p><p>I have attempted to make a list of these errors. <b>Several blog entries are needed because of the voluminous data involved</b>.</p><p>This compilation is in no way complete, and the commentary provided is by no means all that can and has been said on the various subjects. Nor should one take my commentary as authoritative, as man sees it. After all I am simply a layman describing what I 've learned over the years.</p><p>Agree or disagree with the list as you may, but scholars and spirit-guided teachers have studied this much more than I and have stated similar things.</p><p>And as always, I am not declaring believers who follow these errors as "lost". God knows, I myself am guilty of many of these errors. It is not for me to judge. All of us believers are on a journey into the arms of the Almighty. We all learn and grow at different rates and in different ways.</p><p>Please follow all the links given to appreciate the full teaching.</p><p><b><u>Error 1. Sunday Worship (Replacement of the Sabbath)</u></b></p><p>No one can argue with valid history. It was the Constantinian Catholic Church that changed the 7th Day celebration to the 1st Day. It was done with the mighty force and threat of the Roman Empire. Yes, there are examples in the New Testament of the Apostles and Disciples <b><a href="https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/bible-sunday-worship" target="_blank">meeting on Sunday</a></b>. This is still done in modern-day Israel. In Judaism, a discussion will initiate on Shabbat and all will agree to meet again the next day to continue. The context for church error here is Sabbath replacement. Nowhere in the biblical text has the 7th Day Sabbath been replaced by a Sunday Sabbath. The 7th Day Sabbath is a Commandment from Yehovah/Yeshua Himself and cannot be <b><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/abrogate" target="_blank">abrogated</a></b>. Replacing the Seventh Day alters and destroys meaning for many biblical prophecies. Changing the Sabbath Day makes the prophetic messaging laid out in scripture concerning the Sabbath Millennium meaningless, for example.</p><p><b><a href="https://www.sabbathtruth.com/sabbath-history/how-the-sabbath-was-changed" target="_blank">How did this change happen to the Church</a></b>? (click to find out!)</p><p>A good teaching on this subject can be found <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGdO-P-UFo" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</p><p>Most Christians do not keep a Sabbath at all, not even Sunday. The Sabbath is not just a day to meet and praise and worship God, it is a day of rest, and a day where none are supposed to work or cause others to work.</p><p><b><a href="https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/L/laodicea-council-of.html" target="_blank">Council of Laodicea</a> </b>(click for more info, the Sabbath officially abrogated by man in direct opposition to God!)</p><p>BTW, the Council of Laodicea also forbade accepting unleavened bread from Jews thereby destroying one of Yehovah/Yeshua's Holy Days; The Feast of Unleavened Bread.</p><p><b><u><a href="https://mygodchristahnsahnghong.com/2013/04/14/the-roman-catholic-church-changed-the-ten-commandments/" target="_blank">The Roman Catholic Church altering the Ten Commandments</a></u></b> (click for more info)</p><p>Of particular interest is this changing of the 7th Day Sabbath ("Sabbath" means "7th Day") to the "Lord's Day" (Sunday, the 1st Day). In eschatological study the antichrist will most likely require, by law, the attendance of Church services on Sunday. See <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%207:24-26&version=ESV" target="_blank">Daniel 7:24-26</a></b>.</p><p>BTW, the "Lord's Day" is found nowhere in scripture. It is an invention of man.</p><p><b>------------</b></p><p><b><u>Error 2. Changing Yehovah's Holy Days to Pagan Celebrations</u></b></p><p>The early Christian Church celebrated the biblical holidays, but eventually replaced the biblical Holy Days with pagan ones. Let's make a short list of the wrong "holy" days:</p><p><b>Christmas, Easter, All Saints Day, Lent, Good Friday.</b></p><p>All of these holidays are pagan and not biblical. Sorry, but that's the truth. In fact, Yehovah/Yeshua warns us not to copy how pagans worship their Gods and do the same for Him. See <b><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/59/DEU.12.ESV" target="_blank">Deut. 12</a> </b>and<b> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah%2010&version=ESV" target="_blank">Jeremiah 10</a></b>. Celebrating these holidays is one of the most un-Christian things one can do! Yet, most Christians refuse to follow God's Word and choose to follow man instead.</p><p>Christmas and Easter: <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">History</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8sKNOxyd8w" target="_blank">Video 1</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMN6TQEmmIU&t=21s" target="_blank">Video 2</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W52y1USfAg" target="_blank">Video 3</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yei17uJeKuw&t=15s" target="_blank">Video 4</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" target="_blank">History 2</a>. </b>The error of Christmas and Easter have been covered so completely in modern times its a wonder any self-declaring Christian celebrates them, but they still do, determined to follow man.</p><p><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_seven_ecumenical_councils" target="_blank">Council of Nicaea</a></b> (Establishment of Easter)</p><p><b><a href="https://www.biblicalcyclopedia.com/L/laodicea-council-of.html" target="_blank">Council of Laodicea</a> </b>(Unleavened Bread abrogated)</p><p>All Saints Day: <b><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/All-Saints-Day" target="_blank">Also known as Halloween</a></b>. <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_Saints%27_Day" target="_blank">History</a></b>.</p><p>Lent: Also known as Tammuz Worship. Did you know that a Sunday morning sunrise service is pagan? See<b><a href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/805/Tammuz.htm" target="_blank"> Ezekiel 8:14</a></b>. Tammuz, the son of Nimrod and Semiramis died in his 40th year on a wild boar hunt, being killed by the boar in some accounts. Other people groups tell a different tale. In the Roman Catholic Church 40 days of depriving oneself of a worldly pleasure and then celebrating Easter dinner by eating ham is cloaked Tammuz worship. <b><a href="https://ebible.com/questions/8280-who-is-tammuz-and-why-are-the-women-weeping-for-him" target="_blank">... more</a></b>. Obviously, the Catholic Church claims other reasons for Lent but this <b><a href="https://www.thefreedictionary.com/syncretization" target="_blank">syncretization</a></b> of pagan and Judeo/Christian beliefs is common for the Catholic Church, the Great Harlot seated on the Dragon. <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+17&version=ESV" target="_blank">See Rev. </a><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+17&version=ESV" target="_blank">17</a></b>.</p><p>Good Friday: Did you grow up in public school eating fish on Fridays? I did. Did you know this is from pagan god worship? This is <b><a href="https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Dagon" target="_blank">Dagon</a></b> worship. The Catholic Church blended <b><a href="https://bible-history.com/sketches/dagon" target="_blank">Dagon worship</a></b> with the concept of Good Friday, saying that Christ was crucified on a Friday. This makes no sense biblically but man's desire to syncretize pagan beliefs with biblical belief runs rampant! Dagon was a different god for different people groups. The Philistines and Chaldeans worshipped him as a fish god. In other cultures he was a weather god, crop god, or a sky god. Ever notice the mitre hats Bishops, Cardinals and Popes wear? Those are fish mouths similar to what a <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.697686013614076.1073741852.130332267016123&type=1&paipv=0&eav=AfYWtn2wHDkfEnzreCDM0IvQpXWkevKFDYR8-MTIySkFf66qiX8wrZvnaTfZFPODAD8&_rdr" target="_blank">Dagon Priest</a></b> wears.</p><p><b>The True Holy days:</b></p><p>The Bible lists 7 periods of yearly celebration (the True Holy Days):</p><p>Passover (Pesach), Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMotzot), First fruits (Yom HaBikkurim), Pentecost (Shavuot), Day of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and Tabernacles (Feast of Sukkot).</p><p>These Holy Days are Feasts of Yehovah, not Jewish Feasts. They are biblical Holy Days, not man's tradition. See <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+23&version=ESV" target="_blank">Lev. 23</a></b>.</p><p><b>Please notice:</b> You will discover that both Jews and Christians fall back on man's tradition and turn away from the Bible. This is especially true for Holy Days. Whether Preacher, Priest, or Rabbi, men can't seem to stop themselves from following man.</p><p><b>Also please notice:</b> Rosh Hashanah is not listed. Rosh Hashanah, or "head of the year" is NOT a biblical Holy Day. It is tradition brought back to Israel from the Babylonian captivity. The Hebrew words "Rosh Hashanah" are in the Bible but pertains to the actual head of the new year which occurs approximately 2 months after our pagan/secular January.</p><p><b>Note:</b> The biblical calendar is very different than our secular calendars used today. It is first and foremost an agricultural calendar. The first month, Month 1, or sometimes called Aviv, is based on the ripeness of the barley crop in Jerusalem. The starting date of the calendar year and thus the Holy Days can be different every year. The sighting of the New Moon is also taken into account. (actually the sighting of the first crescent after the New Moon)</p><p><b>What about Hanukah? </b>Yeshua celebrated Hanukah and it's mentioned in <b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A22-30&version=ESV" target="_blank">John 10:22</a></b>. It is NOT a biblical Holy Day but is tradition. It's fine to celebrate Hanukah. It is a memorial day and does not change or alter a Holy Day. In fact, it is memorializing biblical history. Read the <b><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/history-and-overview-of-the-maccabees" target="_blank">history of the Maccabean Revolt</a></b>. The Book of Maccabees is found in the Apocrypha.</p><p>See <b><a href="https://observanda.blogspot.com/2023/12/why-every-christian-should-celebrate.html" target="_blank">here</a></b> also.</p><p><b>------------</b></p><p><b><u>3. Splitting Into Many Denominations</u></b></p><p>Is there more more than one Christian Church? Biblically the answer is no. You can speak of the Church in different ways, of course, the Spiritual Church verses the Physical Church, for example. Did the original Christian Church start as differing denominations? No, it didn't! Was there different thinking on some subjects in the early Church? Yes, of course! The so-called "circumcision party" comes to mind. They argued a believer must be circumcised as soon as he accepted the free gift of Salvation in order to be "saved". How did they reconcile the disagreement? They met as a group and used the biblical text to solve the problem. Was Abraham circumcised immediately upon coming in covenant with Yehovah/Yeshua? No, it was many years later that Abraham was circumcised. Baptism was another disagreement. Was the Thief on the Cross baptized in the faith before he died? No, of course not. Acceptance of the free gift of Salvation and Faith has always been the initial criteria, not the letter of the law. This is true for Jews as well, btw. Here's a wonderful <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rf7J9n5tZPs" target="_blank">Video</a></b> explaining the connection between Salvation and Faith.</p><p>Were there different congregations? Yes, of course. Many "Churches" in many different cities. They were not separate denominations, however, just congregations in different locations. In fact, the <b><a href="https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/where-christian-name-really-came/" target="_blank">early Church believers were not even called Christians</a></b>. It wasn't until later they took on that moniker. They were simply known as Jews who believed in the Messiah Yeshua.</p><p>Craige McMillan, a writer for WND.com has written <b><a href="https://www.wnd.com/2023/10/church-went-supernatural-methods-natural-ones/" target="_blank">a wonderful piece</a></b> explaining the horror of denominations.</p><p>You see, denominations only tell us one thing. Believers have decided to follow after some man's ideas and thinking instead of simply following <b><a href="https://biblehub.com/kjv/proverbs/4.htm" target="_blank">the best doctrine possible</a></b>, the Torah! Once again, people following man, not God.</p><p><b>------------</b></p><p><b><u>4. Not Using Scriptural Context</u></b></p><p><b><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/context-Bible.html" target="_blank">Context</a></b> is required whether reading, writing, or speaking. If one doesn't know the context of a given subject one can make the details mean anything! It has been said that speaking, writing, and reading without context is propaganda. This is especially true with the biblical text. For example, If I state that I'm not "under the Law (Torah)", it could mean the instructions given in the Torah never applies to me. But in biblical context it actually means the Law (and it's curses for committing sin) does not apply to me because I'm not sinning. As soon as I commit sin, however, I am "under the Law" again.</p><p>The Church is very bad at keeping biblical statements in context. They go out of their way to make blanket statements out of context in order to establish man-made doctrine or dogma.</p><p>For anything to make sense in the Bible, a whole Bible approach must be used. You cannot say on one hand that instructions in Torah don't apply to Christians, while ignoring other scripture that says it does! The converse is true as well. One cannot say Torah applies to us without being able to show scripture that says it does! In truth, some instructions in Torah don't apply to us at all, while other instructions do.</p><p>It's been called, "Sound-bite verse reading", where one reads one or two verses and declares a doctrine based on those two verses. Context must be used as well as whole Bible study of the subject at hand.</p><p>Here are a couple of examples of corrected Church doctrine (in context): <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rj0bcq1j5A" target="_blank">Vid 1</a></b>, <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIP4fN6fknI" target="_blank">Vid 2</a></b>.</p><p>An example of how the Church takes liberties with context can be found <b><a href="https://observanda.blogspot.com/2021/12/why-church-ignores-all-of-ephesians-2.html" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></p>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-74209410634983038802023-10-21T12:05:00.003-04:002023-10-21T13:21:38.456-04:00Ezekiel 38-39<p>With everything happening in Israel now, it's imperative we re-read Ezekiel 38-39. We could be witnessing prophecy unfolding in front of our eyes. If so, the world will know that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is real and fights for them! And the Church will have to alter their mistaken belief in replacement theology!</p><p><b><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV" target="_blank">English Standard Version:</a></b></p><p class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-38-1"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; display: inline; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 700; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">38 </span>The word of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> came to me:</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-2" id="en-ESV-21428"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>“Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21428a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21428a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21428a" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span> and Tubal, and prophesy against him</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-3" id="en-ESV-21429"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>and say, Thus says the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21429b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21429b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21429b" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span> and Tubal.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-4" id="en-ESV-21430"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-5" id="en-ESV-21431"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>Persia <b>[Iran]</b>, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-6" id="en-ESV-21432"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you. <b>[Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria and more]</b></span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-38-7" id="en-ESV-21433"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>“Be ready and keep ready, you and all your hosts that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-8" id="en-ESV-21434"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war, the land whose people were gathered from many peoples upon the mountains of Israel, which had been a continual waste. Its people were brought out from the peoples and now dwell securely, all of them.</span> <b>[Israel and it's modern-day people]</b><span class="text Ezek-38-9" id="en-ESV-21435"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>You will advance, coming on like a storm. You will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your hordes, and many peoples with you.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-38-10" id="en-ESV-21436"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>“Thus says the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-11" id="en-ESV-21437"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </span>and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gates,’</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-12" id="en-ESV-21438"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>to seize spoil and carry off plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places that are now inhabited, and the people who were gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell at the center of the earth.</span> <b style="background-color: transparent;">[Israel and it's modern-day people]</b><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </span>Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21439c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21439c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21439c" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span> will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’</p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-38-14" id="en-ESV-21440"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">14 </span>“Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it?</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-15" id="en-ESV-21441"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </span>You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-16" id="en-ESV-21442"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">16 </span>You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land.<b> [Rockets?] </b>In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-38-17" id="en-ESV-21443"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>“Thus says the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>: Are you he of whom I spoke in former days by my servants the prophets of Israel, who in those days prophesied for years that I would bring you against them?</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-18" id="en-ESV-21444"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>But on that day, the day that Gog shall come against the land of Israel, declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>, my wrath will be roused in my anger.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-19" id="en-ESV-21445"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>For in my jealousy and in my blazing wrath I declare, On that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-20" id="en-ESV-21446"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>The fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and the beasts of the field and all creeping things that creep on the ground, and all the people who are on the face of the earth, shall quake at my presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs shall fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-21" id="en-ESV-21447"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>I will summon a sword against Gog<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21447d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21447d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21447d" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span> on all my mountains, declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>. Every man's sword will be against his brother.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-22" id="en-ESV-21448"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">22 </span>With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur.</span> <span class="text Ezek-38-23" id="en-ESV-21449"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">23 </span>So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></p><p class="chapter-2" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-1" id="en-ESV-21450"><span class="chapternum" style="bottom: -0.1em; display: inline; font-size: 2.4rem; font-weight: 700; left: 0px; line-height: 0.8em; position: relative;">39 </span>“And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21450e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21450e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21450e" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span> and Tubal.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-2" id="en-ESV-21451"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">2 </span>And I will turn you about and drive you forward,<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21451f" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21451f" title="See footnote f">f</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21451f" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote f">f</a>]</span> and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-3" id="en-ESV-21452"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand.</span><b> [Rockets?]</b> <span class="text Ezek-39-4" id="en-ESV-21453"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-5" id="en-ESV-21454"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-6" id="en-ESV-21455"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-7" id="en-ESV-21456"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>“And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>, the Holy One in Israel.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-8" id="en-ESV-21457"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>Behold, it is coming and it will be brought about, declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>. That is the day of which I have spoken.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-9" id="en-ESV-21458"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>“Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and make fires of the weapons and burn them, shields and bucklers, bow and arrows, clubs<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21458g" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21458g" title="See footnote g">g</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21458g" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote g">g</a>]</span> and spears; and they will make fires of them for seven years,</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-10" id="en-ESV-21459"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>so that they will not need to take wood out of the field or cut down any out of the forests, for they will make their fires of the weapons. They will seize the spoil of those who despoiled them, and plunder those who plundered them, declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-11" id="en-ESV-21460"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">11 </span>“On that day I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the sea. It will block the travelers, for there Gog and all his multitude will be buried. It will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog.<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21460h" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21460h" title="See footnote h">h</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21460h" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote h">h</a>]</span></span> <span class="text Ezek-39-12" id="en-ESV-21461"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">12 </span>For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-13" id="en-ESV-21462"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">13 </span>All the people of the land will bury them, and it will bring them renown on the day that I show my glory, declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-14" id="en-ESV-21463"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">14 </span>They will set apart men to travel through the land regularly and bury those travelers remaining on the face of the land, so as to cleanse it. At<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21463i" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21463i" title="See footnote i">i</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21463i" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote i">i</a>]</span> the end of seven months they will make their search.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-15" id="en-ESV-21464"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">15 </span>And when these travel through the land and anyone sees a human bone, then he shall set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon-gog.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-16" id="en-ESV-21465"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">16 </span>(Hamonah<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-ESV-21465j" data-link="[<a href="#fen-ESV-21465j" title="See footnote j">j</a>]" style="display: inline; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel+38-39&version=ESV#fen-ESV-21465j" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; min-width: 0px; vertical-align: text-top;" title="See footnote j">j</a>]</span> is also the name of the city.) Thus shall they cleanse the land.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-17" id="en-ESV-21466"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">17 </span>“As for you, son of man, thus says the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>: Speak to the birds of every sort and to all beasts of the field: ‘Assemble and come, gather from all around to the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you, a great sacrificial feast on the mountains of Israel, and you shall eat flesh and drink blood.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-18" id="en-ESV-21467"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">18 </span>You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, and drink the blood of the princes of the earth—of rams, of lambs, and of he-goats, of bulls, all of them fat beasts of Bashan.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-19" id="en-ESV-21468"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">19 </span>And you shall eat fat till you are filled, and drink blood till you are drunk, at the sacrificial feast that I am preparing for you.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-20" id="en-ESV-21469"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">20 </span>And you shall be filled at my table with horses and charioteers, with mighty men and all kinds of warriors,’ declares the Lord <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">God</span>.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-21" id="en-ESV-21470"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">21 </span>“And I will set my glory among the nations, and all the nations shall see my judgment that I have executed, and my hand that I have laid on them.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-22" id="en-ESV-21471"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">22 </span>The house of Israel shall know that I am the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> their God, from that day forward.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-23" id="en-ESV-21472"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">23 </span>And the nations shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity, because they dealt so treacherously with me that I hid my face from them and gave them into the hand of their adversaries, and they all fell by the sword.</span> <span class="text Ezek-39-24" id="en-ESV-21473"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">24 </span>I dealt with them according to their uncleanness and their transgressions, and hid my face from them.</span></p><h3 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 20px; min-width: 0px;"><span class="text Ezek-39-25" id="en-ESV-21474">The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> Will Restore Israel</span></h3><p></p><div class="footnotes" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; min-width: 0px;"></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="text Ezek-39-25" style="font-weight: 400;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">25 </sup>“Therefore thus says the Lord<span> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>: Now<span> </span>I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on<span> </span>the whole house of Israel, and<span> </span>I will be jealous for my holy name.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-39-26" id="en-ESV-21475" style="font-weight: 400;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">26 </sup>They shall<span> </span>forget their shame and all the treachery they have practiced against me, when<span> </span>they dwell securely in their land with<span> </span>none to make them afraid,</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-39-27" id="en-ESV-21476" style="font-weight: 400;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">27 </sup>when I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them from their enemies' lands,<span> </span>and through them have vindicated my holiness in the sight of many nations.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span><span class="text Ezek-39-28" id="en-ESV-21477" style="font-weight: 400;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">28 </sup>Then they shall know that I am the<span> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span> </span>their God, because I sent them into exile among the nations and then assembled them into their own land. I will leave none of them remaining among the nations anymore.</span> <b>[the Greater Exodus?]</b> <span class="text Ezek-39-29" id="en-ESV-21478" style="font-weight: 400;"><sup class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">29 </sup>And I will not hide my face anymore from them, when<span> </span>I pour out my Spirit upon the house of Israel, declares the Lord<span> </span><span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">God</span>.”</span></i></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>Emboldened highlights and bracketed commentary are mine. Most teachers see this battle taking place at the very end or midst of the last 7 years just prior to Yeshua's return, btw, so Ezek. 38-39 may not be this prophetic battle happening today, but it's good to be aware. Maybe it's about <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+83&version=ESV" target="_blank">Psalm 83</a>?</i></b></span></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><i>The Observer</i></b></span></p>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-35333141467739343122023-07-21T12:14:00.006-04:002023-07-22T07:34:08.806-04:00The U.S.A. is in PerilThe United States of America is at a terrible crossroads. Perverted sin is rampant within society and is being promulgated and "blessed" by ungodly leaders in government, business, education, some churches, some synagogues, and entertainment.<div><br /></div><div>Man has incorrectly decided he knows better than the Almighty what sin is and is not.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Patriot Nurse has something to say about this:</div><div><br /></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J8_7O5z6UfU" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-52122898720499239072023-07-08T10:41:00.001-04:002023-07-08T10:41:07.530-04:00The Sound of Freedom<p>This blog started out as a political commentary blog many years ago. A good friend and I enjoyed our time writing and arguing political subjects.</p><p>My friend has since retired from the blog and I began to realize the political discussions weren't solving any problems, but instead was simply adding to the "noise".</p><p>I felt that returning to God was the answer for not only me but for the world. There is a wonderful word in Hebrew; "Teshuvah". Teshuvah basically means to "<b><a href="https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Meditations/Teshuvah/teshuvah.html" target="_blank">turn back to God</a></b>".</p><p>I say all this because I want you folks to understand, this blog entry is NOT political; it is spiritual! Knowing this, please watch this movie trailer and if you have an opportunity, please support the film.</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UwSBQWI-bek" title="YouTube video player" width="535"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>If you wish to know more, visit the <b><a href="https://ourrescue.org/" target="_blank">Our Rescue</a></b> website.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-2967373550426800212023-06-10T12:40:00.007-04:002023-06-26T10:36:53.884-04:00How Christianity Changed from Shabbat Worship to Sunday Worship<p>119 Ministries has put together a wonderful historical synopsis of how and why Christianity changed its worship day from the original Sabbath.</p><p>Obviously, this change was wrong, not biblical, and has a bad stench of anti-Semitism.</p><p>Happily, many in the "Church" are going back to the original worship!<br /></p>
<div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o3EhQ0f6vtM" title="YouTube video player" width="535"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Postscript:</b></div><div><br /></div><div>Apparently, 119 did not like my directness and truthfulness, and made the video unavailable on this site. You can still watch the video at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUGdO-P-UFo</div><div><br /></div><div>I think it is time to stop worrying about hurting feelings. It's time to tell the truth directly and admit <b>our</b> shortcomings. Anti-Semitism IS part of Church history!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-2621728366804926812023-04-08T12:28:00.002-04:002023-04-08T13:28:54.240-04:00Passover vs. Easter<p>Passover is with us once again! It, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits are the only holy times we should be celebrating this time of the year. Easter is <b>NOT</b> a Christian or Jewish holy day!</p><p>Yes, I know the world and it's false Church teaches differently; however, Easter is a pagan holiday instituted by the false Church of Rome and the Emperor Constantine.</p><p>Please survey the following videos to learn more:</p><p><a href="https://passionfortruth.com/media-item/easter-vs-passover/#">Easter vs Passover | Passion For Truth</a> - ( 9 min.)</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e6zlKWTIlqI" title="YouTube video player" width="535"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Truth and Tradition, Michael Rood (Bonus Christmas Info, Easter at the End - 27 min.)</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/43xbA4DarYU" title="YouTube video player" width="535"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>The Pagan Origins of Easter - (9 min.)</div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-YDD1AjspU4" title="YouTube video player" width="535"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-53447506216835179422023-02-18T17:25:00.004-05:002023-02-19T08:23:12.660-05:00The Two Churches<p>I wanted to touch again on a simple but often forgotten fact, there are two distinct "Churches" within the world, as it relates to Judeo-Christianity. One Church is false and the other true. Another point to make is the Sainthood (believers within the true Church) is made up of Jews and Christians, not just believers since the advent of Messiah. The Bible is clear, the "Church" existed in the Tanakh (Old Testament). However, that discussion is for later. Today, I'm concentrating on the two Churches, false and true.</p><p>One thing I have always stressed. If you depend on an organization for your spiritual well-being, if you take great pride in being a Baptist, Catholic, or any other denomination, then you most likely are in the false Church. Even if your particular Church claims to be non-denominational but still follows the dictates of the false Church, then you are part of the false Church. If you celebrate things like Sunday worship, Christmas, and Easter, after learning the truth of these celebrations, then you are part of the false Church. Oh! And lest you think I'm just picking on my Christian brothers and sisters, if you follow a human Rabbi and his dictates and not the Word of God, you are part of the false Church!</p><p>One Pastor who has studied the two Churches and has produced a wonderful teaching on the subject is Derek Prince. You may think his videos are old-fashioned and outdated, and I suppose they are, but truth is never old-fashioned and outdated.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HR3nbAQRlpQ" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RH55-CLZ8QE" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Folks, am I saying a person in the false Church is condemned and has no chance? No! Of course not! Most all of us came from or was raised in the false Church. No, I'm simply repeating what Yeshua said, "Come out of her my people!". (Rev. 18:4)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-65378935405686392282023-01-29T10:14:00.002-05:002023-01-29T10:15:01.137-05:00Grace, Faith, and Obedience<p>119 Ministries has been on a roll, lately! These two teachings are especially good and explain the subject matter much better than I can. Please enjoy.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ogbc9ANStMY" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rkEHh6JVu8s" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-13813731341940583742022-12-24T11:08:00.007-05:002022-12-25T07:51:22.413-05:00Is It Christian to Celebrate Christmas?<div>Do not learn the way of the heathen. Do not learn how they worship their gods and do the same to me. No! It <u>IS NOT</u> Christian to celebrate Christmas. And yes, Christianity has been wrong all these years by following pagan tradition.</div>
<br />
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yei17uJeKuw" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>additionally ...</div><div><br /><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yuZcLCQgmr8" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-68815165896933338832022-12-17T10:11:00.002-05:002022-12-17T10:13:26.914-05:00Do You Allow the Bible to Interpret Itself?<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0zZkDf3UJgM" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-40115407144292000382022-12-07T13:07:00.006-05:002022-12-07T16:14:00.263-05:00What The Church Misunderstands About John 3:16<p>John 3:16 is perhaps the most beloved and repeatedly quoted verse in Christendom. It is regarded as an axiom of positive affirmation concerning one's "belief" as "the" imperative for one's Salvation and rescue from this fallen world. On the surface, this is acceptable and true, given one's sincere belief.</p><p>What the Church Pastors and congregants fail to ask is: "What does 'belief' mean?" First, let's quote the verse and associated verses.</p><p><b>Note:</b> ESV used throughout, emboldened emphasis mine.</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Joh 3:16</span></b> "For God so <b>loved the world</b>, that he gave his only Son, that <b>whoever <u>believes</u> in him</b> should not perish but <b>have eternal life</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Joh 3:17</span></b> For God <b>did not</b> send his Son into the world to <b>condemn the world</b>, but in order that the <b>world might be saved through him</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Joh 3:18</b> </span> <b>Whoever <u>believes</u> in him</b> is not condemned, but <b>whoever does not believe</b> is condemned already, because <b>he has not believed in the <u>name</u></b> of the only Son of God.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Joh 3:19</span></b> And this is the <b>judgment</b>: the light has come into the world, and <b>people loved the darkness rather than the light because their <u>works</u> were evil</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Joh 3:20</span></b> For everyone who does wicked things <b>hates the light</b> and does not come to the light, lest his <b><u>works</u></b> should be exposed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Joh 3:21</span></b> But whoever <b>does what is true comes to the light</b>, so that it may be clearly seen that<b> his <u>works</u> have been carried out in God</b>."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In Summation:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span><b style="font-family: inherit;">God Loves the World, So Whoever Believes, Will Have Eternal Life, Not </b><b>to</b><b style="font-family: inherit;"> Be Condemned but Saved, Who Believes in His Name, Who loves the Light, for </b><b>there</b><b style="font-family: inherit;"> is a Judgement based on Works, Works Acceptable and Approved by God</b></span></p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nfzM6Kewgb8" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Do you believe? Or, do you believe in man's traditions and man's wisdom?</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-8618136203740310222022-10-01T11:54:00.001-04:002022-10-01T11:56:07.460-04:00The Body and Blood of Messiah<p>In the last few blogs I have definitely presented a critique of the Christian Church. This has been done purposely. The critique is intended in the academic sense, not as a personal attack on individual believers. Next, I will present a new offering from 119 Ministries, in the same vogue.</p><p>Did you know, when the Catholic Church offers the Bread and Blood of Messiah and declares is has transmuted into the actual Blood and Body of Yeshua, this is a sin? Did you know it breaks Torah? Did you also know, when one accepts the Body and Blood of Messiah "unworthily", it means you don't realize it's referring to Torah?</p><p>Please consider ...</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t1LgbGFILPw" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-48061454933705712842022-09-06T15:37:00.040-04:002022-09-20T10:40:44.334-04:00Why The Word "Religion" Is So Dirty<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Religion:</b> <span class="dc_bld dc_si" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 1.33;"><span style="color: #111111;"><b>NOUN </b>-<b> </b></span><span style="color: #111111; font-weight: normal;">the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.</span></span></span><div><span class="dc_bld dc_si" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.33;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="dc_bld dc_si" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.33;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><b>Synonyms</b> include: </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">faith</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">belief</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">divinity</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">worship</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">creed</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">teaching</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">doctrine</span></span>, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; touch-action: manipulation;">theology</span></span>,</div><div>sect, cult, <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" title="religious group">group, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" title="faith community">community, </span>church, denomination, body, following, persuasion,affiliation.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the synonyms I've picked out especially from the list: creed, doctrine, theology, sect, denomination, affiliation, and cult.</div><div><br /></div><div>Obviously, "Religion" can mean different things to different people. This is what makes the word dirty. Personally, I dislike the word. To me, the word has become to mean a man-made system aside and separate from the original belief. In fact, the word "<b>belief</b>" is passed over without much consideration.</div><div><br /></div><div>Belief mean<span style="font-family: inherit;">s; <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists<span style="font-family: inherit;">, </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion or conviction. This definition for belief is rooted in fact, <u>in the person's mind</u>, </span><span style="color: #111111;">whether</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> it's true or not, hence the use of the word <b>conviction</b>. My picks for synonyms impart a different kind of definition, a definition clearly created in the minds of men and established for the purposes of control and/or manipulation. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Now you have a sense of what this blog is about. We're going to try and get past the dirt. Let's establish some beliefs that man has, as compared to what the Judeo-Christian Bible actually says.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">... but firstly,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>Do you believe the Bible is a Holy Book?</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is the Bible inspired by God? If you don't believe that then you're probably not even interested in this subject. We would all agree the Bible was written by men, but was it written by men inspired by God? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Many man-made denominations and cults that call themselves Christian or "Jewish", believe some of it is and some of it isn't. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">Translation errors in Scripture have been interjected over the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">centuries, but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;">are well known and recorded, so that shouldn't deter one's belief. This kind of manipulative modification is especially true of the New Testament! The TANAKH, however, has remained remarkably pure over the ages. Some would say miraculously so and I would agree!</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been told by some who claim to be Christian, that the Old Testament, also called the TANAKH, is not inspired by God and/or has been </span>superseded,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> and should be ignored. Does this mean that God the Father, Yehovah, got it wrong, and the Son, Yeshua (Jesus), had to set things straight? Does one even begin to recognize the ramifications of this? This would mean that everything established by the Father in the TANAKH is history at best but worthless spiritually, thereby making Jesus' ministry worthless. Why? Because Yeshua's ministry is completely based on the Father and His wishes! Do I really have to show you all of the verses in the New Testament (B'rit Hadashah) where Yeshua acknowledges the Father and His will? </span></span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">No ..., intellectually honest students of the Bible will acknowledge the consistent message presented by the Father throughout the TANAKH and Yeshua's steadfast agreement with the Father in the B'rit Hadashah. </span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Yehovah does makes adjustments in presentation from Genesis to Malachi to Revelation, but the message remains the same; </span><b style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">live your life by His rules</b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">. Study the way God approached Noah compared to Abraham, to Isaac, to Joseph, to Isaiah, to Moses, to any of the prophets or people groups and you will notice the approach changed in order to communicate effectively with the particular person or </span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">people group. <b>Yehovah's message, however, remains constant</b>.</span></div><div><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="color: red; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">(ESV used)</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: red;"><u>Numbers 23:19</u></span> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">God is not man, that he should lie</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">or a son of man, <b>that he should change his mind</b>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Has he said, and will he not do it? </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">John 10:22</span></u></b> <span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">At that time the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Jesus answered the</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">m, </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me,</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.</span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><b>I and the Father are one</b>.”</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="woc" style="background-color: white; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><b style="font-family: inherit;"><u><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 13:8</span></u></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">J</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">esus Christ (Messiah Yeshua)<b> is </b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>the same yesterday and today and forever</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">James 1:17</span></u></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from </span><span style="background-color: white;">the Father of lights, </span><span style="background-color: white;"><b>with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change</b>.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">One major clump of mans dirt is the standard church teaching that Torah has been done away with. This doctrine is pervasive in the church. The problem with it is it turns Yeshua into a person worthy of disgrace and death. Listen to 119 Ministries as they explain:</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3rKU6PzI6nA" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you believe</span> the whole Bible is inspired by </span></span><span style="color: #111111;">God,</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> then continue reading, otherwise please understand; your belief is based on nothing but man's opinion.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>Worshipping the God of the Bible in the same way as pagans worship their gods.</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">We can argue about what is the correct name of the God </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">of Abraham, </span><span style="color: #111111;">Isaac</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">, and Jacob all day long, and that's OK. Is His name Yehovah or Yahweh, or something else? This kind of discussion is based in linguistics, ancient documentation, archeology, and history. It's a worthwhile subject to respectfully argue about. What cannot be argued is what the Bible says about <b>how</b> to worship the God</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">of Abraham, </span><span style="color: #111111;">Isaac</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">, and Jacob</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></u></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="color: red;">Deut. 12:29 </span></u></b></span><span class="text Deut-12-29" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">“When the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span class="text Deut-12-30" id="en-ESV-5271" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">take care that you <b>be not ensnared to follow them</b>, after they have been destroyed before you, <b>and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’</b></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b> </b></span><span class="text Deut-12-31" id="en-ESV-5272" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>You shall not worship the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> your God in that way, for every <u>abominable</u> thing that the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span> hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.</b>" </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">You shall not add to it or take from it.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Deuteronomy is am amazing book! It behooves one to study the entire scroll. The instructions given to the Israelites are intended to keep them separate from the doctrine and dogma of the pagans living within the land they've just conquered. Of course, just like the Christian church they failed in this regard. The fortunate thing is that if we have Torah written on our hearts as stated in Jeremiah 31, we can correct this problem, for both Jew and Gentile.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">What are some examples of worshipping God in a pagan way nowadays?</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>A. Sunday Worship</b> - instituted by the Pagan Emperor Constantine on March 3, 321 A.D to celebrate Sol Invictus Deo (<b><a href="https://www.historyandheadlines.com/march-7-321-sunday-became-christian-day-rest/" target="_blank">the ultimate sun-god</a></b>).</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>B. Christmas</b> - became a formal celebration on Dec. 25th, 336 A.D., instituted by Constantine (goes back to Nimrod and many <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yei17uJeKuw" target="_blank">pagan celebrations</a></b>).</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>C. Easter</b> -<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;">The </span><span id="ref792611" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1a1a1a;"></span>Council of Nicaea<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"> in 325 A.D. </span>decreed<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"> that <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOFVy0SK1dA" target="_blank">Easter</a></b> should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring </span>equinox<span style="background-color: white; color: #1a1a1a;"> (March 21). Easter, therefore, can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25 (goes back to Nimrod's wife Semiramis and other pagan goddesses).</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>D. Halloween</b> -<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 844, Pope Gregory IV transferred the feast to November 1st, timing it around the harvests to be able to provide food for the pilgrims. Some scholars believe this was to substitute a feast for the pagan celebrations during that time of year. Pope Sixtus IV in 1484 established November 1 as a holyday of obligation and gave it both a vigil (known today as "<b><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/samhain" target="_blank">All Hallows' Eve</a></b>" or "Hallowe'en") and an eight-day period or octave to celebrate the feast. (btw, this pagan Feast was intended to replace Sukkot, Yehovah's 8 day Feast).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This feast is marked with liturgical observances that have changed over the centuries. By 1955, the octave and vigil of All Saints were abrogated. Instead of a separate vigil on the calendar, the celebration begins the evening before, as mentioned in</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span>The General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar<span style="font-family: inherit;">:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Solemnities are counted as the principal days in the calendar and their observance begins with evening prayer of the preceding day. Some also have their own vigil Mass for use when Mass is celebrated in the evening of the preceding day.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>E. Rosh Hashanah</b> - traces back to the Babylonian captivity and the pagan god <b><a href="https://www.thetorah.com/article/babylonian-rosh-hashanah-battle-creation-enthronement-and-justice" target="_blank">Marduk</a></b>. Most Jews don't realize the significance of Yom Teruah and have been taught to rename Yehovah's Holy Day in agreement with Babylonian Marduk worship. Marduk, btw, can be seen as a pseudonym for Satan. Our Jewish brothers and sisters have created pseudo-biblical traditions associated with Rosh Hashanah, of course; they don't actually worship Satan in their minds, but these are man-made traditions. Also, most Christians don't realize that Yom Teruah is described in Revelation as the 7th Trumpet and therefore, don't appreciate the day's significance either.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>F. Lent</b> - the worship of <b><a href="http://linesandprecepts.com/2016/02/10/the-pagan-origins-of-lent-and-ash-wednesday/" target="_blank">Tammuz</a></b>, the son of Nimrod and Semiramis.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>G.Wearing a Kippah (Yarmulkes)</b> - An adaptation to the <b><a href="https://yrm.org/practice-wearing-kippah-come/" target="_blank">Hellenistic Culture</a></b>, most likely from Hermes/Mercury's Cap. From Rabbinic Authority (<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA9ZnoZZ7Dw" target="_blank">Talmud</a></b>). And from human opinion which claims it is to show a Rabbi's authority over the men in the congregation.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>H.Following the Pope and his man-made system</b> - The <b><a href="https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/where-did-the-pope-come-from" target="_blank">Roman Papal system</a></b> was an invention of the Roman Empire and has no real genuine historical ties to the early Christian church. As the system developed over the centuries it begin to assume more and more power. It is a great example of <b><a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/syncretism" target="_blank">syncretism</a></b> which is the blending of Pagan religions with belief systems like Judaism and Christianity. Many Christians consider The Roman Catholic church and its Protestant "offspring" as the Great Harlot, Whore of Babylon and her daughters, mentioned in the book of Revelation. I believe this as well.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>When I die, will I go to Heaven or Hell?</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Most Christian and Jewish doctrines claim that when a person dies, he or she is immediately judged and a determination is made if one goes to a place of punishment or a place of reward. Generally, these places are called Heaven and Hell, Heaven being the nice place and Hell being a place of torment.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Would it surprise you to hear the Bible doesn't say this? Man says it but the Bible does not. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Of course, our English Bibles use the words Heaven and Hell but their meanings have become twisted and abused. The reason for this confusion is, once again, syncretism. Pagan religions have co-mingled with Christian and Jewish belief and so has the very words of the languages.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Hel: the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hel-Norse-deity" target="_blank">Nordic</a>/<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Germanic-religion-and-mythology" target="_blank">Germanic</a> goddess of the underworld</b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> - English is a Germanic language. Listen carefully when someone is speaking German and an English speaker can understand some words and phrases. German mythology and folklore is Nordic in origin. </span><b style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hel-Norse-deity" target="_blank">Niflheim</a></b><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> is the Nordic Pagan hell. Even the spelling for the goddess is similar, "Hel" and "Hell". Like Hades, the Greek god of the underworld, Hel eventually evolved into the </span><span style="color: #111111;">goddesses</span><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"> name as well as the place name.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Look to the right for Lex Myers teaching, <b>Biblical Truth About Life After Death</b> to find out more.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hopefully, we will see each other at the blessed </span>Resurrection<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of the Saints.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><b>Conclusion:</b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Obviously, I have not listed all the pagan doctrines and behaviors within Christianity and Judaism. That would require a huge manuscript and authors have done this already, if you're interested in learning more. Also, I have not gone into great detail on each example for the same reason. So many resources exist that one can find additional data on his own. I have only scratched the veneer to expose the fake wood underneath so one can see the "church" and "synagogue" is not always what it appears to be. Do you see why Religion is such a dirty word? When a belief is turned into filth by men's tradition it becomes disgustingly tainted and religion becomes very dirty indeed.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;">Now, does this make all the folks who are part of the organizations I'm referring to apostates and non-believers! No! Of course not! It simply illustrates how all of us are on our own journey as we learn more and more about the One True God. The point here is to not be a slave to the tradition of men. Yehovah/Yeshua warned us about this. If you're still following man, you're most likely not following God! Do what the Bible says, not what man says.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zzap7iqHbD4" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-90927112429076065132022-08-13T10:10:00.009-04:002022-08-14T14:33:34.427-04:00Did the "New" Covenant Replace the "Old" Covenant and Torah?<p>Churchy folks will argue with my recent studies on Eph. 2 and Romans 11. They will point to Hebrews 8 and say the Old Covenant and Torah has been done away with. 119 Ministries has made a wonderful study video on this subject and has explained it much better than I can.</p><p>Please enjoy!</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlm4CjMIWCY" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>So much for our English translators... <b>: (</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-77245387432897795852022-08-05T09:36:00.009-04:002022-08-13T08:07:48.633-04:00Romans 11 and the Comparative Irrelevance of the Church<p><b>Note:</b> All biblical references are using the ESV throughout.</p><p>When studying the theology of most Christian Churches and denominations existing the last 1700 years or so one becomes aware of one unique doctrinal consensus; the Gentile Church has replaced biblical Israel. This incorrect teaching not only denies Yeshua's words but also destroys the very plan of Salvation, not only for the Jews of the diaspora but also for Gentiles wishing to be a part of Yehovah's Kingdom. Combine this erroneous dogma with bloody Church history and it becomes very clear; the Gentile Church is apostate in its Greco-Roman standing!</p><p>Please understand something. I am referring to institutions and organizations here, not individual persons!</p><p>After my study of <b><a href="https://observanda.blogspot.com/2021/12/why-church-ignores-all-of-ephesians-2.html" target="_blank">Ephesians 2</a></b> two blog entries ago, I came to realize how well Romans 11 dovetails with it. Remember, in Eph. 2 it explains two things that should happen after you accept your free gift of Salvation. These are:</p><p>1. We should walk in the good works that God has prepared beforehand (the instructions in Torah).</p><p>2. <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The reason we should do this is to bring both the uncircumcised (Gentiles) and the circumcised (Jews, including the Northern Kingdom called Israel) together under one body, one assembly, by abolishing the man made commandments of ordinances (ecclesiastical man-made rulings and doctrine)</span><span style="background-color: white;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">This was prophesied long ago in <b><a href="https://biblehub.com/esv/ezekiel/37.htm" target="_blank">Ezekiel 37</a></b> with the joining of the two sticks together as one. The two halves of the stick are Joseph and Judah. The "stick of Joseph" is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel associated with him. This "joining" begins with the <b>Renewed Covenant</b> and comes to fruition with the establishment of Yehovah's Kingdom on earth with his Prince, a resurrected David, being their King. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The "Church" presumes to follow this Covenant, as laid out in </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://biblehub.com/esv/jeremiah/31.htm" target="_blank">Jeremiah 31</a></b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why do I call this "New" Covenant "Renewed"? It's because it is the same Covenant as before using the instructions within Torah, but this time written on our hearts so we have no enmity against them. We will willingly abide by the instructions without the </span>antinomian<span style="font-family: inherit;"> antagonism present in today's Greco-Roman Church.</span></span></p><p>In the B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) Yeshua said;</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 10:5</span></b> These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 10:6</span></b> but go rather to the lost sheep of the <b>house of Israel</b>. <b>(emboldened emphasis mine)</b></p><p>and,</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:21</span></b> And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:22</span></b> And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:23</span></b> But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:24</span></b> He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the <b>house of Israel</b>." <b>(emboldened emphasis mine)</b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:25</span></b> But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:26</span></b> And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."</p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:27</span></b> She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Mat 15:28</span></b> Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.</p><p>Clearly, Yeshua's Salvation extends to the Gentile <b>and</b> the lost sheep of the Northern Kingdom, Israel. But did the Israelites lose their place in history? Did they lose their chance for redemption and eventual return as the Prodigal Son spoken of in the parable, to be replaced by the Church?</p><p>Paul (Sha'ul) clears this up in Romans 11. In Romans Sha'ul is speaking of this great gift of Salvation that has come to the nations (Gentiles) and his intended audience is the Gentiles.</p><p><b>The Remnant of Israel (emboldened emphasis mine)</b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:1</span></b> I ask, then, <b>has God rejected his people?</b> <b>By no means! </b>For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:2</span></b> <b>God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.</b> Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:3</span></b> "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:4</span></b> But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:5</span></b> So too at the present time there is a <b>remnant</b>, chosen by grace. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:6</span></b> But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:7</span></b> What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:8</span></b> as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:9</span></b> And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:10</span></b> let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever." </p><p><b>Gentiles Grafted In </b><b> (emboldened emphasis mine)</b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:11</span></b> <b>So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:12</span></b> Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, <b>how much more will their full inclusion mean!</b> (<b>meaning the Israelites)</b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:13</span></b> Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:14</span></b> in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:15</span></b> For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, <b>what will their acceptance mean</b> but life from the dead? </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:16</span></b> If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and <b>if the root is holy, so are the branches. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:17</span></b> <b>But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:18</span></b> <b>do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:19</span></b> <b>Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in." </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:20</span></b> <b>That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:21</span></b> <b>For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:22</span></b> Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:23</span></b> <b>And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:24</span></b> <b>For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. </b></p><p><b>The Mystery of Israel's Salvation </b><b>(emboldened emphasis mine)</b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:25</span></b> Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: <b>a partial hardening has come upon Israel,</b> until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:26</span></b> <b>And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob"</b>; </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:27</span></b> "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins." </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:28</span></b> <b>As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.</b> </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:29</span></b> For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:30</span></b> <b>For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:31</span></b> <b>so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:32</span></b> <b>For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. </b></p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:33</span></b> Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:34</span></b> "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:35</span></b> "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" </p><p><b><span style="color: red;">Rom 11:36</span></b> For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.</p><p>Folks, it is clear that we Gentiles are to be cautious, fearful, and grateful that we have been grafted into the Olive Tree called Israel! Yeshua did not come to earth to create a new Gentile oriented Church.</p><p>The Greco-Roman Antinomian Gentile Church instituted by man <b>HAS NOT</b> replaced Israel! Instead, it has adopted many apostate and erroneous ecclesiastical doctrines that might exclude most Gentiles from being grafted in to the Olive Tree, and in this sense, the Church has become quite irrelevant!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></p><p><br /></p>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-63185860406646177082022-06-07T08:18:00.007-04:002022-06-07T16:32:54.404-04:00What Happens When God Is Gone From Your Life - Bonhoeffer's Theory Of Stupidity<p>Our world today is seemingly going insane. Where reason once prevailed, anarchy is present. Where moral values were once taught to our children, transgenderism and homosexuality is now taught. Where criminals and murderers were once hunted down and prosecuted, they are now released and told; "it's the fault of society", or the fault of a specific ethnic group; the 'Jews", in Bonhoeffer's time.</p><p>To many people this is "progress". To those who love God, it is lawlessness, the breaking of God's instructions, which is the biblical definition of sin!</p><p>Please listen to a man who lived through this madness before us and paid the ultimate price for it.</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ww47bR86wSc" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe></p><div style="text-align: left;">Speaking only for my own country, the United States, Bonhoeffer's theory perfectly describes our political and religious Left!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-51487735194621726142021-12-07T10:20:00.020-05:002022-02-11T10:20:31.027-05:00Why The Church Ignores All of Ephesians 2How many times have you heard Pastors and/or Bible Teachers quote Ephesians 2:8? Many times, I would imagine. Here is Ephesians 2:8-9, for reference:<div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: red;">Eph. 2:8</span></b> For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,<b> <span style="color: red;">(9)</span></b> not a result of works, so that no one may boast. <b><span style="color: red;"> (ESV)</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Much is made of the fact that your saving grace in Messiah is freely gifted to you, and once accepted, you have "Salvation". This is true, btw. No question about it. It is a <b>required</b> belief in Christianity, imho.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, what's supposed to happen after accepting this free gift? In most sermons this is never mentioned, at least the ones I've heard. Let's discuss it.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: red;">(ESV)</span></b> Ephesians Chapter<span style="font-family: inherit;"> 2:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Eph-2-1" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">Eph. 2:1</span> </b>And you were dead in the trespasses and sins</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-2" id="en-ESV-29215" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">2)</span> </span>in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-3" id="en-ESV-29216" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">3)</span> </span>among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-4" id="en-ESV-29217" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">4)</span> </span>But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-5" id="en-ESV-29218" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">5)</span> </span>even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved - <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-6" id="en-ESV-29219" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">6)</span> </span>and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-7" id="en-ESV-29220" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">7)</span> </span>so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-8" id="en-ESV-29221" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">8)</span> </span>For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-9" id="en-ESV-29222" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">9)</span> </span>not a result of works, so that no one may boast.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-10" id="en-ESV-29223" style="background-color: white;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">10)</span> </span><b>For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for <u>good works</u>, <u>which God prepared beforehand</u>, <u>that we should walk in them</u>.</b></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">(verse 10 is </b><b>emboldened</b><b style="font-family: inherit;"> by me for emphasis)</b></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Eph-2-11"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">(11)</span> </span>Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="text Eph-2-12" id="en-ESV-29225"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">12)</span> </span>remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.</span><span style="color: red;"> <b>(</b></span><span class="text Eph-2-13" id="en-ESV-29226"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">13)</span> </span>But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.</span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-14" id="en-ESV-29227"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">14)</span> </span><b>For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility</b></span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-15" id="en-ESV-29228"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red; font-weight: 700;">15)</span><b> </b></span><b>by abolishing the <u>law of commandments expressed in ordinances</u>, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,</b></span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-16" id="en-ESV-29229"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">16)</span> </span><b>and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">(verses 14-16 are </b><b>emboldened</b><b style="font-family: inherit;"> by me for emphasis)</b></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-17" id="en-ESV-29230"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">17)</span> </span>And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.</span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-18" id="en-ESV-29231"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">18)</span> </span>For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.</span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-19" id="en-ESV-29232"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">19)</span> </span><b><u>So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God</u>,</b></span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-20" id="en-ESV-29233"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">20)</span> </span><b>built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,</b></span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-21" id="en-ESV-29234"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">21)</span> </span><b>in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.</b></span> <b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b><span class="text Eph-2-22" id="en-ESV-29235"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">22)</span> </span><b>In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.</b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Eph-2-22"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">(verses 19-22 are </b><b>emboldened</b><b style="font-family: inherit;"> by me for emphasis)</b></span></div><div><span class="text Eph-2-10" style="background-color: white;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">OK! Let's go back to the beginning and begin our discussion.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">Before Ch. 2 is Ch. 1, of course. Ch. 1 emphasizes Messiah's authority and dominion over all of us in the assembly (ekklesia, Commonwealth of Israel, church). The subject then switches to the individual member of the assembly.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">We have already established the truth of our free gift of Salvation. Salvation, however, is the beginning of the race, as Sha'ul (Paul) suggests in <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+timothy+4&version=ESV" target="_blank">2 Timothy 4</a> and <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+corinthians+9&version=ESV" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 9</a>. Indeed, running a race is used throughout the Bible describing our life in living for God (</span><a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-running/">https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-running/</a>). Verse 10 tells us what our free gift of Salvation sets us up for; that we should walk in the <b>good works that God has prepared beforehand</b>!</div><div><br /></div><div>Whoa! Wait a minute! You mean we have accepted the free gift of Salvation without works, so we may not boast, only to walk a way of life (the race) of good works? Yes! That's right!</div><div><br /></div><div><b>The question now becomes; what are these good works that God has prepared beforehand?</b> Remember, the New Testament did not exist when these words were written, only the TANAKH (Old Testament). The only works described in the TANAKH that God himself has prepared are <b>the instructions found in Torah</b>, the first five books of the Bible. Your acceptance of the free gift of Salvation establishes that you will now try your best to walk (live your life) the way the instructions in Torah tells us.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the very next paragraph the reason for this is established. <b>The reason is to bring both the uncircumcised and the circumcised together under one body, one assembly, by abolishing the man made commandments of ordinances</b>. This word, "ordinances" is the word dogma in GREEK. Dogma is defined as; civil, ceremonial, or ecclesiastical decrees; man made rules, man made doctrine that govern a spiritual body such as a church or synagogue.</div><div><br /></div><div>You see, man cannot establish doctrine. We are fallen beings. Only God can provide guidance. It has been given to us:</div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">Proverbs 4:2</span></b> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;">For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. </span><b><span style="color: red;">(KJV)</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Neither Sha'ul or Yeshua ever spoke against the instructions in Torah. Instead they spoke against the man made religious rulings of the Rabbi's. Those rulings, those man made ordinances, have been with us always. When a Rabbi tells you to wear a kippa or not to heat up your previously prepared food on Shabbat, or not to turn on your house lights on Shabbat; or a Pastor tells you to worship on Sunday, or tells you once you have received the free gift of Salvation, <u>all of your continuing sins</u> are automatically forgiven (including the ones where you know better): these are man made laws! We are to ignore them!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">Folks, the Bible is very simple. Do your best to follow the Almighty's instructions, not man's. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">As Ephesians 2 states, Yeshua is the head of the Household of God, not man. We are to follow His commandments, His instructions in Torah.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Is it any wonder the church doesn't wish to speak of this? In fact, <u>they will tell you these ordinances that have been abolished are the instructions in Torah</u>, when clearly the text defines them as man made </span>ecclesiastical<span style="font-family: inherit;"> rulings!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can Yeshua be the Messiah if He abolishes Yehovah's perfect law? No, it makes no sense whatsoever, and by saying He does, it blasphemes Yeshua's character and turns Him into someone working against the Father!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Why should we walk in this path of instruction (Torah)? <b>Does it do anything for our Salvation? No! Of course not!</b> What it does, however, is give us a guide to follow as we live a holy (separate) life, at liberty from the bondage of man made rules and the vain philosophies of this fallen world.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><b>John 14:15</b> “If you love me, you will keep my commandments." <b>(ESV)</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;">1 John 2</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;">(<b>1</b>) </span><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320;">My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.</span><b><span style="color: #001320;"> </span>(</b></span><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b>2</b>)</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320;">He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. </span><b>(</b></span><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b>3</b>)</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320;"><b>And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.</b></span><b><span style="color: #001320;"> </span>(</b></span><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b>4</b>)</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320;"><b>Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him,</b> </span><b>(</b></span><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b>5</b>)</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320;"><b>but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected</b>. By this we may know that we are in him:</span><b><span style="color: #001320;"> </span>(</b></span><span class="reftext" style="font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b>6</b>)</span><span class="reftext" style="color: #001320; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><span style="color: #001320;"><b>whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.</b> </span><b>(ESV)</b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-indent: 25px;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b>1 John 3:4 </b><b style="color: #aa4400; font-weight: 700;"> </b></span><span style="color: #001320;">Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: </span><b style="color: #001320;">for sin is the transgression of the law. </b> <b>(KJV)</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 119:</span></b></span><span class="versenum" style="background-color: white; display: inline; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">142</span> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and<b> thy law is the truth</b>. <b><span style="color: red;">(KJV)</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="color: red;">Psalm 19:7</span></b> <b>The law of the </b></span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;"><b>Lord</b></span><span style="background-color: white;"><b> is perfect</b>, converting the soul: the testimony of the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> is sure, making wise the simple. </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b><span style="color: red;">(KJV)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: red;">Hebrews 10 (26)</span></b><span style="color: #001320;"> For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, </span><b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: white; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><b><span style="color: red;">27) </span></b></span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;">But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. </span><b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">28)</span></span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: white; color: #aa4400; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #001320;">He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: </span><b><span style="color: red;">(</span></b></span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: white; font-weight: 700; line-height: 15px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red;">29) </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #001320; text-align: justify;">Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><b><span style="color: red;">(KJV)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"><b>The Observer</b></span></div><div><br /></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-29651686704660073672021-10-07T14:04:00.005-04:002021-10-11T11:06:09.076-04:00Life After Death Series - Final Entry<p>After searching through all Scripture, Old and New, it appears that none support the man-made and widely held belief that one goes to heaven or hell when one dies. All leanings in such a direction come strictly from man and his denominational opinions, paganism, and commentary.</p><p>Early Church history confirms that it was men who began to alter the original teaching of the Blessed Resurrection at the time of Yeshua's return on the Day of the LORD.</p><p>A very nice summation of Scriptural teaching on this subject has been done by many. My favorite is presented here and is from the Church of the Great God, written by Richard T. Ritenbaugh. Why trust this particular man? It is because he uses Scripture at every point to show what the biblical understanding is and not man's opinion. You can read it yourself and see what it says. If you still believe in going to heaven or hell at death after reading the Scripture yourself, that is up to you and is between you and Yeshua.</p><p>However, I cannot express enough how dangerous this man-made teaching can be - that one goes to heaven or hell at death. It causes all sorts of chaos; people trying to speak to the dead, the belief that God is unjust because He punishes people before their judgement, the use of such teaching by Church Ministers to frighten and cajole people to accept false doctrine, teaching folks that some burn forever in sadistic punishment, using the threat of a burning hell to manipulate the people, etc. I myself have experienced such threats, hatred, and condemnation simply because I have disagreed with a particular man-made doctrine.</p><p>Lets take a look at Mr. Ritenbaugh's <b>summation</b>:</p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Genesis 2:7</b> <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;">And the </span><span style="color: #333333; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">L<span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">ORD</span></span><span style="color: #333333;"> God formed man </span><i style="color: #333333;">of</i><span style="color: #333333;"> the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. (<b>NKJV</b>)</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We must briefly consider whether man has an immortal soul. Our understanding of the Scriptures compels us to maintain that he does not for several reasons:</span></span></p><div class="articleBody" id="articleBody" style="color: #333333;"><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Job recognized that man has a spirit (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/13637/eVerseID/13637" id="13637-13637-15015" name="1363713637" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Job 32:8</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">), which Paul shows in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28406/eVerseID/28406" id="28406-28406-4959" name="2840628406" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>I Corinthians 2:11</b></a>)<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">endows humanity with intellect. This spirit in man comes from</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="libraryPreview tooltipstered" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/booklet/id/421/god-is-what.htm" id="sr-421-6658" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>God</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">(</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/23047/eVerseID/23047" id="23047-23047-24687" name="2304723047" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Zechariah 12:1</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">) and returns to Him when we die (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/17531/eVerseID/17531" id="17531-17531-23795" name="1753117531" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Ecclesiastes 12:7</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/27176/eVerseID/27176" id="27176-27176-23747" name="2717627176" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Acts 7:59</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). It records our experiences, character, and personality, which God stores until the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.truegospel.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/library.sa/subj/resurrection/resurrection-articles.htm" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>resurrection of the dead</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">. However, the Bible never describes this spirit as immortal or eternal; in fact,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28401/eVerseID/28411" id="28401-28411-7599" name="2840128411" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>I Corinthians 2:6-16</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">explains that man needs yet another Spirit, God's, to be complete and discern godly things.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">The Bible flatly asserts that all people die: "It is appointed for men to die once" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/30133/eVerseID/30133" id="30133-30133-16639" name="3013330133" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Hebrews 9:27</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). Ezekiel says clearly that souls die: "The soul who sins shall die" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/20854/eVerseID/20854" id="20854-20854-24967" name="2085420854" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Ezekiel 18:4</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, 20; see</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28092/eVerseID/28092" id="28092-28092-1677" name="2809228092" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Romans 6:23</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">).</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.biblicaljesus.org/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Jesus</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">warns in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/23446/eVerseID/23446" id="23446-23446-7077" name="2344623446" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Matthew 10:28</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">that God can</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">destroy</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">both</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">soul and body in Gehenna.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">In death, life and consciousness are gone. "The dead know nothing," says Solomon in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/17481/eVerseID/17481" id="17481-17481-12033" name="1748117481" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Ecclesiastes 9:5</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, and he later adds, "There is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going" (verse 10). In</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/16346/eVerseID/16346" id="16346-16346-19237" name="1634616346" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Psalm 146:4</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, the psalmist writes about a man's death, "His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish" (see</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/75/eVerseID/75" id="75-75-25352" name="7575" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Genesis 3:19</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">).</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Scripture also confutes the idea that people</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.truegospel.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Basics.tour/ID/4/Where-Will-Kingdom-Be-Established.htm" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>go to heaven</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">or</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="libraryPreview tooltipstered" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/3548/disproving-hell.htm" id="audio-3548-17936" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>hell</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">after death. Peter says to the crowd on the day of Pentecost, "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. . . . For David did not ascend into the heavens" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/26979/eVerseID/26979" id="26979-26979-6445" name="2697926979" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Acts 2:29</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, 34). Our Savior confirms this in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/26134/eVerseID/26134" id="26134-26134-23596" name="2613426134" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>John 3:13</b>:</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">"No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven." The biblical usage of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Sheol</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">and</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Hades</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">simply means "the grave."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Men cannot have immortality unless God gives it to them. Paul writes, "For the wages of</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="libraryPreview tooltipstered" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/489/what-sin-is-does.htm" id="sr-489-11957" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>sin</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28092/eVerseID/28092" id="28092-28092-21066" name="2809228092" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Romans 6:23</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). In</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28772/eVerseID/28772" id="28772-28772-11104" name="2877228772" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>I Corinthians 15:53</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">he tells the saints, "This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." At the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="libraryPreview tooltipstered" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/biblestudy/id/14/basic-doctrines-first-resurrection.htm" id="sr-14-27207" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>first resurrection</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">God will give "eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/27970/eVerseID/27970" id="27970-27970-20781" name="2797027970" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Romans 2:7</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). If we already had immortality, why should we put it on or seek it?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Only God has immortality. He is, Paul writes to Timothy, ". . . the blessed and only Potentate, the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a href="https://www.truegospel.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Basics.tour/ID/3/Who-Will-Be-King.htm" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>King of kings</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/29804/eVerseID/29805" id="29804-29805-4693" name="2980429805" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>I Timothy 6:15-16</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). John says of the Word, "In Him was life" (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/26049/eVerseID/26049" id="26049-26049-31019" name="2604926049" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>John 1:4</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">), meaning as Creator of all things (verse 3), He had life inherent. Jesus affirms this in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/26675/eVerseID/26675" id="26675-26675-10517" name="2667526675" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>John 14:6</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Men must go through Him to receive eternal life.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">With such overwhelming proof, the doctrine of the</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="libraryPreview tooltipstered" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/sermon/id/1167/christs-death-and-immortality-of-soul.htm" id="audio-1167-25595" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>immortality of the soul</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">proves false. Man is not immortal, nor does he possess any "spark of God" unless God has given it to him through the Holy Spirit (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28128/eVerseID/28128" id="28128-28128-21805" name="2812828128" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>Romans 8:11</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). A Christian's</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><a class="libraryPreview tooltipstered" href="https://www.cgg.org/index.cfm/library/article/id/735/the-elements-of-motivation-part-three-hope.htm" id="sr-735-17921" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><b>hope</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">of life after death rests in the resurrection of the dead (</span><a class="verseRef tooltipstered" href="https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/bible.show/sVerseID/28731/eVerseID/28742" id="28731-28742-15969" name="2873128742" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">I <b>Corinthians 15:12-23</b></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">). Conversely, the wicked only await eternal death as recompense for their evil lives, not eternal life in torment.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Here is a <b><a href="https://www.theberean.org/index.cfm/main/default/id/1571/ver/NKJV/genesis-2-7.htm" target="_blank">link</a></b> to Mr. Ritenbaugh's study. It has many other useful references.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><b>The Observer</b></span></p></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-36125201096624874172021-09-12T10:37:00.012-04:002021-09-13T13:14:39.289-04:00One of the Most Ignored Chapters in the New Testament<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Titus Chapter 3</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The book of Titus is a letter written by Sha'ul (Paul) to his spiritual brother, Titus, who is presently in Crete. Because it is a letter, I've decided to get rid of the verse indicators because it reads so much better. FYI, only Chapter 3 is spoken of in this blog entry. It behooves one to read the entire short book, but Ch.3 is a vivid illustration of what we do with our free gift of Salvation once accepted. If you have ever wondered; OK, I accept the free gift from Yeshua and have Salvation - now what?, then this is your answer. It should be taken to heart by all believers!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Beginning at verse 1, ch. 3 of Titus with Paul advising his </b><b>friend</b><b style="font-family: inherit;"> on what to tell the </b><b>Cretans (ESV used)</b><b style="font-family: inherit;">:</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-1">Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, </span><span class="text Titus-3-2" id="en-ESV-29909">to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. </span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-3"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-3"><b>[Note:] </b>Some in the Church say that being submissive to our "rulers and authorities" means to never disobey them, no matter what they say or do. The totality of Scripture does not support this thinking. We are to be submissive to our rulers in as much as they allow us to follow the instructions of God. When they begin to deny God, we are no longer obligated to be submissive. Just look at all the Prophets who were martyred throughout biblical history, Yeshua included, who went against the prevailing authority. Also, please notice; we are to be ready "for every good work". A study on the word, "work(s)", in the Bible, always points back to Torah.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-3"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-3"><b>... continuing:</b></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-3"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-3" id="en-ESV-29910">For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. </span><span class="text Titus-3-4" id="en-ESV-29911">But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, </span><span class="text Titus-3-5" id="en-ESV-29912">he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, </span><span class="text Titus-3-6" id="en-ESV-29913">whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, </span><span class="text Titus-3-7" id="en-ESV-29914">so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-8"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-8"><b>[Note:]</b> ... "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness,". Following the instructions in Torah does not "save us", only Yeshua's mercy does. This "saving" is spiritual, and later, at the blessed resurrection; literal. This spiritual saving is done by the regenerative washing over us of the Holy Spirit. This justifies us so we may become His heirs. Does this mean works are no longer required? Of course not! God forbid!</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-8"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-8"><b>... continuing:</b></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-8"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-8" id="en-ESV-29915">The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. </span><span class="text Titus-3-9" id="en-ESV-29916">But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. </span><span class="text Titus-3-10" id="en-ESV-29917">As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, </span><span class="text Titus-3-11" id="en-ESV-29918">knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-11"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-11"><b>[Note:]</b> Although we are saved and justified through Christ and the Holy Spirit, we should still devote ourselves to "good works". These good works are the instructions given in Torah, which defines sin for us and warns us about not continuing sinning. The Church, to it's detriment, ignores this admonition.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><b style="font-family: inherit;">Final Instructions and Greetings:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-12" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span class="text Titus-3-12">When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. </span><span class="text Titus-3-13" id="en-ESV-29920">Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. </span><span class="text Titus-3-14" id="en-ESV-29921">And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.<br /></span></span><span class="text Titus-3-15" id="en-ESV-29922"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Titus-3-15"><span>All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.<br /></span></span><span class="text Titus-3-15"><span>Grace be with you all.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Titus-3-15"><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="text Titus-3-15"><span><b>The Observer</b></span></span></span></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-9991215601147340392021-08-24T09:22:00.006-04:002021-08-24T09:23:29.870-04:00So Simple, Yet So Profound<p>Dennis Prager reminds us of who's in charge and why. Without God, well ... we don't want to even entertain that notion.</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ol52sMjOhAk" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></p>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-49756926196657574142021-06-26T03:23:00.009-04:002021-07-12T11:21:34.869-04:00Where Is the Anguish?<p>Excerpts from David Wilkerson's "Anguish" sermon.</p><p>Does what's happening in the world today bother you?</p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASxOwPdJixQ" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Below added Jul 11,2021:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">And, Just What Is Happening?</span></b></p><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our governments, militaries, and our businesses have ALL jumped on the money making bandwagon called C H I N A ! This is all about having a much larger customer base to drive the ultimate takeover and complete control of the world's population, regardless of country. China is the new model; a model of centralized and authoritative "soft" tyranny - that is, soft for those who comply, harsh for those who don't.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br clear="none" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The political left of the west envy China and their system, which lacks any legal constraint. That's why, in the U.S., the Democrats (our Marxist political party), hates the U.S. Constitution so much, which is anchored in biblical principle. Democrats want to be a "law unto themselves", a law which contradicts GOD's Law, as intimated by Sha'ul (Paul) in the New Testament. They believe that by creating this world system of comfortable slaves it ensures a future without war, strife, and problems of any sort - because they, the Tyrants, will be in charge. The Republicans in the U.S. (our "conservative" political party) want to be included in this New World Order of things and are complying while trying to appear to be fighting it. This sort of thing is playing out in most all of our countries.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br clear="none" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Money and power are two of the driving forces behind this tyranny, of course. Many of the actors know they're doing Satan's work and agree with him. The Antichrist power is on the rise and most people will go along with it, especially our leaders, because it's how they survive and retain power! What is the best way to destroy love of God in people? Promote LAWLESSNESS! The American government is doing this and I'm sure many of you have noticed this in your country.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This also has been the mistake of the Church. Man's authority and religion has replaced the One True God and His doctrine and guidance, the instructions on how to live our lives - Torah. And Jesus? The Church has turned Him into a Greco-Roman Che Guevara, throwing out His Jewishness along with the Torah! They have also promoted lawlessness.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br clear="none" /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2228;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Like ancient Israel, most of the people will not listen to the Prophets, and so, we will incur His judgement. History repeats itself and so do the prophecies in the Bible. Stay close to the Father and Son. Call on their names; Yehovah and Yeshua.</span></div><p style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></p>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-22481597597306032912021-05-23T16:05:00.015-04:002021-05-25T10:16:48.398-04:00Torah in the "New Testament" - 8<b>Matthew (Mattityahu) Ch.13</b><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chapter 13 of Matthew is sometimes called the "Parables Chapter" because of the six parables described within the text. What's nice about it is that the parables are explained by Yeshua Himself!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The Chapter 13 Parables are: The Parable of the Sower, The Parable of the Weeds, The Mustard Seed and the Leaven,<b> </b></span><span style="background-color: white;">The Parable of the Hidden Treasure, The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value, and The Parable of the Net.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Please read Chapter 13 carefully and thoughtfully.</span></span></div><div><span class="text Matt-13-14"><span><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:1</span></b> That same day J</span>esus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:2</span></b> <b>And great crowds gathered about him</b>, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:3</span></b> And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:4</span></b> And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:5</span></b> Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:6</span></b> but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:7</span></b> Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:8</span> </b>Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:9</span></b> He who has ears, let him hear.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">We wonder why some of the seed took root and flourished and some didn't. Why is it that some of the seeds fell on a place where it could not flourish. Did those "seeds" do something wrong, or was it just a matter of bad luck?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">You have to understand that the seeds are people, people who heard Yeshua's message but did not continue to thirst for the message. And no, it wasn't bad luck or circumstance which caused them not to flourish. The "drop" location of the seed indicate people who received the message of Yeshua gladly but had no roots and did not wish to continue to "grow".</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later on, in Matthew 25, Yeshua gives a statement related to this:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #e06666;">Matt. 25:29</span></b><span style="color: #111111;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;">For whoever <b>has</b> will be given more, <b>and they will have an abundance</b>. Whoever <b>does not have</b>, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">even</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;"> <b>what they </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">have</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">will</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">be</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">taken</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from them. (and is also stated here in Chapter 13)</span></span></div><div><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is Yeshua saying that those who have something like wealth and prosperity will continue to flourish and continue to increase in wealth while the poor, who have nothing, will have everything taken from them? </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; white-space: pre-wrap;">No! But, surprisingly some people believe that is exactly what Yeshua is saying.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Instead, Yeshua is speaking of the love of the truth and the increasing knowledge of the Father's character. If you love the truth of God's Word you will never get enough of learning about it! And, because you have such love, He will give you more knowledge, as you diligently study the scriptures. People who start out like the seeds described above and become lukewarm, not continuing </span></span><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">their</span></span><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> search for the truth will wither and die, and whatever knowledge they did have will be taken from them. Why? Because they had no love of the truth!</span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of course, Yeshua explains this for His disciples.</span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:10</span></b> Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Matt 13:11</b> </span>And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:12</span></b> For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:13</span></b> This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:14</span></b> Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:15</span></b> For this people's heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:16</span></b> But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:17</span></b> For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:18</span></b> “Hear then the parable of the sower:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:19</span></b> When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:20</span></b> As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy,</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:21</span></b> yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red;"><b>Matt. 13:22</b> </span>As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: red;">Matt. 13:23</span></b> As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. <span style="font-family: inherit;">He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Referencing:</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><b>Isaiah 6:8</b></span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red; font-size: inherit;"><b>Isaiah 6:9</b></span><span style="font-size: inherit;"> <span>And he said, “Go, and say to this people: </span></span></span><span><span style="font-family: inherit;">“‘Ke</span>ep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: red;">Isaiah 6:10</span></b><span style="background-color: white;"> Make the heart of this people dull,</span><b style="background-color: white;"> </b><span style="background-color: white;">and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”</span></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you have friends or family who study the Bible? Isn't it interesting that some people barely touch their Bible while others can't seem to leave it alone? Put another way; some have such an appetite for Truth they can't stop searching for it - I call these people "firehose people", willing to drink from a firehose of Truth - while others have a small appetite for Truth, consuming a bit here and a little there, usually from other people's effort and not their own. I personally have gone through both phases. Some folks eyes glaze over and they almost fall asleep when Truth is presented to them. And, in between both extremes, you have people becoming distracted by the inevitable preoccupations of life, thereby losing interest in the Truth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chapter 13 is so rich with information I'll leave it here for this blog entry. I'll pick it back up on the next entry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's hoping all of you are happy and well!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yehovah spoke to Moses, saying, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yehovah bless you and keep you; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May Yehovah make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">May Yehovah lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Observer</b></span></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17077746.post-38837277135713505122021-04-27T09:35:00.001-04:002021-04-27T09:41:30.936-04:00America Under Judgement<p>Some have asked me about events taking place in the U.S.A.; the rioting in Leftist cities, the woke campaign of many of our corporations and sports organizations, the so-called "racist" actions of white people and/or the police, etc. All I will say is that most all of this sinful activity is coming from the political left in this country.</p><p>Does this mean the political right in America is pure as the driven snow? No, of course not! None of us in this world are pure.</p><p>Just please keep in mind; most Americans simply aren't involved in any of these current events and the news cycle is being artificially driven to present a false narrative, a narrative owned by the Fascist left.</p><p>Still ... this song (recommended by the Tigress) is quite appropriate at this moment in time:</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WHOFNDTDUks" title="YouTube video player" width="530"></iframe><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The Observer</b></div>Tigerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04957481158914778546noreply@blogger.com0