The Observer

The 10 Biggest Lies About Jesus - Part 2

2012-02-13T16:24:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Part 2 of the series. Again, I would like to express my thanks to Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, as this blog entry is inspired by his message.

If you haven't read Part 1 you may wish to do so first. It's located here.

... continuing; I have decided to combine the next 3 lies into one section as they are so closely related.

Lie Number 4 - Jesus Christ is the God of Christianity (only)

Lie Number 5 - Jesus Began a New Religion Called Christianity

Lie Number 6 - Jesus Never Claimed to be the Messiah

Revelation Ch. 11 gives us a very stark picture of two witnesses. Many theologians have claimed to decipher who these two are. Some believe they are actual people, testifying in a street, who will ultimately be cut down - killed! Still others see them as purely symbolic.

For me, the best expressions of who these two are go something like this; they are Elijah and Moses, the Old and New Testaments, or my favorite - Jew and Gentile. You see, I believe spiritual, biblical events happen over time throughout history. I tend to be an Historicist instead of a Futurist, so it makes good sense to me that Yeshua (Jesus) is presented in both the Tanakh (Old Testament) and the B'rit Hadashah (New Testament) by the Old and New Covenants, by the Old and New Priesthood (Aaronic and Mel'chizedek - although Melchi'zedek has been there all along!).

A Jewish person has trouble with this idea. He looks at the Torah and sees the One True God. He cannot accept God becoming human, a child who became God, and a God that splits into 3 persons; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

The truth we "Christians" know is that Jesus the Christ is Yeshua Ha'Mashiach - Jesus the Messiah! He is not the son of Mr. and Mrs. Christ, as the old joke goes!

Jewish children are taught early on that God is One and there is no other god. They sing and/or recite the Shema. Christians are taught that God is one also, although I've personally met Christians who seem confused by this. Yeshua the Messiah (God) is the same yesterday, today and forever, as it states in the N.T. (Heb. 13:8) Where does this come from? The "Shema"! From Deut. 6:4-9:

Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Eh-lo-hay-noo Adonai eh-chahd,

(Ba-rooch shame k'vode mahl-choo-toe l'oh-lahm vah-ed)

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

(Blessed is the name of His glorious kingdom for all eternity.)

(Note: the second sentence is usually a liturgical response)

Deut. 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!

Deut. 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Deut. 6:6 "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

Deut. 6:7 "You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.

Deut. 6:8 "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets on your forehead.

Deut. 6:9 "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

And it is also customary to recite Lev. 19:18:

V'ah-hav-ta l'ray-ah-cha ka-moe-cha

And you should love your neighbor as yourself

Here is a short video singing the first two lines of the Shema.

From the point of view of the B'rit Hadashah there is no problem here, nor, I would argue, from the Tanakh! Yeshua proclaimed himself God and Messiah (Matthew 26:63-64) (John 8) (John 10) (Matthew 16:15-17). The Tanakh speaks of the Messiah in many places; Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, 2 Samuel, Psalm, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Hosea, Micah, Zechariah, Malachai - the list goes on and on!

Look at Jeremiah 31:1-14, for example, for it describes the New Covenant with the Messiah!

Another point is the use of "3"s everywhere in the Tanakh. Jewish scholars don't always understand why "3"s are used, but we know why - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Look at Isaiah 6:1-3.

Isaiah 6:1 In the year of King Uzziah's death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.

Isaiah 6:2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. (3 wings on each side)

Isaiah 6:3 And one called out to another and said, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory." (3 "Holy"s)

Now... look at Rev. 4:8,

Rev. 4:8 And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "HOLY, HOLY, HOLY is THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME."

Wow! Folks, Yeshua IS NOT a "made up" God of Christianity! He DID NOT create a new religion (although some Christians even make that mistake)! He DID claim to be the Messiah and God HIMSELF!

The Observer

One Nation Under God

2012-02-04T17:51:00.003-05:00

HT: The Tigress

America, in great numbers we are choosing evil over good. Your so-called "freedom from God" will only result in even worse evil. Make your choice. More Jon McNaughton art can be seen on his web page. A link is provided to the right, under "Bible Study Links".

The Observer

UPDATE! Jon McNaughton's website shuts down after his latest painting and video go viral!

What Actions Can We Take? Or Should We Take?

2012-01-31T09:10:00.001-05:00

Just what can we individuals do, or should do, in these days of social upheaval, political degradation, and spiritual decline? To combat these movements should we join forces and act as a cohesive unit? Should we become political activists? Should we lobby our leaders, secular and religious, to make public statements and/or announce support for "our" political candidates?

These types of questions have been most common recently, especially from emailers who are frustrated by what they see as a general decline in society and the world.

This political cartoon from Lisa Benson, January 31, 2012 sums up the problem, at least from my perspective.

The Roman Catholic Church, in N. America, recently read a letter to it's congregants. The letter is linked here.

Roman Catholic Bishops initially announced support for "Obamacare", stating that all people must have access to affordable health care. If you haven't been following this issue in the U.S., the Obama administration is trying to implement socialized health care here. So, although first announcing support for the measure, the Bishops are now saying that the "free" birth control, morning-after abortion pills, and access to abortion providing doctors cannot be part of the package.

My answer to these kinds of questions and concerns might surprise you! As usual, I will go back to scripture and start asking questions.

Hmmm ... let's see. Did Jesus, Paul, Peter, or any of the others try to work with the Roman Empire to correct the percieved wrongs of the world, to provide for the poor, or place their political candidate in the Roman Senate? Uh ... nope!

Did the Apostles, like the SDA Church, sign on to an agreement to ban certain weapons to help achieve a more peaceful Roman Empire? Uh ... nope!

Just what was the early church's stand on these things? Obviously, their emphasis was on the spiritual growth of individual believers as it relates to their personal relationship with Yeshua (Jesus), not a reliance on man's political systems (or Man's religious systems!). You see, the good book teaches us that only God can produce what we need in society. Man, on his own, cannot! Historically, capitalist societies have provided for more people and shared more wealth than any other system. But even these systems become corrupt when God is removed from the picture. I offer up my own country, the U.S. of A., as a prime example of this.

So what do I do, personally, to achieve a better society? Well, I start with myself. First and foremost, my personal relationship with the Almighty must be a daily and regular connection. My relationship with Him must be solid and personal. While understanding their is nothing I can do to earn His favor, I still come to Him, on my knees, where I belong. (Acts 15:11) (just do a search on the word, "grace" in the N.T.) (Exodus 20:1, 2, 3)

Next, I try my best not to be a burden on society or on my neighbor. I don't ask my government or my neighbor for help. I believe it is my spiritual responsibility to keep from being a burden on others. When a need does arise in society, the Tigress and I do everything we can to help. (1 Tim. Ch. 5) You see, the government is not supposed to be the ones to help others. We believers are supposed to do that. And, if a person lacks the spiritual awareness and fortitude to care for themselves we should be there to assist the person to achieve this spiritual connection with God. (Matt. Ch. 7) (Exodus 20:17)

(Folks, I understand things happen to people and sometimes they can't help being poor, etc., but this misses the entire point. Sin is the reason we have problems in life.)

As a member of a generally free society (this is changing as we speak) it is also my duty to participate and vote in elections as I see fit. I actually pray to God about my vote! What is my measuring stick concerning political candidates? The Bible of course! Yes, we all fall short!

Again, keeping in mind their is nothing I can do to earn grace, I try my best to turn away from all things that the good book has shown me to be bad. It's taken a life-time of study but I have learned to turn away from pagan influences such as; Christmas, Halloween, Easter, Idols, Love of Money, Love of Power, etc. The list goes on and on ... I have tried to steer myself and my family towards a purer form of worship based more on the First Century church which is anchored in biblical Hebraic roots, not in pagan "Church" history. To grow spiritually we must be an avid reader of the Bible and study it often. In many countries, Bibles are illegal! Here in America we have no excuse.

(Have you noticed how important the 10 Commandments are in this overall question? The "Big 10" cover every sin known to man - EVERY SIN! They are the mirror that reflects our sin back to us, so we may clearly see.)

IOWords, I try my best to actually be that light that shines so others may see. (Matt. Ch. 5) In this blog you will hear me at my most "preachy" because I'm trying to explain myself to a wide audience. In life, I try not to be that way. Actually, my success rate has been very good. People ask me about my belief often and tell me they like it and want it.

BTW, I do not support socialized health care!

Now comes the million dollar question. "Tiger, how has all this worked out?" "Why is the world in such a bad state if this was God's plan?"

I would suggest to you that our thinking is not God's thinking. I suggest you do a word study throughout the entire Bible, on the word, "Remnant".

The Observer

Why I Believe The Church is Not The Replacement "Bride of Christ"

2012-01-24T08:28:00.001-05:00

Hear me out on this one, folks. I understand this is a controversial subject!

From a comment on the last blog entry, Viral Vid Reminds Us To Not Love Religion , Ladyhawk spoke, tongue in cheek, about "staying home and not attending any church". This brought up a quote from the young man in the video:

“Religion as the institution and as the church — as Jesus’ bride — that is God’s plan A and there is no plan B. So I don’t want to abolish that. I don’t want to turn from that. And that’s where God is manifest.”

I know exactly where the man is coming from because I used to believe the same thing! This teaching, that the "Bride of Christ" has become the Church, is widespread throughout Christianity and is considered a doctrinal truth. I would politely and respectfully disagree!

BTW, I want to thank Ladyhawk because she is a person who understands the wonderful, ancient art of conversation, something which I believe blogs are perfect for. Alas, so many people nowadays have forgotten this art and prefer anger over discussion.

To assist me I will be using notes from a good friend and respected Elder, Mr. Ron Warren, who regularly publishes study notes and Parsha references in a newsletter format. At the end I'll give his contact information if you're interested in receiving his newsletter.

Notice the word, Parsha? (also spelled Parashah) Look it up if you're not familiar with it. On the simplest level it means a portion of biblical script studied in meaningful sections. To an Orthodox Jew it means much more and consists of Torah portions only. To a Messianic Jew it also means Torah portions but with accompanying B'rit Hadasha (New Testament) references.

... now, to the subject at hand ...

The Four Cups of Passover

It is written in Exodus 6:6-7 "Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I {YHVH} will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I {YHVH} will free you from being slaves to them, and I {YHVH} will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I {YHVH} will take you as my own people, and I {YHVH} will be your God. Then you will know that I {YHVH} am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.”

These verses were used before Yeshua’s time, to produce the four cups used in the Passover Seder by the rabbis of antiquity.

* “I {YHVH} will BRING YOU OUT” - Cup of Sanctification
* “I {YHVH} will FREE YOU” - Cup of Salvation or Deliverance
* “I {YHVH} will REDEEM YOU” - Cup of Redemption
* “I {YHVH} will TAKE YOU TO ME” - Cup of Hope and Acceptance

It's a shame to skip ahead because Ron does such a tremendous job with this, but for the sake of the subject we will jump to "Cup 4", the Cup of Hope and Acceptance.

The Fourth Cup - Hope and Acceptance

“Then I will take you for my people, and I will be your God…”

This promise is different (than the earlier ones). It has little to do with Israel’s enslavement. It has to do with a personal intimate relationship that God wanted to make with them. When God used the Hebrew word that translates “to take”, it is used in other places in reference to someone taking a wife. If that is the case, God was proposing marriage. This was Israel’s formal legal engagement to their future husband, the Lord our God.

These words do create an identity crisis with the church. The Tanakh (Old Testament) teaches that Israel is God’s bride. The Torah hints at it and the prophet Hosea specifically teaches it. But, as Hosea says, Israel was an unfaithful bride. (Hosea Ch. 2)

This causes some people to say, “God just left this unfaithful bride to go and marry another.” They will use Ephesians 5 to teach that the “church,” God’s faithful “called-out ones,” is His bride. God rejected Israel and married “the church” instead.

This reasoning, that God rejected Israel and married the Church, has a few problems. According to the prophet Malachi, God says He “hates divorce.” If true, it is inconceivable He would go against His own nature not to forgive, and divorce His unfaithful bride, Israel. Hosea also spoke, in Chapter 3, how God will make her faithful and mend their relationship.

Also, God make other promises in the Tanakh and Torah where He would bring Israel back to Himself and their land (Deuteronomy 30). He also promised that Israel would always exist as His covenant people (Jeremiah 31:27-37).

If this is true, how should you understand about the church being God’s bride? Does God have two brides?

Paul gave the solution in Romans 11. Non-Jewish believers in Yeshua are grafted in to the olive tree, which is Israel. Being grafted into the commonwealth of Israel does not make them Jewish, but it means they are part of Israel.

God does not give up one bride for another (“Replacement Theology”). He does not have two brides (“Two- Covenant Theory”), nor does the Gentile become Jewish (“Two-House Theory”). He is increasing His bride by adding more to it – non-Jewish believers in Yeshua.

You see folks, we believers in Messiah in the Church, and the Jewish believers in Messiah, and the actual nation of Israel (the Bride) are ALL ONE!

Maybe you'll think differently now when you hear something on the news about Israel and our national relationship to her. If we, as a nation, abandon Yeshua's Bride, we are in deep trouble!

I would also recommend reading Pastor Steve Wohlberg's essay on the two Israels. Although Pastor Steve has the opinion that the Church has become the Bride, his essay actually helps to clarify how Israel becomes ONE!

Friends, their is no reason why we can't disagree with one another on issues of interpretation, as long as we're both worshipping the Lord and serving Him. It's when we begin accepting sin in our midst we go down the wrong path.

If anyone is interested in receiving Ron Warren's newsletter you may contact him at:

torahlife@usa.net

and ask to be added to his list. Ron will definitely give you the Messianic Judaism view of things, which is in itself interesting, since he was raised as a Lutheran!

The Observer

Viral Vid Reminds Us To Not Love Religion

2012-01-15T08:44:00.001-05:00

An especially great reminder! Religion is NOT the answer! A personal relationship with God is the answer.

HT: The Tigress (Never Make Her Angry - I'm Just Sayin!)

The Observer

UPDATE! Related article from the Blaze

When Progress Isn't

2012-01-13T08:24:00.001-05:00

It has been said that no study of religion is complete without a corresponding study of history. I believe this. Many will say that religious beliefs change dependent upon accommodating modern social mores and taboos. That modernity defines religion, in other words. Some of us see our present day in the light of ever increasing sensitivity to our fellow man's foibles and desires, while others see the human race repeating historical mistakes made throughout the ages, the old optimist/pessimist debate. We still organize in this way, arguing whether the glass is half-full or half-empty. This, "modernity changes religion vs. religion never changes" contention is true, in my humble opinion, and it seems to be a driving force in today's society. I happen to agree with the late Clare Boothe Luce. In this world, she said, there are optimists and pessimists. "The pessimists are better informed."

Please consider the latest news stories concerning our ever "increasing sensitivity to our fellow man's foibles and desires" and consider if you agree with me and Clare or not!

Greece, the ancient home of Western reason and philosophy, continues to have money problems. In plain language - the country is flat broke - and is a burden on it's E.U. partners. So, how has the Greek Labor Ministry decided to address this problem? By handing out more cash, of course! Yes, Greece has decided to add (you can't make this stuff up!)exhibitionists, kleptomaniacs, and pedophiles to it's list of persons authorized for disability payments.

Let's just allow that fact to soak in for a moment ...

Why does it seem that only the political Left will argue for an immoral act, and in addition, ask for taxpayer subsidies to support it? Don't believe that statement? Go ask N.A.M.B.L.A. and Planned Parenthood. You can look up the first group on your own. I get sick to the stomach when I research it. Planned Parenthood, itself sickening, has been thoroughly studied and is presented extremely well by a fellow blogger, Godfather Politics. And yes, his piece is well documented.

"According to its latest annual report, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) received $487.4 million in tax dollars over a twelve-month period and performed 329,455 abortions.

Previous Planned Parenthood annual reports showed total funding from “government grants and contracts” (which were $363.2 million in 2009), while this year’s report also accounts for payments from Medicaid managed care plans among the payments the group receives from government.

When compared with previous annual reports, the latest one shows an almost steady increase in the number of abortions performed at its clinics: In 2006, Planned Parenthood did 289,750 abortions; in 2007, it did 305,310; in 2009, it did 331,796; and, in 2010, it did 329,445 — a small decrease from the previous year."

Now, back to Greece. Here's the real kicker. As the nation is having all these financial problems while handing out checks to criminals, the DailyMail is reporting that;

"Children are being abandoned on Greece's streets by their poverty-stricken families who cannot afford to look after them any more.

Youngsters are being dumped by their parents who are struggling to make ends meet in what is fast becoming the most tragic human consequence of the Euro crisis."

If moral irony has just smacked you in the face, if you have just risen from the floor after being knocked down by this incredulity, if you have a glimmer of moral acumen left in your heart; then you will most likely survive the future and what is to come after the realization of such injustice. Greece is giving disability checks to pedophiles while children are being dumped on the streets!

Now, you may be thinking that I'm picking on Greece, instead of pointing out problems in my own backyard! No, I have to say, President Obama has now declared that homosexuals and lesbians can serve openly in our military forces and he and congress have worked together to strengthen existing "hate crime" laws almost to the point where this very article may become illegal! Even my hometown of Orlando now has an official city registry where "gay" couples can sign up so their names can be added to a list of folks receiving city benefits for themselves and their partners.

What Does History, Politics and Morals Have To Do With All This?

Every study, throughout history, of political organizations, empires, conquerors, city-states, and yes, even biblical nations indicate they have all failed, in part, due to a lack of morality and leniency of moral behavior. If you don't believe me, find an honest historian and ask him.

Think about the Greeks, Romans, Israelites, Babylonians, Persians, Spartans, etc. They all had problems in this area. We in modern times are no different. The U.S., Europe, China, South America - all of us, are having great problems with moral behavior!

There is only one answer, folks - only one. We must turn away from false gods of any stripe. We must turn away from pagan ritual and celebration. We must turn away from the lies and deceits of "progressive thought", which says that sin is just fine for society. It didn't work for Sodom and Gomorrah, it didn't work for Rome or Greece. We must turn away from all these things and turn towards the one true God, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, Yeshua!

This time, it won't simply be a repeat of history. It will be the end of history.

The Observer

Can You Handle The Truth About Christmas?

2011-12-09T16:09:00.001-05:00

Shabbat Night Live Special

The Observer

The Forgotten People

2011-11-15T10:38:00.001-05:00

Many on the political left are once again proclaiming the holocaust never happened. If we forget our history we are bound to repeat it. The sad thing is - some want this !!!

***WARNING! - GRAPHIC!***

The Observer

The 10 Biggest Lies About Jesus - Part 1

2011-11-03T13:17:00.001-04:00

It is with great disappointment and dismay I say to you, my brothers and sisters, that the Church has been one of the most egregious purveyors of lies and misstatements concerning our Lord Jesus (Yeshua). This blog entry is an attempt to speak to some of these lies and give notice that we wish to have the true gospel, not man's tradition, and I lay the responsibility for these errors at the feet of the Gentile Church, at least, that portion of the Church that believes it has replaced the original.

My sincerest respect goes out for Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, who's article in Jewish Voice Today inspired me to write this blog. Don't be fooled by his title. This man is a follower of Yeshua (Jesus) through and through. If you ever want to get an Old Testament (Tanakh) view of Jesus talk to a Jew. There's a very famous Jew I try to talk with every day to appreciate this Jewish perspective. His name is Jesus.

Lie Number 1 - Jesus Only Appears in the New Testament

It's interesting to note that about 32% of the New Testament, more correctly called, the New Covenant, is a repeat of what has been said in the Tanakh (Old Testament). The correct Jewish name for the New Testament, btw, is the B'rit Hadashah. Some studies rate the percentage of "old in the new" much higher!

An Orthodox Jewish man will tell you that Jesus is a creation of the Gentile mind, another pagan god. He will say that even the name, "Jesus" is simply an anglicized version of the Greek "Iesous". I would love to use the Greek and Hebrew fonts here but blogger is limited to some degree, font-wise. The man would be correct, in that the name "Jesus" is anglicized, but I would gently remind the man to stop listening to his Rabbi and and actually read the Tanakh for himself!

According to Matthew (Mattityahu)1:21, the Hebrew name Yeshua is really Jesus' given name. He was born in Israel, among Hebrew-speaking people who understood very well that His name Yeshua (Joshua, Jehoshua) means, God saves, or the LORD saves, in other words - Salvation! I can't recommend enough that the serious Bible student must have resources available so he or she can look up the root words in Hebrew and Greek. I use e-Sword. It's free, except when adding some Bible translations, and easy to use. Please check it out! And please, consider giving the man a donation if you download it. He's done a superb job!

Look at Exodus (Sh' Mot) 15:2; The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; Yes, that root word for "salvation" is Yeshua.

How about Psalms (Tehillim) 98:2; The LORD has made known His salvation, He has revealed His righteousness in the sight of the nations. Again, Yeshua! And which nations are these? Why, the pagan Gentile nations, of course!

Here's a great one! Isaiah (Yesha'Yahu) 49:6; I will also make You a light to the Gentiles so My salvation shall reach to the end of the earth. Yes, Yeshua again!

Did you know that more than 150 times in the Tanakh the Hebrew word salvation is used and it always translates as Yeshua!

Jesus (Yeshua) not in the Old Testament!?! Are you crazy?!? : ) Of course Yeshua is in the Tanakh, He's all over it! He was the source of it!

Did you folks know that there are Christian Church groups that only use the B'rit Hadashah (New Testament)? Maybe you guys know someone who does this? I have Christian friends who tell me that Christ in the New Testament is different than the God of the Old Testament! Folks, this is nonsense and NOT biblical! Is it any wonder that a Jewish man will say we Christians worship a different and polytheistic god? It is extremely important at this time to make sure we know who Jesus really is and how important the Old Testament is to us!

Hebrews (Messianic Jews) 13:8; Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. What do you think this means? It means that YHWH IS YESHUA (Jesus)!!! Do we humans fully understand how God can be 3 in 1? No, we don't, but the Word says it's true. More on this later!

Mark 12:26; But regarding the fact that the dead rise again, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, 'I AM THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, and the God of Jacob'?

And you have to go and read all of John Ch. 8. Here's an excerpt: John (Yochanan) 8:58; Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." Jesus and the God of the Old Testament - One!

It is foolishness to dismiss the Tanakh and rely on the B'rit Hadashah alone. The two go together hand and glove. Yeshua (Jesus) is very much in the Tanakh.

One of my favorite discussions is when a friend tells me the 10 Commandments are all "done", "completed" and that Jesus gave the only two Commandments that really matter in Mark 12:28-31; One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, "What commandment is the foremost of all?" Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.' "The second is this, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

My friend believes this supersedes the 10 Commandments of the Tanakh. What he doesn't realize or prefers not to see is that these statements are directly from the Tanakh. In fact, the first part is very famous and will be covered later. It is called the Shema, or Sh'ma. Check out Deuteronomy (D'Varim) 6:4. Then see Leviticus (Vayikra) 19:18. Yeshua was simply repeating the truths He stated already in the Old Testament. God's Law CAN NEVER be abrogated.

Still not convinced? Go and read Isaiah (Yesha'Yahu) 53 and as you recognize Jesus in those verses, have a good cry, wipe the tears from your eyes, and keep reading.

[Note: Hopefully you've noticed I'm introducing many of the original Hebrew words to you, if you don't know them already. Yes, these words have been anglicized over the centuries.]

Lie Number 2 - All Jewish People Rejected Their Messiah

Be honest, we've all heard that the Jewish people rejected their Messiah and paid the price for it, and have been paying the price for it ever since. Right? And because "they" rejected Him we Gentiles inherited Him. Right?

Wrong. It's a lie. As stated above, Jesus is "front and center" in the Tanakh. He was expected to arrive, on time, as scripture states. He did arrive at the correct time, in Israel, as a Jew, born and raised in a Jewish home with the prophesied lineage. He declared Himself Yeshua Ha'Mashiach, Jesus the Messiah. This title, Jesus the Messiah, is much more "biblical" than Jesus Christ. The term "Christ", or the Anointed One, is applicable to Jesus of course but this title, "Christ" was also used also for pagan gods. This illustrates one of the problems when we turn away from Yeshua's Jewish roots - we begin to accept and even use the pagan words.

All of Yeshua's followers were Jewish, even Luke. The 120 persons in the upper room were Jewish. The 3,000 that came to faith at Pentecost (Shavuot) were Jewish and they grew to about 5,000 - all Jewish (Acts Ch. 4)!

These Jews helped spread the gospel of the Messiah to the world. Over history, one can safely say that millions upon millions of Jews have come to know Yeshua! So, this idea that all Jewish people rejected their Messiah, out of hand, is a lie and can be easily dismissed.

But what about the role of the nation, Israel? Yes, now that's an interesting topic and as we'll find out it connects Christianity directly to it's Jewish roots!

Starting at Acts 9:15, speaking of Paul; But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. When scripture lists a sequence like this, it's a list of most important to least important. So Paul (Sha'ul) was the chosen vessel to spread the gospel to the Gentile. Why?

Let's continue with Paul (Sha'ul) starting at Romans 11:7; What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: "GOD HAS GIVEN THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES THAT THEY SHOULD NOT SEE AND EARS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR, TO THIS VERY DAY." And David says: "LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RECOMPENSE TO THEM. LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED, SO THAT THEY DO NOT SEE, AND BOW DOWN THEIR BACK ALWAYS." I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them.

And, we must go back to the Tanakh. Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu) 16:19; O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things."

To summarize, "salvation" (Yeshua)came to the Gentiles to make Israel and all the "flesh" of Israel "jealous" so they may one day obtain their "fullness". God never gives up on Israel, whether it's the physical nation in the middle east or the spiritual Israel of all believers - which is the same! Jesus would not have called Paul as a special apostle to carry the gospel to the Gentiles, if the original twelve had been commissioned to preach to the Gentiles. Then to WHOM were the twelve apostles sent?

Matthew (Mattityahu) 10:5-6;“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and COMMANDED them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the LOST sheep of the house of Israel.”

Strange isn't it? The Roman Church claims Peter was the first Pope and the head of the Gentile Church but the Apostles, lead by Peter, were to go after Jews! BTW, the title of "Pope" did not exist at this time! Do you begin to understand how the lies started?

"Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things."

Lie Number 3 - The Jews Killed Jesus

"Church" history is full of references to those "detestable Jews". You know, those "killers of Christ". Even the mouth of the famous Reformation "father", Martin Luther, was full of invectives against the Jews. Hitler was to later use Luther's words to justify his murder of millions. Imagine, using Yeshua and His teachings to rail against Yeshua's own chosen people! It's madness, but it is exactly what's happened over the last 2,000 years.

Perhaps the most modern incarnation of deception and ridicule to come from the Church is the teaching of Replacement Theology. It teaches that Jews (as a group) have been placed under eternal punishment because of their failure to recognize the Messiah and that the Church has replaced them as the "chosen" people. This teaching is officially called, Super - Successionism and is taught in most Seminaries!

A complete history of replacement theology can be found at Aglow's website, here. Here's a partial history from Aglow's study:

THE ROOTS OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY

In the first century AD, the church was well connected to its Jewish roots. Before the first Jewish revolt in AD 66, Christianity was basically a sect of Judaism, as were the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes.

After the second Jewish revolt AD 133-135 was put down by the Roman emperor Hadrian, theological and political power moved from Jewish believers to centers of Gentile Christian leadership such as Alexandria, Rome, and Antioch. It is important to understand this change because it influenced the early church fathers as Christianity began to disconnect itself from its Jewish roots.

In AD 321, as Constantine declared Christianity the official religion of the empire, persecution of Christians ended, but it marked the beginnings of discrimination and persecution of the Jewish people.

By the middle of the third century, it was an accepted belief among most Christians that the destruction of Jerusalem and the dispersion of the Jews were God’s method of showing the world that He was finished with them.

Replacement Theology became the position of the church during the time of Augustine (AD 354-430) who popularized it in his book, The City of God. (Note: Church is defined as the institutionalized or political “church,” as opposed to the Church universal comprised of followers of Jesus.)

THE TRUTH ABOUT REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY:

God’s unrelenting commitment and unshakable promises to the Jewish people has not changed! They are still His chosen people, distinct and unique from other peoples (1 Chron.17:21-22; Ex. 4:22-23; Psalm 147:19-20; Deut. 7:6-7; Rom. 11).

Although they may have broken covenant with Him, He will keep His covenant with them because it is an everlasting covenant (Gen. 17:7-8; Psalm 105:8; Jer. 31:35-37 NIV; Jer.33:19-26 NLT; Is. 54:4-10; Mal. 3:6; Num. 23:19).

While God’s promises, purposes, and blessings are available to the Church as “spiritual Israel,” that truth in no way precludes the truth that His promises, purposes, and blessings are for national Israel. He still has a pledge to national Israel and His chosen people, and He will fulfill it.

Now, is it true that some Jews in the crowd shouted, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!"? Yes! It's true, and recorded in biblical text. However, this does not impune all of the Jewish people. As we've already seen, thousands upon thousands had already received Him.

If you've read your bible you know that Yeshua gave up His own life. Mark 10:45; For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

And, John (Yochanan) 10:17,18; "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father."

So, who killed Jesus (Yeshua)? Why, it was YOU and I who killed Him! He had to die to take away OUR sins!

The Observer

Part 2 of "Lies" will be forthcoming:
- Jesus Christ is the God of Christianity?
- Jesus Began a New Religion Called Christianity?
- Jesus Never Claimed to be the Messiah?

Blessed Is the Lord!

2011-10-18T18:45:00.001-04:00

If you don't understand that the physical nation of Israel and the spiritual nation of Israel are related, intertwined, and directly connected then you haven't been reading your Bible!

You anti-Israel people out there have been warned! ... Not by me because I'm nothing, but from God Himself!

The Observer

"Come Out of Her!" ... And Go Where?

2011-10-11T13:34:00.000-04:00

Rev 18:1 - Rev 18:4
After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory.

And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury."

And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.

- - -

These verses in Revelation forebear ominous consequences for members of this great "Babylon". It's admonition is plain and forthright. "Something" will become evil and fall, and whoever is part of this "something" is doomed!

In most Judeo-Christian eschatological viewpoints this "something" is in fact, the Christian Church; at least the portion which has embraced the teachings of the Roman Church and pagan Rome. "Babylon" represents apostate churches and apostate teachings.

For purposes of this blog entry, we can safely say that a church organization that ordains homosexuals is definitely apostate. This practice is completely incongruent with scripture. The Presbyterian Church in America has just done this, and so joins the ranks of the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Episcopal churches (yes, there are others).

As always folks, please remember I'm talking about institutions that promote the practice here, not individuals. None of us are holy and ALL of us are sinners.

Without any doubt in my mind, I can say that these organizations have embraced false teaching, and have willingly accepted membership in Babylon.

However, now a certain question becomes greatly important. A friend recently asked, "Now that my church has gone apostate, where do I go?"
.
He has a good point! As more and more churches join the Babylonian ranks where is a conscientious believer to go? Certainly, he is to get away from the apostate church!

The good book gives the following advice and declaration:

Rom 9:2

Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: "THOUGH THE NUMBER OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL BE AS THE SAND OF THE SEA, THE REMNANT WILL BE SAVED.

Rom 11:5

Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

And, oh my goodness, just do a search on "remnant" in Isaiah! Our Holy Father promises that those who stay true to Him - this remnant - will be saved. It is my belief, BTW, that the remnant of Israel contains a remnant of physical Israel (in the middle east) and spiritual Israel, all believers in Jesus (Yeshua) - Christian and Jewish. I would suggest that most would agree with that assessment.

As the individual believer continues to move to different churches and as more and more churches go apostate (and I think they will) we may eventually be reduced to meeting in homes and small impromptu groups. If you've been paying attention to the news, it's apparent that some local governments are already passing ordinances prohibiting church groups from meeting in homes. Don't laugh! This is happening!

Interesting isn't it? The socially acceptable "Christian churches" (Babylon) will ultimately assist in the persecution of the remnant of true believers in Jesus (Yeshua).

But don't be alarmed. The good book says this happen; we will be persecuted for His sake. Be glad you're on His side!

The Observer

Padina's Story

2011-10-07T11:33:00.001-04:00

The following story is true. It has been provided by Voice of the Martyrs. Her real identity has been altered for obvious reasons.

From the time Padina was four years old, she followed every rule of Islam in an attempt to grow close to Allah. But Padina could never reach Allah. "I never felt peace," she said. "I would cry for hours to Allah, saying, 'I'm so far from you. I can never go into your presence."

She felt depressed and hopeless.

So she made a plan to end her suffering. She and her terminally ill mother would take pills, turn on the gas in the kitchen and enter into the presence of Allah as honored Muslims.

As Padina started to turn on the gas, she heard her mother's TV in the living room. The words of a Pastor on an illegal Christian satellite program grabbed her attention:

"Why do you want to kill yourself tonight" Our God is so powerful that He can change your life. Give Jesus one week!"

Repulsed, Padina came up with a plan. "I will pretend to invite Jesus for one week in my life", Padina thought. "I can embarrass Jesus and embarrass Christianity for the false religion that it is. In one week, I will call this television program and kill myself live on the program. That will disgrace the God of the infidels."

The next morning, Padina awoke to something she hadn't seen in months. Her formerly disabled mother was up and walking. Padina rushed her to the hospital for testing. The doctor was astonished. "This is a miracle!" he said. "She is cured! Which imam did you pray to?"

Padina paused. Could she say it was Jesus? Could she admit to following the same man she had hated? Was she willing to make a choice that could get her killed?

- - - - - - - - - -

Today, Padina faces the possibility of imprisonment and death. "In Iran, if you accept Christ privately but never witness, you don't have a problem," she said. "But the person who accepts Christ and begins to minister in Iran, their life is being constantly threatened. Many times we have been about to get caught by the government. Many times they have captured our leaders and churches. Our lives have been threatened many times."

But Padina's hardships no longer matter because she knows she will spend eternity with the Jesus to whom she gave just one week.

The Observer

Why the "Feasts of the Lord" should be of interest to the Christian

2011-09-19T11:03:00.001-04:00

Most Christians will tell you that the 10 Commandments are now covered by "grace", that the Old Testament (the Torah and Tanakh) is essentially "done" (except for maybe the book of Daniel), and that any "Jewish practices" have long been abrogated for Christians some 2,000 years or so.

All of us have probably met Christians who don't even own a Tanakh (Old Testament) but rely exclusively on the New Testament (the B'rit Hadashah).

Others will tell us that December 25th is the day we should celebrate Jesus' birth and that He arose from the dead on a Sunday morning and this "Feast day" is now known as Easter. The Bible says neither, BTW. Christmas and December 25th is part of pagan sun worship and the time of the resurrection is not precisely given in scripture (It could have been Saturday night, for example).

For those folks who frequent this site you will understand that I have great patience for these kinds of Christians because I was just like them at one time - believing in the lies and deceits my Pastors were telling me!

So, now it's time to venture into another area that Christians ignore - to their own peril.

The Feast Days of the Lord

Why the Feast days? Doesn't the N.T. tell us to ignore Feast days? Actually, no! Do a word search using "feast" in the N.T. It's very obvious that Jesus, His Apostles, and the early church kept the Feast days. With that in mind, perhaps this brief introduction to the Lord's Feasts will spike your interest to delve deeper. It is my opinion that the Feast days clarify and enrich your belief in Yeshua (Jesus) and help clarify your knowledge of past and future events. Because, as it turns out; the Feast Days are prophetic!

For those who would argue that most of the prophetic elements contained within the Feast Days have already been "fulfilled", they would be partially correct. There are 7 Feasts days - 4 have been fulfilled by Yeshua (these are called the "Spring" feasts) - 3 are left for future fulfillment (the "Fall" feasts)! This fact alone should make one's eyebrows arch! To be able to say that history helps verify that 4 out of 7 prophecies concerning Jesus have absolutely occurred should be enough to blow one's mind and solidify his or her belief.

Here's a short list giving the English name, Hebrew name with corresponding Hebrew dates and the pagan month when the Feast occurs:

1. Passover (Pesach) - Nisan 14-15 (March)

2. Unleavened Bread (Chag Hamotzi) - Nisan 15-22 (March)

3. First Fruits (Yom habikkurim) - Nisan 16-17 (March)

4. Pentecost (Shavu'ot) - Sivan 6-7 (May)

5. Trumpets (Yom Teru'ah) - Tishri 1 (September)

6. Atonement (Yom Kippur) - Tishri 10 (October)

7. Tabernacles (Sukkot) - Tishri 15-22 (October)

For those folks who have never heard, God's year is 360 days long with 12 months of 30 days each. The Jewish calendar follows the cycles of the moon, not some pagan whimsy as our gentile calendar does and biblical days are from sundown to sundown. BTW, the Jewish new year starts with the month of Tishrei (on the evening of September 28th), so; Happy New Year!

For most of the holidays it's easy to realize their prophetic significance. Obviously, Jesus (Yeshua) became our Passover Lamb. His body is our unleavened bread - the bread of life. His "first fruits" arose with him and witnessed concerning Him. And who can forget the Day of Pentecost? As I'm no expert on these matters I will give you a terrific link explaining further at the end of this blog, for I'm barely scratching the surface here!

The last 3 Feast Days have not happened yet, prophetically speaking.

Trumpets, also called Rosh Hashanah, is the Jewish New Year and is a time for renewal, a time for a re-dedication to the Lord. A time for repentance and self-examination. But, it goes much deeper. In the future sense it is time for "getting right with God" because the Great Day of the Lord is at hand!

Atonement, also called Yom Kippur, is a set day for confession of sins and repentance. It is a realization that a church or synagogue, or a man, or the blood of a goat, or any organization of any type CANNOT forgive sins and that only the blood of Yeshua is the Atonement for sins!

Tabernacles, also called Sukkot, implying "shelter". In the last days, the Lord will be our only shelter and refuge against the growing anti-Christian, secular, pagan world. Chanukah (Hanukkah), BTW, was not given by God on Mt. Sinai, but was prophesied in Daniel 8:9-14. Who will these persecutors be? Many of them will be people claiming to be Christian, or Jew, or any other group that opposes the light of truth. (obviously, there will be good Christians and Jews as well)

If you think these Feasts of the Lord are unimportant for Christians I would suggest you study them more. For they line up precisely with prophecy, past and future, and add significantly to the depth of understanding and faith concerning Jesus (Yeshua).

Here is a link with much valuable information and teaching. I sincerely believe it is time for Jew and Gentile believers to come together in worship of Yeshua.

The Observer

The Commandments of Jesus

2011-09-07T10:09:00.000-04:00

In the generic Christian worldview the "Law" (the 10 Commandments) and the Torah (first 5 books of the Word of God) are said to be "fulfilled"; that is, "ended", filled to "completion"; when in reality, the Torah and Commandments are still in effect. Man's rules are the only things that have been abrogated. It is my sincere belief that this Christian worldview is a trap to well-meaning believers. One of those rules of man based in arrogance, ignorance, and tradition. Therefore I offer a couple of videos explaining what I mean. These two men have stated the case very well - if only you have ears to hear! (Note: you may need to "refresh" your screen to make both videos appear) (Also, please pardon the advertisement, if one appears - these are from the host servers, not necessarily from the speakers!)

The Observer

Are The Nicolaitans Alive & Well Today ?

2011-08-30T12:25:00.015-04:00

Who are the Nicolaitans and why is it important for us to know? Just 3 verses in the biblical text refer to them, but much more is written about them by the early "Church Fathers". (See Acts 6:5; Rev. 2:6; Rev. 2:15)

[Note: it's best to always read at least a chapter at a time to get the full context]

The Nicolaitans were an early church group known for their heresy. Over history, their heresies have been adopted into mainline Christianity and other practices have been added. Here are some of the things they practiced and things that have been added later - see if they have a familiar ring:

- Sunday as the “commanded” day of worship. (... do you ... "Remember the Sabbath"!?!)

- Veneration of Church leaders. (... whoever would be first must be last!)

- Hierarchical church Government. (the individual church, Jesus, and the 12 - that's all there's supposed to be folks! We individuals have direct access to the Holy of Holys. Massive Church organizations are contrary to Jesus' teaching))

- Use of idols such as the Cross and Making the sign of the cross.

- Prayers to the dead.

- Use of statues to bow and pray to such as what is named the Virgin Mary. (During the first centuries of the church, no emphasis was placed on Mary whatsoever." - Encyclopedia Britannica, vol. 14, p. 309.) (... "no other gods before thee"?)

- The pagans baked cakes to offer to their female deity who they called "the queen of heaven" 1000 years before the birth of Christ. Today they're called "cross buns" and are offered in the name of, "The Queen of the Universe"; Mary. (... "abstain from food sacrificed to idols"?)

- Use of old pagan Feasts such as Christ-mass, and Easter. (December 25 was the "celebration of the victory of the unconquered Sun". - Gieseler's Ecclesiastical History; Edinburgh, 1846.)

- Yule log burning on Christmas Eve and a Christmas tree appears the next morning. The tree represents Zero-Ashta (a pagan god). The Yule log also represents the dead stock of Nimrod, cut down by his enemies, but is reborn the next morning to shine again. Represented by a tree carrying lighted candles.

- Use of Halos around the heads of statues and pictures of those considered Holy.

- Sun Rays coming from behind what is considered holy such as statues and pictures of people, crosses, doves, and even the bible.

- Infant baptism.

- Worship of angels.

- Mass instituted. (vain rituals)

- Extreme unction (Last Rights).

- Doctrine of purgatory which the Catholic Church ~ instituted in 593 A.D.

- Use of Holy Water.

- Rosary (prayer beads instituted).

- Good Friday being taught as the day Jesus was slain.

- Teaching that the dead go to heaven at death.

- Teaching that without baptism even an infant cannot enter into heaven.

- Tradition granted equal authority with the Bible ~ instituted in 1545 A.D.

- Engaged in sexual immorality (pedophile priests? "gay priests?)

Jay Atkinson has written a terrific primer on the subject of the Nicolaitans.

I offer it here as a reference read! It's well worth the time. Folks, we need to wake up and smell the heresy!

The Observer

3 Great Movements Most Christians Are Ignoring

2011-08-12T12:56:00.017-04:00

It isn’t often that Spiritual Movements occur in history. But when they do the mainstream either ignores them, refutes them, or attempts to destroy them. BTW, the "World" in general doesn't matter in this discussion, because they don't care anyway. It is my opinion that, by far, the vast majority of the "World" is lost. The "mainstream" I'm referring to in this context are modern mainline Christians and their churches - you know, the "church" of Laodicea.

The Spiritual Movements spoken of here are the game-changing ones, the ones that matter - not necessarily these.

At this point in history, and over the last 100 years or so, at least three great movements have risen to inordinate prominence. Among these are; a sincere and genuine movement back to the First Century church, the Rise and Support of the Nation of Israel, and the growth and Support of the Underground Church.

What? What are you talking about, Tiger? Maybe I've heard of one of these but not all! If this is the case with you then you have not been paying attention! Or, you have been comfortable listening to that automaton of a minister masterly manipulating his audience into sleepy stupor on Sunday!

We'll take on these movements one by one.

The First Century Church Movement

The Apostolic Church; the one that existed for the first 100 years, the one that still celebrated on the Sabbath; the one that celebrated the Feasts of the Lord, the one that celebrated Passover, the one that mixed Jew and Gentile, the one that did not consider the 10 Commandments unimportant, the one that read from the Torah (the Pentateuch) and the Tanach (Old Testament), the ones who believed in a Jewish Messiah (Yeshua/Jesus), the ones who worshipped at a Synagogue and Church, the ones who took care of their own first (Joseph's Storehouse); - one could go on and on. Yes, that Church; the original, is, in fact, alive and well today; in as much as it can be in modern times!

The most God-fearing group that exemplifies the First Century church today is Messianic Judaism. All of the above and more apply to them. They are, in fact, a movement; not having any "parent" organization to pay for or grow. The group does have "associations", such as the MJAA and the IAMCS, but not a parent hierarchy such as exists in the 7th Day Adventist, Baptist, Methodist, or Roman Catholic churches; to name a few. It is important to note; these folks are Jews - NOT "Jews for Jesus" who have effectively blended in with the Christian mainstream, but ethnic Jews who have come to realize and believe (like their first century brethren) that Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah!

If you have ever been to a Messianic Jewish service you will understand what I'm saying. This mixture of Jew and Gentile (mostly Gentile, actually) truly represents what we modern people would say is the First Century church! It is a realization of Israel, the physical nation and all believers in the Messiah - becoming one. Folks, if you didn't realize it, the Bible prophesies this would happen - and it has!.

Jer 16:19
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things."

IMO, this movement makes the mainstream Christian church look so much like Babylon, it makes one cringe! The mainstream has indeed inherited lies and they are still espoused from the pulpit every Sunday; on the pagan day the lies were intended for.

Messianic Judaism

Messianic Judaism has a symbol it uses, shown on the far right. This symbol is perfect in it's intent. Notice the Menorah, the Star of David, and the Fish Symbol identified with early Christians. It turns out that this very symbol was used by the First Century Church in Jerusalem.

Additionally, this group also has a special mission. It seeks to restore the physical nation of Israel to the Messiah, just as biblical prophecy proclaims. We can disagree on whether or not a rebuilt Temple is necessary for the "end times" but scripture is very clear that Israel will be united and brought under Yeshua.

The Rise and Support of the Nation of Israel

On May 14, 1948 the modern nation of Israel was (re)born following the outlines of the British Mandate for Palestine. The Mandate's implementation left lots to be desired. If you follow the link and view the map you'll notice that much, much more territory was set aside for Israel than they have nowadays. This setting aside of land has biblical significance and is land designated by God.

Since that time, Jews from the diaspora have converged on Israel and made it strong and prosperous. It is, however under constant attack by the forces of evil. Whatever you may think of the situation in the middle east, you cannot deny Israel's biblical significance! It's reemergence is simply miraculous!

And every time my country, the U.S., does something to harm her - we suffer! It does seem that all the nations are aligning against her (Israel). To my utter dismay, the Obama administration is particularly anti-Israel.

Zec 12:3
And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Zec 12:9
It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

The Growth and Support of the Underground Church

The Holy Bible states it very clearly. The "Word" will be taken to the ends of the earth and then the "end" will come.

Mat 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Imagine being tortured for giving a friend a small writing of scripture. Imagine having your wife and daughter raped in front of your eyes because you dared preach and witness the loving Word of God in public.

No, you won't hear about this on FOXNEWS or CNN and it won't be a subject of discussion for the U.N. Security Council. Why? Because the main perpetrators are most likely member nations on the Security Council!

And, you probably won't hear about organizations like the Voice of the Martyrs in your Sunday sermon. (FYI: Messianic Judaism Synagogues support V.O.M.) Your preachers may find it politically incorrect to distribute bibles in Saudi Arabia!

These modern-day Martyrs for Christ are real! They are written about in a very famous book. A book that should be required reading in public schools, IMO. It's Richard Wurmbrand's; Tortured For Christ. You can also read about them here.

Folks, the "Word" is being spread throughout the planet - whether you accept it or not!

These 3 Movements are real and engaging. They are producing good works and appear to be locked and linked with end time prophecy. I beg of you folks - start paying attention before it's too late!

The Observer

Understanding U.N. Bias - Support Israel Now

2011-07-30T15:04:00.002-04:00

The Observer

The Beast Presents It's Followers

2011-07-12T17:35:00.010-04:00

Pay close attention to the churches being represented via their introduction. If you attend one of these churches or any of their affiliate organizations you just may want to rethink that decision, for they are Images of the Beast!

The Observer

Does Man Need God?

2011-07-09T22:37:00.006-04:00

A commenter has recently raised a good question. Is man “good enough” on his own? Do we have enough “goodness” in us to always make proper decisions. Are we morally good enough as to not need help of any kind? In short, do we need God at all? Do we need any sort of Holy Law to show us the way?

Rabbi Berel Wein, a writer for JewishWorldReview has written an article concerning this very subject. His article is presented below. Any emphasis is mine.

-- BEGIN ARTICLE --

An Ugly Reality That Only The Most Enlightened Refuse To Concede

This past century, the bloodiest in all of human history, should have lain to rest two of the most cherished theories about mankind postulated by the Enlightenment and Secular Humanism.

One was the idea that all moral questions, all issues of right and wrong, good and evil, were subject to being correctly decided on the basis of man's reason alone, without the necessity (better put, without the interference) of divine revelation or organized religion. Man, and man alone, would be the final and autonomous arbiter of morality.

This idea brought with it, as a necessary corollary, the firm belief that man left to his own reasoning devices would invariably choose to do what is right, what promotes life and fairness and the common good.

This second idea of man's innate choice of goodness was aided and abetted by an arrogant belief that an educated person was more likely to do good than an illiterate one — that a Ph.D. graduate would be less likely to kill, harm, maim and destroy than a poor, hardscrabble, backwards farmer.

But none of these theories have proven true. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Milosevic and the entire slew of other murderers of the 20th century have all given the lie to these fantasies about human morality and rectitude. One-third of all of the commandants of the Nazi death camps held either a Ph.D. or M.D. degree. Man, left to his own reason, will not choose right. Reason, by itself, is death and destruction, oppressive theories and murderous social engineering. “No faith” and “no belief” have led us to the brink of the social abyss of self-destruction.

Our society hungers for a return to self, to a system of eternal values, to a disciplined life-style and to the true liberty of faith, which will free us from the ills of mindless conformity.

Balak and Bilaam, the two main characters in this week's Torah reading, are powerful, respected, intelligent people. Bilaam even possesses the gift of divine intuition and prophecy. But they are base, evil and immoral people. They are so convinced of their own powers, of their own ability to reason correctly, that they are convinced that they can hoodwink the Divine and destroy the Jewish people, all without consequence to themselves.

They exhibit all of the immoral traits of the dark side of human behavior — greed, corruption, jealousy, foul speech and causeless hatred. But their worst trait is arrogance — they know better, they are better, they deserve better. And the People of Israel, and through it, the G0d of Israel and His divine Torah, apparently stands in their way. So, denying G0d and destroying the People of Israel will somehow improve the world.

We have seen the genocidal plan of Balak and Bilaam take on the flesh of reality in this past century as well. We now know how dangerous such people are.

But many, and especially, inexplicably many Jews, are loath to relinquish the good old theories of the Enlightenment. And that is a truly sad and dangerous error. We need a healthy dose of realism and should forsake many of the utopian, naive and dangerous beliefs and theories that have characterized our journey in the modern world over the past two centuries.

We should never forget that Balak and Bilaam are unfortunately real. But so is our faith and tradition.

-- END ARTICLE --

BTW folks, the biblical story of Balak and Balaam are in Numbers, Ch. 22, if interested.

So, here is a Jewish Rabbi; fully aware that intellect, reason, and education aren’t nearly enough to correctly decide moral questions for society. It would seem to be readily apparent that man without God cannot do it! Here are a few statistics to back up what the Rabbi says. BTW, so-called “religious” people can forget about God too! :

Hitler – Adolf Hitler was a Roman Catholic but placed his own intellect above God’s. Over 11 million people including Jews, Gypsies, gays, political prisoners, people with disabilities and Eastern Europeans were killed in the Holocaust.

Sources: University of South Florida · The History Place
See Also: Encyclopedia · Holocaust Chronicle

Stalin – Joseph Stalin’s bloody record can be read here. Stalin was an atheist.

Mao – Here’s Mao Zedong’s story. Also an atheist.

Pol Pot – Read here if you have the stomach for it.

Milosevic - Slobodan Milošević; forgetting God’s love and using religion for “ethnic cleansing”.

The Killing of Christians – Yes, sometimes Christians kill each other. They forget God and trust to themselves.

And if you really want to read about one of the ultimate deniers of God, read this. Copies should be in your local library.

… Know Jesus, Know Peace; No Jesus, No Peace …

The Observer

Please Listen!

2011-06-30T09:09:00.001-04:00

For your benefit, listen to this wonderful radio interview concerning the issues of HELL and DEATH.

Yes, I believe scripture tells us that the wicked WILL burn up one day – A PLACE OF BURNING IS REAL! However, people DO NOT burn forever!

The Observer

The “Other” Jesus

2011-06-28T09:27:00.008-04:00

2 Cor. 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

It never ceases to amaze me how complete and all encompassing the biblical text is! Here in 2nd Corinthians, Paul is telling the congregation at Corinth that he is preaching the "real Jesus", the same One taught by the other Apostles, and that by knowing the truth of the real Jesus, a person will be able to bear with (be shielded from) an imposter.

As in yesteryear, this teaching is applicable in modern times. The great end-time controversy brewing within the Christian body today is; which Jesus should we worship – the one presented and portrayed within the framework of man’s tradition; or, the One presented solely in scripture; stripped of man’s tradition?

Here’s an illustration of what I’m saying. Just who do the following statements apply to? :

- He is venerated using a cross.

- His birth is celebrated on December 25th.

- His special worship day is Sunday.

- He is celebrated at Easter.

- His male priests are called “Father”.

- His female “priests” are called “Mother”.

Did you automatically say Jesus Christ? That would have been my answer also, until I learned better! No, these statements actually refer to the pagan god Mithra. Mithraism was a pagan belief long practiced before Christ’s advent. It’s traditions and practices have been blended with modern-day Christianity throughout history. What most Christian churches practice today is actually of pagan origin!

Ask yourself the following question: Did first century, apostolic Christians follow and practice the items listed above?

The answer is - absolutely NOT!

Do you begin to understand why Christians are getting back to their first century roots – back to the true Jesus – the biblical Jesus – the Jesus that celebrated on the Sabbath – the Jesus that celebrated Passover – the Jesus that proclaimed the validity of the 10 Commandments?

Do YOU worship another Jesus?

The Observer

Making Sense of Natural Disasters

2011-06-17T09:42:00.001-04:00

Steve Wohlberg has written a series of tracts explaining, biblically, some of the “reasoning” behind all these natural disasters that have been occurring recently.

You can view the material for free here – it may be helpful to you. You will need a PDF reader.

The Observer

How One Simple Truth Disqualifies The Largest Christian Church In The World

2011-05-26T10:13:00.001-04:00

Did you know – their is a major difference between a believer in Christ, and a “true” believer in Christ? Did you also know the Bible tells us this difference; explains it, and warns us about it? Did you know that one type of believer worships Christ and the “other” worships antichrist?

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

It’s very clear from these verses (and others) that the believers who believe Christ came “in the flesh” are “true” and the ones who don’t are false. Please notice also that Antichrist is already in the world at the time John wrote this. Today’s Christians, looking to the future for the Antichrist, are simply deceived.

Now, just what does; “has come in the flesh” mean? Yes, the Bible tells us that also;

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,
Hebrews 2:15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Hebrews 2:16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Hebrews 2:17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Folks, it’s very clear that Jesus Christ was born into our smelly, evil, sinful, fallen nature; yet lived a sinless life - so He would qualify as our sacrifice for sins and serve as our personal High Priest. (see also; Romans 7:18, Romans 8:3, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:26)

Because He is our High Priest we may approach Him ourselves, individually; without a need for a priest or pastor. We have direct access to the Most High! This is basic Christianity here, folks – no question about it!

Now we know what “has come in the flesh means”. Although He shared our sinful nature and polluted flesh, He prevailed!

H A L L E L U J A H ! ! !

Who, in their right mind would disagree with all this but still claim to be a Christian?

- The Immaculate Conception of Mary -

The official dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, concerning Mary, the mother of Jesus is as follows (proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854:

“The most blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Savior of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin”

The famous Catholic Cardinal Gibbons explains:

“In other words we affirm that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity … by being born of the Virgin, [took] to Himself, from her maternal womb, a human nature of the same substance as hers … a true human nature of the same substance with her own.”

Folks, the RCC teaches that Jesus was born sinless and “preserved from stain of original sin” by inheriting it from the sinless nature of His mother. In other words, the RCC teaches that Jesus was not born “of the flesh”!

From this single doctrine, many beliefs have sprang forth from the Roman system. The belief that the adoration and worship of Mary as a “saving office” for sinners has arisen. The belief that man must go through man (a priest, saint, popes, etc.) in order to reach Jesus, has been promoted and taught. From the churches own words come; “Through Mary’s “manifold intercession”, she is now our “Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix” who can “bring us the gifts of eternal salvation” and “deliver our souls from death.”

My dear friends, we all know their are many true believers within the Catholic ranks who are ignorant of their church’s folly. The Bible is very clear on this subject. We Christians have only one Advocate:

1 John 2:1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
1 John 2:4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

As an institution, the Roman Catholic Church denies that Jesus came in the flesh and as such, is a self-described Antichrist.

The Observer

What Comes After The Churches Fall ? (the 144,000)

2011-05-12T11:42:00.000-04:00

Does that sound like a provocative question?

Is there any truth to the idea that man’s churches will one day fail to be effective anymore? (and will fall?)

The first 3 chapters of Revelation show Christ giving a message to the 7 churches (congregations) of the period. Most scholars say this progression of statements also illustrate church history, and that we are now in the age of the church of Laodicea. The churches are lukewarm. They are not “on fire” for God, nor have they grown cold. But are they failing?

Just after the 911 attack on the World Trade Center by the so-called religion of peace, church attendance soared, for obvious reasons. Then the numbers subsided, and now, we’ve seen church closings, mainly due to the bad economy – fewer people are tithing. But some would say the churches are still going strong.

I’m involved in a small way with Voice of the Martyrs. According to them Christian churches are dramatically on the rise around the world - just not in America and Europe.

As you know from the last entry I differentiate the true church from the organized churches of man. In other words, the Body of Christ, as a whole, may not be representative of “organized” religion. I’ve heard at least one Minister remark that perhaps people like me want “disorganized” religion? No, organized religion is fine with me; I just want the organizing to be done by the Holy Spirit, not man! And as always, IMO, many, many saints attend these man-organized churches. Heck! I sometimes attend those churches! Spiritually, I simply see Christ’s church differently than most men.

The Bible does, in fact, support the idea that churches fail to do their job;

Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
Mat 7:16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Yes, the verses can apply to churches as well as individuals. Here’s a couple more;

Luke 13:6 He also spoke this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.
Luke 13:7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, 'Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?'
Luke 13:8 But he answered and said to him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.
Luke 13:9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.' "

… and,

Rev 3:14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:
Rev 3:15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
Rev 3:16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing'—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Rev 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

I think you would agree with me. Man’s churches do have false prophets and ravenous wolves; they do not bear fruit other than producing their own wealth, and most are lukewarm - to be vomited out of your mouth!

You want some real-world examples? That’s easy!

- How many churches can you think of that ordain women?

- How many churches ordain homosexuals or lesbians?

- How many churches teach what is expressly forbidden by Holy Writ? (celibacy, for example …)

- How many churches teach the heresies of the Antichrist?

Guess what, with these four simple statements just about ALL Christian churches have been covered ! Here’s a famous quote from H. Grattan Guinness, a famous 19th century theologian, concerning that last point;

“Futurism is literalism, and literalism in the interpretation of symbols is a denial of their symbolic character. It is an abuse and degradation of the prophetic word, and a destruction of it’s influence. It substitutes the imaginary for the real, the grotesque and monstrous for the sober and reasonable”.

BTW, most all modern churches teach Futurism. Futurism is a creation of Francisco Ribera, a Jesuit, to combat the Protestant Reformation. Futurism has no biblical integrity. Yet, most churches (and governments) follow after the Beast and their futurist doctrine! (Note: the Jesuits were created for the sole purpose of turning the churches eyes away from the truth that the Roman papacy is the biblical Antichrist)

… more examples?

- Half of Americans believe U.S. Christians persecuted, But poll shows 1 in 3 Democrats believes such treatment 'necessary'

- State Department Ignores Christian Slaughter

- Navy Chaplains to Officiate Gay Marriages

- Navy Halts Move to Allow Gay Unions by Chaplains

So… back to the discussion; have churches failed? I would say – MOST DEFINITELY! Are governments following the Beast? OH YES THEY ARE!

(remember folks, I’m speaking of institutions here, not individuals)

So what now? If the churches and our governments follow the Antichrist already who do we have left?

… you have the Word of God and the 144,000!

Rev 7:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
Rev 7:5 of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
Rev 7:6 of the tribe of Asher … etc.

The 144,000 have been said to represent the 12 Apostles and are a "last days" corollary to them. They represent the last teachers of the true gospel and also earth's last chance to accept Christ. They have not been "defiled by women" (Rev. 14:3-5) meaning they have not been tainted by the teachings of Babylon (a "woman" in biblical symbolism is a church). Now, whether you believe the 144,000 are symbolic or a literal number is up to you. “Israel”, BTW, has no connection to the country in the middle east. It represents the true believers in Christ. (yes, a related study!)

Being a subject unto itself, here is a reference to the 144,000.

The good book states that the churches and man will not be able to listen to or believe in the true Word of God in the last days;

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

Babylon has fallen, has fallen ... come out of her, lest you share in her plagues ...(Rev. Ch. 18)

I believe we are at that point in time. I believe most churches can be called Babylon. I believe most churches (and governments) are followers of the Beast! What about those Christians being persecuted and forming underground churches around the world? They are part of the Body of Christ, in my thinking - and I say, God Bless them!

The Observer

Can Man Create A Saint ?

2011-04-30T13:15:00.020-04:00

Man has been given the freedom, by God, to do anything with his life. Jesus, who was at creation (Heb. Ch. 1) did not make automatons; creatures who would always do what He asked. Contrary to what liberal political ideology teaches, we are not slaves. Some politicians would have us all be slaves to a government or to a political ideology. Jesus had different ideas (2 Cor. 3:17). However, this political argument is best left for another time.

We do have freedom, yet everything that we do does not bring pleasure to God – this much should be obvious to us all. We have the “liberty” to deny the 10 Commandments, to break God’s Law and assign a different day for worship, to eat too much, to drink too much, to fill our minds with garbage of all sorts, etc. In short, we have the freedom to sin!

People will ask the question; “if God knew we were going to sin, why did He make us?”.

He made us because rooted in true freedom and liberty is love. The same argument applies to Lucifer. God, although knowing Lucifer (the Light-Bearer) would rebel and become Satan (the Adversary), created him anyway. He did so out of love! The Roman Catholic Church is in the process of determining whether or not the late Pope John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) will be designated a Saint. Mankind has the freedom to do such a thing if he wants. My thinking process is much different than theirs. Man cannot do what God Himself can only do. (Photo from FOXNEWS.COM)

For example, only God can alter His 10 divine Laws – man cannot. Man may do such things and claim he has usurped God’s authority, but this is simply the same mistake Lucifer made. In fact, making such a change indicates you have committed yourself to the allegiance of Satan. Man may teach that you go to heaven (or hell) immediately upon death, for another example, but the Bible (God's actual Word) does not teach that. Satan teaches in the "garden" that we are immortal and have an immortal "soul", but God does not teach that. Instead, God teaches that when we die - we die! That we are "living souls" (in life) and when we die, the breath of God returns to God. When God breathed into Adam he "became a living soul". Upon death, we lie dead, awaiting the Resurrection at the Second Coming. (or the Resurrection of the wicked - later)

The biblical definition of a “saint” is very different from man’s. This person has done a wonderful job explaining this. Although it’s a little dated, please read it.

Do you claim to love God? Did you know the biblical definition of love means more than our modern touchy-feely ideas about love? “Love” – in the Bible, has much to do with obedience. If we actually love God, we will think twice before “eating anything from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil”. We will obey Him out of our love for Him!.

No … man nor his organized church can do what only God can do – even if it appears that he has. This is the true faith of the saints – that we love and believe our Lord and Savior, not man, and if we do love Him, we will follow His Commandments! (John 14:15)

I hope all of you are having a wonderful, spirit-filled Sabbath!

The Observer

The Biblical Church

2011-04-22T08:28:00.008-04:00

Take a long look at the photo of the nice brick church with a classic steeple. Most of us have seen such churches in our own home town, especially in N. America [Peyton-Knight photo]. Many saints and sinners can be found in these places. After all, sometimes the best place to find a sinner is in church. Saints can be found everywhere there’s a need.

The second image is from the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.

My question today is; “do either of these images represent your biblical vision of what the church is?” It certainly did for me for most of my life. Then, I began to really study my Bible.

My wife, the Tigress, and I attended an FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) awards banquet last night. The event was held on a sprawling, expansive network of buildings. The facility included schools, meeting rooms, gymnasiums, ballrooms, offices, and conference centers. This was a one church organization folks, spread out on at least one square mile of property, or more! The actual church was immense, certainly able to be described as a mega-church. Right next door, on a separate piece of gorgeous property a famous (un-named) professional athlete has built a sports facility so the young folks could be trained to pursue the given sport with all the help one would need. Yes, the famous athlete is a member of the church.

Being a devout capitalist myself, I have absolutely no problem with all the money associated with this organization and their facility – as long as the money is used for good purposes. And I have no doubt whatsoever that many, many saints attend this church.

But I have to ask, “is this what the biblical text means when it speaks of the ‘church’ ?“

I would have to say, no – not at all. We’ve mentioned before that Bible translations contain word errors. These errors have crept in through the influence of Kings, Popes, translators, and well-meaning clergy. If memory serves the last one discussed was the use of the Latin word “crux”, for cross. The original Greek word used was, “stauros”, meaning stake. This one crept in with William Tyndale, a trained catholic. With the veneration of the cross image that is given nowadays and the fact of it's pagan origin, you can appreciate my concern.

The old English word, "cirice" (the house of a god) was one such word used by the King James translators. We get our word, “church” from this word and it strictly implies a place of worship. The original intent was far removed from this idea. The word, “congregation” is very old and only has one meaning. It means, “an assembly of believers”; a collection of people devoted to worship. “Congregation” is the word that should be used in all Bible translations where the word “church” is used.

So, as you may have suspected already, a church is simply where two or more worshippers are gathered.

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

Whether you have a meeting at home, at work, in your car, or on the street; and you are having a devotional activity to God – then you are in church. Let no man tell you differently!

Now, there’s nothing wrong if you wish to attend one of these mega-churches. Just be sure they’re doing God’s work, not man’s. And ask this question - are they promoting Jesus or man?

The Observer

Are You An Egg Hunting Pagan?

2011-04-13T15:58:00.002-04:00

The Observer

The Useless Searching for the Antichrist

2011-04-09T12:45:00.007-04:00

Have you ever lost something - your keys, glasses, coffee cup? You look and look, mumbling to yourself about aging and wondering why all that energy is wasted on those young people.

Then you look down, right in front of your face – there’s your keys! Right where you left them! And no, the keys didn’t grow wings and fly across the room. You just forgot!

Most Christians today are doing the same thing concerning the Antichrist. Metaphorically, we are looking in every place imaginable when the answer is right in front of us – all the time.

Joel Richardson has written a book comparing the Islamic “Mahdi” with the Antichrist, others believe that the Antichrist controls the U.N., or the European Union. Some say it’s the Bilderberg folks or the Illuminati; or better yet, the Masons. (we all know it’s really that rat in red pants – Mickey Mouse!)

You know what I’m going to say … yes, the answer is in the Bible. Right in front of our eyes the whole time!

There’s no doubt that those organizations I listed may have antichrist tendencies. The good book tells us this will be so.

1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.

My mother used to ask me a question, over and over again. “Son, do you believe we are in the last days?”. I would always reply the same way; “Yes Mom, the Bible says the last days started with Jesus’ first coming!”. Of course, she meant the final, end of days. She was a futurist and was looking towards a time in the future when the Antichrist was to appear.

I’m an historicist, so for me the Antichrist has been around for much longer than most Christians realize. Why do I believe this?

… for the Bible tells me so …

The word, “antichrist” is used 5 times in the Bible, all in 1st and 2nd John. The antichrist is also referred to as, that “son of perdition”. There are references concerning him in Daniel, 2 Thessalonians, and Revelation.

Please notice 1 John 2:18 again, quoted above. “Many antichrists have come”. So, not only is antichrist centered around a single “son of perdition”, but there are actually “many”. Please notice; the word “Antichrist” as a single entity is used, but also “antichrists” – the plural - and, that we know, as Christians, that we are at the last “hour”. Let’s continue reading in 1st John.

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

John says very clearly that these antichrists went out from “us”. Who are the “us”? Why, Christians of course! Now, consider this. Are the Illuminati, United Nations, European Union, Masons, Bilderbergers, or Islam part of us – Christianity? The answer is clearly no! If that’s so then why are people looking for the Antichrist in these groups? They are deceived, that’s why! Continue reading …

1 John 2:20 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. 1 John 2:21 I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 1 John 2:22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.

John assures us this is the truth, that antichrist denies the Father and the Son.

1 John 2:26 These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you.

John writes that some will try to deceive you concerning antichrist. It will be subtle, misdirected.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 1 John 4:2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 1 John 4:3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.

2 John 1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

Is Glenn Beck a false prophet because he’s pushing a book about an Islamic Antichrist? : ) No, I place no judgment on him. All that’s up to God. What’s important here is that the “spirit of Antichrist” is “already in the world”! Clearly, the apostolic church was expecting Antichrist very soon - and, that you have and must overcome them!

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Now … let’s go to 2 Thessalonians.

2Th 2:1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 2Th 2:2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Paul doesn’t use the word “Antichrist” here, but all Bible scholars agree that this “man of sin”, this “son of perdition” is Antichrist. Notice that we are to be eventually gathered together with Christ, that the “day of Christ” (Second Coming) has not yet arrived and that before all this happens a “falling away” occurs first, then the “son of perdition” is revealed.

The “falling away” is an apostasy. A desertion of the original precepts of a religion or belief. Then this “entity” will sit in the “Temple of God”, “showing himself that he is God”.

Obviously, in the New testament, there are many references to the actual, physical temple located in Jerusalem. But, with the Advent of Christ the “Temple” becomes something different.

Question: How does the New Testament ultimately define the “Temple of God”? If you miss the progression and change in this regard, then you are not reading your Bible!

[Point of future study - did you know; this "Temple" is also defined as "Israel"!]

Mat 26:61 and said, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.' "

Mat 27:40 and saying, "You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross."

Mat 27:51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, (the “temple” and sacrifices ceased to be important)

John 2:21 But He was speaking of the temple of His body.

1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

1Co 3:17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

2Co 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE."

Eph 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, (referring to the body)

2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Rev 3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Rev 7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

… Revelation continues with the Temple and it’s always referring to a heavenly Temple until the New Earth.

So … the Antichrist will “sit in the temple of God” (not man) “showing himself to be God”. … this “son of perdition”.

… “son of perdition” hmmmm. Yes! It refers to another person, as well!

John 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

This “son of perdition” is Judas! No, I’m not saying that Judas is the Antichrist. I’m saying that Judas came from within Christianity, as close as one could get to Jesus - yet, he was a “son of perdition”! It’s more proof that the Antichrist is from within Christianity, not outside!

Now… continuing with 2 Thessalonians 2 …

2Th 2:5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? 2Th 2:6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. 2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. 2Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. 2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 2Th 2:10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2Th 2:11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 2Th 2:12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Paul says that even during his time the church already knew what was “restraining” the Antichrist. It’s not stated here because it was dangerous to do so. The Thessalonians knew, Paul knew, but the Roman Empire held an ax over their heads, so to speak. So … how do we know what the “restrainer” is? And, what is “in his time”?

We know from history. (do you see why I’m an Historicist?)

“‘For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; only he who now hinders must hinder, until he be taken out of the way.’ What obstacle is there but the Roman state, the falling away of which, by being scattered into ten kingdoms, shall introduce Antichrist upon (its own ruins)? ‘And then shall be revealed the wicked one.” “On the Resurrection of the Flesh,” chapter 24; Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. III, p. 563 - Tertullian (160-240 A. D.)

Again from Tertullian;

“The very end of all things threatening dreadful woes is only retarded by the continued existence of the Roman Empire.” (“Apology,” chapter 32; Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. III, p. 43)

“The subject itself declares that the fall and ruin of the world will shortly take place; except that while the city of Rome remains, it appears that nothing of this kind is to be feared. But when that capital of the world shall have fallen, and shall have begun to be a street, which the Sibyls say shall come to pass, who can doubt that the end has now arrived to the affairs of men and the whole world? It is that city, that only, which still sustains all things.” (“The Divine Institutes,” book 7, chapter 25; Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. VII, p. 220) - Lactantius, in the early fourth century

“But this aforesaid Antichrist is to come when the times of the Roman Empire shall have been fulfilled, and the end of the world is drawing near. There shall rise up together ten kings of the Romans, reigning in different parts perhaps, but all about the same time; and after those an eleventh, the Antichrist, who by his magical craft shall seize upon the Roman power; and of the kings who reigned before him, ‘three he shall humble,’ and the remaining seven he shall keep in subjection to himself.” (Catechetical Lectures,” section 15, on II Thessalonians 2:4; Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, vol. VII, p. 108 [New York: The Christian Literature Company, 1895]). - early in the fourth century Cyril of Jerusalem (318-386 A. D.)

… one more for good measure …

“When the Roman Empire is taken out of the way, then he [the Antichrist] shall come. And naturally. For as long as the fear of this empire lasts, no one will willingly exalt himself, but when that is dissolved, he will attack the anarchy, and endeavor to seize upon the government both of man and of God.” - “Homily IV on 2 Thessalonians 2:6-9,” Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, vol. XIII, p. 389 [New York: Charles Scribner’s and Sons, 1905] - Chrysostom (died in 407)

Folks! History can produce many more acknowledgments of Paul’s knowledge and the awareness of the Thessalonians that the Roman Empire was the Restrainer and must have it’s due “time” before Antichrist appears!

Now … to the meat of the issue. What “little horn” came up out of the Roman Empire to become the Antichrist?

Dan 7:7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns. (the Roman Empire) Dan 7:8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

What Antichrist power was given authority after the fall of the Roman Empire? What power became “lawless” by denying the 10 Commandments and actually changing them? What power stated that one must go through man to get to God and that one man, seated as God was the ultimate source to God?

Justinian I conquered the Italian peninsula in the Gothic War (535–554) and appointed the next three popes, a practice that would be continued by his successors. The Papacy began to grow in power and authority as the Empire diminished.

Yes my friends, the illusive Antichrist is not elusive at all! He is not Islamic or part of the U.N. He has already subtly altered your worship so you worship a different Jesus than the one scripture tells us to worship. He has even changed your appointed day of worship with no complaint from you. He has introduced pagan ritual and gods within your “Christianity” and you don’t even recognize it. His deadly wound has been healed and he is growing again in power and will one day speak a world-wide proclamation to worship himself as God, on the day appointed by himself. He will work with those organizations already spoken of to do this. He will even work closely with the United States of America! He has already captured most so-called Protestant churches!

Stop looking around for the Antichrist folks! He’s been right in front of our eyes for a very long time!

The Observer

To The Tigress, With All My Love

2011-03-24T08:04:00.004-04:00

Heather Williams - Hallelujah
The Observer

ETHIOPIA: Radical Muslims Attack Christians and Churches

2011-03-18T13:06:00.006-04:00

Do You Even Care?

Every day we live our lives, ignoring actual events around the globe. We earn our paychecks, eat our daily bread, and hoard our gold and silver. However, Americans give more of their wealth to the poor and destitute than any other country or set of countries combined. As Americans we have great respect for self-reliance and entrepreneurial effort and this is a good thing. It’s what makes America and the American experiment great. Too many of our “leaders”, so-called”, forget this.

But meanwhile let’s not forget that all around the world people are dying on a daily basis. They die, not because of lack of trying, but because of lack of freedom.

Arguably, the most persecuted class in the world today are Christians. In the West we don’t necessarily recognize this. We think our pagan-tainted, warm-fuzzy version of Christianity is the best one; a belief that all others should embrace and promote; while all the time, we should be asking if we’re as “Christian” as these persecuted folks.

What’s Happening Right Now In Ethiopia

A string of attacks on Christians by radical Muslims have left at
least two dead and thousands homeless in western Ethiopia.
Reports say Islamic extremists set fire to 59 church buildings and 28 Christian homes in Asendabo.

"One Orthodox believer, whose daughter is a member of Mekane Yesus Church, has been killed," an Ethiopian church leader told Compass Direct News. "Ministers were injured, and many more believers have been displaced."

The violence spread to outlaying towns and now more than 4,000 Christians have been forced to flee for their lives.

It began when Muslims accused a Christian of desecrating a Quran by ripping out the pages of the Islamic holy book. Security forces were sent to the area, but they were overwhelmed by the enraged mob.

Reports indicate the attacks upon Christians in the African country continue.

[Source: Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) News]

Pray for God's intervention and that Ethiopian believers find refuge and safety from these attacks. Pray for the injured and the families of those who have lost their lives. Pray that the attackers will be delivered from the deception of Islam and seek salvation that only faith in Christ offers.

"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:12-13

The Observer

BTW, you can rip out all the pages in the Bible you want, I won't kill you for it.

Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

2011-03-11T15:50:00.005-05:00

"And there will be great earthquakes in various places ... the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear and the expectation of those things that are coming upon the earth ... When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near...Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away."

Prediction made by Jesus Christ.
Recorded in Luke 21:11,25,26,31,33.

… folks, now may be a good time to get on our knees and ask forgiveness – and give ours lives to Christ if you haven’t already done so … don't forget to mention the folks in Japan ....

"Seek the Lord while He may be found." Isaiah 55:6

The Observer

Do You Dare Take The Quiz?

2011-03-08T07:27:00.065-05:00

Have you ever noticed those ads on the Internet? Take this quiz, test your I.Q, do you really know the Constitution?

Some of them are fun, others are silly. They all lead you to an offer to purchase something useless, of course. One of my favorites is the triangle question.

How many triangles do you count?

The choices don't always offer what I actually see! There are 10 triangles here, not 6! I guess that’s an indicator of how my brain works (or doesn’t)! ☺

In Christianity we are questioned with quizzes all the time. We are asked to buy into something while being pressured by the denominational entity presenting the quiz. Here's one for you.

Question: Which Christian symbol is pagan in origin?

the Cross------------------the Fish-----------a Sacred Heart Medal-----a Mitre hat

The answer may not be what you think! The answer, of course, is ALL OF THEM! Yes, that's right! All of them.

I know what your thinking. Does it matter that someone wears a medallion, places a "Christian" fish on their car, wears cross jewelry, or wears a mitered hat in a religious ceremony? As long as the person genuinely realizes the article is not to be worshipped, then for most people the answer is no - it doesn't matter.

But for me it does matter. Here's why.

With even a casual reading of your Bible it becomes overwhelmingly evident that anti-christian forces have, throughout biblical history, introduced; false symbols, misdirected teaching, false ceremony, idolatry, and numerous unmentioned traditions into Christianity in order to turn you away from the true Christ. This deception has been coordinated by the one who wishes to take God's place - you have heard of him, I'm sure.

Let's look at each symbol and investigate it's original meaning. As always, review each hyperlink to get the full impact of the study.

The Cross

What letter does the false god listed in Ezekiel 8:14 begin with? A letter "T" of course. Tammuz has been long associated with the cross symbol, long before Christians began to identify the cross with the crucifixion. (Note: on the "Master's Table" link, click "Pagan Symbols" and "The Cross~Pagan")

Here's another surprise! Most likely, Jesus was not crucified on a cross. He was most likely crucified on a stake! Now, I realize that our modern Bibles use "cross" all throughout the New Testament. However, this wasn't true until the Tyndale Bible. Before Tyndale the Greek word, "Stauros" was used. This word clearly means "stake". Because of his Catholic upbringing and education Tyndale used the Latin, "Crux", meaning cross. Yes, the Romans worshipped Tammuz and other related gods. As an aside, another argument that prevails is whether or not Jesus was nailed in the wrists or the hands. Our "doubting Thomas" was clearly told in the N.T. to look at Jesus' hands and as far as I know, earlier manuscripts don't show anything different.

Obviously, to our Lord Jesus it didn't make any difference! Whether He was crucified on a stake or on a cross it still hurt like hell! (pardon the pun!)

The point here it to be aware of the pagan influence and deception of the cross symbol.

The Fish & The Mitre

While driving in traffic we've all seen the little fish symbols on the backs of cars. The occupants want to tell you they're Christian. Sometimes you see two large fish and two little fish, representing the parents and the kids - the whole family! Then you see the "Darwin" fish with feet! This person wants say that the unscientific (IMO) Theory of Evolution takes precedence over your Christian beliefs. And I'm sure you've seen the large Christian fish symbol eating the Darwin fish.

We really can't discuss the fish symbol without showing the Mitered hat as well. They're related. (click "Pagan Symbols" and "Dagon" in the link) Dagon is an ancient god of fertility. The name is derived from many sources and depending on the culture could mean; fish, grain, or corn. The classic idol of Dagon is a half-human, half-fish arrangement. And yes, not surprisingly, the Romans worshipped Dagon. (So did others - Joshua 19:27, Judges 16:23, 1 Samuel 5:2, 1 Chronicles 10:10) BTW, Dagon was also called, Ichthys - meaning "fish". To show obeisance to a Dagon Priest one had to kneel and kiss his ring. He was referred to as, "His Holiness". Sound familiar? Though claimed to be part of the O.T. dress of Hebrew Priests the mitered hat is really part of the dress of ancient Dagon Priests. In truth, the Roman church started out using dress similar to the old Hebrew tradition but quickly transgressed towards the pagan Dagon, to play with the words. Here's a couple of pics showing the development. On the left is a Hebrew Priest, on the right (below), the Roman church's progression of use for this type of headgear. You've heard of the Catholic habit of eating fish on Fridays, right? This is an ancient practice of Dagon worship.

Please read the provided links. They're quite interesting and are trustworthy, IMO. You see, no matter how you try to relate biblical accounts with church symbols, the feeding of the multitudes with fish, for example, the true origin of these things is quite different and are actually deceptions to turn you away from Christ.

The Scared Heart Medals

And last, but not least are the various medallions worn by believers. Not all of them are "sacred heart" medals but you'll get the idea nonetheless. The pagan meaning behind these should be obvious. The wearer is supposedly somehow protected from some evil by wearing the medal. Supernatural power is somehow transferred to the object and it becomes an amulet of protection and/or guidance. This is blatant, no-compromise idol worship. It has no place in Christianity! The study of the "sacred heart" iconography is a volume unto itself and is not covered here. It is altogether pagan and non-Christian.

Why does all this matter? It matters because the enemies of Christ looking at all this mixing of Christianity with paganism (called Syncretism) come to the conclusion that Christianity is just an updated version of ancient pagan worship and is to be treated as such. Your worship becomes as meaningless as a Hindu idol; to be ignored and ridiculed.

Yes, whether you accept it or not, symbols are extremely important in your worship of the one true God. I pray that you will not be deceived and if you have been, ask genuinely for forgiveness and wisdom on this subject.

If you attend a church that pushes these symbols I would recommend you ask yourself, "am I worshipping God" or "another Jesus"? (2 Cor 11)

The Observer

The Plight of Asia Bibi

2011-02-26T12:39:00.004-05:00

Please consider a donation to Voice of the Martyrs

The Observer

An Excellent Primer On the Antichrist - 1 - The Antichrist in the Bible (1 of 3)

2011-02-17T08:07:00.004-05:00

1 - The Antichrist in the Bible (2 of 3)

2011-02-17T08:07:00.003-05:00

1 - The Antichrist in the Bible (3 of 3)

2011-02-17T08:06:00.002-05:00

The Observer

For Your Reading Pleasure - The Pagan Origins Of Lent

2011-02-10T08:50:00.002-05:00

I was planning to do a nice layout on this subject but found one that is very informative. It was done by a man named Micheal Scheifler and is called;

The 40 Days of Weeping for Tammuz

... enjoy!

The Observer

Are You A Disciple Of Antinomianism, Gnosticism ?

2011-02-06T14:14:00.004-05:00

[Note: some excerpts are taken from the Wikipedia article]

According to Wikipedia, Antinomianism (a term coined by Martin Luther, from the Greek ἀντί, "against" + νόμος, "law"), is a belief or tendency in most religions that some therein consider existing laws as no longer applicable to themselves.The term originated in the context of a minority Protestant view that since faith itself alone is sufficient to attain salvation, adherence to religious law is not necessary,and religious laws themselves are set aside or "abrogated" as inessential.

While the concept is related to the foundational Protestant belief of Sola Fide where justification is through faith alone in Christ; it is taken to an extreme. It is seen by some as the opposite of the notion that obedience to a code of religious law earns salvation: legalism or works righteousness.

I would argue that many modern Christians embrace this extreme notion of antinomianism, especially as it concerns the 10 Commandments.

However, to be fair, an antinomian theology does not necessarily imply the embrace of ethical permissiveness; rather it usually implies emphasis on the inner working of the Holy Spirit as the primary source of ethical guidance; a notion I’m in complete agreement with.

But some do embrace this permissiveness. Perhaps the best biblical example of this is Nicolas.

Act 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
Act 6:2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
Act 6:3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
Act 6:4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
Act 6:5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
Act 6:6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.

Later, Jesus Himself makes reference to the teachings of Nicolas in His words to the church of Ephesus.

Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
Rev 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

… and a little later, to the church in Smyrna,

Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
Rev 2:15 Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
Rev 2:16 Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.

So, here we have Nicolas, a man appointed by the Apostles to serve the early church, teaching heresy.

Theologians will tell you that Nicolas taught his followers to ignore the 10 Commandments and to give in to their human passions and indulgences because they couldn’t control them anyway. He taught them that were “Saved” already and should not worry about their Salvation. Sound familiar? Many churches are teaching this today!

This kind of thinking is related to Gnosticism. Gnosticism is a like a coin, having two sides. On one side is the Nicolas model. Having accepted that you can’t control yourself you give in freely to your passions. The other side is strict control over all aspects of ones life leading to the heresies of monasticism, legalism, ritual scourging and the like.

Yes, those monks in secluded monasteries may have helped to preserve scripture, but they were also living a heretical lifestyle.

So, what’s the answer? If, as a good friend has said, our attempts at “perfection” are arrogant human vanity and hubris, then what are we to do?

As always, I argue we go to the source – the Bible.

The progressive sanctification of the individual, in biblical nomenclature, is to be “perfect”, to achieve “perfection”, to be “perfect” in all our ways. It’s easy to understand why we think of this as hubris; pride or arrogance, an excess of ambition, ultimately causing the transgressor's ruin.

So, I’m going to use this root word, “perfect”, and do a search of it’s uses in the Bible (you’ve gotta love e-Sword!). Obviously, you should look up each reference and read it in context. :

(Gen 6:9) This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.

(Lev 22:21) And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.

(Deu 25:15) You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure, that your days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.

(Deu 32:4) He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

(1Sa 14:41) Therefore Saul said to the LORD God of Israel, "Give a perfect lot." So Saul and Jonathan were taken, but the people escaped.

(2Sa 22:31) As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

(2Sa 22:33) God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.

(Ezr 7:12) Artaxerxes, king of kings, To Ezra the priest, a scribe of the Law of the God of heaven: Perfect peace, and so forth.

(Job 36:4) For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

(Job 37:16) Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

(Psa 18:30) As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

(Psa 18:32) It is God who arms me with strength, And makes my way perfect.

(Psa 19:7) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

(Psa 101:2) I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

(Psa 101:6) My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me.

(Psa 138:8) The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

(Psa 139:22) I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.

(Pro 4:18) But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

(Son 5:2) I sleep, but my heart is awake; It is the voice of my beloved! He knocks, saying, "Open for me, my sister, my love, My dove, my perfect one; For my head is covered with dew, My locks with the drops of the night."

(Son 6:9) My dove, my perfect one, Is the only one, The only one of her mother, The favorite of the one who bore her. The daughters saw her And called her blessed, The queens and the concubines, And they praised her.

(Isa 18:5) For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect And the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks And take away and cut down the branches.

(Isa 26:3) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

(Isa 42:19) Who is blind but My servant, Or deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is blind as he who is perfect, And blind as the LORD's servant?

(Eze 16:14) Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you," says the Lord GOD.

(Eze 27:3) and say to Tyre, 'You who are situated at the entrance of the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coastlands, thus says the Lord GOD: "O Tyre, you have said, 'I am perfect in beauty.'

(Eze 27:11) Men of Arvad with your army were on your walls all around, And the men of Gammad were in your towers; They hung their shields on your walls all around; They made your beauty perfect.

(Eze 28:12) "Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "You were the seal of perfection, Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

(Eze 28:15) You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you.

(Mat 5:48) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

(Mat 19:21) Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."

(Luk 1:3) it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus,

(Joh 17:23) I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

(Act 3:16) And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

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

(1Co 13:10) But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

(2Co 12:9) And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

(Gal 3:3) Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

(Eph 4:13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

(Col 1:28) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

(Col 4:12) Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

(1Th 3:10) night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

(Heb 2:10) For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

(Heb 7:19) for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

(Heb 9:9) It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience—

(Heb 9:11) But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation.

(Heb 10:1) For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect.

(Heb 11:40) God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

(Heb 12:23) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,

(Jas 1:4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

(Jas 1:17) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

(Jas 1:25) But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

(Jas 2:22) Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

(Jas 3:2) For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

(1Pe 5:10) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

(1Jn 4:18) There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

(Rev 3:2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

An honest reading of all these verse references (within context) will indicate that Jesus does expect a certain degree of “perfection” in us, as He declares what is perfect.

Our human hubris aside, it becomes obvious that God does expects us to try, try, and try again!

The Observer

Additional Resources

Jesus the Killer!

2011-01-30T10:20:00.029-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

However, our Lord is no murderer!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still believe Jesus is a pacifist?

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

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

The Observer

Additional Reading

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

The 5 “Solas” of the Protestant Reformation

2011-01-19T10:57:00.006-05:00

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

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

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

[See here for additional study]

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

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

They are as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Observer

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

2011-01-04T12:18:00.010-05:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- The Roman Catholic Church

- The Mormon Church

- The Jehovah’s Witnesses

- The Seventh Day Adventist Church

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is A Congregation Necessarily Part Of Man’s Church ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Observer

Should Christians Celebrate Christmas ?

2010-12-17T11:39:00.011-05:00

I know … sounds like a silly question! Who in their right mind, while claiming to be a Christian, would have a problem with celebrating the birth of Christ?

But, have you ever wondered where this holiday come from? It’s obvious, you say – from the birth of Christ! : )

However, most theologians and historians agree, Jesus Christ was most likely born in the fall (September ?).

So … how did we end up celebrating Christ’s birth in December?

The Encyclopedia Britannica reports that "The traditional customs connected with Christmas have developed from several sources as a result of the coincidence of the celebration of the birth of Christ with the pagan agricultural and solar observations at midwinter. In the Roman world the Saturnalia (December 17) was a time of merrymaking and exchange of gifts. December 25 was also regarded as the birth date of the Persian mystery god Mithra, the Sun of Righteousness." Mithraism was a primary pagan devotion within the Roman Empire, especially amongst the Roman Legions.

Colliers Encyclopedia agrees. Quote: "After the triumph of Constantine, the church at Rome assigned December 25 as the date for the celebration of the feast, possibly about A.D. 320 or 353. By the end of the fourth century the whole Christian world was celebrating Christmas on that day, with the exception of the Eastern churches, where it was celebrated on January 6. The choice of December 25 was probably influenced by the fact that on this day the Romans celebrated the Mithraic feast of the Sun-god (natalis solis invicti), and that the Saturnalia also came at this time."

Both encyclopedias plainly reveal that the source of the celebration of December 25 is the birthday of Mithra, the pagan sun god.

Sun worshippers since the time of Babel recognized this time of year in honor of their gods.

December 25th is well known as the birthday of various pagan gods.

A Roman calendar drawn up by a "Christian" in 354 A.D. (The Codex Calendar of 354) shows December 25 to be the birthday of Sol Invictus. Not only is it listed as a pagan birthday; but, it is listed as the most important pagan birthday of the whole year. It was celebrated in the Roman Circus with extra chariot races. This is the sun god that Constantine the Great worshipped while claiming to be a "Christian." His coins state that he was "committed to Sol Invictus." Constantines’ form of "Christianity" continues to influence Christianity today. December 25th is just one example. Satan wants to be "God." The first four commandments tell us who "God" really is. Satan hates that and has done everything possible to abrogate those commandments. Calling December 25th the birthday of Jesus is nothing less than sticking a pagan god in the face of the "God" of the Bible - a direct violation of the first commandment.

There was no consensus among third and fourth century scholars as to the birthday of Jesus. Different scholars gave many different dates. It seems that January 6th was one of the more popular choices during that time period.

Before the fourth century, the only possible reference to December 25 as the birthday of Jesus is assumed from the writings of Hippolytus. In his writings he indicates that Jesus was born on Passover, which would be either March 25th or April 2nd. Those who desire a December 25th birthday have theorized that Hippolytus really meant "conception" instead of "birth," therefore nine months after "conception" the baby would be born on December 25th. A study of his other writings however, indicates that the Greek word he chose does indeed mean "birth." An ancient monument of Hippolytus, now in the Lateran Museum in Rome, shows April 2nd as the birthday of Christ.

There is no record of a December 25th celebration of the birth of Christ in Rome earlier than 336. In Constantinople, no record of a celebration before 378. In Alexandria, not before 400; and in Jerusalem, not before 425.

The bottom line is that there are no reliable historical documents that would place the birth of Jesus on December 25th. On the other hand, there is overwhelming documentation that the birthday of many of the sun gods of antiquity was recognized as December 25th.

In 273 A.D. Aurelian brought the worship of Baal, from Syria, back to Rome, and instituted the cult of Sol Invictus, which combined the worship of all the pagan sun gods into one - "Sol Invictus." A few years earlier, the Roman emperor Elogabalus had unsuccessfully attempted to make the worship of the sun god Baal the predominant religion in Rome. The way Aurelian was able to get everyone, with their own specific sun gods, to be happy, was by proclaiming December 25th to be the birthday of Sol Invictus. They recognized December 25th as the birthday of their own god, therefore they were happy with the new name "Sol Invictus" - The Invincible Sun. Because of the association with December 25th. they recoginzed Sol Invictus as their own God.

The abominable worship of Tammuz, as spoken of in the book of Ezekiel, is related to December 25th. Today visitors to Bethlehem are taken to a subterranean cave, under the "Church of the Nativity" and are told that Jesus was born there on December 25th. It was Helena, the mother of Constantine, who declared that site to be the birth place of Christ. Jesus was not born there. It is a pagan sun worship cave in honor of Tammuz. The "church" historian Jerome, who wrote the Latin "Vulgate" tells us that Tammuz was worshipped there. He ought to know. His school was right next door. In fact, the back door of his school leads into the temple of Tammuz. In spite of all these facts, thousands of unknowing Christians bow down and kiss the spot in the niche where the idol of Tammuz was placed. Although theologians know, they will not tell people the truth. They will be held accountable.

Our Christian ancestors knew better. The celebration of December 25th was illegal (at one time) in England. It was outlawed in New England from 1649 to 1658. The December 25th celebration was condemned for its pagan roots by the Puritans, the Methodists, the Quakers, the Amish, the Presbyterians, and the Baptists. Why would they do that if there was not a legitimate problem? Christmas was made a legal holiday in Massachusetts in 1856.

Considering these facts, it is not unreasonable for a person to want to disassociate himself from a pagan birthday that never had anything to do with Christ Jesus. The Bible says that "to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." We are only responsible for what we know. Even so, we must not be "willingly ignorant." Everyone will have to make their own decision.

These are just a few facts that no scholar will deny.

At this point you may be asking; should we even care about this? Does it matter?

I would argue that it does.

Dan 12:4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase."

The “book” has been unsealed in the form of the book, Revelation. The "unsealing" has been accomplished. Knowledge IS increasing, people ARE running to and fro and the remnant church IS forming as we live and breath.

The Bible is very clear on this – Christians will literally separate themselves during the end times. Who are they separating from?

Other Christians!

One group of Christians will cling to their traditions and man-made laws. The other group will excise themselves from those pagan and false traditions and return to the Apostolic way of worship (as close as possible) .

This second, more Apostolic group will be persecuted by the first group. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of the final false church and the final true church.

Most of the people of the world, in general, are already lost. The ending battle will be between the false church and the true church.

Which one do you trust and how can you tell which one is correct?

That’s easy – read your Bible and see which "church" it agrees with.

With an honest, biblically-based study I think you’ll see that the Word of God is agreeing with those who are separating from man’s traditions.

BTW, I'm sharing these facts to lovingly warn my friends and family, not to ruin their Christmas celebration. It is right and proper to celebrate the birth of Jesus. But is it right to do so with so many pagan trappings?

Reference: Christmas (much thanks to Richard Rives of http://www.toolong.com/)

The Observer

Does God’s Grace Make The Law ‘Unnecessary’ ?

2010-12-14T13:06:00.012-05:00

Most Christians grow up in a church-world where they are taught that the 10 Commandments are one of the following:

- Moses’ Law

- Fulfilled (to them, meaning “finished”, “completed”)

- Impossible to live up to

- or, are covered by Grace

The biblical reality is that none of these are true. I was also taught these things and didn’t know any better until I began to study the subject myself. We must continuously ask ourselves; do we believe in man, or God?

As always, I ask you, I plead with you to check everything I say with the Bible. I’m just a sinner like you. But, I implore you to also believe the Bible!

I will try to biblically answer many questions. Questions like:

In what sense are Christians free from the Law?

What does it mean to be under the Law?

Does God’s grace nullify the 10 Commandments?

Is a Christian justified in breaking ANY of the 10 Commandments because he is under grace?

What attracts me to Bible study is the fact that you can use the intellectual disciplines of logic and reason. Child-like belief does enter into the picture, of course – you either believe in God or you don’t, but Christianity can be argued with reason.

So I’ll start with a basic truth. When a person commits a premeditated murder, stands before a judge and jury, is found guilty, and given a sentence; then he must fulfill the requirements of that judgment. It may be death!

The Bible clearly establishes that ALL OF US are guilty of sin (Romans 3:23) and that the wages of sin (our sentence) is death (Romans 6:23). Did ya ever wonder why we die?

As the old saying goes; it’s because we’re all guilty, guilty as sin!

Does God define what sin is? Yes! Sin is defined as transgression of the Law (1 John 3:4). What Law? Why, the Big 10, of course (Romans 7:7).

All of us have been caught red-handed. We must acknowledge our crime and take the punishment – death!

The human sinner tries to justify himself so the sentence won’t be carried out. He uses “works”, but it’s no good. Can man even justify himself by always obeying the Big 10? No, afraid not! (Romans 3:20)

Here’s a great illustration. A thief is sentenced to 10 years. By his works (the 10 years in prison) he has justified his freedom. But what if a person is sentenced to death as we are? No amount of time spent in prison will fulfill the requirement of our sentence. No matter how hard we try to follow the Big 10 until the sentence is carried out we will never be justified! Without the shedding of blood no remission for our sin will be allowed. (Hebrews 9:22-28)

Now hold on, Tiger! You’re proving the point that the Big 10 doesn’t matter, right!

Nope, you’ve got to keep reading the Bible. Our very logical and reasonable friend Paul tells us different.

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

… Paul continues in Chapter 6 …

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Whoa! I’m confused now, Tiger. Paul just said we’re under grace NOT THE LAW!

Sure. But Paul also said, “God forbid”, and that because we Christians are under grace we should not SIN. And what is SIN?

TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You’ve got to appreciate Paul’s logic here! If I were a Zen Buddhist I would say; Paul has just taken Yin and Yang, wrapped them both up in a complete circle, and one-hand clapped them into an immutable truth – we Christians must obey the Big 10 because of the love Christ has for us (declared through His grace) and because of the love we have for Him!

(my apologies to the Zen Buddhists out there) : )

Christians shouldn’t obey the Big 10 because of works, but because of LOVE ! And to think some people say Christianity has no intellectual appeal. Can you imagine!

… I’ll explain further …

Yes! We are saved by GRACE, not works. (Romans 3:20) So, why do we need the Law? Because the Law is a mirror.

What! Now your making up things!

Nope. Read this:

James 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;
James 1:24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.
James 1:25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

Yes, it’s referring to the Big 10!

You see; although we are “under grace and not the Law” we should still practice the Law. This logic may seem odd, but Paul explains it this way:

Rom 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

In other words, those who are under the Law and are guilty of breaking it are under condemnation of the Law. This is the case with Jews, before the advent of Christ. Christians are not under the Law, but under grace. Paul later states:

Rom 3:27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith.
Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.
Rom 3:29 Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also,
Rom 3:30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.
Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

So, Paul, in his “law professor-like” logic establishes the Big 10 through faith!

A more down to earth illustration will help. (because Paul can be hard to fathom)

A murderer has been sentenced to death in the chair. This man is truly under the Law, under the guilt, condemned by the Law (like the Jew). Just before he’s executed the man receives a pardon from the Governor! (Jesus) The man is no longer under the Law but under Grace! The Law no longer condemns him. (he’s now like the Christian)

Because he is free to go and under grace is he also free to break the Law?

No! Of course not! In fact, now that he knows he’s been pardoned by the Governor he is so grateful and loves the Governor so much he will do anything to keep from breaking the Law!

Do you begin to understand why it’s so important to get on your knees and literally BEG for forgiveness when we sin? You see, by transgressing the Law, we have just made a mockery of the love and grace of our dear Savior Jesus Christ! We have also demonstrated that we think nothing of His sacrifice!

And if we continue to do this, there will ultimately be no more forgiveness of our sin!

All of us see sin around us. The United States, especially in these times, is running rampant with crime and it can only get worse. This crime is present because of transgression of God’s perfect Law.

Honestly now, is there anyone out there who wishes to place man’s law above God’s supreme Law?

… rest in peace, Joe – I can’t wait to see you …

The Observer

Epilogue:

Because Christians are under God's grace always does it mean he's always "saved"? Can a saved man be lost? The answer is yes because man chooses to turn away from God, not God away from man.

Is It Legalism To . . . ?

2010-11-30T09:15:00.022-05:00

Just recently the subject of legalism has come up. I think it’s important to clarify what legalism is and what it’s not.

Dictionary.com gives the definition as follows:

Legalism – noun

1. strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, esp. to the letter rather than the spirit.

2. Theology . a. the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works. b. the judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.

3. (in Chinese philosophy) the principles and practices of a school of political theorists advocating strict legal control over all activities, a system of rewards and punishments uniform for all classes, and an absolute monarchy.

Chinese philosophy is not part of this discussion so I’ll deal with the first two definitions.

There are two very poignant ways to illustrate this. In fact, these two illustrations can be considered as basic precepts to the Christian faith and are very helpful in differentiating Christianity from other religions.

It just so happens that an article has appeared today concerning the first definition reference. One of New York’s finest recently gave a Rabbi a ticket for jaywalking. This occurred on a Sabbath day (Saturday).

In strict adherence to Mosaic law, the Rabbi was not carrying identification. The officer asked the Rabbi to write his name down (ostensibly to get the correct spelling and/or sign paperwork). The Rabbi didn’t want to because, again, it was against Mosaic law to write your name on the Sabbath.

You may have heard of other criteria for “Mosaic” Sabbath keeping. You can only walk a “Sabbath mile”, for example. The idea being that taking a long trip, by any means, is breaking the Sabbath, therefore the distance one can travel is limited.

Or, one cannot leave an egg outside in the sun on the Sabbath. It may cook and therefore you’ll break the Sabbath by cooking!

A very famous example that Jesus used in demonstrating to the Pharisees what hypocrites they were is in Matthew, Chapter 22. On a Sabbath day the Pharisees were trying to once again trap Jesus and asked if it was “kosher” to pay taxes to Caesar.

Jesus asked for a coin and gave his famous response. What most people miss is that he was also showing the Pharisees that they didn’t follow the Mosaic law anyway, so why try to obtain grace and favor by strict adherence to it.

You see, it’s against Mosaic law to carry money on the Sabbath. Jesus was once again showing the Pharisees it was hypocritical to try to adhere to all these Man-made laws.

This principle of strict adherence is anathema to the Christian. (See Col. Ch. 2) These handwritten requirements of Moses are contrary to the Christian, including sabbaths and festival days. (please notice: lower case "s" is used for "sabbath" here and in the Bible. It refers to festival days that were also called sabbath days. It does not refer to the weekly Sabbath.)

The Second part of the definition has everything to do with works.

Works can correctly be divided into two categories; works that one does physically such as giving to the poor, establishing and running a soup kitchen or a religious blog, counting beads, praying five times a day, etc; and works that are spiritual in nature. For example, if a person actively grows in his relationship with the Holy Spirit and the Lord and shares this with his fellow man, he is actually doing good works. (In fact, we are to be judged by this "class of works" - Rev. 20:12)

Obviously, in the Christian world, the first kind of works may be “good” but it doesn’t earn anything for you in the sight of God.

Isa 64:6 But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.

In other words, any “work” we do to make ourselves more pleasing to God is worthless. (that’s not to say we shouldn't try to please God – but we should do it for the right reasons)

BTW, attending church on Saturday just because you’re trying to do good works is also WORTHLESS!

So, why is it that some Christians say we should go to church on Sunday and some say Saturday? Or, does it matter?

The short and concise answer is that it is Man’s law verses God’s Law.

People who attend church on the Sabbath (Saturday) are not trying to follow the law of Moses, they are trying to follow the Law of God. What is it about the 4th Commandment that makes it different than the other 9? Surely, a Christian would not say it’s OK to covet because if I try to “adhere strictly” to the 10th Commandment it will be legalism! So, ignoring or changing the 4th Commandment simply makes no sense.

The real difference is that man is following man’s tradition, instead of God’s Law, when he/she attends church on Sunday. Sunday worship came from man. And it certainly did not come from the biblical text. In fact, Sabbath worship was instituted and sanctified at creation! (Gen. Ch. 2)

When it comes right down to it, it is all about obedience to God. It is also about recognizing God's supremacy over man. Is following God’s Law good obedience, or is it legalism?

Firstly, does God really see and take note of me personally? Some religions, such as Islam, say God doesn’t care about the affairs of men. But the answer to the question is yes! In fact, no detail is hidden, or can be hidden from Him.

"Thou God seest me." Genesis 16:13. "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou ... art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether." Psalms 139:1-4. "But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Luke 12:7.

Next, can I be saved in His kingdom without obeying His Word, as found in the Holy Bible? The answer is no! It takes more than just a profession of faith.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21. "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. " Matthew 19:17. "He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." Hebrews 5:9. … see also, Acts 4:12 (this obedience can only be done through Christ).

Next, why does God require obedience? Why is it necessary? Because there is only one narrow path that leads to "godlikeness", and thus to His kingdom. All roads do not lead to the same place. The Bible is the map and guidebook with full instructions, warnings, and information on how to safely reach that kingdom. To disregard any part of it leads away from God and His kingdom. The universe of God is a universe of law and order. Natural, moral, and spiritual laws are involved. Breaking any of these laws always has certain fixed results. If the Bible had not been given, people would sooner or later have discovered (by trial and error) that the great principles of the Bible exist and are true. These Bible principles are written in our nervous systems, glands, and minds. When ignored, they result in shattered nerves, disease, and unhappiness of every kind. So the words of the Bible are not merely advice which we can accept or ignore without consequences. The Bible tells what these consequences are and explains how to avoid them. A person cannot live any way he wishes and still become godlike any more than a builder can ignore the blueprints for a house without running into trouble. This is why God asks all to follow the blueprint of the Holy Scripture. There is no other way to become like Him and thus be fitted for a place in His kingdom. And there is no other way to true happiness.

"Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14. " But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death." Proverbs 8:36. "And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive." Deuteronomy 6:24. (the reference in Deut. is referring to the Big 10!)

Next, why does God permit disobedience to continue? Why not destroy sin and sinners now? God permits disobedience and sin to continue until all people everywhere are at last fully convinced of God's justice, love, and mercy. All will finally realize that God, by requiring obedience, is not trying to force His will upon us, but rather is trying to keep us from hurting and destroying ourselves. The sin problem is not settled until even the most cynical and hardened sinners are convinced of God's love and confess that He is just. It will take perhaps a major catastrophe or worse to convince some, but the horrible results of sinful living will finally convince all that God is just and right. Then, and only then, can sin and disobedience be safely brought to an end by the Lord.

"Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Jude 14, 15. "As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11.

Will God actually destroy the disobedient? No question about it. The disobedient, including the devil and his angels who sinned, will be destroyed. This being true, surely it is high time to abandon all fuzziness regarding what is right or wrong. People had better stop letting their own foolish whims and egotistical notions guide them and pay attention to God's great book. And they had better do it now--there is not much time left!

"God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4. "All the wicked will he destroy." Psalms 145:20. "In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 1:8.

Next, what if I want to obey all of God's rules. How can I be certain I will not overlook one? God leaves no room for doubt. He promises to keep me from error and lead me safely to all truth if I: (1) pray earnestly for guidance, (2) sincerely study God's Word, and (3) follow truth as soon as I am shown.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find." Matthew 7:7. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, ... rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God." John 7:17. "Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you." John 12:35. "As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me." Psalms 18:44.

Does God count me guilty for disobeying Bible truth that has never been made clear to me? No …

"If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John 9:41. "To him that knoweth to do good,and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4:17. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee." Hosea 4:6. "Seek, and ye shall find." Matthew 7:7.

But isn't full obedience an impossibility for a human being?

"With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13. "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2 Corinthians 2:14. "He that abideth in me, and I in him, ... bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." John 15:5. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." Isaiah 1:19.

None of us can obey in our own power, but through Christ we can and must. Satan, in order to make God's requests appear unreasonable, invented the falsehood that obedience is impossible.

But, are the Big 10 (all ten) part of our obedience to God?

"Jesus answered ... If a man love me, he will keep my words. ... He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings." John 14:23, 24. "This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." 1 John 5:3.

I’m starting to get long now, so I’ll close with the following:

Any minister, preacher, pastor, or priest (or layman) who claims the 4th Commandment is no longer valid or is legalism, should be ignored, for there is no light in them! They speak not of the Word of God! (Isa 8:20)

I'll say it again because some folks - EVEN CHRISTIANS - don't seem to believe it - MAN CANNOT CHANGE GOD'S IMMUTABLE LAW. It is blasphemes to do so.

Study Guide Reference

The Observer

Suffering for Their Faith

2010-11-21T12:19:00.001-05:00

The Observer

Just What Is the Sanctuary and the Temple to the Christian? … or Should I Say Who?

2010-11-15T11:52:00.019-05:00

We left it lastly with the Great Disappointment, a disillusion that shook America. The 2300 years are over and Christians are waiting on the Second Coming (the Second Advent).

So … why is this Sanctuary important? Why is the Temple important?

An Orthodox Jew may build all the Temples he wishes in modern-day Jerusalem and he has that right and privilege, but the Christian will not support it because it denies the validity of Christ’s sacrifice. Jerusalem will prosper and I’m very glad for it. All one needs to do is read Jeremiah and other prophecies concerning the returning of the Jews and expansion and growth of the “Holy Land” in modern times.

Now, back to the point. To address my friend’s concerns I need to retrace a little.

[Ref: Revelation, Ch. 11]

During the 1,260 years (42 months) the two witnesses, the old and new testaments; also called the two lampstands; also called the two olive trees, laid dead (dormant) as the Beast raged against them.

After 3 1/2 days (symbolic of the 1,260 years), the breath of life reentered them and they stood on their feet – alive once again! They were taken up to heaven (symbolic). Where is the most reliable place to find preaching of the gospel now? The airwaves, satellites, television, the Internet, etc. The gospel is reaching the ends of the earth, into every home, every place – slowly preparing for the end.

[Note: the etymology of the word “heaven” used in Ch. 11 is;

ουqρανός
ouranos
oo-ran-os' … meaning sky. There are 3 different “heavens” spoken of in the Bible. “Heaven” the sky where the birds fly, “Heaven” where the stars and planets are, and “Heaven” where God lives. Just so ya know, the idea of a multi-level heaven and hell are pagan concepts – the Bible does not endorse such thinking.]

Many died in earthquakes during this period. For additional reading, see here.

Sprinkled throughout the New Testament (1 Peter 1:4; Luke 23:43; John 14:1-3; Hebrews 12:22; Rev. 21:2, 20:9, 22:17) references are made to the New Jerusalem, on being there with Jesus, in heaven for a thousand years, returning to earth and that ultimately their will be no Temple – because Jesus is our Temple!

[Read all of Revelation, Chapter 21]

Now, let’s get back to where I left off:

Rev 10:9 So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."

Rev 10:10 Then I took the little book out of the angel's hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter.

Rev 10:11 And he said to me, "You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings."

[Revelation, Chapter 11, Jesus restates the history to John]

Rev 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, "Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.

[Measuring: a passing of judgment to see who is worthy and who is not. The “Standard”, BTW, are the Commandments of God. His love is expressed within these 10 Commandments and our behavior is measured according to them. This use of symbolism with the Temple is a “measuring” of God’s people who make up the spiritual Temple – Christ being the cornerstone – the Temple; also called the Body of Christ. Question: was the Temple historically located in Jerusalem at this point in history"? No, of course not!]

Rev 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months.

[The Gentiles, symbolic of the false church, did indeed trample “the city” (with God’s spiritual Temple) for 1,260 years]

Rev 11:3 And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth."

Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.

Now, what happened in the Old Testament after the “measuring” of the Jewish people occurred and Atonement was made?

The Sanctuary had to be cleansed!

Now, the heavenly Sanctuary has to be cleaned.

Rev 11:19 Then the temple of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His temple. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.

Christ could not come yet, however, because the whole world, “peoples, and nations and tongues, and kings” must be given an opportunity to realize that now, in the courts of heaven, we have a faithful high priest (Hebrews 8:1); that He is, “a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2); that He died for our sins on Calvary’s cruel cross to purchase forgiveness for all; that He stands now as our “Advocate” in the courts of heaven with the power of His blood to cleanse the sins of the “whole world” (1 John 2:1,2).

[BTW, all due respect, admiration, and appreciation given to Pastor Doug Bachelor for the above quote!]

Wow! Did ya get all that? Folks! I don’t know how much clearer it can be! The desire for a new man-made Temple in Jerusalem to reinstate the Old Testament sacrifices SHOULD BE ANATHEMA to a Christian!

If you still don’t believe Christ has replaced the old Sanctuary/Temple, look at this:

First, a diagram of the old sanctuary:

Please notice how the “Most Holy Place” is located on the West side of the Tabernacle. Ancient Israelites would kneel, facing the West (the Ark). What do some Christians do on Easter morning? Why, they kneel and face the East – the rising sun. It’s called sun worship! You know, like celebrating the Sabbath on Sunday.

Eze 8:12 Then He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the room of his idols? For they say, 'The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.' "

Eze 8:13 And He said to me, "Turn again, and you will see greater abominations that they are doing."

Eze 8:14 So He brought me to the door of the north gate of the LORD's house; and to my dismay, women were sitting there weeping for Tammuz. [Tammuz is a sun god]

Eze 8:15 Then He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Turn again, you will see greater abominations than these."

Eze 8:16 So He brought me into the inner court of the LORD's house; and there, at the door of the temple of the LORD, between the porch and the altar, were about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple of the LORD and their faces toward the east, and they were worshiping the sun toward the east.

Eze 8:17 And He said to me, "Have you seen this, O son of man? Is it a trivial thing to the house of Judah to commit the abominations which they commit here? For they have filled the land with violence; then they have returned to provoke Me to anger. Indeed they put the branch to their nose.

Eze 8:18 Therefore I also will act in fury. My eye will not spare nor will I have pity; and though they cry in My ears with a loud voice, I will not hear them."

Now, keep the diagram of the Sanctuary available somehow and read the following concerning Jesus’ relation to it:

Secrets of the Sanctuary

I would have placed it all here on the blog but I’m getting too long already.

Folks, I apologize for leaving so much out, but as you probably already know, this subject is humongous!

As you can see from Scripture, one does not need a physical Temple, we have one already in Jesus Christ. When the end time Anti-Christ "stands in the Most Holy place" (spiritually) he will be claiming to be Jesus returned, claiming to be our Most High priest, he will declare LAW to establish WORSHIP according to his desires - Sunday Worship! The Anti-Christ will be the ABOMINATION! Christians are already "primed" for this deceit.

[Which day of the week do most Christians already call, "the Lord's Day"? Why Sunday, of course! What day does the New Testament say is the "Lord's Day"? Why, Saturday, of course! - Matt. 12:8, Mark 2:28, Luke 6:5]

People will be fooled! The false Christ will perform "miracles". Every person still alive on earth must decide if he will follow the true Word of God, or follow this Satan possessed man who very convincingly appears to be CHRIST on earth.

[Did Ya Know Hint: At the Second Advent and according to the Bible, Christ's feet don't even touch the ground, every eye shall see him (all at once, coming to earth in His glory), and the whole planet is destroyed!]

I recommend two sources for further study:

Unlocking Revelation Study Guides

Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary

Oh my! I almost forgot! I was going to tell you when the "wound was healed" and the "whole world marvelled at the Beast". In 1929 Benito Mussolini, the Fascist, enacted his "executive order", the Concordat of 1929, which gave the RCC back all the properties it had lost with Napolean. A new Pope was actually declared "King" and given sovereign authority over what is now known as Vatican City. Most all the countries on earth have an Ambassador to the "City" and only last year, the European Union almost passed legislation to set aside Sunday as a legal day of rest in the E.U. The RCC will eventually succeed and America will follow suit. America has an Ambassador to Vatican City and our State Department regularly refers to the Pope as; "The Holy Father" and "The Holy See"!

... you didn't realize we had an official Federal religion did you? It's Roman Catholicism.

The Observer

"If I Die Before You Wake" Tribute to Armed Forces

2010-11-11T10:49:00.001-05:00

The Observer

Beyond 1798–The Remainder of the 2300 Years

2010-10-28T07:45:00.013-04:00

We ended the last bit on the year 1798. We have 46 years left before the “cleansing of the Sanctuary”.

Pope Pius VI has just died under Berthier’s care.

Rev 13:3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast.

The “healing” will come later as you will see.

Before proceeding it’s important to say something here. I’ve made it clear that I’m an Historicist; that is, I believe the biblical events concerning the “end times” happen over the centuries of history, as described in biblical text. IOW, history and the Bible flow hand-in-hand.

IMO, this historical teaching is as close to the original teaching of the Apostles as we can get. It was also taught by the founding fathers of the Reformation; until they became corrupted by the Beast.

The other two competing “philosophies”, Futurism (it most all happens in the future) and Preterism (it has already happened), are man-made creations, invented by Jesuits, to combat the Protestant Reformation. They have nothing to do with the Holy Spirit and are considered by me to be apostate.

It is no surprise to most of us that most all Christian denominations of today completely embrace Futurism – a falsehood. Are we beginning to comprehend why so many people mistrust Preachers, Priests, Ministers, and churches? It’s because they are full of lies.

As I continue forward in history I’ll begin using more and more from the book of Revelation. Please remember, Revelation is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ” – not, the revelation of John!

You can write volumes on Revelation, and people have. I will go into it as much as possible here, but I will most certainly have to ignore some things.

Also, remember that Revelation is history as well as future. Did you know that out of the estimated 404 verses in the book, 278 are “repeats” of the same concepts in the Old Testament – if not direct quotes!

Another important item to bring up now is the “Mark of the Beast”. In the last entry I made it clear that Sunday vs. Saturday worship has everything to do with this. Does this mean I believe that people have the “Mark” now? No, and I’ll explain why.

Daniel 7:25 speaks of “thinking to change times and laws”, but if you keep reading, Daniel 12:4 says; “knowledge shall be increased”. This last bit is in reference to the future; the end of the “last days”. All people will learn the truth before the hammer comes down.

Rev. 13:16 and Rev. 14:9-12 teaches that two things must happen before the “Mark” comes into affect:

1. the mark is universally enforced by law

2. people discover, understand, and reject the truth concerning the mark (see also; James 4:17)

Only after these two things occur will people receive the mark.

You may be incredulous at this point and proclaim that forced Sunday worship will never happen! Too late! It already has! And will be made law for everyone, eventually!

Now … back to 1798!

As mentioned before, 1798 is the end of that prophesied 1,260 years that the Beast had to persecute the Saints. The Papacy was “taken out” by Napoleon.

To continue, we now have to backtrack a little because something very important has happened during this time of persecution; God has protected and nurtured His Bride! This fact is ignored by most because the natural inclination is to think that God has simply allowed His church to be decimated by the bad guys during the dark ages. One cannot read the Bible without realizing God always works with a Remnant of His people.

Jeremiah 6:2 “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman." .

Isaiah 51:16 "And say unto Zion, Thou art my people." .

Jesus symbolizes His true, pure church (Zion) as a pure woman and an apostate church as a harlot. A few other texts which also utilize this symbolism are 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:22, 23; and Revelation 19:7, 8.

In Revelation 12:1, Jesus symbolizes His church as a woman "clothed with the sun," with "the moon under her feet," and wearing "a crown of twelve stars." What do these symbols mean?

The sun represents Jesus, His gospel, and His righteousness. "The Lord God is a sun." Psalms 84:11. (See also Malachi 4:2.) Without Jesus there is no salvation (Acts 4:12). More than anything else, Jesus wants His church to overflow with His presence and glory. (symbols are in use here, folks - God/Jesus are not litearlly a "sun") (do ya begin to understand why Satan uses Sun Worship to introduce falsehood into the church?)

"The moon under her feet" represents the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sacrificial system was helpful spiritually only as it reflected light from the Messiah to come (Hebrews 10:1). The "crown of twelve stars" represents the work of the 12 disciples, which crowned the early years of the New Testament church. Next, the prophecy states that the woman is in labor, about to deliver a baby who would one day rule all nations with a rod of iron. She then delivered the "man child," and later He was taken up to God's throne in heaven (Revelation 12:1, 2, 5). Who was this baby?

The baby was Jesus. He will one day rule all nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:13-16; Psalms 2:7-9). Jesus, who was crucified for our sins, was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11). His resurrection power in our lives is one of Jesus' essential gifts to His people (Philippians 3:10).

Revelation 12:3, 4 introduces "a great red dragon" who hated the "man child" and tried to kill him at birth. Who was the dragon?

The dragon represents Satan, who was cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:7-9) and who was working at the time of Jesus' birth through the pagan Roman empire. The ruler who tried to kill Jesus at birth was Herod, a king under pagan Rome. He killed all the male babies of Bethlehem, hoping that one of them would be Jesus (Matthew 2:16).

Are you beginning to see how Revelation repeats biblical history? Why does it do this? I’ll give you a hint. Most everything in the Old Testament; the Laws, the Sanctuary, the Atonement, the Sacrifices, the Temple, etc. point to Jesus in the New Testament. In Revelation we are being reminded of this so we may understand and comprehend the penultimate, the culmination of all that has passed – so we can make a decision – then the end will come. Still believe a new Temple must be built when the sacrifices were but a shadow of Jesus ? The rebuilding of a new Temple in Jerusalem should be abhorrent and blasphemes to the true Christian.

Revelation reiterates the meaning of the "seven heads" and "ten horns" of the dragon, and of "the third part of the stars of heaven" being cast to the earth.

The "seven heads" represent the seven hills or mountains upon which Rome was built (Revelation 17:9, 10). (Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 17:3).

The "ten horns" represent the governments, or nations, that support the major powers in their oppression of God's people and church. During pagan Rome's tenure (Revelation 12:3, 4), they represented the 10 barbarian tribes that supported the Papacy in eventually bringing down the Roman empire (Daniel 7:23, 24). These tribes later became modern Europe. In the last days, they represent all the nations of the world united in the end-time coalition (Revelation 16:14; 17:12, 13, 16) which will support "Babylon the great" in her warfare against God's people. (that’s right folks, the persecution is not over)

The third part of the stars of heaven are the angels who supported Lucifer in his insurrection in heaven and who were cast out with him (Revelation 12:9; Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12).

What did the woman (church) do to protect herself, and what is the "wilderness" spoken of in Revelation 12:6, 14?

Verses 6 and 14 say, "The woman fled into the wilderness," where she was protected for "a time, and times, and half a time" (or 1,260 literal years) from the wrath of Satan--who was then working through papal Rome. The "two wings" represent the protection and support God gave the church during her time in the "wilderness" (Exodus 19:4; Deuteronomy 32:11). The time spent in the wilderness is the same 1,260-year period of papal prominence and persecution (A.D. 538 to 1798) that Jesus repeatedly mentioned in prophecy. One prophetic day equals one literal year (Ezekiel 4:6).

The term "wilderness" refers to the solitary places of earth (mountains, caves, forests, etc.) where God's people could hide in seclusion and thus escape total annihilation (Hebrews 11:37, 38). And hide they did--the Waldenses, Albigenses, Huguenots, and many others. God's people (His church) would have been obliterated if they had not fled and hid in the wilderness during this devastating persecution by the Papacy. (In one 40-year period, "from the beginning of the order of the Jesuits, in the year 1540, to 1580, nine hundred thousand people were destroyed. One hundred fifty thousand perished in the Inquisition in 30 years." ¹) At least 50 million people died for their faith during this 1,260-year time period.

Do you still think the Roman Catholic Church is the true church?

God's church did not exist as an official organization during this 1,260-year time period. From A.D. 538 to 1798 it was alive but not identifiable as an organization. (please notice, I said God’s church, not the RCC) When it came out of hiding after the 1,260 years, it still had the same doctrine and characteristics as the Apostolic church, which entered the "wilderness" in A.D. 538.

Many fled to America to escape the terrible persecutions of God's people.

Whew! Why is all this important? Because we are headed towards the cleansing of the Sanctuary.

We have now discovered our first two identification points for Jesus' end-time church:

1. It would not exist officially as an organization between A.D. 538 and 1798.

2. It would arise and do its end-time work after 1798.

In Revelation 12:17, God calls His end-time church the Remnant. What does the word "remnant" mean?

It means the last remaining portion. In reference to Jesus' church, it means His church of the very last days, which is identical in doctrine to the Apostolic church.

In Revelation 12:17, what description did Jesus give of His end-time remnant church?

It would keep all the Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath of the fourth commandment (John 14:15; Revelation 22:14). It also would have the "testimony of Jesus", which the Bible tells us is the spirit of prophecy (Revelation 19:10).

Remember that while hosts of sincere Christian people are found in churches that do not keep the Sabbath or have the gift of prophecy, none of these churches (organizations) can be God's remnant end-time church into which Jesus is calling all last-day Christians, because God's end-time church will both keep God's commandments and have the gift of prophecy. I’m not saying all of these churches are apostate – I’m saying that they are still learning those truths that must be learned before the “Mark of the Beast” can be proclaimed. They will have made their choice.

So … all this has everything to do with 1798 because it means we are nearing the “End”. Have you ever wondered why Christians are always saying; “Repent, the End is Near!” ?

It’s because the Bible says it is!

Now, I said earlier we have 46 years left. 1798 + 46 = 1844. So, 1844 must be the year the Sanctuary must be cleansed!

What happened !?! First, I will ask that you briefly review 3 topics leading up to 1844:

The First Great Awakening

The Second Great Awakening

The Great Disappointment

That’s right folks. Instead of a momentous event unfolding, great disillusionment prevailed! After 2 great awakenings to the Spirit of God in America (the new promised land ?), a tremendous disappointment occurred.

Mankind mistakenly assumed the true “end” was upon us and it wouldn't be the first or last time this mistake was made!

Rev 10:9 So I went to the angel and said to him, "Give me the little book." And he said to me, "Take and eat it; and it will make your stomach bitter, but it will be as sweet as honey in your mouth."

Did this time in our history point to this verse in Rev. 10:9? Some have said so, but I’ll leave it up to you to decide.

As always, I have to save something for the next blog.

The “cleansing of the Sanctuary” turns out to be the cleansing of the Heavenly Sanctuary! More proof of the symbolism of the book of Revelation. (not a physical temple rebuilt by man).

In honor of my good friend, Whit, the next entry will be all about the Sanctuary and the Temple, to address some comments of his.

Does all this history mean that the “end” is not near? Does it mean that the Second Coming is symbolism as well?

No! Not at all!

… til next time.

The Observer

[Note: all of the material I cover on this blog may be found within the web site links I provide on the right. It is free and open for all to learn - God is not hiding anything from us! Truth and knowledge of God is increasing. People will ultimately have to make their choice.]

Tiger’s Out of Town for a Week or So – Till Then, Ponder These Words

2010-10-07T12:01:00.003-04:00

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
(author unknown)

HT: to Tigress the Younger

Justice, Mercy, Grace

Justice is when you get what you deserve.

Mercy is when you don't get what you deserve.

Grace is when you get what you don't deserve.

"By grace you have been saved..." Ephesians 2:8

Thank God for grace!

HT: to Pastor Steve Wohlberg

The Observer

After 70 AD – What Happens Next?

2010-09-18T16:17:00.010-04:00

In the last installment I started with the Lord’s marvelous prophecy to Daniel concerning the 2300 years. Just the first 490 years have been covered so far. We have 1800 more years before the “cleansing of the sanctuary”; it’s 70 AD and Jerusalem and the Temple have been obliterated. The Christian church must be given time to grow.

The Diaspora, that great scattering of the Jewish people around the world had long been in progress.

The Gospel would eventually be taken to Rome, to the fourth great kingdom of earth, as prophesied about in Daniel. That fourth great Beast with “iron teeth”! [Daniel Ch. 7]

Remember something here. Daniel actually lived back in Nebuchadnezzar's time, in Babylon – in the belly of the first great Beast. Daniel was given these prophetic visions long before they occurred. The same is true, BTW, for the book of Revelation. Jesus gives John visions of future events and a restatement of what has occurred already, to show that they’re linked together, Old Testament and New! People tend to forget this and think all of Revelation happens in our future. This is not the case! More on this later …

The Lord states there will be 4 great kingdoms (Beasts) on earth and no more! Remember this – it’s crucial! The U.S., Russia, and China are not kingdoms as described in Daniel. The 4 great kingdoms are; Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome. Rome is the last one and there will be no more.

[Note: Here again it’s important to mention the modern Sanhedrin. Volumes of books have been written about the rise of an Islamic kingdom, or the rebirth of the Roman kingdom, or the inception of a United Nations “kingdom”, etc. The truth is that you can stop wondering about it! There have only been 4 major world “kingdoms” in our history - period; and there will be no more!]

If the 2300 year prophecy wasn’t enough for you, imagine being told specifically which earthly “world” kingdoms would be appearing in history and then seeing it come to fruition! That’s what we have in these modern times, folks! We have the benefit of hindsight to see and realize that God is what He says He is! All of us should be on our knees asking for forgiveness after this realization. We have NO EXCUSE in our time. The proof is there, if only you’ll see it.

Now, back to the 2300 years. John wrote Revelation around 95 AD while imprisoned at Patmos. The Roman Emperors Nero and Domitian had devastated the Christians already in Rome but the Christian church was growing by leaps and bounds anyway.

Please forgive me here for skipping over so much history, but in the interest of time and space, I have to.

The church flourished eventually, even in that great city which traded with all of the world - Rome! Up until the year 321 AD Christians had begun to worship openly, on the Sabbath (Saturday), and had never heard of anything called Easter. Instead they celebrated Passover, differently than the Jews of course, because for Christians Jesus is our Passover lamb. So much for Sunday being the day Christians worship! It simply wasn’t the case. Ask a Christian today why they worship on Sunday and they don’t know. Some will tell you it’s because Christ rose on the 1st day but when asked to show the change (to Sunday) in the Bible, they can’t.

Continuing with our history, however, something was about to change.

The Emperor Constantine, in 321 AD, changed the day of worship by Christians to Sunday, the day of pagan worship to Sol Invictus Deo (the ultimate sun god). He did this by force of arms and by punishment of death and he did it with the help of the Bishop of Rome! The last great Beast mentioned in Daniel was slowly becoming the political/religious entity mentioned as the Beast in Revelation and elsewhere.

Now is the time to speak of Daniel (and Revelation) again and talk about that Beast that will cause all great and small to receive a mark.

Again, we don’t have to wonder who or what this is. The Bible tells us plainly. The Bible uses symbols to teach us these things and they are key to understanding prophecy. Revelation is made up almost entirely of symbols, though real events happen as well. The mark of the Beast is not a tattoo or implanted chip. It is something that affects your work life (your hand) and your beliefs (your forehead). You’ll see more clearly as I proceed.

Dan 7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote down the dream, telling the main facts.

Dan 7:2 Daniel spoke, saying, "I saw in my vision by night, and behold, the four winds of heaven were stirring up the Great Sea.

Dan 7:3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, each different from the other. [the symbol of the sea means multitudes of people]

Dan 7:4 The first was like a lion, and had eagle's wings. I watched till its wings were plucked off; and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet like a man, and a man's heart was given to it. [did you know that Babylon’s “coat of arms” symbol and the figure painted on it’s gates was a winged lion?]

Dan 7:5 "And suddenly another beast, a second, like a bear. It was raised up on one side, and had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. And they said thus to it: 'Arise, devour much flesh!' [the combined powers of the Medes and the Persians, Persia being the stronger, therefore raised up on one side. The 3 ribs were; Lydia, Babylon, and Egypt.]

Dan 7:6 "After this I looked, and there was another, like a leopard, which had on its back four wings of a bird. The beast also had four heads, and dominion was given to it. [did you know that Alexander the Great’s symbol was a Leopard, a Leopard with 4 Wings because he conquered with such speed? It had 4 heads because after Alexander’s death the kingdom was split into four pieces represented by 4 of Alexander’s generals]

Dan 7:7 "After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, dreadful and terrible, exceedingly strong. It had huge iron teeth; it was devouring, breaking in pieces, and trampling the residue with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.

Now we come to an important realization. So far, hindsight history has shown us the truth; Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece are the kingdoms sequenced in world history. The next kingdom (beast) can only be Rome! Rome was also famous for it’s use of iron weaponry. I can prove this further.

10 horns make up the Beast. These 10 can be traced to history as well. These 10 nations were; the Vandals, Heruli, Ostragoths, Visigoths, Bergundians, Suevi, Lombards, Anglo-Saxons, Franks, and Alamanni. Some of these eventually became the modern nations of Europe. Now, it’s time to continue with the Bible …

Dan 7:8 I was considering the horns, and there was another horn, a little one, coming up among them, before whom three of the first horns were plucked out by the roots. And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words.

Let’s focus on the “little horn”. There are distinct characteristics of this little horn:

1. It rose out of the fourth beast (Rome).

2. It rose among the 10 horns.

3. It “uprooted” 3 of the 10 horns (this actually happens later, as I’ll show).

4. It has “eyes like a man”.

5. It has a “mouth speaking pompous words”.

6. It will make “war against the saints”.

Dan 7:21 "I was watching; and the same horn was making war against the saints, and prevailing against them,

Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came, and a judgment was made in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom.

7. It will think to “change times and laws”.

Dan 7:25 He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, Shall persecute the saints of the Most High, And shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand For a time and times and half a time.

My friends, history shows that only one thing fits all of these characteristics, only one! Remember, this one thing will persecute the saints (given unto it’s hands) for a time and will continue to trouble them until the return of Christ (verse 22). A new Beast or kingdom will not arise. This one ultimate incarnation of the 4th Beast will be the biblical Anti-Christ as spoken of in 2 Thessalonians by Paul, who was trying to reassure his fellow Christians over what was to be:

2Th 2:1 Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you,

2Th 2:2 not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come.

2Th 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

2Th 2:4 who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

2Th 2:5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?

2Th 2:6 And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.

2Th 2:8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.

2Th 2:9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

2Th 2:10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

2Th 2:11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie,

2Th 2:12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Ladies and gentlemen, that historical Anti-Christ who calls himself Holy Father and attempts to take the place of God, and who changes Times and Laws (the 10 Commandments and the day of worship) is none other than the Papacy and the Roman Catholic Church. Nothing else fits! There is no future Temple to be rebuilt! The “End” will be an enforcement of the “mark” by the power of the “little lamb” beast (to be described later) that helps this 4th Beast. The Bible describes, later in Revelation, Satan entering into a representative of this 4th Beast and performing miracles, such as to fool the Elect themselves if it were possible, and claiming leadership of earth and claiming to be Christ!

Remember what I said earlier? That Revelation repeats what’s in the Old Testament at times? Continue reading Daniel from verse 8 and see if you’ve read this in Revelation!

Dan 7:9 "I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire;

Dan 7:10 A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened.

Dan 7:11 "I watched then because of the sound of the pompous words which the horn was speaking; I watched till the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning flame.

Dan 7:12 As for the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away, yet their lives were prolonged for a season and a time.

Dan 7:13 "I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.

Dan 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.

Volumes could be written on this but I have limited space. look at this comparison between Daniel and Revelation:

Daniel 7 ------------------------------- Revelation 13

The sea (v.3) --------------------------- The sea (v.1)

A lion (v.4) ----------------------------- A lion (v.2)

A bear (v.5) ---------------------------- A bear (v.2)

A leopard (v.6) ------------------------ A leopard (v.2)

A dragon-like beast (v.7) ------------ A dragon (v.2)

Ten horns (v.7) ------------------------ Ten horns (v.1)

A boasting mouth (v.8) -------------- A boasting mouth (v.5)

War on the saints (v.21) -------------- War on the saints (v.7)

Changes times & laws (v.25) ---- Mark of the beast (v.16)

Did you catch that last one? Does man have the right to be called Holy Father? Can man change the 10 Commandments to his liking? Can man change the day of worship from Saturday to Sunday? Can man do all these things and still be God’s representative on earth?

The answer is emphatically NO! Man will pay for this eventually. Do you not realize that only one Commandment has something to do with a “time”? It’s the 4th Commandment – you know – the one that says; “Remember the Sabbath” !!!

Read these quotes from the Roman Church:

"Of course the Catholic Church claims the change was her act...and the act is a MARK of her ecclesiastical power and authority in religious matters."

Thomas, H.F., Chancellor of Cardinal Gibbons in answer to a letter regarding the change of the Sabbath.

Again, Rome says "It's (Sunday's change for Saturday) the MARK of our authority to OVER-RULE God's law."

Father Enright, C.S.S.R., President of Redemptorist College, Kansas City, Mo., History of the Sabbath, p. 802.

"Sunday is our MARK of authority...The CHURCH IS ABOVE THE BIBLE, and this transference of Sabbath observance is proof of that fact." The Catholic Record, Sept 1, 1923.

"The Bible says, 'Remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day.' The Catholic Church says, "No, by my divine power, I ABOLISH THE SABBATH DAY, and command you to keep holy the first day of the week." And,lo! the entire civilized world, BOWS DOWN in reverent obedience to the command of the Holy Catholic Church."

Father Enright.

You see? The RCC admits it! An old saying goes:

“What prophecy predicts, Rome admits”.

Now, how many modern day churches can you think of that still follows Rome’s dictate? Most of them, right! Luckily, God is a most loving and patient God. He gives us time to figure things out and at the “end” will provide us with a clear choice on the matter.

BTW, in case you’re still not sure the Papacy is the “one”; the Roman Church greatly increased it’s power in the year 476 AD. The imperial Roman government ruled by the Caesars collapsed and shortly thereafter, one by one, 3 of the horns were “plucked out by their roots” and destroyed by the political influence of the Papacy. These 3 horns resisted the influence of the Papacy. The Heruli were wiped out in 493 AD, the Vandals in 534 AD, and the Ostragoths in 538 AD. No modern European country can trace it’s lineage back to these nations.

What does all this have to do with the 2300 years? Well, as a friend pointed out recently the Bible states that before the cleansing of the sanctuary the Beast will have some time to actively persecute the saints. This time is described in Daniel and/or Revelation as;

- a time, times, and a half of time

- 42 months

- 3 1/2 years

Remember our day for a year rule in the last blog entry? A time is 1, a times is 2 ones. A half of a time is 1/2 of 1. 1 + 2 + 1/2 = 3 1/2.

The first description totals 3 1/2.

42 months in years is 3 1/2 years

3 1/2 years is , of course 3 1/2 years!

The number of days for 3 1/2 years totals 1,260 days. using our day for a year principle this becomes 1,260 years for the persecution of the saints! Do you remember the length of time of the dark ages? Do you remember the length of time the Papacy had the power to burn, torture, mutilate, rape, murder, and otherwise persecute the saints?

Why, this period of time is slated by historians to be between 538 AD and 1798 AD. How much time is that? 1,260 years!

If these historical events combined with biblical truth don’t make you think about all this in a serious way – then I feel sorry for you!

That brings us up to the year 1798. What happens in 1798?

Napolean’s general, Louis Alexandre Berthier, entered Italy, invaded the Vatican, organized the Roman republic, and took the Pope Pius VI as prisoner back to Valence (France) where, after a torturous journey under Berthier's supervision, the pope died, dealing a major blow to the Vatican's political power. The head received a deadly wound! [read Rev. Ch. 13]

This one is getting to be very long – I think I’ll break it up here. We still have 46 years or so to go. A lot can happen in that short time. Stay tuned!

The Observer

The Modern Sanhedrin – Are You Going To Believe Them?

2010-08-29T09:40:00.018-04:00

At the request of the Tigress:

In the biblical land of Israel, every city had a Sanhedrin, a Supreme Court, if you will. It’s mandate covered secular and religious law. In fact, just as we look at Islam’s Shari ’a Law today, ancient Jews lived in a similar system which blended secular and religious law into the same government – a theocracy.

Each city’s Sanhedrin was comprised of 23 Judges. The Great Sanhedrin, in Jerusalem, totaled 71 members. It met in the great Hall of Hewn Stones in the Temple in Jerusalem.

There is no doubt that the Sanhedrin of Jesus’ day knew that the Messiah was to return around 27 AD (the dates are by our reckoning). They knew this because of the prophecies of Daniel. This most wondrous prophecy begins with Dan. Ch. 8. It is one of those prophecies in the Bible that makes one shudder in amazement, because if you’re not a believer before understanding the prophecy, you will be afterwards. Or else, your mind is simply closed to the truth. Forget Nostradamus and Jeanne Dixon; they are rank amateurs compared to the Lord.

Remember that before the Judean existence in Jerusalem the Israelites had been lead from Egypt by Moses, roamed the desert for 40 years (while arguing with God), eventually crossed into the promised land and because of their continuing sin, were taken captive and removed from the promised land by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed the first time and Daniel, along with the Remnant of his people, were living in exile.

I’ll start at Daniel 8:13;

Dan 8:13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, "How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?"

Dan 8:14 And he said to me, "For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed."

Most all scholars and holy men throughout history understand this 2,300 days to actually be 2,300 years. This day for a year principle is based on Ezekiel 4:4-6 and Numbers 14:34. BTW, the Jewish year was comprised of 360 days with 30 day months (unlike today). Each week was 7 days, as always, having been established that way by God’s creation. The Sabbath existed long before Moses.

In modern times we have the fortunate advantage of looking back with hindsight. The ancient Sanhedrin had to look forward in time. As this prophecy unfolds you’ll understand why this prophetic illustration has ultimate importance concerning the “modern Sanhedrin”.

As you read through Daniel it reaches a seminal point in Ch. 9.

Dan 9:24 "Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy. [most Holy Place]

Dan 9:25 "Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times.

Dan 9:26 "And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined.

Dan 9:27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate."

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Looking in hindsight as we are, Daniel has been told by God that his people have a total of 2300 years before the Sanctuary is cleansed. And that starting at the beginning of that 2,300 years (at the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem) they will have a total of 70 weeks determined for the people to accomplish certain things. Then scripture breaks it down in this way; 7 + 62 weeks before the Messiah is “cut off”. 7 + 62 = 69. BTW, the term “cut off” simply means; at the end of the 69 weeks the Messiah will appear and the Jewish people will have to decide if they will follow the Messiah. Their allotted time is finished.

[ Note: Some religious leaders say “cut off” means the Messiah is killed (the crucifixion). This “killed” idea is a modern interpretation. But linguists from ancient times up until modern times have also said it simply means the allotted time is finished; cut off. Obviously, the Messiah is "cut off " (killed), but not for Himself (but for others). Either way you interpret this particular point, the message is still clear]

The Scripture continues … 1 extra week is included for the Messiah to confirm a covenant with many and bring an end to sacrifice and offering (in the midst of the final week). The total now comes up to 70 weeks. (69 weeks + 1 week)

[ Note: Here again a modern interpretation enters the picture. Although it’s very clear to most that this prophecy is referenced to the Messiah, modern interpreters have stated this verse actually relates to a future Anti-Christ! And that this future bad guy will stop the Jewish sacrifices, et al. That’s why we have a very vocal group of modern Sanhedrin claiming that a new Jewish Temple must be rebuilt in Jerusalem – so the sacrifices can be started – so they can stopped! How convoluted is that? They don’t realize or accept that Jesus stopped the sacrifices with his own sacrifice. Also, nowhere in Scripture is there an example of taking the last “bit” (the 70th week) of a prophecy and willy-nilly moving it to the end times. “70” will naturally flow right after “69”. It makes one wonder who they actually worship sometimes!

Now, back to reality … Imagine being told, as a people, that you have 70 weeks to fix everything or that’s it – no more dealing with you!

Using the day for a year principle, this 70 weeks becomes;

7 days per week times 70 weeks = 490 days; we apply the day for a year principle so, 490 years!

So! The people have 490 actual years to get it right!

Now, all we need to know is when the decree was given to restore and rebuild Jerusalem to add the years forward, or we can establish when Christ was crucified and subtract the years back to determine if the Prophecy makes sense or not!

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Here’s where some confusion comes into play. Some scholars say Christ was crucified in the year 33 AD, others say it was 31 AD, or 32 AD. Also, the Old Testament gives 3 differing “decrees” to rebuild portions of Jerusalem. Of course, Scripture makes it clear. The Bible says that Jesus began his ministry around the age of 30, so it seems reasonable He had to be 33 or so at the time of the crucifixion.

The book of Ezra tells of the decree of Artaxerxes to not only rebuild Jerusalem but to also restore the judgment of the Sanhedrin. This is why most scholars agree this is the one that “begins” the 2,300 years. In fact, Ezra gives us some of the written text of the decree

Ezra 7:11-13 "Now this is the copy of the letter that King Artaxerxes gave unto Ezra the priest, the scribe, even a scribe of the words of the commandments of the Lord and of his statutes to Israel. Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, . . . and at such a time, I make a decree that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee." BTW, this date can be traced in history to 457 BC.

The 69 weeks (which would be 69 x 7 – applying the year for a day) comes to 483 years from Artaxerxes’ decree.

457 BC + 483 years = Fall of 27 AD (remember, there is no “Zero” year from BC to AD) For biblical reference see Luke 3:1-3, 21-23 and Gal. 4:4. Also remember that Christ’s birth date is "unknown", other than being able to trace backwards from his known age of 30 at the beginning of his ministry and age 33 at the crucifixion. Most say he was born in 4 BC. People get confused about the BC - AD dating (I did!). Contrary to popular belief Christ's birth is not "centered" around a mysterious 1 BC - 1 AD date. By looking at Herod and other historical resources and astronomy, plus biblical text, we can nail down the birth of Christ to 4 BC.

27 AD is the time Christ was baptized and anointed as Messiah! We know this from secular history and the biblical record.. When was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar?

Luk 3:1 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, [27 AD] . . .

Luk 3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

Luk 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." [the Annointing of the Messiah]

Luk 3:23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, . . .

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This all brings us to Dan. 9:27, the Messiah’s week; or, 7 years with the day for a year principle. Jesus’ ministry was a short 3 1/2 years. But during that time he established a “covenant with many”. In the “midst” of the week, after 3 1/2 years the Messiah stopped the sacrifices of the Jewish Temple by becoming the only valid sacrifice! This occurred in 31 AD. The veil in the Temple was ripped apart! This veil was a massive thing, heavy with rug-like fabric, intricately hung in a maze as an entry way into the Holy of Holy's. It wasn’t the sheer thin thing shown in the old movies. And, although the animal sacrifices were to continue for another 40 years, they had no validity. There is no doubt that they “spiritually” ended at the crucifixion.

Our Messiah then rose from the dead and hasn’t stopped working since!

After another 3 1/2 years (finishing the 70th week) Stephen gave his now famous speech to the Sanhedrin (Acts Ch. 8) and was stoned to death – in 34 AD. The probation given to the Jewish people to finally “get it right” was over. The gospel would now go to the Gentiles and rest of the world. The Israelites, the Jews had played their part. Christians became the inheritors of Abraham! We became Israel!

When did the last part happen? The desolation? Why, in 70 AD the Roman general Titus surrounded Jerusalem. He delayed the attack inexplicitly for a few days (this is when the new-found Christians escaped by fleeing into the mountains), but then destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple. Not one stone was left undisturbed as Jesus said.

This was the second great “abomination that caused desolation” in biblical history; Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple being the first.

The Bible says we have one more “abomination that causes desolation” to go. The famous end times! This time it will affect the entire world. Remember, the Israel of the end time is not the modern nation of Israel (as much as I love it), but spiritual Israel – all believers in Christ.

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What about the rest of the 2,300 years? We’ve only covered 490 years! Well, that subject is for another blog entry. But, isn’t it astounding that several hundred years before the event happened the prophecy perfectly predicted it! Yet, we still have religious leaders today steering us away from biblical truth.

For those who believe that a new Jewish Temple must be rebuilt before the end times to reestablish the sacrifice; that the sacrifice of Jesus was not enough, I lovingly offer the following verses:

Jesus himself speaking of Jerusalem and it’s earthly Temple,

Mat 23:38 See! Your house is left to you desolate;

Heb 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Heb 10:27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Heb 10:28 Anyone who has rejected Moses' law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

Then, after all is said and done in reference to the New Jerusalem, Revelation 22 states:

For I saw no Temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are it's Temple.

In other words, a rebuilt earthly Temple in Jerusalem is actually a denial of Christ’s most merciful sacrifice! A rebuild earthly Temple is declaring that Christ’s sacrifice was not good enough. Do you really believe God would like that? In all fairness to these folks, I realize that most of them also understand that a modern rebuilt Temple would be a False Temple.

So, be forewarned! Just as in the days of the ancient Sanhedrin, a modern Sanhedrin is trying to point your attention towards a non-biblical direction. Don’t follow them. Follow the Bible instead!

If you don't believe me in all this, will you believe Jesus? On several occasions Jesus implicated and acknowledged this prophecy of Daniel. The most poignant, IMO, is from Matthew 18:21-22. Peter asks Jesus about how many times you should forgive your brother for a transgression.

Jesus answers, "seventy times seven".

Ref Article: Daniel Prophecy

The Observer

What Is The One Thing You Cannot Be Forgiven For?

2010-08-27T08:37:00.015-04:00

Bush Campaign Chief and Former RNC Chair, Ken Mehlman, has recently announced that he is “gay”. He stated this:

"It's taken me 43 years to get comfortable with this part of my life," said Mehlman, now an executive vice-president with the New York City-based private equity firm, KKR. "Everybody has their own path to travel, their own journey, and for me, over the past few months, I've told my family, friends, former colleagues, and current colleagues, and they've been wonderful and supportive. The process has been something that's made me a happier and better person. It's something I wish I had done years ago."

Is Mehlman’s sexual sin the one thing you cannot be forgiven for? No, of course not! Remember Moses? Moses was forgiven for murder!

But there is only one thing you cannot be forgiven for!

If you just knew about this one thing you could possibly avoid it!

I heard a minister once declare that even Adolf Hitler could have sincerely and truthfully asked forgiveness for all his many sins, paid society for his incurred debt, and therefore would have as good a chance as anyone to go to Heaven. This is the extent that God forgives and loves us!

The most fateful words ever spoken by Jesus had to do with the fearful possibility of committing the unpardonable sin. He said, "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men." Matthew 12:31.

So, what is this “blasphemy” against the Holy Spirit? Does it mean disrespect; is it words, spoken in anger against the Spirit; what is it?

Before answering all the troubling questions people ask about the unpardonable sin, a glorious truth needs to be recognized. We serve a God of infinite love and compassion. It is not His will that anyone should be lost. He has made provision in His Word for every soul to be cleansed and sanctified. The incredible promise of 1 John 1:9 applies to every man, woman, or child in the world today: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

On the condition of sincere confession, God promises to forgive any sin, regardless of its nature. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18.

What a special assurance for those who have violated every law of God and man in their wild plunge into degradation. God loves them still! There is no guilt too great for Him to cleanse away. He waits with outstretched arms to receive any who take the first step toward His forgiveness and mercy.

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(1)

So … what is so important about the Holy Spirit that it becomes unpardonable to “blaspheme” it? It all revolves around sin and what sin is. The Bible defines sin as;

"Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4. Paul enlarges on that statement by declaring that sin is the breaking of the Ten-Commandment law. "I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Romans 7:7.

So, sin is the breaking of God’s law, some associated sin wrapped around the 10 Commandments. And yes, the Big 10 covers all sin!

(2)

Besides teaching us all things, Jesus indicated that the Spirit will also "guide you into all truth." John 16:13. Every searching student of the Word has probably experienced this teaching, guiding influence of the Holy Spirit. There can be no true insight into biblical truth without the enlightenment of this Spirit of God.

But wait, what about "offending" the Holy Spirit?

(3)

The third mission of the Holy Spirit is to convict of sin. Jesus said: "It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." John 16:7, 8.

It is the special work of the Spirit to reprove or convict us of sin. When wrongs are committed, the conscience is pricked with a sense of guilt. Please take note that as long as we allow the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and convict, we could never be guilty of committing the unpardonable sin. But suppose we refuse to acknowledge these three offices of the Spirit in our own personal experience with God? That is when people approach the deadly parameters of the worst sin on record.

1Timothy 4 tells us what this means and gives us a couple of examples. “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth”.

This offense to the Holy Spirit, this total lack of "guilty conviction", simply disallows the Holy Spirit to work with you and I; the Sinner. We cannot be forgiven because we don't allow it! This is the sin we cannot be forgiven for!

So, when Mr. Mehlman says it’s taken 43 years “to get comfortable” with his sin, has his conscience been seared? I don’t know; that’s between him and God.

If a church teaches vegetarianism does it mean their consciences have been seared?

If a church teaches that it’s Priests cannot marry or it’s OK to be “gay”, does it mean their consciences have been seared?

The Bible declares many behaviors as “sin”. If you’re a professed Christian but you approve of gay marriage, does it mean your conscience has been seared? What if you approve of adultery? What about drunkenness? What about all the other things expressly mentioned in the Bible?

The examples of Sodom and Gomorrah are in the Bible for a reason. In our modern world it is easy to see how we are becoming more and more like these two biblical cities.

And we know what happened to them!

Remember, our feelings of GUILT comes from the convicting influence of the Holy Spirit, SHAME comes from Satan! If you have no more guilty conscience about something you know to be wrong, your conscience may be seared as with a red hot branding iron!

Ref Article: Point of No Return

The Observer

One Reason Why The Political Right Is Just As Dangerous As The Political Left

2010-08-17T09:10:00.016-04:00

Alan Keyes once famously declared,” the Republican Party is dead”. Of course, he was simply stating what was obvious to anyone paying attention. Once the bastion of the moral high ground, this political hangout for "conservatives" has simply become a pale version of the Democrat Party – who’s only real effort is geared towards getting re-elected and re-assuming power. Whereas the Democrats create oppressive government and don’t pay for it, the Republicans create oppressive government and pay for it – hence the only real difference.

True Conservatives, those who base their principles on moral grounds, have no political party in America.

This is especially true in today’s environs. As we argue over the building of a Mosque at Ground Zero (no, we shouldn't allow it), Obamacare (already having a detrimental effect), and government debt (13 trillion and counting); our so-called “conservative” pundits are literally out in left field, as reported by Dave Kupelian at WNDaily :

“Conservative” superstar Ann Coulter is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at – are you ready? – the "HOMOCON 2010" conference of "conservative homosexuals" sponsored by GOProud, a Republican gay organization that backs same-sex marriage and homosexuals serving openly in the U.S. military. Excuse me, but same-sex marriage and repeal of "don't-ask-don't tell" don't sound exactly like conservative positions.

You may have heard of GOProud before – it was a proud sponsor of this year's Conservative Political Acton Conference in Washington, D.C. The largest conservative annual gathering in the country, CPAC ignored calls from genuine conservative groups not to allow GOProud to sponsor the conference.

Another so-called “conservative” pundit is Glenn Beck. To be fair to Glenn he refers to himself as a Libertarian, but also as a Conservative. Glenn recently had this exchange with Bill O’Reilly (whom I consider to be from the Left) :

O'Reilly: "Do you believe that gay marriage is a threat to the country in any way?"

Beck: "A threat to the country?"

O'Reilly: "Yeah, is it going to harm it in any way?"

Beck: (laughing) "No I don't. Will the gays come and get us?"

O'Reilly: "No, OK, is it going to harm the country in any way?"

Beck: "I believe that Thomas Jefferson said: 'If it neither breaks my leg nor picks my pocket what difference is it to me?'"

Whoa. Is this the same Glenn Beck who previously has said he opposed same-sex marriage, even warning that legalizing gay marriage will inevitably lead to legalizing polygamy?

As adults we can somewhat understand (to a point) where Glenn is coming from here (keep the government out of our bedrooms) but one cannot agree with him on principle. Of course, gay marriage harms society. Mr. Beck, who claims to be a Christian, cannot disagree with this and be a Christian! Oil and water don’t mix! Or, as the good book says, you cannot serve two masters!

Now is a good time to remind everyone. True Christians DO NOT dislike gay people at all. The Christian attitude is one of believing the sexual act is immoral; the person is to be judged by God, not us. By the same token, an adulterer is considered in the same way. It’s the sexual act, not the person. The claim that the act is immoral, BTW, is a claim made by God, not Christians. We choose to believe God, not man!

Benjamin Wiker has done a great job of defining, by bullet-point, what political Conservatism should be, but is not, in today’s political climate. Please review his points and observe how the Republican Party does not fit the definition:

Principle # 1: “Being against” is not enough.

It is tempting to define conservatism entirely negatively, such as being “against big government” or “against taxes” or “against whatever.” The temptation comes from two sources in our own time. The first is the simple fact that the Obama Administration has tried to ram through nearly every item on the far-left agenda thereby causing a significant conservative reaction. The second arises when all the disgruntled sit down for a common tea, and realize that while they agree about what they are against, they have radical disagreements about what they should be for. But no society—and especially not one rapidly unraveling because of fundamental moral and social disagreements—can be salvaged and rebuilt without deep consensus about fundamental things.

Principle # 2: Being for liberty is not enough.

Crying up liberty is, all too frequently, merely a disguised form of “against-ism.” It allows all those who are against something—be it taxes or bureaucratic interference or obscene federal debt—to appear to be for something together. But a pro-family stalwart and a professional pornographer can both stand adamantly against burdensome taxes, bureaucratic niggling, and crushing federal debt. If liberty is defined only negatively, as “freedom from” government interference, then the chaos caused by more fundamental moral and social disagreement will remain untouched.

Principle # 3: Conservatism is more than the Constitution.

Strict adherence to the Constitution is not enough to halt our decline. The Constitution is a very short document that sets out the structure of the federal government and enumerates its powers. It doesn’t define a common way of life or even defend it, but it does presuppose it. That is, the Constitution presupposes deeply shared moral, social, economic, and political principles, and the Bill of Rights was added to protect them. But neither spells them out in the kind of detail that can actually form a common life. How mortifying—so the founders would think—that we would now be thinking it necessary to add an amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Principle # 4: Conservatism is older and larger than America.

The deepest principles of conservatism are rooted in human nature, and therefore constitute a kind of perennial wisdom that has been available to all peoples at all times. It can be found in the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, the Elizabethan dramatist Shakespeare, the 18th Century English conservative Edmund Burke, the French aristocrat Alexis de Tocqueville, the 20th Century Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek, as well as among our own founders and citizens. The first place to retreat and regroup during our own time of moral, social, economic, and political confusion is among the great minds who have thought so carefully, deeply, and clearly about conservatism.

Principle # 5: Human wickedness is real, pervasive, and humanly ineradicable.

To say, in Principle # 4, that perennial wisdom is available to all peoples at all times should not mislead us. “Available” doesn’t mean that all nations have availed themselves of this wisdom. In that great English conservative Edmund Burke’s sober words, “History consists for the great part of the miseries brought upon the world by pride, ambition, avarice, revenge, lust, sedition, hypocrisy, ungoverned zeal, and all the train of disorderly appetites.” Recognition of the pervasiveness of human wickedness is an essential part of conservative wisdom, and what makes conservatism sober rather than utopian.

Principle # 6: Government cannot replace the need for moral character.

No form of government, in and of itself, can eradicate wickedness or spin the straw of “self-interest” into the gold of a prosperous and orderly commonwealth. The philosopher Immanuel Kant was dead wrong to state blithely that “As hard as it may sound, the problem of organizing a nation is solvable even for a people comprised of devils (if only they have understanding).” A nation of devils, or merely of men with thoroughly debased characters, will always cleverly use the form of government, however ingeniously contrived, for their own devilry. Democracy doesn’t cure devilry, but it can make it more equitably applied.

Principle # 7: The family is the origin and foundation of society.

The first natural social, moral, and economic unit is the family—not the individual or the state, as modern liberalism asserts. The real family, not what’s left of the family after defining deviancy down. To destroy the family is to destroy the whole social, moral, economic, and political order. To repeat Moynihan’s words, “one unmistakable lesson in American history: A community that allows a large number of young men to grow up in broken families, dominated by women, never acquiring any stable relationship to male authority, never acquiring any set of rational expectations about the future—that community asks for and gets chaos. Crime, violence, unrest, unrestrained lashing out at the whole social structure—that is not only to be expected; it is very near to inevitable.”

Principle # 8: Good government begins in self-government.

There is rather unpleasant inverse proportion between self-government and national government: The less we govern ourselves morally, socially, and economically, the more power national government receives to shoulder our responsibilities. Men who enjoy the benefits of sexuality without the responsibilities marriage hand over to the state the task of providing economically for their wives and children, and cleaning up after the moral and psychological carnage wrought by their absence. Husbands and wives who foolishly steered their families into hopeless mortgage and credit card debt invited a federal rescue by the Socialist minded who always had believed that people were incapable of ruling themselves. Those who will not take care of their own health will usher in a government takeover of an imploded health care system.

Principle # 9: Conservatism is about the fullness of human nature.

Conservatism is more than mere economics. It was none other than Karl Marx that reduced the human being to homo economicus. When conservatives concentrate only on the economy, they by default allow liberals to define our social, moral, cultural, artistic, philosophical, scientific, and theological aspects. More damage has been done in the universities, due to the absence of the conservative mind than by all the ill-conceived government programs combined precisely because their conception occurred among the liberal intelligentsia in academia. Literature is generally debased because it has been left to those hotly defining deviancy down, and the same is true for the bilge flowing from Hollywood.

Principle # 10: Conservatism is essentially religious.

This is the last principle only because it is hardest to achieve. It is actually the first principle, since what we think about God and our place in the universe defines our understanding of human nature and the human good. If we are spiritual and material creatures made in the image of God with a defined moral good we will set ourselves up much differently as a society than if we are mere ephemeral bodies accidentally contrived by a mindless cosmos with no moral goal other than the pursuit of physical pleasure and the avoidance of physical pain. In large part, the history of the Western slide downward is essentially one of increased secularization; that is, a slide from the first view to the second. Defining deviancy down is, again, the way that the left has moved all the boundary markers.

It is very obvious that Glenn and Ann don't adhere to these guidelines.

We Americans may end up reinstating the Republicans this November, but, it will not make any difference in the long run.

The Observer