The Personal God

“When my father and my mother Have forsaken me, then doth Jehovah gather me.” – Psalms 27:10 – Youngs Literal Translation

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then Yahweh will take me up.” – Psalms 27:10 World English Bible

When we first learn about God, we learn about him more as a Creator, and provider. We see the animals and learn about science, and the questions that we seek answers for can lead us in the direction of God.

God uses many names for himself, and these include Elohim, with the meaning tied to his role as “the Creator”. Elhohim occurs 2700 times in the Bible. While God is one in unity, Elohim is actually plural. I understand that this plural God is God the Father and his son Jeshua, or Jesus. The tie in of these two members of the Godhead are found in John 3:16,  and the greetings to the church found in Romans 1:7, I Corinthians 1:3, II Corinthians 1:2, Galatians 1:3, Ephesians 1:2, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, I Thessalonians 1:1, II Thessalonians 1:2, I Timothy 1:2, II Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4, Philemon 1:3, I Peter 1:1-3, II Peter 1:2, I John 1:3 and more.

A second notable name for God is Jehovah, YHWH, or Yahweh.

The Companion Bible, appendix 4, has this to say.

II. JEHOVAH. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things, Jehovah is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created (Cp. 2 Chron. 18.31). Jehovah means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Gen. 21.33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel, and the God of those who are redeemed, and are thus now “in Christ”. We can say “My God,” but not “My Jehovah”, for Jehovah is “My God.”

Jehovah is indicated (as in A.V) by small capital letters, “LORD”; and by “GOD” when it occurs in combination with Adonia, in which case Lord GOD = Adonai Jehovah.

One story I like in the Bible is how God provided for Hagar and her son in the Bible. It was actually Abraham’s elderly wife Sarah’s idea to “help” God fulfill his promise of a son through her young servant Hagar. But this idea produced contention between the two women, naturally. When she became pregnant, Hagar started to treat Sarai (Sarah) with disdain. Sarah in turn started to treat her harshly, and the pregnant Hagar fled to the wilderness.

But the personal God, the LORD, Jehovah, would not leave this situation alone. God himself met Hagar in the wilderness.

And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. –Genesis 16: 7-12 KJV

The story continues, here in a different translation:

So she called the LORD who spoke to her: The God Who Sees, for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the One who sees me?” That is why she named the spring, “A Well of the Living One Who Sees Me.” It is located between Kadesh and Bered. –Genesis 16:13-14

Notice, that it was the LORD, Jehovah, the covenant God, the personal God that appeared to her, in a physical form.

So, Hagar would not be a single mother, and she went back to Abraham’s house. And so, when Abram (Abraham) was 86 years old, Ishmael was born. (Genesis 16:16).

When Abram was 99 years old, God visited Abram and renewed his promise to him of a son born of him and his wife, whom through God would establish his covenant. At that time, all the males in Abram’s house were circumcised, as a sign of that covenant. And, God changed Abram’s name to Abraham, and his wife’s name to Sarah. And in the intervening year until Isaac was born, Sodom and Gommorah suffered God’s judgment and Abraham moved into a new area. In her 90s, Sarah miraculously became pregnant and Isaac was born when Abraham was 100.

Hagar initally ran away when pregnant with Ishmael, and it was not until much later that tensions arose again between Hagar and Sarah. When Isaac was weaned, a celebration was held for him. Isaac may have been about 3 years old, and because of their age difference, Ishmael would have been about 17. Apparently this time, it was Ishmael that was mocking, presumably mocking Isaac and his mother at the celebration held for him. Sarah was ready now to have her son be the sole heir to Abraham, and to his affections, and wanted them to be sent away. As Ishmael’s father, Abraham was upset by this. But this time, God himself encouraged Abraham that sending them away was the right action.

Still, Hagar and her son suffered distress after being sent away, and God appeared to her a second time, and to her son.

And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. And he dwelt in the wilderness of Paran: and his mother took him a wife out of the land of Egypt. –Genesis 21:17-21

At this time, it was not Jehovah, the covenant God that spoke to Hagar. It was Elohim,”God”, who is the creator God. And he did not appear to her, he spoke from heaven to her in a more distant way, addressing his creation. At this time, Ishmael was at or near an adult age had skills as a hunter, and the family was able to survive and thrive.

The God of David, and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was Jehovah, Yahweh, the covenant God. He was the personal God. Abraham was called a friend of God. (James 2:23, Isaiah 41:8 and II Chronicles 41:8.) Depending on the context, the faithful refer to God in different ways. But the personal God is Jehovah, or Yahweh. The Eternal, the God who was, and is, and is to come. He is the God of the redeemed.

 

 

 

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Pitfalls for Christians – Oppression and Depression – and what to do about it

As is pointed out in the sermon included in this post, Christians shouldn’t be subject to spiritual possession – but they could bear the weight of spiritual oppression.

While some suffering will be part of our lives, we must realize that the enemy, the devil wants to steal our joy and rob us from communion with our God. We must know where our love, joy and peace comes from.

What should we do in those trying times?

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

– I Peter 5:6-11

Here is a great message from Pastor David Lankford that deals with trying times and spiritual oppression.

There is after all, a simple solution. It is not always easy for us, since we fill our lives with so many other things and distractions.

Paul describes the simplicity of devotion to Christ.

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” – II Corinthians 11:3

 

Original Christianity – Two documentary trailers

Not Catholic, Not Protestant. Neither of those are in the Bible, and one follows the other except in minor points.

Simply… Christian

A Pale Horse Rides – how barbarians transformed their lives, completely separate from the influence of the Roman empire. History of the Waldenses, and more.

The Way – how Protestant churches have entirely thrown out the Old Testament, and even the practices of Jesus. How modern people are re-discovering the teachings of the entire Bible, in a trend called the Hebrew Roots movement.

 

Our Creator’s Vision

Life is not acquired; it is curated. We owe everything to our Creator. To maintain or increase in value, we must adopt and adhere to our Creator’s vision. But we are far from being worthless and boring bricks in a wall to God; our Creator created us as unique and precious jewels.

“And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” ~Malachi 3:17

“Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” – Exodus 19: 5-6

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. – Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)

“For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” – Deuteronomy 14:2

“Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.” – Deuteronomy 26:17-19

“For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.” – Psalm 135:4

“And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.” – Isaiah 62:2-3

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” – Titus 2:11-14

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

I Peter 2:4-10

See related:

https://livingbyathread.wordpress.com/2015/12/13/bricks-of-babylon-stones-of-god/

 

 

Escaping from Spiritual Shackles and Curses (Sheila Zilinsky & Carla Butaud)

How to escape the weight of past sins and evil connections through Jesus Christ, and reclaim the true blessings that come from our Lord.

Read the Word! For in it is the wisdom and guide for our lives.

 

Interesting Theory on World Religions

How the Catholics Created Islam – by Walter Veith

Youtube description:

How the Vatican Created Islam!

The astonishing story from an ex-Jesuit priest, Alberto Rivera, which was told to him by Cardinal Bea while he was at the Vatican. This information was made public by Alberto Rivera after his conversion to Protestant Christianity. Following its publication, and after several unsuccessful attempts on his life, he died suddenly from food poisoning. His testimony should not be silenced. Dr. Rivera speaks to us still…

by Alberto Rivera (as told to him by Cardinal Bea)

“What I’m going to tell you is what I learned in secret briefings in the Vatican when I was a Jesuit priest, under oath and induction. A Jesuit cardinal named Augustine Bea showed us how desperately the Roman Catholics wanted Jerusalem at the end of the third century. Because of its religious history and its strategic location, the Holy City was considered a priceless treasure. A scheme had to be developed to make Jerusalem a Roman Catholic city.” The great untapped source of manpower that could do this job was the children of Ishmael. The poor Arabs fell victim to one of the most clever plans ever devised by the powers of darkness.

Early Christians went everywhere with the gospel setting up small churches, but they met heavy opposition. Both the Jews and the Roman government persecuted the believers in the Messiah to stop their spread. But the Jews rebelled against Rome, and in 70 AD, Roman armies under General Titus smashed Jerusalem and destroyed the great Jewish temple which was the heart of Jewish worship — in fulfillment of the Messiah’s prophecy in Matthew 24:2.

“On this holy place today where the temple once stood, the Dome of the Rock Mosque stands as Islam’s second most holy place. (This is incorrect — the Temple was not located on the so-called Temple Mount but south of it — Editor). Sweeping changes were in the wind. Corruption, apathy, greed, cruelty, perversion and rebellion were eating at the Roman Empire, and it was ready to collapse. The persecution against Christians was useless as they continued to lay down their lives for the gospel of Christ.

“The only way Satan could stop this thrust was to create a counterfeit ‘Christian’ religion to destroy the work of God. The solution was in Rome. Their religion had come from ancient Babylon and all it needed was a face-lift. This didn’t happen overnight, but began in the writings of the ‘early church fathers’.

Cardinal Augustin Bea — leading Biblical scholar and Catholic Church historian
“It was through their writings that a new religion would take shape. The statue of Jupiter in Rome was eventually called St. Peter, and the statue of Venus was changed to the Virgin Mary. The site chosen for its headquarters was on one of the seven hills called ‘Vaticanus’, the place of the divine serpent where the Satanic temple of Janus stood.

“The great counterfeit religion was Roman Catholicism, called ‘Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth’ — Revelation 17:5. She was raised up to block the gospel, slaughter the believers in Christ, establish religions, create wars and make the nations drunk with the wine of her fornication, as we will see.

“Three major religions have one thing in common — each has a holy place where they look for guidance. Roman Catholicism looks to the Vatican as the Holy City. The Jews look to the wailing wall in Jerusalem, and the Muslims look to Mecca as their Holy City. Each group believes that they receive certain types of blessings for the rest of their lives for visiting their holy place. In the beginning, Arab visitors would bring gifts to the ‘House of God’, and the keepers of the Kaaba were gracious to all who came. Some brought their idols and, not wanting to offend these people, their idols were placed inside the sanctuary. It is said that the Jews looked upon the Kaaba as an outlying tabernacle of the Lord with veneration until it became polluted with idols.

“In a tribal contention over a well (Zamzam) the treasure of the Kaaba and the offerings that pilgrims had given were dumped down the well and it was filled with sand — it disappeared. Many years later Adb Al-Muttalib was given visions telling him where to find the well and its treasure. He became the hero of Mecca, and he was destined to become the grandfather of Muhammad. Before this time, Augustine became the bishop of North Africa and was effective in winning Arabs to Roman Catholicism, including whole tribes. It was among these Arab converts to Catholicism that the concept of looking for an Arab prophet developed.

“Muhammad’s father died from illness and sons born to great Arab families in places like Mecca were sent into the desert to be suckled and weaned and spend some of their childhood with Bedouin tribes for training and to avoid the plagues in the cities.

“After his mother and grandfather also died, Muhammad was with his uncle when a Roman Catholic monk learned of his identity and

How the Vatican Created Isalm – Scott Johnson (1/10/16)

 

Questioning the Protestant “Statement of Faith”

God warns against spiritual harlotry in the Bible.

This was the warning to the church of Thyatira. Thyatira would have no legacy because they seduced people away from the truth.

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.

And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.

–Revelation 1:19-23

The Bible introduced the concept of the “Great whore”, who had a history of sending saints or people who did not forceably convert to their beliefs to martyrdom. You can make your own assessments on who that great whore would be, by looking at nominally “Christian” groups that have murdered other Christians. One church organization is reckoned to have produced upwards of 50 million deaths, to say nothing of preceding torture and inhumane manner of death in many cases.

This is what the Bible says about the “great whore”:

And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Revelation 17:1-6

This theme of the Great Harlot is repeated in Revelation 18, with the admonition to “come out of her”.

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

–Revelation 18:1-4

In this next passage, the persecuted saints emerge victorious.

Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.

And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.

And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

–Revelation 19:20-24

Psalms 137 speaks of the destruction of Babylon. Babylon the city was physically destroying in the 600s BC.

By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.

For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.

How shall we sing the LORD’S song in a strange land?

If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.

O daughter of Babylon, who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us.

Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.

–Psalm 137

Jeremiah 50 speaks further on the destruction of Babylon.

The Bible specifically tells his people to escape from the clutches of the daughter of Babylon.

Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.

For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.

Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.

–Zechariah 2:7-12

So, what about the Protestants? Are they in the same boat with the Catholics? The Catholics both added and subtracted from God’s word. The Catholics put themselves as the intermediary between Christ and his people. Christ said clearly that we all have the opportunity to know Jesus and the Father directly in the new covenant, and that Jesus is the only way to come to the Father.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

–Hebrews 8:10-11

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

–John 14:6

So when Christian protestant organizations have a statement of faith, are they both adding and subtracting from God’s word? Are they adding the doctrine of the Trinity and subtracting the moral law of the 10 Commandments, and basically the entire Old Testament and sections of the New Testament as well?

Recently I had an opportunity to apply for a job at a Christian organization near and dear to me. However, after a phone and in-person interview, they emphasized that I would have to accept their “Statement of Faith”. I could not in good conscience say that I agreed with the whole of it.

Here was my addendum to my response about whether I accepted their statement of faith.

Allowing for Personal Discernment

My personally held belief about the Godhead is that the Father and Jesus Christ comprise the Godhead and that the Holy Spirit is like unto the power of both Jesus and the Father. It was the same power that enabled Mary to become pregnant, as in Matthew 1:18, although the Heavenly Father is still the father of Christ!

This is one of those issues where there seems to be support for one belief, as in Matthew 28:19, but there also seems to be abundant support of a two person Godhead. These are examples where people are baptized/saved/praying solely in the name of Jesus. Prayer is made to the Father, but through the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12, Acts 10:43, Acts 13:39, Acts 22:16, Romans 10:13, Ephesians 5:20, I Thess 5:4, Luke 24:46-47). Here are examples in the greetings to the readers of epistles, where Paul and others cite the Father and Son exclusively as in: Philippians 1:2, I Thess. 1:1, 2 Thess. 1:1, James 1:1, Hebrews 1:1-5, I Peter 1:1-5, Philemon 1:3.

Lastly, the Berean believers were commended by Paul because they questioned and checked out the veracity of what Paul said by comparing it with established Old Testament scripture to verify if there was harmony.

Well, I heard nothing back since that response over a month ago. I do not know that they have even hired anyone for the position.

But I have thought more about this. If you look at ANY protestant organization Statement of Faith, you will most likely find the doctrine/dogma of the trinity. What won’t you find? The 10 Commandments. That’s right, you won’t find a reference the commandments that God wrote in stone with his own finger.

Why? Firstly, Protestants have followed the Mother of Harlots in accepting Sunday as a worship day that they don’t even keep as a sabbath. Sunday observance both adds and subtracts from God’s worth. With that one corruption of God’s holy word, the “universal” church has done away with the 10 Commandments. Slick, is it not?

So, an applicant for a job at a Christian organization – whether it is as a secretary, accountant, computer analyst, or a pastor or spiritual leader – must agree to the prescriptive Statement of Faith. Think of it – the applicant could be committing adultery – but agree to the Statement of Faith – and be qualified for the job.

I object to that. Christ is my redeemer and Lord – that is my statement of faith.

I will not accept artificial constructs that are designed to undermine and minimize God’s word.

Let’s conclude with scripture.

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

–Acts 16:30-34

Did Jesus in any way weaken the moral law and the commandments?

And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
 –Matthew 19:17

Related:

The Trinity Dogma and the Worship of Angels

What is the New Testament and what is its Significance?

Why Sincere Christianity returns to Lifting up the Moral Law

 

A President is only as good as our Prayers

Spiritual Realm – Spiritual Warfare

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

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” –Proverbs 21:1

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. herefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. –Romans 13:1-6

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” –I Timothy 2:1-8

These messages are messages of warning. It doesn’t mean you have to accept everything, but Christians are to watch and to be awake.

Is there a demon god of War? See this video.

There are strange things going on in our world.

Will campaign promises and intentions prevail?

“But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.” –Luke 11:17

Jesus said:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” –Matthew 10:32-36

Who are those who deny Jesus? Possibly they are the same ones who will bring war and seek to divide a house against itself.

 

What is the New Testament and what is its Significance?

(emphasis added in textual quotations)

The New Testament was a concept that Jesus Christ introduced at his last Passover on earth, what we call the Last Supper. To study the meaning of what the New Testament involves, take out a concordance. Let’s explore all of the uses of “testament” in the Bible. In some cases, we may examine whole chapters of where this word is found. For this study, I find that the “received text” of the King James Bible is better. The KJV is not copywrited language like most modern version, and I also like that. In no way should holy scripture be copywrited except by God, as if something new is produced instead of ancient, holy writ. Instead of “New Testament”, modern versions like the NIV will use other words like Covenant, at times dropping both the “New” and “Testament” wording. While Covenant and Testament are similar, using different words for the sake of being different seems to muddy the waters.

When we think of the word “covenant”, we often think of a marriage covenant, or “the ark of the covenant”. So when people think of a “new covenant”, they might think almost that we are getting a divorce from the Old Testament or the God of the Old Testament. Or they might think since the tablets of law were in the Ark of the Covenant, that the New “Covenant” gets rid of that. Maybe that is what the modern versions WANT you to think. However, when we hear the word “Testament”, we think of scripture itself, and we think of Last Will and Testament. The New Testament is something we receive by inheritance, and it is associated with the concept of death. It is worth your time to compare the KJV and the other versions with respect to the “New Testament” concept.

We commonly refer to the Bible in two parts as the Old and New Testaments. Interestingly, I could not find the word “testament” in the Old Testament. In each of the Old and New Testaments, blood was an important concept.

Let’s Explore the uses of “Testament” in the Bible

In the first instance of “Testament” in the Bible, we have the gospel of Matthew. Matthew was the former tax collector, or we might call him an accountant. I simply love that he is the one who uses the word remission, as in payment of a bill, invoice, or debt.

The use of new testament wording in the gospels, was only communicated during Jesus’ last Passover on earth, and at no other time.

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” –Matthew:26:28

Then, we have Mark’s recording, the evangelist companion of the apostle Peter.

“And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.” –Mark 14:24

Next, we have Luke, the physician. His rendition is more personal, using the word “you” and “cup”.

“Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” –Luke 22:20

The gospel of John is the only account that records the passover footwashing and it alludes to the passover observance in John 13, but it doesn’t actually talk about the unleavened bread and wine or the New Testament concept itself. But the book provides great context of explanation in chapters 14-17, where Christ introduces concepts like the Holy Spirit and that that the commandments of God are still in effect.

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

–John 14:20-26

The Apostle Paul backs up the Gospel accounts with the understanding of the New Testament

images from biblepic.com

The apostle Paul was not a witness of Jesus’ earthly ministry, but the evidence is that this “last” and “least” apostle by his self-description in I Corinthians 15:8-9, was personally mentored by the risen Jesus Christ for a period of approximately 3 years, similar to the period the other apostles were mentored by Christ (Acts 1:21-26). During Paul’s apostle training, he went “off the grid” so to speak, in Arabia, for a period of 3 years (Galatians 1:17-24).

As Paul wrote to the Gentiles, he expounds upon the concepts.

“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” –I Corinthians 11:23-26

In one whole chapter, Paul explains the Old and New Testaments.

Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.

Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

–2 Corinthians 3:1-18

So are all of the many, many pages of the Old Testament done away with?

I think not. Jesus warned about this, the bible is very clear.

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” –Matthew 5:18

Furthermore, in the last words of the Bible, the apostle John warns about the penalties for adding or subtracting from God’s words.

“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” –Revelation 22:18-19

It is evident that the Gentiles Paul taught kept the feasts. Paul was merely explaining that we need to keep the laws, but do it in sincerity, truth and love.

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” –I Corinthians 5:6-8

In Hebrews, Paul explains that Jesus Himself is our High Priest, and has taken care of the fulfillment

By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.

–Hebrews 7:22-28

God’s Law was Permanent, but the Old Testament of Animal Sacrifice and was Transitory

It was always God’s intention to sacrifice His Son, because there was no way that the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament would pay for our sin.

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” — Revelation 13:8

We are, however, able to be sanctified forever with Jesus’ one-time sacrifice. Paul expounds:

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

–Hebrews 10:1-10

Hebrews Chapter 9

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.

But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

–Hebrews 9:1-28

New Testament Concepts

As seen in the scriptures cited above, the New Testament introduces two important concepts.

1. Christ’s once and for all sacrifice on the cross is remission for the sins of mankind, of those who receive it.
2. While the moral law of the 10 commandments and every other law introduced to us is still in effect, the administration of that law has changed. Previously, the law was administrated by consequences including the death penalty. We have gone from a “ministration of death” to a “ministration of the spirit”, and from a “ministration of condemnation” to a “ministration of righteousness”. See again II Corinthians 3:7-11

So the law is not done away with. The law is still there, and we are all transgressors of the law. We cannot gain eternal life unless we have remission for those sins, and that only comes from our Savior Jesus Christ.

“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” –Hebrews 9:22

The most important concepts of the New Testament may actually be the concepts of love and mercy.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

–John 3:16

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For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

–Hebrews 8:7-13

 

The Trinity Dogma and the Worship of Angels

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.

These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,

and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

—–Colossians 2:16-19 ESV