The Lord's Supper
1 Cor.
{11:17} Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
{11:18} For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
{11:19} For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
{11:20} When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
{11:21} For in eating every one taketh before [other] his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
{11:22} What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not.
{11:23} 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:
{11:24} 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.
{11:25} 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.
{11:26} For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink [this] cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
{11:27} Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord.
{11:28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
{11:29} For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
{11:30} For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
{11:31} For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
{11:32} But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
The sacredness of the Lord's supper is truly something we need to think about. It's not the casual dinner, it's a special supper. Christ did not sit down to eat the passover supper and announce at the beginning of it that the entire supper would be something to remember and do. They were celebrating a ceremony given to Moses back when God freed His people from the Egyptians and death took all the first born of those that didn't have the blood of a lamb on their door posts and over top the door. Jesus was celebrating this passover meal, this passover tradition. As they supped, meaning they were already into the meal when Jesus took the bread gave thanks to God for it and brake it- then he instructed His apostles to take it and eat it, do so and remember His body which He was to give for them. How could the bread symbolize Jesus? Think about it, the passover itself symbolized God's protection and saving of His people. The bread wasn't risen but it was unleavened to symbolize the haste of the coming exodus from Egypt. To institute a new tradition during the passover feast indicated that things were changing for God's people. The lamb that had been slain, whose blood was placed over and around the door to offer protection symbolized the blood that Jesus was going to shed for His people. Jesus was telling them what was to come and what they were to do after it happened. They were to remember because He wasn't going to be around to remind them. They were to remember what He was doing. He was instituting a new tradition, a new supper. The passover supper symbolized the freedom of God's people from the oppression of the Egyptians, it revealed God's power to act on behalf of those He considered His. The Lord's supper symbolizes Jesus' death- there in the verse it says -- For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. The symbolism of the Lord's supper is Jesus' sacrifice for us.
Just as preparation was made for the passover meals, there is a preparation we're to make before we take part in the Lord's supper. It's not something casual we do out of hunger or thirst, it's not the meal we are to eat to sate our normal, natural appetite. This supper of bread breaking and wine drinking symbolizes something much more important than any base needs we might have, it goes beyond our natural, fleshy appetites, it transcends them completely.
Before we take part in the Lord's supper we are cautioned to examine ourselves. If we don't examine ourselves we are guilty of killing Christ rather than Him dying for us, we are guilty of killing Him we rank among those who crucified Him, those that have no repentance in them for what they'd done, those who lived and died with the blood of Christ on their hands. We rank among those when we take part in the Lord's supper without examining ourselves, without asking for forgiveness for the sins we've committed, without true repentance in us for the sins we commit, sins that warrant death, sins that Christ lived and died to cover, rising again to live for us and offer us eternal life in Him.
So before we do as Christ instructed so long again to His very apostles, before we take part in the Lord's supper let each of us take a moment to examine ourselves so we are not guilty of killing Christ without being forgiven by Him. He asked that the guilty be forgiven- Luke {23:34} Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. We know what we do and if we don't seek forgivness in Christ before symbolically accepting His life and death for us, we mock Him and that makes us guilty.
I Cor. {11:29} For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
The Lord's body- the Lord's death is symbolically represented in the bread and wine, and if we don't take that symbolism to heart we are damning ourselves to being unforgiven. Christ died for us and we need to remember that daily, we need to remember that when we symbolically declare it with each other during the Lord's supper. We judge ourselves before we take part in the bread and wine, we judge ourselves and find ourselves guilty and we cling to the only source of forgiveness there is and that is Christ through His sacrifice.
May God bless and keep us, guiding us, chastizing us where needed, giving us the Holy Spirit in all truth. May the love and mercy of Jesus Christ fill our lives and hearts so that we live for Him now and forever.
Amen.
6/26/11
Yesterday we continued our prophecy study and today there will be more studying of the same by the grace of our wonderful, loving, God. May He bless us with understanding, being the eye salve we need to have our understanding open so we can see His will, His work, His love.
We began yesterday with some verses on the little horn and today we'll do the same but just a touch differently. We have to ask ourselves some questions here to make sure we are understanding things correctly.
Dan 7:8
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
If you've been following the study you have a positive ID on this little horn by now, right? If you haven't been following the studies please go back and do so because what we might talk about from here on in might not make a whole lot of sense to you.
We know that history is prophecy fulfilled and history has revealed that this little horn is the Papal power that arose as the Roman Empire broke apart.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them
History has many proofs that the Papacy has warred with God's people and prevailed against them in many cases- murdering them. Remember this isn't me spouting off at the mouth willy nilly without any proof. I'm not making this stuff up. The modern Papacy today has even issued apologies for their behavior in the past- admitting to their role in the war against those who dared defy their mandates to search for the truth. Just imagine being a Christian back in the day, and you live under the Papal thumb dictating all you can believe in, telling you that you cannot own a Bible, cannot read a Bible but must have it read to you because you can't possibly understand what it is saying- that's for greater minds than yours. The Papacy alone had the right to explain, to interpret any scriptures because they believed they alone had the power of God to do so and none other did. And what would happen should you be caught with a Bible, or part of a Bible written in a common language for common understanding? You could be arrested, tortured, and yes…killed. Killed all because you dared to read God's word without the Papacy reading it to you and telling you what it means. I don't know about you but this is bizarre to me, the idea of it totally bizarre. Of course I live in a democracy and I'm allowed a lot of freedoms- practically the freedom to do anything inside the established laws and there is no law forbidding our reading our Bibles.
Taking our supposing a little further, suppose you were alive back then and felt the need to understand God's will and the Papal instruction just wasn't enough, you wanted … no, you needed more than their bits of instruction. So you manage to get a Bible, manage to read it and your eyes are opened to the truths of God's word- that the ruling religious institution the Papacy is NOT following the Bible they themselves read, and claim authority over. The very truth of the Savior they claim to have been commissioned by through the apostle Peter, is being distorted. The Savior NEVER instituted any sort of church that would bring power to itself and claim the right to abduct, torture, and even kill people that chose to believe differently than they do. How can the Papacy read the words of Jesus about turning the other cheek, about giving your cloke as well when your coat is taken, about doing good even when you are abused and reviled.
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
How could they read those words and then turn around and be the men persecuting others because they don't hold to your same beliefs. Jesus NEVER advocated using violence against people. Jesus admonished His disciples to walk away when people weren't receptive to the gospel of the Kingdom they wanted to spread.
Mat 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Jesus did not say- before departing torture and kill those who won't listen to you and, murder those who won't believe the truth- and YET the Papacy claiming to have the authority of God on earth did just that more than once, more than ten times, more than a hundred, more than a thousand… and so on. Is there any definite number given to the amount of people tortured, and those murdered by this religious force claiming to be the true church of God? No. People give numbers and depending upon who you listen to the number is extremely high or extremely low. The exact number doesn't matter for our understanding because the guilt was warranted upon the very first person tortured, upon the very first person murdered. So whether you're among those who believe the Catholic Church-the Papacy, was guilty of taking a few or many lives, their lengthy history is filled with abuses and corruption and this is FACT not fiction!
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and...
...another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
We know this to be true, there had never been a rising power like that of the Papacy, never.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
What great words has the Papacy spoken against the Most High?
First let's ask ourselves a question- what did God think of those who claim to be like the Most High?
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan! Satan made this claim that He would be like the most High. And then we have this…
From the Catholic online encylopedia-
Vicar of Christ
(Latin Vicarius Christi).
A title of the pope implying his supreme and universal primacy, both of honour and of jurisdiction, over the Church of Christ.
Pasted from <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15403b.htm>
****They claim this is a scriptural title- but when Christ told Peter to feed His sheep He did NOT tell Peter he was going to be HIM on earth. Peter would NEVER had presumed to be Christ on earth. Peter knew He was a servant of Christ's. Peter knew that as an apostle He was doing the work of Christ, but not taking the place of Christ. NO ONE could take the place of Christ, NO ONE. I no more have the power to tell you that God has forgiven your sin, than any man or woman alive. I can tell you God will forgive you if you ask for forgiveness and repent, but that forgiveness is between YOU and GOD. I can forgive you if you hurt me, but I can't give you the forgiveness of God. I can tell you that God will forgive you, but I can't presume that God has forgiven anyone, I do NOT know the heart of anyone. I do NOT know the sincerity of anyone. I am NOT God, I am NOT Christ, as a follower of Christ I can point the way to Christ, but never can I be presumptuous enough to believe that Christ wants me to act in His place, act as if I am Him with authority of the Most High. Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE, not any man, not any Pope. Yes, we are to be Christ's and by His grace, through His forgiveness we can point the way to Him, but never are we to presume to be HIM.
Vicar of Christ
–noun Roman Catholic Church .
the pope, with reference to his claim to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and possess His authority in the church.
Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vicar+of+christ>
The Papacy HAD to issue a statement, a doctrine of their authority claiming infallibility for the Pope. They MADE themselves infallible! No where in our Bible, NO where does God make any man infallible, none! The only infallible one was our Savior who was God-Man, God's Son, and our Savior made NO man infallible, NONE!
'Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope is preserved from even the possibility of error[1] when he solemnly declares or promulgates to the universal Church a dogmatic teaching on faith as being contained in divine revelation, or at least being intimately connected to divine revelation. It is also taught that the Holy Spirit works in the body of the Church, as sensus fidelium, to ensure that dogmatic teachings proclaimed to be infallible will be received by all Catholics. This dogma, however, does not state either that the Pope cannot sin in his own personal life or that he is necessarily free of error, even when speaking in his official capacity, outside the specific contexts in which the dogma applies.
This doctrine was defined dogmatically in the First Vatican Council of 1870.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility
It doesn't matter that they clarify it by saying the Pope can sin in a personal matter, they ARE saying he CANNOT sin when he makes solemn declarations, teaches dogma, had divine revelations.
They are saying the POPE cannot sin, that he is past being able to sin when he speaks for the church!
The are claiming that He is LIKE THE MOST HIGH!
So has this little horn spoken great words against the most High? Yes, yes, and YES! Lucifer a covering angel sinned becoming the father of sin when he claimed that he would be like the most High, and yet we want to overlook the Papal claim of infallibility as being of none effect?
What did Jesus say when the apostles talked about which one of them was greater????
Mar 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
This does not sound at all like the Papacy does it, they don't lay claim to being servants? They claim to be the greatest proudly, and throughout their history they've promoted this aspect of themselves in direct opposition to our Savior's teachings. They are so great in fact they claim to have an infallible leader on matters of dogma.
I don't know about you but I just can't seem to wrap my brain around how they believe the way they do, it's not of God!!!!
We have to pay attention here, we really, really do because this prophecy will come to pass concerning that little horn power--
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The dominion that little horn power claims to have will be taken completely away, this is fact, this will come to past just as all the other prophecy came to pass. Nothing will stop the rest from coming true no matter what a single person claims. Claim this to be a bunch of lies it doesn't matter, scoff all you want it doesn't matter, what you and I think doesn't change a thing. We cannot change the past that has been fulfilled and we cannot change the future we are told will come to pass- it will be. God's will is done, past, present, and future. We can only fall to our knees and pray that we are worthy to escape, worthy in HIS righteousness!
*
Now we know that this power would have it's greatest control over things for a time, times, and dividing of times- 1260 days= prophetic day for a year principle - 1260 years. We know that if we look at history this can apply in this way-- 1798AD the Papacy suffered a blow unlike any other in time past -- counting backwards 1260 years we are left with 538AD and we've seen that history records the insidious power of the Papacy and in 538AD there is a parallel with 1798AD both times reveal a pope being exiled and dying. The first in 538AD ushered in a very deceptive Pope- the corruption set and well under way in Papal dealings, and the last in 1798AC ushering out that crushing corruption so that God's true word could be spread. An interesting note-- a VERY interesting note--
'The modern Bible Society movement dates back to the foundation of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804 when a group of Christians sought to address the problem of a lack of affordable Bibles in Welsh for Welsh-speaking Christians. This was highlighted by a young girl called Mary Jones who walked over 20 miles to get a Bible in Bala.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_society
When did this begin?! 1804! When was the papacy struck a blow 1798, six short years prior to this! You can bet your bottom dollar that in 1798 there was already much talk under way about getting the Bible out to the masses in their own language, Bibles they could afford.
This isn't a coincidence?! This is fact and prophecy, this is God's hand working and allowing us to understand.
For 1260 years the Papacy held sway.
Let's read more about these 1260 years.
Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Our Savior was born. Our Savior was caught up to God and to his thrown. No one disputes this, right? No Christian disputes this.
Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
God's people - God's true people fled. God's true people were kept alive. Throughout all the deception, all the corruption, all the murdering, all the crusading, all the power of Satan wanting to destroy God's true people they were kept alive. Year after year they were kept alive passing down the truth in Christ, protected. God's people, God's true church, was never wiped out of existence. Remember this…
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Narrow is the way… few there be that find it.
Few found it, few kept it, and these true adherents to our Savior endured throughout time nourished by God in their wilderness. The fact of the matter is, God would have a people, adherents to His truths throughout time. There wouldn't be many- ever. Even today. There may be millions of Christians-sorry, billions--
'As of the early 21st century, Christianity has approximately 2.2 billion adherents'
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity>
There may be billions of Christians but the words of our Savior tells us that the way is narrow and FEW will find it. This doesn't look good for Christianity, does it? With its billions of followers. The majority of those adherents are walking the broad path that leads to destruction along with the many.
It's no shock to true Christians to realize that their spiritual descendants through time would be suppressed. That while the dragon power reigned growing more and more powerful they would be in the minority kept safe by God through their true love of God. Then when that power would lose it's hold to the point of being able to murder dissenters, God's true people would be allowed to come out of the wilderness. The truths would be unfolded so that all would have an opportunity to be among God's true people when our Savior returns.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Keepers of the commandments of God.
Those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The dragon is warring with these people- the remnant- the last of the true people of God.
To ALL of us, to EVERY single one of us this is a message of great magnitude!
If you do NOT keep the commandments of God, if you do NOT have the testimony of Jesus Christ… you are NOT among the remnant of God.
I did not make that up!? I did not say that?! The BIBLE says it! God says it to us!
So go your way ignoring the commandments of God and being flippant at best about the testimony of Jesus Christ and if you choose to believe you are among God's remnant than that is your prerogative but God says otherwise. You are on the broad path! A battle has been fought for you by Satan and he's won your life- your eternal life. He wants you to perish eternally with Him.
We can't ignore this! Please don't ignore this!
Christ our righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior must be in our lives- the testimony of Him readily on our lips, apparent in our lives. The commandments of God have never been burdensome except to those who side with Satan. The commandments of God were formed out of love for us, not as punishment. God's remnant will KEEP His commandments, not believing their works are saving them at all whatsoever but they will keep His commandments out of their love for Him!
By His grace may we be among the remnant!
Please Lord,
Save us!
In His love!
Amen.
6/26/11
Stupid question? Well, maybe but guess what there is SNARE that is coming to all that dwell on earth, every last single human being. What sort of snare? The sort that will keep you from eternal life in Christ. Sounds fictional and fanatical? I didn't write it, Jesus did.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
For context maybe we need to read a bit more.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
Luk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luk 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Luk 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
How is that for context?
Wait, how can this be? Jesus said it all way back then to His disciples. Jesus said all He said then to ALL of us right up until the end of time and if we don't believe this then we've got a huge problem starting with salvation.
We are to TAKE heed to ourselves. We aren't to look at others and take heed to them, but take heed to ourselves. We can control what we do, but not what another does, right? Right.
We are taking heed to ourselves - watching ourselves- lest at ANY TIME our HEARTS are overcharged with surfeiting- excess, fullness, bloating, over indulgence, lest at ANY TIME our HEARTS be overcharged with drunkenness, lest at ANY TIME our hearts be overcharged with cares of this life.
These THREE things can entrap us, can be a snare for us. These THREE things can cause the day of Salvation to come upon us unaware. These THREE things are so insidious they trap us for who? Whose snare is being set? Someone has to lay the trap for there to even be one, right? A trap, a snare, isn't put in place unless someone is hunting for something, right? Seriously. Would I lay a snare down to trap something if I didn't want to trap *that* particular something? Would the snare suddenly be there without anyone at all putting it there? No. Snares are put in place by a person wanting to entrap something. So this ALL encompassing snare that has the potential to ensnare ALL that dwell on the face of the whole earth, who put it there?
A snare is… anything that traps or entangles someone or something unaware. It's to capture by trickery.
Someone wants to trick all the inhabitants of the whole earth. Someone wants to trap every human being in existence. Who?
Who is invested in people NOT obtaining salvation in Christ? Who has a stake in people NOT spending eternity with Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior? Someone does. Someone wants this and someone has worked exceedingly long and hard setting up His snare.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Recover out of the SNARE of the DEVIL- WHO are taken CAPTIVE by HIM at HIS will.
The devil wants us! The Devil has laid a snare for us!
The Devil lays the snare that will come upon all who are on earth. All of us. Every single one of us will has the potential to be ensnared and the ONLY thing that will stop this from happening is if we TAKE HEED TO OURSELVES.
People don't like to take heed to themselves. People LOVE living in excess, living beyond their means, living extravagantly, even poor people love living this way and don't think they don't. They'll take their money and believe they have to spend it selfishly because hey, you only live once. I'm not saying all people do this, not by a long shot. But over all we are raised to be self-centered by our society. Our society tells us we aren't happy unless we have *things* lots of things, various things, things everyone has. What household doesn't have a television? Very, very few. What household doesn't have a computer? Again, very, very few. What household doesn't have some sort of entertainment be it radio, mp3 player, Ipod, books- yes, books. Not all books are of God- not by a LONG shot! We like to be able to take our minds off things, to unwind, to de-stress, to just do what we please at least for a portion of our day. Is this wrong? We've convinced ourselves it isn't wrong so it would do no good whatsoever for me to say otherwise. People live for their weekends, their vacations, their retirements, believing that is what all their hard work is for- the time off to enjoy all that they've earned. Enjoyment has become the thing we seek above all else, feeling that sensation of pleasure in food, drink, play. Self-gratification.
Taking heed that we are NOT overcharged with self indulgence. But not only that… taking heed that we are NOT overcharged with the cares of this life.
We are a world of neurotics, aren't we? We are a world of worriers, yes? We are a world of obsessing people. We are a world of medicating people who love to drug ourselves senseless so we don't feel, so we don't overly care, so we don't have to worry -- why, because the CARES OF THIS LIFE have taken over us. We are overcharged with the cares of this life. So maybe you don't drink, and maybe you're not obsessed with self-indulgence, but perhaps you are caught up with the cares of this life. What do you think? Do you think, as I do, that the majority of people can fit into one or more of these categories? Let's be honest with ourselves, really, really honest, no matter how much the East rants and raves about the West being capitalistic and self-absorbed- the East is just the same. The names might be changed but the people are the same everywhere. While there is ranting and raving on both sides the unfortunate truth is self-centeredness is something we all need to take heed to.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
We have to watch and pray always!
We can only escape all the things that will come to pass and stand before our Savior - if we take HEED to ourselves.
I don't think we take enough heed to ourselves, we need to take a lot more heed, a lot more!!! And most of all we need to WATCH and PRAY always!
Watch ourselves- be honest with ourselves- and pray, pray, pray to be accounted worthy- in Christ! Worthy through Him to escape!
By His grace! By His mercy may we be His completely and totally. May we take heed to ourselves without any pretenses whatsoever. In His LOVE!
Amen.
{11:17} Now in this that I declare [unto you] I praise [you] not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
{11:18} For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
{11:19} For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
{11:20} When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
{11:21} For in eating every one taketh before [other] his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
{11:22} What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not.
{11:23} 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:
{11:24} 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.
{11:25} 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.
{11:26} For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink [this] cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
{11:27} Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord.
{11:28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.
{11:29} For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
{11:30} For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
{11:31} For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
{11:32} But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
The sacredness of the Lord's supper is truly something we need to think about. It's not the casual dinner, it's a special supper. Christ did not sit down to eat the passover supper and announce at the beginning of it that the entire supper would be something to remember and do. They were celebrating a ceremony given to Moses back when God freed His people from the Egyptians and death took all the first born of those that didn't have the blood of a lamb on their door posts and over top the door. Jesus was celebrating this passover meal, this passover tradition. As they supped, meaning they were already into the meal when Jesus took the bread gave thanks to God for it and brake it- then he instructed His apostles to take it and eat it, do so and remember His body which He was to give for them. How could the bread symbolize Jesus? Think about it, the passover itself symbolized God's protection and saving of His people. The bread wasn't risen but it was unleavened to symbolize the haste of the coming exodus from Egypt. To institute a new tradition during the passover feast indicated that things were changing for God's people. The lamb that had been slain, whose blood was placed over and around the door to offer protection symbolized the blood that Jesus was going to shed for His people. Jesus was telling them what was to come and what they were to do after it happened. They were to remember because He wasn't going to be around to remind them. They were to remember what He was doing. He was instituting a new tradition, a new supper. The passover supper symbolized the freedom of God's people from the oppression of the Egyptians, it revealed God's power to act on behalf of those He considered His. The Lord's supper symbolizes Jesus' death- there in the verse it says -- For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. The symbolism of the Lord's supper is Jesus' sacrifice for us.
Just as preparation was made for the passover meals, there is a preparation we're to make before we take part in the Lord's supper. It's not something casual we do out of hunger or thirst, it's not the meal we are to eat to sate our normal, natural appetite. This supper of bread breaking and wine drinking symbolizes something much more important than any base needs we might have, it goes beyond our natural, fleshy appetites, it transcends them completely.
Before we take part in the Lord's supper we are cautioned to examine ourselves. If we don't examine ourselves we are guilty of killing Christ rather than Him dying for us, we are guilty of killing Him we rank among those who crucified Him, those that have no repentance in them for what they'd done, those who lived and died with the blood of Christ on their hands. We rank among those when we take part in the Lord's supper without examining ourselves, without asking for forgiveness for the sins we've committed, without true repentance in us for the sins we commit, sins that warrant death, sins that Christ lived and died to cover, rising again to live for us and offer us eternal life in Him.
So before we do as Christ instructed so long again to His very apostles, before we take part in the Lord's supper let each of us take a moment to examine ourselves so we are not guilty of killing Christ without being forgiven by Him. He asked that the guilty be forgiven- Luke {23:34} Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. We know what we do and if we don't seek forgivness in Christ before symbolically accepting His life and death for us, we mock Him and that makes us guilty.
I Cor. {11:29} For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
The Lord's body- the Lord's death is symbolically represented in the bread and wine, and if we don't take that symbolism to heart we are damning ourselves to being unforgiven. Christ died for us and we need to remember that daily, we need to remember that when we symbolically declare it with each other during the Lord's supper. We judge ourselves before we take part in the bread and wine, we judge ourselves and find ourselves guilty and we cling to the only source of forgiveness there is and that is Christ through His sacrifice.
May God bless and keep us, guiding us, chastizing us where needed, giving us the Holy Spirit in all truth. May the love and mercy of Jesus Christ fill our lives and hearts so that we live for Him now and forever.
Amen.
6/26/11
Yesterday we continued our prophecy study and today there will be more studying of the same by the grace of our wonderful, loving, God. May He bless us with understanding, being the eye salve we need to have our understanding open so we can see His will, His work, His love.
We began yesterday with some verses on the little horn and today we'll do the same but just a touch differently. We have to ask ourselves some questions here to make sure we are understanding things correctly.
Dan 7:8
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
If you've been following the study you have a positive ID on this little horn by now, right? If you haven't been following the studies please go back and do so because what we might talk about from here on in might not make a whole lot of sense to you.
We know that history is prophecy fulfilled and history has revealed that this little horn is the Papal power that arose as the Roman Empire broke apart.
Dan 7:21 I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them
History has many proofs that the Papacy has warred with God's people and prevailed against them in many cases- murdering them. Remember this isn't me spouting off at the mouth willy nilly without any proof. I'm not making this stuff up. The modern Papacy today has even issued apologies for their behavior in the past- admitting to their role in the war against those who dared defy their mandates to search for the truth. Just imagine being a Christian back in the day, and you live under the Papal thumb dictating all you can believe in, telling you that you cannot own a Bible, cannot read a Bible but must have it read to you because you can't possibly understand what it is saying- that's for greater minds than yours. The Papacy alone had the right to explain, to interpret any scriptures because they believed they alone had the power of God to do so and none other did. And what would happen should you be caught with a Bible, or part of a Bible written in a common language for common understanding? You could be arrested, tortured, and yes…killed. Killed all because you dared to read God's word without the Papacy reading it to you and telling you what it means. I don't know about you but this is bizarre to me, the idea of it totally bizarre. Of course I live in a democracy and I'm allowed a lot of freedoms- practically the freedom to do anything inside the established laws and there is no law forbidding our reading our Bibles.
Taking our supposing a little further, suppose you were alive back then and felt the need to understand God's will and the Papal instruction just wasn't enough, you wanted … no, you needed more than their bits of instruction. So you manage to get a Bible, manage to read it and your eyes are opened to the truths of God's word- that the ruling religious institution the Papacy is NOT following the Bible they themselves read, and claim authority over. The very truth of the Savior they claim to have been commissioned by through the apostle Peter, is being distorted. The Savior NEVER instituted any sort of church that would bring power to itself and claim the right to abduct, torture, and even kill people that chose to believe differently than they do. How can the Papacy read the words of Jesus about turning the other cheek, about giving your cloke as well when your coat is taken, about doing good even when you are abused and reviled.
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
How could they read those words and then turn around and be the men persecuting others because they don't hold to your same beliefs. Jesus NEVER advocated using violence against people. Jesus admonished His disciples to walk away when people weren't receptive to the gospel of the Kingdom they wanted to spread.
Mat 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Jesus did not say- before departing torture and kill those who won't listen to you and, murder those who won't believe the truth- and YET the Papacy claiming to have the authority of God on earth did just that more than once, more than ten times, more than a hundred, more than a thousand… and so on. Is there any definite number given to the amount of people tortured, and those murdered by this religious force claiming to be the true church of God? No. People give numbers and depending upon who you listen to the number is extremely high or extremely low. The exact number doesn't matter for our understanding because the guilt was warranted upon the very first person tortured, upon the very first person murdered. So whether you're among those who believe the Catholic Church-the Papacy, was guilty of taking a few or many lives, their lengthy history is filled with abuses and corruption and this is FACT not fiction!
Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
Dan 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Dan 7:24 And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and...
...another shall rise after them; and he shall be diverse from the first, and he shall subdue three kings.
We know this to be true, there had never been a rising power like that of the Papacy, never.
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.
What great words has the Papacy spoken against the Most High?
First let's ask ourselves a question- what did God think of those who claim to be like the Most High?
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Satan! Satan made this claim that He would be like the most High. And then we have this…
From the Catholic online encylopedia-
Vicar of Christ
(Latin Vicarius Christi).
A title of the pope implying his supreme and universal primacy, both of honour and of jurisdiction, over the Church of Christ.
Pasted from <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15403b.htm>
****They claim this is a scriptural title- but when Christ told Peter to feed His sheep He did NOT tell Peter he was going to be HIM on earth. Peter would NEVER had presumed to be Christ on earth. Peter knew He was a servant of Christ's. Peter knew that as an apostle He was doing the work of Christ, but not taking the place of Christ. NO ONE could take the place of Christ, NO ONE. I no more have the power to tell you that God has forgiven your sin, than any man or woman alive. I can tell you God will forgive you if you ask for forgiveness and repent, but that forgiveness is between YOU and GOD. I can forgive you if you hurt me, but I can't give you the forgiveness of God. I can tell you that God will forgive you, but I can't presume that God has forgiven anyone, I do NOT know the heart of anyone. I do NOT know the sincerity of anyone. I am NOT God, I am NOT Christ, as a follower of Christ I can point the way to Christ, but never can I be presumptuous enough to believe that Christ wants me to act in His place, act as if I am Him with authority of the Most High. Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, the LIFE, not any man, not any Pope. Yes, we are to be Christ's and by His grace, through His forgiveness we can point the way to Him, but never are we to presume to be HIM.
Vicar of Christ
–noun Roman Catholic Church .
the pope, with reference to his claim to stand in the place of Jesus Christ and possess His authority in the church.
Pasted from <http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vicar+of+christ>
The Papacy HAD to issue a statement, a doctrine of their authority claiming infallibility for the Pope. They MADE themselves infallible! No where in our Bible, NO where does God make any man infallible, none! The only infallible one was our Savior who was God-Man, God's Son, and our Savior made NO man infallible, NONE!
'Papal infallibility is a dogma of the Catholic Church which states that, by action of the Holy Spirit, the Pope is preserved from even the possibility of error[1] when he solemnly declares or promulgates to the universal Church a dogmatic teaching on faith as being contained in divine revelation, or at least being intimately connected to divine revelation. It is also taught that the Holy Spirit works in the body of the Church, as sensus fidelium, to ensure that dogmatic teachings proclaimed to be infallible will be received by all Catholics. This dogma, however, does not state either that the Pope cannot sin in his own personal life or that he is necessarily free of error, even when speaking in his official capacity, outside the specific contexts in which the dogma applies.
This doctrine was defined dogmatically in the First Vatican Council of 1870.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papal_infallibility
It doesn't matter that they clarify it by saying the Pope can sin in a personal matter, they ARE saying he CANNOT sin when he makes solemn declarations, teaches dogma, had divine revelations.
They are saying the POPE cannot sin, that he is past being able to sin when he speaks for the church!
The are claiming that He is LIKE THE MOST HIGH!
So has this little horn spoken great words against the most High? Yes, yes, and YES! Lucifer a covering angel sinned becoming the father of sin when he claimed that he would be like the most High, and yet we want to overlook the Papal claim of infallibility as being of none effect?
What did Jesus say when the apostles talked about which one of them was greater????
Mar 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
Mar 9:34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
Mar 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
This does not sound at all like the Papacy does it, they don't lay claim to being servants? They claim to be the greatest proudly, and throughout their history they've promoted this aspect of themselves in direct opposition to our Savior's teachings. They are so great in fact they claim to have an infallible leader on matters of dogma.
I don't know about you but I just can't seem to wrap my brain around how they believe the way they do, it's not of God!!!!
We have to pay attention here, we really, really do because this prophecy will come to pass concerning that little horn power--
Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The dominion that little horn power claims to have will be taken completely away, this is fact, this will come to past just as all the other prophecy came to pass. Nothing will stop the rest from coming true no matter what a single person claims. Claim this to be a bunch of lies it doesn't matter, scoff all you want it doesn't matter, what you and I think doesn't change a thing. We cannot change the past that has been fulfilled and we cannot change the future we are told will come to pass- it will be. God's will is done, past, present, and future. We can only fall to our knees and pray that we are worthy to escape, worthy in HIS righteousness!
*
Now we know that this power would have it's greatest control over things for a time, times, and dividing of times- 1260 days= prophetic day for a year principle - 1260 years. We know that if we look at history this can apply in this way-- 1798AD the Papacy suffered a blow unlike any other in time past -- counting backwards 1260 years we are left with 538AD and we've seen that history records the insidious power of the Papacy and in 538AD there is a parallel with 1798AD both times reveal a pope being exiled and dying. The first in 538AD ushered in a very deceptive Pope- the corruption set and well under way in Papal dealings, and the last in 1798AC ushering out that crushing corruption so that God's true word could be spread. An interesting note-- a VERY interesting note--
'The modern Bible Society movement dates back to the foundation of the British and Foreign Bible Society in 1804 when a group of Christians sought to address the problem of a lack of affordable Bibles in Welsh for Welsh-speaking Christians. This was highlighted by a young girl called Mary Jones who walked over 20 miles to get a Bible in Bala.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_society
When did this begin?! 1804! When was the papacy struck a blow 1798, six short years prior to this! You can bet your bottom dollar that in 1798 there was already much talk under way about getting the Bible out to the masses in their own language, Bibles they could afford.
This isn't a coincidence?! This is fact and prophecy, this is God's hand working and allowing us to understand.
For 1260 years the Papacy held sway.
Let's read more about these 1260 years.
Rev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,
Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Our Savior was born. Our Savior was caught up to God and to his thrown. No one disputes this, right? No Christian disputes this.
Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.
God's people - God's true people fled. God's true people were kept alive. Throughout all the deception, all the corruption, all the murdering, all the crusading, all the power of Satan wanting to destroy God's true people they were kept alive. Year after year they were kept alive passing down the truth in Christ, protected. God's people, God's true church, was never wiped out of existence. Remember this…
Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Narrow is the way… few there be that find it.
Few found it, few kept it, and these true adherents to our Savior endured throughout time nourished by God in their wilderness. The fact of the matter is, God would have a people, adherents to His truths throughout time. There wouldn't be many- ever. Even today. There may be millions of Christians-sorry, billions--
'As of the early 21st century, Christianity has approximately 2.2 billion adherents'
Pasted from <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity>
There may be billions of Christians but the words of our Savior tells us that the way is narrow and FEW will find it. This doesn't look good for Christianity, does it? With its billions of followers. The majority of those adherents are walking the broad path that leads to destruction along with the many.
It's no shock to true Christians to realize that their spiritual descendants through time would be suppressed. That while the dragon power reigned growing more and more powerful they would be in the minority kept safe by God through their true love of God. Then when that power would lose it's hold to the point of being able to murder dissenters, God's true people would be allowed to come out of the wilderness. The truths would be unfolded so that all would have an opportunity to be among God's true people when our Savior returns.
Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Keepers of the commandments of God.
Those who have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
The dragon is warring with these people- the remnant- the last of the true people of God.
To ALL of us, to EVERY single one of us this is a message of great magnitude!
If you do NOT keep the commandments of God, if you do NOT have the testimony of Jesus Christ… you are NOT among the remnant of God.
I did not make that up!? I did not say that?! The BIBLE says it! God says it to us!
So go your way ignoring the commandments of God and being flippant at best about the testimony of Jesus Christ and if you choose to believe you are among God's remnant than that is your prerogative but God says otherwise. You are on the broad path! A battle has been fought for you by Satan and he's won your life- your eternal life. He wants you to perish eternally with Him.
We can't ignore this! Please don't ignore this!
Christ our righteousness, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior must be in our lives- the testimony of Him readily on our lips, apparent in our lives. The commandments of God have never been burdensome except to those who side with Satan. The commandments of God were formed out of love for us, not as punishment. God's remnant will KEEP His commandments, not believing their works are saving them at all whatsoever but they will keep His commandments out of their love for Him!
By His grace may we be among the remnant!
Please Lord,
Save us!
In His love!
Amen.
6/26/11
Stupid question? Well, maybe but guess what there is SNARE that is coming to all that dwell on earth, every last single human being. What sort of snare? The sort that will keep you from eternal life in Christ. Sounds fictional and fanatical? I didn't write it, Jesus did.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
For context maybe we need to read a bit more.
Luk 21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luk 21:12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
Luk 21:13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Luk 21:14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
Luk 21:15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.
Luk 21:16 And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.
Luk 21:17 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.
Luk 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish.
Luk 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.
Luk 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
Luk 21:21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Luk 21:22 For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.
Luk 21:23 But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.
Luk 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luk 21:26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
Luk 21:27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Luk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Luk 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;
Luk 21:30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand.
Luk 21:31 So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.
Luk 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
How is that for context?
Wait, how can this be? Jesus said it all way back then to His disciples. Jesus said all He said then to ALL of us right up until the end of time and if we don't believe this then we've got a huge problem starting with salvation.
We are to TAKE heed to ourselves. We aren't to look at others and take heed to them, but take heed to ourselves. We can control what we do, but not what another does, right? Right.
We are taking heed to ourselves - watching ourselves- lest at ANY TIME our HEARTS are overcharged with surfeiting- excess, fullness, bloating, over indulgence, lest at ANY TIME our HEARTS be overcharged with drunkenness, lest at ANY TIME our hearts be overcharged with cares of this life.
These THREE things can entrap us, can be a snare for us. These THREE things can cause the day of Salvation to come upon us unaware. These THREE things are so insidious they trap us for who? Whose snare is being set? Someone has to lay the trap for there to even be one, right? A trap, a snare, isn't put in place unless someone is hunting for something, right? Seriously. Would I lay a snare down to trap something if I didn't want to trap *that* particular something? Would the snare suddenly be there without anyone at all putting it there? No. Snares are put in place by a person wanting to entrap something. So this ALL encompassing snare that has the potential to ensnare ALL that dwell on the face of the whole earth, who put it there?
A snare is… anything that traps or entangles someone or something unaware. It's to capture by trickery.
Someone wants to trick all the inhabitants of the whole earth. Someone wants to trap every human being in existence. Who?
Who is invested in people NOT obtaining salvation in Christ? Who has a stake in people NOT spending eternity with Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior? Someone does. Someone wants this and someone has worked exceedingly long and hard setting up His snare.
2Ti 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
2Ti 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Recover out of the SNARE of the DEVIL- WHO are taken CAPTIVE by HIM at HIS will.
The devil wants us! The Devil has laid a snare for us!
The Devil lays the snare that will come upon all who are on earth. All of us. Every single one of us will has the potential to be ensnared and the ONLY thing that will stop this from happening is if we TAKE HEED TO OURSELVES.
People don't like to take heed to themselves. People LOVE living in excess, living beyond their means, living extravagantly, even poor people love living this way and don't think they don't. They'll take their money and believe they have to spend it selfishly because hey, you only live once. I'm not saying all people do this, not by a long shot. But over all we are raised to be self-centered by our society. Our society tells us we aren't happy unless we have *things* lots of things, various things, things everyone has. What household doesn't have a television? Very, very few. What household doesn't have a computer? Again, very, very few. What household doesn't have some sort of entertainment be it radio, mp3 player, Ipod, books- yes, books. Not all books are of God- not by a LONG shot! We like to be able to take our minds off things, to unwind, to de-stress, to just do what we please at least for a portion of our day. Is this wrong? We've convinced ourselves it isn't wrong so it would do no good whatsoever for me to say otherwise. People live for their weekends, their vacations, their retirements, believing that is what all their hard work is for- the time off to enjoy all that they've earned. Enjoyment has become the thing we seek above all else, feeling that sensation of pleasure in food, drink, play. Self-gratification.
Taking heed that we are NOT overcharged with self indulgence. But not only that… taking heed that we are NOT overcharged with the cares of this life.
We are a world of neurotics, aren't we? We are a world of worriers, yes? We are a world of obsessing people. We are a world of medicating people who love to drug ourselves senseless so we don't feel, so we don't overly care, so we don't have to worry -- why, because the CARES OF THIS LIFE have taken over us. We are overcharged with the cares of this life. So maybe you don't drink, and maybe you're not obsessed with self-indulgence, but perhaps you are caught up with the cares of this life. What do you think? Do you think, as I do, that the majority of people can fit into one or more of these categories? Let's be honest with ourselves, really, really honest, no matter how much the East rants and raves about the West being capitalistic and self-absorbed- the East is just the same. The names might be changed but the people are the same everywhere. While there is ranting and raving on both sides the unfortunate truth is self-centeredness is something we all need to take heed to.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
We have to watch and pray always!
We can only escape all the things that will come to pass and stand before our Savior - if we take HEED to ourselves.
I don't think we take enough heed to ourselves, we need to take a lot more heed, a lot more!!! And most of all we need to WATCH and PRAY always!
Watch ourselves- be honest with ourselves- and pray, pray, pray to be accounted worthy- in Christ! Worthy through Him to escape!
By His grace! By His mercy may we be His completely and totally. May we take heed to ourselves without any pretenses whatsoever. In His LOVE!
Amen.