Happy are those who... keep truth for ever.
Psalms
{145:18} The LORD [is] nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
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Calling upon God in truth.
Can we call upon God in falsehood? In lies?
I think we can. I think just as we can call upon anyone in truth, we can also call upon them in lies. Our intentions hold the key to which, right? Our intentions are honorable when we are being truthful, and not honorable at all when we are trying to deceive. If we pray to God with a heart that is wide open, hiding nothing at all it's in truth. If we pray to God thinking that we can hide things from him what does that say?
The Lord doesn't promise to be nigh to those who call on Him without truth.
The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
See...
Not nigh unto all who call upon him.
But nigh until all who call upon him in TRUTH.
Truth.
Throughout Psalms we've learned a lot about truth. We've one last verse in this study in Psalms--
Psalms
{146:5} Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God
{146:6} Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is:] which keepeth truth for ever
Happy are those who have God for their help.
God who made heaven and earth, the sea and all that's in them.
Those which keep truth for ever.
Happy are those who... keep truth for ever.
The truth isn't something to toy with, to have one day toss aside the next, to play with on a whim.
You can know the truth but it doesn't necessarily mean you will accept it. Knowing and accepting it is what is most important and keeping it close to your heart always is equally important. Being able to come to God, to call upon Him in truth is very special and necessary because God doesn't condone anything but the truth. We shouldn't either.
The truth is the love of God in all its glory, revealed in His law, revealed in His Son, love.
“For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”- John 3:20-21
9/29/09
Revelation 13 Continued---
Continuing the study of Revelation we need to remember as we use the following helps- Daniel and Revelation by Uriah Smith - that it was written in the late 1800, 1897. 112 years ago. A lot of history has past since then. A lot.
Some of the very same mysteries and unknowns that were encountered back then are still with us today.
If anything, reviewing all we have it's clear that history unfolds in God's time, not ours.
We are given enlightment crouched in symbols and mysteries and we are given all we need to understand and know that Christ will return and when He does there will be a group of people alive that are His at that time. These will be those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus. Being aware of the times we live in and the deceptions that are prevalent is necessary. Satan WILL deceive ALL but the very elect. Such deception will not be easy to detect because if it were easy to accept few would be deceived. If we study, if we read, and keep the things written in the book of Revelation we will be blessed. So we will continue our study and continue using the helps from 112 years ago and after this we will fill in a few things that have happened in the 112 years since this was written. Time is running out praise God. Time for evil's reign to be over and God's reign to rule in the human family.
May God bless us as we study, opening our hearts and our minds to His truth!
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Verse 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
To Exercise Persecuting Power.--Not only does this nation speak as a dragon, but it is declared that he also "exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him." Looking back a little, we find that the first beast before him is the leopard, a symbol of the papacy. The only conclusion that can be drawn is that a so-called Protestant nation will exercise the persecuting power of the papacy, and thereby become pseudo-Protestant, that is, the "false prophet" mentioned in Revelation 19: 20, and explained under the next topic.
The exercise of this power takes the form of causing the people in his jurisdiction "to worship the first beast," the papacy. The Greek word for "worship" used here is a very significant one. It is from the simple verb {GREEK CHARACTERS IN PRINTED TEXT}, kuneo, "I kiss," compounded with a preposition to indicate that the kiss is directed toward someone--in this case the papacy, or its titular head the pope. It is ordinarily translated "do obeisance to, bow down to," and is used by the Septuagint in Nebuchadnezzar's decree to all "people, nations, and languages" to "fall down and worship the golden image" he had set up in the plain of Dura. Daniel 3: 4, 5. Such "worship" must mean to submit to the authority and decree of the one to whom obeisance is made. This is the picture given in the prophecy of the "worship" given to the papacy by a so-called Protestant people.
Verse 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
"He Doeth Great Wonders."--In that part of the prediction which sets forth the work of the two-horned beast we read that "he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." In this specification we have still further proof that the United States is the power represented by the two-horned beast. That we are living in an age of wonders, none will deny. We would refer the reader to our remarks on Daniel 12: 4 concerning the wonderful achievements of the present age, and for some illustrations of the leading triumphs of scientific and inventive skill.
But the prophecy is not fulfilled in the great advancement in knowledge, in discoveries, and in inventions so notable at the present time. For the wonders to which the prophet had reference are evidently wrought for the purpose of deceiving the people, as we read in verse 14: "Deceiveth them that dwell in the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast."
We should now ascertain by what means the miracles in question are wrought, for Revelation 16: 13, 14 refers to "the spirits of devils working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world."
In predicting events to occur just before His second coming, the Saviour says: "There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matthew 24: 24. Here again are wonders foretold, wrought for the purpose of deception, so powerful that were it possible even the very elect would be deceived by them.
Thus we have a prophecy (and there are many others) setting forth the development in the last days of a wonder-working power, manifested to a startling and unprecedented degree to propagate falsehood and error. The "spirits of devils" were to go forth to "the whole world," but the nation with which this development is especially connected in Revelation 13, is that represented by the two-horned beast, or false prophet. We must therefore conclude that the prophecy calls for such a work as this in America. Do we find anything like it at the present time?
There is a widespread belief and teaching current among all classes of society, that when a man dies and his body is laid away in the grave, an immortal "spirit" or "soul" within him does not really die, but soars away to its place of reward or punishment. This belief naturally leads one to ask, "If disembodied spirits are alive, why may they not communicate with us?" There are thousands who believe that they can and do, and who claim to have communication with departed friends.
But the Bible, in the most explicit terms, assures us that the dead are wholly inactive and unconscious until the resurrection; that the dead know not anything (Ecclesiastes 9: 5); that every operation of the mind has ceased (Psalm 146: 4); that every emotion of the heart is suspended (Ecclesiastes 9: 6); and that there is neither work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave, where they lie (Ecclesiastes 9: 10). Whatever intelligence, therefore, comes claiming to be what from the word of God we know he is not. That our dead friends do not return to us is shown in 2 Samuel 12: 23, where David says of his dead child, "Now he is dead, . . . I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." Any such intelligence that comes to us cannot be a good angel, for angel's of God do not lie. Spirits of devils do lie, and this has been their work ever since the first lie about dying was told by their leader in Eden, "Ye shall not surely die," when the Lord had said plainly to Adam, "Thou shalt surely die." Genesis 3: 4; 2: 17.
Birthplace of Spiritism.--Modern spiritism also answers to the prophecy in that it had its origin in the United States, thus connecting its wonders with the work of the two-horned beast. Beginning in Hydesville, New York, in the family of John D. Fox in the latter part of March, 1848, it spread with incredible rapidity through all the world.
Much excitement was caused by these supposed revelations, and some rather prominent persons undertook to investigate the "rapping delusion," as it was commonly called. From that time onward, spiritism has remained a force in the modern world; and it is a force which has steadily grown. It is difficult to determine the number of its adherents, because so many who believe and practice its teachings regard themselves as belonging to no denomination at all; yet on the other hand many retain their membership in a non-spiritist denominational group while nevertheless attempting communication with the dead. It has been estimated that there are 16,000,000 spiritists in North America; and in the world--including those heathen religions in which spiritism plays so prominent a part--doubtless hundreds of millions.
As Sir Arthur Conan Doyle remarked some years ago: "The lowly manifestations of Hydesville have ripened into results which have engaged the finest group of intellects in this country during the last twenty years, and which are destined, in my opinion, to bring about far the greatest development of human experience which the world has ever seen." [12] "If such a view of Christianity were generally accepted, and if it were enforced by assurance and demonstration from the New Revelation which is, as I believe, coming to us from the other side, then I think we should have a creed which might unite the churches, which might be reconciled to science, which might defy all attacks, and which might carry the Christian faith on for an indefinite period." [13]
Teachings of Spiritism.--But the doctrines which spiritists teach are certainly not in harmony with the word of God. As to their attitude toward the Bible, notice the following paragraph:
"We have no desire to hide the plain fact that there is much in some parts of the Bible which does not amalgamate with our teaching, being, indeed, the admixture of human error which came through the mind of the chosen medium." [14] "In no case are the books as they now stand the work of their reputed author. They are the compilation of Ezra and his scribes, and do but embody the conceptions and legends of the period. . . . We mention this to avoid at once the necessity of replying to any texts from these book which may be quoted as an argument." [15]
As to the relation of spiritists to Christ and His atoning work, observe the following significant remark:
"They [the spirits] also testify that Jesus Christ has nothing to do with the question of life and death, and they know nothing about the 'mediation of our Saviour Jesus Christ.' " [16] Believers in spiritism have no place, either, for the second advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ:
"Jesus Christ is now arranging His plans for the gathering of His people, for the further revelation of the truth, as well as for the purging away of the erroneous beliefs which have accumulated in the past. I have heard something of this from other sources. Is this then the return of Christ? It is the spiritual return. There will be no such physical return as man has dreamed of. This will be the return to His people, by the voice of His messengers speaking to those whose ears are open." [17]
Phenomena of Spiritism.--How significant are these words! Centuries ago the seer of Patmos declared that in this country would arise a power that "doeth great wonders," and, lo, spiritism appears claiming to do these very things.
Spiritism answers accurately to the prophecy in the exhibition of great signs and wonders. Among its achievements the following may be noted: Various articles have been transported from place to place by spirits. Beautiful music has been produced independent of human agency, with and without the aid of visible instruments. Many well-attested cases of healing have been presented. Persons have been carried through the air by spirits in the presence of spectators. Tables have been suspended in the air with several persons upon them. Spirits also have presented themselves in bodily form and talked with audible voices.
The power represented in this prophecy is to make "fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." But this as well as other manifestations of its power are for the purpose of deceiving "them that dwell on the earth." The miracles that are wrought are by "the spirits of devils." Revelation 16: 14. And many are the warnings in the word of God against making contact with evil spirits. In the days of the early church solemn warnings were given to the church of God: "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." 1 Timothy 4: 1. God's counsel to His people in these last days is, "When they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? For the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8: 19, 20.
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By His mercy and grace!
Amen.
9/29/10
Satan.
What do you think of when you hear that name? Does it conjure up visions of some evil mythical figure? Do you have the image of an every day guy in a business suit sporting a creepy smile? Maybe the name of Satan brings up the picture of a horned and hoofed creature carrying a pitchfork. Do you ever picture an angel when you hear the name Satan? Seriously. Do you? Maybe you do, who am I to know.
What I do know is this... Satan as a REAL, live entity in our lives- is missing.
Time and time again I've come face to face with the realization that Satan is just not considered a real driving force in our lives.
Maybe if we took a picture of Him, however we view Him, and enlarged it to at least human life-size and stuck it on a wall in our house so that we saw this image every day, maybe then he'd become more real. We could see him and know that he is alive! We could see that picture and know it belongs to something REAL.
No. I don't want a picture of Satan in my house, I don't want a life-size image of Satan on any wall I have, but I do want to live with the realization that Satan is alive as much as I am alive. Satan is alive as much as Jesus is alive. Satan is alive as much as God is alive.
I don't want to tout Satan for anyone, I don't want to champion Satan this isn't at all what it's about, not one bit. But another trick of the great deceiver is getting people to NOT believe he exists, that he really does influences them.
GOD or SATAN!
ONE or the OTHER!
You don't live one minute, not one second without one or the other being your choice.
We are CREATURES.
We are CREATED beings.
We either choose to have faith in our Creator and the hope He gives us through the righteousness of His Son, through His son's sacrifice, or we turn from our Creator and the Creator's enemy takes control over us. We can't live without our Creator… there is only death without Him and our lives are only living death without Him.
We need the living water.
We need the bread of life.
Satan can never give us living water.
Satan can never give us the bread of life.
Joh 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Joh 4:11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?
Joh 4:12 Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?
Joh 4:13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
Joh 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
We need life and life is only found in Christ- real life, endless life, life everlasting, life eternal, life.
May God help us to realize we have an enemy, may God help EVERYONE realize they have an enemy that would do anything He can to keep them from life eternal, life everlasting.
In His grace!
Amen.
9/29/11