# 14 In series. UNITY in the BODY OF CHRIST.

Once MORE thank s TO sign OF THE times SPECIAL magazine OF 3/1216.

Note: (JB) CONTRARY to the modern movement, called Ecumenical-ism, under which ALL earth's religions are equal, thus all need UNITY in love, and fellowship, right? It's all the rage today, with all denominations rushing full speed back to Mother Rome, and her dogmas.
   SORRY, but read the title again and again, we are UNITE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST! 

 HOWEVER, Rome is slowly replacing Jesus Christ with Mary, because all the "MAN-MADE RELIGIONS are very comfortable with a Female goddess, just as in old Babylon whose goddess' name rhymes with Easter,[ Ishtar]but whose FERTILITY SYMBOLS were rabbits and eggs, and Pine cones!

     THE CHOIR DIRECTOR..

    Raises his baton, and the crowd listens expectantly. But the moment the choir begins to sing, the audience shudders at the disharmony they hear. Startled and annoyed by the cacophony, the people cover their ears, and leave the hall. Not withstanding the director seems quite pleased with the performance. He smiles with pleasure at the horrible sounds. Here and there member of the choir try to get those closest to them to sing the same song and on the same key. For a brief moment they seem to succeed, but cooperation is sporadic at best, and the tenor of the concert does not change.

    The problem is that the choir is following the wrong director. As long as he's in charge, harmony will be impossible to achieve.

     THE WRONG SPIRITUAL LEADER.

       It's hardly necessary to continue this silly parable in order to make the pointy that the result of the following the wrong director is evident in all parts of the world. We see it in the chaos between nations, between brothers and sisters, between parents and children, and between Husbands and Wives. Some people, quite exercised over these problems, manage to come up with human solutions that seem to work for a time, but the concert will never really change until Christ rather than Satan is chosen as the Director!  

   The apostle Paul used the metaphor of the body to illustrate unity. Christ is the Head, from whom "''the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds them, that His grace was manifested..

     .Ephesians 4:15-16 " But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

     Ephesians 5:23  "For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the Savior of the body."

      Can we even create the picture in our minds, one in which each part of our body has its own mind? Your feet say "I need a bath," but the rest of your body says, I am hungry , fix dinner now"!  How would, or could such a person ever get anything done? It's only when the "Brian" takes charge, and all the members of our body begins to work as an single unit, can there be progress!

     However as Paul noted in 1 Corinthians 2, the very same thing is true in the Spiritual Realm, church member must work cooperatively together or chaos results.

     1 Corinthians 12:13-14 " For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.   For the body is not one member, but many"

Note: Thus if all members did their "Own Thing", the church would overflow with disharmony!

Note: This post began with the remark that the only unity worth while is that with Christ,.why? Well for one, there's not ONE WORD, not even a hint, nor a read between the lines message, in that THE WORD OF GOD, tells us about Mary's resurrection from the her grave, to be in Heaven with her Son! NOT ONE WORD! Thus its' all only the Traditions of men!  We who want Jesus must accept the fact, that men do lie!

     2 Peter 2:1 " But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.".-------

     Isaiah 8:20 " To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

     Therefore if Satan, the author of chaos, controls the members of the body instead of Christ, there will be no possibility of Christ's Church functioning in unity, UNLESS of course, it's for the wrong purpose! WE have all seen daily, a religion acting within the wrong purpose, by looking at ISIS, but please know Rome operated in this same fashion for 1260 years from 538 to 1798 A.D.  in the way we can say :her motto was {and still is} BELIEVE AS WE SAY OR DIE!"  She to this very day, still claims the only right to determine what and who is heresy and a heretic, then claims the right to kill those so deemed, to "Protect others for their ideas"! Just as the fanatics in ISIS, right? 

QUESTION: is the why of this this verse......Revelation 18:4  "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

Note: Just as today, there's only two choices, Christ or Satan, and those refusing to choose, they have already chosen Satan by default! The Bible has symbolized two women as the church, Christ's Church is the woman in white {Revelation 12] and the apostate church, as the woman in Scarlet and Purple sitting upon the Beast power.of Revelation 13,17 and 18.chapters.Who is the Beast Power, Rome and the Second beast is U S of A. [Rev. 13: 11-12]

NOTE:   (JB) 

   There in not a a way in God's Green earth, that we can take ALL of earth's so-called "RELIGIONS", and put them all together into a pot marked 'Heaven Bound', because it takes only a little error, to spoil and taint the whole as apostasy!Even if they call unity in love and fellowship, or The Ecumenical Movement.No one can mix error with truth and still have 100% truth! What one does get is a Religious STEW! A stew not capable of feeding anyone other than Satan's ego!

IMPORTANCE OD UNITY IN CHRIST, NOT MEN.

     Speaking of unity, The Bible writers stress that differences such as gender, race, wealth, and intellect, should not hinder the body of Christ. Yes, these differences do exist but anyone in Christ is a new being from whom the LORD has removed all such barriers that divide and sow disharmony......

     Ephesians 2:15-16  "Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:"

   Colossians 3:11  "Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all." [ + Gal.3:28]

Note: IF we ALL except the fact that God The Father of us all, then we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, agree?

     John 17:20-23 " Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me."

Note: John 17 is the longest prayer by Jesus in the Bible, please read it all!

    The unity He prayed for was that His disciples then and now, achieve the response to His prayer will give us the ability to fulfill His purpose of declaring to the world, that Jesus died to save us from our sins.

    As one body, with many members the church brings together people fro m every nation, tribe, and tongue, and people. Through the revelation of Jesus christ in the Holy Bible, we share of the same faith and hope, becoming witnesses to the whole world.

Further Study: Psalm 133:1. John 17: 20-23. Acts 17:26-27. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17. Galatians 3: 27-29. Ephesians 2: 13-22; 4: 1-6. Colossians 3: 10-15. James 2: 2-9. 1 John 5:1

Thanking YOU for your time.
Questions?  Comments?   John at www.servant@frontier.com

Want more info? Visit your Seventh-day Adventist Church, any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10 AM. You just may be glad and find re-leaf, that you did, for Christ loves you greatly!.

OTHER SITES:    wwwAFTV.org  www.BLBN.org    www.amazinfdiscoveries.org
john b.

Next: #15 BAPTISM

     

      

# 13 In Series. THE REMNANT AND ITS MISSION.

Thanks to Sings of the Times magazine 2016 March.. "WE BELIEVE."

      Signs of the Times, P.O.Box. 5398, Nampa, Idaho, 8465305398 USA.

     THROUGHOUT HISTORY----

    God has had a people who remained faithful to Him. However, intense the apostasy, His faithful followers proclaimed His name and lived in faith in His salvation, In some ages, the number of true believers was reduced to a very minimum, a remnant, as in the the time of the Noah's Flood-----

      Genesis 7:7  "And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood."
NOTE (jb) Noah preached about mankind 's need to repent and change their ways for some 120 years, but nobody took his serious, then, and the same thing now, the end is near, accept Jesus  unconditionally now! All those people lived  to nearly 1,000 years of age, how many children do you think each marriage had? Yet only 8 human souls were or the Ark!

   Or how about in the days of Elijah.....  1 Kings 19:18  "Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

  In our time, just before the Second Advent [Christ's return}. God again calls out a remnant people. Disobedience of God's Law has become widespread-----Cont>>>

Note: The vast majority of "Christians" (?) worship on the common day Sun (god) Day in place of the 7th day The Sabbath [ Exodus 20:7-11-- Genesis 2:1-3 is how we got the seven day week]

Cont>>>. Most people, today, make fun of His Ten Commandments and despise His offer of salvation, even though Jesus Christ, an Equal member of the Godhead, came to earth as a man-child, lived a perfected and sinless life, then died for all the sins of humanity, they still reject Him with laughter! Just as the Jews did of old!  Here's what the Bible has to say about these people, and see if it fits anyone YOU know?

     2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. [ the two magicians with pharaoh, through whom Satan worked to change their staffs in serpents which Arron's rod.serpent ate. [ Exodus 7:12]

9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Note: If this passage is not a totally correct charge, humanity stands indited, before God's Laws! Especially when we are called to be-----

      Philippians 2:15-16  "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain."

   In the time of wide-spread unbelief, they are to maintain faith of Jesus------
  
    Revelation 14:12  "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

   As events lead towards the world's tragic ending, the contrast between believer and skeptics will become more and more obvious. For at the time4 of the 4end, the3re shall be but two camps of people: ONE CAMP obey, God! SECOND CAMP obey, men!

   MESSAGE OF THE REMNANT.

    GOD has charged His remnant to give a final message, ( as in a warning)  to the world and to demonstrate their faithfulness to it. As He has always warned the world before destruction in the past, so today He has commissioned His Remnant to announce to the world the imminent end of all things.  
NOTE: this is the WHY so many of today's teachers/preachers do not teach all of Daniel and none of Revelation, as it spell their own end!   
     2 Peter 2:1  "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction"
Note: The Lake of fire, REV.20; is for them and all the lost including Satan and his!.

  Their MISSION?   The Tree Angels Message:

     Revelation 16:6-12  "For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments. And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.  And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared."

Note Christ is the KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords, and HE shall come from the East.

   This is the works that SHALL be carried out.... Revelation 14:6  "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,"

     This message shows all, that "The hour of His Judgment has come.." ! It will he His intervention into humanity in order to bring an end to the great conflict of the ages, the battle between Good and Evil. This is the FINAL MESSAGE being a call to separate from every system of error.------

      ...Revelation 18:4-5  "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities."

NOTE: Please know--- The Bible calls a church as a woman "The Bride of Christ," thus if YOUR church does not follow the Holy Bible, The Word of God, implicitly, then guess what?.LEAVE AND FIND A CHURCH THAT USES THE BIBLE AS ITS FOUNDATION!  Come out of her My People!

NOTE: three common errors found in 96% of all "Christian churches"
1. Sunday sacredness, worship on the first rather than the Seventh Day of the Lord! Gen.2:1-3.
2. Eternal human soul:   [1 Timothy  6:15-16] only God has immortality now! 
3: Forever Punishments. [Malachi 4:1]  For this to be so, means God must give eternal life to all the     wicked,  -----     including Satan!  How can anyone worship a god this cruel?

   These are just three, of the many errors held in common by most denominations! As they find no fit in the mHoly Bible! Thus are of human origin,"The Traditions of men"  Which in many are held above the Word of God!

    PURPOSE OF  THIS MESSAGE?   
    To call for the end of human and Satan's devisings and return to God the Creator! 
      John 3:14-16  "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

  The distinctive nature of the Three Angles' message--- calling attention to the widespread apostasy against God 's Law, the beginning of the judgment, and the imminence of the end-- is what gives the proclamation of the gospel its singular urgency and power today!
    As a result, the remnant will become a nucleus around which God's true people from all parts of the world, will gather-----
       Revelation 18:1-4  "And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."

Therefore by the time of Christ's Second Coming, the world will be divided into two groups, only!

     EVER BELIEVER--- A MESSENGER.

    IN these final day of earth's story, every believer is called to be come part of God's Remnant people. Each one is called to assume the privileges, and responsibilities of God's end-time church in the world. Above all else these people will exalt Jesus Christ and His work of salvation, demonstrating through a living faith that they have accepted that Salvation.  They will present to men and woman everywhere the validity  of God's Law-- so despised by modern society--and their duty to keep it. By word and deed they will bear witness to the approaching end of human history, ---in these flesh bodies--- warning everyone, inviting everyone, pleading with everyone, turn to the only One, who can and will offer Salvation and eternal LIFE , OUR Savior Jesus Christ!

Thanking YOU for your time.

Questions?   Comments?  John at www.servant@frontier.com

Visit you local Seventh day Adventist Church any Saturday/Sabbath 9-10 AM Learning that Jesus rally loves you, and will get rid of all your personal junk!

Other sites:   www.BLBN.org   www.AFTV.org    www.amazingdiscoveries.org
  
   

# 12 in Series. THE CHURCH.

FROM signs of the times magazine special 2016 march; "WE BELIEVE."  with my thanks John B.

    WHILE WE MUST

      personally accept the Salvation that God, The Father offer is Christ Jesus, once we become Christians, we are no longer alone!  As members of Christ's body, the church.....

    Ephesians 1:22-23  "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all"

-----  meaning we now have a collective identity, as well as an individual identity. Just as we were once "IN ADAM", condemned to death, we are now, "IN CHRIST," .sharing His life-----

      1 Corinthians 15:22-23  "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."

Note: "..all shall be made alive..."  or resurrected. However. ".....every man... "... IN HIS OWN ORDER.."

           There are two Resurrections, the FIRST at Christ's return, then the SECOND 1,000 years later, for all the wicked. -----

     Revelation 20:4-5  "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection."  [Revelation 20:6-10]

     As member's of Christ's Church... see Ephesians 1:22-23 above, we now have an important role to play, to share Christ's love with all humanity!  WHY?
   God has always had a people whom He called and set apart from the rebellious world. In old times the community of God's people were the descendants of Israel, and it was through them that His grace was manifested------

      Acts 7:38-39  "This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt,"

       In the New Testament times the church fulfilled this purpose. Th3e church is a community, a family, a fraternity, Its Head is Christ, and its members are men and women who have accepted Jesus as their Personal Savior and Lord.-----
      Acts 2:47  "Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved"

      Ephesians 2:18-22  "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit".

THE CHURCH AND SALVATION.

       While it's important to be a member of the church, in itself church membership in no guarantee the we belong to God. -----

Note: After all we have ONLY 43,000 (as of Jan.2015) "Christian" denominations on earth) 

     It is The Father who scrutinizes th4e thoughts and hearts and knows those who are truly His or just going through the motions, because that's what society expects!

     

     Ephesians 3:14-15  "For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,"

     T he church then, is universal, that it is as much visible as it is invisible-------

      Hebrews 11:18-24 " Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;"

     The church of God has many purposes. First it's a community that praises HIM,. It confesses Jesus Christ as Lord of Heaven and earth, our Creator, Sustainer, and Savior. Church members meet together to take in Spiritual Nourishment from the Word, and ONE THE Day HE set forth, the Seventh Day!...-----

NOTE: (jb) Please do not tell self, "I worship Him every day!" Because then you never have a work day! Those who refuse to work should not eat.....2 Thessalonians 3:10 " For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."

-------sharing with each other, building each other up, "spurring" on one-another towards love and good deeds.. {Hebrews 10:24] The church gathers together to celebrate the Lord's Supper, the memorial of Christ's death on our behalf and the anticipation of His Second Coming. The church exists to serve the world, to go to the ends of the earth with the good News of Salvation in Christ Jesus,j and making disciples of all nations.-----

    

    Matthew 28:18-20  "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

     The church's mission is to continue the love, healing,, and the salvation works that began with Jesus on this earth.

   AUTHORITY ON THE CHURCH.

     Since Christ is the Head of the church, it has a special authority------

      John 20:21-22 " Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"

      Matthew 16:15-19  "He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven"

Note: Bind and Loosed. Satan does the binding, but Christ does the loosening, of harmful actions and addictions.

    It speaks on Christ's behalf, telling the world about His will and challenging all humans beings and reasoning with all concerning "righteousness", self control and the judgement to come-------

     .Acts 24:25  "And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee"

NOTE: Dear Reader, I hope and pray for you, that this IS YOUR convenient time!.    

     While it is true that in ages past church authority was used to commit major injustices, it is equally serious an error to refuse to respects authority altogether. Underlying church authority is the Holy Bible, which God has given to build up the church. We have the example of people like Ananias and Sapphire to warn us against treating lightly anything that pertains to the church and its authority-------

       Acts 5:1-10 " But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband."

     Therefore, membership in the church is both a great privilege and a solemn responsibility. In the church we see feel at ease3, for there we raise our voices in praise to God; we are warned by His Word; we gain our sense of identity in fellowship with His people; we gather around His table; and we leave to share the good news of salvation with a suffering world. The church offers a banquet to a starving world.

     However, because membership in the church of the Living god is of such great value, we should not treat it indifferently. The church isn't a club where we meet for mere friendship. It's the body of Christ Membership implies joyful participation and active support. We are warned against despising the salvation that we once accepted so gladly.-----

      Hebrews 6:4-10 " For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:  But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."   [10:26-31; 12: 15-17].

     THE PRIVILEGE OF MEMBERSHIP.

      Church membership provides us the joy of fellowship today and the hope of everlasting joy and a glorious tomorrow! 

      

     Ephesians 5:22-29  "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:"

      The CHURCH [all believers in Christ] are the "Bride" of Christ, precious in His sight, His fortress in a rebellious world, the object of His Supreme regard. He is patiently accomplishing His work in His church on earth, because He has an eternal destiny for her,: that her members may dwell with Him throughout eternity..

For further Study: Genesis 12:3 . Matthew 16:13-20; 21:43. John 20:21. Acts 1:8. Romans 8:15-17. 1 Corinthians 12:13-27. Ephesians 1:15; 2: 12. 13: 8-11, 15; 4:11-15.

Thanking Y O U for your time...

Comments?    Questions?    John at www.servant@frontier.com

More Info?   Visit your Seventh day Adventist church any Saturday/Sabbath 9-10 AM..Learn that Jesus is just crazy about you, and He will overlook all your junk, if you only ask HIM for His help!

Other sites: www.AFTV.org     www.BLBN.org    wwwamazingdiscoveries.org

  

     

# 11 in Series: GROWING IN CHRIST.

Again my many thanks to Signs of the Times special magazine "WE BELIEVE."  3-2016.

     THE FIRST THING...

     a Pediatrician does in examining a month old infant is to check the baby's weight and length. That way he or she can know whether the baby is growing properly, or not. Growth is the great principle of life. Anything that does not grow ends up dying!

     Thus this principle is vital, not only for our physical being but also for our Spiritual life as well.

     Our new birth is produced and begins the moment we accept Christ's gift of Salvation, and put Him into our main focus in life.;-----

      John 3:3  "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

    This new birth assumes a death to the old self  -----

    Romans 6:6  "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."

NOTE (JB) This is "Dying to self",  that we need Heaven's help with this and many other things, for a leopard can't change its own spots, and we can't really change out character to the good..

     Galatians 2:20-21  "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

NOTE: If we could totally and fully, 100% of the time live life within God's Laws, Then Christ NEEDED NOT to have died!  

    

    

   The Father-God calls all to a new life that has Jesus as the center of its focus!

     SPIRITUAL GROWTH MUST BE ALWAYS AN UPWARDS TREND,

    even though we may fail, many times, yet on a scale, with both downturns and upswings, in our lives, the overall growth should always be in the positive rather than the negative swings. Jesus will give us a helping hand up wherever we fall, as long as we try to get back up on the path of growth.

      Ephesians 4:13  "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: "

   We will however face a continual struggle against the powers of Darkness, of this world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the Heavenly realms.

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

Note: Sorry Dear Reader, but Satan is not above using humans in the world's pulpits to deceive you. As most Christian denominations preach about the Immortality of the Soul--Die and go to your reward! Eternal torture in hellfire, and Sunday sacredness. All three have NO FOUNDATION within the Bible, thus it's but a Tradition of men!

    Colossians 2:8  "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ".

     How, then can we gain victory in this struggle in which no holds are barred?

     The good news is..... that the VICTORY has already been won! During His earthly ministry Jesus demonstrated that He is able to break the power of the demonic forces. And by His death on the Cross ,Jesus and His resurrection He conquered these evil forces for all humanity for all time. They have been RESERVED UNTO JUDGMENT.-----

    2 Peter 3:7  "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."  [Jude 1:6,13]

     Therefore we face not the enemy alone.....

      Luke 10:20 " Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; [ you tell them to get lost, in Jesus' name, and HE removes them from you area!]   but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

    Our objective should be to grow in Christ and appropriate His divine merit.!

AIDS TO GROWTH.

     Bible Study, no not just reading but actually study, making notes, just as if your still in school cramming for an exam you must pass! This is only possible with prayers, asking for wisdom to understand and properly divide the Word!

     2 Timothy 2:15  "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"

DIVIDING: orthotomeo [or-that- om- eh'- -o]  to make a straight cut, dissect correctly, rightly divide.

   There's no growth without nourishment. there is no growth without adequate diet. Bible study is nourishment for our spiritual growth. Jesus spoke clearly about this when He said------

    .

      Matthew 4:4 " But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

  The Psalmist put it even plainer:

   Psalms 119:11-12  "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.."

     PRAYER:

   Just as God speaks through His Word, and the Holy Spirit, Yet knowing His Will is an essential part of  our Spiritual Growth--- so too is our communion with Him is NOT complete without prayer..
Note: Can we say that when we get on our knees, ALL of Heaven is put into gear, so to speak?   I think so!

    Prayer is as the golden bond, that keeps us united with Heaven. IT IS THE nourishment for the human being, WHICH IS,  the living soul  { Genesis 2:7}. 
Look at what Paul thought of prayer:-----
     Ephesians 6:18  "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Note Supplication, requesting intercessions upon others, because at its best, LOVE, is outward looking not inwards, which is love of self!.

   Please note, that two of Christ's greatest temptations, those from Satan himself in wilderness, and in the garden of Gethsemane it was only prayer that allowed Him to pass the tests.    So if Jesus The Creator of all
{John 1:1-3] needed prayers to overcome sin, why would, anyone of us, think we need not to pray?

CHRISTIAN COMPANIONSHIP--FELLOWSHIP:

     NOTE: [JB] I compare this too a BBQ with charcoal briquet's, once the fire is hot and all the coals are burning, what happens when we tak3e one coal, away from the fire and leave it there?  It's fire goes out!

     In addition to prayer and Bible Studies, another essential ingredient of a growing Christian Life is the love and unity with like-minded others. T hose who also, have been "Re-BORN from above, and are called to establish a new community: The Church. Personal growth happens in the context of growth in the "MANY MEMBERED BODY OF CHRIST", His church..For it is here, IN HIS HOUSE, where we enter into into His presence via the Holy Spirit, why?------

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

     Jesus is bringing us together as The Father' s Sons and Daughters, and helping them all to grow in His Grace. Therefore, the Christ-like fellowship among the brothers and sisters, in God's House is a very essential part of our total growth i n Christ!

      Sharing with others, as we grow in Christ,d we sense the need to share God's love with others. Witnessing for Christ is not just a Biblical mandate-----

     Matthew 28:18-20  "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

      

      John 20:21-22  "Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:"
     Witnessing for Christ, is just not a Biblical mandate, but its an essential, and basic part spiritual growth. As Spiritual Growth is always manifested itself in an increasing service to others, without an expected gain!

   
     Matthew 20:25-28  "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

THE HOLY SPIRIT.

     We cannot grow apart from the Holy Spirit from dwelling within us.-----

    1 Corinthians 3:16-17  "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are."

Note: does The Father-God not say here, YOUR body is not your own? That YOU are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and that YOU are not to defile yourself?  defile---- PHTHEIRO--[fthi'-ro] corrupt, defile, destroy. Now how can we NOT do this and still use booze, drugs, tobacco or grass? Or Tattoo and hang all kinds of metal on our selves in piercings? Grind our teeth to points, and have surgery to make one look like a panther? Or split our tongues snake like? Or any other form of defilement?

    1 Corinthians 6:20  "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

Note: Yes we can think of Christ's death on the Cross, as HIS buying us back from the clutches of earth's ruler,----- Satan!

    John 3:3  "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

  It's the HE, The Holy Spirit's working within us that makes us desire to be a new creature, and to have our old character die! And NO HE is not just a force, my J.W. friends.

    John 14:17-18  "Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

   John 16:13  "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

   He helps us understand the Bible, and will bring to your mind, the memory of a passage, you need to convey your witnessing message. NOTE (JB) He can bring to your mind, nothing that you have not ever put there! Thus the import of Bible study, as in the near future your Bibles will be taken and burned just as it was during the Dark Ages! As no matter how "ECUMENICAL" Rome speaks,she has not changed one iota of her doctrines! She claims world control of religion, and it is she who hold what  is heresy and claim the right to kill all heretics, then and now!

    John 16:7-8 " Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"

     Romans 8:14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God"

    .1 John 3:23-24  "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

   Finally the "Fruits of the Spirit"-----

    Galatians 5:16-18  "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law."

Note: "...not under the Law"   simply telling us, that IF we allow self to be 100% "led by the Holy Spirit" we will not sin, and thus, we are not under the CONDEMNATION of the Law! But know this the Law is eternal!

     Galatians 5:19-21 " Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Note: Sadly, are we today not inundated with these human failings, listed above? Do YOU DEAR READER, not wish for all to be as the next verse......

    Galatians 5:22-26 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."

NEXT:  The CHURCH.

Thanking YOU for your time....

Questions?   Comments?  john at www.servant@frontier.com

Visit your Seventh day Adventist Church any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10AM.And learn that The Father loves you. no matter the type of junk you have taken on, or found self carrying. He can remove it all, at your request and repentance.

Other Sites:  www.AFTV.org   www.BLBN.org    www.amazingdiscoveries.org  www.itiswritten.com

John B 

     

# 10 IN SERIES: THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION.

THANKS TO SIGNS of the TIMES "WE BELIEVE" SPECIAL MAGAZINE, FOR 2016's MARCH.

NOTE: SALVATION IS POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH AND IN JESUS CHRIST

    2 Corinthians 5:19-20  "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

NOTE: There is none other, not Buddha, not Mohammad, Vishnu, nor the hundreds of man-made deities can save anyone, let alone their human creators!------

    Acts 4:12  "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

NOTE: Thus no prayers to the dead, whomsoever, shall avail nought! In other words such prayers, or the "Baptisms" for or to the die, are a waste of time and efforts are blasphemous.. why?-----

     Ecclesiastes 9:5  "For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten."

Note: No Human, dead nor living has any virtue within them, we are ALL sinners so we "Can't BORROW" it from another, as Rome holds,  no, we can only pray that Christ will cover us with HIS Virtue! PLUS if you believe Rome, that Mary is now in Heaven Please show Book, Chapter and Verse in God's Word that shows this, and Sunday sacredness, both, within the Bible!  {It can't be done..yet but there's always NEW Bibles being written, right?  Such as one without REVELATION in it?  Then they must remove also,  its companion book, of  Daniel!]

    WHILE GOD.

    has made every provision for our Salvation, He will NOT impose it on us by force. For that would be against His nature of LOVE.

     1 John 4:16-21  "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."

   2 Corinthians 5:18-21  "And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. "

  We accept God' s gift by faith of salvation, for faith, is also trust, which He says is...
     Hebrews 11:1  "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
   NOTE (jb)  Some translations have this as:  "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see"
Personally I like the KJV the best, as many of the so-called "NEW" translations have left out many, many words, and they all pertain to Christ, and His role, wonder why? Can it be that Mary is lifted up and Jesus is put down, after all in this AGE of Ecumenicalism,  all faiths are equal, { after all ISIS is not doing anything Rome has not done, and then some, in the Dark Ages,, in numbers far greater, for over 1200, years, we know the world has no problem with a female deity as Queen of Heavens, just like it was in Babylon, right?

      HOW TO HAVE FAITH.

    Faith, itself, come only from God. Our desires have been corrupted by sin, bent towards the path of evil, 

    

    Genesis 6:5-6 " And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart."

Note: God then proceeded to cleanse this earth's surface, of human amalgamated animals, with Satan's help to produce the dinosaurs, none of which survived the world-wide flood, but for those life-forms in the Ark!

    It is the WORK of the Holy Spirit, convicting us of sin and a new direction to our thoughts.----

     

     John 16:8-11  "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."

   The purpose of the Holy Spirit 's workings is to awaken within us the desire for God, and HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and empowers our will so that we are able to choose what is right, in God's sight. The Holy Spirit becomes far more effective while we are studying the3 Holy Bible, as His Words will touch our hearts with the correct understanding.-----

    Romans 10:17 " So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

     It is thus, that instead of rebelling against god, and separating ourselves from His side, we return to Him and accept His gift of salvation. This is totally of God, all we need yo do is to be willing to accept God The Father through the God-Man Jesus Christ. It is fully a gift from God The Father----

     Ephesians 2:8-9 " For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast"

      Even Though The Father offers us all, this priceless gift, HE, being a gentleman, respects our freedom in the gift of our Free-Will, He never, ever forces anyone, for that would violate our freedom to choose. By the way Satan has no such scruples, he will and does use everything but love and full truth!

     AS, we give up our own righteousness and accept the righteousness of Christ, we establish a new relationship with God. Now we are justified, released from the guilt of sin and death that we so rightly deserve, because of our violations of God's Laws {sinning}------

     Romans 3:19-26  "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

    This IS the condition knows as, "Righteousness by Faith,"  We are forgiven---

     1 John 1:9-10 " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us"

     This reconciles us to The Father-God-----

    .2 Corinthians 5:17-21  "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

   Plus we are then redeemed from our slavery to sin------

    1 Peter 1:18-19  "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:"

    We are then ADOPTED as Sons and Daughters of the Living  God The Father----

    Romans 8:13-17  "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify[do die]the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Ch   st; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."

  Now we are no longer under the Penalty of sin [ Note (jb) we have accepted Christ's gift of His death for our sins]-----

     Romans 6:17-18 " But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness."

    

      The Holy Spirit, He brought us to Christ in the first place, who  ("if we are willing") activates within us and gives us the power to resist temptations, and activates within us the "New Birth"-----

      .John 3:3-8  "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.."

    He, the Holy Spirit continues to enable us daily, to resist temptations, to guide us in our choices, to do that which is right., as He shows us more and more, Day by day, more of God's great love for us, manifested to us by Christ Jesus.[  Romans 5:5 and Ephesians 1:13-14 .]  NOTE: I GOTTA LEAVE YOU TO DO SOME OF THE WORK!

     As we can now all see plainly, that from the very beginning of our "Journey back to God", the works of the Heaven has done it all for you, IF. . . .if YOU are willing!

     Ephesians 2:8-9 " For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Note: Yes a repeat, but it bears repeating because....SO MANY..... are taught that all this is by our own efforts in works, so we can boast????

     We should {note I say MUST] surrender each day, or more often if needed, our self-will totally and wholly to The Father via Christ Jesus,  ......

    " No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon."  Matthew 6:24.

    Acts 5:29  "Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."

     Matthew 16:24 " Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Note: "...his Cross..."  ask what God wants YOU to do, in His service,, what gifts has the Holy Spirit given YOU? Put it into practise! this is my gift!

     We shall remain "IN HIM" spiritually as long as we desire His company and protection, and guidance.---

     ..John 15:4-5  "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

   GOD'S IMAGE..RESTORED.

   United with Christ, we are transformed into His divine likeness [in character]---

       2 Corinthians 3:18 " But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

Note At the resurrections of the Just, [1 Corinthians 15:50+]in an instant, in the twinkling of the eye, we shall all be changed......" Into immortals, with the same "Glorious Body" that Christ has!

    The image of God, as men see it, has all but been destroyed and blurred by sins, from the Fall onwards, but it is progressively being restored within us-----

   Colossians 3:10-11  "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all."

Note: In Christ ALL are equal, period! Plus He will NEV ER release us---

      John 10:28-31  "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him."

NOTE: WHY? Why do most Churches teach that we should keep our eyes on Jerusalem? It's still Jewish today as then, when they Killed Him, in their REJECTION OF HIM? Biblical Illiteracy is the why!

     1 John 2:1-3 " My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments."

     John 14:15 " If ye love me, keep my commandments."  [Exodus 1-17] 

     John 15:12-15  "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."

   O, the depth of the love of The Father and His Son have for you is not measurable by mortals, not to mention the Wisdom and righteousness that there fore each one of us, if we are but willing to allow it to enter our hearts. -----

      Romans 8:31-32 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Thanking Y O U for your time.     

Questions?  Comments?  John at www.servant@frontier.com

Want More info Visit your Seventh day Adventist church, "The People of The Book", any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10 AM. For the answers you seek.

Other sites: www.AFTV.org  wwwBLBN.org   www.Amazingdiscoveries.org  www.itiswritten.com

john B

 

# 9 in Series. LIFE, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION.

MY many thanks to Signs of the Times special Magazine "WE BELIEVE."

NOTE: I find it truly sad, and even despicable, that so many are taught, falsely! Most are taught and believe Satan's first Recorded LIE....
 
    Genesis 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:  

Sadly, most are willing to accept the words of both Satan and man, in their belief, of "Die and go to your reward, Mr. & Mrs Eternal Soul! Then, again I expect nothing less, because few there be that read the Bible, fewer still are those who study it!

QUESTION: WHAT IS ETERNAL LIFE WORTH TO YOU? IS IT WORTH YOUR TIME TO STUDY HIS WORD, OVER THE WORDS OF MEN?

    1 Timothy 6:15-16  "Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen."
    Genesis 3:19  "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return"
     .Genesis 2:7  "And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."

Note: I cannot believe that God created all humans to be that slow, that they can't read these three verses, and accept the fact, they have bee3n lied to!  Now for the story....

    THE ENTRANCE,

       of sin into the world, did NOT take God by surprise. Before it happened, He saw it coming and took steps to deal with it. ....

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

    To combat the mystery os iniquity {lawlessness], God provided the mystery of the Cross. He Himself provided the response to the sin problem by sending His Son to be the Emmanuel God with us!'

    Matthew 1:23  "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

    Although He was fully Human, He was also fully God, thus GOD-MAN! He lived a perfect life, fully obedient to the Divine Will. Speaking of Jesus the Bible predicted, .....

    Psalms 40:8  "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

    Under the constant attack by the tempter, Satan, Jesus experienced our temptations even to the point of death. The Bible says.....

    Hebrews 4:15  "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."

    Hebrews 2:18  "For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted."

     He withstood Satan's every attempt, because had Jesus failed in the smallest of sin, His purpose would 

have been voided, and we'd all have been exterminated by Satan, and his, centuries ago!

     Jesus even asked His accusers, "Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?"  Jesus repelled every one of Satan's attacks by His life of total submission and perfect obedience to the divine Will. He fulfilled the Law....

    Matthew 5:17-19 " Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

  

    He, demonstrated by both precept and example, the richness and depth of The Father's requirements. By Jesus, living among us, He demonstrated what real humility is like: it is totally obedient to The Father God!.

      WHY JESUS HAD TO DIE.

     However, in order to fully solve the sin problem, it wasn't enough for Jesus to live a perfect life,. Under the provisions of the eternal Covenant [Contract] He had to become the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world".  [John 1:29] Because the "wages of sin is death..." [Romans 6:23] a requirement demanded by by the law, and God's Plan to save us from the sin-led inevitably to the Cross.

Note: (jb) It is the Cross that saved us from dying for our own sins, Therefore..... all those who deny Christ, and all those who cling willingly to their sins, shall burn up with them at the end of time of flesh man!...

     1 Corinthians 15:3 " For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;"

    WHY?

    2 Corinthians 5:21 " For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

    Isaiah 53:5  "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed."

     Galatians 6:14-15  "But God forbid that I should glory,[boast] save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature."

Note: So you see Dear Reader, that each must take Christ into our hearts, Spiritually, or we die for our own sins! Thus choose life eternal with Jesus, or death eternal without Him! It's really that simple!

     JESUS CONQUERED DEATH.

     But the grave could not hold Him! Crucified Friday morning, by 3 PM He breathed His last, buried late Friday. He broke death's chin the next Sunday, the first day of the week, and arose as Victor over both death and sin. Both of these death and sin are Satan's names, thus defeating Satan himself!

NOTE: [Friday, named "Preparation Day, in preparing for the Sabbath beginning at sundown Fridays, to Sundown Saturday, was one of three days the Bible named Preparation day, Saturday (the seventh day) and The FIRST day of the week Sunday, which men have changed into a worship day, thus taking a Common day and making it Holy, and taking a Holy Day and making it common, according to Satan's desires,----- WORSHIP! (Guess whom all worship on SUNDAY? All without knowledge!

WHY & HOW?

    Hebrews 2:14  "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;"

    Revelation 1:18  " I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

NOTE: Only Jesus was witnessed to raise the dead, to.... live again!  No Other of man's religions, have a Savior, who died for our sins!NO, NOT ONE, but Christianity, Period!

     It is this Victory, that gives us assurance and guarantees the final conflict between good and evil. Even while we still await the grand consummation of world history, Satan is already for 2,000 years a conquered foe.Yes, even Judged and sentenced {Ezekiel 28] but held until the final mass end of all sin and evils and death itself in the Lake of Fire [Revelation 19:20; 20:10,14.15.]

     Through the life, death, and bodily resurrection of Jesus, God carried out His plan of salvation, to save the doomed human race. God Pardons, but it cost Him a heavy price......CONT>>>

NOTE: How many of us, could live, more than 4,000 years knowing our only Son, must die a horrific death by being nailed to a Cross? Plus Jesus has to set aside His Divine body, losing the ability to be omnipresent, due to His Glorious, but fleshly body, all His saints shall be changed into [ 1 Cor. 15:50+] 

    Romans 3:26  "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

    While God The Father hates sin, He has also provided a way of escape for the sinner. In  so doing, He exalted His Law, and His Son, Jesus, both of which were and are attacked by Satan and broken by Humans and brought life out of death.

     The entrance of sin into the Universe caused great pain, grief and death. Nevertheless, God's matchless wisdom as seen in His plan of our Salvation was more than equal to the terrible emergency. For-----

      Romans 5:20-21  "Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord"

    Through the Life, Death, and, Resurrection of Jesus we gain a better understanding of God's character that ever before,j and the vast universe of unfallen beings is drawn more closely to Him because of His great level of compassion for lost sinners, which are YOU and I!.

     KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords.

    Jesus Christ IS LORD! He is the King of Life, the Conqueror of death and the Victor over sin and Satan! 

    Philippians 2:9-11  "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

   It is through Him, Jesus that we the are Redeemed, and of all ages will lift our voices i n song before the Throne of God, saying "Worthy is the Lamb, Who was slain". [Revelation 5:12].

FOR FURTHER STUDY: John 3:16; Romans 1:4; 4:25; 8:3. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. Colossians 2:15. 1 John 2:2; 4:10.

Next: # 10. The Experience of Salvation.
Thanking Y O U for your time..
Comments?  Questions?  John at www.servant@frontier.com

Want/Need more? Visit your Seventh day Adventist church any Saturday/Sabbath at 9-10 AM. You will find comfort in Jesus!

Other sites: www,AFTV.org   www.BLBN.org   wwwAmazingfacts.org   www.servantsite@wordpress.com

John B

    

# 8 in Series. THE GREAT CONTROVERSY.

Taken from: Signs of the Times magazine special "WE BELIEVE"   [NOTE is my opinion JB]

     FOR THOUSANDS,

     Years, philosopher and other thinking people have tried to give a satisfactory explanation to the confusing combination of good and evil that is so prevalent in the world.  Why, for example do roses exist with rather nasty thorns? Why do animals kill and devour each other? Why do people in some parts of the world have abundant food, when in other parts they are dying from hunger? Why do innocent people die in accidents, while the drunk who caused it, escapes without a scratch?Why is it that cruel people enrich themselves while good people often are buried in poverty?

     Philosophers offer a number of answers to these, and other like them, to these puzzling questions. Atheists, who claim that the world and all forms of life within it came into being by chance, suggests that good and evil are "Competing,"  for the "Survival of the Fittest," Eventually, they say, only the fittest will survive. Others suggest that perhaps "TWO GODS" are in control of the world, one good and the other evil. Nor is there a lack of people who claim that while there is a powerful God, He is not powerful enough to eradicate evil. Therefore good and evil are in a kind of state of equilibrium.

 

     Happily, we find the true explanation in God's Word, but who today reads it?

    WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS.

    According to the Bible, thousands of years ago, even before the world was even created, evil originated mysteriously in the heart of Lucifer, the most exalted angel in Heaven. It was he that guarded the Mercy Seat, and was the highest ranked of all God's Holy Angels.
    NO! God did NOT CREATE this sin problem, for when He created Lucifer, he was perfect......
    Ezekiel 28:14-15 " Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."

   However, Lucifer was dissatisfied with his position, that God had given him, He thought he deserved the same honor as God, especially The Son....

   Isaiah 14:12-14  "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!  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: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High"

Note: can we say that Lucifer, now known as Satan (  The Apposer) Lucifer had and still does a " I " complex,again so do more than a few of us agree?  He obviously allowed envy and jealousy to control his mind!. In due course that became a hatred, towards Christ. WE know this as he deceived men to kill him!

    He should have rejected these thoughts. He should have recognized that, as a created being he had not right to the honor that is giving to Deity. But he refused to acknowledge this. Instead, he cherished evil thoughts, and he shared them with other angels. He most likely, didn't come right out and say, "I am Jealous of Christ". Instead, he asked questions that were designed to sow seeds of discontent and alienation; "Doesn't it seem to you that Heaven is ordered far too rigidly"? Why does not God's government need laws?" I see no reason why we holy beings need them, do you?" I do not think that God loves us in ways He tells us.
     Lucifer continued with these suggestions and insinuations until 1/3rd of the Holy Angels were fully deceived and on his side. They could all have thought, that they together, could created a better form of government than what God had already in place.
    With infinite patience, The Lord tried to explain to Lucifer the true nature of his actions. He tried to persuade him and the angels who sympathized with him, to abandon the disastrous course they were pursuing. He tried to show Lucifer that heaven's laws were based on love and were essential to happiness.  But Lucifer and his rebellious companions were absolutely.uncompromising. They refused to accept God's explanation or respond to His pleadings.

LUCIFER'S FALL.

   The Bible tells us that the crisis continued until, " there was war in Heaven."

    Revelation 12:7-9  "And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 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"

    God did not immediately destroy Lucifer and his followers though, instead He gave them time and opportunity to demonstrate whether their accusations against Him were justified. God placed Adam and Eve, the first human couple in the garden of Eden and gave them a test of character by which they could demonstrate their loyalty to Him and that His laws were justified He set aside ONE TREE in the Garden, and He told Adam and Eve that they should not eat of it [Genesis 2:16-17] . Disobedience, He warned, would cause them to die. Lucifer, now called Satan--- saw in this warning, an opportunity to tempt the holy pair to join him in his rebellion by eating the fruit that God had forbidden.

     Tragically, inexplicably, Adam and Eve yielded to Satan's temptation. In His mercy, God forgave them and gave them an opportunity to repent, Nevertheless, the penalty for breaking His law had to be enforced. that's why God gave His only son to come to this earth and die as the Divine Substitute, taking the place of sinners. God also predicted that the struggle between good and evil would continue throughout earth;'s history.  [Genesis 3:15} .

     As time went by, the results of sin became more and more obvious, not only in humanity, but within nature itself. Satan's principles, which at first hardly seem threatening, produced a woeful harvest. It's been twenty centuries since Satan inspired humans to kill Jesus. However, that act demonstrated to the entire Universe that God was right and Satan wrong. All understood that God is love and that His laws are just and indispensable. However, in order to give the inhabitants of our planet every opportunity to clearly understand the issues involved i8nm the great controversy and to choose which side to be on, God permitted the dram of sin to continue unfolding for many more centuries.

THE END OF EVIL.

    Today, the conflict is nearing fits end. With great urgency, the Holy Spirit and the angels are trying to help human beings to put themselves on God's side. The Bible makes it absolutely clear that in the final end of things God will be completely victorious, and His law and character will be totally vindicated. However, until the day He destroys Satan and his followers and cleanses the earth with fire, {the Lake of Fire} good and evil will continue to coexist, giving ample witness to the fact that the struggle that began thousands of years ago,, is ongoing.

Further Study: Genesis 6:-8 chapters. Romans 1:18-32; 5:12-21; 8: 19-22. 1 Corinthians 4:9. Hebrews 1:4-14. 2 Peter 3:6.

Next: Life, Death, and Resurrection

Thank you for your time

Questions?  Comments?   John at www.servant@frontier.com

Need More? Visit your Seventh day Adventist Church any Saturday/Sabbath, 9010 AM. Know that Jesus loves you enough to have died just for YOU!

Other sites: www.AFTV.org    www.BLBN.org    www.amazingdiscoveries.org

John B

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