Describe when the judicial blindness on Israel will be complete? What do you expect to happen at that point? BIB 536-6-5

Israel has a history of being blessed by God, falling into sin, losing her blessings, repenting and again being blessed God. The book of Joel started with Judah having been invaded by so great number of locusts that the land was wiped out. Joel warned Judah that this was the disciplining hand of God for their sins. “But Judah shall dwell forever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation. For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the Lord dwelleth in Zion.” Joel 3:20-21.
“Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.” Jeremiah 31:35-36.
Hosea prophesied that Israel would enter a period in which God said she was “not my people.” However, Israel will once again be the people of God. “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Hosea 2:23 [KJV]
God has not/ will not abandon Israel!
Fast-forward several centuries to the prophesized day that Jesus rode a colt into Jerusalem; “And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.” Luke 19:41-42. Paul tells us this blindness will last until the fulness of the Gentiles comes in. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in.” Romans 11:25

The Church will have been Raptured; the Tribulation period is the time that God will use to bring Israel to belief. “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” Hosea 5:15 . Imagine their anguish and guilt when “They shall look on him whom they pierced.” John 19:37

“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.And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11

How has the Messianic Genealogy encrypted in Gen 38 affect your views on the Bible? BIB 536-5-7

Actually the Messianic Genealogy encrypted in Gen 38 had no real affect on my views on the Bible. I have long held to the belief that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. I remember the famous line from one of Client Eastwood’s movies, the bad guy who said “badge; I don’t need no stinking badge.” I kind of feel the same way about piling on the proofs of the validity of the Bible; I just don’t need them for myself. That said, I do try to be an apologist. So the more facts that I have at my disposal the better I can present Biblical Truths and be a worthy ambassador for Christ.
The “Cosmic Codes Hidden Messages From the Edge of Eternity” teachings by CM go far beyond Equidistant Letter Sequence Codes. I found the “Beyond Series” to be very informative as was the “Technology & the Bible” teaching. I also found a table format listing of prophecies from the Old Testament that were fulfilled by Jesus. The list was complete with verse references in both the Old and New Testaments.
As I mentioned a number of times, I play in the sandbox. The sandbox is a chat room hosted on eBay made up mostly of Christian bashers, New Agers, atheists, agnostics and some who called themselves Christians but bloviate about their strange interpretations of the Bible. I have provided these chat room members lists of teachings, verses and prophecies fulfilled by Jesus. I think I get the same respect as the disheveled man standing on the corner with a sign saying “the end is near.” The Christian bashers have chased more than one born-again Christian out of the chat room but not me. Every now and then I feel like I’ve made a little progress with some of the members. Also there are lurkers who read these threads available to the public so I can’t let the worst of them go unchallenged.
So tonight rather than finishing my weekly requirements for my courses I’ve played once again in the sandbox. Tongue-in-cheek I wrote:
“First let me apologize for being too busy with my online studies to regularly play in the sandbox and add some biblical truth to some of the posts that are written here. This thread has gone totally off the rails. Joseph was 90, I think not. I realize that the Catholic Church tries to perpetuate the false belief that Mary was a virgin throughout her life. She was until the birth of Jesus and after that she and Joseph had several children. As an aside, the reason Jesus assigned the task of caring for his mother Mary to the disciple John rather than her other children was that until the resurrection His siblings did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah.
So once again let me apologize for not being here to add truth to this discussion. I will try to do better in the future.”
Oops, 500 words, to be continued.

Why was the Law created? How does the Law affect your daily life?BIB 536-5-2

The law was required as the first human beings on planet Earth committed the sin of disobedience in short order. Sometime later the first murder was committed with Cain arrogantly asking God “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Some of the angelic sons of God mingled with humans and created a race of hybrids. Noah was a righteous man who along with his family was spared from drowning in the flood. His son Ham saw his father’s naked body. It is not known exactly what Ham did to his father, however, it resulted in Canaan being cursed As an aside, centuries later not uncovering (viewing his naked body?) kin was codified in Leviticus 18:6 “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the Lord.”
The Earth was repopulated by Noah and his sons and daughter-in-law. It didn’t take long before the first dictator of the world, Nimrod, founded sinful Babylon and defied God by trying “to reach the heavens.” There are so many other cases of sin gone wild in the history of mankind that there was definitely a need for the law.
The original 10 Commandments are an excellent guide to live by. In my opinion, these Commandments are reasonable and for the most part I believe I can usually live in accordance with them. Most part and usually are the key words; it is impossible for me to keep the law. Add to this, as a Christian, I should remember that the third commandment applies to me and that I should strive to be a worthy ambassador for Christ.
I have to admit that the law does not keep me from expressing my sinful nature all too often. I would be condemned were it not for the fact that two thousand years ago God stepped out of eternity to become a man and suffered and died for our (my) sins. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Clearly the law reminds me daily of my sinful nature and guides me to act appropriately. However, the human in me over-rides the law so often that I thank God for the gift of his son; that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV

Where is the United States represented in Bible prophecy? Why has America escaped the judgment of God to date? BIB 502-2-13-5

The title “young lion” is mentioned several times in the Old Testament and one theory is that it’s a reference to England as the lion and the United States as her young lion. I serious questioned this theory after a word search of the Bible. In my opinion the United States is not mentioned in the end time narrative as found in the Bible with one possible exception; Ezekiel 39: 6 “And I will send a fire on Magog, and among them that dwell carelessly in the isles: and they shall know that I am the Lord.” How ironic to read this passage of the Bible given that we in the United States have an administration that is backing away from Israel.
There has been a lot written by myself and others about why there seems to be no mention of the United States in end time prophecy including:

• The United States seems to be imploding economically
• The United States is reducing its military to the point of being marginalized as a player in a future one world government
• There will be great destruction from an asteroid, earthquake or plague
• There will be near annihilation due to war
• The Rapture will take so many Americans to Heaven that the economy and society in general will collapse

America has in the past escaped the judgment of God due to our support of Israel. However, given the state of our economy, extreme weather, near open class warfare and more, are we currently under judgment by God? I suspect that this is the case and due to a number of reasons:

• Our demonizing of Israel
• Our demanding that Israel give up land given her by God
• Replacement theology being promoted in many churches
• The increase in Anti-Semitism
• Our loss of moral compass
• Throwing God out of schools and pretty much under the bus
• Approval of abortions as being a woman’s right
• Approval of the homosexual life-style and same-sex marriage

“And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:32-33. As I posted elsewhere, I fear that America is quickly morphing from a sheep to a goat.

What fruit does an allegorical view bring to one's hermeneutic? Why does Israel suffer when one espouses this view, which, by the way, is the most prevalent in many denominational churches? BIB 547-1-7-2

A person having an allegorical view of the Word of God would likely result in that person giving a wink and a nod when declaring him or herself to be a Christian. Further he or she would be a very poor ambassador for Christ.
As I get older I find that I have little sympathy and/or time for those who hold to an allegorical view of the Bible. The validity of the Word has been proven so far beyond any possibility of not being the inerrant word of God that it is almost laughable when somebody has the audacity to say that the Bible is a book of fables. That said, such a view of the Bible leads to a very weak hermeneutic. Since so much of the Bible is centered on Israel and the Jewish faith, if it’s all allegory who cares what happens to Israel. This kind of thinking can and does lead to replacement theology.

Replacement theology makes the claim that as Israel rejected Jesus as Yeshua she forfeited the promises/ covenants made to her by God and these passed to the Church which became “spiritual Israel.” The concept of replacement theology marginalizes Israel and the Jewish people making it easier for the world to turn its back on the Jews, most notably during the Holocaust.

For the Christian, replacement theit implies that God can't be trusted so there is no guarantee that He will honor our salvation.
As for Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed,” and my plan of action? I support Israel both by being an advocate for Israel and by donating to various Christian/Israel groups. I've long been a member of Christians United for Israel and other groups. When at prayer services it seemed like it was usually me who asked for prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. So prayers, speaking up for Israel, sharing the Gospel and donating to proactive groups is my primary action plan.

Our current administration seems to be disengaging itself from Israel so come Election Day, the most pro-Israel candidates get my vote. As for the Judgment of Nations, “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:32-33. I fear that America is quickly morphing from a sheep to a goat.

CM speaks how discipleship is best developed in a Small Group. What are your thoughts about this? Do you have any experiences you can share? BIB 547-1-7-5

As for me, I much prefer being in a small group to attending church. Over the years I've attended several Bible studies and enjoyed the give and take in this less structured format. The church I grew up in seems rather structured and week to week the format was usually the same. For years I sang in both the junior and senior choir and I can remember a wooden plaque off to the side of the altar. This plaque had slots where the verse being studied as well as the numbers of the hymns would go. Although I had a Bible given to me at the age of six and later New Testament I do not recall carrying my Bible to church.
Fortunately when I was much younger and still in my formative years there was a nearby Baptist Church where my best friend’s father was a preacher. As a result I had a good introduction to Bible verses. Now decades later when I’m in my adopted state of Arizona I attend the local Baptist Church. I was baptized by full immersion there a number of years ago. However and as much as I like this church, I still prefer a small group of believers.
In my opinion, members of a small group bond with each other and often are very supportive of each other. There are no church politics and there doesn't seem to be the clicks in a small group that I too often find in church. The groups I belonged to would get into a very in depth Bible study and everyone was involved in the discussion unlike in a church setting.
To me characteristics of a successful Bible study include:

• Staying small or splitting into more than one group
• An informal setting
• Staying on topic
• Leaders who are well prepared and gently controls the flow of the meeting

The disadvantages of a small group include:

• One person monopolizing the discussion
• The discussion can “fall into a rabbit hole”
• Differences of opinions can get out of control and cause hard feelings
• Some participants seem to be there mostly to find fault with Christianity
• Some participants seem to be there mostly to bloviate

Before my move to Southern California I would spend summers in a RV park in Michigan in an area called “The Bible Belt of Michigan” where we had a wonderful weekly Bible study.

My favorite Bible study is a small group meeting winters at a camping site in the desert in a 10’ x 20’ tent. Arizona gets a lot of “winter visitors” so the group starts out small in the fall and grows through the winter. There is something about the desert that makes me feel even closer to Jesus

Cite two places in the Bible that a “bow” is a token of a covenant. How does this relate to Israel? 502-2 - 13 - 4

The first “bow” covenant was with Noah after the flood. God promised that there would never be another global flood and placed His bow (rainbow) in the sky as a sign of this covenant, Genesis 9:11-15. Those who claim that the Bible is mostly allegorical and that the flood was really a local flood should review the legends throughout the world concerning disastrous floods. 

Also there's a tremendous deposit of organic materials in the Middle East that eventually resulted in the vast oil deposits. If the flood of Noah were indeed only a local flood this would mean, given all the major local floods throughout history, that God is a liar, I think not.

Nimrod was the first world dictator, is pictured carrying a bow and is considered to be an archetype for the future antichrist. This leads into the second incident of the bow being used as a precursor to a covenant as one is held by the first horseman of the Apocalypse. This rider, understood to be the antichrist, is dressed in white and carries a bow with no arrows. This implies someone who brings peace without open warfare.

This peaceful rise of the antichrist would likely be after the Rapture of the Church and a major battle such as the Magog Invasion. The world will be in turmoil and looking for an explanation for the disappearance of all those pesky born-again Christians. Some prophecy writers think that the battle of the Magog will occur shortly after the Rapture of the Church. People will be so desperate for a strong leader who they think can bring peace that they will accept the world government headed up by the antichrist and a world religion headed up by the false prophet. 

A major problem for those left behind, in addition to going to the tribulation, is that so many people are so blind to Biblical Truth that they will be susceptible to the assurance of peace on the part of the antichrist.

The Antichrist will establish a covenant with Israel promising to protect her for seven years. At the end of 3 ½ years the Antichrist will desecrate the temple, initiate persecution of the Jews and declared himself god.

The Jews will have been forewarned in Mark 13 and Matthew 24 to flee to Petra for refuge and there will be a Remnant who will survive the remainder of the Tribulation and come to acknowledge Jesus as Yeshua. As CM says, we will be watching all of this from the mezzanine.

What are the two purposes of Christ’s redemptive work? What does this mean to you in your life? BIB 536-4-6.

What would I have if Jesus never walked the earth and taken up His cross? Without the redemptive work done by Christ on the cross I would be subjected to the heresies of the pagans or a slave to the Law. As a pagan I would be condemned or if I were attempting to follow the Law, to quote James 2:10, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”
As the old hymn goes, “Redeemed, redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; Redeemed, redeemed, His child, and forever, I am.”
Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Jesus was made a curse for us and His soul an offering for sin.
Two purposes for Christ’s redemptive work are given:
1. Gentiles might receive the promised blessing of justification apart from works of the Law, available to all who believe. We are given adoption as Sons. Luke 20:36 "Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection."
2. All who thus believe might receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. In the time of the Old Testament the Spirit came upon people however with the the Ascension of Jesus the Holy Spirit would be indwelling in us. Jesus said that he had to leave so that the comforter could come.
John 14:15-17, "If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 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."
Again and again, Paul tried to impress upon the Galatians that they were justified by faith and no longer in bondage to the Law. Romans 8:15, “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.” And again, Romans 8:16 “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
What does this mean in my life? As the famous quote goes, "I was saved, I am saved and I will be saved." Saved through the redemptive work of Christ. I am justified by faith and I will someday be with Jesus.

What were some of the things ordained in Genesis but codified in Leviticus?” BIB502-1-8-4

After Adam and Eve had taken that infamous bite of the Apple they realize they were naked and hid from God. They attempted to cover their nakedness with an apron made from vegetation. Before God expelled them from Eden he made articles of clothing for them of animal skins. This is a preview of covering our sins by blood sacrifice. Later the acceptance of Abel’s sacrifice of a lamb was accepted by God. This would later be codified by the law and animal sacrifices in the Temple. Of course we know who the ultimate blood sacrifice would be and through His death our sins would be covered by His blood.

Genesis 9:22, “And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.” Noah’s other sons Shem and Japheth took a garment and walking backwards covered their father. Genesis 9:24-25, “And Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done unto him. And he said, Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren.” Perhaps it is a stretch to say that Ham observing his father’s nakedness was something ordained in Genesis and then codified the Leviticus, however, Leviticus 18:6 “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the Lord.” Noah’s knowledge of which animals were clean and unclean was important as it determined the number of each to be brought onto the ark. So Noah knew long before the time of Leviticus what the difference between clean and unclean animals.

As an aside and from another Book of the Bible, leaven is considered synonymous with sin as it is a puffing up. In preparation for the Exodus Leaven was not used in the Passover meal. When flour was referred to in Leviticus as a sacrifice, there could be no leave in it.

Genesis 2:3, “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” The Sabbath was codified by God in the time of the Exodus. Manna could be gathered for six days and on the sixth day a double portion was gathered. This way no work would be done gathering manna on the Sabbath. Leviticus 19:3, “Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God” and Leviticus 19:30 “Ye shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.” [KJV]

There is the seclusion of a woman during her time of the month. This was done in Genesis and referred to in Leviticus not only as a time of seclusion but also purifying afterwards.

One definition of ordained is “to order by virtue of superior authority; decree or enact.”  Codification is “the process of forming a legal code (i.e. formalizing the laws of a jurisdiction by setting them out in a book of law.”

What are the implications of "Evangelicals and Catholics Together?" BIB 547-1-6-6

What are the implications of "Evangelicals and Catholics Together?"
1. That liberal evangelical churches, like the church at Pergamos are becoming married to the world
2. That the millions of believers in the Word of God who died horrid deaths at the hands of the Catholic Church or its minions died for nothing.
3. Martin Luther just had a misunderstanding of Catholic doctrine
4. Marginalizing Matthew 28:19-20, "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." Note, Jesus referred to the Trinity not Mary
The goal of most who call themselves evangelicals is to lead people to Christ. However, Catholic evangelism is more about bringing people into the Catholic Church. This very telling quote was taken from Dave Hunt's book "A Woman Rides the Beast: The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days:" "Consider the following explanation of "Catholic evangelism" by Fr. Tom Forrest to a group of Catholic charismatics: Our job is to make people as richly and as fully Christian as we can make them by bringing them into the Catholic Church. So evangelization is never fully successful, it's only partial, until the convert is made a member of Christ's body by being led into the [Catholic] Church."

The Catholic Church has seven "sacraments" including the claim that Jesus is alive on their altars, the laity becoming one with Christ in the Eucharist, Mary the "Queen of Paradise" worship, the papacy, Peter the rock upon which Christ built His Church and purgatory.

The barbaric tradition of the bread and wine actually being the body and blood of Jesus means that Jesus is sacrificed again every day in millions of churches. The Catholic Pocket Guide states that, "in the mass Christ perpetuates in an unbloody manner the sacrifice offered on the cross." This contradicts Hebrews 9:22 that without shedding of blood is no remission for sin.

Then there is purgatory, the temporary home of those who have passed on. The loved one residing in purgatory can get an early release if enough masses are said, drawing from accounts of saints and more. After more Catholic double talk I gave up, the only advantage I see to the Masses is to the coffers of the church. The horrible disadvantage I see to Catholics is that they may be held accountable for not accepting Jesus‘ cry that it is finished. Trying to explain this during judgment could sound a little bit like a Bud Abbott and Lou Costello "who's on first what's on second" skit.

Is this actually what the more liberal evangelical churches were really want, a union with The Mother Of Harlots? There has to be a special place in hell for the religious leaders who promote fault faiths to millions to their possible eternal condemnation.

If you have read it, what are your thoughts of Dave Hunt's book A Woman Rides The Beast? BIB 547-1-6-7

“To the nearly I billion Roman Catholics misinformed by their hierarchy; to the 400 million Protestants equally ignorant of the facts; and to the genuine martyrs on both sides, this book is dedicated.” So opens Dave Hunt’s “A Woman Rides the Beast: The Roman Catholic Church and the Last Days.” The book ends with appendix I: "The Lutheran – Catholic Joint Declaration Justification," subject of another Discussion Question. The joint declaration (JD) was signed on October 31, the same day as in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle chapel. A coincidence, I think not.
Full disclosure, I haven’t read the book in order, cover to cover rather I've skipped around. Dr. Hunt’s book is well written, holds one’s attention and is thoroughly documented. I started reading Dave Hunt’s book several months ago and also have the "Kingdom of Blood" MP3 set. The first MP3 is recorded by Dr. Missler and is titled "A History of the Church." The second MP3 is recorded by Dr. Hunt and is titled "The Woman Who Rides the Beast." Both are very informative and interesting to listen to. There are no embedded slides in them, sure wish there were.

All this listening and reading caused me to take a closer look at the book of Revelation most notably Chapter 17. I grew up Protestant with Catholic friends and never paid much attention to the differences in doctrine. Were it not for my concern for Catholic friends and family members and exposure to Dr. Missler's teachings I would not have dug as deeply into the subject of the modern day version of the Church in Thyatira as I have/ as I'm doing.

A few of the work based perversions (sacraments) of scripture by the Roman Catholic Church includes the belief in the transubstantiation of the bread and wine during mass, that Jesus lied when he said "It is finished", that indulgence can be brought, the existence of purgatory, the Marian worship and the claim of papal authority.

Vatican II states 'If anyone says that the sacraments of the new law are not necessary for salvation...... And that without them men obtain from God through faith alone the grace of Justification... let him be anathema." Anathema can be something/ someone denounced and/or are cursed.

And in addition to corrupting biblical truths and promoting sacraments the church was also extremely morally corrupt as well. Dr. Hunt brings out example after example of popes being appointed by Kings, popes appointing kings and purchase of clerical office. In addition to this marriage of the church to the world, the church has a dismal record of sexual improprieties. In just one example a Bishop Rathurio complained that if he excommunicated unchaste priests "there would be none left to administer the sacraments, except boys. If he excluded bastards, as canon law demanded, not even boys would be left."

Truly, the woman who rides the beast is the Roman Catholic Church!

What about you? What are you doing to fulfill Genesis 12. What are your thoughts concerning the Sheep and Goat judgment? What is your current action plan? BTE 601-4-7

“What are your thoughts concerning the Sheep and Goat judgment?” I’m thankful that I’ll be coming back with Jesus rather than standing in judgment as He separates those who survived the Tribulation into sheep and goats. “And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.” Matthew 25:32-33.
Matthew 25:37-40, “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

For years I have pointed out to people that when Jesus said my brethren He was referring to Israel. Jesus was born a Jew, a fact often overlooked by those who would rewrite the Bible. It would be very difficult to accept that Matthew is speaking of the Jews while adhering to replacement theology.

As for Genesis 12:3, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed,” I support Israel both by being an advocate for Israel and by donating to various Christian/Israel groups. I've long been a member of Christians United for Israel and other groups. When I was attending a Baptist Church in Arizona it seemed like it was always me who asked for prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. Prayers, speaking up for Israel, sharing the Gospel and donating to proactive groups is my primary action plan. Our current administration seems to be disengaging itself from Israel so come Election Day, the most pro-Israel candidates.

There is a question that has been bothering me for some time. Did the Holocaust victims who were of the age of accountability and who did not come to Jesus as they were herded into the gas chambers go to hell? Again, I’m very pro-Israel; however, I’m also very concerned about the Jews who died since Jesus walked the earth. Did God’s covenant with Israel completely take a sabbatical during the Church age until the Rapture of the Church? The Jews are back in the land in unbelief with a very small Messianic (Completed) Jewish population which will be Raptured; an estimated 10,000 according to Wikipedia. During the Time of Jacob’s Troubles one third of the remnant will come to faith; are the two thirds that are killed during Jacob’s trouble consigned to hell? Hopefully many will become Tribulation saints.

How can an understanding of Christ’s crucifixion keep us from thinking we need to earn God’s favor? BIB 536-4-1

This question can be answered with this one verse, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
The crucifixion of Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament many times. That the crucifixion happened as prophesied substantiates the Bible as the inspirited Word of God. A few of the prophetic verses from the Old Testament that directly relate to us and that were fulfilled include:
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.”
Isaiah 52:13-14, "See, my servant will prosper; he will be highly exalted. Many were amazed when they saw him - beaten and bloodied, so disfigured one would scarcely know he was a person."
Isaiah 53:4-6, "Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God for his own sins! But he was wounded and crushed for our sins. He was beaten that we might have peace. He was whipped, and we were healed! All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God's paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the guilt and sins of us all”
Isaiah 53:8, “From prison and trial they led him away to his death. But who among the people realized that he was dying for their sins - that he was suffering their punishment?"
Isaiah 53:10, “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.”
In addition Psalm 22, could have been dictated from the cross.
God stepped out of eternity to become a man and suffer and die in our place. After two thousand years Jesus remains the most important man ever; He was, He is and He will forever be. I've heard it said that it wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the cross; it was His love for us. The crucifixion paid for our (my) sins so that we (I) can stand before God. Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

Added Later:

 I am so thankful that my sins are covered by the blood of Jesus.
Always the "Watchman on the Wall," I was sent a link to an article about Muslims crucifying other Muslims. To date I understand that this evil and barbaric behavior has been pretty much internal and I haven't read of any Christians being so horribly murdered. However, Muslim or Christian this is deplorable.
"Arab Spring run amok: 'Brotherhood' starts crucifixions: "The Arab Spring takeover of Egypt by the Muslim Brotherhood has run amok, with reports from several different media agencies that the radical Muslims have begun crucifying opponents of newly installed President Mohammed Morsi." http://www.wnd.com/2012/08/arab-spring-run-amok-brotherhood-starts-crucifixions/
Sura 5:33 of the Quran, " The just retribution for those who fight GOD and His messenger, and commit horrendous crimes, is to be killed, or crucified, or to have their hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, or to be banished from the land. This is to humiliate them in this life, then they suffer a far worse retribution in the Hereafter."

What happened when Israel withdrew from Gaza?

The withdrawal of Israel from Gaza is a subject I have written on before and I still get angry when I think of how my country, the United States, has bullied Israel into giving up her covenant land.

Israel’s Gaza withdrawal also known as The Gaza Disengagement was completed in August, 2005. Then PM Sharon said “The disengagement will allow us to look inward. Our national agenda will change. In our economic policy, we will be free to turn to closing social gaps and to waging a real fight on poverty. We will advance education and increase the personal security of every citizen of the country.” I can remember the videos of the hard working Jewish settlers being forced off their land by their fellow countrymen, Israeli soldiers. The settlers had made the desert bloom only to lose it. And of course, peace was not a result. PM Sharon wanted defendable borders, what he and Israel got was rockets within shorter striking distance.

John P. McTernan has written a very interesting book; “As America Has Done to Israel.” Time and again we have pressured Israel to give up the land given to them by God. Starting in early August 2005 and continuing through September, the United States put enormous pressure on Israel to withdraw from twenty-one settlements in Gaza and four in Samaria. Enter Hurricane Katrina the many parallels between it and The Gaza Disengagement. The US government told residents to evacuate their homes prior to the hurricane Katrina and Israel ordered a mandatory evacuation of the settlements. Jews took to their roofs to delay the eviction, and thousands in New Orleans went to their roofs to keep from drowning. Jews had to re-inter their dead in cemeteries outside Gaza and Katrina uncovered hundreds of bodies from Gulf coast graveyards. These were just a few of the events in America that mirrored those in Israel.

Hurricane Katrina is history and the area has not recovered to this day. Before that there was “The Perfect Storm" in 1991. During the Madrid Peace Process, the elder President Bush was very clear that Israel was required to surrender parts of the covenant land for peace. Interestingly enough, President H. W. Bush own home was affected by the storm. There was far more destruction to follow and many times the United States seemed to come under God’s judgment.
Here in the United States several presidents from both parties have bullied Israel into giving up land that not only did God say was their but they won it after being attacked. As an aside, I can’t remember any of our presidents offering to return Southwestern US to Mexico. Every time I hear our politicians refer to any of Israel as “The Occupied Territory” I visualize God recording it as one more black mark against our country. We in the United States seen to have disregarded Genesis 12:3 and we are under judgment from God.


Added later:
Today I received an email from info@unitedwithisrael.org with a link to a video "Withdrawal from Gaza - 7 Years Ago Today." http://vimeo.com/46423843
It'll be interesting to compare this video with what I remember from the videos from 2005 as the Jewish settlers were forced off their land.
Again, PM Sharon wanted defensible borders, what he and Israel got was rockets within shorter striking distance. What we got in the United States was Katrine.

Give an example of how scripture is divinely appointed (2 Tim 3:16) in your life by providing an example of each of the four components described BIB 536-3-4

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16
The four for’s:

For doctrine—that’s what’s right

For reproof—that’s what’s not right

For correction—that’s how to get right

For instruction in righteousness—that’s how to stay right.

As a woman who raised two children on her own while earning two college degrees and having a successful work career, I’ll admit I have a problem with Ephesians 5. On the surface to me it sounds too condescending towards women. Ephesians 5:22-24, “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 everything.” However reading further into the chapter I suspect there’s a far deeper meaning then a husband having a superior position to the wife. It begins to sound like partnership, a partnership that should be as pure as the Church should be for her husband the bridegroom.

A working partnership in marriage with the one in charge being the husband sounds reasonable. Nevertheless, the husband has to be exemplary if he expects to be a role model for his wife. Unfortunately today about half of the marriages in the United States end in divorce. I have always felt that I missed a lot by not having a loving marriage. However, there are so many dysfunctional families in today’s society. Substance abuse is on the rise, adultery is commonplace and all too often unborn babies are discarded like so much trash. I look forward to the day that Jesus sets up his millennium kingdom. Then we will have the greatest instructor for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction.

Since I’m on my own in these pre-millennium days, I look to the Bible for instruction as to doctrine, how to get it right and how to stay right. I keep my mind fixed on Jesus as the perfect role model and ask myself “What Would Jesus Do” in a given situation. I often fall short of the mark so I am very grateful for being under grace rather than the law.

List some compromises the church has made by marrying the world. How do these impact you today? BIB 547-1-5-7

The gospel of Jesus couldn't have been any simpler then as presented by Paul, after all, Paul was directly tutored by the Master himself. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV.

Of course the mention of the politically incorrect word sin seems to be outdated in today’s prosperity oriented churches. Add to that the inference that Jesus died for those very sins and that salvation is through Jesus; how very intolerant. Fold in a little of the concept that marriage is between one man and one women, outdated.

When did it start to go so wrong? After many years of persecution of the early church Constantine stopped the torture and killing of Christians. Constantine did away with gladiatorial fights, stopped most of the killing of unwanted children and crucifixion. Nevertheless, he became the head of the church and advanced Christians to high offices, a marriage of church and state. He declared Sunday a day of worship, good in that it gave slaves a day rest, however, was in keeping with pagan celebrations. So addition to a marriage between church and state, now there also was a marriage with pagan beliefs.

Today we have the televangelists who have, in my opinion, gone the way of Balaam in a marriage with the world. Like Balaam they are “hireling” marketing their gifts; being good speakers for one. As they are “Sacrificing eternal riches for temporal gain,” perhaps they are forgetting that someday they’ll stand in judgment for casting stumbling blocks before those who might have otherwise become believers.

I was surfing the net looking for a CNN interview where Joel Osteen was asked if he concerning homosexuality to be a sin. What is found was a pastor from Atlanta, Georgia who said. “As I have been saying for years, these mega preachers are not "Christians" at all, but work for Satan!! They are a part of a bigger agenda, which is to influence the public into embracing a counterfeit, un-biblical Messiah.” That’s why the Bible told you that a friend of the world is an enemy to God! The fact that millions of people believe this man is a pastor of God, proves once again that many Christians DON'T READ THIER BIBLES.” That seemed to me to be a little harsh; however, those not teaching Biblical truth are doing Satan’s bidding, again, casting stumbling blocks.

Next week we study “The Woman Who Rides the Beast” so to continue then with perhaps one of the greatest soul corrupting religions.

So how did this impact me today? Since I left my church families in Arizona to stay in California for an indefinite amount of time, I feel no real pull from any of the churches here. I’m content for now to get my spiritual food from KI.

List five things that Jesus HATES. List five things that Jesus LOVES. How are you loving and hating the things that Jesus loves and hates?BIB 547-1-5-3

Jesus Hates:
Matthew 22:2-14: Many treated an invitation to the marriage of the king’s son by ignoring it, rejecting it or killing the messengers. Verse 7, “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” Jesus was likely referring to His death. Verse 8, “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. “ So the King’s servants gathered up other and brought them to the wedding (Gentiles?). One who was not properly dressed was “cast him into outer darkness.” If one is not prepared for the return of Jesus….. Jesus hates the word “tomorrow” as many put off salvation until tomorrow and are lost.
Tempting God by the Pharisees using Caesar's coin and the question of which wife after death…..
Hypocrites: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." Matthew 23:27
“My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” Mark 11:15-17
Matthew 25:45, “Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.”

Jesus Loves:

A giving heart, Matthew 25:40, And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

In the story of the widow who donates two mites, Jesus explains to his disciples that the small sacrifices of the poor mean more to God than the extravagant donations of the rich.[2] Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4.

Those who followed “The Great Commission, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19.

A loving heart both for God and others. Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 12:

Those who are ready for the Bridegroom, Matthew 25:1, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

I try to be “in Christ” today; to be available to Him, to walk in His way to love Him, to respect Him and hold Him in awe and to serve Him. I’m so grateful that we are saved by grace; I fall far short of the mark.

Who was Barnabas and what was his relationship to Paul? BIB 536-3-1

Although Barnabas’ original name was Joseph, the Apostles gave him a new name, Barnabas, which means "Son of Encouragement." In my opinion, more than an encourager of Paul, Barnabas was an advocate for Paul and encouraged the original apostles to accept Paul. Barnabas was a friend of Paul’s and walked with him and helped to form home churches.
After Paul’s experience “On the road to Damascus” he became a believer in Jesus and an out-spoken witness. Paul fled Damascus under threat of assassination and wanted to meet with the disciples in Jerusalem. With his reputation for persecuting believers the disciples didn’t trust him. Fortunately Paul had an advocate in Barnabas, the encourager. Barnabas brought Paul before the Apostles. Barnabas told about Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus and how he then preached the name of Jesus. Because of Barnabas, Paul was accepted by the apostles in Jerusalem. Paul was sent to Tarsus where he spent ten years. Jerusalem seemed to have forgotten Paul for years but Paul proclaimed his witness wherever and whenever possible. Finally Barnabas, the encourager, brought Saul to Antioch where they taught and raised funds for the Jerusalem church.
When the Judaizers tried to undermine Paul’s teachings claiming they spoke with James’ approval, it was Barnabas who returned with Paul to Jerusalem.
Barnabas walked with Paul until they went their separate ways due to a dispute over John Mark. John Mark had decided to leave the mission field and return to Jerusalem years earlier and then wanted to re-join Paul and Barnabas in the mission field. Paul was rather rigid while Barnabas (always the encourager) wanted to give John Mark another chance. So Barnabas went his way taking Mark with him, and Silas joined Paul. Good came from this split as it resulted in two teams in the mission field. Barnabas and Paul remained friends and John Mark was later reconciled with Paul.
From Wikipedia, “Although the date, place, and circumstances of his death are, as yet, historically unverifiable, Christian tradition holds that Barnabas was martyred at Salamis, Cyprus, in 61 AD.”
With thanks to the First Baptist Peddie Memorial Church, “Interestingly, the word "encouragement" is closely linked to the Holy Spirit, who is known as the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, or Advocate in various translations). The words "encouragement" (paraclesis) and "Comforter" (paracletos) are essentially the same in the Greek, the original language of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit is the Encourager. Have you ever thought that one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit is to encourage you? Have you ever prayed for the Holy Spirit to encourage you in times of trials and tribulations?” Good information, excellent suggestion.

People get burned out because they are doing things in their own flesh; not in Spirit. How can you make the distinction between the works of the flesh and the work of the Spirit? 601-2-7

I’m rather burnout because I’m letting my current life situation get me down. I moved in with my mother in January of this year to help care for her. Normally this time of year I would be enjoying the summer at a great park in Michigan with family and friends. In the past when I stayed with my mom to help her it was always temporary. This time it’s for as long as she can stay in her own home.

Earlier I went through a period of depression and I felt like I was in a dark tunnel with no light at the end of it. I told myself to get over it, that my mother needs me and that it’s my duty as a daughter. And then there was the guilt I felt by being unhappy that my life was placed on hold. Mom and I get along quite well, however, she seems to resent the hours I spend in study. The extended family dynamics are interesting. I used to be the one who called my mother every night at eight o’clock and now it’s my brother calling both of us at eight o’clock. I seem to have adjusted to having my wings clipped for the foreseeable future. I handled it by just asking for lots of help from God to give me the strength and the patience to keep on keeping on. Although I didn’t realize it at the time, what I was looking for was the comforter, the Holy Spirit.

I joined KI shortly before leaving my home and church families to come to stay with my mother. I had been aware of Chuck Missler for a number of years and was downloading any of his teaching that I could find on the Internet. However I did not know about KI and seemingly found it almost by accident. There are no coincidences so perhaps this was the Holy Spirit nudging me into something that would be both a moral support and a growth opportunity. Lately I’m becoming more and more engaged in life and I’m even starting to pay attention to my e-commerce carts and list on eBay. It’s been a rough road trying to let go and let God, another way of saying let the Holy Spirit work in my life.

I realize that I make the distinction between the works of the flesh and the works of the Spirit by how it makes me feel. If I feel over-whelmed I’m likely working in the flesh and things just don’t go well. Often I will relax for a few minutes and feel of the presence of comforter he refreshes my soul.

I may be here in part to minimize the effect my mother’s Catholic friends have on her. I don’t criticize the doctrines of the Catholic Church as much as to point out Biblical truth to her. Also my brother is asking questions about religion during our nightly conversation; nothing happens by accident.


Added Later:

 A painful circumstance that I take to God day after day is my four legged companion of more than 14 years, my dog Phoebe. Phoebe is mostly Irish setter and has been my friend, traveling buddy and bodyguard as we traveled many times across and around the country. It will soon be time to say goodbye to Phoebe and I don’t want to; that’s the influence of the selfishness of flesh. When that day comes, I’ll look to the Comforter to get me through it as by myself, I’d fall apart.

“The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” the ultimate victim of replacement theology BTE 601-3-8

Replacement theology promotes the concept that when Israel rejected her messiah she forfeited the promises/ covenants made to her by God and these passed to the Church which became “spiritual Israel.” The concept of replacement theology marginalizes Israel and the Jewish people making it easier for the world to turn its back on the Jews, most notably during the Holocaust. For the Christian, it implies that God can't be trusted so there is no guarantee that He will honor our salvation.

Set during World War II, the movie “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas” involves the growing friendship between two 8-year-old boys separated by a fence in a concentration camp. Bruno is the son of the commandant of the concentration camp where Shmuel is imprisoned. Shmuel’s crime is being born a Jew.

At the start of the movie Bruno is living in his home in Berlin playing with his many friends. The little boys run down the street playing airplane while being impervious to the Jews being loaded into a transport truck. Bruno goes home to learn that his father is being transferred to the country. At first the family members don’t realize that what they call a nearby farm is really an extermination camp and Bruno’s father is the commandant. Bruno has no friends so he hikes through the woods to what he thinks is a farm and meets the boy in the striped pajamas. They become friends separated will by a fence and far more than either one of them knew.

One night several high-ranking officials of the Nazi party are shown a propaganda movie depicting how well the Jews were being treated in what was called a work camp. Bruno watches the propaganda movie and believes it. The next day he asks his little friend in the striped pajamas about all the kids in the camp and all the fun they had. Shmuel had no idea what Bruno was talking about.

A few days later the boys arrange for Shmuel to bring an extra pair of “striped pajamas” for Bruno. The upshot is that Bruno sneaks into the concentration camp. Shmuel and Bruno search the camp looking for Shmuel’s father who disappeared a few days before. The boys make the mistake of entering a building that is holding dozens of men about to be herded into the gas chamber.

Meanwhile back at home Bruno’s mother realizes that he is missing and breaks up a meeting between the commandant and his minions. Ironically they are discussing the status of the ovens. The commandant and his subordinates start to back-track Bruno to where he had crawled under the fence to get into the concentration camp.

The movie ends with the door to the gas chamber being sealed and crystals being dropped into the chamber as Bruno’s father frantically looks for him. Sad as the ending of the movie is, Bruno’s father was about to learn the deadly efficiency of his camp of termination.

Added later:

There was a scene in the movie where Bruno betrays his friend Shmuel, the boy in the striped pajamas. Shmuel was cleaning crystal glasses in the commandant’s house as he had small hands. Bruno stops to talk to Shmuel and asks if he wants something to eat. They are discovered by one of the Nazis and Shmuel told the officer that Bruno gave him the pastry. With the Nazi screaming at both the boys, Bruno denied even knowing Shmuel. Guilt over his betrayal was part of the reason Bruno later offered to help Shmuel find his father. That guilt leads to the tragic conclusion of the movie. To me the movie was like peeling an onion, as one layer is pulled away, there is another beneath it.

How do you think the world will handle the rapture? What could be a plausible explanation? 601-3-7

Full disclosure, I have read the “Left Behind” series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. While these books are fiction they do present possible scenarios for how the world will react to the rapture and how it will be explained away by those in authority.

Here I am dealing only with the non-Jewish population who are left behind. The Tribulation will be the time of Jacob’s Troubles; however, God has promised that He will bring a remnant through the tribulation.

I can only imagine the chaos that will ensue after the rapture. Those going about the business of the day would be most directly impacted by horrific accidents. Cars would be without drivers and cross lanes into oncoming traffic, 18 wheelers would careen out of control, aircraft would crash, the power grid would likely be taken out due to the many accidents and people would be left behind to sort out what happened. People will look for answers and for someone to take over and make them feel more secure. This will be the opportune time for the Antichrist to appear.

My theory is that most people will fit into one of three groups. The first group would be those who really have not had much of a Christian upbringing and have not been exposed to the coming rapture. The second group would be those who have been exposed to the gospel and the coming rapture but chose to ignore it rather than out right rejecting it. The third group would be those who have been exposed to the gospel and have rejected it so many times that it’s possible that their hearts have been hardened.

I would expect that those in the first group would be somewhat receptive to the gospel.

My unbelieving family members and friends would fit into this second group and would likely realize that the rapture had occurred and that they had been left behind. I’m leaving breadcrumbs for them on the Internet and in the form of flash drives. My prayer is that they will come to salvation even at the risk of becoming tribulation saints.

In my opinion, there would be little chance of the people in the third group coming to salvation during the tribulation. “They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” 2 Timothy 2:10-11. I would expect that this group would readily embrace the Antichrist.

The Antichrist and his false prophet will invent many scenarios to explain away the disappearance of millions of people. One likely explanation will be that those raptured were holding the rest of the world back from evolving to a higher dimension so they were taken out by some unnamed an imaginary spiritual force. Today many are very involved in the occult and ETs (Nephilim). I would expect that they would be receptive to this explanation.

Name three "tares" sown among the early churches. Are these still operative today? BIB 547-1-4-6

“But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.” Matthew 13:25 …….“Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:30So rather than tearing out the tares and pulling out some of the wheat with them, the tares were allowed to grow alongside the wheat until the time of harvest. At that time the tares would be burnt and the wheat gathered into the barn. This is prophetic of the judgment of the sheep and the goats.
According to CM the following “tares” were sown in early Church;
1. Legalism: denial of Christ’s completed work.
2. Gnosticism: denial of Christ’s humanity.
3. Caesar worship: denial of Christ’s Lordship.

Legalism started very early in the church. Even as Paul was teaching the Judaizers were sowing the tares of legalism. Although the Judaizers confirmed the teachings of Jesus, they taught that some Jewish religious practices must be adhered to; most notably circumcision. To the Judaizers justification by faith alone was not sufficient, rather justification by faith combined with works.

Today the Judaizers are alive and well in many of today’s denominations, most notably the Catholic Church. As Jesus hung on the cross He said “It is finished.” The gift of salvation provided by Jesus’ work on the cross was not enough for the Nicolaitans of the Catholic Church. They teach that one must add works to keep that salvation.

Rather than a denial of Christ’s humanity, today there seems to be a greater denial of His divinity. The validity of the Bible is being questioned in the emerging churches. While not a church there’s a group of scholars involved in “The Jesus Seminar” who asserted that the Gospel of Thomas may have more authentic material than the Gospel of John. Perhaps the scholars should check its hepatic structure.

“And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” Matthew 22:20-22. Today we live in a materialistic world where many either worship money or covet the money belonging to others. Many church leaders also worship the almighty dollar. Some of the televangelists are little better than snake oil salesman. Send them money and you can expect to receive a seven-fold increase or some such nonsense.

And someday soon, the judgment of the sheep and the goats.

How are the denominational churches, of today, like the Judiazers? BIB 536-2-2

The Judaizers couldn't accept the universality of the simple message of the gospel; “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV Paul was tutored by the master himself. “Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)” Galatians 1:1 With that kind of credentials, Paul’s word should have been respected by all.
Although the Judaizers confirmed the teachings of Jesus, they taught that some Jewish religious practices must be adhered to; most notably circumcision. So the message of the Judaizers was counter the that of Paul; i.e. justification by faith alone, causing confusion and concern among Paul’s recent converts.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-8
Paul did an extraordinary job of spreading the simple message of the gospel. However, it wasn't long before those “in authority” started to pervert the teachings of Jesus. Today the Judaizers are alive and well in many of today’s denominations, most notably the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church leaders perverted the Lord’s Table by twisting the words of Jesus, “Do this in my name” to the pagan doctrine of transubstantiation.
As Jesus hung on the cross He said “It is finished.” Rather than accepting the doctrine of justification by faith, the Catholic Church teaches that one has to continually work to keep his/her salvation. And then there is purgatory that one wants to avoid so there is the buying of indulgences and mass cards. Ditto for the false doctrine of buying a deceased loved one's way out of purgatory, of course once a person has breathed his/her last their destination is determined. Not only does the Catholic Church add works, is a major source of revenue.

The robes and breastplates of the Pharisees have evolved into the beautiful and expensive regalia of the priests. It’s not just the Catholic Church that is so opulent, the Protestants can be also. The Crystal Cathedral which just went bankrupt comes to mind as does the flowing robes of the late Rev. Kennedy as he preached from his elevated podium. So much stuff has been added to the churches that I reminded of the shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept.” John 11:35

What is your take on Extraterrestrials? BIB 502-1-5-4

I’ve long argued that given the speed of light visitors traveling to earth was very unlikely. With the exception of our sun, the nearest star is more than four light years away. I added that what some call ETs are likely a bleed-through from another dimension. I’ve updated my bleed-through theory to be more Biblically correct. We are told in Genesis 6:4 “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of the human beings and had children by them. They were the heroes of old, men of renown.” Legends of the offspring’s of these unholy unions are told throughout the planet and cultures.
“This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.” Genesis 6:9 Although Moses’ blood-line was not tainted by the Nephilim I suspect that the blood of his wife and/or daughters-in-law was/were tainted as there were Nephilim after the flood. References are made to the Rephaites in Genesis 14. And in Numbers 13:33 are more references, “We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” There are additional references in the Old Testament, enough to prove that they were still around after the flood.

In addition to creating hybrids I believe that the fallen angles manipulated human DNA as evidence by the strange gods of Egypt, a head of falcon, a head of a cow, a head of a lion and many others. God struck the Egyptians with plagues specific to the various gods.

As for abduction by ETs, I believe that people can open themselves to these evil beings and invite abduction. There are many rather consistence stories of abductions and being probed, the fallen ones experimenting with DNA? To me, keeping our thoughts focused on God is our best protection.

List the three fallacies of evolution. BIB 502-1-6-1

Why does mankind insist on finding a reason for the miracle of life other than by the Word of God? I’ve long thought it had to do with man not wanting to be responsible to a Creator God. If one is a creation of God than one is accountable to God. Therefore one would break the Word of God at the jeopardy of his/her soul. Also, man keeps trying to reject our God-given unique place in the universe while holding to the contrary belief that that we can do it ourselves. Satan is the father of lies and of confusion. So does mankind believe in the theory of evolution due to confusion from Satan after the Fall or is it because we really believe that we come from some primordial ooze? Do people really think that “we come from ooze by way of the zoo?”

Once again I digress. So quoting Chuck Missler, Three Fallacies of “Evolution” include:

• The violations of the Entropy Law (The Second Law of Thermodynamics):

• Critical System Interdependencies essential for survival;

• The use of digital languages.

Entropy dictates that things go from a state of being organized to one of randomness. The watch example is great as is the possibility of a tornado ripping through a junkyard creating a Boeing 747 aircraft. Perhaps another example of entropy would be the disintegration of music into hard metal. Also by the second law of thermodynamics the amount of energy input is greater than the output: the universe is running downhill. The period of time of the greatest reversal of entropy was during the creation and will be again when Jesus returns to earth to rule.

Systems just plain depend on each other. Just as “no man is an island unto himself” no form of life sustains itself by itself. Man and animals breathe in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide which plants use and in turn give off oxygen. The Golden Plover flies further than would be possible given the amount of food (fuel) can carry in their body. So these unique birds fly in formation allowing some be helped by the drag of the lead birds. During the long trip the birds will share taking the lead, a great example of interdependencies.

As for The use of digital languages, here I will again quote from Dr. Missler:

Digital (Symbolic) Codes

• Digital Codes derive their meaning from arbitrary but consistent definitions (semantics).

• Digital codes are dependent upon their context (syntax).

• Digital codes evidence design.

My knowledge of digital codes is rather limited. Years ago I had a thorough introduction to Boolean algebra. Most of what I remember is that something is either off or it was on it, the value is either 1 or 0 and it was either yes or no. I am blown away by the concept that we live in a universe that incorporates digital languages/codes. Once again I am left awestruck by the astounding God we serve.

How do your views regarding evolution impact your reading of the Bible? 502-1-6-7

I would like to rephrase this Discussion Question to how does reading the Bible impact my views of evolution. The Word starts out “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1.1 [KJV] Now that is good enough for me. Other than adaptation within a species, the evolution of one species into another is the stuff of science fiction. Full disclosure, as an undergraduate student I became interested in anthropology. I remember writing a report on the descent of man and, being a little artistic, did a drawing of the evolution of man from ape for the cover. Like so many college graduates my early view of God was temporarily somewhat undermined.

In addition to Genesis I am taking 1601 Intro to Strategic Trend Briefings. Required materials for the course include "DNA by Design" (Intelligent Design) and "More Than Human" (Transhumanism).

“DNA by Design“ is the work of Stephen C. Meyer, the director of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. Dr. Meyer has a short but informative video on his website dealing with the cell, http://www.signatureinthecell.com/. From the simplest one cell bacteria to the most brilliant human being the fingerprint of God is there. Add to that DNA is not limited to man. How is it possible for any thinking person to believe that all the order in the universe from the smallest quanta to the vastness of the universe was by chance?

The “More Than Human” DVD - 2011 with Martin Erdmann is the stuff that nightmares are made of. Dt. Erdmann warns that Transhumanism as the goal of evolution. Science fiction and the ET cult lead the way; recall Star Trek and the Borg? Dr. Erdmann summarizes a report concerning, Agenda - Transforming Humans into Post humans. The Report calls for more research into the intersection of Nanotechnology. Biotechnology\ Information Technology. And Cognitive Science:
 

Payoff - better bodies. more effective minds. preventing societal "catastrophe"

Answer to human brutality and new forms of lethal weapons is a kind of technology-triggered unity:

"Technological convergence could become the framework for human convergence"

Paul tells us in Romans 1:20, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. Paul also tells us what to expect when we reject God as Creator! We are protected by the Word from falling into the above futurist trap of Satan.