Explain how Peter’s five exhortations, in this session, influence your attitudes and conduct. 544 - 2 - 2

1 Peter 1:13-15 details “Five Specific Exhortations.”

1 Peter 1:13, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;“

1 Peter 1:14, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”

1 Peter 1:15, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;”

With credit to Strong’s Bible Dictionary:

1. Gird up the loins of your mind:

Loins, G3751, Of uncertain affinity; the loin (externally), that is, the hip; internally (by extension) procreative power: - loin. Coupled with mind, G1271, From G1223 and G3563; deep thought, properly the faculty (mind or its disposition), by implication its exercise: - imagination, mind, understanding. Perhaps procreative power joined to understanding.

2. Be sober

Sober, G3525, Of uncertain affinity; to abstain from wine (keep sober), that is, (figuratively) be discreet: - be sober, watch.

3. Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Hope, G1679, From G1680; to expect or confide: - (have, thing) hope (-d) (for), trust. Grace, G5485, From G5463; graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude): - acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). Revelation, G602, From G601; disclosure: - appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
Hope is an indication of the mature believer. Grace is a free gift only requiring a true relationship with Jesus. Revelation, come quickly Lord Jesus.

4. Be obedient children!

Obedient, not a popular concept in today’s fallen world. Obedient, G5218, From G5219; attentive hearkening, that is, (by implication) compliance or submission: - obedience, (make) obedient, obey (-ing). Children, G5043, From the base of G5098; a child (as produced): - child, daughter, son.
Rather than a child, teknon, my goal is to be a full-grown son/ daughter, huios.

5. Be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

Holy, G40, sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially consecrated): - (most) holy (one, thing), saint. Conversation, G391, From G390; behavior: - conversation. Shades of the Third Commandment, we are God’s ambassadors.

1 Peter 1:13 is reminisce of Ephesians 6:14, “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”
So how does 1 Peter 1:13-15 influence my attitudes and conduct? I’m very aware that as a vocal believer people will look for any reason to find fault in me. I try to remember that I’m God’s ambassador and long to hear my Lord say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

True believers continue to face persecution and should America decline into the madness so prevalent in parts of the world, my wish is to have the courage of Paul, Ephesians 6:19, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” 

Hosea 5 – what needs to happen before the second coming? What are the roots of anti-Semitism? 521-2 - 14 - 5

Hosea 5:15, “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.” As the people of Israel cry out in desperation they will finally realize that Yeshua, who they rejected, was and is the Messiah they have sought for so long.

Before the second coming the world will have gone through a seven year tribulation. At least seven years before the second coming there will be a rapture of the Church according to the pre-trip proponents. Revelation chapter 12 suggests a mid-trib rapture with the second coming occurring three and a half years later. Pre, mid or post tribulation, there will be a seven year tribulation before the return of Christ. Then Jesus will descend with the two edge sword of the Word and annihilate Israel’s enemies at the glorious second coming.

As to the roots of anti-Semitism, it started in the garden with thousands of years of plotting and scheming by Satan. Genesis 3:15, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” [KJV]

Then there is “The Everlasting Hatred” of the Edomite’s and Ishmaelite’s. Rebecca, the wife of Isaac, was told by God that she had two nations warring in her womb. These were Jacob, later renamed Israel by God, and Esau. The story is well known of how Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of porridge and how Rebecca and Jacob later deceived Isaac and to giving Jacob his blessing. While in my opinion God orchestrated his covenant being passed on to Jacob there has been an obsessive hatred of the Jews by the descendants of Ishmael and Esau. Romans 9:13, “As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” [KJV]

Surprisingly enough, during the Great Tribulation the remnant of Israel, the woman in Revelation 12, will seek refuge in Edom/ Petra and will be supernaturally protected there.

The Roman Catholic Church was/is responsible at least in part for the heresy of Replacement Theology. The Reformers never completed the Reformation and also allowed Replacement Theology to creep into the Protestant churches.

There were concordats between the Roman Catholic Church and Adolf Hitler and the Roman Catholic Church and Mussolini. By these agreements the church was not to interfere with the state and vice a versa. Pius XII earned the less than desirable title of “Hitler’s Pope.” The Roman Catholic Church has attempted to redact history, however, there are many, many pictures available demonstrating a very cozy relationship.

The current United States administration is not only distancing itself from Israel, it is seeking to undermine their country. It brings to mind the expression, “Keep your enemies close and your friend even closer.”

What are the two mistakes you can make about Satan? What guarantees your victory over him? 521-2 - 14 - 7

Many people make the mistake of not believing in the existence of Satan. As I observed the evil in the world it is impossible for me to doubt the existence of Satan. Just one example of the evil the world is Hamas and their obsession with the elimination of the state of Israel. Hamas has funneled monies into the construction of numerous tunnels into Israel, money that could have been used to provide for the people of Gaza.

Israel has been responding to a three-week long barrage of missiles aimed at them from Gaza. Hamas secrets missile launching sites in schools and hospitals and the world condemns Israel when she protects herself by eliminating these launching sites. Hamas further perpetuates its evil by herding people including young children on the roofs of these buildings.

Yes, Satan most definitely exists and is perpetrating much evil on the earth and it seems his minions are growing exponentially.

Another mistake that could be made concerning Satan is to fear him. When we fear something we give it an undue control over our life. When Adam and Eve introduced the knowledge of good and evil to planet Earth they in effect gave Satan the title deed to it. Deed holder or not, God, not Satan is in control.

The middle ground is to know that Satan exists and yet hold strong to our victory over him. We are protected by the blood of Jesus and we can repudiate the devil in the name of Jesus. In 1 Peter 5:8 we are told, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." Satan knows that his days are numbered and that eventually he will be cast into the bottomless pit by the Archangel Michael.

True believes and distress 544 - 1 - 7

In my opinion, those who truly are God’s children experience distress because they are God’s children. Here I’m not talking about the escalating prejudice against Christians throughout the world, rather about the pain of seeing a train headed for a bridge that you know has been washed out and not be able to do a thing about it.

Last month my mother turned 102 and we held an open house to celebrate. 

For two days friends and family came and went most of whom would call themselves Christians. The only one that I was sure was very devout is my sister-in-law Karen, unfortunately she is a cradle Roman Catholic. My concern for Karen is that she buys and to all beyond biblical Roman Catholic doctrine. She doesn’t hear me when I say Jesus did it all on the cross and to add any additional requirements to that is basically calling Jesus a liar.

Speaking for myself, I often feel the distress that I’m just not measuring up to anything close to God’s standard and am lacking in being an ambassador in compliance to the Third commandment. I can’t imagine the pain that Peter felt knowing that he failed at such a crucial time. John 13:38, “Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.”

And how often do I failed at His requirement? Luke 9:23, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Hal Lindsey developed a list detailing “Why do Christians Have Trials?”

1. To glorify God

2. Discipline for known sin

3. To prevent us from falling into sin

4. To keep us from Pride.

5. To build faith

6. To cause growth

7. To teach obedience and discipline

8. To equip us to comfort others

9. To prove the reality of Christ in us

10. For testimony to the angels

I consider having trials to be an equivalency to experiencing distress. Mr. Lindsey’s #4 “To keep us from Pride” resonates with me. God hates pride and pride is one of my primary failings. #5 “To build faith” and #6 “To cause growth” seem to do best when Christians are experiencing persecution. There has been so much Christian bashing in the last several years that there seems to be an ever widening chasm between believers and nonbelievers. #9 “To prove the reality of Christ in us” points to the third commandment.

I distress I feel due to not bringing more into the Kingdom is painfully expressed in “Why Didn’t I Tell You?” By Nathele Graham. Her thesis ends with “But now here I am in the presence of God Almighty but I don’t know where you are. I was going to tell you tomorrow, but there are no more tomorrows for me or for you. You’re not here, didn’t anyone tell you? Oh, dear God, forgive me. Why didn’t I tell you?

Yes, there will be tears in Heaven.”

Why does God judge nations on the basis of their dealings with Israel? Do you think this still applies today? Why? 521-2 - 13 - 2

Ezekiel 36:23, “And I will sanctify (H6942) my great name, which was profaned among the heathen (H1471), which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen (H1471) shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified (H6942) in you before their eyes.” God is jealous of his name.

God has four Unconditional Covenants with his chosen people:

The Abrahamic Covenant: Genesis 1 7:7-8

The Land Covenant: Genesis 15:18-21

The Davidic Covenant: 2 Samuel 7:16

The Everlasting Covenant: Genesis 26:3-4

And yes, this still applies today. In recent years we in the United States have had a number of warnings or “shakings” to quote Messianic Rabbi Jonathon Cain. There are voices “crying in the wilderness” that is present day America, however, few listen. Rather most are doing “what is right in their own minds,” filling their inherent spiritual gap with the untempered mortar of sinful behavior.

I have posted any number of times concerning God’s dropping the hedge of protection that is been around the United States since its inception. We have been a longtime supporter of Israel though lukewarm at times. When we act against the interests of Israel we pay for it. Perhaps the best recent illustration of this was during the withdrawal from Gaza. The Israeli settlers were removed from Gaza and in the United States people had to evacuate due to hurricane Katrina.

Again and again the POTUS and his minions fail to support/undermine Israel in her right to the land deeded to her by God in His unconditional covenant and so much for His hedge of protection. Isaiah 5:5, “And now go to; I will tell you what I will do to my vineyard: I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof, and it shall be trodden (H4823) down:”

In the last few weeks Israel has been in a violent struggle with Hamas who has fired thousands of rockets into Israel from Gaza, recall the ill-fated Gaza withdrawal and our reward of Hurricane Katrina.. The residents of Israel have seconds to run for cover from the incoming missiles. Israel’s iron Dome has been likened to the hand of God protecting Israel and has done an exemplary job. Israel is now very involved in a ground offensive to wipe out missal 
launching sites and tunnels used by the terrorists. Israel is being criticized for not responding proportionately to Hamas. If while it is true that many more have been killed in Gaza than Israel, it must be remembered who started firing the rockets and who uses human shields to protect those rockets.

H1471

גּי    גּוי

gôy  gôy

go'ee, go'-ee

Apparently from the same root as H1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

H6942

קדשׁ

qâdash

kaw-dash'

A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.

H4823

מרמס

mirmâs

meer-mawce'

From H7429; abasement (the act or the thing): - tread (down) -ing, (to be) trodden (down) under foot.

The “paradigm of salvation” 544 - 1 - 5

The Paradigm of Salvation with thanks to Earl D. Rachmacher:

“I have been saved;

I am being saved;

and I will be saved.”

There are three tenses to salvation.

Past tense, justification is a free gift provided by the suffering and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. When Jesus said it is finished (tetelestai), it was finished. To add to this is trying to do it our way by works; trying to reconcile ourselves to God and marginalizing the gift of grace. Jesus was the propitiation which afforded us reconciliation to our righteous God.

Present tense, Sanctification removes us from the power of sin. CM asked, “You’ve been saved, now what are you doing with it?” With sanctification, we are a work and process as we try to become more Christ like in our behavior.

In his commentary “Inheritance & Rewards” CM points out that all believers are not going to be equal in heaven. He adds that there a difference between overcoming sin and bearing fruit and that there is a difference between “entering” the Kingdom and “inheriting.” The goal is to become a partaker with Jesus, a metachoi in word and deed. This includes witnessing and bringing others into the kingdom.

From his writing even Paul was concerned that he might not have done enough as a partaker. 1 Corinthians 9:27, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached (G2784) to others, I myself should be a castaway (G96)."

Future tense, Glorification removes us from even the presence of sin. The wonderful news is that all believers will be resurrected/ glorified and given a body like Christ. However, rewards and inheritance will be determined what we get is a partaker with Christ during our incarnation.

Crowns are promised to those who are/ were metachoi of Jesus.

• Crown of Life for those who have suffered for His sake.

• Crown of Righteousness for those who loved His appearing.

• Crown of Glory for those who fed the flock.

• Crown Incorruptible for those who press on steadfastly.

• Crown of Rejoicing for those who win souls.

In my personal walk with the Lord in I’m trying very hard to be a partaker with Him. I can recall when I was nearly embarrassed to mention the name Jesus around family and friends. The use of the word God was acceptable, however, saying Jesus seemed to be a bridge too far. Now as the song on the album Jerusalem Homecoming goes, "Can't Stop Talkin' About Him."

Jesus suffered greatly and then gave up his spirit into the hands of God. I will be eternally grateful to Jesus for reconciling me with a righteous God before whom I otherwise could never stand. Jesus indeed stood in the gap.

G2784

κηρύσσω

kērussō

kay-roos'-so

Of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): - preach (-er), proclaim, publish.

G96

ἀδόκιμος

adokimos

ad-ok'-ee-mos

From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1384; unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate.

God’s judgment starts with His own? Why? 521-2 - 13 - 1

God’s judgment starts with his own people. While Israel has been under the judgment of God numerous times here I’m going to concentrate on the Church. I always enjoy going over posts from previous classes to check for the relevancy today. What I posted in another class more than a year ago still has relevancy today.

In comparing and contrasting the different “judgments” that will occur in the future there are scriptures to support them.

Bema Seat Judgment starts with the house of the Lord after the Rapture. Those facing this judgment include:

The Raptured Church: 1 Thessalonians 4:17, “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up (G726) together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” God's judgment starts with his Church (believers) after the rapture. Here are believers have already been justified by the ransom paid by Jesus on the cross. Believers will be judged for what they did during their incarnation (Sanctification).

Those who passed believing in Christ, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

Tribulation saints raised at Christ’s return, Revelation 20:4b, “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.”

Believing Old Testament saints, Daniel 12:1-2a, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life”

G726

ἁρπάζω

harpazō

har-pad'-zo - pronunciation guide

From a derivative of G138; to seize (in various applications): - catch (away, up), pluck, pull, take (by force).

Interestingly and relevant is a Discussion Question I’m working on for the course 1 & 2 Peter, the paradigm of salvation:

Past Tense: Separation from the Penalty of Sin, Justification Salvation

Present Tense: Separation from the Power of Sin, Sanctification Salvation

Future Tense: Separation from the Presence of Sin, Glorification Salvation

 I suspect that we, the Church, are judged first as we are his children .

The Statement “When you deny something God has promised somebody, you are profaning His name” is True! 521 - 12 - 5

Originally posted 07-26-13:

Very true is the statement, “When you deny something God has promised somebody, you are profaning His name.” An example is when God’s Covenants with Israel are declared not to be unconditional.

• The Abrahamic Covenant is pretty much disregarded by many/ most today; now about that “” to come    

• The demands by the United Nations, including the United States, to give up land for peace rejects the Land Covenant; of course the Islamic countries don’t want Israel to have even enough land to plant a foot on

• Replacement Theology rejects the Davidic Covenant

In Romans we read of Jeremiah 31:35-36, “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 forever.”

These covenants are unconditional period!

Add to that John 5:10, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.”

Romans 3:3-4, “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” So “the concepts of unbelief, disobedience, and calling God a liar are equivalent. Unbelief is not accepting God’s word.”

What of Billy Graham’s statement: “If God doesn’t judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” 521 - 12 - 2

Originally posted 07-21-13:

 

What are the implications behind Billy Graham’s statement: “If God doesn’t judge America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

What Billy Graham actually said was, "Some years ago, my wife, Ruth, was reading the draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation’s moral standards and the idolatry of worshiping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled me by exclaiming, “If God doesn't punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.”

Rev. Graham thought that wife was possibly thinking of Ezekiel 16:49-50, “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.”

Whether Ezekiel 16:49-54 or Genesis 18:20, God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; Genesis due not just to the many homosexuals there but also because of the acceptance by the town’s people of this deviant behavior and for the reason enumerated by Ezekiel.

Although the Lord said, “Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous.”, Abraham appealed to God not to destroy the innocent along with the sinners. Genesis 18:23, “And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Sadly not even ten righteous could be found. Interestingly enough, God would not ran down fire until Lot and his family fled to safety.

As for the implications for America, our country is guilty of the same sins as Sodom and Gomorrah plus we are undermining Israel. Thankfully there still are many righteous people in America who will likely be evacuated before America experiences the full wrath of God. That said, we're getting so many warnings and shaking's from God. The weather is out of control, our economy is tanking and crime of all sorts is very prevalent.

In my opinion, the bottom-line for America is that we need revival to avoid the full wrath of God. However, if things continue as they are now we will likely incur more judgments from God as he drops his hedge of protection from around America.

God Using the object of sinful desire the instrument of punishment 521 - 11 - 6

Originally post 7-21-13 

God often made the object of sinful desire the instrument of punishment. I have actually observed this concept in action in the lives of people close to you.

I remember a few decades ago when a strange and horrible disease begin to surface in the United States and around the world. Finally, it was determined that patient one was an international male flight attendant. Aids was this new and vicious disease. There has been so much spin concerning the disease of aids and it's become a kind of the poster child of the Hollywood elite. This is possibly because a number of the Hollywood elite are gay and/or have gay friends. Actually, homosexuality is anything but a gay lifestyle. I don't recall the exact statistics but I've read that there is a fairly high incident of murder, robbery and physical abuse incurred by those in the gay community.

I was living in California when there was an effort was made to close down the bathhouses. It was thought that aids was spread in these bathhouses due to the occurrence of extensive homosexual encounters. This was met with extreme opposition and was considered a violation of the right of men to meet in a public place.

Aids was also spread by the sharing of needles by drug addicts. In the book of Joel judgment was coming upon Israel for her extreme drunkenness, another form of drug addiction.

Regardless of how popular opinion tries to put lipstick and on this horrible disease, it was and is prevalent due to sex between men. With time aids has, spread to the heterosexual community perhaps originating with bisexuals. Also, originally the horrible disease was passed onto innocent babies as well as to those receiving tainted blood transfusions. Due to improved testing I understand that this is no longer the case.

God could not have been more direct in his opposition to sexual liaisons between members of the same sex. Leviticus 18:22, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”

Today same sex marriage is being promoted as a civil right and spun as a normal life-style. We are told to love the sinner but hate the sin. It is very difficult to love those of the homosexual community who push their agenda and corrupt the minds of innocent children.

As for me, years ago I had a cousin who died of aids at a rather early age. I have since talked to his sister about this and she told me that he came to Christ at an early age. Perhaps he was taken before his sin could become too great as was the case with Ananias and Sapphira.

Glenn Beck Guest Speaker at CUFI Quotes Scripture 521 - 11 - 8

Originally posted 7-25-13:

Glenn Beck is a highly unusual individual and something of a conspiracy theorist.  I’ve read his fiction books which are both interesting and thought provoking. He is a supporter of Israel and organized and hosted a pro-Israel rally in Jerusalem in 2011. The rally was said to have “Overt Christian overtones” calling on people around the world to stand with the Jewish state at time when it is facing mounting criticism. He said, "In Israel, there is more courage in one small square mile than in whole of Europe, there is more courage in one soldier than in the cold heart of every bureaucrat at the U.N.”

 Actually, Mr. Beck is reputed to be a Mormon, however, is he a Christian? Does just saying you "believe in Jesus" make a person a Christian? I don't know what's in his heart and he does seem to be a complex individual. That said, if he holds to the core beliefs of Mormonism, he is not a Christian. 

This month Mr. Beck was a speaker at the Christians United for Israel (CUFI) conference in Washington DC.  I found this speech rather confusing as he tried to put so much into a 30 minute speech. He talked about Egypt and the beheading of Christians and that what is the answer; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Mr. Beck mentioned that our government was on the wrong side in our stand on Israel and that we must speak up; something I agree with.

Glenn quoted Scripture including Jeremiah 2:7, “And I brought you into a plentiful country, to eat the fruit thereof and the goodness thereof; but when ye entered, ye defiled my land, and made mine heritage an abomination.”   At the first hearing of the video I thought Mr. Beck as referring to Israel but no, an analogy to America. He also quoted Jeremiah 3:14, “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion.”

Mr. Beck called upon Americans to be watchmen on the wall. What really interested me and ties into our course is Mr. Beck’s near quoting of Ezekiel 3:18, “When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.“

There was so much more Mr. Beck had to say:

The dangers of Islam in President Jefferson’s day and today with a history of the term “Leather neck”

He showed artifacts from Nazi Germany including a napkin that survived the bombing attempt on Hitler

A whip from a Nazi concentration camp

A teacher’s book of instructions concerning how to identify which children were Jewish and how to explain their disappearance to the other children in the class

Yes, Mr. Beck, we are to be watchmen on the wall and not to turn a blind eye as did most of the world’s people on the horrors of Nazism. When push comes to shove, God will protect Israel, however, we are to fulfill Genesis 12:3. 

I think Mr. Beck is trying to make a correlation between the supposed blindness to the Nazi agenda by the people of Nazi Germany and how blind we are today. He said that we choose to be blind. Interestingly enough he referred to Jefferson and the leather necks. I never knew that they wore leather protection around her neck to make it more difficult to beheaded. 

Jefferson had the Koran printed and said that should be read by everyone so that they would understand the evils of Islam and he went on to second Timothy and forewarned of the apostasy would we find ourselves in today but also a little bit of encouragement from Paul. What I found to be really interesting it he got into our being a watchmen on the wall; if you warn people and they don't listen to the blood is on them and if you don't warn them their blood is on you. It's obviously Glenn Beck considers himself a watchman on the wall and is warning us to wake up and join him.

As Thousands of Years ago, as Today False Prophets Speaking a False Assurances of Safety 521 - 10 - 6

Originally posted 7-15-13:

The Ammonites also had false diviners (prophets) who flattered its rulers with assurances of safety during its rebellion against Babylon. What of our false prophets who speak assurances of safety in the face of facts to the contrary?

In the early chapters of the book of Ezekiel we read of the many false prophets who were telling the leaders and people of Jerusalem that God would protect them from the Babylonians; that they were/are God's chosen people. This led to the third siege and destruction of Jerusalem.

Fast-forward nearly 2000 years and what false prophets do we have today? Many pastors, even evangelical, may not call themselves prophets, nevertheless, they are preaching a false Gospel. Rick Warren and his Purpose Filled Life/ agenda comes to mind. Pastor Warren received national notoriety when his book “The Purpose Driver Life” was used to great advantage by woman being held hostage. Today Warren has a mega church and is attempting to forge an understanding between Christianity and the Islamic calling it Chrislam. This is total heresy as most assuredly Allah, the moon god of Islam is not the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And the prosperity promoters, no sin but send money and it will be…

There is the group called “Christ at the Checkpoint.” The first point of their manifesto is, “1.The Kingdom of God has come. Evangelicals must reclaim the prophetic role in bringing peace, justice and reconciliation in Palestine and Israel.”

http://www.christatthecheckpoint.com/index.php/about-us/manifesto

Pat Robinson has come under criticism for such comments as the earthquake in Haiti and the continual problems in that country goes back to their "Pact with the Devil" dating from the days of slavery. While Pat may not be a prophet in the ordinary sense, Haiti doesn’t seem to be able to pull itself out of extreme poverty and disease.

Two false prophets’ long dead are Mohammad and Joseph Smith. Both claimed that the Bible had been corrupted over the eons. Sadly millions of Mormons are being lead through the wide gate to destruction due to Smith false teachings. Add to that a billion or so of the Islamic faith many of whom believe they are rewarded for killing non-Muslims.

Our current President of the United States (POTUS) Obama promised change and he has radically changed not only the United States; he has influence a good part of the world. His re-election may not have been due to supernatural assistance; however, I doubt that Satan was unhappy. Obama’s “prophecy” of change seems to have manifested itself in hopelessness rather than hope. Then we have the administrations money gurus who keep trying to convince us that the economy is on the mend and also there are the false prophets of the green agenda and more.

What is the significance of Ezekiel 21:26-27 to us today?

Originally posted 7-14-13:

Ezekiel 21:26-27, “26 Thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

King Jeconiah, a descendant of King David through Solomon promoted idol worship and other deeds which out-raged our righteous God. So God pronounced a blood curse on the line of Jehoiachin/ Jeconiah, saying that none of his descendants would ever sit on the throne of David. This meant that no Messiah could come from a male in the line of David as there was now a blood curse pronounced on the only males left in the royal line.

So the problem was how to get around this blood curse and yet to fulfill Jacob’s prophecy. Genesis 49:8-9, “Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?"

Jesus was the Lion of Judah and in the line of David however, through His mother who was in the line of King David’s son Nathan. Jacob’s prophecy continued with the Genesis 49:10, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.” The term “Shiloh: he whose it is,” was understood by the early rabbis and Talmudic authorities as referring to the Messiah.

In 7 AD Caesar Augustus appointed Caponius Procurator who in turn removed judicial authority from Judea. The scepter refers to tribal identity and self-determination when applying capital punishment, jus gladii, “The right of the sword.” So the temple leaders beat their breasts, etc. and cried that God broke His word in Genesis 49:10; that the scepter had departed Judah.

If the Sanhedrin had really believed God's Word they would have known that Shiloh had come and was a child living in Israel in 7 AD. By the time that child was a man sharing His ministry with the people and undermining the cash cow of the temple the Sanhedrin wanted Jesus dead!

As for what the significance of the subject verses are to us today, while there may still be time there is a crying need for repentance to avoid God’s wrath. Perhaps it is too late to repent and shortly God’s words, “I will overturn, overturn, overturn it: and it shall be no more,” will happen. However this also carries the promise, “until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him;” the return of Christ to set up His millennium Kingdom.

Idolatry and rebellion are often synonymous in Scripture; What of today? 521 - 9 - 4

Originally posted 7-5-13:

Idolatry and rebellion are often synonymous in Scripture. How are these concepts linked together today?

The Politically Correct agenda has become an epidemic in this country and throughout most of the world. The Word of God is very specific about the act of homosexuality, Leviticus 20:13 “If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.” While homosexuals are usually not stoned today the life-style has resulted in a terrible disease. Even worse than the personal sin of homosexuality is the popular acceptance of it as it was in Sodom and Gomorra, as it is today. 

A small minority has become very powerful because the average person will not say “enough already!” Part of the homosexual agenda is spoon feeding our children with this as a normal act... God created man and woman to be joined together and to procreate. No matter how the gay community tries to spin it, sex between two men or two women is unnatural and goes against our very design. Of course I belong to the school that believes that if it works don't fix it.

In my opinion, when a society goes against God's word by flaunting the homosexual agenda that society is not only in rebellion but also is making an unnatural relationship into an idol.

I am an avid reader and enjoyed a Glenn Beck’s book titled “Agenda 21.” Here the animal-rights agenda was taken to the point where men strapped on harnesses and pulled passenger carts because horses were considered too noble to be used as beasts of burden; as means to make life easier for mankind. I'm not saying that the animal-rights people in this country will advance their agenda to the extreme in Glenn Beck's futuristic book, however, abuse an animal and you could go to jail. However, doctors can dismember an unborn baby while in the womb and is given free pass in the name of a women's right to her body. Also, where are the woman’s rights of the 50% of aborted babies who are females? I’m an animal lover and I'm still grieving my furbaby Phoebe who I had to have put down last fall. However, I still recognize that my beloved dog was a dog and that a human baby is a human.

Political correctness in this country has been taken to such an extreme mass murder is called “workplace violence rather than what it really is, terrorism. God tells us in 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.” However today there is a liberal agenda to pull away from Israel and to support her enemies. Political correctness truly has become a form of idolatry synonymous with rebellion against the Word of God.

Ezekiel; the call is not to repentance, but to judgment. Its Application to our world

Originally posted 7-5-13

Today's question in Ezekiel, the call is not to repentance, but to judgment. Do you think this applies to some situations in our world currently? Why?

"The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars." Isaiah 9:10 (KJV)

When I was taking  the KI “I 604 Intro to Analytical Thinking” course I wrote a Sorites inspired by Jonathan Cahn’s book, “The Harbinger: The ancient mystery that holds the secret of America's Future.” A Sorites is a series of Syllogisms telescoped into an argument. The argument resulting from this Sorites is that we in America have likely passed a critical point in our disobedience to God much as the Northern Kingdom did long ago.

The prophets are ignored by an Israel who does not have ears to hear

An Israel without ears to hear is defeated by the Assyrians

An Israel defeated by the Assyrians is a defiance Israel

A defiance Israel says we will rebuild

A rebuilt Israel fall falls again never to again be a nation.

There is a message for America In the book the Harbinger. We started out as a very God centered and blessed country. I always like to point out that we have mastered the trifecta of abortion on demand, same-sex marriage and throwing Israel under the bus. So I composed a Sorites dealing with America.

America has turned away from God

God has commandments we are to live by

The Commandments a we are to live by are ignored by a defiance America

A defiance America watches as her towers fall

The fallen towers inspire the defiant America

The inspired and defiant America has inspirited and defiant leaders

The inspirited and defiant leaders vow we will rebuild America

A rebuild America experiences an economic collapse in 2008

An economic collapse in 2008 results in major political changes

Major political changes give power to a very liberal administration

A liberal administration encourages a dependent, immoral society

A dependent, immoral society votes for four more years of the same

Four more years of the same angers our righteous God

Our righteous and angry God will continue the shaking (judgment) of America.

It has long been my prayer that it is not too late to salvage our country and escape God’s wrath. Just as Judah had passed the point of no return with God, I fear we in America have also done so. And as for the rest of the world, one has only to check the news.