Why Do (So-Called) ‘Christians’ Sin?

What drives a person to persist in sin, although they profess to love God?  I can think of several possible reasons.  There may be more.

1. They do not understand that God requires holiness of His children.
2. They have not truly repented.
3. They are mocking God–attempting to gain the reward of eternal life, without making the sacrifice of ‘dying to self’.
4. They love the pleasures of sin more than they love God.
5. They do not have true faith in Jesus.
6. They are in bondage to demonic spirits.
7. They do not know HOW to fight sin.

 

Lets address these reasons:

1.  They do not understand that God requires holiness of His children.

God’s children MUST strive to live a holy life.

‘Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD’  (Heb. 12:14)

‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

[Seeing] then [that] all these things shall be dissolved, WHAT MANNER [of persons] OUGHT YE TO BE IN [all] HOLY CONVERSATION AND GODLINESS, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, BE DILIGENT that ye may be found of him in peace, WITHOUT SPOT, AND BLAMELESS.’  (2 Peter 3:10-14)

 
2. They have not truly repented.

True repentance is sorrow over having grieved God and broken His holy law.  True repentance is a wholehearted commitment to STOP breaking God’s Commandments.

True repentance leads us to purge out of our lives all that offends God.  True repentance says ‘goodbye’ to sinful friends.  True repentance cleans house, then builds a bonfire and destroys all the implements of sin from one’s old life–porn magazines and videos, New Age and occult books, music CDs, drugs, alcohol, etc., etc., etc.  True repentance purchases filtering software that blocks access to porn sites.  True repentance stops going to parties, bars, and concerts.

True repentance makes pleasing God and walking in holiness the NUMBER ONE priority in our life–even, at times, placing it before food (fasting) and sleep (travailing in prayer).

 

3. They are mocking God–attempting to gain the reward of eternal life, without making the sacrifice of  ‘dying to self’. 

Contrary to what today’s false gospel teaches, we do not become Christians simply by believing in Jesus and saying a ‘Sinners’ Prayer’.  Nor is salvation a once-and-done deal, at the time we decide to ‘accept Christ’.

No–salvation is the DESTINATION we seek.  Repentance and ‘accepting Christ’ by faith is the GATE we enter in at.  But we have a NARROW PATH to WALK, for the rest of our life, to reach our destination of salvation.

We do not say a ‘Sinner’s Prayer’, make a profession of faith in Christ, go on living a sinful life, wait on GOD to change us, and believe we are in a safe capsule that will be delivered to our final destination with no effort on our part.

Very few will attain to eternal life.  Most miss the gate.  Others won’t walk the narrow path until the end.  We are to STRIVE to enter in . . . and we must STRIVE to keep our focus and our faith, to the end.

God is not mocked.  He sees beyond our actions, to our true motives.

‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.’  (Gal. 6:7-8)

‘To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil . . .’  (Romans 2:7-9)

 
4. They love the pleasures of sin more than they love God.

‘Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is ENMITY with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the ENEMY of God.’  (James 4:4)

‘Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM.  For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.’  (1 John 2:15-17)

If you love the world, you do NOT love God, because God HATES the sins and system of this world.  If you love the world, you are positioning yourself as an ENEMY of God, and you will be destroyed along with it.

5. They do not have true faith in Jesus.

Saving faith in Jesus recognizes His true character:  loving, joyful, peace-loving, longsuffering, gentle, good, faithful, meek, self-controlled, gracious, truthful, just, having a deep hatred for sin, and an absolute zeal for holiness and purity.

Because He is just, God does not call us to do something without also equipping us to do it.  We are called to holiness and told we will suffer the fires of eternal damnation if we walk in sin.  We are likewise told:

‘According as his divine power hath given unto us ALL THINGS that [pertain] unto LIFE AND GODLINESS, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these YE MIGHT BE PARTAKERS OF THE DIVINE NATURE, HAVING ESCAPED THE CORRUPTION THAT IS IN THE WORLD THROUGH LUST.’  (2 Peter 1:3-4)

Through reading God’s word we are instructed in righteousness, and we are spiritually transformed  IF WE TAKE HEED TO DO what is written in His word!  Hearing only profits us if we base our actions upon what we have heard!

Even more than this, we are given the Holy Spirit, which comes to dwell INSIDE of our mortal body, both guiding us and EMPOWERING us to live in victory over sin.

Although our ETERNAL salvation is not yet secured, our salvation from the bondage of sin certainly is!  Jesus death has saved us from the bondage to sin, and the Law of Sin and Death.  We are now born of the Spirit–the INCORRUPTIBLE Spirit of God.  Rejoice!  God has given you a new spirit that cannot be corrupted!

To continue to walk in sin, therefore, is to disobey and grieve the Holy Spirit that God has placed inside you to guide you.  It is to reject the power He has made available to you.  It is to CHOOSE to walk in the flesh . . . to willingly submit yourself again to the Law of Sin and Death . . . to allow sin to again become your master . . . and to forfeit your hope of salvation.

No man can serve two masters.  Either you serve God or you serve sin.

‘ . . . Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.’  (Jesus, John 8:34)

‘Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?’  (Romans 6:16)

To continue in sin is to deny Christ:

‘They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him] . . . ‘  (Titus 1:16)

‘But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.’  (Matt. 10:33)

To profess Jesus, but to live a life contrary to His teachings, is to take the name of God in vain.

‘Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.’  (Exodus 20:7)

6. They are in bondage to demonic spirits.

We must not give the devil a foothold in our lives.  Most of us though, while we were yet sinners, DID give Satan open doorways into our lives.  True repentance . . . housecleaning and destruction of all our belongings that we used in the practice of sin . . . will set us free from many demons.  However, there will still be some that will persist.

We must understand that there is an ongoing war for our souls.  When we become Christians, we change sides in that war.  The forces of evil are going to, at first, reach out and try to seduce us to come back.  They will play upon our weaknesses and try to get us to turn back to sin.  We must RESIST the enemy!

‘ . . . Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’  (James 4:7)

In the midst of your temptation: pray!!  Sing spiritual songs.  Quote Scripture and rebuke the devil, in Jesus’ name.  Get mad at what he’s trying to do in your life, and start fighting back.  Resist the devil and he will (eventually) flee from you.  Why would you willingly submit yourself to the enemy of your soul?  Submit yourself instead, to God!

7.  They do not know HOW to fight sin.

We must cry out to God for help in this battle.  We must pray until we have peace, yet not yield ourselves to sin while we wait upon His strength.

‘Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy*?  But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

CLEANSE [your] hands, [ye] sinners; and PURIFY [your] hearts, [ye] double minded. BE AFFLICTED, AND MOURN, AND WEEP: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness. HUMBLE YOURSELVES in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.’  (James 4:5-10)

*Our flesh lusts not only to envy, but to adultery, to idolatry, to murder, etc., etc.  But God gives us more grace!!  By His grace He gives us enough power to overcome sin.  He does not call us to holiness, then leave us alone to flounder and fail, because He KNOWS that we still live in fleshly bodies that lust to sin!  Remember–God is faithful and just.

But notice:  He gives grace to the HUMBLE.  We access His grace and power in our lives, not through fleshly pride and believing we are strong enough to overcome sin ourselves–but by humbly pleading for His help, and acknowledging that we are weak, because we are encased in sinful flesh.

‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. . . ‘ (2 Cor. 12:9)

The Holy Spirit in us guides us with a still, small voice that shows us which way to go.  When we encounter situations that are beyond our strength, we can pray and tap into His power.  He is right there with us.  But although His Spirit lives in us, He will not violate our free will.  Nor will the Spirit live THROUGH us, without our explicit invitation for Him to do so, and then only for a time.

You may not see the evidence of God moving in your life, to deliver you from certain sins, until you are completely undone . . . until you HATE that sin . . . until you MOURN and WEEP at your inability to fight it on your own.  Although Jesus has already set you free from sin, it is your love for that sin that draws you back to it.  Throughout the Bible, God gave people over to what they lusted for.  You will not walk in the freedom He purchased for you, until you come to HATE your sin.  You want to over come sin?  Learn to hate it.

When you LOVE your sin, you will not listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit as He attempts to lead you away from sin.  Instead, you listen to the clamoring voice of your fleshly lusts, and the voice of the Spirit gets drowned out.  It is not that He abandons you in your weakness–it is that you do not attune yourself to Him, or obey Him.

Learn from the example of Peter: when he tried to walk on water . . . as long as he kept his focus on Jesus he was able to rise above the limitations of his fleshly body . . . but when he took his focus off Jesus, he lost connection with the divine power that was enabling him to do the miraculous, and he sank into the waves.

But if Peter had LOVED swimming, would he have even had the WILL to walk on water?  Instead, given the opportunity, he would have dived in and started reveling in swimming.  Walking on water or focusing on Jesus would have been the last thing on his mind.

True repentance gives us a new heart–a heart that hates sin.  If you still love sin, your repentance is not complete.  Repentance is not only a change of mind, but a change of heart and will.  If you still love sin, pray diligently for God to give you a godly sorrow over that sin, and to bring you to true repentance.

Focus on the voice of the Holy Spirit, and obey Him.  He will show you how to stand strong and not sin . . . or how to escape the situation, if it is too much for you to bear.  Tune out the clamoring voices of your fleshly lusts, and of the demons that are trying to tug on you.  LISTEN and OBEY the Holy Spirit.

‘There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].’  (1 Cor. 10:13)

Learn to call on God IN THE MIDST of your temptation and sin.  He is with you there anyhow.  In our shame, we sometimes feel unworthy to call on Him, as though if we don’t call out to Him He won’t see where we are, or what we are doing.

‘What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?’  (1 Cor. 6:19)

God is with you all the time, and in your temptation is the time you need Him the most.  He is right there with His arm outstretched, hoping that you will allow Him to help and deliver you.  Don’t turn your back on Him in shame.  Don’t focus on the lust or the demonic voices that are tempting you.  Don’t worry about your dirty and tattered garments, and skinned knees.  RUN TO HIM!!

The Beginning of Sorrows

The beginning of sorrows includes the first four seals.  Afterwards begins the time of great tribulation.  The first four seals:

‘And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals [the first], and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.’

Compare with Jesus’ words:

‘And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:

and there shall be famines,

and pestilences,

and earthquakes, in divers places.

All these [are] the beginning of sorrows.’

(Jesus, Matthew 24:4-8)

We are already having the earthquakes, and hearing of wars and rumors of wars.  The white horse appears to have gone forth.  Revolutions are happening, and nations are preparing for war against one another.  The red horse appears to have gone forth.  We are experiencing a serious drought, and grain prices have gone up.  Soon the price of many foods will rise.  Because of shortages of food and/or the inability to afford food, famine will spread further.  We can see the third horse now.

The fourth horse will bring pestilence and death.  According to Jesus’ words, and John’s vision (in Revelation), it will be coming next. After it will come great tribulation . . . severe persecution.

‘Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.‘  (Jesus, Matthew 24:9-13)

‘But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten. . . Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against [their] parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.  And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.‘  (Jesus, Mark 13:9-10, 12-13)

‘And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:  And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.’  (Revelation 6:9-11)

For most of us, this comes as terrible news.  We worry and wonder how we will be able to endure.  But we need to understand that God has a purpose for this persecution.

‘ . . . and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations.’  (Mark 13:9)

God will give us power, for what He calls us to do:

‘But when they shall lead [you], and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.’  (Mark 13:11)

‘But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.‘  (Acts 1:8)

We have to trust, that as well as giving us the words to speak, the empowerment by the Holy Spirit will enable us to endure to the end, through whatever we may suffer at that time.  And indeed, MANY are called to be His witnesses, and will endure to the end:

‘After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

And all the angels stood round about the throne, and [about] the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,  Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.

And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?  And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.‘  (Revelation 7:9-17)

Trust in Him.  He will not abandon you in your darkest hour.

‘ . . . and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.’  (Matthew 28:20)

‘ . . . Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called [thee] by thy name; thou [art] mine. When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  For I [am] the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour . . . ‘  (Isaiah 43:1-3)

‘ . . . Thou [art] my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.’  (Isaiah 41:9-10)

If you look at where this verse is placed . . .

‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’  (Matthew 24:14)

. . . in the midst of Jesus answering His disciples about the end of the world, you will see that this verse is referring to the witness that Christian martyrs will give to the world, at the end of the age.   ‘ . . . And then shall the end come’, Jesus explained.  And, sure enough, following the fifth seal are the signs in the heavens, and on the Earth, that Jesus said would precede His return:

‘And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;  And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.’  (Revelation 6:12-14)

‘And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.  And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.‘  (Jesus, Luke 21:25-28)

This has been God’s plan from the beginning.  This is not a mistake, or a sign that the enemy is prevailing.  It is God’s plan.  As much as it was a mystery that the Messiah should come to die on a cross, it is a mystery that multitudes of His people should suffer and die to overcome Satan.

‘I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment [was] white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne [was like] the fiery flame, [and] his wheels [as] burning fire.  A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened . . . and, behold, [one] like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.   And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion [is] an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed . . . I beheld, and the same horn* made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.‘  (Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, 21-22)

‘And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.‘  (Revelation 12:10-11)

*  the horn = ‘The Antichrist’:

‘And he shall speak [great] words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.’  (Daniel 7:25)

‘And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty [and] two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.’  (Revelation 13:5-8)

Answer To Islam #1: John 14

I was sent a link, as part of a comment to a previous post. In that link, passages from the Bible and the Koran are twisted together to make a case for the opinion that Jesus foretold the coming of Muhammad.  One of the passages quoted from is John 14.

(When Jesus spoke of ‘The Counselor’, He was referring to the Holy Spirit of God that He promised would indwell Christians.  He was not referring to Muhammad, or to any other human being.)

Here is John 14, in its entirety, along with the interpretation:

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

In this chapter, Jesus is simultaneously teaching truths about five basic subjects.  The subjects are braided together, as a cord.  Let us tease the strands (subjects) apart by color coding them.  Passages speaking of the same thing are coded the same color.  The subjects will be explained at the end of the chapter.

Now that you have read the chapter as it was written (above), read one color-coded section at a time, and compare it with the explanation at the end of the chapter.

Jesus Comforts His Disciples

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

Jesus the Way to the Father

5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really knew me, you would know  my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. 12 I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

28 “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me, 31 but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me.

“Come now; let us leave.

Color code and subjects

Jesus:

• Speaks of His impending death, resurrection, and ascension to His disciples
• Comforts them
• Explains that we cannot reach The Father directly ourselves, but that we must go through Him (Jesus)
• Teaches that through faith in Him, they/we can do works even greater than He did, because He will be with the Father*
• Implies that He will be able to pass their/our prayers along to the Father (because only He can ask things of the Father)*
• Tells them that He will take them/us to be with Him, after this life

*Now, instead of Jesus walking the Earth and the disciples being able to ask things of Him (Jesus), the disciples will ask Jesus, and Jesus will ask The Father on their/our behalf.

Because The Father is greater (more powerful) than Jesus, they/we will be able to do even greater things than the disciples could do while they were with Jesus  (because they were enabled by Jesus’ power when He was with them, but now  The Father’s [greater] power will enable them/us).

Jesus explains that:

• He loves The Father and does exactly what The Father has commanded Him.  Therefore, when people saw Him, they saw The Father.
• If we love Him, we will obey Him.  Then He, The Father and The Holy Spirit will live in us, and those who see us will see Him (Them).

Jesus explains that to love Him is to obey His teaching.

Jesus explains that:

• Those of us who love Him obey Him
• He and The Father will love those who obey Him (Them)
• They will come to those of us who love Them, in the form of the Counselor (The Holy Spirit)
• They (The Holy Spirit) will teach us all things and remind us of what Jesus taught

Jesus shows that He, The Father and The Holy Spirit:

• Are not known by ‘the world’ (people who are not His, and spirits that have authority in this world)
• Are not accepted by the world
• Are not subject to the (spiritual) powers of this world

Jesus teaches that those who do not love Him do not obey Him (and vice-versa)


If you go back now, and reread the entire chapter as it was written, it should make more sense to you.

Was Jesus A Prophet?

Answer To Islam #2: John 15

Answer To Islam #3: John 16

Answer To Islam #4

Beware Of The Second Beast!

(I know nothing about Scott Brown.  This is not a commentary on him in any way.)

As much of a relief as it is that another Democrat did not win the Massachusetts election–it is not time for ‘back to business as usual’.  Never again should we let down our guard.  Although the win of a Republican was strategically important, it does not mean we are safe–not by any stretch of the imagination.

No matter how similar to us they may seem, there is something inherently different in most people that run for office–especially those that actually are elected.  That hunger for power and position is something that should be viewed with a certain amount of wariness on our part.  Besides that, they are human–and humans are fallible.  Power corrupts, and it spends a good bit of time prowling around the halls of our government, looking for an opportunity.

Remember: there are two types of people, against whom no one can testify:

1. those who are innocent
2. those who leave no witnesses alive

We still live in perilous times.  No one can be trusted 100%.  I hope, through all the influential people whose corruption has been exposed–in politics, finance, etc.–over the last couple of years, that you will take the lesson to heart.

The problem here is not one of political parties.  It is one of behind the scenes affiliations.  Hopefully you have learned from all that has been said about  ‘The Bilderbergers’, the ‘Trilateral Commission’, and the ‘Council on Foreign Relations’, etc.  Hopefully you are now aware that there are powerful forces working behind the scenes.  The real problem is not Republican vs. Democrat.  The problem is with the elite that are behind them both.

I’m sure there is still MUCH more that could be exposed.  I imagine all that we have seen is only the tip of the iceberg.  There is something EXTREMELY suspicious about a bipartisan congress that would just go along with everything the president was putting forth–at least, at the beginning.  There is some kind of real power that brings that about–whether it be persuasion, bewitchment, or blackmail.  That power is still present in the halls of congress.  No matter who we elect, the real test will be what they DO when they get there.  In my belief, it is only the power of God that can truly stand against such evil and triumph.

But don’t be fooled! The enemy (Satan) can pick a fine looking man, dress him up in robes, and give him a cross to hold out in front of him.  He may rant and rave against the powers of darkness, and give every appearance of being in opposition to them.  He may do miraculous things–signs and wonders. He may very well have the absolute endorsement of all the most respected religious leaders of our day.  But . . . that does not mean he is filled with the Spirit of God!!

The people behind the scenes will not relinquish power without a “hellacious” fight.  Nor will the enemy of our souls–who is the force that empowers these people.  His time is short, and he is desperate.  Never again–until Christ returns–will we be able to take a deep breath and relax.  We must always be on guard, vigilant, and discerning.

The pendulum swings both ways.  ‘The people have spoken!’  Expect to see more ‘God fearing’ candidates–more people running on religious ideals–and expect to see them winning.  Don’t think that Satan, and the elites, won’t make full use of that!  Expect them also to put forth candidates that are religious, that make claims of being Christians.  These are people without conscience–bodies without souls!

The elite look at the people of the world without compassion–as mere problems to be solved, numbers to crunch, etc. They aim to purposely depopulate the world!  They are advocates of eugenics, genocide, euthanasia.  They see war as a means to prosperity!  This is nothing but a giant chess game to them.  They will put forth candidates that the people will vote for, and they count on the masses to be blind and gullible!  Expect a ‘great awakening’ of religious ideals to sweep the nation politically–but only some of it will be genuine!

That being said–the real danger is that the one who does the most to unravel America may be a ‘Christian’!! Someone who claims to be a Christian.  But here is the problem:  there are more people claiming to be Christians today, than really are Christians, and we have been as naive as little lambs.  When someone tells us they are a Christian, we have taken them at their word–but ‘by their fruit you will know them’!!

If you look into the connections the Bush family has with the organizations mentioned above (and Prescott Bush with Auschwitz and Monowitz), you will see that they are among the elites.  They may call themselves Christians–and that is for God to decide–but I see them as wolves in sheep’s clothing!  We believed we had a Christian president, but that is when the most of our liberties were stripped away–and we still have many people who haven’t woken up to that!

Then along came Obama, claiming to be a Christian too.  Don’t tell me, after all you’ve seen him do, that you don’t believe he was a disciple of Reverend Wright!  He most certainly believes, and concurs wholeheartedly with, everything that man has to say!  Look at his voting record on abortion!  Look at his backing of the gay, lesbian, transgender agenda!  Etc., etc., etc.  He says he’s a Christian–so what!!  HE’S A LIAR!! Let the record show, this man has lied more than he has told the truth!!  If you want to know the real truth, you’d better look back on all he has promised–and expect the opposite to be in your future instead!  This man will look you in the eye and lie–and you’ll believe it!  He has a powerful annointing of evil!

So, now the people have spoken and the pendulum will swing the other way.  Let me warn you of what may lie ahead.

Don’t be surprised if our next president appears as a strong Christian, well respected, annointed–and maybe he has been, but somewhere along the way he fell into (or will fall into) ‘secret sin’.  The enemy found a weakness and capitalized on it, seducing him into deep spiritual darkness.  Then, knowingly or not, he ‘made a deal with the devil’.  And, let me tell you what–unless America has truly repented, this man will have God’s endorsement to be our president.

You can expect the ‘Christian’ leaders of the day to wholeheartedly back him.  A few Christians (there are Christians and there are ‘Christians’) will discern, by the Spirit, what he is and, in alarm, will try to warn people–but it will be of no use.  Today ‘Christians’ far outnumber Christians, and he will be one of them.  Today’s backslidden, lukewarm ‘Christians’ will be completely comfortable with him, because that’s the only kind of Christian most of them know.  It is said that ‘we get the leaders we deserve’.

To add to the illusion–God’s Watchmen may not speak.  If America does not repent, and God continues to visit judgment upon America, it may be, that at some point He instructs them not to speak.  Better it is for judgment to do its work and bring forth repentance, than for people to find a way to avoid it, and go to eternal destruction.

So now you know, and if your heart is right, you may discern it when it happens–you may even be one of the voices calling out a warning.  But if God has sent the judgment and the delusion, people will continue to blindly follow, and what is decreed will come to pass.  There is a time to speak–and a time to remain silent.  Let the Holy Spirit be your guide.

All that is just the prelude to what this post was to be about:  the second beast aka ‘The False Prophet’.

Beware of the second beast! All the attention these days is given to looking for the first beast and avoiding it.  The first beast will blaspheme God.  The first beast will make war against God’s people.  The first beast will have authority over all the earth.  The first beast is an empire and whoever is its leader.

But it is the second beast that really causes men to be damned.  It seems to me that it is the second beast that takes center stage in world events.

The second beast will exercise all the authority of the first beast.  The second beast makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast.  It is the second beast that performs great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from  heaven.  It is the second beast that deceives the inhabitants of the earth, by way of the signs he performs. It is the second beast who commands men to create an image in honor of the first beast.  It is the second beast who gives breath to the image of the first beast–so that it can speak and cause all who refuse to worship the image (itself) to be killed.   It is the second beast that causes everyone to receive a mark on their right hand or forehead in order to buy or sell–a mark which is the name of the beast (first or second?) or the number of his name (first or second beast?).

Especially take note of this:  The second beast has ‘two horns like a lamb’ but ‘speaks like a dragon’.  We already know the dragon is Satan–but what about the ‘two horns like a lamb’?  My interpretation of this (I could be  wrong) is that the second beast is a false Christianity, with two aspects (Protestant and Catholic?).

With that possibility in mind, read over the paragraph above.  Keep in mind too, that the prophecy will be literally fulfilled–but perhaps not in the way we interpret and picture it, ahead of time.  Meaning: we tend to form a picture of how things will happen, based on our interpretation of what the verses say and, in hindsight, comparing events to the Scriptures, we will be able to see that things were literally fulfilled–but most likely, not at all how we had predicted!

I’ll point out a few things that we might easily misinterpret, because they have many possible interpretations:

• will exercise all the authority of–in what manner will he exercise it?
• will exercise all the authority of–is this authority granted by man (such as by election), or is it granted by God, or both?
• makes the earth and its inhabitants worship–to what degree does he ‘make’ them do it?  Does he round them up in the night, or does he just say that they need to do it, or does he get them so riled up that they do it on their own (like at a concert?)?
• makes the earth and its inhabitants worship—in what manner do they worship?  Do they physically bow down several times a day, as Muslims do?  Or do they just talk about it, and praise it all the time?
• fire to come down from heaven–is it real, literal fire coming down out of the sky?  Is it a fireball?  Is it lightning?
• commands men to create an image–how does he command it?  In an authoritative voice via television?  By passing a law? Does he command everyone?  Or does he just tell a few guys on his staff to do it, without fanfare?
• commands men to create an image—what is this image?  A statue?  A logo?  A hologram? Some marvel of future technology that we haven’t seen yet?  Something so ordinary we wouldn’t even think of it as fitting the Scripture?
• gives breath to the image–will it literally be alive, having its own consciousness? Will it be ‘animated’? Will it just be something, powered by electricity, that gives the appearance of being alive?
• speak and cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed–does it just stir up animosity against those who refuse, so that people hate and kill them?  Does it put a bounty on them?  Does it issue a fatwa?  Does it pass a law, that all must worship it, that carries the death penalty?
• cause all who refuse to worship the image to be killed-all who verbally say ‘no’?  All who protest? Even those who just passively avoid it?
• causes everyone to receive a mark–endorses it?  Deceives them into it?  Shames them into it–calling them ‘nuts’, ‘religious fanatics’, ‘superstitious’?  Legislates it?  Rounds them up in the night if they don’t?

These are just some of the possibilities–ones I can think of. This should illustrate to you that there are MANY ways to misinterpret any or all of the things that will come.  The only way you will know is if God reveals it to you.  He may reveal the whole picture ahead of time, or He may only show us one step at a time–or He may keep it veiled and reveal events as having fulfilled prophecy after they happen!

I study, and pray, and seek the interpretation–but God has only revealed a few things to me.  What He has shown me instead is how many ways things could be interpreted, when looking ahead.  He has also shown me that even the most respected Bible scholars and ‘prophets’ have a lot of errors in their understanding.  I’m nobody special, so it’s not surprising that He might not reveal it to me.  What is telling, is that no one really seems to know–at least, no one seems to know the whole picture.

So, if no one has the answers you are looking for–what do you do?  If, even at this late date, God has not opened the prophecies to our understanding, what are any of us to do?  What is important is to focus, not on events that you want to find a way to avoid, but on Him!  If you are serving Him, yet had never heard any of the prophecies, He would still show you the way to walk.  The people who will most quickly recognize ‘The Beast’, ‘The Antichrist’ and ‘The Mark’ are not the ones who spend the most time worrying about them, but rather those who dwell in His presence!  Trust that if you know Him and walk with Him daily, He will not let you be deceived, nor will you accidentally take The Mark!  He is fully able to guard what you have entrusted to Him!

‘Buy Gold From Me . . . ‘  (Jesus, to the ‘Lukewarm Church’)

Believe There Are Many Ways To God?

Only One Way?  How Intolerant!

Is Your TV Stealing Your Soul?

Continued from ‘Will They Take Away Our Children?’

Their two biggest tools are the schools and our entertainment industry. Our schools are currently the biggest threat, and most imminent danger, to our future liberties!

The other HUGE threat to our children is like a monstrous, powerful, raging river on which we are all rafting.  I don’t think it’s possible to overestimate the power that our entertainment industry has in shaping our culture, our morals, and our values.  I am talking about all the separate rivers (television, movies, pop music, sports, video games, etc.) and smaller streams (magazines, books, etc.) that merge together into a powerful river that is basically the heart and soul of the American populace.

But, like a river, it is the power that moves us–not the other way around.  Although we are all ‘kicked back’ on our rafts, being entertained by the scenery, the river is not.  The river is working–racing, cutting, carrying, and pushing, with great power, towards its goal.  And although you and I sit on our sofas, in front of the big screen tv, and empty our minds at the end of a long and tiring day–allowing ourselves to be relaxed, entertained, hypnotized–rest assured that there is a force behind it that is molding and shaping you, conforming you to someone’s vision for this world.

And when you recline tiredly in front of the tv, and consciously turn off your mind (to unwind and destress), you are putting yourself into a level of physical and mental passivity that is optimal for bypassing your conscious mind and allowing suggestions and images to penetrate deep into your subconscious.  (Compare it to the process of hypnosis or ‘guided imagery’.)  Don’t think those behind the scenes are unaware of the power they have to shape America!

This river is the force that creates and defines American culture and binds us together cohesively.  It is our ‘collective consciousness’ and forms the paradigm for our lives.  You Christian parents need to give some serious thought to how it affects you–and your children.  I’m not talking just about using discretion in regards to individual games, TV shows or singers–I’m talking about the influence of all of it put together.  Step back, way back, and take a look at the big picture.  It is so big, I don’t think you can dip your bucket in it and not be swept away.  I doubt you have enough influence with your kids to counterbalance the effects it has on them.

God tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds–by studying His word.  He also calls us out, when we are caught up in a depraved culture, and then he sends judgment upon it.  I don’t care if your church condones it, or tries to bend it for their use–you need to seriously seek God in prayer about what involvement He thinks is best for you and your family, in regards to our American culture and entertainment industry today.

American Empire

These two forces combined (public schools and the entertainment industry), are the reason children that are raised in church leave the church and never look back!!

Believe That ‘Each Of Us Has Our Own Truth’?

The American Paradigm Is About To Be Shattered!

Unconditional Salvation?

American church, you have lost your way!  You are a ship, adrift at sea, cut loose from your moorings.  Great storms are coming, yet you have been rocked to sleep and are drifting unaware into the eye of the hurricane.

You call your prophets alarmists, and in your hearts you mock the messages God sends to you.  You shun words of correction, but chase after those who will flatter you and say what you want to hear.  You adore those who tell you that you can live as you wish and still inherit the kingdom of God.  (In this case, who is the God, and who is the servant?  By living this way, you exalt yourself to be God and relegate God to the position of a genie who grants your wishes whenever you rub his bottle in prayer!) You pick and choose what to believe, casting aside whatever doesn’t suit you.

Some of you have ‘chosen God’ as a means to wealth, power, unlimited blessings, unending grace and supernatural protection.  I’m not just speaking to the leaders!  Most of you see Christianity as the way to a blessed life here on Earth.  What will you do if He takes it all away?  If He strips you to your bare skin and all you have left is His outstretched hand and His invitation to walk with Him?

God is fully able to keep those who want to walk with Him.  He will guide them so that they stay on the path, and help them up when they stumble.  But, unlike the adversary, God holds no man against his will.

When you, who are Christians, choose to live in sin, you abuse the generosity of God and insult his gift of grace.  If you continue to live that way, His anger will burn hot against you.  You were chosen to be a cleansing, preserving salt, and a light of wisdom and hope to the world around you.  Many of you are neither.  Of what use are you then to God?  Step aside and let another take your place, lest He sweep you away in His anger!

You have been given the choicest meats, the finest grain, the most fertile and beautiful lands, yet you take it all for granted!  Many of you even think you deserve it.  On what grounds?  What makes you any better than the man in India who will never sleep one night in a bed?  Or the filthy little orphan children who dig their food out of a garbage dump, and are never rocked to sleep in the arms of a loving parent?

Don’t you know you are balanced on the head of a pin?  All that you hold dear was given you by the grace of God–yet  how many of you even remember to thank Him?  If a little breeze should blow, you would topple to the ground!  God chooses who to humble, and who to exalt.  Don’t make the mistake of thinking your position is secure!!

Do not practice sin, it will not release you from its grip. Make no mistake, it is ‘him who endures to the end’ who shall be saved.  If, after knowing Christ, you resume a life of sin–there is no sacrifice left that will cover your sins!

Examine your heart and your motives!  Do you really love God, or merely the gifts He gives His children?  At dusk, He will come and take His children by the hand.  They will gather up their toys and take them from you, then they will head for home.  All that will be left for you is silence, and the vision of their backs as they walk away into the deepening night.

If you have let your zeal for God grow cold, if you are living a life of sin, BEWARE!  You are standing on the edge of the abyss!  You are in very real danger of eternal damnation!

It is not that God cannot forgive your sin, it is that you may soon be unable to repent–unable to feel sorrow, shame or regret, or to even summon the motivation to seek forgiveness!

Sin deceives you, sears your conscience, takes away all shame and modesty, hardens your heart and mind, and closes your ears to the invitation of God to return to Him!  You don’t know which stab of guilt will be the last you feel–which will be your final call to repent, before sorrow can no longer penetrate the hardness of your heart, and ceases to strive with you, leaving you to practice your sin unbothered.

Don’t be deceived, God is not mocked–a man reaps what he sows.

A ‘Sleeper’ Doctrine?

‘Buy Gold From Me . . . ‘ (Jesus, To The ‘Lukewarm Church’)

Are You Afraid? (forced vaccinations)

I’ve just spent this cold, dreary day surfing the Web and reading lots of scary things about what is going on now.  What was most terrifying of all I saw today was a video on You Tube, about forced vaccinations.

I’m not going to link you to that video.  Let me tell you why.  I was not too concerned when I first started watching, and the Lord impressed upon me, simultaneously, two things:

1. The incident that Paul had when bitten by a viper (Acts 28:5-6: ‘But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects.  The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.’  Of course he wasn’t a god, but this shows how lethal the venom of that viper was).
2. ‘ And these signs shall accompany them that believe: . . . and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them . . .’ (Mark 16:17-18)

But as I watched the video, even with full faith in these things, fear came over me.  I have learned some mighty scary things lately, yet have not been afraid because I’ve had the ‘peace of God which transcends all understanding’ which is promised to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  I’ve even contemplated, quite a bit, the probability of death (eventually) for standing up for what I believe.  But this video made me afraid.

With the video came a spirit of fear.

Now, what is in the video may be true–or not. And I’m  not saying the motive behind it was to engender fear, because I believe that is a strategy and tool of Satan.  But, he is working in concert with things like this.  There is a lot of hysteria developing, and that hysteria will have repercussions.  As Christians, we should be the sanest, calmest people in the room.  We should understand what is happening, and why.

The Lord promises us not ‘a spirit of fear, but of power and love and of a sound mind’, and  ‘you did  not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear . . .’  This should reaffirm to you that fear is a bondage, and this type of fear is not from God.

Now, I can understand if you are afraid, but let God take your fear away and replace it with strength and boldness.  He has done it for many of us already.  He will give you the grace to go through whatever comes your way.

There is one other point I want to make briefly, but cover in greater depth soon: The Rapture.

Yes, Christ will return after seven years of tribulation on the earth, but there is no ‘Rapture’ before the Tribulation.  We will not be whisked away just as trouble and persecution reach our shores.  I think in your heart you know this, but you are desperately trying to believe in it anyway, and this is why you struggle with fear.

When you try to believe in one thing while the Spirit is telling your heart differently, it makes you off balance spiritually and more prone to the attacks of the enemy.  When you understand that it is God’s design for Christians to go through the Tribulation, then the things He has been trying to impress upon your heart, to prepare you, will make sense.

Back to the issue of forced vaccinations–I really don’t want one, and I don’t want a tracking device on me.  But, not because I am afraid of that. For most of my life I feared the things that were to come, but now that they are at the doorstep, the Lord has given me peace and boldness. I am just a hermit-like person who prefers privacy.  I will not take the vaccination, unless I have to.  But if I have to, I will–and it will not harm me.

That is not my personal ‘line in the sand’. However, as a society, I believe we should continue to fight such things, when they are unfounded. But, the thing is, sooner or later, there will be a legitimately good reason for such measures. And, when that time arrives, we would be foolish to stand in the way.

I think it is important that we continue to remain sane and rational, because if hysteria takes hold we will lose all credibility.  Fear becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We talk about living by faith, but how will you live in faith tomorrow if you can’t live by faith today?  Start practicing now!!

National Health Care ID Card . . . ‘The Mark Of The Beast’?

‘The Mark Of The Beast’: Characteristics

2010 Census Questions

Novus Ordo Seclorum –‘A New Order of the Ages’ (Oh Yes . . . Part 3)

(Continued from Part 2, ‘Amerika’)

There WILL BE one world government, ruled by the antichrist. I don’t want to see it happen, because I’ve read the end of the book–I KNOW how that turns out! While the Bible spells out much about what will take place, it doesn’t say that America has to be the seat of his power!

Sure, our currency reflects the designs that the freemasons have, for a world government that begins in America–but that is not prophecy! It is a hope, a plan, a goal of some–but God has not decreed it to happen.  America was ordained and established by God.  The plans of the corporate/government/banking alliance are already beginning to unravel–and with them goes the dollar.  How ironic that the design on the back of the dollar, reflecting their grand plan, will instead stand as a testament to failure.  When you oppose God, you lose.

Don’t be fooled by false ‘prophecies’–a prophecy is only as infallible as the one who ordains it! Maybe the Mayans somehow saw the future–or not. Maybe Nostradamus saw what would happen–or not, etc., etc., etc.

The Bible makes it clear that if a prophet is speaking God’s prophecies–he will never be wrong! If he is not 100% right in his prophecies, then they did not come from God. And if it doesn’t claim to be the word of God, then it is not even a prophecy. It is a goal, a hope, a fear, or an opinion!

If you are still not convinced that something new has settled upon our country, that there is a conspiracy unfolding, then look at the alliances Obama is making. He is snubbing our traditional white, imperialist allies and befriending dictators! Sure, you can say he is just trying to ‘establish a dialogue’ with them to bring about resolution to current conflicts–but that is just the cover! In fact, it isn’t even a cover. All of this is happening in plain sight, yet people do not see!

We currently have several world leaders, who have recently seized power from their people–Putin, Chavez, Zelaya. Elected democratically, they then changed the laws, enabling themselves to stay in office. Wake up please. It is happening in America now too!

If you don’t think he sympathizes with these dictators, look at his response to the heroic efforts of the Hondurans in ousting a leader who was doing the same thing he is–usurping power and violating the people’s constitutional rights! He sided with Zelaya and insists he should be returned from exile and placed back into power over the Honduran patriots!

And consider his lack of response to the brave freedom loving people in Iran who were protesting a fraudulent election. Silence, until he was repeatedly pushed to issue some kind of response– and even then it was lukewarm at best!

These are the people that Obama is befriending–bold, audacious men that take what they want by force. I believe he feels a kinship with these men because he has similar ambitions. In fact, I believe they are all auditioning for the position of world leader.

These are the philosophical allies of our president–and he is working to establish them as his political allies as well! Every move he makes is to court those who despise freedom and draw them into his circle of influence!

Look at his appointees-many of them are drawn from the ranks of the organizations he puts them in charge of overseeing! Do you not see that he is throwng the door open wide and letting the fox into the henhouse? And he welcomes people from every ideology that is opposed to America as we know it!

The status quo is under attack–and it probably should be! But the direction in which he is taking us instead is not towards honesty, transparency, justice, and equality. Those are his claims, but you must look at his actions! While he may cover his real convictions with the words we want to hear, the people he surrounds himself with don’t even attempt to veil their convictions!

It has struck me how he has told us, more or less, what he planned to do. His agenda is not deeply concealed. In fact, it is so obvious that it is hard to understand why people are not seeing what it is! Unlike previous administrations, his ambitions and design are all happening in plain sight-this is very unusual too! Here is why I believe that it is happening this way:

Whether or not he knows and intends that what he is putting in place in America will pave the way for the antichrist to have world dominion is not apparent at this time. However, there are deep spiritual involvements and implications here!

Understand, for example, that a person cannot be possessed without inviting it. There are spiritual laws that cannot be violated. So too, it would be a violation of spiritual laws for Satan to seize control of government on earth. However, he is free to persuade & deceive men to grant him the power that is rightfully theirs! So, he courts the leaders of the world’s people.

So, Obama is NOT violating spiritual laws in creating a government for the antichrist to control. He is doing this in plain sight to obtain the implied consent of the American people! He may say one thing, but we can see, if we choose to, what he is really doing. This protects the antichrist from being unseated on the grounds that he violated spiritual laws in obtaining his power. Therefore, if you have any objections to what is happening, you must act to oppose it now, while the power of government still belongs to the American people.

(Continued in Part 4, ‘The Witness’)