If you dwell in the past, you can't know the present. If you don't know the present, you can't know the future. Christ gave a command to move into the present that will usher us into the future today. The past glory is past. Therefore, let us reach out into the future by moving into the present. We know that the Promise was that the glory of the latter will surely be greater than the former, Hag 2:9.
Act 1:4 "And, being assembled together with them, COMMANDED them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for THE PROMISE of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me."
Even when Christ commanded them to go to Jerusalem and wait, the apostles didn't get it at first. They had to ask Christ a question of restoration to the past glory, and here is there question, a very similar one still being asked by many today.
Act 1:6 "When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?". To not know what is past from present, we will not know the future. The Apostles at this moment of gathering, didn't know the present and therefore the future wasn't clear to them. They have the knowledge of the old order, and not that of the new.
Christ knowing this, gave them this answer, which is an explanation of what He had earlier said to them in Act 1:5 "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." Here He is taking about the "New Life", the "New Kingdom", they all MUST enter into the new through the Baptism of the Holy Spirt, and they do not, they remain in the old where the greatest of them is the least in the new, Luke 7:28.
Christ further gave this for an answer to their question on restoration of the kingdom of Israel in Act 1:7: "And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."Christ is refocusing the Apostles on the present change that will eternally affect their future. The Apostles were being informed of the change in the structure of the kingdom of God.
Act 1:8 "But YE (the Apostles) 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." [Note that this is known by many in the church as "the Apostolic mandate" of demonstration of the power of Resurrection!].
The Witnesses shall receive the power of Resurrection to usher in people into the kingdom of God, different from the old, Act 1:22. The disciples Christ made Apostles( fishers of men) are sent to the outer world to be Witnesses of the Resurrection. Many are called into this ministry, but few are chosen to receive the power of resurrection.
Are you seeking for the Truth? Do you know Him that is the Truth (John 14:6)? "And ye shall know the truth, and the Truth shall make you free." John 8:32.
Tongues of a Witness.
“…In the mouth of two or three
witnesses shall every word be established.”(2Co 13:1).
Intelligible Speech.
Under normal circumstances, every man is born with one natural
tongue, which he then uses to taste and modulate sounds into meaningful words
or speech. Every sound coming from the throat or larynx is modulated (by the
tongue, lips, hard and soft palates of the roof of the mouth) into meaningful
words or speeches, unlike Speaking in tongues which does not sound intelligible
to many because of the “seemingly” improper modulation resulting
in words that are not known to men. And for this reason, many churches have
totally thrust speaking in tongues off the pulpit and out the window, not
knowing that it’s our faith in action.
“For with stammering lips and
another tongue will he speak to this people.” (Isa 28:11);
“Thou shalt not see a fierce people,
a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive;
of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand.” (Isa 33:19). So speaking in tongues
doesn’t have to make any sense (or intelligible words) that is known to man,
for it is the communication language of the Holy Spirit and our spirit
to God, our Father in heaven. “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men,
but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh
mysteries.” (1Co 14:2).
Sound Property.
In a direct way, “Sound” is a carrier of energy, which
travels from one point to another through a medium. It has speed, pressure,
pitch, frequency, etc. The intelligible modulation and arrangement of sound is
what we have come to know as speech and music. In the church, whenever the
ministers preach, teach, or pray the words, they are sending (sound) energy
towards you, and the same holds true in praise and worship, which is more
complex and potent than ordinary speech. Can you now imagine the power of the
opera/classical (gospel) music?!
When we worship God with words
that magnify Him and with good high quality instrumental sound,
imagine what the atmosphere will be like – very charged, ready to heal and set the
oppressed free! This is a form of life, the world and now some from the church
are taking for granted.
The Tongues.
So what do I mean by saying “tongues” of a witness? I know
that we all have one tongue and not two, except you are a serpent with a
divided tongue. A witness that speaks regularly in this “another tongue” is only
repeating what the Holy Spirit is saying in the spiritual medium here in the
physical. This is why I said tongues – that of the Holy Spirit and your spirit. “For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not
unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he
speaketh mysteries.” (1Co 14:2)..."For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way." (2Th 2:7).
A Witness – [“One who can give a firsthand account of something seen, heard, or
experienced: a witness to the accident… One who furnishes evidence…Something that
serves as evidence; a sign.”]
We are witnesses for Christ in love and deed, commanded to
go into all the world and preach the gospel of the kingdom with signs following
us. The proclamation is done through the Great Witness of the Holy Spirit,
guiding us into all truth as we declare them everywhere on the Earth without
fear, but in love and with wisdom.
As witnesses, we must not neglect the power of the “another tongue” in all that we do in
the name of Christ. It is our constant connection to the throne room of power
and grace. We simply can’t have power for greater works without this tongue. Train
and equip everyone in your church on this and use it more often in your prayer
and worship meetings. Let no one tell you tongues have ceased a long time ago.
Reactivate yours and that of the brethren, and lets set the world on the fire
of the Holy Spirit!
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Pro 18:21).
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (Pro 18:21).
Fear.
The unknown.
To some of us, life is a destination, while to others it's a journey. But what is it to you?
"Life is a destination" - consider's the end of everything, mostly to be death. And this bring a huge depressing fear on them. Someone said this to me, "if we believe life is a destination, then we might has well just die and get there".
"Life is a journey" - consider's that till you die and even after, you are evolving into something set before you that you are in pursuit of. This category of people never really fear death. It's like they seem to live on forever.
knowledge: what kind and how much?
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:..."(Hos. 4:6). As usual, the scripture always seem to compress "the most difficult and the complex" into a simple statement of fact. It takes a mathematician sometimes to decode them. Funny.
Knowledge is what can destroy the fear of the unknown, and without the right kind of knowledge, destruction is certain. And how much of it you have determine to a great extent the quality of life you live now and thereafter. There has never been a time when knowledge of almost anything is in abundance and in the "CLOUD/Internet" above our heads, following us everywhere we go. There are just too many stuffs at the tip of our fingers.
Is every kind of knowledge really helping out? To want to entertain every kind of knowledge, you will always intermingle with the wrong kind. This is never helpful to the immature without the right frame of mind. Their minds are tossed "to and fro" resulting in emotional ups and downs, aka. Depression. Everyone from time to time need the right kind of knowledge in order to avoid destruction. There has to be filters plugged into our senses, otherwise we will take in junks harder to remove.
Categories of Knowledge.
Everyone of us are daily seeking to know more about life - now and thereafter.
1. The knowledge of the beginning and end. The questions we have about the Creator and His creation, is a huge one. Many are yet to decide on a track to follow. Every kind of knowledge is out there, while more and more knowledge is being poured out every second we breath.
2. The knowledge Of Death. This is about what lies at the other end or "life after death". Also, the knowledge is out there, but difficult for many to pick a track. The less we know about life after death, the more the fear of it we will have. And wherever there is fear, destruction is not far off. On the flip side, to not fear death could lead to these two possibilities:
3. Knowledge of Good and Evil. At the great fall Gen. 3, the right conscience to know what is right from wrong was lost. The knowledge to know the Will of God is now a very difficult one to many because it has been taken away by the devil.
My conclusion is this, the right knowledge is out there, but many are not finding it. There is only one Way to the Truth about Life, and it is in and through Christ Jesus. The answer to all the question of life is in Christ, Who is from God.
To some of us, life is a destination, while to others it's a journey. But what is it to you?
"Life is a destination" - consider's the end of everything, mostly to be death. And this bring a huge depressing fear on them. Someone said this to me, "if we believe life is a destination, then we might has well just die and get there".
"Life is a journey" - consider's that till you die and even after, you are evolving into something set before you that you are in pursuit of. This category of people never really fear death. It's like they seem to live on forever.
knowledge: what kind and how much?
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:..."(Hos. 4:6). As usual, the scripture always seem to compress "the most difficult and the complex" into a simple statement of fact. It takes a mathematician sometimes to decode them. Funny.
Knowledge is what can destroy the fear of the unknown, and without the right kind of knowledge, destruction is certain. And how much of it you have determine to a great extent the quality of life you live now and thereafter. There has never been a time when knowledge of almost anything is in abundance and in the "CLOUD/Internet" above our heads, following us everywhere we go. There are just too many stuffs at the tip of our fingers.
Is every kind of knowledge really helping out? To want to entertain every kind of knowledge, you will always intermingle with the wrong kind. This is never helpful to the immature without the right frame of mind. Their minds are tossed "to and fro" resulting in emotional ups and downs, aka. Depression. Everyone from time to time need the right kind of knowledge in order to avoid destruction. There has to be filters plugged into our senses, otherwise we will take in junks harder to remove.
Categories of Knowledge.
Everyone of us are daily seeking to know more about life - now and thereafter.
1. The knowledge of the beginning and end. The questions we have about the Creator and His creation, is a huge one. Many are yet to decide on a track to follow. Every kind of knowledge is out there, while more and more knowledge is being poured out every second we breath.
2. The knowledge Of Death. This is about what lies at the other end or "life after death". Also, the knowledge is out there, but difficult for many to pick a track. The less we know about life after death, the more the fear of it we will have. And wherever there is fear, destruction is not far off. On the flip side, to not fear death could lead to these two possibilities:
- The Saints of God in Rev 12:11, "And they overcame him(the evil one) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." This group and kind of people knows and have the knowledge of life after death. Their minds have transcended this current life into the next. They are the faithfuls believing absolutely in the Faithful God.
- The Terrorist. This group and kind of people also have a picture of the life after, but lack the divine LOVE and Will to hold their beings, I.e., the body, soul and spirit together. Their minds have been taken over (I.e., possessed) by the devil who gave them the picture and not the will of God to love.
3. Knowledge of Good and Evil. At the great fall Gen. 3, the right conscience to know what is right from wrong was lost. The knowledge to know the Will of God is now a very difficult one to many because it has been taken away by the devil.
My conclusion is this, the right knowledge is out there, but many are not finding it. There is only one Way to the Truth about Life, and it is in and through Christ Jesus. The answer to all the question of life is in Christ, Who is from God.
Salvation!
Before Christ came, animals were used to carry away sins into the wilderness, and the blood of lambs especially were shed yearly for sanctification. But when the LAMB of God came on the scene, He shed His Blood once and for all. Wherever and whenever the blood is served at the communion table in worship to God, sins are covered up or removed, and miracle and healing then begins to operate to restore all things back to life. This is what salvation is. [Note that YoU CAN NOT PUT CHRIST ASIDE FOR ANY REASON, AND THINK YOU WILL SEE GOD THE FATHER. You will be needing His Body - that is, His flesh and blood, to stand before the throne of Grace of God.]
Christ Jesus our Saviour.
The LAMB of God,
- Offered up His Body, that is, His Flesh and Blood on the Cross,
- Gave it to us through the communion table,
- To take away all of our sins,
- Granted us access to the Father of life for full restoration,
- Through signs and wonders, miracles and healing, etc.
Everlasting access to God the Father is granted us because of the Body of Christ, and there is no accuser in-between God and Christ's Body (aka. The body of believers - the Church), anymore and forevermore! [Note that the Body is multiplying].
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, NOW IS COME SALVATION, an strength, and the kingdom of our God, AND THE POWER OF 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." (Rev 12:10-11).
The Victory!
When was it? AS SOON AS THE BLOOD WAS SHED ON THE CROSS, THE ACCUSER LOST EVERYTHING AND WAS CAST DOWN. The Blood of Christ did this! You can't have anything to do directly with God without Christ. You need His Garment and His Blood to approach the Everlasting Father. There isn't any true gospel if Christ is not at the Cross - the very center of it. Christ is the only way, truth and the life of the Father.
Christ Jesus our Saviour.
The LAMB of God,
- Offered up His Body, that is, His Flesh and Blood on the Cross,
- Gave it to us through the communion table,
- To take away all of our sins,
- Granted us access to the Father of life for full restoration,
- Through signs and wonders, miracles and healing, etc.
Everlasting access to God the Father is granted us because of the Body of Christ, and there is no accuser in-between God and Christ's Body (aka. The body of believers - the Church), anymore and forevermore! [Note that the Body is multiplying].
"And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, NOW IS COME SALVATION, an strength, and the kingdom of our God, AND THE POWER OF 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." (Rev 12:10-11).
The Victory!
When was it? AS SOON AS THE BLOOD WAS SHED ON THE CROSS, THE ACCUSER LOST EVERYTHING AND WAS CAST DOWN. The Blood of Christ did this! You can't have anything to do directly with God without Christ. You need His Garment and His Blood to approach the Everlasting Father. There isn't any true gospel if Christ is not at the Cross - the very center of it. Christ is the only way, truth and the life of the Father.
Predestination.
“For whom he did FOREKNOW, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Rom 8:29).
Don't forget your PRE-DESTINATION.
You have been predestined to become like the SON of God. You are to become and behave like a son of the most high God. Wherever the sons and daughters of God are gathering, you are suppose to be there. Do you plan going to church today? Go and learn all you can about your sonship rights on this planet.
We have been set on an automatic course in life of Christ. Every one that is known by God is set for an IMAGE change into that of Christ. Knowing this should make us not resist His ultimate divine plan for us to become as brethren(that is, all in the image and likeness of Christ).
Christ, our Role Model.
Christ is the firstborn of this kind of sons of God. A kind the whole universe has never seen. The kind that won't grieve the LORD, and yes if you are for Christ, you are a son of God. Everything we know about Christ is what we must strive to manifest (or copy?).
So therefore, let us follow after Christ and be conformed to Him in image and likeness. This is the remaking of the sons of God none has seen before the cross.
Don't forget your PRE-DESTINATION.
You have been predestined to become like the SON of God. You are to become and behave like a son of the most high God. Wherever the sons and daughters of God are gathering, you are suppose to be there. Do you plan going to church today? Go and learn all you can about your sonship rights on this planet.
We have been set on an automatic course in life of Christ. Every one that is known by God is set for an IMAGE change into that of Christ. Knowing this should make us not resist His ultimate divine plan for us to become as brethren(that is, all in the image and likeness of Christ).
Christ, our Role Model.
Christ is the firstborn of this kind of sons of God. A kind the whole universe has never seen. The kind that won't grieve the LORD, and yes if you are for Christ, you are a son of God. Everything we know about Christ is what we must strive to manifest (or copy?).
- He is The Life-giver, and The Light-source (we are carriers).
- He goes about destroying the works of the devil (that is, doing good) as He is guided by the Holy Spirit.
- He gave His earthly (33yrs) life and got everlasting life back.
- Etc.
So therefore, let us follow after Christ and be conformed to Him in image and likeness. This is the remaking of the sons of God none has seen before the cross.
Words without Knowledge.
(Job 38:1-2) -
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Who is this that
darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
Inspite of all
that happened to Job, he did not sin with his lips. He had all the reasons in
the whole world to blame God for suffering for the sin he has not committed,
and he didn't say a thing against God, instead he kept blaming himself. But this
wasn’t so with the world around him. His closest friends and brethren blamed him
for everything! They said he has “skeletons in his closet” and not innocent,
not knowing they were counselling him with “words without knowledge”. This is a
sinful thing before the LORD, when we say things we don’t know the whole truth
about and then spread it like cancer.
Whenever it
comes to the kingdom of God, His Christ, the Church, the Ministers and Saints, PLEASE
DO NOT SAY WORDS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE. No matter how true it may sound, leave no condemning
comments. Wait for the Master to deal with the situation (internally). Refrain
yourself from any of such videos, mails, etc., and be not a partaker of it,
less you bring a curse on yourself. And if you think you know everything,
PLEASE first answer all the questions in Job 38 -41. If you are able to, then
do as it pleases you.
After all that
is said to Job, the LORD rebuked them by saying: “…for ye have not spoken of me
the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.”(Job 42:7). They thought they
were right, and never knew what they were saying. How could they have been able
to put the puzzle together - that an innocent man is afflicted for what he
knows nothing about?! Therefore, judge righteously.
…and Job concluded with this:
(Job 42:3) -
Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered
that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
There are puzzling
“things
too wonderful” to understand without first seeking the LORD to have a
full understanding of. Let us ask Him for He will hide nothing from us. To not
do this is to disrespect Him.
Our Foundation.
"If the
foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psa 11:3)
This scripture is A QUESTION asked the righteous/believer by the psalmist. It's has always been taken instead for an answer - like a resignation. Even thou it stresses a serious predicament or a collapse that has befallen the righteous, it is a call to TAKE ACTION and REBUILD on the right foundation.
This scripture is A QUESTION asked the righteous/believer by the psalmist. It's has always been taken instead for an answer - like a resignation. Even thou it stresses a serious predicament or a collapse that has befallen the righteous, it is a call to TAKE ACTION and REBUILD on the right foundation.
Our only Foundation is CHRIST. He is the ROCK of ages cleft for our safety, and must be relaid in our lives and churches. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1Co 3:11). Christ loves righteousness, and so are we. [Please read the previous post on "Righteous Judgement".]
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2Tim 2:19).
[INIQUITY - " Gross immorality or injustice; wickedness. A grossly immoral act; a sin... the quality of being unfair or evil. : something that is unfair or evil."]
This is a personal issue between God and you. Get to know what is fair and unfair in the sight of God, and in so doing save yourself from this unfolding storm.
Re-Build
on the right Foundation.
Many do not know
the LORD any more than they know themselves. At this crucial time of the end,
many are not seeking anymore after "the kingdom of God and His
righteousness", but instead after that of the world. (We are to seek after the righteousness of Christ - all about His mighty acts and deeds.) The after taste of
the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil is still making many
"senses" deadened to the things of God.
We have to
re-align ourselves to the LORD, and relay the foundation for rebuilding our
lives and churches (i.e., our Body) in this stormy period. Many are waiting to
physically see this storm that has already formed spiritually.
You don't need
to SEE before you run to safety. You only need to KNOW. We walk not by sight,
but by the spirit. "And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also
in the days of the Son of man." (Luke 17:26). Don't let these stormy days catch you unprepared.
End Time – Love vs. Hate.
“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.” (Mat 24:9-13).
In this end time we are already
in, many of us believers still do not know what we are up against. We seem to
be far too removed from the reality of all that is happening all around us. We
seem to always want to choose what and
when to love and hate according to our desires and emotions, and not
according as it is written.
The Great Divide.
Some of us are still marveling
at this:
Ø The world won’t stop hating, and we can’t stop loving. “If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated you…The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth,
because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” (John 15:18,
7:7).
Every believer in Christ will
face hate from time to time, depending on your location. The gospel message is
that of practical love, where the Father demonstrated His love for the world by
giving up His only begotten Son for our sins, John 3:16. But when believers are
openly hating each other, then it’s no more of love but hate. Whatever God
loves, the world will hate. You can’t be calling yourself a child of God
and then turn around and hate your fellows. Absolutely NO! Even thou the world
won’t stop hating you for Christ’s sake, you just can’t stop loving.
Now, are we prepared for this?
Ø “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted,” –
[Affliction (noun) -
1. “A state of pain, distress, or grief; misery: They sympathized with
us in our affliction.”
2. “A cause of mental or bodily pain, as sickness, loss, calamity, or
persecution.”
3. “The state of being afflicted; the cause of persistent pain or
distress; great suffering.”]
An
afflicted person or group shall surely be hated by the loveless person or group.
And is this not already happening!? Are not the ministers and churches publicly
ridiculed by the world and even (ignorant) believers!? We believers must cease
from this ridiculous act. Stop the circulation of defaming videos, text, and
any other related materials. If we don’t start loving has divinely demonstrated
and directed, we surely be hating “the
afflicted” brethren among us, and may God forbid this in our midst.
Ø “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.” -
Why
should this be happening among us?! It’s happening because we are not paying
attention to the Word of God for this time. We have become very envious of each
other’s gifts, calling, zeal and devotion, even material wealth. We are self-centered
and inwardly wicked, ignoring to see the needs of others. We are easily
offended and eager to betray the other’s trust. What have we become!? “Bunch of
haters!”, back-bitters, “holier-than-thou” saints, deceiving ourselves before
the very world we are sent to save. We are now merciless, and expecting mercy. Instead
of binding the wounds of the wounded, we are probing deep the more. Hypocrites!
Ø “And many false prophets shall rise, and
shall deceive many.”
All because of hate, the
children of light are themselves being blinded. Truth is no more truth but falsehood
and sensational at its best, lacking the resurrection power of God. The Word is
being choked by the thorns of this world, and many are not bearing the fruit of
the Spirit anymore. The senses are deadened by all kinds of lust, and greed is
fueling our selfish desires to be a show-off.
Ø “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold.”
The falsehoods
we’ve allowed to creep into the fold surely has given rise this unprecedented
height of iniquitous lifestyle that is now prevalent in the world. Psalm 11:3 says
that “If
the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” The
falsehoods we’ve allowed for so long to chip at the foundation, has now taken
away its strength, and it’s collapsing before our very eyes. We don’t even know
that when “projected love” ceases to
be the life source of any person, group or church, that body is set for a crash
whenever the storm comes. Love is very crucial at this end time, and if we don’t
love ourselves and those we see, we can’t love God Whom we can’t see. Without
love, there is no bond.
Ø
“But
he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
We must endure (with) love till the end inspite of our afflictions
at this end time. Never stop loving God, His Christ, His kingdom and saints all
over the world. Reach out as much as you can, and never hate or look down on anyone
for their afflictions, for it is enough of pain to bear for those afflicted. Always
do your best to help lift them up. Remember this, kind words from a heart
filled with love is worth much more than billions of dollars.
Righteous Judgement.
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."(John 7:24).
Whenever it comes to the things of God, always make sure you judge right.
According to the online dictionary, to Judge (verb), is to "form an opinion or conclusion about." Today, many Christians never waste any second in jumping into conclusion on matters concerning the kingdom of God, His Christ, ministers, messages, etc. Have they all forgotten about the manifold wisdom at play?!
So why did Jesus warn against this? (Read John 7).
This was a serious issue that made Jesus go to the feast of Tabernacles in secret, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him for healing on the sabbath. (Please note that this feast is a must for Jesus who Himself is a Tabernacle.) The Jews were seriously seeking to kill Him, and it's no secret, for people feared to even defend Jesus openly.
So what was their accusation?
"... are ye angry at me(Jesus) because I have made a man EVERY WHIT WHOLE on the sabbath day?" (v23). They wanted Jesus dead for healing on the sabbath day, and never did consider the whole matter. They were "mixing" the laws of their fathers with that of Moses as they choose. Circumcision was from Abraham and sabbath was from Moses, and both were allowed to coexist, but not healing and the sabbath. How mean could man have become?!
To not sit down and consider thoroughly the whole matter surrounding an issue and still judge, is to judge unrighteously. We must leave no stone unturned before forming our opinion or conclusions, else our zeal might be against that which we seek to promote, that is, the kingdom of God.
How do I avoid unrighteous judgment?
Know what God and His Christ stands for, and settle down on it. God sent His only begotten Son to give eternal life (or abundant life) to all that believe in Him, and it's through the Word that the Son gave that we have the light of life. Why did the Jews not consider the healing Christ did, to know if it was from God, whether it be complete or not? Envy, jealousy, hatred, etc were at play and the cause of such a blindness.
If you love Christ, you love God, and will not come against His gospel of abundance of life, even when it's done by someone other than you, your ministers, or church. You should instead give all the glory to God.
Concerning the kingdom :-
You might be saying, oh it's Jesus doing good, what about His ministers doing evil? How did you know they are evil and doing evil?!
If there be any minister or Church that name the name of Jesus Christ, and you feel they are involved in issues or things you feel or know to be against your believes, seek them directly and first do your thorough enquiry before forming an opinion about them. And even after you've gotten enough infallible facts, public ridicule or persecution shouldn't be your next move, but to pray for them, and if you can teach the truth, do as Christ did, lead by example.
The same holds true for our political leaders. Treat them with respect, trusting that God is working out His plan for your lifting up through them. Follow not after anyone scornfully, but With love.
Whenever it comes to the things of God, always make sure you judge right.
According to the online dictionary, to Judge (verb), is to "form an opinion or conclusion about." Today, many Christians never waste any second in jumping into conclusion on matters concerning the kingdom of God, His Christ, ministers, messages, etc. Have they all forgotten about the manifold wisdom at play?!
So why did Jesus warn against this? (Read John 7).
This was a serious issue that made Jesus go to the feast of Tabernacles in secret, because the Jews were seeking to kill Him for healing on the sabbath. (Please note that this feast is a must for Jesus who Himself is a Tabernacle.) The Jews were seriously seeking to kill Him, and it's no secret, for people feared to even defend Jesus openly.
So what was their accusation?
"... are ye angry at me(Jesus) because I have made a man EVERY WHIT WHOLE on the sabbath day?" (v23). They wanted Jesus dead for healing on the sabbath day, and never did consider the whole matter. They were "mixing" the laws of their fathers with that of Moses as they choose. Circumcision was from Abraham and sabbath was from Moses, and both were allowed to coexist, but not healing and the sabbath. How mean could man have become?!
To not sit down and consider thoroughly the whole matter surrounding an issue and still judge, is to judge unrighteously. We must leave no stone unturned before forming our opinion or conclusions, else our zeal might be against that which we seek to promote, that is, the kingdom of God.
How do I avoid unrighteous judgment?
Know what God and His Christ stands for, and settle down on it. God sent His only begotten Son to give eternal life (or abundant life) to all that believe in Him, and it's through the Word that the Son gave that we have the light of life. Why did the Jews not consider the healing Christ did, to know if it was from God, whether it be complete or not? Envy, jealousy, hatred, etc were at play and the cause of such a blindness.
If you love Christ, you love God, and will not come against His gospel of abundance of life, even when it's done by someone other than you, your ministers, or church. You should instead give all the glory to God.
Concerning the kingdom :-
You might be saying, oh it's Jesus doing good, what about His ministers doing evil? How did you know they are evil and doing evil?!
If there be any minister or Church that name the name of Jesus Christ, and you feel they are involved in issues or things you feel or know to be against your believes, seek them directly and first do your thorough enquiry before forming an opinion about them. And even after you've gotten enough infallible facts, public ridicule or persecution shouldn't be your next move, but to pray for them, and if you can teach the truth, do as Christ did, lead by example.
The same holds true for our political leaders. Treat them with respect, trusting that God is working out His plan for your lifting up through them. Follow not after anyone scornfully, but With love.
Eternal Life.
Living Through the Spirit.
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Rom 8:13).
The life of the body is sustained by it's spirit. Pro 18:14 says that "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?" Without the spirit, the body dies. And without the spirit, you can't see God, and whenever the spirit permanently leaves the body, the body die's. [Note that without a body you can't live on the Earth. You need a body to live this kind of life on Earth.]
Jesus Christ died and rose again through the Holy Spirit of God in His Body. You can kill or destroy His Body billion times, but you can't destroy Him, because He will keep coming back to life! "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus was pointing to Himself/ His Body when He said this, for His Body was the temple (of the Spirit) of God. So therefore, "Destroy this body and in three days I will raise it up" is what the Spirit is saying through Jesus here in John 2:19. This is true because of the Holy Spirit indwelling the Body of Jesus, and also true for every believer and the Church in Christ. The Body/Church and our individual bodies is sustained by the Spirit of Christ.
The deeds of the body - what are these deeds?
They are the (natural) laws working on the body. Since the fall, man's body has been lacking the required "Nutrients/Spirit" to sustain itself forever, because there is no more access to the fruit of the Tree of life. But we thank God for Jesus, whose Death and Resurrection has granted us the access to the Tree of life Himself, that is, Christ! We can now once again through Jesus Christ keep eating of the fruit of life and live forever more. [Note that if the body should die before its appointed time, it CAN be resurrected! Anything that causes untimely death is crushed by the Spirit (i.e, the Power of Resurrection) that is in us].
I Am Not Ashamed.
Knowing this that it is the very reason why John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." is ever loaded with This eternal power of God..."For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Rom 1:16). Are you still ashamed?
"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Rom 8:13).
The life of the body is sustained by it's spirit. Pro 18:14 says that "The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?" Without the spirit, the body dies. And without the spirit, you can't see God, and whenever the spirit permanently leaves the body, the body die's. [Note that without a body you can't live on the Earth. You need a body to live this kind of life on Earth.]
Jesus Christ died and rose again through the Holy Spirit of God in His Body. You can kill or destroy His Body billion times, but you can't destroy Him, because He will keep coming back to life! "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." Jesus was pointing to Himself/ His Body when He said this, for His Body was the temple (of the Spirit) of God. So therefore, "Destroy this body and in three days I will raise it up" is what the Spirit is saying through Jesus here in John 2:19. This is true because of the Holy Spirit indwelling the Body of Jesus, and also true for every believer and the Church in Christ. The Body/Church and our individual bodies is sustained by the Spirit of Christ.
The deeds of the body - what are these deeds?
They are the (natural) laws working on the body. Since the fall, man's body has been lacking the required "Nutrients/Spirit" to sustain itself forever, because there is no more access to the fruit of the Tree of life. But we thank God for Jesus, whose Death and Resurrection has granted us the access to the Tree of life Himself, that is, Christ! We can now once again through Jesus Christ keep eating of the fruit of life and live forever more. [Note that if the body should die before its appointed time, it CAN be resurrected! Anything that causes untimely death is crushed by the Spirit (i.e, the Power of Resurrection) that is in us].
I Am Not Ashamed.
Knowing this that it is the very reason why John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." is ever loaded with This eternal power of God..."For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..." (Rom 1:16). Are you still ashamed?
Faith - How to please God.
"So then faith cometh by HEARING, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom 10:17).
Faith as we all know is very potent.
1- It's the force of God that can move mountains;
2- It is the substance of hope, and the evidence of the unseen; and
3- It makes you a God pleaser!
"Faith cometh by hearing" -
This force called Faith is given to every one that listen to or hear the Word of God, and it's like having deposits of power that can move mountain inside our hearts every single time we Hear the Word of God! This is how faith comes, and most of us are overdue for delivery.
How then do we use Faith?
-----> "If faith comes in, it must go out." <------- font="">
If faith comes into you, it must go to accomplish its purpose. We do things that we desire or purposed in our hearts to do. The same way faith came into the heart is the same way it must leave to effect changes, and that is by speaking the Word of God. [Note that the senses are only used for creating the channel in the physical atmosphere.]
The heart that understand the Word of God can speak faith and will always have results. The heart that does not, is only driven by its natural desires. This heart is lacking the understanding of the Word and it's sensational or sense-driven.
The Word has been given -
So therefore, faith is given to be used. The more the understanding of the Word in your heart, the more the faith you have been given. We must find within the Will of the Father what we need to be doing with what we have been given. God's only solution to the world is His Son/Word that He sent in the Person of Jesus Christ, and this Word/Jesus is what will heal the whole world or our worlds. Amen.
Faith as we all know is very potent.
1- It's the force of God that can move mountains;
2- It is the substance of hope, and the evidence of the unseen; and
3- It makes you a God pleaser!
"Faith cometh by hearing" -
This force called Faith is given to every one that listen to or hear the Word of God, and it's like having deposits of power that can move mountain inside our hearts every single time we Hear the Word of God! This is how faith comes, and most of us are overdue for delivery.
How then do we use Faith?
-----> "If faith comes in, it must go out." <------- font="">
If faith comes into you, it must go to accomplish its purpose. We do things that we desire or purposed in our hearts to do. The same way faith came into the heart is the same way it must leave to effect changes, and that is by speaking the Word of God. [Note that the senses are only used for creating the channel in the physical atmosphere.]
The heart that understand the Word of God can speak faith and will always have results. The heart that does not, is only driven by its natural desires. This heart is lacking the understanding of the Word and it's sensational or sense-driven.
The Word has been given -
So therefore, faith is given to be used. The more the understanding of the Word in your heart, the more the faith you have been given. We must find within the Will of the Father what we need to be doing with what we have been given. God's only solution to the world is His Son/Word that He sent in the Person of Jesus Christ, and this Word/Jesus is what will heal the whole world or our worlds. Amen.
End Time - Living forever.
Concerning eternity, what have you been promised, and who promised it?
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:" (Gen 3:22).
I strongly believe that there is no man (dead or alive) that doesn't want to live forever. Sin brought death to man that knew no death, and since then the unredeemed man has been under the bondage of sin and death.
This SIN is the knowledge of good and evil, the knowledge that says: "God is not up to it..God is not telling the truth..God can't and will not..God can't be the omnipotent(unlimited power), omnipresent(present everywhere at the same time) and omniscient(all knowing)..Etc." This sin is simply saying that God is not who He says He is.
The Great Deception.
At this point, the question on everyone's mind is: "How then did man fall into Sin?"
It's a very interesting and very subtle one indeed.
"And the serpent (that is, the carrier of the devil) said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:4-5).
Here the devil presented another option or will to man, which is a possibility but still not the will of the Father. The will of God for man wasn't to become as evil gods, but as the sons of God. You become whatever you know and hold to be true. To have the knowledge of God, you will become "like" God, that is, a god.
But what kind of god?
Is it the one that knows and will do no evil ( sons of God), or the one that knows and do evil (sons of perdition)? This same deception and its promises is being championed by the same antiChrist spirit today. BEWARE.
"And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:" (Gen 3:22).
I strongly believe that there is no man (dead or alive) that doesn't want to live forever. Sin brought death to man that knew no death, and since then the unredeemed man has been under the bondage of sin and death.
This SIN is the knowledge of good and evil, the knowledge that says: "God is not up to it..God is not telling the truth..God can't and will not..God can't be the omnipotent(unlimited power), omnipresent(present everywhere at the same time) and omniscient(all knowing)..Etc." This sin is simply saying that God is not who He says He is.
The Great Deception.
At this point, the question on everyone's mind is: "How then did man fall into Sin?"
It's a very interesting and very subtle one indeed.
"And the serpent (that is, the carrier of the devil) said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Gen 3:4-5).
Here the devil presented another option or will to man, which is a possibility but still not the will of the Father. The will of God for man wasn't to become as evil gods, but as the sons of God. You become whatever you know and hold to be true. To have the knowledge of God, you will become "like" God, that is, a god.
But what kind of god?
Is it the one that knows and will do no evil ( sons of God), or the one that knows and do evil (sons of perdition)? This same deception and its promises is being championed by the same antiChrist spirit today. BEWARE.
Guard Your Heart.
Fear Precedes Destruction.
"There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you." (Deut 11:25).
Never let fear creep into your heart through what you listen to, or watch on tv and the internet. Whatever you allow into your heart is what is fed to your mind, and it's your choice. Never let your mind be feeding off of these evil reports that have been targeted (i.e, formed and framed) at you.
A Good Heart Is Like A Medicine.
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Prov 17:22). Your heart is all you've got to keep to live, and never your material belongings. Never let your heart fail you from seeing and hearing all the evil things happening all around us, it is nothing but the manifestation of demonic spirits that are gaining more access into the minds of many that unsaved - clearly a violation and intrusion.
Always filter all your news through the Word of God, for fear is spiritual and a very strong force, but love is stronger! Let us focus our entire being on loving God Who is more than able to keep us rightly informed and protected. In light of this, here are two scriptural instructions in the book of Joshua 1:8-9 that we are never to neglect in such a time as this:
1- What we must NEVER STOP DOING.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." vs 8.
You must learn how to use the Word of God in every conversation and discipline, and it's not a difficult thing to do. Wisely convey your hope, love and faith on every subject matter, and always stand by your words.
2- What we must NEVER FORGET.
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." vs 9.
Why then should we fear fear when God said He will go everywhere we go!? Caution: always let the peace in your heart direct you. Your new heart is a shared heart. It's God's heart given to you, and there are now two occupants - God and you, that should be in agreement on every single issue to the minutest detail. Anytime and every time we move without Him, we are always exposed.
Therefore, let us pursue after God's own Heart like king David did, and let's see who can be against us.
"There shall no man be able to stand before you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you." (Deut 11:25).
A Good Heart Is Like A Medicine.
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Prov 17:22). Your heart is all you've got to keep to live, and never your material belongings. Never let your heart fail you from seeing and hearing all the evil things happening all around us, it is nothing but the manifestation of demonic spirits that are gaining more access into the minds of many that unsaved - clearly a violation and intrusion.
Always filter all your news through the Word of God, for fear is spiritual and a very strong force, but love is stronger! Let us focus our entire being on loving God Who is more than able to keep us rightly informed and protected. In light of this, here are two scriptural instructions in the book of Joshua 1:8-9 that we are never to neglect in such a time as this:
1- What we must NEVER STOP DOING.
"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." vs 8.
You must learn how to use the Word of God in every conversation and discipline, and it's not a difficult thing to do. Wisely convey your hope, love and faith on every subject matter, and always stand by your words.
2- What we must NEVER FORGET.
"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." vs 9.
Why then should we fear fear when God said He will go everywhere we go!? Caution: always let the peace in your heart direct you. Your new heart is a shared heart. It's God's heart given to you, and there are now two occupants - God and you, that should be in agreement on every single issue to the minutest detail. Anytime and every time we move without Him, we are always exposed.
Therefore, let us pursue after God's own Heart like king David did, and let's see who can be against us.
Why Worship?
"Take heed to yourselves, that YOUR HEART be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;" ...
"And it shall be, IF THOU DO AT ALL FORGET the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish." (Deut 11:16 and 8:19).
Why worship?
It is very important we know what worship is, for it is the Honor, reverence, homage, in thought, feeling, or act, that must be paid to God alone. When this is instead paid to other gods, then is the people or nation cursed and set for destruction. It is the very reason God gave Worship as the first commandment. The violation of this first commandment: "THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER gods BEFORE ME." (Exo 20:3) is what is destroying many nations today.
And when this first law is broken, it opens the way for the violation of the rest of the "10 commandments" as listed below:-
Law 2- Making of graven images, open defilement, etc;
Law 3- Taking the LORD's name in vain;
Law 4- No holy days*;
Law 5- Parents are dishonored;
Law 6- Killings, murdering, suicide, genocide, homicide,etc;
Law 7- Adultery, fornication, divorce*, etc ;
Law 8- Stealing, theft, racketeering, etc;
Law 9- False accusations, double standards, etc;
Law 10- Covetousness, greed, etc; and the nation is cursed and set for destruction.
So, how can the heart be deceived?
If your heart should forget the first law, you will be deceived. You must know everything about the first law else you will be deceived. To be deceived means you won't know what you are doing, or whom you thought you're worshiping is false. The heart is the place of worship in you, for you are God's temple, and if you don't know what you are doing, you could bring curses on yourself. [Note - search my other blogs for more on the heart.]
How can we avoid being deceived?
The only way is to KEEP the Words of God deep inside our hearts and DO THEM. The more of the Word we APPLY into our lives, the more we are blessed, practice they say, makes perfect.
"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, AS THE DAYS OF HEAVEN UPON THE EARTH."(Deu 11:18-21).
The only way of escape for us, our families, and nations is to personally lay up the Words of God in our hearts and souls, and teach them through its application to our children. There is no other way that is fool-proof, and I know you might be wondering why this is the only way to avoid being deceived. The reason is that the WORD OF GOD IS A PERSON (Rev 19:13). The Word is active, intelligent, full of wisdom, all-knowing, and interactive. It brings Light (i.e, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding) about God and creation. And this can only happen in your heart.
When the heart fails.
A heart emptied of the Word of God is set for destruction (Please read the parable of the sower in Mat 13). Any nation filled with people of such hearts, will be cursed and destroyed in due time. "As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God." (Deu 8:20). Nations were destroyed by the LORD because their hearts were deceived, and the land cursed (i.e, demonic infestation), and so are we to take our cue from them, lest we ourselves are destroyed the same way. [Note - "when the heart fails" is a huge topic that I hope to complete in another blog.]
"And it shall be, IF THOU DO AT ALL FORGET the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish." (Deut 11:16 and 8:19).
Why worship?
It is very important we know what worship is, for it is the Honor, reverence, homage, in thought, feeling, or act, that must be paid to God alone. When this is instead paid to other gods, then is the people or nation cursed and set for destruction. It is the very reason God gave Worship as the first commandment. The violation of this first commandment: "THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER gods BEFORE ME." (Exo 20:3) is what is destroying many nations today.
And when this first law is broken, it opens the way for the violation of the rest of the "10 commandments" as listed below:-
Law 2- Making of graven images, open defilement, etc;
Law 3- Taking the LORD's name in vain;
Law 4- No holy days*;
Law 5- Parents are dishonored;
Law 6- Killings, murdering, suicide, genocide, homicide,etc;
Law 7- Adultery, fornication, divorce*, etc ;
Law 8- Stealing, theft, racketeering, etc;
Law 9- False accusations, double standards, etc;
Law 10- Covetousness, greed, etc; and the nation is cursed and set for destruction.
So, how can the heart be deceived?
If your heart should forget the first law, you will be deceived. You must know everything about the first law else you will be deceived. To be deceived means you won't know what you are doing, or whom you thought you're worshiping is false. The heart is the place of worship in you, for you are God's temple, and if you don't know what you are doing, you could bring curses on yourself. [Note - search my other blogs for more on the heart.]
How can we avoid being deceived?
The only way is to KEEP the Words of God deep inside our hearts and DO THEM. The more of the Word we APPLY into our lives, the more we are blessed, practice they say, makes perfect.
"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, AS THE DAYS OF HEAVEN UPON THE EARTH."(Deu 11:18-21).
The only way of escape for us, our families, and nations is to personally lay up the Words of God in our hearts and souls, and teach them through its application to our children. There is no other way that is fool-proof, and I know you might be wondering why this is the only way to avoid being deceived. The reason is that the WORD OF GOD IS A PERSON (Rev 19:13). The Word is active, intelligent, full of wisdom, all-knowing, and interactive. It brings Light (i.e, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding) about God and creation. And this can only happen in your heart.
When the heart fails.
A heart emptied of the Word of God is set for destruction (Please read the parable of the sower in Mat 13). Any nation filled with people of such hearts, will be cursed and destroyed in due time. "As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God." (Deu 8:20). Nations were destroyed by the LORD because their hearts were deceived, and the land cursed (i.e, demonic infestation), and so are we to take our cue from them, lest we ourselves are destroyed the same way. [Note - "when the heart fails" is a huge topic that I hope to complete in another blog.]
Revile Not.
"Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people." ( Exo 22:28).
Revile, what does it mean?
By definition, it is "to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner." It is speaking to or talking about someone in insultive ways. God strongly goes against this method and approach to any in power.
Most Christian think to revile is the same thing as to rebuke. They are not the same when insults is in the mix. Rebuke means a sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions. IT IS NOT TO INSULT.
Why Railing Accusations?
The politics of today is all about this. Policies are bound to differ from a leader to another, and from time to time, for as long as the personalities behind the power changes. What then should believers do when faced with a leader they seem not to like? First we need to learn from God on how He deals with situations like this.
"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, WHEN CONTENDING the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." ( Jude 1:8-9).
Here we read that the Archangel Michael when contending with the devil didn't even alter a single word of abuse or insult on the ruler of the then world, but only said the LORD will rebuke the devil Himself.
What about the LORD Jesus, how did he deal with it?
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:" (1Pet 2:23). Christ did exactly the same thing, He reviled not.
Therefore, commit all your political tensions unto the LORD. Subject those in power to the rebuke of the LORD Jesus.
Revile, what does it mean?
By definition, it is "to criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner." It is speaking to or talking about someone in insultive ways. God strongly goes against this method and approach to any in power.
Most Christian think to revile is the same thing as to rebuke. They are not the same when insults is in the mix. Rebuke means a sharp disapproval or criticism of someone because of their behavior or actions. IT IS NOT TO INSULT.
Why Railing Accusations?
The politics of today is all about this. Policies are bound to differ from a leader to another, and from time to time, for as long as the personalities behind the power changes. What then should believers do when faced with a leader they seem not to like? First we need to learn from God on how He deals with situations like this.
"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, WHEN CONTENDING the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee." ( Jude 1:8-9).
Here we read that the Archangel Michael when contending with the devil didn't even alter a single word of abuse or insult on the ruler of the then world, but only said the LORD will rebuke the devil Himself.
What about the LORD Jesus, how did he deal with it?
"Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:" (1Pet 2:23). Christ did exactly the same thing, He reviled not.
Therefore, commit all your political tensions unto the LORD. Subject those in power to the rebuke of the LORD Jesus.
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