Category: jesus

Posted in discernment, jesus, youtube

Discerning the times: checking what a youtube prophet says against the Word

Posted on by elizabethprata

Many Christians today feel the burden of the times. Many more feel an imminence that is akin to a pregnant woman about to burst. Even the unsaved feel like something is coming.

And something IS coming: Jesus. The times are definitely drawing to a close and though no one knows exactly when, the Spirit is sending fervor and imminence to many. He raised up many people who send the warnings about the times, as He has done with me.

But He also said that this time will be perilous for Christians (2 Timothy 3:1) and that it will be a time that is permeated with deceit. In Matthew 24:4-5 He said “And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many”. As the Strong’s word concordance says of the word ‘misleads’, the Greek word Paul used is plané which means “a wandering; deceit, delusion, error, sin.” That verse means people will come in Christ’s name to lead us wandering sheep away from the truth into delusion.

This steady rising of deceit that is mentioned so many times in relation to the end times in so many books and verses, will culminate in total deceit on earth in the Tribulation when the Lord sends the great delusion that will come over the world, and they accept the antichrist. (2 Thess 2:10-11). He will remove the moderating influence of the Holy Spirit as Restrainer (2 Thess 2:6).

So it behooves us to heed warnings about people who come in Christ’s name with messages that may be false. We are also warned by watchmen to heed true warnings about the times and to live a Godly life. It is up to each Christian to pray for the Spirit to lead them into discernment when listening to or reading messages, including mine. Test all things against scripture.

Here is a discernment lesson regarding one of the new Youtube prophets someone sent me to look at. Now this person was thrilled to have discovered him. I listened to several of his youtube clips. I was not as thrilled. I really hate throwing cold water on people’s excitement, but if the excitement is over someone or something that may be false, then isn’t it better to have cold water thrown than to go away under an unfortunate spiritual impression? Water dries but cold water at least gives us all a shock to stop a moment and consider things.

So I decided to post this as a discernment lesson. It is an insight into how I approach the issue of determining for myself whether someone may be speaking truth or not.

  • First, I pray that the Spirit lead and guide me into the scriptures that will speak to the discernment I seek.
  • Then I do look those verses up and check them in the bible.
  • I pray for an attitude of gentleness but boldness in stating what the Spirit had led me to.

The young man, whose name is not on his Youtube account, but goes by “warningthepeople”, mentions several times about having been a paid pastor and stepping away to be a watchman, foregoing any payment at all. He focuses on that. What does the bible say about being paid?

Being paid as a pastor is not necessarily a bad thing nor is it necessarily a good thing, but it is a biblical thing.

1 Timothy 5:17-18, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’” 1 Corinthians 9:14 declares, “In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”

So being paid is a biblical thing and at root, a neutral thing. It’s not good nor bad but necessary. Here is a link to a short essay about whether a pastor should be paid. In these links I give, the scriptures are in the essay.

Therefore if this Youtube person has received a word from the Lord about not being paid, I must wonder why what Jesus told him about not being paid contradicts what He already said in the bible.

I also wonder if he was a paid pastor presumably he had come previous calling to that work, and if he is being called away from it now (so soon? He looks young) then why Jesus would contradict Himself by first calling him to the pastorate and then tell him to quit the pastorate… Philippians 1:6 says “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Did Jesus fumble in calling the young man to be a pastor? Did He change His mind? Did he train him up with a flock only to tell him to abandon that flock? Likely not.

Here is a link discussing how a pastor can know if he is being called to be a pastor and this link, “A call to Ministry.“

Third, he said that he was told by Jesus in this new ministry as watchman to warn his friends and family. Since he had been a paid pastor and had some training at college in Biblical Studies, a license, some passion for the Gospel, and some skill at it (he had earned so much respect as he stated) then why hadn’t he warned his family and friends before his calling to give it all up to be a watchman? Warning friends and family is usually the first thing pastors do and do it relentlessly (if skillfully and gently).

Being a pastor is also a call to be a watchman. A Pastor preaches the entire counsel of God, which includes the doctrine of His coming. (Acts 20:20, 27). A Pastor means shepherd and a shepherd watches his flock and guards his flock warns of dangerous things, so the two ministries are not incompatible, they are actually intertwined. Yet the young man seemed to separate them one as far from the east as from the west…

Fourth: I am not sure I agree with his interpretation of Ezekiel 33 about the watchman who fails his duty. He said that watchmen who fail to warn will be thrown into hell. If a person is saved according to the New Testament, nothing can snatch him out of Jesus’s hand. (John 10:28). We have eternal security. However it is true that those who are called to teach and preach are entering into a serious relationship with Jesus with special burdens. Paul says Acts 20, “I am clear from the blood of any man, I have not failed to declare unto you the whole counsel of God. I’ve discharged my duty.” Hebrews 13:17 says that we have to give an account to God for how we give leadership and direction and teaching to God’s people. It is indeed a serious issue. “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)

But if a person is saved under the New Covenant of the cross they will not be thrown into hell for failing duties. If that were true we would all be at risk of failing commands of God, such as failing the Great Commission, failing the Greatest Commandment (Luke 10:27) and other commands that are just as explicit as the call to the Old Testament watchmen. We are saved. That is what saved means, saved from hell.

One must be careful not to extrapolate with impunity the OT to the NT. Careful exegesis demands we look at the entire book, we look at all the verses in context, to whom it was written, why it was written, when it was written, and appeal to the Spirit for proper application of the verse. I don’t think the young man has done that here.

Most worrisome, in his video on his personal testimony, he never mentions how he was saved. He speaks of growing up in the church, but not of his repentance, his sin, and Jesus’s authority as Sinless Savior to forgive these. Worse, he says that at age 23 he came to a crisis of faith, and wondered how he could determine if the “religion” he was in was the true one. How did he know if his denomination was right, or whether a Buddhist had more wisdom in settling on his own faith? Foremost I must say, we don’t exist in a religion, we dwell in the holy relationship with Christ. Every true Christian knows that. But be that as it may, the young man said he posted cards all around asking the Spirit to lead him into truth. He did not say he searched the scriptures, as Paul said is the more noble way to do in Acts 17:11. Instead, he found truth in dreams the “Lord” sent. That is a dead giveaway that he is a false prophet. Elevating personal experience over scriptural truth is absolutely wrong. Even Peter, who saw the transfiguration, said that we have a more sure word.

Henry Morris said in the Institute for Creation Research: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19). As eyewitnesses, they bore the onus of bearing witness to the facts. But he downplayed the importance of his own personal testimony, even though it was a firsthand account and quite important, and he knew it was absolutely correct. The “more sure word of prophecy” he recommended, however, which outshines any human testimony, was the written Word of God, for the Transfiguration confirmed numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ. Prophecies already fulfilled multiply our confidence in the rest of Scripture.”

Personal testimony from dreams is not inerrant. The Word is.

Next: I worry that the gentleman says many times that he will do what Jesus “tells” him to do. Does he hear these commands audibly? Does he hear them in dreams and visions? (Some, he says, yes). Are they new revelations or are they commands to exhortation from what is already written? How has the gentleman discerned that these audible commands telling him to do certain things are in fact from Jesus? Or has he? I don’t think he has, because he relates dreams and does not share the scriptures.

I am always skeptical of people who say that have had dreams and visions and that Jesus told them to say things to the people. I’m skeptical because God’s final word is through Jesus and Jesus IS His word. (John 1:1-5 and Hebrews 1:1-2). There are no new revelations. If the gentleman wants to be obedient to Jesus that is wonderful! But he must do so under the direction of the Spirit’s leading him into understanding of the Word. Not a disembodied voice telling him to do things…

In one youtube clip he related a dream but then said that it was up to us to interpret it. However, in Scripture, whenever a person asked God for the meaning of a vision, God ensured it was explained to the person (Daniel 8:15-17).

The young man speaks of the Lord giving him messages in dreams to then relate to the people. I do not believe that what he is dreaming is directly from Jesus. As stated above, the revelatory period of direct message by Jesus to His people is over, and it is all contained in His word. Revelation 22:18-19 says that no one may add nor take away from the words of that book. Some have tried to say that only applies to Revelation but Revelation is the last book. With that warning, Jesus closed the canon. You can go here to read a short essay from a solid bible teacher about prophecy and the closed canon–

Prophecy and the Closed Canon

We are all hungry for more information. We are all hungry for insights into the times and what is happening behind the scenes. Would that we were all given a glimpse like Elisha’s servant (2 Kings 6:17) or a glimpse like Paul was given (2 Cor 12:2)! But Paul was explicitly told not to say what went on there. And the inside glimpses we are given are contained in the Word.

The bible tells us all we need to know. I ask you gently to consider these thoughts and concerns and to seek answers from scripture as to whether what I shared with you is aligned with the Word, and to compare to what the young watchman has to say with the word also. That is how I came to the conclusion he is not someone we should listen to. Many people are raising up who claim special insights from Jesus. But unless they found them by the Spirit leading them into truth by the Holy Word, then they are false. No truth exists outside of the bible.

I believe the time is short, and therefore I cling to the words of the bible more than ever and I compare the words of men with what the bible says. And because time is short, we will know all that God intends for us to know, shortly! (1 Cor 13:9-12). I truly believe that there are no extra glimpses prior to that time.

If we pray, study the word, and are VERY familiar with the real thing, then when a counterfeit comes along we can spot it. In this way we grow in Him. Then we shall not be children any longer, or tossed one way and another and carried along by every wind of doctrine, at the mercy of all the tricks men play and their cleverness in practicing deceit. If we live by the truth and in love, we shall grow in all ways into Christ, who is the head. (Eph 4:14-15)

Posted in jesus, repent

Nebuchadnezzar understands the power of a holy God

Posted on by elizabethprata

“Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver in this way.” (Daniel 3:28-29)

THERE IS NO OTHER GOD. (He is holy and true).

There is no other God ABLE TO DELIVER. (Jesus saves)

There is no other God able to deliver IN THIS WAY. (His power is unsurpassed).

So what does all this mean?

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15

Posted in jesus, just10, new commandments

UK Pastor rewrites Ten Commandments; AKA God needs an editor

Posted on by elizabethprata

De l’audace, encore de l’audace, et toujours de l’audace. This is a famous French saying from rebel Georges Danton who was whipping up fervor for the French Revolution. The full quote goes, “Pour les vaincre, messieurs, il nous faut de l’audace, encore de l’audace, et toujours de l’audace et la Patrie sera sauvée!” Translated, it means: “To defeat them, gentlemen, we need audacity, still more audacity, and audacity forever, and the Fatherland will be saved!”‘

One may think that the UK’s ‘popular evangelical pastor J John’ in the UK had coined the phrase. At the very least, he embodies it. He decided to rewrite God’s Ten Commandments. You know, the ones graven on stone by God Himself. J John thought they needed updating. What he is really saying by doing this is that God needs an editor.

“Using short, simple language interspersed with slang the new rules have now been released on a DVD… The Reverend Paul Roberts, 54, vicar of St John the Evangelist in Old Coulsdon, Surrey, which dates back to 1210 AD, is among those using the new commandments. He said: “It’s basically a way of presenting the Ten Commandments to help people connect with them in a positive way. “Rather than just seeing them as a list of things you shouldn’t do, it is meant to help people live as God intended for our good. “Unlike the dos and don’ts most people imagine when quizzed about the maker’s instructions, the message is meant to be both a challenge and an encouragement.”

Two ‘commandments’ are blank because the story is so new I haven’t be able to find a report that contains all ten edited ones. I’ll update as it fills in.

We’re still recovering from the Wycliffe scandal, whereupon the translators decided to substitute Allah for the name of God, and downplay Jesus as God to a position of Allah’s Messiah. I am not making that up. Read here, and here. This essay, “Jumping from the Sinking Wycliffe Ship: Why Theology Matters” provides an insider’s view (who resigned over the increasingly troublesome translation methodology at Wycliffe as it relates to Muslims) with specifics. It is worth reading.

Now God is being re-written and the commandments diluted. Apostasy is heightening to a sickening level.

Did you notice in the re-written commandments that they changed to positive works from man rather than an authoritative forbidden list from God? Man sure hates authority. That is ultimately the issue, all the way back to the Garden, and before, with satan. Satan rebelled against God’s authority. God is the first word and the last word, but satan wanted to exalt himself above that (Isaiah 14:13-14). Eve dispensed with the ONE commandment God had given (Don’t eat the fruit) and ever since, we have sought ways to substitute our own will for His commands. The above list accomplishes that.

It is one thing to endure a false doctrine, which is bad enough, but to change the commandments and to re-name God is unconscionable heresy. These are not one-person isolated incidents, either. The Wycliffe translating team has 6,600 short-term and career members. I do not know the numbers involved with the particular “Allah” translating debacle but it is safe to say that it is numerous, with the result that if the bible had continued to be translated that it would be sent to hundreds if not millions inside Muslim nations.

The re-written 10 commandments debacle also is a widespread apostasy. The UK Telegraph article says that the re-written commandments are being adopted by hundreds of churches throughout the nation, which affects thousands of congregants. It is safe to assume that the two incidents are not isolated, personal apostasies but rather widespread rejection of God’s authority affecting whole cultures.

Rebellion against God is increasing to an almost painful level. Jesus prophesied this. “Matthew 24:37-38: “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,” (Genesis chapters 6&7.) I interpret this to mean that everything is going on as normal in society until BLAM, the judgment cometh. The normal things are eating, planting, marrying etc- the foundational things that have always undergirded society. Therefore the time Jesus spoke of could be now.

The time just prior to Noah’s entry into the ark was the most evil time on earth that had or has ever happened to date. Gen. 6:11-12 “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.”

What could be more corrupt than changing God’s name to a false God in His Holy word? Or re-writing the commands He has given us? The earth IS corrupt before God.

I’m so grateful, though, that He has a plan, and anyone who calls on His name for salvation will be saved from His plan, which is to punish the world and judge sinners. If you repent of your sins, calling on Him to save you from this punishment, He will. The punishment is coming, to earth, and when you die, you remain in punishment forever, in hell. You can escape all these things by repenting, and His anger at your sins will dissipate to love and forgiveness. His love is very real…but so is His anger at sinners who challenge His authority and rebel against it. Audacity and more audacity as Georges Danton called for, will not work. The Christian’s call should be Humility, more humility and humility forever! Why?

Our God: “For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.” (Psalms 86:10)
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Posted in jesus, tattoos

Tats for my hipster dude Jesus

Posted on by elizabethprata

“Inking for Jesus: Dozens of church members take Lenten tattoo challenge“
“In a hip, artsy, area of Houston, a hip, artsy pastor is taking an unorthodox approach to Lent. Standing in front of his congregation at Ecclesia Church, a congregation he admits is different – more diverse, more urban – than many evangelical churches – Chris Seay encouraged them to do so something he said combines the ideas of sacrifice and devotion that mark the Lenten season, the 40-day lead up to Easter. He asked them to get tattoos. Specifically, he asked congregants to get a tattoo corresponding with one of the Stations of the Cross, the collection of images that depict scenes in Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion. … To help with the project, Seay enlisted Scott Erickson, artist-in-residence at his church. … The Stations of the Cross depict Jesus from his condemnation to the Resurrection.The church is now displaying photographs of the tattoos in the church’s art gallery, in an exhibition called “Cruciformity: Stations on the Skin.” Initially, Seay has hoped that enough people – 10– would sign up to fill each station of the cross. But his expectations were far exceeded.Seay says that more than 50 people are now brandishing one of Erickson’s designs on their bodies. … Margaret Feinberg, an evangelical Christian author, spoke at the gallery opening. She said she was taken by the “beautiful blend of art and flesh.”

Let’s talk about Christians doing lent, Christians getting tattoos and a Christian Church mimicking the Catholic ‘Stations of the Cross’.

A good article is from GotQuestions: Is it OK to get tattoos if they are of a Christian nature? and it concludes–

“With that said, the biblically based conclusion would seem to be that Christian tattoos are permissible, but it is highly questionable whether they can be considered beneficial and constructive. A Christian considering getting a tattoo should pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and ask the Lord to provide pure motives and discernment.”

In my opinion it is telling that the Houston Ecclesia Church put up an art show about the tattoos, glorifying both the flesh and promoting commercial opportunities for the artist based on what was supposed to be a spiritual activity…

This is what I mean by a different Gospel. This church calls itself Christian, but they adopt pagan practices. Lent is from Roman Catholicism, [which is a false religion]. Stations of the Cross is from Roman Catholicism. [which is a false religion]. Lent is a forty day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. Usually it is accompanied by some form of prayer and fasting. (source)

“Lent is not from the Bible. There is no such thing in the Bible. It comes from the mystery religions of the cults of Babylon and was connected with the supposed killing of Baal by a wild boar; and for forty days and forty nights, the priestesses and the followers of Baal mourned his death until, supposedly, he rose from the dead on the 40th day, and that is where Lent came from, and it has been superimposed on Christianity…” (source)

“I believe the 40 day period called Lent had its origin in Babylon and came into the Catholic church with other pagan traditions at the time the Church and the pagan Roman religion were merged, in the 4th Century. That’s why you won’t find Lent mentioned anywhere in the Bible. As to whether or not you should observe it, that’s a matter for your own conscience (Romans 14:5). If you use the 40 day period to reflect on what Jesus did for you on the cross and express your gratitude for His completed work, I think that’s appropriate. But any attempt to make yourself more worthy of your salvation by temporarily denying yourself certain things is just religious work and is of no value.” (source)

We know that adding to the Word will cause plagues and curses upon the speaker, (Rev 22:18) but lies of omission are just as blasphemous.

As an example, remember that when satan tempted Eve to take of the fruit and Eve balked because God had said that they would die, satan said, “You sill not surely die.” He was not giving the whole counsel of God. They did not die- physically. They did die- spiritually. Do you see how devastating satan’s lie of omission was?

Remember, nature abhors a vacuum. Remember, satan is sly and crafty. When preachers fail to preach the whole counsel of God, and when congregations cease diligent study of the whole counsel of God, then satan will fill that void with falsity, subtly at first, then increasingly, until you have what Ecclesia Church did- glorification of the flesh. The Holy Spirit is within us, because His work is to regenerate us from the inside out. That regeneration is supposed to show as Light and Salt, not tats for Jesus. (Matthew 5:13-16). He is sealed within us, we don’t need tattoos on the outside to remind us that we are Christians. What, like 40 years from now, the Christian will forget he is a Christian but will remember if he looks at his tattoo? Though tattoos are currently trendy, we are not supposed to be of the world. (Romans 12:2, 1 John 2:15). Therefore, permanently marking our flesh ‘for Jesus’ in my opinion serves no fruitful purpose.

Paul says to Timothy, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Tim 4:2-5)

Those are good words. Paul also said to pray without ceasing and those are good words too. Pray for your pastor. Pray for your leaders. Pray for your teachers, elders, deacons! Pray for each other. This essay, ” The best thing you can do for your pastor” gives advice in praying for him, and what to pray, too. And please, don’t get ‘inked for Jesus.’
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Posted in end of days. prophecy, gog magog, isaiah 17, jesus

More ships from US, UK, France deployed to Gulf

Posted on by elizabethprata

Syria’s dictator Assad was called by the Arab League to step down. He refused. The pressure is rising. The violence is increasing. In other news from the Middle East,

US aircraft carriers to deliver ‘direct message to Iran’
“In an apparent show of strength, Washington is deploying a second carrier strike group in the Gulf. US officials also confirmed their commitment to maintaining a global fleet of 11 aircraft carriers despite budget pressure to cut the fleet’s size. … Panetta added that the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise is on course for the Persian Gulf – and will steam through the Strait of Hormuz in a direct message to Iran, AP reports.”

According to the Navy website as of January 20, 2012, the excerpt below show the following carriers and groups’ deployment. The Fifth Fleet is stationed in Bahrain in the Red Sea.

Navy status as of January 20, 2012

The European Union decided to implement oil sanctions against Iran over the next few months. The EU will also sanction the Iran Central Bank and to ban all trade in diamonds, gold and other precious metals with the bank and other public bodies.

In retaliation, Iran threatened, again, to close the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a natural chokepoint though which a third of all global oil is exported by ship.

In retaliation,  British, French ships join US carrier in Strait of Hormuz, “Earlier, Britain’s Ministry of Defence said a British Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll and a French vessel had joined the carrier group to sail through the strategic waterway.”

Oh, boy, they are really piling up over there.

But wait, there’s more! In addition to Argyll, the “HMS Westminster left Portsmouth for a seven-month deployment east of Suez, passing hundreds of relatives who waved off loved ones from the Round Tower.”

The areas in the world prophesied to be highly active in the last days are now in the news on a constant and center-stage basis. The battles to come, as described in Psalm 83, Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38-39 are nearly here. The amount of world attention, diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and war materiel being drawn into the exact sphere where the launching pad for the Tribulation will occur is absolutely amazing. It is all happening right before our eyes. The Epicenter is like a magnet and the rest are iron shavings being drawn inexorably toward the final confrontation.

It is not a confrontation with each other, but penultimately, they are being drawn into a confrontation with their own sin, and ultimately it will be  a confrontation with Jesus.

It is all happening right before our eyes. Look at it! Then look up, for our Redemption does not seem to be far off.
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Posted in godly, jesus, prophecy

Church: Of retina burning light shows and beds on the stage

Posted on by elizabethprata

I have been posting on and off for six months on the topic of the state of the American church. In July I posted about my experience attending a two-day Beth Moore Living Proof Convention in Charlotte NC. In part two of the series containing my (negative) reaction, I’d written,

“As the lights went down other lights flared up. It was a light show that accompanied the first drum beat. And that percussion was LOUD. I’d estimate they were about 115-120 decibels. Pain begins at 125 decibels. Between the green and red lights sweeping the arena, and the beats that made the floors shake, I was already overwhelmed. And I was only one minute into it. All the women were standing and the captions to the songs were crawling across the jumbo-trons, several of which were stationed adjacent to the stage. The Time Warner Arena doorposts and thresholds shook, and they shook hard. I decided right away that I’d spend Saturday’s musical worship time outside the arena in the lobby. The songs were a mixture of contemporary praise and hymns, but the hymns were blended into the contemporary. So as we were singing a modern song it would blend into an old-fashioned one. I don’t even remember, now which songs were sung, because I was too overcome by the noise and the lights. The session lasted about 20 minutes and it had a mood all its own. The cadence would begin slow and soft, and rise and rise to a climactic moment when those drum beats would shake the house, and then slowly descend back into soft. This method was repeated several times. Rather than be moved by the music, I had a bad emotional and spiritual reaction.”

I know that people may think I’m a fuddy duddy for writing that. People say ‘New generations listen to new music’, ‘it’s only music’, ‘people can be discriminating about the lyrics’, etc etc. But it is a bad trajectory. It is becoming more common than not as a method of worship. It is becoming more accepted as worship.

I came across the following video of church worship. They did not take place in a convention hall during a one-time workshop as Beth Moore’s event was. These are in church. This is Steven Furtick’s Elevation Church: (video HT Do Not Be Surprised)

If you can’t watch video, here is a screen shot from one of the moments:

I do not believe church, class, bible study or youth group should be a rock concert because the emotions and the senses (carnality) are incited, not to mention that Jesus is not central.

I have not been a church-goer for all that long. I came to faith in Jan 2004 and didn’t begin going to church until 18 months later, in Oct 2006 when I moved to GA. I’ve attended two Baptist churches in that time, five revivals, several Kay Arthur bible studies and two ladies retreats. I’ve taught children’s bible study on Wednesday nights the entire time, I’ve taught the Good News Club for two years, led the church’s Sunday School program, and also taught Vacation Bible School for four years. I’ve led an adult small home bible study for its 8 month course. It’s a lot in five and a half years but not so much that I have the same perspective of a long-term Christian. However, because of the shortness of the time I’ve been involved in different ministries, I’ve come to it with no preconceived church cultural view, and I’ve been dismayed at several things.

As a teacher for my profession, I’m used to over-developed curricular materials. I was dismayed to find the same problem in church curriculum. In all the materials I’ve been given, there are a host of activities, games, and side-tracking bustle that could not possibly be completed in the half hour or one hour time frame most children’s bible study is designed for. Vacation Bible School (VBS) was a surprise for me. The energy and money spent on elaborate decorations, curricular materials, food and crafts was a shock. There are constant songs with elaborate lyrics and dance moves. I& believe the ever increasing complexity and distraction of VBS materials directly mirrors what we see in Youth Ministries and now at last, in regular church for adults. I felt somewhat a rebel when I was asked to teach VBS and I emphasized that all I wanted was an empty room, a bible, and a bunch of kids. No songs, no props, no nothing. It is a beautiful thing when you teach the bible to children, they soak it up and they are a LOT more sophisticated in their questions and their thinking. In every activity or ministry, from small group to church sanctuary, I believe Jesus should be central with minimal distractions. For children and youth especially for the very reason they are bombarded with multimedia all day every day. Quieting things down for them to study the bible should be a no-brainer. Instead, we ramp it up.

Here is something speaking to the issue I’d written about regarding dignity at the pulpit:

“I enjoy a good laugh as much as anyone. I love fun, a good time, and yukking it up. However, I do not believe those things are appropriate for church, for bible study, for ecclesiastical conferences, or for prayer meetings. The call to dignity is both overt and inferred in the scriptures.”

So Ed Young brings a bed onto the pulpit.

Ed Young wrote of the event, “Thursday night, we have an opportunity to share God’s BIG TRUTH about BIG SEX with an international audience! I say “we” because this is our chance as a church to join together and pray for God to connect His truth to culture in a unique fashion.”

So a bed AND television cameras. Talk about inciting the senses.

Ed Young said his approach was in “unique fashion…” Beware the pastors who are proud of using “unorthodox approaches.” Like, Jesus needs unorthodox approaches? What happened to the orthodox approaches? Why do pastors feel the need to re-write the orthodox approach that Jesus laid down in the bible, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) to a man-made UNorthodox approach? I soundly criticize “unorthodox approaches.” They are unnecessary. Why?

Because “By mouth you hear the Gospel and then believe.” (Acts 15:7). “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:2). “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16). That verse, means that the singing is supposed to proffer truth set to music as a kind of teaching. We should be singing with both the spirit and the mind so as to produce understanding. (1 Corinthians 14:15-16).

Introducing salacious thoughts into people’s minds by using ALL CAPS to highlight the word ‘sex’, placing the bible on the podium where a bed is also displayed, are all beyond the pale.

You may be thinking, “MY church would never do that. I attend a solid Southern Baptist Church/Evangelical Methodist/Lutheran…etc church.” But are “unorthodox approaches” being introduced even now? Apostasy is a slippery slope. “The ride down this slippery slope can begin very slowly, and with very subtle and seemingly harmless compromises. … Apostasy often begins by subtly de-emphasizing the fact that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant, infallible Word of God.” (source). THIS is where ‘unorthodox approaches’ lead to:

Can ‘Small’ Doctrinal Compromises Lead to Large-Scale Disaster?
“Jesus warned His disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” By this, He meant their heretical doctrine (Matthew 16:5-12). Their doctrine, like much that is found in today’s Evangelical church, was founded primarily on two false principles: preaching a counterfeit salvation by adding works to faith, and debasing the authority of Scripture by subordinating it to the words of fallible men. Why was it necessary for even these men, the twelve who were closest to Christ, to “beware”? It was because they were men of sinful flesh, as we are. It is easy to be deceived.”

In that same article, Dr. Paul Elliott goes on to say,

“The word that perhaps best describes error in the church is one seldom used today: It is pernicious. … Once error is accepted in one area of foundational doctrine, departure from the truth in other areas becomes probable. … Compromise may have small beginnings, but it is like the breaching of a great dam. The breach may begin as a fingertip-sized hole allowing only a trickle to pass. But left to itself, the breach opens ever wider. The trickle eventually becomes a flood, and those responsible for the original breach are powerless to stop it. They themselves are often swept away, and others with them. Or, the flood of error may not come until after those who were originally responsible pass from the scene. But the damage will be done to succeeding generations.”

“Unorthodox approaches” …the breaching of a dam that leads to apostasy.

If you notice your church straying from doctrine at the pulpit in small ways, beware. It starts small. It ends with a retina-burning laser light show and a bed on the stage.

But remember, the Lord will not lose any one of His sheep. “Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19). Paul’s statement came on the heels of the previous verses that decried the false teachings of ones like Philetus and Hymenaeus, whose doctrines were like gangrene already infecting the church. He wrote the letter in approximately AD 67, where witnesses to the resurrection were still alive. If the first generation church could fall prey to false teachings and “men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some,” (2 Tim 2:18) then imagine the apostasy of our generation 2000 years later and our going away from the faith. Paul was in jail and knew this letter were likely his last words. He was tired, lonely and felt abandoned. Yet his focus was on Timothy and the next generation church, because Paul knew the strength of the Holy Word.

“Paul encourages Timothy to remain passionate for Christ and to remain firm in sound doctrine (2 Timothy 1:1-2, 13-14). Paul reminds Timothy to avoid ungodly beliefs and practices and to flee from anything immoral (2 Timothy 2:14-26). In the end times there will be both intense persecution and apostasy from the Christian faith (2 Timothy 3:1-17). Paul closes with an intense plea for believers to stand firm in the faith and to finish the race strong (2 Timothy 4:1-8).” (source)

“It is easy to get side-tracked in the Christian life. We have to keep our eyes on the prize—being rewarded in heaven by Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 4:8). We must strive to avoid both false doctrine and ungodly practices. This can only be accomplished by being grounded in our knowledge of God’s Word and firm in our refusal to accept anything that is unbiblical.” (source)

“Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 timothy 2:21-22).
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Posted in hope, jesus, Mayans

2012 is almost here- you can mourn the Mayan prophecy or have Hope in Him

Posted on by elizabethprata

Doesn’t that seem strange to you? With all the hype for so long about the Mayan prophecy of the world ending on December 21, 2012, now this portentous year is actually here. In 2009 I wrote about the Maya mania. I’d said it was pretty ridiculous. In fact, the world according to the Mayans does not end. In part, I’d said,

“Their daily calendar was of 260 days but their “long count” or b’ak’tun calendar toted up long periods of time, from a mythological starting point equivalent to August 11, 3114 BC. “Misinterpretation of the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar is the basis for a New Age belief that a cataclysm will take place on December 21, 2012. December 20, 2012 is simply the last day of the 13th b’ak’tun. But that is not the end of the Long Count because the 14th through 20th b’ak’tuns are still to come.” Their long count calendar went through cycles, and cycles end. 12 previous cycles have ended without incident. One such cycle is slated to end on December 21, 2012, but the news is that a new cycle begins immediately. According to the Mayans, the world does not end.”

The more ridiculous thing is putting stock in any prophecy besides the ones Jesus gives us. THOSE are 100% accurate, guaranteed, all the time.

It’s weird, I remember watching a documentary about the Mayan prophecy of the world ending when I was in my late teens or early 20s. So this would be somewhere between 1978 and 1985. It wasn’t Leonard Nimoy’s documentary, I found that online and watched it. No, I distinctly remember the last scene of this program. The program had been expounding on the Baktun long count and the end of the world. At that time, the ‘prophecy’ was decades away, but the documentary made it sound ominous. The final scene was of a Mayan elder, dressed in headdress and loin cloth. He was standing with his back to a dense jungle foliage, looking at the camera, which was across a narrow but deep ravine. A hemp rope bridge separated the Elder from the camera, and the viewer. He said a few short words in his language, and then looked mournfully at the camera. He slowly turned, and parted the jungle leaves, and entered in. The camera remained focused on the spot he had been standing until the leaves ceased shaking. The narrator said something like, “The world will end. Will we listen…?”

I wasn’t saved then so I didn’t know about Jesus. But it was the first time I gave deep thought to the fact that this planet might indeed not go on as it has always been. I did not begin “saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:4). I am a science fiction fan, having watched my share of movies and read many books by Gene Roddenberry, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke and the like…and I’d seen or read my share of planets blowing up. But this was the first time I thought about my planet blowing up. Hmmm.

The Lord draws us to Him. (John 6:44). I believe He does this all our lives, until we make a decision one way or the other, or until our fleshly desires become so pervasive that He gives us over to them and hardens our heart. (Psalm 81:12,  Acts 7:39-42, Romans 1:24). All along now I see, there were little forks in the road, at which I mulled, and each time I responded to His drawing. When I was ten, my Aunt told me about the rapture and the people coming out of the graves and lifted up with those who were living to meet Jesus in the air. That picture stayed with me, the people popping out of the graves. I responded as a kid, drawn to the more gory part, but also responded through my soul, and began wondering about life after death. In my twenties, this Mayan documentary made me wonder about the world ending. In my thirties I traveled the world and saw the complexity and fragility of the creation and began wondering about a Creator.

Mark 4:1-9 is the Parable of the Sower who sowed seed in different kinds of ground and the seed’s response to it. I think as long as we keep the door of our hearts open, He continues sowing. He sees who responds because He is the only one who can see the heart.

Will the world end as the Mayans say on December 21 2012? Only Jesus knows. He did say that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10). But the world will be remade and become a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1, Isaiah 65:17).

My prayer for you is that your heart is the good ground  that the Sower sows the Gospel seeds upon. That you heed the warnings of the Christ and not the Maya, that the world WILL end one day, at His timing, but those of us in Christ will be forever with Him. It is not a fearful, mournful thing, but a hopeful one. The Greatest Hope of all! 2012 begins, and I wait. “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” (Psalms 39:7)

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Posted in DEBKA, jesus, mines, prophecy

DEBKA says Iran may be salting Hormuz with mines

Posted on by elizabethprata

If that headline doesn’t put fear into your stomach, I don’t know what will.

However, DEBKA has a track record of being more rumor than not. However there I have confirmed several elements of their report, while not being able to confirm the mining part. Let’s sort out the information to see what has credibility and what doesn’t. The report is making huge waves and even Ynet picked up on it, which is a legitimate news outlet, so let’s take this lobster apart.

DEBKA: who is DEBKA? DEBKAfile describes themselves as “founded by a team of journalists in June 2000 as an independent Internet Web site, providing an intelligence and security news service.” Wikipedia describes them as “a Jerusalem-based English language Israeli open source military intelligence website with commentary and analyses on terrorism, intelligence, security, and military and political affairs in the Middle East. The word “Debka” refers to an Arab folk dance.”

They correctly note that most of their sources are anonymous, a non-no in journalism. “Israeli intelligence officials do not consider even 10 percent of the site’s content to be reliable. Cornell Law professor Michael C. Dorf calls Debka his “favorite alarmist Israeli website trading in rumors.” The site’s operators, in contrast, state that 80 percent of what Debka reports turns out to be true, and point to its year 2000 prediction that al-Qaeda would again strike the World Trade Center, and that it had warned well before the 2006 war in Lebanon that Hezbollah had amassed 12,000 Katyusha rockets pointed at northern Israel.”

So there you have the pro and the con of DEBKAfile. Let’s take a look at their predictions, rather than their descriptions.

This blogger has listed four years’ worth of DEBKA warnings that have failed to come true. He says of Debkafile, “where war always looms in the foggy but near future.” Of this warning from 2008, the blogger notes the headline from DEBKAfile- “Three major US naval strike forces due this week in Persian Gulf“, ‘DEBKAfile’s military sources name the three US strike forces en route to the Gulf as the USS Theodore Roosevelt, the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Iwo Jima. Already in place are the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea opposite Iranian shores and the USS Peleliu which is cruising in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden’ and he comments, “Disturbing news! Or rather it would be, except that the USS Theodore Roosevelt is docked at Norfolk.”

In today’s warning, DEBKA opened their report with the following, “Thursday afternoon, Dec. 29, Tehran raised the pitch of its threats to the United States when Dep. Chief of the Revolutionary Guards Gen. Hossein Salami declared: “The United States is in no position to tell Tehran what to do in the Strait of Hormuz,” adding, “Any threat will be responded [to] by threat… We will not relinquish our strategic moves in Iran’s vital interests are undermined by any means. “The Iranian general spoke after the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier and its strike group passed through the Strait of Hormuz to the Sea of Oman and into the area where the big Iranian naval war game Veleyati 90 is taking place.”

This is true. The quote about threats is confirmed in many newspapers, this being just one. I worked hard to confirm that the USS Stenis is indeed in the waters DEBKA says they are, and the carrier is indeed part of the Fifth Fleet stationed at nearby Bahrain and in those waters. Confirmation is here: “Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, a spokeswoman for the U.S. 5th Fleet, said the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis and guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay headed out from the Persian Gulf and through the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, after a visit to Dubai’s Jebel Ali port.” And also here.

The DEBKA report continued, “Earlier Thursday, Dec. 29, DEBKAfile reported that an Iranian plan to mine the Strait of Hormuz had put US and NATO forces in the Persian Gulf on the alert. US and NATO task forces in the Persian Gulf have been placed on alert after US intelligence warned that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards are preparing Iranian marine commandos to sow mines in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The new deployment, DEBKAfile’s military sources report, consists of USS Combined Task Force 52 (CTF 52), which is trained and equipped for dismantling marine mines and NATO Maritime Mine Counter measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2). The American group is led by the USS Arden mine countermeasures ship; NATO’s by the British HMS Pembroke minesweeper. Other vessels in the task forces are the Hunt-class destroyer HMS Middleton and the French mine warfare ships FS Croix du Sud and FS Var.”

It was here I ran into problems. First, sowing mines would harm Iran, who relies on exporting oil through that strait as much as anyone, and so does Iran’s neighbors. Mining it would seem to be counterproductive and an inefficient way to choke off the Western use of the Strait, especially when there are other means Iran can use to do the job. But what do I know I’m not a military analyst. I’m just a woman blogging in her pajamas.

Given DEBKA’s history of putting the wrong ship in the wrong waters, I took some time to confirm that USS Combined Task Force 52 (CTF 52), NATO Maritime Mine Counter measures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) are indeed part of the Fifth Fleet. I had already confirmed through two other news articles that the USS Stennis is where DEBKA says it is. I didn’t bother looking up the British or French ships, searching through US ships was difficult enough

As for the USS Arden, I found nothing. After going to the Wikipedia list of all Navy ships currently in commission, I found that there is no USS Arden, but a USS Ardent. USS Ardent is a minesweeper. So they got the name wrong, but the ship class right. I went to the Navy website and USS Ardent is deployed at this time to Bahrain, which is its homeport.

In several articles I read things like ‘the USS Stennis passed through the Strait of Hormuz with escorts” or “the USS Stennis passed through the Strait of Hormuz with supply ships” but where those other ships were listed (USS Mobile Bay) the USS Ardent never was.

Ynet is a very credible Israeli new outlet. In today’s article they seemed to quote DEBKA, saying “The Islamic republic is halfway through 10 days of navy exercises in international waters to the east of the strait that have reportedly included the laying of mines and the use of aerial drones.”

As for the likelihood that Iran is salting the Strait of Hormuz with mines, I don’t know. I don’t think DEBKA knows. Here is what is do know, though, The tension at that area of the world is at an unbearable level. Any spark could set it off. As NPR succinctly concluded, “The Strait is a 50-kilometre (31 mile) wide passageway through which about a third of the world’s oil tanker traffic sails. Whoever controls this crucial choke-point virtually controls Middle East oil exports.”

Here are some of today’s headlines about the situation:

Iran Rebuffs US Warning on Strait of Hormuz as Tensions Rise

Iran ramps up war of words with U.S. over Strait of Hormuz: ‘Any threat will be responded by threat’

Gas price shoots up to $3.49 in Tri-Cities (“A rise in crude oil prices and tension between the U.S. and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz are possibly contributing to the increase cost.”)

[An actual blockade would double the price overnight.]

Iran Says It Recorded Video Of US Aircraft Carrier

Between the genocide in Syria and the tense faceoff between the US Navy and the Iranian Navy, it surely feels like war could erupt at any moment. This is an interesting piece from HuffPo yesterday:

The Coming Accidental War with Iran
“…due to the lack of understanding between our government and Iranian leaders who have been isolated from the rest of the world, war will not be a decision, but a mistake.”

God has a plan for the world, for Iran and the other Arab states,and for Israel. He does not make mistakes. What is unfolding is exactly according to what we see in Obadiah, Isaiah 17, Ezekiel 38-39, Matthew 24, Psalm 83 and many other bible books and parts of books. The issue is, because we so vividly see the prophesied Tribulation events unfolding in preparation for fulfillment, how much closer then, is the rapture? And the other important question is,

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Posted in jesus, molech

Bad Old Molech is alive and well

Posted on by elizabethprata

The bible’s earliest books speak of a false god named Molech. Molech worship was cultish worship associated with Ammon, for example, 1 Kings 11:7 speaks of him as “the detestable god of the Ammonites.” God warned the Israelites many times not to sacrifice their children to Molech.

“Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molech, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 18:21).

“Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any alien living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molech must be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:2).

“He also defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire for Molech.” (2 Kings 23:10).

A huge statue would be constructed with a furnace in the belly of it. The parents would put their child in the belly and a fire would be lit. The child would burn to death. The sacrifice also included sexual rituals. The hope was that the parents would receive wealth and blessing by sacrificing their firstborn to Molech. So the hope was for the parents to obtain some convenience and personal gain.

Of course, the most obvious modern parallel to child sacrifice to Molech is the fire of abortion, which is also a child-sacrifice for the personal convenience of the parents. The child dies in a horrible way, and is sacrificed for spurious reasons. However, I was reading the following article today and another Molech-like sacrifice came to mind, not the least reason because the article itself used the world sacrifice.

“Recent Charges of Sexual Abuse of Children in Hollywood Just Tip of Iceberg, Experts Say“
“If a spate of recent allegations proves true, Hollywood may have a hideous epidemic on its hands. The past two weeks have brought three separate reports of alleged child sexual abuse in the entertainment industry. Feldman, 40, himself a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, unflinchingly warned of the world of pedophiles who are drawn to the entertainment industry last August. “I can tell you that the No. 1 problem in Hollywood was and is and always will be pedophilia,” Feldman told ABC’s Nightline. “That’s the biggest problem for children in this industry… It’s the big secret.” Another child star from an earlier era agrees that Hollywood has long had a problem with pedophilia. “When I watched that interview, a whole series of names and faces from my history went zooming through my head,” Paul Peterson, 66, star of The Donna Reed Show, a sitcom popular in the 1950s and 60s, and president of A Minor Consideration, tells FOXNews.com.”

The article continues with reporting something that is well-known to insiders, which is that any and all Hollywood child actors were at risk from unscrupulous managers, agents, and others bent on molestation. The article discusses how and why this occurs on such a regular basis, so regular, that it is taken as a matter of course that it will occur.

I can’t imagine what a cesspit Hollywood is. The products we see on the screen are bad enough, and are the end result of a long process that undoubtedly includes lying, slander, greed, sexual favors, drug use, drunkenness, and adultery, among other sins. Like this sin in the article, and it is a quote, of sacrificing  children to Molech:

“It’s almost a willing sacrifice that many parents are oblivious to – what kind of environment do they think that they’re pushing their kid into?” said Peterson. “The casting couch is a real thing, and sometimes just getting an appointment makes people do desperate things.”

A society is judged on their godliness, and the further they fall from His standard, the more they are given over to base desires. (Romans 1:18-24). It they still refuse to repent, their sexual degradation deepens, and they are given over to homosexuality:

“For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.” (Romans 1:26-27).

After that, then what? What does it say about a society that not only tolerates but promotes sexual sin, encourages homosexuality, then slides off the cliff into child molestation as a ritual of passage to gain entry to Hollywood? Parents sacrificed their kids to Molech in hopes of wealth, and here in this article we see the same thing. Parents sacrifice their children to the god of pedophilia in hopes of drinking from the cash cow of  Holywood paychecks. Paul shows us the end result of such wanton abandonment of moral scruples. Verse 29-32 goes on by showing us the progression–

“being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”

Here we see a quote from the same article about not only were some practicing pedophilia and still do to this day, the gave hearty approval to those who did the same, even passing around children in their evil putrid circle:

‘“I literally heard that they were ‘passed around,’” Arngrim said. “The word was that they were given drugs and being used for sex. It was awful – these were kids, they weren’t 18 yet. There were all sorts of stories about everyone from their, quote, ‘set guardians’ on down that these two had been sexually abused and were totally being corrupted in every possible way.”

Dr David R. Reagan has a good essay at Rapture Alert entitled “Is homosexuality an end times sign?” When I see articles like the one about the well-known pedophilia in Hollywood, and know that we’ve descended even further than two consenting adults engaged in sodomy, when our precious children are sacrificed to the greedy god of fame, I just want to cry out, ‘How much longer, O Lord?’
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Posted in back to basics, bible, jesus, salvation

What’s "The Gospel"?

Posted on by elizabethprata

I watched a good movie called Time Changer this summer. It was stodgy and slow, but I like stodgy and slow. It was set in 1900 and was about a junior seminary professor who writes a book saying that in some cases it is all right to preach living a good life without using Jesus as a moral absolute. A senior professor of the seminary objects to that section in the book and urges the young seminarian to use his secret time machine to go 100 years into the future to see where his beliefs will lead. He arrives in 2000 horrified to experience the cold and pale thing Christianity has become.

What I liked about the end was a scene where he is getting ready to return to the past. He says goodbye to a laundromat caretaker he had met, and gives him a bible. He says the following to the laundromat guy, named Eddie:

“Jesus is coming back soon to set up His earthly kingdom. The requirement, though, to enter this kingdom, is that we must be absolutely perfect, without sin.

Well, that leaves me out of that party.

No one is without sin, Eddie. Not one! All of us face eternal judgment and separation from God. This is why we must accept Jesus Christ into our life as Lord. He is the only one who lived a perfect life, and thus became the substitute for our sins.

For me, too?

Yes, for you too Eddie. He rose from the dead, proving He was God. And He wants to save us from the penalty of our sins, and give us eternal life. But we must first individually receive Him. This is what it means to believe in Jesus.

I never heard it explained so simple, preacher.

God wants us to be reconciled to Himself. So much so that He gave His only so to die for us. It’s all in the bible. I pray that you will consider what I’m saying.”

That is the Gospel. Here are some few scriptures that are proof texts for this Gospel:

Jesus and His kingdom: Revelation 20:4, Daniel 7:13-14, Zechariah 14:8-11
Requirements for entry: John 3:5, John 3:3, Titus 3:5
No one is without sin: Romans 3:10
We all face judgment: 2 Corinthians 5:10, Hebrews 9:27, Romans 2:16, Acts 10:42
Jesus is sinless: 1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5, Hebrews 4:15, 2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus is our substitute: Isaiah 53:4-6
He died for all: John 1:29, “The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'” and John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” 1 John 2:2, “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.
Jesus’ resurrection: Acts 13:33, Romans 1:4
Believe and you shall be saved: Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9
It’s all in the bible: 2 Timothy 3:16

Why was a sacrifice necessary? Why was it necessary that blood had to have been shed? The Gospel is that we believe Jesus the son of God is fully God and fully man, manifested in the flesh, who came to earth to seek and save the lost. He died on the cross, shedding His blood as the perfect, sinless sacrifice. He was buried and resurrected by the power of God three days later. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

 Leviticus 17:11 says “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ ” Hebrews 9:22 says “And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

I do not know why God set it up that the blood is the life, and is the mechanism for atonement, but it is so because we are told that by His word. God had to pour out His wrath for sin upon Jesus, whose shed blood was payment for the sins of the world. There had to be a sacrifice and it had to be pure. Jesus is sinless, and was therefore acceptable to God as that sacrifice. Jesus took on all the sins of the world AND all God’s wrath for it. He took our place so we do not have to endure God’s wrath, unless a person rejects Jesus. Then they are subject to wrath! Forever!!

That’s the Gospel. Please believe it. Your soul depends on it.
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