In The End Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).


In The End

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and 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.”  For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water.  But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.  But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.  The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.  But 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.  Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.  Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless, and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity.  Amen. [2 Peter 3:3-18 NAS]

Even though I was well aware of what a foolish undertaking it was[1], I still felt compelled back in 1995 to try to figure out when the return of Christ Jesus in glory would be[2].  For with the year 2000 looming ever closer and closer upon the horizon, discussions concerning the imminent rapture of the church[3] had reached a fever pitch on Christian talk radio programs up and down the dial.

Sorry, I can’t remember just exactly how I got there.  For a critical piece of the equation is that I took the year of an established Hebrew calendar as being the current actual year, and I can’t remember which calendar that was.

What I can remember is that “I” figured that the end of this world was tied to its beginning, and that the reference made to a day being like a thousand years to our Heavenly Father[4] was the key.  For He took six days to make this world and then rested on the seventh[5], and that meant that this world was meant to last just as long—only with each day being a thousand years.

Anyway, after all of “my” calculations were over, the end of the first six thousand years would come in May of 2152, according to our Julian calendar, and the Sabbath would be reserved for the thousand year open reign of Christ Jesus over this world[6].

Therefore, it will not be until 3152 before the end of this world actually comes.  That is, of course, if “my” calculations are correct.

No, I cannot speak with any authority about the subject.  For our Heavenly Father has not told me just when the end of this world would really be.

There is something related that He has personally revealed to me[7], however, and that is that we would all do well not to worry about such.  For unless you have been told otherwise[8], your own end of this world could come at any second, and it is for this that you should be prepared for[9].

Yes, it could be argued that being prepared for the possibility of physical death being imminent would also apply to a pre-tribulation (pre-trib) rapture of the church.  For if the rapture comes in the middle of the tribulation (mid-trib), we would know that it would be coming three and a half years after the identity of the antichrist is revealed[10].   Then if it doesn’t happen at that time, the rapture would be coming to pass at the end of the tribulation period of seven years[11] and just before Christ Jesus utterly destroys the armies of the antichrist (post-trib)[12].

I was taught in church that the rapture would occur pre-trib, but I have been leaning more and more towards the time for the rapture actually being just before the utter destruction of this world[13].  For at the end of the thousand year open reign of Christ Jesus over this world, the devil will be set free to deceive the nations again[14],  and it will be those who stay true[15] who will not sleep[16].

Yes, this is another thing that I cannot speak with any authority about.  For our Heavenly Father has not personally revealed to me just when the rapture will come, but He has made it abundantly clear that far too many have no reason to hope that it will come anytime soon.  For it is written: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’” [Matthew 7:21-23 NIV] 

 

Alas, has not the silence that has surrounded me all of these years not served as sufficient proof in and of itself?  For who from amongst us can afford to just ignore what I have been given to say if it truly is of our Heavenly Father[17], and if it is not, who can honestly say that they truly are one of His children by faith if they could care so little about my own spiritual welfare[18]?

No, not everyone has been given ears to truly hear what I have been given to say at this time.  For in many cases, what they have their faith in is sufficient[19], but in far too many other cases, it is because of the wickedness of their own hearts[20] that they have not heard.  For it is written: That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  He who has ears, let him hear.”  The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”  He replied, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.  Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.  This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.  In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.  For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” [Matthew 13:1-23 NIV]

To be honest, I must admit that it tastes much more bitter than sweet to me right now[21].  For even those who openly profess to hunger and thirst after His righteousness[22] are looking for something other than what our Heavenly Father has given me to say[23], but there is comfort in knowing that it will be as it should be in the end[24].

{1}Matthew 24:36; {2}Revelation 19:11-21; {3}Matthew 24:40-41; {4}2 Peter 3:8; {5}Genesis 1:1-2:3; {6}Revelation 20:1-6; {7}Jeremiah 33:3; {8}Luke 2:26; {9}Matthew 25:1-13; {10}Revelation 13:1-18; {11}Daniel 12:11-12; {12}Revelation 19:11-21; {13}2 Peter 3:10; {14}Revelation 20:7-10; {15}2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; {16}1 Corinthians 15:51-52; {17}1 John 4:1-6; {18}2 Corinthians 5:20-21; {19}Romans 9:16; {20}Isaiah 29:13-14; {21}Revelation 10:8-11; {22}Matthew 5:6; {23}Jeremiah 20:7-9; {24}Isaiah 65:1-66:2.

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Civil Rights Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).

Civil Rights

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.  Mercy triumphs over judgment! [James 2:12-13 NIV]

As if lumping abortion, capital punishment and suicide together was not bad enough, this segment is even worse.  For issues over the separation of church and state, homosexual marriage and illegal immigration fit quite nicely under the banner of civil rights.

Let us begin with prayer in schools—shall we?  For it is not as much of a political issue now as it was a few years back, but there are still far too many who believe that laws are needed to be enacted in order to insure its return to the classrooms of our public schools.

Yes, it is indeed a shame that it is no longer welcome, but how is this preventing anyone from praying to our Heavenly Father at any time they want to?  For it is not like it must be done openly for all to see and hear.

In fact, it would do us all well to do just the opposite.  For it is written: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” [Matthew 6:5-6 NIV]

Yes, it can be argued that prayers offered openly can have a good influence upon others—especially upon those who have not come to know our Heavenly Father yet, but cannot a Muslim say the same thing about offering prayers to Allah?  After all, we do live in a free society, and what is allowed for one should be allowed for another—right?

No, this is not to say that we would do well to protect our children from such influences.  For our Heavenly Father’s absolute Truth[1] shines the brightest in the midst of the darkness of spiritual ignorance[2], but of what comfort is that to those who refuse to accept that it is the work of His Holy Spirit to seek and to save the lost[3]?

Alas, is this not also a driving force behind the fight to keep our Heavenly Father’s Ten Commandments[4] prominently on display in public places?  For it has been widely taught that it is the duty of the Christian church to make a stand against the evils of this world[5], and this is something that far too many want to believe is true[6].

Add opposition to legally-recognized homosexual marriages to the list, as well.  For far too many have been led to believe that this will be detrimental to the covenant that our Heavenly Father instituted between a man and a woman[7].

No, this is not to deny that homosexuality is a sin[8], but to believe that making it legal for Adam to marry Steve instead of Eve will cause irrevocable harm to the institution of marriage is utterly ridiculous[9].  For Chuck and Larry or Thelma and Louise getting officially hitched does not make Joseph taking Mary as his lawfully wedded wife anything less than it is—certainly not in the eyes of our Heavenly Father!

Yes, it can be argued that making homosexual marriages legal sends the wrong message to those who want to experiment with their sexuality, but can it not be also argued that making it easier for more to come out into the open also makes it harder for them to deny what is truly in their hearts[10]?  For our Heavenly Father established His Law in order to make it easier for us to recognize sin[11], and no man-made law can make that any less true[12].

No, the same cannot be said for illegal immigration.  For the great cry for more secure borders has nothing to do with concerns over the spiritual welfare of our children.

Nonetheless, does it not have something in common with the other issues?  After all, are they not all matters of us versus them, and should this not be of grave concern to all who fear the demise of this country?  For it is written: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. [Proverbs 16:18 NIV] 

Yes, there is most definitely a great need for improvements to be made.  For gangs of hardened criminals slip across the border like packs of ravenous wolves in search of prey, and then avoid prosecution by slipping back across before our law-dogs can catch up to them.

There is also the threat of terrorism hanging more over our heads with each passing day, but even this is of lesser concern to most than someone from another country taking what is ours.  “I’ve worked hard for everything I have, and I’ll be dipped if I’m gonna let some yahoo from God-only-knows-where get welfare that my tax dollars pay for!” 

Sound familiar?  Of course it does.  For such sentiments apply to more than just illegal immigrants.  In fact, they apply to anyone who is judged to not be earning their keep[13].

On the other hand, who has what that wasn’t given to them by our Heavenly Father?  For it is written: So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.  Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.  I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.  Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.  Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.”  Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.  For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? [1 Corinthians 4:1-7 NIV]

In other words, none of us have any reason to act like we have earned our keep because everything we have (including even our desire to work[14]) was given to us by our Heavenly Father, but even if that cannot be accepted, there is another thing or two that should not be ignored.  For it is also written: “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne.  All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left.  Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’  Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’  Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’  Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’  These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [Matthew 25:31-46 NAS]

{1}John 14:6; {2}John 8:31-36; {3}John 16:8-11; {4}Exodus 20:3-17; {5}Proverbs 14:12; {6}2 Timothy 4:2-4; {7}Genesis 2:23-24; {8}1 Corinthians 6:9-10; {9}Ephesians 6:10-12; {10}Jeremiah 17:9-10; {11}Romans 5:12-13; {12}Romans 5:20; {13}2 Thessalonians 3:10; {14}Ecclesiastes 5:18-20.

 

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Aborted Values Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).

Aborted Values

The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.” [Isaiah 29:13 NIV]

No, it is not that they are being disingenuous.  For in most cases, they are being quite sincere in their convictions.

Nonetheless, be assured that all who support the illegalization of abortions based upon their belief in sanctity of physical human life have been woefully deceived[1].  For it is written: But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?"  You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else.  But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own.  All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one {flesh} of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish.  There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the {glory} of the earthly is another.  There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable {body,} it is raised an imperishable {body;} it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual {body.} So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam {became} a life-giving spirit.  However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.  The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.  As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.  Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.  Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [1 Corinthians 15:35-50 NAS]

In other words, it is spiritual life that our Heavenly Father holds sacred—not physical life[2].  For physical life is meant to end[3].  Whereas spiritual life in His only begotten Son[4], who truly is the Lord Jesus Christ[5], will last forever and ever[6].  AMEN!!!

No, physical death has nothing to do with spiritual life.  For it is written: “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do.” [Luke 12:4 NAS]

Oh yes, this opens a can of theological worms that many would rather be left on a shelf deep down in an abandoned root-cellar with a thick coat of dust covering its label.  For they have been led to believe that one must be at least baptized into the church before being able to enter into the very presence of our Heavenly Father in His Kingdom of Heaven, and that is not a belief that is shared by others in their coalition.

Surely it would do us all well not to share in such a belief.  For the soul of every aborted baby goes straight to the bosom of their Creator[7]—be assured[8].

Yes, there is still plenty of common-ground for them to stand upon, and part of that has to do with lost potential.  For it is preached from pulpits on both sides of the Catholic/Protestant divide that the next aborted baby may hold the key to the cure for cancer or world peace, but who in their “right-mind”[9] would want to believe any of that[10]?  After all, is there anything good about any of us apart from our Creator[11]?

Besides, is not preaching such the height of hypocrisy?  For who is to say that the next executed convict does not hold the key to the very same things by that sort of reasoning, and is it not true that many who ferverently oppose abortions also see nothing wrong with capital punishment?

Oh yes, there is a big difference between an innocent aborted baby and a duly convicted felon, but we are talking about hidden potential here—are we not?  Besides, who from amongst us can guarantee that the next aborted baby would not make Adolph Hitler or Josef Stalin look rather harmless by comparison if allowed to live?

No, none of this is meant to deny that abortion is murder.  For what is generally considered as being life in the eyes of this world does indeed begin at conception[12], and the taking of an innocent life is indeed murder.

Subsequently, it is those who see nothing wrong with the practice that are much more in need of saving than the aborted babies, and this cannot be accomplished through the enactment of any laws[13].  For everything really is in the hands of our Heavenly Father[14], and if it is accordance to His will that there will come a day when no one will want to have an abortion, whether or not it is legal to have one will not matter[15].

Is this to say that we should be in favor of abortion?  MAY IT NEVER BE!  For to do so would be to support premeditated murder, but in regards to political action, it would be in the best interest of all concerned for the Christian community to stay neutral.

The same cannot be said of capital punishment, however.  For to lock someone in a cage for the rest of their natural life truly is cruel and unusual punishment[16]!

No, this is not to say that stoning should be reintroduced, but even if it was, would that not be more merciful than keeping someone incarcerated for life—even if in one of our modern facilities?  For the sufferings of this world would be over for them at the instant of their physical death.

Alas, does this not speak to the crux of the issue?  For in far too many cases, being in favor of life sentences is more about punishment than keeping society safe, and that warrants an eternal death sentence[17].

Yes, it can be argued that life sentences stand as a strong deterrent, but do they really?  For that would only work in the case of someone in their right-mind, and no one in their right-mind would want to do anything that would warrant such a harsh sentence in the first-place.

No, this is not ignore the suffering of the victims and their families, but vengeance is our Heavenly Father’s to repay[18].  Besides, prolonging the physical lives of those who face eternal damnation just prolongs when the real punishment will begin (naturally-speaking, of course)[19], but woe be it to all who would want to think in such as way as this[20].

Yes, much of that sounds like grounds to be in favor of the legalization of suicides and assisted-suicides, and I must admit that this is jar of some really disgusting stuff that I would rather be left on a back-shelf, myself.  For I have been there.  That is, at least in regards to suicide.

In fact, I am still there.  For if it was not for knowing that anyone in their right-mind who kills (even themselves) when it is not in accordance to the will of our Heavenly Father commits murder, I would kill myself.  For my life in this world has been one of intense pain and anguish—both physically[21] and spiritually[22], and I have not received any assurances that my sufferings will end anytime soon.

A terrible thing to say, I know.  For it would cause my wife an enormous amount of grief, but that would pass soon enough.  Whereas the suffering that she endures because of my infirmities keeps going on, and that is something that I can honestly say that I do not want to be a part of[23].

Please, do not misunderstand.  For I know that everything that I have had to endure is for our Heavenly Father’s glory[24], but that does not make it any less painful[25].

Oh yes, I am naturally a gutless wonder, but that does not mean that I do not know what I am talking about.  For what I have been given to say is of our Heavenly Father[26], and if you don’t want to believe it, I beseech thee to seek His counsel for yourself[27].

{1}Ephesians 6:10-12; {2}John 6:63; {3}Hebrews 9:27; {4}John 3:16; {5}Matthew 3:16-17; {6}2 Corinthians 4:17-18; {7}2 Samuel 12:23; {8}Matthew 19:14; {9}1 Corinthians 2:6-16; {10}Jeremiah 17:5; {11}Psalms 16:2; {12}Psalms 139:13-16; {13}Romans 8:3; {14}John 16:8-11; {15}2 Corinthians 5:17; {16}Leviticus 24:10-23; {17}James 2:12-13; {18}Deuteronomy 32:35; {19}Revelation 20:10-15; {20}1 John 4:20-21; {21}Job 10:18-22; {22}Jeremiah 20:7-9; {23}John 21:18-19; {24}1 Corinthians 10:12-13; {25}2 Corinthians 12:7-10; {26}Galatians 1:11-12; {27}James 1:5.

 

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Heal The Land Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).

Heal The Land

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

 [2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV]

No, none of this is meant to discourage participation in the political process.  For that is all part of what it means to be a good citizen in a country with a government that is meant to be of the people, by the people, and for the people—a country that was indeed established by our Heavenly Father[1].

There is, however, a proper way of doing things that goes far beyond the apparent political process.  For it is written: “Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels.  Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.  I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.  I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” [Isaiah 46:8-10 NIV]

Hence, the significance of 2 Chronicles 7:14.  For in spite of what has been so widely taught, this world still belongs to our Heavenly Father[2], and only He can fix what has He has allowed to be broken[3].

Therefore, let us want to truly humble ourselves before Him[4].  For it is also written: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” [Jeremiah 29:11 NIV]

No, it cannot be denied that there is much about this country that is broken, but let us keep in mind that there is more at stake than just the here and now.  For a law cannot change what is in a person’s heart—not even His Law[5], and it is the condition of a person’s heart that is what our Heavenly Father is concerned with[6].

Yes, it is true that laws are meant to define what is harmful[7], and it is in that regard that laws are most certainly good[8].  For how can someone with very poor judgment know that they are driving way too fast in a particular area unless there is a speed limit clearly posted (naturally-speaking, of course)?

The question is, however, is it the safely of all concerned that is what we are truly concerned with[9]?  For in far too many cases, the laws that we want enacted and enforced are more about power and control over this one and that one for this reason or that reason than anything else[10].

{1}Romans 13:1; {2}Job 41:11; {3}Job 12:14; {4}Isaiah 45:5-12; {5}Romans 8:3; {6}Ezekiel 18:31-32; {7}Romans 5:13; {8}1 Timothy 1:8-10; {9}James 2:12-13; {10}Matthew 23:23-28.

 

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Political Correctness Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).

Political Correctness

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.  For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.  Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.  This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.  Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. [Romans 13:1-7 NIV]

Needless to say, many have employed that passage to justify their desire to rule and to reign as they wanted to in the past, and it is no different today—be assured.  For even in the case of those who do not openly profess such, the thought of their authority being ordained by the Lord God Almighty is most pleasing.

No, I am not here to dispute that it is indeed true.  In fact, I am here to take it step or two farther.  For it is written: The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. [Proverbs 21:1 NIV]

Nonetheless, there is another thing to consider.  For our Heavenly Father will sometimes give us what we want, and that is not always a good thing in regards to what is generally considered as being good in the eyes of this world[1] .

Take King Saul of ancient Israel for example.  For he was chosen to rule over the land in answer to the prayers of the people[2], and his wickedness before our Heavenly Father is well documented[3].

Yes, the choice appears to be clear to many.  For they want to support those who openly profess to serve the One who truly does rule and reign over our nation—even in this day and age of post-modern sophistication[4], but do they truly want to bear His fruit[5]?

Therefore, let us be mindful of this in the election of our governmental leaders.  For it is not just over the realm of religion that false prophets seek to reign[6].

{1}Proverbs 14:12; {2}1 Samuel 8:1-22; {3}1 Samuel 9:1-15:35; {4}Job 12:13-25; {5}Galatians 5:22; {6}Matthew 7:15-27.

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[The Tribulation Times Herald-Exhorter]

Intimate Relations Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).

Intimate Relations

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.  For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.  But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.

[1 Timothy 1:5-11 NAS]

Be assured that our Heavenly Father did not establish His church in the name of His only begotten Son, who truly is the Lord Jesus Christ, to save any souls, nor to change any behaviors.  For that is the work of His Holy Spirit[1].

No, this is not to say that it is has no part in the process.  For the body of believers who make up His church[2] are called to echo what His Holy Spirit is already saying[3], which involves the convicting of sin[4].

Nonetheless, even in regards to that, it can only be righteously done in His love.  For it is written: If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. [1 Corinthians 13:1 NAS]

Subsequently, it is also the work of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit to teach us about His love.  For what we naturally consider to be love is nothing more than a mere shadow of what His is[5].

Furthermore, it is another part of His Holy Spirit’s job description to allow and enable us to love as His does[6].  For there is a big difference between knowing about something and being able to actually do it[7].

It should not, however, be assumed that all in Christ are allowed and enabled to truly love as He does.  For as it is with all of the other Spiritual gifts, that is determined by what He wants to accomplish in and through someone[8].

Proof of just how much is misunderstood about this is clear to see in every direction.  For what is often referred to as being “Christian love” has more to do with doing one’s duty in a military sort of way than anything else.

Whereas the kind of love that truly is of our Heavenly Father is oh so very personal.  For it is written: Love is patient, love is kind {and} is not jealous; love does not brag {and} is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong {suffered,} does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NAS]

Yes, it can be argued that it is not their fault, and if it was not for the witness of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit, there would be ample evidence to support the objection.  For it is written: Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. [1 Timothy 1:5 KJV]

Needless to say, there is a big difference between “love” and “charity,” but only in regards to what charity means in the eyes of this world now.  For in 1611, it meant so much more[9], and in the Light of our Heavenly Father’s absolute truth[10], even that was not taking it far enough[11].

Yes, I can certainly appreciate why there would naturally be so much resistance to this.  For in order to truly love someone like our Heavenly Father does, we must want to get personally involved in their life to the extent that we are welcomed to, and that is just too close for comfort in far too many cases (naturally-speaking, of course).

Nonetheless, I would still think that most would want to believe otherwise when looked at from a different direction.  For which would be better, to spend all of eternity with the One who truly loves you[12] or is charitable—even by the natural standards of 1611?

{1}John 16:8-11; {2}Romans 12:4-5; {3}John 15:26-27; {4}John 16:8-11; {5}1 Corinthians 13:12; {6}Galatians 5:22-23; {7}John 15:1-17; {8}1 Corinthians 12:11; {9}Matthew 5:40-42; {10}Matthew 11:25-30; {11}1 John 4:7-21; {12}Jeremiah 31:3.

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[FishHawk Droppings]

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[The Tribulation Times Herald-Exhorter]

Laodecia Repost

The following is another chapter from [Bittersweet Refinements].  Since each part is connected to the rest, it would do you well to keep reading (and listening for our Heavenly Father's explanations, of course).

Laodicea

"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: 'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.  'So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.  'Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and {that} the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.  'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.  'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.  'He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  'He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" [Revelation 3:14-22 NAS]

Yes, there really was a church in Laodicea.  What is left of the ancient city after series earthquakes devasted it over a period of several hundred years can be found in the southeastern part of what is now the nation of Turkey.

Not that any of that really matters for the purposes at hand.  For what the Lord Jesus Christ was addressing to the church there was in regards to a state of mind—an attitude, if you will, and the message that was given is just as viable today as it was back then[1].

Perhaps you have heard something or another about it?  I cannot imagine anyone in the Christian community who has not.  For it is certainly a very popular subject to preach upon.

Tragically, there is good reason for that.  For it is quite natural of us to think that the way things appear to have always been is just the way it is[2]—perhaps even the way that it should be[3], and this is a very dangerous state of mind to be in[4].

No, this is not another call for an end to what is often referred to as being institutionalized religion.  For our Heavenly Father established His church in the name of His only begotten Son[5] to serve as reflection of His Light[6] in a world deeply steeped in the darkness of spiritual ignorance—much in the same way as a globe reflects the light of a lamp[7].

Neither is this a call for an end to the teaching of doctrine.  For it is impossible to truly believe in something if you do not know what it is, and doctrine is meant to help with that[8].

In other words, there is no reason to throw the baby out with the bathwater (so to speak).  For in many cases, just a change in perspective is all that is required[9].

It is, however, in those changes of perspective that the foundations of many religious institutions begin to crumble.  For it truly is as it is written: For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [1 Corinthians 3:11 NAS]

Yes, it sounds like just another futile exercise in semantics.  For common sense dictates that a vine[10] cannot grow in worthless soil[11].

Subsequently, many look at the church that they are in as being obvious proof of being in rich soil, but be assured that not all is as it seems.  For come Judgment Day[12]: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you.  Away from me, you evildoers!’” [Matthew 7:21-23 NIV]

Therefore, let us listen closely to what our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit has to say to the churches—even now in this day and age of post-modern sophistication[13].  For it would be better to swallow our pride while we still can than to have to taste its bitterness for all of eternity[14].

Of course, how can this happen when most have no idea that He is even speaking[15]?  For all knowledge and understanding comes from Him[16].

Yes, every individual member of every individual church wants to believe that they are of the Truth[17], but how can there be so many different beliefs if that is true when all who are truly in Christ are supposed to be like-minded[18]?  For it is written: There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. [Ephesians 4:4-6 NAS]

{1}Romans 15:4; {2}1 Timothy 1:1-5; {3}2 Timothy 4:2-4; {4}Proverbs 14:12; {5}Matthew 16:13-28; {6}John 8:12; {7}Matthew 5:14-16; {8}2 Timothy 4:2-4; {9}John 7:24; {10}John 15:1-6; {11}Matthew 13:1-23; {12}Revelation 20:11-15; {13}Job 33:14-30; {14}Proverbs 16:18; {15}John 5:31-47; {16}1 Corinthians 2:6-16; {17}John 14:6; {18}Philippians 2:1-11.

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