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Almost two thousand years ago a warning came forth from the mouth of Jesus Christ and he used the example of leaven to press home his point. The Lord often used similar illustrations so that the people would understand what he was saying:

And he (Jesus) charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15)

Leaven is yeast which is able to work inside dough, causing it to rise rapidly.  When the dough is kneaded the leaven is spread to the rest of the dough, touching every part of it.  The Lord was warning his disciples about the corruption of the political system (Herod) and the corruption of the religious system (Pharisees) who had an outward form of righteousness, but did not truly want Jesus.  Leaven (yeast) can be added to a lump of dough and it will do its work without anyone even knowing it was put there.

This leaven of political and religious corruption that Jesus Christ spoke about has been at work within the “church” for a very long time now, and it is accelerating at a very rapid pace.  The “whole lump” ( 1 Corinthians 5:6) has  just about been leavened by the corrupting influence of these systems.

THE WAR IN IRAQ

When one looks at the war in Iraq, and the incredible support that came from Christian Pastors across America, you would have been hard pressed to find a Pastor who did not support the war. I remember reading an article, prior to the invasion of Iraq, about President Bush speaking to a large group of Christian leaders.  The overwhelming majority of leaders gave their heartfelt support for the invasion, with the exception of one unnamed Pastor.  He said he could not picture Jesus standing before a crowd and encouraging a nation to go forth into war.  In other words  he was saying that there was “something wrong with this picture.”

So here we are, more than four years later, with over three thousand American soldiers dead, thousands more serverely injured, and countless thousands Iraqi people dead, both insurgents and civilian alike. Millions of lives have been affected by what is taking place and yet there seems to be very little comment from the leaders in the church. There have been professional reports done to verify the high death toll of the Iraqi people, but they have been dismissed.  This is how the leaven of Herod works and it has entered the thinking of the church in a very big way.

I believe the absolute scandal of Abu Ghraib was a wake up call to those who saw it for what it was.  I personally believe that the Lord Jesus Christ allowed everybody throughout the world to have an opportunity to see what was going on behind the scenes.

Few voices were ever heard from the “Christian” community about that, simply because that leaven of corruption has worked its way deep inside the church. Where was the voice of the prophet during that scandal?  Where was the voice of the “anointed” ministers and Pastors who are supposed to be concerned with righteousness?  We entered another country based on false information and the results have been nothing less than chaotic, with millions of lives completely shattered.

Another thing that I have noticed is that the people in the “world” who are not Christians show more concern about the innocent civilians that are killed then do the Pastors in the churches in America. I can honestly say that I do not know of even ONE well known “man of God” who preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ who has ever stood up and opened his mouth against the war in Iraq. Not even one!   I have seen the placards which say “WAR IS NOT PRO LIFE” and I agree with them. We as Christians are quick to fight against abortion and I am in full agreement with that, but we do not seem to have a problem with the slaying of the innocents of war, which are simply dismissed as “collateral damage” by the media. Pastors lay hands on their young missionaries on the one hand and send them off to other countries to win souls for Christ, and then they lay hands on young men and send them off to war with the full approval of the church.

A CHRISTIAN MAN NAMED MARCELLUS

What does the bible teach about the subject of war and the duty of the Christian?  What have Christians done in the past?  This excerpt from the book ”They Loved Their Enemies, True Stories Of African Christians”, by Marian Hostetler, will give you some insight into the position of the biblical Christian.

“About thirty years after the death of Cyprian, the whole Roman Empire was celebrating the emperors birthday. In Tangier (in what is now Morocco) a certain Marcellus was not celebrating.

Now Marcellus was a centurion in the Roman army. (A centurion was an officer over 100 men) He had become a Christian, a soldier of Jesus Christ.  How could he keep his oath and serve the Roman emperor? How could he earn his living by killing others?  He therefore decided he could no longer be a soldier for the Roman emperor.

So instead of celebrating, Marcellus carried out the decision he had made.  He stood in front of his hundred men, took off his soldiers belt and the badge showing his rank, and spoke to them.  ‘I am a Christian.  I can no longer serve the emperor.’

In July of the year 289, Marcellus was brought before Fortunatus, the governor of the province. Fortunatus wanted to hush up the affair, but since Marcellus had publicly proclaimed his faith and his resolve to quit the army, he had no choice.  He had Marcellus arrested.  The last of October, Marcellus was brought to trial before Judge Agricola.  ’Are you guilty of this deed you are accused of? demanded Agricola.  ‘Yes answered Marcellus.’   ’What madness has made you break your oath as an officer and has led you to believe this Christian foolishness?’   ’It is not foolishness to fear God’  ‘But you have laid down your weapons!’  ’Yes, because it is not good for a Christian who serves Christ to serve other powers as well’ Marcellus answered.  The judge sentenced him to death by beheading.  Before leaving for his execution, Marcellus said one more thing to the judge. May God bless you Agricola’ [They Loved Their Enemies, True Stories Of African Christians by Marian Hostetler, Herald Press, 1988, pages 19-20]

I was truly struck by the contrast between the testimony of Marcellus and the testimony that comes forth from the majority of “Christian” pulpits today.  Marcellus was so totally transformed by the Spirit of God that he totally abandoned his former life as a soldier and declared “I am a Christian, I can no longer serve the emperor.”  Now that is biblical Christianity at its best. The bible tells us that we should give honor where honor is due (Romans 13:7) and I honor that man for what he did.  The judge questioned Marcellus about believing “…this Christian foolishness” but Marcellus responded “It is not foolishness to fear God.” Wow, what a heart Marcellus had, to stand against the government of his day and refuse to kill anymore. What was the end result of it all? It cost Marcellus his head.  Marcellus was simply following in the footsteps of his new master, Jesus Christ.  I am sure that Marcellus suffered much but he knew where he was going when he left this earth.  Marcellus remembered the words of his Saviour Jesus while he was dying on the cross:

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)

I am sure that Marcellus knew that the Jesus he served  just happened to be the creator of ALL things (John 1:1-3) and he knew that Jesus would be the one who would judge him one day also:

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

Marcellus went from being a child of wrath (Ephesians 2:3) to a child of God (Galatians 3:26) and the fruit of that change was that he laid down his weapons. Marcellus probably knew the following verse of scripture where Jesus equated the destroying of mens lives with that of a different spirit.

But he (JESUS) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. (Luke 9:55-56)

Now if this man Marcellus saw that it would not be Godly to continue as a soldier, then why is it that the majority of modern day Christians do not see it?  I believe that it is simply because the leaven of Herod and the leaven of the Pharisees has so permeated the church that it has become acceptable.

COULD IRAN BE NEXT?

John Hagee, the preacher from San Antonio Texas, has been pressing for an attack on Iran and he has many enthusiastic supporters, both in political and religious circles.  I spoke about this in another blog entitled THE STRONG DELUSION OF CHRISTIAN ZIONISM.  I believe that the apostle Paul’s head would have been spinning if he was listening to Hagee and others speak at the CUFI convention.  He would have heard a “Christian”preacher calling for an attack on another country. WHAT?  Perhaps this should have been called the Guns-n-Moses Convention.  If Paul was there he would have stood up and faced the audience and told every Jew and Gentile that was present that  “… except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3)  The warning about the leaven, that Jesus gave all those years ago, has been totally ignored and we are reaping the consequences in the present day church. 

As a Christian, I know that it is the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge me one day. I also know that it was the Lord Jesus Christ who spilled his blood on the cross for my wretched and sinful soul, so I take him at his word. After Jesus rose from the dead he said:

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus told his closest followers that ALL power has been given to him both in heaven and on earth. Now if that does not speak of authority then what does?  I call Him King Jesus because the bible calls him “… King of Kings and Lord of Lords…”(Revelation 17:14, 19:16)

Now listen to King Jesus again on the subject of war: 

 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:36-37)  

Jesus prophesied of a time when the love of many would wax (grow) cold and we  most certainly are living in those days:

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:12-14)

Here is a link to a powerful slideshow entitled:   WWJD  (What Would Jesus Do)

Here is a link to  some very interesting:   PEACE VIDEO CLIPS

Here is a link to a YouTube News Report About:  CLERGY DURING MARTIAL LAW

Here are ten reasons why I am not an atheist, although I could extend this list. Yes, my reasoning is based upon the authority of God’s word and that is what I use here. Pay close attention to reason number two, where it tells us that creation itself is a witness to the existence of God, and therefore all mankind is without excuse.

REASON ONE

Because God’s word (the bible) tells me that I would be a fool to say that there is no God.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalms 14:1)

REASON TWO

Because God’s word tells me that there is no excuse for me, or anyone else for not believing in God, as His very own creation is a testimony to His existence.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:17-22)

REASON THREE

Because of the accuracy of the biblical prophecies which have convinced me that the bible is truly the living word of God. Many prophecies have been fulfilled to the very letter, such as the birthplace of the Messiah in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and the death of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:1-12) as well.

REASON FOUR

Because I believe God’s word which tells me that He sent His Son to die for my sins.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

REASON FIVE

Because I believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, just like He said He would, and that He truly is the conqueror of death.

And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47)

REASON SIX

Because of the witness of the Holy Spirit, I know that God is my Father.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-1 8)

REASON SEVEN

Because I believe God’s word which tells me that this present world is just a temporary place,  and that is going to be dissolved one day. [ just like an Alka Seltzer tablet in a glass of water.]

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2 Peter 3:11-13)

REASON EIGHT

Because I believe that Jesus Christ is preparing a place for me, and every other person who has put their trust in Him.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:2-3)

For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:14)

REASON NINE

Because I believe God’s word, which tells me that the only other option for eternity would be the lake of fire.

And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15)  

REASON TEN

Because I want to be with all the other believers throughout the centuries who had a relationship with the Lord, but most of all to see Jesus.

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:11-14)

Will you come along with me? All are invited. You may even be an atheist but there is still time to get right with God. God will wipe your slate completely clean. It does not matter how wicked your past has been, and besides that, we are all a bunch of wretches anyway in need of the mercy of God. All are invited to come. Your race or language does not matter either, because the mercy of God is offered to every person, even to the four corners of the earth.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE = AUDIO OF THIS MESSAGE

During the 1990’s while living in New York City, I had the privilege of preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the streets and subways of that large City. I have many memories from those days and I truly wish that I had written down the dates , times, and places of some of my experiences. I remember one day in particular on the subway.  As I entered the subway car the first thing I noticed was a very tall and lanky man fast asleep on the opposite side of the car. It appeared that he was homeless and he had that whole section of the subway car to himself because nobody would sit near him. I also noticed that the man had a large red apple sitting on his chest.  Someone probably had left it there, as it is not unusual for people to give food to the homeless.

I felt a little guilty about preaching because I knew that this subway car was the man’s sleeping quarters and I did not want to disturb him, but the roar of the train was so loud that it was necessary to raise my voice.  As I started to share the Word of God with the folks on the train, the first time that I mentioned the name of Jesus Christ the homeless man spoke the name “Jeeeeesus” with a long drawl.  He did this while still lying on his back with his eyes closed. The next time that I mentioned the name of Jesus Christ the man said the name Jesus again in the same long drawl as before only louder. The people in the subway car reacted to this with laughter, some of them covering their mouths to hide their smirks others bordering on being hysterical.

In the middle of all this a man with an upturned hat entered the subway car looking for donations.  He was talking twice as loud as I was, and this was the icing on the cake for the folks on the train. The laughter increased. I prayed inwardly and remained silent until that man passed through the car and then I resumed preaching. As I looked over toward the homeless man I was absolutely amazed that the apple never left his chest.  It remained on his chest during the whole time I was there.

As I resumed preaching the homeless man started to rise up in slow motion, first sitting up, taking the apple in his hand and eventually standing up completely.  Except for the roar of the train there was now complete quiet and every eye was upon this man as he walked toward me.  He handed me the apple and said “this is for you, I like Jesus.”

The atmosphere on the train completely changed, and went from laughter to a somber silence.  By the look on the man’s face you would think that he had given me a million dollars. I dared not refuse the apple, telling him “thank you my friend” and meaning every word of it.  The Lord Jesus Christ was truly glorified down in the subway system of NYC that day. Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him! Peace and Shalom, Bill White

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

Here is the link to my PERSONAL TESTIMONY   of how I came to know Jesus Christ

Webster’s New World Dictionary, Second College Edition defines the word ambassador this way: The highest-ranking diplomatic representative appointed by one country or government to represent it in another.With that in mind I would like to talk with you today on the subject of the Christian being an ambassador for Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

A person who has been born again of the Spirit is the person who is described as a new creation in Christ. Paul used the word ‘IF’ to emphasize the point that a person needed to be IN Christ to become that new creation. Every single person who has become a new creation in Jesus Christ will have a testimony of how the Lord Jesus Christ delivered them out of darkness and into his marvelous light.

My wife Cathy and I had just finished ministering at the Christian service at a nearby Nursing Home this past Sunday morning, and I was packing up the sound equipment to leave. There were two residents left who were waiting to be wheeled back to their rooms and one of them started talking in a very frail voice. She said“I have known Jesus since I was 14 years old.”  I immediately stopped what I was doing and went over to her and asked if she would tell me her story. She told me that her name was Jenny, and that she was 91 years old. She said that she attended a bible study as a young girl, and learned from her bible teacher that she could talk directly to God. Jenny told me that she had never heard that before. She told me that she wept like a baby when she accepted Christ all those years ago. Jenny said that she was so glad that she knew Jesus Christ because it made things a lot easier. The volunteers then arrived to take Jenny and the other remaining resident back to their rooms. I did not get to speak with Jenny for a long time, but I was grateful to have an opportunity to hear her testimony of salvation.

2 Corinthians 5:18: And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Any person who has become a Christian through the new birth (born again) has been reconciled back to God, the creator of all things. This was made possible because of what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross by the shedding of His perfect blood. In God’s Courtroom we are all found guilty (of our sins) and our mouths are silenced from justifying ourselves before God. (Romans 3:19-20) The wages of our own sin was death (Romans 6:23) but Jesus Christ stepped into the courtroom of justice almost two thousand years ago, and paid OUR death penalty for OUR sin on the cross. (Romans 5:8-9) That is good news!

2 Corinthians 5:19: To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

God reconciled us back to Himself through what His Son has done on the cross. He will not hold our trespasses against us. (Thank you Lord.) Therefore every single person who has been saved, has been given the ministry of reconciliation. You do not need to be a bible scholar to be a minister of reconciliation, because the Spirit of God within you, can use you just the way you are. The Lord can use you even with the little scripture knowledge that you have, and you will grow in His grace on a daily basis. Some of the most powerful witnesses for Jesus Christ are new believers who have come out of extreme darkness. They cannot but speak about the things of the Lord to anything that moves.

2 Corinthians 5:20: Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

We are representatives from another kingdom, because we are now part of the Kingdom of God. We are ambassadors of a Kingdom that is different and separate from the kingdom of “this world system.” This is most important for you to understand. You will find out early that not everybody is interested in the “new” Kingdom of God which you have found. On the other hand you also see that there are fellow ambassadors for Christ, from all over the world, and they come from every nationality and race in the world. They can also be called your “brothers and sisters in Christ.”  We are ambassadors for Christ, and not the ambassadors of a religion, or a denomination and certainly not an earthly country. Our Kingdom is a spiritual Kingdom and it is not limited to any geographical location. Our job as ambassadors for Christ is to tell others about Jesus Christ, and what He has done for us and what he will do for them. All are invited to become part of his Kingdom, and all who become a new creation in Christ are also his ambassadors.

2 Corinthians 5:21:For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

You can call this the great divine exchange, because Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, took our sin and filth upon Himself, so that wretches like us might have the righteousness that He alone possessed. That is true LOVE!

Where is the proof that Jesus Christ created ALL things?  Where do people get this information anyway?

Come on now, where is the proof?  Here it is right here.

The very first verse in the Bible tells us that God created the heaven and the earth.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

The first three verses in the Gospel of John tell us that the Word made ALL things,  including heaven and earth.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1-3)

In the very same chapter of John it tells us that the Word was made flesh which means the Word became a human being. That person is shown to be Jesus Christ.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:14-17)

The prophet Isaiah told us that the Lord, who is the redeemer, made ALL things,  ALONE and by HIMSELF.

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isaiah 44:24)

CONCLUSION: Jesus Christ is eternal and He has made ALL things!

Can somebody say AMEN!

How can we know whether something is of God or not?  How can we know when we are walking in truth or in error?  The Bible tells us that when the Holy Ghost comes, certain things will happen in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ.  Jesus the Christ (Messiah) said this 

:But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.  (John 14:26)

Jesus identified the Holy Ghost as the comforter, and He will give you an inner comfort and peace in Christ which the world cannot give.  People in the world often seek comfort and relief in the things of this world.  They soon find out that these things provide just a temporary comfort, but deep inside, the heart is still hollow and dark. Please note that Jesus, the “…way, truth and life…” (John 14:6) identified the Holy Ghost with the masculine word “He” which shows us that Jesus referred to the Holy Ghost as a person.  Please note that the Holy Ghost and the Holy Spirit speak of the same person. The Greek word “pneuma” is translated as Ghost and also as Spirit.Jesus also described the Holy Ghost as a teacher, and in the verse below He tells us that the comforter (Holy Ghost) is also the Spirit of truth.  This is most important because it is the Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) who will guide and assist you into all truth.

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: (John 15:26)

We can see the triunity of the eternal Godhead working beautifully here as Jesus mentions the Father also.  Jesus then makes another point by telling us that the Spirit of truth (Holy Ghost) will testify of Him (Jesus Christ).

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13-15)

In the passage above the word “He” is used nine different times, and the word “Himself” is used once to describe the person of the Holy Ghost.  It is difficult to comprehend how some of the “cults” declare the Holy Ghost to be nothing more than a force of some kind.The Holy Ghost will always point you to Jesus Christ.  The passage above tells us that the Spirit of truth (Holy Ghost) will not speak of Himself.  This is also very important because many things are done in the name of the “Spirit” that do not testify of Jesus Christ and do not glorify Him at all.  If it is not the truth then it is falsehood and should be avoided at any cost.How did I come out of the darkness of Roman Catholicism? 

 It was the Holy Ghost who opened up my spiritual eyes. I used to promote the worship of Mary, which included the Marian apparitions at Medugorje, Yugoslavaia until the Holy Ghost opened up my “spiritual eyes”. The Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) showed me the error of those “messages from Mary” in Medugorje, Yugoslavia and He showed me through the Word of God. It was as if the Holy Ghost took a heavenly Hi Liter pen and illuminated the contradictions in those messages with God’s Holy Word! 

Remember that the Holy Ghost will testify about Jesus, and He will glorify Jesus, NOT Mary!  Prior to that I was pointing people to Mary and her “messages” from Medugorje.  Basically I was an evangelist for Mary and I was promoting the Roman Catholic doctrines that were promoted in her “messages” until the Holy Ghost came on the scene.  The Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) showed me most clearly that what was appearing in Medugorje was nothing more than a demonic counterfeit spirit, masquerading as “Mary”.  When I researched the other “apparitions of Mary”  I found the same type of thing.  The Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) showed me that I was involved in absolute blatant idolatry and my worship of Mary stopped immediately. 

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

Another sign that a person is walking in the “Holy Ghost” is that there will be a “power” to witness for Jesus Christ.  That is what happened with the original followers of Jesus and that has never changed.  A person must have a testimony for Christ if they are to describe themselves as a Christian.  That is what happened to me when I came to know Jesus Christ.  I could not but speak the word of God and proclaim the gospel to the lost souls who surrounded me.  A common thread in all true Christian testimonies is that they will testify about Jesus Christ and glorify Him, and Him alone.

 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:8-12)

Take a look at Peter as an example of someone who was “filled with the Holy Ghost” and what issued forth from his mouth.  This was the same Peter who denied the Lord three different times, but now Peter was a “different man” because he was “filled with the Holy Ghost.”  Peter proclaimed the truth boldly to the religious crowd of his day, and he told them that Jesus Christ was the only way to be saved. 

 Any person who claims to have the Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) must also believe and proclaim that Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven.  If they do not proclaim that truth then you can rest assured that the Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) is not the one who is speaking through them.

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)

Please do not misunderstand what I am saying. Christians often come under intense persecution and every single one of us need the boldness to proclaim God’s Word and to preach the gospel.  The original disciples of Jesus Christ were eyewitnesses to many of His awesome and powerful miracles, which included healings, raising the dead, and watching Jesus walk on the water, but they still found themselves in need of boldness to proclaim the gospel.  In the passage above we see that the original disciples were being continuously threatened by the religious (unsaved) rulers of the day who rejected Jesus Christ.  As a result they sought the Lord and prayed for boldness to preach the word. What happened after they prayed?  They were all “filled with the Holy Ghost” and they “spake the word with boldness.”   That was a direct answer to prayer and the disciples went forth proclaiming the gospel in the power of the Holy Ghost.  That should be an encouragement to all of us.Listen to Stephen proclaim the word of God right before he was stoned to death by the Jewish religious rulers of his day.

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: (Acts 7:51-52)

What boldness this man had to speak this strong and powerful word of rebuke to the Jewish religious crowd of his day.  He linked the people with all of the children of Israel who had put the prophets of God to death.  Then he tells them that they have betrayed and murdered the “just one” who is Jesus Christ!  And, most importantly, Stephen told them that they did  “resist the Holy ghost” just as their “fathers” had done. 

Do not tell me that a person cannot resist the Holy Ghost, because Stephen told this crowd that they resisted the Holy Ghost just as their “fathers” had done.  It was the same Holy Ghost who was upon Stephen when he was testifying before them.  They did not believe that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) and that is why they put him to death.  The Holy Ghost is still resisted today in the very same way. 

In  the modern day “church” you will find countless ecumenical, interfaith, and inter-religious meetings going on.  You can rest assured that the Holy Ghost (Spirit of truth) is long gone from that whole scene.  The word “Ichabod” (there is no glory) can be written over anyplace that entertains a religion who rejects Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.

What was said by Stephen back then still applies today to both Jew and Gentile.  When a person rejects Jesus Christ they are rejecting the Spirit of truth and they will remain in darkness until  they “…repent and believe the gospel.” (Mark 1:15)

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I turned on the television the other night and realized that there was a convention being televised for Christians United For Israel (CUFI).  The CUFI is an organization which was founded by Pastor and author John Hagee which encourages Christians to stand with the modern state of Israel. The person speaking was a Jewish man by the name of David Brog (Executive Director of CUFI).  I listened as he sang the praises of former US President Harry Truman, because President Truman recognized Israel as a state.  President Truman was the president that authorized the use of atomic bombs over in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Mr Brog then sang similar praises about John Hagee, who received a standing ovation as he was introduced.

I listened as Mr Brog spoke in a room filled with people claiming to be Christians.  He told them that their Christian theology demands that they stand with Israel.  I knew where he was coming from and I am fully aware of what is being taught in many evangelical churches today.  I used to believe certain dispensational teachings, such as the land belonging to Israel, because that’s what was being taught in most churches.  However my further study of the scriptures revealed otherwise.  I never believed for a moment that a person Jewish or Gentile could be saved apart from faith in Jesus Christ.  I had no idea that many of the Bible teachers taught that the Jewish people were still God’s chosen people and that they are still in covenant with him, even though they do not believe that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). 

 In recent years , I have been hearing  Bible teachers talk about the church of Jesus Christ as being a mere parenthesis in God’s plan and that the Jewish people are under a different covenant.  I came across an article by the Christian Research Institute regarding Pastor John Hagee, which was Statement DH005. Here are a few excerpts from that statement:

“Trying to convert Jews is a waste of time he (Hagee) said.

Everyone else whether Buddhist or Baha’i needs to believe in Jesus, he says. But not Jews, Jews already have a covenant with God that has never been replaced with Christianity he says.

The Jewish people have a relationship with God through the law of God as given through Moses, Hagee said. I believe that every Gentile person can only come to God through the cross of Christ. I believe that every Jewish person who lives in light of the Torah, which is the word of God, has a relationship with God and will come to redemption.

The Law of Moses is sufficient enough to bring a person into the knowledge of God until God gives him a greater revelation. And God has not said Hagee.”

[Statement DH005 , Christian Research Institute, Charlotte, NC]

SALVATION FOR THE JEW ACCORDING TO JESUS CHRIST

It is absolutely amazing to me that John Hagee could make such statements as those above considering the overwhelming proof in God’s Word that contradict what he said.  The greatest revelation that God has given to the Jewish people and the rest of the world is found in Jesus Christ. In other words Jesus Christ is God’s last word to mankind, and that most certainly includes the Jewish people. Listen to what Jesus Christ said to the Jewish people of his time:

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5:39-40)

To totally understand the impact of the words above, we must not forget that the one who is speaking is Jesus Christ.  Many do not realize that the word CHRIST actually means MESSIAH. So it is Jesus the Messiah who is doing the talking.  Jesus is the one who was sent from the Father above to preach the Kingdom of God, and ultimately become the BLOOD ATONEMENT for the sin of mankind.

Jesus the Messiah encouraged the Jewish people to search the scriptures (their very own Torah) because they thought they had eternal life. Jesus then made it clear to them that their own Torah testified about him, but they still would not come to him, that they might have life.  Please do not miss this folks, because Jesus was telling the Jewish people that the very life and salvation which they desired, could only be found in him.  Jesus went on to say this to them:

Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:45-47)

Jesus was pushing home the same point once again, that the scriptures (the Torah, the books of Moses) had enough in them to show that he (Jesus) was the prophesied Messiah. That is why Jesus told them, that if they believed Moses then they would have naturally believed him.  In the New Testament book of Acts there is a portion of scripture that will help us understand this better:

For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:22-26)

The words above were spoken by the apostle Peter to the people of Israel after the miraculous healing of a lame man at the temple gate. Peter told the people of Israel that the man was healed by the power of Jesus Christ. Peter then told them that this same Jesus was “the Prophet” whom Moses spoke and wrote about in (Deuteronomy 18:15-18), and that those who would not “hear that Prophet” (Jesus the Christ) would be destroyed!  Peter then went on to say that all of the prophets (in the Old Covenant scriptures) foretold of the days which were taking place right then and there. Peter then went all the way back to Abraham to show the people that all the people of the earth (that includes absolutely everybody) would be blessed through Abraham’s seed (offspring)  and that seed (offspring)  is Jesus Christ.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of ONE, And to thy SEED, which is CHRIST. (Galatians 3:16)

In plain and simple language, the Jewish apostle Paul  told the people that Jesus Christ was, and is, the promised seed (offspring) by whom ALL of the nations of the world would be blessed. Paul told them the very same thing that Peter told the people of Israel after that awesome miracle.  The whole of the Old Covenant scriptures pointed to the time when Jesus the Christ (Messiah) arrived on the scene.  The message that Peter gave regarding that “Prophet” is right in line with the salvation or damnation message that Jesus gave after he rose from the dead. (Mark 16:15-20)  The words of Jesus Christ below, become absolutely meaningless if a Jewish person could be saved without faith in Jesus Christ, by living in light of the Torah.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

Jesus declared that NO MAN would be able to come to the Father unless thay came through him, because the Father is the one who sent him.  That means that there will not be any person Jewish or Gentile (the rest of the world) who would be able to go to the Father (in heaven) unless they come though the Son whom he sent. Peter spoke along those very same lines when he spoke to the people of Israel:

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)

Could the scriptures be any clearer than this? The people of Israel are being addressed here by the apostle Peter and he told them that there was no other name by which they might be saved outside the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! Read it again. Peter was speaking to the children of Israel there and the message that he gave them back then has not changed one drop since that time!

The passage below was written by the Jewish apostle Paul:

But God forbid that I should glory, save (except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:14-16)

Paul made it clear in that passage of scripture that he gloried only in the cross of Jesus Christ, and then he linked those who would walk according to that same rule to the “Israel of God.”  Paul also wrote the following:

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (Romans 9:6)

Paul was obviously putting a difference between the people of ethnic Israel and those of the “Israel of God” who recognized Jesus as the Messiah!

David Brog stated, at the CUFI convention the other night, that Christian theology demands that Christians stand with Israel. I would like to tell Mr. Brog that my theology demands that I stand for the truth, and that I preach the gospel to both Jew and Gentile.  Any Gospel preacher who is worth their salt would tell him the same thing.  Jesus declared the truth plainly and with boldness and to water down the message of the gospel is a fatal mistake: 

And he (Jesus) said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:23-24)

The Lord Jesus Christ told the Jewish people of his day that he came from above (heaven), and that the consequences of not believing that he was the one who was sent from the Father (the Messiah), would be to die in their sins.  The plain and simple truth is that every person who sat at that convention, whether Jew or Gentile, who rejects Jesus Christ as their Savior, will die in their sins and end up in hell. To preach anything other than that is to preach a bogus gospel. If ever there was a people who are responsible before the Lord it is the Jewish people. To declare that God has not given them the necessary revelation is nothing less than mind boggling. The Jewish apostle Paul consented to the murder of Christians before he was saved (Acts 8:3, 22:4, 26:9-11).  He then made a complete about face and preached that Jesus was the Christ (Messiah).  He wrote the following words: 

 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)

Paul, the Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ, tells us that the gospel was to go the Jew first. In fact Paul identified those who are the children of Abraham:

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. (Galatians 3:7)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:28-29)

That very same Jewish apostle Paul told us that there is absolutely no difference between the Jew and the Greek (Gentile).  No difference! The only ones who can be called the children of Abraham are those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ. John Hagee spoke about the Jewish people living in light of the Torah, but the Torah contains the Ten Commandments which stops and silences any person from justifying themself before a righteous God! (Romans 3:19-20)  In fact the Torah contains everything about the sacrificial system which is gone forever. The Bible declares that there is NO atonement for the soul without the blood.

THE NEW COVENANT REPLACED THE OLD COVENANT

Right before the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, he cried out “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) which means that everything had been fulfilled at that moment, and his death was the perfect and final sacrifice for sin. It was at that very moment that the veil in the Jewish Temple was torn in half, signifying that the Old Covenant sacrificial sytem was to be no more.

 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain (two) from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. (Mark 15:38-39)

Where is the Jewish Temple today? It is not to be found and there can be no atonement for the sins of the people without the shedding of blood.  The Temple sacrifices were not accepted in the sight of God after the ultimate, final and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. That was the very purpose of the veil in the Temple being torn on half when Christ died. The high priest went into the temple and entered through the veil once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur-The Day of Covering).  The high priest took the blood from the animal sacrifices and sprinkled it on the mercy seat for the atonement of sin. But all of that stopped in the sight of God when Jesus, the great high Priest, entered into the true holy place in heaven. 

For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul. (Leviticus 17:11)

The Old Covenant has been completely done away with and if somebody tells you something else then they are preaching falsehood to you. All of the sacrifices pointed to Jesus Christ. The Passover pointed to Jesus Christ also and that is why John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) 

Paul the Jewish apostle of Jesus Christ wrote the following words almost two thousand years ago:

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his BLOOD we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

The blood that was shed by Jesus Christ is now the ONLY blood that can reconcile a sinner back to God. Friends, that is the absolute Bible truth.  That was the very purpose Jesus Christ came to this world. The gospel message is still for both the Jew and the Gentile, but there is no special revelation or reservation for the “ethnic” Jewish person when it comes to salvation. In fact if there were a special revelation or reservation for the Jewish person, then everything that Jesus Christ preached meant absolutely nothing.  If a fair minded person will read through the gospel accounts they will see that Christ was dealing with the issues of the heart, and he was constantly rebuking the Jewish Pharisees for their outward form of religion.  The Jewish apostle Paul wrote the following also:

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28-29)

It all has to do with the heart and nothing to do with a persons ethnic background. Jesus told Nicodemus, a Jewish ruler, that he needed to be born again or he would not see the Kingdom of God.  Jesus did not say maybe, or could be, or should be, but MUST BE! The Kingdom of God is open to all people on planet earth, and their sins can be forgiven through the BLOOD of Jesus Christ.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:6-7) 

BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES

John Hagee mentioned the fact that Christians are the wild branches that have been grafted into the  good olive tree, and he was obviously referring to the verses from Romans Chapter 11.  I am in full agreement with the truth that the Jewish people represent the good olive tree, but please do not forget to mention that this is speaking about the Jewish people who followed the Lord and recognized the Messiah when he came. The Jewish people who did not recognize the Messiah were broken off  branches because they rejected the very one whom God the Father sent!

The Gentile people who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ have been grafted into the “good olive tree” and they are there along with the Jewish people who also believe in Jesus and recognize him as the Messiah.  For the past two thousand years Jewish people have received the very SAME Grace that the Gentiles have recieved and they have received eternal life in Jesus Christ. There is NO difference between the Jew and the Gentile.

Beware of the phrase “replacement theology” because it is a term used by Christian Zionists.  It paints a picture that portrays people who do not agree with their false theology appear anti-semitic. Do not be intimidated by that term, because the Lord Jesus Christ is the searcher of hearts and he knows what is going on inside your heart. 

BIBLICAL WARNINGS ABOUT AN ANTICHRIST SPIRIT

To declare that the Jewish people can still be in covenant with the Lord under the Old Covenant, living in light of the Torah,  is to agree with the Pharisees who rejected Jesus Christ two thousand years ago.  To declare that message is to oppose the very message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Not only that but the apostle John warned us about those who have an “antichrist spirit” and he described them as follows:

Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. (1 John 2:22)

And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. (1 John 4:3)

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 John 1:7)

 If you were to ask many of the Jewish people who were present at that convention meeting the other night, whether or not they believed that Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah, they would answer no without any problem at all.  The very reason that the Jewish apostles were persecuted and put to death by people like Paul (before he was saved) was because they preached Jesus Christ as the Messiah! So here we are almost two thousand years later, being told by a “Christian” minister that the Jewish people can be saved by living in light of the Torah. Once again I tell you that it makes the gospel message that Peter and Paul preached, and all the others preached, seem like a waste of time. After Paul was converted the Jewish people wanted to kill him, but the Lord preserved him. Many times Paul was beaten to a pulp, and even left for dead, but the Lord kept using him for his glory. In fact if Paul were a “bug on the wall” at that convention meeting he would have been aghast at what he heard.

IS WAR ON THE HORIZON?

Toward the end of this one hour television program, there was a man dressed in an Israeli miltary uniform who walked out from the audience, up to the front of the room, and then knelt down to pray. He was wearing a prayer shawl of some sort over his head. Then another man dressed in an American military uniform came from the audience and tapped the praying Israeli soldier on the shoulder, offered his hand to him , and they shook hands. Is there a message being sent here? What was this supposed to mean? Could this be a statement being made here? Is this some type of propaganda? Could there be another war on the horizon?

John Hagee is the Pastor of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. He can be seen all over the airwaves throughout the world.  His preaching is often accompanied by very colorful video graphics which appear on a screen behind him.  He is known to preach against what he calls ”Isalmo Fascism” in no uncertain terms.  I thought that I was hearing things when I heard him talk in favor of a pre emptive attack on Iran. Wait a minute, did I hear correctly? Please tell me if I heard wrong.  Can we as Christians rightly call for an attack upon any nation, which would most certainly end up killing innocent civilians? What on earth is going on here?  What about the words of the master teacher and Saviour of the world Jesus:

  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44)

Do you remember when the band of men came looking for Jesus at the place in the garden where he usually prayed? Do you remember what Peter did to Malchus? 

Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. (John 18:10)

Sometime you can read a Bible verse and miss what really happened. Peter did not politely walk up to Malchus and start slicing his ear off.  It is quite obvious that Peter went to take the guys head off with a wild swing, and caught only his ear. But what did Jesus do after that?  Jesus actually healed the guys ear! (Luke 22:51) and then he made a prophetic statement:

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.  Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?  (Matthew 26:52-54)

What about the words of Jesus Christ as he was dying on the cross?

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:33-34)

Sometimes we must take a few steps back and analyze what is going on, and ask ourselves the question, Is this the Spirit of Jesus Christ at work here?  Is it the Spirit of Jesus Christ that is calling for an attack against a nation or is it a “another spirit?”  Is it the spirit of Jesus that would call for an attack upon innocent Muslim people or is it “another spirit”? Where is the fear of the Lord in all of this?

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36) 

Only time will tell what is going to happen in the following days.  We need to keep our eyes on the Lord like never before.  One thing I do know is that the Lord is merciful and that he abhors the killing of innocent people, and we have seen more than enough of that in recent years. That is what has stirred me to write this article. As Christians we like to take our stand on pro life issues such as abortion ( I am also pro life), but then we don’t even blink an eye when hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Muslim people are killed.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. (Hebrews 13:13-14)

 THE JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE

The scriptures tell us that HERE (on this earth) we have NO continuing city, and that includes the earthly city of Jerusalem. We, as Christians, are looking to the Jerusalem which is above (Galatians 4:26), not to the city in the Middle East.

But Jerusalem which is above is FREE, which is the mother of us all. (Galatians 4:26)

The Lord Jesus Christ had a conversation with a Samaritan woman, who was amazed that Jesus was even talking with her, because the Jewish people and the Samaritan people did not get along with each other. Jesus talked to her about true worship:

 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias (Messiah) cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee AM HE (John 4:21-26)

 The Lord made it ever so clear to this woman that physical location did not matter anymore, because God must be worshiped in spirit and truth. Jesus said the hour was coming AND NOW IS when true worshipers would worship God in spirit and truth, which means that the hour had already arrived. The Lord Jesus Christ then went on to inform this woman that he was in fact the Messiah. Now either Jesus was telling the truth or he is a liar.  If Jesus declared to this woman that he was in fact the Messiah, and that the hour had arrived when people could worship him from anywhere in the world, then I would not dare to tamper with the word of God.  That same Samaritan woman went back to her town and brought others back to hear Jesus for themselves and, as a result, many were saved.

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him (Jesus) for the saying of the woman, which testified, He (Jesus) told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. (John 4:39-42)

The same living waters (spiritual) that Jesus offered to this Samaritan woman has been offered to both Jew and Gentile alike, for nearly two thousand years.  There is no postponement, no other covenant, no other way, but the way which God has provided through his Son Jesus Christ.

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

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COMMENTS:

Here are some recent comments on this article.

“PJ Miller”  wrote the following:

“Beware of the phrase “replacement theology” because it is a term used by Christian Zionists. It paints a picture that portrays people who do not agree with their false theology appear anti-semitic. Do not be intimidated by that term, because the Lord Jesus Christ is the searcher of hearts and he knows what is going on inside your heart.”

Thank you… I wept as reading this post, but that statement spoke to me personally. I cannot tell you the tears I have shed in prayer over this entire Christian Zionist movement. At first it confused me…but the more I read about it and poured through the scriptures, the more ‘wrong’ it appeared to be.

To be honest, I just plain didn’t get it!

The Lord has had me working on a couple Christian boards/forums for some years now..and it seemed every time I tried to point out what I saw as error in this, either my comments were ignored or someone would come back replying about replacement theology.

I began to doubt myself…wondering if it was me who was wrong, even crying before the Lord asking him to search my heart in case I had even a tinge of antisemitism lurking within. I never ‘thought’ I did…but wanted to be sure.

Years ago I believe the Spirit of God showed me there were to be many ‘faces’ to the apostasy and last day delusion…many layers, like an onion.

That Satan would slip in teachings and error, which would not be as obvious, as the ones which stick out like a sore thumb today.

This is one of those layers…I’m convinced.

Forgive my rambling, but only God knows how much I needed to read your post.

thanks again…and God bless.

Editors Note: I emboldened certain sentences  from this comment,  because I believe that they are very important.  I do not consider what PJ Miller said to be rambling at all.  In fact there is no doubt in my mind that PJ Miller was speaking “in the Holy Ghost” when they penned this comment, and I am thankful that this person had the courage to speak up about this issue.  There is a suffocating silence within the walls of the organized church that many true Christian’s  are beginning to see.  The Lord is raising those same people up to be His bold witnesses in these last days.  Thanks to PJ Miller once again for your honesty and obedience to the Lord.  [Bill White, Soulrefuge blog]  

Here are some words of wisdom from ”oxysmoron”:

Cannot Beware if not Aware…

Thanking Jesus.

Lord bless this one who has spoken Truth and keep Your hedge about him. Amen

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