JUST ANOTHER DAY IN SODOM!!

I can remember going to see a movie back in the early 1960’s, entitled “The Last Days Of Sodom And Gomorrah.”  The only scene that I can remember clearly is when Lot’s wife looked back, and turned into a pillar of salt.  I mean that just blew me away when I saw that happen.  I remember the warning that was given to the people, instructing them not to look back, and then BOOM this woman was nothing but a pile of salt.  I remember walking home from “the movies” that day in sort of a stupor because of what I had just seen.

Was that story really true? I mean, did Lot’s wife really turn into a pillar of salt, or is this just one of those little fairy tales meant to scare people out of their wits, so that they would shape up or ship out?  Actually we can find a reference to the events which transpired at Sodom in the New Testament and the one who told the story was Jesus Christ Himself:

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop, and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field, let him likewise not return back. Remember Lot’s wife. (Luke 17:28-32)

Now if it was Jesus who spoke about Sodom and the “days of Lot” and Lot’s wife, then we can conclude that this story must be true or Jesus Christ is nothing but a bold faced liar.

In the Old Testament book of [Genesis 18:20-33] we learn that Abraham sought to hold back the hand of God, and pleaded for the Lord to spare the city of Sodom.  Abraham petitioned the Lord, not to destroy the righteous with the wicked, and the Lord agreed with that.  Abraham asked the Lord if He would spare the city if there were but fifty righteous people inside the city, and the Lord agreed to spare the whole city if there were fifty righteous people. [Genesis 18:24-26]  Abraham continued to lower the figure by tens from forty all the way down to ten, and the Lord still agreed to Abrahams request. [Genesis 18:32] So if there were ten righteous people left within Sodom, the Lord would not destroy that city. That was the deal. So what happened next?

The Lord sent two angels to Sodom to visit Lot, who was the nephew of Abraham and they warned them them to leave the city because the Lord was going to destroy the city. The angels advised Lot to take any other relatives with him, and there was a great sense of urgency in their pleading with Lot.

And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it. And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law. And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed. (Genesis 19:12-17)

So here we have two angels from Heaven, sent by the Lord to warn Lot to get out of the city as quick as he could, along with any who were willing to go with him.  When Lot went to his sons in law, they thought that he was joking, and they decided to stay. You have to understand that things were going on as usual in that city, and Lot’s relatives probably thought that he was some kind of a nutjob, for telling them that the city would be destroyed.  It got to the point where Lot himself was taking too long, and the angels had to literally grab him, his wife and their two daughters by the hand and yank them all out of the city.  Here is what happened next:

The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:23-26)

It was just another day in Sodom, and the Sun was coming up, and people were probably getting ready to do what they usually did. Perhaps some were already having their morning coffee at the Sodom Coffee and Pastry Shop, when the great terror from above filled Sodom and Gomorrah. People were probably shocked beyond belief, with many not even realizing what had hit them.  It was too late for the relatives of Lot who chose to remain behind. The Lord had fulfilled His word and there was nothing that would stay His Almighty hand.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2 Peter 2:4-9)

REPENT YE AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL!!

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:10-12)

Folks, is it not mind blowing that Jesus Christ, the creator of the all things [John 1:1-3] literally walked this earth?  Yes, that is what the scriptures teach us, and they also teach us that the Lord Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people. Who were His own people? That is speaking of the Jewish people, who for the most part rejected Jesus when He came to this earth. They missed the Messiah and they did not realize the time of their visitation.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:37-44)

The followers of Jesus Christ began to praise God with a loud voice, for all the  mighty works which the Lord had done.  This praise which was being directed toward Jesus, upset some of the Pharisees who were the Jewish religious crowd of that day, and they demanded that Jesus rebuke His own disciples.  Jesus told  the Pharisees that the stones would cry out if the disciples had held back their praise.

Jesus then began to weep over the city [Jerusalem] because the Jewish people for the most part had missed the time of their visitation.  In other words they had rejected the Messiah Jesus, and they did not recognize that He was the one whom the Father had sent from above.  Jesus then prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem, a judgment which would eventually take place around 70AD.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. (Acts 13:27-31)

The scriptures tell us that the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not KNOW Jesus, nor the prophets which were read every single Sabbath day, and that is why they condemned Jesus to death.  They put him in a grave but God raised Him from the dead, and God still offers salvation to both the Jewish and Gentile all over the whole world.  It is unfortunate, but absolutely true, that here we are almost two thousand years later and the Jewish people still do not know Jesus, nor the “voices of the prophets” which are read every Sabbath.

And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (2 Corinthians 3:13-16)

There is a spiritual vail [veil] which remains upon the heart and mind of any person [Jewish or Gentile] who does not see their own need for Jesus Christ. The scriptures tell us that this spiritual veil will only be removed when a person turns to the Lord. That could also be described as repentance.

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15)

THE LORD’S ANGELS WATCHING OVER US!

During the late 1990’s I was part of a prayer team in a large church in New York City, where people called with their prayer requests and/or their praise reports. One day at about 8 or 9 in the morning the phone rang, and a “sister in Christ” on the other end of the phone said this:

“Brother, I have a praise report” to which I responded “Go ahead sister, let’s hear it.”

The lady then said this:

“Brother, I work the night shift at a hospital on Long Island, [NYC] and I always pray before I get into my car to go to work.  Last night I prayed the way that I ususally do, but then I prayed that the Lord would take control of my steering wheel, something which I never prayed before. I left for work and while driving on the Southern State Parkway I lost control of my car.  My car veered into the median divider, bounced back into the roadway, and spun around four lanes of traffic without touching another car.  My car ended up in a small ditch, but I was not hurt, and there was just a small crack in one of the windows.  Two men drove up in a truck and ran over to assist me.  The first thing that they said to me was ‘Are you alright?’ and I told them that I was alright.  The second question that they asked me was ‘How did you do that?’”.

When I hear testimonies like that it only increases my faith in the awesome and merciful God, whom I serve.  We can learn much from the faithful prayers of this woman, because sometimes our prayers can become rote. The Lord was watching over this “sister in the Lord” and it was the Lord who prompted her to pray that way.  This “sister in Christ” was well aware of the dangers of the road, and yet she also realized that everything was ultimately in the Lord’s hands.

The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. (Psalms 34:7)

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

SATAN IS WORKING OVERTIME!!!

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

The scriptures tell us that the “god of this world” has blinded the minds of those who are not believers.  Who is the “god of this world?” Satan is the one that this passage of scripture is speaking about, and he desires to keep the lost souls all over the world in darkness for as long as he can.  Not only that, but Satan will try to creep inside the church itself, to bring in false doctrines and lying signs and wonders.

Satan is aware of what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about, and that is why the scriptures warn us about the “doctrines of devils” which would seek to seduce and ensnare people from believing the truth about Jesus Christ.  That is also why the apostle Paul was so adamant about the preaching of the Word, because he knew that the truth had the power to set people free.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Paul spoke about a time that was coming where men would not endure [put up with] sound doctrine, but they would go running after teachers who would tickle their ears.  Paul said that those people would turn away their ears from the truth and that is exactly what has been happening for a very long time now.  There is no doubt that there have always been false teachers, even in Paul’s time, but we can also say that there has been an increase in the variety of the devil’s doctrines and manifestations in recent times.

I saw a program the other night that showed video clips of a church service where people were supposedly experiencing revival. In one clip there were people who were falling out of their seats and then rolling around on the floor.  I have not heard about this kind of thing since the Toronto and Pensacola days, and I thought that it had passed.

In another video clip I saw people testifying about gold teeth that had suddenly appeared in their mouths.  Dental experts testified to the validity of the gold in their mouths. Another lady had gold specks all over her face.  In another video clip they showed people that had found some type of gems on the floor of the sanctuary in which they were worshiping.

Back in the 1980’s, when I was in the Roman Catholic Charismatic movement, I became interested in the “apparitions” of Mary in Medugorje,Yugoslavia.  During this time, I heard of similar experiences.  I was in a Catholic prayer group and some of the people had gone to Medugorje.  They said that the chain that held their rosary beads in place changed from silver to a golden color.  There were other testimonies about looking into the Sun and seeing spinning crosses and many other similar stories.  I thank God that the Lord opened my spiritual eyes and delivered me out of that deception, but I see that the deception is running rampant in Protestant and Evangelical circles also.  You can call it revival if you like, but I call it SPIRITUAL INSANITY.

SOME SHALL DEPART FROM THE FAITH!!

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. (1 Timothy 4:1)

This is a very interesting passage of scripture. The Jewish apostle Paul, the same one who was converted on the road to Damascus, and a former murderer of Christians, wrote those words. Paul knew what it was like to be deceived. Paul was a Jewish Pharisee, and if one were to examine his life they would probably find an extremely moral man. One might even call him “holy”, but in the sight of God he was religious but lost! He did not know the true and living God until he met Him that day on the road to Damascus.

Keep that in mind whenever you read the letters of Paul, because you are hearing from a man who was ever so grateful for the mercy shown to him on that day. His desire was that others would come out of deception and come to know Jesus Christ. In the passage above, which is from the first letter that Paul wrote to Timothy, Paul tells us that the Spirit had spoken, that in the latter times [the latter days] there would be some who would depart from the faith, and give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines [teachings] of devils.

The Greek word for DEPART in that passage is the word APHISTEMI and it is defined as follows: To remove, instigate to revolt, to desist, desert, depart, draw [fall] away, refrain, withdraw self.

Now is this talking about people who truly knew the Lord at one time, or is it talking about those who merely professed to be saved, but in reality they were lost.

The passage above is talking about GENUINE believers in Jesus Christ, who get seduced by false teachers, and their doctrines, and depart from the faith.

An unsaved man cannot depart from the faith, because they never had faith to begin with.

Why on earth would the Holy Spirit [of truth] come forth with a warning about the unsaved departing from the faith?

How can the unsaved be seduced away from a place of faith that they were never at to begin with?

Why would the devil come with his doctrines to seduce the unsaved, who he already holds captive at his will? [2 Timothy 2:26]

Taking The Warnings Seriously

It is spiritually dangerous to attempt to make the scriptures say something that they are not saying. An example of what can happen, when you try to make the scriptures fit your own preconceived theology, can be found here:

In the book of Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus spoke about the parable of the talents. He is speaking on the subject of the “Kingdom of Heaven”. Jesus shows us the fate of the “unprofitable servant” in the following verse from that passage:

And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:30)

Charles Stanley, the well known Pastor and media minister from Atlanta, Georgia, said this concerning that same passage of scripture:

“Where is this place represented by the ‘outer darkness’ in Jesus’ parables? To be in the ‘outer darkness’ is to be in the kingdom of God but outside the circle of men and women whose faithfulness on this earth earned them a special rank or position of authority. The ‘outer darkness’ represents not so much an actual place as it does a sphere of influence and privilege.”

Concerning the “gnashing of teeth” Charles Stanley goes on to say that these people were “extremely frustrated with themselves” and “As some are celebrated for their faithfulness, others will gnash their teeth in frustration…” And “we do not know how long this time of rejoicing and sorrow will last. Those whose works are burned up will not weep and gnash their teeth for eternity.” [Charles Stanley: Eternal Security, Can You Be Sure? Pages 126-127]

So according to Charles Stanley there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in the outer darkness of Heaven! I don’t know about you but the place that he is describing sure sounds a lot like Hell to me. Do you know why?

BECAUSE IT IS HELL!

If you read the full parable in Matthew 25:14-30 you will see that the Lord Jesus Christ referred to the ‘unprofitable servant’ as “WICKED”.

Are the wicked going to enter the kingdom of Heaven along with the faithful? Not according to Jesus Christ, the creator of all things.

So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the WICKED from among the just, And shall cast them into the FURNACE OF FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 13:49-50)

Jesus said that the WICKED were going to be cast into the “furnace of fire” and that is where there is going to be ‘wailing and gnashing of teeth.’

The Greek word for WICKED in Matthew 25:26 is the word PONEROS and it is the very same Greek word used in Matthew 13:49 describing those people whom Jesus said would be cast into the “furnace of fire”.

The Greek word for WEEPING in Matthew 25:30 is the word KLAUTHMOS and it is the very same Greek word used for WAILING in Matthew 13:50 describing those people who Jesus said would be cast into the “furnace of fire”.

The Greek word for GNASHING in Matthew 25:30 is the word BRUGMOS and it is the very same Greek word that is used in Matthew 13:50 describing those whom Jesus said would be cast into the “furnace of fire”.

Are there people weeping and gnashing their teeth in Heaven?

When a Christian shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the unsaved, should they tell them that they have a choice between Heaven or Hell, as to where they can wail and gnash their teeth?

The answer to the questions above are obviously an emphatic NO!

In fact the whole idea of wailing and gnashing of teeth in Heaven is ludicrous.

The apostle Paul was truly speaking in the Spirit, all those years ago, when he told us that some “shall depart from the faith”, but the question is this: Is anybody listening??

On the back cover of the classic book on this subject, “Life In The Son” by Robert Shank, the following is written:

“Are the proof passages used to support eternal security possibly misconstrued? Dr. Shank convincingly argues that the question confronting us is not, Is the believer secure? but rather, What does it mean to be a believer? If apostasy is an actual peril for every Christian, the Scriptural warning passages must be frankly accepted rather than interpreted into irrelevance or circumvented by theological hypothesis.”“Life In The Son” by Robert Shank was also endorsed by Dr. William Adams of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

AUDIO: “THE REALITY OF HELL”

Other books on this subject are:

“The Conditional Security Of The Believer” by Dan Corner“

The Gospel According To Charles Stanley” by Dan Corner

“The Myth of Eternal Security” by Dan Corner

WORTHY IS THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN!!

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (John 1:29-34)

John the Baptist knew for sure that Jesus was the Lamb of God, the one who came to take away the SIN of the world. The scriptures tell us that it is the BLOOD that makes an atonement for the soul. [Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22]This was the very purpose of Christ [Messiah] in coming to this 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)

It was the LAMB who was able to take the book of judgment.

It was the LAMB who was slain.

It was the LAMB who redeemed us to God!

It was the LAMB who redeemed us out of every kindred.

It was the LAMB who redeemed us out of every tongue [language].

It was the LAMB who redeemed us out of every people.

It was the LAMB who redeemed us out of every nation.

Who is this LAMB that did all of these things?

JESUS CHRIST IS THAT LAMB OF GOD.

GIVE HIM GLORY FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE!!

EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW BEFORE THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ONE DAY!!

The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. (John 5:15-18)

In the passage above, we see that the Jewish people persecuted the Lord Jesus Christ because He had performed a miracle on the Sabbath day. They were extremely upset and, as a result, they “sought to slay Him!” They were very religious people, but they missed and rejected the true Messiah Jesus when He came. Things got even worse at that point for Jesus because He claimed that God was His Father. The Jewish people “sought the more to kill Him” because they knew that He was making Himself equal with God. The majority of religious Jewish people, in the world today, do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [That is probably true of the Gentiles also.] The majority of secular non-religious Jewish people do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God either. If a Jewish person DOES in fact believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and they have been born again of the Spirit, then they are part of the same Kingdom as any other Christian. The scriptures tell us the following:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:5-11)

Jesus did not think that it was robbery to be equal with God. In other words, Jesus thought Himself to be equal with God. If Jesus Christ was not equal with God, then it would have been robbery indeed! The scriptures tell us that Jesus humbled Himself, actually taking on the “fashion of a man” becoming like us, and then He went and died on the cross. Jesus, the Son of God, was then exalted by the Father and given a name ABOVE every other name. The passage then goes on to say that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. That last statement is actually a quote from the prophet Isaiah:

Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save. Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me. Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed. In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. (Isaiah 45:20-25)

Folks, there is coming a day and that right quickly, when every person who has ever existed is going to come to the realization that Jesus Christ was and is in fact who He said He was. The passage above tells us that the Lord has sworn by Himself in righteousness and His word is absolutely infallible. It cannot return void. [Isaiah 55:11] Whenever you read a passage such as the one above, you need to take it seriously because it is sure to come to pass! The passage tells us that  ” … In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified …”

And that means that every single person, whether Jewish or Gentile, who has put their faith in Jesus Christ will be justified and reconciled to God, because of what Christ has done on the cross for us.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek [Gentile], 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 3:26-29)

There will be absolutely no hope for those who have rejected Jesus Christ during their lifetime. If a person dies without Christ they simply die in their sins [and end up in Hell] as Jesus told us. It does not matter whether they are Jewish or Gentile.

If a person has put their faith in Jesus Christ [for real] then they have been made right with God, and are justified by faith, and by His blood. [Romans 5:1-9] It does not matter whether they are Jewish or Gentile.

The “seed of Israel” is simply describing the true “Israel of God” [Galatians 6:14-16] which is made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ since the beginning of time. There is only ONE righteousness that God acknowledges, and that is the righteousness which comes by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. If you miss that then you miss salvation.

Once again I warn you to flee from the false teachers who tell you that there are different and distinct plans of salvation for the Jewish and the Gentile people. This is one of SATAN’S craftiest delusions, that has ever come down the pike, and an absolute insult to what Christ has done on the cross.

WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT A MAN??

Listen to the words below, which were spoken by Jesus the Christ [Messiah] almost two thousand years ago;

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. (Mark 8:36-38)

Jesus told His followers that a person could gain the whole world, with all it’s goods, and yet lose their very own soul!  What good is it if you have everything that you want in this world, but you do not know Jesus Christ, and you have never been saved?

It absolutely boggles the mind how some “Christian” teachers will tell you that people can reject Jesus as the Messiah, and still be in a right relationship with God.  In the passage above, Jesus said that He would be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him and His words.  Most people want nothing to do with Jesus Christ or His words.

Somebody wrote to me a few days ago, and told me that 98% of the people in the world do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and it was obvious that he was among them.  The only thing that matters is that Jesus Christ believes that HE is the Son of God,  [because HE IS] and that is alright with me too. With GOD on our side, we become the majority!  As I said, Jesus spoke plainly and clearly when He spoke to the Jewish religious crowd of His day:

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 8:24)

Jesus told the Jewish people that they would die in their sins if they did not believe in Him.  How much clearer could the Lord have made it to them.  Do not the “religious” leaders of our day understand that they are going to give an account for what they preach on this earth?

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. (John 8:43-49)

Jesus told the Jewish people of His day that their Father was the Devil!  Folks do not get mad at me because it was Jesus who spoke those words, and as a Christian I have a responsibility to speak them also.  You will not hear these scriptures quoted in most “Christian” churches because most of them have been seduced by modern day “Christian” Zionism  teachings, and it would ruffle some religious feathers!

Jesus told the Jewish people that He was telling them the truth, but they did not believe Him.  Jesus absolutely pleaded with them, and asked them why they did not believe Him.  He flat out told them that none of them could convince [convict] Him of sin, because they could not.  Then Jesus told them that they were not of God at all.

What was their reaction to what Jesus said?  They told Jesus that He was DEMON POSSESSED! Jesus then told them that He was not DEMON POSSESSED, but that He was bringing honor to His own Father!

Folks, I encourage you to take the Lord Jesus Christ at His word, repent and believe the Gospel, and He will NOT be ashamed of you at His coming.  We do not know when the Lord is going to return, but we do know that there is nothing but flaming vengeance awaiting those who do not obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9)

JESUS CHRIST: THE ONE AND ONLY MEDIATOR!!

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

Jesus Christ is the only mediator that you will ever need. Do you hear what the Jewish apostle Paul, is telling us here?

There is ONE mediator between God and men. ONE not two, not five, not twenty but only ONE!

There is only ONE who gave His life as a ransom for all, and that is the ONE whom God sent into the world, and His name is Jesus Christ.

Christ alone was untainted by sin, and yet He was also eternal deity, and therefore He alone was able to pay that ransom price.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. (Hebrews 2:9)

Jesus did not take on the nature of an angel, but He took on the very nature of mankind.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14)

Jesus partook of our humanity [flesh and blood] and died on the cross, not because of His own sin [He had none] but for the sin of mankind.

Therefore any person who chooses to reject Jesus Christ, is relying on themself, or another mediator, or many other mediators to somehow get right with God. They reject the very counsel of the Word of God, to their own destruction. The word for today is to trust Jesus Christ, and Him alone for the salvation of your soul. Jesus Christ laid down His life by Himself and He does not need any outside help from any sinful man or sinful woman.

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)

THE MURDER OF MICHAEL SATTLER AND HIS WIFE!!!

In the year 1527 AD Michael Sattler, a former Roman Catholic monk, was sentenced to an absolutely horrible death. Here is the true account:

“In the case of the Governor of his Imperial Majesty versus Michael Sattler, judgment is passed, that Michael Sattler shall be delivered to the executioner, who shall lead him to the place of execution, and cut out his tongue; then throw him upon a wagon, and there tear his body twice with red hot tongs; and after he has been brought without the gate, he shall be pinched five times in the same manner”

This true account goes on to say:

” After this was done in the manner prescribed, he was burned to ashes as a heretic. His fellow brethren were executed with the sword, and the sisters drowned. His wife, also, after being subjected to many entreaties, admonitions and threats, under which she remained very steadfast, was drowned a few days afterwards. Done the 21st day of May, AD 1527″  [Martyrs Mirror, van Braght Pages 416-420]

What was their crime? What did they do that would cause them to put to death in such a cruel and inhumane manner? They simply refused and rejected the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. They refused to remain silent. They stood up for truth and it cost them their very lives. What were the charges against Michael Sattler?

A] He taught and believed that the body and blood of Christ are not literally present in the sacrament.

B] He taught and believed that infant baptism does not contribute to salvation.

C] He rejected the need for Mary and other “saints” as mediatiors.

DO NOT BE FOOLED!

The doctrines [teachings] of the Roman Catholic Church , which Michael Sattler, and many others rejected, and for which they were killed, remain the same today. The Coucil of Vatican II made some surface changes, but the major doctrines remain the same. Most people are completely unaware that Vatican II also upheld the Council of Trent which included over 100 anathemas [curses] against Protestant believers. Here are just two of the anathemas [curses] from the book: “The Canons And Decrees Of The Council Of Trent” [TAN Books 1978]

Canon Number One [Page 149]

“If anyone says that in the mass a true, and real sacrifice, is not offered to God … let him be anathema [accursed]“

Canon Number Three [Page 149]

“If anyone says that the sacrifice of the mass is one only of praise and thanksgiving; or that it is a mere commemoration of the sacrifice consummated on the cross but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or that it profits him only who receives, and ought not to be offered for the living and the dead, for sins, for punishments, satisfactions and other necessities, let him be anathema [accursed]”

The back cover of this book says the following:

“That meeting – the Council of Trent -produced a large number of canons and decrees, condemned the errors of the Protestant reformation …”

This book also has the Roman Catholic Imprimatur which means that everything in that book is the official doctrine of Rome. I remind you that Vatican II also upheld the Council of Trent.

The Roman Catholic Church still teaches that a child is born again at infant baptism.

They still teach that the Mass is the “perfect sacrifice continued.”

They still teach that there is a Purgatory, and Catholic Masses are still said for those who reside in Purgatory.

They still exalt Mary to an unbiblical position that is not found in the Word of God.

They still put their tradition on an equal level with the scriptures. According to God’s Word, the Roman Catholic gospel qualifies as a false gospel, and a true biblical anathema [curse] rests upon those who proclaim it. [Galatians 1:8,9]

IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP!

Leonard Ravenhill was a bold and uncompromising outdoor evangelist, whose street preaching sometimes caused traffic jams in Britain. In his well known book “Why Revival Tarries” [1959] he wrote this concerning Roman Catholicism:

“… America would shake from coast to coast in twenty four hours if some preacher anointed with the Holy Ghost, gave the Roman Catholic Church a broadside! …these priests who dope mens souls, these idolatrous “masses”, these Calvary eclipsing prayers to Mary, these miserable millions cheated in life and death by the greatest forgery Lucifer ever made” [Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill, Bethany House Publishers, Pages 39-40]

Why is it that we hear so little of that kind of preaching today? Why is there such a deadly silence from the pulpits, and from the Christian “leaders” of our day?

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. (Acts 20:26-31)

The Jewish apostle Paul preached with such a passion because he was delivered from religious deception, and he obeyed the Word of God which called him to warn others. Paul was able to say that he was “pure from the blood of all men,” because he had not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God. Paul suffered much for the sake of the Gospel because he did not hold back the truth. There are few who stand in the pulpit in modern times [in "Protestant churches] who could make the claim that Paul made. What about YOU? Is there blood on YOUR hands?

GREAT BOOKS: “FOXE’S BOOK OF MARTYRS” BY JOHN FOXE

Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs is one of the very first books I read after I was born again in 1989.  I “inhaled” this book because it contained the stories of real people who stood for truth against the system of Roman Catholicism.  Inside the pages of this book you will read about people such as John Huss, John Wickliff, William Tyndale, Martin Luther and many other pillars of the faith, who stood up for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, despite the persecution that came their way.  I prefer the version above published by Whitaker House, New Kensington, PA.  I have seen other versions but they are not as powerful and clear as this publication.

Having been delivered from the deception of Rome myself, I quickly learned that books like these are not appreciated in today’s “Evangelical Church” where compromise and Ecumenism rules.  I can remember conversations I had with different Pastors over the years, on the topic of Roman Catholicism, and I realized that this was one of the many elephants in the room that they did not want to talk about.  If you spend an afternoon reading some of the chapters in this book, and then think about the major leaders in the “Christian church” who have sold out to Rome, you will see the stark difference between the martyrs and the liars.

Foxe’s Book Of Martyrs is a book that should be in the hands of every believer who truly desires to know the truth about the system that is known as Roman Catholicism.  Bill White, SOULREFUGE

GOALTENDERS FOR THE DEVIL!!

The Jewish apostle Paul [formerly Saul] was saved in dramatic fashion on the road to Damascus. [Acts 9]  He had previously been an extremely religious Pharisee, and an absolute terror to any Christian who might have stumbled onto his path. In the passage below Paul gives us a glimpse into the message that he was given from the Lord on the day that he got saved:

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the POWER OF SATAN UNTO GOD, that they may receive FORGIVENESS OF SINS, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:16-18)

Keep in mind that Paul was a super religious person, who was lost and dead in his own sins, before he came to salvation in Jesus Christ. This same man was then called to preach the Gospel of salvation unto others, and he suffered much for the cause of the Gospel. You see the Devil absolutely LOVES religion. The Devil LOVES any religious activity that is void of the soul saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That includes any type of religion that does not believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, the Messiah, the one who died on the Cross for the sin of mankind. That includes any religion that does not believe that a person ” . . .must be born again” [John 3:1-8] as Jesus Himself declared.

If you have ever watched a hockey game you know that the main purpose of the teams is to score more goals than their opponents. The job of the “goalie” [goaltender] is to defend, and block, any attempt of the opposing team from getting that hockey puck into the net. His teamates are also doing their best to get that puck, and go in the opposite direction, so that they might score a goal.

When it comes to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there are many people who will seek to discourage the Christian from preaching the Gospel, not only to them but to others. They seek to prevent the “Gospel puck” from entering the net of the lost soul who so desperately need it. I think of them as “goaltenders for the Devil.” Many of these “goaltenders” have no idea that they are being used by the enemy of their souls for the purpose of stopping the Gospel message from going forth.  The Lord’s mercy is still available to them, but until they turn to the Lord, they are under the devil’s hand. The apostle Paul and Barnabas had an encounter with a Jewish man who was one of the “Devil’s goaltenders”. His name was Barjesus [Elymas the sorcerer] and he sought to turn a man away from the soul saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, A FALSE PROPHET, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and DESIRED TO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, SEEKING TO TURN AWAY THE DEPUTY FROM THE FAITH. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou CHILD OF THE DEVIL, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to PERVERT the right ways of the LORD? And now, behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the DOCTRINE OF THE LORD . (Acts 13:6-12)

This is a clear cut case of the battle that goes on for each and every soul in the universe. We have a situation here where a man named Sergius Paulus called for Barnabas and Saul [Paul] and truly desired to hear the word of God.  This is the desire of any true evangelist. But then the Devil raised his ugly head and commissioned one of his “goaltenders” in the person of a man named Elymas, who is described as a sorcerer [witchcraft]. The scripture passage tells us that Elymas withstood them and sought to turn the deputy from the faith. This is exactly the way the Devil works, because he knew that the Satanic chains, which had Sergius Paulus [the Deputy] bound, were about to be broken.  He was not happy with that. Paul addressed Elymas the sorcerer as a “child of the Devil” before the Lord sent a temporary judgment on him.

I have seen the “Devil’s goaltenders” at work many times as I would attempt to evangelize at certain times in my walk with the Lord. I can remember entering a subway car at the Archer Avenue station in Jamaica, Queens, and as I started to share the Gospel a man got in my face [nose to nose] and said:

“How can you be so brainwashed?”

Immediately after that man spoke a young lady sitting directly in front of me screamed at me, in a rage, and said: “Keep it to yourself!” with such a venom that it shocked me. But I have seen this happen before, and I knew the Devil was not happy with the soul saving Gospel being preached. I continued to share the Word of God with the people, and as I looked down the end of the subway car I saw two people sitting opposite each other with their eyes glued upon me. As I reached that end of the car both of them reached their hands out to receive a Gospel tract, and then thanked me for preaching the Word of God.

At another time [and a different year] in a different part of  New York City, I had just entered a subway car. I do not want to sound spooky, but I just felt a subtle darkness and I almost anticipated some opposition. I noticed a lady who was reading a Bible, sitting to the left of me, and she had a glow upon her countenance. As I started to preach, a man at the end of the car who was sitting in the two seaters, went ballistic and started to scream at me to be quiet. He held up a newspaper and said “Here, if you want something to preach, then preach this!”

The woman to the left of me, who was reading the Bible, pointed her arm out at me so fast that she did not even look up. She said:

“Preach the Word brother!”

There was a little old lady [probably in her 80's] sitting right next to the man who rose up against me.  She stood up slowly, pointed her cane at me, and said: “Preach the word!”

There was a man speaking Spanish, standing next to the doors to the right of me, now shouting at the man who rose up against me. His arm action indicated that he was on my side. There was so much shouting at this point that I used the opportunity to preach on the subject of Spiritual warfare. I told them that the Devil did not want them to have my testimony tract, that was in my hand, which they could have for free. I can tell you that many hands went out to receive the Gospel tracts that day, and I do give God all glory and thanks!

I tell you these stories so that you may be reminded that this gospel of Jesus Christ can really save souls from an eternal Hell, and the Devil is not happy with that.  The Devil is not worried about those who preach a sugarcoated gospel, or a watered down version of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because that type of message is one that he encourages his own “goaltenders” to share. There is no reason for him to hinder or stop a message that will not deliver a soul from his kingdom! But if you sincerely desire to see souls saved you must preach the full counsel of God, which is rarely heard in the modern day church.

When I experience the opposition from the “Devil’s goaltenders” they act as a humbling reminder to myself [for the good] that we are in an absolute battle for the souls of people. The scripture passage below makes it ever so clear, that there will always be people who seek to FORBID YOU from speaking and preaching the Gospel to lost souls, so that they might be SAVED!

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the WORD OF GOD which ye heard of us, ye received it NOTas the WORD OF MEN, but as it is in TRUTH the WORD OF GOD, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in CHRIST JESUS: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the JEWS: Who both KILLED THE LORD JESUS, and THEIR OWN PROPHETS, and have persecuted us; and they PLEASE NOT GOD, and are contrary to all men: FORBIDDING US to speak to the GENTILES that they might be SAVED, to fill up their sins alway: for the WRATH is come UPON THEM to the uttermost. (1 Thessalonians 2:13-16)

THE MOST HATED AND REJECTED KING IN THE WORLD!

Today I would like to talk to you about the most hated KING in the whole world. His name is JESUS CHRIST!

When the name of Jesus Christ is mentioned many people have a mental image that comes to mind. When the “Holiday Season” rolls around, many people see little manger scenes where the cute little “graven images” of Jesus are laid on top of a pile of straw. To some people, Jesus becomes a little baby to them. In some churches they even sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on December 25th each year.

To many others, Jesus is still seen as a young Jewish man in His early thirties who taught some very good principles, did some wonderful miracles, and walked along the shores of Galilee.

To others, Jesus is still hanging on the cross and therefore a little crucifix is hung on the wall as a reminder of His death.

But have you ever thought of Jesus Christ as a KING?

The Old Testament tells us that the King of Israel is God!

Thus saith the LORD the KING OF ISRAEL, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. (Isaiah 44:6)

Then the prophet Isaiah said the KING was coming “having SALVATION” riding on an ass [donkey]. Who could this possibly be speaking of?

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy KING cometh unto thee: he is just, and having SALVATION; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. (Zechariah 9:9)

Then some wise men came looking for a person who was born “KING OF THE JEWS”. This upset an earthly King named Herod, and all of Jerusalem along with him. How could the birth of a baby upset so many people? Who was this new born child? The Bible tells us that it is JESUS CHRIST.

Now when JESUS was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born KING OF THE JEWS? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all JERUSALEM with him. (Matthew 2:1-3)

When Jesus grew up to be a young man, a man named Nathaniel called Him the Son of God, and also the King of Israel. Could this be true?

Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? JESUS answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. Nathanael answered and saith unto him, RABBI, thou art the SON OF GOD; thou art the KING OF ISRAEL (John 1:48-49)

One day Jesus came riding into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, just as the prophet Zechariah had prophesied hundreds of years earlier. the people cried out Hosanna, and they called Jesus the KING OF ISRAEL.

On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that JESUS was coming to JERUSALEM Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the  KING OF ISRAEL that cometh in the name of the LORD, And JESUS, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy KING cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.  These things understood not his disciples at the first: but when JESUS was glorified, then remembered they that these things were written of him, and that they had done these things unto him. (John 12:12-16)

Eventually the majority of Jesus’ own people [the Jewish people - of Israel] rejected Him and saw to it that He would be crucified.

But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the KING OF THE JEWS? For he knew that the CHIEF PRIESTS had delivered him for ENVY. But the CHIEF PRIESTS moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the KING OF THE JEWS? And they cried out again, CRUCIFY HIM . Then Pilate said unto them, WHY, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, CRUCIFY HIM. (Mark 15:9-14)

While Jesus Christ was hanging on that old rugged cross He was mocked by the Jewish religious crowd, including the chief priests. They mocked Jesus by telling Him that He could not even SAVE Himself. They asked Christ [MESSIAH], the KING OF ISRAEL, to come down from the cross so that they might see and believe.

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, SAVE THYSELF, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the CHIEF PRIESTS MOCKING said among themselves with the scribes, HE SAVED OTHERS; HIMSELF HE CANNOT SAVE  LET CHRIST [MESSIAH] THE KING OF ISRAEL descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him. (Mark 15:29-32)

Pilate put a placard upon the cross, entitled “THE KING OF THE JEWS” and this upset the Jewish Chief Priests. They demanded that he change it to say “He said, I am the King of the Jews” so that it would appear as a mockery as Jesus hung on the cross. Pilate refused to change what he had written, because the hand of God would not allow it to be changed.

And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, THE KING OF THE JEWS; but that HE SAID, I AM KING OF THE JEWS. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. (John 19:17-22)

This person who we know as Jesus Christ is still hated by the majority of people in the world. His name is often used when people are angry or in a rage, and it is often intermingled with the worst of the four letter curse words. Few ever pay attention to that when it does happen, it is so taken for granted. The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is known as the KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS and one day he is coming back to judge the whole wide world. Are YOU ready for that day?

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is LORD OF LORDS, and KING OF KINGS : and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)

The mercy of God is available to all mankind. Please remember that none of us are promised even another day!

For there is no difference between the JEW and the GREEK [GENTILE]: for the same LORD over all is rich unto ALL that call upon him. For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be SAVED (Romans 10:12-13)

JESUS CHRIST: “WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?”

And JESUS went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, WHOM DO MEN SAY THAT I AM? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias [Elijah]; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, THOU ART THE CHRIST [MESSIAH]. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him. And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, AND BE KILLED, and after three days RISE AGAIN. (Mark 8:27-31)

A person can be wrong about many things in this life without causing major problems. If we dial the wrong phone number we can tell the person on the other end that we are sorry, and then we can dial the correct number. If we are given directions to go somewhere and make a wrong turn, we can correct ourselves by turning around and going in the right direction. We can order a cellphone and not be pleased with it, then order a different phone, even though we may lose a few dollars.  It’s not the “end of the world.” But when it comes to the question that Jesus Christ presented to His followers - ”Whom say ye that I AM?” - the consequences will be spiritually fatal for you if your answer is wrong.

I am truly amazed when I see what is happening in the world today, especially regarding the modern day church and how it deals with those who preach a false gospel. You know that I was delivered from the deception of Roman Catholicism, and with all that goes along with that. I was a worshiper of Mary, participated in the Catholic Mass, prayed to and for the dead, and was involved in many other things contrary to scripture. Before I came to Christ, I had a false understanding of who Jesus Christ was. I was RELIGIOUS but LOST. When the Lord opened up my spiritual eyes, I emptied my home of all the religious trinkets and articles that had nothing to do with the truth which I found in God’s Word.

When I was saved I knew the truth about Jesus Christ, and I knew that I did not need a Roman Catholic Priest to offer up any sacrifice of the Mass for me.  I came to know that Jesus Christ was the only Priest that I will ever need. Most people are unaware that the Catholic Mass is referred to as the “Sacrifice of the Mass” and it is also called an “unbloody sacrifice.”  But the Bible truth tells me otherwise, and this is the truth that I CHOOSE to follow. The Jesus that I know SAT down on the right hand of God because “IT IS FINISHED!” [John 19:30]  He fulfilled what the Father had sent Him to do. It is a fatal mistake to deny the finished work of Christ upon the cross.

And every priest STANDETH DAILY ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man [JESUS CHRIST], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, SAT DOWN on the right hand of God; (Hebrews 10:11-12)

After I was born again I discarded my rosary beads, and my prayers to Mary, because God’s Word showed me that Jesus Christ was the only mediator that I would ever need:

For there is ONE GOD, and ONE MEDIATOR between GOD and men, the man CHRIST JESUS; (1 Timothy 2:5)

I learned quickly that many leaders in the “church world” of today have no problem with the doctrines of Rome. If they do, they will not speak about it because they know that will upset the “apple cart of compromise” which is in most churches today. Instead of heralding the truth from the pulpits, and warning the people in the pews about the false Gospel of Rome, and telling their people to preach the Gospel to them, they end up doing a demonic squaredance with them.

MORE APOSTASY

Another bizarre thing that I can see happening in the “church world” today is the interfaith meeting thing, where people of different beliefs get together to worship and pray. Everything goes so nice and nobody seems to be bothered about the belief system of the other. Can you imagine the apostle Paul calling for an interfaith meeting with the religious Pharisees? The Pharisees rejected Christ as the Messiah and they sought to kill him. When Paul was converted they wanted to kill him too.

Another thing that is popular these days is the “church” square dancing with politicians who do not follow Christ and promoting things that have nothing to do with Christ. How is it that people like John Hagee and many others have joint meetings with Jewish people, who are not born again followers of Jesus Christ, including politicians such as Joe Lieberman during which Hagee is calling for an attack on Iran. The modern day church has made such an IDOL out of secular ISRAEL that it is beyond belief. Christians have lost sight of the REAL Jesus Christ who created ALL things, and yet asked the Father to forgive those who killed Him. To have meetings such as the CUFI meeting is nothing less than apostasy and it shows us how blinded the church has become. Folks this is pure INSANITY!

Whatever happened to mercy and forgiveness?

Do you realize that Muslims are real people too?

Do you realize that Muslims have children too?

Do you realize that a person is  blasted into eternity when they die in a war?

Do you realize that every time a person is killed, there is someone responsible?

There are many in the military who  are beginning to see the truth, and speak out, about the war in Iraq:

A former US Marine by the name of Matt Howard wrote an article about his experiences in the Iraq war.  You’ll find it in the Rutland Herald HERE. The author speaks out about the atrocities of that war and here are some excerpts from the article:

“. . . we left a swath of death and destruction in our wake all the way to Baghdad.”

“Let me say again so that there is no misunderstanding. I stand here today as a former U.S. Marine saying we are killing women and children in Iraq. This is the true nature of war. War lends itself to atrocities.”

“We are done raiding and destroying the homes of innocent Iraquis on a nightly basis.”

“We are done abusing and torturing prisoners.”

“We are done killing for lies.”

“As we are marching against further occupation, the Bush regime is making threats against Iran.”

“And we will not continue to be silenced by the mainstream media. Top generals and bottom privates are all speaking in unison now. We know the truth about the slaughter of upwards of one million Iraquis. Why is no one listening?”

[Matt Howard, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division] [Full Article HERE]

I have spoken about the CUFI [Christians United For Israel] meeting which recently took place in Washington, DC.  I listened and watched as Senator Lieberman compared Hagee to Moses.  I read where Moses bore the reproach of Christ [MESSIAH] and I wonder how Hagee can be compared to Moses. Does having a huge following make one comparable to Moses?  Moses bore the reproach of Christ. [Hebrews 11:24-26]  He was there with Elijah on the mount of transfiguration, talking with CHRIST about his coming death at Jerusalem. [Luke 9:28-36]  The Gospel of Jesus Christ should have been loudly proclaimed among the people in attendance at the CUFI meeting. Folks, this is nothing more than a BOGUS CHRISTIANITY where the Gospel goes out the window at the expense of compromise.  There is blood on the hands of ALL ministers who hold back the truth in order to please people. The apostle Paul put it this way:

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)

WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH JESUS CHRIST?

I am ALPHA and OMEGA, the beginning and the ending, saith the LORD, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY. (Revelation 1:8)

Who is this Alpha and Omega? The scripture tells us that it is the LORD, and this scripture also describes Him as the ALMIGHTY!

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am ALPHA and OMEGA, the FIRST and the LAST: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:10-11)

We can conclude through the scripture verse above that the Alpha and Omega is also the First and the Last.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the FIRST and the LAST I am he that LIVETH and was DEAD; and, behold, I am ALIVE FOR EVERMORE, Amen; and have the keys of HELL and of DEATH. (Revelation 1:17-18)

We can also conclude that the First and the Last was alive at one time, then was DEAD but is now ALIVE again for evermore.

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the FIRST and the LAST, which was DEAD, and is ALIVE; (Revelation 2:8)

The scripture above confirms Revelation 1:17-18 in showing us that the First and the Last was DEAD but is now ALIVE!

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am ALPHA and OMEGA, the beginning and the end, the FIRST and the LAST. (Revelation 22:12-13)

The scripture above tells us that the Alpha and Omega is also called the Beginning and the Ending, and the First and the Last, which confirms Revelation 1:8. It also tells us that He is coming again to judge mankind.

In the Old Testament book of Isaiah we find some more information about the First and the Last:

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the FIRST, and I am the LAST; and beside me THERE IS NO GOD. (Isaiah 44:6)

The verse above tells us that the King of Israel, is the REDEEMER of ISRAEL, and is also the First and the Last. The verse also tells that there is beside NO GOD beside Him.

Folks these are some HEAVY DUTY scripture verses, are they not?

CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER

There is absolutely no question as to who these scripture verses are describing, and that is the person of Jesus Christ.  A person can CHOOSE to reject the counsel of GOD that is found in the scriptures, BUT it will be at their own peril. The verses make it clear that this same person will be the ONE who will JUDGE all mankind.

The question remains. What will YOU do with Jesus Christ?

There is NO such thing as a neutral position with Jesus Christ.

A neutral is a NO in the sight of God.

In fact the LORD said that He would spue [vomit] the lukewarm out of His mouth.  [Revelation 3:16]

I  JESUS have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the ROOT and the OFFSPRING OF DAVID, and the bright and morning star. And the SPIRIT and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life FREELY. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, GOD shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD shall take away his part out of the BOOK OF LIFE, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. He which testifieth these things saith, SURELY I COME QUICKLY. AMEN. Even so, come, LORD JESUS. The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22:16-21)

BE VIGILANT! BECAUSE THE DEVIL IS YOUR ADVERSARY!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the DEVIL as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. (1 Peter 5:8-10)

It will not be long before a person who has come to know Jesus Christ, comes to the understanding that he has an enemy, and that enemy is the devil. The spiritual veil of deception that covered our spiritual eyes, mind and heart has been removed by the Spirit of the living God. That is how it was for me when I was born again back in 1989 and I came to know the REAL Jesus Christ. Jesus became more than a little “goo-goo baby” being held in the arms of Mary. Jesus became more than a Jewish man, in a pastel colored painting walking the shores of Galilee. I came to know the REAL Jesus, because the truth set me free. [John 8:32]

In this passage Peter told us that the devil was like a lion, seeking to devour us as Christians.

The Greek word for devour is the word KATAPINO which is defined as follows:

To drink down, gulp entire, devour, drown, swallow (up).

The devil is an enemy who does not play paddy cakes with people. The devil plays for keeps, and he absolutely hates the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is well aware of those who truly know Christ, and those who do not.  I have watched many animal documentaries, and I have seen where the lion or mountain cat will stalk their victims without being seen. The lion or mountain cat will walk slowly, with their bodies pressed as low to the ground as possible, until they feel they are close enough to pounce on their unsuspecting victim.  I have to admit that it is difficult to watch those animal documentaries.  I see the helpless young prey as they are about to be tackled, strangled, and devoured by the lion or mountain cat. How much more should we be concerned for the welfare of the souls of men, who are in the crosshairs of the devil without realizing it.

We must never forget that we are in a SPIRITUAL WAR and therefore our weapons are also spiritual. The well known passage of scripture from Ephesians 6:10-19 gives us the exhortation to be strong in the LORD and IN the power of HIS might. The passage also encourages us to put on the WHOLE armour of God [not just certain parts] so that we  will be able to STAND against the wiles [methods] of the devil.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:10-19)

PAPAL VISIT SPECIAL: WORSHIP GOD, NOT MAN!

There is an interesting passage of scripture in the book of Acts, where the apostle Peter was meeting with a man named Cornelius:

Acts 10:25-26
And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.  But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 

Cornelius was a humble man, and at the Lord’s request Peter (through a vison) was sent to instruct him. When Peter arrived at the place where Cornelius and his friends were gathered, Cornelius threw himself down on the floor to worship him. Peter quickly rebuked the man for doing that, and flat out told Cornelius that he was a man just like him.  

Fast forward to modern times, and you will see people bowing down before the Roman Catholic Popes [including the present Pope] kissing their rings, paying homage to them wherever they may go. This is actually something that has been going on for centuries. Considering the fact that Peter is said to have been the first Pope, one must wonder why they would even allow that practice.

Peter made it clear to Cornelius that he was just a man like he was. In fact Peter was married, and at one time the Lord healed his mother-in-law of a fever:

Matthew 8:14-15
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them.

So as you can see Peter was a married man and just a regular guy like everyone else. Peter knew full well that this man Cornelius needed to be corrected quickly, lest that type of thinking would get deep into his spiritual system.

If a person has been truly born again of the Spirit, they are fully aware that they have received the mercy of God, and have been snatched from the highway to Hell by the grace of God. A person that has been born again of the Spirit, also realizes that CHRIST, and Him alone, will always get ALL of the glory. That is the reason why Peter stopped this man from paying any homage to him.

There is not one person on this earth who can be called HOLY outside of what CHRIST has done for them on the cross, and that is the beautiful thing about salvation. We are all on the same level ground, with no exceptions. It is true that the Lord will use people in different capacities, such as teachers, evangelists, preachers and other things. But every single one of those people are not one DROP above anybody else, in terms of “holiness,” including the new born Christian.  Do not ever forget that.

We find another example in the book of Revelation when the apostle John attempted to worship an angel:

Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 22:9-10
Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.  And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

So we can see that same spiritual principle at work here. The angel from Heaven rebuked John when he attempted to worship him. 

It is plain and simple idolatry when a person gives worship to any person [including angels] except the true and living God. We can see how John simply wanted to pay respect to this angel, whom he knew lived in the very presence of God, but the angel knew better than to receive worship from anyone.  He knew that “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The Dalai Lama has been called “His Holiness” and the Pope is referred to as the “Holy Father” but we must never forget to take heed to the words of Jesus the CHRIST [MESSIAH] when He said:

Matthew 23:9-10
And call no man your father upon the earth: for ONE is your FATHER, which is in heaven.  Neither be ye called masters: for ONE is your Master, even CHRIST.

ARE YOU STILL AN ENEMY OF GOD?

Romans 5:6
For when we were yet without strength, in due time CHRIST died for the UNGODLY.

You and I were powerless and without strength to save ourselves [we are UNGODLY].

CHRIST died for the UNGODLY.

If you still think that you are a good person – then there is really NO hope for you [as far as SALVATION goes].

Romans 5:7
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.

Some person may lay there life down for a “good man” or some one whom they perceive to be worth dying for.

Romans 5:8
But GOD commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while WE were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us.

But God sent His Son JESUS the CHRIST [MESSIAH] to die for us stinking wretches [me included] while we were yet sinners.

JESUS CHRIST took the DEATH sentence which YOU and I deserved upon HIMSELF.

Romans 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his BLOOD, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

The BLOOD that Jesus the CHRIST [MESSIAH] shed for us will JUSTIFY us before a holy and righteous God.

Romans 5:10
For if, when we were ENEMIES, we were RECONCILED to God BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

It was the DEATH of CHRIST which reconciled us back to God.

JESUS the CHRIST [MESSIAH] defeated death for us and He rose again from the dead.

What about YOU?

Are you still an ENEMY of God?

Have you been RECONCILED back to God?

What are YOU waiting for?

THE LORD IS MY SOULREFUGE

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. (Psalms 91:1-4)

There is a song that goes something like this:  “Where could I go, where could I go, seeking a refuge for my soul? Needing a friend to help me in the end, where could I go but to the Lord?”

In the days in which we are living, I am learning more and more, and day by day, that there is no where to go but to the Lord. That is the safest place to be, and the only true refuge for my soul. That does not mean that I will not face trouble in this world, for surely the Lord told us that there would be tribulation in this world, but He also promised us that He would be our deliverer if we trust Him. This passage of scripture tells us that His truth will be our shield  and buckler,  and that is a great source of comfort for the believer in Jesus Christ.

WHAT MANNER OF MAN IS THIS?

And the same day, when the even was come, he [Jesus] saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:35-41)

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. The Lord Jesus Christ and His disciples were sailing across the Sea of Galilee when suddenly they were met with a great storm with very large waves. Their small vessel was quickly filling with water and panic was beginning to enter their hearts just as fast. Where was Jesus? He was fast asleep in the rear of the boat. WHAT? How could this be? The boat is about to sink and Jesus, the miracle worker, is still sleeping. They actually had to wake him up. The disciples wanted to know if he cared for them because they were on the brink of perishing.

What happened after that? The scripture passage tells us that Jesus AROSE and REBUKED the wind and said to the sea PEACE, BE STILL! So what happened after Jesus spoke those words. The scriptures tell us that the wind CEASED and there was a GREAT CALM.  Jesus then turned to His disciples and He asked them why they were afraid and how it was that they had NO faith. The disciples of Christ were truly humbled by what had just taken place and they “feared exceedingly.” We would have done the same thing.

I have watched numerous episodes of Storm Stories on the Weather Channel, and I have seen the Coast Guard come to the rescue many times. But in this passage of scripture the rescuer was present on the boat that was in trouble. The disciples of Christ had never witnessed anything like this in their entire lives. They started talking to each other and truly wondered “what manner of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” We know that some of the disciples were seasoned fishermen, and they were no strangers to the potential perils of the Sea, but what had just taken place simply blew them away. We must not forget that their lives were truly in danger and if Christ had not been present, there was a good chance that it would have been curtains for all of them. This was a “Red Sea” type of experience that the disciples were faced with, and nothing outside of supernatural help could save the day. That is when Jesus Christ came to the rescue.

As Christians we are faced with many trials in our lives and sometimes we have our backs to the wall. We know that nothing and nobody in this world can help us. That is when we realize that only the Lord can help us and deliver us from the trouble that we face. The disciples did not understand that the Lord had everything under His control. That is the awesome Lord whom we serve. Sometimes our faith will start to sink when we are faced with circumstances beyond our control, but then the Lord reminds us of our many past deliverances and a peace beyond understanding enters our heart. We must never forget that the Lord is on our side, because the enemy of our souls will seek to trample our faith as we go through our trials, and fill our minds with thoughts if utter despair. Keep the faith!

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

THE PARABLE OF THE LORD’S VINEYARD

In the Parable of the LORD’S VINEYARD [Matthew 21:33-46] we gain much insight into how the Lord dealt with the Jewish people of His day, regarding their rejection of not only Him, but of the prophets through the ages. This parable was given by the Lord Jesus Christ, the creator of the world, almost two thousand years ago:

Matthew 21:33
Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:

The householder in this parable is the Lord God Almighty, and the  husbandmen are the gardeners who were responsible for the vineyard.  In this case the husbandmen [gardeners] are the children of Israel who were entrusted with the Word of God down through the years.  The children of Israel were the ones who were instructed by the Lord, and they often had His prophets sent to them. In fact the book of Isaiah shows us clearly that the vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Isaiah 5:7-8
For the vineyard of the LORD of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.  Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!

Matthew 21:34-36
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.

In this part of the parable the Lord is describing the history of the children of Israel and how they treated the sevants of the Lord.  These servants were beaten, persecuted and even killed at times.  In fact if you read chapter seven in the New Testament book of Acts you will hear Stephen, a man of faith and power, rehearse the history of Israel in great detail. In fact this chapter is one of the clearest testimonies in the whole New Testament of how the Jewish people were confronted regarding their rejection of JESUS their MESSIAH.

At one point Stephen addressed the Jewish leaders who were standing before him and said the following:

Acts 7:51-52
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 [Jesus Christ]; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.  When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

Stephen told the Jewish leaders that they were resisting the Holy Ghost just as their fathers did. Stephen also made a point of telling these Jewish leaders that they were responsible for killing the prophets who prophesied of the coming Christ [MESSIAH].  We know the Messiah is Jesus. Stephen was stoned to death a short time later like so many others of the Lord’s faithful witnesses. [Acts 7:55-60]

Matthew 21:37-39

But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.

This part of the parable describes what happened when Jesus Christ arrived on the scene. He was rejected by the majority of the Jewish people, especially the chief priests and the elders, and they wanted Jesus Christ to be put to death. The scriptures below testify to the truth that they were surely involved in putting Christ [MESSIAH] to death.

Matthew 27:1
When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death:

The Lord was not surprised by what was coming and He told His own disciples that His death was the fulfillment of prophecy. The Word of God is truly amazing in its accuracy regarding the prophetic word.  The scriptures foresaw what took place here, and declared it hundreds of years before.

Luke 18:31-33
Then he [Jesus] took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.

Matthew 21:40
When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?

Here the Lord Jesus Christ asks the Jewish religious leaders, who were listening to Him tell this parable, what should be done to those who did all of those things to the Lord’s servants. Jesus was now getting to the very heart of the matter, as He always did, and He wanted them to give Him the answer to His question.

Matthew 21:41
They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.

The Jewish religious rulers responded and told Jesus, that those who did those things were wicked and they should be destroyed! Not only that, but they said that the vineyard should be let out [given over to] to other husbandmen [gardeners] who would bring forth the fruits in their seasons. They had no idea that their answer played right into the meaning of the parable.  They were able to see the unrighteousness of what was done to the servants in that parable, but they did not realize that they were the very ones whom the Lord was describing.

Matthew 21:42
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

The Lord Jesus Christ then quoted Psalm 118:22 regarding Himself as being that STONE which the builders [Israel] rejected and who had become the head of the corner [or cornerstone]. The Lord was basically telling the leaders of Israel that the very one standing before them was the very one whom they needed. The Lord was and is the chief cornerstone in the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom which would be made up of Jewish and Gentile believers.

Matthew 21:43
Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Could Jesus Christ, the creator of the earth, [John 1:1-3], have been any clearer in His pronunciation against the leaders of Israel.  The Lord made His point that Israel had rejected the prophets who were sent to them, and they would end up killing Him too.  Yes, the Lord was prophesying of His very own death, but He was also telling Israel that the Kingdom would be taken from them, and it was! The nation that the Lord said would be given the Kingdom is simply that “holy nation” of believers described by Peter. [1 Peter 2:9-10]  This gospel is not about Israel but it is all about Jesus Christ. The prophets prophesy about Jesus Christ because it is all about HIM. The Lord is going to have a people who serve Him and worship HIM with all of their heart, and those people are going to come from every part of this large world in which we live.  If a person has not been born again then they are not part of the Kingdom of God [John 3:1-8] because entrance into this Kingdom is only through Jesus Christ. Do not let anybody replace the Gospel of Jesus Christ with a false gospel, because a curse comes along with a false gospel. [Galatians 1:8-9]

WHO ARE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE?

They are those who believe the testimony that God gave of His Son Jesus Christ! [Jewish and Gentile]

WHO IS THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE?

It is those who have put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! [Jewish and Gentile]

God is not a respector of persons, and any person who desires salvation in Christ will not be turned away. Does that mean that a person who has led a life without the Lord, and who has lived in absolute decadence their whole life can be saved? Absolutely YES.  That very same person can also be called the apple of God’s eye, and one of God’s chosen people as much as any person who has received the Lord since the beginning of the world.  This gospel is not about Israel, but it is all about Jesus Christ!

Do you remember what the Lord Jesus Christ told that  Gentile woman of Samaria concerning the worship of God?

John 4:21-26
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.

Jesus told this Gentile woman that He was in fact the Messiah that she was looking for, which clearly shows us that the Lord will reveal Himself to anyone who truly desires to know Him.  This woman had been married many times, and she was living with a man at the time, but the Lord offered her mercy. Do you remember what the angel said to the apostle John, in the book of Revelation, when John went to bow down and worship him?

Revelation 19:10
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

If a person does not have the testimony of Jesus in their heart, and on their lips, then they are not true worshipers of God. The angel made that very clear to John. The angel also let John know that the spirit of prophecy will put the testimony of Jesus within a persons heart. If a person truly wants to know what the Word of God is about, then they will find out very quickly that it is Jesus Christ who is the central figure in the Bible, and the redeemer whom they need.

Matthew 21:44
And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.

Jesus Christ did not mince words when He spoke, and here he tells the Jewish leaders that those who reject Him would end up as powder.  The word of God still stands true today for both Jew and Gentile. It is either Christ or nothing, and there are no back doors, side doors, or any other door you might think of in this plan of salvation. Jesus said this:

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

Matthew 21:45-46
And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.

At this point the Jewish priests and the Pharisees caught on to what Jesus was telling them, and they realized that He was speaking about them. They would have grabbed Jesus right then and there but they feared for their own lives so they did not take Him at this point.

ACTUAL QUOTE FROM JESUS CHRIST

John 3:16-18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

This message can now be heard on AUDIO HERE

ISRAEL: REPENT AND BE CONVERTED!

In the Bible we find a story about a lame man who had been sitting outside the temple, in the same spot, for many years. He was brought there on a daily basis for the purpose of begging alms from those entering the temple. [Acts 3:1-2]  One day Peter and John, who were apostles of Jesus Christ, were heading into the temple when they noticed this lame man obviously looking for some help, and the scriptures record the following:

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: (Acts 3:6-9)

A great miracle had taken place outside the Jewish temple and this man, who had been lame since birth, was now jumping up and down giving God all the glory and praise. The lame man was naturally drawn to the side of Peter and John because they were the ones who called on the name of Jesus Christ to heal him.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:11-16)

The Jewish apostle Peter then addressed the people using the words “ye men of Israel” and told them that they should not look at them [Peter and John] as if they had anything to do with that man being healed. Peter made it clear that, the lame man’s healing  had absolutely nothing to do with their own power or their own holiness. Peter then specifically mentioned the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the God of our fathers, as he spoke to the men  of Israel.  He told them that He was the one responsible for that man being healed. Not only that, but Peter told those same men of Israel that God glorified His Son Jesus in that healing. Peter served the same God that Abraham, Moses, and all of the other fathers of the faith served. That was what he wanted the men of Israel to know. If a person is truly a Christian, who has been born again of the Spirit, then they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they also serve the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. A true Christian also knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there is only ONE way of salvation.  That salvation is found in Jesus Christ. [John 14:6, Acts 4:10-12]

And now, brethren, I wot [know] that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:17-21)

Peter cut right to the chase and he told the men of Israel that it was through their own ignorance that they put Jesus Christ to death. Ultimately the Jewish people wanted Christ to be killed because they thought that He was guilty of blasphemy. The Jewish people could not comprehend that the person that we all know as Jesus Christ could have been the Son of God, even though the prophets since the beginning of the world had spoken of  the coming Messiah. [Isaiah 42:5-7, 53:1-12, 61:1, Micah 5:2, Zecharaih 9:9] The scripture verses below make it clear that the Jewish people wanted Christ dead because He claimed God as His Father, which was blasphemy in their sight. There are many today, both Jew and Gentile, who still feel that way.  They find the thought that Christ is the Messiah, or the Son of God, ridiculous.

Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. (John 5:18)

Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. (John 10:32-33)

The scripture verse below is from the book of Leviticus in the Jewish Torah [also in the Christian Bible] which shows us the reasoning behind the Jewish people wanting Christ to be killed.

And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. (Leviticus 24:16)

The Bottom Line

Peter was both bold and gracious at the same time. He basically told his own Jewish brethren that they were responsible for killing Jesus the Christ [Messiah]. Peter told them that they were ignorant in what they did, but then he told them to repent and be converted so that their sins may be blotted out. Peter let the Jewish people know that God’s grace and mercy was still available to them, but it was found only in Christ.

This is something that needs to be clearly addressed. Peter was calling the men [and women of course] of Israel to repentance, and he connected their repentance with their sins being blotted out. If a Jewish person does not repent of their sins and convert, according to scripture, their sins cannot be blotted out. That same message still holds true today for both the Jewish and Gentile people all over the world. If a person does not repent and be converted, then they simply remain in their “unconverted condition.”  This leaves them without the BLOOD atonement [Leviticus 17:11] which is found in Jesus Christ alone.  Do you believe that?

THE GREAT NEED FOR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT!

The late Larry Thomas in his “Spiritual Discernment” seminar told of how he was once part of a very large ministry, which held daily devotional and prayer meetings among the ministers. The ministry leaders would take turns each day  sharing from the word of God. One day it was Larry’s turn to minister and instead of the Bible, Larry brought his  leather appointment book to the pulpit. Instead of scripture, Larry began preaching from the quotes that were at the head of each page in his appointment book. He quoted  people such as Confucious and Mark Twain, and every once in a while he would throw in a King James ‘thee’ or ‘thou’ to make it sound good. There were several hundred people present at this meeting. They were encouraging him by saying “Preach it Larry!” and “Amen.”  Larry jokingly said that revival almost broke out. Larry continued on for a few minutes before he told the people what he was doing. He was teaching them the need for spiritual discernment, in the church of Jesus Christ, in this modern day.

Whenever error is being preached from a pulpit without being contested it will continue to fester and only get worse. This is what happens when people ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit to speak up. The best defense against false teaching is to know the Word of God for yourself.  If a person truly wants to know the truth then the Holy Spirit will guide them into the truth. The question is this: Do you want to know the truth? Sometimes the things that the Lord is showing you in His Word will be completely contradictory to what is being preached from the pulpit. Then what do you do? That is what happened during the reformation. Simple people began to read the Word of God for themselves, and they saw that the Roman Catholic tradition did not line up with the Word of God. I can testify myself that it was the Word of God that opened my eyes to that very same deception, and I had a choice to make. I could either CHOOSE to stay and sit under false teaching, or I could CHOOSE to leave in obedience to the Word of God. I chose the latter and you can read my testimony HERE or listen to it on audio HERE.

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. (John 16:13)

Please notice that Paul specifically mentioned the Spirit (the Spirit of Truth) as the one who declared that there would be some people who would depart from the faith, after they gave heed to seducing spirits and doctrines (teachings) of devils (demons).

The Greek word for depart is the word APHISTEMI which means to remove, instigate to revolt, desert, depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

Do not miss the truth here that these doctrines have been attributed to devils (demons).  We as believers must never forget that we are in a very real battle against demonic forces, and they play for keeps. This particular warning was given about two thousand years ago, and it is as applicable today as it was all the way back then.

To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (Isaiah 8:20)

It is of utmost importance that the believers in Jesus Christ know the Word of God for themselves. The Lord will always minister to us within the confines of His Word. When you start seeing and hearing things within your church that are not biblical then you most definitely are putting yourself in great spiritual danger.  I remember viewing some videos from actual Evangelical church meetings, where one congregant was chained to a dog leash on his knees while another congregant walked him around the room like a dog. These meetings were supposedly revival meetings. At another meeting a woman declared that the Lord asked her if she would publicly howl like a wolf. She said she wanted to obey the Lord, and she began howling like a wolf.  I do not write this to entertain, but only to show you that we most definitely are living in perilous times.  We all need to guard our hearts against the demonic doctrines that abound today. If we search the scriptures and meditate upon the Word of God, the Lord will give us the spiritual discernment that we need, and the Holy Spirit will be our faithful guide.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalms 119:105)

THERE IS HOPE AND MERCY FOR THE WORST OF US!

At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. (Acts 26:13-18)

If they have celestial DVD players in heaven one of the first discs that I would like to play is the scene where that murderous tyrant Saul was confronted by the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven above.  In the passage above Paul [formerly Saul] is testifying about his salvation experience before King Agrippa. Paul told Agrippa that there was a light from heaven which was even brighter than the sun at midday.  Folks the sun in the middle of the day is extremely bright, and you cannot look directly into it without having to cover you eyes. So this must have been an incredibly bright light which Paul saw that day.

The passage then tells us that Paul heard the Lord talking in the Hebrew language, asking why he was persecuting Him.  I don’t know about you, but if I was on a continual mission of persecuting and murdering believers in Jesus Christ, as Paul was, I would have been amazed that I was even alive at that point! Incredibly the Lord then goes on to tell Paul about the plans that he has for him regarding ministry.

This is one of the most powerful passages in the entire Word of God.  The Lord told Paul that he would be a minister and a witness, speaking about the very things which were happening to him right then and there and other things also.  Paul was called to preach this awesome Gospel of Jesus Christ mainly to the Gentiles [though he preached to the Jews also] and it was for this purpose:

1] To open their [spiritual] eyes.

2] To turn them from darkness [spiritual] to light [spiritual].

3] To turn them from the power of Satan unto God.

4] So that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance through faith in Jesus Christ.

That is the very center of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that is the message for all mankind.  This man Paul truly appreciated his salvation in CHRIST and this is what he said in one of his letters:

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:15-16)

That passage of scripture should put great hope in anybody’s heart.  If the Lord can show mercy to a murderous tyrant such as Paul then that means that there is also hope for the rest of us wretches.  Does that mean that there is hope for people who have committed murder? Absolutely yes! In fact that is the main reason why I do not believe in capital punishment.  I know that the mercy and grace of God knows no boundaries.  Each and every one of us who truly knows the Lord realizes that we deserved nothing but the wrath of God but have received His mercy instead.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Word For Today

Receive salvation, and go tell others about the mercy that God offers them in Jesus Christ!

YES, God can, and will use you too!

ARE YOU CALLING GOD A LIAR?

If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:9-12)

In the passage above it tells us that God has testified concerning His Son [Jesus Christ] and it also tells us that God’s witness is greater than the witness of men.  If God is a witness to something then you can rest assured that His testimony will be true because it is impossible for God to lie. [Romans 3:4, Hebrews 6:18]  Then the passage goes on to say that those who believe on the Son of God have the witness in themselves [in their own heart] as to the truth of who JESUS CHRIST really is.  The passage then tells us that those who are unbelievers have made God out to be a liar.  Why?  Because they do not believe the record [testimony] that God gave of His Son!

Folks that is some pretty heavy stuff when you really start to think about it.  Whenever a person rejects the counsel of God, from scripture regarding salvation in Jesus Christ, what they are really doing is making God a liar.  When a person utters statements such as the following.  “I do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!” or “I do not believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven!” they are telling God that He is not a truthteller.  They make God out to be a liar.  Have you made God out to be a liar?

THIS CONFRONTATIONAL GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!

Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. (Acts 13:43-47)

The apostle Paul was a man who was a valiant preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Paul was once a notorious persecutor and murderer of Christians until the time when Jesus Himself confronted him, from Heaven above, while he was on the road to Damascus. [Acts 9:1-22]  After Paul was converted he preached Jesus as the CHRIST [MESSIAH] wherever he went.  That did not go over too well with the Jewish people and almost immediately, they sought to KILL him. [Acts 9:23-24]

Do you see the clash between the two kingdoms there? Remember that Paul was once an absolute tyrant until he received the Holy Ghost [Acts 9:17] and then there was a complete reversal in the message that Paul preached.  It was the Holy Ghost (Spirit) that made the difference and nothing could stop Paul from preaching CHRIST.

In the passage above we see a similar pattern as the unconverted Jews were filled with envy as they saw the multitudes listening to Paul and Barnabas preach the word of God.  Those people were hungry for the truth and they were glad to be sitting under the teaching that was coming from them.  There was a great spiritual confrontation taking place there, and this also is the norm whenever the truth of the gospel goes forth.  You must remember that Paul and Barnabas were delivering the message of eternal life to the multitudes of people which followed them.  The devil is never happy when the gospel is preached because he has multitudes enslaved in his demonic headlock, and the gospel has the power to set them free.

Please note that Paul and Barnabas both grew bold and let their Jewish opposers know that they were the ones who were responsible for rejecting the word of God.  They told them that they “judged themselves unworthy of everlasting life” and that they were going to take the word of God to the Gentiles.  There is only one Gospel message of everlasting life and it is all about Jesus Christ.  If you reject CHRIST then you are rejecting everlasting life.  It is that simple.  Any person that tells you that there are different paths to salvation and different ways to heaven cannot possibly know the Lord, because it is in direct contradiction to everything He said.

When I think of John Hagee, the founder of  C.U.F.I. (Christians United For Israel) and a recent meeting that was held, I think of the great disservice that is done to the Jewish people in terms of the gospel.  The Jewish people were not confronted with the lost condition of their souls, nor were they given the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus Christ, a message that the risen CHRIST commanded us to preach. [Luke 24:47]  Compare the C.U.F.I. meetings and Hagee’s “Night To Honor Israel” meetings with  the persecution which Paul and the other true followers of Jesus Christ repeatedly endured.

The message that Paul preached was one of repentance toward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. [Acts 20:21]  That is the message that we as Christians have been called to share also.  There are no exceptions to the rule.  That is the message for the Jewish person and that is the message for the Gentile [non-Jewish person].  To water down that message for the sake of pleasing people, or for any other reason, is a very dangerous thing to do.  The apostle Paul made a most powerful statement in the book of Acts which is as follows:

Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the BLOOD of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27)

Do you see the connection that Paul makes here?  Paul basically declared that his conscience was clear, and that the blood of no man would be held to his account, because he did not hold back the full counsel of God!  Paul was most likely referring to the scriptures in the book of Ezekiel regarding the call of the watchman and the warning that God has given him:

Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of ISRAEL therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. (Ezekiel 3:17-20)

The Gospel of CHRIST is most definitely good news to lost souls all over the world, but we must not leave out the other side of the message. The other side of the message is that if you reject Jesus Christ then you will be damned for an eternity in a very real place called HELL. That is straight from the heart and mouth of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus said that those who did not believe in Him were condemned already. [John 3:18]  Jesus said that the believer was saved, but the unbeliever was damned. [Mark 16:15-16]  Jesus also spoke of everlasting punishment [Matthew 25:46] and He spoke about the man who was tormented in HELL. [Luke 16:19-31]  If we hold back hold back the full counsel of GOD then we fall into the category of those who present a bogus gospel.  You can listen to a related audio message entitled “When The Watchman Fails To Warn” when you CLICK HERE .

MOSES: THE MAN WHO WAS NOT ASHAMED TO FOLLOW CHRIST!

Moses is probably best remembered for being the person who led the children of Israel across the Red Sea, and also as the one who received the Ten Commandments from God. Do you realize that this same Moses followed the very same CHRIST that I, and many other Christian’s follow today? Read the following passage from the New Testament:

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of CHRIST greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. (Hebrews 11:23-29)

Moses was a man who was greatly used of the Lord, and we can see how the Lord miraculously preserved him from the time of his birth. [Exodus 2:1-10] The passage above tells us that Moses esteemed [considered] the reproach of CHRIST [Messiah] to be greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.

In other words Moses was not ashamed to follow CHRIST because he knew that whatever sinful pleasures were to be found in Egypt were but temporary, and he left that stuff behind. Moses could have had it made if he stayed there in Egypt but there was something in his heart that told him to leave ASAP, and we know that it was nothing but the “hand of the Lord” that was upon him.

Wait a minute. How could this man Moses bear the reproach of CHRIST if Christ was not even born yet? Are we talking about the same CHRIST who is mentioned in the New Testament? Of course we are, because CHRIST is the eternal Son of God. If you take a look in the Gospel of Luke you will find the following passage of scripture which mentions Moses again:

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he [CHRIST] took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were MOSES and Elias [ELIJAH]: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, JESUS WAS FOUND ALONE. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. (Luke 9:28-36)

Here we have Moses and Elijah having a conversation with Jesus the CHRIST [Messiah], hundreds of years after they had lived on this earth. What were they talking to Jesus about? They were talking about the coming death of CHRIST upon the cross at Jerusalem. Not only that, but the Father from Heaven made it very clear that He wanted the followers of CHRIST to focus on His Son, and not on Moses or the prophets, because CHRIST is far greater than all of them, because He is the eternal Son of God!

LESSONS LEARNED

1] Moses followed the same CHRIST that I follow today.

2] Moses knew that CHRIST needed to go to the cross.

3] Moses knew the value of the eternal reward.

4] Moses knew that the sinful pleasures of the world were temporary.

5] Moses was in the glory of Heaven.

6] Moses made a smart choice.

7] Moses feared God more than he feared the command of a worldly king.

MAIN LESSON LEARNED

Moses followed the one and only CHRIST [Messiah] that there has ever been. He did not care about the shame that came along with serving and following CHRIST. If Moses was following the true CHRIST [Messiah] then who is everyone else following? If Moses recognized that CHRIST had been manifest in the flesh then what about those who deny that Christ has come in the flesh [physical body]?

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)

Be forewarned ladies and gentlemen, because we are living in perilous times. There are many who are joining hands with a system of antichrist which is clothed in a religious garment, that includes using the name of JESUS CHRIST. Do not fall for it. It is not the Lord at all. If a person talks about unity and tolerance at the expense of truth then you can know for sure that you are listening to a person who does not serve the true and living God.