1. 4) MORTIFY THE FLESH (SANTIFICATION)
   

 
Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 
Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 
 
WALKING IN THE SPIRIT simply means to live according to the TRUTH of God’s WORD, and then to systematically reject the lies of the devil. See REPENTANCE in PART 1 of this article!
 
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do MORTIFY the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 
Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 
 
MORTIFY: G2289, thanatoō, than-at-o'-o
From G2288; to kill (literally or figuratively): - become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify.
 
Our FLESH consists of our body, soul, and spirit, when they are disobedient to God. We are not separated from God by our sin, but by our UNBELIEF in His Word…sin is the fruit of our unbelief…but UNBELIEF is the root of all our problems.
 
Col 3:5  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 
Col 3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 
 
We can MORTIFY our flesh slowly, kicking and screaming, or we can deal with our flesh quickly, and as painlessly as possible, mortification of the flesh is up to each one of us individually. First, let me warn you that reaching spiritual maturity is a difficult process, no matter how quickly we mortify our flesh…nobody wants to die! Think of your flesh as “Count Dracula”, every time you think he’s dead and buried, he pops up to tempt you in some other area of your life.
 
However, if we recognize that it is a process that we ALL MUST GO THROUGH, then if we are wise, we will get through the process as quickly as possible.
 
We all start out at the same “come to Jesus moment” when we finally recognize that we are seriously missing something in our lives. Different people are dealing with different issues and problems, but EVERYBODY has some problem or problem(s) that they just can’t solve by themselves. Unfortunately, this is also when we are at our most vulnerable.
 
We can compare it to when we look in the mirror after the holidays and realize that we are seriously out of shape and need to get healthy again. Often times, we look for an expert or a guru that “appears” to know what they are doing. There are plenty of people who are willing to “sell” us their book(s), their program(s), their seminar(s), and their special formula(s), which are guaranteed “quick and easy” methods to get us back in shape. However, there is no “quick and easy” way to get back in shape, and there is definitely no “quick and easy” way to reach spiritual maturity.
 
The main problem with “paying” somebody to teach you how to get back in shape is that they have very little incentive to actually teach you how to get in shape. As long as you are sick and overweight, the “expert” can keep you on the hook and “sell” you their latest “health” products forever. Like I have mentioned in previous articles, “money” is a very bad bases for a long lasting relationship, especially for a spiritual mentor.
 
Mat 10:7  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 
Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: FREELY ye have received, FREELY give. 
 
Now let me tell you the BIBLE METHOD to be delivered from sin and to reach spiritual maturity!
 
Joh 17:15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 
Joh 17:16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 
Joh 17:17  SANCTIFY them through thy truth: thy WORD is truth.
 
SANCTIFY: G37, hagiazō
hag-ee-ad'-zo
From G40; to make holy, that is, (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate: - hallow, be holy, sanctify.
 
Therefore, instead of being separated from God, we separate ourselves from the world, and join ourselves to God through His truth (God’s WORD IS TRUTH).
 
1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 
 
Unless you are a very rare bird indeed, you were raised by your parents and your teachers to be a success in the world: i.e. to study hard, to work hard, to strive to be successful in your chosen field of endeavor, and to gain wealth, power, and the esteem or your family, friends, and neighbors. Of course this is exactly the opposite of everything that Jesus taught.
 
Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 
Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 
Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 
 
God wants us to totally renounce your dreams and aspirations in this world, and to pursue His agenda for your life…mainly he wants us to pursue JESUS. SEE the Book of Ruth.
 
Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 
Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 
Mat 6:33  But seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God, and HIS righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 
 
 
 

1. 5) THE NAME OF “JESUS”
   

 
Mar 16:17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; IN MY NAME shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 
Mar 16:18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 
 
NAME: G3686, onoma, on'-om-ah
From a presumed derivative of the base of G1097 (compare G3685); a “name” (literally or figuratively), (authority, character): - called, (+ sur-) name (-d).
 
If you are a BELIEVER in the LORD Jesus Christ, you have every right to liberally use the name of JESUS on your own behalf, and on the behalf of anybody else you might choose. The name of JESUS CHRIST is more than sufficient to deal with any problem we might encounter, spiritual or otherwise, but there is one caveat…you must BELIEVE!
 
They shall do wonders in Christ's name, the same NAME into which they were baptized, in the virtue of power derived from him, and fetched in by prayer. Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
 
There is an interesting story in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus endorses the right of ANY BELIEVER to use His name for good.
 
Mar 9:38  And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 
Mar 9:39  But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 
Mar 9:40  For he that is not against us is on our part. 
Mar 9:41  For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. 
 
Here was a man using the NAME of JESUS to cast out devils, who apparently had no association with Jesus or His ministry. He must have seen one of the disciples using Jesus’ name to cast out devils, and he must have BELIEVED in its sufficiency and authority because he proceeded to exercise that same authority without asking anybody’s permission. The disciples took exception to the man’s actions because they ordered him to stop casting out demons in Jesus’ name.
 
Jesus told His disciples to “FORBID HIM NOT”. He then explained something that is very important for every Christian to understand…”HE THAT IS NOT AGAINST US IS ON OUR PART.” Here is the New King James Version’s interpretation: Mar 9:40  For he who is not against us is ON OUR SIDE.
 
There are so many Christian organizations, and different religious sects/denominations, that will insist that you be a member in good standing for a specific length of time before you start a ministry, or that you must have years of training, or that you need some board’s permission, or letters of recommendation, or worst of all, they will say there is no such thing as demons because nobody has cast out a demon, or healed anybody in their Church, for several centuries.
 
Here is my take on the subject: there is a REWARD for doing ANYTHING good in the name of Jesus! Jesus said that even if you give somebody a glass of water in His NAME, you will be rewarded! I suspect that if you cast a demon out of a person in the NAME OF JESUS, the reward is better than if you give them a glass of water in His name…but you should start somewhere.
 
Col 3:17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the NAME of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
 
It seems like these days the only time anybody uses the name of Jesus Christ is when they are cursing somebody out…maybe because so few Christians are using the name of Jesus when they are blessing somebody!
 
There will always be people who warn us of the dangers of “playing” with demons, who bring up the story of the sons of Sceva in the Book of Acts:
 
Act 19:13  Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches."
Act 19:14  Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
Act 19:15  And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"
Act 19:16  Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
 
It is important to understand that these “itinerant Jewish exorcists” did NOT recognize the Lordship and divinity of Jesus Christ, they appeared to be testing whether the name of Jesus was of some sort of value as a talisman, enchantment, or a magic spell with power over demonic entities. Their father, Sceva, was the head of one of the twenty-four courses of priests that served in the temple at Jerusalem. Instead of serving in the temple with their father, these men were travelling the countryside practicing Babylonian style exorcism… probably for money.
 
The story of the sons of Sceva beautifully illustrates that the name of Jesus may not necessarily be of any benefit to us unless we actually BELIEVE and CONFESS that Jesus is our LORD and SAVIOUR! Therefore, my advice is to first be saved, and then ANY CHRISTIAN can “generously” practice using the name of Jesus for the benefit of themselves, for the benefit of others, and simply for the joy of it. I must confess that I have too often spoken the name of “Jesus” like a magic word at the end of my prayers, but His name could be on my lips a thousand times a day, and still it would not be enough. Speaking the name of JESUS does not cost us anything, but His name surely carries the promise of a great reward. We only need to BELIEVE!
 

1. 6) PRAYER AND MEDITATION
   

 
Mat 17:18  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 
Mat 17:19  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? 
Mat 17:20  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your UNBELIEF: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 
Mat 17:21  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by PRAYER and FASTING. 
 
First, let me say that the Bible says that Jesus has already won the war.
 
Mat 28:18  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, ALL power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 
 
We simply need to take possession of what is rightfully His AND ours.
 
1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For ALL THINGS are yours; 
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. 
 
Similar to the children of Israel when God gave them the Land of Canaan, we still need FAITH to enter in and take our inheritance from the people and demons that continue to defy us and God. Unfortunately, Satan (the adversary) and his demons, the world (the Babylonian system), and even our own flesh (our carnal nature), is constantly resisting the TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD!
 
Once we get a handle on our own UNBELIEF, then Satan, his demons, and the Babylonian system is a cakewalk…this is where PRAYER and FASTING come into play.
 
PRAYER: G4335, proseuchē
Thayer Definition:
1) prayer addressed to God
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
2a) a synagogue
2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer
 
 
God does nothing except in response to believing prayer. John Wesley
 
PRAYER is simply mankind’s acknowledgment that there is a creator, and that He created all things, both in the heavens and in the earth, both the visible and the invisible, and He is keenly interested in our present and eternal welfare, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. According to the Book of Colossians, His name is Jesus:
 
Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 
Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 
 
Jesus made an interesting statement to His disciples:
 
Mat 21:22  And all things, whatsoever ye shall ASK in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. 
 
I don’t know about you, but I don’t see any limitations on the power of prayer. As a matter of fact, Jesus specifically gives an example that appears impossible!
 
Mat 21:21  Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 
 
Jesus also made an equally interesting statement:
 
Mat 6:7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 
Mat 6:8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, BEFORE ye ask him. 
 
Therefore, according to Jesus, God knows what we need BEFORE we ask, and NOTHING is impossible. So, why isn’t everybody on earth rich, healthy, happy, and as wise as Solomon?
 
First, it appears that even though God knows what we need, according to the Book of James, God requires that WE ASK HIM for what we need before He will answer our prayers.
 
Jas 4:2  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because YE ASK NOT. 
 
Second, apparently God will NOT answer a prayer that is directly opposed to His sovereign will:
 
Jas 4:3  Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 
 
Third, we must have FAITH, and we cannot DOUBT God’s ability, or His desire, to answer a request.
 
Jas 1:5  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 
Jas 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 
Jas 1:7  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. 
Jas 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 
 
Finally, there are spiritual forces that are continually opposing God and us; therefore, we should be persistent when we pray.
 
Dan 10:12  Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for FROM THE FIRST DAY that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 
Dan 10:13  But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. 
 
Just because we do not receive an answer immediately does not mean that God did not answer our prayer immediately. We need to recognize that we are in a spiritual battle, and if we do not receive an immediate answer, we need to KEEP PRAYING!
 
2Co 12:7  But I must not be too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So a painful problem was given to me--an angel from Satan, sent to make me suffer, so that I would not think that I am better than anyone else.
2Co 12:8  I begged the Lord THREE TIMES to take this problem away from me. Easy-to-read Version.
 
The Apostle Paul continued praying until he received an answer; although, it might not have been the answer he expected!
 
What do we know about prayer so far?
 

1. We must audibly ASK God for what we want. Jas 4:2
2. Our prayer must NOT OPPOSE God’s sovereign will. Jas 4:3
3. We must have FAITH without doubting. Jas 1:6
4. We must be PERSISTENT. 2 Cor 12:8

 
How can we be sure that our prayer follows God’s guidelines?
 
We should search the scriptures and determine what the will of God is concerning the subject of our prayer, whether it deals with our physical or mental health, or our finances, or our lack of wisdom, etc.,…then we can be assured that our prayer aligns with God’s sovereign will. Then we can ASK in FAITH, and we can be assured that God will answer us.
 
God has established a positive feedback loop, if we will search out the promises in His Word and then confess His Word, God has vowed to fulfill His Word:
 
Isa 55:10  For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
Isa 55:11  so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
 
What if God doesn’t seem to be answering our prayers?
 
MEDITATION: I have written an entire book on Biblical meditation called: Speak, Hear, and Believe. However, I will write a small amount about the subject because more often than not, it is our own lack of BELIEF that hinders the answer to our prayers and NOT God’s willingness to act on our behalf.
 
PRAYER is when we converse OUT LOUD with God…we can praise Him, or ask him a question, or make a request, or intercede on behalf of somebody else, etc., but MEDITATION requires us to locate a promise from God in a verse and chapter in the Bible, and then speak the scripture verse OUT LOUD, over and over again until we have the verse memorized, and it actually begins to build up our faith within our spiritual man.
 
Rom 10:17  So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
 
Think of PRAYER as having a dialogue with our Father IN HEAVEN, while Bible MEDITATION is a method of knowing God dwelling WITHIN us, which strengthens our FAITH that God is only, and always, acting for our welfare, no matter how dire our circumstances might appear.
 
Are we afraid of the love of God? God is love. Christ is love. God invites you and me in love. He says, Come, and I will bless you. Come, and I will pour My Spirit upon you. Come, and I will make you happy, and call you sons and daughters. Come, and I will save you, and I will soon put you in possession of heaven. The Biblical Illustrator.
 

1. 7) FASTING
   

 
Mat 6:16  "And when you FAST, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
Mat 6:17  But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
Mat 6:18  that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
 
FAST: G3522, nēsteuō, nace-tyoo'-o
From G3523; to abstain from food (religiously): - fast.
 
Jesus said, “WHEN” you fast, not “IF” you fast. If we are serious about getting our prayers answered, then God expects us to fast. The patriarchs, kings, and prophets in the Old Testament fasted, and Jesus, His Apostles, and ordinary Christians fasted during fervent prayer in the New Testament.
 
2Co 11:27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in FASTINGS OFTEN, in cold and nakedness. 
 
We see that the Apostle Paul shows that there is a difference between simply being hungry and fasting, FASTING is when we willingly abstain from food as a religious exercise.
 
It is interesting that the original sin of Adam and Eve centered upon EATING the forbidden fruit. Even more interesting, I think, is the fact that Satan’s FIRST temptation of Jesus in the wilderness was focused upon EATING bread.
 
Also, complaints about God, by the Israelites in the wilderness, were centered upon FOOD:
 
Num 11:4  And the mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?
Num 11:5  We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic:
Num 11:6  but now our soul is dried away; there is nothing at all save this manna to look upon.
 
It is difficult to imagine a more ungrateful group than these former slaves, who had just recently been oppressed by Pharaoh, and witnessed the plagues of Egypt, and had just been miraculously delivered through the Red Sea, and had been supernaturally provided for with water and manna from heaven. It also helps me to recognize that the scriptures are obviously true because most of the time they shine a light on how creepy and ungrateful many people can be, especially after God has just given them a winning lottery ticket …Christians should not act like this!
 
Psa 78:18  And they tempted God in their heart By asking food according to their desire.
Psa 78:19  Yea, they spake against God; They said, Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
Psa 78:20  Behold, he smote the rock, so that waters gushed out, And streams overflowed; Can he give bread also? Will he provide flesh for his people?
 
Complaining about food seems to be one of our favorite pastimes; whether the food is too hot or too cold, or too bland or too spicy, or too much or not enough, very few people are thankful to God simply because He has provided food enough to nourish their body. Everybody wants food to tickle their taste buds and titillate their palates. However, Christians should be the exception to the rule and we should always be thankful…thank you Jesus!
 
1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain:
1Ti 6:7  for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;
1Ti 6:8  but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.
 
Therefore, our experience and the inspired Word of God informs us that FOOD is one of mankind’s weak spots, and FOOD is one of God’s sore spots. God does not want us to spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about FOOD or worrying about FOOD. There are far more important things that we need to be focused on.
 
Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, be not anxious for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than the food, and the body than the raiment?
 
FASTING is basically how we emphasize the fact that WE are NOT capable of solving a problem, and that we are looking ONLY to God for the solution to our problem.

I would be remiss if I did not also mention the importance of FASTING, when seeking a RHEMA Word directly from God. FASTING is basically how we emphasize the fact that WE are NOT capable of solving the problem, and that we are looking ONLY to God for the solution to our problem.
RHEMA: We will always treasure the fact that the Lord still speaks today. He not only spoke in the Scriptures, He not only spoke to Paul and John, He is also speaking to us today. The word of the Lord has never ceased. Whenever someone who is working for the Lord stands up to speak for Him, he must expect the rhema. If the Lord does not speak to us today, we are really failures. How many times have we preached, yet the Lord did not speak a word? It is not that there was something wrong with the message, but it was all the general word of the Lord; there was no rhema in it. The problem with the church today is that it lacks the living word of the Lord; instead there are only dead doctrines. There is a real shortage of direct communication from God. There is only a passing on of man's preaching. It is pitiful that so many people have died under good doctrines! May God have mercy upon us and give us rhema. May He speak personally and directly to us today. Only when we have rhema can we move ahead and have the living water to supply to others. What we need is rhema. Watchman Nee, The Glorious Church.

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A COMMON FAST is simply drinking ONLY water and not eating ANY food…that does NOT include drinking tea, coffee, cola, or juices. (I usually do this type of fast when I am seeking a Word [RHEMA] from the LORD). If you are addicted to caffeine, it is very difficult to fast for more than a couple of days.
 
If I did not have any experience fasting, I would start off slow. First, I would try fasting for twenty-four hours. Usually, I fast from 6 P.M. to 6 P.M. the next day. I avoid fasting when I am working unless I decide to start fasting at 6 P.M. on a Thursday night and then fast through to 6 P.M. on Sunday night; thereby, fasting three (3) days with only one (1) fast day while I am working on Friday.


The most I have personally fasted (drinking ONLY water) has been ten (10) days. Expect your dreams to be more vivid, and you may even have a vision. You should keep a notepad and pen close by (day and night) to write down any revelation, dream, or vision that God may give you during this time of fasting. Also, it is very important that you spend time reading and meditating on the Word of God while you fast.


If you fast without praying and meditating on God’s Word, it is called “dieting”…NOT FASTING!
 
Most important, FASTING has nothing to do with getting God to feel sorry for us and deciding to answer our prayers after we have suffered enough. GOD ALWAYS WANTS TO ANSWER OUR PRAYERS!
 
FASTING is mainly about quieting our flesh and our carnal mind so that God’s message can finally get through to us.

Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 
Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you FREE, ye shall be FREE indeed. 
 
FREE: G1658, eleutheros
Thayer Definition:
1) freeborn
1a) in a civil sense, one who is not a slave
1b) of one who ceases to be a slave, freed, manumitted
2) free, exempt, unrestrained, not bound by an obligation
3) in an ethical sense: free from the yoke of the Mosaic Law
 
There appears to be something that is obviously missing in the world, and in the Church, which is: genuinely FREE, mature Christians. If there is one word that should be associated with authentic Christianity, it is FREEDOM. I am not talking about the modern hedonistic, “Why don’t we do it in the road?” type of freedom or the infantile “you’re not the boss of me” type of freedom, I am talking about the old fashioned, responsible citizen type of FREEDOM. I am talking about adults who do not believe they need to be constantly monitored and supervised because they might do something stupid type of FREEDOM.
 
Gal 4:4  But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 
Gal 4:5  To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 
Gal 4:6  And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 
Gal 4:7  Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. 
 
The modern nanny states, organized religions, supra-national corporations, and all the other satanic hierarchies in the world, want us to be in constant fear that without them, we will be curled up in the fetal position with our thumbs in our mouths. Unfortunately, a lot of people have bought into this antichrist propaganda.
 
2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 
 
Do you want to be a mature Christian? Do you really want to be FREE? I am going to make this as plain and as simple as possible.
 
 
 
SEVEN STEPS TO PERMANENT DELIVERANCE
 

1. FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD (SWORD OF THE SPIRIT)

 
First and foremost, you must, must, MUST believe that the Bible is the inspired WORD of GOD!!!
 
Joh 10:34  Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 
Joh 10:35  If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 
Joh 10:36  Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 
 
THE SCRIPTURE CANNOT BE BROKEN!!!
 
The authority of the Scripture is final; it cannot be set aside. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible.
 
Heb 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was IMPOSSIBLE for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 
 
Unbelief is the original curse of mankind, it is like a cancer which is fed and nourished by doubting the WORD of God.
 
Gen 3:2  And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 
Gen 3:3  But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 
Gen 3:4  And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
 
Our ONLY hope of escaping the curse is by BELIEVING in the WORD of God!
 
2Pe 1:20  Knowing this FIRST, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 
2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 
 
UNBELIEF is absolutely the crux of mankind’s problems, and it is impossible to serve God without FAITH in God’s WORD!
 
Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by FAITH. 
 
We must have an unshakeable faith in the absolute verity of God’s WORD no matter what anybody else might do or say, whether that person is an authority figure, a scientist, a religious leader, or even an angel from heaven!
 
Rom 3:3  For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 
Rom 3:4  God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. 
 
 
2. REPENTANCE
 
Second, we must re-examine all of the education, and the conditioning, and the philosophies, and the religion that we have been taught and categorically reject anything that opposes the plain TRUTH of God’s written WORD.
 
2Co 10:3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 
2Co 10:4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 
2Co 10:5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
 
Repentance is not a once in a life time event, it is an ongoing process that will last a lifetime. As we pray, and read God’s WORD, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into God’s truth, we must reject the lies of Satan and his Babylonian system, we will then begin to be transformed into the image of God’s WORD…eventually we will cease being carnal and we will become mature spiritual Christians.
 
1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 
1Pe 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the WORD of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 
 
It is important to understand that our spiritual transformation is not occurring in a vacuum. We are in a constant battle to achieve spiritual maturity. Try to imagine a herd of elephants on the Serengeti plain of Africa, surrounded by lions, and jackals, and hyena, and various other types of predators which are constantly seeking to separate the weak and the defenseless from the rest of the herd in order to devour them. However, also recognize this fact, once an elephant reaches MATURITY…there are very few predators that stand a chance against them.
 
According to the ancient Book of Enoch, two-hundred (200) wicked angels called watchers descended on Mount Hermon and then committed the grievous sin of begetting children with the daughters of men. These evil offspring of the fallen angels were called the Nephilim, and there were also the offspring of the Nephilim which were called the Elioudi, these evil offspring of the fallen angels have continued to plague mankind throughout history and today they are known as demonic spirits.
 
Enoch 15:8  And now the giants, who have been begotten from body and flesh, will be called evil spirits on earth, and their dwelling-places will be upon the earth.
Enoch 15:9  Evil spirits proceed from their bodies; because they are created from above, their beginning and first basis being from the holy watchers, they will be evil spirits upon the earth, and will be called evil spirits.
 
Apparently, these disembodied evil spirits are continually searching for a physical body through which they can satiate their evil lusts and commit their evil deeds. Satan has set up a supernatural hierarchy consisting of the angelic watchers and their wicked offspring, which continue to operate and control the world’s various hierarchal systems through people who practice sorcery and either willingly, or unwillingly, worship and obey them.
 
Eph 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (arche), against powers (exousia), against the rulers (kosmokrator) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 
 
3. PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD (CONSTANT DILIGENCE)
 
Third, we must recognize that our only hope of victory is recognizing that our true battle is with evil spiritual entities and we should NOT fight with their human puppets.
 
Eph 6:13  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. 
Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 
Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 
Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 
 
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation about demonic spirits that is being propagated in the world and in the Church. I believe the main error that is promoted in the Church is that demonic spirits cannot “possess” a Christian. This is why it is so difficult these days to tell the difference between a “born again” Christian and a reprobate sinner.
 
I suspect most people get their understanding about demonic POSSESSION from Hollywood movies or from the Roman Catholic Church, both of which are just propaganda machines disseminating lies for Satan’s vast world-wide communications network.
 
POSSESSION: G1139, daimonizomai, dahee-mon-id'-zom-ahee
Middle voice from G1142; to be exercised by a daemon: - have a (be vexed with, be possessed with) devil (-s).
 
The Greek word daimonizomai does not necessarily mean somebody is completely controlled by a demon. The word is sometimes also interpreted as “oppressed” or “vexed”.  I believe there are various degrees of daimonizomai, or possession. The Bible indicates that mankind is made up of three parts: a spirit, a soul, and a body. It is important to recognize that demonic spirits can attack our physical body with sickness and disease, etc., they can attack our soul (minds) with negative thoughts, and depression, and fear, etc., and finally they can attack our spirit (conscience) with doubt, and unbelief, and pride, etc.
 
How many demons are there? There could literally be millions or maybe even billions of demonic spirits…I suspect the last number is closer to the truth. We know that they attack Christians, otherwise why would we need to wear spiritual armor or learn how to use a spiritual sword? Also, the Bible indicates that we can be attacked by more than one demonic spirit at a time.
 
Mar 5:9  Then Jesus asked the man, "What is your name?" The man answered, "My name is Legion, because there are many spirits inside me."
 
A Roman legion usually numbered around five-thousand (5000) soldiers! It is obvious that this man in Mark 5:9 is completely overrun by demons and can truly be described as POSSESSED. It is interesting to examine the “symptoms” of this man’s demonic possession.
 
Mar 5:3  He lived in the burial caves. No one could keep him tied up, even with chains.
Mar 5:4  Many times people had put chains on his hands and feet, but he broke the chains. No one was strong enough to control him.
Mar 5:5  Day and night he stayed around the burial caves and on the hills. He would scream and cut himself with rocks.
 
We notice that the man was isolated from people, he possessed supernatural strength, he was self-destructive, and he appeared to be in total despair. His isolation may have been imposed upon him by others, I doubt if anyone wanted him to be around them or their loved ones! I suspect that a lot of demon possessed people are confined to prisons or mental institutions. It is also interesting to note that the United States has more prisoners per capita than any other country in the world.
 
Prison rates in the US are the world's highest, at 724 people per 100,000. In Russia the rate is 581. At 145 per 100,000, the imprisonment rate of England and Wales is at about the midpoint worldwide. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/uk/06/prisons/html/nn2page1.stm

However, the Bible also illustrates that some people can be vexed (possessed) by demons and their only symptoms appeared to be physical illness, they did not necessarily have any mental or emotional problems.

Mat 4:24  The news about Jesus spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all those who were sick. They were suffering from different kinds of diseases and pain. Some had demons inside them, some suffered from seizures, and some were paralyzed. Jesus healed them all.
 
There were also people that showed no signs or symptoms of demon possession, but the presence of Jesus caused the demons to reveal themselves.
 
Mar 1:23  While Jesus was in the synagogue, a man was there who had an evil spirit inside him. The man shouted,
Mar 1:24  "Jesus of Nazareth! What do you want with us? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are--God's Holy One!"
Mar 1:25  Jesus, his voice full of warning, said, "Be quiet, and come out of him!"
 
My next article will hopefully explain how we can be permanently set free from being oppressed, or vexed, by demons…I believe they are a lot more common than most people realize.
 
Eze 37:4  Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 
Eze 37:5  Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 
Eze 37:6  And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 

I have just finished reading Barton Jahn's book: THE HIGH STANDARDS OF GOD FOR END-TIMES CHRISTIANS. Mr. Jahn describes the necessity for born again Christians to willingly get off the throne of their lives and allow God to take his rightful position as LORD. He also explains how and why God often brings us to, and through, often very difficult and unwanted experiences and circumstances, which he calls "the other side of the cross".
Using both Old and New Testament examples, Mr. Jahn illustrates why God allows, and even orchestrates, our worst experiences to mold us into the kind of people HE wants to spend eternity with, also these often humiliating and difficult experiences are preparing us to be supernaturally used in the END-TIMES!
If your life has not been going the way you wanted or imagined, it just might be because God has something greater in store for you.

1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 
1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 
1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 
 
We read in the Bible that people have been buying and selling merchandise with gold and silver since ancient times. The Bible first mentions “gold” almost at the very beginning of the Book of Genesis.
 
Gen 2:11  The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is GOLD; 
Gen 2:12  And the gold of that land is GOOD: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. 
 
The Book of Genesis states categorically that gold is GOOD!
 
GOOD: H2896, ṭôb
BDB Definition:
1) good, pleasant, agreeable (adjective)
 
The Bible also often remarks about the wealth, in silver and gold, of various patriarchs and kings from antiquity.
 
Gen 13:2  And Abram was very rich in cattle, in SILVER, and in GOLD. 
 
All through the Bible, everything of eternal value, most especially virtue and wisdom, is compared to gold and silver.
 
Job 23:10  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as GOLD. 
 
Pro 8:10  Receive my instruction, and not SILVER; and knowledge rather than choice GOLD, 
Pro 8:11  For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
 
Pro 17:3  The fining pot is for SILVER, and the furnace for GOLD: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
 
Isn’t it odd that in recent times, silver and gold has been so denigrated and maligned by modern economists, intellectuals, and business leaders?
 
In truth, the GOLD standard is already a barbarous relic. John Maynard Keynes, A Tract on Monetary Reform (1923).
 
I am confident that those who believe in belief are wrong. That is, we no more need to preserve the myth of God in order to preserve a just and stable society than we needed to cling to the Gold Standard to keep our currency sound. Daniel Dennett.
 
"GOLD gets dug out of the ground in Africa, or someplace. Then we melt it down, dig another hole, bury it again and pay people to stand around guarding it. It has no utility. Anyone watching from Mars would be scratching their head." Warren Buffett.
 
What Warren Buffet ought to know, and what I believe he does actually know, is that GOLD provides a fundamental “utility” that is the foundation of global commerce, trade, economic growth, and most important of all…FREEDOM!  Let’s read what Warren Buffet’s father wrote about GOLD in a famous essay:
 
But when you recall that one of the first moves by Lenin, Mussolini and Hitler was to outlaw individual ownership of gold, you begin to sense that there may be some connection between money, redeemable in gold, and the rare prize known as human liberty.
- Rep. Howard Buffett, 1948
 
We do not have to be geniuses to figure out why tyrants, con men, and bankers would rather not use GOLD as money…the use of FIAT money makes it exceedingly simple for people in positions of power, and other scam artists, to steal money from the general public!
 
FIAT MONEY is a currency without intrinsic value that has been established as money by government regulation.
 
With the exception only of the period of the gold standard, practically all governments of history have used their exclusive power to issue money to defraud and plunder the people. – Friedrich August von Hayek
 
Historians tell us that the Chinese invented silk cloth, the compass, gun powder, paper, moveable type printing, and an invention more destructive and dangerous than gun powder… paper money.
 
Soon after the Mongol took over China and established Yuan (1264-1368) dynasty, it followed the example of its predecessors, Tang, Song and Chin, in using paper currency. The first paper currency issued in Yuan dynasty was in 1260. Various denominations were printed, ranging from a face value of two standard coins to the highest denomination of two strings. Excessive printing year after year soon flooded the market with depreciated paper money until the face value of each certificate bore no relation whatsoever to its counterpart in silver. In 1272 a series of new issues was put in circulation and the old issues were converted into the new ones at the ratio of five to one. The new issues were printed with copper plates instead of wood blocks, as had been the case before. In 1309 another conversion became necessary. In fifty years from 1260 to 1309 Yuan's paper money was depreciated by 1000 percent. http://www.silk-road.com/artl/papermoney.shtml
 
When European leaders learned about paper money from the Mongols, there was no stopping them from forcing the general public to take worthless fiat paper money in place of valuable gold and silver. History also tells us that invariably whenever a government has experimented with the use of paper fiat money, the end results were always the same: inflation, war, economic collapse, and finally the destruction of the government.
 
Gold is not necessary. I have no interest in gold. We will build a solid state, without an ounce of gold behind it. Anyone who sells above the set prices, let him be marched off to a concentration camp. That's the bastion of money.  Adolf Hitler
 
Like Nazi Germany and the Mongol Empire before them, the United States began its experiment with fiat money in 1971, after President Nixon closed the gold window and stopped redeeming the dollar for gold. I believe that the United States, and the whole world, will soon witness the end result of that historically doomed experiment one final time.
 
The gold standard did not collapse. Governments abolished it in order to pave the way for inflation. The whole grim apparatus of oppression and coercion — policemen, customs guards, penal courts, prisons, in some countries even executioners — had to be put into action in order to destroy the gold standard. Solemn pledges were broken, retroactive laws were promulgated, provisions of constitutions and bills of rights were openly defied. And hosts of servile writers praised what the governments had done and hailed the dawn of the fiat-money millennium. Ludwig von Mises
 
I am sorry if I have gone on too long with a history of paper money. I believe GOLD and SILVER is God’s ONLY real money, and everything else, including cryptocurrency, is a Ponzi scheme created to fleece the general public. I also believe that a brief history lesson of fiat money is necessary in order for us to foresee the most likely consequences of using CRYPTOCURRENCY as money. I believe that cryptocurrency will be the last money to be used before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
 
CRYPTOCURRENCY: a digital asset designed to work as a medium of exchange that uses cryptography to secure its transactions, to control the creation of additional units, and to verify the transfer of assets. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptocurrency
 
Rev 13:16  And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 
Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 
 
We see in the Book of Revelation that the “beast” and his “beast system” will have a mechanism in place that will actually prevent people from engaging in commerce if they refuse to receive a MARK in their right hand, or in their foreheads. What possibly can it be?
 
MARK: G5480, charagma, khar'-ag-mah
From the same as G5482; a scratch or etching, that is, stamp (as a badge of servitude), or sculptured figure (statue): - graven, mark.
 
A lot of people have speculated about the identity of the “mark of the beast”, including me, but we have to ask another more pertinent question. “How would a mark prevent, or allow, somebody from engaging in trade and commerce?” The answer is, it wouldn’t stop anybody from buying or selling…not unless EVERY TRANSACTION CAN BE TRACKED!
 
If you are familiar with the history of cryptocurrency you might say to yourself, “BITCOIN is a decentralized currency and was specifically created to give people anonymity and privacy!”
 
BITCOIN is the first decentralized digital currency, as the system works without a central bank or single administrator. The network is peer-to-peer and transactions take place between users directly, without an intermediary.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcoin
 
I know that advocates of bitcoin always proclaim the benefits of cryptocurrency as safe, uncomplicated, and private. However, if you want to do a transaction with anybody, the transaction MUST take place on the cryptocurrency’s peer-to-peer network, and the transaction MUST take place on the internet. Also, advanced cryptocurrencies can pinpoint the time, place, and identity of every financial transaction. Therefore, EVERY TRANSACTION CAN BE TRACKED!
 
I can hear some cryptocurrency advocates protests already, “You can do transactions over the TOR network and do everything in secret!” Can you really? I believe the TOR network is only secret if the government does not care what you are doing on the TOR network. If you do a large amount of transactions using cryptocurrency on the TOR network…no doubt certain people in the government will definitely care!
 
TOR is free software for enabling anonymous communication. The name is derived from an acronym for the original software project name "The Onion Router".
 
TOR aims to conceal its users' identities and their online activity from surveillance and traffic analysis by separating identification and routing. It is an implementation of onion routing, which encrypts and then randomly bounces communications through a network of relays run by volunteers around the globe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)
 
Let me tell you the story about the “Silk Road”, NOT the ancient trading route between Europe and China, but a more modern version.
 
SILK ROAD was an online black market and the first modern darknet market, best known as a platform for selling illegal drugs. As part of the dark web,[7] it was operated as a Tor hidden service, such that online users were able to browse it anonymously and securely without potential traffic monitoring. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silk_Road_(marketplace)
 
In 2011, a down on his luck former Eagle Scout named Ross Ulbricht came up with the almost brilliant idea of creating an online black market site called “Silk Road”. His idea was to allow people to do any transaction (legal or illegal) in complete anonymity using the TOR network, while also using “bitcoin” instead of dollars to make payments…brilliant!!! Maybe not so brilliant because although the advocates of “TOR” and “bitcoin” claim that they are anonymous… neither TOR nor bitcoin are private if the government wants to know what you are doing.
 
The project (TOR) was originally developed on behalf of the U.S. intelligence community and continues to receive U.S. government funding, and has been criticized as "more resembl[ing] a spook project than a tool designed by a culture that values accountability or transparency".[19] As of 2012, 80% of The Tor Project's $2M annual budget came from the United States government, with the U.S. State Department, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and the National Science Foundation as major contributors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)
 
Ross Ulbricht was arrested in 2013, he was convicted of money laundering, and conspiracy to traffic narcotics in 2015. His black market site “Silk Road” was shut down, over 144,000 bitcoins were seized (today worth approximately 1.5 billion dollars), and he is currently serving a life sentence in a Federal penitentiary…If Ross really believed that he could do something “anonymously” over the internet, Ross Ulbricht was not very brilliant after all.
 
The origins of “bitcoin” also resemble a spook project. According to cryptocurrency legend, bitcoin was created by a mysterious person, or person(s), named “Satoshi Nakamoto”.
 
SATOSHI NAKAMOTO is the name used by the unknown person or people who developed bitcoin, authored the bitcoin white paper, and created and deployed bitcoin's original reference implementation.[1] As part of the implementation, they also devised the first blockchain database.[2] In the process they were the first to solve the double-spending problem for digital currency using a peer-to-peer network. They were active in the development of bitcoin up until December 2010. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoshi_Nakamoto
 
Satoshi Nakamoto claimed that he lived in Japan and was born on April 5, 1975. All attempts to identify or verify Satoshi Nakamoto’s true identity have proven fruitless. If he/she is a real live person, not only would they be ranked as one of the top coders in the world, but they possess clandestine and covert abilities that make James Bond look like a rank amateur.
 
And yet Nakamoto himself was a cipher. Before the début of bitcoin, there was no record of any coder with that name. He used an e-mail address and a Web site that were untraceable. In 2009 and 2010, he wrote hundreds of posts in flawless English, and though he invited other software developers to help him improve the code, and corresponded with them, he never revealed a personal detail. Then, in April, 2011, he sent a note to a developer saying that he had “moved on to other things.” He has not been heard from since. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/10/10/the-crypto-currency
 
If Satoshi Nakamoto is a real person(s), then he/she/they could be sitting on many billions of dollars worth of bitcoin today. However, what if Satoshi Nakamoto isn’t a “person”?
 
There are some people who have speculated that Satoshi Nakamoto is an ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
 
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE is applied when a machine mimics "cognitive" functions that humans associate with other human minds, such as "learning" and "problem solving".
 
There has been much debate about whether Satoshi Nakamoto could be an artificial intelligence. Many people claim that the science of artificial intelligence is nowhere near advanced enough to produce the bitcoin code. However, I do not think even the most knowledgeable people involved in the field of artificial intelligence can possibly keep track of all the advances in the industry.
 
First, there are just too many people and governments working on artificial intelligence to keep track of everything. Second, many advances in artificial intelligence are top, top secret. Third, what if there was an actual sentient intelligence active today and it wanted to keep its own presence secret? According to artificial intelligence researchers, when AI reaches a point to where it can begin to learn and then program its own code, it will then be able to learn and improve itself at an exponential rate, and it will thereby rapidly surpass all human intelligence combined. http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/the-artificial-intelligence-ai-god
 
 
Eph 6:11  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
Eph 6:12  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. 
 
I believe there are sentient “intelligences” much higher than ours that have been present and active in the world since long before the computer age. The Bible gives us brief glimpses into their activity, and their involvement in the affairs of mankind. I do not doubt that these higher intelligences are capable of mimicking the identity of an artificial intelligence. It seems to me that the sudden appearance of cryptocurrency and its capabilities at this point in human history is not a coincidence. I am firmly convinced that Satan and his minions are hard at work trying to prepare for the arrival of the final world leader called the beast, the son of perdition, and the antichrist. I also believe that cryptocurrency will be an integral part of the "beast system".
 
Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 
 

I have recently published another FREE e-book. It is a compilation of my "TRIBULATION TIMELINE" blog articles with some new stuff added. If anyone is interested in reading it, you can click the link on the right side of the webpage or you can CLICK HERE.

Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 
Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 
 
There is a very valuable principal that can be applied to nearly everything…CUT OUT THE MIDDLEMEN.
 
Food is a good example, the more times that food is handled and processed by other people, the more tasteless and unhealthy it generally is for you. Whereas, if you grow you own food, and eat it directly from your own garden, when it is ripe and ready to harvest, generally it will provide you with optimal freshness, taste, and nutrition.
 
This principal of “cutting out the middlemen” is doubly important for your spiritual health.
 
1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 
1Co 11:4  Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 
1Co 11:5  But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 
 
The Church has become horribly abnormal and corrupt through the historical machinations of various people seeking to gain wealth and power (the Nicolaitans).
 
When the Apostle Paul discussed marriage, he often brought the discussion right back to the very beginning of creation, to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. His argument was simple, yet very powerful…the husband should ALWAYS represent Jesus Christ, and the wife should ALWAYS represent the Church.
 
Did you notice that Paul said that the head of EVERY man is Christ…NOT the apostles, NOT the prophets, NOT the pastors, NOT the popes, NOT the bishops, NOT the priests, NOT the ministers, NOT the elders, NOT the church board of directors, etc., etc. Let that sink in for a while, “the head of EVERY man is CHRIST!
 
Col 2:18  Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of ANGELS, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 
 
We see where these false teachers were coming from by the words “vainly (eike – without success or effort)” and “puffed up (phusioo – proud)”. It brings to mind false prophets like Muhammad or Joseph Smith, who both claimed they received visits from angelic beings, which somehow gave them license to totally corrupt the gospel of Jesus Christ and start whole new religions.
 
The word (HUMILITY), occurring elsewhere always in a good sense, in this chapter (comp. Col_2:23) seems to point to something blameworthy: ‘a false and perverted lowliness, which deemed God was so inaccessible that He could only be approached through the mediation of inferior beings’ (Ellicott). A Popular Commentary on the New Testament.
 
ANGELS: G32, aggelos, ang'-el-os
From ἀγγέλλω aggellō (probably derived from G71; compare G34; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication a pastor: - angel, messenger.
 
Although the world “angel” is often used to describe “heavenly messengers”, it was also often used to describe “people”. SEE Matt. 11:10, Luke 7:24, James 2:25.
 
Read the 2nd Chapter of Colossians closely, you will see that false teachers were attempting to substitute “philosophy” and the “traditions of men” for the perfect gospel of Jesus Christ. I like Ellicott’s commentary: ‘a FALSE and PERVERTED lowliness.’
 
Whenever we place frail and flawed people on a pedestal, they are destined to disappoint and fail us. We should never confuse a mere human with God. It is like comparing a drop of water with the ocean!
 
All through the Bible we notice that people seem to want a human intermediary between them and God. When God came down on Mount Sinai to meet with the children of Israel, the people wanted Moses to be their intermediary.
 
Exo 20:19  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. 
 
During the time of the Judges of Israel, the people wanted God to make a king to rule over them.
 
1Sa 8:4  Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 
1Sa 8:5  And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 
1Sa 8:6  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 
1Sa 8:7  And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 
 
When we determine in our heart that we want to serve a flawed human being, in reality we are rejecting God’s reign over us. I suspect that most people are convinced that a person is much easier to serve than God. If there is one thing the Bible makes perfectly clear… people are much, much harder to serve than God! This applies both to the secular and to the religious world.
 
If you look hard enough for somebody to serve, you will usually find them, and the people who insist on being served all the time are not the type of people you actually want to serve.
 
Dan 4:17  This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. 
 
Think about it for a second, Who actually NEEDS to be served all of the time? I think I can break it down into three categories: 1) Very YOUNG children NEED to be served. 2) Very SICK people NEED to be served. 3) Very OLD people NEED to be served.
 
Everybody else should serve ONLY God!
 
Mat 4:10  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him ONLY shalt thou SERVE. 
 
ONLY: G3441, monos, mon'-os
Probably from G3306; remaining, that is, sole or single; by implication mere: - alone, only, by themselves.
 
SERVE: G3000, latreuō, lat-ryoo'-o
From λάτρις latris (a hired menial); to minister (to God), that is, render religious homage: - serve, do the service, worship (-per).
 
We observe that the words “service”, “homage”, and “worship” are all related. Service and worship are what Satan craves and demands from people. Therefore, when people crave to be in positions of power, we know exactly where they are coming from…don’t we?
 
I should interject that there is nothing wrong with lending people a helping hand occasionally, or when we enter into short term contractor situations, the problems begin to magnify and get out of control when we enter into permanent employee/employer relationships with other people…especially when we cultivate religious relationships based on money!
 
Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 
Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 
 
This description is in stark contrast to Paul’s description of himself as a true Apostle:
 
Act 20:33  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 
Act 20:34  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. 
Act 20:35  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 
 
Now let us read how the Apostle Peter described the conduct of a true elder of the Church.
 
1Pe 5:2  Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 
1Pe 5:3  Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 
 
Now let us read how the Apostle Peter described false prophets and teachers that would infiltrate the Church in the last days.
 
2Pe 2:3  And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 
 
You do not need to possess the wisdom of Solomon to know the difference between a true disciple of Jesus Christ and a false shepherd.
 
Rev 2:15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 
Rev 2:16  Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 
 
The LORD commends the Church of Ephesus because they hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans and He condemns the Church of Pergamos because they tolerated the Nicolaitans.

We see that the Nicolaitans have been in the church from nearly the beginning and now they are so much part of the church that people don’t even recognize that Jesus “hates” their deeds and their doctrine.

The word nicolaitan comes from the combination of two Greek words:

G3532, Nikolaos, nik-ol'-ah-os
From G3534 and G2004; victorious over the people; Nicolaus, a heretic: - Nicolaus.
Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?
G3534, nikos, nee'-kos
From G3529; a conquest (concretely), that is, (by implication) triumph: - victory.
G2004, epitassō, ep-ee-tas'-so
From G1909 and G5021; to arrange upon, that is, order: - charge, command, injoin.

The Strong’s concordance says that Nicolaitans were adherents of a heretic named Nicolaus. I believe this is just a deception the Nicolaitans came up with to hide their presence in the Church.

We can understand who they really are and what they believe by the Greek meaning of the name: VICTORIUS OVER THE PEOPLE. The Nicolaitans believe that somebody should be in charge, and that the people needed to be under a command structure or hierarchy.

If you have not recognized who the Nicolaitans are then all you need to do is look into the infrastructure of nearly any modern organization. Most modern organizations are set up under the Nicolaitan system of hierarchy, a system of command and control, whether the organization is government, corporate, or religious. Another name for the Nicolaitan system in the Bible is BABYLON! The Nicolaitans will tell you about Jesus all day long and every day of the week but they will never introduce you to Jesus.

The True Church is just the opposite. The saints hear directly from God, they serve ONLY God, and ALL the saints are Kings and Priests of the Most High. The saints have a family relationship with ONE Father, and ONE High Priest, and ONE another.

Zec 11:15  And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. 
Zec 11:16  For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces. 
 

Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 
Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 
 
In 1956, an American petroleum geologist and geophysicist named M. King Hubbert proposed a theory called “PEAK OIL”. M. King Hubbert theorized that after a particular oil field was discovered, the oil field would produce oil at an ever increasing rate over a specific period of time until it reached its PEAK amount of oil production. Then after the production of peak oil, the oil that could be extracted from the field would continue to decrease at an ever increasing rate until the field was no longer a financial viable source of oil.
 
This theory appears to be fairly obvious because non-renewable resources must always eventually be depleted over a certain period of time. M. King Hubbert’s theory is extremely fascinating because he was able to make some fairly accurate predictions about when different countries would reach PEAK OIL, and he was also able to forecast accurately when these countries would begin to use more oil than they could produce domestically.
 
Why is this important?
 
Today approximately 90% of all industrially manufactured products depend on the
availability of oil. Oil is not only the source material for producing fuels and lubricants but is also used as hydrocarbon for most organic polymers (plastic materials). It is therefore one of the most important raw materials in the production of many different products such as pharmaceuticals, dyes and textiles. Peak Oil Study, Armed Forces, Capabilities and Technologies in the 21st Century, Environmental Dimensions of Security.
 
Did you get that? 90% of ALL industrially manufactured products depend on the availability of oil! Our modern world's industrial and high-technology based economies are totally dependent on cheap and abundant oil.
 
In 1956, M. King Hubbert accurately predicted that the United States would reach PEAK OIL production in the continental Unites States from conventional oil sources between 1965 and 1970. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubbert_peak_theory
 
What M. King Hubbert could not predict, is how the decline of oil production would affect the economy of the United States. We can almost pinpoint the long list of economic difficulties that the U.S. is currently facing to this specific period of time (1965 – 1970)…The U.S. began to rapidly lose its huge gold reserves to foreign nations and finally had to leave the gold standard in 1971. Not coincidentally, the U.S. probably acquired its huge gold reserves because it was the world’s main supplier of petroleum from between 1859 through to the 1950’s. Also, not coincidentally, those gold reserves began to drain away from our treasury after we began to import ever increasing amounts of oil from foreign countries.
 
The U.S. dollar became a purely fiat currency, and high rates of inflation began to plague the economy after we reached PEAK OIL in 1970. Both public and private debts began to sky-rocket and the country began to run higher and higher deficits with other countries, especially with OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries).
 
Fortunately for the United States there was still a vast amount of oil located around the world, specifically in the North slope of Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, the North Sea of  Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Also, the administration of President Nixon came up with the brilliant strategy of convincing, or coercing, the OPEC countries to accept only the U.S. dollar as payment for their oil. This forced most of the nations of the world to stock pile U.S. “petro”dollars as a “reserve currency” and thereby allowed the U.S. to maintain its high standard of living on an ever growing mountain of credit and debt.
 
The question that a lot of scientists, politicians, and military experts are asking themselves and each other is… What are the consequences when the WHOLE WORLD REACHES PEAK OIL? It appears from the latest oil production data that the OPEC countries production has flattened out over the last few years, and the United States and Russia have become the new “swing” producers of oil…not because the U.S. and Russia are producing so much more oil, but because we are consuming moderately less oil then in the past. http://peakoilbarrel.com/opec-december-oil-production/
 
There will come a time, in the not too distant future, when OPEC, the U.S., and Russia will no longer be able to supply the world’s growing demand for petroleum…what happens then?
 
We may be able to reach some accurate conclusions about the consequences of WORLD PEAK OIL from studying the history of the Soviet Union (U.S.S.R) and its satellite nations starting around 1987, when the U.S.S.R. reached PEAK OIL.
 
The Soviet Union's collapse offers a preview. We can expect a great stagflation, where you simultaneously see a declining economy and hyperinflation. We can expect to see high unemployment and a collapse in the world economy. We can expect to see governments without any money to pay for things like health care, pensions, environmental problems, prisons, education or defense. We can expect to see infrastructure decay. We can even expect to see a decline in population. Finally, similar to the post Soviet Union, we can expect to see protests, political turmoil and revolution. http://www.businessinsider.com/peak-oil-and-the-fall-of-the-soviet-union-lessons-on-the-20th-anniversary-of-the-collapse-2011-5
 
Many western historians and politicians try to explain the rapid crash of the Soviet Union by extolling the virtues of western democracy and praising the benefits of capitalism over communism. Although I do not doubt that democracy and capitalism is a far better system than totalitarianism and communism, I believe a far better explanation for the collapse of the Soviet Union is simply PEAK OIL. There is almost a direct correlation between a nation’s standard of living and its consumption of energy, when the nation’s energy supplies decline, the nation’s standard of living will also decline proportionally.
 
The main difference between the United States (U.S.) PEAK OIL and the Soviet Unions (U.S.S.R) PEAK OIL was the fact that the U.S. had an open economy, while the U.S.S.R. had a closed economy. The U.S.S.R., and its satellite countries, simply did not have the trade networks with OPEC countries that could deal with the rapid onset of their petroleum shortages. Therefore, first the U.S.S.R.’s satellite countries, than the countries under its direct political control, rapidly began to revolt against its authority. The U.S.S.R., and its satellite countries, suffered an economic collapse that is more likely to resemble the economic collapse that will arrive with the onset of WORLD PEAK OIL. A prime example of the consequences of PEAK OIL is the nation of Cuba during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s during what it calls its “Special Period”.
 
The early stages of the Special Period were defined by a general breakdown in transportation and agricultural sectors, fertilizer and pesticide stocks (both of those being manufactured primarily from petroleum derivatives), and widespread food shortages. Australian and other permaculturists arriving in Cuba at the time began to distribute aid and taught their techniques to locals, who soon implemented them in Cuban fields, raised beds, and urban rooftops across the nation. Organic agriculture was soon after mandated by the Cuban government, supplanting the old industrialized form of agriculture Cubans had grown accustomed to. Relocalization, permaculture, and innovative modes of mass transit had to be rapidly developed. For a time, waiting for a bus could take three hours, power outages could last up to sixteen hours, food consumption was cut back to one-fifth of its previous level and the average Cuban lost about nine kilograms (twenty pounds).[5] Although starvation was avoided, persistent hunger, something not seen since before the Cuban Revolution, suddenly became a daily experience, and initially, malnutrition in children under five was evident after just a few weeks of these food shortages. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Period
 
Fortunately for Russia, Cuba, and most of the U.S.S.R.’s former satellite countries, they would receive outside aid and then eventually form trade networks with OPEC nations and the rest of the world economies. When the world reaches WORLD PEAK OIL, there will be no extra petroleum or outside aid organizations to save the world. Cuba was very fortunate because Venezuela’s leader, Hugo Chavez, was a big fan of Fidel Castro and helped to supplement Cuba’s basic oil requirements at below market prices…Venezuela itself was not so lucky.
 
In early 2005, Venezuela reached PEAK OIL, not too long afterwards, its economy began to suffer the consequences. When its production of petroleum began to collapse in 2015, Venezuela’s currency began to hyper-inflate. Some economist estimate that Venezuela’s hyperinflation may now be over 4000% annually.
 
2017-2-27 ASPO Peak Oil Review: A new survey shows that 75% of Venezuelans may have lost an average of 19 pounds in the last year as widespread food shortages continue. Nearly a third of the population are now eating two meals a day or less. The survey also shows that the average shopper spends 35 hours a month waiting in line to buy food and other necessities. A sense of hopelessness has engulfed the country, and most no longer have an incentive or the strength to protest against the government and its policies as was happening two years ago. Government roundups of opposition politicians continue. Venezuela is clearly well on its way to becoming a failed state. http://energyskeptic.com/2016/looting-on-the-rise-as-venezuela-runs-out-of-food-electricity/
 
So why am I writing about PEAK OIL? If you will examine the chart at the top of this article, you will notice that the world’s population was fairly steady at between 300,000,000 and 500,000,000 people for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Then with the discovery and large scale use of fossil fuel, first coal and then petroleum, the world’s population began to explode upwards towards the present world population of well over seven billion (7,000,000,000) people. What happens when we reach WORLD PEAK OIL?
 
We can conclude that the increase in human carrying capacity has been made possible by a steady increase in energy from fossil fuels, especially oil. Such energy increase continues to make possible the rise in carrying capacity against an increasing environmental degradation, loss of fertile soil and resource depletion. Since fossil fuels and other resources are finite and are subject to increased exploitation due to population growth, mankind is in a situation of temporarily elevated carrying capacity. When this situation comes to an end the decrease in carrying capacity will inevitably lead to a human population in a state of overshoot that will undergo a proportional reduction. http://peakoilbarrel.com/the-problem-of-the-human-population/
 
The growth in the world’s population is directly correlated with the availability of the world’s energy production. What happens when the world’s petroleum production can no longer satisfy the world’s demand for oil? Why do you think the United States and the other industrially advanced nations are positioning troops and military equipment in the Middle East and Central Asia? Do you really believe it is because we want to make the world “safe for Democracy”? I dare say that the U.S. military is scrambling to secure any world oil reserves that might still remain because whichever nation, or nations, controls the world’s oil will control the world.
 
I suspect that the world’s population explosion will come to a screeching halt, and it will begin to dramatically decline right along with the decline in the world’s production of petroleum. Remember that 90% of ALL industrially manufactured products depend on the availability of oil! Of course most people are not going to go peacefully into the night, I suspect that most people will put up quite a struggle before they and their children die. This brings me to the four horsemen of the apocalypse:
 
Rev 6:8  And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 
 
What is the catalyst that causes the Four Horsemen to suddenly appear in the Book of Revelation, and then kill off a fourth of the world’s population? When we read about the potential consequences of PEAK OIL, we see: civil unrest, mass starvation, crime, economic turmoil, and death…doesn’t it remind you of anything? If it doesn’t…READ THE LAST BOOK IN THE BIBLE! Frankly, if you believe that in the future, we will all be riding in electric cars, hyperloops, and spaceships, you have far more faith than I have. In the end, each person must choose whether they are going to believe the prophetic books of the Bible, or the star trek fantasies promoted by Hollywood and Silicon Valley… I’m going with the Bible!
 
If Jesus is proven right, I believe that the world is going to experience the most horrific tribulation ever experienced by any generation.
 
Mat 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 
Mat 24:22  And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. 
 
As far as I am concerned, ALL THE EVIDENCE indicates that Jesus Christ knew exactly how the world was going to end, and I believe that the end is approaching extremely fast. Now I am going to give you some free advice, whatever that is worth.
 
First, if you have not done it already, REPENT AND BE SAVED! There is absolutely nothing in this world (wealth, fame, or power) compared to an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ!
 
Mar 8:35  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 
Mar 8:36  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 
 
Salvation is simple and it is FREE!
 
Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 
Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
 
Second, set your sights on heavenly things and forget about chasing all the false promises, fables, and fantasies so often promoted by the world.
 
1Jn 2:15  Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 
1Jn 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 
1Jn 2:17  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 
 
Third, separate yourself from the world and try to be as self-sufficient as possible.
 
Isa 26:20  Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. 
Isa 26:21  For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain. 
 
Finally, study the inspired scriptures and be ready to lead the lost to salvation when they begin to understand that science and human wisdom does not have the answers to mankind’s most pressing and eternal questions.
 
2Ti 2:24  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 
2Ti 2:25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 
 
 
Dan 12:2  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 
Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
 
“The world we know is like the Titanic. It is grand, chic, high-powered, and it slips effortless through a frigid sea of icebergs. It does not have enough lifeboats, and those that it has will be poorly employed.
If we do not change course, disaster, perhaps catastrophe, is almost inevitable. There is a reason why interest in the Titanic has been revived; it’s the
perfect metaphor for our planet. On some level we know:
we are on the Titanic. We just don’t know we’ve been hit.”
-John Brandenburg, Dead Mars, Dying Earth
 
 
 

1Co 10:25  Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for CONSCIENCE sake: 
1Co 10:26  For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 
1Co 10:27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 
1Co 10:28  But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 
1Co 10:29  CONSCIENCE, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 
 
CONSCIENCE: G4893, suneidēsis, soon-i'-day-sis
Thayer Definition:
1) the consciousness of anything
2) the soul as distinguishing between what is morally good and bad, prompting to do the former and shun the latter, commending one, condemning the other
2a) the conscience
 
As Christians grow and mature into a perfect knowledge of the LORD, we will begin to receive “revelation” concerning our perfect liberty in Jesus Christ. However, at the same exact time, we also begin to receive revelation of our responsibility towards God, and of our responsibility towards other people. This direct revelation to our spirit is called CONSCIENCE.
 
I am going to write about a delicate subject. Depending upon many assorted factors, different Christians will have a wide variety of beliefs concerning their own and other peoples conduct.
 
I am going to try and encourage you to be gracious towards other people and their beliefs…as far as it is possible.
 
In his first epistle to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul asks a very important question: “WHY IS MY LIBERTY JUDGED OF ANOTHER MAN’S CONSCIENCE?”
 
LIBERTY: G1657, eleutheria, el-yoo-ther-ee'-ah
Thayer Definition:
1) liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation
2) fancied liberty
2a) licence, the liberty to do as one pleases
3) true liberty is living as we should, not as we please
 
 
First, I want to say something plainly: CHRISTIANS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE LAW OF MOSES!!! We are required to follow our CONSCIENCE.
 
This question was plainly addressed by the Apostles:
 
Act 15:24  Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom WE GAVE NO SUCH COMMANDMENT: 
 
There will be people who claim that “keep the law” does not mean the Ten Commandments, but “the law” means the “ceremonial law”. This argument is plainly disingenuous if we read the context of the original argument in the book of Acts, chapter 15, and all the rest of the New Testament.
 
Some people will then attempt to trap you by asking, “What is wrong with the ten commandments”?  The answer of course is “NOTHING”… as far as it goes!
 
Rom 7:12  Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 
 
The Apostle Paul explains the deficiency of the law much better than I ever can in the book of Romans and in the book of Galatians. However, let me make a more modern analogy:
 
“What is wrong with riding in a covered wagon”? The answer of course is “NOTHING” …as long as you do not mind traveling short distances, at low speeds, and without any modern conveniences or comfort. You can travel from St. Louis, Missouri, to California in a covered wagon for the unique experience, but do not insist everybody else should forsake flying in jet airplanes! When we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our CONSCIENCE is in direct communication with GOD.
 
Many CULTS will insist that you keep the Sabbath, or worship only on Saturdays…YES I SAID CULTS!!!
 
CULT: A group, often times though not always religious or spiritual in nature, that is led by a single or small group of leader(s). Members are often recruited or by some means persuaded to join, rarely if ever knowing how destructive and harmful a cult can be -- rarely knowing that it IS a cult. Though they usual come off as being generous, caring and in the best interests of their members, cults are inherently based on furthering the desires of cult leaders. Urban Dictionary.
 
Gosh, this definition of a CULT appears to fit every organization on planet earth!
 
It really does not matter which day you worship as long as you worship… but probably the more days we worship the better! FOLLOW YOUR CONSCIENCE!
 
Rom 14:5  One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 
 
DON’T let other people “guilt” you into esteeming one day above another…especially if they have a financial interest in propagating their special day and their special denomination.
 
Col 2:16  Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 
 
JESUS SAID IT BEST… Mar 2:27  And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: 
 
Let me say something else that you may think is probably pretty radical. NEARLY ALL CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS ARE CULTS! Do you need proof?

1. The original Christian Church did not have a priestly class (like the pagans). The original Church considered ALL saints to be priests. Rev. 1:6
2. The original Christian Church did not have temples (like the pagans). The original Church met in homes. Acts 20:20
3. The original Christian Church did not use coercion to force people to be members, or to force people to financially support their religious denomination (like the pagans). 2 Cor. 9:7

 
Another big legalistic drum beat is from religious people (priests, pastors, ministers, clergy) insisting that everybody must go to a certain church BUILDING. Jesus made it plain that “church” is NOT about a building or a certain location…Church is about the PEOPLE of God!
 
Mat 18:19  Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 
Mat 18:20  For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 
 
You do not have to attend the crystal cathedral or St. Peter’s Basilica in order to be at church. If two saints are reading the Bible together, or praying together, or talking about Jesus together, they are at CHURCH!
 
Joh 4:21  Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 
Joh 4:22  Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 
Joh 4:23  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. 
 
Frankly, all the grand church buildings and cathedrals are a big waste of time, money, and effort. I would much rather meet in a living room or out on the back patio to pray and talk about Jesus.
 
Jesus told a parable that illustrated the vast difference between the law and grace.
 
Luk 10:25  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 
Luk 10:26  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 
Luk 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 
Luk 10:28  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 
Luk 10:29  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 
Luk 10:30  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 
Luk 10:31  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:32  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 
Luk 10:33  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 
Luk 10:34  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 
Luk 10:35  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 
Luk 10:36  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 
Luk 10:37  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 
 
If we study this story from the perspective of the Ten Commandments, we cannot find any fault with either the priest or the Levite. They could not be held guilty or accountable under the law of Moses for simply passing by the man after he was wounded and robbed by the thieves…After all, it wasn’t they who robbed and beat him.
 
However, the love and compassion shown by the Samaritan is glaringly obvious, even to the most obtuse follower of the law. The Samaritan had a CONSCIENCE. The scribes and Pharisees outwardly followed the law of Moses to the letter, even tithing mint and rue, but Jesus said their righteousness was NOT good enough.
 
Mat 5:20  For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 
 
Listen to what the ex-Pharisee Paul had to say about the law.
 
Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 
Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 
Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 
Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 
Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 
Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 
 
The Apostle Paul said that touching the righteousness which was by the law, he was BLAMELESS.
 
BLAMELESS: G273, amemptos, am'-emp-tos
From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G3201; irreproachable: - blameless, faultless, unblamable.
 
As far as the law was concerned, the Apostle Paul said that he was faultless. However, he said that the righteousness of the law was dung (SHIT) compared to the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
 
DUNG: G4657, skubalon
Thayer Definition:
1) any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs
1a) of things worthless and detestable
 
Do we really want to put our confidence in keeping the law of Moses when we stand before Jesus on the Day of Judgment? If we possess the righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith, why would we want to play around in the dung?
 
The law of Moses is all about OUTWARD conformity, but our CONSCIENCE is about direct communication between God and our spirit. We can outwardly conform to the law of Moses, and yet be desperately wicked on the inside.
 
Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 
Mat 23:28  Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 
 
That is why religious leaders, who want to make merchandise out of us, always want to follow the law…they can APPEAR to be righteous, while they make a nice living coercing people into paying for private jets, and mansions, and palaces, and universities, and cathedrals, and businesses, and private armies, etc., etc., etc.
 
Gal 3:1  O foolish Galatians, who hath BEWITCHED you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 
Gal 3:2  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 
Gal 3:3  Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? 
 

Mat 22:1  And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 
Mat 22:2  The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 
Mat 22:3  And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 
 
I believe there will be a Christian Exodus from the world after the Jewish Passover of 2026 A.D.
 
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells a parable of a wedding feast that most commentators describe as an event that takes place AFTER the rapture/resurrection of the Church. However, I believe that Jesus was describing a wedding feast that takes place BEFORE the rapture/resurrection of the Church. This parable is told with a slightly different variation in the gospel of Luke. In the gospel of Luke, the invitation is simply to a “SUPPER”:
 
Luk 14:16  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great (megas) SUPPER, and bade many: 
Luk 14:17  And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 
 
SUPPER: G1173, deipnon, dipe'-non
From the same as G1160; dinner, that is, the chief meal (usually in the evening): - feast, supper.
 
In these sophisticated and modern times, we tend to forget that according to ancient tradition, there was usually a celebration of a wedding BEFORE the marriage was consummated!
 
Gen 2:23  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 
Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one FLESH (BODY).
 
Now we are getting somewhere, the man and the woman will be ONE BODY! Isn’t that what the Apostle Paul tried to explain to the Church in his epistle to the Ephesians?
 
Eph 5:29  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 
Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 
Eph 5:31  For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 
Eph 5:32  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 
 
AFTER the wedding feast, Jesus Christ will be joined to His Church, and we will both have “celestial” bodies. Living people cannot interact with dead people because our terrestrial bodies cannot “physically” interact with the spirit world. Once we have celestial bodies, we will be able to interact just as easily with the spirit world as we can interact with the physical world. WE WILL BE JUST LIKE THE RESURRECTED JESUS CHRIST! However, I believe we first must ACCEPT the invitation to the wedding feast AND be prepared for the wedding.
 
Mat 22:4  Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 
Mat 22:5  But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 
Mat 22:6  And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 
 
Wow! There will actually be people who are invited to the biggest event in history…and they will be TOO BUSY!!! I am going to say something that you may think is very radical right now, but I believe what I am saying is Biblical…Christians should not be making any long term commitments, especially in these last days. We should not be signing any long-term employment contracts. We should not be purchasing real-estate with long term mortgages…(***However, a small get-away property in the wilderness might be a wise investment.*** At least until we receive our invitation to the last SUPPER.)
 
This world is NOT our home. BELIEVERS should be ready AND able to leave when God tells us to leave, and go where God tells us to go…at the drop of a hat. I believe we should be like our father Abraham. The only real estate Abraham ever bought was a graveyard:
 
Gen 23:19  And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah before Mamre: the same is Hebron in the land of Canaan. 
Gen 23:20  And the field, and the cave that is therein, were made sure unto Abraham for a possession of a buryingplace by the sons of Heth. 
 
We should not even think about getting married if we are currently single:
 
1Co 7:29  But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 
1Co 7:30  And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 
1Co 7:31  And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 
1Co 7:32  But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 
 
According to the Bible, there is a very real danger that people will become TOO attached to their homes here on earth. Listen to what Jesus has to say:
 
Luk 17:29  But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. 
Luk 17:30  Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. 
Luk 17:31  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. 
Luk 17:32  REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE. 
 
This warning from the LORD tells me that people will have a choice…God is not going to rapture every Christian on earth, especially if they are NOT PREPARED AND NOT WILLING!
 
I hope and pray that nobody reading this article will get so busy with their own property, or with their own business, or with their own worldly affairs, that they miss the biggest event in history.
 
Luk 14:18  And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 
Luk 14:19  And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 
Luk 14:20  And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 
 
Again, most commentators interpret the parable as the King representing God the Father, and the Son representing Jesus…so far so good. However, they interpret the King’s servants as being the prophets in the Old Testament or maybe the Apostles. I believe the context of the parable makes it clear that the parable is describing a marriage feast that will take place upon the EARTH, and the event will take place just before the return of Jesus Christ.
 
I believe the servants, that are treated spitefully are specifically the two witnesses mentioned in Chapter 11 of the Book of Revelation…and probably the servants sent out to invite people to the wedding will also include the 144,000 sealed “servants” mentioned in Chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation.
 
Rev 7:3  Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 
Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. 
 
I believe that God’s wedding feast is the “Christian Exodus”, and it will occur HERE ON EARTH, in the not too distant future!!!
 
Mat 22:7  But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 
 
Did God send forth His armies and burn the cities of Judah when they killed the prophets, or did He burn the cities of the Roman Empire when they killed His Apostles? I don’t think so, Jerusalem is still standing and Rome is still standing. Will God burn the cities of the world after they reject His two witnesses and His 144,000 sealed servants? What did Jesus say?
 
Mat 13:41  The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 
Mat 13:42  And shall cast them into a furnace of FIRE: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 
 
What did the Apostle Paul say?
 
2Th 1:6  Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; 
2Th 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 
2Th 1:8  In flaming FIRE taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 
2Th 1:9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 
 
What did the Apostle Peter say?
 
2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto FIRE against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 
 
God calls the people who refuse His invitation to the wedding feast NOT WORTHY!
 
Mat 22:8  Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were NOT WORTHY. 
 
WORTHY: G514, axios, ax'-ee-os
Probably from G71; deserving, comparable or suitable (as if drawing praise): - due reward, meet, [un-] worthy.
 
Why were the invited guests not worthy?
 
Luk 14:24  For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 
 
Obviously, despite all of their expressions of love or friendship for the KING, their relationship to Jesus is actually quite shallow, or non-existent. Jesus does not simply ask us to make Him the number one priority above everything and above everybody else, Jesus demands it!
 
Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is NOT WORTHY of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is NOT WORTHY of me. 
Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is NOT WORTHY of me. 
 
I believe a lot of wealthy nominal Christians are going to miss out on the greatest event in human history, but many, many other people are going to experience something that only the Israelites during the Exodus from Egypt have ever experienced.
 
Mat 22:9  Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 
Mat 22:10  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 
 
Now we come to a part in Jesus’ story, which makes it obvious that the wedding feast is NOT in heaven!
 
Mat 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 
Mat 22:12  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 
Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen. 
 
Will there be unsaved people in heaven? I don’t think so! Will there be unsaved people at the wedding feast? Apparently there will be unsaved wedding crashers!
 
What is the wedding garment that the guest is not wearing? The wedding garment is clothing that God gives us when we are SAVED.
 
Isa 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of SALVATION, he hath covered me with the robe of RIGHTEOUSNESS, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. 
 
When we are saved, we are given a robe of RIGHTEOUSNESS to clothe us for the wedding feast! How do we know whether we are clothed in righteousness?
 
Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by FAITH. 
 
FAITH: G4102, pistis, pis'-tis
From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
 
Here are the questions that we all should be asking ourselves…”Do we really BELIEVE that Jesus is LORD? Do we really BELIEVE that Jesus is coming back?”
 
Now for the really good news, faith is a FRUIT of the SPIRIT!
 
Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, FAITH, 
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 
 
The FRUIT of the Spirit is always compared to the OLIVE, and more specifically to OLIVE OIL!
 
Psa 45:6  Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. 
Psa 45:7  Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the OIL of gladness above thy fellows. 
Psa 45:8  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 
 
TIME is the coin of the spiritual realm.
 
Psa 55:16  As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. 
Psa 55:17  Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 
 
Here are more questions we should be asking ourselves, “Am I spending enough TIME with the LORD?” “Am I spending enough TIME praying?” Am I spending enough TIME reading and meditating on the WORD of God?’ Am I spending enough time LISTENING?
 
Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD of God.
 
One of these days…TIME is going to run out!
 
Mat 25:6  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 
Mat 25:7  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 
Mat 25:8  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your OIL; for our lamps are gone out. 
Mat 25:9  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 
 
I believe that Jesus makes it pretty clear that some “Christians” (virgins) are going to MISS the wedding feast. Christians must “GO OUT TO MEET HIM”! This parable of the ten virgins IS OBVIOUSLY NOT TALKING ABOUT THE RAPTURE OR THE RESURRECTION!
 
However, for those who are READY and WILLING, this will be the greatest time to be alive in history.
 
Rev 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 
 
I believe that the BELIEVING Church is the woman that flees into the wilderness, and like the nation of Israel during the Exodus, God will feed us MANNA from heaven.
 
2 Baruk 29:8 And it shall come to pass at that self-same time that the treasury of MANNA shall again descend from on high, and they will eat of it in those years, because these are they who have come to the consummation of time. Eth CEPHER Bible. : http://www.cepher.net/
 
Have you ever wondered what MANNA taste like? If you attend God’s last days wedding feast, you will find out.
 
2 Baruk 30:1 And it shall come to pass after these things, when the time of the advent of HAMASHIACH (the Messiah) is fulfilled, that he shall return in glory. 2 Then all who have fallen asleep in hope of him shall rise again. Eth CEPHER Bible.
 
The wedding feast is not only a time of SAFETY, but it is a time of PREPARATION. We see in the Book of Esther that there was a long time of preparation before the bride was ready to meet and marry the King. SEE http://www.motsog.com/fundamentals/god-knows-the-end-from-the-beginning
 
Est 2:12  Now this was the time for a virgin to go into the king, when she should have fulfilled twelve months; for so are the days of PURIFICATION fulfilled, six months while they are anointing themselves with OIL of myrrh, and six months with spices and women’s purifications. 
Est 2:13  And then the lady goes in to the king. The officer that he commands to do so will bring her to come in with him from the women’s apartment to the king’s chamber. 
 
PURIFICATION: H4795, mârûq, maw-rook'
From H4838; properly rubbed; but used abstractly, a rubbing (with perfumery): - purification.
 
Notice the similarities of the description of Esther’s “purification” and the description of the LORD in Psalm, Chapter 45.
 
Psa 45:8  All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. 
 
The bride is being transformed into the image of the bridegroom in preparation for the consummation of the marriage, AFTER the wedding feast.
 
Eph 5:25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 
Eph 5:26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 
Eph 5:27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 
 
I believe the Church MUST experience a time of preparation BEFORE we are ready to meet Jesus.
 
 
Now, I want to address all the Christians who claim they want to be martyrs for Jesus. First, if you are not obedient to the call of God, you will definitely have your chance to be a martyr. Second, if you miss the wedding feast, I believe you will be bitterly disappointed.
 
Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 
 
We do not want to be a PROFANE person like Esau!
 
Heb 12:15  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; 
Heb 12:16  Lest there be any fornicator, or PROFANE person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 
Heb 12:17  For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. 
 
PROFANE: G952
βέβηλος
bebēlos
Thayer Definition:
1) accessible, lawful to be trodden
1a) of places
2) profane
2a) unhallowed, common, public place
2b) of men, ungodly
 
Christians are not common folk, we are not ungodly, we are not unholy, we have a higher vision, we have set our sights on eternity…our hopes and dreams are NOT OF THIS WORLD! Our lives are wrapped up in the supernatural. We believe in miracles. When we read the great mighty promises of God for His people, we KNOW they will surely come to pass!
 
Isa 35:1  The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. 
Isa 35:2  It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God. 
Isa 35:3  Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. 
Isa 35:4  Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. 
Isa 35:5  Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 
Isa 35:6  Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. 
Isa 35:7  And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 
Isa 35:8  And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein. 
Isa 35:9  No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there: 
Isa 35:10  And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. 
 

2 Baruk 29:3 And it shall come to pass when all is accomplished that was to come to pass in those parts, that HAMASHIACH shall then begin to be revealed. Eth CEPHER Bible. http://www.cepher.net/

It is interesting that 2 Baruk says that HAMASHIACH (the Messiah) shall BEGIN TO BE “REVEALED”. The wording makes one think of the Book of “REVELATION”. I know that when I was a young Christian, I could not help but focus on the many horrors that the Book of Revelation “revealed” would occur during the tribulation period (i.e. wars, famine, disease, the antichrist, etc.). However, in actuality the MOST important “revelation” in the Book of Revelation is the revelation of our LORD Jesus Christ…in HIS CHURCH!

First, the Apostle John describes Jesus as He appears in his glorious celestial body.

Rev 1:10  I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 
Rev 1:11  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. 
Rev 1:12  And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 
Rev 1:13  And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 
Rev 1:14  His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 
Rev 1:15  And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 
Rev 1:16  And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 
Rev 1:17  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: 
Rev 1:18  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. 
 
This personage that greets John is no doubt the risen Jesus Christ. Nobody else was dead and resurrected, and also holds the keys of hell and of death. When John is paralyzed by fear and falls at His feet as dead, how characteristic of Jesus that he tells John to “FEAR NOT”! I wonder how many times John had heard those exact words before from Jesus, while he lived and traveled with the LORD during His ministry on earth?
 
The description hearkens back to the “transfiguration” when John, as well as his brother James and Peter, also fell on their faces afraid.
 
Mat 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 
Mat 17:6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 
Mat 17:7  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and BE NOT AFRAID. 
 
Despite all the trials and tribulations that we might go through, we have a protector and a savior, Jesus will not allow us to be tested beyond our limitations. Also, I am confident that there will be a vast difference between the saved and unsaved during the tribulation period. We see the allegory of Israel in the land of Egypt during the Exodus period:

Exo 8:22  And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 
Exo 8:23  And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be.
 
When I tell people that the Church is going through the tribulation period, I invariably hear that “Christians are not appointed to wrath”! I agree, but does that mean God MUST take us to heaven to protect us?

God protected Noah and his family in the flood, God protected Daniel in the lion’s den, God protected the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, and God protected the children of Israel living in Egypt during the ten plagues. However, for some reason people do not think God can protect His people during the great tribulation?
 
Rev 12:14  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
 
Not only can God protect us, but I foresee that the tribulation period might be the greatest times of our lives…if we LISTEN to God. I believe that during the great tribulation there will be more (and greater) miracles than at any time in history, including the time of Moses and even during the time of Jesus’ ministry!
 
Most important of all…God wants to transform His Church into the image of Jesus Christ!!!
 
More important than our glorious celestial body, which we will receive at the resurrection, is the transformation of our INNER MAN! OUR INNER MAN MUST BE TRANFORMED INTO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST! Unfortunately, this “metamorphosis” of our inner man requires SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD. Most of us, me included, know that we should be praying more, and meditating on the WORD more, and fasting more, but the cares of this world always seem to get in the way. The spiritual growth that we should be experiencing in just a few years takes most of us a lifetime.
 
God has a solution for our “love of the world problem”, I will call it God’s “accelerated growth program”. God is going to separate His Church from the world and give us all His personal attention during the 1260 day “Christian Exodus”. Just like Jesus spent three and one-half years of intimacy with His disciples, God will spend three and one-half years with His people during the “Christian Exodus”.
 
However, I believe a lot of the Church will simply refuse to leave the world…they will either die a martyr’s death or they will take the mark of the beast (in which case they were actually false Christians, “tares” hiding in the wheat).
 
Let me clear up a serious misconception that most people have about the Book of Revelation, and evil in general…God does not cause evil or all the horrors listed in the Book of Revelation, He is simply reporting the natural consequences of our rebellion against Him before they happen. Listen to what the Apostle Paul tells the Church in Corinth about how to deal with a fornicator in the Church:
 
1Co 5:2  And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 
1Co 5:3  For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, 
1Co 5:4  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
1Co 5:5  To DELIVER such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 
 
DELIVER: G3860, paradidōmi
Thayer Definition:
1) to give into the hands (of another)
2) to give over into (one’s) power or use
2a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage
2b) to deliver up one to custody, to be judged, condemned, punished, scourged, tormented, put to death
2c) to deliver up treacherously
2c1) by betrayal to cause one to be taken
2c2) to deliver one to be taught, moulded
 
If we read the first part of the sentence, we would think to ourselves that the Apostle Paul is being overly harsh…but when we finish the sentence, we see that there is a purpose behind allowing Satan to have “custody” of an apostate Christian… THAT THE SPIRIT MAY BE SAVED IN THE DAY OF THE LORD JESUS.
 
It is similar to the story of the prodigal son…the son asks his father for his inheritance early, so that he can live a reprobate and hedonistic lifestyle away from the constraints of his father. At the end of the story the son comes to his senses and realizes that the freedom from his father that he so desired was leading to his own destruction.
 
Luk 15:16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 
Luk 15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 
 
What a common occurrence it is for children to think that their parents are overly harsh and restrictive, when in truth the parents are simply trying to protect their children from the dangers of the world. However, eventually there comes a time when every parent must allow their children to learn about the world first hand…the LORD willing, they will all eventually “come to their self” and return to the FATHER!
 
Therefore, there is a reason that God will allow Satan to have “custody” of the world for a season. Eventually, the people of the world will either return to the FATHER, or they will be destroyed.
 
IF EVERYTHING WAS GREAT, THE ISRAELITES WOULD NEVER HAVE LEFT EGYPT!!!
 
If you think about it, you will realize that God must allow the tribulation to come to pass or the Church will continue in a perpetual state of constant “luke warmness”, always having one foot in the “spirit” and one foot in the “world”.
 
I was baptized when I was thirteen years old, and I have been a confessing Christian for over forty (40) years, but I will confess that my spiritual growth has been moving at a snail’s pace at best…and more growth is needed! However, God has only appointed a certain amount of time for Satan to have jurisdiction over this earth, and that time is running out.
 
Rev 12:12  Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. 
 
The world does not have forty (40), or thirty (30), or even twenty (20) years left, in order for all Christians that are alive now to grow into mature saints of God. The Church MUST go through an accelerated growth program! If you study the Bible to determine how many years there have been since the fall of Adam and Eve, you will realize that we are very, very close to six-thousand (6,000) year mark.
 
2Pe 3:8  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that ONE DAY IS WITH THE LORD AS A THOUSAND YEARS, AND A THOUSAND YEARS AS ONE DAY. 
2Pe 3:9  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 
 
The epistle of Barnabas lays out God’s general timeline of redemption:
 
Barnabas 15:4
Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He
meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all
things to an end; for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years;
and this He himself beareth me witness, saying; Behold, the day of
the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six
days, that is in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end.
Barnabas 15:5
And He rested on the seventh day. this He meaneth; when His Son
shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall
judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the
stars, then shall he truly rest on the seventh day.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/barnabas-lightfoot.html

I will be the first to admit that my calculations might be off by a handful of years, but there is no way that my calculations are off by another one-hundred or one-thousand years…JESUS IS COMING BACK VERY SOON!!!

I have written previously, that the two witnesses mentioned in the Book of Revelation will probably appear around Passover, 2026.

Rev 11:4  These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 
Rev 11:5  And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 
 
These two men will be very hard to miss. First of all, they will be witnessing AGAINST the beast system. The beast and the false prophet, spoken of in the Book of Revelation, will nourish a violent hatred towards them. However, the beast system will not be able to harm them for 1260 days, until they have finished their testimony.
 
Rev 11:7  And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 
 
I suspect their testimony will concern mainly three things: First, they will be pronouncing God’s judgments upon the earth.
 
Rev 11:6  These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
 
Second, I believe they will be announcing the RETURN OF JESUS CHRIST!
 
Isa 40:3  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 
 
Finally, they will be warning the Church to separate from the world in order to avoid God’s judgment.
 
Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 
Rev 18:5  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 
 
It will be very important to listen to what these two witnesses will tell the Church, and to flee when they say flee. It may not only be the difference between life and death, but it may be the difference between eternal life and eternal damnation.
 
God’s WORD is established forever, it is true whether we believe it or not. However, our faith in God will save us, and it will condemn the world.
 
Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 
 
*** I believe there will be one more part to this article and then it will be done…THE LORD WILLING!