Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Holding pattern



I heard a fairly good sermon the other day that was about waiting for God to work and how sometimes we get impatient.  I have personally experienced this recently in my life so the sermon was very timely.  The test that was used was the 20th chapter of 2 Chronicles verses 1-24.  "1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. 2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon–tamar, which is En–gedi. 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend forever? 8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help. 10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not; 11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit. 12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 13 And all Judah stood before the Lord, with their little ones, their wives, and their children. 14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the Lord in the midst of the congregation; 15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. 18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. 19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. 21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. 22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. 23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped."
There are several points that I took away from this story; the first is found in the third and fourth verses, the children of Israel were afraid so they all came together with fasting and prayer to seek God’s favor.  The points are that they all came together and that they fasted and prayed together.  The second point was that they had their eyes focused on God and then He told them through Jahaziel not to be afraid because the battle did not belong to them but to God.  Along with the command not to be afraid, God also told them something to do.  Did you catch what it was that they were supposed to do?  They had to GO!  The person that was speaking this sermon made the point then that the children of Israel could not just stay in their tents after they had prayed, even though they would not have to actually fight in battle they still had to GO to the battlegrounds.  The children of Israel did not however, just go out to the battle after praying and fasting, they did one more thing that is found in verses 20-22.  They believed God and they went out singing praises to Him.
I am here reminded that like the children of Israel when they were going through the wilderness before they entered the Promised Land they were too often found grumbling and complaining.  I feel that more often than not we as a whole do more whining and less praising than we ought.  The other thing that I feel most do not do enough of is fasting and praying.  Many times in the Bible we find that fasting and praying is a mark of godliness.  Some examples would include Anna, a prophetess, in Luke 2:37 (KJV)And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.”  Daniel in Daniel 9:3 (KJV)And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:”  David in Psalms 35:13 (KJV)But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” And Jesus when He told his disciples in Matthew 17:21 (KJV)Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
I do not say this of anybody in particular but to remind myself that God’s promises are sure and I need to keep my eyes focused on Him and His words, quit complaining and come to God in an attitude of grateful prayer with fasting and then remember that the call is for everyone: Matthew 28:19 (KJV)Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” 

While we are waiting on the Lord to come, it is not a stagnant kind of waiting but of going and fasting and praying and praising and keeping our focus on God.  Psalms 27:14 (KJV)Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” 


Saturday, July 14, 2018

Laodicea

"It is only as the law of God is restored to its rightful position that there can be a revival of primitive faith and godliness among His professed people. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.”  Jeremiah 6:16   http://www.whiteestate.org/books/gc/gc27.html As the cross of Calvary, with its infinite sacrifice for the sins of men, was revealed, they saw that nothing but the merits of Christ could suffice to atone for their transgressions; this alone could reconcile man to God. With faith and humility they accepted the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world. Through the blood of Jesus they had "remission of sins that are past." These souls brought forth fruit meet for repentance. They believed and were baptized, and rose to walk in newness of life--new creatures in Christ Jesus; not to fashion themselves according to the former lusts, but by the faith of the Son of 462 God to follow in His steps, to reflect His character, and to purify themselves even as He is pure. The things they once hated they now loved, and the things they once loved they hated. The proud and self-assertive became meek and lowly of heart. The vain and supercilious became serious and unobtrusive. The profane became reverent, the drunken sober, and the profligate pure. The vain fashions of the world were laid aside. 464 Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit.  467 The law of God, from its very nature, is unchangeable. It is a revelation of the will and the character of its Author. 475  Professed Christians yearly expend an immense sum upon useless and pernicious indulgences, while souls are perishing for the word of life. God is robbed in tithes and offerings, while they consume upon the altar of destroying lust more than they give to relieve the poor or for the support of the gospel. If all who profess to be followers of Christ were truly sanctified, their means, instead of being spent for needless and even hurtful indulgences, would be turned into the Lord's treasury, and Christians would set an example of temperance, self-denial, and self-sacrifice. Then they would be the light of the world." http://www.whiteestate.org/devotional/ofc/07_13.asp  "As trials thicken around us, both separation and unity will be seen in our ranks. Some who are now ready to take up weapons of warfare will in times of real peril make it manifest that they have not built upon the solid rock; they will yield to temptation. Those who have had great light and precious privileges, but have not improved them, will, under one pretext or another, go out from us. Not having received the love of the truth, they will be taken in the delusions of the enemy; they will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, and will depart from the faith. But, on the other hand, when the storm of persecution really breaks upon us, the true sheep will hear the true Shepherd's voice. Self-denying efforts will be put forth to save the lost, and many who have strayed from the fold will come back to follow the great Shepherd. The people of God will draw together and present to the enemy a united front. In view of the common peril, strife for supremacy will cease; there will be no disputing as to who shall be accounted greatest." 


Tuesday, July 3, 2018

examining each text---more on Jesus=God

(They say)--"Bible Verses That Indicate Jesus Is Not God The Creator  https://www.interfaith.org/community/threads/11508/

1. Matthew 24:36 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.24.KJV
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the Son, but the Father only. 
Here Jesus makes a distinction between what he knows and what the Father knows."

(But I say) Jesus was both fully God and fully man. (Compare Genesis 1:1,26 "1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV to John 1:1-4 "1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.1.KJV and Isaiah 9:6,7 "6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.9.KJV   Isaiah 7:14 "14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.7.KJV to Matthew 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.1.KJV  In His humanity Jesus did not know, but I'm sure that He does now.

"2. Matthew 26:39 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.26.KJV
My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me, yet not as I will, but as Thou will. 
Jesus’ will is likewise autonomous from God’s Will. Jesus is seeking acquiescence to God’s will."

(But I say)  Again His humanity shrunk from the thought of torture and death.  He wouldn't have volunteered for the job of restoring us humans if it hadn't been His will. 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1PE.1.KJV

"3. John 5:26 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.5.KJV
For as the Father has life in Himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 
Jesus received his life from God. God received his life from no one. He is eternally self-existent."  (But I say) see also verse 17 and 18 of the same chapter!  "But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.  Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God."  (same link as above)


"4. John 5:30 (same link as above)
By myself, I can do nothing: I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who has sent me. 
Jesus says, “by myself, I can do nothing.” This indicates that Jesus is relying upon his own relationship with God. He is not trying to “please myself” but rather is seeking to “please the one who sent me.”" (But I say) Again being fully God and fully human, Jesus didn't use his Godliness to overcome anything but asked His Father because that is how we would have to overcome.  He had to live in his humanness in order to show us the way to live was by clinging to God.

"5. John 5:19 (same link as above)
The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees the Father doing, because whatever the Father does, the Son does also. 
Jesus declares that he is following a pattern laid down by God. He is expressing obedience to God."(But I say) see  #4

"6. Mark 10:18 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.10.KJV
Why do you call me goodNo one is good, except God alone. 
Here Jesus emphatically makes a distinction between himself and God." (But I say) It wasn't a rebuke for calling Him good, he was making a statement that the rich young ruler was acknowledging Jesus divinity.


"7. John 14:28 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.14.KJV
The Father is greater than I. 
This is another strong statement that makes a distinction between Jesus and God." (But I say) see #4 again.  

"8. Matthew 6:9 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.6.KJV
Our Father, which art in Heaven. 
He didn’t pray, Our Father, which art standing right here!” (But I say) Acts 7:49
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.7.KJV Yes God the Father resides in Heaven.  (note: only called Father and Begotten son because Jesus took the form of humanity when He was here on earth)

"9. Matthew 27:46 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.27.KJV
My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me? 
Inconceivable if he is God the Creator." (But I say) Jesus is quoting Psalms 22:
1 "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring 6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. 16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. 17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. 18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.22.KJV  He did this as one last attempt to get their attention because the Psalm was a prophecy about himself.  Then Psalms 23 and 24 were continuing prophecies about himself to. Him speaking those words were more in faith, of Psalms 24:7 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.  These words were about Him going home to heaven after his death.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.24.KJV John 1:In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was GodThe same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (and #1,4 again, link in #1 for John 1)

"10. John 17:21-23 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.17.KJV
. . .that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. . ..that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. 
In this prayer Jesus defines the term “to be one.” It is clearly accomplished through the relationship of two autonomous beings. Christian believers are to model their relationship (to become one) after the relationship of God and Christ (as God and Christ are one). Notice that “to be one” does not mean to be “one and the same.” " (But I say) Philippians 2:6 (KJV) 6 "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:" There are three individual beings who are all equal to each other. 
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Matthew 28:19 "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:" https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.28.KJV

"11. 1 Corinthians 15:27-28 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.15.KJV
For he "has put everything under his feet." Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all
Paul declares that God put everything under Christ, except God himself. Instead God rules all things through Christ. (remember: “through him all things were made.”)" 
(But I say,) (Um, are you contradicting your own #9?)  Matthew 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.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.4.KJV  Jesus never once stopped anyone from worshiping Himself.  Just a few examples: Matthew 15:25 (KJV) Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. John 9:38 (KJV) And  he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped himMatthew 28:17 (KJV) And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. Mark 5:6 (KJV) But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped himLuke 24:52 (KJV) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

"12. Hebrews 1:3 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.1.KJV
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being. 
Jesus is the exact representation of his being. I send my representative to Congress. He is not me, myself. He is my representative." (But I say,) your congressional representative is not your EXACT representation. This verse speaks for itself.

"13. Hebrews 4:15  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.4.KJV(compared with James 1:13) 
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin. 
Jesus has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet he never sinned. See James 1:13: When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.1.KJV Jesus was tempted in every way, but God cannot be tempted. This is why Jesus said, “don’t call me good, none are good, only God.” " (But I say,) first you are misquoting Jesus.  He never said, "Don't call me good.  What He said was, "why are you calling me Good?" (see #6)  God cannot be tempted, but the humanity that Jesus took upon Himself could.

"14. Hebrews 5:7-9 https://my.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.5.KJV
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 
Jesus had to walk a course of faith and obedience in order to achieve perfection. By achieving perfection, Jesus “became” the source of eternal salvation." (But I say, ) You left out a little phrase that says, "Who in the days of his flesh...") talking about when God took human form.  Yes Jesus came and offered up prayers, and submitted His human will to that of the divine, because of this verse: 1 Peter 2:21 (KJV) "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"  Jesus came to give us an example of how we could live.  He could not have done this if He USED His divinity.  Just because we cannot explain how He could be 100% human AND 100% Divine does not make any of His claims to be equal with God untrue.  In fact, He would have been guilty of blasphemy if it were not true, which would make Him a most evil being and not a good man or prophet as some claim. See also Matthew 1:23  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.1.KJV Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.  (Numbers 1-14 above are copied directly from link above.  My personal words are after each number and start with "But I say" until you get to the next number.)  (The link below is directly copied as is, without editing, underneath it)
https://www.gotquestions.org/is-Jesus-God.html
"Question: "Is Jesus God? Did Jesus ever claim to be God?"

Answer: 
The Bible never records Jesus saying the precise words, “I am God.” That does not mean, however, that He did not proclaim that He is God. Take for example Jesus’ words in John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” We need only to look at the Jews’ reaction to His statement to know He was claiming to be God. They tried to stone Him for this very reason: “You, a mere man, claim to be God” (John 10:33). The Jews understood exactly what Jesus was claiming—deity. When Jesus declared, “I and the Father are one,” He was saying that He and the Father are of one nature and essence. John 8:58 is another example. Jesus declared, “
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Jews who heard this statement responded by taking up stones to kill Him for blasphemy, as the Mosaic Law commanded (Leviticus 24:16).

John reiterates the concept of Jesus’ deity: “The Word [Jesus] was God” and “the Word became flesh” (John 1:114). These verses clearly indicate that Jesus is God in the flesh. Acts 20:28 tells us, “Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Who bought the church with His own blood? Jesus Christ. And this same verse declares that God purchased His church with His own blood. Therefore, Jesus is God!

Thomas the disciple declared concerning Jesus, “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). Jesus does not correct him. Titus 2:13 encourages us to wait for the coming of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ (see also 2 Peter 1:1). In Hebrews 1:8, the Father declares of Jesus, “But about the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom.’” The Father refers to Jesus as “O God,” indicating that Jesus is indeed God.

In Revelation, an angel instructed the apostle John to only worship God (Revelation 19:10). Several times in Scripture Jesus receives worship (Matthew 2:1114:3328:917Luke 24:52John 9:38). He never rebukes people for worshiping Him. If Jesus were not God, He would have told people to not worship Him, just as the angel in Revelation did. There are many other passages of Scripture that argue for Jesus’ deity.

The most important reason that Jesus has to be God is that, if He is not God, His death would not have been sufficient to pay the penalty for the sins of the world (1 John 2:2). A created being, which Jesus would be if He were not God, could not pay the infinite penalty required for sin against an infinite God. Only God could pay such an infinite penalty. Only God could take on the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21), die, and be resurrected, proving His victory over sin and death."


Who was Satan wanting to be? Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!O Lucifer: or, O day star 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most Highhttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.14.KJV  .Daniel 4:2 I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me. 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. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.4.KJV Psalms 78:35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.78.KJV  1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.   https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CO.10.KJV  1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1PE.1.KJV  Answer : Jesus =most high God Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.   https://my.bible.com/bible/1/HEB.1.KJV


See also my other blog on this subject: http://iodtiger.blogspot.com/2013/03/jesusgod.html

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Psalm 69:9a

"9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;"  I was made to realize recently how a couple of my recent blogs sounded and have since edited them to hopefully correct some of the feelings that have been stirred up by them.  I love my church family and everyone in it, without exception.  I have been guilty of being judgmental in my zeal for wanting my church family to see things the way that I see them.  I have been impatient.  I feel a bit like Saul/Paul wanting so much to get to the business of hurrying up the work that belongs solely to the Holy Spirit. The attacks of the deceiver of our souls and the events of human history and the occasional dreams that I have had all are indicative of a rapidly closing time for earth's history.  I feel strongly that the final events are about to unfold and the bridegroom is making himself ready to come. (The next few sentences are not for any one person or group specifically but for each of us individually to internalize and ask ourselves.) If you knew today that God was definitely coming back within a year or two how would that change how you lived your life today.  Would you be going out door to door two by two to spread the glad tidings?  Would you be watching garbage on the TV?  Would you be going out to the movies or planning extensive vacations?  Or would you rather be putting your time and money into helping finish the work?  Would we be like the church just after Jesus went back to heaven? Acts 4:33 "And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.  34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need."  My prayer every night is for each person that I know to come to a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ so that we may all stand on the sea of glass together.  "Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord's second coming. The enemy of souls desires to hinder this work; and before the time for such a movement shall come, he will endeavor to prevent it by introducing a counterfeit." http://www.whiteestate.org/devotional/mar/06_09.asp  

Sunday, May 27, 2018

More questions than answers.

2 Thessalonians 2:11 (KJV)

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

I have always had questions growing up that have never been satisfactorily answered by any teacher in all my schooling years. Questions about the Biblical account of Joshua commanding the sun and moon to stand still and How did the sun dial go backwards for king Hezekiah in the book of Habakkuk?  Or if the earth is spinning so fast how come I can't feel it?  I remember when I was about 7 years old when a teacher told me that the earth was a round ball shape.  I remember laughing at the absurdity of the earth being a ball shape as a seven year old!  I made a fist with my left hand and with my right hand tried to use my fingers like people standing upside down on a ball, and I just laughed and laughed at the thought. many years went by and my mother, my own mother, asked me what I thought about people who thought that the earth was flat, and I said, "I think that they are plum crazy".  She told me to do some research and gave me a link to start me on my path.  I thought she was completely nuts!  Then I did a LOT of research.  Here are my findings and some links for them:(just see what you think and then make up your own mind)  Open mind for a bit and don't ridicule without looking at all "evidences")   If the earth were rotating at 1000 miles per hour and suddenly stopped for a whole day for Joshua and then restarted rotating what would have been the effects on life on this planet? on the oceans?  The sloshing effect of the oceans would have caused massive flooding. As when a semi truck hauling liquid suddenly has to stop, the sloshing effect propels the truck forward several feet after it normally would have stopped.   And if the earth not only stopped rotating but went backwards for 10 degrees on a sundial and then returned to it's normal rotation what kind of effects would that have produced?  Below are just the texts of the Bible used in the links below.
1 Chronicles 16:30 Fear before him, all the earth: the world also shall be stable, that it be not moved. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1CH.16.kjv Psalms 93:1 The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is established, that it cannot be moved. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.93.KJV Psalms 96:10 Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.96.KJV  Isaiah 40:22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.40.KJV  Isaiah 22:18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord's house. (Isaiah knew the difference between a ball and a circle)  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.22.KJV Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.38.KJV Isaiah 48:13 Mine hand also hath laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand hath spanned the heavens: when I call unto them, they stand up together. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.48.KJV Psalms 104:5 Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.104.KJV Isaiah 66:Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.66.KJV Matthew 5:35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.5.KJV Acts 7:49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ACT.7.KJV
  1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/1SA.2.KJV Job 9:6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble. Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.9.KJV Psalms 75:3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.75.KJV  Genesis 1:6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.  7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV Psalms 148:4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens, and ye waters that be above the heavenshttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.148.KJV Psalms 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.19.KJV  Job 37:18 Hast thou with him spread out the sky, which is strong, and as a molten looking glasshttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.37.KJV  Genesis 1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.  16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.  17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.1.KJV  Revelation 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/REV.6.KJV Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.24.KJV Mark 13:25 And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MRK.13.KJV Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/REV.7.KJV Isaiah 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.11.KJV Jeremiah 16:19 O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JER.16.KJV Job 37:3 He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/JOB.37.KJV Proverbs 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.30.KJV  Jeremiah 49:36 And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PRO.30.KJV Daniel 7:2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.7.KJV  Matthew 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.24.KJV  Genesis 19:23 The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into Zoar. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/GEN.19.KJV Ecclesiastes 1:5 The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits.  All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return againhttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/ECC.1.KJV  Matthew 5:45 (KJV) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Numbers 2:3 (KJV) And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah. Joshua 12:1 (KJV) Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east: Psalms 104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons: the sun knoweth his going downhttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.104.KJV  Isaiah 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/ISA.60.KJV Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the Lord in the day when the Lord delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Aijalon.  13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole dayhttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/JOS.10.KJV  Habakkuk 3:11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.  https://my.bible.com/bible/1/HAB.3.KJV 2 Kings 20:9 And Isaiah said, This sign shalt thou have of the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?  10 And Hezekiah answered, It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.  11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/2KI.20.KJV Psalms 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.  6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. https://my.bible.com/bible/1/PSA.19.KJV Matthew 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; https://my.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.4.KJV Daniel 4:11 The tree grew, and was strong, and the height thereof reached unto heaven, and the sight thereof to the end of all the earthhttps://my.bible.com/bible/1/DAN.4.KJV  2 Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. All texts KJV  


https://www.coolantarctica.com/Antarctica%20fact%20file/science/antarctic_treaty_summary.php  r = 12430 miles    Web info about how far from "North" pole to "South" pole. Made as a radius instead of a Circumference
That would leave the Circumference as: C = 78099.993368242 miles
Which would make the area of the earth as: A = 485391458.78363 miles (Of the "known" world-see last link)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHTH3VbHg-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEP3zhso8jE (tides)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnU-kxFQMfI (video removed by YouTube, hmmmm?)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pUOcVnyg4o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpPMoIv1lxI (New videos about fake moon landing)   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuqqPS5z3uw  (I don't agree with this guy who made this video and I removed one of the texts that I don't believe applied to actual stars.  He says some things I just can't believe but this is where I got the above texts.  I added some of my own and took out the one that I disagreed with  The one that I took out had to do with lucifer drawing 1/3 of the stars to earth.  This guy thinks that the angels are the stars, literally.  I feel that text was symbolic.)  So why does it matter if we believe the earth was ball shaped or flat?  Biblically it makes more sense. And also is the sky really blue because of the color of the ocean?  I don't think so. Also all of the people who have ever claimed to be in space or on the moon were Jesuits or 33 degree masons.  Their stories conflict and precious few would sware on the Bible that they actually did do what they said they did.  see link here for that story...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhTqrSX5N4M  I still don't understand eclipses yet but since there have been instances of an eclipse when both the sun and the moon are visible it can't be the way that we have been told!  Lots of Jesuit teachings have gone on for a long time! One other argument against the spinning ball "theory" would be, if the distance between the earth and the sun were actually 93 million miles then that would have to be the radius of our "orbit" around the sun.  2×3.14 x 93 million=  584,040,000. Now divide that circumference of our "orbit" by 365.25 to get the supposed rate of speed that we are supposed to be hurtling through space.  1,599,014.3737166 mpd.  Divide that by 24 hours and you get 66,625.598904858 mph. Now not only are we supposedly hurtling through space at that rate of speed but, according to any encyclopedia we are ALSO supposedly rotating on an axis at a rate of 1,000 miles per hour.  Have any of you ever watched any science fiction movies about outer space travel? (like Star Wars etc.) When the space craft jumps into "Hyperspace" what do the stars look like? If the stars were as far away as science suggests and if we were hurtling through space at those rates of speed, how in the world could we EVER pick out one single star in the night sky? Much less see the same sets of stars night after night for hundreds and thousands of years?
Some further study:
https://www.bitchute.com/video/wqKlVD67IBlj/  More questions than answers!!!