Sunday, June 21, 2026

Why religion doesn't work

 https://youtu.be/3HxddbanCqY, https://youtu.be/sibEmhv9Evk  While I believe that the King James Version of the Bible is probably the most accurate out of all the versions of the Bible, we can learn a lot by comparing different versions. (see links above) The problem comes when people change the meaning, or leave out verses, or use only half of a verse, just because they are trying to prove their point. For example, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have created their own Bible, leaving out any texts that indicate that Jesus, when he was here on earth, had a divine nature. They have also changed verses that they couldn’t leave out completely. (I have another blog on this: https://iodtiger.blogspot.com/2018/07/examining-each-text-more-on-jesusgod.html) Another example is in the catechism of the Catholic church: "THE SECOND COMMANDMENT You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.72"  https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7H.HTM "2190 The sabbath, which represented the completion of the first creation, has been replaced by Sunday which recalls the new creation inaugurated by the Resurrection of Christ." https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P7P.HTM "THE NINTH COMMANDMENT You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's.298"  https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8P.HTM  "THE TENTH COMMANDMENT You shall not covet ... anything that is your neighbor's...."  https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P8T.HTM Compare these to Exodus 20:3 "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (1)

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (2)

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (3)

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 but the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (4)

12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (5)

13 Thou shalt not kill. (6)

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. (7)

15 Thou shalt not steal. (8)

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (9)

17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. (10)  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/EXO.20.KJV What does the BIBLE call the one who thinks that they can change God's law? (See my other blog here: https://iodtiger.blogspot.com/2025/07/mark-of-beast.html) Any and every religion which denies Jesus or changes his word is an anti-christ See 2 John 1:7 "For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/2JN.1.KJV

I also believe that there is only one way to be saved and that is by accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and having a personal relationship with Him. Any religion that takes away from or changes the Word of God to suit their own agenda is a false religion, and any religion that doesn’t acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior is a false religion. No religion can put any other writings above the Word of God. If any of their writings contradicts the Bible, then they are also false. 

All throughout Jesus ministry he was at odds with the religious leaders. God himself had given them his laws and yet when Jesus came they had become so focused on obeying the laws that they forgot the most important part. Jesus came to show them that it was not about strictly following a set of rules but about a personal relationship with him. Jesus said in Luke 11:42 “But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 43 Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets. 44 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them. 45 Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also. 46 And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe unto you! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers: for they indeed killed them, and ye build their sepulchres. 49 Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: 50 that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; 51 from the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, which perished between the altar and the temple: verily I say unto you, It shall be required of this generation. 52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/LUK.11.KJV The Jews in Jesus day had taken God’s ten commandments and turned them into over 600 laws. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.14.KJV There are only two sides, God’s or satan’s, and in the end God will have a people who are in unity in truth. Revelation 12:17 “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/REV.12.KJV Notice that it says a “remnant”. A remnant is a very small piece, not the majority.  In this world, the majority have never been in the right. Look at the story of Noah; only eight people got on the boat. Matthew 7:13 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV Some people think that if they simply go to church, follow the rules, and say grace at their meals, it means that they are saved.  Religion cannot and will not save you. Following the rules without a relationship with God is pointless. The Pharisees in Jesus day followed the rules, yet they hated Jesus enough to crucify him. It takes both faith and works, see James 2:14 “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JAS.2.KJV (See my blog on salvation here: https://iodtiger.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-romans-road.html) God’s last day people will be keeping all of His ten commandments, and they will have a personal relationship with Jesus and have hearts like him. 

Saturday, June 20, 2026

I don't hate any people group

 I was accused today of hating Catholic people. I don't. I have several Catholic friends. The person who accused me of hating Catholics had read one of the books that I have on my flea market table which spoke about the anti-christ. He stated that other religions are ok with raping children, but that I was picking on the Catholic faith and not pointing out the issues that other faiths have. Let me make this plain, I believe that Jesus died for everyone, regardless of their nationality, color, gender, wealth, lack of wealth, or religious beliefs. John 10:16 "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.10.KJV Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/GAL.3.KJV God has people all over the world in every nation and religion. In fact a lot of the supposedly "religious" people need to read this verse: Matthew 21:31 "Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.21.KJV Matthew also says in chapter 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV 

What I am against is evil, regardless of how it's packaged. I am against hate, deception, lies, anything that is contrary to my loving Savior. We are warned in Matthew 7:15 "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.7.KJV 

Jesus is soon to come. We must learn to love each other and discern who are sheep and who are wolves. John 13:34 "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." https://www.bible.com/bible/1/JHN.13.KJV Matthew 10:16 "Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."  https://www.bible.com/bible/1/MAT.10.16.KJV

Thursday, June 11, 2026

I was walking in the woods

 I walk my dogs every morning, the same path everyday, but today was different.  I had not quite reached the point where I usually turn around when I heard a rustling sound coming from my right.  It wasn't the small rustling of a squirrel, no it was bigger than that, so I turned to look expecting to see a deer.  I  saw nothing, heard nothing, so I took a few more steps. Then the rustling came again except this time when I looked my heart began hammering in my chest for a black bear was climbing out of a tree, maybe 30 feet or so from where my dogs and I stood.  I turned around to head back towards home and that's when the dogs began to whine.  Without looking around I pulled the dogs and walked back towards the driveway as quickly as I dared, praying all the way.  When I got safely home and put the dogs in the backyard I went inside to begin my morning devotional time.  God brought me to Job 5:19 "He shall deliver thee in six troubles: Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: And in war from the power of the sword. 21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth." https://bible.com/bible/1/job.5.19-22.KJV When I read verse 22 I had a good laugh and said a quick prayer of thanks to God for all of his precious promises. 

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

EGW and time setting

"This time, which the Angel declares with a solemn oath, is not the end of this world’s history, neither of probationary time, but of prophetic time, which should precede the advent of our Lord. That is, the people will not have another message upon definite time. After this period of time, reaching from 1842 to 1844, there can be no definite tracing of the prophetic time. The longest reckoning reaches to the autumn of 1844." 15LtMs, Ms 59, 1900, par. 24. 
This single paragraph does not mean that there are no more prophesies to be fulfilled.  For example: "The world is stirred with the spirit of war. The prophecy of the eleventh chapter of Daniel has nearly reached its complete fulfillment. Soon the scenes of trouble spoken of in the prophecies will take place. 9T 14.2" what prophesy is in Daniel chapter 11? Daniel 11 describes war between the Kings of the North and South.  In Daniel 12 at the end of the vision given in chapter 11 Daniel sees 2 men talking and the one says, Daniel 12:6  "And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.  https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.12.6-7.KJV This is a time prophesy directly related to Daniel 11 which EGW said in the above quote had "nearly reached its fulfillment". 
"Definite time" means that we have a precise beginning or ending, an exact date, such as when the prophesy says, in Daniel 9:25 "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.9.25.KJV This verse as we know gives the beginning of several prophetic times, Jesus ministry, death, etc.  Daniel 12 has this, "11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." https://bible.com/bible/1/dan.12.11-12.KJV While traditionally we have placed this within the 2300 day prophesy, EGW states that this prophesy hasn't been fulfilled yet.  So somehow there must be a different application of this text.  We need to prayerfully restudy the 11th and 12th chapters of Daniel.