Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 5 (God’s Prophetic Curve-ball)

By admin On December 28th, 2014

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 5

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God’s Prophetic Curve-ball

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Baseball lore has it that the curveball was invented in the early 1870’s by Candy Cummings (it is debatable).

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An early demonstration of the “skewball” or curveball occurred at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn in August, 1870 by Fred Goldsmith.

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In 1869, a reporter for the New York Clipper described Phonney Martin as an “extremely hard pitcher to hit for the ball never comes in a straight line‚ but in a tantalizing curve.” If the observation is true, this would pre-date Cummings and Goldsmith.

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Phonney Martin – 1870 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Curveball – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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GOD’S CURVEBALL

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Well, baseball historians may be in doubt as to just who first invented the Curveball.

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But the Bible tells of One, who long-before Phonney Martin, threw a mean Curveball!

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Yes, the Lord Himself threw a Curveball to the theologians in the time of Jesus ministry!

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You see, the theologians of that day considered Jesus to be a fraud, because they knew He was from Galilee. And so, the leaders of the people concluded… “for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” John 7:52.

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And so, even though they made this conclusion, they did not realize that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem!

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Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain – Wikimedia

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“THE LORD SHALL HAVE THEM IN DERISION”

Psalm 2:4

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Well, God certainly threw them a Curveball, didn’t He?

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And even though we have this little historical account from the Bible, of how it is so easy to misinterpret Bible prophecy, you would think that we would learn a lesson, and not repeat this mistake!

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But the sad fact is, there are many Bible prophecy teachers today, who are making the very same fatal mistake! So many teachers today have concocted our own Bible prophecy charts, and attempt to make our own particular time-line Bible prophecy chart into an infallible guide as to just how the last-day event will transpire!

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And we get so dogmatic about all this! You will often hear someone say, “Well, this cannot be happening, because this other thing has to happen first!”

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Bible prophecy chart – Wikipedia – Public Domain in US

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ACCORDING TO WHOSE CHART?

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Yes, we teachers today are so dogmatic about our interpretations!

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You will often hear someone say, “My Bible chart says that things cannot happen the way you are saying!”

Bible prophecy chart - Wikipedia - US Public Domain

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The problem is, one has to assume that his own interpretation is correct! And so, it is by his own interpretation that things must happen this way or that way!

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For instance, there are many who now say… “Well, the Antichrist has not yet come, because the Church must be literally removed from the earth, via the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, prior to the Antichrist being revealed!”

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And so, these highly revered teachers deceive the people, whether knowingly or unknowingly!

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In the first place, the Bible never says that God’s people will be literally removed from the earth, via the so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture! As a matter of fact, the name, “Rapture” is never even used in Scripture!

This entire idea is purely a theologian-contrived theory!

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Bible prophecy chart – Wikipedia – Public Domain in US

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MANY ANTICHRISTS!

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**In the second place, the notion that the Antichrist Beast will be a single individual human being is merely somebody’s interpretation, based on the verse which refers to the “man of sin”.**

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But what these well-meaning theologians do not consider is, that Isaiah, Chapter 14 refers to Lucifer in the following way… “is this the man?” (Isaiah 14:16)

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So, when the Bible refers to a future individual as “the man of sin”, it could very well be referring to Satan, whom Isaiah refers to as, “the man”!

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RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES!

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**And so, Bible prophecy may be happening “right under our noses”, as the saying goes; and all because we are placing our confidence in Man.**

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But the Bible warns us… “O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Isaiah 3:12

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We cannot say that God didn’t warn us! We have plenty of Bible warnings against placing our trust and confidence in our Church leaders!

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And yet, because they usually have the biggest microphones, the greater part of the Church is listening to these dogmatic Bible teachers!

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And they refuse to re-examine these Man-contrived interpretations of just how last day events will transpire!

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YE MAY BE HID IN THAT DAY!

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What is the remedy for all this?

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And is there is any Good News to be gleaned?

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Yes, the Bible says… “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” Zephaniah 2:3

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Yes, this above verse presents the correct attitude we must have in these last moments of earth’s history: meekness and righteousness! God’s people must seek after the spirit of meekness. We should rid ourselves of all self-confidence! We must be as teachable as a little child!

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Because if we continue to be stiff-necked and hard-hearted, we will find ourselves being swept away in the coming whirlwind!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

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THAT DAY IS UPON THE PROUD

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“…pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I (the Lord) hate.” Proverbs 8:13

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God hates a proud heart! He purposely throws us a Curve-ball, so often, so that we learn to never trust our own thinking!

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God purposely unfolds Bible prophecy different than our preconceived ideas, to remove all pride and arrogance!

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Listen… “Enter into the Rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of His majesty. The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.” Isaiah 2:10-12

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So here it says that the Day of the LORD will be specifically designed to bring down all the foolish pride of men!

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And this is why it is so critically important for us to begin to cast off all foolishly dogmatic thinking, and become like little children!

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PREPARE FOR WAR!

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“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day,” Ephesians 6:13

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And anyway, it is not important that we know how every little thing will come down!

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Our only duty is to prepare ourselves for that day!

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And the Bible is literally overflowing with counsel about how we are to prepare!

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not be deceived by all the conflicting theories out there in the world! But let me simply get myself all armored up in readiness for the Evil Day, spoken of in Ephesians Chapter 6…

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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“A CROWN OF 12 STARS UPON HER HEAD” …

But upon a closer examination if you have access to a very dark sky out in the country; if you watch this wreath, you will eventually see 5 more very faint stars, making a total of 12 stars, plus that single star in the middle. This wreath now becomes a crown of 12 stars. This goes along with Revelation 12, which tells of a crown of 12 stars upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12.

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Just listen to Revelation… “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” Rev. 12:1.

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But this crown is not yet upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (also known as Ursa Major). It is just above her head, as if she has yet to attain it. Of course, the 13th star in the middle would represent Christ (Who is our true Crown of our rejoicing). Ok, so we have a picture of Christ and His twelve tribes of Israel. But also we have a picture of Christ and His twelve apostles, which is a picture of His Church. So this heavenly crown is a multi-faceted concept.

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Photo: Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo with crown drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 6 (How To Have Heaven Now!)”

Virtuous Woman with Bible – Braet von Überfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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FOR THOSE WHO CONSIDER THEMSELVES TO BE OPEN-MINDED TRUTH-LOVING BEREANS, THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #429 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – FEBRUARY 28 (The False Prophet, Part 6: Wandering Through Hell)

By admin On December 26th, 2014

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – FEBRUARY 28

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The False Prophet,

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Part 6:

“Wandering Through Hell”

To read Part 1 of this series, click here… “JANUARY 26 (The False Prophet, Part 1: Lying Eyes!)”

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In John Bunyan’s infamous book, Pilgrim’s Progress, he mentioned that the town of Vanity Fair had different sections: as Bunyan depicts it, “there are the several rows and streets under their proper names . . . Here is the Britain Row, the French Row, the Italian Row, the Spanish Row, the German Row.”

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Satan, “the god of this world” does not desire to have his loyal subjects to get bored. And so, he has designed his kingdom to provide points of interest, places of intrigue, things of mystery! (2nd Corinthians 4:4)

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Therefore, he has provided a wide variety of different places to visit, each with their own distinct and exotic flavor.

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And as it was in Bunyan’s day, so it is manifold more in this high-tech age! Yes, in addition to Britain Row, and French Row, and Italian Row, and Spanish Row, and German Row, we now have so many more ‘rows’! it is impossible to even list all of them!

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Sufficed to say, there are so many places to visit; and so many lands of mystery and intrigue to search, that those with the time and means to indulge their wanderlust, can spend a veritable lifetime wandering the highways and byways of the world…or as John Bunyan might exclaim, “Wandering the highways and byways of this Vanity Fair world!”

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**Yes, Satan wants his loyal citizens to be happy. The last thing Satan, “the god of this world” wants, is a rebellion! *(2nd Corinthians 4:4)***

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And so, this arch-deceiver has provided very many amusements and distractions and hobbies and sports and games; enough to keep us busy, till we finally wake up, only to discover that we and our family are eternally lost!

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And among these many fun and interesting things, is the lust to wander.

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**Hence the name, “Wanderlust”.**

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Café_de_Flore-coffee-house-wikipedia-public-domain.jpg

Rialto_Gondoliers-by-Saffron-Blaze – cropped pic – wikipedia-share-alike-license-3.0.jpg

Swiss_chalet – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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“O taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Psalm 34:8

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Listen to God’s admonition to Believers, regarding keeping ourselves free from unnecessary encumberments…“No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2nd Timothy 2:4 As this verse reveals, we are to be dedicated soldiers in the Lord’s Army!

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But for the unsaved, that is, for those who are the loyal citizens of this ‘Vanity Fair’ world, such amusements as ‘wanderlust’ might be just fine!

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After all, the Bible says to all those who are contemplating Christianity…“O taste and see that the Lord is good!” Psalm 34:8. The people of the world often enjoy many things in this world which God has created. In this way, they might get a glimpse of the Lord’s goodness even on a daily basis.

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“EAT, DRINK, & BE MERRY!”

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But for those who are seeking “a better country, that is, an heavenly”, and have become “strangers and pilgrims” on their upward journey to that celestial city, the above words of Paul are an admonishment and warning for every pilgrim to not get encumbered with the cares and pleasures of this life. (See Hebrews 11:16 for “a better country” reference)

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Listen again to Jesus… “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that Day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.” Luke 21:34, 35.

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**This passage warns us to not get too far into the world, lest “that Day” overtakes us by surprise.**

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**Even the “cares of this life” can become a snare to our soul, if we allow them to!**

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SATAN’S KINGDOM

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**When Satan deceived Mankind, God allowed him to become the ruler of this lost world. 2nd Corinthians 4:4 calls him, “the god of this world”!**

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Three times in the Gospel of John, Satan is referred to as, “The prince of this world”. (John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11, & Ephesians 2:2)

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But in these last days, Satan is coming as “the False Prophet”, that 2nd beast-power spoken of in Revelation 13:11-18. (See also Revelation 13:6, 16:13, 19:20, 20:10 for “False Prophet” reference).

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And in the past few centuries, Satan (coming as this False Prophet Beast), has put a “happy face” on this wicked world, thus deceiving the naive and blinded multitudes into thinking that the world is a pretty nice place, to a great extent.

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Of course, this is a big lie!

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The Bible says… “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1st John 5:19.

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Behind most every door, in most every house, in every city in every nation all over this hopelessly suffering and dying world, are lost souls, living in sin, starving for the Bread of Life, which only Christ can give them!

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Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE MAN OF GOD & THE OLD PROPHET

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There is a story in the 1st Kings, Chapter 13, of a “man of God” who was given specific instructions to not eat nor tarry in the country he had prophesied against, until he was fully back home in his own country.

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Well, this story has everything to do with us today! We too are commanded to warn the world of the wrath to come! We are to be like the Apostle Paul in our zeal and dedication to our mission!

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But the False Prophet (Satan, working through the unsaved) has deceived so many of us, by friends and family and television, etc., to relax, “don’t worry, be happy!”

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Enjoy the world!

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Have a good time!

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Dore – The Disobedient Prophet Slain By A Lion- www.creationism.org -US-public-domain.jpg

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OLD PROPHET IS THE FALSE PROPHET

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And just like that man of God in 1st Kings, Chapter 13, we listen to “the old Prophet” who tells us to “eat drink and be merry”.

Welcome to Hell

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**Well God isn’t going to send a physical lion to kill us, as He did to that “man of God”.**

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But Satan, that “roaring lion” (1st Peter 5:8) will certainly devour us, in a spiritual sense, should we think that we can simply relax and enjoy this Vanity Fair world, while its inhabitants slip down into their eternal graves, unsaved!

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In this above terrifying cartoon, is a typical worldly-minded Christian, deceived into thinking that this world was just his playground for the pursuit of earthly pleasures, dreams and self-aggrandizement!

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THE HEAVENWARD PATH

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It makes Christians want to cry to see loved ones who have become deceived by the False Prophet, Satan, who tells us to, “eat, drink and be merry, and enjoy this world!”

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But God’s pilgrims must continue on that upward pathway out of this City of Destruction, on their journey to the Celestial City of God, even if their family (as did that Pilgrim’s family, in Bunyan’s tale) refuses to come along.

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We have a mission to fulfill. Preach the Gospel! Purify our hearts and minds! Fight the Good Fight! Run the Race! We have been chosen to be God’s ambassadors to this planet of rebels.

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But it’s nevertheless extremely sad to have to see our families, when they also become part of that rebellion!

Christian in Pilgrims Progress – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE

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But for those with families, there are many wonderful alternatives to Wanderlust.

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A weekend camp-out. A picnic. A trip to the park, playground, or zoo. A walk on a nature trail, or even working together on some household project! And many other similar types of family retreats/projects.

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In other words, part of being moderate, is to know where to draw the line between rest & recreation and an all-out pursuit of the “lust of the eyes”. It is a very personal matter of prayer and consecration and must be decided differently and individually in each household.

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But in this vanity-fair world of so many glittering tinsel-like attractions, we must remember that Scripture warns us…“but the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.” Proverbs 17:24

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And, well, these matters require much Bible knowledge and prayer for wisdom. Because, every family situation is different, with varying needs of each family-member.

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Family Portrait – cropped pic – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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THE GOOD NEWS!

Fortunately, we have a merciful God, who is, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2nd Peter 3:9

David's sorrow - Wikigallery - Public Domain

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And in His great mercy, He has graciously provided enough time for both you and I to repent from our worldliness and from our mistaken worldview!

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Like this picture of David’s sorrow, we too need to cry out for God to cleanse us and restore us.

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And we should not cease from crying out, until we have been fully restored!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TIME TO LEAVE

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Yes, by fully immersing ourselves in holy things, our corrupt and deceived hearts might be cleansed and purified from this notion that Satan’s kingdom of selfishness has many good things!

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Listen… “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.” 1st John 5:19

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And by a constant contemplation of God’s Word, this above verse from 1st John (and many similar verses) will begin to permeate through our worldly hearts, and root out all those false notions which the False Prophet has filled our hearts with!

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And so, let’s gather up that which is yet remaining, and once again resume our journey out of this City of Destruction, praying that the Lord will open the eyes of those who are yet deceived by the Vanity Fair world!

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To read Part 7, click here…

May 23 (The False Prophet, Part 7, Continued: “Signs & Wonders”)

Falling Backwards – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Share-alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

Dear Lord, Give me an understanding of just what a deceptive world this really is! Help me to be IN the world, but not OF the world…

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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REVELATION 12, FLEEING WOMAN

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WHO IS SHE FLEEING FROM?

“…and the dragon stood before the woman…for to devour her child as soon as it was born…And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God…” Revelation 12:5, 6

Now by winter, this woman has changed into a “fleeing” woman. And if you will go out into the country away from the city lights, you might just see that her upraised arms begin to appear as wings. And she appears to be running, and eventually flying. In this heavenly scenario, this woman is fleeing from the ‘Dragon’ Constellation. However, “fleeing” is mentioned many times in Scripture. It may refer to fleeing from apostate shepherds (John 10:5), brethren or apostate congregations (Psalm 26:5). Or fleeing from sin and (1st Cor. 6:18). Or from enemies. It is likewise speaking of fleeing to the mountains.

Revelation 12 Dragon w/text

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And as you can see, the Dragon is spewing water out of his mouth. And it is amazing that this water is always going in the direction of the woman. The water stands for false doctrines. False brethren. Persecutions and temptations. See the article on the Dragon for further insight. Click here…”The Dragon”.

top star-chart: Ursa Major Star-Chart with woman drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – share-alike license

ABOVE PICTURE: Revelation 12 Dragon – Winter – Hyades, Pleiades, etc. – not for commercial uses

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TOMORROW…

February 29 (“The Day of the Lord Is Near In The Valley of Decision!”)

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Heavenly Mount Zion Constellation (Cassiopeia Constellation) – signsofheaven – Not for commercial profit use!

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #424 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – FEBRUARY 27 (Our Most Holy Place: Proper Care & Maintenance)

By admin On December 26th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – FEBRUARY 27

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Our Most Holy Place:

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“Proper Care & Maintenance”

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“Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary”

Psalm 77:13

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Once a year, the High Priest entered into the Most Holy Place to carry out the most solemn and holy and final duties of the year-long temple rituals.

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And the chosen priesthood was the most solemn of all duties, requiring complete consecration before entering! This was a life-and-death matter! There was to be no flippancy nor lightness, in the life of that High Priest!

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If he should go into that Most Holy Place with unrepentant sins, he could possibly be struck dead before he left!

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the Holy of Holies – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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NEW TESTAMENT PRIESTHOOD: US!

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The New Testament tells us, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him, who has called you out of darkness, and into His marvellous light:” 1st Peter 2:9

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Now, because we New Testament Believers have been chosen to be a royal priesthood, we have the responsibility to carry on the duties of the priesthood.

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And God expects no less from us, than He required from those priests of olden times!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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KINGDOM OF GOD WITHIN US!

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Now, we should never feel that we are priests without a tabernacle!

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The Lord reveals to us… “for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 2nd Corinthians 6:16, 17

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So we, His Elect, are the true tabernacle.

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And since God declares that He dwells in us, then we share in the priestly duties with Him, who is our High Priest.

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GUARD YOUR HEART!

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So, the focus of today’s devotional is all about the proper care and maintenance of the Most Holy Place of our heart!

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After all, it is written… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee. Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27

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Here is a great revelation on just how we are to maintain the Holy Place of our heart!

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We are to put away from us a froward (perverse) mouth! Yes, we must keep all vulgar graffiti from appearing on the walls of our Most Holy Place! This is the first duty mentioned there in Proverbs, concerning our heart!

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And so, as Priests, we must turn away from the hearing of all vulgar and common talk! Things like television and secular radio, Internet, magazines, etc… are filled with ungodliness, which will pollute our Most Holy Place.

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Unwholesome images should be avoided as much as possible!

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TV – The Image of the Beast – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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EYES ON THE PRIZE!

Next, Proverbs 4:25 counsels us to let our eyes look straight ahead!

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In other words, we need to keep ourselves from being drawn away from our Heavenward sojourn!

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This is the duty of our lives!

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And every other mundane duty of life must be prayerfully accomplished and spiritually discerned through the prism of Heaven!

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TO WALK AS JESUS WALKED!

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Next, we are counseled to ponder the path of our feet and let all our ways be established!

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This requires thorough Bible study, so that we may find out more and more about Jesus, our High Priest! Yes, the Bible counsels us to, “walk, even as He walked!” Revelation 2:6

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And it is only through the wisdom of the Word of Christ, that we may grow more and more into His likeness!

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And so, the royal priest must be adorning those most holy walls of His (or her) Most Holy Place with the graffiti of the pure Words of Life!

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HEAVENLY MUSIC

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If we desire music to fill the hallowed halls of our temple, then it should obviously be the same kinds of music which all Heaven rejoices to hear!

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All sensual and earthly music must be prayerfully considered for the trash-heap! And such a drastic change in musical tastes is only truly possible through the indwelling Holy Spirit who gives us such new desires!

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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HOLINESS IN WORD AND CONDUCT

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Our words, and our general conduct in the world, should also be in harmony with Heaven!

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Listen… “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…If any man speak, let him speak as the Oracles of God;” 2nd Peter 3:11 & 1st Peter 4:11

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Peter here, makes our holy duty perfectly clear!

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To speak and behave in all holiness and reverence, at all times!

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St Peter Brandl 1724 National Gallery Prague – Wikimedia Commons

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“QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT!”

1st Thessalonians 5:19

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We must remember that “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:“ 2nd Corinthians 3:2

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And so, our words and conduct must be free from all worldliness and frivolity!

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Otherwise, our testimony will be confusing, being mingled with unchristlike manners!

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Thus, should we continue in such careless behavior, the Holy Spirit will be quenched, and our spirituality will be dried up!

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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A MOST SOLEMN PRIESTHOOD

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The point this devotional is trying to make, is that we have a very high calling to carry on our duties of priests, in a very holy and reverent way!

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Upon our Mitre (our heart…our mind) is written, “Holiness to the LORD” Exodus 28:36, 37

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God is just now revealing this most solemn truth, in hopes that we will begin to take our Salvation seriously! God is no longer going to tolerate our past spiritual drunkenness!

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We must sober up and take up our duties with all the seriousness that the office of the priesthood demands!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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LIVING, BREATHING TABERNACLE

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It is nothing short of amazing to consider that God has made us living and breathing and moving tabernacles!

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And it utterly incredible to realize that we are to take this living, breathing temple with us through our day!

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And whether down at work, or taking a walk, or at home, enjoying our family, or lying in bed, or even in confinement, we can be engaging in silent prayer, and contemplation of Christ’s Word!

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And so, even though at present, we are still physically confined to this dark, evil world, we must strive to make our surroundings as close to Heaven as possible!

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And it is an educated guess, that if we will diligently and unceasingly pray for God’s blessings, He will begin to give us a greater and greater spirituality until we are completely enveloped by the glories of Heaven!

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Munch Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE READER IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THIS 25-MINUTE AUDIO BIBLE STUDY FROM THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH, CHAPTER 7 CONCERNING THE CAPTURING OF THE ARK-OF-THE-COVENANT, AND HOW IT RELATES TO OUR PRESENT-DAY APOSTASY OF THE CHURCH-WORLD. THIS STUDY IS CONDUCTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

NOVEMBER 6 (Our Most Holy Place: Proper Care & Maintenance, Part 2: Daily Care & Maintenance)

Priesthood – the Holy of Holies – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Please give me an exalted vision of what it means to be a Christian. Lead me into holiness, so that Christ may shine brightly from my soul…

Prayer – Mother and Daughter – Wikipedia – (cropped image) the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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LOCATION of NARROW GATE

foursome late winter 8/29/11

This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter. Although it can be observed most of the winter, it is seen best when it is the western part of the sky, at winter’s end (The end of winter being the final scene of this heavenly Gospel story). Orion , the Dragon, and the Glorious White Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon (sketch to right is Winter Constellations descending into western horizon. This can actually be seen as early as December, in the pre-dawn hours).

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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor and Pollux (sketch to left). But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan. The two stars, Castor and Pollux, make up the concept of the Orion’s Narrow Gate Stars.

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The sketch to left shows, the two doors are each composed of two bright stars. The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle. The two stars that comprise the ‘Wide Gate’ Stars are the two brightest stars of the wave of water that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here). The stars that make up the ‘Narrow Gate’ are about half the width of the Wide Gate (see sketch below left).

Revelation 12 Woman chooses Narrow Way

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(For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here, “Orion The R eaper”. )

Editor’s note: These sketches on this page are merely sketches. The stars are not in their exact place. However, they are close enough to find them in the night sky. But as with most stars, it takes persistence to finally locate them.

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TOMORROW…

“FEBRUARY 28 (The False Prophet, Part 6: Wandering Through Hell)”

Welcome To Hell – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #423 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 4 (Babylon = Baby-Land, Part 4: Why Does God Allow Suffering?)

By admin On December 25th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 4

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Babylon = Baby-Land

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Part 4:

“Why Does God Allow Suffering?”

To read Part 1, just click here… ” MARCH 1 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 1: Music)”

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**In the first three parts (click here) of this topic, several aspects of Mankind’s childish behavior were discussed.**

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But in this fourth part, the subject of God’s love is brought into question. And so, let’s begin to explore this question…

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There are very many people who wonder why a loving God allows all this bad stuff to happen.

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Yes, if God is all-powerful, why does He let people suffer?

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Maybe God isn’t as loving and merciful as He would have us believe?

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Munch Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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OUR CHILDISH THINKING!

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Well, perhaps what people are really asking is this: “Why doesn’t God just take away all the results of sin, and merely let us enjoy this selfish world?”

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Well, isn’t that what we’re truly desiring? Aren’t we really asking God to simply let us alone, so we can keep on sinning, without any repercussions? And so, there are many persons who turn their backs to God in anger, because we feel that God is just a “big meanie in the sky”!

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Crying girl – Wikipedia – cropped image – Share-alike License

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OLD TESTAMENT JUSTICE

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**And yet, when we adults accuse God of being a “big meanie”, He just seems to sit silently up there in Heaven, patiently enduring our scorn and contempt against Him!**

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Why doesn’t He just cast down some lightning bolts at all those who murmur and point our accusing finger at Him?

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After all, that’s what He sometimes did in the Old Testament, when His people continually complained! And many people today murmur against the way God behaved in the Old Testament! “Just look at how impatient God was in the Old Testament!”, say many skeptics.

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Well, perhaps God was merely showing us how He could handle things, if He wanted to!

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Moses Breaks Tables of the Law – by G. Dore – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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THEN CAME THE PRINCE OF PEACE!

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But then, beginning in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus walked onto the world-stage, and lived a life of patience, peace, mercy, and self-sacrificing brotherly love; seemingly presenting an entirely opposite side to His Old Testament character!

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But listen… “He (Jesus) is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not…But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: …and with His stripes we are healed…and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter” Isaiah 53:2-6

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So here we get an entirely different description of God, in the life of Jesus!

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And this above passage is from the Old Testament!

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Jesus – Woman why weepest thou – Jesus – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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IMAGINE SIN WITHOUT PUNISHMENT

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And so, with all these seeming contradictions, most people are confused as to just who is this God of the Bible?

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Well, to answer this question, let’s just suppose that God took away all the evil results which sin and rebellion bring! Yes, let’s just imagine a world in which all the earth’s inhabitants (including Satan and his armies) simply were allowed to live and enjoy and thrive in our sin and selfishness!

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Well, just imagine if we allowed our own children to continue to do whatever they wanted, without suffering any correction! How do you think our children would grow up? Like complete monsters? Yes, our children would grow up to become horrible tyrants!

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Burning Man – 2013 – Chapel – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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“IS THIS THE MAN?”

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**But frequently, our children do not understand why we are “so mean and cruel”, when we correct them!**

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But it is because we love them, that we correct and punish them (but never in anger and rage!)

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And so, with this in mind, we can understand why a loving Heavenly Father allows the evil results of sin!

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Yes, when Lucifer deceived the other angels, telling them that he had a better plan than God’s kingdom of unselfish love, Lucifer was given rule over this planet.

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And God, in His fatherly wisdom allowed Lucifer’s alternative plan to fully mature into what it has now become: a world of pride, hate, violence, selfishness, lust, and every other sinful behavior.

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Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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GOD’S ETERNAL PURPOSE

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God could have simply destroyed this planet, and all its inhabitants, if He chose to! But He didn’t!

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Instead, He says… “The God of My mercy shall prevent Me: God shall let Me see My desire upon Mine enemies. Slay them not, lest My people forget:” Psalm 59:10, 11

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Here we get a glimpse at why God has allowed evil to continue: to teach His people the results of evil!

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Yes, God has an eternal purpose! And just what is His eternal Purpose?

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Listen… “Having made known unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in Heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him:” Ephesians 1:9, 10

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Avvakum burned 1682 by artist Myasoyedov 1897 – Wikipedia – Pub-Dom

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LUCIFER EXPOSED IN THE LAST DAYS

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And so, now it begins to become clear that God has allowed all Heaven to witness the depths of evil, as seen in this fallen world, as a means of understanding how much more excellent His government is!

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Listen as God describes these last days in which Lucifer will be exposed… “They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee (Lucifer), and consider thee, saying, ‘Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?'” Isaiah 14:16, 17

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So here it says that Lucifer and his kingdom will be exposed and examined in these last days!

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lithoraph by Gustave Dore’ – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING!

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But the Good News is, that the more that we come into harmony with God’s Word, the more pleasant will our lives become!

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As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that we can live in “perfect peace”! (Isaiah 26:3)

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Yes, God promises to do, “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the Power that worketh in us,” Ephesians 3:20

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Now with such promises as this, how can we lose?

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Braet von Überfeldt – Woman with Bible – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE TRUTH-SEEKER IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING AUDIO STUDY FROM JEREMIAH CONCERNING CHRISTIAN SUFFERING.

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THIS STUDY IS CONDUCTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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ABOVE PAINTING: The Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…

MARCH 19 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 5: Living By The Law!)

Moses – Ten Commandments – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to not love the miserable idols of this horribly unhappy world. But rather, help me get excited about the prospects of seeing my family, happy and healthy in Thy everlasting Promised Land. Let me trade in this miserably selfish world, for that wonderfully unselfish and joyful Promised Land…

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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7 STARS IMITATE THE CROSS OF ORION

Peter let down his Lord by denying him thrice. But God allowed this to happen, knowing that Peter would repent, later to become one of the zealous Followers of Jesus. Probably many Christians have let their Lord down in a big way in the past. And like Peter, they have repented, likewise to become even more ardent Followers of Jesus.

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The Church, in these last days, has been flooded with every device that Satan could possibly conjure up, to cast across our pathway, and lead God’s sheep astray. And though the Church has been greatly hindered, God is about to purify His sin-laden people, who will finally lift up the Cross of Christ with such power and glory, as this world has never before seen.

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And the Reader may just discover the way that he or she might also help lift that Cross up. And God has inscribed in the heavens, a picture of how the Church lifts up the Cross, as they imitate their Lord. So please read this very important article. And though it may take 30 minutes or so, it will be well worth the read.

crucifixion of Peter-Caravaggio-Martirio di San Pietro – Wikipedia – US public domain

LOCATING THESE TWO CONSTELLATIONS

The Cross of Orion Constellation star-chart

This phenomenon begins in October, in the pre-dawn hours. It then begins a little earlier each night.

This Wikipedia star-chart to the left, has this Orion Constellation sketched in. You must locate Orion, when it is mid-sky, between east and west. You’ll be facing southward most likely, unless you are far south. Try to imagine it as a Cross on a steep hill. The 3-star belt of Orion becomes the crest of the hill. The 3 very faint stars that make up Orion’s head become the very top of the Cross.

Next, locate the 7 Stars Constellation. This 7 Stars Constellation is seen by facing northward. It stands upright a little later in the night. Eventually, Orion will lay down and no longer be seen as an uplifted Cross! Beginning in November, the 7 Stars (AKA Big Dipper) can be seen as a Cross a little bit later in evening.

**When you are comfortable in locating Orion & The 7 Stars Constellations, then show a friend. This can be a great witnessing tool!**

ABOVE CHART: The Cross of Orion Constellation star-chart – wikipedia star-chart with orion drawn in by this website – not for commercial use

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 5 (God’s Prophetic Curve-ball)”

Curveball – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth), YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #428 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 3 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 3: Jesting)

By admin On December 25th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 3

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Babylon = Baby-Land!

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Part 3:

“Jesting”

To read Part 1, just click here… ” MARCH 1 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 1: Music)”

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“When I was a child, I spake as a child,

I understood as a child, I thought as a child:

but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

1st Corinthians 13:11

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In the *fir**st two devotionals (click here),* the comparison was made between the rantings of babies, and the rantings of we Christians, when somebody attempts to take away one of our cherished idols!

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And so, for lack of time, we will not attempt to set up this comparison once again, as was done in Part 1 (click here).

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Baby yelling – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“FOOLISH TALK AND JESTING”

Ephesians 5:2

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**But instead, let’s go right into this issue of “jesting”, since it is also one of those tender subjects, just as music-listening is a tender and very touchy subject.**

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Yes, we live in a culture almost totally immersed in joking and jesting!

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And with the advent of high-tech devices, we can now simply push a button, and hear the best-of-the-best comedy! Television thrives on comedy!

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And young people are especially drawn to comedy like the proverbial “duck-to-water”!

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Laughing – (color added) – Fotothek df roe neg – cropped and colored image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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JESTING, A SENSITIVE ISSUE

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And also, many people we meet daily, seem to have the gift of jesting!

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And we’ve all experienced how those who are given to jesting can immediately turn a serious conversation into a fit of laughter by making just one little well-timed jesting remark!

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And society reveres the art of jesting! This is one area in which the Christian will be censured for attempting to counsel another Christian away from this practice!

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Even the most popular radio Bible teachers will call down the harshest condemnations and cruel mockings against all those who dare criticize this almost sacred sport!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen 1888 – Wikimedia – public domain

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FOOLISH TALK & JESTING CONDEMNED

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But listen to that well-known Reformationist of yesteryear, Thomas Brooks… “They preach more to please the ear than to profit the heart…False teachers handle holy things rather with wit and trifling, rather than with fear and reverence. False teachers are soul-murderers. They are like evil surgeons, that skin over the wound—but never heal it…False teachers are hell’s greatest enrichers.”

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Thomas Brooks had some pretty scathing words against those who joke in the pulpits, wouldn’t you agree?

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ABOVE PICTURE: Thomas Brooks after Unknown artist – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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PAUL CONDEMNS JESTING, ETC…

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Now this next passage from Ephesians pronounces a judgment upon those who engage in the various behaviors spoken of here…

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Listen, as this passage continues… “Neither filthiness, NOR FOOLISH TALK NOR JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, NOR UNCLEAN PERSON, nor covetous man, who is an IDOLATER, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.” Ephesians 5:4-7

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Yes, as this above passage reveals, not only God’s wrath, but His Salvation is not evidenced by those who insist on walking in uncleanness!

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Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – public domain.

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ALL SIN DIFFICULT TO UPROOT

Now don’t think for a moment that giving up these unchristlike habits will be easy!

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No, Satan will constantly whisper some really funny jest into our ear, just at an opportune moment!

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And for those of us who are given to jesting, it will require a struggle to overcome these old worldly habits, especially considering that making people laugh is considered to be among the highest virtues of this antichrist world we live in!

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Devil Goat – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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LET NO MAN DECEIVE YOU

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And also, as this passage about foolish talk and jesting warns, there will be many who try to deceive us concerning these things!

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**It clearly warns, “Let no man deceive you with vain (empty) words!” There is no shortage of so-called Christians who will try to convince you that God loves joking Christians!**

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And so, we must overcome the inevitable oppositions by those in the Church who attempt to deceive the Church into believing that comedy and jesting is a healthy and wholesome practice! “God loves a cheerful Christian! We don’t want to be old sour-pusses!”

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Yes, these kinds of criticisms are some of the flaming arrows which false brethren will shoot at the faithful Christian, who strives to be transformed and conformed into the image of Jesus!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! – Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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OUR DIVINE ROLE-MODEL

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But dear Christian, just keep your eyes on Jesus!

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And no matter what arguments or philosophizing, which the world, or even which worldly Christians may assail you with, hold fast to Him! Hold on tight to Jesus! Remember that Jesus did not engage in comedy and jesting! No, Jesus did not attempt to imitate the world! His behavior was in total harmony with holy Heaven! He was warm, but He was also serious! He was sympathetic, but He never engaged in foolish talk or jesting!

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Christ knew the seriousness of His mission to save souls! And He never tried to set His hearers at ease, by engaging in comedy or levity!

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He was filled with inner joy and peace and love, which are far more attractive qualities than being a comedian or a joker who make frivolous jokes and shallow quips about many serious matters!

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Cross of Jesus Christ – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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THE BATTLE BEFORE US

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And it will be a battle to overcome these earthly and sensual and devilish practices, make no mistake!

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Yet, by-and-by, the Lord will replace all those silly jokes and jests and foolish quips with a cheerfulness and warmth and agape love, which will melt the hearts of those yearning for Salvation; and we will deliver those who are pressed down under the heavy weight of sin and Satan!

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE..

.MARCH 4 (Babylon = Baby-Land, Part 4: Why Does God Allow Suffering?)

Munch – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to study Thy Word, until I have the mind of Christ. Then I will know Thy will, and thing as you think, and do as you do…

Pray for Our Nation sign – Wikimedia – Share-alike-lic.

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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www.theheavensdeclare.net

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“And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…And there appeared another wonder (sign) in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads…And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.” Revelation 12:1, 3, 15

LOCATION…

winter four constellations

The Wave Constellation is primarily comprised of the Auriga Constellation plus one star from Taurus, plus one more star. The Winter Constellations are depicted in this below sketch to the right, and shows this constellation group as they are seen in early winter, as they rise in the eastern skies. The Woman is in the north. The Dragon and Orion are farther south from the Woman.

WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL: This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall. This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon. The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman. The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the Auriga constellation. The Glorious Horse Constellation head is of Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation.

(Editor’s note: It is impossible to make this chart accurate, and visually correct, because the dome effect of the sky makes these constellations look different than they appear when placed on flat paper.)

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 4 (Babylon = Baby-Land, Part 4: Why Does God Allow Suffering?)”

Munch – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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BEREAN CHRISTIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

.

THIS STUDY #427 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 2 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 2: Music, Continued)

By admin On December 25th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 2

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Babylon = Baby-Land!

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Part 2:

“Music”

(Continued)

To read Part 1, just click here… ” MARCH 1 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 1: Music)”

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**In yesterday’s devotional (click here) the concept was laid down, of just how much we Christians behave like babies, when God tries to remove some particular cherished idol from our life!**

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And yesterday, the example of music was presented. And it was mentioned that many Christians will go into an instant rant, at the mere suggestion that we might have to give up some cherished type of music, if we are truly serious about overcoming the world!

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Yes, many or perhaps most Christians will rebel at the very suggestion that I need to reconsider what kind of music I should be listening to! “You mean to tell me that I have to give up my favorite music!?! Well, buddy, don’t you try to tell me what kind of music I can listen to! You can just go to Hell!”

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Baby yelling – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES

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After all, the Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn this or that type of music!

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Well, the Bible doesn’t explicitly condemn gambling either! But most Christians understand the general biblical principles that would condemn gambling! And so, gambling is pretty much considered unchristlike behavior in most Christian circles!

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But there are also general principles which, when embraced, will lead Christians to choose the very best music!

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Gambling – Poker Room – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD

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One such biblical principle is found in the following verse… “Whether there
fore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 1st Corinthians 10:31

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Now here is a great concept, which should be emblazoned upon each and every Christian heart! This should be the cardinal rule which guides the Christian safely around every questionable situation that is placed in our path!

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**And just how do we do, “all to the glory of God”? Well, perhaps one might say that obedience to the Bible is living to the glory of God.**

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But if we wish to be more specific, we could say that the life of Jesus was and is to God’s glory!

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Yes, Jesus lived out His every thought, deed, and word, to the glory of God!

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Crucifixion of Peter – Caravaggio Martirio di San Pietro – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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FOLLOWING JESUS

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“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1st John 2:6

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And so, here is another cardinal rule, which will answer many perplexing questions which will undoubtedly assail us: to ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do in this situation? What would He say? How would He live? Where would He go?”

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These are the questions which we need to ask, whenever we are in doubt! And of course, by studying the Bible each day, and contemplating those life-giving words, will more and more help us to comprehend how He lived, and how we may follow Him!

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The Exhortation to the Apostles 1886-94 – by James Tissot – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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KEEP THY HEART WITH ALL DILIGENCE!

Proverbs 4:23

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Now, there are more general principles which will help us to choose the kinds of music we listen to…

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Listen… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33

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Here again is a great principle, presented in just eight simple words! Evil communications corrupt good behavior!

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**But this above concept begins with the words, “Be not deceived!” In other words, there are many who will try to tell us that it doesn’t matter what we listen to!**

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Girl with a Bible – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“SEXY” GOSPEL MUSIC

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One time, there were several church-goers, who were casually talking. And when a Christian song began playing, one lady began swaying her hips to the seductive beat of that so-called “Christian” music. And then, when she realized that it was a song about Jesus, she got embarrassed, that she was dancing seductively to a song about Jesus.

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And so, this true story sets up the great big concept which follows!

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And just what is that big concept to be discussed?

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Listen… “And every man that hath this hope in Him (of meeting Christ in peace), purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” 1st John 3:3

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Yes, to purify my heart is the greatest commission ever given to a true worshipper of God! And this commandment is not just for some! No, it is given to “every man”. Every person, be it man, woman, or child, is to engage in the heart-purification process! Our heart is to be an extension of God’s Most Holy Place! We are the temple of God!

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Dancing woman – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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“BUT YE ARE…A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD”

1st Peter 2:9

Now just imagine a priest of God walking into God’s temple and hearing some seductive music playing!

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Well, God has elected us to be a royal priesthood! And no longer are we to minister in a temple made with hands! But the kingdom of God now dwells in our heart! That is where we minster!

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And so, even as Christ, our High Priest is holy, so should we be holy in all manner of conversation (lifestyle and behavior)!

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NOT JUST HALLELUJAH CHORUS

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And with just a little honesty on our part, we can imagine what kinds of music are heard in the courts of Heaven!

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Oh no, not just the swelling angelic choirs, and the crashing symbols and drums of the Hallelujah chorus will be heard up there…

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Paradiso Canto – Angelic Choir by G. Dore – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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DAVIDIC PSALMS

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…But at other times, the soft strings will be plucked: very soft strings will be heard; and also, the Davidic praises will be sung, as the redeemed ones vigilantly watch over God’s sheep, as we sit in those lush green flower-strewn pastures which lay against the everlasting hills!

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**And so, let us not think that God is merely trying to take away all our fun! This kind of thinking is childish! This kind of thinking is “Baby-Land” (Babylon)!**

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No, we can rest assured, that whatever cherished idol we lay on the altar will be replaced by myriad-more wonderful things to come!

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And truth-be-told, if you (or me) are truly filled with God’s Holy Spirit, our musical tastes will gradually change, until those swelling angelic choirs and those soft Davidic pastoral strains will become our greatest joy to listen to!

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

MARCH 3 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 3: Jesting)

Innocent baby laughing – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic. 2.0

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully comprehend your desire for me. Give me the necessary experiences that will mold and me into Thy likeness. Let me listen to the kind of music that you would listen to…

Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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***“By His (God’s)* *Spirit***

He has garnished

the heavens;

His hand has formed

the crooked serpent.”

Isaiah 26:13

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 3 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 3: Jesting)”

Innocent baby laughing – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic. 2.0

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

.

THIS STUDY #426 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 1 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 1: Music)

By admin On December 25th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – MARCH 1

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Babylon = Baby-Land!

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Part 1:

“Music”

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“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child;

but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”

Proverbs 22:15

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Children are such a wonderful blessing! And to experience all the joys and even the sorrows that come with parenthood, all work together to help us to become more complete and well-rounded adults!

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Baby in diaper learning to walk – Wikimedia – share-alike-license

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BABY DERIVED FROM BABYLON

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The name, “baby” is said to have been derived from the name, “Babel”. In other words, just as those Babylonians, in the days of the building of the Tower of Babel, became confused in their language, so too, babies all speak an unintelligible language!

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Listen… “And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do…let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” Genesis 11:6, 7

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Yes, just as no Babylonian could understand one another, once God confused their speech, so also, nobody can understand a baby’s language!

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Babylon – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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***WE’RE NOT BABIES!* *(or are we?)***

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Now of course, we grown-ups can laugh and enjoy the babbling of a baby!

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It’s cute!

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And thankfully, we are far above the baby-like behavior of those tiny tots!

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Yes, we have matured over the years!

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We are now very sophisticated, through the decades of our physical development and our wisdom gained through time and experience!

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Right?

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Well, perhaps we should look a little closer at babies, and see if we have truly risen above mere babyhood!

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Innocent baby laughing – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic. 2.0

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POLITICS HAS DEVOLVED INTO PARLOR-TRICKS!

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Well, actually, one needs look no further than today’s embittered political parties, to see some really childish behavior! You would think that supposed mature adults could conduct business like grown-ups. And yet, the current partisan political divide has become so deep and wide that it has caused many of the angry leaders of the land to behave in the most child-like ways: mocking, name-calling, temper-tantrums, etc., just like little children!

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And this immaturity has seemingly attracted many immature young adults (and many oldsters too) who gather into angry mobs: screaming, cursing, name-calling, mocking, lying, hitting, etc., as though they were little toddlers, fighting over a toy in a sandbox!

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Antifa @ Protest Trump in Phoenix – 8-22-17 – Wikipedia – GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2

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JUNK FOOD

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Yes, it seems that our sin is little more than the baby-like behavior of little children!

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For another example, a baby does not discriminate between junk food and healthy food, does it?

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Even older children will mostly choose foods based solely on taste, rather than on what is good for their health!

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And so, perhaps, many of us have not yet risen above the level of babyhood, to the same degree that we eat for taste, instead of eating for strength!

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What do you think?

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Crab cakes, sweet potato french fries, cole slaw, tartar sauce, Cola – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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DO WE RANT?

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But there is another aspect of baby-like behavior, that we need to explore!

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And this is the focus of today’s devotional.

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Most babies are very temperamental about doing something they don’t want to do! Yes, a baby will often cry and rant and rebel when they are asked to do something they don’t want to do!

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Crying girl – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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SIN = CHILDISHNESS

The True Accusing Finger www.signsofheaven.org share-alike license- you may use

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So, just how are we Christians like children in our relationship with God? How do we likewise rebel from God’s commandments?

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Well, maybe we are rebellious in many ways!

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Maybe we’re just not aware of how many ways we behave like little children, even babies when it comes to doing God’s will!

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GENERAL PRINCIPLES

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For one thing, God doesn’t always spell out every last detail of His desires for our obedience.

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But instead, God will, quite often, merely lay down principles.

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For instance, God does not explicitly condemn gambling. And yet, He lays down principles, when obeyed, will lead us away from all destructive behavior!

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Listen… “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Proverbs 13:11

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And there are other concepts and principles laid down in Scripture, which will bring us to the same conclusion, that gambling is not convenient behavior for the Christian.

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Gambling – Poker Room – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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GIVING UP WORLDLY MUSIC

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Well, this devotional will not attempt to name each and every last thing which could be considered a detriment to overcoming the world!

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But maybe it’s enough to simply mention one area in which we behave like babies, refusing to give up something we want!

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And just what is this very sensitive issue?

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The choosing of music!

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Yes, many or perhaps most Christians will rebel at the very intimation that, “I need to reconsider what kind of music I should be listening to?! You mean to tell me that I have to give up my favorite music!?! Well, buddy, don’t you try to tell me what kind of music I can listen to! You can just go to Hell!”

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Rock Music Christian CHURCH STP 2010 Pomona – Wikimedia – public domain

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CONTINUED…

TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…“MARCH 2 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 2: Music, Continued)”

photo – music headphones – psychic-Ganzfeld – Wikipedia – Public-domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, please teach me to keep my spiritual eyes fixed upon Jesus, that I may truly know which way to turn, and what things to choose and what not to choose in life. And give me that peace which surpasses all understanding, which comes from keeping my mind stayed upon Thee…

Prayer at Day’s End – Angelus by Jean-François Millet – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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“there shall come a Star out of Jacob”…

Numbers 24:17

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“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” Matt. 2:1, 2

Wise Men (Magi) From East Follow Star To Bethlehem-www.signsofheaven.org-public domain release

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There exists a lot of intrigue regarding just what star did the Magi from the East follow, which led them to the First Advent of our Savior.

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The Bible speaks of Arcturus as a possibility…“canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:33. There’s nothing that is impossible for God! Arcturus may very well have been that star. Nobody knows for sure.

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RE-FULFILLMENT OF WISE-MEN OF OLD

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But there is a much greater question that confronts Mankind today. Because, just as a single star guided those wise men to the coming Savior, so also, God is just now giving us many stars, to guide us safely to the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior! And so these starry signs seem to be the re-fulfillment of those wise men following the star, 2,000 years ago!

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GUIDE US TO HEAVEN’S GATE…

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And Arcturus is that brilliant star (3rd brightest in our heavens) which leads these Gospel constellations, Summer, Fall, and Winter Constellations, to present a picture story, a heavenly allegory of sorts; these constellations, which together, tell of the incredible love of God. And Arcturus, our Host Star, will lead to an understanding of God’s Word, which will, in turn, guide God’s people up a narrow pathway; onward and upward through Heaven’s Gate itself, and ultimately into the very heavenly City of God.

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Oh don’t doubt for a moment that God cannot or will not do this! For with God, all things are possible! Listen… “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23

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And Signs Of Heaven Website will direct the Reader to God’s Word in such a way as to bring out certain Bible truths not currently recognized or emphasized in most of the current Christian theological circles.

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TOMORROW…

“MARCH 2 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 2: Music, Continued)”

photo – music headphones – psychic-Ganzfeld – Wikipedia – Public-domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

.

THIS STUDY #425 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

.

above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – February 29 (“The Day of the Lord Is Near In The Valley of Decision!”)

By admin On December 19th, 2014

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“Complete List of Daily Devotionals”

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – February 29

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“The Day of the Lord Is Near In The Valley of Decision!”

The Reader may also want to click and read this little series of Valley of decision articles…August 5th (Valley Of Decision Now! Part 1),

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“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision:

for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

Joel 3:14

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“for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.”

Joel 3:14

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This above verse, and many other similar passages all reveal that the Day of the Lord has been an ongoing battle throughout the New Testament era. (see also: Joel 1:15; Revelation 1:1, 1:3, 22:6; Amos 6:3, etc…)

And yet, it serves Satan’s purpose to convince us that we are not in the Day of the Lord. That way, he can get us to relax, and take it easy. And truth-be-told, this very deceptive ploy has been extremely successful! Yes, we have all fallen into this snare!

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Oh yes, there is coming a grand finale to all this!

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Burned at the stake – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

Book Burning – Santo Domingo y Los Albigenses – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“Woe to them that are at ease…that put far away the evil day…”

Amos 6:1, 3

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Like never before in the history of this world, the two great warring factions, Heaven and Hell, have all but completely erased themselves from visibility. And as a consequence, the citizens of this world are now immersed in stark unbelief! As a matter of fact, even the very mention of a literal Devil brings out chuckling jests and eye-rolling unbelief from most persons.

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And as far as they are concerned, if there is a literal God, He merely sits out there in deep space looking down through some giant telescope, monitoring the goings on here on “good old” Planet Earth.

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Shoppers in Toronto – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:16

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But nothing could be further from the truth! Actually, the battle between Heaven and Hell is raging all around us! But the two opposing armies are keeping a very low profile, each for their own particular reasons.

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First, Heaven keeps silent and invisible in attempt to insure that only those who come to Jesus, do so by faith alone. Oh yes, Salvation is by grace alone. But God still desires His followers to live by the yet-to-be-fulfilled promises of the Bible.

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But very soon, this physical world will likewise be cast into that great final conflict! As a matter of fact, it’s already beginning to happen!

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Nevertheless the Christian needs not wait, nor should he or she wait! It just remains for us to enter into that battle! It just remains to make that decision in the Valley of Decision!

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Christian and Apollyon – Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“take heed…your hearts (not) be overcharged with…cares of this life, and so that day come…unawares.”

Luke 21:34

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But tragically, as a result of today’s Church leaders neglecting to properly warn and admonish the Church to stand in the battle now raging all around us, parishioners think that they can take it easy and enjoy life: plays, operas, concerts, comedians, bazaars, games, picnics, parties, sports events, banquets, television, politics, sight-seeing tours, music-listening, hobbies, time-consuming, energy-sapping careers, and a host of other worldly pleasures and ambitious pursuits pretty much fill up the days, weeks, months and years of God’s professed people’s earthly sojourn.

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And as a result, Christ takes a back seat in their busy, busy lives!

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Multitask – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

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“he that is married careth for…the world, how he may please his wife.

1st Corinthians 7:33

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Now of course, the Christian must attend to the needs of their unsaved families, as far as possible. And that Christian will probably have to make worldly concessions which single Christians need not make.

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But in any case, the dedicated Christian must not personally allow his or her self to become so caught up in these pursuits that one’s Salvation gets crowded out to a great degree.

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Barbecue – Dutch family – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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HAVING THE “PEACE WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING”

(read Philippians, Chapter 4)

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On the other hand, just because we find ourselves in the midst of the Day of the Lord, should not cause us to live in fear!

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If one’s eyes are truly looking Heavenward, fixed on Jesus, then there should be a peace which surpasses all understanding in the heart of that true Believer, even in the midst of the Devouring Fire now blazing on every side!

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS, ARMOR UP!

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Well, the very Good News is that today is still the day of Salvation.

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And all those who desire everlasting life are invited to armor up and join in the joyful battle, the Good Fight of faith, in which Jesus has already conquered the enemy on Calvary’s Cross.

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“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.” Ephesians 6:13

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ABOVE PICTURE: soldiers of the cross – armor up! – Orion & The Revelation 12 Dragon constellation (comprised of Hyades & Pleiades and other constellations) – www.signsofheaven.org

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“Little children, it is the last time:

and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come,

even now are there many antichrists;

whereby we know that it is the last time.”

1st John 2:18

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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“Dear Lord, Strengthen my faith that I may endure the fiery trials which are just now coming upon the horizon for God’s people…

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION

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“Multitudes, multitudes in the ‘Valley of Decision’…

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for the day of the Lord is near in the ‘Valley of Decision’.”

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“The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining…

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“The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem…

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“And the heavens and the earth shall shake…

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“But the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

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Joel 3:14-16

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION GROUP…

“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:1, 2

Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing. In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left. In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward. It resembles a pyramid.

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Then find the second pyramid to its right (south).

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Then go a little further south to the next third pyramid. The third snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation.

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These three pyramids are the snow-capped portion of these three mountains in this sketch. (of course, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP.

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They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours. These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell). The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy.

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The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June to fall, just prior to the winter constellation group. Actually, these Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. (Editor of this website has sketched in this constellation group onto this above Wikipedia star-chart.)

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TOMORROW…

MARCH 1 (Babylon = Baby-Land! Part 1: Music)

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EXCERPTS FROM THE OPEN FORUM QUESTION/ANSWER RADIO TALK-SHOW…

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This is a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #248

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(YOU CAN ALSO GO TO Family Radio Founders’ Site (click here), TO LISTEN TO, OR DOWNLOAD MORE OF THESE STUDIES, AS WELL AS OTHER HAROLD CAMPING STUDIES.)

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy bible – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – FEBRUARY 26 (Deserted Island Theologian, Part 3: Dispensationalism)

By admin On December 19th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – FEBRUARY 26

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Deserted Island Theologian,

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Part 3:

Dispensationalism

To read Part 1, click here… ” FEBRUARY 10 (The Deserted Island Theologian!)”

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“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,

and carried about with every wind of doctrine,

by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,

whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

Ephesians 4:14

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There is an old saying in Christendom, which goes something like this… “If you lived on a deserted island, and a King James Bible washed ashore, would you be able to prove your favorite church-doctrines?”

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Well, this analogy has a certain amount of merit. After all, there are many different church-doctrines blowing in the wind these days!

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And so, it might be well for the Christian to begin to examine the Bible with fresh eyes!

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You know! As if we were on a deserted island!

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Without any pre-conceived ideas about the Bible!

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Without having any previous theological baggage!

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You know! Free from all that dogma which they put on us, the moment we began attending church!

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So let’s just think of ourselves as Deserted Island Theologians…

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Island of Chichimen, Cayos Limones, Guna Yala, Panama – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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PRESUMPTUOUS STUDY BIBLES!

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There have been a number of Bible teachers through the past few centuries, who have developed the theory of Dispensationalism.

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And several of these men have had the presumptuousness to even put their own personal opinions alongside of God’s Word, in the form of a study Bible.

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**And so, it became convenient for Bible students to buy these “Study-Bibles”, and merely accept those personal opinions, almost as if they are on par with God’s infallible words!**

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Scofield Bible – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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DIMINISHING GOD’S WORD

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**The great error these men have made, was to take this Word, “dispensation”, and give it a greater meaning than God originally intended!**

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In other words, by dividing the Bible into a number of “dispensations”, they then claimed that different sections of the Bible do not need to be obeyed.

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For instance, these erring men claimed that the four Gospels were written prior to the Cross, and therefore, were of a different dispensation than the epistles of Paul, Peter, John, and the other writers. Thus, they concluded that the words of Jesus, which He spoke in those Gospels, were for the Old Testament people, and not for the Church!

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Well, of course, this is sheer nonsense.

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And yet, because these men put out their own Bibles, this heresy has been widely accepted in today’s church-world!

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HALF-TRUTHS

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Now what made this false doctrine so deceptive, is that it is true that the Old Testament Law had many types and shadows, which found their fulfillment in Christ!

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Listen… “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things,” Hebrews 10:1

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For example, the various aspects of the temple, were shadows which pointed forward to Christ!

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Priesthood – the Holy of Holies – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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“ALL SCRIPTURE…PROFITABLE”

But there is a cardinal rule which tells us about the veracity of Scripture…

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Listen… “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2nd Timothy 3:16, 17

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And so, this above passage in Paul’s writings, presents us with that cardinal rule of Bible interpretation: that any and every part of the Bible is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that we become perfect, and completely equipped for all good Christian works!

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CHRIST, THE FULFILLMENT!

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And so, we can read such books as Isaiah, Job, Ecclesiastes, or any and every other Old Testament book, and have complete confidence that they are the infallible words of God!

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Oh yes, the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, have many things written in parabolic language, and must be interpreted as such!

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For instance, the various holy days and Sabbaths are no longer to be obeyed literally, but spiritually…

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Listen… “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” 1st Corinthians 5:7, 8

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And so, as this above passage reveals, the Old Testament Passover feast, is now fulfilled in Christ!

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He is “our Passover”!

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Cross of Jesus Christ – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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ALL SCRIPTURE EQUALLY IMPORTANT!

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And so, we can have complete confidence that the whole Bible is relevant for us today!

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And yet, we must decipher just what is to be understood literally and what is to be understood metaphorically!

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And of course, there are many places, such as in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, in which is presented earthly moral lessons, but which also have a parabolic, spiritual meaning as well!

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And so, the Bible student has his or her work before them, placing verse upon verse, and precept upon precept, comparing spiritual things with spiritual!

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Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain

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GOOD NEWS!

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And the very Good News is, we still have a little time left, to get busy with all this!

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And so, we are commanded to “Come out of her (Babylon), My people, that ye partake not of her sins, and receive not of her plagues” Revelation 18:4.

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**Yes, the city of God has become a “city of confusion” (Isaiah 24:10), to a great extent, with all the conflicting ideas which are just now blowing in every direction!**

David's sorrow - Wikigallery - Public Domain

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And so, we must come out of all the confusion in the world, and in the worldly church!

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And yet, if the Bible student will become deeply humbled before the Lord, and seek after meekness, correction, and truth, then may God hear from Heaven and heal the soil of our heart!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 3 (Deserted Island Theologian, Part 4: Rethinking John Calvin on Limited Atonement)

John Calvin – by Holbein – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a confidence that Thou art able to teach me all that I need to know of Thy Word Help me to get all the Babylonish confusion out of my heart and mind.…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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THE NARROW WAY: THE PILGRIM’S PATHWAY

Winter Constellations in West

This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter. Although it can be observed most of the winter, it is seen best when it is the western part of the sky, at winter’s end (The end of winter being the final scene of this heavenly Gospel story). Orion , the Dragon, and the Glorious White Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon (sketch to right is Winter Constellations descending into western horizon. This can actually be seen as early as December, in the pre-dawn hours).

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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor andPollux (sketch to left). But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan. The two stars, Castor andPollux, make up the concept of the Orion’sNarrow Gate Stars.

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This can even be observed into June in the western sky(for a short time just after dark). While a dark night is best for seeing the Woman Constellation, the 4 stars which comprise the Narrow Gate/Wide Gate Stars can be seen even under mediocre conditions. It begins with the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (AKA Ursa Major) going towards these two doors.

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The sketch to left shows, the two doors are each composed of two bright stars. The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle. The two stars that comprise the ‘Wide Gate’ Stars are the two brightest stars of the wave of water that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here). The stars that make up the ‘Narrow Gate’ are about half the width of theWide Gate (see sketch below left).

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Revelation 12 Woman chooses Narrow Way

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(For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here,“Orion The R eaper”.)

Editor’s note: These sketches on this page are merely sketches. The stars are not in their exact place. However, they are close enough to find them in the night sky. But as with most stars, it takes persistence to finally locate them.

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TOMORROW…

” FEBRUARY 27 (Our Most Holy Place: Proper Care & Maintenance)”

Priesthood – the Holy of Holies – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #422 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – FEBRUARY 25 (Cease Ye From Man! Part 2, “Preachers”)

By admin On December 18th, 2014

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Daily Devotional – FEBRUARY 25

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Cease Ye From Man!

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Part 2,

“Preachers”

To read Part 1, click here… “August 21st (Cease Ye From Man!)”

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This day in which we now live, could truly be called, “The Age of Airwaves!”

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Yes, with the advent of radio, and television, and now Internet, the world has transformed itself into a world-order, like none other throughout history!

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Even little children can now link up to the world’s Information Super-Highway, via any one of the current modes of communication.

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Child and Computer – TV – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Share-alike License

TV – highquality – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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INTO ALL THE WORLD!

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Now, the Church has also entered into the Information Super-Highway!

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And so, in the Christian community, we are now able to preach the Gospel to the whole world, via these modern means of communication!

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And those who hear the Gospel in the other nations can take what they learn via these devices and begin to evangelize their own friends and neighbors!

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And so, the ripple-effect of the Gospel being preached over the airwaves is incredible, to say the least!

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The Earth seen from Apollo 17 – NASA & Wikipedia – Public Domain

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SATAN SLUMBERS NOT!

TV indoctrination

Now of course, Satan is a vigilant foe!

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And he has wasted no time inserting himself into these various mediums of communication!

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The Bible even refers to Satan as, “The Prince of the Power of the Air”. (Ephesians 2:2)

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And so, knowing that Satan and his ministers are, “transforming themselves into ministers of righteousness” (2nd Corinthians 11:14, 15), the Christian must be just as vigilant, well-versed-biblically, and prayerful in discerning which Bible teachers to listen to, and which to tune out!

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MUCH TRUTH IN SATAN’S LIES!

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And Satan well knows how to insert his lies into truth, so as not to be discovered!

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Yes, that old analogy about mouse poison is appropriate: that mouse won’t eat the poison, unless it is mingled with 99% oatmeal!

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And so, him knowing these things, this evil super-genius, the Devil, makes very sure that his ministers sound so close to the true, that their preaching, “will deceive, if possible, even the Elect!” (Matthew 24:24)

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Oatmeal copyrighted but permissable for use – Wikimedia Commons

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VERY CONVENIENT!

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**And well, let’s face it! It’s very enjoyable to simply push a button and listen to these “Preachers of the Airwaves”!**

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Yes, while cleaning the house, or working in the yard, or even when working at our employment, we can listen to these radio teachers, making the hours of the day pass by rapidly!

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Titi Freak, London Graffiti – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License 2.0 – by Blackredrabbit

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Now, having said all this, today’s devotional will mention a **few things to beware of, when listening to these “Preachers of the Air”.**

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But just how are we to discern which teachers to listen to, knowing that the deceptions have become so close to truth, that it is nearly impossible to differentiate between the real and the counterfeit?

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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CEASE YE FROM MAN!

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First, beware of any teachings which lead away from the Bible, and into the writings of men!

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**Good Bible study will direct the student to more Bible study! Beware of ‘study Bibles’ which have fallible, erring men’s opinions added, such as The Scofield Bible!**

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The Bible warns us… “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22

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The less we depend upon man, the better off we will be!

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Oh yes, there were some very faithful men of God, through history: Luther, Calvin, Wesley, Bunyan, and other Reformationists had many wonderful things to say! And a little awareness of their writings is good. But even with these men, we cannot place too much confidence! They too, had “feet of clay”, as is often said! Yes, these men only had limited knowledge!

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And so, let’s not place too much confidence in what they had to say!

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Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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SENSUAL “CHRISTIAN” MUSIC!

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Now, another “danger signal” to watch for, is if these preachers surround their ministry with sensual music combined with quasi-Christian lyrics!

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Yes, if a preacher cannot even comprehend that sensual music has a leavening effect upon the hearers, then just how can we place any confidence in what he teaches?

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The Bible clearly warns… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33

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**This above passage is one of those “Be not deceived” verses, in which God warns us that Satan will try to deceive us on this very point!**

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Rock Music Christian CHURCH STP 2010 Pomona – Wikimedia – public domain

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PREACHER/COMEDIANS

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Still another danger signal, is when the teacher is given to humor and jesting!

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Comedy is of the world, one of the pleasures of the flesh and mind, and should never be injected into the purity of the Gospel!

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Listen… “Therefore thus saith the LORD… if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth: let them (apostate church-members) return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.” Jeremiah 5:19

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As this above verse reveals, God’s Spirit is grieved by joking and jesting and quipping, by His ministers! And those who are given to these ungodly excesses are in danger of being cast out of God’s presence!

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Listen… “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children…But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” Ephesians 5:1, 3, 4

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Yes, as this above passage reveals, foolish talk and jesting are not convenient (not appropriate).

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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IMMERSED IN THE WORD!

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Now, last but not least, we who listen to radio and Internet preachers, must be well-grounded in the knowledge of the Bible!

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In other words, we cannot allow ourselves to merely get all our information from the airwaves (or books)! We must study the Bible and become so knowledgeable, that we can discern when something is not right! The Bible commands us to not rest satisfied until we attain to ‘teacher status’! (See Hebrews 5:12)

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Listen… “Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee…I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways. I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word.” Psalm 119:11, 15, 16

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And so, it is by hiding the Word of Christ in my heart, that I have a safe-guard against Satan’s lies and deceptions!

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Thus, it becomes the requirement for every true worshipper of God to daily meditate in the pure words of Christ, found in both Testaments, Old and New!

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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STUDY FOR OUR OWN SELF!

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The fact is, when we really think about it, we actually don’t even need to be listening to any human, if we possess a Bible!

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And considering that so many of the current day teachers waste an inordinate amount of time talking about side-issues or giving long speeches which are of little profit, our time could be put to much better use, by simply reading, or listening to the Bible!

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Listen… “But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:” 1st John 2:27

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As this above verse reveals, we are not obligated to allow any person to become our spiritual authority!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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TO WALK AS JESUS WALKED

“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1st John 2:6

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And let’s keep in mind, that the very essence of the Gospel, is to walk, even as Jesus walked!

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And the Bible, if studied for that purpose, is really so much more profitable than the mere ideas and questionable interpretations of fallible humans!

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St Paul Preaching in Athens (Raphael, 1515) – Wikipedia – US public domain

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

June 4 (Cease Ye From Man! Part 3: A Heath in the Desert!)

Joshua-Tree-Magic-Wikimedia-Creative-Commons-Attribution

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to spend my remaining time on earth, studying and meditating on Your Word, as much as I possibly can. Give me the wisdom to discern between what is true and what is fanaticism. Help me to become that well-seasoned Christian, who can walk by faith, and not by sight…

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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THE MILKY WAY RUNS THROUGH

THIS HOLY-GHOST-RIDER

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Now one thing that is noticeable and makes this constellation even more dramatic, is the fact that the Milky Way runs right through it.

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And the question that must be asked is, “What biblical implications does this constellation/Milky Way connection have?”

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Well, very simply put, if stars represent Believers, then this rider works in the world through His True-Worshippers, to a great extent.

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ABOVE CHART: Early Winter Constellations in the east with Orion – Dragon (Hyades, Pleiades, etc.) – Glorious Horse (Perseus, Andromeda Constellation, etc.) – Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation (Camelopardalis, etc.)

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WHY IS THIS CONSTELLATION SO INCOMPLETE IN APPEARANCE

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So why is this constellation merely an outline?

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Well it does show his back, rear end and leg…and arm. But unlike, say, Orion, this constellation is very vague, even mysterious in appearance. Almost vacant in appearance. Yes this horseman represents Christ. But even more than this, it represents the Holy Spirit of Christ.

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And as we all know, the Holy Spirit is very, very, un-intrusive, almost impossible to detect His presence.

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ABOVE PICTURE – Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation – winter

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TOMORROW…

“FEBRUARY 26 (Deserted Island Theologian, Part 3: Dispensationalism)”

Island of Chichimen, Cuyos Limones, Guna Yala, Panama – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS STUDY #421 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Devouring Fire.com

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 5 (God’s Prophetic Curve-ball)

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – MARCH 5

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God’s Prophetic Curve-ball

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Baseball lore has it that the curveball was invented in the early 1870’s by Candy Cummings (it is debatable).

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An early demonstration of the “skewball” or curveball occurred at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn in August, 1870 by Fred Goldsmith.

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In 1869, a reporter for the New York Clipper described Phonney Martin as an “extremely hard pitcher to hit for the ball never comes in a straight line‚ but in a tantalizing curve.” If the observation is true, this would pre-date Cummings and Goldsmith.

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GOD’S CURVEBALL

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Well, baseball historians may be in doubt as to just who first invented the Curveball.

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But the Bible tells of One, who long-before Phonney Martin, threw a mean Curveball!

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Yes, the Lord Himself threw a Curveball to the theologians in the time of Jesus ministry!

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You see, the theologians of that day considered Jesus to be a fraud, because they knew He was from Galilee. And so, the leaders of the people concluded… “for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.” John 7:52.

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And so, even though they made this conclusion, they did not realize that Jesus was actually born in Bethlehem!

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“THE LORD SHALL HAVE THEM IN DERISION”

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Well, God certainly threw them a Curveball, didn’t He?

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And even though we have this little historical account from the Bible, of how it is so easy to misinterpret Bible prophecy, you would think that we would learn a lesson, and not repeat this mistake!

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And we get so dogmatic about all this! You will often hear someone say, “Well, this cannot be happening, because this other thing has to happen first!”

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ACCORDING TO WHOSE CHART?

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Yes, we teachers today are so dogmatic about our interpretations!

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You will often hear someone say, “My Bible chart says that things cannot happen the way you are saying!”

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The problem is, one has to assume that his own interpretation is correct! And so, it is by his own interpretation that things must happen this way or that way!

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For instance, there are many who now say… “Well, the Antichrist has not yet come, because the Church must be literally removed from the earth, via the Pre-Tribulation Rapture, prior to the Antichrist being revealed!”

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And so, these highly revered teachers deceive the people, whether knowingly or unknowingly!

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In the first place, the Bible never says that God’s people will be literally removed from the earth, via the so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture! As a matter of fact, the name, “Rapture” is never even used in Scripture!

This entire idea is purely a theologian-contrived theory!

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MANY ANTICHRISTS!

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In the second place, the notion that the Antichrist Beast will be a single individual human being is merely somebody’s interpretation, based on the verse which refers to the “man of sin”.

**In the second place, the notion that the Antichrist Beast will be a single individual human being is merely somebody’s interpretation, based on the verse which refers to the “man of sin”.**

**And so, Bible prophecy may be happening “right under our noses”, as the saying goes; and all because we are placing our confidence in Man.**