Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 3 (How To Live By Faith, Part 1: “Sure-Fire Faith-Killers!)

By admin On April 26th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 3

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How To Live By Faith,

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Part 1:

“Sure-Fire Faith-Killers!”

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It has always been Satan’s evil mission to destroy God’s people.

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And one way he does this is by chipping away at the faith of Believers.

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

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“HEARTS…OVERCHARGED WITH…THE CARES OF THIS LIFE”

Luke 21:34

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Well, in these last decades, Satan has stepped up his attacks by the invention of high-tech devices, most notably, television, radio, and now Internet.

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Of course, it has long been Satan’s preferred method to destroy faith by keeping church-goers so busy, that they neglect to read their Bibles, nor contemplate God’s Word.

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And this website has continually warned Christians against allowing ourselves to get so busy with the pleasures and ambitious pursuits of this present world-order.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Dream Maker of Babylon – Signs Of Heaven.org

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“…THE IMAGE…SHOULD SPEAK”

Revelation 13:15

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But this website needs to further spotlight the dangers of what is being transmitted over today’s airways!

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Yes, it is no coincidence that the programming seen and heard via these devices has a tendency to diminish the faith of God’s people.

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Berlin neukoelln – TV satellite dishes – cropped image – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License

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“EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPTS”

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Just listen to 1st Corinthians 15:33…“Be not deceived, evil communications corrupts good manners (behavior).”

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As this above verse reveals, it is Satan’s objective to deceive people into thinking that evil communications have little or no effect on the character of people.

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But this and other similar Bible passages say just the opposite!

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

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BRAINWASHING OUR CHILDREN

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**But Satan uses “evil communications” to eat away at the faith of Christians.**

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For example, when children are assaulted every day with atheistic and perverted philosophies, they are gradually and imperceptibly indoctrinated by those daily assaults. And this explains to a great degree why so many young adults eventually cast away their Christian upbringing, and instead embrace secularism.

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After all, Satan is no dummy! He fully understands all this!

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And so, in his cruel hate, the Enemy of Souls has forced society to send their children through the public school systems for this very purpose.

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ABOVE PICTURE: TV indoctrination – www.signsofheaven.org

PICTURE: TV, The Babysitter From Hell

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ATHEISTIC SCIENCE SHOWS

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Or what about science shows?

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They are heavily salted with evolutionary/atheistic philosophies!

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Charles Darwin – by John Collier (artist) – www.wikimedia.com – Public Domain

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“LEARN NOT THE WAY OF THE HEATHEN!”

Jeremiah 10:2

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But deception goes even deeper! Yes, there are even more subtle ways in which Satan indoctrinates viewers.

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Take for instance the average TV show.

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Over and over, these shows (both factual and fictional) have the over-arching message about relying on human strength, human intelligence, and money, as the means of accomplishing a desired achievement.

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These shows completely ignore the power of faith in the great and precious promises found in the Bible!

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hand – Slap – High and Mighty Trailer Screenshot – 1954 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE…SADDUCEES (UNBELIEF)”

Matthew 16:6, 11

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And those who expose ourselves to these faithless ways, will eventually lose our trust in God’s sovereignty and ability to govern over human affairs.

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And so, in light of these faith-killing television, radio, and Internet programs, it becomes necessary to begin to beg and plead for deliverance from such pernicious habits.

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Yes, for those of us who have allowed ourselves to fall into such soul-addicting habits, we can expect a struggle to overcome those habits

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ABOVE PICTURE: The Pied Piper of Television – www.signsofheaven.org

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OUR DAILY BATTLE

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Perhaps at the end of each day, maybe while lying down in bed (and all through the day), we need to spend much time thinking back on how we might have overcome that big or little attack by the Devil. Just what “exceeding great and precious promises” could have been employed, which would have given us the victory over the temptations which assailed us in our daily warfare?

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Listen…Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2nd Peter 1:4)

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Constant learning and hiding of the many Bible promises into our hearts is a critically important part of our daily walk in the Lord!

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The armor of God – theheavensdeclare.net -use by permission only

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY (HEAVEN)!”

Proverbs 25:25

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But the Good News is, that with unwavering faith and persistent effort, the victory over these Satanic snares will be rewarding.

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And yet, let none fall back into those habits, once the victory over them be gained.

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TV icon novela svg. – Wikimedia –

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the strength to stay away from these faith-killing influences. And help me to stay in the Word throughout my day…

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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7 HEADS, 10 HORNS, & 7 CROWNS OF THE DRAGON

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“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.” Revelation 12:3

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**In Revelation, the Dragon of Revelation 12 is described as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns. However, the Dragon Constellation up in the night sky does not.**

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But God has faithfully created the wave of water, in such a way, as to illustrate this same concept of the seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns. Because this wave of water is basically composed of ten stars.

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The main body of the wave has seven stars (#‘s, 1 thru 7). And the tip of the crest of the wave has the other three stars (#’s, 8, 9 & 10). So we have this 7 and 10 numbering. And this gives us a great clue, as to where in the Bible we should look, to find out the riddle as to just what or who do these 7 heads, 10 crowns, and 7 horns represent. Because, the Bible speaks very much about floods and waters as being associated with Satan (the Dragon).

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TOMORROW…

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

Joshua Tree – cropped – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution

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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 #519 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 2 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 3, continued: “Deceiving Even The Elect!” Hermeneutic of Literalism)

By admin On April 24th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 2

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Strong Delusion in Scripture,

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Part 3, continued:

“Hermeneutic of Historical Literalism”

To read the beginning of this topic of drinking, click here… “May 3 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 2: Drinking Wine)”

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“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24

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Examine the above verse from Matthew 24:24. It speaks of God’s people being deceived, if, “{it were} possible”

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Do you notice the brackets around the words, “it were”?

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Those brackets are added because the King James translators added those two little words to the above sentence, so as to make the sentence sound more complete.

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**Or perhaps they figured that it would be absolutely impossible to deceive the, “very elect”, people of God!**

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Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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SAVED AS BY FIRE

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No, the very elect will not lose their Salvation.

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And so the King James translators were partly correct. But many of the elect are right now being deceived to the point that they may end up being “Saved; yet so as by fire!” 1st Corinthians 3:15

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Yes, many Christians may end up entering Heaven as did Lot, without their spouse or children!

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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HERMENEUTIC OF HISTORICAL LITERALISM

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**One such false doctrine is named by theologians as the Hermeneutic of Literalism, or the “Historical Grammatical Method of Interpretation”.**

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What this means, is that the Bible student must only come up with a literal interpretation of any Bible passage, unless context absolutely demands an allegorical interpretation.

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NON-BIBLICAL HERMENEUTIC

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**The big problem with this so-called Hermeneutic of Literal Interpretation is that it totally lacks any biblical validity!**

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It is totally a man-made doctrine, since there is nowhere in Scripture that tells us that we must interpret Scripture as literal as possible!

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It is merely a theologian-devised doctrine!

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Oh yes, all those Bible stories were true historical events. But God purposely orchestrated them to teach us heavenly truths.

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TWO SPIRITS

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So exactly what does the Bible have to say about such theological literalists?

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Listen… “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1st Corinthians 2:12, 13

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**Okay, so this above passage explains that there are two spirits in the world: “the spirit of the world”, and “the Holy Ghost teacheth”.**

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**And if we are filled with the Holy Ghost, then we will be “comparing spiritual things with spiritual”, when interpreting God’s Word.**

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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ERRING CARNAL MEN

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But Paul goes on to tell us what the spirit of the world will result in… “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1st Corinthians 2:14

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So now we see that spiritual interpretations are foolishness to those who are yet in their carnal condition. Oh yes, they will accept a few spiritual interpretations when context demands it.

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But many radio teachers deride those who freely interpret the Bible spiritually as far as possible. They actually make up unbiblical derogatory names, such as “Replacement Theologians” to belittle those who interpret Scripture spiritually.

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church evangelist – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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BIBLE A SPIRITUAL BOOK

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But what they do not understand is that the entire Bible is, “the spirit of prophecy”. And so, when reading such stories as Abraham and Sarah, and Hagar, these stories are prophetic, and require spiritual interpretations…

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Listen… “But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” Galatians 4:23-26

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So, Paul certainly had no problem interpreting Scripture metaphorically! Here he takes a story that makes complete sense in the real world, and he still finds an allegorical meaning (thus making him a much-maligned and so-called, “Replacement Theologian”.)

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Sarah & Hagar – Foster Bible Pictures – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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DOUBLE-TONGUED

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But even those who claim to be biblical literalists, don’t always follow their own false hermeneutic!

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Yes, the fact is, most of those who claim to follow that Hermeneutic of Historical Literalism, actually pick-n-choose when they wish to use it or not use it.

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When it’s convenient to use it, they use it. When it’s not convenient, they don’t use it! Of course, this is the very essence of double-tongued hypocrisy!

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Brown tree snake – Boiga – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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MUCH OF THE BIBLE CLOSED-OFF

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Now those who have been seduced by that particular hermeneutic may not lose their Salvation over it. And yet, the mere fact that they have been deceived may just be an indication that they are not yet truly saved.

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But one thing is for sure! By convincing the majority of Christians that they must follow this hermeneutic, Satan has closed off a great portion of the Scriptures that must be understood spiritually and allegorically.

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These were all given by God to be prophetic in nature… “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10

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Whether Old Testament or New, the Bible reveals some aspect of the Gospel of Christ, howbeit quite often veiled in allegories, types and symbols.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Adding to or taking from God’s Word, the Bible

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YOU MAY WANT TO LISTEN TO THIS 21 MINUTE BIBLE STUDY (JEREMIAH STUDY # 235) ABOUT THIS UNBIBLICAL HERMENEUTIC, CONDUCTED BY 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 4, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 1 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 4: Proper Bible Study)

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me of Thy Holy Spirit, as I give Thee my entire life! Let me not be deceived by a false spirit. But bring me up the narrow pathway of truth…

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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***REVELATION 12 WOMAN* *& NARROW GATE STARS***

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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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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 the Wide Gate (see sketch to right).

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

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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…

” JUNE 3 (How To Live By Faith, Part 1; Sure-Fire Faith-KIllers)”

Christian and Apollyon – Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikipedia – US 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 #518 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 1 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 3: “Deceiving Even The Elect!”)

By admin On April 24th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 1

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Strong Delusion in Scripture,

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Part 3:

“Deceiving Even The Elect!”

To read the beginning of this topic of drinking, click here… “May 3 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 2: Drinking Wine)”

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“For there shall arise false Christs,

and false prophets,

and shall show great signs and wonders;

insomuch that, if [it were] possible,

they shall deceive the very elect.”

Matthew 24:24

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Examine the above verse from Matthew 24:24. Do you notice the brackets around the words, “it were”? Those brackets are included because the King James translators added those two little words to the above sentence, so as to make the sentence sound more complete.

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**The fact is, they figured that it would be absolutely impossible to deceive the “very elect” people of God!**

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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CAN CHRISTIANS BE DECEIVED?

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Well the King James translators were partly correct!

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Satan will not be able deceive the very Elect, to the point of damnation.

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And yet, we must not think that Satan cannot deceive the very Elect for a while!

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In other words, while Satan cannot cause the Elect to lose their Salvation, that doesn’t mean that the very Elect are never ever going to be deceived by Satan.

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No, just look at Paul! Here was, “a Hebrew of Hebrews”, who probably had memorized the entire Old Testament. And yet, in spite of all his knowledge, he was so deceived by Satan, that he was seeking to destroy Christianity!

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And what about Peter? He was so deceived, to the degree that he even denied Jesus.

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But both Peter and Paul were finally brought to repentance.

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Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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“A FORM OF GODLINESS”

2nd Timothy 3:5

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This world is filled with many deceptions!

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Isn’t it true?

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Don’t we look around and see this world as it truly is: Satan’s kingdom?

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And yet there are many things in this world which have an appearance of goodness. And isn’t it true that so many Christians are fooled by some of these seemingly “good things”?

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**Take the world of literature, for instance. Most Christians have no problem seeing the delusion in such books as, “Heather Has Two Mommies”.**

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But when it comes to such literature as say, the Complete Works of Shakespeare, many Christians are easily fooled! Or what about the writings of Mark Twain? Many Christians think his books are wonderful!

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And yet the Bible clearly warns us… “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this Word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isaiah 8:20.

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In other words, because neither Shakespeare, nor Mark Twain speak in total agreement with the Bible, it must be the works of sin, though sin be glorified and even made to appear quaint. And truth-be-told, most literature so often glorifies this present evil and selfish world, that Christians should constantly be seeing, “red warning flags going up all over the place”, when reading worldly literature!

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Heather Has Two Mommies cover – Wikipedia – Fair-Use Rationale

Shakespeare – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Huckleberry Finn with rabbit – wikimedia – public domain

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SENSUAL MUSIC

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Or take the area of music.

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Most Christians have no problem understanding that the sensual music of the world, is not from God.

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But replace the secular lyrics with some quasi-Christian lyrics, and many Christians will likewise be fooled. And many Christians do not realize that music is a language in itself! Yes, music can send out its own message, without any lyrics whatsoever!

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Music can be very seductive, all by itself, even if it has seemingly benign lyrics!

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Rock Music Christian CHURCH – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“PHILOSOPHY & VAIN DECEIT”

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“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

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Or take the world of psychology.

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Many dedicated Christians are deceived into thinking that psychology is a wonderful thing, in spite of so many unbiblical aspects about psychology! For one thing, the great fundamental basis of psychology is, that it presumes to understand the human mind, when the Bible clearly reveals that…

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“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

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Now, how in the world can we expect a mere human to understand the human mind, when the Bible tells us that such a task is impossible!?

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And one other aspect is that psychology almost completely denies the spiritual battle between good and evil which goes on daily in every man’s mind.

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But just look at how many Christians run to a psychologist, instead of running to our Bibles for wise counsel!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Battle for the heart – www.signsofheaven.org

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A CASUALTY OF THE FREE-WILL GOSPEL

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Now it is probably true that such deceptions are due in part by our acceptance of the so-called, “Free-Will Gospel”. This is the idea that mere humans have the innate ability to choose to serve Christ. Of course this, “Grace + Works Gospel” is based on the idea that there exists a little bit of goodness in Mankind! And so, this “Free-Will gospel” believes that some men can choose Christ to some degree by their own free-will, while others simply do not have what it takes to make that decision!

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Of course, this crazy notion of Jacobus Arminius (and others) is sheer madness, since the Bible clearly reveals… “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10-12 (To read entire quote, click here… Romans 3:10-18)

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Jacobus Arminius – by Hieronymus van der Mij – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“FALLEN FROM GRACE!”

Galatians 5:4

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And as a result of this false notion, that there exists some goodness in this kingdom of Satan in which we live, we foolishly and naively walk right into Satan’s trap!

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We rush headlong into forbidden areas of life’s arena in which “angels fear to tread”, as the saying goes! And as a result, we are taken into a snare that only some will ever escape, while the rest will be brought into perdition and destruction!

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

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TIME TO GET ON-BOARD

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Well, the Good News in all this is, that the door of Salvation is still ajar! Yes, all may get into the Ark while mercy’s door remains open! This is the Ark of Salvation which has been waiting to take all up to Heaven for the past thousands of years.

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So please make haste to get on-board this Gospel Ship! We know not how much time remains until those doors finally shut, and we begin our maiden-voyage up into the Heavenlies!

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

June 1 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 4: “Deceiving Even The Elect!” Hermeneutic of Literalism)

ABOVE PICTURE: Adding to or taking from God’s Word, the Bible

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me of Thy Holy Spirit, as I give Thee my entire life! Let me not be deceived by a false spirit. But bring me up the narrow pathway of truth…

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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***REVELATION 12 WOMAN* *& NARROW GATE STARS***

.

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).

.

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.

.

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.

.

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 to right).

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

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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…

“June 2 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 3, Continued: “Deceiving Even The Elect!” Hermeneutic of Literalism)”

ABOVE PICTURE: Adding to or taking from God’s Word, the Bible

.

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.

.

THIS STUDY #517 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 31 (Mark Now Given? Part 2: Buying & Selling)

By admin On April 22nd, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 31

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Mark Now Given?

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Part 2:

“Buying & Selling”

To read Part 1, go here…April 3rd (Mark Now Given!)

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“And that no man might buy or sell,

save he that had the mark,

or the name of the beast,

or the number of his name.”

Revelation 13:17

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Over the past decades, there has been much speculation about just how will the Mark be given to the people of the world.

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And there is a debate over whether “buying & selling” is to be understood literally or spiritually, or both!

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In other words, the day may be coming when the true Gospel can no longer be publicly shared or preached!

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This kind of buying and selling is found in such places as Isaiah 23:23… “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”

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So this verse lets us know that we are to buy, but not to sell the truth.

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Duct Tape Mouth – cropped/colored – wikimedia – share-alike license

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NO BUYING/SELLING WITHOUT MARK!

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But there is also a growing concern that Christians are coming to that day when we will no longer be able to literally buy or sell!

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And if one looks out on the horizon, there indeed seems to be various laws and court decisions which, when implemented, will test just what kind of substance that each and every Christian is made of: “gold, silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, stubble!” (1st Corinthians 3:12)

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Duct Tape Mouth – cropped/colored – wikimedia – share-alike license

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DOUBLE ENTENDRE

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The fact is, it appears that both schools of thought concerning the nature of this “buying & selling” during the coming tribulation seem to be coming to fruition.

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Yes, there are more and more laws which are restricting free speech.

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But there are also more and more laws which demand that you either forfeit some particular aspect of your Christian ethics or suffer the financial/social consequences.

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Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia

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LIBERTY NOW WANING

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It is amazing to see a society, which was originally founded on the principle of “freedom of speech”, turn away from this great liberty. Yes, freedom of political and religious speech was once so highly valued here!

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And it is equally amazing to see a certain political group which has been first to cry “foul”, when anyone tries to censure their favorite books and music, begin themselves to censure anything that has to do with Christianity.

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Duct Tape Mouth -cropped /colored – wikimedia – share-alike license

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CENSORSHIP NOW BEGINNING

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The Internet began as a wonderful way to evangelize the world.

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But more and more, that freedom is beginning to be taken away.

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Oh yes, those nations which were hostile to Christianity have always been trying to censure the Bible.

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Read about all the Bibles burned during the Dark Ages!

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

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MARK NOW GIVEN?

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**And so, the point of all this is to suggest that the day in which, “no man might buy or sell (the true gospel)”, is now beginning to become a reality.**

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At least, it sure seems that way! Just look at all the hostility now arising both in foreign fields, but also in our own government, and among the general populace!

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Well, with the long-foretold last-day Satanic snares already beginning to be implemented, this pretty much dispels the notion that Christians will be raptured away, prior to the appearance of the Beast and his Mark!

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Anger during a protest – by David Shankbone – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike-License

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“SO, WHY CAN’T WE SEE THE BEAST?”

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Of course, at this point, many will jump up and shout… “So if the Mark is being given, then just where is the Beast? There can’t be a mark unless there is a Beast!”

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Well, that’s too big a subject for this little devotional to tackle. But suffice-it-to-say, most Bible teachers and theologians ignore what the Bible says… “The beast that thou sawest…The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the (harlot) woman sitteth. And there are seven kings…And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings…And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” Revelation 17:8, 10, 12, 15

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This Antichrist Beast of Revelation 13 is symbolic of the world and the worldly church. In short, this beast is a composite beast, the antichrist world-system of which Satan is titled as, “the god of this world” 2nd Corinthians 4:4 (This truth was once understood by Christians, as this 500-year old engraving reveals)

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Whore – Babylon – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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GET READY, GET READY!!

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And so, O Stranger & Pilgrim in this world, it is high time that we put away all our amusements and diversions and flee to the clefts of God’s Word, and unceasing prayer.

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After all we don’t want to find ourselves in this following dreadful situation… “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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ABOVE PICTURE: soldiers of the cross – armor up! – www.signsofheaven.org

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

September 24 (Mark Now Given? Part 3: “Unjust Laws”)

Mark of the beast XES-pub.-dom.-Wikipedia – Public D

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Keep me from neglecting my great commission of purifying my heart and transforming my life. Mold me and make me into thy likeness…

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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LOCATING THE DRAGON

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The Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months. The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield. This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is the very same constellation that comprises the head of Taurus the Bull. In other words, Hyades is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull. And Hyades is the mouth of this Dragon.

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The tip of the Dragon’s tail is composed of that star-cluster known as The Pleiades. The Pleiades is actually in the shape of a lion’s furry tassel tip of his tail. The sketch below shows this Pleiades as the tail tip.

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Now with aid of a dark starry night, you may begin to connect this mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape. The front and back legs are very well-defined with stars. The front legs are made partially of Taurus. The back legs and rear fin are made of the Cetus Constellation. But the long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark starry night. The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus. This Dragon constellation appears in the eastern horizon about mid-summer in the pre-dawn hours, spewing his flood-waters northward toward the Woman of Revelation 12 (Woman in Travail). The Wave of Water is primarily composed of the Constellation Auriga. The are two more less bright stars which are closest to the Dragon’s mouth. These two dimmer stars are also part of this Wave of Water.

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TOMORROW:

“June 1 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 3: “Deceiving Even The Elect!”)”

ABOVE PICTURE: Adding to or taking from God’s Word, the Bible

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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 #516 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 30 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 11: A 90% Jesus Is No Jesus! (Jesting))

By admin On April 20th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 30

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 11:

“A 90% Jesus Is No Jesus!”

To read Part 1, click here… “May 12th (Come Out of Her, My People?)”

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“Be ye therefore followers of God…

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,

let it not be once named among you,

as becometh saints;

Neither filthiness, NOR FOOLISH TALK, NOR JESTING…

for because of these things cometh the wrath of God

upon the children of disobedience.”

Ephesians 5:1, 3, 4, 6

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“COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE”

Revelation 18:4

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The call is now going out to anyone who will listen… “Babylon is fallen is fallen…Come out of her My people, that ye partake not of her sins, and receive not of her plagues” Revelation 18:1, 4

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Yes, the time is come for God’s people to make our Exodus out of the “City of Confusion”, the various Christian organizations that have become a part of Babylon, the world. And this is a literal Exodus!

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And the reader is encouraged to click on and begin reading this series of devotionals called “Come Out of Her, My People”, to gain a fuller understanding of just why God considers today’s churches to be spiritual Babylon.

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And yet, before we can completely come of her, we must come out of her in our minds.

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And so, this day’s devotional will examine one area in which Christians have been deceived by the great Harlot Church, Babylon…

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James Tissot – The Flight of the Prisoners – Wikipedia – US Public Domain.

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WHICH JESUS DO I WORSHIP?

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What kind of a Jesus are you looking for? What kind of a Jesus am I looking for? After all, the Bible says there are other Jesuses.

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Listen to Paul, as he gently rebuked the Corinthians who were entertaining persons coming with an imitation gospel… “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached…ye might well bear with him.” 2nd Corinthians 11:4

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Here above, Paul is revealing a big concept, that the true Jesus is not defined by merely speaking His name.

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But Jesus is defined by the Bible.

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

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HOW MUCH OF JESUS DO WE WANT?

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Now we can take this to another level altogether.

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Just how much of Jesus do you or I want in our own life?

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In other words, do you or I want to have Jesus reign 100% in our lives? Or do we merely want some, but not all of Jesus?

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This is a very critical question. Because if we only wish some of Jesus to reign in our life, then in reality, we really don’t want the true Jesus to rule and reign over us…

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

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And so, here is a very joyful, but a very difficult saying. It speaks of a 100% Jesus!

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Photo – Share -Alike License – Jesus in Jeans – cropped image – Wikimedia

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“WRETCHED MAN…I AM!”

Romans 7:24

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Now, if we are really honest, none of us can claim that we have reached that point in our lives where we have become totally purified.

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None of us have become totally Christlike. And anyone who claims to be sinless is trying to convince us that they have become totally Christlike. Well that would be foolishness and/or ignorance to make such a claim!

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We would be like the proud Pharisee in this painting, who is thinking he is righteous and looks down his nose at the humble Publican behind him!

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Tissot – The Pharisee and Publican – Brooklyn Museum & Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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***THE BIG PROBLEM* *IN CHRISTIANITY***

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But people claiming to be sinless is not really the big problem in Christianity.

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The big problem in Christianity is that most church-goers do not even believe that they are supposed to become purified, even as Christ is purified.

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JOKING CHRISTIANS

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For example, let’s take just one area of Christianity in which many are confused or mistaken about Christlike behavior.

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Let’s take the area of joking (the King James Bible calls it “jesting” in Ephesians 5:2).

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Listen again to today’s opening verse…“Be ye therefore followers of God…But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, NOR FOOLISH TALK, NOR JESTING…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:1, 3, 4, 6

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There are a great many Christians in today’s very hedonistic society, who have bought into the notion that joking is a good thing. And in defense of their worldly humor, many will say something to the effect… “Well it’s a good thing to make others laugh!”

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And so, these erring persons are, in reality, saying, “I don’t want all of Jesus, but only some of Jesus!”

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

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JESUS NOT A JOKER!

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After all, everybody understands that Jesus did not engage in joking.

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And aren’t we glad that Jesus was not joking? Don’t we rejoice that Jesus was not at all a joker?

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So why do we think that Jesus wants us to be a joker? Why do we imagine that Jesus wants us to represent Him in that way? That makes no sense!

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

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AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST

2nd Corinthians 5:20

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**And so, by presenting yourself (or myself) in a joking manner to the world, I am, in essence preaching, “another Jesus” whom the Bible does not preach.**

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But our goal is to present a 100% Jesus, and not a 90% Jesus.

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And this matter of joking is only one area in which Christians are still in ignorance of God’s true standard.

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Yes, there are many areas of life in which God’s people have been deceived by the world, and by “the god of this world”! (2nd Corinthians 4:4)

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The Church has not yet accepted Jesus, 100%.

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Mall witnessing, Panama City, Panama

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BELIEVERS & “MAKE-BELIEVERS”

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But the big difference between a true Believer and a mere pretender, the true Believer is striving to be totally Christlike, while the false brethren have no desire to become totally Christlike…

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Listen… “Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eats, and wipes her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.” Proverbs 30:20

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In other words, this above proverb is telling us that those who are willingly committing spiritual adultery, do not see anything wrong with being somewhat worldly.

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But the true Believer loathes his or her self because of our un-Christlikeness! And true Worshippers will not rest content, as long as we have even a trace of sin in our lives!

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Whore – Babylon – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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STILL THE DAY OF SALVATION

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So the Good News in all this is that God is allowing us just enough time to repent of our world-loving ways, and return unto Him in heart-felt contrition and genuine humbleness and sorrow for our sins.

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Listen… “and they shall loathe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations. And they shall know that I am the LORD,” Ezekiel 6:9, 10

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We have reached a day in which God is no longer winking at our ignorance about these matters.

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And we must take to heart what James says… “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?…Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” James 4:4, 8-10

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And so, in the light of this above passage, we must persist to follow this kind of humbling of our hearts, until the day that God indeed lifts us up, no matter how long it takes!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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To read Part 12, click here…

JUNE 12 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 12: “Ye Need Not That Any Man Teach You”)

US Navy – Chaplain Lt. Jason Gregory reads Bible on weather deck – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to come out of this Babylon of confusion, and worship Thee 100%…

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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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GOD’S PEOPLE TAKEN CAPTIVE

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“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon), My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

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God has a people in Babylon. Yes, Mystery Babylon is the Mother of Harlots. The sketch to the left shows her riding this beast with 7 heads and 10 horns.

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But in that spiritual city, there are those who still love God to a certain degree. And before the final plagues are poured out upon her, God has been and will continue to call His people out of her… “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (Babylon), my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

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And so in addition to The Pleiades appearing as the Harlot Mother, we also see this second depiction of The Pleiades as an angel, which symbolizes God’s people, walking the downward pathway to destruction. They must be called out of Babylon before it’s too late!

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TOMORROW…

“May 31 (Mark Now Given, Part 2: Silencing Christians)”

ABOVE PICTURE: Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia

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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 #515 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall & slender photos are the product of being cropped by this website.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 29 (New Revelations!)

By admin On April 19th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, year 2 – May 29

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New Revelations!

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Does Jesus speak to you? No, not speaking to you through His Word, or through the conviction of your conscience!

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But does He actually and literally speak directly to you…in your mind? In other words, are you hearing a voice in your mind, which purports to be God?

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Well, don’t laugh! There are many people today who do confirm that they hear a voice, claiming to be the voice of God, speaking good words to them!

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

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“ADD THOU NOT!”

Proverbs 30:6

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For instance, one lady recounts that Jesus spoke to her, saying, “Tara (not her actual name), I want you to give that sermon tonight, even though you don’t feel like it!”

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But though this statement from God may seem reasonable, the fact that Tara actually heard these words in her head makes a world of difference!

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**Did God actually speak these words to her? Well Tara insists that they were spoken by God to her!**

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MANY VOICES SPEAKING TODAY

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Now, if the one listens to religious radio or TV, this question is frequently heard addressed.

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**And according to many Bible authorities today, such people as Tara must decide if that which was uttered by that voice in their mind, is fully in harmony with Scripture, to be from God.**

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**And if those words spoken to Tara were spoken by a human being, then no further tests would be required.**

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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GOD’S WORDS ARE ETERNAL

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**But since this revelation to Tara was purportedly spoken by God Himself, and not by a mere person, then the standard of validity is much, much higher.**

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In other words, being in harmony with Scripture is merely the first test for any purported direct God-breathed revelation.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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“HIS COMMANDMENTS…ARE FOR EVER AND EVER!”

Psalm 11:7, 8

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Now why does there need to be any further scrutiny for this revelation?

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Well, there are some other principles which come into play, when a person claims to be receiving revelations directly spoken by God.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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“…BUT BY EVERY WORD…”

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The first principle is found in Matthew’s Gospel… “But He (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. These are the words of Jesus, as He answered the Devil in the wilderness of temptation.

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Now Jesus did not say that, “Man shall live by SOME WORDS”. But Jesus said that “Man shall live by EVERY WORD”. In other words, those words spoken to Tara also proceeded from the mouth of God!

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**So do you see the giant trap here? If Man must live by every word which proceeds from God’s mouth, then that includes Tara’s revelation too!**

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ABOVE PICTURE: Adding to or taking from God’s Word, the Bible

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APOCRYPHA

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It must be remembered that there were a collection of Apocryphal books which claimed to be God-inspired writings.

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And these books were written many long centuries ago. But because these writings did not measure up to the Bible in a number of different ways, they have been rejected from being included in the Bible.

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Yes, if the same scrutiny applied to the Apocryphal writings were applied to TV celebrities claiming to be receiving “God-breathed words”, then it would be very easy to see that such men are uttering counterfeit revelations to their devotees who follow them on TV (or radio).

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Nag Hammadi Codex II – wikimedia – public domain

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BIBLE: A FINISHED WORK

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Yes, after the Apostle, John, finished his revelations almost 2,000 years ago, the Bible was forever finished.

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God said all He wanted to say.

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And those who think that God is beginning to give more revelations should probably quit listening to that voice speaking to them in their head, and begin studying their Bible very carefully.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Adding to or taking from God’s Word, the Bible

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LIVING IN A DAY OF SIGNS AND WONDERS

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Now just one more comment.

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Those many people today, like Tara, are no doubt hearing an actual voice. But let’s not forget the following words of Jesus… “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:24, 25.

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Jesus has forewarned us that this day would come! So let us not be so easily deceived!

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ABOVE PHOTO: church evangelist – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a complete trust and a thorough knowledge of Thy Word. Let me not be deceived by the many voices speaking today…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC 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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“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…And there appeared another wonder 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

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ABOVE PICTURE: The Revelation 12 Dragon Constellation – Signs Of Heaven.org

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TOMORROW

“May 30 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 11: A 90% Jesus Is No Jesus!)”

Skateboarder Jesus in Jeans – Church in the U.K – by Peter Royle – cropped image – WIKIMEDIA – SHARE-ALIKE 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.

.

THIS STUDY #514 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

.

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

.

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 28 (As The Flower of the Field, Part 3: No Profit Under The Sun!)

By admin On April 18th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 28

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As The Flower of the Field,

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Part 3:

“No Profit Under The Sun!”

To read Part 1, click here… “March 19th (As the Flower of the Field!)”

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“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought,

and on the labor that I had labored to do:

and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit,

and there was no profit under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 2:11

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The wonderful Book of Ecclesiastes was given to show us that life is meaningless without Salvation…

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Listen… “Vanity (meaningless) of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he takes under the sun? One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but the earth abides for ever.” Ecclesiastes 1:2-4

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**Yes, this word “vanity” actually translates as, “meaningless and empty or void or worthless”.**

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And if there was ever a person who could look proudly upon all his past accomplishments, it was Solomon! Because Solomon had it all!

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And so, God especially chose Solomon to share his own personal wisdom that, “all is vanity (meaningless, futile, and empty)”

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Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain

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CASTLES OF SAND

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So how about this busy world?

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Just look at all the construction going on! Just look at all the people, like busy little ants, going back and forth to their daily labor! Behold all those industrious entrepreneurs who work night and day, to build their empires, big or small!

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What about them?

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To all these, the answer comes echoing down through the corridors of time… “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity!”

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Yes, all the labor that you or I will perform will all get washed away as if castles made of sand, as each new generation comes in like each new tide washes to the shore!

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Sand castle, Cannon Beach – by Curt Smith – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Share-alike License.

New York Times Square – terabass – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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ALL WILL BE FORGOTTEN!

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Or what about all those years of schooling a person goes through in a lifetime?

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Or what about all the exciting adventures that we enjoy?

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Or those mountains we conquered?

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Or those exotic vacations?

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Or those interesting places we visited?

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The voice of the Wise Man still echoes down to this present generation… “Vanity (meaningless) of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity (meaningless)!”

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Yes, it’s all meaningless! Soon all will be forgotten, as if it never happened!

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Woman in Mediterranian – Wikipaintings – US Public Domain

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BETTER TO HAVE NOT BEEN BORN

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Listen again to Solomon, the Preacher… “If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he.” Ecclesiastes 6:3

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Solomon is telling us that all the people of this world can do nothing good!

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A miscarriage would be better than to live for a hundred years without Salvation!

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Hearst Castle – cropped photo – Wikipedia – GNU Free Documentation License

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ALL GO TO ONE PLACE: THE GRAVE

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Listen as Solomon continues… “For he cometh in with vanity, and departeth in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Moreover he hath not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this hath more rest than the other. Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet hath he seen no good: do not all go to one place?” Ecclesiastes 6:4-6

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Here it is revealed that death will soon come along and wash away all that a man or woman accomplishes.

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And his or her name will be covered in the darkness of death, “the land of forgetfulness”! Psalm 88:12

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Calvary Cemetery Queens – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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NO PROFIT OF ALL A MAN’S LABOR

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Listen again to the Wise Man… “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11

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As it says here, without Salvation, life is totally meaningless.

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Because, as Solomon continued to speak concerning the grave, “…for the memory of them (mankind) is forgotten. Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6

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And so, without Salvation, everything we do, good or bad, is soon buried with us! And time will wash away anything that we leave standing under the sun! It all goes back to the earth!

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sand – desert – Persistence of Memory – Salvador Dali – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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EAT, DRINK, BE MERRY!

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Listen to Paul’s take on all this… “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.” 1st Corinthians 15:32

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As Paul says here, if there is no Salvation, then all is meaningless… “let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die!”

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Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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ON JUDGMENT DAY

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One day, very soon, each one of us will stand before God.

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**And we will find out on that day, the only work (God’s work in us) that really mattered, was that we conformed our heart into the image of Jesus.**

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And if we had children, did we bring them up to love Jesus, or merely to love this selfish world?

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To all else, the voice of the Wise Man still echoes through the corridors of time… “Vanity (meaningless) of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity (meaningless)!”

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GOOD NEWS!

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But amidst all this sad commentary, there is some Good News!

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There is still Salvation!

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And God has left open the door of mercy, so that a man, woman, or child can still get in!

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Yes, God has left the door to everlasting life still open!

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And once we enter in, then will our lives have mattered!

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Then, as we joyfully walk through those golden highways of love throughout eternity, the often troubled years that we spent on this sad ol’ planet will not have been in vain!

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Five Wise Virgins – Matt 25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

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JULY 19 (As The Flower of the Field, Part 4: The Eternal Beauty Salon!)

Eternal Beauty Salon

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, I choose to become one of the truly rich souls, having everlasting life. Guide me up the Heavenward pathway, day-by-day…

Praying Hands – Otto Greiner – Wikimedia – .bassenge.com – Cropped image – 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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FLOWER OF THE FIELD CONSTELLATION

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This is perhaps one of the most amazing constellations that God has created! It truly looks like a flower, and appears to be blowing in the direction of westward. But as autumn draws near, this constellation appears to bow itself down, just like the flowers of Earth bow down, at the summer’s end.

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And these are not merely obscure stars. These are among the biggest and brightest stars in the night heavens!

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**The Two Turtle-Doves Constellation is also known as Sagittarius .**

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The Flower of the Field is commonly known as Scorpio .

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But there is another obvious aspect to this constellation group. Notice that the birds are flying in the same direction as the flower is bending; it is as if the east wind is blowing these heavenly messengers…

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“The wind blows where it desires, and you hear the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it comes, and where it goes: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:8.

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So here is another incredible Bible concept, written in the heavens! And God has spoken of these signs! Listen… “For ever, O LORD, Thy Word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89

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THE ZODIAC CONSTELLATION NAMES

By the way, it is not the purpose of www.theheavensdeclare.net to give any validity to the Zodiac or any pagan deities. But the common names of many constellations must be given, solely for the purpose of locating them on star-charts.

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FLOWER CONSTELLATION BOWS DOWN…

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AUGUST 28TH, 2011

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It has become apparent, on this date, that as summer draws to a close, this “Flower of the Field” “Constellation appears to bend almost completely down. This occurs as it travels into the western skies. It somehow rotates in order to produce this effect. This is a very wonderful phenomenon…and biblical too! After all, the Bible says “the grass withers and the flower falls away”. And that’s exactly what this flower constellation seems to do. It almost seems to be bowing itself…in the direction of that bright and beautiful star, “Arcturus” (which represents Jesus). This would make sense. After all, Scripture states…

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“…unto me (the Lord), every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear… Bel bows down, Nebo stoops… They stoop, they bow down together… Listen to me… all you remnant of the house of Israel (God’s people)… which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am he… even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46″1-4 (condensed)

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TOMORROW…

“May 29 (New Revelations!)”

Nag Hammadi Codex II – wikimedia – 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 #513 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

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Daily Devotional – May 27 (Sodom Rising, Part 6: Moving Into Sodom!)

By admin On April 17th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 27

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Sodom Rising,

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Part 6:

“Moving Into Sodom!”

To read part 1 of this article, click here… “August 22nd (Sodom Rising!)”

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“And it came to pass,

when they had brought them forth abroad,

that he said, Escape for thy life;

look not behind thee,

neither stay thou in all the plain;

escape to the mountain,

lest thou be consumed”

Genesis 19:17

Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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When Lot lifted up his eyes and saw the lush and green country surrounding Sodom, he decided that affluence and ease of accessibility were more important than keeping separate from the ungodly influences that awaited him and his family in that wicked city.

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And at first, Lot, no doubt, was determined to keep his family far away from the hedonistic and decadent sins so abundant there!

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But then, after some time, his family grew to love the selfish pleasures and proud pursuits of Sodom.

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Sodom on Fire by Gustave Dore – www.wikiart.org – US Public Domain

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PAUL WARNS US!

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And God has given us this fearful account as a stark warning against going after the lusts and pleasures of selfishness…

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Listen to Paul’s duplicate warning… “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1st Timothy 6:6-8

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Here is one of the greatest warnings against seeking after earthly riches, and yet one of the least heeded!

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

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AFFLUENCE BRINGS DESTRUCTION

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But why is this important? Why should we be content with such a meager existence, when so many in society are enjoying the world with all its many pleasures and interesting pursuits and proud career-choices?

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Listen as Paul continues… “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.” 1st Timothy 6:9

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So here we see that riches will become the source of many temptations and snares, which eventually drown men in destruction and perdition!

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And those who pursue affluence will one day awaken to discover that, “they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” v.10

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(This above Judgment Day cartoon really drives home the point of not becoming entangled in the cares and pleasures of the world, “as in a day of slaughter” James 5:5)

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FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME!

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Now the purpose of this devotional is to issue a further warning for all of us who call ourselves Christians, to follow Paul’s advice as he concludes this above warning from 1st Timothy… “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1st Timothy 6:11

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This above verse sounds much like God’s warning to Lot, on that fateful morning of Sodom’s Judgment Day… “But thou, O man of God, flee these things…” v.11

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**Yes, just as Lot was told to, “Flee to the mountain”, we Christians are given very similar advice.**

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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WHERE DO WE FLEE?

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But how do we flee? And where do we run?

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Well, the very first thing for a Christian to do, is to make sure that Sodom & Gomorrah is not being directly piped into his or her home, via the television, Internet, radio, the printed-page, etc…!

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And even the Christian who has an uncooperative spouse, that Christian can personally stop watching the TV, and continue to plead for the blessing of the Lord for the other wayward members of the home.

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“REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE!”

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The next thing for the Christian to do, is to quit thinking about moving to a more prosperous city, so as to secure a better job, or to enjoy more earthly pleasures!

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You can just bet, the more affluent a city is, the more wickedness exists there! And the more wickedness in any city, the greater will be Satan’s ability to corrupt you and/or your family members!

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Remember Jesus’ warning to all of us… “Remember Lot’s Wife!” Luke 17:32

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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WICKEDNESS ABOUNDS IN THE CITIES

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Don’t be fooled by outward appearances.

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The more affluence in a city, the more artificial that everyday life is!

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The more malls for your children to aimlessly wander through!

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The more restaurants and stores to waste your money in!

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The more unbelievers there are for you and your kids to become unequally yoked together with!

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The more secular entertainments to influence you and your children!

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The more friends to sell alcohol and drugs to your children!

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The more sexually-charged men and women to lure you and/or your children!

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The more expenses to drain your pockets, instead of giving to Christian ministries!

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The more accustomed you and your children will become to sin, as you behold sin everywhere you go!

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Yes, it would be better to live a simpler, less affluent life, than to enjoy the decadent affluence in a city filled with temptations and snares!

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Highbrow drunkard – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

Children’s Street basketball during a church fair – wikimedia – share-alike license

Time – New York City Night-lights – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0 Generic License

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“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:

for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?

and what communion hath light with darkness?

And what concord hath Christ with Belial?

or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?

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.

Wherefore come out from among them,

and be ye separate, saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing;

and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you,

and ye shall be My sons and daughters,

saith the Lord Almighty”

2nd Corinthians 6:14-18

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

THE BABYSITTER – TV

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To read Part 7, click here…

ULY 14 (Sodom Rising, Part 7: Sensuality In, Sensuality Out!)

Woman applying make-up – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 2.0

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to become wise as a serpent, yet harmless as a dove, as I walk through the battlefield of this world…

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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NARROW GATE

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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. 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 below 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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TOMORROW…

“May 28 (As The Flower of the Field, Part 3: No Profit Under The Sun!)”

Dandelion – sun – wikipedia – avmaier – share-alike-license-233×300

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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 #512 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 26 (The Fly With Ants On His Wings!)

By admin On April 17th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 26

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The Fruit-fly With Ants On Its Wings!

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There are many wonderful aspects within Creation. And there are many amazing things in nature!

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One of the most incredible discoveries is that of a certain little fruit-fly species, which has been recently discovered!

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If there were no photographs, probably nobody would believe that it’s true! You see, this certain type of fruit-fly has an image of an ant on each of its wings! And not just a vague image, either! No, this image is very exact! You just have to see this to believe it!

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And while evolutionists try to save face by claiming this oddity to be a product of evolution, deep down they probably realize that this can be nothing short of the work of God!

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Yes, the chances this could be a product of evolution is so vastly impossibly remote, that this little marvel of Creation defies all evolutionary logic!

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Well, just click the following link which will take you to the webpage of a popular radio ministry, called, “Creation Moments”, to read about and view a photo of this most amazing creation of God…

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TO SEE THIS AMAZING CREATION, CLICK HERE…A Fly with Ants on Its Wings

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Thank you that You have been so faithful in Thy creations. Please open the eyes of the unbelievers of this world, that they might truly see Thy hand in all things…

Praying Hands – Otto Greiner – Wikimedia – .bassenge.com – Cropped image – 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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Here is a photo of the Moon when it’s full, in the eastern sky.

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Do you see a man’s face?

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It’s that proverbial “Man in the Moon”. We’ve always taken it for granted. But now we’re learning that God is responsible for creating this Nocturnal Watchman. You see, God has etched Signs in the Moon, long ago.

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A story? Yes. And just now He is revealing those Signs. Just now He is telling that story.

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God promised that His covenant with David (who represented Christ) “shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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PERFECT OBJECT LESSON

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But how could God do such a thing? Easy! God is God! God is infinite! If God wishes to make a big statement, what better way for Him to do so, than by creating a heavenly orb with a face etched into it.

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The Moon is a perfect object-lesson! It reflects the light of the Sun, in the same way that a Christian must reflect the light of Jesus, the “Sun of Righteousness”. And the Moon, though the “lessor light”, still provides enough light to help us see at night; just as the Church is to reflect Christ’s light to this sin-darkened world!

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And more than this, the Bible declares… “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1.

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**So this verse which says, “The heavens declare the glory of God”, applies also to the Moon.**

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Photo of Moon eclipse courtesy Jayang Chen, Wikipedia share-alike license.

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TOMORROW…

“May 27 (Sodom Rising, Part 7: Going To Sodom!)”

Picture – Lot Escapes – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – 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 #511 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

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Evolutionary art?

A fly with insects painted on its wings!

by Philip Bell

In recent years, tiny flies with pictures on their wings have excited and intrigued scientists and lay people alike. “Surely those aren’t real?” people ask, aware of the need for a healthy dose of skepticism in this age of sensational claims. On first viewing, some wonder aloud whether the images have been photo-shopped¹ by a talented graphic artist.

Picture-wing fly

The species of fly pictured here (Goniurellia tridens) is very real indeed. Flies of this sort have been known to science for a century or more—and many more species have been described (in the family Tephritidae).² They are fruit flies, not to be confused with the more familiar Drosophila genus of fruit flies (family Drosophilidae).

Picture-wing flies were brought to the attention of a new generation when Dr Brigitte Howarth, a fly mimicry specialist at Zayed University, encountered G. tridens in the United Arab Emirates. The National (UAE) reported, “… a closer examination of the transparent wings of Goniurellia tridens reveals a piece of evolutionary art. Each wing carries a precisely detailed image of an ant-like insect, complete with six legs, two antennae, a head, thorax and tapered abdomen [my emphasis].” One might add to this an eye, a visibly darker area of the head. Furthermore, Dr Howarth was reported as exclaiming, “The image on the wing is absolutely perfect.”³

When we talk of a ‘piece of art’, we often have in mind a painting or sculpture, something which is aesthetically pleasing—often intricate or beautiful—and which displays the skill and talent of its maker. A person’s artwork doesn’t have to have any utilitarian value in order for it to be highly acclaimed. As we say, ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ and we’re familiar with artworks which may ‘do nothing for us’ fetching fantastic sums of money at auction.⁴

Works of art frequently depict objects with which we’re familiar; a sketched or painted image might be an impressionistic representation or else a very close likeness. In the case of the ant-like insects on the wings of G. tridens, the likeness is so accurate that Dr Howarth initially took it to be “an infestation on the fly’s wings”—but seeing the perfect symmetry of the two images intrigued her. “When I got it under the microscope I realised that these were insects painted onto the wings.”³

Art without an artist?

*A G. tridens* fly with wings folded at rest. Notice the sand grains for scale.

The precise function of these images isn’t entirely clear.⁵Some think they could be used as part of the fly’s courtship (attracting a mate), others that they may be for defence; that when threatened, the fly exposes the images on its wings, and the appearance of tiny ants seemingly walking back and forth may confuse a potential predator. However, G. tridens is about 3 mm (1/8 in) long and the ‘ant’ images only 1 mm long. That’s about the size of the world’s tiniest species of ant,⁶ so it seems rather unlikely that a jumping spider (the fly’s predator) would be deterred by these minuscule ‘creatures’.

Many will agree with the fly specialist that the wing images are “absolutely perfect” depictions of ant-like insects. They’re works of art—but “evolutionary art”? The strikingly accurate depictions seen in some human artworks demonstrate the skill of intelligent artists. Paintings do not paint themselves! That these wing images qualify as aesthetically pleasing ‘art’ is hardly in question, yet the idea of ‘evolutionary art’ is an oxymoron.⁷

By definition, evolution is meant to be purposeless and undesigned. Charles Darwin wrote, “I cannot look at the Universe as the result of blind chance, yet I can see no evidence of beneficent design, or indeed of design of any kind in the details.”⁸

Contrary to this, the Bible testifies that the natural world everywhere reveals overwhelming evidence for the Creator (Romans 1:20). Complex design implies an intelligent designer.⁹Architecture requires an architect. Surely, then, the artful miniatures on the wings of this tiny fruit fly are testimony to the Divine Artist?¹⁰

Divine artwork?

Well, not so fast. Could there be a different explanation for these artworks that, while not supporting the evolution of new kinds of creature, nevertheless accounts for the art’s appearance by natural processes? A few Tephritid fly species are known to have similar, but less well-defined ‘ants’ on their wings, while numerous other species in this family have patterned wings, but no obvious images at all (see below: Figs 1–6. Wings of Goniurellia species). Did the Creation Week flies possess the artwork whereas most of the other species (related to G. tridens) have devolved (losing the defined artwork)? If so, they were directly ‘painted’ by God.

Alternatively, did the originally created flies lack such images entirely, a few species gradually acquiring them, over thousands of years of natural selection, because of some protection afforded by ant mimicry? If the latter, the case for their intelligent origin would not be quite so obvious.

Imagined patterns?

Human beings have a tendency to see patterns and objects where they don’t really exist—for example, faces on toast, in the clouds or even on Mars!¹¹ Pareidolia is the name given to this psychological phenomenon. A combination of the brain’s perception and the power of expectation (‘seeing what we want to see’) can result in something entirely coincidental being claimed as significant, even supernatural.¹² Are these wonderful ant-like images on the wings of G. tridenssimply a fluke and we’re seeing more than is really there? Well it certainly cannot be said that Dr Howarth is guilty of pareidolia regarding these images; as indicated earlier, she didn’t expect to see anything of the sort and initially thought she was observing a fruit fly infested with actual miniature insects!

“Each wing carries a precisely detailed image of an ant-like insect, complete with six legs, two antennae, a head, thorax and tapered abdomen”, Dr Brigitte Howarth, Zayed University (UAE).

Naturally selected images?

Like Dr Howarth, many evolutionary biologists are also unwilling to explain away such striking ant depictions by appealing to pareidolia. Their only alternative is to argue that it’s a case of naturally acquired mimicry. This is the position of arch-evolutionist Professor Jerry Coyne (well known for his antipathy to God).¹³ Along with a few others, he speculates that G. tridens’ painted wings may be depicting spiders instead of ants, but acknowledges, “The truth is that we don’t really know why this fly has antlike markings … ”¹⁴

As already mentioned, their small size is a problem for a naturalistic origin (what use are they?). And could such life-like ant-art really be accomplished by natural selection within the biblical timescale? We have regularly demonstrated that natural selection is a valid part of the creation model, certainly not the same thing as big-picture evolution.¹⁵Nevertheless, it seems a big ask to expect so many distinct insect features (as listed by Dr Howarth) to be arrived at by such a process.

British surgeon and author Dr Vij Sodera asks whether the changes you would need to see (to gradually evolve something complex and useful) are really possible, concluding, What you want you won’t get.¹⁶ For instance, if useful mutations could arise randomly, unless they enhanced the organism’s fitness (thus, its survivability), they would be invisible to natural selection until many other random mutations had been added.

Yet, the earlier mutated DNA sequences (with a neutral effect on fitness until much later on) would themselves be susceptible to mutations; such that, over evolutionary timescales, they would become completely scrambled before a later usefulness arose. Applying this to the artwork on the wings of G. tridens, is it really conceivable that all the body parts of the ant-like image were gradually produced by blind natural selection?

wings-Voniurellia — **Figs 1–6.** Wings of *Goniurellia* species. 1. *G. tridens* (Hendel). 2. *G. longicauda*. 3. *G. munroi*. 4. *G. omissa*. 5. *G. persognata*. 6. *G. spinifera*.

The Creator’s design

Within the creation model and timeframe, if one day it was demonstrated that the images had indeed arisen after Creation Week, there’s a more likely explanation—that the Creator pre-designed these fruit flies with the in-built capacity to produce ant images on their wings. If so, it would be an example of the plasticity of a creature’s outward appearance being brought about by the execution of pre-programmed ‘sub routines’ in the DNA.¹⁷ This seems to be the case with the many varieties of orchids with intricate reproductive systems.¹⁸ In other words, if natural selection cannot explain what we see, there are two options. Either, God painted ant-like creatures on the wings of G. tridensfrom the start, or else He designed their genetic system with the capacity to produce the images in response to some later environmental cue, whether related to mimicry or not.

Whether the artwork existed from Creation week or was acquired later via pre-programmed variability, or even natural selection, there is nothing here that is incompatible with biblical creation. Flies changing into the same kind of flies, albeit with different wing patterning, does not demonstrate how flies could evolve into something basically different. Moreover, God not only created but continually upholds all things (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3). This speaks of His intimate ongoing interest in all that He has made, these humble fruit flies included.¹⁹

Add to this God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge, and we must surely credit the Divine Artist. ‘Evolutionary art’ it cannot be, for such an ideology makes no allowance for intelligent design or

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 25 (pH Imbalanced Churches)

By admin On April 15th, 2015

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 25

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“pH Imbalanced Churches!”

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“That this is a rebellious people, lying children,

children that will not hear the law of the LORD:

Which say to the seers, See not;

and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things,

speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:”

Isaiah 30:29, 30

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Many people are not aware of the importance of keeping a proper pH balance in the human body.

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This means that the body must not be too acidic. Because, if the body becomes acidic, then harmful viruses begin to thrive.

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Universal indicator paper – Wikipedia – Universal Public Domain

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FROM COLDS TO CANCERS

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Such foods as coffee and sugar will make that person more susceptible to many illnesses, from tooth-decay, common colds to flu, to even more serious virus-based illness, and even various cancers.

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Now those who are careful about what they eat, drink, and how they exercise, and rest, will be more inclined to have a good pH balance.

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And God’s original diet which He gave to our first parents in the garden (fresh fruit & herb-bearing seeds) was designed to keep the body alkaline and disease-free.

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Fruit Stall in Barcelona Market by Daderot – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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SPIRITUAL ACIDITY

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Now just how does this relate to the body of Christ?

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Is it possible for the body of Christ to become spiritually acidic? Is it possible for the body of Christ to become susceptible to spiritual illnesses?

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The Bible says… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4

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Here above, Paul forewarns that the time will come when solid biblical doctrine will no longer be tolerated.

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

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TODAY’S POLLYANNISH GOSPELS

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So, the question to be answered is, “Have we arrived at that day? Is solid biblical doctrine no longer tolerated?”

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The fact is, today’s churches, for the most part, conduct their churches in such a way, that they will not offend the parishioners.

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And quite often, the result of such happy-faced preaching, is a totally non-offensive gospel, much like that fictional character, Pollyanna!

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Yes, Pollyanna was a delightfully precocious young girl who discovered 800 Bible verses that had absolutely no negativity!

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Oh, a person might call much of today’s preaching a type of “gospel according to Pollyanna”!

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Pollyanna statue – Wikipedia – Creative Commons 2.0 license

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SMOOTH PREACHING

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And as a result, the body of Christ has become weak and susceptible to the same spiritual viral illnesses that society is infected with.

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And no wonder we are seeing today’s churches imitating the world in various ways.

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And no wonder that secular-minded persons can sit week-after-week in the pews and not be offended by what they hear!

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And this explains why those churches have become filled with worldly-minded individuals, who eventually take control of those congregations!

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It is a church-world which offers, “the best of both worlds!”

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ABOVE PICTURE: The False Prophet – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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“COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE!”

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Now, God is calling His people out of this Babylonish world of confusion!

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Yes, there is a modern-day exodus now occurring among God’s true sheep.

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Oh no, it’s not so much visible to the world. But on an individual basis, God’s people are removing themselves from the confused and contradicting and worldly-minded churches, in a quiet and orderly exodus, and are now maintaining a personal communion with Him, through unceasing prayer and personal Bible study and contemplation of that Word.

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This is the true Church.

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This is the true body of Christ that will be perfected in these last days.

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This is the pH balanced body that will shine as the Sun!

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James Tissot – The Flight of the Prisoners – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to become wise as a serpent, yet harmless as a dove, as I walk through the battlefield of this world…

Family Prayer Before Meal – Wikimedia – US-Govt. – 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

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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. And the question that must be asked is, “What biblical implications does this constellation/Milky Way connection have?” 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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WHY IS THIS CONSTELLATION SO INCOMPLETE IN APPEARANCE

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So why is this constellation merely an outline? 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. And as we all know, the Holy Spirit is very, very, un-intrusive, almost impossible to detect His presence.

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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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TOMORROW…

“May 26 (The Fly With Ants On His Wings!)”

Worker-ant-carrying-leaf-wikimedia-public-domain-300×219

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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 #510 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo.

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Devouring Fire.com

Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 3 (How To Live By Faith, Part 1: “Sure-Fire Faith-Killers!)

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – June 3

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How To Live By Faith,

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Part 1:

“Sure-Fire Faith-Killers!”

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It has always been Satan’s evil mission to destroy God’s people.

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And one way he does this is by chipping away at the faith of Believers.

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“HEARTS…OVERCHARGED WITH…THE CARES OF THIS LIFE”

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Well, in these last decades, Satan has stepped up his attacks by the invention of high-tech devices, most notably, television, radio, and now Internet.

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Of course, it has long been Satan’s preferred method to destroy faith by keeping church-goers so busy, that they neglect to read their Bibles, nor contemplate God’s Word.

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And this website has continually warned Christians against allowing ourselves to get so busy with the pleasures and ambitious pursuits of this present world-order.

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“…THE IMAGE…SHOULD SPEAK”

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But this website needs to further spotlight the dangers of what is being transmitted over today’s airways!

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Yes, it is no coincidence that the programming seen and heard via these devices has a tendency to diminish the faith of God’s people.

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“EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPTS”

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Just listen to 1st Corinthians 15:33…“Be not deceived, evil communications corrupts good manners (behavior).”

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As this above verse reveals, it is Satan’s objective to deceive people into thinking that evil communications have little or no effect on the character of people.

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But this and other similar Bible passages say just the opposite!

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BRAINWASHING OUR CHILDREN

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But Satan uses “evil communications” to eat away at the faith of Christians.

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After all, Satan is no dummy! He fully understands all this!

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And so, in his cruel hate, the Enemy of Souls has forced society to send their children through the public school systems for this very purpose.

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ATHEISTIC SCIENCE SHOWS

**But Satan uses “evil communications” to eat away at the faith of Christians.**