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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 22

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Apocalypse NOW!

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Part 13:

“The Signs of the Times?”

To read Part 1, click here…AUGUST 3 (Apocalypse Now! Part 1: Silencing the Gospel!)

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“The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came,

and tempting desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven.

He answered and said unto them,

‘When it is evening, ye say,

‘It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. 

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day:

for the sky is red and lowering.’

O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky;

but can ye not discern the signs of the times?'”

Matthew 6:1-3  

Jesus Teaching – Luke 4:31-32 – jesus talks about heaven – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – public-domain

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Jesus, in this above passage, was upbraiding the Pharisees and Sadducees for their lack of discernment in asking Him for a sign from Heaven.

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And then He plainly told them…“O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Matthew 6:3

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And so, Christ called out their hypocrisy in being able to discern the weather signs in the sky, but not able to discern the “signs of the times”.

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Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain – Brooklyn Museum – Wikimedia

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ARE WE ALSO GUILTY?

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Now before we indignantly scorn their unbelief and spiritual blindness, we must consider if we are not repeating this same biblical account, in today’s Christian world.

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Are we discerning the signs of the times in this current world? Are we really awake to the fearfulness of the present hour?

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Or instead, are we like the inhabitants of the wicked cities of old…“They married wives, they were given in marriage…they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.” Luke 17:27-30

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Yes, as this above passage reveals, this very same error of Sodom will be repeated in these Last Days…both in the world and in the churches too! 

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WORLD IN BLINDNESS 

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Now, nobody denies that the lost multitudes around the world are not seeing the signs of the times.

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Yes, the peoples of the world are in spiritual darkness and unbelief!

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There’s no debate concerning that!

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Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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FOR OUR ADMONITION!

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But let’s not forget our opening passage, in which Jesus was rebuking His very own professed people, when He said…“O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” Matthew 6:3

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But we must not forget what Paul tells us concerning the various Old Testament accounts… “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1st Corinthians 10:11

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So, these Old Testament stories happened to them for our benefit. Yes, all those supposed, “dusty, old, and irrelevant Old Testament stories”, are as current as today’s newspapers!

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Even more so, since today’s newspapers completely miss the real news!

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Mall – Inkwazi Shopping Centre, Malelane Superspar – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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NEWS REVEALS HORROR!

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Oh yes, today’s news organizations reveal just how sin-sick and abjectly evil this current-day world really is!

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And the horrific atrocities which are now occurring around the world are sounding a clear and present trumpet blast, that we have reached the end!

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But the Bible is the real “newspaper” we should be reading! It reveals the true condition of the world today!

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It goes beyond the mere surface of the news and gets to the very heart of today’s world issues!

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TV – ABC-Good Morning America – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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HOW DARE THEY CONDEMN US!

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But just like the church-leaders in Jesus’ day, today’s churches are heading for judgment and perdition!

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And how could this possibly be true?

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Why-in-the-world would anyone dare claim that today’s churches are heading for judgment and destruction?

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Simple! While many church-attendees have a head-knowledge that the “signs of the times”, are being witnessed all around us, yet we do not have a HEART-KNOWLEDGE that the end is here!

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Church Burning – Burning Man – 2013 – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter!”

James 5:5

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And what evidence is there that God’s people are not taking these signs of the times to heart?

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As James 5:5 so aptly says…“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter!”

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Yes, God’s professed people are mostly trying to squeeze as much out of this world as we possibly can!

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We’re eating, drinking, planting, building, marrying, buying and selling, as in the Great Day of Slaughter!

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POSSESSED BY AN “ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT”

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Listen to Paul’s exhortation to each and every one of us, concerning the times we now live in…“men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 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 6:5-8

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“Having food and raiment, let us be therewith content!?!” Are you kidding!?!

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Does anyone really suppose that today’s churches are heeding this admonition by Paul!?! Not hardly!

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No, but just the opposite! So many Christians are possessed by a spirit!

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An “entrepreneurial spirit”!

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We have been deceived by our leaders into believing that “gain is godliness! and gone headlong after the so-called “American Dream”!

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Mall Market culture – Jakarta – Wikimedia – share-alike-lic.

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IMMERSED IN WORLDLY PLEASURES & PURSUITS

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And instead of immersing ourselves in a 24/7 contemplation of the Bible and in unceasing prayer, we are rather immersing ourselves in television, radio, secular Internet surfing, clubs, parties, sports, costly vacation resorts, needlessly expensive vehicles, lavish home and garden adornments, time-consuming and energy-sapping careers, etc…!

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And if the world wants to pursue these things, that’s fine!

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But God’s Church? No!

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

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SATAN HAS DISTRACTED THE CHURCH

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No, the signs of the times are all around us!

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But the Devil has successfully distracted God’s people with all the glittering treasures and selfish pleasures and faithless cares of Lucifer’s soon-to-be-burned kingdom: this antichrist world-system!

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Oh yes, we may attend church each week, and pay lip-service to God on a daily basis.

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Of these it is written…“for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.” Ezekiel 33:31

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But the Lord looks sadly down on a people who attempt to worship Him one day of the week, and yet whole-heartedly pursue the many modern-day gods and idols the other six days!

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ABOVE PICTURE: The False Prophet

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“FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS!”

Mark 13:14 & Luke 21:21

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So let every man, woman, and child who claims to love the Lord’s appearing, cease from our leisurely pre-occupation with the world, and flee to the spiritual mountain which is our stronghold and our hiding-place of refuge…“Go ye forth out of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans…Flee, save your lives, and be like the heath in the wilderness.” Isaiah 48:20 & Jeremiah 48:6

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

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TO READ PART 14, GO HERE…

April 3 (Apocalypse NOW! Part 14: “Has The King Left The Building?”)

Elvis – Wax Museum – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to see the signs all around, that declare that we are at the Last Hour. And help me to prepare for the hour just ahead…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…JANUARY 7 (TIME TO GET OUT OF DODGE!), or you can also read this shorter article…August 11th (Habakkuk Says “Run!”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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LOOSING THE BANDS OF ORION 

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God spoke several times of Orion, in Scripture. His question to Job was a very mystifying question, to say the least… “Canst thou…loose the bands of Orion?” Job 38:31. Such a strange question, indeed! How could a constellation have its bands loosed, much less, even have bands? Puzzling, puzzling!

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But now, He is revealing this bright and beautiful constellation in a way that has never before been seen. God Himself is loosing Orion’s bands, as He is just now unraveling this age-old mystery. And we are beginning to understand that this most infamous of all constellations is nothing less than a remarkable metaphor concerning Jesus.   

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MICHAEL, THE SOLDIER

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Last is Michael the Soldier, who battles against the Dragon: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Revelation 12:7, 8.

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Contrary to popular opinion, Michael here represents Christ as He battles this dragon. This will be adequately proven in this article and in various other sections of this website. No, Christ is not merely an angel. Christ is very eternal God. But Christ is often represented as various entities, such as a rose, or a burning bush, as well as many others things in the Bible.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction

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TOMORROW…

DECEMBER 23 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 32: “What Good Is Church, If The Holy Spirit Has Been Removed?”)

Girls celebrate at Camp Worship Wikimedia Commons Creative Commons lic.

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this is small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #39

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

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 2

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Apocalypse NOW!

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Part 11:

“Pre-Trib Rapture, The Ultimate ‘House of Cards!'”

To read Part 1, click here…SEPTEMBER 5 (Apocalypse Now! Part 9: Has Judgment Day Begun? Part 1)

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They say, that for an idea to qualify as a theory, there has to be some evidence to support that idea. Otherwise, that idea is really just a hypothesis. And a hypothesis is an idea that lacks any substantial corroborating evidence.

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Scale of justice – by Wikimedia & user-DTR – Public Domain

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MANY PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE SUPPORTERS

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There are many in today’s Christendom, who are wildly enthusiastic about the idea of the so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

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Yes, this idea became popular in the 1960’s because of a million-seller book, “The Late Great Planet Earth”.

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And there are many who even get so bold as to claim it to be more than just a theory, but rather, a solid Bible truth!

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The Late, Great Planet Earth cover – Wikipedia – Non-Free Media Rationale

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WHAT IS THIS PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE?

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And the main tenet of this so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is that God’s faithful Elect will disappear from the earth to meet the Lord in the air, just prior to the Book of Revelation beginning to unfold, during a 7-year period of tribulation.

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One moment they will be here. And the next moment they will simply disappear, while everyone else must carry on with apocalyptic events.

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And after this 7-year tribulation, the Lord will come back to the earth to destroy the remaining unbelievers, and to live with His people for a thousand years.

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Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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AN UNSUPPORTED DOCTRINE?

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But this website cannot endorse that idea.

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As a matter of fact, this website can no longer call the so-called, Pre-Tribulation Rapture, to be even a theory.

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It must remain just a hypothesis, an unsupported church-doctrine, concocted by a few men back in the 1800’s. (chiefly, John Darby & Cyrus Scofield)

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

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A HOUSE OF CARDS?

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The Pre-Tribulation Rapture is the “ultimate house-of-cards”, as the saying goes! It is built on no biblical foundation. It has absolutely no scriptural support.

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And this is what makes it a house of cards: if you take away this theologian-contrived name, “The Rapture”, this entire house-of-cards comes tumbling to the ground!

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Because, once a Christian gets back to the Bible and the Bible only, the name, “The Rapture”, must be discarded! It is a name NOT found anywhere in the Bible.

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

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CYRUS I. SCOFIELD

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You see, the name, “The Rapture” was used by Cyrus Scofield (coined perhaps, by John Darby) to prop up the idea of two separate Returns of Christ.

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And the very place in the Bible that he went, to concoct this name was in 1st Thessalonians 4:15-17… “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto THE COMING OF THE LORD shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

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So in this above passage, Scofield (or perhaps, Darby) took the verb, “caught-up”, and went into an obscure Latin Bible translation and discovered that this verb was the Latin word, “ripere”. And since, “ripere” is a root of the English verb, “rapture”, they then changed it into a proper noun, “The Rapture”. And VOILA! A new (and exotic-sounding) name was concocted!

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THIS EVENT ALREADY NAMED!

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But one of the big problems with doing this is, that this passage from 1st Thessalonians 4:15-17 has already named this event, “The Coming of the Lord”.

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And so, essentially, these men dismissed the God-given name, “The Coming of the Lord”, and replaced it with their own name, “The Rapture”!

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In other words, these men were possibly thinking that they were wiser than God! Yes, they just knew better than God, concerning what to re-name, “The Coming of the Lord”!

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation

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A DOCTRINE MADE OF NOTHING!

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But the point to this is: without this man-concocted name, “The Rapture”, there is nothing to hold up this house-of-cards! Because there is absolutely nothing in the Bible to support this idea of two separate and distinct Returns of Jesus!

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As a matter of fact, the primary passage which theologians use to support this totally fabricated doctrine is found in Revelation, Chapter 2…“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Revelation 3:10

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This is the primary verse in the Bible which could possibly be construed to suggest two separate Comings of Christ!

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

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THE EARLY CHURCH WAS NOT RAPTURED!

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One problem is that this promise was made to a church which existed back in the 1st Century A.D.! And so, did God Rapture that 1st century church out of the world? Absolutely no mention of that anywhere in the Bible!

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Well, then, how did God fulfill His promise to, “keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world?”

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Obviously, God eventually took them all in death, as is written… “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.” Isaiah 57:1

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Yes, God takes away the merciful men in death, to spare them, “from the evil to come!”

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

Argentine graves east falkland by Chris Pearson – cropped image – wikimedia – share-alike license

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PLAGUES UPON THE EGYPTIANS

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Now is there any other way in which God keeps His people from the wrath to come?

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Oh yes, just look how God poured out His bowls of wrath upon the Egyptians just prior to the Exodus but kept the children of Israel from those plagues!

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Did God Rapture them away? Oh no! But God did spare His people from those plagues, simply by causing those plagues to fall all around them, but not on them!

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

Tissot – The Plague of Locusts – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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EXODUS, A PICTURE OF THE 7 LAST PLAGUES

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And so, when Revelation 2 says, “I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”, the Bible never once suggests that this will be accomplished by literally and physically removing His people from the earth, prior to those plagues.

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Just the opposite! The example of Israel during God’s plagues upon the Egyptians, is a picture of what will happen in these last days, when the 7 angels with the 7 bowls of God’s wrath will be poured out upon the earth! They will indeed fall, but not on true worshipers of God!

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

asteroids – Leonids-browse – cropped and altered image – nasa – Abe & Hajime Yano

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CHRIST RETURNS ONLY ON, ‘THE LAST DAY’

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Well, just what is the bottom line?

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The bottom line is, that the Bible only speaks of one Second Coming… “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:27, 28

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Yes, this resurrection takes place on the Last Day… “Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY.” (see John 6:39, 40, 44, 54).

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So, this above passage from John 6 tells us exactly when the resurrection of the righteous will take place: “on the last day!”

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

Triumph of Christianity by G. Dore – cropped image – www.christimages.org – Limited use license – see their website for restrictions

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SAINTS, GET READY FOR BATTLE!

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And so, the encouragement for us today is, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

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If ever there was a time to put away the things of the world, it is now! And one of those things to put away is the false sense of security that comes from believing this non-biblical doctrine handed down to us by mere erring and fallible men!

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We indeed must go through this battle just ahead!

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We need to be hiding God’s precious promises in our heart, and praying for God’s chastening Hand to purge out the “Old Leaven” of worldliness from our heart!

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House Of Cards Bridge – wikipedia – public domain

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“THOU ART MY HIDING PLACE”

Psalm 32:7 & 119:114

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And so, let us all be found hiding safely in His “secret pavilion” during that time of trouble which is now coming upon us…“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me…” Psalm 27:5, 6

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Here is where we will be during the time of trouble just before us! Hiding ourselves in Christ’s loving protection!

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And though…“A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;” Psalm 91:7-9

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

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TO READ PART 12, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 12 (Apocalypse NOW! Part 12: “Peace, Peace, When There is No Peace!”)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to study, study, study, that I may be fully armored with the armor of God. Help me to find that perfect peace…

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…”The Abomination in the Apostate Church”, or you can also read this shorter article…February 9th (Waiting For The Church to Shine!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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LOOSING THE BANDS OF ORION

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God spoke several times of Orion, in Scripture. His question to Job was a very mystifying question, to say the least… “Canst thou…loose the bands of Orion?” Job 38:31. Such a strange question, indeed! How could a constellation have its bands loosed, much less, even have bands? Puzzling, puzzling!

.

But now, He is revealing this bright and beautiful constellation in a way that has never before been seen. God Himself is loosing Orion’s bands, as He is just now unraveling this age-old mystery. And we are beginning to understand that this most infamous of all constellations is nothing less than a remarkable metaphor concerning Jesus.

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MICHAEL, THE SOLDIER

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Last is Michael the Soldier, who battles against the Dragon: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Revelation 12:7, 8.

.

Contrary to popular opinion, Michael here represents Christ as He battles this dragon. This will be adequately proven in this article and in various other sections of this website. No, Christ is not merely an angel. Christ is very eternal God. But Christ is often represented as various entities, such as a rose, or a burning bush, as well as many others things in the Bible.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction

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TOMORROW…

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

John Calvin – by Holbein – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this Open Forum #20, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…

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

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc…. 

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 8

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How To Run The Christian Race:

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“Choosing The Best Music”

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One day, many years ago, a beloved pastor was leaving his church to pastor another church in another town.

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And so, this vacating pastor titled his last sermon, “Stay in the Race”, which was an encouragement to…stay in the Christian Race, and not give up, nor give in to worldly lusts and pleasures.

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter Constellations – Woman of Revelation 12 (Ursa Major) flees to the mountains – Mark 13:14 – Dragon comprised of Hyades, Pleiades, etc…Valley of Decision mountain comprised of Cassiopeia, etc… (This is not a star-chart, but merely a concept picture since this mountain is not in this position, but is actually in the fall months)

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“BUT I’M NOT EVEN RUNNING!”

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Well, there was a young man in the pews listening. And as the young man thought about this sermon, he asked himself, “I’m not even running the race! So how can I stay in a race in which I’m not even running?”

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This self-evaluation by that young man is perhaps a common sentiment among churchgoers today. In other words, many, or perhaps most church-attendees probably would admit in an honest moment, “I’m not running the Christian Race, as Paul did!”

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HOW MANY ARE RUNNING?

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Yes, just how many of us can really honestly say, “I am truly running the Christian Race, even as Paul ran!” 

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 Listen to Paul… “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:” 1st Corinthians 9:24-26

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Yes, Paul was definitely striving for the mastery, as this above passage reveals!

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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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MUSIC CHOICES

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Let’s just take one aspect of the Christian life, and see how it plays a part in running the Christian Race.

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Let’s take the subject of music, and what is the best music for those who are running the Christian Race.

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Church of Christ worship music – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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WORDS IMPORTANT, BUT NOT MUSIC?

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Now in today’s Christian community, there are different music genres to choose from. And there are those who will say that, “As long as the lyrics are in harmony with Scripture, the particular genre doesn’t really matter!”

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But the problem with this thinking is that music is a language all to itself! Without any lyrics, music conveys thoughts all by itself.

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For instance, one would never play marching music while enjoying a candlelight dinner. Nor would soft violins be played for an army marching into battle!

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8 musicians motion blur experimental digital photography by Rick Doble. – Wikimedia – C.C. GNU License

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A SEXUALIZED SOCIETY

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The fact is, it is no big secret that we are living in a very sexualized society.

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And much of the music today is very sensual. And all too often, Christian lyrics are added to sensual music…One noticeable technique heard in much of today’s Christian music, is when the vocalist pushes air through his or her voice to achieve a sort of, “sensual bedroom voice”.

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And so, in such cases, there is no attempt to imitate Christ, but merely to imitate the world! 

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Store window mannequins – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 3.0

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“TAKE FORTH THE PRECIOUS FROM THE VILE”

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The Bible warns…“Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before Me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth: let them return unto thee; but return not thou unto them.” Jeremiah 15:19

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In this above verse, the Lord was commanding Jeremiah to purify his life from all the worldly trappings which the people of his day had embraced.

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And if Jeremiah faithfully put away all such compromising elements from his life, then God would speak through him in his ministry. And of course, Jeremiah was obedient to this charge.

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Prophet Jeremiah Dictates to Baruch – Wikiart.com – US Public Domain

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THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS WITHIN

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Those who are true worshippers of God, are indwelt by the Spirit of Holiness. And so, that Spirit of Christ within, will gently prompt that Believer towards a Christlike lifestyle. And there will be a constant desire to become transformed into Christ’s likeness.

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And day-by-day, the Believer will be increasingly desirous to put away all commonness and worldliness out of his or her life. To let Christ’s light shine out to the world will be the great longing in a Believer’s heart!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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A FIRE WITHIN

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So also, the Believer will have an inner prompting to be holy, even as Christ is holy. After all, the Holy Spirit is just that: the Spirit of Holiness! And so, that Spirit of Holiness burns as a spiritual fire within the Believer, causing him or her to gravitate toward an ever-increasing level of holiness.

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Therefore, it is no big surprise that the Believer’s life will take on a greater closeness to Christlike holiness.

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And this will be seen in the various areas of the Believer’s life. Thus, the music which the Believer listens to will more-and-more reflect the musical tastes of Christ, since Christ is supposed to be living out His life through that Believer!

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Jesus – by J. Tissot – Brooklyn Museum – US Public Domain

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NEW TASTES, NEW DESIRES

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And for those of us who have grown up listening to the raw and carnal music of the world, there will be seen a metamorphosis to a music genre which the world would not touch with the proverbial, “ten-foot pole”. But this should not surprise us. After all, our life has been dedicated to surrendering our selfish and carnal nature to Christ, so that His holiness will replace our former carnal desires.

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Music – photo-psychic – Ganzfeld – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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LUCIFER’S SELF-EXALTATION

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Jesus Christ made no attempt to imitate the world. He and His disciples sang a hymn. But there was no self-exaltation in the various voices. Humbleness made the chorus beautiful.

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On the other hand, it was Lucifer who exalted his vocal talent, as he sang before the angelic choir.

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Gustave Dore – Paradise Lost illustration – Lucifer becomes Satan – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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 THE GOOD NEWS!

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But the really wonderful Good News is that every true Believer rejoices whenever he or she can lay down some cherished idol on the altar for Christ!

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But just the opposite to that is the striving for earthly attainments, which is the predominant sin of today’s church-world.

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But with each and every spiritual sacrifice, the more that the Christian’s life will reveal that Christ is living within!

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And his or her godly example will be an inspiration to others, as they behold their changed life! 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Please put in my heart the burning desire to become like Jesus in every way. Let this desire manifest itself in all that I do, and all that I surround myself within…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“CHRISTIAN RACE” PART 2: EFFECTS OF SENSUAL MUSIC…, or you can also read… March 25th (Lucifer’s Music Solo)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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FROM WHERE & TO WHERE DOES SHE FLEE?

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WOMAN ROTATES THROUGH THE SEASONS…

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This page is about the Big Dipper, also called the Great Bear constellation (Ursa Major ). However, the ancient pagan cultures did not see this constellation as God intended it to be seen. It is actually a headless woman in childbirth.  This is seen in springtime. It is seen in the northern skies. 

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But as the seasons progress, this travailing woman flips upside down, now appearing as a woman with upraised arms like eagle wings who is running (eventually flying, as shown in sketch on right) into the wilderness (westward). The single star representing her birth-child (Christ) now becomes her head (“Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 5:23

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The 7 Stars (Big Dipper) is easy to see with its very bright 7 stars. But the Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) must be seen on a dark starry night, away from city lights. 

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These are star charts from Wikipedia, with sketches of the Woman added.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Woman of Revelation 12 (Flees to the Wilderness)”

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TOMORROW… 

DECEMBER 9 (Almost All Is Vanity! Part 3: It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!)

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Mad world poster – Wikimedia – Fair Use Rationale

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this Open Forum #26, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…

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

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 9 

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Almost All Is Vanity!

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Part 3:

“It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!” 

To read Part 1, click here…“April 22nd (All Is Meaningless!)”

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“…the heart of the sons of men

is full of evil,

and madness is in their heart

while they live,

and after that they go to the dead.”

Ecclesiastes 9:3

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 A “FEEL-GOOD” MOVIE

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Now, back in the 1960’s, a wacky comedy was created, which became a big hit movie on the “silver screens” around the world…“It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!”

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Well, this carefree comedy was a great way of escaping the often grim realities of this truly, “Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”, for several hours!

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And in this respect, that “feel-good” Hollywood movie makes a somewhat appropriate introduction to today’s devotional…

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Mad world poster – Wikimedia – Fair Use Rationale

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PANDEMIC MADNESS

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Listen to Solomon’s wisdom…“the heart of the sons of men is full of evil, and madness (raging insanity) is in their heart while they live, and after that they go to the dead.” Ecclesiastes 9:3

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This above verse from the final summation of life from Solomon’s pen, the Book of Ecclesiastes, makes this same pronouncement several times, namely, that this is a world full of madness (insanity). 

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Oh no, not just the mental institutions! But this entire, crazy world!

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Calvary Cemetery Queens – wikipedia – public-domain

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“But how can this be?”, many might exclaim, “After all, I am so down-to-earth and organized, and normal! I’m not crazy!”

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

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A DOWN-TO-EARTH WORLD?

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Oh yes, much of this world is filled with, “down-to-earth, organized, and normal people”.

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So just how in the world does Solomon conclude that, “Madness is in their heart while they live”?

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Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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ARE WE LIKE BUSY LITTLE ANTS?

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Well, let’s just think it through!

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Here we are, spinning round and round on this little ball in space, called Planet Earth. And we do not even stop and question just why we are here? We just try to keep from thinking any such questions, for fear of facing the stark realities of this life.

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And so, we put our noses to the proverbial grindstone and go about our daily business like busy little ants; never looking upward into the heavens, all in hopes of shutting out these unnerving thoughts and questions, such as the certainty of death, eternal death! 

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Isn’t that a form of madness? Isn’t that a type of insanity?

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People on crowded Delhi Bus – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike

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MYRIAD OF PHILOSOPHIES & RELIGIONS TO CHOOSE FROM

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Okay, so maybe many people do attempt to explain their existence in this Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Ball of Confusion, spinning round and round in space.

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And after some searching and consideration, many will choose some suitable and convenient philosophy or religion to incorporate into their lifestyle.

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And let’s face it! There is no shortage of philosophies and religions to choose from!

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Thank God For Satan – cropped image – Wikimedia – GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or later version

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ONLY ONE IS CORRECT!

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And so, that in itself is a form of insanity or madness!

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In other words, to live in a world filled with every sort of philosophy and religion under the sun, and realize that every one of these thousands of philosophies and religions are all wrong….except for possibly one correct religion, is an insane reality, if you really think about it!

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Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

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ANOTHER FORM OF INSANITY

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And furthermore, are we so confident that we are wise enough to pick through all those thousands of erroneous ideas and miraculously choose the one correct philosophy or religion?

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That in itself is actually a totally crazy notion, if we really think about it! After all, what if I am wrong? What if I choose the wrong religion? What if my chosen philosophy turns out to be just proverbial, “hog-wash”, as the saying goes? Then what?

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“Well, I’ll just die. So it won’t matter if I was wrong”, many will say in answer to these questions.

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So isn’t this also a form of madness? Isn’t it crazy to think that I might be clinging to some philosophy or religion that isn’t worth the paper it was written on; in a world where billions of other people are likewise clinging to some equally worthless philosophy or religion?

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THE GREATEST OF ALL INSANITIES

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Now here’s the really insane thing about this world! Here’s the “tree-topper” of our pandemic madness in this, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World!

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Yes, here’s, “the mother of all insanities”!

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And so, just what is that one overarching insanity of all insanities?

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

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THE GREATEST OF ALL INSANITIES

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Just think about it! In every nation, and in every city, and in every village, and in every neighborhood, there exists a fountain.

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And both day and night, this fountain is constantly flowing with a miraculous spiritual water, in which, if a person drinks, truly drinks, they will live forever; forever in a world of joy and laughter, and singing, where we will be forever young!

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Water Fountain of Eternal Life – Cleveland, Ohio – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 1.0 Universal Public Domain

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THE TRUE WITNESS WITHIN!

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But more than that, they will receive a new heart, and thereby realize that they have found the truth!

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There will be no more questioning whether or not they have found the true religion!

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They will now have the true witness from Heaven, living within them!

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And they will receive the gift of brotherly love!

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And they will receive the gift of brand new desires!

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And they will receive the gift of being able to communicate with God, via the indwelling Holy Spirit!

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And with all these witnesses, all doubts about the truth of Jesus will be fully and finally dispelled…FOREVER!

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Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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“That (Jesus) was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

John 1:9 

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And every person instinctively knows of that fountain. Their conscience tells them so! But they all refuse to drink! Every last man, woman, and child refuses to drink! Oh, deep down, they know it’s there! But they are afraid to drink! Somehow, the “god of this world” has poisoned their minds, so that they actually think that drinking from this fountain will somehow spoil all their fun!

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And so, the “god of this world” provides an endless supply of diversions, all designed to keep us so busy that we don’t have time to really consider how wonderful it would be to live forever in such a happy world!

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Isn’t that insane? 

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Water Fountain of Eternal Life – Cleveland, Ohio – cropped – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 1.0 Universal Public Domain

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A WORLD OF MEANINGLESS PURSUITS

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Yes, the unseen Enemy of Souls has filled this world to the brim with every conceivable selfish pursuit: ambitious and proud careers, unlimited sports games and amusements, time-consuming and thought-absorbing hobbies, charming restaurants and cafes, carefree vacation resorts, social clubs, various holidays, school events, dramas, concerts, television, Internet, and, and… 2-hour movies, which make light of this very sad and tragic world!

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Yes, it’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, indeed! 

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People on Times Square – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

Castle of Disney – Wikipedia – Public Dom

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COME AND DRINK FREELY!

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But in the midst of this very crazy world stands that “fountain of the water of life”.

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And the royal invitation goes out today…“Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

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So why not come and drink of that fountain, and live forever?

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Now that’s a very wise thing to do!

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Jordan river baptism – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License 

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 16 (Almost All Is Vanity! Part 4: Our Purposes vs. God’s Purpose!)

Christian Race In Todays World courtesy www.signsofheaven.org share-alike license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Lead me to that water of life, and make me to drink freely! And then, help me to keep my eyes looking ever-upward, so that the things of earth will grow strangely dim…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation: Part 2-”All is Vanity”” , or you can also read… “MAY 14 (The World’s Most Amazing Fact!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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“THE GLORY OF MAN,

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AS THE FLOWER…

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FALLS AWAY”…

1st Peter 1:25

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WiltedRose – cropped image – wikimedia – public domain

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FLOWER OF THE FIELD IN HEAVEN

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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 also 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. “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. 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 (the) heaven(s).” 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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WHY IS THIS FLOWER POINTING UPWARD?

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To the right is a star-chart from Wikipedia. The editor of this site has sketched in the Flower of the Field Constellation on this constellation commonly referred to as the Scorpio Constellation (plus a few other close-by bright stars). Do you see the long blade of grass growing from the base of the Flower of the Field? This is made of the two highest stars of the Lupus Constellation, and the two lowest stars of the Libra Constellation. As this sketch shows, the flower appears to be pointing to Arcturus and the Revelation 12 Woman (shown in sketch below). Arcturus represents Jesus, as He leads His sons (and daughters) on a spiritual journey up a heavenward pathway, as is written… “Canst you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons?” Job 38:32.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART: Flower of the Field Constellation commonly known as Scorpio – seen in spring through summer (Flower drawn in over Wikipedia star-chart)

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation” or you can also read… “Flower of the Field Constellation, Part 3: “Signs of the World’s End””

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TOMORROW:

DECEMBER  10 (SATAN: A TRUE BRIDGE-BUILDER!?)

Bridge – Ponte_Vasco_da_Gama_25

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this Open Forum #27, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…

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

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 12

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Apocalypse NOW!

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Part 12:

“Peace, Peace, When There is No Peace!”

To read Part 1, click here…SEPTEMBER 5 (Apocalypse Now! Part 9: Has Judgment Day Begun? Part 1)

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“For they have healed the hurt

of the daughter of My people slightly,

saying, Peace, peace;

when there is no peace.”

Jeremiah 6:14 & 8:11

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

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TV: THE PROPHET OF PEACE

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We live in a society which desperately seeks after “peace and safety”. 1st Thessalonians 5:3

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For many decades, television has been the prophet of peace and safety! Just turn on the television, and watch the various talk shows. So much of these are concerned with how to have a peaceful and happy life.

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So what’s wrong with wanting a life of peace and happiness?

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Nothing is wrong with that!

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So why even dedicate a devotional to this subject if it (peace and safety) is already being discussed on a 24/7/365 basis? 

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Because, the big problem is, there’s a war going on!

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

Family watching television, c. 1958 – wikipedia – public domain

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INVISIBLE WAR ALL AROUND US!

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Yes, this world is neck-deep in the great spiritual conflict of the ages, between two opposing armies: the armies of God, and the armies of Lucifer, who became the enemy of God.

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So what’s all this talk about peace and safety?

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Well, to put it concisely, it’s just a big fat lie, perpetrated by the Father of Lies, Lucifer, who became the Devil, and Satan.

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

Gustave Dore – Paradise Lost illustration – Lucifer becomes Satan – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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JESUS CAME TO SEND A SWORD…

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Listen to the words of Jesus…“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.” Matthew 10:34-36

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Jesus came not to send peace on earth, but to declare war on this world!

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

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THE GREAT REBELLION

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Yes, this world is in stark rebellion against Heaven!

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And Jesus, the true Jesus, is universally hated by the people around the world, for the most part! The ways of Heaven are not the ways of this world!

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Oh yes, the people of the world would like to live in peace and harmony with each other. But God has no desire to make that happen.

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He wants to end this rebellion.

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He wants to convince the peoples of this lost and dying planet that only His ways are the ways of peace…and love…and happiness.

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And so, to a certain degree, He allows all the trouble and unrest resulting from our sin, to come upon us.

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

Anti-Christian rally in Chicago – cropped image – Wikimedia

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‘PEACE AND SAFETY’

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But the Devil has been working through his current-day prosperity-driven gospels to convince Christians that God wants them to have a nice, happy and peaceful life here on earth. And yet, the fact is, God has called us to be soldiers in His army, to fight against the forces of evil on earth!

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Listen to Paul’s declaration…“For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.” 1st Thessalonians 5:3

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So here is seen that peace and safety in this world is not an option.

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

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SPIRITUAL PEACE IS POSSIBLE

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Oh yes, the Christian may have spiritual peace. And certainly, the Christian can live in total safety in Jesus. But that kind of heavenly peace and safety will be experienced even in the midst of the battle!

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But the Christian must get rid of the notion that we are going to live a nice little peaceful existence in this world of selfish desires and ambitious pursuits.

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Yes, the Devil has made it his mission to make life extremely difficult for every true son or daughter of God. 

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

Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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STUDY, STUDY, STUDY!!!

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The Good News in all this negativity, is that the Christian can achieve total peace and spiritual, “Rest unto your souls”. And this kind of peace comes from a daily study and contemplation of God’s Word…

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Listen… “Thou (God) will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed upon Thee! Because he trusts in Thee!” Isaiah 26:3

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Yes, now this kind of perfect peace can be enjoyed, for every one who decides to keep their minds fixed upon Jesus.

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

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain.

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GET YOUR HEAVENLY ARMOR ON!

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And so, let’s get our spiritual armor on, and go out to battle today, and yet keep our minds stayed upon Jesus!

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For these are the two key ingredients to a life of, “peace of God, that surpasses all understanding” Philippians 4:7

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

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TO READ PART 13, GO HERE…

DECEMBER 22 (Apocalypse NOW! Part 13: “The Signs of the Times?”)

Global Warning – Judgment – Christ Coming by Julian Osley – Wikimedia – Share Alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to study, study, study, that I may be fully armored with the armor of God. Help me to find that perfect peace…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…”The Abomination in the Apostate Church”, or you can also read this shorter article…February 9th (Waiting For The Church to Shine!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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LOOSING THE BANDS OF ORION 

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God spoke several times of Orion, in Scripture. His question to Job was a very mystifying question, to say the least… “Canst thou…loose the bands of Orion?” Job 38:31. Such a strange question, indeed! How could a constellation have its bands loosed, much less, even have bands? Puzzling, puzzling!

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But now, He is revealing this bright and beautiful constellation in a way that has never before been seen. God Himself is loosing Orion’s bands, as He is just now unraveling this age-old mystery. And we are beginning to understand that this most infamous of all constellations is nothing less than a remarkable metaphor concerning Jesus.   

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MICHAEL, THE SOLDIER

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Last is Michael the Soldier, who battles against the Dragon: “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.” Revelation 12:7, 8.

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Contrary to popular opinion, Michael here represents Christ as He battles this dragon. This will be adequately proven in this article and in various other sections of this website. No, Christ is not merely an angel. Christ is very eternal God. But Christ is often represented as various entities, such as a rose, or a burning bush, as well as many others things in the Bible.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction

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TOMORROW…

DECEMBER 13 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 29: What’s Wrong With The “Trinity”!?!)

Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

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

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

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – January 8

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 39:

“What If The Nations Fail?”

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

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What in the world is going on!? Or should we say, ‘what’s going on with the world, lately!?’

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Why is the world in such chaos? Why are other religions moving into the western nations with such rapidity, and beginning to take the reins? It seems as if the western nations are beginning to crumble like an old cookie dropped to the floor!?!

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What’s going on here!?!

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After all, these western nations were the very nations which once, so lovingly and enthusiastically, embraced the great Christian Reformation message in centuries past! They were the apple of God’s eye!

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ISIL – Execution of man – September 2014 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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So why has God turned His back on us, or so it seems!?!

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

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GOD BRINGS DISOBEDIENT NATIONS INTO CAPTIVITY

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Well, maybe the Bible has some answers to these current-day questions.

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One very glaring similarity is apparent in the captivity of Judah and Israel, as spoken of in the Old Testament. Yes, because of the iniquity of Israel and Jerusalem, God brought Assyria and Babylon against these two portions of Israel.

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The Northern Tribes of Israel were taken captive, never to be returned to their homeland ever again. But Jerusalem was held captive by the Babylonians for 70 years, then returned to their beloved city once again.

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God gave them a second chance!

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

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WESTERN NATIONS CRUMBLING?

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And so, it now seems to be happening all over again with the western nations.

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These very nations which once, so lovingly and enthusiastically embraced the great Reformation, have become licentious and idolatrous to the point that God must now deal with them as He dealt with ancient Israel!

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And our apostasy and rebellion against Heaven has become such a worldwide proverb, that it is superfluous to even detail the various abominations which are now being committed here in the western nations!

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

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BUILD A BUNKER?

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And so, it seems as if God is allowing another people to move in and take over our nations. After all, that’s what God has oft-times done to a disobedient people-group.

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Therefore, the question of the day is: “What can we do about this take-over? Should we get out there and vote? Should we form action-committees? Should we build up an arsenal in our hidden bunker? Or what other thing can we do about all this?”

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Salpa line bunker 360 antitank gun outside – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share Alike 3.0 license.

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PROVERBS: LIKE MULTI-FACETED JEWELS

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There is a proverb which somewhat deals with this question…“When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.” Proverbs 28:12

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Okay, so it says here, “when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.”

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So just exactly what does this above proverb supposed to reveal to us? Does it say that when wickedness begins to rule, that it is because God has hidden Himself from the people? Or is it telling us that we must hide our own selves from the wicked?

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Well, The Proverbs of Solomon are like a many-faceted jewel. Whichever way a multi-faceted jewel turns, different facets will sparkle in the light. And so it is with the Proverbs! They have various facets of understanding.

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Hope Diamond – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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“A MAN IS HIDDEN”

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But perhaps, just one way of looking at this Proverb 28:12 is that it is counselling us to hide ourselves because of the wickedness and trouble now descending upon us!

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Yes, it’s definitely time to be hidden! It’s the hour in which we must go into hiding!

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But where can we run to? And where can we possibly hide ourselves? Are we supposed to construct some underground bunker? Are we supposed to hoard away a great store of dried foods, and build up an arsenal of weapons and ammunition?

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Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – Inspired by Tornado-Over-Kansas by John Curry

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HIDE THYSELF, AS IF FOR A MOMENT!

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Listen to the prophet, Isaiah, as God speaks through him, regarding this very hour in which we now find ourselves…“Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” Isaiah 26:20, 21

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Yes, there is a hiding place, a shelter from the storm in which God’s faithful ones must now hide. A “safe-house” of sorts.

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Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – Inspired by Tornado-Over-Kansas by John Curry

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“SEEK RIGHTEOUSNESS…SEEK MEEKNESS!” 

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But just how do we enter into that “safe-house”, that cannot even be seen?

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Listen, as God gives us the answer… “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.” Zephaniah 2:3

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This above verse lets us know just how we are to be hidden: by seeking meekness and righteousness! Yes, those who are willing to let go of any and every selfish little indulgence that hinders the pursuit of Christ, just might be hidden from the terrible calamities which are soon coming upon the whole world! But we are also to seek meekness, in the very day in which the Christian world has become proud and stubborn, to a great extent!

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

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WHAT ELSE SHOULD WE BE DOING?

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Now, at this point in the discussion, someone will raise their hand and ask the question… “Well, is there anything else we are to do, while we are hiding in our spiritual storm shelter?”

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Well, the answer to this question is a two-fold answer…“We are to do nothing else! But we are also to do everything else!”

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Restoring America’s Honor Prayer Rally Protest March on Washington – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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So just what is this contradicting two-fold answer supposed to be telling us?

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

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MEEKNESS & RIGHTEOUSNESS = MANY VARIOUS WORKS

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Simple! Because if we are to become meek and righteous, then that’s all that God expects from us.

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But becoming meek and righteous are two very big words! Because the Bible defines those two words in very many ways!

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In other words, being righteous translates into our commission to become royal priests! And as we are well aware, priests are to be praying and crying out for God’s Divine Providence, not only for our own self, but also for the needs, both physical and spiritual, of all others!

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And meekness also includes allowing God to lead us, even as a gentle breeze, as we do His will through our each and every brand-new day! And one way the Bible tells us to be led, is to carry the Gospel to the unsaved multitudes around the world.

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And perhaps there may still be a few faithful ministries, which broadcast the Gospel into many nations around the world.

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

Mall witnessing, Panama City, Panama

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EVERY MAN… PURIFIES HIMSELF, EVEN AS HE IS PURE!”

John 3:3

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And so, even though we may see our beloved nation become imprisoned by totalitarianism, rogue religions and false ideologies, we still have a job to do, on a daily basis. To purify our heart is our #1 duty! And if we do nothing else, this one duty, the purification of our heart must be accomplished! Every other Christian duty, is just, “frosting on the cake”, as the saying goes!

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And so, being securely hidden in Christ (and He is our spiritual storm shelter), is where we need to be, regardless of whether or not these other cultures are ultimately permitted to take over our land.

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“PURIFY YOUR HEARTS YE DOUBLE-MINDED!”

James 4:8 (read entire passage)

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And finally, whether we continue living in a prosperous society in which we can speak freely, or whether we are taken over by evil dictators, our mission remains the same: to purify our hearts and minds, so that our life becomes like an open letter…a love-letter, all about Jesus…“known and read by all mankind!” 2nd Corinthians 3:2

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PICTURE: “Thy Word have I hid in my heart” Psalm 119:11

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TO READ PART 40, GO HERE…

February 25 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 40: “Christmas With, ‘Another jesus’: Babylonian Holidays”) 

Santa’s Portrait by T. Nast 1881wikimedia public domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER 

“Dear Lord, Help me to understand just where we are in time. Help me to be hidden under the shadow of Thy wings…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…August 22nd (Sodom Rising! Part 1) or you can also read this shorter article… March 28th (Taking Back This Nation For God! Part 1)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU 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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“HOLY-GHOST-RIDER CONSTELLATION”

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“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;” Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22

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As you can easily see, this horse has some very big ears. Of course, this presents a very big concept.

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And since this Rider represents the Holy Spirit, it is obvious that He is leaning close, as if to whisper His words in the horses ears. And so what is He (The Spirit) whispering in this horses ears? Well, primarily the messages to the 7 churches, found in Revelation Ch.’s, 2 & 3.

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But not everyone has ears to hear. Listen to Ezekiel… “Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.” Ezek. 12:2. Yes, the rebellion amongst God’s professing people was great, and they had all but closed their ears from hearing truth.

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Well it’s the very same problem in the New Testament. Listen to Jesus… “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” Mark 7:16.

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So this Rider whispering into this Horse’s ears is a heavenly picture of this concept… “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;” Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22.

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Now the great lesson to be learned, is that there are certain truths, which those who are rebellious in God’s house, will not be able to hear. And these messages to the 7 churches are those very types of messages, that many “Christians” just do not like to hear.

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And so, what is the bottom line. Well, it would be a very good idea, for each and every one of us to humble ourselves before God, and plead with Him to give us spiritual ears to hear these deeper truths which God is trying to tell us.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… The Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation

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TOMORROW…

January 9 . . . Mark Now Given, Part 5: “Freedom of Speech, An Endangered Right!”

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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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 IS STUDY #8 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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