Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 28 (Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 5: “Important Lesson From Genesis”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 28

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Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture,

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Part 4:

“Important Lesson From Genesis”

To read Part 1, Click here… “January 25th (The Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 1)”

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“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;

There shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

Psalm 91:7-10

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“…they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction”

2nd Peter 3:16

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The historical records give Cyrus I. Scofield credit for popularizing this false doctrine of the “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”, first invented by another 19th-century false Bible teacher, one John Darby of The Plymouth Brethren denomination.

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What Scofield and Darby did, was to presumptuously take the two words from 1st Thessalonian 4:17, the words, “caught up”, and their Greek counterpart, “harpazo”, and changed “harpazo” into its Latin counterpart, “ripere”, (taken from an obscure Catholic Latin Bible), which is the Latin root for another English word, “rapture”, which, originally, was most commonly defined as being “in a state of euphoria”. Then, they morphed “caught up”, a verb into a proper name, “The Rapture”.

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Thus, by such heretical wrestling with Scripture, Scofield/Darby then began to promote the idea that Christ would “rapture” His Church out of the world, just prior to the prophecies of Revelation being fulfilled.

John Nelson Darby – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“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 9:28

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And so, by such twisting of Scripture, Scofield/Darby now invented TWO second “Coming(s) of the Lord”, instead of the Biblical pronouncement of only one! And thus was coined the name, “The Pretribulation Rapture”, and the second return, using the God-given name for the event, “The Coming of the Lord” on “the last day”.

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Consequently, the Christian world was now being taught that there were, not one, but TWO separate returns of Christ! And if you missed out on the Christ’s first return, you now would have a second chance!

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Very clever…and yet, very devilish!

John Nelson Darby – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE IN TYPOLOGY

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A few years back, an evangelical author published a book promoting the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

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In that book, the author focused on various Old Testament stories, viewing them as allegories which seemed to support the idea that the Church will be literally removed from the earth prior to the unfolding of the Book of Revelation.

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

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THE PLAGUES UPON EGYPT

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But one very important event which the author completely avoided was the true historical account of the Old Testament Hebrews and the pouring out of the plagues upon Egypt.

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Not even a mention!

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Isn’t that odd considering those plagues upon Egypt so closely parallel the plagues found in Revelation 16?

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

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“IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION”

John 16:33

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Now one of the primary Bible passages which is commonly used to promote the so-called “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”, is found in Revelation 3:10…“Because thou (the Philadelphian Church) 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.”

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Pre-Tribulation Rapture adherents point to this verse as a proof that the Church will be taken out of the world, even though this verse does not say that.

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This above verse does indeed say that God will keep them from the hour.

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But He does not say that the Church will be literally removed from Planet Earth during that hour!

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Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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“Because thou (the Philadelphian Church) 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.”

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And let’s not forget that the Church of Philadelphia existed abound the end of the First Century, A.D.. So, was Jesus going to keep that early church from the hour of temptation? Most assuredly!

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And so, the two big questions are just these:

1 – How was Jesus going to keep them from the hour of temptation coming upon the whole world?

2 – And just exactly what was the nature of that hour of temptation coming upon the whole world, way back in the days of this early church?

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Well, the church at Smyrna was going to be tried during that same period of time as the church of Philadelphia. Listen…“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

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So, what some members of the church of Smyrna had to endure at the cruel hand of Satan, other in that church would escape. And it seems as if the entire faithful members of the church at Philadelphia would also escape that same “ten days of tribulation”.

Burned at the stake – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

1st Peter 4:17

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The fact is, God’s people have been going through various forms of tribulation throughout the past two thousand years!

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**Listen again…“In the world ye shall have tribulation!” *John 16:33***

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So, today’s theologians, by confining this prophecy for the church of Philadelphia only to the last seven years of time, are completely wrong! The “hour of temptation coming upon the whole world”, has always been a church-wide and worldwide event!

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Listen again to Peter…“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1st Peter 4:17

Torture devices – The Wheel – Calas Chapbook – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“Not…take them out of the world, but…keep them from the evil”

John 17:15

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Now, as already mentioned, the author of that Pre-Trib Rapture book had studiously avoided highlighting the plagues upon Egypt.

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And the reason he avoided that true account, is most likely because God kept His people from those plagues upon Egypt, even though they had not been removed from the earth.

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Yes, the Jews were still in the land of Egypt during those plagues.

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Tissot – Moses speaks to Pharaoh – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“Only with thine eyes shalt thou…see the reward of the wicked”

Psalm 91:8

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And the very great similarity between those plagues and the plagues of Revelation, Chapter 16, make this comparison very necessary and very relevant.

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Did God keep His people from the hour of trial? Yes, the plagues fell all around them! And even though they were still in the world, they were totally unharmed by those plagues. Thus God kept His people from the hour of trial.

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And because the plagues upon Egypt are an obvious precursor and prefigurement of the future plagues to be poured out in Revelation 16, then it must be concluded that God can indeed keep His people from the coming hour of trial, even while they are yet in the world.

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Judgment Day – People fleeing – Book of Revelation – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons – Distant Shores Media/Sweet Publishing – Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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“COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE!”

Revelation 18:4

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This is just one more reason why this whole notion of the so-called Pre-Tribulation Rapture, is full of inconsistencies.

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But all those who have received a love for truth, will consider this and the many other inconsistencies which together make this Pre-Tribulation Rapture an impossible idea!

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And because of this and the many other great errors in today’s church-world, they will find it necessary to join the end-time exodus out of spiritual Babylon, the harlot church.

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

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TO READ PART 6, CLICK HERE…

SEPTEMBER 18 (Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 6: “The Last Trumpet” CONTINUED)

Angel with trumpet – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to study my Bible for myself, and let me not by led astray by the errors which have overtaken today’s church-world…

Prayer-for-USA-Wikimedia

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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 5 OFFICES OF ORION

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But like most of the other Signs which this website reveals, Orion too, has much more to say as he changes his position in the sky. And this Soldier in the Heavens puts on different garb, as he presents the five awesome aspects of his various offices. From ‘Orion the Soldier’, and ‘Orion the Reaper’, and ‘Orion the Archer’, and ‘The Cross of Orion’, and last but certainly not least, “Orion, The Good Shepherd”. This amazing constellation presents a very complex revelation of the God’s magnificent love for a fallen planet.

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So read on and discover, “things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35

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TOMORROW…

July 29 (What’s An Aristaphagist!? Part 2: “Eat For Strength!”)

Averrhoa carambola Fruit – Wikipedia – Averrhoa carambola Fruit – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) 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 #207 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 names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info 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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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 4 (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 9: “The Signs Of Heaven”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 4

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Nature’s Witnesses,

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Part 9:

“The Signs Of Heaven”

To read Part 1, click here…January 25th (Nature’s 7 Witnesses)

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“The heavens declare the glory of God;

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and the firmament sheweth His handywork.

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Day unto day uttereth speech,

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and night unto night sheweth knowledge”

Psalm 19:1, 2

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BEAUTY, POETRY, WISDOM & LAWS

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ALL TESTIFY OF OUR CREATOR!

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Instead of arguing about the technical issues in the debate between Evolution and Creation, there are five powerful witnesses which testify of a divine Creator.

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And so, in Part 1 (click here to read), it was put forth that in all of nature, there are various “Witnesses”, who all testify in behalf of the Creator! Beauty, Poetry, Wisdom, and Laws, all stand up and speak so eloquently in defense of nature’s God! And it would seem, that any doubter or skeptic, who would open his or her mind to carefully consider the testimony of these four very persuasive Witnesses, would eventually come to the same conclusion: there has to be a Creator, who is filled with these same qualities:

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God, the Creator of nature’s “Beauty”.

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God, the Creator of nature’s “Poetry”.

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God, the Creator of nature’s “Wisdom”.

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God, the Creator of nature’s “Law & Order”.

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Schnorr von Carolsfeld – 1860 – Abram counts stars – Wikipedia – Public Dom. (2)

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5TH WITNESS: LOVE!

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But since the writing of that first devotional, yet another witness found in nature has risen up in defense of the Creator: a powerful witness that defies and even decimates the supposed logic of the so-called Theory of Evolution!

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And so, in Part 2 (click here to read), we saw that there are not four, but five witnesses found in nature, which all testify of God’s Creation!

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And just what is that 5th witness?

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LOVE!

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Yes, “Love” is the 5th witness found throughout nature!

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Mother Child face-to-face – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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6th WITNESS: NATURE’S GRANDEUR

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But now it is discovered that nature has yet another witness: its “Awesome Grandeur”!

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Yes, nature is awesome! And it is grand! Majestic and powerful! Or whatever further superlative one wishes to use to describe this 6th witness to nature’s Creator.

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Sunset at Huntington Beach – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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7th WITNESS: THE SIGNS OF HEAVEN

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But in addition to these 6 witnesses, there is actually another: a 7th witness: “The Signs Of Heaven”!

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Nowhere else in nature has God painted an actual portrait of His Gospel of Salvation. Or if He has, it has not yet been discovered.

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But according to Luke 21:25, it is written…“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;”

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Yes, God has created this amazing pictorial account of His Salvation plan, via the constellations seen during the four seasons. And these constellations have been placed exactly in the correct position where they present an orderly picture of the various aspects of Salvation.

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ABOVE PICTURE: latter winter constellation in the west – Orion – Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades, Auriga, Pleiades, etc.) – Goodly Horse (Persius, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, etc.) – Holy Ghost Rider (Camelopadelis)

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FORGOTTEN/IGNORED TRUTHS

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But these signs in the heavens also present various truths, which, though very biblical, yet have been ignored or rejected altogether by the church-world.

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ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major) & Cross/Scepter (stars from Ophiuchus & Serpens) & 12-star Crown (Corona Borealis & stars from Hercules) & Arcturus Star & Flower of the Field (Scorpio)

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“FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME”

Matthew 3:7, Luke 3:7

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But these signs also sound the clarion call for God’s people to flee from the wrath to come in these last moments of earth’s probationary time, just prior to its final judgment.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART (these Bible constellations drawn from Wikipedia star-charts – Early Winter in the east – Orion, Revelation 12 Woman (AKA Ursa Major) – Revelation 12 Dragon (AKA Hyades, Pleiades, etc.) – Goodly Horse in Battle with Rider (Camelopardelis, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, etc…) – www.signsofheaven.org – Not for profit use!

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GOD’S SIGNATURE

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And so, together with the other 6 witnesses found in nature, this 7th witness makes an eloquent case for a divine Creator.

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It is almost as if God Himself, has inscribed His signature upon His finished Creation, just as an artist would sign his name upon his finished canvas!

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“For the invisible things of Him

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from the creation of the world are clearly seen,

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being understood by the things that are made,

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even His eternal power and Godhead;

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so that they are without excuse”

Romans 1:20

Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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CREATION MOMENTS

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Now, if the reader would like to learn more about the witnesses found in nature, please bookmark this following daily 2 minute broadcast called, “Creation Moments” in which a different aspect of nature is highlighted each weekday… “CREATION MOMENTS” (click here)

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South American Butterfly – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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TO READ PART 10, GO HERE…

August 24 (Nature’s Witnesses, Part 10: “The Joy of Creation!”)

Mother Child face-to-face – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the joy of knowing more about the wonders of nature. Help me to see, not only the beauty and poetry of nature, and the wisdom of nature, but also the grandeur, the many pictures of Love: God’s love in nature. But also, show me these signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars..

Beagle and sleeping kitty – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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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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HEAVENLY OBJECT LESSON

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“Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.” Isaiah 24:23

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When God created the Moon and the stars, He ordained them to “rule the night” (Gen. 1:16). The Moon, especially when it is full, can light your pathway through the night, as it reflects the light of the Sun.

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So too, the Christian is to be a light to the world: to this sin-darkened world. But as the Moon must reflect the light of the Sun, in order to be a light to the world, so also must the Christian reflect the light of Jesus, to be a spiritual light to this planet in rebellion. Listen…

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“Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

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However, during an eclipse, the Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon, preventing that sunlight from shining on the Moon’s face. This is an incredible object-lesson about when the child of God allows the world to come between him and his Lord. Like the eclipse, that person no longer reflects the light of Jesus, because his or her love of this dark world of sin has eclipsed the light from the “Sun of Righteousness” (see Malachi 4:2).

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**And so, this is just one of the many poetic truths seen in the Moon. (For more on this subject of an eclipse, you may link to the article… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”)**

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Dutch Painting: Um_moinho_dominando_a_baía_à_luz_lunar wikimedia US public domain

This is a drawing of a winter-time total lunar eclipse, first published in Bilder- (Picture Atlas of the Stemenwelt) in 1888

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TOMORROW:

August 5 (We Wrestle Not Against Flesh & Blood! Part 4: “Satan’s Army: The World!”)

Crowd of people – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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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 #214 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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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.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 3 (Revelation 16:1, 2: “The First Plague”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 3

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Revelation 16:1, 2:

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“The First Plague”

To read Part 1, click here… “July 4th (Look Up & Lift Up Your Heads!)”

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“And I heard a great Voice out of the temple

saying to the seven angels, Go your ways,

and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth;

and there fell a noisome and grievous sore

upon the men which had the mark of the beast,

and upon them which worshipped his image.”

Revelation 16:1, 2

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“LET MY PEOPLE GO”

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The plagues poured out in Revelation 16 are similar to those poured out upon the Egyptians in the Book of Exodus. But what was the purpose of pouring out those plagues. Listen to God as He speaks to Pharoah through Moses and Aaron…“Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:” Exodus 10:4

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This was the promise of plagues, and was repeated with the various other plagues.

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But the point is, these plagues were to cause Pharoah to finally allow God’s people to leave Egypt to serve God alone, no longer held in Bondage to slavery. Likewise, the plagues prophesied in Revelation are to drive Satan (the true King of Egypt) out of the hearts of God’s people, allowing His people to serve God and God alone!

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And so, this whole nonsense that all the torment and plagues mentioned in Revelation are for the mere sake of causing fallen Mankind to suffer is a product of unsanctified theologians.

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

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“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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There are many modern-day Bible teachers and theologians who attempt to interpret the Book of Revelation as literal as possible.

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And so, when they read, “And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast,” they cannot see the spiritual nature of this passage.

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Therefore, they confidently say, “Revelation cannot be unfolding! After all, do the people of the world have noisome and grievous sores on their bodies? Of course not!”

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ABOVE PICTURE: 7 Stars pouring out bowls of wrath

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“SPIRITUAL THINGS MUST BE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED”

1st Corinthians 2:13

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And this is the argument used elsewhere in Revelation, to deny that it is already unfolding. “Do you see every mountain and island moved out of their places? Absolutely not!” (see Revelation 6:14)

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But the fact is, the Book of Revelation must be interpreted spiritually to make any real sense.

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magnifying glass on puzzle – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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SORES, NOISOME BEASTS, FAMINE, PESTILENCE

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And this passage from Revelation 16, concerning the first plague must likewise be interpreted spiritually, to make any real sense.

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Listen to Ezekiel’s similar statement…“For thus saith the Lord GOD; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?” Ezekiel 14:21

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This above verse from Ezekiel is very similar to our signature passage from Revelation 16:1, 2…“And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.“

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Do you see the similarity? Yes, even back in Ezekiel’s day, God’s judgments were being poured out upon Jerusalem, because of their world-loving ways!

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Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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I HAVE NO LOATHSOME SORES!

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Now of course, many Christians will protest, saying, “I’m a child of God! I don’t have the beast’s mark! Nor do I worship his image! Nor do I have a noisone and grievous sore!”

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But the question is, “Do I have the noisome (wicked) and grievous sores of sin in my life?”

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

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DAVID’S DISEASE OF SIN

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Listen to David’s complaint…“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease:” Psalm 38:4-7

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David’s “loathsome disease” was the disease of sin. And this was akin to the sore judgments poured out upon Jerusalem in Ezekiel’s day, “sword, famine, the noisome beast and pestilence”.

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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Now just look around at society today.

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Do we not see a world sinking hopelessly into the miry pit of sin?

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

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NATIONAL POLITICS

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Take a look at our national politics for example.

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So often we see such underhanded tactics used as, revenge, heartless mockery, lies, cheating, scandal, thievery, bribes, boasting, back-stabbing, disloyalty, etc.! And these sins are probably just “the tip of the iceberg” as the saying goes!

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Yes, behind every closed door, there are no doubt, myriad more sins and avarice being carried out under the cloak of darkness!

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

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VOMITING UP OUR SIN

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The Lord is already pouring out His judgments upon this rebellious world, steeped in sin!

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And the world is getting our fill of sin and selfishness! We are filled to the full with every type of selfish pursuit and material possession! We cannot turn on the television without being overwhelmed by the flood of sin and lust coming to us via today’s high-tech inventions! We are literally being choked with sin on every side!

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

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“AND BECAUSE SIN SHALL ABOUND, THE LOVE OF MANY SHALL WAX COLD”

Matthew 24:12

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And as you may have noticed, the tidal wave of sin has greatly increased over the past few years, to the point that humanity is being drowned by all the sin, self-obsessed narcissism, greed, lust, sodomy, atheism, and similar perversions and false ideologies flooding into our living rooms each day via these high-tech devices!

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GOOD NEWS?

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Well, if there is any Good News, it is found in this next passage…“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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ABOVE PICTURE: Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

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“HIDE THYSELF…FOR A MOMENT”

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Here is where God’s people must hide ourselves during this fearful time when God’s judgments are beginning to fall all around us!

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By unceasing prayer, moment-by-moment contemplation of His Word, by separating ourselves from ungodly television, radio, Internet, novels, newspapers, magazines, and unlawful associations with unbelievers, the Believer may just find refuge under the protective wings of the Almighty!

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

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And by hiding ourselves in Him, we may each say along with the Psalmist…

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“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress:

my God; in Him will I trust.

Surely He shall deliver thee…from the noisome pestilence…

and under His wings shalt thou trust:

His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night…

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;

nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday…

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

Psalm 91:2-6, 10

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me victory over television and secular radio! Help me to begin looking upward, looking unto Jesus…

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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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COULD THERE BE A GREATER SIGN?”

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In the opening verse, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Revelation 15:1, is a direct reference to the Signs In Heaven, which God is just now graciously revealing.

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**Notice that this above verse says… “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous“.**

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If ever there was a great and marvelous sign in Heaven, this 7 Star Constellation seems to be just that! And it is the easiest of all constellations to locate (excepting for those in the southernmost latitudes of the Earth who cannot see it). It seems to stand alone in the northern sky, outshining any other constellation in the night heavens!

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As for its significance, it is easy to see the message for which it was created to bring. It looks like a bowl. A giant bowl! And in the winter, it begins to slowly tip through the night, as if it is finally spilling out its contents upon the earth, as stated in Revelation… “And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial upon the earth” Revelation 16:2.

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And so it is not hard to see the message which this constellation presents. In the summer it begins to slowly tip. But in winter it does fully appear to pour out its contents upon the Earth.

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

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TOMORROW…

August 4 (Nature’s 7 Witnesses, Part 9: “The Signs Of Heaven”)

Starry Night at La Silla – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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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 #213 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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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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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 2 (Noble Bereans, Part 16: “The Signs Of Heaven?”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 2

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 16:

“The Signs Of Heaven?”

To read part 1, click here…“September 2nd (Noble Bereans?)”

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“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”

1st Thessalonians 5:21

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So, in this little series, the subject of those “noble Bereans” has been introduced. And today, it is still worthy of a little more exploration, regarding another area of concern.

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Let’s look at the key Bible passage… “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10, 11

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

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AN OPEN-MINDED SPIRIT IN BEREA

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OK, so these in Berea were more noble, because they:

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1. “Received the Word with all readiness of mind.”

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2. “And searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

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Therefore, these Bereans were ready to receive new teachings, which no doubt, conflicted with the supposed “orthodox” teachings of that day. So there was an open-mindedness which permeated their hearts, and a willingness to search out those new teachings.

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Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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SEARCHING WITH AN OPEN MIND

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**And secondly, they “searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” In other words, these were not just mind-controlled followers of the popular teachers of that day.**

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No, but rather, they were noble enough to entertain this ill-reputed and much despised renegade, Paul, who was bringing a very new and different angle on the Scriptures.

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Yes, Paul was really teaching some incredibly new-sounding doctrines! And yet, the noble people were willing to hear him out, and actually hoped that he was correct! They searched the Scriptures, “to see if these things were so”! They weren’t just searching to find the first flaw, so that they could quickly reject Paul, and everything he had to say!

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Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE SIGNS OF HEAVEN

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Now in these last moments of time, God is bringing us a further revelation: The Signs Of Heaven.

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And this heavenly message requires the very same willingness to search it out!

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Therefore, all those who are desirous to see these signs, must lay aside all previously conceived ideas and prejudices and, “search the Scriptures daily to see if these things are so.”

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And those who are willing to study their Bible daily, with the same open-minded Spirit as those noble Bereans possessed, will not be disappointed. Oh yes, this message may take months to properly discern. But it will be well worth it!

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations with Two Turtledoves (Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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BIBLICAL SUPPORT NECESSARY

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Now, for a truth-seeker to begin to search out any given idea, there must be some encouragement from the Bible to do so.

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And in the case of these heavenly signs, the Bible gives plenty of evidence, such as this…“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;” Luke 21:25

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Now if this were the only verse to go on, it might be enough to begin a search. After all, the Bible promises here that there will be signs in the Sun, Moon, and stars!

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ABOVE STAR CHART: Wikipedia star-charts winter constellation in West with Orion

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THE 7 STARS & ORION

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But there is much more in Scripture to cause one to begin searching out all these things…“Seek Him that maketh the Seven Stars and Orion” Amos 5:8

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Yes, Orion and the Seven Stars are significant members of these Signs Of Heaven constellations.

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

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MANY OTHER BIBLE TRUTHS

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And so, these and other biblical signs are the starting place in the search for end-times truth.

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And of course, these signs carry with them many important Bible truths which every noble Berean can investigate by a daily search of the Bible.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations – signsofheaven.org – Not for commercial profit use!

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TO READ PART 17, GO HERE…

August 13 (Noble Bereans, Part 17: “Noble Bereans or Proud Laodiceans?”)

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be an open-minded seeker of truth, even if it means giving up a very highly regarded Church opinion! Let me be willing to investigate any seemingly new teaching if it appears to have some biblical validity…

Prayer-for-USA-Wikimedia–300×192

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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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BIBLE VERSES PICTURED IN THE HEAVENS

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“With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.” Ezekiel 26:12

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THIS STAR-CHART: This is a Wikipedia star-chart, in which this site’s editor has sketched in these three constellation (without the Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation). Notice how the right front hoof is trampling on the tail of the Dragon. Also notice his eye is a star.It’s best seen when in the western half of the sky. It is found in mid-sky traveling from east to west. In January, it is in the west after midnight. As winter progresses, it can be seen earlier and earlier in the evening. a dark sky with good star-visibility is best, but not absolutely necessary to see this constellation. It is found on the opposite side of the Dragon Constellation from Orion. And as already stated, this Goodly Horse Constellation can be seen best in mid-winter when it is in the western side of the sky, and you are looking at it while you are facing west. The nose and head of this horse is partly made from the Perseus Constellation. The tail and rear end is partly of the Cassiopeia Constellation. The hind-leg is made partly of stars from the Andromeda Constellation.

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THIS HOLY-GHOST-RIDER

winter Constellations in the east

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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.

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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. Hence, this constellation is perhaps the most faint of all the constellations of Signs Of Heaven!

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TOMORROW:

August 3 (Revelation 16:1, 2: “The First Plague”)

Hide Thyself in thy Chambers- inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

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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 #212 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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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 1 (Eternal Torment? Part 29: “What & Where is Hell?”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – August 1

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Eternal Torment?

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Part 29:

“What & Where is Hell?”

To read Part 1, click here… “September 8th (Eternal Torment?)”

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“For Thou wilt not leave my soul in Hell;

neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Psalm 16:10

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The name, “Hell” has long been associated with a fiery netherworld in which multitudes of lost souls are being mercilessly tormented throughout the ceaseless ages.

Ancient Babylon was, perhaps, the originator of this notion, as their culture believed in a conscious existence in that netherworld.

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Nevertheless, the Devil well understands the concept that a lie repeated often enough, and loud enough, is finally accepted as truth.

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And the Christian community has been frightened by this concept of hellish torment for hundreds of years.

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Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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HELL IS A JOKE TO THE WORLD

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On the other hand, today’s science-oriented secular world quite often hears about the caverns of Hell.

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But Hell is usually referenced in the framework of some newspaper comic strip or stand-up comedian, who makes fun and ridicules such an absurd idea.

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And so, this duplicitous way in which Eternal Torment in Hell is being presented to those two classes of persons in the world, is the maniacal work of none other than “the god of this world”, Satan!

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GOD, A MERCILESS MONSTER?

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And Satan has masterfully used “Eternal Torment” as a means of presenting God as a “Monstrous Tyrant”!

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And of course, this horrible false doctrine has resulted in total rejection of God, by so many humans over the past centuries!

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Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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DAVID’S SOUL IN HELL

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But listen to what Peter said in the Book of Acts, regarding a Psalm concerning David…

“Because Thou (God) wilt not leave my (David’s) soul in Hell,

neither wilt Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption (see Psalm 16:10)…

Men and brethren, let me (Peter) freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,

that he is both dead and buried,

and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

Therefore being a prophet,

and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him,

that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh,

he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ,

that his (Christ’s) soul was not left in Hell,

neither his flesh did see corruption.”

Acts 2:27, 29-31

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Now Peter was revealing to his hearers that David was speaking of Christ’s future death and resurrection.

And even though David seemed to be speaking of himself, Peter was reminding them that David’s tomb was still there among them to that very day in which Peter was speaking.

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David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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NO TORMENT FOR DAVID

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And the big point that should not escape our notice, is that Peter was reminding these men that David’s soul was still in Hell (“Hades” being the Greek counterpart for the Hebrew name for the grave, “Sheol”).

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But even though David’s soul was in Hell, we should not imagine for a moment that David was in some netherworld chamber of horrors.

No, David was in the grave!

As a matter of fact, Sheol was often translated “Hell”, but in other places as, “the grave”.

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David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“MANY THAT SLEEP IN THE DUST”

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No, David had fallen asleep, and is awaiting the return of the Lord, even as it is written…

“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,

some to everlasting life…

and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

Daniel 12:2, 3

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And so, here is just another biblical confirmation that Hell is merely the grave, and not some netherworld chamber of horrors.

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And isn’t it wonderful news that our great God and Savior does not endlessly torment those who go down to a Christless grave?

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Truly it can be said, “For His mercy endureth forever!”

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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TO READ PART 30, CLICK HERE…

November 30 (Eternal Torment? Part 30: “He…Preached To The Spirits In Prison”)

Brooklyn Museum The Bad Rich Man in Hell James Tissot overall wikipedia public-domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not be given to a close-minded spirit. But help me to love truth, no matter if it means I will be hated by my own brethren…

USMC prayer before study Wikimedia Public-Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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“It (God’s Covenant) shall be established…

***for ever* *as the Moon…***

***and as a faithful witness in heaven.* *Selah.”***

Psalm 89:37.

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GOSPEL INSCRIBED ON THE MOON

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The Bible states… “It (God’s Covenant) shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven (sky). Selah.” Psalm 89:37

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God’s Covenant (The Gospel) has been inscribed in the sky. In the night sky, predominantly. It has been established “as the Moon, and as a faithful witness…”.

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**There will be, “signs in the Sun… moon, and…stars” (Luke 21:25) just before the end, was a promise made by God.**

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But we didn’t know exactly what those signs would be (although many thought they knew).

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Nor did we realize that these signs would be pointing us to present Bible truths!

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Lunar Eclipse by Jiyang Chen & Wikipedia – share-alike license. Click here for link.

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“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”

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Please tilt your head to the left. Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose. (Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order tohelp you find the face in the photo to the left.)

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Do you see an angry look? His right eyebrow is raised as if he is judging.

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This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox.

Or maybe a wolf.

Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox?

Maybe even a dog.

Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn.

**Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad shock and awe; this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn.**

As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below.

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He is very moral, you see!

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Moon – Public Domain – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

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TOMORROW…

August 2 (Noble Bereans, Part 16: “The Signs Of Heaven?”)

Starry Night at La Silla – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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The Open Forum Talk Show with Harold Camping

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CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS TALK SHOW – – The Open Forum Harold Camping May 15, 2002 (youtube.com)

Harold-Camping – courtesy Family Radio

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 31 (Finding Perfect Peace, Pt. 9, “Living By God’s Precious Promises”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 31

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Finding Perfect Peace,

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Pt. 9,

“Living By God’s Precious Promises”

To read Part 1, click here…March 6th (How To Find Perfect Peace!)

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“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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There is a current wave of popularity on the do-it-yourself channels, in which old houses are given a dramatic and beautiful make-over.

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And it’s truly remarkable how many of those old houses take on a brand-new appearance after some clever techniques are employed to give them a completely new look!

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House Fixer-upper in Eureka Cal. – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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Well, how is my house? Does it have a brand-new look?

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Oh no, not my literal house! No, but how is my spiritual house? Does my spiritual house have a brand-new look about it?

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Or is my spiritual house looking rather old and out-of-date?

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

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PEACE WHICH PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING?

Philippians 4:7

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In other words, is my life filled with turmoil and unrest? Do I react to disappointing news with great consternation and even anger at times? Do I cuss when something wrong occurs.

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Do I often suspect that God is purposely working against me, intentionally trying to undermine my joy?

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Well then, it’s obvious that I have not yet achieved that perfect peace which God promises to all who implicitly place their trust in Him…“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3, 4

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Here is a precious promise for perfect peace: to keep our trusting eyes upon Jesus’ Word!

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Hair pulling stress – frustration – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

Human worry & stress & depression – by Becky Wetherington for Wikimedia – cropped image – Share-alike License

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“MY PEOPLE ARE DESTROYED FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE”

Hosea 4:6

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There is a children’s song which goes like this…“How can you stand on the promises of God, if you don’t know what they are?”

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**The Bible is literally teeming with “great and precious promises” which the Lord has given to strengthen our faith in Him.**

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“HEARTS OVERCHARGED…WITH CARES OF THIS LIFE, AND SO THAT DAY COME UPON YOU UNAWARES!”

Luke 21:34

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Unfortunately, we are living in a day when the Church, to a great extent, has become so busy with the affairs of this life, that most church-goers are too busy to sit down with their Bible and hide those precious promises in their hearts!

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And then there is another class which know their Bible to a certain extent, and yet have cluttered their hearts and minds with so many worldly ideas and maxims, that God’s Word has been literally pushed aside.

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All such cannot stand upon God’s promises because they have allowed the ways of Mankind to take precedence over the ways of Heaven!

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

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And so, today’s devotional is an encouragement to all of us, to begin to do some real house-cleaning, renovating, and redecorating of our spiritual house! A spiritual make-over of sorts!

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Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“PURIFY YOUR HEARTS, YE DOUBLE MINDED!”

Philippians 4:8

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The very first task in giving our heart its much-needed spiritual make-over, is to begin to engage in some real house-cleaning!

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Yes, we have allowed so many of the ungodly influences of the world to clutter our spiritual house to the point that we’re unable to even walk around without stumbling over some earthly maxim or worldly wisdom!

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Lego mess – Wikipedia – Creative Commons License

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“BE NOT DECEIVED! EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPTS GOOD MANNERS”

1st Corinthians 15:33

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For instance, there are many Christians who regularly watch television, not realizing that we are yoking ourselves up with unbelievers, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?…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, 17, 18

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Here is another great and precious promise which lets us know how we can have God treat us as His own children: by coming out from among our secular associations, and separating ourselves from ungodly influences, as far as possible.

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“I WILL SET NO WICKED THING BEFORE MINE EYES!”

Psalm 101:3

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This is how we begin to clean up our spiritual house from all the worldly clutter which has become a great source of stumbling.

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And clearing out all the rotten timbers caused by yoking up with television, radio, social media, magazines, novels, sensual music (even sensual “Christian” music) is a great place to begin such a house-renovation project!

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Graffiti on walls – Bodeguita del Medio, Havana – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“THROUGH WISDOM, A HOUSE IS BUILDED”

Proverbs 24:3

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The second part of giving our house its spiritual make-over is to replace all that accumulated worldly wisdom with heavenly wisdom. And let’s face it! We have all grown up in this Babylonish world. The faithless ways of this world have become second nature to us! But Heaven’s ways are drastically different than Man’s ways!

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And 2nd Peter 1:4, speaks of, “the exceeding great and precious promises, that by these, ye may be able to escape the corruption of the world…”.

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Yes, we need to plead with God to allow us to begin hiding His Word in our hearts.

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**And like “pictures of gold in settings of silver”, God’s promises should be hanging on the walls and corridors of our heart!**

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“THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART”

Psalm 119:11

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And the very Good News is, that God is graciously allowing us enough time to get things corrected and right! And considering the lateness of the hour, let’s each begin to allow His Word to fill our hearts with light and truth, that we no more walk in the faithless ways of the world!

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

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OUR DAILY BATTLE

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Perhaps at the end of each day, we need to spend much time, maybe while lying down in bed, 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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TO READ PART 10, GO HERE…

August 18 (Finding Perfect Peace, Part 10, “World’s Most Unpopular Antidepressant!”)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Slow me down, so that I take time each day to hide Thy precious promises in my heart. I know that I don’t have the memory sufficient for this. But I know that by faithfully lingering upon these promises, You will be faithful to remind me of them, at just the time when they are needed…

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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FLOWER OF THE FIELD CONSTELLATION…

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION…

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This constellation group can best be seen in spring through summer in the southern sky just above the horizon. Like all constellations, it slowly moves westward through the months, appearing a little earlier each night. It also appears to move through the sky westward each night. It can be easily seen under any degree of darkness.

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In other words, you don’t need a very dark night. In the sketch to the right, the ‘Flower of the Field’ Constellation `is in the lower part of the screen, directly under the Cross/Scepter Constellation. The sketches in this site are approximate, and not 100% accurate. The individual stars have different brightness than seen here. But these sketches are close enough in order to find them in the night sky.

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This constellation presents one of the most beautiful verses in Scripture. And yet that Scripture presents one of the most repugnant concepts (which unsaved Mankind has tried to elude for millenniums). And that concept is, that Mankind is like the grass that withers, and his glory as the wildflower that fades away. But God’s Word and those that love it will go on forever and ever!

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TOMORROW:

August 1 (Eternal Torment? Part 29: “What & Where is Hell?”)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

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

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THIS STUDY #210 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 names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info 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.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 27 (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?! Part 7: “Careful What You Wish For!”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 27

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In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!

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Part 7:

“Careful What You Wish For!”

To read Part 1, click here… February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!)

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“Be careful (worried) for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests

be made known unto God.

***And the peace of God,* *which passeth all understanding,***

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6, 7

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“Careful what you wish for!”

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Have you ever heard that expression?

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Well, it’s been a fairly popular saying. And as far as human proverbs go, it’s actually not too bad!

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Simply put, it’s a warning against wishing for some thing which ultimately may end up being a bad thing!

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Birthday Cake – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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ABRAHAM AND SARAH

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Now the Bible makes similar warnings. Some of these warnings are found within the various stories in both testaments.

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One such story was the true account of childless Abraham and Sarah, and their obsession to have a son.

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Oh yes, God had promised to give them a child.

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“And I (God) will make thy (Abraham’s) seed to multiply as the stars of heaven,” Genesis 26:4

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Yes, God promised to not only give Abraham a son, but also to multiply his lineage as the stars of Heaven for number!

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But alas, the waiting time became long.

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And this long delay caused them to begin to doubt God’s promise.

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Schnorr von Carolsfeld – 1860 – Abram counts stars – Wikipedia – Public Dom. (2)

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ABRAHAM GREW TIRED OF WAITING

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Well, in their overwhelming desire to have that promised child they finally concocted a plan of their own: to sort of, well, “help God out”.

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Yes, Abraham and Sarah grew weary with waiting. And so, they finally decided to use their own wisdom and effort to bring this promise to fruition.

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

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AN ISHMAEL WAS BORN!

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And one day, Sarah counseled Abraham to go in unto Sarah’s handmaid, Hagar, the Egyptian, and conceive a child through her.

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Well, this plan worked, bringing them a son, Ishmael.

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But God rejected Ishmael from being the child of promise. No, God had His own plan.

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And God ordained that Abraham’s wife, Sarah, was to conceive that long-promised child, not Hagar!

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Hagar Leaves Abraham – by Peter Paul Rubens – 1616 AD – wikipedia – public domain

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“He that is entered into His (God’s) rest…has ceased from his own works”

Hebrews 4:10

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Well, needless to say, great problems ensued, resulting from Abraham’s and Sarah’s faithless effort to, “help God out”. And they ultimately learned their lesson…the hard way!

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They finally realized that God wants His people to trust Him implicitly!

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And he doesn’t want them to rely on their own strength, nor on their own wisdom, nor on their own human effort.

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Hagar and Ishmael – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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“LEAN NOT UNTO THINE OWN UNDERSTANDING!”

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Listen to the Wise Man…“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5-8

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This above counsel is perhaps one of the greatest truths of Scripture!

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And it should be emblazoned upon the heart of each and every Christian!

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God doesn’t want us to behave like the faithless secularists of the world! No, He wants us to fully trust in Him and in His great and precious promises found throughout Scripture! This is how we are to live. By His “exceeding great and precious promises!” 2nd Peter 1:4

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE KNOWN TO GOD”

Philippians 4:6

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And so, the Christian must be careful not to become obsessed over something!

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And as you can probably well imagine, the Devil would love to see us become so feverishly obsessed over some desire, that we begin to exercise our own strength and wisdom to obtain that desire!

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“BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING!”

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But here is another critically important exhortation…“Be careful (worried and anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7

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This is another passage that should be written upon our hearts: that to have true peace, we just cannot allow ourselves to get worried and anxious and even obsessed about anything!

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Human worry & stress & depression – cropped/colored image – by Becky Wetherington for Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“THOU (GOD) WILL KEEP HIM IN PERFECT PEACE… BECAUSE HE TRUSTS IN THEE”

Isaiah 26:3

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God wants His children to live in perfect peace.

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Thus, whenever we begin to become anxious and nervous and even obsessed over some issue, we have unknowingly left the protective shelter and covering of God’s Spirit.

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And we have become in danger of obtaining our desire via our own strength and wisdom!

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But like Abraham, our faithless human efforts will only bring us future sorrow and failure!

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And like Abraham, we may have to live with the devastating repercussions of our human folly!

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Weeping Woman – Van Gogh – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

Vincent van Gogh – Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity) – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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And so, O child of God! What are you desiring? A new car? A new place to live? A new job? A new toy? A new friend? A wife? A husband? A pay-raise? A bed of roses?

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

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“NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD FROM THEM THAT WALK UPRIGHTLY”

Psalm 84:11

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But God’s Word shows us the correct pathway to follow each day. This is the pathway to victory.

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And God requires us to follow the Bible’s prescribed pathway, to finally obtain our desires. Or not to obtain them!

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“BE WITHOUT COVETOUSNESS; AND BE CONTENT WITH SUCH THINGS AS YE HAVE”

Hebrews 13:5

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In other words, God knows what is best for us.

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Our little finite minds are not sufficient to understand what is best for us.

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Our trust should be great enough to leave matters in the capable hands of our Heavenly Father, whose, “understanding is infinite.” Psalm 147:5

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Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“Be careful (worried and anxious) for nothing;

but in every thing by prayer and supplication

with thanksgiving let your requests

be made known unto God.

***And the peace of God,* *which passeth all understanding,***

shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6, 7

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TO READ PART 8, CLICK HERE…

March 8 (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?! Part 8: “Cancer, a Faith-building Experience?”)

Breast cancer cell – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully trust in Thy sovereign will for my life. Keep me from allowing my desire for any thing to cause me to stumble and fall into faithlessness. But help me to leave all matters in Thy capable hands…

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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THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE… “THE ARMOR OF GOD”

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“PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”…

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I didn’t understand all that Ephesians 6 was talking about. “What does it mean to put on ‘the breast plate of righteousness'”? This was very puzzling to me… “How does a person just put something like that on?” This was a concept above my comprehension.

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***“And how does a person ‘put on the helmet of salvation'”,* I thought to myself… *“especially while Satan is condemning and accusing every moment?”***

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“And how do you put on the shoes, with the gospel of peace’?” I couldn’t understand these concepts. I was too new in the faith.

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ONE CONCEPT THAT DID MAKE SENSE…

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But there was one thing I could understand. I knew what it meant to take the “sword of the spirit, which is the word of God”. Now that I got! Read the Bible! That’s a simple concept! Yeah!

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The sketch above is Orion the Soldier and the Dragon of Revelation 12. They begin to rise in the east in the fall and gradually move westward, finally sinking in the west in the spring. Find Orion first. Look for his 3-star belt. Then find the 4 bright stars of his shoulders and feet. Then locate the Dragon’s mouth (AKA Hyades).

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TOMORROW…

July 28 (The Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 4: “Lesson From Genesis”)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH

.

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

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THIS STUDY #206 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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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 names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info 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.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 26 (Revelation 16:4-6, Part 2: “The Third Plague CONTINUED”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 26

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Revelation 16:4-6,

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Part 2:

“The Third Plague

CONTINUED”

To read Part 1, click here…July 25 (Revelation 16: “The Third Plague”)

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“And the third angel poured out his vial

upon the rivers and fountains of waters;

and they became blood.

And I heard the angel of the waters say,

Thou art righteous, O Lord,

which art, and wast, and shalt be,

because Thou hast judged thus.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

and thou hast given them blood to drink;

for they are worthy.”

Revelation 16:4-6

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Is there enough bloodshed going on in the world today?

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Well, to this stupid question, most people would roll their eyes and sigh, because it seems as if the world has gone crazy with violence and sin!

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9/11 World Trade Center attack – New York – cropped image – by UpsateNYer & Wikipedia – Share-Alike Lic.

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IS THE WORLD’S LOVE “WAXING COLD”?

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Listen to this prophecy concerning the hour we are now living in…“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:12

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Can we say that the love of many is waxing cold in today’s violent world?

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Boston marathon bombing – Wikipedia – Creative-Commons-2.0

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TV, A DAILY DELUGE OF BLOOD AND SIN

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Now, in yesterday’s devotional (click here), the spotlight was on this very horrible condition of today’s world, and how Christians, along with the world’s inhabitants, are getting our fill of all the bloody accounts on the daily news shows.

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And combined with all the other violence and sin on many television shows these days, it would appear that God is giving us blood to drink…“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and Thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Revelation 16:6

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THEY WILL NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE

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Today’s apostate church-world is doing much violence to the Bible, even as it is written…“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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This above passage from 2nd Timothy is fulfilled by our apostate condition alone.

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Yes, the world and the churches have rejected the soul-saving message of the Bible, trading away our Salvation in hot pursuit of the selfish pleasures, and proud, ambitious aspirations of this, Satan’s kingdom!

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

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GETTING OUR FILL OF SIN

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And because most Christians are spending copious amounts of time, watching television, and listening to radio, and reading newspapers, and viewing the Internet, we are getting our fill of all the bloody dramas, news stories, and sexually-charged comedies which are literally everywhere these days on the various media!

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Thus, the typical Christian is drinking blood, via today’s modern media, instead of obeying God, by stopping his ears from hearing of blood, and shutting his eyes from seeing evil, as it commands us to do in Isaiah 33:15.

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Listen…The sinners in Zion are afraid;

fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.

Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?

who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly;

…THAT STOPPETH HIS EARS FROM HEARING OF BLOOD,

and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

He shall dwell on high:

his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks:

bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty:

they shall behold the Land that is very far off.

Isaiah 33:14-17

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Here we have a prophecy very well-suited for the frightful hour we now find ourselves in!

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**But sadly, God’s people are not stopping our ears from, “hearing of blood”!**

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“O MY GOD…SAVE ME FROM BLOODY MEN!”

Psalm 59:1, 2

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The fact is, the Lord has allowed Satan to turn this world into a terrorist’s paradise. A very bloody world indeed!

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Even in some of our own large cities, local residents are shooting one-another at unbelievable rates!

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Millions of women and children around the world are kidnapped and sold into slavery of one type or another.

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Public schools which once were the guardians and bastions of our children’s safety and purity, are now beginning to encourage them to engage in sexual acts of various types!

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Public restrooms are increasingly unsafe for young girls to use!

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Beheadings are becoming increasingly frequent, now even being shown on Internet videos!

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Senseless bombings and terror attacks occurring on a daily and weekly basis!

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Christians and Jews are now beginning to be mercilessly persecuted around the world!

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Fathers and mothers murdering their own little babies for no apparent reason!

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Churches now being burned, while leaders remain silent!

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Cities being burned and ravaged, while mayors and governors remain silent!

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And the current national political arena is growing more and more hateful with each passing day!

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CRIME SCENE – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

Kidnapping – Abduction – Hostage exercise – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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

Anti-Christian rally in Chicago – cropped image – Wikimedia

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SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS!

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Now if all this isn’t terrible enough, the Lord has begun to give us a heavenly message which the Prophet Joel foretold of long ago…“The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.” Joel 2:31

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Well, just how in the world could this possibly be fulfilled!?

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Spiritually fulfilled! That’s how!

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SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS DARKENED

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**Yes, the light of Christ, “the Sun of Righteousness” has been all but darkened in the apostate churches and in all the world.**

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And now, the Lord is revealing the signs spoken of in Luke 21:25…“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;”

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And so, as we see these signs being fulfilled, we are even drinking in more blood because of these signs (see “Moon Into Blood Trilogy” on www.theheavensdeclare.net website)

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And so, one could even say that the heavens are even turning to blood, via this frightening message written in the heavens!

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY!”

Proverbs 25:25

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Well, is there any Good News to hear in this world, deluged by all these bloody messages?

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Well, yes. The Good News is that these signs in the sun, moon, and stars are holding out the scepter of Salvation for any and every man, woman, and child willing to reach out take hold of it!

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And anyone who desires to become a wise man, can begin to follow that bright star, Arcturus, as it leads us onward and upward out of this hopelessly bloody world, to the Heavenly City of Zion, the everlasting Land of joy unspeakable!

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And concerning those who do respond to this message, the following prophecy will be fulfilled…

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“Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return,

and come with singing unto Zion;

and everlasting joy shall be upon their head:

they shall obtain gladness and joy;

and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.”

Isaiah 51:11

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STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations with Two Turtledoves (Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me victory over television and secular radio! Help me to begin looking upward, looking unto Jesus…

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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COULD THERE BE A GREATER SIGN?”

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In the opening verse, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Revelation 15:1, is a direct reference to the Signs In Heaven, which God is just now graciously revealing.

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**Notice that this above verse says… “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous“.**

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If ever there was a great and marvelous sign in Heaven, this 7 Star Constellation seems to be just that! And it is the easiest of all constellations to locate (excepting for those in the southernmost latitudes of the Earth who cannot see it). It seems to stand alone in the northern sky, outshining any other constellation in the night heavens!

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As for its significance, it is easy to see the message for which it was created to bring. It looks like a bowl. A giant bowl! And in the winter, it begins to slowly tip through the night, as if it is finally spilling out its contents upon the earth, as stated in Revelation… “And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial upon the earth” Revelation 16:2.

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And so it is not hard to see the message which this constellation presents. In the summer it begins to slowly tip. But in winter it does fully appear to pour out its contents upon the Earth.

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ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars in upright position – Summer – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit use!

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars pouring out – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

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TOMORROW…

July 27 (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?! Part 7: “Careful What You Wish For!”)

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

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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 #205 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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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 names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info 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.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 25 (Revelation 16:4-6: “The Third Plague”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 25

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Revelation 16:4-6:

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“The Third Plague”

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“And the third angel poured out his vial

upon the rivers and fountains of waters;

and they became blood.

And I heard the angel of the waters say,

Thou art righteous, O Lord,

which art, and wast, and shalt be,

because Thou hast judged thus.

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets,

and thou hast given them blood to drink;

for they are worthy.”

Revelation 16:4-6

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“LET MY PEOPLE GO”

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The plagues poured out in Revelation 16 are similar to those poured out upon the Egyptians in the Book of Exodus. But what was the purpose of pouring out those plagues. Listen to God as He speaks to Pharoah through Moses and Aaron…“Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast:” Exodus 10:4

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This was the promise of plagues, and was repeated with the various other plagues.

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But the point is, these plagues were to cause Pharoah to finally allow God’s people to leave Egypt to serve God alone, no longer held in Bondage to slavery. Likewise, the plagues prophesied in Revelation are to drive Satan (the true King of Egypt) out of the hearts of God’s people, allowing His people to serve God and God alone!

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And so, this whole nonsense that all the torment and plagues mentioned in Revelation are for the mere sake of causing fallen Mankind to suffer is a product of unsanctified theologians.

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

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Prior to the mid-twentieth century, the general understanding in the Christian community was that Revelation had been steadily unfolding since the days that John, the Revelator wrote the following words…“Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.”

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Yes, the Book of Revelation has been unfolding since the day it was written. And now that we are standing on the threshold of Christ’s return, the final events spoken of in Revelation are now occurring.

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

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SATAN’S KINGDOM: THE REVELATION 13 BEAST

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As this and many other old engravings reveal, the Church of the Dark Ages understood that the apostate churches of Europe during those centuries were an integral component of the Antichrist Beast of Revelation 13.

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And the whorish woman riding that world-system Beast symbolized the harlot churches.

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Papessa tiara Harlot rides Beast wikipedia US public domain

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REVELATION FOR THE CHURCHES

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Listen to Revelation 22:16…“I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.”

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As this verse reveals, the Book of Revelation has been written for the Church, and it is only recently that the Church has rejected this truth.

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Take for instance, the 7 bowls of God’s wrath.

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ABOVE PICTURE: 7 Stars pouring out bowls of wrath

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WATERS TURNED TO BLOOD

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Listen to this 3rd vial of God’s wrath…“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” Revelation 16:4-6

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Now here we have a prophecy which must be spiritually discerned.

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Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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“SPIRITUAL THINGS MUST BE SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED”

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But there are many (or perhaps most) Bible teachers today who cannot discern spiritual things of the Bible, when they are contained within allegories, parables, types and shadows.

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And so, they will attempt to interpret this above passage literally.

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But the Bible reveals, “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. 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 2:13, 14

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Here is revealed that carnal Christians cannot see nor can they understand the spiritual nature of Scripture.

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

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“RIVERS OF LIVING WATERS”

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But this passage from Revelation 16:4-6 is very relevant to today’s bloody situation in the world. But it is not speaking of literal rivers nor of actual water fountains.

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Listen to Jesus…“He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

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Here it reveals just what rivers that God is concerned with!

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It is the living waters of God’s Word.

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Holy Bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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BLOODY WATERS OF TODAY’S MEDIA

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Just take a look at what’s now being presented on the nightly news! Just look at the various shows currently being aired on TV! Blood, blood, blood!!!

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Yes, television is literally overflowing with violence and blood! This world is getting so violent, bloody and corrupt!

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And to whatever degree that we Christians and our children are content to spend time watching television and/or daily news, are we not drinking in violence and blood that we see and hear, to that same degree?

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

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T.V. IS COMMUNION WITH THE UNSAVED

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Yes, just as God gave those Egyptians bloody waters to drink, so too, we Christians today are drinking blood whenever we turn on the evening news, it seems!

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Listen… “I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I WILL SET NO WICKED THING BEFORE MINE EYES. I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I WILL NOT KNOW A WICKED PERSON. Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” Psalm 101:2-5

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Everything mentioned in this above passage sounds like your average TV show, doesn’t it? Wickedness in various forms, turning away from the True Path, froward (evil) hearts, evil people, slanderous remarks, and pride: these are just some of the countless evils seen on daily television! And the nightly news is no exception!

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THE HEARING OF BLOOD

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Listen… “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he…that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;” Isaiah 33:14, 15

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Do you see the connection here? This above passage seems to be speaking of the daily television lineup of programs! And isn’t it true that television news is very greatly focused on all the bloody conflicts around the world? All the disease? All the slander? All the adultery? All the greed? All the hatred and revenge? All the pride and bigotry and racism?

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Yes, all these evils are a form of violence! And they are the very focus of TV news!

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

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OUR JOYFUL COMMISSION: TO LOOK UP!

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We have such a wonderful and joyful commission from God! Yes, to look up and fix our gaze upon our Lord and Savior, and Friend, Jesus Christ is our true Great Commission!

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And it is now the time to look up and lift up our heads on high, to behold our soon-coming Savior, who will save us out of all this selfishness, sorrow, death and mourning which is what this present dark world is all about!

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“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.” Isaiah 26:3

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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TO READ PART 2, GO HERE…

July 26 (Revelation 16:4-7, Part 2: “The Third Plague CONTINUED”)

Tissot – Water Is Changed into Blood by James Tissot, Wikimedia – US public domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me victory over television and secular radio! Help me to begin looking upward, looking unto Jesus…

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)

.

COULD THERE BE A GREATER SIGN?

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In the opening verse, “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God.” Revelation 15:1, is a direct reference to the Signs In Heaven, which God is just now graciously revealing.

.

**Notice that this above verse says… “And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous“.**

.

If ever there was a great and marvelous sign in Heaven, this 7 Star Constellation seems to be just that! And it is the easiest of all constellations to locate (excepting for those in the southernmost latitudes of the Earth who cannot see it). It seems to stand alone in the northern sky, outshining any other constellation in the night heavens!

.

As for its significance, it is easy to see the message for which it was created to bring. It looks like a bowl. A giant bowl! And in the winter, it begins to slowly tip through the night, as if it is finally spilling out its contents upon the earth, as stated in Revelation… “And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial upon the earth” Revelation 16:2.

.

And so it is not hard to see the message which this constellation presents. In the summer it begins to slowly tip. But in winter it does fully appear to pour out its contents upon the Earth.

.

TOMORROW…

July 26 (Revelation 16:4-7, Part 2: “The Third Plague CONTINUED”)

Tissot – Water Is Changed into Blood by James Tissot, Wikimedia – US public domain

.

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 #204 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 names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info 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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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 16 (Eternal Torment? Part 26: “Where is the Land of Forgetfulness?”)

By admin On May 30th, 2024

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 16

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Eternal Torment?

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Part 26:

“Where is the Land of Forgetfulness?”

To read Part 1, click here… “September 8th (Eternal Torment?)”

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“Wilt Thou (God) show wonders to the dead?

shall the dead arise and praise Thee? Selah.

Shall Thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave?

or Thy faithfulness in destruction?

Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark?

and Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

Psalm 88:10-12

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Is Hell, “the land of forgetfulness”?

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And if it is a land, then it must be a place of conscious existence! Right?

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And so, then we can conclude that Hell is a place where the lost souls will exist forever and ever!

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Right?

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Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED

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Well, these questions certainly beg for an answer. And so, perhaps a few minutes of exploration into these questions might not be such a bad thing, don’t you agree?

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Listen again to today’s signature Bible passage…“Wilt Thou (God) show wonders to the dead? shall the dead arise and praise Thee? Selah. Shall Thy lovingkindness be declared in the grave? or Thy faithfulness in destruction? Shall Thy wonders be known in the dark? and Thy righteousness in the land of forgetfulness? Psalm 88:10-12

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This above passage certainly raises some questions about death and Hell.

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Magnifying Glass – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-alike License

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“THE LAND OF DARKNESS”

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Now, listen to this next passage from Job.

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Listen as Job longs for death…“Wherefore then hast Thou (God) brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave…Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the LAND OF DARKNESS and the shadow of death; A LAND OF DARKNESS, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.” Job 10:18, 19, 21, 22

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Notice that this passage speaks of death as the “land of darkness”. And yet, Job says of it…“I should have been as though I had not been” Job 10:19

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Job (oil on canvas) by Bonnat, Leon Joseph Florentin (1833-1922) – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“LAND OF DARKNESS” NOT THE CHAMBER OF ETERNAL TORMENT

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And so, even in literal death which the Bible calls, “the land of darkness”, God reveals through Job that there is no conscious existence there. Job confesses that, “I should have been as though I had not been”. No torture. No torment. Just a return to non-existence. Everything is now forgotten.

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The fact that there is no eternal chamber of horrors is a very wonderful vindication of God’s character, which has been maligned over the centuries by misguided and erring humans who did not understand how to “rightly divide the Word of Truth.” 2nd Timothy 2:15

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Foggy Church Graveyard – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0

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A SPIRITUAL MEANING

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**But “the land of forgetfulness” has an earthly application as well. Oh yes, it applies to the grave. But there is a spiritual meaning as well!**

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Listen to the Psalmist’s complaint to his Lord and God found in verses 6 and 7 of this same Psalm 88…“Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and Thou hast afflicted me with all Thy waves. Selah”

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So here above, the Psalmist is woefully mourning his great sufferings, and declares that God has laid him in the lowest pit, in which he is suffering intense afflictions from the hand of Almighty God! And this lowest pit is a place of “darkness, in the deeps”!

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And yet, his sufferings are here on earth, and not in some netherworld dungeon!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TORMENT YES! ETERNAL TORMENT NO!

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And so, this new, additional information begins to expand our scope of understanding into just what is, “the land of forgetfulness”.

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Oh yes, this lowest pit is a place of torment. Verses 6 and 7 of this Psalm 88 make that perfectly clear!

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Listen again to Psalm 88:6, 7…“Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and Thou hast afflicted me with all Thy waves. Selah.”

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Here we have a very good example of how the Bible has been mis-interpreted, because of improper Bible study by unsanctified minds from the apostate churches back in earlier centuries. They just did not compare scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual to rightly interpret the Word of Truth. They saw the parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus, and a number of other passages, and stopped right there, without trying to balance out ALL the relevant scriptures.

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Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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JONAH IN HELL?

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Now listen to this next passage from the little Book of Jonah…“Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and He heard me; out of THE BELLY OF HELL cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me.” Jonah 2:1, 2

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Here again, Jonah was going through afflictions. He called this place, “Hell”. Oh yes, it was the belly of a whale. as it says in Matthew 12:40. But this horrendous scenario of Jonah in the whale’s belly was merely a picture of the place of afflictions which many Christians must go through, in the purification process.

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And notice that Jonah’s situation was similar to the Psalmist’s. Jonah was “in the deep” in which God’s “waves passed over me.”

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Jonah & the Great Fish – Wikigallery – Public domain

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JONAH & PSALM 88 VERY SIMILAR

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Now compare this with the Psalmist’s experience…“Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps. Thy wrath lieth hard upon me, and Thou hast afflicted me with all Thy waves. Selah.”

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**In both cases, Jonah and the Psalmist spoke of God’s afflictions as “waves”. And while Jonah was, “in the deep”, the Psalmist was in, “the lowest pit…in the deeps”.**

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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AFFLICTIONS FOR PURIFICATION

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But why were both Jonah and the Psalmist being afflicted? What good is it to be afflicted by God? What is God’s purpose for afflicting these two men?

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Listen to Psalm 119:67, 71, 75… “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept Thy word….It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn Thy statutes…I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are right, and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.”

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Yes, in faithfulness and love, God chastises His people, so that they will eventually, “come forth as gold”. Job 23:10.

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Afflictions are one of God’s chosen means of purifying His people.

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Gold smelting – Public Domain – wn.com

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PAUL TOOK PLEASURE IN AFFLICTIONS?!

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Listen to Paul’s incredible testimonies regarding afflictions…“And He (God) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2nd Corinthians 12:9, 10

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Paul “most gladly” went through various afflictions, so that God’s grace and power could, “rest upon me”.

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Paul knew these things were for his eternal good!

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

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“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten”

Ecclesiastes 9:5

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But as to death being “the land of FORGETFULNESS”, this above verse pretty much explains why.

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**Simply put, Sheol (“the grave”, or “Hell”), is a place where one’s thoughts and memory perish. It’s all forgotten!**

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They simply cease to exist.

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Graves at Calvary Cemetery Queens – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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WHY CALL AFFLICTIONS “HELL”?

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But just one more question needs to be asked: “Why does God consider this present world, the place of our earthly afflictions, to be “Hell”?”

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And that question will be explored in tomorrow’s devotional.

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

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TO READ PART 27, GO HERE…

July 17 (Eternal Torment? Part 27: “What & Where is Tartaroo?”

Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not be given to a close-minded spirit. But help me to love truth, no matter if it means I will be hated by my own brethren…

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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“It (God’s Covenant) shall be established…

***for ever* *as the Moon…***

***and as a faithful witness in heaven.* *Selah.”***

Psalm 89:37.

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GOSPEL INSCRIBED ON THE MOON

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The Bible states… “It (God’s Covenant) shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven (sky). Selah.” Psalm 89:37

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God’s Covenant (The Gospel) has been inscribed in the sky. In the night sky, predominantly. It has been established “as the Moon, and as a faithful witness…”.

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**There will be, “signs in the Sun… moon, and…stars” (Luke 21:25) just before the end, was a promise made by God.**

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But we didn’t know exactly what those signs would be (although many thought they knew).

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Nor did we realize that these signs would be pointing us to present Bible truths!

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Moon – Lunar Eclipse by Jiyang Chen – Wikipedia – share-alike-license

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“THE SCORNER (THE PHARISEE)”

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Listen to the following revelation concerning the evil which exists within the hearts of men…“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, AN EVIL EYE, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.” Mark 7:18-23

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Please tilt your head to the left. Do you see a man with a very long pointed nose. (Obviously, the sketch to the right is just an exaggeration in order to help you find the face in the photo to the left.)

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Do you see an angry look? His right eye-brow is raised as if he is judging.

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This second face in the Moon appears to be that of a combination of a man as well as a fox. Or maybe a wolf. Doesn’t he have a long narrow nose like a wolf or fox? Maybe even a dog. Nevertheless, the expression on his face, as he appears to look down upon the Earth, is that of scorn. Unlike the first Moon-man’s sad shock and awe; this ‘man/fox/wolf/dog’ appears to be that of anger and scorn. As if he is disgusted at the sinful planet below.

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He is very moral, you see!

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Moon – Public Domain – 2nd face Pharisee Scorner – by Cezar Popescu for Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain – cropped, highlighted & rotated photo

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TOMORROW…

July 17 (Eternal Torment? Part 27: “What & Where is Tartaroo?”

Brooklyn Museum – The Rich Man In Hell – James Tissot – 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 #195 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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Devouring Fire.com

Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 28 (Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 5: “Important Lesson From Genesis”)

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – July 28

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Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture,

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Part 4:

“Important Lesson From Genesis”

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“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;

There shall no evil befall thee,

neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.”

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“…they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction”

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<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="wp-image-57605 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/theheavensdeclare.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/John-Nelson-Darby-Wikipedia-US-Public-Domain-e1510226898545-150x150-1.jpg?resize=102%2C102&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="102" height="102" />

The historical records give Cyrus I. Scofield credit for popularizing this false doctrine of the “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”, first invented by another 19th-century false Bible teacher, one John Darby of The Plymouth Brethren denomination.

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Thus, by such heretical wrestling with Scripture, Scofield/Darby then began to promote the idea that Christ would “rapture” His Church out of the world, just prior to the prophecies of Revelation being fulfilled.

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<img data-recalc-dims="1" decoding="async" class="wp-image-57605 alignleft" src="https://i0.wp.com/theheavensdeclare.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/John-Nelson-Darby-Wikipedia-US-Public-Domain-e1510226898545-150x150-1.jpg?resize=102%2C102&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="102" height="102" />

“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”

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Consequently, the Christian world was now being taught that there were, not one, but TWO separate returns of Christ! And if you missed out on the Christ’s first return, you now would have a second chance!

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Very clever…and yet, very devilish!

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THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE IN TYPOLOGY

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A few years back, an evangelical author published a book promoting the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.

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In that book, the author focused on various Old Testament stories, viewing them as allegories which seemed to support the idea that the Church will be literally removed from the earth prior to the unfolding of the Book of Revelation.

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THE PLAGUES UPON EGYPT

But one very important event which the author completely avoided was the true historical account of the Old Testament Hebrews and the pouring out of the plagues upon Egypt.

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Not even a mention!

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Isn’t that odd considering those plagues upon Egypt so closely parallel the plagues found in Revelation 16?

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“IN THE WORLD YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION”

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***Because thou hast made the LORD,* *which is my refuge,***

**Listen again…“In the world ye shall have tribulation!” *John 16:33***