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Today’s Devotional – February 29th

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By Beholding Jesus…Changed!

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“But we all, with open face

beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2nd Corinthians 3:18

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Mirrors have been around since the days of Adam & Eve. 

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Yes, mankind has had a long history of desiring to behold our own image.

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The very first mirror, no doubt was merely the reflection seen, when one looked into a pool of still water.

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Later, metal craftsmen made mirrors from highly polished metals. 

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But in 1835, the German chemist Justus von Liebig created the first silvered-glass mirror, by a chemical process.

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And this led to our modern-day process of mirror-making, which has perfected mankind’s love-affair with the mirror! (info from Wikipedia on, “the mirror”) 

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Girl with round mirror – Wikimedia – US public domain

Mirror – Woman with mirror on ancient vase – NAMA Femme au miroir – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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IMAGES WE BEHOLD

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And speaking of images, just what images have I beheld today?

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What visual things attracted my attention today?

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Or what music made my ears perk up today?

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And what thoughts permeated my heart today?

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What word/image media did I peruse today? The TV? The newspaper? The Internet?

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In this high-tech age we now live, the possibilities are endless, as to what we may choose to behold.

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As the Preacher said… “the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.” Ecclesiastes 1:8.

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Yes, God has created Man to be curious.

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Our eyes are constantly searching.

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Our ears are always ready to hear.

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mirror – Wikimedia – public domain

People on Times Square – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – share-alike license

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FILTERING OUT EVIL

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But as a Christian, am I taking inventory of what images I have allowed myself to behold today?

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After all, God gives us this advice…

“…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,

think on these things.”

Philippians 4:8.

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So here in this above verse, Paul is being very upbeat and happy!

Yes, he tells us to focus our hearts on the things of Heaven!

The things that are of the truth!

The things which are pure and lovely!

Noble things!

Things that will elevate our thoughts in a Heaven-ward direction!

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These are the things which should become the focus of our attention each day!

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Mirror – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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HAPPY HAPPY VERSE! 

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But God, through Paul also has another wonderful passage for us!

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Perhaps one of the most joyful verses in the Bible! And it is found in 2nd Corinthians 3:18…

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Listen… “But we all, with open face

beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image

from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2nd Corinthians 3:18

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Now what could be a more pleasant truth than this above verse? And this passage makes reference to a mirror (or glass).

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What could be more wonderful than to behold the image of Jesus?

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Well, the above verse is infinitely more wonderful! Because it tells me, that not only should I constantly behold my precious Lord Jesus, but by so-doing, I will be more-and-more changed into His glorious image, day-by-day, week-by-week! Month-by-month!

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Now that’s not only wonderful, but it’s almost unbelievable!

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Just think of it! To be changed into Christ’s image (by God’s Spirit)!

Yes, that’s pretty awesome, wouldn’t you agree?

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mirror – Wikimedia – public domain

Transfiguration bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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FOLLOWING THE MASTER

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Have you ever been snow skiing?

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Well, when kids went skiing together, years and years ago, it was quickly learned that one could make really rapid improvement by simply following behind a really great skier!

And whatever you saw him do, you would merely try to imitate whatever he did!

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And this is exactly what Jesus wants us to do too!

Yes, just like those disciples of old, Jesus calls us to “Come and follow Me”.

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And so, by keeping my thoughts on Jesus, throughout my day, and asking myself, “What would Jesus do”, at every turn, I can more and more behave, even as Jesus might behave.

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Now this is not some one-day accomplishment!

No, this is the work for my remaining days on earth!

To use computer language, this should be my “default mode”.

This should be my “modus operandi”.

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To just let Jesus guide me through each and every little situation of the day.

Trying to think how Jesus would answer.

Trying to think where Jesus would go.

To say what Jesus would say!

To eat as Jesus ate!

To sing what Jesus would sing!

To pray what Jesus would pray!

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Mirror globe by Arpingstone for Wikipedia – Public Domain

Freestyle skiing jump – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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KEEP YOUR EYES UPON JESUS!

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These are the things that comprise the essence of what a Christian’s life is all about!

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And as our introductory Bible verse says, by doing these kinds of things each day, I will ever-so-imperceptibly be changed into His glorious image!

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Let’s repeat this verse once again…

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass

the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2nd Corinthians 3:18 

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And just as the world loves to behold itself in a mirror, so too, the Christian loves to behold Jesus in the mirror of God’s Word!

And each and every day that we meditate upon the Bible, we get a clearer and more perfect picture of just who Jesus was and is!

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And by constantly beholding Him, as in a glass (or mirror), we are imperceptibly changed into His glorious image, even as by the Spirit of the Lord!

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A very happy idea, indeed!

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Brooklyn Museum – What Our Lord Saw from the Cross – James Tissot

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“For now we see through a glass, darkly;

but then face to face”

1st Corinthians 13:12

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

February 14 (By Beholding Jesus…Changed! Part 2: “Ellen White’s Book on Jesus’ Life”)

Transfiguration – Bloch – cropped – Wikimedia Commons – US Public-Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Show me the way so that I may behold Jesus through my day. Lift my heavy burden so that I might follow Jesus as one of His disciples…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Lunar Eclipse & Spiritual Eclipse”…

…or you can also read… “Mercury & The Image Of The Beast”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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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” (Genesis 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.

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Listen…

“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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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 1st Face: The Night Watchman”…

…or you can also read… “How Shall The Moon Be Turned Into Blood?”

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TOMORROW:

Today’s Devotional – March 1st (A Designer Jesus!)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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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 #59 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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

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 “Complete List of Daily Devotionals”

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 22

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This Is A Test, Part 2: How God Tests Us

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Daily Devotional, Year 3 – January 10 (This is a test, Part 2: Women pastors & other similar tests in the Bible)

 

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God tests people. From the very first test back in the garden, God tests people.

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Oh yes,  there is coming a day in which the Lord will no longer test His tried and true sons and daughters

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But for now, we must endure the various tests which come our way.

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Those who are God’s Elect

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16:4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

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Listen to the Book of Job…”What is man, that Thou (God) shouldest magnify him? and that Thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that Thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?” Job 7:17, 18

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So here is seen that, not only does God test people, but our infinite God tries each human “every moment”!

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The Bible is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart…”For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

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Here above the Lord reveals that His Word discovers what’s in a person’s heart.

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One way in which this is accomplished is through various tests which God has placed in His Word.

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8:2 And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, [and] to prove thee, to know what [was] in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.” Deuteronomy

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“…Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well….” 1st Peter 3:6

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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“Dear Lord, Help me to put on Thy garments of Salvation. And feed me daily, yea hourly with Thy heavenly Manna, and Thy fruit of the Spirit, and of the meat of Thy Word….

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READ MORE…

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(FOR FURTHER EXPLORATION, READ THE ARTICLE…  ”The Abomination in the Apostate Church”), or you can also read… “August 8th (Ten Sleeping Virgins!)”

 

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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FIVE WISE VIRGINS STARS

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This constellation was identified on May 22nd, 2014. It is simply five stars, two from the Serpens Constellation, and three from the Hercules Constellation.

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What gives this constellation impetus and significance is that it appears as five evenly positioned stars, in a slight oval pattern, as if they were sitting in a meeting, listening, or perhaps watching someone.

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Second, they appear to be gathered in front of The Crown of Revelation 12 Constellation. (just below Corona Borealis in this Wikipedia star-chart, in which the editor of this site sketched in these two constellations)

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GATHERED AROUND GLORIOUS CROWN!

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The position of these stars is significant in a number of ways. The first, being that these Five Wise Virgins are gathered around the 12-star Crown of Revelation 12. And the obvious message here is, that these wise virgins represent the faithful portion of God’s Church. And as wise virgins, they understand the importance of winning the glorious crown of victory, which Jesus promised.

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Listen… “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” 1st Corinthians 9:24, 25. 

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And so, God is showing us the difference between the wise and the foolish in His Church. While the wise are gathered around this crown of victory, the foolish are nowhere to be found. 

 

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Corona Borealis/Bootes & Five Wise Virgins

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READ MORE…

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To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Wise Virgins Stars” or you can also read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars”

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TOMORROW:

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

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CC BY 2.0  CC BY-SA 3.0

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Daily Devotional, Year 2: December 19

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 19:

“Re-thinking Ellen White Regarding The Mark of the Beast & The Sunday Sabbath”

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

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So, in this little series, the subject of those noble Bereans has been introduced.

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And today, it is still worthy of a little more exploration into 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 those 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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And so, the Bereans were ready to receive new teachings, which no doubt, conflicted with the supposed, “orthodox” teachings of that day.

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Thus there was an open-mindedness which permeated their hearts, and a willingness to search the Scriptures daily, in hopes that these seemingly new teachings were indeed true!

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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“WHAT IS MAN, THAT THOU…TRY HIM EVERY MOMENT?”

Job 7:17, 18

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The Bible clearly reveals…“Vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge His people.” Hebrews 10:30

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Yes, God sends His people various tests, to prove to them, whether they are lovers of truth, or merely religionists clinging to their comfortable religion.

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Ellen G White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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ELLEN G. WHITE: MUCH MALIGNED!

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Such was the case when God raised up a little lady named Ellen G. White.

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And though her name has been thoroughly tarnished by the rulers of the so-called “orthodoxy” of today’s Christian community, nevertheless this does not negate her calling and election by God to present the message given to her to share with all truth-seekers.

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The problem is that today’s church-world is every bit as closed-minded as were the Old Testament people of God. And just as they rejected every prophet who God ever sent into their midst, so also the Church today has virtually done the same thing.

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Ellen G White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WE’RE NOT LIKE THOSE NOBLE BEREANS!

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Instead of being like those “noble Bereans” who prayerfully studied daily with an open mind and open Bibles, today’s Christians are content to rely on the advice of their church leaders who have condemned God’s messenger, because of her supposed errors.

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Today’s average Christian is so busy in the world, that they have little time nor inclination to study the writings of Mrs. White with an open-minded desire to discover whether or not she was a true prophet.

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They are rather content to merely rely on the stock answers supplied by their favorite Bible teachers…“Oh, she was strictly Old Testament!” “Oh, she copied other people’s writings.” “Oh, how could Sunday be the Mark of the beast?” “Well, she got arrested once!” “She didn’t even follow her own advice!”

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And armed with such similar critiques, the Church world is mostly content to move on, thinking that God is going to bless such stiff-necked, close-minded phariseeism!

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Ellen G White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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SUNDAY: THE MARK OF THE BEAST?

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Take, for example, the criticism of her teaching that “Sunday is the Mark of the Beast”. If only there were truth-seeking Bible students who would imitate those noble Bereans by studying her writings to the point that they might discover the true nature of the Mark of the Beast as it was actually depicted by Ellen White.

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Ellen White had so much to say concerning the apostasy of the Church (including her own denomination), that to encapsulate her stance by saying “She believed that Sunday is the Mark of the Beast” does not even begin to scratch the surface of what she taught on the subject.

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Ellen G White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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ANY NOBLE BEREANS OUT THERE?

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And so, if there are any true “noble Bereans” who have “an ear to hear”, the following audio chapter from her book, “The Desire of Ages” begins to shed light on what she believed was the true reason for a church to fall into apostasy. (scroll down this page to listen)

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So hopefully, this revealing chapter might inspire the reader to begin to explore more of her writings, which by the way many can be heard on audio.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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This is 18+ minute audio version of chapter 64 from Desire of Ages, is entitled, “A Doomed People”…

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Israel’s Escape From Egypt Through Red Sea – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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TO READ PART 20, CLICK HERE…

NOVEMBER 23 (Noble Bereans, Part 20: “Re-thinking Ellen White Regarding Her Old Testament Statements”)

Ellen G. White – 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 – Anna Blunden – For Only One Short Hour – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ” FEBRUARY 10 (The Deserted Island Theologian!)”, or you can also read…JUNE 13 (Why The World Didn’t End on May 21, 2011) 

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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FINALLY WALKING UPWARD INTO THE HIGHWAYS OF ETERNITY

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Day by day, you will find yourself walking, like the Disciples, spreading the precious Gospel seed wherever the Spirit leads.

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Taking the lovely name of Jesus, with every word spoken. Walking through this sin-darkened world, witnessing to those who take notice that of a truth, Jesus is present within you. Even like faithful Enoch, walking through the highways and byways of life in this world, spreading the Gospel-seed of unpretentious love.

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Day by day, you will become more and more closed in with God. Moment by moment, your heart will become intertwined with God’s heart, eventually two hearts beating as one heart.

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And just like Enoch, when the appointed time of sojourning on earth is finally done…you will walk onward…and upward…and into the highways and byways of eternity. (“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24).

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ThomasCole-Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey – wikimedia – US public domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Castor and Pollux & The Mystery Ship of Scripture”

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TOMORROW…

DECEMBER 20 (The Evil-Eyed Pharisee Scorner, Part 2: “Pharisee-ism Today!”)

Moon-2nd-Face-Pharisee-Scorner

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are encouraged to listen to this Open Forum #36 is a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…

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

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 5

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 8:

“Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding His Doctrinal Errors”

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

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“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.” 1st Corinthians 13:8, 9

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

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So, in this little series, the subject of those noble Bereans has been introduced.

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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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And so, these Bereans were ready to receive new teachings, which no doubt, conflicted with the supposed, “orthodox” teachings of that day.

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So there was an open-mindedness which permeated their hearts, and a willingness to search the Scriptures daily, in hopes that these seemingly new teachings were indeed true!

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Holy Bible – CROPPED IMAGE – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Lic.

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A FAILED PREDICTION?

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A few years ago, a certain radio Bible teacher made the seemingly failed prediction that May 21st, 2011 would be the last day of earth’s existence, because of the long-afore-promised return of Christ in the clouds of glory.

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And of course, when that day came and went, the world began throwing verbal stones at Harold Camping.

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But in reality, nothing failed!

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No, nothing in Camping’s prediction failed! But God purposely allowed this tarrying-time to awaken His sleeping saints, to prepare them to shine forth in the soon-coming, Day of the Lord!

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Harold Camping – cropped image – Wikipedia – copyrighted, not for free use

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OUR SECOND WAKE-UP CALL

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Well Okay, maybe you could say that Camping’s May 21st, 2011 prediction was an error, since he didn’t realize that there was to be a tarrying time, so that God can complete His victory over Satan’s kingdom of this present, selfish world.

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But the Lord intentionally allowed this error, so as to give the world its second, “wake-up call”.

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And God’s sleeping saints really needed more time to prepare to meet their God.

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Yes, God purposely wanted this call to be made that, “the end has come!”

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Judgment Bus New Orleans 2011 – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

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CAMPING A VERY FALLIBLE HUMAN

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But Harold Camping, when alive, was the first one to admit that he was very capable of error.

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After all, on each one of his nightly telephone call-in programs, he probably cautioned his listeners 6 to 10 times per night, “Don’t trust me! I have feet of clay! Trust only the Bible! The Bible, the Bible, the Bible! The Bible is the only infallible Word of truth!”

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Every nightly call-in program was replete with this same warning, to read the Bible, instead of trusting Harold Camping, or any other Bible teacher!

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Harold Camping – cropped image – Wikipedia – copyrighted, not for free use

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RE-THINKING “ETERNAL TORMENT”

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And indeed, Harold Camping’s ministry was not free from error.

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Perhaps one of the most glaring errors in Camping’s 50 year ministry, was corrected during his 30 month-long study in Jeremiah, a few years before his death.

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Yes, while Camping began that study believing in the false doctrine of “Eternal Torment”, he later renounced that doctrine, and began teaching that, “The wages of sin is death”.

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Now this was a remarkable change-of-mind, since he previously had been teaching the so-called, “orthodox”, church doctrine of, “Eternal Torment”, for nearly 50 years!

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Hell’s Torment and Tormentor – Wikipedia – Public Domain (2)

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WE ARE TO BE OPEN-MINDED

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But this change-of-mind was in harmony with his long-held belief that a Bible student, and especially a Bible teacher must be willing to prayerfully re-examine his doctrinal beliefs, and change them if necessary.

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And so, Harold Camping’s wonderful Jeremiah study reveals this change (towards the last few chapters of that 30 month daily study).

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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UNWILLING TO RE-EXAMINE

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Unfortunately, unlike Harold Camping, almost all of today’s popular churches still cling to that old Catholic church-doctrine (but originally was an ancient Babylonian belief), and refuse to see it for what it really is: an unbiblical heresy conjured up by early-century apostate church-leaders who, being void of the Holy Spirit, didn’t have the slightest idea of what constitutes proper Bible interpretation!

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Nicaea icon – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“THEY WHICH LEAD THEE CAUSE THEE TO ERR”

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So the challenge goes out to any professing Christian to prove that he (or she) is truly a Noble Berean, and personally begin that 30 month study in Jeremiah.

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Yes, all those who are hungry for truth will delight to hear these many cryptic passages of Jeremiah, finally opened up to our understanding!

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And now that we are at the threshold of that great and awesome Day of God, this Jeremiah study will begin to make complete sense at such an hour as this, when it is truly needed!

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And all a truth-seeker has to do is to begin the painless process of listening to a 25 minute Bible study each morning, and test and see for one’s own self!

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

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This above link is to the first installment of Camping’s Jeremiah study. (Go to the Year 1,  January 1st devotional (click here) to begin these daily studies)

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TO READ PART 9, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 10 (Noble Bereans, Part 9: Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding His Life)

Harold-Camping – courtesy Family Radio

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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…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ” FEBRUARY 10 (The Deserted Island Theologian!)”, or you can also read…JUNE 13 (Why The World Didn’t End on May 21, 2011)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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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

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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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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

DECEMBER 6 (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?! Part 6: “Though He Slay Me, Yet I Will Trust Him!”)

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

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this Open Forum #23, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…

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

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – NOVEMBER 19

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Flee To The Mountain,

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Part 9:

“Stay Thou Not On The Plain!”

To read Part 1, click here…May 30th (Flee To The Mountain!)

 

 

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There are a few stories in the Bible which just seem to frighten us out of our wits!

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Well, the true historical account from 1st Kings 13, of the “Man of God and The Old Prophet” just happens to be one of those terrorizing stories. 

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Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

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GOD’S WORD TO THE MAN OF GOD

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You see, there was a man of God who was told by God to prophesy against the apostate priests of Bethel (Bethel = “house of God”). But in addition to making that prophecy, God warned him not to stay in that country, nor to eat bread nor drink water there! But he must return back by a different way.

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Now after his prophecy against the apostate priests in Bethel, this man of God returned back by a different way, just as he was commanded.

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The Prophet (Bible Card from 1904) – Wikipedia – public domain

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THE OLD PROPHET LIED

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However, a certain, “old prophet”, searched for and found this man of God, while he rested along the way.

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And the man of God refused to come back with the old prophet, to eat and drink at the prophet’s home. But the old prophet lied by telling the man of God that the Lord gave the old prophet instructions for the man of God to return back to Bethel and eat and drink.

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bread & wine. – by Claesz – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE MAN OF GOD KILLED

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Well, in the midst of eating and drinking, the old prophet prophesied against the man of God, saying…

“Thus saith the LORD,

Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed the mouth of the LORD,

and hast not kept the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee…

    thy carcass shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.”

1st Kings 13:21, 22 

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And so, when the man of God left to return home, a lion met him by the way, and killed the disobedient man of God.

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

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So why is this story so frightening?

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Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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PARTAKING OF THIS SELFISH WORLD

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Well, the reason why this story is so frightening is because it has terrifying implications for us today! Yes, this story is a prophecy for we Christians who have been eating and drinking with apostate churches, symbolized by the old prophet.

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Yes, together, we have all been guilty of partaking of this selfish world, when God has given us clear instructions to warn the world of the wrath to come, but then to get ourselves back by a different way.

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And just what is that different way? It is, of course, the upward pathway that leads us out of this doomed world, and onward and upward to the Celestial City of God!

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New york times-square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike-license

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THE FALSE PROPHET

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But Satan, the true False Prophet has enticed us Christians to relax and enjoy this present world. And like that foolish man of God, we have listened to the False Prophet, and have eaten the leavened bread and have drunk from the broken cisterns of this selfish world! 

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Listen to Luke’s warning…

“And take heed to yourselves,

lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting,

and drunkenness, and cares of this life,

and so that day come upon you unawares.

For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.”

Luke 21:34, 35

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Here is another frightful warning! 

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ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who offers a world-loving gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

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MANY ENTICEMENTS

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Yes, this present world is filled with so many seemingly innocent cares and pleasures:

social clubs, sports, amusements, ambitious-and-time-consuming-energy-sapping-proud-careers, hobbies, gratuitous-shopping, expensive vehicles, lavish houses, gardens, and lands, expensive resorts, sensual music, endless TV and radio programs, newspapers, magazines, novels, curious sciences, and a host of other similar earthly pursuits.

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And just what is the result of all these attractions?

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By indulging ourselves in the many cares and pleasures of this life, our Salvation has been placed on the proverbial “back-burner”, all to the poverty of our souls!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon – a party tonight – signsofheaven.org

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AS A ROARING LION!

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Yes, Satan has come as a roaring lion, seeking to devour us, just as that lion killed the man of God, in that 1st Kings 13 account!

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Listen…“Be sober, be vigilant;

because your adversary the devil,

as a roaring lion, walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour:”

1st Peter 5:8

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Satan is a vigilant foe. And unless we maintain our own vigilance, we can eventually fall victim to this roaring lion, the Devil!

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

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A GLIMMER OF GOOD NEWS!

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Now, amidst all this negativity, there is a glimmer of Good News!

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Yes, if there is any Reader who still has an ear to hear, God has given us a chance to turn away from this our apostasy!

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This is the wonderful mercy of God, that such a horrible story as the one showcased today, could ever have a happy ending!

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But listen to God’s instruction to Lot, on the morning of Sodom’s destruction…

“Escape for thy life; look not behind thee,

neither stay thou in all the plain;

escape to the mountain,

lest thou be consumed.”

Genesis 19:17

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In this Sodom & Gomorrah world which we live, God is now warning us to flee to the mountain. And we too are warned to, “look not behind (us), neither stay thou in all the plain!”

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

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DON’T LOOK BACK!

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O man of God (or woman of God)! We have received our marching orders. Yes, God has given us our “fleeing” orders!

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Get out of Sodom! Don’t look back! Don’t look back at all the time-consuming and energy-sapping cares and pleasures which have consumed our spirituality!

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And don’t look back at all the fun-loving church picnics, bazaars, bridal showers, peace-n-safety sermons, prosperity-driven doctrines, sensual & enchanting “praise” music, sensual, attractive & charismatic church-leaders, and “at-ease-in-Zion” church services! Don’t look back!

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Flee, O man of God! Get you up that heavenward pathway, which leads us up and out of this deceptively evil world! Let us awaken from our drunken stupor, and blow the trumpet of alarm! Let us lie all night in spiritual sackcloth, and… “weep between the porch and the altar, and let them (us) say, Spare Thy people, O LORD” Joel 2:17

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“Stay thou not on the plain! But get you up to the Mountain (the City of God)!”

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Mrs. Lot looks back at Sodom by Raphael for www.wikigallery.com – public domain

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TO READ PART 10, CLICK HERE…

January 26 (Flee To The Mountains, Part 10: Dwelling With The Devouring Fire! Continued)

The Great Day of His Wrath – John Martin – 1853 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Awaken me from my spiritual drunkenness! Help me to flee from the wrath to come! Give me strength to get up into the mountain of God…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“April 4th (Apostle Paul’s Fun & Recreation)”,

or you can also read this shorter article…“October 19th (How Do I Become Holy?”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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THE HOLY GHOST RIDER CONSTELLATION

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This newest Signs Of Heaven Constellation (Fall, 2013) is by far the faintest of constellations, but is a very incredible and awesome one in a number of ways (which this article will explain).

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It is primarily comprised of the Camelopardalis Constellation (head and upper back), plus about 5 stars from the Cassiopeia Constellation (his leg), plus some random stars. It appears as an outline of a rider. Only the back of his head is detailed. And his back and the back of his legs are also detailed. Both sides of his arm are visible, and his hand is gripping the horses mane, and that is detailed by three stars (which are also part of the horse’s mane). The rider is in a position vaguely similar to a race-horse jockey. The two brightest stars in this constellation, are from the Cassiopeia Constellation, and are part of his leg. All the rest of the stars are very faint, and must be viewed on a very starry night.

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Since this constellation has just been revealed, there may be more to this constellation in the coming months. But if you can locate the Goodly Horse in Battle Constellation, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble locating this Rider Constellation, provided you have excellent star-watching conditions. 

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW…

NOVEMBER 20 (When My Body Becomes My Torture Chamber, Part 2: The Garden of Eden Remedy)“

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

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OPEN FORUM RADIO PROGRAM

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING 25 MINUTE QUESTION-AND-ANSWER TALK SHOW BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING.

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Holy bible – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – NOVEMBER 18

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Eternal Torment?

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Part 15:

“How Satan Steals Bible Truths”

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

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“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;

because they received not the love of the truth,

that they might be saved.

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,

that they should believe a lie:”

2nd Thessalonians 2:10, 11

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Can Satan steal Bible truth?

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Well obviously, Satan does that every day!

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Yes, there are many false gospels made up of truth, mingled with error.

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Christ battles Satan – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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HOW DOES SATAN STEAL TRUTH?

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But is there is a special way in which the Enemy of Souls steals Bible truth, and makes it very difficult to recover these truths?

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Oh yes, this clever arch-deceiver does have a special way!

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But just how can Satan steal Bible truths, making it very difficult to recover these lost truths?

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

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“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”

John 10:10

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You see, when the so-called, “orthodoxy”, the, “majority”, the, “status-quo”, of the church-world abandons any Bible truth, and replaces it with an erroneous belief, Satan is right there to grab that discarded truth and make it his very own!

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But just how can the Enemy of God’s people accomplish such theological theft? 

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

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FALSE GOSPELS & “CULTS”

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And in these last days, Satan has raised up false gospels and so-called “cults” and gives these discarded truths to such counterfeit gospels and “cults”.

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And so now, the great majority within the Church point to these obviously false gospels, and says, “Now, you don’t want to be like these cults, do you? But if you insist on believing such-and-such doctrine, you will be just like them: a heretic! An infidel! An enemy of the Church!”

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Karla LaVey satanist – cropped  image – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TRUTH GIVES CREDIBILITY TO FALSE GOSPELS

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And in this way, Satan not only gives credibility to these cults by giving them some discarded Bible truth.

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But he also stigmatizes that abandoned Bible truth even more, by having these obviously false gospels cling to that abandoned Bible truth, now making that discarded Bible truth part of their own doctrinal confession!

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That discarded Bible truth is given to the false gospels and becomes an abomination in the minds of the apostate, so-called, “orthodox churches”!

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“YOU’LL BE JUST LIKE THEM!”

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And thus, the end result of this transfer of truth, is that it now becomes very difficult for truth-seekers to redeem that abandoned Bible truth, for fear of being called a heretic, or fanatic.

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Because now, all the so-called, “mainstream orthodoxy”, needs to do is to simply say to any inquisitive parishioners, “You don’t want to be like that heretic preacher, do you?

You don’t want to be like that group, do you?

After all, the cults teach that ‘false doctrine’!

And if you believe that ‘false doctrine’, you’ll be just like them!”

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

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THE “STRAW MAN” PLOY

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And satanic phenomenon is what society calls, “the straw man”.

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And by giving these abandoned Bible truths to the various “cults”, Satan now creates a “straw man”, and greatly stigmatizes a wonderful Bible truth, so that such truths become repugnant to mainstream Christianity.

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Straw Man -attributed to Larch – cropped image – Wikimedia

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OUR LEADERS CAUSE US TO ERR

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But what most Christians do not realize, is that it is not so much the so-called cults we need to fear, but mainstream Christianity.

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

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It has always been the so-called, “mainstream orthodoxy”, which has misled God’s people, as Isaiah points out in this above verse.

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Whether back in Old Testament times, or in the days of the great apostasy of European churches, it was the so-called mainstream religious body which had taught the greatest errors.

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

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THE END OF THE CHURCHES

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And today’s churches are no exception! Listen to Paul’s prophecy concerning the last days…

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;

but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

And they shall turn away their ears from the truth,

and shall be turned unto fables.”

2nd Timothy 4:3, 4

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Here is foretold a total church-wide apostasy. And in this great apostasy, sound doctrine will be replaced by false teachings, which the itching ears of the apostate parishioners love to hear!

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Church – Audience hands – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WARY OF MAINSTREAM CHRISTIANITY

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And so, we shouldn’t think for a moment, that just because the majority of churches believe this or that doctrine, it therefore must be true!

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No, if the majority of churches are in agreement on some debated, doubtful doctrine, then we need to be extra suspicious!

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Church Attendance – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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ELIJAH AND THE 450 PROPHETS

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The Bible presents a very powerful illustration of how the majority opinion can be the wrong opinion. Yes, the story of Elijah’s showdown with the 450 prophets of Baal, clearly shows how the so-called, “orthodox majority”, can indeed be, “the bad guys”.

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There stood Elijah, confronting the self-appointed leaders of God’s people. And because Israel had drifted away from the Bible and embraced a counterfeit gospel, God sent Elijah to have a showdown with those false teachers in the company of God’s people, who were standing there on Mount Carmel, witnessing this showdown.

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Well, as we all know, God put His seal of approval on Elijah, by causing fire to come down from Heaven, consuming Elijah’s sacrifice.

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One man-armed-with-truth against a 450-man-majority-opinion!

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Elijah and the two altars -1st Kings 18-38 – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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BEST LIE MADE OF MOSTLY TRUTH

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And one great lesson to be learned from that true historical account is, that just because today’s mainstream leadership holds to this or that church-doctrine, doesn’t necessarily make it a true doctrine.

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Oh yes, the mainstream churches teach many true doctrines. But Satan knows full well, that the best lie is one that is mingled with and wrapped up in 90% truth!

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It’s just like mouse poison, which is made of mostly healthy oatmeal!

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Oatmeal copyrighted but permissable for use wikimedia commons

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ETERNAL TORMENT

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And because today’s devotional is part of the “Eternal Torment?” series, the church-doctrine of, “Eternal Torment”, is a prime example of how this false doctrine has become firmly embedded in mainstream Christianity!

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And because most of the so-called “cults” teach that Hell is merely “death”, it is almost impossible to convince mainstream Christians that “Eternal Torment”, is a false doctrine!

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Hell’s Torment and Tormentor – Wikipedia – Public Domain (2)

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PRAY DAILY FOR LOVE FOR TRUTH!

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And so, it is imperative that we pray daily for a truth-seeking heart.

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Because the love of truth is the gift of God and should not be taken for granted.

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May the Lord bless His chosen and elect people! Amen.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 16, GO HERE…

January (Eternal Torment? Part 16: God’s Two-Edged Sword!

Glittering Sword Constellation www.theheavensdeclare.net

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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…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Planet of Rest: Doctrine of Eternal Torment, or you can also read this shorter article…AUGUST 19 (Apocalypse Now! Part 6: Fire & Brimstone!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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“The LORD is my shepherd;

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I shall not want (lack).

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He maketh me to lie

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down in green pastures:

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He leadeth me beside

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the still waters…

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I will fear no evil:

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for Thou art with me;

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Thy rod and thy staff

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they comfort me….”

Psalm 23:1, 2, 4

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ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

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This star-chart from Wikipedia, has Orion sketched in by the editor of this website.

With the addition of a single star, Theta Geminorum (the left hand of the Castor twin of Gemini), the sickle in Orion, the Reaper’s hand (see sketch), now extends the blade, thus transforming that sickle into the hook of a shepherd’s rod and staff. 

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And so now this little Gemini star becomes the tip of Orion’s Shepherd’s rod & staff.

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Thus, with this additional star, Orion the Reaper Constellation now becomes the 5th personality of Orion: The Good Shepherd (sketch below right).

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Theta Geminorum is a class A3, 4th magnitude star, which means it is much fainter than either of the stars, Castor or Pollux.

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But faint as This little star may be, it nevertheless presents a giant concept, turning Orion’s sickle into a shepherd’s rod.

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And this is a very wonderful and beautiful Bible truth: namely, that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, as is written…

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“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock

in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered;

so will I seek out My sheep,

and will deliver them out of all places where they have

been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”

Ezekiel 34:12 

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And so God has placed this Starry Shepherd in the winter-night heavens to remind us of His great love for a planet which has wandered away: just like sheep that wandered to where the grass looked greener.

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ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART: Orion the reaper – Wikipedia star-chart (with the Reaper drawn over by this website)

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars – with the Shepherd drawn over by this website) – www.signsofheaven.org

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Orion, The Good Shepherd

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TOMORROW…

NOVEMBER 19 (Flee To The Mountain, Part 9: “Stay Thou Not On The Plain!”)

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

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END OF THE CHURCH AGE STUDIES ON AUDIO

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING AUDIO BIBLE STUDY BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING.

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THIS STUDY IS PART 15, CONCERNING “THE END OF THE CHURCH AGE”

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Click here to listen…Harold Camping The End of the Church Age #15 – YouTube

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – NOVEMBER 17

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 26

“Which Spirit Will You Choose?”

To read part 1, click here…May 12th (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 1)

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“We are of God:

he that knoweth God heareth us;

he that is not of God heareth not us.

Hereby know we the spirit of truth,

and the spirit of error”

1st John 4:6

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The great message now being trumpeted around the world is this…

“And I heard another voice from Heaven,

saying, Come out of her, My people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Revelation 18:4

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Yes, God is now calling His people to come out of Babylon, the world, and out of Babylon, the worldly Church. Hence the expression, “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen,” proclaiming that Babylon is twice fallen (This editor’s opinion).

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

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And while we cannot come completely out of the world, we can definitely come completely out of the fallen, apostate churches, with their world-loving ways and false, Babylonish doctrines.

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

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BABYLON, A SPIRITUAL CONDITION

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Now, this great truth about twice fallen Babylon, and our duty to come out from among them, can be seen from several different vantage points.

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But today’s devotional will attempt to view Babylon from a somewhat different vantage point, to give greater clarity as to just what it means to “Come out of her (Babylon), My people!”

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Yes, to come out of Babylon is more than merely physically leaving the fallen churches. It is a spiritual condition!

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Babylon – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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TWO SPIRITS IN THE WORLD

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Now this website has a number of articles and devotionals which speak about the fact that there exists two entirely different spirits in the world…

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Listen…“They (Antichrists) are of the world:

therefore speak they of the world,

and the world heareth them.

We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us;

he that is not of God heareth not us.

Hereby know we THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH,

and THE SPIRIT OF ERROR.”

1st John 4:5, 6

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Thus, the Bible reveals these two spirits: the spirit of truth and the spirit of error…

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

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ANTICHRIST SPIRIT NOT RECOGNIZED

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Now, it’s no big secret within the church-world, that Christians are to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. But for some reason, it’s not very well understood that the people of the world are indwelt by an UNholy Spirit. Yes, it seems to be a very well-guarded secret that the people of the world are indwelt by the spirit of Antichrist…

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Listen again to 1st John…“Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1st John 4:6

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Yes, the Bible indeed reveals these two spirits: the spirit of truth and the spirit of error!

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Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia

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ANTICHRIST IS THE WORLDLY-MINDED

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Listen again to 1st John…

“And every spirit that confesseth not

that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

is not of God:

and this is that [spirit] of antichrist,

whereof ye have heard that it should come;

and even now already is it in the world.”

1st John 4:3

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Yes, the spirit of Antichrist is in the world.

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It is the spirit of the world!

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

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ANTICHRIST, AN INDWELLING SPIRIT

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Now listen to this next verse from Ephesians 2:2…

“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,

according to the prince of the power of the air,

the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:”

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So, here it says that it is the “prince of the power of the air, that spirit that now works in the children of disobedience”, and governs the course of this present, evil world: a spirit entity which we all were indwelt with, prior to our Salvation.

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Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia

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VACATING BABYLON, A CHANGE OF SPIRITS

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So then, by simple deduction, it becomes clear that coming out of spiritual Babylon is a matter of being indwelt by the “Spirit of Truth”, and not by the “spirit of error”.

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And so, by receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, we no longer will walk according to the course of this present world. And by being indwelt by the Spirit of Christ, we will no longer be indwelt by the spirit of Antichrist, which is the spirit of the world.

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“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 17:11

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Now, there is no shortage of faithful church-attendees who will swear that they are indwelt and sealed with the Holy Spirit!

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And yet, there is a test which every Christian must endure in our current-day distress. 

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Yes, we each must ask our own self the question: “Am I willing to be like those Noble Bereans who ‘received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so’?” Acts 17:11

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In other words, all those who are truly willing, must prayerfully study with an open-minded willingness to reexamine their own church-doctrines!

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Day-by-day, week-by-week, in light of this new message, all Christians must really prove to their own self, if these things are actually the present truth currently being declared, even as it is written…“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” 2nd Corinthians 13:5

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TWO SPIRITS 

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Yes, the big point to today’s devotional is that there are two spirits working in this world. And either we are of one spirit, or we are of the other spirit. But we cannot be void of both spirits. That’s not an option!

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Jesus made that clear in the following statement…“He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

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And so, being held captive in Babylon is actually a spiritual condition…

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY”

Proverbs 25:25

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But amidst this disconcerting news, there exists some incredibly “Good News”! Yes, there is a way of escape from the captivity of Satan’s prison-house of sin and delusion, and from false religion of every type!

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Any man, woman, and child may be freed from the bondage of the “spirit of error” and delivered into the liberty of “the Spirit of Truth”, found only in a genuine relationship with Jesus, the Christ.

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Yes, those who wish to renounce this very deceptive world of evil and sadness, can begin a spiritual sojourn up the pathway to everlasting life, and everlasting happiness in the soon-coming Promised Land, the New Heaven, and the New Earth, in which we will be forever young!

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ABOVE PICTURE: The True Upward Pathway www.signsofheaven.org

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TO READ PART 27, CLICK HERE…

DECEMBER 7 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 27: “Oh, We Love The Bible!”)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Take away my worldly spirit and let me be of the Spirit of Holiness. Increase my knowledge of Thy Word and give me true wisdom…

Marine Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…February 15th (The Two Images!), or you can also read…November 23 (The Two Spirits In The World)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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LOCATING THE DRAGON

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(REVELATION 12 DRAGON IS NOT DRACO!)

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First, let it be stated, that this Dragon Constellation is not the same constellation commonly referred to as “Draco” (photo to right is Draco).

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This Revelation 12 Dragon from Signs Of Heaven, has not been previously recognized. But you will discover that it is a very intricate and complex constellation, once you are comfortable locating it (picture below, right).

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Draco, (Picture right) Ursa Minor Wikipedia share-alike license

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 REVELATION 12 DRAGON  

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The star-charts below (below, right) are from Wikipedia and are combined into one chart to show these three constellations, which the editor has sketched over with these three constellations, as they appear when in the west. Hopefully, this will be an assist in locating these constellations in the night-sky.

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LOCATION…

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The Revelation 12 Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months. The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield. This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull. The Dragon’s tail-tip is Pleiades and the lower shaft of his tail is partly of Aries  and Pisces. Then with aid of a dark and starry night, you may begin to connect the mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape. The front and back legs are made of a few stars: the front legs partially of stars from Taurus . The back legs and rear fin are made of 6 stars from the Cetus Constellation.

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BODY HARD TO SEE

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The long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark, starry night. The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus .

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READ MORE

The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation

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TOMORROW

NOVEMBER 18 (Eternal Torment? Part 15: How Satan Steals Truth)

Revelation – www.pri.org/stories/2011-08-10/revelations-book-revelation – courtesy www.pre.org

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END OF THE CHURCH AGE STUDIES ON AUDIO

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THE READER IS INVITED AND ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THE FOLLOWING AUDIO BIBLE STUDY BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING.

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THIS STUDY IS PART 14, CONCERNING “THE END OF THE CHURCH AGE”

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Click here to listen…Harold Camping The End of the Church Age #14 – YouTube

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – NOVEMBER 25

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A 3-Fingered Judgment-Day,

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Part 2:

“Bible For Me, Not Others!”

 To read Part 1, click here…January 20th (3 Fingered Judgment-Day)

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THREE FINGERS POINTING BACK

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 Beside being a marvel of functionality, the human hand teaches us lessons. And even this unbelieving world sees the truth about finger-pointing.

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And that lesson is, that when a person points the accusing finger at another, then there are three other fingers on his hand, which point right back!

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Finger-pointing icon – Wikimedia – Share-alike-license

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“THOU CONDEMNEST THYSELF!”

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God tells us plainly… “

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man,

whosoever thou art that judgest:

for wherein thou judgest another,

thou condemnest thyself;

for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

Romans 2:1

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With such an indictment as this above verse points out, how can we still point the accusing finger at any one individual? Yes, whenever we point the accusing finger at somebody else, there are indeed, three fingers pointing back at us! And of course, the number “three” is the very number of the Godhead, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

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OLD TESTAMENT, REVELATION FOR JEWS 

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When reading the Bible, there are so many stories which seem to have very little relevance to New Testament Believers. After all, what does the Book of Job have to do with me, or with the Church? Or who cares about some of the almost confusing language found in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Zechariah and the other books. But we are told that those prophecies were for the Old Testament people of God.

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And then (according to many modern-day teachers), most of the Book of Revelation is likewise written only for the Jews living during the last 7 years of earth’s history. We won’t even be around (or so we are told!) “We’ll all be raptured out of the world, before the last 19 chapters of Revelation even begins to happen”, say modern-day theologians!

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Jewish Children with their Teacher in Samarkand – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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OLD TESTAMENT, REVELATION FOR US!

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But what most of us do not realize is, that the Bible is a supernatural book! It must be interpreted by the Holy Spirit. And by such a supernatural Power-Source, it will be discovered that every jot and tittle of the Bible directly concerns both the Church, as well as the individual Christian!

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Listen…“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples:

and they are written for our admonition,

upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

1st Corinthians 10:11

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Here is revealed just why the Bible was given! It is for Christians! Oh yes, it was first given to the Old Testament people of God. But mostly, it was not even read nor studied by those people, who greatly were illiterate. It is only now at this time in history that the Bible is being more fully understood.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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ALL SCRIPTURE FOR DOCTRINE

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Listen…“All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

That the man of God may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

2nd Timothy 3:16, 17

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So here above, God places His confirmation on all scripture, not just some. And thus, we do not need to be afraid to read any part of the Old or New Testament. It is all relevant for the Christian and for the Church.

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And as 2nd Timothy reveals, every part of Scripture is profitable for doctrine, confirmation, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works!

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However pressing his duties STM2-c James Lee Frazer always finds time to read a few chapters from his Bible each day. I – NARA – 520675 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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JERUSALEM FREE & JERUSALEM IN BONDAGE

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But God further shows the relevance of His Word by revealing that it is allegorical… 

“For it is written, that Abraham had two sons,

the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh;

but he of the freewoman was by promise.

Which things are an allegory:

for these are the two covenants;

the one from the mount Sinai,

which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia,

and answereth to Jerusalem which now is,

and is in bondage with her children.

But Jerusalem which is above is free,

which is the mother of us all.”

Galatians 4:22-26

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Now this passage as well as many other passages reveal that Jerusalem, while a true earthly city, is used in Scripture to represent a great spiritual truth. Yes, Jerusalem represents the two groups within the Church: those who are yet in bondage to sin, and those who are saved by grace.

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And with this understanding, the entire Bible now begins to become relevant! The Bible now becomes a spiritual book, written in earthly terms, yet presenting spiritual truths, howbeit veiled in allegories.

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

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“Therefore speak I to them in parables:

because they seeing see not;

and hearing they hear not,

neither do they understand.”

Matthew 13:13

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE… 

October 24 (A 3-Fingered Judgment-Day, Part 3: “How To Quit Judging”)

Finger-pointing icon – Wikimedia – Share-alike-license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to understand these deeper truths which are veiled within allegories, parables, shadows, and types…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… August 1st (The War Against The KJV), or you can also read…JUNE 26 (Eating Like A Bird!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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“THE 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 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. 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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THIS BEAST WITHIN

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Well, the Bible has much to say about Pharisees. And the Bible has much to say about wolves, and foxes, and dogs. And this wolf-face inscribed in the Moon has much to tell us about ourselves. So if you are a truth-seeker, then this article will be an eye-opener, as we explore just what the Bible has to say about these things. And the fact is, this Pharisee Moon-Beast is in the heart of each and every human. And so, if you (or me) find that this wolf-man has some things in common, please don’t despair. For God is giving us these signs, while there still is time. While there still is hope.

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THE PHARISEES…

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“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Prov. 21:24

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Yes, this wolf-like beast-face in the Moon, is what the Bible calls a proud Pharisee. They were the morality crowd. They were the finger pointers. They were the scorners. They didn’t realize that their own pride was even more reprehensible to God than the drunkenness, immorality, or sexual perversions of the unsaved of the world.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Pharisee Scorner”

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TOMORROW:

NOVEMBER 26 (Planet Earth: Devil’s Island! Part 2: Planet Earth: Knoxhard University!)

Yale University – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Share-alike License

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this Open Forum #12, a small 30 minute sampling of Mr. Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – NOVEMBER 24

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How To Find Perfect Peace,

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Part 5:

“Seekest…Great Things…? Seek Them Not!”

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

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“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is,

there will your heart be also.”

Matthew 6:19-21

 

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This above passage is the counsel of Jesus as He sermonized on that infamous Mount.

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And these words, along with all the rest of Bible counsel, together make up the prescription for perfect peace.

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Jesus – by H. Bloch – Sermon On The Mount – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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SEEKING AFTER THINGS OF THE WORLD

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Yes, we live in a world in which God has allowed humanity to seek after the things which might bring happiness.

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But like an ancient prophet, the Bible sits in the gate of the world crossroads, calling out to passers-by…

“Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.

O ye simple, understand wisdom:

and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things;

and the opening of my lips shall be right things.”

Proverbs 8:4-6

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Yes, the Bible has been given to mankind to show us the right way to live.

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

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WILL WE LISTEN?

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The question is, will we listen to the Bible’s counsel, or will we spurn the wisdom offered to us from Heaven?

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Ear – Wikipedia – Share-alike lic.

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PAUL SAYS, “BE CONTENT”

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The Apostle Paul gave a very clear warning against riches…“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1st Timothy 6:8

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Now if ever there was an ignored Bible verse, this is it!

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Especially in this affluent cornucopian society we now live in, Christians mostly ignore this wise counsel…

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Paul Tentmaking – La Vista Church of Christ – Creative Commons License

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PAUL’S FAMOUS COUNSEL ON RICHES

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Listen to the entire warning from Paul…

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

1st Timothy 6:6-10

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In this above passage, God speaks through Paul, warning us of the misery, heartache, sorrow, and destruction, which is sure to come on those who seek after and find earthly riches.

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

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SOLOMON SHOULD KNOW

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Now if ever there was a human who could speak first-hand about the troubles which accompany earthly riches, it is Solomon…

“Better is an handful with quietness,

than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”

Ecclesiastes 4:6

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So, with this kind of Bible counsel, why would Christians insist on pursuing earthly riches?

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Why wouldn’t Christians simply be content with food and raiment and peacefulness that simplicity brings?

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Dore – Solomon – Proverbs – Wikipedia – Public domain (2)

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BE CONTENT WITH THINGS YOU HAVE

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Listen to Paul’s further commentary…“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: Hebrews 13:5

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Certainly, the shepherd boy, David, was content with what he had…“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

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So, if Paul and young David were content with the few things that they already possessed, why are not we?

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Why are Christians striving to, “move up in the world”? And this is not just the liberal churches! No, even the so-called conservative churches are just as ambitious as the so-called liberal churches!

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David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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I SHALL NOT WANT? OR SHALL I WANT?

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Our souls clamor for nicer homes, nicer cars, nicer RV’s, nicer vacation resorts, nicer restaurants, bigger bank accounts, higher social status, more prestigious careers.

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But according to the Bible, these attainments will only bring us to the condemnation which Paul warns of…

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil:

which while some coveted after,

they have erred from the faith,

and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

1st Timothy 6:6-10

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Now here is a very sad result that Paul warns of, to all those who insist on seeking earthly prosperity!

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And Paul defines, “rich” by saying… “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” verse 8.

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In other words, those who will not be content with food and raiment are wanting earthly riches.

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

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PEACE & QUIETNESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONTENT

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But those obedient ones who decide to be content with food and covering, will find the peace which surpasses all understanding.

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Yes, these obedient ones will certainly find that, “a handful with quietness is better than both hands full with travail and vexation of spirit!” 

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

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A HOME IS ALSO A COVERING

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Now Paul, during his captivity in Rome, lived two years in a rented house. And that house was covering for him.

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And so, we shouldn’t think it wrong to seek after suitable housing, especially if we have a family.

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We should strive to make them as comfortable as possible, providing them with the nice things of life. 

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But if I am truly seeking after the perfect peace which comes with walking “even as Christ walked”, then it is high time that I begin to follow God’s counsels in my own personal pilgrimage.

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Paul – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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ONE MORE VERSE…

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Yes, perhaps this last verse will be sufficient to convince the reader that having an abundance of possessions is not the way to have peace and quietness…

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Listen once again to the “Wise Man”…

“The sleep of a laboring man is sweet,

whether he eat little or much:

but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.”

Proverbs 5:12.

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In other words, those of us who desire so much of the world’s riches and goods, will probably end up living without that “perfect peace” which the Lord offers us.

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Sleeping Soldier – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 6, GO HERE…

February 26 (How To Find Perfect Peace, Part 6: “Two Newcomers To Anywhereville!”)

Welcome to Paradise, CA – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to find the perfect peace that I am desiring. Help me to be content with food and covering. But give me wisdom and strength to know how to provide adequate housing for my family members…

Child at Prayer by Eastman Johnson circa 1873 – Wikimedia – public domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“MAY 6 (The Great Babylonian Dream-Machine!)”, 

or you can also read this next article…“MARCH 7 (The Deceitfulness of Riches)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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THE FLOWER OF HEAVEN CONSTELLATION

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REVELATION 12 WOMAN ON ALTAR AND FLOWER OF HEAVEN

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This constellation almost appears as a vine, as it projects out from the Altar/Ark Constellation.

This constellation appears in mid-winter through late-spring.

As you can see in this sketch, the Altar/Ark Constellation is also known as Leo Major , and the stem or vine of the flower is made of stars of the Virgo Constellation, and the flower itself is made of the Corvus Constellation. 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Flower of Heaven Constellation”

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TOMORROW…

NOVEMBER 25 (A 3-Fingered Judgment-Day, Part 2: Bible For Me, Not Others!)

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

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

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

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ABOVE PICTURE: HAROLD CAMPING

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