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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 30

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Deal of All Deals,

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Part 2:

“No Man Is An Island!”

To read Part 1, click here…March 22nd (The Deal of All Deals!)

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“No Man is an island, No man stands alone!

Each man’s joy is joy to me, each man’s grief is my own!

…No man is an island, way out in the blue!

We all look to the One above,

for our strength to renew!”

Song sung by Joan Baez

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Here is an old song from the sixties, which presents the biblical concept, that no man is an island, no man stands alone.

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And this concept can be seen in such Bible passages as this…

“Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD;

that walketh in His ways.

For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands:

happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. 

Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house:

thy children like olive plants round about thy table. 

Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD.”

Psalm 128:1-4

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Here we see that my own personal Salvation will have ramifications far beyond just my own Salvation! It will also influence my family’s eternal destiny, as this above passage suggests! I am not an island! I do not stand (or fall) alone! I take others with me!

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And so, if ever there was a cudgel, a compelling force, to push me forward up the Heavenward pathway, this precious promise regarding my family is it!

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

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SMALL PEBBLE MAKES BIG RIPPLES

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And it goes even further than just my family! No doubt you have heard the proverb about “a very little pebble, tossed into a still pond, makes very wide ripples, which reach far beyond!”

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Well, so it is with my Salvation! Yes, by allowing God to purify my heart and mold my life into the likeness of Jesus, will have a ripple effect that will reach far into the world!

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Water drop impact on a water-surface – Davide Restivo from Aarau Switzerland – CROPPED/COLORED IMAGE – Wikipedia – Creative Common Share-Alike 2.0 License

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WORKS ALSO IN THE NEGATIVE

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Now this concept of, ‘No man is an island’, also works in the negative sense…

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Listen to the ripple effect which our sins have on others…

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;

lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,

and thereby many be defiled;”

Hebrews 12:15

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Yes, when one member of the body of Christ suffers, that suffering affects the other body parts!

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

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DON’T LOSE HEART!

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And so, the Bible tells us that our Salvation is much more than just some personal decision. No, it also has a great impact on the eternal destiny of those around us!

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And so, O Stranger & Pilgrim, we must not faint or lose heart, as we ascend that upward Pathway to the Celestial City! There are others depending on our success!

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Listen…“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him.”

Psalm 126:5, 6

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And so, perhaps the sheaves that we bring with us will be those for whom our own personal Salvation has affected! 

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

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

“May 24 (The Deal of All Deals! Part 3: “Free Tickets To Paradise!”)”

ISLAND Belize – Wikipedia – Share-alike License11

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to really see what a great trade that God is offering. And let me not be deceived into thinking that I can have both worlds! But like the apostle, Paul, let me lose all things, that I might win Christ…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)” or you can also read… (It’s a throw-away 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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VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP

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

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

Joel 3:14

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AT THE CROSSROADS OF LIFE…

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As we all know, life is made up of one decision after another. Some are of little consequence. Others are more important. And then there are those times which require life-changing decisions.

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The Bible speaks of the Valley of Decision…”Multitudes, multitudes in the ‘Valley of Decision’…for the day of the Lord is near in the ‘Valley of Decision’.” Joel 3:14. Of course, this valley is a spiritual concept and not a literal place.

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But God has inscribed this very truth in the heavens. It is called “The Valley of Decision” Constellation. It speaks of that valley that each person must walk through.

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION GROUP…

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Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing. In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left. In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward. It resembles a pyramid. Then find the next pyramid to its right (south). Then go a little further south to the next third pyramid. The third snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation. These three pyramids are the snow-capped portion of these three mountains in this sketch. (of course, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

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“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,

and to the house of the God of Jacob;

and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths:

for the law shall go forth of Zion,

and the Word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”

Micah 4:1, 2

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The ‘Valley of Decision’ Constellation” or you can also read… “Babylon…O Destroying Mountain”

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TOMORROW:

OCTOBER 1 (Strong Delusion in Scripture, Part 5: 4 Rules of Proper Bible Study)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #638 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 22

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All Comfy-cozy In Hell,

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Part 4:

“Laboring in the Very Fire!”

To read Part 1, click here… ” March 27th (All Comfy-Cozy in Hell!)”

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When Lucifer left Heaven, he took up residence in this world (after he caused us to disobey the direct command of God.)

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And being the super-genius that he is, Lucifer began to design this world to become his very own kingdom of selfishness.

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

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THIS WORLD A BIG LIE !

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Just what is the biggest lie in all world, yea, in all the vast universe?

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Simple! The universe’s biggest lie is just this: This world!

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That’s right! This world is the universe’s biggest Lie! It’s all a big fraud! It’s just a great big scam! This whole big world is as phony as a Hollywood movie set!

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Globeblack – wikimedia – public domain

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WE MUST EAT AND LIVE HERE

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Now someone will say, “What do you mean by calling this world a big scam?!

After all, we have to eat and live and try to make the best of it in this world!

We have to provide for our family’s needs and comfort and yes, even their happiness!”

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Yes, all of the above statement is true, but only to a certain extent!

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It is true that we are stuck here in this sad old world! And it’s true that we must try to make the best of things down here!

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

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NOT TO FORGET WHERE WE ARE!

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But as Christians, we must strike a delicate balance in this world.

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That is, while we must live and eat and work in this present world, we must not forget that this planet has been given over to Lucifer and his fellow rebels! We must remember that this world has become his kingdom of darkness! Lucifer’s kingdom of selfishness, if you will.

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We need to keep in mind that all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes and the pride of life are not the real thing! It’s all a big counterfeit! It is a big façade! As phony as the proverbial three-dollar bill!

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Simply put, this world is Lucifer’s alternative to God’s government of truth and unselfish love! This world is just the opposite! This world is Lucifer’s government of lies and selfish lust: false ideologies, selfish pleasures, tinsel-like treasures, and proud-and-ambitious pursuits!

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These are what this world is made of!

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

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DEATH & DESTRUCTION!

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As we look around, we see a world in turmoil.

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People dying all around us.

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Tragedy is a familiar fiend who lurks in the shadows in every neighborhood, in every town and city, in every nation around the world, just waiting to strike in some household around the corner.

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Tsunami Aftermath Pictures from bus 13 – Wikimedia – CC license 2.0

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CHRISTIANS NOT TO JOIN WORLD

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Now the people in this lost and tragic world must make the best of it, since they have no alternative, nor any hope.

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But the Christian knows better, or at least we should know better!

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After all, to attempt to find a peaceful and happy life in this very tragic world is kind-of like trying to have a picnic in a forest fire…

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New Year Eve 2008 – TimeSquare – cropped image – Wikipedia – Creative Commons License 3.0

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LABORING IN THE VERY FIRE!

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Listen to Habakkuk…

“Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire,

and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?”

Habakkuk 2:13

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This above verse encapsulates what God’s people attempt to do: to try to get a life, when the world is burning up, so to speak! Yes, as never before, the world is now under the judgment of God!

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And we are just now drinking of that “cup of this fury” of God’s fury…

“For thus saith the LORD God of Israel unto me;

Take the wine cup of this fury at My hand,

and cause all the nations, to whom I send thee, to drink it.”

Jeremiah 25:15 

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And so, to try to establish some quaint little life amidst all the death and destruction which has enveloped us is really the height of selfishness!

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Hurricane Eye – NOAA – US Govt. Public Domain

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“AS IN A DAY OF SLAUGHTER”

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Listen to the New Testament Book of James… 

“Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, 

and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts,

as in a day of slaughter.”

James 5:5

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This above condemnation by James really rains on our parade, so to speak!

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Yes, while so many Christians are trying to find their life in this world, James is pointing the accusing finger at our little building projects, isn’t he? After all, James is condemning our pursuit of the pleasures and cares of this world, saying that we have “lived in pleasure on the earth”, and have, “nourished our hearts as in a day of slaughter!”

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“HIDE…UNTIL THE INDIGNATION BE OVERPAST!”

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Well, just what can we do about all this? What are we to do about our trying to find a nice life while God’s judgments are falling all around us, “as in a day of slaughter?”

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The Bible tells us…

“Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers,

and shut thy doors about thee:

hide thyself as it were for a little moment,

until the indignation be overpast.

For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place

to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity:

the earth also shall disclose her blood,

and shall no more cover her slain.”

Isaiah 26:20, 21

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Here above are the instructions which God now is giving to His people. We must hide ourselves. We must attempt to convert our little corner of the world into a little corner of Heaven. Turning off the ungodly chatter, and replacing it with unceasing prayer and constant Bible contemplation, soft strings of Davidic psalms or the harmonious strains of celestial choirs. 

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

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SILENT AND SECRET PRAYER/BIBLE CONTEMPLATION

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Yes, to silently and secretly pray and contemplate God’s Word, as we labor, as we lay down, as we walk by the way, and as we engage in recreation with our family.

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These joyful Christian duties are what, “hiding in our chambers”, is all about!

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Family – Children’s Playground, – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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CUT LOOSE FROM THIS WORLD!

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And so, O Stranger & Pilgrim, we must make a decided departure out from this hellish kingdom and begin that upward journey out of this world!

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And we must let go of anything that is preventing us from making this journey!

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We must cut away any unnecessary commitments which eat up our time and expend our energy, and then begin to make prayer/Bible-contemplation our life’s devotion, throughout our each and every day!

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We have everything to lose, and everything to gain! Eternal life! Eternal love! Eternal joy! Our family’s Salvation! All these and much more are hanging in the balance! All these and much more are dependent upon how we choose to live, this day forward!

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We must not believe the lie! A watchful Christian is a happy Christian! Life becomes a true joy when are truly filled with God’s Spirit!

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STILL A LITTLE TIME!

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And though we have all been foolish in the past, God is graciously allowing us time to flee to the Mighty Rock and hide ourselves within the pages of the Bible!

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There are a multitude of “exceeding great and precious promises” that must be hidden in our hearts if we ever expect to win the race before us! 

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

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WALKING THE UPWARD PATHWAY!

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And if we dwell in God’s Spirit, we dwell in true, agape love! Then will we dwell in the true light. And we can be busily gathering up the fragments of light beams emanating from all of nature’s beauty, and from the workings of God, wherever they may be seen in the world!

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And we will happily allow them to illuminate our pathway as we walk that joyful pathway, following Jesus, as He leads us onward and upward to the Heavenly Promised Land!

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

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TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…

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May 21 (All Comfy-Cozy In Hell, Part 5: “Finding A Comfy-Cozy Congregation?”)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully understand just where we are! Let me not be carried away in a Devilish dream, and begin to seek after the things of this world. But fix my eyes Heaven-ward, as I continue up the pathway to Heaven…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet, or you can also read this shorter article…January 31st (You Can’t Fix Hell!)

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 ‘FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS’ STARS

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A new constellation has been revealed, as of about May 29th, 2014.

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This constellation appears as a serpent (snake). Its body is comprised of stars from the Bootes Constellation, and its jaws are made of the four stars which Babylonians saw as the head of Draco, the Dragon.

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It also has a small single star for an eye.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART (with constellation drawn in by this website)- Serpent with Wise Virgins not Attached – seen late summer into fall only – Serpent Constellation – comprised of the head of Draco, plus stars from the Bootes Constellation – www.signsofheaven.org – not for profit use

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Now in this constellation is a group of five stars, which will be called “The ‘Five Foolish Virgins’ Stars”. These are located on the opposite side of the Glorious Crown of 12 Stars (AKA Corona Borealis), from the ‘Five Wise Virgins’ Stars. But one big difference between the two is, that The Five Wise are curved around the Glorious Crown, while the Five Foolish are curved away from it!

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… The ‘Five Foolish Virgins’ Stars

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TOMORROW…

SEPTEMBER 23 (Flee To The Mountain! Part 7: (Prosperity-Driven Gospels!)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #630 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional – SEPTEMBER 21

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God’s Royal Priesthood Today!

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Part 2:

“Sacrifices of Joy!”

To read Part 1, click here…June 16th (God’s Royal Priesthood Today!)

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“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion:

in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me;

He shall set me up upon a rock.

And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:

therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

Psalm 27:5, 6

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David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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The Ark of the Covenant was the centerpiece of the tabernacle sanctuary, during the years of the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, just prior to their entering into the Promised Land. 

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Holman – The Tabernacle in the Wilderness – wikipedia – US public domain

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“YE ARE…A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD”

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“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;

that ye should show forth the praises of Him

who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:”

1st Peter 2:9

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We have been chosen to be, as Peter in the above verse put it, a “Royal Priesthood”. 

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Even the Book of Revelation testifies to this heavenly calling… “And (God) hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:10.

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Now as New Testament priests, there is no more brick-n-mortar temple.

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No, today’s New Testament priestly action takes place in our heart.

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We are now “the Temple of the Lord”…

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Listen…“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,

which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 

For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God in your body,

and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

1st Corinthians 6:19, 20.

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“PRAY WITHOUT CEASING”

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God has called us to be priests together with Christ.

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We are to be co-laborers with Christ, pleading for the people. Scripture commands us to… “Pray without ceasing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17.

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As a Christian goes about his or her day, they are constantly praying and thanking the Lord, and interceding for others.

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Listen again to this great encouragement… 

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;

that ye should show forth the praises of Him

who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light:”

1st Peter 2:9

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USMC- prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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SPIRITUAL THINGS REJECTED BY WORLD

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For the people of the world, there could be nothing as boring and nothing as repugnant as becoming a priest unto God!

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The natural man would recoil at “such a dreadful commission!”

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And even when we first come into Christianity, the thought of being priests forever, is more than most of us could ever have the stomach for!

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Snap-Bar – Restaurant – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

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HOLY SPIRIT GIVES JOY

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But herein is one of the greatest of all truths: that only by the indwelling of the Spirit of Holiness could we ever find joy in the thought of being members of an eternal priesthood!

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But before the Reader recoils at this idea of being stuck in a room, let it be known that we who are of the royal priesthood will not be stuck in some brick-n-mortar building throughout eternity…

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Listen…“Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool: ” Isaiah

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No, all of Heaven will be our Sanctuary! And when we look up at Heaven, does it look like a boring place?

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Not really!

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Yes, many believe that we will be traveling priests, making each new place we visit into our “altar unto the Lord”. (Genesis 8:20, 12:7, 12:8, 13:18, 1st Chronicles, 21:18, 26, etc…) 

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

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SACRIFICES of JOY

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But we should never think that service for God will be joyless and boring!

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The Bible refutes this idea by affirming…

“therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy;

I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

Psalm 27:6

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Here we see that our offering in His tabernacle is the sacrifices of joy!

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And from our heart, we are to sing praises unto the Lord!

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David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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FOR RIGHT HERE AND FOR RIGHT NOW!

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Now all these precious promises are not only for eternity future!

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No, our commission as royal priests begins right here and right now! That’s right! We don’t have to wait to become priests! We are to be priests for God on a 24/7/365 basis!

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And as we go about our daily duties, our hearts are to be lifted up in silent prayer, praise, and thanksgiving! Yes, our eternity begins right now!

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And though we are but a tabernacle in the wilderness of this dark world, we are to reflect the glorious light of Heaven to those around us!

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Our light from within shines out as our witness to the world: a shining witness of the hopefulness of our Salvation!

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

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AN INNER JOY!

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Listen to another precious promise…

“Thou wilt show me the path of life:

in Thy presence is fulness of joy;

at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Psalm 16:11

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Yes, even in our times of sadness, we can have that inner-joy, knowing that our time of this earthly sojourn will soon be over, and our future sojourn through the heavens will be forever and ever!

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

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“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”

Ephesians 6:4  

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And speaking of joy, we must make sure to live with our family in such a way as to show them that Heaven is a place of joy!

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And the parents need to show much heavenly love for their children. Whether engaging them in their little games and sports, or hugging them often, or just making life in the home nice and breezy.

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This is an integral part of what it means to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord”

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The Christian parents must, kindly, patiently, and gently, guide your children through their childhood in such a way which will cause them to desire, yes, even yearn, to walk side-by-side with you along the joy-filled highways and byways of eternity!  

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Family eating meal – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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

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PRIESTHOOD BEGINS NOW!

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So, let’s all take up our heavenly mantle and begin to walk through this thorn-strewn wilderness, ever lifting up our hands (spiritually) unto God, as we fulfill our great commission to be royal priests, offering up the continual, “sacrifices of joy!” 

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

April 26 (God’s Royal Priesthood Today! Part 3: “Priest of the Home”)

Father & Son – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the grace to rise to the responsibilities of being a royal priest. Give me the grace to pray without ceasing, no matter where I am. Give me the joy in ministering in Thy Tabernacle, as a faithful member of your royal priesthood…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Ark of the Covenant Constellation, Pt. 2: How To Enter The Most Holy Place”, or you can also read…JUNE 21 (Love Is Not A Pick-n-Choose Buffet, Part 2: Our Royal Priesthood)

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 AND MOST HOLY PLACE

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“And thou shalt put the Mercy Seat upon the Ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place.” Exodus 26:34

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The Tabernacle in the wilderness was a picture of God. Just listen to Revelation… “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22.

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So, instead of dwelling upon all the fine points of the earthly tabernacle, let it suffice to be said, this earthly tabernacle is merely a metaphor of God Himself. And the Most Holy Place is the heart of that temple, and upon the Ark, represents God’s throne, as is written…

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“And David arose…to bring up from thence, the ark of God…the LORD of hosts that dwells between the cherubims.” 2nd Samuel 6:2.

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So, if, as it states here, that God dwells “between the cherubims”, then this is speaking of the Mercy Seat over the Ark. But even though it speaks thus, we need to keep in mind that the temple itself, represents God Himself, as is written… “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22.   

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Holy Place & Most Holy Place – wikipedia – public domain

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ARK SEEN IN HEAVEN 

 

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“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of His testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.”  Rev. 11:19

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The above verse from Revelation, speaks of God’s Temple in Heaven being opened. But this great constellation, the  Sagittarius Constellation  is actually the constellation of the Ark of the Covenant. So these two events go hand in hand simultaneously. The Ark Constellation, as sketched into this Wikipedia star-chart, is a representation of the heavenly Ark, as God begins to open up the spiritual concepts of that true Ark to our minds.

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Ark Constellation in Heaven – (aka Sagittarius) – Summer – cropped image – Wikipedia Star-chart with ark drawn in by this website – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Ark of the Covenant Constellation”

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TOMORROW: 

SEPTEMBER 22 (All Comfy-cozy In Hell, Part 4: Laboring in the Very Fire!)

Campfire Pinecone – Emeldil at English Wikipedia – Share-alike license

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #629 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 29

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 20:

“Why Can’t I Escape From Babylon? The Remedy!”

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

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“Flee out of the midst of Babylon,

and deliver every man his soul:

be not cut off in her iniquity;

for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance;

He will render unto her a recompense.”

Jeremiah 51:6

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CITY OF CONFUSION

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Babylon was given its name during the building of that infamous Tower of Babylon, because God confused their speech…

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Listen… “Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.” Genesis 11:9 

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And so, the name, Babylon, actually means, “City of Confusion”.

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by G. Dore’ – The Confusion Of Tongues in Babylon – from www.creationism.org-public domain

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“COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE”

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Revelation 18:4 pronounces a curse upon all those who refuse to, “Come out of Her (Babylon) My people!”

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Yes, upon all those who refuse to join the Exodus out of this “City of Confusion”, the apostate churches, the following sentence is pronounced… “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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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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James Tissot – The Flight of the Prisoners – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SINS!”

Jeremiah 3:13

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In Yesterday’s devotional (click here) it was established that we have been drinking of Mystery Babylon’s narcotic-laced wine, to the point that we are un-cognizant of our undone spiritual condition! And the attempt was made to point out the tell-tale signs of our apostasy.

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But once the church-goer is ready to admit his (or her) spiritual inebriation, then and only then can that soul begin the upward journey out of Babylon, the world, and Babylon, the worldly church!

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(Just like David here, we must humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, pleading for forgiveness and restoration!)

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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A MATTER OF GRACE

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Now of course, this spiritual journey away from Babylon can only be accomplished by the help that Heaven can give. Yes, it is only by grace that we can do anything good!

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(Just like Paul’s conversion to Christianity was by grace, since he wasn’t even looking for true Salvation, when God saved him, on that infamous road to Damascus! (see Acts 9:2))

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But the mere fact that I have come to the realization that my life is not right as it should be, indicates that maybe, just maybe the Holy Spirit is working on my heart! And that’s Good News!

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Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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“GO AND SELL THAT THOU HAST”

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Now I can quit going to church, but that alone will not solve my dilemma. There has to be a great decision made.

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And just what is the great decision to be made?

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Jesus says to each and every one of us…“go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matthew 19:21

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You see, Jesus calls each and every one of us to, “Come and follow Me!”

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But just like the rich young ruler pictured here, Christ counsels us to first, ‘Go and sell that thou hast, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven!’

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Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler – Hoffman – complete and entire surrender of this world, in order to gain Christ – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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EARTH OR HEAVEN?

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Yes, it is our privilege and joy to become followers and disciples of Jesus! But this cannot happen until a man, woman, or child is ready to completely live for Heaven! Here is a key ingredient to Salvation, which has been all but lost sight of within the churches of Babylon….

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Listen again to Jesus…“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

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Here is what so few are willing to do! To forsake everything!

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

 

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A DECISION OF THE HEART!

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Now this doesn’t necessarily mean that I must immediately trash all my belongings. No, but when a person truly receives a new heart, it is like that old song…

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“Turn your eyes upon Jesus! Look full in His wonderful face! And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!”

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Yes, as we continue up the Heaven-ward Pathway, the things of this present world will lose their importance. Oh yes, we must continue to work hard to supply the needs and comforts for our family. But our heart will now become enlightened, and our eyes opened, as we will be spiritually seated together with Christ in His Heavenly Temple.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place – Signs Of Heaven

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WE MUST CONTINUE IN GOD’S WORD!

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But the big point to this devotional is that once we become a disciple who has truly forsaken this present world, our eyes will be opened to see this present world for what it really is! Satan’s kingdom!

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Listen…If ye continue in My Word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31, 32

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Now as true disciples, we may not be instantly set free from our bondage to sin. But this above verse encourages us to “continue in My Word.” In other words, the disciple must persevere the trials that are sure to come his way, if he expects to be set free from sin!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“YE SHALL HAVE TRIBULATION!”

John 16:33

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And be sure that trials will come! Just like Paul here, rejoicing in his tribulation! Yes, trials will come! This is a very good signal that I am truly on the road to Heaven! But we must continue in Christ’s Word, the Bible. All of the Bible! Hiding His precious promises in our hearts! Learning of Him! Loving to read any and every thing about our great God and Savior in that greatest Book of all books!

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Now this devotional has not covered some of the other aspects of our conversion, such as separating ourselves from every unwholesome influence. But this website more than covers this subject, and the Reader is encouraged to keep studying the various articles concerning these things.

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Joseph Martin Kronheim – Foxe’s Book of Martyrs Plate I – Martyrdom of St Paul – Wikipedia – Public Domain 

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“ANOINT THINE EYES…THAT THOU MAY SEE”

Revelation 3:18

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But the big point today is, that in order for our eyes to be truly opened we must cry out to God to make us His true disciples!

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(Just like this picture of Christ giving sight to a blind man, so too, Christ gives us spiritual sight!)

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Listen…“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Psalm 119:18

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Until we truly become His disciple, we will still remain in partial (or total) darkness!

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Christ and the blind Pauper – Mironov – cropped image – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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DOOR OF MERCY STILL AJAR!

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And so, the invitation goes out today, to come and follow Jesus!

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This sad ol’ world is about to be burned up! There is nothing here of any value, except the souls of the lost multitudes waiting to behold the Church shine as the Sun!

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So let’s let go of this world, and cry out for deliverance! Let’s get on board the Gospel Ship while it is still taking on new passengers!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Heaven’s Ship, The Arcturus: The Gospel Ship bound for Castor and Pollux, The Narrow Way – www.signsofheaven.org

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TO READ PART 21, CLICK HERE… 

OCTOBER 23 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 21: Decimating The Book of Job)

Nazi Stabs Bible – Wikimedia commons – US Public Domain (2)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to come out of this Babylon of confusion, and worship Thee 100%. Restore me and purify me, and help me to be watchful and strengthen those things which remain…

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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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…SEPTEMBER 3 (Valley Of Decision, Now! Part 5: Choosing the True Holy Spirit), or you can also read this next article…January 10th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)

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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1st FACE IN THE MOON

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“Then the moon shall be confounded (or “ashamed”), and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.   

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As this above verse states, the Moon is a picture of being confounded, as we can see by his sad eyes!

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But having said all this, why would God speak about the Moon as if it were a person? And why does He say that the Moon will be confounded? How can an inanimate object be confounded (i.e., “perplexed”, “confused”, “amazed”). And why does God refer to the Moon as “her” (“the moon shall not give HER light.” Ezek. 32:7)?  Such odd language! But as you read this Moon Into Blood Trilogy, these questions will be answered, plus many more questions, as well.

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Tilt your head to the left…

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Do you see a man’s face?

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

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

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

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Moon At Shoshone California – cropped, brightened, tinted & highlighted photo – Wikimedia – by Murray Foubister – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW… 

SEPTEMBER 30 (Deal of All Deals, Part 2: “No Man is an Island!”)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #637 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 28

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 19:

“Why Can’t I Escape From Babylon?”

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

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“Flee out of the midst of Babylon,

and deliver every man his soul:

be not cut off in her iniquity;

for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance;

He will render unto her a recompense.”

Jeremiah 51:6

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CITY OF CONFUSION

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Babylon was given its name during the building of that infamous Tower of Babylon, because God confused their speech…

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Listen… “Therefore is the name of it called Babel;

because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth:

and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”

Genesis 11:9 

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And so, the name, Babylon, actually means, “City of Confusion”. Isaiah 24:10

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by G. Dore’ – The Confusion Of Tongues in Babylon – from www.creationism.org-public domain

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“COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE”

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The Bible pronounces a curse upon all those who refuse to, “Come out of Her (Babylon) My people!”

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Yes, upon all those who refuse to join the current end-time exodus out of this “City of Confusion”, the apostate churches, the following sentence is pronounced…

“Come out of her, My people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

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

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‘NO WAY OUT’ RIDDLE

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Have you ever heard the riddle that goes like this…“If you were held prisoner in a room made of thick iron walls, with no doors or windows, and no person to help you, how could you get out?

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Well, today’s devotional will answer that question…

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Pilgrim’s Progress 15 p. 45 – There Sat A Man In An Iron Cage – wikipedia – public domain

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BLINDED HEARTS

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Many who have heard the call to come out of Babylon are wondering, “Just how can this be accomplished?!”.  

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After all, we live in a world in which the entire populace is held captive to the “god of this world”, Satan! 

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Listen…“But if our gospel be hid,

it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,

lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ,

who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

2nd Corinthians 4:3, 4

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And so, it is virtually impossible to get free from this monster, Satan, seeing that he has blinded our minds, as this above verse says!

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BLINDED CHURCH-MEMBERS

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And many church-goers are not even sure that they are truly prisoners of Babylon… “After all, my little conservative congregation is reasonably faithful to the Bible!”

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Well, today’s devotional will lightly touch on the remedy for this condition.

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

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AM I A BABYLONIAN?

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First of all, it is impossible to come out of spiritual Babylon if one is doubtful that he (or she) is even a captive of Babylon.

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And simply put, a Babylonian is merely a worldly-minded citizen of this, the Devil’s kingdom! 

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If one were to use an earthly analogy, it might be comparable to an alcoholic who has not come to the point of declaring that he is truly an alcoholic. In other words, one is not yet ready to take the cure until that one is ready to fully confess his helpless captivity to alcohol.

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Pilgrim’s Progress – 09, p29 – Obstinate – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“DRUNKEN, BUT NOT WITH WINE”

Isaiah 29:9

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And thus it is with Babylonian captivity. I cannot come out of Babylon until I am ready to admit that I have been taken captive by my addiction to her narcotic-like wine!

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Listen…“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,” Revelation 18:3

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The trouble with being intoxicated with Babylon’s wine is, that one doesn’t literally drink from her cup. At least a literal drunkard has to physically put the bottle to his or her mouth each day! Not so with this Mystery Harlot!

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And so, there has to be a conviction of heart that I am indeed in her hellish prison-house.

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

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REPENTANCE, A MATTER OF GRACE

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“…if God peradventure will give them repentance

to the acknowledging of the truth; 

And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,

who are taken captive by him at his will.”

2nd Timothy 2:25, 26

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But how can I even think of escape when I am in such a spiritually drunken condition?

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This above passage from 2nd Timothy reveals that repentance is accomplished only by the action of God’s grace!

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Yes, God must graciously give me “repentance to the acknowledging of the truth”.

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Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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TELL-TALE SIGNS

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But having said that, there are indeed, tell-tale signs that should be a tip-off that something is wrong with my relationship with the Lord.

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Maybe I am vaguely aware that my personal conduct is unchristlike in one or more ways. Perhaps I am far too worldly. I talk like the world talks. I behave like the world behaves. I enjoy the company of unbelievers. I laugh at their crude jokes. I often watch TV, or listen to secular radio. I don’t study my Bible much. And I certainly don’t meditate on the Bible through my day. My prayer-life is anemic at best. I spend time with secular entertainment rather than seeking spiritual devotions.

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It is these kinds of signs which should, “send up red flags”, as they say.

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I MAY HAVE A “FORM OF GODLINESS”

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“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2nd Timothy 3:5

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Oh yes, I may attend church each week. Maybe I am even an officeholder at church! Maybe I do a daily Bible study! But when I leave church, or when I close my Bible in the morning, I immediately return to my “first love”: seeking the cares and pleasures of this world!

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I am like Mr. Vain Confidence from Bunyan’s classic tale, Pilgrim’s Progress! I am confident of my Salvation, in spite of my love for this world!

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Pilgrim’s Progress – Vain-Confidence – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE THINE INIQUITY!”

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“Only acknowledge thine iniquity,

that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God…

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD;”

Jeremiah 3:13, 14

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Okay, so if I have come to the point that I am ready to admit that I am a worldly-minded person, then I have really come to a very good place!

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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THE ANSWER TO THE RIDDLE

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Now, at this point I am ready to solve my dilemma and also to solve today’s riddle!  Because the answer to both situations is the same answer!

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Just how do I break out of that iron prison cell with no windows or even a door?

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The answer is, “I must pray my way out!”

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That’s right! You see, being captive in Spiritual Babylon is just as hopeless as being locked in a door-less, window-less room made of thick iron! There is no humanly possible way of escape!

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And so, I must pray my way out! And I must keep on praying and praying until the day arrives when God graciously allows me to escape my Babylonian captivity!

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Because it is only the grace of God that can release me from such an impossible situation!

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TO READ THE CONTINUATION OF THIS DEVOTIONAL, CLICK HERE…

SEPTEMBER 29 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 20: “Why Can’t I Escape Babylon?” Continued: The Remedy)

ABOVE PICTURE – winter Constellations – Woman of Revelation 12 (Ursa Major) flees to the mountains – Mark 13:14 (This is not a star-chart, but merely a concept picture)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to come out of this Babylon of confusion, and worship Thee 100%. Restore me and purify me, and help me to be watchful and strengthen those things which remain…

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…February 10th (Television in a Perfect World!), or you can also read this next article…February 4th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)

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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FLEEING WOMAN OF REVELATION 12

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WOMAN ROTATES THROUGH THE SEASONS…

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

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

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

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Pleiades: The Captive Angel & Mystery Harlot Constellation”

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TOMORROW… 

SEPTEMBER 29 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 20: “Why Can’t I Escape Babylon? Continued”)

Babylon – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #636 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 27

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Eternal Torment?

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Part 14:

“An Eternal Torment Story”

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

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“Yet [God] sets the poor on high from affliction, and makes him families like a flock.

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The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

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Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.”

Psalm 107:41-43

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Jesus The Good Shepherd – Bernhard Plockhorst – 1825-1907 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

 

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This is a true story, though the details are not given.

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There once was a soldier coming home from the War. He had no doubt seen much death and destruction. But perhaps his Christian upbringing helped him deal with the horrors of war.

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Well, back home, he got the news that one of his fellow soldiers had committed suicide.

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Now this was too much for him, knowing his deceased friend was an atheist, or at least, had no relationship with the Savior.

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And as this young soldier began to think about his close friend suffering eternal torment in Hell for all the future ages of time and eternity, this soldier began to doubt God’s existence. After all, how can a supposedly loving God be so cruel as to cast that soldier into eternal torment in Hell? 

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And so, the young soldier eventually renounced his Christianity, and began living as a secularist.

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He just couldn’t believe in a God who torments unbelievers for all time and eternity!

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Soldier (Not connected to this story) – Air Force Sergeant on guard duty – Public-Domain

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MANY SIMILAR STORIES

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The fact is, this same story probably reoccurs time and time again!

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As a matter of fact, this church-doctrine has been circulating within Christendom for many centuries. So, one can just imagine how many persons over the last 1,500 years or more, have rejected Christianity, out of sheer disgust, because of this heretical false doctrine!

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Many others were probably even driven to insanity and suicide because of this unthinkable church-doctrine!

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Insane Asylum – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“HIS THRONE IS UPHOLDEN BY MERCY!”

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“Mercy and truth preserve the King: and His throne is upholden by mercy.” Proverbs 20:28

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Doesn’t this above verse chip away at our hardheartedness? Doesn’t this above verse press hard against our refusal to acknowledge God’s ultimate and infinite mercy?

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After all, how can a reasonable person love a God who has absolutely no mercy on those who reject His love? How can a human love a God who saves millions, but will torment even BILLIONS more, day after day, year after year, century after century, millennium after millennium throughout the ceaseless ages?

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It’s too horrible to even imagine!

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Only a cruel and heartless monster could do such a thing!

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Gustave Dore Inferno – freezing in River Styx – by Dore – courtesy Wikipedia – Public-Domain

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BAD HERMENEUTICS WERE RESPONSIBLE

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Fortunately, God is not a cruel and heartless monster! And this whole nonsense of eternal torment is a heresy invented by erring theologians from a very apostate church, who couldn’t understand how to properly interpret scripture.

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The problem was, they did not understand that parables were not to be taken literally. And so, they decided that the parable of the Rich Man & Lazarus must be interpreted literally. And they made the same mistake concerning many other scriptures which speak of fire & brimstone (symbolizing God’s Word), not realizing that these are allegories of spiritual truth.

Nicaea icon – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“THERE (IN HELL) THE WICKED CEASE FROM TROUBLING!”

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And for some reason, these same theologians rejected the numerous passages which speak of Hell as the grave, and death as sleep, such as this one from the Book of Job…

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…”Why died I not from the womb?

why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

For now should I have lain still and been quiet,

I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

With kings and counsellors of the earth,

which built desolate places for themselves;

Or with princes that had gold,

who filled their houses with silver: 

There the wicked cease from troubling;

and there the weary be at rest.

There the prisoners rest together;

they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

The small and great are there;

and the servant is free from his master.”

Job 3:11, 13-15, 17-19

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God would never have put this above passage in the Bible if it were not true. Every word of God is true! There is no lie in the Bible. Oh yes, there are many parables which are allegorical in nature, and not to be understood literally. But the Book of Job, like the rest of the Bible, is profitable for doctrine, confirmation, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

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

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MANY OTHER ARTICLES ON THIS SUBJECT

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But these devotionals have covered all these factors, and today’s devotional will not go over old ground.

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But if the reader has not yet read the various lengthy articles such as “The Doctrine of Eternal Torment”, or this present little series called, “Eternal Torment?”, he or she is encouraged to do so.

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Jesus Teaching Luke 4:31-32 – Jesus talks about Heaven – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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DO WE JUST FORGET ALL WE LEARNED DOWN HERE?

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Fortunately we have a God who says 41 times of Himself, “His mercy endures forever!”

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And God has been teaching us all our lives to love mercy and to suffer with those that suffer.

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And so, after spending a lifetime becoming merciful and pitying of the sufferings of others, are we then supposed to forget all that, becoming impervious to the eternal torment of our unsaved family, friends and former neighbors, as they scream for mercy throughout the ceaseless ages? It doesn’t make any sense, does it?

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Brooklyn Museum – The Bad Rich Man in Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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WILL HE EVER FIND THE TRUTH?

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Well, maybe this discouraged soldier will one day find the true God and become a true follower of His Christ. 

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Perhaps his faith will reignite as he discovers that this old church-doctrine is based on ignorance of true and correct Bible hermeneutics.

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And just maybe he will begin to really study to know that, in all of Scripture, God never caused people to linger and linger in suffering as they were dying.

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What do you think?…

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Brooklyn Museum – The Bad Rich Man in Hell – James Tissot – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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UNDO THE HEAVY BURDENS

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Listen…“Is not this the fast that I have chosen?

to loose the bands of wickedness,

to undo the heavy burdens,

and to let the oppressed go free,

and that ye break every yoke?” 

Isaiah 58:6

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Yes, the Bible is teeming with such verses as this, which dispel any such notion that God has an eternal torture chamber.

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And for those who have been deceived by these archaic old church-doctrines, the Bible promises…

“And ye shall seek Me, and find Me,

when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13

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No, O Soldier of the Cross! There’s no more time for superficial Bible study! We must put away childish things and begin to study as though it were the last day granted!

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After all, the Day of the Lord is at now hand! 

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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TO READ PART 15, CLICK HERE…

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

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me an understanding into the spiritual nature of the Bible. Help me to compare scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual to rightly divide Thy Word…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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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 (sketch to left), now extends the blade, thus transforming that sickle into the hook of a shepherd’s rod and staff. And so now this little Gemini star becomes the tip of Orion’s Shepherd’s rod & staff. Thus with this additional star, Orion the Reaper Constellation now becomes the 5th personality of Orion: The Good Shepherd (sketch below right). Theta Geminorum is a class A3, 4th magnitude star, which means it is much fainter than either of the stars, Castor or Pollux. But faint as This little star may be, it nevertheless presents a giant concept, turning Orion’s sickle into a shepherd’s rod. 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 in 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…

SEPTEMBER 28 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 19: Why Can’t I Escape Babylon?)

Babylon – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #635 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 26

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Come Out of Her, My People!

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Part 18:

“Quench Not The Spirit!”

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

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“Quench not the Spirit”

1st Thessalonians 5:19

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CITY OF CONFUSION

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Babylon was given its name during the building of that infamous Tower of Babylon, because God confused their speech…

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Listen… “Therefore is the name of it called Babel;

because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth:

and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.”

Genesis 11:9 

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And so, the name, Babylon, actually means, “City of Confusion”.

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by G. Dore’ – The Confusion Of Tongues in Babylon – from www.creationism.org-public domain

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“COME OUT OF HER MY PEOPLE”

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The Bible pronounces a curse upon all those who refuse to, “Come out of Her (Babylon) My people!”

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Yes, upon all those who refuse to join the Exodus out of this “City of Confusion”, the apostate churches, the following sentence is pronounced…

“Come out of her, My people,

that ye be not partakers of her sins,

and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

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

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“QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT!”

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One of the shortest verses in the Bible happens to be one of the most critically important verses… “Quench not the Spirit!”

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This verse presents the Holy Spirit in the sense of a fire. In other words, we are not to pour earthly water on that Holy Fire within us.

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Gold smelting – Public Domain – wn.com

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WHAT DOES HENRY SAY?

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On the other hand, the Bible says…“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God…” 2nd Timothy 1:6

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Listen to Matthew Henry’s commentary on this verse…

“He (Paul) exhorts him (Timothy) to stir up the gift of God that was in him.

Stir it up as fire under the embers.

It is meant of all the gifts and graces the God had given him,

to qualify him for the work of an evangelist,

the gifts of the Holy Ghost…”

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So here are both sides of the issue. We can stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit, or we can put that Holy Fire out!

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Matthew Henry – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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SATAN’S WAVE OF WATER

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Now it’s very coincidental that Revelation 12 speaks of Satan as a Dragon who spews water out of his mouth.

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Oh yes, he spews his water after the Woman, to carry her away in the flood.

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But isn’t it true that the god of this world has especially designed this world with so many diversions that when embraced, they eventually quench our spirituality!?

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Signs Of Heaven – Winter Constellations

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POLITICAL TALK SHOWS

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For instance, when a Christian becomes interested in politics, before long that Christian begins to listen to endless political talk shows, or watch endless TV programs focused on politics.

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And that Christian may become so absorbed in the political fray that he loses his desire for Bible study and prayer.

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Unwittingly, that Christian has quenched the Spirit….

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Talking face – Wikimedia – GNU License

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COUNTLESS DIVERSIONS

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Listen to Christ’s letter to the church at Sardis… 

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain,

that are ready to die:

for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”

Revelation 3:2

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Here above, this verse warns the messenger of that church to strengthen the things which remain and are about to die. And in this day, there are so many deterrents to having a healthy relationship with God.

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

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TELEVISION

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How about the TV? Do I suppose that I can sit in front of the TV for hours each day, and not quench the Spirit?

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After all, how much easier is it to just kick back for hours with the TV remote in hand, than to sit down with a concordance and a King James Bible and begin to plow through the various verses on a daily basis?

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TV icon novela svg. – Wikimedia –

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MANY WAYS TO QUENCH

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Now these are just two examples of how to quench the Holy Spirit. But we can rest assured that there are endless ways to accomplish the same result.

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There are countless ways to become so absorbed in worldly pursuits, which eventually quench the Holy Spirit: time-consuming & energy-sapping careers, social clubs, video games, various sports & hobbies, homes & gardens to care for, recreational & sports vehicles, sight-seeing tours, various games, novel-reading, dances, plays, music-listening, and even the countless quasi-Christian TV & radio shows!

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And before long, all these exciting pursuits begin to pile up until the Salvation and maintenance of our soul gets, “put on the back-burner”, as the saying goes!

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We have quenched the Holy Spirit by pursuing all these so-called innocent pursuits!

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Girl Texting – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0

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“THEY FORSOOK ALL, AND FOLLOWED HIM”

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When Jesus called His disciple, it is written…“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11

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Yes, those faithful followers of Jesus totally forsook this present world, and began to learn of the ways of Heaven!

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And Jesus requires no less a commitment from us today…

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Listen again to Jesus…“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33

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So it says here that we cannot even become His disciple until we forsake this entire world.

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Now, “forsaking all”, doesn’t mean that we literally quit work and dispose of our belongings!

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No, but this old song really says it well…:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

Look full in His wonderful face!

And the things of this world will grow strangely dim,

in the light of His glory and grace!”

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Christ calling His Disciples – by Edward Armitage – 1869 – Courtesy wikigallery.com – Public Domain

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A SAFEGUARD FOR THE SOUL!

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The childish thinking is that God is trying to take away all our fun! But in truth, God’s great desire is for our eternal joy and contentment.

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But our Heavenly Father knows how easy it is for the sheep of His pasture to go astray. And He knows that a divided heart will eventually be conquered by the Enemy of Souls!

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And He fully understands that the selfish pleasures of this world never truly bring us happiness, but actually cause us greater and greater discontent and make us desirous of having even more earthly pleasures! 

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

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MOMENT of TRUTH!

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The Good News is found by pursuing an opposite course! Instead of quenching the Spirit, we must devote our entire life to fanning into flames, the Gift which God has given us!

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But just how do I do this? How can I stir up that wonderful gift?

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Well, there comes a moment of truth when the Believer must decide which world to live for: this present world, or the-world-to-come?

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And once he or she decides to no longer allow this present world to come between a healthy relationship with Jesus, a joyful work will have begun!

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Girl – Depression by Danielzanetti – cropped image – Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License 3.0

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HOLY PURSUITS

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And so, as we begin to put away all these unnecessary diversions, God will begin to replace them with those heavenly pursuits which will cause the Holy Fire to glow brightly within: Bible study and day-and-night Bible contemplation! Unceasing prayers for one’s self and for others! Watchfulness! Singing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs! Spiritual sacrifices!

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These are among the pursuits that will revive those dying embers of God’s Spirit!

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Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 19, CLICK HERE…

SEPTEMBER 28 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 19: “Why Can’t I Escape Babylon?”

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to come out of this Babylon of confusion, and worship Thee 100%. Restore me and purify me, and help me to be watchful and strengthen those things which remain…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…February 10th (Television in a Perfect World!), or you can also read this next article…February 4th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)

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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GOD’S PEOPLE TAKEN CAPTIVE

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

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

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

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Pleiades: The Captive Angel & Mystery Harlot Constellation”

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TOMORROW… 

SEPTEMBER 27 (Eternal Torment? Part 14: An Eternal Torment Story)

Soldier – Air Force Sergeant on guard duty – this picture not connected with this story – Public-Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #634 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 25

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Eternal Torment?

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Part 13

“Tophet NOW!”

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

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“For Tophet is ordained of old;

yea, for the King it is prepared;

He hath made it deep and large:

the pile thereof is fire and much wood;

the breath of the LORD,

like a stream of brimstone,

doth kindle it.”

Isaiah 30:33

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There are many who read this above passage and assume that it is speaking of the church doctrine known as “Eternal Torment”.

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But such misunderstanding of Scripture and ignorance of God’s character can be corrected by doing a more thorough investigation of the Bible.

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

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FIRE AND MUCH WOOD?!

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Listen… “For Tophet is ordained of old;

yea, for the King it is prepared;

He hath made it deep and large:

the pile thereof is fire and much wood;

the breath of the LORD,

like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it.”

Isaiah 30:33

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Here is a verse concerning the judgment of the last days. And yet, when God speaks here of the “pile thereof is fire and much wood”, this is a tip-off that God is speaking metaphorically, and not literally.

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After all, this verse says that Tophet will burn because of all the wood.

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Thus, if we would take this literally, it would be totally ridiculous! And this is confirmed by the next words, “the breath of the LORD, like a steam of brimstone, doth kindle it.”

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Now obviously these metaphors, speaking of piles of wood and the breath of the LORD and the fires of Tophet are presenting an allegorical description of the great Day of God’s wrath.

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Firewood – Tres Tombs in Igualada – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning”

Isaiah 4:4

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Here is another passage which further confirms the metaphorical nature of fire & brimstone…

“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved,

let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably

with reverence and godly fear:

For our God is a consuming (devouring) fire.”

Hebrews 12:28, 29

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Here it says that our God is a consuming or devouring fire. Now obviously, God is a Spirit, and not an actual fire! Isaiah 4:4, even speaks of “the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”

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Notice it says here, “the SPIRIT of burning”.

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Gérôme, Jean-Léon – Moses on Mount Sinai – Jean-Léon Gérôme – 1895-1900 – Wikimedia – Pub. Dom.

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DWELLING WITH THE DEVOURING FIRE

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Listen to this rather lengthy passage…

“The sinners in Zion are afraid;

fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.

Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?

who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?

He that walketh righteously,

and speaketh uprightly…”

Isaiah 33:14-17

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As this above passage reveals, only the righteous will be able to dwell with the devouring fire and everlasting burnings. And here is veiled, allegorical language to describe the LORD! It is God who is that devouring fire and everlasting burnings. And only righteousness can dwell with Him. And all our dross will be burned away by “the spirit of burning”.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE DEAD-WOOD OF SIN

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And so, for further confirmation, let’s examine a passage from 1st Corinthians…

“Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

Every man’s work shall be made manifest:

for the day shall declare it,

because it shall be revealed by fire;

and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon,

he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work shall be burned,

he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved;

yet so as by fire.”

1st Corinthians 3:12-15

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Now here we have a big clue as to what God is speaking of, concerning the fire which will burn up the wicked.

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It is a spiritual fire which will burn up our vain fleshly deeds… “wood, hay, stubble”. And so, when Isaiah speaks of the fires of Tophet being kindled by a large pile of wood, He is speaking of the dead wood of our unsanctified character. But praise the Lord, God will not completely destroy us…“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1st Corinthians 3:15

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Gold smelting – Public Domain – wn.com

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MANY BANKRUPT ON THAT DAY

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Now it may be true that there will be many who did not build upon the foundation of Christ.

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Oh yes, they attended church each week. But their heart was not at all focused upon spiritual things beyond church attendance. When they left their church building, they returned to serving their weekday gods: their careers, their pleasures, their sports, their worldly friends and clubs, their amusements, and their seeking for more of the Mammon, so abundant in this modern-day cornucopia society.

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These may indeed find themselves totally bankrupt on that Day of Fiery Judgment! Let none of us become presumptuous!

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DON’T WAIT! BEGIN NOW!

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Now we don’t have to wait for the fires of tribulation to burn away our, “wood, hay and stubble!” (even though those fires are now already beginning to burn)! Yes, we can get rid of the fuel for God’s fire right now, first, by putting away all vain and ungodly influences, as far as possible!

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And then, in these final moments before the fires of Judgment Day begin, we must be busily hiding God’s purifying Word in our heart!

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And then, through our day we can pray for the ability to meditate (contemplate) upon God’s Word, and how we might, “walk, even as He (Jesus) walked.” 1st John 2:6

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This is how we eliminate the “wood, hay, stubble” from our lives!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 14, CLICK HERE…

SEPTEMBER 27 (Eternal Torment? Part 14: An Eternal Torment Story)

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me an understanding into the spiritual nature of the Bible. Help me to compare scripture with scripture and spiritual things with spiritual to rightly divide Thy Word…

Morning Prayers – Ebenezer Newman – Downard – 1860 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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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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“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

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And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.”

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Matthew 25:1-4

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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 THE 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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Corona Borealis/Bootes & Five Wise Virgins – (constellations highlighted by this website) – wikimedia – C.C. Commons License

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Woman of Revelation 12, (“The Woman on the Altar”)

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TOMORROW…

SEPTEMBER 26 (Come Out of Her, My People! Part 18: Quench Not The Spirit!)

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

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #633 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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