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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – JANUARY 12

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How a Joke Killed!

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Part 2-b:

“An Antichrist Spirit”

To go to Part 1, click here… ” JANUARY 10th (How a Joke Killed!)”

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On the morning of that fearful day, when God destroyed Sodom and its surrounding cities, the main character of that story, Lot, tried to warn his sons-in-law to flee from the wrath to come!

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But his sons-in-law didn’t believe him! They thought he was just joking!

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Listen… “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” Genesis 19:14

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Perhaps Lot’s sons-in-law were accustomed to hearing Lot make such mocking jests, previous to this fateful morning!

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Yes, maybe Lot had a reputation of being somewhat of a joker. Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good gag, previous to this solemn moment! Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good laugh!

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After all, why else would his sons-in-law conclude his was merely joking?

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Well, we’ll just have to ask Lot, when we meet up with him someday, what exactly did happen on that frightful morning.

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

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FOOLISH TALK & JESTING

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Now, the Bible does not promote being a joker or a jester! Quite the opposite!

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Listen… “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6

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Combine this above passage with the following passage from the same epistle… “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2

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Can you see the common thread between these two above passages? The common thread is that both passages are speaking of, “children of disobedience”! Yes, those jesters in Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6 are the same group which are indwelt by the “prince  of the power of the air…that spirit that now works in the children of disobedience” found in Ephesians 2:2

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Now that bit of information should make us think twice about imitating this joking and jesting world!

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

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NOT IGNORANT OF SATAN’S DEVICES!

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Now, the Bible says… “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2nd Corinthians 2:11.

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No, as this above verse reveals, we are not ignorant of Satan’s devices! And so, with such a spiritual insight, we can look around at this Antichrist society and realize that the Devil is very much more than just an innocent bystander! Satan is not just sitting on the sidelines, as some suppose: merely observing the goings-on of Mankind.

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Nor does Satan take time off so that he might take a vacation! Absolutely not!!

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Rather, Satan works around the clock, deceiving and making this world as seductive as he possibly can! He is a relentless warrior, seeking to destroy both Christians and their children, too!

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And, as Ephesians, Ch. 2 reveals, Satan is busy working in the lives of the unconverted… “according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit THAT NOW WORKETH in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2

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USEFUL PAWNS IN SATAN’S GAME OF CHESS

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Satan is the ardent foe of Heaven! He’s the true “mover and shaker” of this world! And he and his countless followers will use any and every unconverted human heart as “useful pawns” in his subtle attacks on Christians!

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Whether it be a king, or a pauper, a “professional”, or a common laborer, a business tycoon, or a teacher, a pastor or a parishioner, a doctor, or a patient, a poet or a musician, a classical composer, or a pop singer, a political figure or a comedian: No unconverted human being is beyond Satan’s reach!

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And just as he used partially-converted Peter, he too will use you or me, if he possibly can! And just as he received permission to sift Peter as wheat, so will he do to any yet unconverted Follower of Jesus!

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checkmate – by Friedriech Moritz August Retzsch – Wikigallery.org – Public domain

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“I AM MUSIC, AND I WRITE THE SONGS!”

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A line from the song, “I Write The Songs”, by Bruce Johnston

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Lucifer was the gifted musician back in Heaven, prior to being thrust down to earth! So don’t imagine for a moment that he doesn’t employ his “talents” down here!

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Yes, there are many “gifted” humans who seem to pour out their artistic creations like an overflowing river! Literary artists, musicians, business “geniuses”, scientists, scholars, actors, and yes, even comedians!

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But what both the people of the world, and Christians alike are so hesitant to admit or recognize, is that this evil genius, Satan, is the true inspiration in this, his kingdom! And we are merely his useful pawns, in his game of chess, because Satan is that, “spirit THAT NOW WORKETH in the children of disobedience:”!

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Stuck Lucifer ca-1890 – Wikimedia – public-domain

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LET US NOT BE DECEIVED!

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And we must not allow ourselves to be ignorant of Satan’s devices, as he glorifies his own selfish kingdom, by such creations!

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After all, it is by these loyal citizens, and their creations, whom he uses to deceive, ensnare, and bind our hearts to this proud and selfish world!

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We hear all that beautiful music, and our hearts are further entwined to this world!

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The storytellers weave their intriguing tales, making this selfish world appear so inviting, and even magical, at times!

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The inventors “discover” some new invention, and we and our children become willing slaves to these electronic devices!

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No, they are merely being used by “the god of this world”, the Devil, as he weaves his world-wide-spider-web of deception and seductive entrapments, casting us into his prison-house of sin and selfishness!

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Spider Web – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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SOME VERY GOOD NEWS!

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Now there is some very Good News in the midst of all this bad news! Yes, if we have been used by Satan in the past, there is much hope for the future! The Lord can turn our failure into victory, and transform our life of sin into our testimony of God’s love and mercy!

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And God can deliver us from such overpowering habits, such as this pleasure of the mind called “joking”, “jesting”, or  a “sense of humor”.

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Oh yes, it may take much resistance to finally get Satan to cease from whispering these jests in our ears! It probably will take months of resisting the Devil, before he will finally flee away, in this area of sin! Funny jests will often pop up in our mind! Clever comments will tempt us to utter them to our hearers!

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But we have a commission to warn the world of the coming Day of God! And only a loving, Christlike character will allow Christ to work in us and through us, to sound the trumpet, that the great Day of God has finally arrived!

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

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

JANUARY 13 (How a Joke Killed! Part 3: A Deadened Conscience)

Joker – Jester – Puck Cover- Wikipedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me a heart which desires to become Christlike in every way! Take away my foolish pride which the Devil has deceived me with, by giving me these satanic abilities…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ““Vanity Fair” & The False Prophet”, or you can also read… “February 15th (The Two Images!)” 

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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FINALLY WALKING UPWARD INTO THE HIGHWAYS OF ETERNITY

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

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

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

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

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

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW…

January 13 (A 3-Fingered Judgment-Day, Part 7: “Snowflakes”)

Snowflake – Aaron Burden 2017-02-01 (Unsplash) – Wikimedia – Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book, a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 10 – Progress Of Reform In Germany

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #61

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

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – January 11

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Cuttlefish & The False Prophet,

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Part 8:

“And He Spake As A Dragon!”

To read Part 1, go here…April 1 (Cuttlefish & The False Prophet)

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“And I beheld another beast

coming up out of the earth;

and he had two horns like a lamb,

and he spake as a dragon.“

Revelation 13:11

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who now in these last days destroys the churches via a world-loving prosperity-driven false gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

 

 

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God originally created this world to be a beautiful home for Mankind.

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Yet, when we fell from grace, this world began to change in many respects.

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Nature, to a great extent, began to take on some changes. Many creatures and plants, etc., gradually took on different aspects, eventually becoming dangerous to other animals, and some even dangerous to people.

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Cuttlefish komodo – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 

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CUTTLEFISH: THE ULTIMATE IMPOSTORS!

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One of the most amazing creatures ever created is the Cuttlefish! 

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The reason why this creature is so incredible, is that it can just glance at its environment and instantly change its body to imitate that environment!

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As a matter of fact, whatever the Cuttlefish passes over, it instantly begins to change into the similar color and shape of that undersea object!

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Cuttlefish.ogv – cropped image – Wikipedia – Creative Commons License

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CUTTLEFISH: SYMBOL OF SATAN

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Well, God has created this little predator to give us further insight into the inner working of the kingdom of Satan.

(As this little 26 second video below shows, the Cuttlefish has the ability to paralyze his potential victims, by using his hypnotizing strobe-light effect! Amazing!)

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Certainly, Satan and his unseen armies love to make themselves invisible! That way, they can work their misery and woe upon this unsuspecting world, without its inhabitants becoming alarmed, causing us to rebel against Satan’s kingdom, as we flee to God!

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And isn’t true that the pleasures and riches of this world, like the cuttlefish’s strobe-hypnotizer, have a mesmerizing effect upon us?

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“THE KISSES OF AN ENEMY ARE DECEITFUL!”

Proverbs 27:6

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Truly it can be said, we live in a “Cuttlefish World”.

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Yes, like that incredible impostor, this antichrist world-system has been changed into a seemingly benign and beneficent society to a great degree. Oh yes, there are many underlying dangers and evils lurking out there!

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But just look around at all the humanitarianism going on today! Why, it just seems as if this is such a caring and compassionate world!

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And it’s just about impossible to watch television without a social justice advertisement coming on, promoting some aspect of human kindness!

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Giant Cuttlefish – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution

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“…AND HE SPAKE AS A DRAGON”

Revelation 13:11

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But in recent decades, this Revelation 13 False Prophet has begun speaking openly like a dragon (Satan), as he is now using the mass media to provoke various people-groups to hate one-another, persecute one-another, as he transforms this entire world into his hateful totalitarian dystopia.

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Yes, this Revelation 13 False Prophet is nothing less than the Spirit of Antichrist, spreading its deceptive & hateful tentacles into the four corners of the globe!

(For more info on the False Prophet, see such articles, as Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 22 (The Beast & False Prophet, Part 7, Continued: “The 7th Head: False Doctrines”))

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

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“and all the world…worshipped the dragon…that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan”

Revelation 13:3, 4 & 20:2

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We must understand that the False Prophet of Revelation 13 now “speaks as a dragon”, that is, like Satan, as this above passage reveals.

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And just how does this False Prophet speak like Satan? Well, just listen to the television, radio, and Internet!

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What do we hear each day? Lust? Violence? Revenge? Hate? Perversion? Lies? Hypocrisy? Greed? Pride? Murder? False witnessing against others? Atheism? False religions? Yes, yes, yes!!! We are inundated with all these characteristics of Satan on a moment-by-moment, 24/7/365 basis! Satan and his vast invisible armies of fallen, evil angels, control the media to a great extent, and use unsaved and unwitting men, and women, and sometimes even children to be his mouthpiece through these various media goliaths.

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

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“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar”

Romans 3:4

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One very clear evidence that Satan’s hand is in all this, is seen by all the lies, hypocrisy, and cheating going on in the media and by the leaders of the land. Much of the mass media has become so jealous for power, that they will purposely mis-report news stories to dishonestly advantage their cause. And the greater portion of the unsaved masses willingly accept the lies, cheating, and corruption. Because all unsaved humans are indwelt by “the spirit of error…antichrist”, who also is called, “…a liar, and the father of it”. (1st John 4:3, 6, & John 8:44) 

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And yet, Satan realizes he must cover all his hatred with a thin veneer of pretentious goodness. And so, the media is populated with countless fresh-faced, squeaky-clean spokespeople, light-hearted programs, intriguing dramas, and colorful scenery, presenting his dark kingdom of this selfish world in the best light possible!

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ABOVE PICTURE: TV indoctrination – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

TV – Family watching television – c. 1958 – Wikipedia – public domain

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A NEW NATION CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY

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The United States of America came into being, rising up “out of the earth” in the wilderness of what is now called North America. And God gave it a constitution based on biblical principles, as a gift of His grace, following the long, hard, and cruel centuries of religious persecution of the peoples of Europe by the cruel tyranny of the corrupt Antichrist Beast-like church-state system.

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But in response against Europe’s centuries of tyranny, this fledgling nation was, instead, founded upon the belief that all men were created equal, and were given the right to freely speak, in regard to religion and politics.

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Pilgrims & Thanksgiving – Brascome – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States by H.C. Christy – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE USA!?

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But along with the incoming ships of pilgrims, fleeing Europe, Satan and his evil host likewise came across the waters to extend and establish his wicked kingdom in America. And working through many secularists and even some false-brethren in the Church, Satan began persecuting various people-groups, even engaging many of them into slavery, just like most all the other nations of the world were doing in that same time-period.

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And this “Prince of the Power of the Air”, working in and through these “children of disobedience”, began to slowly establish himself as the False Prophet, with two lamblike horns. And over the span of centuries, these two horns became the two power-centers of the west, very similar to The Lamb of God: “mercy & truth…righteousness & peace”, howbeit, bad counterfeits, to say the least. These are largely made up of the two major political powers.

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

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SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY!

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But in spite of these terrible atrocities which marred our nation, the United States strove to overcome her failings. And thanks to the efforts of caring Christians, this nation became a leader and example to the entire world in overcoming racial inequality.

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After all, our constitution demanded that we must overcome. And caring men and women (a great percentage, Christians) fought to end slavery and even eventually, to bring about justice and equity for all color-groups. Maybe not perfectly, but tremendously better.   

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Nowadays, those oppressed peoples are greatly prospering, even becoming the leaders in various fields of this society, now even world leaders! 

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Yes, there was much good about The United States, in spite of Satan’s cruel oppression. The American Constitution eventually triumphed over evil!

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Abolition of Slavery – 1st of August 1838 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

President Barack Obama – Wikipedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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 “Every kingdom divided…shall not stand”

Matthew 12:25 

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Yet, in spite of this nation’s achievements over its injustices, Satan is now on the march, spreading his hatred, lies, and deceptions, largely through the corporate-major-media goliaths, to stir up and divide the unsaved masses against one-another! And it appears that this once great nation is finally destined to fall, as he morphs it (as well as the entire world), into his fiery furnace of totalitarianism and religious persecution!

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Yes, just like the deceptive cuttlefish, which disguises itself until the right moment, just before it strikes its victim, Satan has transformed this False Prophet from his former lamb-like façade, into the maniacal beast which now speaks openly as a dragon!

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And even though this 2nd Beast of Revelation 13 (The False Prophet) is just beginning to show his sharp teeth, it just may be that he will eventually bully all humanity to choose: “Either bow down and capitulate to the tokens of my antichrist world-system…or be killed.”

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And so, the Time of Trouble has only just begun. And it appears that Satan has removed his cuttlefish mask of pretentious beneficence. And this Arch-Deceiver is now marshaling his forces (invisible evil angels working in and through “the children of disobedience”) to carry out his last attack on God’s people.

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Cuttlefish – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who now in these last days destroys the churches via a world-loving prosperity-driven false gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

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GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY

Proverbs 25:25

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Well, with all this negativity, it’s hard to imagine that there could be any Good News found here!

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But the fact is, there’s much Good News! Yes, God is only allowing all these horrible events and dystopian paradigm shifts for a number of wonderful and eternal purposes!

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First, God is very painfully aware that He must finally take away our comfortable blissful lethargy, so that His people will at last let go of our tight grip on this Kingdom of Selfishness, which is controlled by “the god of this world”, Lucifer, now called “Satan” and “The Devil”.

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Yes, many Christians in the western societies have been enjoying the abundant life of earthly prosperity, more or less. And as a result, the greater portion of churchgoers are not properly armored-up, nor prepared for the final conflict!

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But God will have a people to, “withstand in the Evil Day” (Ephesians 6:13). And all that is coming upon the world will require us to put on our spiritual armor and be fitted up for battle!

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And each and every circumstance coming our way will require each and every soldier of Christ to walk by all the, “exceeding great and precious promises”, which we have stored up in our hearts: each promise will become a stepping-stone on our upward, Heavenward pathway through the fiery trials ahead!

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Barbecue – Dutch family – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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

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

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And we need not despair of these soon-coming trials,

because God has promised…

“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….

He is their Strength in the Time of Trouble…

When thou passest through the waters,

I will be with thee; and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow thee:

when thou walkest through the fire,

thou shalt not be burned;

neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Psalm 27:5, 6 & 37:39 & Isaiah 43:2

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TO READ THE CONTINUATION OF THIS ARTICLE CLICK HERE… 

January 29 (Cuttlefish & The False Prophet, Part 9: “And He Spake As A Dragon!” CONTINUED)

Giant Cuttlefish – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution

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WATCH THIS SHORT BUT AMAZING VIDEO ON CUTTLEFISH…

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to not be fooled by this very deceptive world…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…October 4 (And The Nations Were Angry! Part 3: “Summer of Love, Winter of Hate”)“, or you can also read… Today’s Devotional – January 26th: The False Prophet: (“And I beheld another beast (The False Prophet)”) ALSO READ: (Buying & Selling The Gospel)

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

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

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

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

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

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But before we explore the floods, let’s look at one more number from that same passage in Revelation…

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READ MORE…

Flood Waters of Satan-Introduction

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TOMORROW…

JANUARY 12 (How a Joke Killed! Part 2-b: “An Antichrist Spirit”)

 

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book, is a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 9 – The Swiss Reformer

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #60

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

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – January 10

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Mark Now Given?

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Part 10:

“Mark of the Beast: Visible or Invisible?”

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

 

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“My son, keep My words,

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and lay up My commandments with thee. 

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Keep My commandments, and live;

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and My law as the apple of thine eye. 

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Bind them upon thy fingers,

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write them upon the table of thine heart”

Proverbs 7:1-3

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There are a multitude of theologians, Bible teachers, and evangelists who, as Scripture warns…“O My people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.” Isaiah 3:12

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This is not speaking of just the Old Testament teachers of the law. No, but it is likewise speaking of today’s churches in which Jesus warned…“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Mathew 24:24

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Yes, in these last days, the deception has become so close to the truth, that even the very Elect can be deceived (but not to the point of losing their Salvation).

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

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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And so, the question must be asked…“How are God’s Elect, as well as many “make-believers” in the churches being deceived?”

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Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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False Doctrine of, “Grammatical, Historical Method of Interpretation”

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Well, besides being taught many false doctrines such as “Eternal Torment”, and the so-called, “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”, today’s most vocal and popular personalities have been deceived by the false hermeneutic that says, “You must interpret the Bible as literal as possible, unless context demands an allegorical interpretation”.

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But this commandment is from men, and not from the Bible!

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And this heretical church-doctrine has greatly stunted the spiritual growth of God’s people by locking them out of an understanding of a great portion of Scripture, including Revelation!

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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IS THE MARK IN, OR ON THE HAND AND FOREHEAD?

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One example of this is found in Revelation 14, concerning the Mark of the Beast…“And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand” Revelation 14:9

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The King James version says this mark will be “IN”, not “ON” a person’s hand or forehead.

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But most, or all the modern versions say it will be “ON” a person’s hand or forehead.

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And so, in today’s fallen and apostate church-world, far too many teachers insist there will be a visible mark given.

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But does this idea carry any scriptural validation?

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

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“A SIGN UPON THINE HAND…AS FRONTLETS BETWEEN THINE EYES”

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To examine this debate, let’s examine a similar Bible issue…“And these words, which I command…thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”  Deuteronomy 11:18

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Here above, the Lord is commanding His people to “bind” His law, “for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.”

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“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries…”

Matthew 23:5

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Now, God’s people of that day took this command literally, even making “phylacteries” containing the commandments which were worn of the forehead. They just couldn’t see the spiritual nature of Scripture, much like today’s situation.

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But God was actually encouraging His people to write His law upon the tables of their heart (which is in the forehead), that His law might be the dominating force in what think, but also, what we do with our hands.

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Phylacteries – Israel – Religious Jew on a Daily-Market – Wikipedia – Share-alike Lic.

Phylactery on Yemeni Jew 1914 wikipedia US public domain

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MARK OF THE BEAST: POLAR OPPOSITE DEUTERONOMY 11:18

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Contrariwise, the Mark of the Beast works by the same principle. Those who fill their hearts with worldly ideas, actually have written the ways of this selfish world upon the tables of their hearts. And this in turn will result in selfish and worldly behavior.

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This is the essence of the Mark of the Beast. Satan’s character “IN” the heart, and “IN” the right hand. And we know what his character is all about…“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:” Galatians 5:19-21

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This above list from Galatians gives a partial rendering of Satan’s character. And as one can readily discern, these are the very traits which the world freely exhibits daily.

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

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NEVER SAY, “NEVER”!

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Now having said all these things, we must not get dogmatic about the future, for it may well be that there will also be a visible mark given.

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But as the expression goes, “Don’t hold your breath!”, because it will be so easy for many churchgoers to be deceived when these things begin to happen. And along with the false doctrine of the Pre-tribulation Rapture, so many will insist that “It cannot be happening yet! We haven’t been raptured yet! The time hasn’t come, neither can we see a visible mark! And the Revelation 13 Beast hasn’t yet appeared!”

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Satan has masterfully caused these prophecy misinterpretations in such a way, that the vast majority of churchgoers will completely be deceived, when the time does come.

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

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GOOD NEWS! A WAY OF ESCAPE!

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Well, there indeed is Good News! Because God, in His amazing grace, has allowed all those who wish to escape this awful judgment, a way in which to escape. And we may plead with Him for that grace to begin to lock out the pollutions of the world and begin hiding His soul-saving words in our hearts and right out through our fingertips!

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And so, let’s use our remaining time here, shutting out as much of the vanity and wickedness of the media as we can, and instead, contemplate His Words of Life throughout our day!

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We have everything to gain, and everything to lose!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 11, CLICK HERE…

January 19 (Mark Now Given? Part 11: “The Golden Image of Daniel 2”)

Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image and The fiery furnace – Daniel 3-12 – www.thebiblerevival.com

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

Dear Lord, Give me an understanding of just what a deceptive religious world it is today. Give me wisdom and knowledge to see through the lies…

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…Daily Devotional, Year 2 – May 31 (Mark Now Given! Part 2: “Buying & Selling”), or you can read this…Daily Devotional, Year 3: October 23 (Mark Now Given, Part 8: “Pandemic Madness…or…Devil-Designed-Deception?”)

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

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

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In Revelation, the Dragon of Revelation 12 is described as having seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns. However, the Dragon Constellation up in the night sky does not. But God has faithfully created the wave of water, in such a way, as to illustrate this same concept of the seven heads, ten horns, and seven crowns. Because this wave of water is basically composed of ten stars. The main body of the wave has seven stars (#‘s, 1 thru 7). And the tip of the crest of the wave has the other three stars (#’s, 8, 9 & 10). So we have this 7 and 10 numbering. And this gives us a great clue, as to where in the Bible we should look, to find out the riddle as to just what or who do these 7 heads, 10 crowns, and 7 horns represent. Because, the Bible speaks very much about floods and waters as being associated with Satan (the Dragon).

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READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

January 11 (Cuttlefish & The False Prophet, Part 8: “And He Spake As A Dragon!”)

Giant Cuttlefish – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book is a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 8 – Luther Before The Diet

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #59

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: January 9

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 40:

“Martin Luther”

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

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In the 55 minute audio reading of this chapter on Martin Luther (scroll down to almost the bottom of today’s devotional to hear), Ellen White recounted how Martin Luther had a life-long love affair with God’s Word, the Bible!

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Yes, from the first time Luther discovered that Latin Bible chained to a monastery wall, Luther used every little bit of free time, to read God’s Word!

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He even regretted the time spent eating his necessary food, because it prevented him from eating that heavenly bread, God’s infallible Manna, The Bible!

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Luther – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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HAROLD CAMPING: A LOVER OF GOD’S WORD!

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Well, Luther wasn’t the only one who loved God’s Word to that degree!

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Yes, in the past decades, God raised up another servant who loved the Bible every bit as much as Luther!

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Fast-forward a few hundred years, to Alameda California, and to one slender man named Harold Camping!

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Yes, Harold Camping, founder and CEO of Family Radio, spent 5 or 6 hours daily studying God’s Word. On his daily call-in talk show (scroll to page-bottom to hear), Camping often mentioned that he tried to study the Bible as if he were cramming for a final exam in college! Comparing scripture with scripture, and “spiritual things with spiritual”, Camping worked tirelessly each day, attempting to fit this incredible God-given “jig-saw puzzle” together, known as “the Bible”.

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Harold-Camping

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MUCH “HIDDEN MANNA!”

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Yes, the Bible is a type of jig-saw puzzle in which God has veiled many deep truths within the various stories and parables found throughout its pages!

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Because the Bible says…“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

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Here is one of the foundational principles which God lays down, as to how the Bible must be studied. Oh yes, there are many truths laying on the surface. But many other truths have been concealed by God, and must be searched out, as digging for hidden treasure!

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Jigsaw puzzle – Wikimedia Commons – Public Domain

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BABYLON: “THE CITY OF CONFUSION”: “COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE!”

Isaiah 24:10 & Revelation 18:4

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And both Luther and Camping were given the grace to do just that!

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These two dedicated servants worked tirelessly to seek for and search out the very truths which the apostate theologians have so greatly obfuscated over the past decades and centuries.

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And in a very confused church-world, God raised up these two men to lead God’s people out of the dense fog of confusion which lay heavily upon Christendom, back then, and even today still!

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

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STUDY, BEREAN, STUDY!

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And at the bottom of each day’s devotional is a 25+ minute audio sampling of Harold Camping’s daily radio shows.

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And those who consider themselves to be “Noble Bereans” should prove to themselves that they are truly open-minded lovers of truth by listening, not only to Camping’s audio, but also to the wonderful chapter on Martin Luther from Ellen White’s historical account of the church-age, “The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan.” which is also toward the bottom of this page.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 41, CLICK HERE… 

January 19 (Noble Bereans, Part 41: “God’s Prophetic Timeline”)

Bible prophecy chart – Wikipedia – Public Domain in US

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…May 30th (Flee To The Mountain! Reader is encouraged to read all “Flee To The Mountain” articles) or you can also read…January 6 (Noble Bereans, Part 21: “Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding Proper Bible Interpretation”), or you can also read…October 23 (Noble Bereans, Part 22: “Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding The Spirituality of the Bible”)

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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WHAT THIS PAGE IS ABOUT…

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This page is concerned with the Glorious Crown (a.k.a. Corona Borealis Constellation), as is written… “And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.” Revelation 12:1. 

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This rather dim constellation follows behind that bright and beautiful star, Arcturus , as Arcturus leads a heavenly ambassage through the heavens each night in summer. 

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many crowns happen to be studded with precious jewels. Well this heavenly crown is no exception! And though these “jewels” are stars, they represent the precious jewels spoken of throughout Scripture, when speaking about God’s people.

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But this constellation is not nearly as high-profile as, say, the 7 Stars Constellation (a.k.a., The Big Dipper).  It is relatively dim, compared to those two bright constellations.

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Photo: Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo with crown drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura 

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LOCATING THIS CROWN…

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This constellation begins to appear in late December (just before dawn), but is best seen, mid-sky when this group of constellations can be seen when facing west. In March-April, very late in the pre-dawn hours, this Summer Constellation group begins to be seen when facing west, and continues to be seen in the west until fall.

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The Crown follows almost directly behind that great star, Arcturus, as you can see in the sketch.

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Repeat: it is somewhat easier to study the 12 stars of this constellation when it is in western half of night-sky (when you have to see it as you face westward). So when these Summer Constellations are in the western half of the sky, simply follow the handle of the Big Dipper till you locate Arcturus. Then the Crown is following Arcturus. You will only see the wreath-like 7 stars plus 1 star (in middle) until you get away from all city lights. Then you can make out the other 5 stars, which makes it appear like a full crown.

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COMBINATION OF BOTH CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES

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This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation.

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The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).

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Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…“The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12“

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TOMORROW… 

January 10 (Mark Now Given? Part 10: The Mark: Visible or Invisible?)

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

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book is a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 7 – Luther’s Separation From Rome

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #58

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: January 8

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 39:

“Huss & Jerome & Us”

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

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While in the Eastern Hemisphere, there has been a great ongoing persecution of Christians, nevertheless, in the western societies, Christians have enjoyed a rather persecution-free lifestyle.

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Oh yes, there are times when we are called derogatory names, or even barred from certain freedoms.

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But by-and-large, Christians have enjoyed a rather trouble-free lifestyle for several centuries: great economic prosperity, freedom to speak openly of our faith, and a rather peaceful existence which was not afforded to the persecuted Christian community in the past darker centuries.

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

mega-church – Wikimedia

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TROUBLOUS TIMES AHEAD

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But it looks like this present-day affluence is not going to continue for much longer.

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No, it seems as though Satan is now beginning to ratchet things up against the preaching of the stark truths of the Bible.

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And truth-be-told, we don’t really know exactly what is about to be unleashed on God’s faithful remnant people, except that it’s going to be really terrible!

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Anti-Christian rally in Chicago – cropped image – Wikimedia

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“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” 

1st John 3:13

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Oh yes, the watered-down prosperity-driven gospels may continue to be allowed. Satan is not so worried about those world-loving gospels.

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But the life of Jesus and His condemnation of this selfish world, as revealed in Bible may soon be cut off.

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Already, Satan is beginning to “blacklist” all those Internet websites which condemn the sins of the world.

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And even a few Christian business owners are just beginning to suffer persecution for not bowing their knee to the god of “political correctness”.

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Street preachers are being arrested, many unjustly.

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Indoctrinate U poster – Wikipedia – Fair-Use Rationale explanation seen by clicking this link to Wikipedia

Duct Tape Mouth – cropped and colored image – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY

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Now, in her wonderful historical account of Church history, “The Great Controversy”, Ellen White has presented an abbreviated sketch of a number of the most notable Christian reformers of centuries past.

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And by reading about these brave preachers of the truth, today’s Christians can be emboldened to face what lies ahead for us in the coming months.

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Jan Hus at the Council of Constance by Václav Brožík (1883) – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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FIRES OF PERSECUTION TO BE REIGNITED

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Yes, by reading (or listening to audio) of this wonderful Church history, the Christian can hear about the great persecution of God’s people through the past centuries.

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And this fine book highlights the true historical account of the chief spokesmen for Jesus who often times, gave up their liberty and even their lives, to proclaim the unvarnished truths of Scripture to the world: a lost world steeped in our proud, ambitious, and our selfish desires, which this cornucopian and decadent super-society now affords.

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Burned at the stake – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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HUSS & JEROME

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John Huss, and his protégé, Jerome, are two of those reformers who finally overcame their own personal worldly aspirations to become the suffering martyrs for Jesus.

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Yes, these two men each battled against their personal shortcomings in effort to present themselves faithful representatives of Jesus, to finally reflect His self-sacrificing character to a world which stands in rebellion against the ways of Heaven.

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John Hus – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Jerome of Prague 1365 – 1416 courtesy of Johann Balzer for Wikipedia – Public Domain

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AUDIO READING OF HUSS & JEROME

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And the Noble Berean is invited and highly encouraged to listen to the 50-minute audio reading of the chapter from “The Great Controversy” in which a sketch of the lives and ministries of these two overcomers are highlighted.

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Jan Hus at the Stake – Wikipedia – US public domain

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CALLING ALL NOBLE BEREANS!

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And so, O Noble Berean, please scroll down to almost the bottom of this page and click to listen to this wonderful and inspiring chapter and see for yourself if these things are indeed true!

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(Directly under that audio chapter from Great Controversy is another 25-minute audio program of Harold Camping’s nightly question & answer radio talk-show)

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 40, CLICK HERE…

January 9 (Noble Bereans, Part 40: “Martin Luther”)

Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…May 30th (Flee To The Mountain! Reader is encouraged to read all “Flee To The Mountain” articles) or you can also read…February 27 (“Ellen White’s Book, The Desire of Ages: A story For the Whole Family”) or you can also read…March 31 (Noble Bereans? Part 55: “Ellen White’s Views On The Two Beasts of Revelation 13”)

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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THESE SIGNS ARE MENTIONED

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From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars. But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “great signs in heaven”. First, it speaks of the sign in heaven of a woman with child. Then it speaks of the sign in heaven of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one-third of the stars and casts these stars down to the earth. So we get the sense that this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens. And these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon, are a big part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

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And so this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

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What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen. So please read on. And if you really want to see this heavenly battle, you just might. It will take some real effort on your part. But through prayer, faith, and study of the site, God may just graciously open your eyes to see this amazing story written on the heavenly scroll above. But don’t wait! This heavenly scroll will soon be rolled up, just as it is written… “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;” Revelation 6:14

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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL: This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall. This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon. The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman. The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the  Auriga constellation. The Glorious Horse Constellation  head is of  Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation.

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

January 9 (Noble Bereans, Part 40: “Martin Luther”)

Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book, a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 6 – Huss And Jerome

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30-minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50-year-long series of 90-minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #57

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: January 7

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 38:

“John Wycliffe & Harold Camping”

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

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QUESTION: So just what comparison can be made between Harold Camping and John Wycliffe?

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ANSWER: Both these two theologians were raised up to counter the wrong and even heretical church-doctrines which prevailed in their respective lifetimes.

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Wycliffe – Cropped pic – Yeames – Lollards – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“THEY WHICH LEAD THEE CAUSE THEE TO ERR”

Isaiah 3:12

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That’s right, like Wycliffe, Harold Camping came along at a time when the so-called, “orthodoxy” in the church-world were steeped in false teachings and hard-hearted refusal to question their own dogma.

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And one of the most important contributions which Camping made was to establish proper Bible hermeneutics (methods of Bible interpretation) and expose those errors being made in main-stream Christianity.

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Harold-Camping

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“SOLA SCRIPTURA”

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And like Wycliffe, Camping did not rely on other theologians, but simply compared scripture with scripture, weighing and balancing verses and passages together in order to arrive at truth the way God intended.

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This was very important since theologians have been guilty of taking verses and passages out of context, instead of carefully and prayerfully comparing any and every relevant Bible text together.

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Of course, this kind of high-quality Bible study demands a great deal of time and effort. It would be much easier just to read one-another’s theological books to arrive at some supposed doctrinal understanding.

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But for the most part, Harold refused such shoddy and unreliable methods, and instead spent an average of about 5 or 6 hours per day, merely comparing scripture with scripture, and spiritual things with spiritual, to arrive at Bible truth!

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Harold-Camping 

 

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HAROLD CAMPING BIBLE STUDIES

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One aspect which makes Camping’s audio Bible programs superior to other radio teachers is the manner in which he highlighted each Bible reference. Unlike many teachers, Camping usually made an effort to emphasize each verse given, repeating the chapter and verse, and allowing the listener time to look each verse up for themselves.

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But most other teachers do not do so well in this regard, but rather make their emphasis, instead, upon their own interpretation, and not giving listeners time to look up each given verse for their own selves.

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The bottom line is, Camping was more interested in making the Bible the focal-point of his ministry rather than his own interpretations. Thus, Camping’s presentations allow listeners the time to cement those verses into their hearts, more than most other teachers normally do!

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Below is an excellent example of the superiority of Camping’s Bible studies! Please listen to this entire 23-minute study…

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THIS IS STUDY #1, PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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ABOVE PAINTING: The Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain

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Harold Camping – Wikipedia – copyrighted – not-for-free-use

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

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BAD HERMENEUTICS

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We are living in a day when theologians reject the idea that the Bible has much “hidden manna”: truths veiled within true historical accounts, such as the many Old Testament stories.

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And to facilitate such flat and uninspired interpretations, modern-day theologians have invented a totally non-biblical hermeneutic which forbids any spiritualizing of the Bible unless context demands an allegorical understanding.

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But the Bible encourages spiritualizing, as long as it is properly accomplished.

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CALLING ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’!

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Now these are just several errors which the ministry of Harold Camping corrected through the 50 years of his service to God.

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And all those who consider themselves to be true, “Noble Bereans” will want to listen to Camping’s various excerpts found at the bottom of each day’s devotional.

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Harold Camping on phone

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JOHN WYCLIFFE ON AUDIO

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And likewise, the Noble Berean will also want to listen to the wonderful chapter on John Wycliffe from Ellen White’s book on the history of the Church found almost at the bottom of today’s devotional.

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And may the Lord open the eyes of our understanding into all these matters!

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Wycliffe – Cropped pic – Yeames – Lollards – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 39, CLICK HERE…

January 8 (Noble Bereans, Part 39: “Huss, Jerome & Us”)

Jerome of Prague 1365 – 1416 courtesy of Johann Balzer for Wikipedia – Public Domain

jan -Hus – Lessing 1842 – Wikipedia Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…May 30th (Flee To The Mountain! Reader is encouraged to read all “Flee To The Mountain” articles) or you can also read…October 16 (Noble Bereans, Part 21: “Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding Proper Bible Interpretation”), or you can also read…October 23 (Noble Bereans, Part 22: “Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding The Spirituality of the Bible”)

Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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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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THESE SIGNS ARE MENTIONED

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From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars. But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “great signs in heaven”. First, it speaks of the sign in heaven of a woman with child. Then it speaks of the sign in heaven of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one-third of the stars and casts these stars down to the earth. So we get the sense that this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens. And these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon, are a big part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

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And so this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

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What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen. So please read on. And if you really want to see this heavenly battle, you just might. It will take some real effort on your part. But through prayer, faith, and study of the site, God may just graciously open your eyes to see this amazing story written on the heavenly scroll above. But don’t wait! This heavenly scroll will soon be rolled up, just as it is written… “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;” Revelation 6:14

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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL: This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall. This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon. The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman. The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the  Auriga constellation. The Glorious Horse Constellation  head is of  Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation.

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW… 

January 8 (Noble Bereans, Part 39: “Huss & Jerome & Us”)

Jerome of Prague 1365 – 1416 courtesy of Johann Balzer for Wikipedia – Public Domain

jan -Hus – Lessing 1842 – Wikipedia Public Domain

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) to listen to this audio chapter from Ellen White’s book, The Great Controversy…

 

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Chapter 5 – John Wycliffe

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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This is a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #56

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: January 6

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 37:

“The New Waldenses”

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

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“When ye therefore shall see

the abomination of desolation,

spoken of by Daniel the prophet,

stand in the holy place,

(whoso readeth, let him understand:)

Then let them which be in Judaea

flee into the mountains:”

Matthew 24:15, 16

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

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MESSENGERS WITH “FEET OF CLAY”

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The Three Angel’s Messages as prophesied of in Revelation, Chapter 14, are three distinct messages. And yet they greatly overlap each other.

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And, they each modify, and even correct each other, at times.

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3 Angels Message – cropped image – Wikipedia via www.pri.org – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

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THE ANTICHRIST BEAST OF REVELATION 13

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One such incident of disagreement between the 1st Angel’s Message and the 2nd Angel’s Message is regarding the role of the Church of Rome being a significant portion of the 1st Beast of Revelation. Yes, the 1st Angel’s Message understood that the apostate church organization controlling Europe during the Dark Ages played a major role in the persecution of the true worshipers of God during those long centuries.

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Well, Harold Camping also understood the antichrist nature of the Papacy. But Camping only understood the Antichrist Beast of Revelation, Chapter 13 to be Satan as he worked his woe upon the peoples of the earth.

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And so, in a very real sense, both Ellen White and Harold Camping were very closely aligned on this point.

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ABOVE PICTURE – The whore city, Babylon, the apostate church-world – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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THE WALDENSES

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Well, toward the bottom of today’s devotional is a 39-minute audio reading of Chapter 4, entitled, “The Waldenses” from Ellen White’s historical book, “The Great Controversy”.

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This very intriguing chapter gives a brief history of this group of faithful Christians who had to flee to the literal mountains of Europe for refusing to bow down and serve that apostate Church of Rome.

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Waldensians hunted by the armies of Rome – Courtesy Gutenberg.org – Public Domain

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ONE DAY ABOVE ANOTHER OR ALL DAYS ALIKE?

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One important thing to remember when hearing this audio chapter is, that E. G. White discusses the 7th-Day Sabbath and how it had been rejected in favor of the 1st-day Sunday Sabbath. And while this website does not dispute her historical account, it does however, proclaim, “the Sabbath more fully” Early Writings, p.85.

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In other words, this website maintains “there remaineth a Rest to the people of God”. (see Hebrews 4:9)

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That is, this website promotes the spiritual rest spoken of in Matthew 11:28-30…“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

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Ellen G. White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Ten Commandments – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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“LET EVERY MAN BE FULLY PERSUADED”

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Nevertheless, this website also holds fast to Romans 14:5…“One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

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Thus, from this above verse, it remains that every true worshiper of God must decide how he or she will honor God’s Sabbath, being fully persuaded in their own mind, and not to be coerced by others.

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Ten Commandments – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License 4.0

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And so, with these things in mind, the Noble Berean is highly encouraged to listen to this chapter about the lives and the plight of the group known as “The Waldenses” and their existence in the mountainous strongholds of Europe.

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MODERN-DAY WALDENSES

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Nevertheless, it should be remembered that Christians today are likewise commanded by God to “Flee to the mountains” (see Matthew 24:16, Mark 13:14, Luke 21:21)

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But the mountains that Christians must now flee to, are the spiritual mountains of God.

(click on these links to see Psalm 48:1, 125:2, Hebrews 12:22 & Revelation 14:1).

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And so, in a sense, New Testament Believers are modern-day Waldenses, as they too, flee from the apostate churches and denominations.

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

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY’

Proverbs 25:25

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But Christians must not fear. Because they have this great and precious promise…

“And there shall be upon every high (spiritual) mountain,

and upon every high (spiritual) hill,

rivers and streams of (living) waters

in the day of the great slaughter,

when the towers (churches) fall…

He (the Believer) shall dwell on high:

his place of defence shall be the munitions of Rocks (the Bible):

Bread (of life) shall be given him;

his waters (of grace) shall be sure.

Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty:

they shall behold the (Promised) Land that is very far off.”

(see Isaiah 30:25 & 33:16, 17) (parenthetical comments by the Editor of this website).

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In simple language, these above two passages are assuring us that all our spiritual needs will be met, even though we must flee the apostate church-world, with its corrupting influence via its counterfeit Holy Spirit who has now moved in.

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 38, CLICK HERE…

January 7 (Noble Bereans, Part 38: “John Wycliffe & Harold Camping”)

Wycliffe – Cropped pic – Yeames – Lollards – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Harold-Camping-2

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…May 30th (Flee To The Mountain!)  or you can also read…September 16 (Noble Bereans, Part 19: “Re-thinking Ellen White Regarding The Mark of the Beast & The Sunday Sabbath”), or you can also read…June 11 (Flee To The Mountains, Part 21: “Will I Die In The Mountain?”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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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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THESE SIGNS ARE MENTIONED

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From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars. But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “great signs in heaven”. First, it speaks of the sign in heaven of a woman with child. Then it speaks of the sign in heaven of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one-third of the stars and casts these stars down to the earth. So we get the sense that this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens. And these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon, are a big part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

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And so this phenomenon that the Apostle John was seeing, was closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens.

.

What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen. So please read on. And if you really want to see this heavenly battle, you just might. It will take some real effort on your part. But through prayer, faith, and study of the site, God may just graciously open your eyes to see this amazing story written on the heavenly scroll above. But don’t wait! This heavenly scroll will soon be rolled up, just as it is written… “And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together;” Revelation 6:14

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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL: This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall. This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon. The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman. The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the  Auriga constellation. The Glorious Horse Constellation  head is of  Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation.

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW…

January 7 (Noble Bereans, Part 38: “John Wycliffe & Harold Camping”)

John Wycliffe by Kirby – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Harold-Camping – courtesy Family Radio

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this 44 chapter audio book, a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 4 – The Waldenses

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #55

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: January 5

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 36:

“Harold Camping vs. Ellen White”

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

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

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

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

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AN OPEN-MINDED SPIRIT IN BEREA

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Okay, so those in Berea were more noble, because they:

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

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

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

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

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

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HAROLD CAMPING: ‘ELLEN WHITE A FALSE PROPHET’

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So just how can it be that Harold Camping did not believe that Ellen White was a true Christian, but instead referred to her as “a false prophet”?

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After all, are not both of these two vital messages which White and Camping each proclaimed, prophesied of in Revelation 14!?

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Well, Harold Camping’s two main objections to Ellen White was that she believed in the literal observance of the 7th Day Sabbath, and secondly, that God no longer sends direct messages through prophets, but communicates through the Bible only.

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Ellen G. White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Harold Camping – Wikipedia – copyrighted – not-for-free-use

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CAMPING A LIFELONG ADVOCATE FOR SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

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Yes, since childhood, Harold Camping personally observed the Sunday Sabbath, and publicly encouraged its observance throughout his 50 year radio ministry.

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And to understand more about this, the reader can go to the following article…Daily Devotional, Year 2 – DECEMBER 15 (Noble Bereans, Part 10: Re-thinking Harold Camping Regarding His Doctrinal Error of the Sunday Sabbath) (click here)

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Harold-Camping

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“the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”

2nd Thessalonians 2:9

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But Harold Camping also strongly believed that God is no longer giving direct revelations nor speaking directly to people, especially considering how many church-attendees now claim to be receiving direct revelations from God.

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Yes, the number of those who are supposedly receiving visions, voices, dreams, tongues, etc., is now at almost pandemic levels today!

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And all this causes a great amount of confusion in the church-world, to say the least, especially considering the unbiblical and often even outrageous behavior of many who supposedly receive these signs and wonders!

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Falling Backwards – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Share-alike License

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NOT SO MUCH BACK IN THE 1800’S

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But one explanation for why God so miraculously communicated with Ellen White could very well be, that back in her day, there were virtually no signs or wonders occurring.

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Oh yes, there were a handful back in the 1800’s, who claimed to have received signs and wonders.

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But today, you can go into most any church, and before long meet persons who claim that God is miraculously working, via voices, visions, dreams, tongues, healings and other signs and wonders.

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It’s as common as grass, today!

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Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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MUCH LESS CONFUSION BACK THEN

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No, this great phenomenon of “signs and wonders” was not happening back in Ellen White’s day, except in rare instances. 

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And so, while Mrs. White’s ministry was not smothered beneath millions of other reported signs and wonders, this is no longer the case. Rather, it now appears as if the entire Christian community today is literally teeming with this phenomenon! Almost every church-member claims to have received some sign and wonder, it would seem!

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Listen to 1st Corinthians 14:27, 31, 33… “If any man speak in an [unknown] tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret…For ye may all prophesy one by one…For God is not the author of confusion…”

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Here is a general principle laid down, that God wants no part of those churches in which parishioners are all speaking in tongues at the same time, but rather, “one by one…For God is not the author of confusion…”

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Ellen G. White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S CHURCH-WORLD: A BABYLON OF CONFUSION

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Now, just what does all this have to do with Ellen White?

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Well, if Ellen White’s ministry had occurred in today’s Christian world, her messages would no doubt be confused by all the other millions of instances of voices, visions, tongues, dreams, etc., also currently taking place in churches around the world.

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Nevertheless, while Harold Camping’s teachings against the countless revelations now occurring is a valid message and warning for today, it is very possible for God to have made an exception with Ellen White back in the day when virtually nobody was involved with signs and wonders. 

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That is one great reason why Ellen White’s ministry had such a great impact back then. Today, her ministry would most likely not even “raise an eyebrow”, being swept away by this current tide of “signs and wonders” within the church-world!

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Hands in air – cropped image – Wikimedia

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MARTIN LUTHER: BOOK OF JAMES, ‘A PERFECT STRAW-GOSPEL’?

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But even though Harold Camping’s negative views about Ellen White are somewhat troubling, this is not the only instance of such a disagreement. For example, it is commonly reported that the great theologian and church reformer, Martin Luther, had actually considered the New Testament Book of James to be, “made of straw”. He just didn’t see that Book as being the inspired Word of God!

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(above information according to the “Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth by Charles Ryrie, article .’The Canon'” as published on the www.biblestudy.org website)

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Now obviously, nobody fully understands everything in Scripture: not Martin Luther, nor Harold Camping, nor Ellen White, nor any of the rest of us!

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And so, while Harold Camping was disputably one of the world’s greatest theologians, he constantly made the disclaimer, “Don’t trust in me! I too have feet of clay! Trust only in God’s infallible Word, the Bible!”

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Luther – Wikipedia – public domain

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“THE LORD ALONE SHALL BE EXALTED IN THAT DAY”

Isaiah 2:11

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Now, of course, the Lord has not left us in confusion concerning the disagreement between these first two messages from Revelation, Chapter 14.

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Yes, these cloudy issues and seeming contradictions are right now being rectified via the third message of Revelation, Chapter 14.

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And Camping’s hard-line stance against E.G. White can be reconciled in the following way…

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After all, God is not desiring for any human to be exalted and deified as some sort of infallible authority. And let’s be ever aware that, it’s human nature to do just that! Therefore, God allowed the messengers of these three Revelation 14 messages to all have “feet of clay” in one way or another.

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And in that way, God’s people will not begin to trust in human instrumentalities, but instead, we must trust solely and entirely in God’s wonderful and infallible Word, the Bible!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc. – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

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STUDY, BEREAN, STUDY!

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Now, one thing has to be remembered.

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The proper way to test the authenticity of Ellen White’s Message and Harold Camping’s message is to study each message separately, that the truth-seeking Berean might prove to his or her own self, the veracity of each message. And this website is confident that any and every true worshiper of God will become satisfied that these two messengers were faithful servants of Christ.

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This same method of testing applies to the message of the 3rd angel. Spend copious amounts of time studying this message on its own merits, apart from the other two messages.

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

1st Thessalonians 5:21

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TO READ PART 37, CLICK HERE…

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January 6 (Noble Bereans, Part 37: “The New Waldenses”)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…August (Noble Bereans, Part 16: “The Signs Of Heaven?”) or you can also read…NOVEMBER 23 (Noble Bereans, Part 20: “Re-thinking Ellen White Regarding Her Old Testament Statements”), or you can also read…October 30 (Noble Bereans, Part 26 – “The Message of the Third Angel of Revelation 14”)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

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FINALLY WALKING UPWARD INTO THE HIGHWAYS OF ETERNITY

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

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

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

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

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

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READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW… 

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January 6 (Noble Bereans, part 37: “The New Waldenses”)

 

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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O NOBLE BEREAN (i.e., an open-minded Bible truth-seeker): This 44 chapter audio book is a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 3 – “An Era of Spiritual Darkness”

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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #54

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: January 4

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 35:

“Killing The Messenger”

CONTINUED FURTHER

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

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THE 3RD ANGEL’S MESSAGE

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Now in the last several devotionals, the prophecies of the three angels of Revelation 14 have been touched upon. And the last several devotionals concerned the 1st and 2nd angels’ messages given by Ellen White and Harold Camping, in that order.

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But even as the 2nd angel’s message was being given by Harold Camping, the Lord was preparing to sound the next message: the 3rd angel’s message.

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3 Angels Message – cropped image – Wikipedia via www.pri.org – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic license.

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“SIGNS IN THE SUN…MOON, AND…STARS”

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Oh yes, these three messages were all given by those previous two messengers, to some degree. But now came the time for the 3rd angel’s message to be given in all its fulness. And this message was vastly different, because unlike the first two messages, this third message was inscribed in the very heavens, just as it is written…“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars;” Luke 21:25

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Yes, even on Creation week, thousands of years ago, God had inscribed the messages of the three angels of Revelation, Chapter 14 in the sun, moon, and stars.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc. – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

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GOD’S LAST MESSAGE WRITTEN IN HEAVENS

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Oh yes, God used an earthly instrument to write about all these signs and what they meant.

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But these three messages written in the sky are in complete harmony with the Bible.

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And any diligent Bible student can decipher this message in the sky, using the Bible only.

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

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“THE LORD ALONE SHALL BE EXALTED IN THAT DAY!”

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Nevertheless, God used a human instrument to proclaim this message on earthly scrolls. But unlike the first two earthly messengers, this third message was given by a very flawed messenger.

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One reason for this is found in Isaiah 2:11… “The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day. For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:” Isaiah 2:11, 12

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No, God has no desire to exalt any human, during this Day of the Lord. Isaiah, Chapter 2 makes that abundantly clear! And so, God used weakness instead, to proclaim this 3rd message.

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THERE’S NO WAY TO WIN!

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Now there are skeptics who raise the argument: “Why should anyone listen to such a flawed and unrighteous individual, who is no better than any of the rest of us?”

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And it’s true. Shouldn’t God have sent someone like a Moses or an Elijah, or a John the Baptist: persons with irreproachable character?

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But the fact is, God did send, not one, but two human messengers, whose lives were, for the most part, above reproach.

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But sadly, most everyone rejected what they had to say! And they found supposed flaws: slanderous charges that they could lay upon these two individuals, in order to reject their messages.

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But listen to Jesus, speaking of our hypocrisy…“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. Matthew 11:18, 19

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In other words, Jesus was telling the multitudes listening to Him, that no matter who God sends, righteous or unrighteous, most people will find some reason or another, to blame that messenger, as an excuse for their refusal to listen to him or her.

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Either way, you just can’t win! Critics and skeptics will always find some reason to reject God’s messengers.

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Ellen G. White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Harold Camping on phone – Courtesy of Family Radio.org

Chuck in a dumpster in Guatemala and Mexico

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“TORMENTED WITH FIRE & BRIMSTONE”

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But there were other reasons for using corrupt clay in this message.

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Yes, since the 3rd angel’s message has to do with the Mark of the Beast, and the torment for those who worshiped the beast and his image, the Lord wanted a human to experience that torment, for all onlookers to witness.

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God did this so that people might understand the true nature of the beast and his image, and the true nature of the torment for all those who possess the mark, or the name, or the number of his name.

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

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“False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.”

Psalm 35:11 

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And so, unlike the previous two messages, Satan had no trouble finding ways to kill the messenger of this 3rd angel’s message. He didn’t even need to manufacture false charges against this messenger.

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And yet, in addition to actual and true accusations, Satan went beyond, to drum up even some false charges, whispering them into the ears of listening humans, who were ready to fight against this 3rd angel’s message.

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Yes, Satan didn’t have enough true charges to completely kill the messenger of this message. But God prevented him from completely corrupting this messenger. And so, Satan had to further manipulate the circumstances surrounding this 3rd messenger in order to falsely accuse.

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

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“HE SHALL SIT AS A PURIFIER OF SILVER…AND…GOLD”

Malachi 3:3

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But concerning this torment (spoken of in Revelation 14), let it be known that God does not inflict pain willingly, merely for punishment’s sake. But rather, through the fiery trials which assailed this 3rd messenger, God sat as a purifier of silver and gold.

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And God will likewise sit as a purifier of each and every heart and soul of His chosen and faithful ones during this great time of trouble ahead. Yea, this ‘Time of Jacob’s Trouble’ has already commenced in the lives of God’s faithful remnant.

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But the fires of tribulation will be heated seven-fold hotter in the coming months during the last few years of time.

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And contrariwise, when this 3rd message finally closes, Satan will no doubt gild it with his “fool’s gold”, so that all who rejected it will be convinced that it was merely the product of human flesh, and not of God, “…yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” John 16:2

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Gold bars – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

BOTTOM PICTURE: Fool’s Gold

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CALLING ALL NOBLE BEREANS!

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But the really Good News is: today is still the day of Salvation!

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And all those who consider themselves to be “Noble Bereans” are invited to follow along with these two websites, and study them with an open Bible and with an open mind, to see if these things are truly in harmony with Scripture!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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HAPPILY EVER-AFTER!

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Oh yes, the 2nd angel’s message gave additional truth and even corrections to the 1st angel’s message. And this 3rd angel’s message made some corrections to the previous two messages. But ultimately, the Bible is the only infallible Word of God, and needs no correction.

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And so, we have an unmovable anchor of truth to rely on! And the Bible is filled with many promises that our God will carry us forward to total victory!

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And soon, the Lord Jesus will return in the clouds of glory to take us with Him to live in the glorious Promised Land: to live forever in the land flowing with milk and honey!

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A Land in which we will never grow old, but be forever young!

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Second Coming – Return – Resurrection Morning – Jan Luyken – Bible – Wikipedia – US Public Domain (2)

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TO READ PART 36, CLICK HERE…

January 5 (Noble Bereans, Part 36: “Harold Camping vs. Ellen White”)

Ellen G. White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Harold Camping

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

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

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…August (Noble Bereans, Part 16: “The Signs Of Heaven?”) or you can also read…JUNE 13 (Why The World Didn’t End on May 21, 2011) or you can also read…October 30 (Noble Bereans, Part 26 – “The Message of the Third Angel of Revelation 14”)

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)

 

.

.

.

FINALLY WALKING UPWARD INTO THE HIGHWAYS OF ETERNITY

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

Thomas Cole-Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey – Wikimedia – US public domain

.

.

.

.

READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

.

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TOMORROW…

January 5 (Noble Bereans, Part 36: “Harold Camping vs. Ellen White”)

Ellen G. White – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Harold Camping

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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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Noble Berean (Open-minded seeker of Bible Truth):

This 44 chapter audio book is a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.

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Chapter 2 – Persecution In The First Centuries

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Martin Luther – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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

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Noble Berean (Open-minded seeker of Bible Truth):

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This is a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year-long series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #53

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