Today’s Devotional – January 26th (Buying & Selling The Gospel)

By admin On January 25th, 2014

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Today’s Devotional – January 26th

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Buying & Selling The Gospel

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In this incredible age of manufacturing, the earth and what it produces has become the great power behind the affluence and abundance of the present-day world.

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This is why Revelation speaks of a second Beast, which comes “up out of the earth.” (see Revelation 13:11).

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(Now of course, this is a complicated concept, and may be further explored in the article, “Floodwaters of the False Prophet: “Atheism & Psychology””)

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And as a result, our industrialized societies have become a giant culture of buying and selling! Yes, shopping has become perhaps, the great pastime of people today.

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And so, the robust world economy is the result of our love of buying and selling.

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Photo: Shoppers_on_Dundas_near_Yonge – CROPPED IMAGE – by Ian Muttoo for Wikipedia – share-alike-license

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REVELATION 13 ALLUDES TO PRESENT-DAY

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Now isn’t it interesting that the book of Revelation speaks of “buying and selling”, in the 13th chapter?

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Yes, this phrase is mentioned in connection with the 2nd Beast, the False Prophet.

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Listen… “And he (the False Prophet) causes all…to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.” Revelation 13:17, 18 (for further insight, read… “The Dragon, The Beast & His Image & His Mark” )

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Now, of course, when most people read the above prophecy, they immediately conclude that the “buying & selling” spoken of, is referring to the literal ability to make purchases, and the literal selling of goods.

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And that just might be one correct interpretation.

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Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia.

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LAWS NOW BEING ENACTED!

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Yes, the way in which current events are shaping up, it seems as though we have arrived at the time when it is becoming increasingly more difficult for http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_666.svgChristians to buy and sell.

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We are now seeing the very beginnings of newly enacted laws, which are forcing Christians to choose between their Christian principles, or the ability to buy and sell.

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US 666 – svg – Mark of Beast – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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BUYING & SELLING THE TRUTH

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But there is another meaning to the concept of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_bible.jpg“buying & selling”.

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Yes, if one simply allows the Bible to define its own self, then there is discovered a much greater, spiritual interpretation.

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And since the Bible is a spiritual book, but often written in allegories, the Bible student needs to compare “spiritual things with spiritual”, adding “line upon line, precept upon precept”, in order to “rightly dissect the Word of Truth”. (see 1st Corinthians 2:13, Isaiah 28:10, 2nd Timothy 2:15_

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

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BUYING & SELLING

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And so, the first comparable verse is found in Proverbs…

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mall_culture_jakarta75.jpg

“Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Proverbs 23:23.

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This very little verse from the Proverbs really presents a giant concept! And this concept is that God speaks of the Gospel of Christ in terms of “buying & selling”. Yes, the Gospel is spoken of as a commodity which is bought and sold. 

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Just listen to this next verse… “Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” Isaiah 55:1

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So here again, the Gospel is spoken of in terms of “buying & selling”.

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

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THE WISE & FOOLISH VIRGINS

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Now the Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins is a perfect illustration of this concept of buying and selling…

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“Then (at the end) shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish….But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps….And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Matthew 25:1, 2, 4, 8, 9. (condensed for brevity)

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Now this story of the Wise & Foolish Virgins is a perfect illustration of this concept of buying the truth. The foolish had their Bibles, enlightened by God’s Spirit (symbolized by the oil in their lamps (see Psalm 119:105)).

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Five Wise Virgins – Matt25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – public domain

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NO OIL, NO BIBLE

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But the foolish neglected to hide God’s Word, empowered by God’shttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Holy_bible.jpg Spirit, into their hearts (symbolized by the vessels with oil).

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So when the call came to enter the marriage, the foolish, having no oil, pleaded for the wise to sell them oil, to which the wise replied… “…but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” Matthew 25:9.

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So here is the concept of buying and selling the truth, all wrapped up in this wonderful, but fearful parable.

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

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BUYING & SELLING “ITCHING-EARS” GOSPELS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brown_tree_snake_Boiga_irregularis_2_USGS_Photograph.jpg.

And so, as “Strangers and Pilgrims”, we should not be surprised if it becomes increasingly difficult to preach the true Gospel.

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We shouldn’t be surprised if those world-loving, itching-ears gospels are the only gospels which can be heard in the coming days ahead! 

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Listen… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4

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This above passage foretells that the Church-world would eventually become apostate.

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Brown tree snake Boiga  – Wikipedia – public domain

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SATAN STEALS KEY OF KNOWLEDGE

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“Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. ” Luke 11:52 

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And so, the “god of this world”, Lucifer, is working tirelessly to prevent the true Gospel from being preached!

.http://theheavensdeclare.net/flood-waters-of-satan/

Yes, as Scripture says, “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” Matthew 24:24.

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And so, Satan will come with gospels which appear so close to the true, that even the very Elect will be deceived, if possible!

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And this is the great concept spoken of in Revelation 13, regarding “buying and selling the truth”. This is how Satan will attempt to suppress the truth. And he will not stop until he succeeds, even if he has to prevent true Christians from enjoying economic freedom!

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But he will not stop until he makes it virtually impossible for the true Gospel to be preached!

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

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DELIVERANCE FOR GOD’S PEOPLE

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But amidst all this bad news, there is discovered some very Good News!

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Yes, God will ultimately deliver every one of His Elect! And those who now are hiding His Word in their heart, will ultimately be delivered by that same Word! 

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Listen… “Concerning the works of men, by the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in Thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” Psalm 17:4, 5

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It is the truth that will guide God’s people through our soon-coming trials. And there is still time to begin hiding God’s Word in the heart!

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Girl with a Bible (Faith of Our Fathers) – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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THE BIBLE

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The Book of Proverbs has many passages about how to make it through the time of trouble. 

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:La_Bible,_Notre-Dame_du_Taur,_septembre_2011.jpg.

Listen to just one… “An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” Proverbs 11:9

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This above little verse gives even more insight into the Time of Trouble before us. And by comparing this verse with the many other similar Bible passages, these together will doubtless give an even broader perspective on just what the trial ahead is all about.

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And so, let’s get busy studying and praying for knowledge, wisdom, and grace to get the victory over the Beast, and his image.

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

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http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ebenezer_Newman_Downard_Morning_prayer_1860-61.jpg

TODAY’S PRAYER…

Dear Lord, Help me to hide Thy Word in my heart with all Thy Great and precious promises, and let me not become complacent in these last hours… 

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

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… January 22 (Mark Now Given, Part 5: “Freedom of Speech, An Endangered Right!”), or you can also read this next devotional…AUGUST 3 (Apocalypse Now! Part 1: Silencing the Gospel!)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

.Soldiers of the Cross - Armor-Up!

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

 

 

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1st FACE…THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

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“MOON IS CONFOUNDED”… The first face, a man’s face, is easy to see. It is that proverbial ‘Man in the Moon’. Most have seen it. Even as little children. (The other two faces are not so easy to see. But let’s concenhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_moon_of_31.08.2012.jpgtrate on the first face.) Notice that the ‘Man in the Moon’ appears as though he is looking down at the Earth. ‘Shock and Awe’. That’s the look on his face. Sadness too! You might even see the tears running down his cheeks. (“Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.” Psalm 119:136) The Moon is spoken of as a “faithful witness”. God’s covenanted law is spoken of as a faithful witness as well. Listen to the Psalmist…

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“It (God’s covenant with David [i.e., Christ]) shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.” Psalm 89:37. Notice here that God is comparing His Covenant to the Moon as a “faithful witness”. The Moon reflects the light of the Sun, just as Christians should reflect the light of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus, who should be in their daily lives. And so the Moon fulfills the verse from Psalms which proclaims… “Praise ye him, Sun and Moon: praise him, all ye stars of light.” Psalm 148:3

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Full moon (“blue moon”) as seen on 31.08.2012 as seen from Slobozia, Romania – by Cezar Popescu – Wikimedia – Public Domain – photo cropped and highlighted

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_book_magnify2.svg

READ MORE…

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

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Generic_Cola_Can_Jewel.jpg

TOMORROW:

January 27th (It’s a Brand-X World)

Generic Cola Can Jewel wikipedia share-alike license

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20 MINUTE+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY IN JEREMIAH 

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

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THIS IS STUDY #26 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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

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