Christians often feel a pernicious desire to be informed about the world — both about our present times and the history leading up to them — but in doing so we often ignore the Scriptures which unequivocally state that being informed according to the ordinances of God will be the exception.
This condition — on the one hand wanting to feel informed but at the same time being desperately ignorant — is what we would call “haughtiness”. To compound the matter, those of us who come upon some knowledge believe that we have discovered all knowledge — or the most important knowledge — not realizing that we don’t know what we don’t know. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:2,
If anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know…
Not knowing what we don’t know — yet presuming we know enough — is a particularly damning condition because we become closed to that which does not suit us. We are closed to anything which might make us feel like we were possibly less informed than what we thought we were.
The people of God are accused of rejecting knowledge, as it says in Hosea 4:6,
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Since you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the Law of your God, I also will forget your children.
Paul says it slightly differently in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12,
10 …with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not accept the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
We can conclude then that not having a love of truth — while at the same time not having the knowledge which is according to God — are grounds for rejection and separation from Him.
This is not to suggest that our knowledge can bring about our salvation — something that the gnostics are wont to believe — but rather that knowledge is merely a means to the end, but not an end in itself. Peter specifically states true knowledge as a step on the path to godliness and love in 2 Peter 1:5-9,
5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
Then true knowledge is something which must necessarily result in righteousness — and according to 1 Corinthians 13:6, love does not rejoice in unrighteousness either. Conversely, but using the same logic, Paul gives us the causal link that a lack of knowledge leads to wickedness.
In 2 Thessalonians 2 quoted above, Paul says that those who did not love the truth take pleasure in wickedness. It is our own wicked actions which are the result of delusion upon us — a delusion which arises from rejecting knowledge and rejecting truth.
Therefore, by Paul’s words, if we believe we do not have to have the knowledge of God, then we have rejected knowledge. This is further witnessed numerous times in the Scriptures. Proverbs 5:23 says,
[The wicked] will die for lack of instruction, and in the greatness of his foolishness he will go astray.
Proverbs 10:21 says,
…fools die for lack of understanding.
Wise Elihu says in Job 36:10-12,
10 He opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from injustice. 11 If they listen and serve Him, they will end their days in prosperity, and their years in happiness. 12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword, and die without knowledge.
Of course, most people would say, “I would never reject the truth of God” — only other “less informed people” would do that.
According to prophecy, we are told that keeping the truth of God will not be the norm, so what makes any of us think our particular knowledge is so special that only we — and those who think as we do — have the truth?
If we believe something which is widely held by society, then we should certainly — at the very least — scrutinize that belief. Yet at what point do we stop scrutinizing what we believe? Where do we draw the line?
Even a knowledge of the Lord Jesus is clearly not enough as He said in Matthew 7:21-23,
21 ‘Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
If we believe that merely knowing the Lord Jesus automatically makes us law abiding, then we are actually rejecting knowledge — that very same knowledge which the Lord Himself provides plainly.
Often when asked tough theological questions, some might haughtily reply, “It’s okay, because we have accepted Jesus, so we will be saved regardless” — or “It’s okay, because I’m an Israelite, and I’ll be saved regardless” — but such is a rejection of knowledge — because the Scripture says otherwise.
Yet there are many of us — even among the true Israel of Scripture — who engage in this kind of self-justifying “logic”. What could make us reject His words except for haughtiness? The Lord says in Matthew 7:14,
13 Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Again, if we believe that the knowledge and truth of Christ are so common that many would enter, then we are rejecting the knowledge of Christ Himself. A true knowledge of Christ necessarily gives us an understanding of the truth — that only a few indeed would find the way which leads to life.
The Lord says of the time of His return in Matthew 24:39,
…and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Only eight people were saved by the ark, and if the Lord’s return is anything similar — and if His prior words hold true — then there will also be few saved by His coming. He specifically says they did not understand (another possible translation being “know”, as the Greek puts it). Amos 5:18-20 even warns those who long for the coming of the Lord,
18 Woe to you who are longing for the day of the Lord, For what purpose will the day of the Lord be to you? It will be darkness and not light; 19 as when a man flees from a lion And a bear confronts him, or he goes home, leans with his hand against the wall, and a snake bites him. 20 Will the day of the Lord not be darkness instead of light, even gloom with no brightness in it?
The book of Joel connects the “Day of the Lord” with the coming of the Lord in Joel 2:10-11,
10 Before them the earth quakes, the heavens tremble, the sun and the moon become dark, and the stars lose their brightness. 11 The Lord utters His voice before His army; His camp is indeed very great, for mighty is one who carries out His word. The day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome, and who can endure it?
This event of the sun, moon and stars becoming dark is the primary prophetic sign of the imminent return of the Lord, which the Lord Himself says in Matthew 24: 29-30,
29 …the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky…
Do we truly long for the day of the Lord? We have a clear message in the book of Amos that many would seek the coming of the Lord when, in fact, they should not — because for them it will be “darkness instead of light.”
And there are many Identity Christians, for example, who may think they “know” that when the Lord says, “I never knew you,” He is referring only to non-whites or non-Israelites. As we will see, Scripture clearly states otherwise.
Joel says of His coming, “who can endure it?” Malachi 3:2-3 and 4:1 say something similar,
2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire, and like launderer’s soap. 3 And He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the Lord offerings in righteousness…
1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,” says the Lord of armies, “so that it will leave them neither root nor branches.’
The Lord also says of His return in Luke 19:27,
But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them in my presence.
Clearly, His return will be a frightening and deadly event — not just for many of us but for most of us — because most of us will have rejected true knowledge and not received a love of truth — and most will be like chaff at His return, Israelite or not.
At this point, there are probably many who may even agree with what has been said here so far — but let’s then delve a little deeper into the nature of the state of the world and see how it has affected us.
We find more and more that the so-called “wisdom” of this present age seems to contradict the wisdom of the Scriptures — to the point where we hybridize our religion with science and politics — mainstream or alternative — imagining that this makes us wise — or self-righteously wiser than most.
On the contrary, modern religion is simply a decay of selfish religious sentiment into a political morass of self-justification — even amongst those of us who imagine ourselves to be resisting the wisdom of the world — in the broadest sense, at all levels of the spectrum of resistance.
Ivor Benson in Truth Out of Africa poses the following question:
What is religion? What is it – in essence? Is it a set of ethics designed to make any particular political organisation “work”? Is it a science of human relations for an imagined kind of society, a science fortified with religious sentiment?
Regardless of where we find ourselves on the political spectrum, our religion — especially our particular version of “Christianity” — often becomes exactly that — nothing more than a “science of human relations for an imagined kind of society fortified with religious sentiment.”
Those of us who see ourselves as oppressed by modern trends fall into the same morass of political self-justification — working toward our own imagined kind of society, fueled by our own particular religious sentiment.
In these final days — by the providence of God — the true Israel is awakening to its identity — that only the true children of Adam could possibly even be Israelites in the first place — and that only these people are even eligible for eternal life. And indeed many white people are taking steps forward in faith with this new knowledge of their true identity.
Yet despite that new understanding, we still do not know as we ought to know — we are still rejecting the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Instead of this faith producing hope and godliness — the likes of which could survive the coming of our Lord — it has produced the bitterest of ironies.
We may think we know the evil of Marxism, but we often do not realize the extent to which we remain unwittingly under its spell. Marxism — especially in its modern incarnation — is not just the brainchild of some bearded Jew. Marxism is satanic — which many of us are happy to admit — but we fail to consider that something which is satanic – directly from Satan – is likely to be something designed by a divine intelligence far beyond our own.
That intellect — knowing full well the vulnerabilities of the flesh of men — has exploited us to devastating effect — and the only possible resistance to this direct spiritual assault is the indwelling of the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit of God.
We may see Marxism as a “bogeyman” that is out to ruin our lives, but the truth is that in order to see Marxism as this “bogeyman,” we must necessarily already have a fundamentally Marxist mindset to begin with.
One of the fundamental principles of Marxism is to view the world in a purely material way — the antithesis of Deuteronomy 8:3,
…man shall not live on bread alone, but man shall live on everything that comes out of the mouth of the Lord.
Marxism threatens our material existence — and when we become fearful over material things, we unwittingly become Marxist in our outlook. Truly, what are we even fearful over? Consumerism has thrown oil on the already rampant inferno, which is that materialism of our flesh, making the effects of this Marxism all the more catastrophic on our people. In contradiction to these modern sentiments, Paul says rather plainly in 1 Timothy 6:8,
If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
Some of us may even worry about these simple things, with which we are to be content. Although this condition within our flesh is not new — Lord Jesus, in His transcendent wisdom, preached against this material mindset millennia ago, and took it even further than Paul when He said in Luke 12:30-32,
29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30 For all these things are what the nations of the world eagerly seek; and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek His kingdom, and these things will be provided to you. 32 Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father has chosen to give you the kingdom.
Our glorious Father has created for us a heavenly kingdom, the likes of which will cause the desires of our corruptible flesh pale into insignificance. Yet why do we so fiercely cling to things which moths eat and which rust away when our Lord has given us such enormous promises? Why are we so worried over our continued survival, when the Lord said that we should not love our lives even unto death?
With all this in mind, let us pose Ivor Benson’s question once again:
What is religion? What is it – in essence? Is it a set of ethics designed to make any particular political organisation “work”? Is it a science of human relations for an imagined kind of society, a science fortified with religious sentiment?
Reflecting on our own motives and religious sentiments — what is it that we are really trying to work toward — given that the Scripture speaks plainly against a materially focused mind? By contrast, James 1:27 says the following,
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
It begs the question for each Christian Israelite: Am I striving to be unstained by the world, or am I striving for an imagined kind of material society?
We emphasize here a “material society” because we cannot simultaneously strive for the heavenly society while striving for the material society. The Lord says emphatically in Luke 16:13,
No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth [Mammon].
There might not even need to be a material striving, but simply to have the critical and material view of society in the passive or resisting sense.
Say, for example, we are watching the news — and become angry and frustrated in fear of the government ruining our livelihoods. We may have no intention of revolution, but our fear over material things is ruining our lives and our access to the Kingdom of God. When this happens, the purposes of Satan have been achieved.
Whether we are active or passive in the manifestation of our fear, what matters ultimately is the condition of our hearts — as an evil heart cannot do good. The Lord says in Luke 6:45,
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
What is in our hearts? Is it a revolutionary mindset filled with anger at those who would diminish the material state of our lives? Do we each imagine that our views and actions are justified? If so, then we are no different from anyone else, as Proverbs 21:2 says,
Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord examines the hearts.
How is it that each person can be right in their own eyes?
Jeremiah 17:9 says,
The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?
Our hearts are deceitful things — even more deceitful than anything else — yet we merely presume that the intention of our own hearts is noble without giving it a second thought.
Some of us even imagine ourselves to be aloof from material desires because we think that God will maintain our material standard of living — or even enrich us — if only we will trust that He will do so. When we do this, we have subverted ourselves — again imagining this all to be about that which is material.
Some of us may claim that it is through a love of our people – the white, Adamic people – that we worry over these material things. However, if this “love” of our people has not produced righteousness in our own lives, then it is not true love because true love does not accept unrighteousness.
When we do these things, we reject the knowledge of Scripture — without even examining ourselves, or even worse — imagining that our self-examination is completed. We think that the quality of our intention is good enough to guarantee the expected result. On the contrary!
The unfortunate truth is that for many white Christians, because our religion has completely failed to produce people unspotted by the world, our religion has failed us.
Our religion has piggybacked off of this material sentiment — even taking diverse moral high grounds as the examples above — in order to convince ourselves that our intention is somehow less materialistic than it actually is.
Our foolish hearts will come up with all manner of lies, if only to convince ourselves that our focus on the flesh — on the world and on that which is material — can be reconciled with our own misbegotten self-righteousness.
We can even do this by giving up certain material things in order to curry favor with God — imagining Him to be a personal provider of material things. Some of us, for example, may try to keep the laws of Moses so that we might incur the promised blessings — but in so doing, we attain only to the meager righteousness of the law, missing out on the far greater righteousness of faith. Paul says of such in Romans 10:2-4,
2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
We become like a house built on sand — that when the flood comes, we are washed away. We have come to expect adoration from men — and material gain — so that when we are deprived of these things, we are quick to extract it from our kindred with violence, as we have seen many times in all forms of Christianity.
Thus, paraphrasing Paul in 2 Timothy 3:5, in doing so we “hold a form of godliness, but deny its power.” What power have we denied though? What ought this pure religion and the salvation of our Lord produce in us? Paul states it wonderfully in Titus 2:11-15,
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds. 15 These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. No one is to disregard you.
What power has this revolutionary motivation brought to us in our religion? All we see are bitter, angry Christians who see our identity as the true Israel of Scripture – itself a truth – as a ticket — perhaps even a guarantee — to some kind of wonderful society.
We keenly look for the falling of Babylon so that we can experience our own imagined kind of society — free from the machinations of the Jew and the beast which we so critically view. Yes, we should view them critically — but only in the context of what pure religion ought to produce in us — and not in the context of our material good.
Especially in the so-called “Christian Identity” or “Kingdom Identity” circles, we have seen a plethora of such disagreeable individuals — backbiters, full of wrath, jealous, drunkards, merciless, selfish, bullies, greedy, partial, and implacable.
We have no pure religion because our own religion is just a sentiment used to justify our own dark and debased motivations. Our religion has failed to produce in us the fruits of the Spirit — and our lives are contrary in all ways to the Spirit of God because our motivations are fleshly, not spiritual.
If you find yourself railing at this observation, where will you find yourself at the coming of the Lord Jesus? Will you also reject knowledge — seeking His coming — but find yourself having leaned on the wall only to be bitten by a serpent? What good has your religion produced in you? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5,
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?
The religious sentiment of the day — especially those among us who presume ourselves to have “special” knowledge such as Identity Christians — has given itself over often unwittingly — in many ways to the traditions of men.
It has become just another modern day Phariseeism — except even more destructive and vile than before. It is just such a case where the Lord in Matthew 15:8-9 quotes Isaiah saying,
8 This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. 9 And in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
When we give up the knowledge stated by the Scripture for the sake of politics by our fundamentally Marxist revolutionary worldview, we are succumbing to the commandments of men — and to the “wisdom” of the world.
Christian men often come together and discuss how the unrighteousness of the world has affected our material lives, nodding sagely to one another as if this makes us wise. Yet the Lord rebukes us for it in Luke 16:15,
You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God.
Do any of us imagine ourselves to be righteous? By what standard of righteousness have we judged ourselves — and who has approved that righteousness except for other like-minded, self-justified men of whom we approve?
It is not men but God who justifies, as Paul says plainly in Romans 8:33. So why do any of us bother to justify ourselves when we could instead rely on the perfect justice of God? Be like the tax collector, therefore, in the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:13-14,
13 But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to raise his eyes toward heaven, but was beating his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other one; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
See then, do you exalt and justify yourself? Then wait for the humbling of God. If we would only humble ourselves instead, we could wait for the exaltation and justification of God. Do not revel in your sin either, as it says in Hebrews 10:26,
For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…
Take care then — for the wisdom of the world is bearing down more and more on our people of this age, as it says in Daniel 12:4 of the end times,
…many will roam about, and knowledge will increase.
Similarly, it says the following in Amos 8:11-12,
11 “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord God, “When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the Lord. 12 People will stagger from sea to sea and from the north even to the east; they will roam about to seek the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.
It is a matter of prophetic fulfillment that as the wisdom and knowledge in the world increases, our wisdom of the knowledge of God would decrease — which fits exactly into everything which has been said here thus far.
These prophecies are especially applicable to the proverbial “end times” — and the second coming of the Lord. And while many Christians currently believe us to be in the end times, we have failed to consider the severe prophecies concerning this time.
We can see how knowledge has increased exponentially in recent history, showing that this prophecy is indeed being fulfilled but contrary to the knowledge of God — and against all reason — this increase of knowledge makes us merely imagine ourselves to be wise.
Many Israelites in the past have had more reason to believe than we have — yet a whole generation of them died in the wilderness after witnessing the miracles of God. The purpose of that wilderness is lain out clearly in Deuteronomy 8:2-3,
2 And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, in order to humble you, putting you to the test, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 And He humbled you and let you go hungry, and fed you with the manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, in order to make you understand that man shall not live on bread alone, but man shall live on everything that comes out of the mouth of the Lord.
The author of Hebrews uses the wilderness and taking of the promised land by Joshua as an allegory for eternal life when he says in Hebrews 4:11-12,
11 Therefore let’s make every effort to enter that rest [of eternal life], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [of the generation that died]. 12 For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Do we judge the thoughts and intentions of our own hearts? We have been born into a sinful and corruptible flesh, having seen only our own hearts — and even so, only in pieces and shadows. We can see only what we allow ourselves to see through the lies with which we have lied to ourselves.
How will our judgement hold up to the One who has seen every heart which ever existed, and to whom all is laid bare, who penetrates the soul and spirit? If we continue to reject knowledge, we are doomed to a judgement of death.
David says in Psalm 15:2,
One who walks with integrity, practices righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.
Similarly, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:18-20,
18 Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is the one who catches the wise by their craftiness”; 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.”
Notice how Paul prefaces this statement, “Take care that no one deceives himself”— knowing what the prophets have said — that there would be mass self-deception and the gnawing feeling that not conforming to the wisdom of the world would make one foolish.
Paul knew not only that our hearts are wicked, but also the cure for a wicked heart, which David wrote of in Psalm 51. Referring to this self-deception, many know how the Lord quoted Isaiah 6 in Matthew 13:14-15,
14 …‘You shall keep on listening, but shall not understand; and you shall keep on looking, but shall not perceive; 15 For the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and return, and I would heal them.’
We read and imagine that we understand all the parables, and that it only applied to those to whom the Lord was talking; however, when Isaiah receives this prophecy, he says in Isaiah 6:11,
Lord, how long?
He specifically asks how long this curse of not understanding will last — and he receives the reply in Isaiah 6:11-13,
11 … Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant, houses are without people and the land is utterly desolate, 12 The Lord has completely removed people, and there are many forsaken places in the midst of the land. 13 Yet there will still be a tenth portion in it, and it will again be subject to burning, like a terebinth or an oak whose stump remains when it is cut down. The holy seed is its stump.
The reply states that much calamity would happen to Israel, until there is nothing but a stump of Israel left. Until that stump — the holy seed — comes about, this curse of delusion will continue. “Until cities are devastated and without inhabitant,” refers to the four seven times punishments of Leviticus 26, where it says in verses 31-33,
31 I will turn your cities into ruins as well and make your sanctuaries desolate, and I will not smell your soothing aromas. 32 And I will make the land desolate so that your enemies who settle in it will be appalled at it. 33 You, however, I will scatter among the nations, and I will draw out a sword after you, as your land becomes desolate and your cities become ruins.
Note that same wording in the bolded text as in Isaiah 6:11. The seven times punishments of Leviticus 26 are famine (v20, v26, v29), plague (v21, v25), sword/war (v25, v33) and beasts (v22). The very purpose of the seven times punishments are to bring about a pure remnant of Israel – the recipients of Leviticus 26:40-45. We can see this in Ezekiel 14:21-22 as well,
21 For this is what the Lord God says: “How much more when I send My four severe judgments against Jerusalem: sword, famine, vicious animals, and plague to eliminate human and animal life from it! 22 Yet, behold, survivors will be left in it who will be brought out, both sons and daughters. Behold, they are going to come out to you, and you will see their conduct and actions; then you will be comforted for the disaster which I have brought against Jerusalem for everything which I have brought upon it.
We can see the seven times punishments in the fourth seal of the Revelation as well, where it says in Revelation 6:8,
…Authority was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, and famine, and plague, and by the wild animals of the earth.
With the fifth seal being a homage to martyrs – thus not taking up much time – the sixth seal then brings about the remnant of Israel – the 144,000 – in chapter 7. This fits the same pattern of Ezekiel 14 and Leviticus 26. Isaiah 1:7-9 refers to that same remnant,
7 Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; as for your fields, strangers are devouring them in front of you; it is desolation, as overthrown by strangers. 8 The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard, like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a city under watch. 9 If the Lord of armies had not left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would be like Gomorrah.
Incidentally, Paul quotes Isaiah 1:9 in Romans 9:29. This is his discourse on why not all Israel – Paul’s descendants according to the flesh (v3) – are Israel (v6). Paul also quotes Isaiah 10:22 in Romans 9:27,
Though the number of the sons of Israel may be like the sand of the sea, only the remnant will be saved.
The Lord again confirms this, and He refers to all these prophecies as being in Israel’s future when He says in Luke 21:22 & 24,
22 because these are days of punishment, so that all things which have been written will be fulfilled… 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the nations until the times of the nations are fulfilled.
Paul confirms this in his discourse on the remnant of Israel when He says in Romans 11:25-26,
25 … a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.’
Is Paul’s influence over the gospel of Luke not obvious?
At the end of Romans 9:26 Paul quotes Isaiah 59, which is about an evil Israel who ultimately becomes purified by the Lord, confirming the very same pattern once again. It confirms that he says, “just as it is written.” Read Isaiah 59, and after having done so, if this has not sunk in yet, consider Deuteronomy 32:24-28 & 32,
24 They will be wasted by famine, and emaciated by plague and a bitter epidemic; and the teeth of beasts I will send against them, with the venom of crawling things of the dust. 25 Outside the sword will make them childless, and inside, terror— both young man and virgin, the nursing child with the man of gray hair. 26 I would have said, ‘I will wipe them out, I will remove the mention of their name from humanity,’ 27 Had I not feared the provocation by the enemy, that their adversaries would misjudge, that they would say, ‘Our hand is triumphant, and the Lord has not performed all this.’
28 For they are a nation destitute of counsel, and there is no understanding in them…32 For their vine is from the vine of Sodom, and from the fields of Gomorrah;
We can see very clearly the same pattern in Deuteronomy 32, tying everything neatly together. Would it then surprise you that Paul even quotes the prophecy of Deuteronomy 32 in the same discourse in Romans 10:19?
The point ultimately is that the delusion quoted by the Lord in Matthew 13:14-15 will continue until the final remnant of Israel arises, which has not yet come about. Therefore, Israel is still under the delusion of Isaiah 6.
Thus, if we see the Lord’s parables — and if we automatically assume we understand — then we are seeing without seeing, and hearing without hearing. We are rejecting the knowledge of the Scriptures and falling under that same delusion.
Then let us stop thinking this ignorance is about everyone else — let us stop justifying ourselves and rejecting the knowledge of Scripture lest we die in our own ignorance. Instead let us follow Paul’s words in Ephesians 6:11-18,
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be alert with all perseverance and every request for all the saints…
If we do not put on this armor, we will not be able to withstand the schemes of the devil. We are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of wickedness. This is not a material fight for your home and your job, but rather a fight for your very mind, as the Lord says in Matthew 10:28,
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Why are we so worried about the body? We have our minds on the things above — the heavenly city, the eternal family who are the heirs of the Kingdom of God and co-heirs with the Lord Jesus. Therefore, seek truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, the Spirit of God and salvation unto eternal life.
Paul says to pray at all times — even for all the saints. Samuel even considered it a sin for himself not to cease praying for the people of Israel in 1 Samuel 12:23. Paul twice says that he prayed night and day in 1 Thessalonians 3:10 and 2 Timothy 1:3. The Lord says in Luke 18:1 to pray always and to not lose heart. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,
…pray without ceasing…
Hebrews 4:16, after having laid out the perfect judgement with which the Lord judges the heart, advises us,
Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.
In light of these words, why have so many of us again rejected knowledge and ceased to pray? It is time for us to get on our knees before our God — to bear fruit worthy of repentance, and let us accept knowledge and consider the words of Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:39-41,
39 Of what can any living mortal, or any man, complain in view of his sins? 40 Let’s examine and search out our ways, and let’s return to the Lord. 41 We raise our heart and hands toward God in heaven.
Knowledge has to be Truth… check who is controlling it.
FactCheck.org –A Project of The Walter and Leonore Annenberg Public Policy Center.Kathleen Hall Jamieson – Director of FactCheck.org
Jamieson’s work has been funded by the FDA and the MacArthur, Ford, Carnegie, Pew, Robert Wood Johnson, Packard, and Annenberg Foundations. She is the co-founder of FactCheck.org and its subsidiary site, SciCheck, and director of The Sunnylands Constitution Project, which has produced more than 30 award-winning films on the Constitution for high school students.
http://www.annenbergpublicpolicycenter.org/people/kathleen-hall-jamieson/
https://goodnessandharmony.wordpress.com/2019/11/20/jeffrey-epsteins-black-book-part-2/
Photo of Fauci with Gates Snr,Leonore Annenburg,Soros,David Rockefeller,Brooke Astor,Bill Moyers,Richard D Parsons,David McCullough,Judy Woodruff,Ted Turner,Mamphela Ramphele.Irene Diamond.
https://i.imgur.com/dduPgJj.png
In 1989, Viktor Orbán received a scholarship from the Soros Foundation to study political science at Pembroke College, Oxford.
On 29 November 2012, Hungarian politician, Elod Novak, said that “Israel has more deputies in the Hungarian parliament than they have in the Israeli Knesset,” and this caused the Hungarian parliament to make “favorable” decisions toward Israel.”Jobbik looks like a racist party, but there is evidence, that this party was and probably still is manipulated by Jewish agent provocateurs.
https://web.archive.org/web/20191105125651/https://aanirfan.blogspot.com/2017/02/mysterious-hungary-trump-orban.html
The trade in slaves constituted the main source of livelihood for the Roman Jews, and decrees against this traffic were issued in 335, 336, 339, 384, etc.” [Funk & Wagnall’s Jewish Encyclopedia, page 460, vol. 10]
Seneca, in his writings, bitterly assailed the Romans of his day for aping the Jews, and some historians (notably Gibbon in his monumental Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) have ascribed the downfall of Rome to their corrupting influence. Nero’s wife, Poppaea, was a converted Jewess.
As Rome reeled into decline and final collapse, and as the Dark Ages descended over Western civilization, we find the Jew taking a strangle-hold over what remained of European commerce. Says Encyclopedia Britannica: “. . . there was an inevitable tendency for him to specialize in commerce, for which his acumen and ubiquity gave him special qualifications. In the dark ages the commerce of western Europe was largely in his hands, in particular the slave trade, and in Carolingian cartularies Jew and merchant are used as almost interchangeable terms.” [Encyclopedia Britannica, page 57, vol. 13—1947.] This hold over European commerce finally became so utterly complete that few gentiles engaged in trade at all; it had become almost entirely a Jewish monopoly. In Poland and Hungary, the coins bore Jewish inscriptions …
https://www.big-lies.org/jews/jews-frank-britton-behind-communism.html
Behind Communism
by Frank L. Britton (undated; 1952?)
NOTE [BY FRANK BRITTON]: Encyclopedia Britannica is used as a reference source because of its ready availability to the average reader. It is not an “anti-Semitic” publication. In fact, the Encylopedia Britannica Corporation was purchased by the Julius Rosenwald interests in 1920, and since then all material pertaining to the Jewish question his been re-written to conform to the Jewish outlook.The Funk & Wagnall’s Jewish Encyclopedia is uniformly referred to throughout this work as the “Jewish Encyclopedia.” Consisting of 12 volumes, it is available in all major libraries. It should not be confused with the 10 volume “Universal Jewish Encyclopedia,” published by Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, Inc., New York, 1939. Both, however, are authoritative Jewish publications, compiled by and for Jews.
Valentine’s Jewish Encyclopedia, Shapiro Valentine Co., London – 1938. England.
Outline of History, third edition, by H. G. Wells.
https://www.big-lies.org/jews/jews-frank-britton-behind-communism.html
Pre 1920 Edition of Encyclopedia Britannica available for down load linked here below get it while you can :
Encyclopedia Britannica Vol 10.
The idea of a compact with the devil, for the purpose of obtaining superhuman power
or knowledge, is of Jewish origin, dating from the centuries immediately before and after the Christian era which produced
the Talmud, the Kabbalah and such magical books as that of Enoch.P211
https://archive.org/details/encyclopaedia-britannica-all-volumes/Encyclopaedia%20Britannica%20-%20Reader%27s%20Digest/
Funny how two seedliners claim that Hosea 4:6 is about people’s ignorance of two seedline, that if they don’t know and believe two seedline, they will be “destroyed” from the lack of knowledge of two seedline. Completely gnostic in its self-congratulatory affirmation.
Right. Many of that sect abhor repentance, even as they speak of it as an aspect of Christian behavior.
They also are quick to accuse those that disagree with their doctrine as bastards, which is reminiscent of the pharisees accusing Christ of having a demon.
Or they hide behind their racial origin to hide their sin, just as the pharisees are shown to do at John 8 or Matthew 3.
And given that ancient targums and apocrypha, like 4 macabees and the protovangelian, speak to dual seedline, one can’t help but connect dual seedline to the doctrine of the pharisees. Not to the very letter of their customs, but rather by their fruits are they known.
All men should pray that Christ show them the truth.
I have been reading the comments… I dunno… I can’t make much sense of the “all Israel will be saved” point of view, try as I might, as I have done over the years.
I find it hard to understand how we are told all throughout the NT to not sin lest we be cast in to hell; there will be gnashing of teeth! and other such statements if we are ALL gonna be saved. “Many do not find the narrow path” etc… there are many to choose from, which to my mind means: be good, try your best to be sinless and repent from your sins that you know you do (coz everyone sins in one way or another), take up thy cross and follow Jesus… as otherwise on that resurection morning we will be judged and all those found wanting will be biffed in to the lake of fire.
How does that mesh up with all Israel will be saved?
Don’t get me wrong, I would love it if everyone were saved and we all had a great time in heaven on earth… but I just can’t, for my mind, make it fit. I may be wrong, of course, and God may show me a way, but at this moment I don’t get it.
Now, could it be that Israel is far smaller than what is evedent on the surface? If we all agree that race mixing is bad, and a bastard is no longer white, what if Israel is only a few hundred people strong, for an exaggerated example? E.g. Elizabeth Warren looks like an Israelite/Adamite but she is acctually a tiny, weeny, but redskin indian… what if most Israelites today are very, very ,very diluted with bastard blood? That would make Israel very small… in that case, all Israel will be saved makes it a bit more understandable to me… but God said the remnant would be rather big, if I recall correctly, so that theory kinda goes out the window too, I think.
Also, for the record, I don’t believe in once saved, always saved – nor do I believe in once lost always lost. From memory, is not the only unforgivable sin the “blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”? Therefore I reckon we live in a constant state of flux between saved and repentence.
“…. try your best to be sinless and repent from your sins that you know you do…..”
Perfectly stated Christ is King!
“…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….” Jesus
For a discussion or interpretation of the Atonement of Jesus Christ —
http://www.lavendersnewtestament.com
Books for further Study —
“The Fallacy of the Sinning Christian” — by Malcolm Lavender
“He Offered Himself; of Priestly Sacrificial Atonement — by Malcolm Lavender.
When it comes to “Conditional Security” the writings available out there today is seriously lacking.
Seek Truth.
This indeed was a beautiful article, and I praise Christ that it was the first ‘article’ I have chosen to read in months. I am not surprised that it has caused exactly the strife that it strives to avoid, having perused some of the comments. The overall message of this article is exactly what I have been hoping to attain by putting my ‘religion’ to work in my life – trying to transcend my materialistic worldview and temper my decisions based upon “WWJD?”
I am failing miserably.
But praise Almighty God I am recognizing it.
I may not completely agree with the article, but I completely understand what the author is trying to achieve and agree wholeheartedly. If only we all did the same instead of beating each other over the head with semantics. As long as we all agree that KNOWLEDGE AND TRUTH come only from Christ, and therefore the Scriptures – we are on the path to righteousness.
What God asks of us is simple, but not easy. Pray, and read the Scriptures. If we are sons, our fruits will be evident.
Praise Christ, my brothers and sisters.
Ottify wrote, “I am not surprised that it has caused exactly the strife that it strives to avoid, having perused some of the comments.”
An article like this is bound to reveal those who want to justify themselves. As Christians, we want to build on the foundation which the Lord laid, which is the apostles, and we want people who share that vision to build with.
I think many are very tired of being involved with people who are materialistic and self-interested. If their religion has failed to produce the fruits of the Spirit, then it is not the Christian religion, because the Scriptures are clear on what our faith ought to produce in us.
I wouldn’t see it as strife, but more like keeping the foundation clear and visible. Once we as living stones begin to place ourselves on that foundation, true love will reveal itself. We will be cemented together with a bond the likes of which no scheme of our enemy will be able to break.
When the top stone is laid, our Lord will call us, and we will stand with Him, and the world will break.
“6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of armies. 7 ‘What are you, you great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring out the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”
8 Also the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 9 “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will finish it. Then you will know that the Lord of armies has sent me to you. 10 For who has shown contempt for the day of small things? …”
Agreed, thank you.
I think many missed the point of the article. Personally, I believe ALL ISRAEL shall be saved. Some will have rewards, some will not, and some will know everlasting shame and contempt. But, this was a beautiful article. It convicted me, and touched my soul. It pointed out what really matters. This article makes me want to be a better person, and that is invaluable. We should all strive to please God and always pray to have a clean and pure heart. If we don’t love our brothers and sisters, our religion is worthless.
I do also believe that all Israel is saved both from a spiritual perspective (repentant adamites of non Israelite stock. Not the seed of Jacob. Christian converts from the other Nations.) as well as the entire seed of Jacob.
To support non Israelite stock’s salvation through Israel we have verses such as Isaiah 49:19-22. There will be so many children under Israel’s tent that her actual children will cry out saying it’s too cramped in here lol. Sounds like an inclusive family instead of an exclusive one. Then you also have Paul and the tree analogy used in Romans 9-11. And we also have Isaiah 52:15.
To support all Jacob’s seed being saved, we have verses like Isaiah 44:1-3,22-23, Isaiah 45:4, 17,25, Isaiah 49:15-16,26, Isaiah 54:7-10 and many other places that I can’t quote as well right now, because I’m mainly studying Isaiah right now.
Jacob’s sin is forgiven him through punishment in this life and the decay of their idols. This is described in Isaiah 27:9-13. Enemies are raised against Israel for the purpose of the pardoning of their sin. It happened to ancient Israel, and it’s happening to us now. They are vessels of destruction for the vessels of mercy. Sometimes though, physical death is the only means of forgiveness Isaiah 22:14. Israel’s idols are thrown down and decay through the moving of the Holy Spirit in Israel and through God’s showing of strength, His mercy, and His salvation (as it shows the folly of idols. Isaiah 44 is primarily dedicated to this idea, imo ). Israel is also justified with the blood of Christ, as we all know.
Why does He do this? For His own sake Isaiah 48:11-12.
We should be extremely careful in judging our brothers as is constantly warned about in the NT. Imo, we act like the older brother in prodigal son parable. Similarly, we say things such as Isaiah 45:10 [10]”Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ Or to a woman, ‘To what are you giving birth?'”.
We are called to NOT quarrel over these things. Instead we are to seek to build one another up 1 thes 5:11, Romans 15:2, and many others. I’m getting a bit tired so I’m going to try to wrap this up.
We are called to build one another up. Encourage one another. Rejoice with one another. Love one another. Seek peace with one another. Respect the brother’s own personal walk with Christ.
We are NOT called to quarrel and be in judgement against our brother James 4:1. Yes, we should point out obvious sin to a brother whom is to know better. Is someone sleeping around who knows they are supposed to? Call it out. Is someone being a drunk who knows they aren’t supposed to? Call it out.
Trust God though. He renders just judgement and he does judge based on knowledge (Luke 12:47-48) and based on a man’s heart.
Also, because we are judged based on what we know, or also, what we claim to know, we honestly shouldnt be so readily willing to present ourselves as authoritative teachers.. James 3:1.
The reason I think it’s important to not quarrel is because quarreling just locks your brother out from the truth. No one wants to accept anything that comes from someone who likes to bicker and fight and assert. We could also be discouraging our brother from doing the good that God placed in their heart by casting doubt on themselves and their own salvation, hence robbing them of being ability to run their race to their fullest and obtain their rewards.
God bless
Yes, we should point out obvious sin to a brother whom is to know better. Is someone sleeping around who knows they are supposed to? Call it out. Is someone being a drunk who knows they aren’t supposed to? Call it out.
For what purpose? If they will find the Kingdom of Heaven regardless, why point it out?
How do you square — Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: ]adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, [f]murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
If such a person does not “inherit the kingdom of God” — what happens to them upon their death?
Simple, westwins, it’s called sincere repentance. Every single one of us, including you, are guilty of some of those sins that you’ve cited, so none of us, according to your draconian, literal interpretation or Scripture, will inherit the Kingdom. And that’s preposterous and makes Christ’s death in vain.
J Polk
“…..draconian, literal interpretation or Scripture…..”
Would you kindly then explain to me verse 21?
“…those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
I don’t disagree with you that most of us have been guilty of such things in the “past”.
But can a murderer who continues to murder “inherit the kingdom of heaven?”
Perhaps you could kindly explain this to me.
Keep in mind …………… I am trying to take the words of Jesus and His Apostles seriously. If Paul says something different from a pastor or a teacher; I am then in conflict on ‘whom’ to believe.
Do I take Paul at face value; or do I trust a “teacher” to help explain it.
I’d like to hear your interpretation please. I am very interested in what people say.
Thanks.
westwins, you’re misrepresenting J. Polk’s position, and so long as you do that, you won’t be able to reason with him.
He does not deny the verse itself. He only denies your own position, which is that you yourself claim to be sinless. You imagine that verse only to be something wielded against others while you yourself are exempt.
“….you yourself claim to be sinless…..”
Well, this is Slander. I have never said I was “sinless”. At that precise moment, you asked me if I was “in sin”. I couldn’t think of anything at that precise moment.
I am “capable” of sin. This very morning I lost my temper and swore. So, I sinned this Morning and I asked for forgiveness. I felt horrible and I scared my dog. For that I am ashamed and I hope it won’t again.
And my question was not for you.
westwins wrote, “I have never said I was “sinless”. At that precise moment, you asked me if I was “in sin”. I couldn’t think of anything at that precise moment.”
One need only read your comment FEBRUARY 15, 2021 AT 2:52 PM to see how you are back-peddling.
Glad to see you at least admit you are ‘”capable” of sin’. It’s progress, I suppose…
Or this —
WestWins wrote — But I still don’t believe we are “naturally sinful” once we are born-again and renewed in Mind. The Sin Nature was conquered!
We are in the same state as Adam and Eve before their fall. Capable of sin. But “sin” does not rule over us.
The Apostle John wrote — “…Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning…” 1 John 3
Whoever abides in Him does not sin.
Similar to what Paul wrote — “walk according to the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”
Like I said before, I think we agree — it’s just that ‘how’ we say things I think are important. Especially when we are speaking to new Christians.
When we say we are “naturally sinful” it leaves the impression that “sin” is not something we can master. At least to me anyway.
Our Human Nature still exists — but the Sin Nature has been defeated.
I stand by this. I guess you missed this one. But I forgive you.
I personally believe that, if you’re an Israelite, you will pay for those sins in this life. If not, then your works will be burned up at the judgement seat yet the soul will remain. You just won’t receive much of a reward (1 Corinthians 3:15).
I think there is room and a prescindent set for a seed of Jacob to be fully destroyed. But, I really believe that they must be defiant to the very end and even before the judgement seat in the presence of God. But, God vows that all will bend the knee to him. One would have to have been called from their hardening, partaken in the goodness of Christ, and then go completely apostate and blaspheme the Holy Spirit, truly, from within. To me, it’s a bit of a mystery still.
For non Israelites who are adamites, I believe that those who don’t convert to Christianity (taking their unnatural place amoung the natural branches) and maintain their faith, that they could become a vessel of destruction when the chalice of wrath is passed from Israel to the oppressors. The ones where there is none to save them (Isaiah 47:15). The ones that ally themselves with the primary vessels of destruction, the children of Babylon (which, my current belief is the bible identifies them as Edom).
Take all this with a grain of salt though. This is just what I see and within believe to know to be right. I don’t know if the good Lord will change my mind in the future or not.
But, what I do know is that we are called to peace, love, and rejoicing in our salvation and to bring this light to the world and in every situation we come across.
“For what purpose? If they will find the Kingdom of Heaven regardless, why point it out?”
Because we should desire the well being of our brothers here on this earth as well as in the next. We know that we reap what we sow. If we see a brother commiting obvious sin, where there is no doubt, we should point it out to them to save from judgement. We don’t want someone to fall ill, or lose their house, or lose their wife, or lose a child, or lose a member of their body. We should desire them to prosper with joy. Sin doesn’t bring prosperity in any way. It just brings sorrow and suffering.
It’s so fundamental an idea in our Christian culture that it’s called “being a brother’s keeper”.
Also, when I say “prosper” I don’t mean someone’s bank account and material well being. Although I don’t want to exclude that either.
I’m talking about prospering before the Lord in contentment with the giving of thanks for all things and living with the glorious anticipation of out Lord’s final return.
Thanks for the explanation John.
Curious your thought on the verse you cited — reap and sow.
Do you find it of importance that Paul contrasts “Eternal Life” to “Corruption”?
If we sow to the spirit we reap Eternal Life. If we sow to the flesh, we reap corruption.
Would not “corruption” be the opposite of “Eternal life”?
This is a question I had when I used to attend ‘bricks and mortars’.
Judeo-christians say that “corruption” does not mean the opposite of Eternal Life.
Corruption is STILL eternal life?
What say you?
John wrote, “We are NOT called to quarrel and be in judgement against our brother James 4:1”
Using “quarrel” and “judgement” in such a way is an equivocation, especially with complete absence of the term “exhortation”, which is expected of us in the Scriptures. James 4:1 is an interesting verse to use, as it says, “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts?” He goes on to clarify in James 4:4, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
There are some who don’t like to be judged and exhorted, because they have made themselves friends of the world and hostile to God. They even imagine that they can pursue righteousness through worldly desires, forgetting that “friendship with the world is enmity with God”. Some seek the kingdom above, while others seek the kingdom below. Those who seek the kingdom above, seek not for themselves, but for that which is above. Those who seek the kingdom below, seek only for themselves, which is that which is below.
Yet those who seek for themselves rail at those who do not seek for themselves as if the contention between them is a personal matter and not a spiritual matter. However for those who seek the kingdom below, everything is personal, because their perception of their own righteousness is based on how they feel — chemical reactions in their bodies. For those who seek the kingdom above, nothing is personal, because they can only do what they see the Lord Jesus doing.
Paul says in Titus 2, “11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, 12 instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age… 15 These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. No one is to disregard you.”
Paul also says in 1 Timothy 5, “20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21 I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.”
John wrote, “We are called to build one another up. Encourage one another. Rejoice with one another. Love one another. Seek peace with one another. Respect the brother’s own personal walk with Christ.”
Love of men cannot supersede a love of God. Some under the name of love for one another, spread their friendship with the world, which is enmity with God. Like Zimri the son of Salu, they continually bring their sin before the tent of meeting. Through their persistence, they leaven the lump of fellowship, bringing judgement and death on all. Through their own misbegotten love, in their deeds, they hate their kindred. They bring in dissension and hindrance to the life that Christians ought to live.
Romans 16 says, “17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such people are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.”
If they are slaves of their own appetites, which is evident, then there is no walk with Christ to respect.
John wrote, “because we are judged based on what we know”
In the context of the article above, I’m not sure how one could write such a statement so casually. “Will You Be Destroyed For The Lack Of Knowledge?”
John wrote, “We could also be discouraging our brother from doing the good that God placed in their heart by casting doubt on themselves and their own salvation, hence robbing them of being ability to run their race to their fullest and obtain their rewards.”
People who are following their own appetite are quick to accuse others of offending them, even though the exhortation is spiritual, not personal. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
For those who are spiritual, exhortation is always something which is received gladly. Proverbs 9:9 says, “Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser; Teach a righteous person and he will increase his insight.”
Proverbs are filled to the brim with this teaching, and I chose but two. But people think it’s always others who are fools, and so they make themselves fools, never considering anything which makes them feel bad. Even if the matter is personal, the Lord says, “whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also” (Matthew 5:39).
John the Baptist said, “8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance; 9 and do not assume that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father’; for I tell you that God is able, from these stones, to raise up children for Abraham. 10 And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore, every tree that does not bear good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Sorry, but if the gospel of repentance discourages you, then you have bigger problems. It’s not the gospel of “feel good about myself”. Sin is lurking at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.
“…for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.” (2 Peter 1:3-4)
1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. According to 2Peter 3:9 God is not willing that any should perish. Eventually all will be saved and it is God’s will that it will happen. God’s will is sovereign and man having “freewill” to choose is a myth. God does not bow to the will of man, This article is a waste of words. Whoever wrote this does not understand the true Gospel and probably thinks God’s word starts at Genesis1:20 and thus has lack of knowledge. What a waste of time reading this article was.
Peter, if you’d bother to check the Greek with these cherry-picked verses, you might not be so certain about your “everybody will be saved” doctrine. For example 2 Peter 3:9 in the KJV incorrectly reads “God is unwilling that any should perish,” but the original Greek should read, “God does NOT INTEND that any should perish.” The Greek term here is “me boulomenos” which does NOT mean “unwilling”. A huge difference in meaning, of course, but I doubt this will make any impact on you — you are here to scoff not learn.
So your God who told the Israelites not to burn their own children in the fire is going to be a hypocrite and burn billions of His own children in fire forever and ever. That is not the good news of the Gospel but you are like the God you worship. So God is going to unintentionally burn people in the fire? so you are saying God has no idea what He doing. I have learned that Christ died for the sin of the whole world, not just part of it. There are plenty of other verses, those are the most obvious and you can parse them all you want. they mean what they say unless of course you don’t think God is capable, that Satan is more powerful than God and can over ride God’s will
Peter, could you please share with us the “true gospel”? I am always facinated to hear what others reckon.
Free will versus destiny has been an argument since Adam was a cowboy, and it will, in my opinion, never be resolved til Jesus comes.
For mine own part, I fail to see how “everyone will be saved”, as that would defeat the purpose of the great white throne judgement, would it not? let alone Christ dying for us.
Christ came to take away the sin of the whole world, all sin, Is God capable? The parable of the rich man, with God all things are possible. People won’t be saved in their sin They will reap what they sew first but it is remedial to turn them back to right living like you would discipline a child, you wouldn’t burn them forever then their sin will be taken away which is why Christ came, to take away the sin of the whole world, that is the good news of the Gospel. Most Christians don’t seem to grasp that. The “gospel preached today is not good news, it is bad news to most. God created people who never asked to be born, they are born in sin, stay in sin, then die and are ressurected only to be thrown into a lake of fire to burn forever. Does that sound like a loving God to you? Sounds maniacal to me.
Peter wrote, “Does that sound like a loving God to you? Sounds maniacal to me.”
Your reasoning here is the same that atheists use to “prove” that God doesn’t exist. The “logic” being, “Why would a loving God allow…..?”
You’ve missed the whole point of the essay. You have created a God, parsed from cherry picked verses of Scripture, that suits your world view. You’ve ignored anything that contradicts this “all loving” God you are comfortable believing in. Your God, your “religion”, reflects your own self-justification, and what you do not know, or what doesn’t suit you.
But your “all loving” God hated Esau in the womb, before Esau was born, before he had committed one single sin. (Romans 9: 10-13). Your “all loving” God wiped out the entire Adamic race, including children and pregnant women, in the Flood except for one family that He deemed worthy of preserving.
You ignore and reject this “wrathful” God of the Bible because of your “haughtiness”, your own self-righteousness, as this essay clearly explains.
You’ve created a God whose judgment you have no reason to fear. But God will have mercy only on those who fear Him (Luke 1:50). So, ironically, this “all loving” God you’ve created will show you no mercy — you have no need for mercy because you have nothing to fear from Him.
Cherry picked verses? There are plenty of verses, how about another cherry picked verse, Christ said, “I came to seek and to save that which was lost” Since all men are lost then Christ came to save the lost men which is all men. Yours is a typical argument with no logic, You don’t address the issue of the verses I “cherry picked”. because you can’t. They mean what they say and if you would rather ignore what they say because they don’t fit the narrative you were brainwashed with and never questioned so be it, God will save you anyways. Christ said, ” I came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them” when His disciples wanted Him to call fire down from Heaven, then He is going to turn around and torture them, burning them forever and ever? Think man!
That’s it God is not willing that any should perish and they won’t. With God all things are possible. Christ came to take away the sins of the whole world, not just those who made the right “choice”.
I’m afraid throwing out two pet verses just isn’t enough. Many have died never even having acknowledge the Lord Jesus in the first place. What of the parable of Lazarus? The wheat and the tares? Good fish and bad fish? There’s a lot that you need to cover in order to prove your universalist view on salvation.
God is ready and willing for all Adamic/white people who would turn to Him. Matthew 5:45 says, “…so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Luke 6:35 says, “But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people”
Acts 14:17 says, “…yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
These things will be evident at the end of the age, and the witness of God’s kindness towards all will be undeniable. Each one will know in the judgement that God was willing towards them that they could be saved. This is also to be our disposition towards all Adamic/white people in this age.
I would encourage a full reading of Ezekiel 18 as well, which deals specifically with this topic. It may even be what Paul and Peter are referring to, and would provide very good context for those sayings. Just to quote verse 23 though, ““Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he would turn from his ways and live?”
In light of the full context of the Scripture, and the specific examples I’ve provided, I’d encourage a revision of your own views that they may be brought in line with the whole.
Those are my revised views, I thought just like you, but those verses I mentioned stick out like a sore thumb, they mean what they say and if you look closely there are lot’s of verses that support, such as “I have come to seek and to save that which was lost” since all men at some point are lost then all men will be saved. Maybe it is you that needs a revision that includes those verses
And yet He says, “I was sent ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24), so then you need to reconcile your view with that.
Yes, and who is Israel? Those who believe Christ is Lord and since everyone will eventually believe, after they have reaped what they have sewn(all knees shall bow) then all become Israel. Christ came to take away the sin of the world, not just part of the world, as you seem to think. Is God not capable?
You just say things without substantiating them, as if it makes it true. Besides, you’ve completely missed the point.
“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” (John 10:26)
Not all Israelites were sheep, so there are some who are not His sheep. There are some who He has not come for at all, without even getting to the topic of “spiritual Israel”…
The Abrahamic covenant, which is how the nations entered into eternal life with Christ, has nothing to do with the nations becoming Israel. The Abrahamic covenant was given to Abraham, and the Israelite covenants were given to Israel hundreds of years later. You’re somehow going to have to join those two, and I hope you have a good Scriptural argument for that…
So it is OK to just ignore the “pet verses” Death is reaping what one has sewn
Why would God want to see any of his Adamic children perish? As a loving God, He desires that we all would be saved. Unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case, and God knows that many of His children will be unrepentant, and will perish.
Christ did not want to see His own children call for His death, but they did, and He allowed them to do it. Without giving us that choice over our lives, our salvation would be meaningless. If everyone is saved regardless, why bother repenting at all? Believing that all will be saved takes away the importance of our actions and our lives, and even worse, it means Christ died in vain.
Resurrecting someone only to throw them into a lake of fire to burn them forever doesn’t seem to kind to me. I didn’t just pick two pet verses, I just picked two obvious verses, there are many others, reading them always bugged me because they didn’t fit the narrative that I was taught, then I realized they meant what they say and the narrative I was taught by the false teachers was wrong. Then I noticed alot of other verses, with God ALL things are possible
You can’t just give your own personal views and expect everyone to agree. It sounds like you just disagree with God.
Unless you’d actually like to make a coherent argument from the Scripture..? Or actually address the Scriptural arguments I’ve given, and those given in the article above….?
Many of the readers here are not new to the Scriptures, so I’m afraid you’re going to have to do better.
Maybe you could address the scriptures I gave, they mean what they say, plain English. I am agreeing with God. He said ALL men will come to the knowledge. It is you who are disagreeing with what the plain English states. I’m sure there are plenty of other things you disagree with God about, but I won’t bring them up because I will get censored
It doesn’t say “ALL men WILL”. That’s your own version.
Clearly you aren’t interested in an actual Scriptural discussion.
“Who will have ALL men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth”. Is that better? Is GOd’s will Sovereign to you or does man’s will circumvent God’s will
“Who will have ALL men to be saved” is very different to “ALL men WILL”. Isn’t that obvious, especially in light of the Scriptures I’ve given which you haven’t bothered to address?
Peter, you wrote:
“Resurrecting someone only to throw them into a lake of fire to burn them forever doesn’t seem to kind to me.”
Then you wrote:
“with God ALL things are possible”
Just because it doesn’t seem kind to YOU yourself, doesn’t mean that God thinks as you do.
God said that His thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways.
It is possible for God to throw His creation in to the lake of fire and brimstone, even if YOU don’t think it is kind.
Thanks for shareing your thoughts with me. I really do enjoy listening to others thoughts on Christianity, as this is how we all learn, through sharing.
“with God all things are possible” referring to the rich man, or maybe Paul going to Damascas Do you think God is not capable of saving all men? God said His thoughts are not our thoughts, your own words. Is God’s will sovereign. It is you that is limiting God by thinking it is not possible for God to fulfill His own Council. God is not WILLING that ANY should perish. It’s in the Bible, go look it up, It means what it says, Do you disagree with God?
Well said 🙂 Amen!
So what you are saying God is not capable and therefore not sovereign
Good article; if I understand correctly the point is to be humble, remember that we are naturally sinful, turn away from sin, and seek knowledge of the scriptures whilst realizing no-one but God knows everything coz He looks at our hearts…? Is that correct?
It reminded me of this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_stages_of_competence
I learnt that yonks ago, but I learnt an adaptation of it. It goes in a circle:
Unconscious and Unknowing: you don’t know what you don’t know.
Consious and Unknowing: you know you don’t know something.
Unconscious and Knowing: you think you know everything.
Conscious and Knowing: you realize just how much you don’t know.
That’s a good analogy I think, except there is always something we don’t know. But Paul says in 1 Corinthians 8:3, “but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.”
If indeed we love God, He will teach us all things. Loving Him must be evident in our lives though, and not something we merely convince ourselves must be true.
Thanks Johan. It goes in a circle, so once you get to Conscious and Knowing, and you realize you don’t know everything, you return to Unconscious and Unknowing, as you realize you don’t know what you don’t know. So, quite rightly, one can never know everything.
For example take king Solomon and his wisdom: he was so wise, and yet he had all those wives, and left the kingdom to children who broke it in twain. And for all his wisdom Solomon wasn’t anywhere near as wise as Jesus… what, I mean is, no-one can know everything, but God knows all. 🙂
You’re not as competent as you think you are.
“….You’re not as competent as you think you are….”
Would you like to elaborate??? This sentence alone makes zero sense.
Fill in the blanks for us please.
I think what he’s saying is that, as the saying goes, “We all rise to our own level of incompetence.” And that “level of incompetence” is what most people, ignorantly and self-righteously, would call their level of “success”. We reserve our harshest criticism for others, not for ourselves. We are brilliant at convincing ourselves that we are exactly where we should be in life, and if we are not, it’s someone else’s fault. He was being ironic.
I do not believe we are “naturally sinful” when we come to Christ and walk in the Spirit.
I believe this is what the Atonement provided for us — the power to live above sin.
This is what the Law of Moses could not do.
We still have our Human Nature — not our Sin Nature.
Sin does not rule over us any longer; if only we walk in Faith, Trust and Obedience.
I think you agree; but I also think the words we choose to use are important.
This is one of the issues that disturbs me the most about judeo-christianity. They proudly boast — “we are still sinners”.
I always reply — “you better not be, as God does NOT hear sinners!” John 9:31
westwins, I agree with you here in some sense…. as much as we are “naturally sinful” or susceptible to the flesh, we also have an “natural” aversion to sin, which comes, as Israelite Christians, from having the truth written in our hearts.
I like this! This is the vehicle of “guilt” and “remorse” in our conscience — written upon our hearts as you rightly say. We know what is right and what is wrong when we allow our Spirit — our conscience — to guide us.
But I still don’t believe we are “naturally sinful” once we are born-again and renewed in Mind. The Sin Nature was conquered!
We are in the same state as Adam and Eve before their fall. Capable of sin. But “sin” does not rule over us.
John wrote — “…Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning…” 1 John 3
Whoever abides in Him does not sin.
Similar to what Paul wrote — “walk according to the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.”
Like I said before, I think we agree — it’s just that ‘how’ we say things I think are important. Especially when we are speaking to new Christians.
When we say we are “naturally sinful” it leaves the impression that “sin” is not something we can master. At least to me anyway.
Our Human Nature still exists — but the Sin Nature has been defeated.
But John also said,
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
1 John 1:8
So John is saying that on the one hand we do all have sin, yet if we sin, we do not abide in Christ? Which one is it?
Ipswich ..
Do you believe in Contradictions?
Of course not. So ………..dig deeper.
Paul was countering the Gnostics of his day who taught that we are not born in sin. They also taught that we were righteous without Christ.
I believe Adam Clark has a good commentary on this passage.
Ipswich —
Here is Adam Clarke’s commentary on verse 8 —
If we say that we have no sin – This is tantamount to 1 John 1:10; : If we say that we have not sinned. All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; and therefore every man needs a Savior, such as Christ is. It is very likely that the heretics, against whose evil doctrines the apostle writes, denied that they had any sin, or needed any Savior. In deed, the Gnostics even denied that Christ suffered: the Aeon, or Divine Being that dwelt in the man Christ Jesus, according to them, left him when he was taken by the Judeans; and he, being but a common man, his sufferings and death had neither merit nor efficacy.
We deceive ourselves – By supposing that we have no guilt, no sinfulness, and consequently have no need of the blood of Christ as an atoning sacrifice: this is the most dreadful of all deceptions, as it leaves the soul under all the guilt and pollution of sin, exposed to hell, and utterly unfit for heaven.
Scripture Interprets Scripture.
Cheers.
Question for westwins: Do you believe that you are completely without sin in the current state of your life?
1 John 1:8 is not talking about not having ever sinned in the past, but rather not ever sinning in the present. The verb in this verse is the present participle, not the past tense. So it’s talking about those who deny they are not ever sinning in this present life. That’s a big difference, no?
https://scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/NTpdf/1jo1.pdf
Ipswich,
John wrote this passage in the same Letter —
“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil…”
For me personally …………………. I cannot allow this seeming contradiction to stand.
It is exactly how John says it is — “..he who sins is of the devil”.
Would you like to explain this part of his letter?
Why don’t you give me your interpretation then. As I have provided a logical explanation — what say you???
Johan,
You asked — Question for westwins: Do you believe that you are completely without sin in the current state of your life?
Why don’t you give me some examples of “sin” that I may be overlooking. You know me — you and I have a personal relationship.
You know that I am not caught in the sin of sexual immorality i.e., fornication or adultery.
I do not steal. I do not get drunk. I do not murder. I ‘do unto others as I wish they would do unto me’.
I love my brother and everyday I try to reach as many of our Kin as I can.
I don’t swear. I don’t lie or cheat. I try to be ‘slow to anger’.
I’m sure I left out many. Would you like to list a few and I’ll tell you if this is something I commit or struggle with.
This is what “Fellowship” should be.
Ok?
What I have done and continue to do is, as I read through the New Testament, I underline every passage that deals with this very topic — Obedience/Disobedience etc., etc. How to live a Christian life.
I strive daily to follow God’s Will. Jesus and His Apostles are my teachers. I try to follow all that they have written.
Jesus said, “Be Perfect, for your Father in Heaven is Perfect.”
We are asked to pray the Lord’s Prayer. What does it say?
“Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Is there Sin in Heaven? Answer — No.
I would sure like to know if there is a Sin that I am missing.
1 John 1:8 is in the present INDICATIVE active in the Greek. The indicative makes it categorical and statement of fact. John is literally saying that if you say that there is no sin in your life NOW, then the truth is not in you. There’s no other way to interpret that sentence. The only way to see that sentence another way, is to want to see it another way. John’s words make it clear what he is saying, and there’s no use in trying to make him saying something other than what he is saying. The context of reference to gnosticism doesn’t change that.
1 John 3:9 is in the present INFINITIVE active in the Greek. The infinitive makes the statement open-ended. John is not saying that if you sin now, you are not born of God. John is saying that if you continue in sin, then you are not born of God. He is saying that if you think it’s okay to sin, then you are not born of God. He’s saying that if you think you can be righteous without doing righteousness, you are not born of God.
If 1 John 3:9 was present indicative active, then you would be correct and there would be a contradiction. There is however no contradiction, and the text makes that very clear.
In other words, I understand that it’s not okay to sin. I also understand that if I say that I have no sin, then I am lying. This means that whenever I recognize sin in my life, I need to take every measure to remove it from my life, because I don’t want to continue in that sin.
This is made all the more clear by the statement, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If you believe that you do not sin, then you are unable to confess your sin. That sin will remain in your life, because in your mind, you think it’s not there. John warned against this mindset when he stated unequivocally, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.”
westwins, I would say this: most of us agree that “once saved, always saved” is wrong. And the reason is simple: if you are saved, but then sin, and fall away from God, you are no longer saved, no longer of God, and need repentance.
But the opposite is true too: once you have sinned, and become “of the Devil”, you are not permanently in that state if you repent by acknowledging your sin and do it no more. So “once of the Devil, always of the Devil” is equally untrue.
I would assume most of us are in this state of sin and repentance. One of the hardest sins for Christians to admit is pride, and it’s also one of the hardest sins to repent of because our deceiving hearts don’t allow us to see our own pride. In that sense, you can pridefully be “of the Devil” without even knowing it….
Ipswich,
But the opposite is true too: once you have sinned, and become “of the Devil”, you are not permanently in that state if you repent by acknowledging your sin and do it no more. So “once of the Devil, always of the Devil” is equally untrue.
I can agree with this. Although, we need to consult Hebrews as well. There may not be forgiveness for those “works of the flesh” or “sins unto death” if we do so willfully.
Jesus said His burden was light. And I agree.
However …………….. it seems I fight daily with “Christendom” over the “works of the flesh”.
Christendom believes you can be an adulterer and still be saved. And sadly …. even those who have been given the knowledge of their station in life (Identity) also believe this to be true.
I think you and I can both agree this is heresy.
“Sin” is pretty broad in my estimation. This is why I asked Johan for some examples.
This is what I miss about Fellowship — accountability to one another.
Sad the world in which we live.
Johan,
If you believe that you do not sin, then you are unable to confess your sin.
I never said nor implied this.
I examine myself daily. And I understand — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour…”
Johan,
Surely you are not suggesting John meant this —
“If we say you do not commit the works of the flesh, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us…”
I hope you and I can at least agree on this.
Agreed? Or are you giving a pass to adulterers, fornicators, murderers and the like?
westwins wrote, “Why don’t you give me some examples of “sin” that I may be overlooking. You know me — you and I have a personal relationship.”
I’d hoped not to go there, and thought it would be obvious enough when I said, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”.
Watching Hollywood movies and Netflix is a completely selfish endeavor which serves zero purpose for our God and the Kingdom of Heaven. Doing such things is an emphatic breaking of the most important law of our God. Not only that, but it puts money into the pockets of evil, and for what? It doesn’t add to your physical existence at all. It’s pure selfishness and sin against God.
Not only that, but there is all manner of adultery, fornication, beastiality, drunkenness, murder, strife, greed, envy and sorceries in that media. All of these things are welcomed into the home and into the mind. How can it not be sin to actually allow our senses and emotions to be excited by sin?! You say that you turn away from an attractive woman bathing by the pool, but jew media is filled to the brim with such imagery.
What excuse could there possibly be to actually pay money to have the creative works of Satan’s workers — designed to destroy us — enter our homes? It’s not even being forced on us. We welcome it and seek it!
Even apart from that, at the very least, how can we give our strength to something which serves literally no purpose, except to pass time?
“15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17)
westwins wrote, “Jesus said, “Be Perfect, for your Father in Heaven is Perfect.”
We are asked to pray the Lord’s Prayer. What does it say?
“Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.””
The Lord also said, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” They do not slack in heaven, so why should we? His will is done continually without rest. Shouldn’t we work continually as they are? Or is eternal life too little a reward, that we shouldn’t give everything we have?
Or do you think there are shows in heaven which take pleasure in sin? In heaven are there sinful plots by which any idly pass their time?
westwins wrote, “Agreed? Or are you giving a pass to adulterers, fornicators, murderers and the like?”
This is just rhetoric, which has completely side-stepped my grammatical exposition on those verses, and it has side-stepped my actual point. It is an attempt — not necessarily purposefully — to reduce my argument to something which it isn’t.
Even so, I will answer the question directly: Agreed! I do not give a pass to such at all.
Allow me to reiterate my point once again in the context of this question: Adultery, fornication and murder are the milk of the law! These are the things which infants in Christianity learn when they come to it. There is more to sin than just these things.
“13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to distinguish between good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14)
Because you believe that you are sinless based on the milk of the law you are closed to the idea that anything you do is sin.
Luke 18:9 says, “Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous”. You are trusting in yourself that you are righteous.
What did the Pharisee say? “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, crooked, adulterers” (John 18:11). It’s literally almost exactly the same argument you have given. You’ve tried to justify yourself just like the Pharisee has done. Can’t you see?!
Remember the conversation with the rich young ruler: “18 Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man *said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.”
The rich young man did everything which you yourself are doing, but the Lord said if you want to be perfect, there is more to do!
Johan,
Matthew 7:5
Ipswich,
I have a commentary I would like to share with you regarding 1 John 1:8. But it is “scanned” from a book and I can only email those scanned photos to you.
It is from Malcolm Lavender’s New Testament —
http://www.lavendersnewtestament.com
I would encourage you to order this book if you have the means. I would be glad to send a copy to you as well.
You can email me — [email protected]
Sincerely.
I don’t see an attitude of believing oneself to be sinless as a splinter. That is a very big log.
Addressing watching television shows that you are indeed not sinless, which causes your attitude of being sinless to collapse. The main problem is the overall view, not the television itself.
Even so, you’re welcome to tell everyone what you think is the log in my eye. I am more than happy to address it in public.
Sin is transgression of the law. Where there is no law there is no sin.
Romans 5:13-21
Romans 4:15
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
Now that we know, lets stop wasting time and breaking this law with worldly things which do not even indirectly further the Kingdom. The law is given and there is no excuse.
“For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” (Hebrews 10:26)
As long as “Faith, Trust and Obedience” don’t become mantras in our own minds warding us from seeing our own sin. Claiming to be sinless doesn’t make it so.
The first law is, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength”. A true reflection would show a failure within ourselves with this law as we give our strength and time to trivial, fleshly things. If our strength is divided, then we are not keeping this law.
In light of this, we ought to be like the tax collector, not the Pharisee.
The mustard seed cannot become a tree, if when it is merely a shoot, it does not attempt to grow any further.
Well ……………….. “Striving” to love the Lord with all one’s heart, mind and soul and having the desire to live above sin can never be understood as ‘self-righteousness’.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commands.”
Nothing wrong with having the desire to keep His commands.
My parents call me a Pharisee for having the desire to live above sin.
I would sure appreciate an example of “self-righteousness”.
Can you provide one?
I’m in no way arguing against a desire to live above sin. On the contrary, I affirm that desire.
It does stand to reason that not loving our God with everything we have is breaking that law.
Self-righteous is diminishing that all important law so that we can imagine ourselves to have attained it when our lives prove otherwise.
Here are two examples of “Self-Righteousness” —
“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.”
This is NOT self-righteousness —
When you see an attractive woman bathing by the pool; you simply turn around and walk in a different direction. This is “striving” to love the Lord by the keeping of His commands.
“Strive” to enter by the Narrow Gate.
“Make every effort” to enter by the Narrow Door.
Yeah, I mean we’re naturally sinful if we don’t have Christ, thus we must turn to Him and repent of sin as best we can (coz no man is perfect). 🙂
A few years ago an attack against America would have seemed impossible, other than by long-range nuclear weapons. We now see global and internal alliances made which can destroy both our nation and our people, and those alliances are communistic. This excerpt below is from near the end of the page for part 2 of this article, “WHAT DOES EZEKIEL 38 and 39 REALLY SAY?” [THE RUSSIAN CHAPTERS].
“Frightening as this may seem, we know that God has plans for this anti-Christ alliance and that in His own good time, He will destroy it.
We also know, from His numerous promises, that He wants to bless His Israel people and through them the rest of the world. But first we MUST live up to the requirements of this promise as found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my (God’s) people, which are called by My (God’s name – Christian), will humble themselves, and pray and seek My (God’s face), and turn from their wicked ways: THEN will I (God) hear from heaven, and WILL FORGIVE THEIR SINS, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.” (Emphasis added.)
Victory and peace are being held back from our people, because we have refused to follow these dictates. My firm conviction is that it may take this invasion, and possibly even temporary Communist occupation of this country, to drive our Israel people back to a realization of who they are and what their responsibilities are before Almighty God. We have a choice of doing it the easy way (God’s way), or learning through bitter experience as our forefathers did.
We do know, that in God’s own time, He will say: “I have had enough,” and will destroy His enemies. Jeremiah 50:25 speaks about God opening His armory, to “bring forth the weapons of His indignation (anger).” I can tell you this, the world has never seen what these can do. They will make the nuclear weapons look like firecrackers by comparison and God will use them against His perpetual enemies. This He has promised.
Our task, as those who love Him, is to be prepared for His return. We were given the task of “occupying until He comes,” and this cannot be done, hiding in a spiritual foxhole, asking Him to do the dirty work we are supposed to do. We MUST be ready, spiritually, physically, mentally and militarily, for whatever task He gives to us in the battle which is soon to come.
Of this you can be sure. When the final dust of the battle clears away; when the last gun has sounded and the last bomb has been dropped: when He comes back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, to take His rightful place as ruler of the universe, everyone on earth, both His own people and their enemies, will know it was not through our power, or wisdom, that the battle was won. We ned to be a humble people, for without Him, we are as nothing. We need to pray, not that God will shorten the time of our tribulation, but that He will bring honor and glory to the name of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, “And He (Jesus) shall reign for ever, and ever. AMEN!”
As we go into our study of Chapter 39, it is important that we realize that Christianity is not just something which we practice on Sunday, within the confines of the church. To be effective servants of the Lord – to fulfill His command to: “Occupy until I come!” it must permeate our thinking in every day events from political to economic.
Too many church members, in these trying days, are “Alka Seltzer” Christians who come to church once a week and “fizz” for an hour or so. The rest of the week they are indistinguishable from the worldly crowd with whom they associate. These anemic Christians have a favorite saying, put into the words of a song: “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” They think of themselves as pilgrims and strangers on this earth, who are waiting for the Lord to come back and rapture them out of the mess which was caused by their apathy in the first place. They forget the words of the Lord’s Prayer which they pray by rote: “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.”
Anyone who has made a careful study of American history knows that we are a Christian nation. Our country was intended as a Christian nation from the very beginning. The charters of every one of the original States, says in essence: “This colony was founded for the glory of Almighty God and the propagation of the CHRISTIAN FAITH.” The Founding Fathers did not have a “pluralistic” nation in mind. When they talked about “freedom of religion” in the Constitution, they were referring to the Christian religion, not all the heathen abominations which have taken root and flourished, as hordes of aliens have invaded Zion.”
https://israelect.com/reference/JackMohr/jm021b.htm
Having a “USA-centric” view is part of the evil, I’m afraid. The USA is a material phenomenon. Patriotism along with the ill-conceived constitution have been wielded to great effect against our people. It’s complete failure has been especially manifest since early times.
Ezekiel 38 and 39 are about Israel, not the USA. It is about the return of Christ in Ezekiel 39 and end Revelation 19, and then the subsequent battles after Satan is released from the pit in Ezekiel 38 and Revelation 20.
We don’t need to be physically or materially prepared, because this inherently makes one materially minded. All the more so, because the coming of the Lord will be a weapon the likes of which none can withstand.
We need to be spiritually prepared.
First, this is a great article and I have enjoyed the discussion; has given me some things to think about. However, I must disagree with Mr Johan here on one point – I sincerely believe that the USA is indeed in the Bible and is the ‘new Jerusalem’ – look at the description of the land in the Bible; only one place fits.
Look at the description of the ‘gathering’ of Israel in a place – and it is referring to a physical, literal place. God says He will gather His people. He isnt speaking spiritually here to the best of my knowledge. From looking at Scripture and reading some prophecy, I cannot help but believe that America, and indeed the North American continent is not only IN the Bible, but is an integral part of God’s plan[s].
I also do believe that we should be physically/materially prepared to defend it/occupy it and run it as God would have us. I do agree that America is NOT what it once was, nor what it was intended to be. America has basically ceased to exist since 1865, and if you disagree with that, try 1913 or even 1962; whatever point one prefers is legitimate. And I would certainly agree that ‘patriotism’ [since at least 1850 or so] and the Constitution have been subverted and perverted to the detriment of our folk – no argument. But just because something is used incorrectly doesnt negate its value or ‘genuine-ness’ imho.
I would also say that we are correct in becoming enraged at the invasion of our land and the ousting of our people from this land that was obviously given to our people by the hand of God. marxism is antiChrist by definition and should be railed against. It should be purged along with its adherents. Purging the land of evil is illustrated many times in Scripture such as Nehemiah and others. there is naught wrong with trying to keep this physical, material existence thriving and free from those opposed to our people and our God.
I certainly agree that we need to be ‘spiritually prepared’ , but I also believe that we are entrusted with material things and a physical place that should be nurtured and cared for, advanced and enjoyed.
luke2236, I understand where you’re coming from. However, the teachings in the NT are the application of the law and the prophets for our current time. The NT teachings are instructions on how to live our lives in the context of our Lord Jesus having come, and the awaiting of His second coming. The NT teachings take place within a specific prophetic time, and the actors — us, the true Israel — have a certain role to fulfill during that time.
The regathering of Israel, prophetically speaking, just hasn’t happened yet. The regathering of Israel will only happen with our Lord’s return. The prophetic references to Israel’s gathering in the age between the Lord’s first and second comings are referring specifically to His second coming. Matthew 24:31 says, “And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
The Lord is quoting Isaiah 27:12-13 which says, “12 On that day the Lord will thresh from the flowing stream of the Euphrates River to the brook of Egypt, and you will be gathered up one by one, you sons of Israel. 13 It will come about also on that day that a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were perishing in the land of Assyria and who were scattered in the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.”
Have a look at the whole of Isaiah 27, where the holy seed and remnant necessarily must arise first… Once again (this pattern is all over the prophets, especially Isaiah). The Lord is showing for certain that the ultimate gathering of Israel will be a supernatural gathering. Incidentally, this is most evident in Ezekiel 39, which is referred to by Revelation 19.
Ezekiel 39 refers to that same gathering from the nations in verses 27-28, which also happens from the Lord’s coming as discussed above. It refers to the great destruction which will come upon our enemies when He returns in verses 17-20 — compare Revelation 19:17-18. Again here, we have a solid connection that Israel will only be regathered when the Lord returns. Ezekiel 38, which is Magog working against an Israel which is secure and at rest (v11) — already regathered, as it states in Revelation 20:8.
The times between Christ’s ascension and return are all the same time in terms of events and prophecy. It is the time of Jacob’s trouble, where Israel is scattered among the nations. It is the time of the seven times punishments. It will not yield until our Lord has returned. Therefore, the NT commandments are unchanging for those of us who find ourselves in this time.
With respect, you will not find any verses in the NT for anything which you’ve said. We are not to try to forge any nation of our own, but to live righteous lives and bring about the final remnant, so that our beloved Lord will return.
When the apostles called their times “the end times”, they were not wrong. It just so happens that the “end times” are lasting almost 2000 years. When the Lord returns He will regather us, and we will conquer our enemies together with Him.
What do you mean by “The USA is a material phenomenon” bru? Makes no sense from my prospective unless you’re talking about a jew corporation.
What’s is happening in America? What’s is happening in Australia? What’s is happening in South Africa against White. Justified punishment (Jeremiah 46:28, Amos 3:2)? Countries like Sweden have the highest rates of atheism ever in their history. I’ve always found it difficult to defend White South African farmers after feeding negros allowing them to beyond their means, creating a rat infestation for everyone while handing their children over the kafir nanny to raise.
While I agree with your general gist, read Isaiah 43:1-4 and it’s not that simple. Focusing mainly on spirituality, like the stupid Orthodox crowd, means we ignore the realities of the flesh that turns us all into jew gnostics and universalists. Abraham didn’t have magical spiritual sperm. Lions don’t give birth to hyenas.
Numbers 25:8
Deuteronomy 23:2
Chris wrote, “What do you mean by “The USA is a material phenomenon” bru?”
The USA is not the Kingdom of God, it is not Israel and there is nothing spiritual about the USA as it relates to these things. It is a modern geopolitical entity and in that capacity it is the strong arm of Zionism and globalism in the world. Therefore, it is a material, or worldly phenomenon.
Chris wrote, “What’s is happening in America? What’s is happening in Australia? What’s is happening in South Africa against White. Justified punishment (Jeremiah 46:28, Amos 3:2)?”
Yes, however the punishment is against the people — our people — not geopolitical entities.
Chris wrote, “I’ve always found it difficult to defend White South African farmers after feeding niggers allowing them to beyond their means, creating a rat infestation for everyone while handing their children over the kafir nanny to raise.”
I agree. Sadly, they are still unable to see their fault. I believe it was the whole point of colonialism. When they’d fed them enough, proxy chimp governments were set up and independent colonialist whites oppressed. That’s another topic though I guess…
Chris wrote, “read Isaiah 43:1-4 and it’s not that simple. Focusing mainly on spirituality, like the stupid Orthodox crowd, means we ignore the realities of the flesh that turns us all into jew gnostics and universalists.”
If we are spiritually prepared, each of us are to address the realities of the flesh in our personal lives. Sin needs to be cleansed from our lives. However, we are not to seek material or revolutionary preparation. Titus 2 confirms this. We are under God’s judgement, so we might as well be trying to materially prepare against God’s judgement. Isaiah 43:6 again is the gathering of Israel. Check my comment FEBRUARY 16, 2021 AT 7:15 AM.
What I propose is different to gnosticism, because our knowledge and indwelling of the Spirit will bring about righteousness through our actions. It’s just that those actions are not revolutionary or war, at least until the Lord returns.
Numbers 25 wasn’t about killing people. It wasn’t about divine vengeance. Phineas was “jealous with My jealousy among them”. From that perspective, I think it’s good to use Numbers 25 as an example of how we should be, but we should be jealous with God’s jealousy instead of misapplying it in our own justice. It’s about knowing what to do with the time. The New Testament is all about what to do with the time we are in, and we are not commanded to kill anyone until the Lord Jesus returns. We are to find out what He wants, and to be jealous with His jealousy. Check out James 4 and specifically verse 5. When the Lord returns, well… Revelation 14:20. Punitive judgement will be dealt out, and it will be a perfect and righteous judgement.
Deuteronomy 23:2 is something which needs to be applied in our personal lives. Again, when the Lord returns, we will clean up the entire planet.
I should have been more specific.
Numbers 25:8
“And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.”
You need to keep your pipi out of strange women. Mamzers are the blasphemy against the holy spirit. Clouds of dust that hold no water. Broken cisterns!
Malachi 2:11
“Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god.”
Song of Solomon 4:16
If I’m not mistaken half of SA is coloured. The first law given to Adam and Eve.
Okay fair enough. I agree that we should not take non-whites — not of pure Adamic genetics — as wives.
According to 2011 data, South Africa is 8.9% white. Given ten years have passed, and many who claim to be white are mixed, I’d put the figure a few percentages lower than that. The data shows 80% negroid and 9% colored.
Having said that, the Midianites were pure Adamite, being descended from the union between Keturah and Abraham (Genesis 25:2). Cozbi the daughter of Zur was a Midianite and thus white. Numbers 25 isn’t about mixing with non-whites, as even the Moabites were pure Adamite, being descended from Lot and his daughter (Genesis 19:37).
“….Our country was intended as a Christian nation from the very beginning…..”
Christian in NAME only.
Sure …………… were there spirit-filled Christians living on North American soil circa 1700’s? Of course.
But it seems from my research, the bricks and mortars were all pretty much Calvinistic.
Not to mention, I can’t find one single person who taught “marriage” correctly back in those days. At least not in writing.
They got “marriage” correct but by default.
“But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12)
This essay should put to rest any such absurd notion that all Israelites shall be saved. Salvation is not a birthright for “all Israel”, and those who teach this doctrine will find out soon enough when they are cast out into outer darkness while quoting Romans 11:26 in vain….
Thank you J. Polk. It almost seems crazy that we should have to even mention this reality.
It was our Father in Heaven who said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.”
I was listening to Christian Radio the other day (Moody Bible Institute) and I heard a preacher literally quote this verse and then had the nerve to say that those who do not remain “in Him” were never of Him.
But this is not what the verse says!!!
Not to mention, this is just ONE verse in a long line of similar verses. I feel like I’m living an episode of the Twilight Zone.
This the power of Spiritual Deception.
Timothy 4:2