Last Days of the Age

¹² Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁴ And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. ¹⁵ Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. ¹⁶ For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. ¹⁷ And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! ¹⁸ Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ¹⁹ If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

²⁰ But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. ²³ But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ²⁵ For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. ²⁶ The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. ²⁸ Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

²⁹ Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? ³⁰ And why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? ³¹ I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. ³² If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

³³ Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” ³⁴ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

³⁵ But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” ³⁶ Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. ³⁷ And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

³⁹ All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

⁴⁰ There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. ⁴¹ There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

⁴² So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. ⁴³ It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. ⁴⁴ It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

⁴⁶ However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. ⁴⁸ As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. ⁴⁹ And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

⁵⁰ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”^[g]

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (ICor. 15:1-58)

A song I heard today on the radio. Written and performed by Larry Groce.

http://

Brethren, today my heart is broken and aches. For there are many who call themselves disciples of Christ. When I have met some of them they seemed to be kind and full of the Spirit. But over time, sometimes quickly, they were exposed as violent and abusive. At least two I can think of, the abuse was subtle. Most of these people are outside the walls of institutional churches. They claim to have been led out by the Lord from the churches and walk in the wilderness. But they act like pastors in their own right. They have no shame to realize they have done anything wrong. If they do admit to anything, there is no sorrow for the pain and suffering they have caused. I fear the Lord’s judgment has come upon these and have given them over to delusion because of their lack of compassion and love for others.

Some I have known and speak of, they have written blogs, but are now silent.  Why? Because the Lord has silenced them. He has not given them any word for the people. Anything they attempted to write was confusion and lacked Scripture. If there was Scripture, it was out of context.

These people are prideful, or arrogant. Sometimes fearful of men to hold them accountable. Some hold others accountable but will not be accountable themselves. They make false accusations. Those who listen, only listen to the false witness without investigating for themselves. I have seen these things with my own eyes. I have been shocked, dismayed and appalled by these displays and lack of love or concern for the Body of Christ, let alone Christ Himself.

What does our God say?

Once again give them this message from the Lord: When a person falls, he jumps up again; when he is on the wrong road and discovers his mistake, he goes back to the fork where he made the wrong turn. But these people keep on along their evil path, even though I warn them. ⁶ I listen to their conversation and what do I hear? Is anyone sorry for sin? Does anyone say, “What a terrible thing I have done”? No, all are rushing pell-mell down the path of sin as swiftly as a horse rushing to the battle! ⁷ The stork knows the time of her migration, as does the turtledove, the crane, and the swallow. They all return at God’s appointed time each year; but not my people! They don’t accept the laws of God.

⁸ How can you say, “We understand his laws,” when your teachers have twisted them up to mean a thing I never said? ⁹ These wise teachers of yours will be shamed by exile for this sin, for they have rejected the word of the Lord. Are they then so wise? ¹⁰ I will give their wives and their farms to others; for all of them, great and small, prophet and priest, have one purpose in mind—to get what isn’t theirs. ¹¹ They give useless medicine for my people’s grievous wounds, for they assure them all is well when that isn’t so at all! ¹² Are they ashamed because they worship idols? No, not in the least; they don’t even know how to blush! That is why I will see to it that they lie among the fallen. I will visit them with death. ¹³ Their figs and grapes will disappear, their fruit trees will die, and all the good things I prepared for them will soon be gone.
(Jeremiah 8:4-13)

Scripture is all powerful to reveal the Truth to us if we want to hear it. But the question is, do you want to hear the Truth? Do I want to hear the voice of Jesus? If I’m honest, most of the time I do, but there are times when the flesh begins to rise because the flesh will have nothing to do with Christ. As Paul exhorted the Galatians:

²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Gal. 5:24-25)

Wait, isn’t this the tail end of how a disciple in Christ is supposed to act?
Yes, let’s start in verse 13.

¹³ For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. ¹⁴ For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

¹⁶ I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, ²¹ envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ²⁴ And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Gal. 5:13-26)

But the Spirit of the Lord warns us also not to have a Spirit of murder towards one another. Yes a murderer does not necessarily physically murder, but can spiritually murder their brethren.

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. ²³ Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵ Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. (Mat. 5:21-26)

If there will be no repentance for the wickedness at hand then I fear Salvation may be lost. Let us examine ourselves in the light of Scripture and repent. Consider the parable of the wicked servant.

⁴⁵ “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. ⁴⁷ Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming, ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Do you see it? Where will the hypocrites be? Is the inference enough? Do you think God will allow your or my excuses?

So then let us support one another in love. Not becoming offended by the out-pouring of love from others, let us not be cowards, let us not make up stories about prayer vigils to reveal sins if you cannot discuss things openly. Do not make false witness against your brethren. That one is one of the ten commandments isn’t it? Do not experiment or manipulate your brothers and sisters into the outcome you desire. For God forbids sorcery. Do not pass judgment before you know someone.

Repent therefore and come back to Christ Jesus! Find your shame and guilt and suppress it not. Come back to the bread of life. Your only hope in Salvation! Repent!

¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

¹⁴ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. ¹⁵ But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

¹⁷ And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
(Rev. 22:12-17)

Truth is a funny thing in the eyes of men. It works well when it goes in favor of one or another, and gets twisted sometimes when it doesn’t work in someone’s favor. It certainly didn’t work out for Jesus when He was arrested did it? (But that was the plan anyway)

²⁰ “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

²³ “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”²⁴ Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. (John 18:20-24)

Funny isn’t it. Jesus spoke the truth and got slapped in the face for it. Jesus challenged the priest and got tied up and sent up to the high priest. If we as disciples of Christ speak the truth, then we can get slapped in the face too and sent “up the river” by those who think they are more godly than they are. But that’s the way of the world. For the priests of old had embraced the world and its ways. Just as they do today.

But we as disciples of Christ must be careful not to embrace the ways of the world and justify ourselves. We are to speak the Gospel, knowing we are but sinners saved by God’s Grace through Christ. If we yearn to justify our wrong actions and think of ourselves as special holy people set apart from the world then we run the risk of separating ourselves from Christ. Let me speak from a different angle. I know that through Christ’s shed blood that I am saved. But it isn’t by or through my own righteous act. It is by Christ’s alone. He alone atoned for my sins. Not to continue in them but to come away from a life lived for myself but to serve Him. It’s really that simple.

Let us continue in the simplicity of faith in Christ. In a life poured out in Him. Not just this weekend of celebration of His death and resurrection, but everyday of our lives.

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. ²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
(James 1:21-27)

In my interaction with brothers in the Lord over the past few years I have heard them say things like “I don’t save emails.” Or “It’s not important to remember the past”. It’s usually said in times when the sin of this person or another is being or about to be discussed. Frankly, every time I hear this being said it bristles the Spirit in me. Why? Because it’s an excuse to not deal with the sin.

Folks, Jesus wants us to deal with our sin. Whether it be lying, abuse of others (verbal or physical) or anything else Scripture describes. Really we only have the 10 commandments to look at and then what the Lord gave the apostle Paul:

⁸ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 13:8-10)

And love is great if it is fulfilled not just by words, but by actions. This is how the verses from James ties in. For there are many of us who are hearers of the word of God. Millions of people sit in a pew every week and hear the word of God. Brothers and sisters sit together every day and talk about the word of God. And we are all quick to assent to the Truths that are given us in His Holy Book. But if we don’t start building our faith through action by what we know. How can we expect to be found a good and faithful servant? Yes we are saved by faith alone in Christ alone. But as brother James wrote and is memorialized for us all. Faith without works is dead.

Brethren, I appeal to you in Christ Jesus. If we don’t remember our history of sins that we repent of or don’t repent of before God and those we have hurt, then how will we learn and move forward in Christ?

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. ²³ Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
(Mat. 5:21-24)

Reconciliation is of the utmost importance. If we have done anything wrong against our brothers and sisters, then shouldn’t we start with a repentant heart? Yes it can be difficult for some to overcome their flesh. But isn’t that where we learn humility? Doesn’t Christ command this? For once we learn humility then we gain strength in Christ. Why? Because we are all going to spend eternity together. Don’t you think that even if Heaven is filled with so many of God’s children that it will be like the sands of the sea that we might bump into each other at least once or twice?

If you can, think of a person in your life who has hurt you in an extreme way. Then think about what it might be like if you found this person in Heaven. What would you do?

Me? I’d run straight to them and hug them with the biggest smile I have. Why? Because God has filled my heart with love. But He has also filled my heart with hatred towards sin just as He has. My first and greatest concern is that I have not wronged my Holy Father. My second is that I have not wronged my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Sadly, I also know that if a brother or sister won’t repent then I have to separate from them. Sometimes it could be years before that happens, if at all. Then, if you cross paths you can find out if they are still in the same place you left them or if they have grown in the Lord and have the same love that you do.

So what happens to those who forget?

²² But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

As opposed to the next verse:

²⁵ But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

And the exhortation:

²⁶ If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. ²⁷ Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Brethren, if we came to Christ in the beginning with a repentant attitude. If we know that we are but filthy rags fit for burning. Why do we not continue in a repentant way? Are any of us greater than others? Greatfully no. For the Lord is not a respecter of persons. He put us all on the same playing field. The only differences is that some of us grasp the Truth better than others or haven’t learned it yet. But if we:

²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Our reward will in Christ will be great.

Let us remember the exhortations to follow Christ and continue in repentance learning and applying the lessons He has given us.

Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, ² fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. ³ Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. ⁴ Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

¹⁷ Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me. (2Phil. 2:1-18)

Everyday we are put on the spot to make decisions that impact our lives. And when we assemble together in Christ these decisions affect the assembly. Sometimes these decisions are made autonomously without the approval of the entire assembly or the Lord. This is especially true in the mindset of those in the United States. So, why would we want to enforce any decision that is not in agreement with Christ?

If we know that it may impact other peoples lives then why do we not go to God first and check with Him. Are we not doing God’s job when we force feed Christianity (our views or interpretation of Scripture or situations) instead of going to God. When something is not right and there is more than one witness to the truth is that not consent enough to say “hey maybe this should not be”?

For the Lord said:

¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. (Mat. 18:15-17)

Anymore it takes the blow of God’s hands to bring people to their knees, not the witness of two or three in his presence. Isn’t that an insult and sin against the power of the Lord? Just like the stubbornness of Moses who, instead of listening to the Lord, took it upon himself to strike that rock. Didn’t he suffer the consequences for it?

⁷ Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ⁸ “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” ⁹ So Moses took the rod from before the Lord as He commanded him.

¹⁰ And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?” ¹¹ Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.

¹² Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:7-12)

So when are we going to listen to the Lord Himself and not depend upon our own version of following Jesus? Are we not reaching the end of our time due to the lateness of the hour? If this is so, should we really be playing Games with God’s power? Do we really want to tell God that we thought we were doing what was best instead of what He has asked us to do? When are we going to stop doing His job and just be disciples and loving brothers and sisters in Christ? When are we going to stop competing for the same love that God shows all of us? Yes, I said it, all of us. Not just those who think they are the only ones chosen. The ones who think they do a better job than anybody else. Do we not read the Bible? Where does it say only a few are chosen and have authority over the assembly more than others? Where does it say man is the savior of man? If I am not mistaken we do not save. Jesus does. We are suppose to lead people to Christ aren’t we? But we can’t save everyone. My daughter said the other day, “You can’t force a horse to drink the water if its not thirsty.” Words of wisdom from an 11 year old.

When it comes down to it, we need to check our ego’s at the door and move forward with Christ as our teacher and we as disciples. For Christ said

²⁴ “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! (Mat. 10:24-25)

Go therefore in the peace of Christ, likewise as He did. In the same example and manner that He did. Didn’t He say we would know them by their fruits?

Bible Survives Burning Car

God is amazing isn’t He? To preserve His word even from earthly fires. His Great Mercy endures forever and ever!

The voice said, “Cry out!”
And he said, “What shall I cry?”

“All flesh is grass,
And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.
7
The grass withers, the flower fades,
Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
Surely the people are grass.
8
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever.” (Isa 40:6-8)

Whenever we hear the statement “Leader of the Free World” we often think of the office of the President of the United States. This term was originally coined to contrast the United States with it’s version of a republic government co-opted with a capitalist free-market against the communist regimes around the world. This link at Wise Geek has a pretty good explanation.

Lest you think I am going off the rails to delve into some political or social slant I ask you to consider whether this statement “Leader of the Free World” is true of any man on this earth. For I have come to know the true leader of the free world. He came to this earth over 2,000 years ago and was given the name translated as Jesus and known as the Christ whose appearance was prophesied before His birth.

In His own words He proclaimed

¹⁶ So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. ¹⁷ And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

¹⁸ “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He has anointed Me
To preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
¹⁹ To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

²⁰ Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. ²¹ And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” ²² So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” (Luke 4:16-22)

And so it was the Christ did fulfill  what was prophesied. He did proclaim liberty to the captives. Liberty to those who were chained by their sin. The sin that prevented them from coming into the Kingdom of His Father. He further said:

³¹ Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

³³ They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?”

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed. (John 8:31-36)

There it is. Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. But if we repent of our sins to walk in them no more, Jesus says we are sons. Slaves to sin are cast out, but the son is in the family and will be in His Kingdom forever.

There is a kingdom above all earthly kingdoms folks. Even the United States of America. No matter how free we think we are. For all men were born into sin. We are all guilty of one sin or another, be it lying, stealing, murder, worshiping false gods instead of the one true God, coveting what is not ours, lack of respect for authority, adultery, not keeping the Sabbath as given in the Old Testament. But through Christ we are set free by Faith in His work on the Cross. Over 2,000 years ago He was nailed to a cross, beaten and bloody.

¹⁰ For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” ¹¹ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” ¹² Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

¹³ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), ¹⁴ that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Gal. 3:10-14)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. (Gal. 5:1)

Therefore, I proclaim to you that Christ Jesus, He is the Leader of the Free World in Truth and Spirit. Proclaim your faith in Him alone and repent of your sins that you may walk eternally free! For He is Righteous, Holy and Pure and worthy of our worship! Praise Him! Praise Him!

Brother Mark has started a new blog. Check it out:

Church is a Lie

Man uses microchip implanted in hand to pass through airport security

Here’s another example of man experimenting with technology in what will become the Mark of the Beast. This microchip technology has been a mainstay for the past 15 or so years. I think it likely to continue to be the main course for what awaits man kinds ultimate enslavement to the Beast System. Make no mistake, you will either take the mark and live comfortably or reject it and suffer at the hands of men. Yes there may be times of supernatural support from our Lord, but no one escapes some kind of persecution to refine us in His kingdom!

¹⁵ The second beast was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that the image could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed. ¹⁶ It also forced all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hands or on their foreheads, ¹⁷ so that they could not buy or sell unless they had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Rev. 13:15-17)

⁹ A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives its mark on their forehead or on their hand, ¹⁰ they, too, will drink the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. They will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. ¹¹ And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.” ¹² This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus. (Rev. 14:9-12)

But the world system is already getting us accustomed to using technology for payments. One of the latest is using a Smart Phone to make a payment. I am becoming well acquainted with this option myself as I will be able to accept payments in this manner this year at markets I exhibit at. You just touch the phone near a device that picksup on the frequency and payment occurs. With the swipe of a phone.

Folks, this is no time to panic. It is a time to prepare our hearts, minds and spirits to be in unity with Christ for whatever may lay ahead for each of us. For to some will be appointed to die, some to be hidden and some to be imprisoned. May the our Lord guide you in your walk before Him!