INTERESTING INFORMATION CHRISTIAN MINISTRY
CONFIRMING BIBLICAL TRUTH
SECTION II - SPECIAL ARTICLES/ BOOK REVIEWS
IN THIS SECTION:
· WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE? (WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS)
· WHAT’S IN A NAME?
· "BOB PIERCE - THIS ONE THING I DO" - A BOOKREVIEW/SUMMARY
· "THE HIDDEN CODES OF THE BIBLE" - A BOOK REVIEW/SUMMARY
· "SIGNS OF THE TIME” - A BOOK REVIEW/SUMMARY
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
INTERESTING INFORMATION
6/11/2025
Est. 1997
The following material is provided for information purposes only. Any conclusions or opinions formed should be based on the principles as outlined in Acts 17:11. The material is intended for use as a witnessing tool and to keep you informed so you will not be unaware (Luke 21:34) of what is happening according to Scripture’s
DE
“However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8b)
Ezekiel 34:2 “Shepherd, feed the Flock
“THE PROMISE OF THE FATHER”
Pentecost Sunday
http://www.heritagechurchmckinney.com/messages/The%20Promise%20of%20The%20Father.mp3
Pastor Len McLaughlin, Heritage Church, McKinney, Tx
You will enjoy and find this interesting – Pass it o to your Homebound Family and friends
CHRISTIAN MUSIC VIDEO
GOD YOUR SO GOOD!
Kristian Stanfill
https://youtu.be/7IIZIPtQuW8
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “Pray for circumcision of one’s heart in order to be Spiritually clean in Jesus.”- Anonmous
INTERESTING ARTICLE SUMMARY
· 15 ways Jesus Cross revolts against World order
· The Christian life can be hard: One critical mark of true saving faith
· How can you be ready for the “Second Coming”
· GOD’S GREATNESS
INTERESTING ARTICLES
15 WAYS JESUS' CROSS REVOLTS AGAINST WORLD ORDER
The Christian Post – Jun. 7, 2025 -- The ultimate reason Jesus came was to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). He did this not through political revolt or military conquest but by shedding His blood on the cross — a decisive act that disarmed principalities and powers (Col. 2:15). The first coming of Christ cannot be rightly understood apart from His crucifixion, which became the climactic moment of redemptive history.
Yet today, the cross has been trivialized. What was once a symbol of state execution — akin to a modern electric chair — is now often reduced to a decorative trinket. This cultural shift obscures the profound disruption the cross caused in the world. The crucifixion not only defeated Satan but inverted the value systems of worldly kingdoms and replaced them with the culture of the Kingdom of God.
As Paul wrote, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Cor. 1:18). Why? Because it flips the world’s understanding of power, justice, identity, and success on its head. If you’re going to faithfully complete your assignment in God, you must understand how radically different the values of Christ’s kingdom are from the kingdoms of this world.
Here are 15 ways the cross inverted kingdoms:
1. From capricious gods to a loving God
Ancient gods like Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon were known for their impulsive and vengeful nature. But the God revealed in Christ is love incarnate, who died for His enemies (Romans 5:8–10). No longer must we placate angry deities — God Himself bore our judgment to reconcile us to Himself.
2. Power through brutality vs. power through selflessness
Roman rulers upheld order through crucifixions and terror. Jesus, by contrast, showed that true authority is rooted in sacrificial love. He wore a crown of thorns to reverse Adam’s curse, turning shame into glory (Mark 10:42–45).
3. Warrior Caesar vs. sacrificial Christ
Rome claimed Caesar as both god and man, ruling by the sword. Jesus, the true God-man, conquered not through violence but by laying down His life (Isaiah 40:10–11).
4. Enslavement vs. emancipation
Rome built its empire on slavery. During the time of Jesus, approximately two-thirds of the Roman Empire were slaves. Christ, however, frees us from bondage to sin and offers eternal liberty (John 8:34–36; Romans 6:6).
5. Abusive power vs. victory through self-victimization
Earthly kingdoms victimize others to maintain dominance. Jesus became the sacrificial Lamb that was led to the slaughter and, in doing so, triumphed over all evil (Isaiah 53; Colossians 2:14–15).
6. Pride and ambition vs. meekness
In the world, pride rises through ambition. In God’s Kingdom, the meek inherit the earth (Psalm 37:11; Matthew 5:5). Meekness is not weakness — it is strength restrained under God’s authority.
7. Self-assertion vs. self-denial
In a world obsessed with “asserting their rights.” The cross says, “deny yourself” (Mark 8:34–35). In losing our lives for Christ’s sake, we find true life.
8. Carved identities vs. identity in Christ
World systems divide us by race, class, and nation. The cross unites us as one in Christ, sons and daughters of God (John 1:12–13; Galatians 3:26–28).
9. Transactional love vs. unconditional love
Human love is often contingent on reciprocity. But at the cross, God demonstrates a love that expects nothing in return, even dying for us while we are still sinners (Romans 5:6–8).
10. Conquest through intimidation vs. transformation through service
Rome expanded through intimidation. Jesus builds His kingdom through love and service. Early believers followed His example by serving their cities and transforming them (Titus 3:8).
11. Hierarchies vs. universal brotherhood
Rome valued people by class. However, the Gospel proclaims that all humans are made in God’s image and equal in Christ (James 2:1–5; Genesis 1:26). The cross dismantles the caste system of human pride.
12. Retributive justice vs. restorative justice
Ancient justice was punitive. Roman debtors could be killed or dismembered. But the cross reveals a God who restores rather than merely punishes, calling us to forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation (Colossians 3:12-14).
13. Temporal success vs. eternal significance
Empires chase temporary conquests. But the cross speaks of eternal destiny. “What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Our significance is found in Christ, not in temporal success.
14. Physical monuments vs. living testimonies
Rulers built statues to memorialize themselves. Jesus builds His legacy in human hearts. You are His epistle, written not on stone but by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:2–3). Absalom built a monument to himself because he had no sons (2 Sam. 18:18), but Christ birthed sons and daughters through the cross.
15. Authority through family privilege vs. authority through obedience and service
World rulers establish their legacy through lineage and nepotism — like King Louis XIV of France. But Jesus said His true family is those who do God’s will (Mark 3:31–35). His authority was confirmed not by biological lineage but by love and service (John 13:12–17).
To conclude, the cross of Christ is more than a theological doctrine — it is a revolutionary symbol that subverts every worldly system and ideology. It challenges how we define greatness, identity, justice, and power. The cross is scandalous not merely because it shows us death but because it reveals a way of life that opposes everything the world holds dear.
In the shadow of the cross, empires crumble, and the meek inherit the earth. Success is redefined, power is purified, and love becomes the greatest force in the universe. The kingdoms of this world are turned upside down so that the kingdom of our God may be established forever.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE CAN BE HARD: ONE CRITICAL MARK OF TRUE SAVING FAITH
The Christiaan Post – May 3, 2025 -- One thing we excel at is quitting. As Crosby, Stills & Nash sang in their song Southern Cross, “We never failed to fail. It was the easiest thing to do.”
There’s a lot of data that seems to back that up. When it comes to New Year's resolutions, 23% of people quit within the first week, 43% quit by the end of January, and only 9% successfully keep their resolutions all year. Our ability to be consistent with exercise is pretty bad, too: 80% of people who sign up at a gym in January stop going regularly by mid-February. A Harvard study found that the completion rate of people who signed up for online education hovered between 5 and 15%.
Why do we bail on things so much? Experts point to a combination of psychological, emotional, and structural factors. Causes include short-lived motivation, unrealistic expectations, a lack of planning or accountability, and the inability to shift from a comfortable identity to a new one that stretches itself to start and keep doing new things.
OK, fine, I can believe that in some cases. But my bet on why we hit the ejector seat on so many things is for one simple reason: we find them hard to do.
Getting fit and healthy is hard. Obtaining an educational degree is hard. Acquiring anything worthwhile is almost always hard.
Such ambitions inevitably disrupt our current comfortable state, lead to distress when things get rocky, and thus, they require tenacity and toughness on our part to finish. In his book Do Hard Things, Steve Magness says: “Real toughness is experiencing discomfort or distress … Toughness is navigating discomfort to make the best decision you can.”
Most Christians will tell you that receiving Christ is the “best decision” they ever made. But talk to a saint who has walked with Him for any decent length of time, and they’ll tell you it’s anything but the “Jesus solves all your problems, your best life now” picture that some preachers paint.
In other words, the Christian life can be hard.
Such a reality is why, in Christ’s parable of the four soils (Matt. 13:1-9), only one bore grain. That soil alone was started, progressed through adversity, and stayed, proving it was planted by God.
Such is the case with our lives as believers today; it telegraphs one trait of genuine faith that’s impossible to miss: endurance.
Kept for Christ
The former pastor of my church was talking one day about the anti-Christian spirit in our culture and said, “The one thing most frustrating about the world is that it is … relentless.”
He’s right. The forces of darkness (Eph. 6:12) never let up; it’s in their nature to fight to the end. Likewise, the Holy Spirit inside a believer doesn’t stop either, demonstrating the saving nature of the person’s conversion. Because of this, Jude tells us we are “kept for Jesus Christ” (vs. 1).
Even so, although Jesus said His yoke is easy and burden light (Matt. 11:30), living the Christian life day in and day out can seem anything but, which is where spiritual endurance comes in. Of endurance, John MacArthur says: “In a world that is hostile to the Gospel of Christ, endurance is crucial. Without it, a barrage of error and sin will knock down even the most well-meaning believers.”
If hermeneutic professors are right in saying that repetition in Scripture signifies emphasis, then the Bible elevates endurance very high in the list of Christian traits because it’s mentioned constantly. The Greek word for endurance is hupomoné, and it has two aspects to it.
The first, as you might imagine, is the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty. Scripture says repeatedly that hardships will come our way, but that the perseverance and endurance given to us by God will sustain us.
Jesus said, “the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Matt. 10:22) and “By your endurance you will gain your lives” (Luke 21:19). Paul said the mark of a believer involves “much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses” (2 Cor. 6:4) and in his ministry he would “endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen … If we endure, we will also reign with Him” (2 Tim. 2:10–13). Paul also told Timothy to “be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Tim. 4:5) and that the mark of God’s type of love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7).
James highlights this type of perseverance and its work when he says, “The testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:3–4).
Perhaps no other book in Scripture talks about endurance more than Hebrews. The reason is that the author was writing to believers who were weighed down with tribulations and trials and were feeling like throwing in the towel.
In speaking about the first aspect of endurance, the author tells his readers: “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised” (Heb. 10:36). But then he goes on to talk about the second dimension of endurance, which Greek lexicons describe as “patiently waiting on someone.”
Sometimes the worst part of life’s troubles is the waiting involved for the storm to clear, which equates to waiting on God and His light at the end of the tunnel. Without such hope, we can end up asking questions like Job did: “What is my strength, that I should wait? and what is my end, that I should endure?” (Job 6:11).
The Hebrews author mentions endurance three times when he tells us to wait patiently on God to experience His perfect end through trials. He provides plenty of examples of those who have gone before us as proof, with Jesus being the supreme model: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:1–3).
Stiff-arming weariness and not losing heart can feel next to impossible sometimes, but “fixing our eyes on Jesus” is the lighthouse that gets us through, just as Casting Crowns says in their song Just be Held:
“If your eyes are on the
storm
You'll wonder if I love you still
But if your eyes are on the cross
You'll know I always have and I always will.”
Apostasy, of course, is the opposite of this kind of endurance and is highlighted by John when he writes: “They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us” (1 John 2:19). But the Hebrews writer tells true believers: “But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation” (Heb. 6:9).
HOW YOU CAN BE READY FOR THE SECOND COMING (Excerpt)
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers" (1 Pet. 4:7).
Charisma News -- As time draws nearer to the coming of the Lord, our attitude should be one of soberness and watchfulness. Every righteous generation of saints has eagerly anticipated the Lord's coming. The biggest reason He has not come is understood is found in the following verse:
"The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent" (2 Pet. 3:9).
The Lord does not want anyone to be lost. His delay is based on His love and patience for all mankind to allow them time and space to repent. Nevertheless, every true Christian is to anticipate the Lord's coming with desire and eagerness.
A heartfelt desire for Christ's immediate return was expressed by the early Christians and every righteous generation since then. Along with this desire, there are exhortations to live a holy life, especially in the light of the Lord's return drawing nearer.
"Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 1:7-8).
That is a great promise that the Lord will keep us firm until the end so that we will be blameless at His coming.
Notice the same pattern in the following scriptural references. At the mention of the Lord's coming, there is almost always an exhortation to holiness. As the Lord's return draws near, we are to cast off the works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, making no provision for the lusts of the flesh.
"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed (this speaks of our complete salvation which includes our new resurrected bodies). The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts" (Rom. 13:11-14).
Once again, we see that as the day of the Lord's return draws near, not only are we to maintain an anticipation for the new heavens and new earth, but we are exhorted to live holy and godly lives, making every effort to be found living peaceful, pure, and blameless lives.
"But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God's righteousness. And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight" (2 Pet. 3:10-14).
We are admonished in the following verses again to keep the commandment Paul just gave in the preceding verses, without spot and blameless until the Lord comes.
"But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ's appearing" (1 Tim. 6:11-14).
In this next Scripture, we are encouraged to abide in Him so that we'll have confidence and not be ashamed when He comes.
"And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28).
GOD’S GREATNESS
Grace: God’s Second Chance - When we trust Jesus, He pours out His unconditional love upon us.
Scripture paints a grim picture of mankind apart from the Lord: dead in our sins, under God’s wrath, and subject to eternal separation from Him (Ephesians 2:1-3). Through the cross, we are given a second chance to be in a relationship with the Lord. When we trust in Christ, He pours out His unconditional love—and grace—upon us.
Because of grace, we have been justified by faith. Justification is a declaration by God that we are not guilty in His sight. At salvation, Jesus died on the cross and rescued us from the penalty for our transgressions. All our disobedience—past, present, and future—is fully forgiven.
We gain this remarkable pardon through genuine faith in Jesus Christ—in other words, by acknowledging God’s judgment that we are sinners who need a Savior because we’re unable to save ourselves. True faith rests on the belief that Jesus’s death atoned for our sins, God accepted His Son’s sacrifice on our behalf, and we are fully forgiven. Grace gives us peace with God. Because we’ve trusted in Christ, we’ve been adopted into the heavenly Father’s family (John 1:12-13) and have His favor forever.
Through grace, we have been offered a fresh start. May we make full use of this opportunity by passionately pursuing God with all our heart.
In Touch Ministry
PRIOR ISSUE
INTERESTING INFORMATION
“GOD’S LAST PAYDAY”
http://www.heritagechurchmckinney.com/messages/God's%20Last%20Payday.mp3
https://youtu.be/H9_0jiO5ZRM
Pastor Len McLaughlin, Heritage Church, McKinney, Tx
You will enjoy and find this interesting – Pass it o to your Homebound Family and friends
CHRISTIAN MUSIC VIDEO
FLEE FROM SIN, RUN TO JESUS
The Schemes
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK – “I am a great sinner but Christ is a great Savior.”- John Newton
INTERESTING ARTICLE SUMMARY
· Would video evidence of Heaven and Hell convince you?
· What if I keep sinning the same way?
· Are sexual sins the worst kind?
· Don’t drift from the Faith
· THE PURPOSE OF OUR TRIALS
INTERESTING ARTICLES
WOULD VIDEO EVIDENCE OF HEAVEN AND HELL CONVINCE YOU?
The Christian Post – Apr. 3, 2025 -- The existence of the world's most notorious maximum-security prison is beyond dispute. El Salvador's CECOT is a mega-prison where President Trump recently sent 238 gang members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua. The video evidence proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that this prison truly exists.
Likewise, Heaven and Hell are real places where billions of people have already arrived, just like those gang members who were filmed entering CECOT. What would it take to convince you that Heaven and Hell actually exist? Would video evidence be enough to persuade you? There must be a good reason why God has not provided us with video evidence, especially since "God wants everyone to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4).
You may be old enough to remember the 1978 American documentary, "Scared Straight." Teenagers who were repeat offenders spent 3 hours getting yelled at by inmates at a prison in New Jersey. Interestingly, "only one of the 'graduates' of the original documentary has since been convicted of a felony." Similarly, I suspect far fewer young men in El Salvador today will continue to pursue participation in a criminal gang after watching the CECOT video.
Are Jesus' warnings about Hell in the New Testament enough to scare you straight? Some people argue, "Christians shouldn't try to frighten unbelievers into accepting Christ." It is like saying that firefighters shouldn't try to warn occupants to immediately get out of a burning building. After all, which is worse, being scared to death about Hell while you can still do something about it, or being completely unaware of the horror of Hell until you eventually enter this dreadful confinement center? Hell is a maximum-security prison beyond the grave that houses unforgiven sinners.
God decided to give us something even more authoritative and conclusive than video evidence when the Holy Spirit inspired the Bible to be written (see 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16). You see, the Lord told us the absolute truth about Heaven and Hell. Christ loved people enough to sometimes even scare sinners straight! Jesus issued this warning: "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell" (Matthew 10:28).
After wondering for years why multitudes of people will not make it into Heaven, (see Matthew 7:13-14) it finally occurred to me one day that there must be something God desires even more than a person's eternal salvation. So, what is it? Simply this: God wants you to take Him at His Word. Those who refuse to do so "will stand outside knocking and pleading,' Sir, open the door for us.' But He will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from'" (Luke 13:25).
The truth about Heaven and Hell is spelled out plainly in Scripture, and God wants you to believe it! "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Hebrews 11:6). Those who reject God's Word do so to their own peril. And those who reject the Gospel will have eternity in Hell to regret the worst decision they ever made, by far!
The Gospel provides the only way to be saved from sin, death and Hell. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). While there is no video evidence for the existence of Heaven and Hell, or for Christ's death and resurrection for that matter, we have something far better; namely, God's Word.
"The King of Kings" creators share the film's origins
While inmates in CECOT are able to listen to Bible readings, I assure you that no one in Hell is offered that opportunity. Once a person passes through the gates of Hell, they experience only agony and hopelessness throughout eternity. Jesus described Hell as a place of "darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 8:12). Jesus also defined Hell as a place of "eternal punishment" (Matthew 25:46).
Heaven, on the other hand, is a place of perfection, beauty, joy, fellowship and constant rejoicing (see Revelation 22:1-5; 22-27). "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). Evangelist Billy Graham (1918-2018) stated, "Heavenly rest will be so refreshing that we will never feel that exhaustion of mind and body we so frequently experience now. The most thrilling thing about Heaven is that Jesus Christ will be there. I will see Him face to face. Jesus Christ will meet us at the end of life's journey."
My friend, have you repented of your sins and received Jesus as your Savior? (see John 1:12 & John 3:1-36). If not, I sure hope you will do so today while there is still time for your sins to be washed away by the blood of Jesus (see 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Unlike the prisoners in CECOT and the unforgiven sinners in Hell today, you can avoid being sent away to be punished for your sins (see Romans 3:9-20). But you must not delay if you hope to escape the punishment you deserve! (see James 2:10; Revelation 22:17).
Once you come "under grace" (Romans 6:14) through faith in Jesus, your sins will not be held against you on Judgment Day because you are no longer "under law." (Galatians 4:5) God's grace will only become amazing to you if and when you embrace the Savior through faith and believe the good news of the Gospel. (see John 3:16) "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart" (Hebrews 4:7). "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).
One of these days you will take your final breath on Earth. With that looming inevitability in mind, are you truly prepared to enter God's courtroom? (see 2 Corinthians 5:10). If you want to be confident that God will accept you on Judgment Day and welcome you into Heaven, I encourage you to immerse yourself in these lyrics by Third Day from their powerful song titled, "Trust in Jesus."
WHAT IF I KEEP SINNING THE SAME WAY?
Christian Headline News – June 2,2025 -- “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions” (Rom. 6:12).
Every Christian should wrestle with the presence of sin in his life. I say “every” because there is no Christian who has ceased or will cease to sin in his life in this fallen world. Paul wrote, “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing” (Rom. 7:19). If the Apostle Paul said that about himself, then it is true for all of us. Our problem in continuing to commit certain sins is threefold.
When transgressions have laid siege to our lives and we are anemic in our response, we have failed to realize the serious nature of the sin, the ultimate goal of the sin, and God’s hatred of the sin. If we realized those factors, we would war against those sins with a terrifying hatred. The early 20th century evangelist Billy Sunday said it this way:
“Listen, I’m against sin. I’ll kick it as long as I’ve got a foot, I’ll fight it as long as I’ve got a fist, I’ll butt it as long as I’ve got a head, and I’ll bite it as long as I’ve got a tooth. And when I’m old, fist-less, footless, and toothless, I’ll gum it till I go home to glory and it goes home to perdition.”
He got that from Jesus in Matthew 5:29–30:
“If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into Hell.”
That is what Jesus says about addressing our own personal sin. Here are three things we can do when sin lays siege in our lives.
1. Pray that the Holy Spirit would show you your sins
In recent months, I have realized the serious nature of a sin that occurred in my life for many months several years ago. I had so rationalized this activity that I did not even see it as a sin. Recently, the Lord has opened my eyes to see the heinous nature of what I was doing. The first step of going to war against such sins is to pray that the Holy Spirit would show us our sins. We become so accustomed to sins, especially in our secular hedonistic culture, that we regard them as normal behavior. Enter a period of serious prayer, asking the Father to reveal the sins that lie hidden in your heart, mind, and daily activity.
2. Realize the goal of Satan and sin
Second, realize the ultimate goal of sin in our lives and in our world. The goal of Satan and sin is to throw off the rule and reign of Christ in our lives and in this world. Whether you consider it to be a small sin or a great transgression, its desire is to snatch the crown from the head of Christ and spit in His face. That is the intention and the driving purpose of every sin in our lives. We read this in Psalm 2:2–3:
“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take
counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
‘Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.’”
Our sin shouts at us, “Throw off Christ and His Word and join the rebellion of this world.”
3. Remember the holy hatred God has for sin
Third, realize the holy hatred God has for your sin. Proverbs 6 tells us,
“There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers” (Proverbs 6:16–19).
Know this: When you are committing the sin, Jesus, who died to save you, who suffered the Almighty’s righteous judgment, that same Jesus loathes that sin with a holy hatred you cannot imagine and loves you with a perfect love that you cannot imagine.
Conclusion
Many Christians today rail against the secular and hedonistic culture in which we live. We say that we are in a war fighting for the soul of our culture. We remind each other that we battle against a transcendent evil force, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).
However, we don’t always apply that same verse to our own personal sins. We don’t always attack with the same energy against the power of Satan and evil in our individual lives. Even as a minister, I must not only preach about the sins of the hedonistic culture but also carry the battle to the evil dwelling in my own life. As the Holy Spirit shows us our sin, may we run to Christ and His Word, rejecting the rebellion of this world by the power of the Holy Spirit.
ARE SEXUAL SINS THE WORST KIND?
Charism News – Jun. 25, 2024 -- Some contend that God sees all sins as the same and that one sin is not more difficult for God to forgive than another. While they may think that sounds reasonable and righteous, it ignores the admonitions of revealed Scripture and how sexual impurity damages us personally, weakens our witness and can be destructive to the family of God. Pastor Jack Hayford, respected author, songwriter and church leader, once wrote, “I believe that sex sins are worse in that they are more damaging personally and socially than all other sins.” Hayford also observed that sexual sins may be the entry points of many other sinful actions, thoughts and lifestyles. “I don’t believe that any other sin can be said to devastate believers so thoroughly as sexual sin,” he said.
Sexual intercourse is more than a biological experience or experiment. It is more than just another physical act, like drinking water or sneezing. It involves the communion of life itself and is to be shared only under the covering of a covenant of commitment (Eph. 5:30-31). If a believer, who is “washed … sanctified … justified” and filled with the Spirit of Christ (1 Cor. 6:11), would be so crass as to commit sexual immorality casually in what some have termed “recreational sex,” he or she would literally be contaminating the body of Christ by involving Him in immorality. It is an unthinkable proposition and one of the primary reasons that, for believers, sexual sins are worse than others (1 Cor. 6:12-17).
“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Cor. 6:18-20, NLT). It is due to the constant temptation to sexual immorality that Paul advises, “each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband” (1 Cor. 7:2b). The writer to the scattered Messianic Hebrews warned: “Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely, judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery” (Heb. 13:4).
'DON'T DRIFT FROM THE FAITH
Faith has been the bedrock of Christian music artist Danny Gokey's life.
Charisma News – Oct. 26, 2022 -- This dedication to the Lord has gotten Gokey through storms in life that have sunk other believers.
Gokey shot to fame with his inspirational performance during the eighth season of "American Idol." He leaned on God during this trying time as his first wife, Sophia, passed away a mere month before his auditions.
Gokey has much to thank the Lord for, and has done just that. He has enjoyed superstar levels of success, and remains humble and puts the Lord first in all things.
Recently, Gokey posted a simple message encouraging and warning Christians about "the drift" discussed in Hebrews 2. He discusses in his videos how this is "the most dangerous thing that can happen to a believer."
Gokey explained his reasoning for the seriousness of this warning, "It's very subtle, and sometimes you don't even catch it," he said.
Reading Hebrews 2:1-4, he gives biblical confirmation of his warning, "Therefore we should be more attentive to what we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken by angels was true, and every sin and disobedience received a just recompense, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation, which was first declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him? God also bore them witness with signs and wonders and diverse miracles and with gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His own will."
"Imagine you're on a boat, you're heading towards a specific direction, and you had a motor on it, but you decide to turn that motor off, you decided to relax. And unknowingly, the ocean or the culture ... took you in a whole different direction," Gokey asks.
"That's what's dangerous to the Believer. If we don't hang on to the Word of God, if we let the culture define what our values are, what our morals are, we'll pretty soon find out that we had a form of godliness, but we denied the power thereof. The drift is so real because the drift will take you away from what God wants you to do," he says.
Gokey's message is rooted in biblical truth and challenges the "cream puff" Christianity that many pastors are teaching today. Often the message of repentance and turning away from a sinner's old life is left out and replaced with a feel-good message that doesn't challenge a person's sin lifestyle.
"You know, Jesus didn't die on the cross so that we can go back into our sin pattern that we once had," Gokey says. "We must pay all the more attention that we don't drift away from who God is, from what He says is right and wrong, we don't allow that culture to start redefining what right or wrong is."
Gokey sheds light on the growing problem for many Christians who are questioning what the Bible says versus what the culture is telling them. He reminds his viewers that culture cannot dictate what is righteous in their Christian walk and growth, only God does that and they can learn what makes a person righteous in His Word.
"God has made it very clear what is righteous, what is holy, He says it in His Word," Gokey says. "Watch out for the drift, because the drift will pull you away from God, the drift will make you look like a Pharisee because you'll have a form of godliness while justifying your bad behaviors, like the Pharisees did. But God won't be in it. The drift is real."
THE PURPOSE OF OUR TRIALS
In the midst of our struggles, we may feel overwhelmed, but God will carry us through.
Some believers like to portray their life as ideal and carefree. But in reality, being a Christian isn’t easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test our faith and ability to trust in God.
In today’s passage, Peter refers to times of testing as a “fiery ordeal.” He says we shouldn’t be surprised when adversity comes. It’s important to remember that God has a purpose for our difficulties and will see us through them (Romans 5:3-5). Here are some of the goals He may have for painful experiences:
Ultimately, hardships strengthen our testimony. In the midst of our struggles, we might feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But once the storm has passed, we can often look back and see the Lord’s providential hand carrying us through.
In Touch Ministry
SECTION II - SPECIAL ARTICLES/ BOOK REVIEWS
IN THIS SECTION:
· WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE? (WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS)
· WHAT’S IN A NAME?
· "BOB PIERCE - THIS ONE THING I DO" - A BOOKREVIEW/SUMMARY
· "THE HIDDEN CODES OF THE BIBLE" - A BOOK REVIEW/SUMMARY
· "SIGNS OF THE TIME” - A BOOK REVIEW/SUMMARY
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE DIE?
By D.E. Davis
For Christians, we are told in Scripture in 2Cr 5:8 that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. For those who turn away from God, we are told that they are eternally separated from God and go to a place called Hell. Rev 14:11 says that the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever.
The question that everyone ponders is: What really happens after we die? Do we just lay dormant until the Lord takes us to be with him or until judgement is handed out at the Great White Throne as called out in Rev. 20:11? Are we conscience? Do we feel, touch, think, recognize loved ones, know what is happening around us? All questions that we have ask ourselves, no doubt, at some time in our life.
My own personal review of the Scriptures has led me to believe that after we die, even though our body may be dead and buried, our Spirit is alive and fully conscience. Chuck Missler likens this state of conscienceness to the software that runs the Computer; once the hardware goes, the software remains intact and available for further applications.
There are two illustrations in the Bible that makes it clear as to what happens after death, when we're in the spirit.
The first one is illustrated in the Luke account of Lazarus and the rich man in Chapter 16. After death, Lazarus, a man of God, is escorted into Abraham’s Bosom, a holding compartment in Hell for the Believers prior to the Cross. The non-believing rich man was "buried" and went into a separate compartment in Hell (Hades), apart from Abraham’s Bosom, where he was in Torment according to Scripture. Both were in a Spirit state; yet by the account, they could see each other and speak to each other.
The second account is in Revelation, where John is taken (in the Spirit) to Heaven to see those things that shall come to pass prior to the return of Jesus Christ to the Earth, or Second Coming (not the Rapture).
I had to conclude from the study, based on the following Scripture, that all of the senses we have here on earth will be with us throughout eternity, even unto death.
· THE ABILITY TO LOOK/SEE - Luke 16:23;Rev. 1:12;4:1,4; 5:1,2; 6:1,2,8,9; 7:1,2; 8:2; 9:1,17; 10:1,5; 13:1,2,3;14:1,6; 15:1,2; 16:13; 17:3,6; 18:1; 19:11,17,19; 20:1,4,11,12; 21:1,2,22; 22:8
· THE ABILITY TO HEAR - Rev. 1:10; 4:1; 5:11; 6:1,3,5,6,7; 7:4; 9:13,16; 10:4,8; 12:10; 14:2,13; 16:1,5,7; 18:4; 19:1,6; 21: 3; 22:8
· THE ABILITY TO BEHOLD ( to obtain knowledge of: understand: perceive) - Rev. 5:6,11; 6:5,8,12; 7:9; 8:13; 13:11
· THE ABILITY TO REASON - Luke 16:30
· THE ABILITY TO CRY (even though there will be no more crying in Heaven) - Rev. 5:4,5; Luke 16:24
· THE ABILITY TO SPEAK - Rev. 5:13; 10:9; 21:6,15; Luke 16:24, 29,30,31
· THE ABILITY TO FEEL/TOUCH - Luke 16:23, 24,25
· THE ABILITY TO REMEMBER - Luke 16:25
· THE ABILITY TO WONDER - Rev. 17:6
· THE ABILITY TO WRITE - Rev. 1:11; 10:4; 19:9
· THE ABILITY TO QUESTION - Rev. 7:13
· THE ABILITY TO TAKE (THE BOOK/ROD) - Rev. 10:8,9,10
· THE ABILITY TO FALL (ON KNEES) - Rev. 19:10; 22:8
· THE ABILITY TO STAND - Rev. 13:1
· THE ABILITY TO WORSHIP - Rev. 19:10; 22:8
· THE ABILITY TO PERFORM TASKS - Rev. 11:1
God has promised in 1 Thess 4:16 and 1 Cor. 15:52,53 that one day, we shall be reunited with Him in body and will be transformed and conformed to Him - in the twinkling of an eye. We are also told in Scripture that we shall see Him face to face- see the Lamb that was slain for you and me. We know by His Word, that we will Praise Him, Worship Him and Rule with Him.
One thing in the study that I found extremely fascinating was the difference in treatment between Lazarus and the non-believing rich man. Scripture says that Lazarus was escorted to Heaven by an Angel, but there is no indication in Scripture about how the rich man arrived at Hell. Could it be that God had a specific purpose why He chose not to tell us in Scripture?
Finally, knowing that others may have varying interpretations of these Scriptures, I strongly urge you to review the Scriptures yourselves to determine what you find as the truth according to God’s Word.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
For those who wish you had some other name because you don't like the name you were given, you had better think twice. It is most likely that the name your parents picked out for you was not their choice but God's choice. Let’ s face it, the word of the Lord is true. That's why in Eph. 1:4, God proclaimed that He had chosen us from before the very beginning of the world.
If you follow the Genealogy of Adam in Genesis, Chapter 5 (*) you will receive an insight into what importance God put in names - It's an exciting message:
Genealogy Meaning
Adam Man
Seth Appointed
Enosh Mortal
Kenan Sorrow
Mahalalel The blessed God
Jared Shall come down
Enoch Teaching
Methuselah His Death shall bring
Lamech The Despairing
Noah Rest, Comfort
Now let us look at God’s Plan for Redemption:
"Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the Blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest."
Let us now look at the Genealogy of Abraham (*):
Genealogy Meaning
Abraham Predestination
Isaac Called
Jacob Justified
Joseph Glorified
(*) Source: Chuck Missler’s Briefing package: “A Walk Thru the Bible”
WELL YOU SAY! BUT THAT WAS ALL OLD TESTAMENT AND WOULDN'T BE APPLICABLE FOR TODAY - WOULD IT?
Well, let us see.................. As a Christian, did God not choose you by name at the same time he chose Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph - before the very foundation of the world? If God had a purpose for their name, would you expect anything less for your name since He chose you at the same time?
As a Christian, You ought to thank God daily that you, by your given name, was written in the Lamb's book of life before the very foundation of the world and that you will be a partaker in all the promises of Rev 21:27.
Within the last couple of years, researchers have found many startling discoveries through the use of super computers, specifically, hidden codes that God supernaturally placed within the Hebrew text of the Bible. Over 2000 years ago, the names of historical and current leader’s names were placed in the Bible. Such names as Adolph Hitler, Eichmann, Arafat, Peres, Rabin, Rabin's murderer Amir, Ben-Zion Netanyahu, Saddan Hussein, George Bush, Schwarzkoph, Peter Arnet (CNN), Timithy McVeigh, Bill Clinton.
Do you think that God would limit His calling out to just those who had a highly visible historical impact on this world? There is no doubt that He had a purpose in doing this, if nothing else, just to get your attention that He is the Creator; that He alone knows the beginning from the end.
It is my firm belief that as we advance further with our computer technology and peel back the layers of the Hebrew text of the scriptures, we will make many more startling and exciting discoveries. One being that God has written each and every one of our names in His Word.
HERE IS WHAT GOD SAID: Isaiah 66:22 "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain."
BOOK REVIEW by D. E. Davis (September 1997)
BOB PIERCE -"THIS ONE THING I DO"
By Franklin Graham with Jeanette Lockerbie
It is amazing the worlds that open up to an individual, once the Power of the Holy Spirit comes upon him. Just three years ago, where once I was blind to Missions, to all the inspired men and women God has called to service and the multitude of people all over the world who have been saved, new worlds are ever opening to me to see how awesome the power of God is in our Christian lives.
Such was the power and strength of faith Bob Pierce had in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is difficult for me to even attempt to assess where God has put Bob along with other past great men of the faith, but from what I read about his life with Christ, he certainly had his eyes focused on Jesus! I personally feel inadequate and humbled to even put in words, my thoughts about this man. Bob was a man Blessed by God. I feel sad that I never had an opportunity to know him, but look forward to meeting him one day in heaven.
If ever there was a verse of scripture that represented Bob Pierce, it had to be the title of this book as taken from Philippians 3:13,14 ".......this one thing I do,....I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ."
Bob was raised in Los Angeles and at the age of 12, gave his life to Christ and was baptized in the Nazarene Church. "God simply called me to give my heart to Jesus, and I followed Him." He died in 1978 of leukemia but lived his life for Christ in between in between those dates as if Christ was coming tomorrow and he still had to witness to the whole world before dawn broke. Throughout his career, he dedicated his life mainly to Missions and over the years was responsible for founding such World re-noun programs as "World Vision", an organization dedicated to meeting the emergency needs in crisis areas such as Korea after the Korean war. During that time of need, he established a Korean Orphanage, serving over 30 thousand Korean war orphans. Bob was also responsible for starting the World re-noun Korean Orphan's Choir. As an outgrowth of "World Vision" he founded "World Medical Mission" which covered all emergency medical needs in countries all over the world which had no medical facilities. He was also founder of "Samaritan's Purse" and organization dedicated to funding World emergency need, no matter where they were. These organizations are still meeting the needs of those in crisis today.
If his work through these organizations was not enough, he became a United Nations War Correspondent during World War II; was Co-founder for "Youth for Christ"; and became a Motion Picture producer/Radio program host, author and a lecturer, but first and last, he always considered himself an evangelist! Even though Bob knew that he was "extraordinarily gifted by God, he was never impressed with himself - he considered himself just an earthly vessel, available at all times for the exclusive use of the Lord".
In his own words, he had "many flaws, failings but had abundant faith in God who lives and cares about people."
If I had to pick four areas of the Christian life that I feel truly represented Bob Pierce, they would be 1) Unwavering Faith, 2) Compassion for others, 3) Obedience to God and 4) Commitment to accomplish the Will of God in his life.
From the Beginning, Bob knew his calling was for Missions to the Asian Countries. His first mission led him through Hawaii to Hong Kong and eventually to China. Getting to China was his first big test of faith - he had no money, even for the first leg to Hawaii. Bob held the opinion that God knows ones needs already and if He has called you to a task, He will provide and enable you - just move out! He did just that and went to the L.A. airport that day without any money in his pocket. His faith paid off as God provided the funding for each leg of his trip just at the moment he needed it. This was the norm rather than the exception throughout his career as an evangelist. What ever it was, where ever it was, if God called, Bob would act no matter what the circumstance......he knew that God would always provide.....and He did!
Bob had a compassion for the spiritually and physically suffering of the world. "He was the friend of the little people, the forgotten, the hurting, the maimed, the unheard and the unsung". Bob's theme was "Let my heart be broken with the things that break the heart of God". It was Bob's personal belief that "wherever you find men and women who really love Jesus Christ, you find the compassion of Christ spilling out of them to meet human need." Over the years World Vision, Samaritan's Purse and other organizations like them; one in particular, Mission Aviation Fellowship Pilots (MAF), who flew Missionaries around the world in crisis situations, helped so many helpless and needy men, women and children. They knew first hand the healing power of God.
Bob dared it all to be obedient to the Lord's call. Once he had in focus the mission that God wanted him to accomplish, he followed in Faith to bring the unsaved to Christ. It was his opinion that " If you are an ambassador, act like one!"- no matter where you are. Bob would bring to memory how other great men of Faith were obedient even in the face of death. During World War II, a young South Korean Pastor, Mr. Im was mistaken for a North Korean Communist and imprisoned. During his internment, he would go around camp singing "Jesus Loves Me" and other Christian songs. He not only uplifted and inspired other fellow Christian prisoners to come together, he brought many more to Christ. Together he and another prisoner, Chaplain Voelkel, established a Bible Study where over 6,000 prisoners finished a six month Bible Study. Six Hundred (600) of those finishing the Bible Study became pastors and came back to Korea to preach the Gospel. In another instance, he related how a Korean school teacher was put to death in front of his students because of his faith and obedience to the Lord.
To be an ambassador for the Lord "is one of the greatest things that could ever have happened to anyone - to let God put a fish hook into you so deep that there is no way of ever getting off the hook."
"Bob did one thing all of his life, and that was to lead people to the foot of the Cross where they would put their faith in a risen Lord Jesus Christ. He lived every minute completely amazed that God could use him. No matter how much he was able to do in how many places, it was never enough." This was the kind of commitment Bob made to Jesus; "to commit yourself, give yourself away to God irrevocably, forever. Say to Him, go ahead and burn me up. Spend me. Eat me up. Use me for you Glory." And that's exactly what he did.
Being a man of God was not always easy for Bob and he paid a high price. In one measure or another he had to forsake his wife, his family, his Mother and Father, his brothers and sisters and other worldly possessions to follow Jesus. He not only lost his health, he lost his Daughter, Sharon, to death.
Committing your life to Christ in a Godless society is never easy; many times you feel like you may be the only one putting your life, your self image, your social acceptance on the line. As Bob came to realize, ". Someone has to go and pay that humiliating price of literally letting your ego be stomped on- not just pushed in and suppressed, but laid out there for people to stomp on. We need to do this by the grace of God with love and patience: sow the seed on rocky soil, nurture it, and maybe never be applauded."
Committing your life to Christ really comes down to this; What really matters
to you in Life?
On his death bed in the City of Hope, Bob left us this one message - "I don't care what you have attempted. What you have succeeded at, or what has been your work in Christ's name while you are here on earth - only one thing matters when you have reached the last step before you go to stand before Christ:
- Did you tell men and women who Jesus is?
- Did you bring them to some comprehension of His redeeming love?
- Did you make it plain to them that He alone can pay their way to heaven throughout His atoning death on the cross?"
Such was the life of a man of God, Bob Pierce.
HIDDEN CODES OF THE BIBLE
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ACT 17:11 - Exhorts you to daily review the scriptures to see if what is being said is true
References: Grant R. Jeffrey - "The Signature of God"- RECOMMENDED READING
Other reading: "The Hebrew Factor" by Yacov Rambsel
Prepared by D. E. Davis
Daniel 12: 4 - "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased."
Here is undeniable proof, the third in the series, that every word, every letter and every punctuation in Bible text was put their by the inspiration of God. It gives new meaning to the words "increase knowledge". It's just one of the many signs, and without a doubt, the most exciting revelation that God said he would reveal to man in the "end time". As you will see, God has put his signature throughout the Bible, has revealed History before it ever happened, all through hidden codes that were supernaturally placed into text which was written over 2,000 years ago; which could only be found with today's computer technological advances. The codes are found in what scholars call "Equidistant Letter Sequences" or ESL. That is, each sequential letter in an encoded word or phrase was found the same distance apart numerically; The exact interval designed by God.
Actually, the discovery of hidden codes in scripture dates back to before WWI and it was not until 1988 that the use of computers were able to detect a significant amount of coding in scripture. Since then, the research that Grant Jeffrey and others have done has just exploded and new discoveries are happening every day.
Here is a summary of what has been found and outlined in Grant's book, referenced above. It is my understanding that he is in the process of writing another book to tell what he has found subsequent to "The Signature of God".
Luke 21:15 - " For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay (refute) nor resist."
Proverbs 25:2 - "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter."
THE SIGNATURE OF GOD
What follows is what most of the human race would find hard to believe. It unfathomable to think that the Hebrew Bible, containing 304,805 Hebrew letters, written by 40 individuals could contain hidden messages that if one letter was taken out of the text, one word was removed, the hidden message could not be revealed......yet the message has been sustained for over 2,000 years and has been revealed to man just as Jesus said it would be. Jesus has actually placed His name and other messages about Himself into text which proves he is the creator of all; King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
GOD'S SIGNATURE
God has personally signed scriptures throughout the Old and New Testaments in various ways. For example in the Old Testament, he has encoded his name, Jesus, in the following scripture:
THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD FROM ANCIENT TIMES UNTIL TODAY
God has also encoded unbelievable detail about many of the things we read about and which touch our lives daily. For example, he outlines:
PLACES AND THINGS
· Gen. 2: 4-10 - The key word "Eden" was spelled out sixteen (16) times in the span of 379 Hebrew letters. The letters were all equidistant from each other.
· Gen. 2 - In this chapter which deals with the garden of Eden, scientists found encoded in the Hebrew text, Twenty-five (25) names of trees that were in the
Garden of Eden.
· Gen. 1:1 - Starting with the first appearance of the Hebrew letter "Tav", the word "Torah" was found every 50th letter.
· Ex. 1: 1 - Again, starting with the first appearance of the letter "Tav" and counting every 50th letter, the word "Torah" was spelled. Num./Deut. - In the book of Numbers the word "Torah" was found spelled backwards every 50th letter. In the book of Deuteronomy, "Torah" was found again spelled backwards, but this time every forty-ninth (49) letter.
NAMES AND EVENTS
· Holocaust
· Deut. 10: 17-22 - Beginning with the second to last appearance of the Hebrew letter "bet" in this passage, they found every Thirteenth (13) letter, the phrase "b'yam marah Auschwitz" which means "in the bitter sea of Auschwitz." Also encoded in this passage were the names of the other Nazi Concentration camp, "Belsen".
· Deut. 33:21 - Beginning with the letter (resh) that appeared in the Hebrew word "Yisreal," and counting every twenty-second (22) letter from the left to right they found the phrase "re'tzach alm" discribing the Holocaust, which when translated, means "a people cry murder, slaughter."
· Adolph Hitler
· Deut. 10: 17-22 - The word "Hitler" spelled out in Hebrew was found every twenty-second (22) letter.
· Deut. 33:16 - Beginning with the first appearance of the Hebrew letter "mem" and every two hundred and forty-sixth (246) letter from left to right you find that the coded letters spelled out the phrase, "Melek Natzim," which translates as the "king of the Nazis."
· Eichmann
· Deut. 32:52 - Beginning with the appearance of the first letter (aleph) and counting from left to right every six hundred and seventy (670) letters, the name "Aik'man" is spelled, which is the Hebrew form of the name "Eichmann."
· Egyptian President Anwar Sadat
· "Sadat occurred together with the name of the leader of the Moslem Brotherhood assassinating team that killed him.......it contained the year of his assassination, 1981, and the words "president," "gunfire," "shot'" and 'Murder".
· Desert Storm
· Beginning in Gen. 1:7 and continuing through the rest of Genesis, Grant Jeffrey indicated at the Prophesy Conference in Irvine,Ca. on 27 Sept. 1996 that they had recently found information in hidden code in scripture relating to Desert Storm. I believe more details will be available in Grant's next book.
· The French Revolution
· Gen. 39,41 - "Another passage in the Book of Genesis revealed a cluster of encoded words that deals with the French Revolution. The following words are clustered ogether" "Mapecha HaSarfatit" which spells "the French Revolution" in Hebrew, "Louis," the name of the French king, and the word "Beit (house of Bourbon,") his royal dynasty. In the same cluster were the following words: "Hamarseilles" (the name of the French anthem) and the word "Bastillia" (the infamous French prison for political prisoners........"
OTHER HISTORICAL INFORMATION
· Word pairs - "In their initial experiment, .......the scientists arbitrarily chose three hundred (300) Hebrew word-pairs that were logically related in meaning, such as hammer and anvil, or tree and leaf, or man and woman." ".....the researchers were astonished to find that every single word-pair had been located in Genesis in close proximity to each other."
· King David's Ancestors
· Gen. 28 - " Every one of the five Hebrew names of these ancestor of King
David (Pharez, Zerah, Boaz, Obed, Jesse) were found encoded at forty-nine (49) letter intervals, hidden within the text of Genesis 38".
· Famous Jewish Rabbi - "The Jewish people celebrate the memory of their famous sages by commemorating their date of death. Incredibly, the computer program found every single one of the sixty-six names of these famous rabbis embedded in the text of Genesis paired at significantly close proximity with their actual date of birth or their date of death."
IS THE HEBREW BIBLE UNIQUE TO GOD' S INSPIRED EMBEDDED CODES?
Grant points out that "The researchers attempted to reproduce these results by running the computer program on other religious Hebrew texts outside the Bible, including the Samaritan Pentateuch. .......the researchers could not detect word pairs in the Samaritan Pentateuch or any other Hebrew text outside the Bible. In fact, an exhaustive analysis reveals that no other Hebrew text outside the Old testament contains these mysterious codes, not even the Hebrew apocryphal books written during the four hundred years before the birth of Christ"
A WORD OF CAUTION
"No one can search the Torah using these codes to foretell future events. The reason is that it is impossible to extract the encoded information unless you already know what the future facts are." "The prophet Isaiah warned against false prophets and declared that only God can Prophesy future events accurately
(Isa. 46: 9,10).
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"Computer tapes are now available so that anyone with a computer can personally verify the existence of these codes beneath the text of the Scriptures.
As Christians, we can stand firm in the word and shout for joy. God has given us "the words and the wisdom that none of our adversaries will be able to refute or contradict", no matter how much they try!
PRAISE THE LORD!
SIGNS OF THE TIME
References: Grant R. Jeffrey - "The Signature of God"- RECOMMENDED READING
Prepared by D. E. Davis
June 10, 1997
Prelude
How do we know that Jesus is the one true God when there are so many religions, cultures and cults that claim that they serve the one true god? How about Buddha, Allah?
Scripture says that God alone knows the beginning from the end. The way that God establishes His authority is through Biblical Prophesy. There are over 500 prophesies that were prophesied over 2,000 years ago that have all come to pass. There are still some Old Testament that have yet have to be fulfilled (Daniel Ezekiel), but there has never been an event prophesied that has not come to pass in it’s time. 100% accuracy tells us that the God of the Bible is the only true God. No one else in the history of the world, living or dead, can make this claim.
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In Matthew 24:3, just before Jesus' ascension into heaven, the disciples of Jesus ask Him what would be the sign of His second coming. Over the centuries various groups have attempted to guess when Christ would return to the earth to claim His inheritance as promised throughout scripture. As we know, no one has been right yet!. God clearly states in Matthew 24:36 that no man, not even the angels, know the day or the time when Christ will return. Only God the Father knows.
This summary is clearly not another attempt to forecast this event. This summary does, however, attempt to provide an awareness of what is happening around you so that you will not be caught unaware. (Ref. Luke 21:34 and Matthew. 24:42).
ACT 17:11- Exhorts you to daily review the scriptures to see if what is being said is true.
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----------------------THE SIGNS OF THE TIME-------------------
Grant Jeffrey has done a wonderful job of providing critical information about events that are happening in this generation that all Christians need to know; Events that were prophesied over 2,500 years ago. Approximately 90% of the material contained herein was extracted and summarized from Grant's book. I highly recommend reading this book as it contains so much more that you will want to know.
THE REBIRTH OF ISRAEL
The rebirth of Israel was prophesied in several scriptures throughout the Bible. Isaiah 66: 8 predicted that Israel would be born again in "one" day. Ezekiel 4:3-6 and Levitcus 26:18 foretold the exact number of days that it would take Israel to re-establish themselves as a nation in the last days. ( The exact calculation can be found in Grant Jeffrey's book referenced above). On May 14, 1948, the Jews proclaimed their independence of the reborn state of Israel.....The exact day that was predicted over twenty-five (25) centuries ago.......No other ancient nation ever ceased to exist for a period of centuries and then returned to take its place on the stage of world history."
PRESENT ARAB-ISRAELI CONFLICT
In Psalms 83:2-8, God inspired King David to predict that upon Israel's rebirth as a nation it would be immediately surrounded by their enemies. The modern names of those nations named in scripture include Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria....the nations that have now joined the Palestinians in their attempt to destroy Israel.
In Gen. 12: 3, God has promised to punish those nations that come against Israel. "I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."
RESTORATION OF THE HEBREW LANGUAGE
When Israel was captured by Nebuchadnezzar in approx. 562 B.C., Israel was no longer allowed to speak the Hebrew language, but had to learn the language of the Chaldeans. The Lord predicted, however, through Zephaniah 3:9, that he would restore a pure language to Israel so that they may "serve him with one consent". It was in the early part of this Century that the Hebrew language was revived from the dead language. Today, Hebrew is a living language to over 5 million Israelis.
THE FERTILITY OF ISRAEL
In Isaiah 27:6; 35:7 and Joel 2:23, the Lord prophesied through these prophets that the deserted, unproductive, barren land of Israel would once again become productive in the last days and that Israel would experience tremendous increases of rain. Ever since Israel has returned to the land, they have flourished in the land and now supply over 90 percent of the citrus fruit consumed in Europe. Rainfall has increased by more than "10 percent every decade for the last century and Israel has planted in excess of two hundred (200) million trees and transformed the complete environment of the Promised Land." According to the United Nations, Israel is now "the most agriculturally efficient land on earth."
THE UNWALLED CITY
Ezekiel 38:11 speaks of the future invasion of Gog and Magog (Russia) saying "And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of un-walled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls and having neither bars nor gates". Grant explains that "even army bases and Israel's settlements in the West Bank and Gaza have no walls today.........How could Ezekiel have known twenty-five centuries ago that the development of modern weapons such as bombs, airplanes and missiles, would have made walls and gates irrelevant for defensive purposes in the last days. In the ancient past even small villages as well as cities depended on walls for defense against invading armies."
PLANS FOR REBUILDING OF THE TEMPLE
Revelations 11:1, 2 foretells of Israel rebuilding the Temple in the last days. There is much controversy between the Israelis and the Muslim's because the Dome of the Rock (Al-Aqsa Mosque) it is believed, sits on the very spot where the Temple is suppose to be built. In recent years, however, aerial Infra-red photography shows that this may not be the case. Ezekiel 44:14-18, tell about the sacred vessels and linen robes that must be used in the Temple. "The Temple Institute in Jerusalem has already prepared over 75 of the objects, vessels, and linen garments required for future Temple service.......over 500 men from the tribe of Levi have already been trained to fulfill the duties of Temple worship and sacrifice."
Update:
Just recently in the Washington Post on May 28, 1997, it was reported that a 10 month old heifer named "Melody" is the first red heifer to be born in Israel in over 2,000 years. "In ancient times, the ashes of a red heifer were mixed with spring water to purify high priests before they entered the Temple."
THE REBUILDING OF BABYLON
We know that the old city of Babylon (now called Iraq) will be built again in the end times because Isaiah 13:6, 19 foretells of its destruction. In Isaiah 34:8-10 it is prophesied that the rebuilt City of Babylon will burn for ever.
"As unlikely as it seems, the Iraqi government of Saddam Hussein has spent over one billion dollars rebuilding the ancient city of Babylon and intends that it will become the center of their future renewed Babylonian Empire. Interestingly, the whole city of Babylon was built over an underground lake of asphalt and oil."
THE ANOINTING OIL
The prophet Daniel prophesied in Dan. 9:24 that the when Jesus returns, that the most Holy of Holies will be anointed with the anointing oil. "One of the five ingredients, afars' mon, was thought lost forever, when the Temple was destroyed in A.D. 70 and the only two groves of afars'mon trees in existence were burned
to the ground. Incredibly, several years ago, archeologists in Israel found a clay flask buried near the Dead Sea caves filled with the ancient oil of anointing. Scientists confirmed that the oil is two thousand years old and is composed of the precise ingredients described in Exodus 30:25,26."
PESTILENCE/FAMINES/EARTHQUAKES
Matthew 24:7 prophesied that in the last days "For nation shall rise against nation and Kingdom against Kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilence, and earthquakes, in divers (various) places." Grand Jeffrey writes regarding these matters:
· Pestilence - In 1991, the Central Intelligence Agency produced a report which "concluded that up to 75% of the population of Africa living in the area south of the Sahara Desert may become infected with AIDS over the next 12 years. This will mean the death by AIDS of over three hundred million people in Africa alone. In July 1991, the South African Medical Journal reported that a staggering 47% of black male and female blood donors tested positive for AIDS during 1989."
In Nov. 1996, the Associated Press reported that "Sexually transmitted diseases are diagnosed 12 million times a year in the United States - including a staggering 3 million cases among teen-agers".
· Famine - The United Nations today "claim that over thirty million in Africa are now at risk of dying from the most devastating famine in this century. The UN estimates that one billion people are in danger of starvation while another billion lack proper nutrition. North American food reserves (grain and corn) are at the lowest level in sixty years."
· Major killer earthquakes – “Major Killer earthquakes (7.2 or greater on the Richter scale) occurred only once per decade throughout history until our century. However, since A. D. 1900, the growth in major earthquakes has been relentless. From 1900 to 1949 it averaged three major quakes per decade. From 1949 the increase became awesome with 9 killer quakes in the 1950's; 13 in the 1960's; 56 in the 1970's and an amazing 74 major quakes in the 1980's. Finally, in the 1990's, at the present rate, we will experience 125 major killer quakes in this decade."
WORLD WIDE COMMUNICATION
In Revelation 11:9,10, it is prophesied that during the tribulation period, the antichrist will have the two witnesses that God sent killed and their bodies will lay in the street for three and a half days while the whole world watches.
Did not the whole world watch Desert Storm on CNN television? With all the technological advances in telecommunications, including the recent opening of the World Wide Net to our computer industry, any event happening in any part of the world can now be viewed while it is happening. The prophesy of the two witnesses could literally be fulfilled today. This could not have happened just 10 or 15 years ago.
INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND TRAVEL
Daniel 12:4 prophesies how much knowledge and travel will increase in the end time. "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the Book, even to the time of the end: Many shall run to and fro and knowledge shall be increased."
Today, it is estimated that "Human knowledge is growing so quickly that it literally doubles every twenty-four months." With the discovery through the use of modern "Super" computers by Grant Jeffrey and other researchers of the hidden codes that God supernaturally designed into the original Hebrew text of the Torah describing not only the history of the world in advance, but also verifying his Authority through His personal signature throughout his scripture, we realize that God chose this generation to reveal this unique aspect about himself.
It is also amazing that in this century, we have gone from horses to cars, from cars to supersonic spacecraft; not only can we now travel the world in a matter of hours, but in the case of the U.S. Space Shuttle Discovery, we can now travel at speeds in excess of eighteen thousand miles per hour.
REVIVAL OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE
Daniel 2:40-44 predicts that the old Roman Empire will be revived in the end times into a ten Nation alliance. We currently see the foundation being laid today through the European Economic Community. "In 1957, six (6) Countries signed the Treaty of Rome laying the foundation for the future United States of Europe.............Since then the Maastricht Treaty consolidated the fifteen (15) Nations of the European Union into the worlds first superstate." All it will take is the re-shuffling and/or the consolidation of Nations to bring this prophesy to a literal fulfillment.
ODDS THAT THESE PROPHECIES WERE FULFILLED BY CHANCE IN THIS GENERATION
"In the Bible there are several types of generations. One generation is defined as the length of life of the average person - seventy or eighty years. However, a generation of governing is usually defined as forty years,...........During the last two thousand years since the days of Christ, there were fifty such forty-year generations. Therefore, the odds are one chance in fifty that any one of these specific prophecies happened by chance in our generation rather than some other generation."
"The odds that more than one event happening in our life time are:
"Another way of looking at this is that the chance that the prophets of the Bible correctly guessed these prophecies is also one in 97,500 trillion............in other words, it is simply impossible that men alone could
have written the Bible without the supernatural assistance and inspiration of God."
Matthew 24:32-35 - "Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."
Luke 21:28 - "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
ANTI-CHRIST TO BE REVEALED
As of today, no one knows who the Anti-Christ is, but we do know what God has told us about him:
Many people try to spiritualize or say the events prophesied in the Bible are just symbolic. Any doubt about how God handles these prophetic events should have been erased on May 14,1948. God is literally fulfilling scriptural prophesy before our very eyes. Can we expect anything less for those few remaining prophesies for which He has promised the world; 1) the removal of the one who restrains the man of lawlessness/Sin (the rapture of the Church), 2) His second coming to take possession of His inheritance, 3) The millennial kingdom and 4) the new heaven and new earth.
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Ezekiel 33:6 - "But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand."
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