“As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 KJV). This cursory slice of King James translation correctly reveals more than its context of the duplicity of a rich host’s intentions at a banquet, but the underlying cause and effect relationship between what we think and who we are. The reason charlatans are able to separate people from their money is they rightly identify the connection between who we are and what we think. But, either their advice misleads concerning what God says we should be, or they misdirect our thoughts not after God’s thoughts. Nonetheless, the power of taking God at His Word is profound, if we are willing like a small child. Our daily need is to bring every thought into the captivity of Jesus Christ (2Corinthians 10:5). How far do you want to go today?
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Blessedness or Happiness
“Blessed [Hebrew, esher, happiness or blessedness] are the undefiled [Hebrew, tâmîym, whole, sound, healthful] in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD” (Psalm 119:1 KJV). Yes, we are blessed or happy, but why? We are as Noah was a “just [Hebrew, tâmîym, perfect]” (Genesis 6:9 KJV), or undefiled by the physical and spiritual curse of the Nephilim, but why? We are undefiled, because we walk in the law of the LORD. True, we walk not in the “counsel of the ungodly” (Psalm 1:1), but we “delight” and “meditate” in the “law of the LORD” (1:2). If we stop there, we miss the point. It is the LORD’s law. Without Him, we have no source or focus. He alone is able to give meaning to the law. We learn of Him and His character by our association with that law. Unless we view our time around His Word as something more than a word study, then we escape the grand point of our existence — to “know Him” (Phillippians 3:10).
I Know Whom I Have Believed
Amnesia or Alzheimer’s may produce temporary or progressive decay of memory, but nightmarish horror only comes, when we voluntarily forget God. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm 9:17 KJV). The All Remembering God has covenanted not to remember our sins against us, when we repent. “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Understanding God’s character should evoke in us the deepest love and worship of Him, who is our last and greatest Hope. “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day” (2Timothy 1:12). Arise, O LORD, and shake us out of our deep slumber. Cause us to be more concerned about losing the smile upon Your face toward us than our meager ability to remember where we misplaced our keys. You are so much more valuable than anything we may possess. Bless Yourself and honor Your name. Return quickly and deliver Your people. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen.
Why the Devil Needs UFOs
The Rapture and UFOs are forbidden topics for both respectable theologians and scientists because they deny credibility from each their respective mainstream. Once burned, twice shy. Students of prophecy walk carefully around setting any dates of Rapture, Tribulation, Second Coming, since scoffers love to remind of anything remotely resembling a failed date. Yet, even our Savior enflamed us with His closing promise of the NT, “Surely I come quickly [Greek, tachu, suddenly]. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20 KJV). Anyone who places any credence in the 1947 Roswell incident as anything other than a crashed weather balloon will lose immediate credibility for believing in a conspiracy theory. If you believe in neither a Rapture nor UFOs, then you’re on safe ground, as far as established theology and science are concerned. But, if there really is a Rapture, then what better opportunity for some world leader to step up with miraculous explanations for the Suddenly Missing People (SMP). Of course, the explanation will be a carefully crafted lie, which will be the work of the Antichrist. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9). UFOs are those lying wonders. They are real, but not extraterrestrial, instead from another dimension, which is the Unseen Realm of both the good and evil. Not until Almighty God removes the Restraining Influence of the Spirit Indwelt Christians at the Rapture, will it be necessary for Satan’s Antichrist to step in, explain, and miraculously bring seeming order to the chaos. “And now you know what is holding him back, so that he [Antichrist] may be revealed at the proper time” (2Thessalonians 2:6 NIV). This will be more than Alien Brothers bringing in a new era of peace, but most probably a Nephilim harnessing the power of “alien technology” to consolidate worship of himself as God. “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:4). LORD, our fervent prayer is to be ready for Your Son’s soon appearing. May we calmly and faithfully advocate for Your people to continue their employments and doing whatever good You’ve shown us to do, in the meantime; but, open the hearts of those around us to receive Your Son. Return quickly, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Conditional and Unconditional Love
What is Conditional Love, since we already have been correctly taught God has given us His Unconditional Love?
Unconditional Love, God gives to everyone. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 KJV). Conditional Love, God gives ONLY to those who obey. “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him” (John 14:21).
God’s Unconditional Love invites everyone to receive the benefits of an eternal relationship with Himself. “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). But He requires we respond with obedience, to which He answers with His Conditional Love, which is accompanied by greater manifestations of Himself. “Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that Thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode with him” (John 14:22-23).
(The following is a longer read, but hopefully, not too long. Scan ahead to preview.)
How does this relationship begin? The Holy Spirit initiates everything, when we feel guilt about doing or not doing something we should or shouldn’t do (John 16:8). Even before we understand the implications or make the suggestion, the Holy Spirit places Jesus before the mind’s eye as the solution (John 16:9-10). Our sense of violating our perception of moral rightness leaves us open to the thought that the devil has already been judged for doing what we just did (John 16:11). Our conscience has been pricked, and we become receptive to Christ as a deliverer from our guilt (John 16:14). This unseen sequence repeats itself until either we are saved and becoming sanctified (John 15:10) or hardened ultimately to perdition (Hebrews 3:8).
Christians work together with the Holy Spirit to gain new brothers and sisters in Christ, to whom greater manifestations of Christ can be shared. This increases our relationship with Christ and one another in Christian fellowship. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (1John 1:3). Conditional Love is the medium and conversation of the Christian with God, while Unconditional Love is only God’s invitation to the unbelieving world.
God’s means of expanding and maintaining His Church are threefold:
(1) Supernatural Love. The Body of Christ manifested in the local assembly of disciples, demonstrates the same love Christ reveals to them, thereby attracting the attention of the world. “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).
(2) Supernatural Unity. The Body of Christ, in general, but especially manifested in the local assembly of disciples, demonstrates the same unity Christ has with the Father, thereby engaging the notice of the world. “And the glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me” (John 17:22-23).
(3) Supernatural Holiness. The Body of Christ manifested in the the local assembly of disciples, must maintain a holiness of conduct distinct from the sins of the world, so disfellowshipping unruly members is necessary to maintain group holiness, even evidenced by the Father pruning the Vine (John 15:2). “To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1Corinthians 5:5). “Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme” (1Timothy 1:20).
Remember, though God’s Unconditional Love invites all regardless of conduct to participate in the benefit, His Conditional Love requires holy conduct, in order to receive the benefit of His Salvation. Likewise, the Professed Christian may only receive the benefit of God’s Salvation by actually practicing holiness. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
The Holy Spirit: God’s Solution to Humanity’s Predicament
Is there a secret to guarantee our obedience? Yes, the Promised Holy Spirit.
If it seems no one was ever able to please God, then remember, even in the OT dispensation: (1) All the holy angels in Heaven, are still without sin, (2) Adam and Eve were without sin before the Fall, (3) Enoch pleased God so much, he walked Home to Heaven (Genesis 5:24), (4) Abraham was called the “Friend of God” (James 2:23), (5) Moses spoke to God as a friend (Exodus 33:11), (6) David was “a man after His own heart” (1Samuel 13:14), (7) Elijah was caught up to Heaven without dying (2Kings 2:11), (8) Daniel was called by God “beloved” (Daniel 9:23; 10:11, 19), (9) The OT prophets saw prophetic glimpses of the Messiah (Isaiah 53), (10) Simeon and Anna faithfully awaited the promised Messiah (Luke 2:25, 36), (11) Mary was chosen as the human mother of Jesus (Matthew 1), and (12) The Apostles and the rest of the 120 faithfully waited in the Upper Room for the Promised Holy Spirit to mark the beginning of the NT dispensation (Acts 2).
All of this happened before the NT giving of the Holy Spirit.
A: What then was the great occasion for the giving of the Holy Spirit?
Q: To give even a greater benefit and probability in these NT times in causing humanity to walk in obedience and love with God. In other words, we have even more opportunity and help in obeying God, especially because of the Holy Spirit and everything everyone before has done to bring us to this point.
“And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:27).
“He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).
Everything recorded in Scripture about Love is in reference to Conditional Love, except when it refers to God inviting anyone regardless of character or conduct to receive the benefit of His Salvation.
Let not the devil confuse us into thinking we can do whatever we like because God will still love us.
For no one will ever see Heaven unless they repent, believe, obey, and persevere until the end with the Gospel.
“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1Peter 4:17).
Father, teach us the difference between Unconditional Love and Conditional Love. May You be glorified for offering Your Unconditional Love for Salvation to everyone. But, may You be magnified for Your Conditional Love, when people understand, believe, repent, obey the Gospel, and persevere to the end. Create Your Kingdom in human hearts now, but return soon to reclaim Your earthly crown. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and amen.
Purpose: Living for Christ
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 KJV). The Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3 is a report card that prepares us how Christ will judge His people at the Bema Seat Judgment (1Corinthians 3:9-15). The entire history of the Church Age is chronologically and sequentially surveyed from Ephesus to Laodicea. Everything said to one church is meant for all — including us. “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22). We do not need to be confused about how Christ will judge us at the Bema Seat. Notice: Everything is about Jesus. Concentrate upon Christ as the answer to all our problems, and we will do exceedingly well. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). Father, strengthen Your Church with understanding that we all can be Your Beloved Church for whom Christ died. Keep us from heresies and divisions taking away our focus upon Jesus. May we be able to stand in Your presence without spot ready for Your review. Preserve us from the wicked one, who seeks to rob us of Your reward. Magnify Yourself now through us. Return quickly, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Shohei Ohtani: Watching History
Jesus Christ is ready to return. The Middle East is exploding. But, have you heard, “Did Shohei Ohtani Just Have the Greatest Game of All Time?” God allows us the benefit of a smile, when everything around us seems so grim. “And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof” (Zechariah 8:5 KJV). “Three homers. Two doubles. Two steals. Ten RBIs. And a 6-for-6 outing at the plate,” according to the Wall Street Journal article. Ohtani was responsible for half of the points in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ victory over the Miami Marlins. He completed the game with 51 home runs and 51 stolen bases, a MLB first to achieve 50-50 in a season. Shohei Ohtani is not just a credit to the Dodgers, but to Major League Baseball. “I’m happy, relieved and very respectful to the peers and everybody who came before who played the sport of baseball,” Ohtani said after the game, speaking Japanese through an interpreter. Ohtani’s respectful demeanor towards others, even his opponents, is noticed and appreciated. Reminds us to keep our eyes on the prize. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
Dealing With the Rapture (Part 3)
The Rapture is possibly the most controversial and studiously ignored issue of the Church at present, “in the fulness of the time”(Galatians 4:4 KJV), simply because it represents the culmination of our Master’s End Times strategy to tie together all the disparate issues of the Church, as well as, addressing all the clear and present circumstances of the Almighty’s Unseen Realm. Consider that the LORD’s supernatural enemy has been preparing for the departure event of the my Rapture from ancient times, especially since Enoch and Elijah (Genesis 5:24; 2Kings 2:11) were translated, to the enemy’s horror, and to their inability to explain away the Almighty’s ability to control the narrative.
The necessity of the enemy explaining the disappearance of even a large minority of earth’s population involves carefully Articulating What the Crowd Already Believes:
First, justice from the supernatural. The suggestion of a Nephilim hybrid of angels with human females — “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of man and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, the men of renown” (Genesis 6:4 ESV) — is rejected by most respectable, scholarly, biblical interpreters, yet most all historical human cultures have mythical traditions of such supernatural interaction with humanity, down to Hollywood’s incarnation of superheroes. What modern moviegoer doesn’t want to believe in justice finally from the supernatural?
Second, fascination with the supernatural. Christian theology typically explains demon possession as simply bad actor fallen angels spiritually and physically molesting us. What if we more precisely defined demons as the disembodied spirits of the multitudes of Nephilim destroyed in a worldwide flood of Noah (Genesis 6-8)? “So the devils besought Him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine” (Matthew 8:31 KJV). Much of the modern fascination with witchcraft, the demonic, poltergeists, etc. is based upon what the world believes is true, or is afraid to think is true.
Third, making things right through the supernatural. The fabric of the adversary’s explanation for the Rapture will unavoidably delve into the realm of UFO’s, since the Antichrist [a Nephilim] will supernaturally accomplish peace for Israel sufficient to allow for the building of a Third Jewish Temple, a presently unthinkable event. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:3-4). Just as humanity senses a need for world justice, what human wouldn’t object to reaching out to the divinity in us all?
Summary of the Enemy’s Response to the Rapture. Lie. What’s the most direct strategy for the enemy to deal with the Rapture? Lie. The devil “is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). His Nephilim protégé, the Antichrist, Is also a liar. “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2Thessalonians 2:9). Those “lying wonders” of Antichrist will include resurrecting from the dead. “And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast” (Revelation 13:3). But, the Big Lie — for which Antichrist will kill the Christians — will cause their refusal to worship him as God, seated in the Temple at the middle of the Tribulation Week (2Thessalonians 2:3-4).
When you consider that Bible prophecy is so diligently avoided by much of the respectable Christian ministry, is it any wonder the Church is so ill equipped to defend the actions of our Lord in Rapturing His Church?
LORD, may Your people awaken to the challenge of giving “an answer to every man that asketh [them] a reason of the hope that is in [then] with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15). May we be ready for Your appearing. May we hasten Your appearing. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Come quickly and rapture Your Church. Amen.
Origin of Antisemitism
Antisemitism is essentially Satan’s attack against God’s chosen people, expressing itself in hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6 KJV). As demonstrated by history, both the world and Israel have not always agreed with such a noble vision of Israel. Antisemitism’s opposition to God goes back to Satan despising God from the beginning and hating everything that God loves, especially Israel. LORD, “for lo, Thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate Thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people, and consulted against Thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:2-4).
Dealing With the Rapture (Part 2)
Though the Rapture will be suddenly and instantaneous (Mark 13: 33, 35), the unbelieving world will notice the departure, just as they will inescapably notice the resurrection of the martyred Two Witnesses mere days before the end of the Tribulation Week. “3 And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (Revelation 11:3, 12). The unbelieving world will respond to the death of the Two Witnesses with glee; most likely, in the same way they responded previously to the Pre-Tribulational Rapture departure of the unwanted Christians. “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth” (11:10). When the Jews disappeared into the Holocaust of WW2, their neighbors knew of their removal. In our earth timeframe, seven years must pass, before Christ actually returns; but, in the heaven timeframe, everything precisely and necessarily can take place in the heavenlies, before all the Raptured and Resurrected Saints are returning with Christ (1Thessalonians 4:14, 17). Like the Second Coming Return of Christ with His Saints, the Two Witnesses will be visibly noticed by the world as they will be resurrected and ascend into Heaven. “11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them” (Revelation 11:11-12). LORD, may we take encouragement from the resurrection and ascension of Your Two Witnesses that our return with You will be marked by the certainty of Israel’s Great Returning to You. In Jesus’ name, we ask it. Amen and amen. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation [Israel] be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children” (Isaiah 66:8).
We Need A Miracle 
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