Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Are YOU are in THE WILL of God?

YOUR "THANKS-giving" will determine YOUR CHRIST-mas Celebration and PASSED OVER by Satan

THINK "Globally" but ACT "Locally" (New World Order versus Mainstreet)...(CITY-building vs. COMMUNITY-building), (DISPAIR vs. HOPE) (FEAR vs. LOVE)We all PROCLAIM that it is our desire to BE "in THE WILL of God",


When I was a college student, I was certain that whatever I would be doing in the world, it would be something big -- involving nationwide policies, or (this was my real dream) influencing and ultimately bringing peace and justice to the whole entire world. As a youth, I had witnessed poverty, abuse, and injustice on every scale imaginable. My determination for a better life gave me DRIVE and HOPE. My determination to rid the world of the evil I had seen propelled me to not only survive my childhood, but to thrive for "others" sake...who I knew in this GREAT NATION America other children were "caught" also.

I don't remember an awful lot about my childhood, but there are moments that stand out for me which I held onto like a twig in a raging river to keep from drowning. I lived a double life. Monday through Friday at home with my mom, I went to school, and came "home" to a living Hell on Earth with Medusa at the Head of the Household. Then, on the weekends come Friday evening after school let out I was out of there. My mother eager to be rid of me permitted visitation with extended family. Thankfully my grandmother, Aunt Virginia and Uncle Ed would retrieve me where I was introduced to Heaven on Earth as they did the best they could to relieve me from the fiery furnace of trials and tribulations of my week. Calmness on Friday Night, Education on Saturdays and Church on Sundays. My grandmother was quite the spiritual woman, and to sit at her feet in her presense in His presense while she read the Bible to me was my "safe" refuge hidden in the wilderness. Then, when I was with My Uncle Ed and Aunt Virginia...wow. My Aunt was the best cook ever! Fresh food she had canned right from the garden Uncle Ed planted were flavorful luxeries fit for a Queen..

Then, Uncle Ed would let me into his sacred closet after Saturday mornings cutting grass, and working in the Garden-Weed'en and Harvesting. In that closet was years and years of National Geographics. I was amazed at the places I could travel to with the aid of pictures and stories and never have left that closet on Saturdays. Then Sunday would roll around and off we all went to Church...althought I was too young to really remember much of the "lesson" from the pulpit...the greatest lessons I learned were in the "safety" of the presense of The Lord and those in whom He obviously resided. I only remember how they represented the fulfillment of my highest possible aspiration that one day I would also return to stand behind that same podium as a person who had succeeded in making the world a much better place teaching of Love, and Christ in all those places I saw in the pages of The National Geographic Magazines in my youth.

To this end, I began my college studies setting out to major in English and Religion, and dreamed of working for the PEACE CORPS or a Foreign Service and climbing my way up into the upper echelons of international policy makers and shakers. I dreamed of introducing democracy and Christianity to to far away lands. I dreamed of sharing with others what FREEDOM was as I knew the bondage of Monday-Friday, and then FREEDOM on the weekends. I dreamed of making sure no child ever had to go hungry or abused. I dreamed that no child would have to endure the sexually crossed boundaries where innocence was preyed upon for adult pleasure. I dreamed of sharing Love with the world. I dreamed of bringing peace and understanding amongst people all over the world, and to make those people I saw in the National Geographics smile...cause they all looked so sad. I dreamed of teaching sustainable living and gardening where no one would ever have to live in poverty and go to bed hungry at night which no child or adult should ever have to endure. Mostly, I dreamed of representing HOPE for others that no matter how bad life seemed at the moment it will get better.

Despite my sincere desire to save the world, I never managed to move past rhetoric and idealism to meaningful action. In the end, as you might have suspected, my life has followed a very different path from the one I had envisioned for myself. I never finished college. I had to drop out right in the middle..go to work, then return to school, drop out, go to work...then HONOR THY MOTHER came calling. Some of you already know the story of my mom, and her dying, and my Heavenly Father using me to locate her "adopted out " child and leading mom to breaking the bondage the devil had her in all her life and the reason for the HELL I grew up in. So, I won't go there in this post except to say, when HONOR calls..please Answer. For what was the be the biggest challenge of my life, moving through forgiveness and healing through the pain of my mother, I in the end with the compassion and love of God healed her, and she died in my arms at peace, and in love with The Lord.

My own life experience has taught me the wisdom of "Think Globally, Act Locally" approach. Looking back, I now realize the MAGNITUDE of the "smallest" ACT from sitting at my grandmothers feet to my Uncle Ed's closet full of prized years of collecting National Georgraphics that he could have said "No" you can't mess with them. Instead, his one YES...opened up a WORLD of potential for me. The one yes, of the school friend who parents said YES, when you are ready to leave home, you can live with us and finish high school. Those tiny minute ACTS, caused a ripple in the continum of my life...and Christianity has taught me that all ACTS are either building UP people and granting LIBERTY, or they are tearing DOWN people and placing into BONDAGE. All other ACTS are either for providing an "enviroment" which fosters HOPE or threatens DISPAIR. Where LOVE is absent FEAR sets in.

These are the fine lines of living. No one can legislate morality. But what should happen in SOCIETY is just the things I had at times as a child...A SAFE HAVEN, A SAFE REFUGE from "tryanny", and a PLACE where I could grow into THE PERSON GOD intended me to be.

No, I never got to stand behind a pulpit sharing with a body of folks all about God and Christs Love. You see I grew up in a Baptist religion and was told there are no WOMEN preachers...so that dream got shot down very early. Being poor I never got alot of the "opportunities" afforded others. BUT there existed inside this "well-spring" lying dormant until just the right ingredients came long which brought it to the surface and in like manner of the twig of HOPE I held onto as a child, I held on that my VOICE MATTERS. Several years ago I decided to GIVE all my life to Christ to be used, and I began to share my heart and my voice with you gathered here ..one by one you listened. Lately I have decided to move more into the realm of taking Christs spirit and taking my voice and using it politically leading and sharing. For we are to provide a SAFE HAVEN from tyranny, and that is what America is to me, and its time to root out the "ELEMENTS" of EVIL which threaten that. We have a DUTY to VOTE, to get involved. Whether it is our calling to TAKE OFFICE, or not, we have a duty to GET CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLED people whose CALLING it is INTO OFFICE...and to CLEAN HOUSE.

I cannot live someone else's life for them nor can I fix them. I have been Johnny Appleseed many times in my life, mainly to those in emotional pain who truly need assistance to help them try to make some sense out of this world . I have had many wonderful teachers including the man sitting along the side of the street with dirty clothes on. Everyone has a story, talking to them is like opening a book. I have shared a part me with you today.

So these lessons and teachers are handing the baton to you now. All you have to do is pick it up and run with it!

Whatever you want to be, to have, to "become"---be it a harmonious family life, a courageous mindset, more energy to get the job done, passion FOR life, a joyous and carefree existence, loving relationship---whatever! But there are only 2 ways to go---learn on your own, from your own mistakes or learn from others and shorten the learning curve...that has always been my best teacher.

Great men and women rest one hand on the shoulder of the other for SUPPORT with the other stretched out behind "to help" a straggler. Small men and women put all their weight upon the backs of others with both hands out in "entitlement" indifferent to the sufferings and plights of others~concerned ONLY for self...and the relief of their pain.

At any given time, I have one hand resting on the shoulder of another by Grace, and I AM reaching out my hand to you. Take it and I'll do my best to lead you on a journey of self-discovery and growth taking you over or around obstacles and stumbling blocks in the path. Ready? Great! Then...let' begin with the journey and always remember our pact---TRUST IN THE GOD OF THE UNIVERSE...the cues and clues are there for your journey...but KNOW it is YOUR journey YOU must take.UNITED "tightly knit" WE can do all things through Christ who strengthens (in those bit difficult times). Yes, TO DO "righteousness" is a definite determinant of Character and of The Greatest of Virtues next to Love...which is COURAGE in my humble opinion. As I look back over my own life, I can single out the important role that courage played in ALL my struggles, wrestling right and wrong to arrive to a place of righteousness.

The punishment and VENGENCE belongs to Father....yes, get our People OUT of there, and back home in The HOUSE of Israel... Satan soon approaches to set us his "office" in Jerusalem AS The Anti-Christ...and into the fullness of the Captivity we go. BUT...let no your hearts be troubled BE COMFORTED, and KNOW that not one hair on OUR heads shall be harmed, the "1" will become ""232" VERY ELECT, and then when the 7000 hear the TRUTH and say YES, THAT is Truth...."they" COME OUT OF BABYLON, and "become" the VERY ELECT...and then "become" the 144,000 who upon hearing the TRUTH COME OUT. Stay FOCUS Children WE have "a mission" to accomplish. I love each and every one of you whom TRULY Love our LORD, The House Of Israel "ultimately" IS The Fathers, yet HEAD of The HOUSEHOLD, and the Children MUST accomplish what we have been sent to DO "those" ACTS. God SEES!

We look BACK in “Thanksgiving”, we look FORWARD in “Faith” that “Mercy” will bring us into “the promised land” to POSSESS IT.

Be “Thankful” FOR the “good” AND THE BAD.

In Genesis, Joseph “felt” alone when everyone had left him; he said all things have come against me for my Bad. BUT, Paul said In Romans 8:28 “We KNOW that all things work for good for those who love The Lord, who are called according to his purpose

29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30And those he predestined he also called; and those he called he also justified; and those he justified he also glorified.

31 What then shall we say to this? If God is FOR us, who can be against us?

In verse 28, “WE KNOW” (the EMPHASIS is on “The Confidence”) that the GOOD WORK “He” has begun in us WILL “turn out” Justly! BE CONFIDENT! “I am persuaded” (subject) that NO-ONE can separate us. But verse 29 EXPLAINS verse 28. Speaks to “fore-ordination” or “pre-ordination”. I know “some” people have problem with this calling it a “contradiction”. It’s a “mystery” NOT a “contradiction”. It MOLDS us and SHAPES us into WHAT and WHO “He” desires us to be “for His Purpose” in these endtimes.

We must be FOCUSED (mindful) of what IS GOING FOR US… Remind Father of THIS….it’s HIS “promise” instead of (anti) belly-aching and moaning. If we “claim” to be a saint, “of THE ELECT”…then ACT like it!

Father says “I KNOW the plans I have for you”….truth is do we REALLY TRUST that? We all “claim” we want to be in the WILL of God. 1 Thess 5:18 In EVERY thing (subject) GIVE “thanks” (emphasis IS Thanks-giving): for this is THE WILL OF GOD in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Hear me “Saints”- We don’t NEED a “GREAT” faith (and “faith” being the “subject”….We NEED Faith in a GREAT “God”.

We are “faced” DAILY with FREE-WILL “choices” with what we DO with the “trash”(sufferings) in our Life. We can “bag it up” and sit it at the curb “for SOMEONE ELSE” to “deal with it”, we can “recycle” it, “transforming” IT into “something else” manifested “elsewhere”. OR we can DEAL WITH IT and get on our KNEES and repent of our “OWN trespasses” and ASK for “healing” turning it ALL over to Him, and allow the Christ Spirit to “transform” us by the RE-newing of our MINDS (the WAY we “think” becomes ACTION).

The WORD instructs us and Christ IN US “becomes” behavior modification.

In 1 Thess 5, The Saints will know the season of the Second Coming of Christ—Live the way Saints should live—Rejoice evermore—Do NOT despise prophesyings.1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.2 For yourselves know perfectly that the aday of the Lord so cometh as a bthief in the night.3 For when they shall say, Peace and asafety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not bescape.4 But ye, brethren, are not in adarkness, that that bday should overtake you as a thief.5 Ye are all the achildren of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.6 Therefore let us not asleep, as do others; but let us bwatch and be csober.7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.8 But let us, who are of the day, be asober, putting on thebbreastplate of cfaith and love; and for an helmet, the dhope of salvation.9 For God hath not appointed us to awrath, but to obtainbsalvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we shouldalive together with him.11 Wherefore acomfort yourselves together, and bedify one another, even as also ye do.12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which alabouramong you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;13 And to aesteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.And be at bpeace among yourselves.14 Now we exhort you, brethren, awarn them that are bunruly,ccomfort the dfeebleminded, esupport the fweak, be patient toward all men.15 See that none arender bevil for evil unto any cman; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.16 aRejoice evermore.17 aPray without ceasing.18 In every thing give athanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.19 aQuench not the bSpirit.20 Despise not prophesyings.21 aProve all things; hold fast that which is good.22 aAbstain from all bappearance of cevil.23 And the very God of peace asanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.25 Brethren, pray for us.26 Greet all the brethren with an holy akiss.27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Judge not, that ye be not judged, MAT 7:1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Let's begin by directing our attention to Psalms 2:1-3, "Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us." Watch what the Judge of heaven and earth says in V:4, "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision." He is saying they have exceeded their jurisdiction. That is the subject I want to deal with in this message. And as we look out into the chaos ensueing at this very writing wars and rumors of war this is not far-fetched to imagine.

The first area of judging begins with passing judgment upon God and the authority of His Word. Why do the heathen rage and imagine a vain thing? Why do they pass judgment upon the Lord? The kings and rulers take counsel together against WHOM? Against the Lord and His anointed. WHO is His Anointed? The Lord Jesus Christ is His Anointed; the name Christ means Anointed, and taking counsel implies passing judgment.

It's the calm before the storm, troubles ahead, keep your head above water and stay focused. God will be with us and for us, not against us. Come on CHURCH…Its GO TIME! TIME to HIT THE TRAIL like one BIG HAPPY FAMILY (Ekklesia) 2John2

The REFORMATION of The HOUSE of Israel and AMERICA'S DESTINY

THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL SCATTERED INTO "NEW" CANAAN (click pic to enlarge fullscreen)

March 20, 2014 at 10:29am (a post from Notes section on my Facebook Page. Since so many of my NOTES are "mysteriously" disappearing. I am in the process of reposting that Inofrmation Here.)
James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Based on the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which establishes the SOVEREIGNTY of the American PEOPLE "individually" (no-one born "higher in status" irregardless of the silver spoon in your heritage mouth or the surname smith is no different in status than rothchild THOUGH very different in SPIRIT), we are endowed with "the republican form of government." But those who consent may abandon "that form" and embrace another "form" in DECEPTION (and you get caught between The TWO-sided DISTRACTION called Replublican and Democrats....yet BOTH are a "divisions" and DEPARTURE FROM The Republican form of Government. Unquestioning obedience is the hallmark of the New Socialist Man under the benevolent tyranny of the totalitarian police state. Don’t be that American.

As we look at The Bible, and The Declaration of INDEPENDENCE...we can learn a few things that guide us into ACTION. We THE PEOPLE (of the HOUSE of ISRAEL) have a WORK to DO, a DESTINY of FULFILL...Americans United Against Tyrrany.

In Isaiah 49:8-10 The LORD HIMSELF "declares" in HIS Word regarding the RESTORATION of THE HOUSE of Israel.

8 Thus saith the Lord, IN AN ACCEPTABLE TIME have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I WILL preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

9 That thou mayest say to "the prisoners" , Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.

10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them:FOR HE THAT HAS MERCY on them shall (HE SHALL) lead them, even by the springs of water shall HE YHVH "guide them".

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting[1] till his enemies[2] be made his footstool.

Till His enemies be made His footstool? Note the Strong's meaning of the words expecting and enemies.

1 "EXPECTING": 1551. ekdechomai, ek-dekh'-om-ahee; from G1537 and G1209; to accept from some source, i.e. (by impl.) to await:--expect, look (tarry) for, wait (for).2 "ENEMIES": 2190. echthros, ekh-thros'; from a prim. echtho (to hate); hateful (pass. odious, or act. hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (espec. Satan):--enemy, foe.

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting[1] till his enemies[2] be made his footstool.

Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Just as Jesus is waiting for His appointed time, we must wait also. And wait patiently.

Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Who is Jesus?

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

If the Word is God, and if the Word was made flesh, Then God and Jesus must somehow be the same.

John 14:9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?John 10:30 I and my Father are one.

One can see from the above two verses, just who Jesus said He was. He was God in the flesh. If Jesus is God, then the earth is His footstool, as well as God's. Remember, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Heb 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:

Heb 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

What is sometimes under one's feet? A footstool.

Heb 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Made a little lower that the angels? Yeah, made flesh.

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

Is it prophesied in the Old Testament about Jesus going to destroy Satan?

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Gen 3:12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Man's been blaming woman ever since.

Gen 3:13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.

Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed[1] and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Here is the first prophesy in the Bible. It's about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. How Satan would bruise his heels, (nailed on the cross), and that Jesus will bruise his head. Meaning Satan will be destroyed.

[1] 2233. zera', zeh'-rah; from H2232; seed; fig. fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity:-- X carnally, child, fruitful, seed (-time), sowing-time.

Satan have seed? Hey the Serpent is one of Satan's names. See Revelation 12:9, we'll be there shortly.

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children[1]; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

I think we all know what conception means. I want to insert the Strong's definition of children as it is used here. You can see that it not only means children as we commonly know, but note the two words, (anointed one). I thinks this indicates that Jesus Christ, (the anointed one), will come through Eve. I believe Satan was trying to disrupt God's plan for this. Don't think for one minute, that Satan doesn't know God's plan. He's been around a long, long, time.

[1] 1121. ben, bane; from H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of lit. and fig. relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., [like H1, H251, etc.]):-- + afflicted, age, [Ahoh-] [Ammon-] [Hachmon-] [Lev-]ite, anoint or anointed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, [Assyr-] [Babylon-] [Egypt-] [Grec-]ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant[-est], whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

The Greek word for Christ is number 5547. Christos.5547. Christos, khris-tos'; from G5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.

Yep, Jesus is going to destroy the Devil, Satan, that ole Serpent. That wont take place until after the one thousand year reign of Christ.

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Rev 20:9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

Rev 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

Not until this point, will Satan be destroyed. But before that happens, there's lots, that have to take place. Where is Jesus now. We already know from the above verses, Hebrews 10:12 and 13, that He sits at the right hand of the throne of God, and that He, (Jesus), is not going to leave that spot, until, His enemies are made His footstool. When will that take place. Well, we know from Isaiah 66:1 that the earth is God's footstool and that His enemies have to become His footstool, or maybe, be made to become, or come, to His footstool. All flesh will become part of God's footstool when they die and return to dust, but who will be coming to God's footstool that doesn't come through the flesh? That someone, is Satan, and his band of cohorts. Satan is, enemy number one, and his angels, must be enemy number two.ev 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:

The woman here, I believe to be THE HOUSE of Israel (very different than the STATE of Israel "birthed" in 1948)..

Rev 12:2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

She, (Israel), through Mary, brought forth Jesus.

Rev 12:3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.

The dragon is one of Satan's names. It will state that just below, in verse nine.

Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

The first half of this verse, (And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven), takes place in the first earth and heavenly age. The rest takes place in this the second, (or flesh), age. I want to insert some verses from the book of Job that talks of that first earth age. Of a time when all was well. God is really letting Ole Job have it.

Job 38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of "the whirlwind" (no such thing as a UFO...its God's VEHICLE), and said,

Job 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Job had been listening to some of the so called, know it all's, of the day.

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

Job 38:5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?

Job 38:6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

We know from Isaiah 14:12 that Satan, (Lucifer), is one of the morning stars, and that in Revelation 22:16, Jesus is the bright and morning star.

Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer[1] , son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!

[1] 1966. heylel, hay-lale'; from H1984 (in the sense of brightness); the morning-star:--lucifer.

Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Now, we can surely tell, that we're not talking about a time in the flesh age. Here in Revelation 12:4, we have Satan, (Lucifer), trying to, and will succeed at having Jesus crucified. Hey, in that age, they sang together. And we certainly don't read here, about the other sons of God shouting for joy. So there must have been "an age" (dispensation in tme)  before this one (of the flesh).

Was there ever a time before, when Satan sent his troops to this earth, (and did cast them to the earth, Revelation 12:4...and shall again in THIS "age" in Revelation 12:7...hope you understadn THIS IS NOT OUR FIRST RODEO...we have FOUGHT THIS BATTLE BEFORE and this is why many of YOU CAN UNDERSTAND that this "administration" is very evil....and can see the NWO as evil), to try to disrupt the coming of Jesus, (his, enemy number one)? Yes. Remember the sons of God? The casting them to earth was more like casting a fishing line, to catch fish, and not casting them, like a stone.

Gen 6:1 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,

Gen 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

Gen 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

Gen 6:4 There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.

Satan's been busy. These sons of God, (angels), are written about in the book of Jude.

Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

Who is this child, who is to rule with a rod of iron, and was caught up to God, and is going to be there at His right hand until, His enemies are made His footstool? Jesus, after His resurrection, ascended to the Father.

In the next two verses, Jesus is taken up to heaven and is sitting at the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

Luke 22:69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

The next three verses tells when Jesus returns to rule with a rod of iron, but not until His enemies are made His footstool.

Rev 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Rev 19:15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

Rev 19:16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

Remember this word, wilderness.

Now, here comes enemy number one and his cohorts, to earth. This earth age,

Rev 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,

Rev 12:8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

This verse, is where Satan, (enemy number one), is made to come to God's footstool. Not having a choice, like he had in Genesis, or Job. No he's booted out of heaven. Michael is the one that makes Satan come to this earth, (footstool). At God's orders I'm sure.

Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Where has Satan been until this event? In heaven, hanging around Christ, the One he's going to try to imitate when he gets here.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Rev 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

Brought forth? Past tense. Satan is kicked out of heaven after Jesus was born, crucified, and risen to the right hand of God. To stay there, till just a short time after this event. Remember the devil knows he has but a short time. God gets tired of Satan being in heaven and he'll soon get tired of him on His footstool, (good ole planet earth).

Rev 12:14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.

Here's that word wilderness again. Just remember it.

Rev 12:15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.

Rev 12:16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Make war with who? Sounds like God's true saints to me. The ones that remain loyal to Him. But according to some Christians, they're supposed to be gone already. Raptured out of here. Jesus hovering over the earth, I reckon, pulling them up like a vacuum cleaner. But guess what. He's still sitting at the right hand of the Father. But not far very much longer.

Remember the wilderness? The woman, given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness? I believe that woman to be those great saints of God who remain true and untainted by Satan while he is here. And that is just who Satan is after, not the rest of the world. He has them already lured into his plan, (or doctrine). Just like before, in the first earth and heavenly age. He don't give up easy. Like I said before, remember the wilderness?

Rev 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

Rev 17:2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

Rev 17:3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Where did God's people go? The wilderness. Satan's hot on their tail. I don't believe to kill them physically. He'll be trying to convert them to his way. Just like in the world age before, in Revelation 12:4, when he convinced one third of God's children to follow him.

Rev 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

Rev 17:5 And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

Rev 17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

Rev 17:7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

Rev 17:8 The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.

Rev 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.

Rev 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.

Who is it, that has but a short time? Revelation 12:12. The Devil.

Rev 17:11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition.

Satan is, the son of perdition.

Rev 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast.

Rev 17:13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

Rev 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Rev 17:15 And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Rev 17:16 And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Rev 17:17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

Rev 17:18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.

That great city, Mystery Babylon, is the woman, (economic system IMF, globalization, NWO), Satan sends to try and buy the woman in the wilderness.The Devil himself, will be here, tempting those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Has this happened before? Someone in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan? Yes, and that Someone, is how those that are here at that time, make it through. Jesus, (God our Father "in the flesh" BORN AGAIN in the "office" of Messiah Jesus (Yah's SAVIOUR) Christ (The Annointed One), is not going to put His children through anything that He is not willing to do. Here, He shows us how it's done. This happened just AFTER John baptized Jesus.

Mat 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Mat 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.

Mat 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

Mat 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 4:5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

Mat 4:6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Mat 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

Mat 4:8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

Mat 4:9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

What Satan wants, is to be worshipped. Make sure you don't.

Mat 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Don't think Satan wont be coming into the wilderness after you. He most certainly will. Just remember, he has but a short time (only 5 months). Let's look some more verses concerning the wilderness, and how one survives while there.

Exo 16:15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

Exo 16:35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan.

Deu 8:16 Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end;

Exo 17:6 Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Num 20:8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

When just before the end comes, and you find yourself to be one of those in the wilderness, remember the above verses, and how God took care of His people. He will do the same for you. Be assured, that something very much like this, will happen, just before the coming of Christ. Let's look at some verses, that indicate, just that.

1 Cor 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

1 Cor 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

1 Cor 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

1 Cor 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

1 Cor 10:5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

1 Cor 10:6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1 Cor 10:7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

1 Cor 10:8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

1 Cor 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

1 Cor 10:10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

1 Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples[1]: and they are written for our admonition[2], upon whom the ends of the world are come.

[1] 5179. tupos, too'-pos; from G5180; a die (as struck), i.e. (by impl.) a stamp or scar; by anal. a shape, i.e. a statue, (fig.) style or resemblance; spec. a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning):--en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.

[2] 3559. nouthesia, noo-thes-ee'-ah; from G3563 and a der. of G5087; calling attention to, i.e. (by impl.) mild rebuke or warning:--admonition.

1 Cor 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

1 Cor 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Now, back to Revelation.

Rev 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.

Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Rev 18:3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance[1] of her delicacies[2].

[1] 1411. dunamis, doo'-nam-is; from G1410; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

[2] 4764. strenos, stray'-nos; akin to G4731; a "straining", "strenuousness" or "strength", i.e. (fig.) luxury (voluptuousness):--delicacy.

Satan's economic system will, engulf the whole world. I believe it's in operation now, 2006. You can read about his economic system in the first earth age, in Ezekiel chapter 28. There you will find where God sentenced him to death. His economic system there should remind you of the one in this chapter, Revelation 18.

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

My people? God's people still here? Yeah, lot's of those deceived by Satan, will start coming out of his system, when God gives the command to do so. They will start seeing him for what he is, an imposter. That's when the ole Devil will get furious. He'll see his plan starting to come apart.

Satan and his angels are kicked out of heaven in Revelation 12:9. Against his will I'm sure. He is made to come here. To the footstool of God and Jesus Christ. He really takes over the earth, (the footstool). Remember this? "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool". Satan, (enemy number one and his angels are now the footstool. Michael, makes that happen. Jesus can now leave His seat at the right hand of God. But not before Satan, continues for a short time.

Satan will finally do that, which causes Jesus to get up from His seat, and get on with the business of bringing an end to this flesh age. What is this, that Satan will do? God has issued a warning long ago in the Old Testament.

1 Chr 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Psa 105:15 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.

Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.

Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

Remember. Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. Note, not until they have finished their job, is Satan allowed to kill them. Everything in proper sequence, according to God's plan. Those two witnesses are written about in the Old testament.

Zec 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?

Zec 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.

Zec 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

Rev 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

Rev 11:10 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.

Rev 11:11 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.

Rev 11:12 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.

Rev 11:13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.

Rev 11:14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Let's look at some verses in the previous chapter. chapter 10.

Rev 10:1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:

Rev 10:2 And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth,

Rev 10:3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.

Rev 10:4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Rev 10:5 And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven,

Rev 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:

Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Let's go to one more place in God's word. Where we will learn that Jesus cannot, and shall not, return, until after certain things take place.

2 Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2 Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2 Th 2:3 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;

2 Th 2:4 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, showing himself that he is God.

2 Th 2:5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

Jesus is not going to get out of His seat, at the Father's right hand, until, after the above things take place. Not until His enemies are made His footstool. Not even going to greet us in the air, (sky), as some claim. Some might say, well, that's a long time for Jesus to sit there. He took that seat almost two thousand years ago. That's a mighty long time to be sitting in a chair. 2 Pet 3:8 states that one day is with the Lord, as a thousand years, and a thousand years, as one day. Time is something that God created for this flesh age. In heaven there's no time as we know it. So those that are there, can be anywhere at any point in time they want. Just maybe Jesus wont be sitting there no more than fifteen minutes. But one thing for sure, He is there, and waiting for the above things to take place. I want to repeat two verses used earlier in the study.

Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting[1] till his enemies[2] be made his footstool.

Till His enemies be made His footstool? Note the Strong's meaning of the words expecting and enemies.

1 "EXPECTING": 1551. ekdechomai, ek-dekh'-om-ahee; from G1537 and G1209; to accept from some source, i.e. (by impl.) to await:--expect, look (tarry) for, wait (for).2 "ENEMIES": 2190. echthros, ekh-thros'; from a prim. echtho (to hate); hateful (pass. odious, or act. hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (espec. Satan):--enemy, foe.

Heb 10:13 From henceforth expecting, (waiting), till his enemies, (Satan), be made His footstool.

Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they 

shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Just as Jesus is waiting for His appointed time, we must wait also. And wait patiently.


Luke 21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls.

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas and Charity: Just WHO is a "snake",a "cheat", a "thief"?

When John the FORERUNNER to Christ was teaching and PREPARING the WAY for the Lord He called many gatehred there "YOU BROOD OF VIPERS". Here is a sample of John's preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: "You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God's coming judgment? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don't just say, 'We're safe --we're the descendants of Abraham.' Were SAFE WE are CHRISTIANS. That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. 9 Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots.

Yes, EVERY tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire." Many of the "learned" will say John was speaking ONLY to the Kenites (the LITERAL "offspring" of Satan)...but I beg the differ and John makes it CLEAR in the underlined passage above. The SPIRIT that came December 25th to dwell amongst human-kind CAN "change" those WHO BELIEVE in Christ. A Kenite (by dna) CAN "become" A Son of The Most High LORD God IF He or she "repents & CHANGES their ways". In like manner a Son of God , an ADAMIC (by dna) soul CAN become so "against" The SPIRIT of God andlose that relationship and closeness to Christ.

It is for this reason EVEN Christ Himself speaks to those "who CLAIM to be His children" regarding "a Tree and its Fruit"…21"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22"Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.

'Now the READER as well as the crowd gathered listening to Johns preaching speak "What should we do?" 11 John replied, "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, SHARE it with those who are hungry." “You with a second coat in your closet, it does not belong to you. You have stolen it from the poor man who is shivering in the cold.” In all honesty IF THE CHRISTIAN were TRULY being a GOOD STEWARD with the Riches bestowed upon them THEN THERE WOULD BE NO ROOM FOR OBAMA to BRING IN SOCIALISM "taking from the rich and RE-DISTRIBUTING to the needy."

We DONT NEED GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION...WE NEED The Spirit of God to MOVE ACROSS OUR LAND and MOVE IN and through our HEARTS. To move us from our place of complacency and indifference and "GREED"...from a place of BLINDNESS to a newly restored SIGHT!

I've really been thinking on the season of Christmas and its REAL meaning seeing all the "commercialization of it. Thinking about my post earlier on CHARITY, and the many "businesses" whose CEO's KEEP MOST of the monies "donated" and we miss the mark in what CHARITY Christ attempted to teach and expose our self-centeredness. I know I haven’t blogged in a while, and as I mentioned with friends earlier this evening – its because I want to be someone who doesn’tJUST talk about "stuff", but actually DOES it. The world doesn’t need my blog posts or my musings. It needs my ACTIONS. That’s if anything is to change, of course. A few days ago at work, I was told I am "working too hard". slow down and delegate MORE. that is a hard thing for me. I SEE so much that needs attention, and feel a "personal responsibility" to be a MOVER and A SHAKER not a "delegater". Being DISCIPLINED I seek to DO more than TELL or advise to do in the HOPES that I may SET THE STANDARD and BE The Example in ALL I DO.

But, as a disciple of Jesus, I also want to be very sure of the reason I do things. No, I don’t do “good things” to earn God’s approval. And I’m so glad I’ve grown up knowing this. But I can’t help but wonder, what next? What comes after salvation? Surely the Bible doesn’t stop having things to say to me once I’m a Christian?

What is this Day we CELEBRATE called Christmas? What does it actually mean to follow Jesus? To take up my cross, deny myself, and follow Him? Being a disciple of Jesus requires me sacrificing every aspect of my life to his Lordship. Could this possibly mean Jesus has something to say about the way I transport myself around? About the amount of clothes I have sprawled across my floor and piled up in my wardrobe? About the food I eat and where it comes from? The bread which you hold back belongs to the hungry (and I once had a person tell me that the homeless WANT to live that way and this is why they can't donate food and had rather throw it away!); the coat, which you guard in your locked storage-chests, belongs to the naked; the footwear mouldering in your closet belongs to those without shoes.

Naked did you not drop from the womb? Shall you not return again naked to the earth? Where have the things you now possess come from? If you say they just spontaneously appeared, then you are an atheist, not acknowledging the Creator, nor showing any gratitude towards the one who gave them. But if you say that they are from God, declare to us the REASON why you received them. Is God unjust, who divided to us the things of this life unequally? Why are you wealthy while that other man is poor? Is it, perhaps, in order that you may receive wages for "kindheartedness and faithful" STEWARDSHIP, and in order that he may be honored with great prizes for his endurance? But, as for you, when you hoard all these things in the insatiable bosom of GREED, do you truly suppose you do no wrong in "cheating" so many people?

Who is a man of greed? SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT REST CONTENT WITH WHAT IS SUFFICIENT! Who is a "snake" AND A "THIEF"? SOMEONE WHO TAKES AWAY WHAT BELONGS TO OTHERS! And are you not a man of greed? are you not a cheat, a snake a thief? In taking those things which you received for THE SAKE OF STEWARDSHIP, and making "them" YOUR very own? Now, someone who takes a man who is clothed and renders him naked would be termed a robber; but when someone fails to clothe the naked, while he is able to do this, is such a man deserving of any other appellation?

This is where Christianity becomes more than hypothetical chit chat, and push comes to shove.

God has been shaking things up in my life, and I gotta say – its not coming easy. Its not comfortable. As I write this post I’ve got a few main texts buzzing around in my head at the moment –Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5 – 7), and James 5, Romans 2 along with Leviticus.

While we might label Phil Robertsons GQ interview quotes as radical and extremist, you won’t get through much of the Bible without encountering similar sentiments. In Luke 3, John the Baptist tells us that “If we have two tunics, we should share with him who has none”. Jesus has more to say on the subject. He tells us “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth”… “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions”, and of course, the infamous convo with the rich young man in Matt 19, Mark 10 and Luke 18 (quickly becoming the most frustrating passages in the Bible at the moment for me !)

I have done nowhere near enough reading or research to talk about at deep Jesus and the rich young man’s interaction. But there are a few things that strike me – namely our reaction to passages like this. We talk ourselves out of it. Our first reactions, as middle (upper, really) class Westerners is extremely defensive. “You need to remember context” “But Jesus didn’t tell everyone to give their stuff away to the poor” “This just means we need to make sure Jesus is more important to us than our stuff… and maybe be prepared to make a few sacrifices along the way”

And yes, its true. We do need to remember context when reading the Bible!!!! As my high school bible study leader Lisa always reminded me, the Old Testament contains some very specific rules about mildew and cleaning mildew out of our houses… that Christians obviously aren’t following today and this is a good and fine thing! And yes, its true, not everyone Jesus interacts with gets told to give away all their stuff.

But why are our first reactions defensive? Why do we try and rationalize what Jesus says? Are we happy settling for the watered down version of Christianity? I like my stuff. And its just awkward that Jesus isn’t so keen on it. And as quickly we can, we talk ourselves out of the passage holding any meaning to our lives, and move onto the next chapter of the Bible that might not be as hard to swallow. Or like the young man, we may walk away sad, because we are people of great wealth.

But, friends – I don’t want to live my life like this anymore. Why? Because Jesus offers better. After instructing the rich young man to sell his possessions and give all he has to the poor — its important to remember what he says next. He says “then you will have treasures in heaven”. Treasures that don’t fade, rust … treasures that no one can steal from us. Oh friends, if only we knew deep down that Jesus isn’t calling us to an impoverished life but the richest life possible – now and forever – freed from our possessions and free to follow Jesus with all of who we are, whatever that may mean.

Read James 5 lately? I read it a few weeks ago and haven’t been able to shake it from my mind. Check it out –

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.”

Now, I still have a long way to go on the journey of obedience and simplicity – although allow to share with you where I’m currently at. This passage embarrasses me. I have lived my life in luxury and self indulgence. Have any of you worked out your ecological footprint? It would take two worlds to support the world’s population if everyone lived like I did. I’ve taken more than my share, more than what has been given to me.

I also own many possessions that have not been properly paid for – the makers of my sweat shop clothing have gone hungry and been treated inhumanely. Sure, I got it cheap but at what expense? I’ve started to take a few small steps –

This year, I’m not going to buy any clothing unless its fair trade, or second hand. As well as this, for every item of clothing I buy, I will need to give an item away.

Reckon you could join me? Who’s keen to start being a disciple of Jesus and allowing Him to rule over every aspect of our lives? Who’s ready to show the world our faith, by what we do? (James 2)

My head hurts – think thats gonna have to be it for tonight!

Would love to continue the conversation, either through comments or in real life…

(learning to be) simply, Tee.