|
 We
Must Live
with
ETERNITY IN MIND
What
does the Bible say?
"For
unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the
government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be
called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of
the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,
upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and
to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth
even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform
this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)
In
Christianity,
the term eternal
life traditionally refers to continued life after death, as
outlined in Christian
eschatology.
WE
MUST LIVE WITH ETERNITY ON OUR MIND
 Matthew
7:13 -
(kjv) - Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,
that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
God
is eternal and infinite. He does not think with a finite
mind as we do! His thoughts and actions reflect His
omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence and eternalness!
God's
plans and purposes for this universe and all of us, were
formulated in His mind before He created the foundations of
the world. Eternity in heaven or hell has already been
determined.
God
cannot make a mistake, lie or be wrong in His intentions of deeds,
for God is totally righteous, all knowing and all wise.
EVERYTHING
GOD DOES IS FOR ETERNITY
God
knows the future and sees the pitfalls and snares that await our
stumbling feet. And God helps us, protects us from the
devil, protects us from the world and from ourselves.
WHY
ARE WE SO IMPORTANT TO GOD?
Firstly, we
were made in God's image. Secondly, Jesus personally died
for our sins and finally, through the new birth, we are a part of
Him - his body.
What
does the word eternity mean?
Eternity means
forever and ever, without end. The words, "there shall
be no end" and "forever", show the eternal purposes
of God in the birth of Christ. THE INCARNATION WAS SERIOUS
STUFF. Eternity is serious stuff.
The
moment, of God the Son - wrapping Himself in human flesh - coming
down to earth to save us. All this was deliberately and
perfectly timed and executed.
"But
when the fullness of time was come, God sent His Son, made of a
woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law,
that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Galatians
4:4-5)
Jesus
coming to earth to die for our sins wasn't an after thought or a
fill-in. The decision to send King Messiah to this earth,
was communicated to Satan - the adversary - immediately after Adam
and Eve's tragic fall.
"And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed
and her seed; it shall bruise thy head and thou shall bruise His
heel." (Genesis 3:15)
Here,
God promises a "virgin born" savior (her seed), Who
would conquer Satan through His substitutionary death. In
the process, the Savior would suffer a minor wound (bruise His
heel), and Satan would be totally defeated (bruise his head).
JESUS
DIED ON THE CROSS - With Eternity in Mind
Although
Jesus suffered more than any man, was wounded and marred for our
total salvation, it was minor because He laid down His life of His
own free will. (John 10:15-18)
SATAN
HAD NO POWER OVER JESUS
Satan
could not take it from Him! And Jesus arose again on the
third day, destroying Satan and his power over us.
"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;" (Hebrews 2:14)
FROM
THE INCARNATION TO THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST, AND
THROUGHOUT THE 'GOSPEL AGE', GOD HAS CONTINUED THE EXECUTION OF
HIS ETERNAL WILL, THROUGH HIS CHURCH, THE CALLED-OUT-ONES)
WE
MUST THINK OF THE FUTURE AND PREPARE
OURSELVES FOR ETERNITY
This
is why it is so important that we live with "eternity in
mind". All our plans and goals should reflect this mind
set, in our relationships to God, the Church - His body - and the
world! We must think of the future, of eternity and prepare
ourselves for eternity, and eternal life with Jesus Christ.
Let
us study the Word of God, pray, witness and give joyfully, to help
build His eternal Kingdom.
Jesus
said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom
of God. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born
again." (John 3:3,7)
The
Bible makes it clear that, "He who hath the Son hath
everlasting life: and he who believeth not the Son shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36)
That
means that all those who do not personally know Jesus Christ, must
receive Him as Savior and Lord in order to be saved and to be in
Heaven with Christ for eternity.
THERE
IS A REAL HEAVEN & A REAL HELL
St.
John emphasized: "If we receive the witness of men, the
witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He
hath testified of His Son. He that believeth on the Son of
God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God
hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God
gave His Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to
us eternal life, and this life is in His son. He that hath
the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God, hath not
life. These things have I written unto you that believe on
the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal
life, and that ye may believe in the name of the Son of God."
(I John 5:9-13)
HERE
IS THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH - All who reject Jesus Christ and refuse
to receive Him as Lord & Savior are calling Almighty God a
LIAR, "because he believeth not the record that God gave of
His Son." (verse 10)
Do
you think for one moment that anyone will escape the judgment of
God when they reject Jesus Christ - His gift to the world - and
call Him a liar?
That's
serious stuff, since He is the judge of the entire world!
How do you think an earthly judge would react if someone in his
courtroom called him "a liar"? He would
immediately be guilty of 'contempt of court' of worse.
St.
Paul puts it all in perspective when he says, "For if the
word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we
escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began
to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that
heard him." (Hebrews 2:2-3)
ETERNITY
IS REAL - ETERNITY IS FOREVER
In
the Apocalypse, St. John warns: "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. And I saw a great white throne,
and Him that sat on it, from Whose face the earth and the heaven
fled away; and there was found no place for them.
"And
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books
were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of
life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works."
"And
the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell
delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged
every man according to their works. And death and hell were
cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast
into the lake of fire." (Rev. 20:10-15)
HERE
IS THE GOOD NEWS! Jesus
invites, "Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28)
"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)
MAY
THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE LOVE OF GOD THE FATHER AND
THE FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH US ALL,
BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE. Amen,
WHY
WAS
JESUS CHRIST BORN?
Jesus Christ was born to to
destroy the works of the devil
by:
Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
Sin,
however, was in the world because Satan (the devil). The
devil, who is the father of sin and death, had been cast out of
Heaven and is called the 'Prince of the power of the air', as well
as the 'god of this world'. (Ephesians 2:2; 2
Corinthians 4:4)
The
devil had caused previous disruption and chaos. (Genesis 1:2;
Ezekiel 28:13-19; Isaiah 14:12-17).
Because
of Satan (the devils) rebellion and hatred for God, he had
cunningly planned his strategy by tempting Eve, with the Tree of
Life, in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3:1-6; Job 1:8-22;
Job 2:1-8)
GOD
CALLED ADAM WHERE ART THOU?
The
great transgression had been made by Adam & Eve. Now,
for the moment of truth. How would Adam & Eve feel?
Would they now be wise as God, as Satan (the devil) had promised
them? Was the rebellion and disobedience towards God worth
it? No - a thousand times NO.
Adam
& Eve's eyes were opened. But, what did they see?
Adam & Eve saw their own vulnerability, stupidity, weaknesses,
sin and nakedness. Fear stalked and filled their souls.
They had never felt fear before sin entered their lives.
They realized they were naked, vulnerable and inadequate.
Now, they realized they must face the music, and meet God alone.
But
where was Satan (the devil)? Where was the evil one who had
been their wise tempter such a short time ago?
Of
course, the devil was gone, to gloat over his victory. I'm
sure that the devil, the liar and deceiver was not far away,
probably hiding behind a tree, excitedly waiting to see the
inevitable outcome of their sin. The inevitable outcome, the
separation, dis-fellowshipping of God and His special creation,
man.
THE
DEVIL REJOICED OVER ADAM & EVE'S FEAR & TERROR
Evil
satisfaction filled the devil's heart as he observed Adam &
Eve's plight, their complete confusion, perplexity, fear and
terror.
Adam
& Eve heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in
the cool of the day. God said, "Adam, where art thou?
ADAM, WHERE ART THOU?"
As
God called Adam that day, He is still calling you and me.
"John, where are you? Mary, where are you?"
Adam
answered, "We are hiding, we are naked, we are afraid"!
God questioned, "Who told you that you were naked? You
were clothed with My glory. Have you eaten of the fruit that
I forbad you"?
Adam
gave a typical answer from a typical sinner! Adam said,
"The woman you gave me, she gave me of the fruit. It is
Eve's fault, she gave me the forbidden fruit and it's really Your
fault, Lord, because You gave me the woman".
EVERYONE
LIKES TO PASS THE BLAME TO SOMEONE ELSE
It
seems normal for people to justify themselves. It's much
easier to pass the buck, or to blame someone else rather than take
the blame, saying, "I made a mistake, I am wrong, please
forgive me."
It's
similar to the preacher who enjoyed portraying woman in a negative
way. One Sunday morning as he was preaching on 'The Fall of
Man', he vigorously attacked Eve. If Eve, the weaker vessel,
hadn't fallen, the world wouldn't be in the mess it's now in.
The preacher nailed Jezebel and Delilah. "Women are the
ruination of many good men", he shouted.
At
the close of the service, the minister stood at the door shaking
hands. Some complimented him on a wonderful sermon, while
others were glad to get out the door.
A
tall lady shook his hand and she wasn't smiling. She
squeezed his hand until he said, "Woman, you are hurting
me". She looked him square in the eye and asked,
"Pastor, what is the telephone number of the Garden of
Eden"?
He
answered, "I don't know what you are talking about".
She squeezed his hand again until he said, "Ouch".
She spoke again, "Pastor, do you know the telephone number of
the Garden of Eden"? He answered, "Woman, I do not
and by the way you are hurting me." She said,
"Well, I know the telephone number of the Garden of Eden.
It's Adam 8-1-2", and she let go of his hand and left.
Adam
ate one too! Eve wasn't the only one to blame. Adam
also disobeyed God, but really the blame goes into further -
straight to the evil one, the devil (Satan).
THE
DEVIL IS TO BLAME
God
didn't argue with Adam. He turned to Eve and said, "Woman,
what is this that thou hast done?" Eve made more
sense than her husband. She put the blame where it belong.
"The serpent beguiled me and I did eat."
I
agree with Eve. Satan (the devil) is the culprit. The
devil is to blame for all the sin, fear, heartbreak, divorce,
alcoholism, drug addiction and juvenile delinquency. He is
the architect of all that is evil, wicked and destructive.
Riots, anarchy, thievery, murder, sickness, disease and war are
the outcroppings and results of his plans, goals, purposes and
seduction.
SATAN
(the devil) IS TO BLAME. Shout it loud and clear - the devil
is the troublemaker.
JESUS
CALLED THE DEVIL A LAIR & MURDERER
Jesus
called him a liar, deceiver, murdered and thief. (John 8:44;
John 10:10) Our Lord said, "The thief cometh not for
to steal, kill and destroy. I am come that they might have
life and more abundantly." (John 10:10)
YES
- THE DEVIL IS TO BLAME FOR ALL SIN
God
said, "THE SEED OF THE WOMAN SHALL BRUISE THE SERPENT'S
HEAD."
Almighty
God called out "Because thou hast done this, cursed art
thou among all the beasts of the field. Upon thy belly shalt
thou go all the days of thy life..." (Genesis 3:14-15)
It
is noteworthy that some scientists believe that at one time
serpents and snakes walked upright and didn't crawl on their
bellies as today.
"And
I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed
(the wicked) and her seed (the righteous). It (Jesus, the
seed of the woman) shall bruise thy head..."
JESUS
DEFEATED THE DEVIL WITH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS
On
Golgotha's Hill, Jesus defeated the devil. When Jesus paid
the supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world, and rose again
from the dead. He had delivered the death blow to Satan.
When
Jesus cried, "It is finished", He had defeated Satan
(the devil) and since that very hour the blood of Jesus Christ
washes away all the sins of the repentant sinner, and His stripes
bring healing to the believing, sick person..
The
Bible says, "He (Jesus) was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the
chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and by His stripes we are
healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
WHY
DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?
The
Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him should not
perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son
into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through
Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17) Hallelujah.
The
Bible says: "Neither is there salvation through any other,
for there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby
you may be saved, but by the Name of Jesus"! (Acts 4:12) "There
is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus."
(1 Timothy 2:5)
JESUS
CAME THAT WE MIGHT HAVE LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am come that they might have life and have it
more abundantly." (John 10:10) And St. John
stated: "For this purpose was the Son of God manifested
that He might destroy the works of the devil". (1 John
3:8) The Scripture says, "When the even was come,
they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and He
cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17)
WHAT
DID ISAIAH PROPHESY?
Hear
it and hear it well: "But He was wounded for our
transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The
chastisement of our peace was upon Him (Jesus) and by His stripes
we are healed."! (Isaiah 53:5)
The
Bible says, "Who His own self (Jesus) bare our sins in His
own body on the tree (cross) that we, being dead to sins should
live unto righteousness, by Whose stripes ye were (at the cross)
healed"! (1 Peter 2:24) "He that believeth
on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the
Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
(John 3:36)
THERE
IS ONLY ONE WAY - JESUS CHRIST IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH & THE
LIFE
Jesus
said, "I am the way, the truth and the life and no man
cometh unto the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)
Again our blessed Saviour said, "I am the door, by
Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..." (John 10:9)
Again He said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are
heavy laden and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
WHY
DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE?
The
Bible says, "Without the shedding of blood there is no
remission for sins." (Hebrews 9:22) "It is
the blood that maketh atonement for the soul." (Leviticus
17:11) Again, "The soul that sinneth it shall surely
die." (Ezekiel 18:20)
In
Old Testament times, an animal - without spot or blemish - would
be sacrificed, spilling his blood. (Atonement means
"covering") AS THE LAMB DIED ON THE ALTER IN THE
TEMPLE, JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, DIED ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR THE
SINS OF THE WORLD.
The
Scripture says, "If we walk in the light as He is in the
light we have fellowship one with the other, and the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." (John
1:7)
Jesus
is the Lamb of God, Who was slain for our sins! "One
of the elders saith unto me, weep not: behold the Lion of the
tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the
book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld,
and, lo, in the midst of the throne...stood a lamb as it had been
slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven
Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
And
He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat
upon the throne. And when He had taken the book, the four
beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb,
having every one of them harps and golden vials full of odors,
which are the prayers of saints."
"And
they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book,
and to open the seals thereof: for thou was slain, and hast
redeemed us to God by thy blood of every kindred, and tongue, and
people, and nation;....Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour,
and glory, and blessing."
"And
every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard
I saying, Blessing, and honour, and power, be unto him that
sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and
ever." (Revelation
5:5-13)
JESUS
SPOILED SATAN'S KINGDOM
The
Bible says, "And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him,
having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting
of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross, and having
spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly,
triumphing over them in it." (Colossians 2:12-15) Oh,
Praise God.
We
serve a risen Saviour, he's in the world today. I know
that
He is living, whatever men may say...
I see His hand of mercy....I hear His voice of cheer....And just
the time I need Him....He's always near.
He
lives....He lives...Christ Jesus lives today.
He walks with me and talks with me, along life's narrow way.
He
lives...He lives....Salvation to impart....
You ask me how I know He lives....He lives...within my heart.
What
power! What might! What strength, and what great
ability Jesus has. St. Paul brings it out so graphically in
his epistles. Drink in these truth and be set free and
filled with all knowledge, joy and Holy Ghost power.
The
eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know
what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of glory of
His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness
of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of
His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when he raised Him
from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly
places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and
dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world,
but also in that which is to come. And hath put all things
under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the
church."
(Ephesians 1:18-22)
The
Bible says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us." (Ephesians 3:20)
St.
Paul writes, "Who (God) hath delivered us from the power
of darkness (Satan) and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His
dear Son (Jesus Christ) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS
BLOOD, even the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13)
In
referring to Jesus, John the Baptist made the startling statement,
"Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away from the sins of
the world." (John 1:29) To this agree the angel's
words to Joseph, "Ye shall call His name Jesus (Salvation)
for He shall save (salvage) His people from their sins." (Matthew
1:21)
"Let
this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in
the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but
made himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a
servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in
fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto
death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore
God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name is above
every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of
things in heaven and in earth, and things under the earth; and
that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father." (Philippians
2:5-11)
THIS
DAY IS THE SCRIPTURE FULFILLED
The
book of Isaiah is called the "Gospel of the Old
Testament". The 53rd chapter prophecies the death of
Messiah Who would bring forgiveness and healing to His people.
Isaiah 7:14 speaks of His virgin birth; Isaiah 9:6 speaks of His
Kingship and the fact that He is very God; Isaiah 28:11-12
foretells the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the end-time phenomena
of glossalalia, or "speaking with other tongues" as a
gift of God to bring stability, rest and peaceful strength to the
Church in times of pressure and tension. Isaiah 61:1-3
prophecies the Gospel Age of His salvation with forgiveness,
healing, deliverance and joy!
"And
he came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His
custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and
stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the
book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book,
He found the place where it was written,
"The
Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because he hath anointed Me to
preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, the
recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord."
"And
He closed the book, and He gave it again to the minister and sat
down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue
were fastened on Him. And He began to say unto them, This
day is the scripture fulfilled in your ears." (Luke
4:16--21)
Jesus
entered the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the
Prophet. He ended the reading by saying, "This day
is this scripture fulfilled in your ears". He declared
Himself the Son of God and Jewish Messiah by those words.
The
year of Jubilee could not begin until first the Great Day of
Atonement had taken place. He would die on the cross like
the lambs died on the alters of Jerusalem because He is the Lamb
of God which taketh away the sins of the world." (John 1:29)
He
would fulfill the Old Testament 'Great Day of Atonement' when the
high priest entered into the Holy of holies with the blood of the
sacrificial animal. Jesus was not only the sacrifice but
also the high priest Who carried His own blood into the Holy of
holies in Heaven itself. (Hebrews 9:11-14)
The
scapegoat (Leviticus 16:7-21) is also a type of Jesus carrying
away our sins. He is our substitute! Every 50th year
Israel celebrated the 'fear of Jubilee' when all the prisoners and
slaves were freed and debts were forgiven. This is a picture
of the Gospel Age when everyone is set free by the blood of Christ
and His everlasting Gospel! THEY WERE OFFENDED IN HIM.
My
dear friend, Let me admonish you to receive him into your heart
and life as your Lord, Saviour, Redeemer, Healer, Baptizer and
King.
JESUS
CAME TO SEEK & SAVE THE LOST
Jesus
said, "I am come to seek and save that which was
lost." (Luke 19:10) You are included in that number, for "All
have sinned and come short of the glory of God". (Romans
3:23) You say, 'I cannot live a Christian life in my own
strength'!
You
are absolutely right. You can't do it in your own power, but
He will change you and give you the power to live for Him.
The
Bible say: "He came unto His own, and His own received Him
not. But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to
become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His
name." (John 1:11-12)
Jesus
promised, "Ye shall receive power after that the Holy
Ghost is come upon you...." (Acts 1:8) Finally Jesus
said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."
(Hebrews 13:5) "...and lo I am with you always, even unto
the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)
WHAT MUST
I DO TO BE SAVED?
Jesus
said, "Come unto Me all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Yes,
my dear friend, God is still in the business of setting men and
women free from their sins, sorrows, heartbreaks, fears and
troubles. In this age of frustrations, nervous tensions and
mental collapses, Jesus Christ is still granting peace to the
troubled, joy to the discouraged, strength to the weary and
healing to the sick!
 1
- You MUST admit that you are a sinner
The
Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of
God”. (Rom. 3:23) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the
iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
2
- You
MUST believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that Jesus died
on the cross, was buried and rose again from the dead.
“That
whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal
life. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already.” (John 3:15,18) “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on
Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)
3
- You
MUST repent of your sins
The
Bible says, “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.” (Lu.13:3) “Let the wicked forsake his way and the
unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord,
and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will
abundantly pardon”. (Isaiah 55:7)
4
- You MUST receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour
The
Bible says: “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)
“Behold,
I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open
the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he
with Me.” (Rev. 3:20) “He that hath the Son hath life: and he
that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)
5
- You MUST confess Jesus Christ as your LORD
The
Bible says: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord
Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation”. (Romans 10:9-10)
“…Whosoever
shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man confess
before the angels of God: But he that denieth Me before men shall
be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8, 9)
HOW
DO I INVITE
JESUS CHRIST INTO MY LIFE?
Pray
to God, a prayer - from your heart.
Tell Him that you
are a sinner and that you need forgiveness. Tell him that
you believe Jesus Christ died for your sins. Tell him that
you are willing to change, to turn away from sin. Ask Jesus
Christ to come into your heart and life and be your personal
Saviour.
"But
as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons
of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
"Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are
passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2
Corinthians 5:17)
If
you prayed and ask Jesus Christ into your heart - YOU HAVE NOW
RECEIVED THE GIFT OF SALVATION - YOU HAVE BECOME A CHILD OF GOD.
God Bless You.
 4
SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF
THE END TIMES
What
does the Bible say?
by: Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
There
are four significant signs that show us where we stand today in
relation to then end times and our Lord’s soon return, namely:
 The
Sick Condition of our Planet
The
Sick Condition of the World
The
Sick Condition of Israel
The
Sick Condition of the Church
SIGN
#1 - THE SICK CONDITION OF OUR PLANET
Mankind
is groaning under the terrible weight of sin and condemnation.
Satan - the enemy of God and man - has bound the human race with
shackles of rebellion, unbelief, fear, torment, lust, greed,
hatred and perversion! It was Adam’s acquiescence to the Evil
One’s lying temptation that brought sickness and death
(spiritual and physical) upon the human race.
The
Bible states: “For the earnest expectation of the creature
waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the
creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason
of Him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the
creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in
pain together until now.
“And
not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of
the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for
the adoption, to wit (that is to say), the redemption of our
body.” (Romans 8:19-23)
People
everywhere are waiting for the ‘MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF
GOD’! What does that mean? Six billion people are
looking for an escape from the emptiness, fear, torment, sickness
and bondage in which they live.
THE
ENTIRE WORLD IS WAITING FOR US - GOD’S CHILDREN TO BE SO FILLED
WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT WE CAN FREE THEM FROM THE TYRANNY AND
LIES OF THE DEVIL AND HIS EMISSARIES.
Don’t
believe for a moment, that the millions lost in sin and bound by
evil spirits of occultism, superstition, false religion, satanic
oppression and sexual perversion are happy in that state! No
one enjoys being in slavery to witchcraft, fear, torment and evil
spirits.
Oh,
some are sufficiently deceived to live in a fool’s paradise
having convinced themselves that everything is A-Okay, but the
opposite is true. If everything is all right, why do so many
rock musicians die of drug overdoses and commit suicide? Why
do many Hollywood stars die of alcoholism, suicide and drug
overdoses? And why do wealthy, successful people - who
seem to have everything going for them - take their own lives?
The
Bible says, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it
cannot rest, bringing forth mire and dirt. There is no peace saith
my God to the wicked”. (Isaiah 57:20-21)
Our
enemy is not flesh and blood, but Satan himself and all his demons
that tempt, deceive, coerce, inhibit, afflict, torment, steal and
kill! Our battle is with the devil - not with human
beings, however he does use people to do his bidding! The
devil must have his emissaries & ministers, to do his evil
work.
And
what of the Hindu extremists constantly fighting the Muslims in
India and the Seiks battling the Hindus? And the (political)
ungodly Roman Catholic IRA killing the (political)
‘Christian-in-name-only’ Protestants and vice versa?
And
if the pagan are so happy in their religious life, why are there
so many ‘holy jihads’? Two examples: Muslim Iran against
Muslim Iraq in a seven year war that saw one million men die, and
at present Islamic extremists terrorizing and butchering hundreds
of their own people in Algeria?
THEY
DO NOT KNOW GOD and have not been changed by His mighty power.
Anyone who has been converted to Christ, being born again by the
Word of God and the Holy Spirit, would certainly not be waging
‘holy wars’ against their fellowmen. The only warfare
that we are commanded to fight is the ‘Good Fight of
Faith’"
HOW
DO WE FIGHT THE DEVIL?
The
Bible says, “Satan, your adversary, goeth about like a roaring
lion, seeking who he may devour, whom resist in the faith...” (1
Peter 5:9) We resist him by serving Jesus to the best of our
ability; by living a holy and righteous life, preaching the gospel
of Jesus Christ, healing the sick and casting our devils!
The
Scripture says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity
every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians
10:4-5)
In
our search for more land to conquer, new technologies to improve
our living standards, and the pursuit or more wealth, man has
engaged in wars, enslavement, violence and pollution which has
raped our environment, land, water and air.
Our
Planet is groaning under the terrible weight of the awful harvest
of mankind’s sins of rebellion, greed, hatred, violence and
slavery!
In
the beginning, after the fall of our first parents, THE ENTIRE
HUMAN RACE was plunged into sin, fear, sickness & death! God
immediately placed a curse upon the earth - “And unto Adam He
said, Because thou hast harkened unto the voice of thy wife, and
hast eaten of the tree of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou
shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow
shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life”. (Genesis 3:17)
OUR
PLANET is struggling to stay alive and is groaning under this
burden! The ‘second law of thermodynamics’ began after the
fall and continues today with aging, deterioration and decay. Only
the return of Jesus Christ will salvage the earth. Mankind will
not be allowed to destroy the earth, but will be punished for
defiling and polluting it, as is prophesied in the last book of
the Bible.
THE
BIBLE SAYS, “And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come,
and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that
Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to
the saints, and them that fear Thy name, small and great; And
shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.” (Revelation
11:18)
God
will have the last word and will judge polluters! If you want a
good example of this, look at the former Soviet Union which
polluted the land, sea and air and after raping the environment,
ended up totally bankrupt.
JESUS
CHRIST MUST RETURN IN ORDER TO SAVE US FROM OUR OWN DESTRUCTIONS,
SO THAT HE CAN REIGN ON THIS EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS OF PEACE AND
PROSPERITY.
Believers
in Jesus Christ, like St. Paul, are waiting for the moment when we
can be free from the limitations of our weak, carnal flesh and to
be glorified (in the next life) to forever be in Heaven with Jesus
Christ and all the redeemed from all ages! WE WILL THEN RECEIVE A
RESURRECTED BODY WITHOUT THE LIMITATIONS WE HAVE TODAY.
The
Bible says, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have
the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within
ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit (that is to say), the
redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23)
Eternity
will be a joyful time of peace and glory as we live eternally in
Heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ and all the redeemed from every
nation, tongue and people of all ages"
“And
I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the
voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings,
saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be
glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready."
“And
to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean
and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And
he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto
the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are
the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:6-9)
SIGN
#2 - THE SICK CONDITION OF THE WORLD
The
Bible says, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in
the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the
Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the
lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for
ever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
These
are Satan’s three knockout-punches which he uses to tempt the
“children of men”, namely: 1) the lust of the eyes 2) the
lust of the flesh and 3) the pride of life.
Satan
used these three temptations on Eve with great success. “And
when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the
flesh), and that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of th eyes),
and a tree to be desired to make one wise (the pride of life), she
took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat.” (Gen. 3:6)
King
David fell under this temptation also: He saw a beautiful woman
taking a bath in the privacy of her garden (the lust of the eyes).
He desired her and sent for her, committing adultery (the lust of
the flesh). HE FELL AFTER ONLY TWO STRIKES
JESUS
DEFEATED HIM TOTALLY
It
was a different story when Satan used his time-tested strategy on
our Lord Jesus Christ. He withstood the temptation and defeated
the devil each time he came with a new “trick up his
sleeve".
After
Jesus had fasted 40 days, Satan said to Him: “Command that these
stones be made bread.” (the lust of the flesh) Jesus answered,
“It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
The
devil tried again: “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. (the pride of
life) Jesus answered, “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt
the Lord thy God.” IN OTHER WORDS, GOD DOESN’T CLOWN FOR
ANYBODY.
Finally,
Satan showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of
time and said: “All these things will I give thee (pride of
life), if thou wilt fall down and worship me.” WHAT A
DESPICABLE, ARROGANT, EGOTIST SATAN IS! Jesus rebuffed him
immediately with the Word of God saying, “Get thee hence, Satan
(enemy): for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God,
and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt. 4:1-11)
SATAN
HAD TO LEAVE HIM, THEN
The
Bible affirms that Satan is “the god of this world” and “the
spirit which now worketh in the children of the disobedience”.
(John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2) He is the world’s greatest liar and
the father of lies and a murderer extra-ordinaire (John 8:44))
The
whole world lies in the lap of the wicked one (1 John 5:19) and he
“goeth about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”
(1 Peter 5:8). We however, can “resist him in the faith and he
will flee from us”. (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7)
The
Bible records that Demos was swayed by the bright lights of
Thessalonica and forsook Paul, “having loved this present
world” (2 Timothy 4:10). And St. John commends the young men in
the Church for overcoming the wicked one! (1 John 2:13)
ST.
PAUL WARNED OF THE TOTAL DETERIORATION OF MORALITY, DECENCY AND
FAIRNESS IN THE LAST DAYS. DECADENCE & PERVERSION WILL RULE
JUST PRIOR TO OUR LORD’S RETURN, STATED THE APOSTLE! AS WE READ
THE PROPHECY WE FEEL SADDENED BY THE RESEMBLANCE OF OUR PRESENT
AGE TO THE PROPHETIC WORD OF GOD.
“This
know also, that IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME. For
men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters,
proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.
“Traitors,
heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
“Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that IN THE LATTER TIMES SOME SHALL
DEPART FROM THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils;” (1 Timothy 4:1) “And have no fellowship
with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of
them in secret.” (Ephesians 5:11-12) “Brethren, be
followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have
us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the
cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly
things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians
3:17-20)
Interjected
among the reports of hypocrisy, backsliding & gross moral
evils, St. Paul interjects the Blessed Hope of the Return of Jesus
Christ.
“For
our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ."
Our
thoughts, actions, prayers, plans, goals and complete agenda here,
is tied to Heaven’s plans, purposes and desires. We belong to
His heavenly kingdom and labour first and foremost for Christ.
Why
is this so important? Only our Blessed Jesus Christ has the
mandate, power & desire to straighten out this wicked world.
Therefore we wait for Him to come.
PERVERSION
VYING FOR RESPECTABILITY
Jesus
prophesied that the time will come, “that whosoever killeth you
will think that he doeth God service”. (John 16:2)
And
the prophet stated, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good
evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that
put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are
wise in their own eyes...Which justify the wicked for reward, and
take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!” (Is.
5:20-23)
St.
Paul expounded, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them
that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and
ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-5)
That
this WORLD IS EVIL AND PERVERTED is no secret! The world
system that despises that which is good and glorifies that which
is EVIL is a product of Satanic invention, since he is the “god
of this world”.
Again
Paul declares that Jesus Christ “gave Himself for our sins, that
He might deliver us from this present evil world (age), according
to the will of God and our Father”. (Galatians 1:4)
SIGN #3 - THE SICK CONDITION OF ISRAEL
ISRAEL
IS VULNERABLE FACING ATTACKS FROM EVERY DIRECTION
At
this moment in history, Israel is very vulnerable because of the
pressure placed upon them by the nations of the world to give up
land for peace. And
the United States - who traditionally has been their friend, is
turning the screws the hardest of all.
Eventually,
Israel will succumb to all this pressure and give away so much
land that they will be unable to defend themselves. Sometime in
the future, Israel will be deceived into accepting the Antichrist
as their Messiah and will suffer terribly because of that.
Referring to this, our Lord said to the Jewish leaders,
“I
am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another
(the anti-Christ) shall come in his own name, him ye will
receive.” (John 5:43
The
Jewish leaders rejected Jesus Christ Who came to save them in His
Father’s Name. When Antichrist comes in his own name, they will
receive him!
WHAT
A SAD & TRAGIC COMMENTARY ON WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN!
My
guess is that Iraq will eventually be reduced in power after the
United States and her allies are finished with her. Then
undoubtedly, Iran will pick up the pieces and gobble up Iraq (and
possibly Syria) and control all the oil flow in the Middle East!
(Ezekiel 38 & 39)
GOD'S
WORD STATES THAT RUSSIA WILL RISE UP AGAIN IN GREAT POWER AND LEAD
THE MARCH AGAINST ISRAEL
Iran
will then be the dominant power in the area, with the USA and
Israel giving in to their demands! According to God’s Word,
Russia will rise in great power again and lead the march against
Israel!
The
prophet Ezekiel declared that Iran (Persia) together with
Ethiopia, Libya & Turkey will march against Israel in the
great battle of ‘Gog and Magog’.
GOD
WILL FIGHT FOR ISRAEL AND DEFEND HER
GOD
WILL FIGHT FOR ISRAEL AND DEFEND HER! A great slaughter will
unfortunately take place however, before God’s chosen people
come to their senses. They will ultimately receive their long
awaited Messiah Jesus Christ, when He returns n the Second Coming
of Jesus Christ in power and great glory at the end of the age!
Jesus
Christ will then rule and reign for 1000 years of peace upon
planet earth, as King of kings and Lord of lords!
SIGN #4 - THE SICK CONDITION OF THE CHURCH
Celebrated
Canadian writer, Peter Newman exposes the weaknesses in our
churches and outlines wherein and how we have failed to
communicate the Gospel to our children, grandchildren and our
neighbours.
In
his recent book, ‘The Canadian Revolution’ Peter Newman
chronicles the free-fall of the United Church of Canada’s
membership as well as their influence in society during the past
three decades.
Newman
writes, “The United Church, formed in 1925 through a union of
Methodists, Presbyterians and Congregationalists, suffered the
steepest decline. Three million Canadians declared their United
Church affiliation to the latest census takers but less than
380,000 bothered going to church. Although the most liberal of the
mainstream congregations, allowing for the ordination of gay
priests and promoting the social gospel, the United Church found
itself paradoxically unable to attract the young.”
A
footnote says, “An increasingly typical event was the closing,
during the fall of 1994, of Chalmers United Church in downtown
Vancouver. There wasn’t a single member left on its
congregational rolls who was less than 80 years old.”
For
years, University of Lethbridge sociologist Reginald Bibby has
tracked the religious life of Canadians. In his book ‘Unknown
Gods’ , Bibby states: “Tragically, religious groups are
failing in what appear to be spiritually prosperous times. The
churches are inept religious companies that cannot get the faith
out of the ware house …The news is that interest and intrigue
persist, in spite of the problems of organized religion. The
result may be a very sizable, ongoing spiritual vacuum.”
The
Anglican Church, according to the census has 2.2 million members
with 784,000 active adherents. Addressing the church synod in
1994, Archbishop Peter O’Driscoll warned: “In the next ten to
fifteen years the largest age group in the present Anglican Church
of Canada will be dead. At the end of two generations, there
won’t be enough people to say there’s still an Anglican Church
alive in this country.”
HOW
SAD AND TRAGIC!
While
the Anglican Church lost 250,000 members from 1981 to 1991, and
the United Church lost 665,000 members during that same period -
that’s 10 % and 20 % respectively - the Pentecostal Church grew
by 100,000 adherents and the Christian & Missionary Alliance
doubled in size!
The
November,1965 issue of Canada’s Revival Magazine, ‘Cry of His
Coming’ carried the following prophetic headline: 1965 UNITED
CHURCH NEW CURRICULUM SETS STAGE FOR MORE APOSTACY! MODERATOR REV.
HOWSE DENIES PHYSICAL RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST !
In
that article, this author wrote under the by-line, ‘THE GREAT
FALLING AWAY’ - St. Paul warns: “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 Thess. 2:3)
The
‘Great Falling Away’ is Here Now- with entire denominations of
Christian Churches turning their backs on the Holy Scriptures,
declaring them fallible and contradictory. They despise the great
truths of the Bible, and exchange them for their own humanistic,
man-made philosophies!
As
strange as this may seem, these reprobate preachers actually
play-out the exact role of ‘backsliding Israel’ in Old
Testament times.
“For
My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the
fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken
cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)
HERE
IS A LIST OF THEIR BACKSLIDINGS!
They
have violated the sanctity of the Holy Bible, discarding the
eternal truths of God’s Word. Man-made philosophies, secular
humanism and blatantly spurious doctrines have filled the void!
They
rely almost totally on man’s wisdom and carnal knowledge, having
rejected the wisdom that comes solely from the Holy Scriptures.
This leaves them incapable of making sound spiritual decisions!
They
have rejected the counsel of the Holy Spirit- divine paraclete-
and draw their inspiration from the teachings of others similarly
deceived. Serious decision making regarding spiritual matters and
doctrine is therefore prejudiced, flawed and compromised!
Their
emphasis is on good works, rather than the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ for our sins. The ‘social gospel’ they preach is devoid
of the grace of God and faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Their
‘good works’ message offers only secular and political
rhetoric to undo social injustices, without a sound spiritual
foundation.
They
have desecrated the Holy Scriptures by substituting their own
verbiage instead of the correct translation of the original Hebrew
and Greek, in reference to God Himself. These literary
counterfeiters have unilaterally -without any jurisdiction-
decided to change the gender of Almighty God from masculine
(Father) to Mother. Instead of addressing God as He, they
refer to Him as She and the Lord Jesus is not the Son of God, but
the Child of God!
The
Word of God conclusively states: “This know also, that in the
last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural
affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
“Now
the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall
depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron; Take heed unto thyself, and
unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt
both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2,
16)
AN
URGENT WARNING ISSUED TO THOSE TAMPERING WITH GOD’S WORD
“Who
is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is
antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth
the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth
the Son hath the Father also.
“Beloved,
believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of
God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
“Hereby
know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus
Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of
God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard
that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
“Whosoever
believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God... Who is he
that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the
Son of God?
“If
we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for
this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son. He
that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he
that believeth not God hath made Him a liar; because he believeth
not the record that God gave of His Son. And this is the record,
that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His
Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son
of God hath not life.” (1 John 2:22-23; 4:1-3; 5:1, 4-5, 9-12)
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN? SIMPLY THIS:
Anyone
who denies that Jesus Christ is God is a false teacher and an
enemy of God.
Every
spirit that confesses that ‘Jesus Christ is come in the flesh’
is of God. Those who do not are of Satan and the Antichrist
spirit!
WHAT
DOES THIS MEAN: “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh”?
There
are millions of babies born daily across the world. They are all
born of flesh & blood. They have all “come in the flesh”.
That is no miracle, but when God is incarnated in human flesh,
that is a miracle. It simply means that Jesus Christ was God in
human flesh! God the Son came down from Heaven, through the very
miraculous and complex process of the virgin birth!
God
the Holy Spirit placed within the virgin Mary’s womb a specially
created body for the Lord Jesus. He was begotten by the Holy
Spirit and born of a virgin woman without the aid of a human
father. Jesus Christ - true God & true man, in order to suffer
and die for our sins and rise again for our justification. ( )
“The
new United Church curriculum - now taught to thousands of children
- denies the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, leaving the inference
that Joseph or some other man was Jesus’ father. This would
indicate that His mother Mary was sinful and promiscuous, instead
of a chaste virgin and that Jesus Christ was not divine!
Have
you heard of such SACRILEGE? And this - not from an atheistic
journal - but from the official organ and pulpits of Canada’s
largest Protestant denomination!
That
same ‘curriculum’ calls the first eleven chapters of Genesis -
which deal with God’s marvelous creation, Noah and the flood - a
fable or myth! It denies the miracles in the Bible, rejects the
physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and ridicules
His ascension and second coming!
Read
the blasphemous statements made by Rev. Ben Smilie- United Church
chaplain at the University of Saskatchewan, as chronicled by
Regina Leader Post’s Tom Jarvis in an article titled, ‘A
MASSIVE IRRELEVANCY’:
“The
Toronto Telegram printed it in full with the somewhat shocking
passage in large type which speaks of fundamentalist belief in
“clay-made man, a floating zoo, an amphibious-footed Jesus, a
son of God who was a home brew artist, and an ascension that looks
like a Cape Kennedy blast-off”.
Have
you heard of anything more blasphemous and anti-Christian, coming
from the pen of an ordained Protestant clergyman!
We’ll
let the moderator of the United Church speak for himself. The
following was carried by the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, June 5, 1965.
‘HOWSE SAYS LITERAL BELIEVER IN BIBLE LACKS UNDERSTANDING’.
“The
moderator of the United Church of Canada says Christians who
believe literally in all of the ‘metaphors and imageries’ of
the Bible exhibit ‘lack of understanding’.
“The
Rt. Rev. Ernest Howse of Toronto, in an interview Thursday said
that one of the most significant religious trends today is the
movement away from ‘medieval imagery and hypocrisy’.
“Dr.
Howse, who had been in Banff for a meeting of the United
Church’s Alberta Conference, said people should not take
literally such events as Christ’s physical resurrection and the
virginity of Mary. The moderator said the United Church’s new
curriculum which allows for liberal interpretation of the Bible,
is ‘really nothing new at all’.
“There
is nothing in the curriculum which was not accepted when I was in
College thirty years ago. If people are shocked by it, then it is
evident our ministers have not been adequately teaching their
congregations”.
NEW
MODERATOR: SAME OLD APOSTASY IN UNITED CHURCH!
Bill
Phipps probably learned ‘APOSTACY’ from professors, who were
themselves corrupted while in College! The new moderator of the
United Church is Rev. Bill Phipps - a little known Calgary pastor
- who is making big waves with his outspoken, irreverent and
blasphemous remarks. It appears that he has excelled in unlearning
the basic, fundamental doctrines of Christianity, in the tradition
of the Rev. Howse and the liberal theological College to which he
referred!
AN
ACTIVIST MODERATOR IS ROCKING THE UNITED CHURCHAN -Edmonton
Journal
In
a major news story carried across Canada in the Southam Press,
Nov.1, 1997, Rev. Phipps made these statements: “I don’t
believe Jesus is the only way to God. I don’t believe he rose
from the dead as a scientific fact. I don’t know whether those
thing happened. It’s an irrelevant question.”
In
a follow-up article, the ‘Ottawa Citizen’ wrote: ‘CHURCH
MODERATOR A HERETIC, PROFESSOR SAYS’ - “The moderator of the
United Church of Canada is a heretic, says a professor of modern
Christian history.
“A
heretic is defined as someone who chooses a doctrinal path other
than that of the church to which he belongs”, says John
Stackhouse, of the University of Manitoba.
“By
that standard, Rev. Bill Phipps “is a heretic according to the
United Church of Canada’s own standard of doctrine. He’s also
a heretic in generic Christian terms, because he denies the creeds
that all Christians have subscribed to, whether they’re
Catholic, Protestant or Eastern Orthodox.”
“In
interviews with media organizations, Phipps denied the divinity of
Christ, denied the reality of the resurrection as a historical
fact, and said he was unclear ‘The historic Church says there
are such realities, which are crucially important to human
life,’ said Stackhouse, a former president of the Canadian
Evangelical Theological Association.”
THE
WHOLESALE BACKSLIDING OF CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS DURING THESE PAST
THIRTY YEARS, AND ESPECIALLY THE LAST DECADE, SIGNALS THE SAD
STATE OF AFFAIRS IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AT THIS VERY CRUCIAL
MOMENT IN HISTORY - THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND THE MILLENNIUM!
A
very sad commentary on the Church is found in Christ’s message
to the Church where He states:
“And
unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things
saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of
the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold
nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my
mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods,
and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched,
and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to
buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and
white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of
thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve,
that thou mayest see.” (Rev. 3:14-18)
Again
He said, “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits...
“A
good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit.
“...Wherefore
by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven...And then
will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye
that work iniquity.” (Matt. 7:15-23)
Jesus
asked a very pertinent question: “...Nevertheless. When the son
of man cometh will He find faith on the earth?” The answer is
“not very much”! That is why He stated, “Strive to enter in
at the straight gate, for many, I say unto you will seek to enter
and shall not be able”. (Luke 13:24)
“Enter
ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the
way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in
thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew
7:13-14)
HOW
MUST WE PREPARE FOR THE END TIMES AND TO BE SURE WE ARE
READY FOR JESUS CHRIST'S SOON RETURN IN THE SECOND COMING?
St.
Peter warned, “Make your calling and election sure...” (2
Peter 1:10) It behooves each one to do a reality check to be
absolutely certain that you know Jesus Christ personally as your
Lord & Saviour.
Remember
that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again from the dead
for our justification. Only He has the power to save you because
He is the Redeemer of the world.
Jesus
said, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by Me”. (John 14:6) “I am the door: by Me if
any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and
find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they
might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:9-10)
The
Bible says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God
and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim. 2:5) “Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven
given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
St.
Paul declared, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the
likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled
himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the
cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a
name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and
things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Phil.
2:5-11)
Jesus
Christ invites us to receive Him as personal Saviour and Lord with
the promise: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) And, “All that
the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I
will in no wise cast out.” (John 6:37)
We
are warned: “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat
of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)
Amen.
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