Wicked Women

Wicked Women

12And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13And 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:)

I have a thought for you. This is not a doctrine, nor does anyone hold this view that I know of. It's just a germ of an idea I decided to turn into a study.

Adam and Eve committed the dastardly sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden, for which they (and we) were severely punished.

But who was the one, if in fact there was only one, who committed the sin?

Let's take a look at the scene and see if there is not a different perspective that can be taken. (I think you women are going to like this.) Please take note that I have left out verses I didn't consider applicable to this study. For the full version, check your Bible.

15And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him...... 21And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. .... 1Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. .....6And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. .....16Unto the woman he [God] said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened 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; 18Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. (Gen 2: & 3:)

Did you notice the order of events? First Adam was created. Then God told (commanded) Adam to not eat of the tree. THEN God brought forth Eve - After He had told Adam to leave the tree alone.

Later, when punishment was being meted out, God confirmed that it was Adam He had told, giving no hint that He had warned Eve at all (verse 17).

All creation was cursed because of Adam since it was Adam who had been given the responsibility of passing on the laws that had been given him by his Creator [Eve was not actually created, but rather "birthed," (by caesarian section), you might even say she was "cloned" from Adam].

Because of Adam, everything went down the tubes. Because of Eve, you women experience pain in childbirth, and as I take it, you have the sorrow of having to raise rebellious little brats that pay no more heed to you than Adam did to God.

You women are also to harken unto your husband who is to have the rule over you because, though you did not sin in the same way that Adam did, your great, great, etc, Grandmother displayed her proclivity to be deceived.

Paul followed up this by stating:

11Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1Tim 2:)

And then he added to this by saying:

6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2Tim 3:)

Now it's obvious enough that women were not put under the headship of the man because he has the capacity to make wise decisions. It's that men dash in and make stupid mistakes (and sins) with his eyes wide open knowing full well that he is going to be punished to the 'nth degree.

And men are less likely to listen to the wiles of the devil, and the persuasion of wicked men (as described in 2 Timothy 3) as he is to be swayed by the wiles of a flinty woman.

Man was not given the preeminence because of his wisdom, he has proven that over and over throughout history. But since he was created first, he has to bare the responsibility for all the problems we humans must endure. And if you check out history, man has certainly fulfilled his job of creating calamity, and producing dire consequences for us all.

It was Adam who brought sin upon this world, not Eve - that is if my train of reasoning holds to its track at all. Of course the above falls far short of proving such a point. But is there anything else that might help support this position?

15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (2Tim 2:)

"She shall be saved in childbearing." This is an interesting statement, and difficult to understand as well. Just what it truly means I don't know, but by stretching my imagination I think I can make it apply to my position.

(Now, you know if I was a Theologian or a preacher I would not be showing my ignorance, but rather be making a firm statement that no one with any understanding of Scripture should challenge. So don't anyone say I am trying to be a Theologian! I'm far too uneducated to be accused of that transgression.)

I said above that, from the way I read Genesis, mothers would experience sorrow because of having given birth. But is there an exception to this? I'm sure there are a lot of women who can honestly say they have raised wonderful and obedient children. But we know full well that this is far from the rule.

No, it's not the rule, but let us see if there is an exception that is the rule.

10Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. (Isa 7:)

18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost...... fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Mat 1:)

26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. 34Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:)

41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? 50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. (Luke 2:)

Do I have a point in telling you the Christmas story that you already know? You know I do.

Mary was a woman blessed by God with the honor of issuing forth the promised Messiah, the very Son of God. Mary was chosen, like Moses was chosen, like Noah was chosen, like Peter, John, Paul and all the other disciples were chosen. Mary wasn't special, nor even specially prepared for her given responsibility (as far as we know). But she was chosen.

The Roman Catholic church believes that Mary herself had some form of "Immaculate Conception," that is somehow Mary was born without "Original Sin" as is everyone else. (Where they get that doctrine from, I have no idea, but I reckon it must come from some sort of extra biblical tradition.) The reason they believe this, which is logical (and merely a conjecture on my part), is they believe she is the physical embodiment of the Ark of the Covenant, and more to the point, they believe if Mary wasn't sinless, then she would have passed on Adam and Eves sin nature, and that just couldn't be if Jesus was to be born "without sin."

A problem with this concept is, if Jesus did not have any of the sin nature that we have, then His life, His death, and especially His temptation in the wilderness would not be something we humans could relate to, since we do have that sin nature.

The Protestant churches discount Mary's immaculate conception, but they give no other explanation (that I know of) for Jesus' sinlessness which they consider essential for Him to be both completely man, and completely God.

In other words, Jesus was someone none of us could possibly relate to, yet that is exactly what we are to do, that is, follow His example.

That surely does create a problem, does it not?

In the Christmas Story we see that Jesus was to come forth from a virgin. Now we all know that is impossible, and therefore, should such an event occur, it would be a miracle.

Yet, even should such a thing occur, the mother would still have to bear the burden of dealing with the young, rebellious scamp that inherited the nature of Adam and Eve.
Yet, as described above, it appears that the child Mary raised was obedient and did all He was required to do as an obedient and submissive son.

Except for once, at the Temple at the age of twelve. However, even this time, Jesus was not being disobedient or rebellious - far from it. What was it He said? "

"How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"

Was Jesus being disobedient? Of course not. He was doing "His Father's business." His Father's business. Not His mother's, nor His step-father's business - His Father's business.

And who was His Father?

32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Mat 10:)

According to Jesus, His Father is in Heaven, that is, He is the very same One who created us, this world we live in, and our forefathers (and foremothers) including Adam and Eve.

But, just a moment, who was it that came to Mary and overshadowed her?

35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

So it's the Holy Ghost who "came upon" Mary, but it was the "Power of the Highest" that overshadowed her. It sounds to me like Mary had quite an experience, that is, having the entire Trinity dealing with her at the same time!

Here we have as perfect a condition as possible for us mere humans. We have a Holy Child birthed from God Himself while the Holy Ghost was "upon" her.

Absolutely perfect; except for one thing - Mary's sin nature that she inherited from her parents.

And if Mary has a sin nature, that would also mean her children would have her sin nature, would it not?

Mary had green eyes. Of course I don't know that she had green eyes, but for the sake of this study, let's say she had green eyes.

Mary also had blond hair, again I am just-saying.

Mary was unusually short and inherited her parent's tendency toward being exceptionally thin.

Joseph, on the other hand had coal black hair and eyes, and like his parents tended toward obesity.

Mary was kind, gentile and soft-spoken.

Joseph was loud, boisterous and demanding.

Mary and Joseph had 12 children. What do you suppose the boys were like? What do you suppose the girls were like?

Considering what we know from history and science we would expect the boys to be much like their father, and the girls would be fairly similar to their mother.

"The apple does not fall far from the tree" as the saying goes. Nor does, I suppose, the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Assuming my statements above to be true and accurate, we know that Jesus would have been quite similar to, and possibly exactly like His father.

But Joseph wasn't His father, so He would have taken on none of Joseph's characteristics. He would have taken on His true father's characteristics. And who was His Father? Of course it is God Himself!

But that helps us little to nothing at all since we do not know Jesus' Father. So, let's learn a little about the Father of Jesus.

First, if we are familiar with the Bible at all, we know that God is love, that He is fair, and that He will chastise those of His children who disobey Him.

So we would assume Jesus also has those qualities.

Let's see if Jesus told us anything about His Father.

24God is a Spirit: (John 4:)

God is a Spirit. That, I take it means that Jesus is Spirit also if He has taken on the characteristics of His Father.

And if Jesus has the nature of God, then He had no sin, isn't that right?

But, what about His mother? Although Jesus was Spirit, therefore sinless; He was also flesh (John 3:6; Luke 24:39), and through the flesh of His mother He inherited Adam's sin, did He not?

Let's look into the Garden again and see what happened there.

17And unto Adam he said, ... cursed is the ground for thy sake;... till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Because of Adam the ground was cursed, and death reins in all of us. Death. That, I take it means the sin nature we inherited because without sin there is no death since death is the penalty of sin.

But through Eve neither death nor the penalty for sin was transmitted, other than sorrow of childbirth and subjection to her husband; neither of which has anything to do with our sin nature or our death sentence.

Add to this what Paul said:

14And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. (1Tim 2:)

If they continue." If who continues? I would assume that Paul would have said, "if she continues" if he meant the "woman," since he was using the singular to begin with. Could he have meant if the children continued in holiness that she, the mother would be saved?

Of course, that is asking a lot of a woman, and certainly of a child as well. But was there such a child?

Your know what I'm going to say.

If my suppositions and interpretations and "Here a little, there a little" hold any water, it would appear to me that woman is in the clear when it comes to passing on the "gene" of sin and the consequences thereof. If so, women are clean, and men are filthy as all get out.

That is my thought for the day. But it is not an end to my thinking.

I also think of how the Church is considered by God as a "woman" and a "Bride."

Women are used as examples of bad churches, such as the Harlot of Revelation (her badness transmitted to her by Adam, that is man, I'm sure). And women are also used to exemplify God's own Church as well.

But that is another study not to be undertaken at this time.

References

23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:)

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 6:)

39Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (Luke 24:)

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Mat 5:)

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, (Mat 6:)

35And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:)

10And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom 8:)

15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:)

9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:)

Tumbleweed

The Rapture (the Movie)

THE RAPTURE

Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. (Isa 66:)

"Did you see the movie The Rapture, Harriet?"

"I sure did, Millie. And I saw other movies too, like Left Behind, and Taken and those other movies like that."

"What do you think of it, you know, that rapture thing? Do you think it's really going to happen? I mean, do you think things are going to get terrible for all the people not taken up to Heaven with God?"

"I don't know. But I'm not taking any chances. I joined a church right away. Me and my family we go to church all the time and make sure we tithe and everything. I sure don't want to be one of those left behind like in the movies."

"Me too. I joined a church, but me and my family we don't go all the time and we don't give them too much money."

"Well, don't you think that's kind of risky? My pastor says that if we don't go to church regularly and pay our ten percent we are just like those people who don't go to church at all. I mean, like you know, the heathen people who are going to be left behind."

"Really? My pastor says that as long as we said the sinner"s prayer and was baptized that we are sure of going to heaven even if we go back to being the worst sinner there is. He said that even if we stop going to church and don't read the Bible God still has to take us."

"I wish my church believed that. I get a little tired of going to church every week. And I really can't afford to pay tithes what with cigarettes and beer costing so much."

"I know what you mean. But it could be worse. You know Jane don't you? She says her church even says if you smoke you won't go to heaven."

"Well, that's kind of being a religious fanatic. I don't want to be one of those. It's bad enough that our church says we should talk to people about Jesus. But I don't know as how I want to go that far. I would be embarrassed and all."

"It sounds to me like your church is trying to put a big burden on you. After all, we're not looking to be preachers are anything. All we want to do is stay out of that tribulation thing. I've got an idea, Harriet, why don't you come join my church and then you can be sure of going up in that rapture thing without having to do all that extra stuff."

"That's a good idea. Besides, I'd feel better about my son, what with him being a drug addict and homosexual and all. He's already been baptized but he isn't living up to what the church says to do. If we join your church then he won't have to change and I will know he won't be left behind with all those unbelievers."

The movies and books sure are doing what they're intended to do. They're making lots of money, making people scared, and driving people into churches by the droves.

And surely that is what the churches want.

But is that what God wants?

References used in support of the rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:

13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:

50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

John 14:

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

1 Thessalonians 5:

1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Revelation 3:

10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Rapture Verses in Context

1 Thessalonians 4:

1Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. 9But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him [Rev 19:11-16]. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent ["precede"] them which are asleep ["decease, dead"]. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout [Rev 19:11-16], with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up [seize by force] together with them in the clouds [Mat 17:1-11], to meet [also "friendly encounter"] the Lord in the air [breathe]: and so shall we ever be with [also "resemblance, possession, completeness"] the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Corinthians 15:

1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. 12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? 31I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 35But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.48As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we SHALL ALSO BEAR THE IMAGE OF THE HEAVENLY. 50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be CHANGED, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump [Rev 9:15-19]: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

John 14:

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house [also "family"] are many mansions [also "dwelling places, abode"]: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place [also "condition, opportunity"] for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where [also "what+ever"] I am, there ["there" has been added, not in original manuscripts] ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto [same word used in verse 12] the Father, but by me. 7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. 8Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9Jesus 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? 10Believest thou not that I AM IN THE FATHER, AND THE FATHER IN ME? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the FATHER THAT DWELLETH IN ME, he doeth the works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake. 12Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. 15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; FOR HE DWELLETH WITH YOU, AND SHALL [future tense] BE IN YOU. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I AM IN MY FATHER, AND YE IN ME, AND I IN YOU. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, IF A MAN LOVE ME, HE WILL KEEP MY WORDS: AND MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, AND WE WILL COME UNTO HIM, AND MAKE OUR ABODE WITH HIM. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. 25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. 30Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. 31But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Learn anything?

2 Thessalonians 2:

1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That 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. 3Let 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; 4Who 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. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. 16Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, 17Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

1 Thessalonians 5:

1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9For God hath not appointed us to wrath [punishment], but to obtain salvation [also "health, safety"] by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 12And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. 14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 15See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 16Rejoice evermore. 17Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19Quench not the Spirit. 20Despise not prophesyings. 21Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22Abstain from all appearance of evil. 23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. 25Brethren, pray for us. 26Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. 27I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Revelation 3:

1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and REPENT. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which HAVE NOT DEFILED THEIR GARMENTS; and THEY shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5He that OVERCOMETH [conquer, get victory], the SAME shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 7And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast KEPT the word of my patience [also "cheerful endurance"], I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly [suddenly, by surprise]: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar [support] in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. 14And 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; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because 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: 18I 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. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and REPENT. 20Behold, 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. 21To him that OVERCOMETH will I grant to sit with me in my throne, EVEN AS I ALSO OVERCAME, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Isaiah 29:

9Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. 10For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. 11And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: 12And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. 13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. 15Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? 16Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?

8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

17Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? (Mal 1:)

Tumbleweed

Signs of Churchianity

Signs of Churchianity

11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Heb 4:12)

"You be the cop this time an' I'll be the robber."

"It's my turn to choose."

"Ok. Then you be the robber an' I'll be the cop."

"That's better. No, I don't want to play cops 'n robbers. I want to play something else this time."

"What else?"

"I want to play god."
"Ok, but I get to be god."

"No sir! It was my idea, so I get to be god."

"Ok, but I get to be King of the World."

"Well, ok then, but not 'til I make you king."

"How?"

"I gotta' dab you first."

"You gotta' what me?"

"I'll show you. See? I take my sword and you get down on your knees in front of me...."

"I feel silly."

"You look silly, but this is the way they do it in the movies. Now I take my stick....I mean my sword and put it on your head."

"Not hard though."

"No, easy like. Then I says; I, god, biggest of all of everything in the whole university, make you .... what's your name going to be, Billy?"

"King Billy the Greatest of all Greats."

"I now dabs you, King Billy...."

"Not dabs, it's dubs."

"Dubs?"

"Yeah, dubs."

"Ok, but don't interrupt god when he's dubbing. I now dubs you, King Billy the Greatest of all the Great kings of the whole world!"

* * *

Children love to play grown-up, don't they? In the games of a child there is no limit to what a person can become. And often, in their own imagination, they are that very thing they pretend to be.

When do we stop being a child and become adults? Is it thirteen as in some cultures? Is it eighteen when we can legally marry the one we choose or join the Military and legally be sent off to war? Is it twenty one when we can legally take that first guzzle of an alcoholic beverage?

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Mat 5:)

38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; (Mat 13:)

33Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you. (John 13:)

According to the above Scripture verses, we are always children in the eyes of God, and in the eyes of Jesus as well.

7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. (1John 3:)

19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Gal 4:)

An ageless God is not the only one who sees us as children no matter our age or the number of wisdom wrinkles we have acquired. Here the Apostle's John and Paul are seen to look upon everyone as children.

14As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: (1Pet 3:)

Here we have Peter telling us we should be children, but that we should be obedient children.

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) (Eph 6:)

Paul tells us (as children) to obey our parents. And, as over-the-hill children, who is that parent we are to obey? Again we have Matthew telling us:

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Mat 5:)

45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Mat 5:)

And again:

9And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (Mat 29:)

So the Parent we are to obey is God in Heaven, the same Father Jesus proclaimed as His own. But isn't that a bit confusing? I mean, Jesus says we are to obey Him. What does God the Father have to say about that?

16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. (Mat 3:)

7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. (Mark 9:)

God the Father proclaims Jesus to be His beloved son to whom we are to listen. This means what the Son says is the same as the Father saying it.

28Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. (John 8:)

We are all children. But being children does not allow us to act like children, any more than we would accept childish behavior in our maturing child. Paul expresses it like this:

1When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1Cor 13:)

When children play "god" or "King of the World," they know they are just playacting. They don't truly believe they are what they pretend to be. God has instilled something in children that gives them this protection. If He hadn't then when a child plays Superman, or imagines himself to be a bird, then he would learn all too abruptly that he was not what he pretended to be when he hit the ground beneath the tree he jumped out of in effort to fly.

Somewhere along our road to maturity we lose that protective element and fall into self-deception. Whether it is an intentional act on our part (which I believe it is, at least in my case), or whether it is supplanted in us by society and the media, I don't know. I suppose it is a bit of both.

Knowledge does not keep our head out of the clouds, I have observed. For instance, knowledge of the law does not keep one from breaking the law. On that very premise the Bible was founded; at least the Law part of the Bible was so founded. There is probably no one with more knowledge of the law (excluding practicing Jews) who know the law better than Cops and Robbers. Robbers learn the law in order to know how to get around the law, as do lawyers. Cops learn the law in order to enforce the law; yet looking at the newspaper it is obvious that, at least for some, this knowledge does not keep them from breaking the very law they are sworn to uphold.

Psychiatry is another such field. I have seen so many learned folk who knew very well the workings of the mind and the nature of man, yet all their knowledge did not keep them from falling into the same traps they were instructing others to stay out of.

David and Solomon are two others with great wisdom and understanding of human nature; yet both of these wise men ruined their own lives and the lives of many generations to come.

We are so easily deceived. And the most deceived are those who firmly believe they are not deceived.

The game of "Church" is an excellent example of self-deception; and the results of playing the game of Church has dire consequences. There are no winners in this Worldly game played under the guise of the of Spiritual and the Godly. Playing gets a player nowhere. Only Being, or more specifically for this era, Becoming is the only way to win.

The game of Church is played very similarly to the game of King of the Whole World played by the children above. Here is an illustration:

"Let's play Church."

"Ok, but how do we play it?"

"It's easy. Look, you put this towel over your shoulders like this."

"What's the towel for? I'm not wet."

"It's kind of like a robe thing. You know, kind 'a like what they wear in church when they preach."

"You mean like a bathrobe? Nobody wears bathrobes in the church I go to. Except when they dunk you in that big bathtub, sometimes. I guess then someone can wear a robe or something."

"No, no. preachers sometimes wear them so you can tell they're different from the rest of us. Otherwise you might not know they're a preacher. Ok, do you want to wear this towel or not?"

"Ok. But it's not a towel, it's a cape like Superman wears."

"Superman's not a preacher. Least not in our church."

"Well, he is in mine, and I'm him."

"Ok, so you're SuperPreacher. Now I pour this water over your head like this."

"Why are you pouring water on me? Is that why you gave me this towel to wear?"

"I don't know why they do it, they just do. But I think they dump salad oil on them instead of water."

"Use water. I don't like salads."

"Now I say, I now pronounce you SuperPreacher of, of..., what's the name of your church going to be called?"

"SuperChurch of Smallville."

"I now pronounce you SuperPreacher of the SuperChurch of Smallville! You may now kiss the bride."

"I what?"

"I don't know, it's just something they say."

"Well, it sounds dumb to me. I don't want to kiss nobody."

"Well, don't then. But now you're a preacher. That's how it's done."

"I'm a preacher now? But why? Don't God or somebody have to make people Preachers?"

"I'm god, remember?"

"That was the last game we played. You're not god anymore."

"Then your not a SuperPreacher."

"Ok, your god, but what do I do now?"

"You got to make some rules, like, you know, you can't smoke or chew gum in Sunday School or burp when the preacher is preaching."

"I don't smoke. 'Sides, why do I care if someone burps or chews gum?"

"It's not for you, dummy. You got to have rules so people can get to Heaven. That's what church is for, didn't you know anything?"

"No, I thought church was for grownups to do grownup kind of things, and us kids had to go too because no babysitter would come."

"That's part of it, I guess. But you got to have rules."

"But if I have rules, then no one would come. If I had to do a bunch of rules, then I wouldn't want to go to any church and like that."

"Then you got no rules in your church. That's ok by me if that's what you want."

"So now what do I do?"

"I guess you go out and get people to come to your church."

"What if I can't get nobody to come to my church, then what?"

"I guess you starve."

"Starve! Why?"

"Because the more people who come to your church, the more money gets put in that salad bowl they sends around. Don't they do that at your church?"

"Yeah, but I didn't know that money goes to the preacher. You mean he gets my quarter I put in that bowl on Sunday? I guess he eats pretty good then, don't he."

"If lots of people comes to church, he does. So you want to get as many people, 'specially rich ones to come to your church as you can."

"Ok, but I don't know many kids with money. But how do I get people to come anyway? I can't make them come. 'Sides that, every kid I know goes to a church already. How do I get them to come to mine instead?"

"Well, you got to give them something better than the other churches gives. Like at our church they gives coffee and donuts. Maybe you can give a candy bar instead. That's sure better than coffee I bet."

"Where'll I get the candy? I don't got no money to buy candy with."

"Use the money they put in the salad bowl."

"I don't got no salad bowl neither. Maybe this church thing isn't such a good game to play."

"Sure it is! Just look at all the big churches. It must be a good game, otherwise nobody would be playing it. Did you ever see the churches they show on TV? Trillions of people come to them every Sunday, maybe even hundreds."

"That preacher must be mighty fat if he gets fed by all them people."

"I guess so."

"But I still don't have no candy to give."

"No, but you got something else. You got a SuperChurch, and it's got a SuperPreacher that no other church has got. And you got no rules. People can go to heaven and they don't got to do nothing to get there."

"Ok, but no smoking though. I don't want no one smoking in my church. It burns my nose."

"Ok, no smoking. But don't tell them that 'cause if you do you got a rule, and you don't got no rules in your church, remember?"

"Ok, as long as nobody smokes."

In 1870 the Catholic First Vatican Council declare the Pope to be "Infallible," meaning (with certain restrictions) the Pope could make no mistakes, at least concerning his declarations of doctrine. This was called: the doctrine of Papal Infallibility. And this doctrine is still seen and believed today, even though doctrines issue forth from one Pope to another that conflict with those of the preceding Pope. So, therefore, if birth control happens to be a dreadful sin today, tomorrow it could be either a suggested no-no, or it could be permitted altogether. God's desires are not what He has said in His Book of Rules, but rather what He chooses to divulge through His spokesman.

And the Pope is not the only one who feels he has the ultimate Word of God, or the full understanding of God's Word. Like the children above, there are many Pastors and Theologians running off and devising their own roads to God. And the World follows after them like a hawk follows a sparrow.

How can we, the uninitiated of this planet earth tell the difference between a true Christian Church with a Righteous leader, and a wolf in sheep's clothing who is leading the flock astray?

Read the Book. The Bible makes it perfectly clear what to do in order to know the will of God. But to understand what the Book is saying, we must first be willing to totally give ourselves over to God and abandon our own wants and lusts.

A True Church will direct you to a closer and closer relationship with God. It will not tell you that you are ok as you are, but will nail every weakness and failure you have to the cross. I don't mean they will criticize you personally, but instead of hearing all about how wonderful you are, and how blessed you are just because you chose to come to that church; you will hear about sin and the condemnation of it until you fall to your knees begging God to forgive you and to cleanse you of you failures.

I see none of this being done today.

Correction. I do see this to a degree, but only in the "Cults."

And, strangely enough, when you talk to a "Cult" member, they are more than happy to talk about the Bible, and God, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit until you are worn to a frazzle.

Try talking about Jesus to a "Traditional" church member. They will talk to you about anything but Jesus (barring a few exceptional souls). The moment the sermon is over and the congregation is dismissed - so the singing to the Lord and the talking about the Jesus ceases as well.

Long ago it was common to attend camp meetings, revivals and churches where fire and brimstone messages were preached. Those were more Godly times, and the churches and meetings were often filled to overflowing. People wanted to be cleansed of their sins. People thirsted for God and knew they could not approach Him as they were but had to change into "robes of white." The "Fear of God" was the message then.

Today we hear of "the Love of God." We sing the song "Just as I am, without one plea." And there is no pleading, no heart-felt crying for mercy as was seen by the tax collector who went home justified in Jesus' parable. What we see now, and are told is "proper and acceptable" is the self-righteous boasting of the Pharisee who thought God should consider Himself fortunate to have one such as he in His Kingdom.

Worldly entertainment that pleases one's lust and appetite while placing no burden on them fills the Supebowl and the rock concerts. And they surely do haul in the cash. Plead to the carnal flesh and make your fortune and gain your fame. But tell people they are downright sinners doomed for hell unless they get right with God and they will run like rabbits from a coyote; just as they did from Jesus when He did more than feed them food and what they wanted to hear.

It would appear that nobody will listen to and abide by rules any more, so they flock to those churches that do not require such to be in good standing with the "church." So the majority of churches cater to the whims of the Worldly in order to make them feel comfortable, believing that attending churches makes them saved "Christians" ready for the Pearly Gates. Now, there are those who will add a goodly portion of fire and brimstone and the need to follow Jesus and the Holy Spirit; but they dish with it the "escape clause" that professes it to be only a suggestion, not a Commandment.

Oddly enough, those churches called "Cults" that have strict rules that must be followed to remain in good standing, yet, according to the "Traditional" churches are doomed to hell for not believing as they have deemed imperative to believe, are filling their churches faster than most of the "Traditional" churches who are bending to the World. And, for the most part, if you want to see someone who acts the way a Christian would be expected to act outside of church, go to a "Cultist."

God is not in any of the churches. God never was in any of the churches. God is in some of the churches, but when He is, it is because someone who lives the Lord brings Him in with them. And when that person leaves, so does God.

The Temple of God is His people, His body of believers. Christianity has nothing whatever to do with a building. The Body of Christ is His Temple. Those who are not part of that body, God's Temple, are merely a part of an old decaying building, which is part and parcel joined to the World it is to be separated from.

There's a story about a group of people who were much concerned about boaters who went aground or capsized in the breakers near a lighthouse. So they got together and bought the lighthouse where they brought those they rescued and tended to their needs.

In order to pay for this expensive enterprise, this group of dedicated people decided to sell membership to their organization. This worked well, it did in fact bring in the people, and certainly people with prestige and money. However, these "elite" resented the presents of the rescued riffraff, so therefore they passed a rule stating that only "quality" folk would be allowed in their lighthouse club.

So the dedicated rescuers had to leave what they had started and begin anew elsewhere.

Such is the church. What might begin as a sincere effort, will over time degenerate into what is acceptable to the "elite" of the World.

In the beginning of the Church, that is when Jesus and the Apostles were heading it, rules were very tight. In order to get to Heaven and be considered a Christian a person had to follow Jesus to the cross, dedicate their life to Him, and be willing to suffer and die for their Lord and Savior.

Then through the ages, although the rules became more and more strict, people fell farther and farther from this Truth, and the behavior of the clergy and the laity became nothing better than that of the World they were to be separated from.

Time has changed all that. Now the accepted behavior of the Christian is little different (and in many case not at all) than that of the World. Even the Roman Catholic church, the bastion of morality, has fallen into disrepair. What used to be a strict list of do's and don'ts has become (except for a very few exceptions) a "do-it-yourself" set of rules. In other words, let your conscience be your guide. Therefore what is wrong for you, might be quite all right with the other guy, and regardless of what you do, Heaven awaits.

In the Protestant church there is not now, nor really ever has been much of a pretense of Righteousness. There has been a list of suggested do's and don'ts presented, but nothing that might frighten off the church attendees or cause them to lose their membership. It's a "Do-it-yourself religion (called in some circles a "cafeteria religion"). Whatever you decide is right for you (unless your thing happens to contradict the doctrines of the church, or the Pastor's view) then it's ok with God. God just wants everybody to be happy, healthy and wealthy (notice I left off "wise" because wisdom conflicts with the foolishness of the church).

Man has the ability to justify that which he wishes to do. And the more he follows his desires, the easier it becomes to believe his own justifications.

Signs of Churchianity

We say that Christianity is not a Religion. That it is not a religious ritual like are all the others. In fact one might say that we contend Christianity is not a religion in the same way that Humanism is not a religion.

Yet we of the church treat Christianity more like a religion than those who do claim they are a religion treat their religion.

"Christians" do less for their belief, and expect more from their "God" than any other of the religions, in fact, Humanism, that claims not to be a religion puts far more effort into proselytizing and supporting their un belief, than the church does in supporting it's belief. That is why Humanism is winning out in all circles - schools, Government, entertainment, etc. In fact, Humanism is even winning out in the churches because the churches are becoming more and more like the world. In fact, the largest churches are so much like the world, and so unlike a church, that the world floods to them for their entertainment - and pays through the nose for the privilege!

Where the Christian Faith has everything in this world, and for Eternity to win, Humanism has nothing to gain, because this world is all they got.

The world was not so different 2,000 years ago; the motivations and behavior of the church, politics and the people were very similar to those of today. Opposite forces fought amongst themselves, getting together only to battle a common enemy.

Sadducees, the leading party of Jesus' day, believed only in the Pentateuch, that is the first five books of Moses. And whereas the Pharisees believed in a hereafter, that is a resurrection of the dead, and in angels, the Sadducees did not. And while the Sadducees believed in only the books of Moses, the Pharisees believed in all the books of the Old Testament we have today. Considering this, there are many of the prophesies concerning Jesus that were held in the Bible the Sadducees did not hold to.

The political and social situation of the day might well be compared to the Hatfields and the McCoys, or the Republicans and the Democrats, or the Catholics and the Protestants. Unstable to say the least. And this does not even consider the dreaded Herodians or the feared Zealots or the passive Essenes.

The Sadducees were not a highly religious sect as were the Pharisees. Sadducees were inclined toward riches and had a political bent. They sought fame and fortune while keeping one foot in the door of religion much as do the Politicians of time past in this country (and still do to a degree until we totally shift away from Christianity as a National Religion). Their concern was more in protecting their position and the Temple as a status symbol than it was preserving the Temple as the House of God. When the beliefs of the Sadducees are fully considered, it becomes rather apparent that only this life had any meaning to them. Whereas the Pharisees were noted for being super pious with their phylacteries and tassels; the Sadducees were not so inclined.

Pharisees were not so much looking for the Political angle of things, but the Spiritual. Pharisees worked regular jobs, remaining humble, not seeking fancy houses. Status is what appealed to them, not wealth. Paul, by his own admission was a "Pharisee of the Pharisees." He sought status; yet, he was a tentmaker, a lowly job without much chance of making him wealthy. Since the Politics of the nation of Judea was so interwoven with the Temple and the Religious, it was natural for Pharisees to be Politically motivated as well.

The Sanhedrin, or the Council of Elders (rulers), the 70, was made up of both Pharisees and Sadducees, the High Priest being a Sadducee because the Roman Government, who picked who would be the High Priest, chose them. Often this position was bought by the highest bidder rather chosen through Biblical methods as it was intended.

As you can see, the council who condemned Jesus was not so much concerned with the religious aspect of their convictions as they were preserving their Political place and position (John 11:48-52).

Tradition ruled the land of Jesus' day, as it does the church of the past and today. What the leaders believed, everyone had to believe or it was "off with their heads."

Pharisees were easy to spot. They followed the Traditions they were taught to follow. You could not have the attitude of a Sadducee and be a Pharisee any more than you could wear a Bear's or a Bronco's jersey to a Raider's home game.

An Orthodox Jew today is easily recognized by his cap and gown, and his continual bobbing as he prays.

It's custom. It's tradition. It's what ya gotta' do to be "in."

Of course some traditions change over the years, but those who remain "in," do whatever that change dictates.

Martin Luther, for instance, is credited with starting the Protestant Movement. Actually he did not. In fact his 95 Statement did just the opposite of what people believe it did - it confirmed the church's right to sell indulgences. He just resented the fact that the church placed that above his sermons (that's the way I read his thesis).

It was others who misinterpreted Luther's words, which is what the Catholic church was doing with the Bible, and using them to suit their own goals. And, of course, many people putting in their two cents worth meant many different goals to set, therefore many denominations.

"We Believe........!" Articles of faith. In other words, to belong to such and such a faith means you believe in that church's Articles of Faith. The "We" in the Articles of Faith refers to all those who attend that church and who become members. It's rather like being a citizen of a country; the likelihood of you having but a fleeting knowledge as to the laws and other such principles of the land, especially when they change as rapidly as they do, is very slim. But when you become a citizen (or are born into it) you become part of the "We of the People" whether you like it or not.

Tradition at work.

Churchianity and Christianity - what's the difference?

The difference between Christianity and Churchianity is; whereas Churchianity leads you further and further into the things of the world, that is, to satisfy or justify your lusts and pleasure, which include church activities and organizational protocols; Christianity takes you farther and farther from yourself and your wants, and closer and closer to being like God Himself, that is "In His Image."

OBSESSED UNTIL POSSESSED


[ See Signs of Christianity for more.]



Tumbleweed

Signs of Christianity

Signs of Christinity

38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. (Matt 12:38)

People were always looking for a sign from Jesus. But, of course, that is not what they really wanted; for when Jesus gave them the very sign He had promised them ( His resurrection), they denied it and covered it up. [1] [2]

Elijah gave plenty of signs in his day. And Moses showed his signs and wonders. God led them (the Hebrews) by pillars of fire and cloud - but nothing did any good because they still constantly rebelled against God and the miracle workers. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Mankind hasn't changed at all, we still seek a sign that we can reject. One grand example of this is God's greatest miracle, and that is His creation - which modern man with all his "intellect" denies and claims it was all an "accident." [7] [8]

The question has been asked, and I'm quite sure you have heard it, "If you were put on trial as a Christian; would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

Most Christians I am certain would have to say "No." And, in fact, most Christians probably wouldn't be recognized as one by their fellow workers, students or friends.

But let's say that you were placed on trial; what signs would a Judge look for?

SIGNS OF CHRISTIANITY

1. TRAFFIC. 13Enter 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: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. ( Mat 7:)

Look around you. Does it appear that everyone is going your way? Do most people agree with you when it comes to your beliefs? Are you ridiculed or condemned by the world? [9]

Jesus walked alone and was cast out by his "church" friends and even his family (who tried to get Him to "conform" to society, which also meant the church of that day). Though thousands followed Him when He went where they wanted Him to go, and when He gave them what they wanted, and said what they wanted to hear; they all turned away when His path veered from theirs. [10] [11] [12] [13]

Although millions were willing to leave Egypt (even many Egyptians) with Moses, only two made it through their Wilderness experience into the Promised Land. And they, too, had to suffer the penalty of rebellion along with the rebellious ones (and then they had to battle their way in to the Promised Land). [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

For over a thousand years the church was in darkness with only Catholicism to follow (which the people often blended with their own idolatrous worship) because to do otherwise meant to be killed as a heretic. [19]

When anyone raised their head in order to try and correct the errors of the church, their heads were cut off.

In these latter days, which we are clearly told that the church will be corrupt [20] it is reported that 86% or so of Americans claim to be Christians. So Christianity in itself does not appear to be the "Narrow Road" that Jesus spoke of. But of course, they don't all go to your church, so perhaps that is the detail that will narrow the field. If that is your assumption, consider this. All Denominations are an offshoot of the original Protestant rebellion. And the original rebellious Denomination is an offshoot of Catholicism. Catholicism itself has broken down into many "isms." and all those "isms" are an offshoot of the original Catholic church that had become so corrupt that it had to be changed.

Are you really going to bet your Eternal soul on a banner that has been tacked over the door of the church you have chosen? Especially considering that churches are dividing faster and faster until it must appear in God's perspective like Atomic Fission?

2. HEART 9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings (Jer 17:)

The Bible tells us that we are born with a wicked and foolish heart that thinks only of itself. We are also told that we are rebellious to God and His will for us. And to stop all arguments, we are also told that anyone who denies that they are this way is a "Liar." [21] [22] [23]

Signs which indicate that we are right with our heart include our attitudes toward our fellow man; and if we are less concerned with our own desires and needs than those of others. Another clue is our need to satisfy our ego (Pride). [24] [25] [26]

Then to complicate matters even more, we are told that it doesn't matter what we do, how perfect we try to be, that it will avail us nothing if our gesture is performed with anything less than Love. Here we question - "How can I know that what I am doing for others is out of Love, or for some other reason? Isn't just doing it proof that I love?" [27]

(An example that comes to mind is a mother who gives her kid a 2,000 dollar computer to get the kid off her back; and a Grandmother who gives her a little rag doll, a replica of the one she always wanted as a child, and that she spent 6 months making by hand just for that child.)

3. SACRIFICE 6For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hos 6:6)

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Rom 12:)

Did you sacrifice your morning coffee and toast this morning? Did you do a good deed for someone today? Did you read a couple chapters of the Bible every day and go to church on Sunday? Then I suppose you are fulfilling God's desire for each of us to "Sacrifice." [28]

Jesus sacrificed His life, as did the Apostles, and the early Christians, and the Martyrs, and the Christians in Asia and Africa and throughout the world today. When Jesus selects the ones to be with Him in Eternity, if it comes down to a matter of sacrifice, how do you think your cup of coffee will hold up? [29] [30] [31] [32]

Of course we are told at church that sacrifice means to say "Ok, I'm yours," but from that point on just hope Jesus can keep up with us as we go about our Dailey life, and to be there when we get ourself into trouble.

How do you feel about that? How do you think Jesus equates your sacrifice for Him held up against His sacrifice for you?

Of course, there's more to it than just the quality or the quantity of sacrifice. If that were not so, than the Buddhist monks who set themself on fire, and those men who flew our own airplanes into the Two Towers will have it all over us on Judgement Day. So then, if it's not our works, nor our sacrifices, that make a difference - what does? [33]

4. HOLY SPIRIT 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Cor 6:20)

My guess is that the road will become very narrow and sparsely traveled at this point where all have veered off except those who have the Holy Spirit. Now I know that we are told the moment we say the "Sinners Prayer" we are instantly made Christians, Saved forever no matter what we do, even if we deny Jesus and become the worst drunk and criminal in the world. And I know we are also taught that everyone who has gone to the alter has received the Holy Spirit and can never become "lost" or unsaved. [34]

Assuming that we have been told correctly, it brings several questions to my mind. If God is willing to take those rotten people who come to Him when they are in deepest despair, then turn their back on Him when they've got their feet on the ground - why then did He bother to come down here and die such a horrible death? Why did He kick Adam and Eve out of the garden for just eating an apple? Why did He destroy the Israelites in the wilderness, and kill those who just picked up sticks on the Sabbath, or those who just sassed their parents? Why didn't He just flood the world with His Holy Spirit and take everyone in, if He doesn't mind living with those who we down here can't stand to be around and want to keep locked up? [35] [36] [37] [38] [39]

And another thing - what about all the do's and don'ts He has filled His Word with, much of which He spoke Himself, or had His Apostles speak for Him? [40]

And why do those who do the most for Him, like the Apostles and the Martyrs, suffer the worst deaths and live the hardest lives? [41]

Now, me, if I was a sinner who wanted to reap the benefits of being a Christian, but keep my old rotten lifestyle, and saw how the church works - I would just go to church once, say the sinner's prayer, get my ticket to Heaven punched - and go back to the bar I staggered out of, or the porno shop next door to it. [42]

But, who am I to challenge the Doctrines of great Theologians throughout the centuries. Mine is just one viewpoint, and a very unpopular one at that. [43]

But, come to think of it; so was Jesus'. [44]

Now being different is not a sign of correctness. Far from it. If that were the case, than all the cults would be "right on," and there would be more Moonies in Heaven than Baptists.

All that aside, from my own experience; I find there is nothing in this world that I want any more. There are some things, of course, that occasionally have a draw for me. But the inner peace and the joy I feel from staying just as close to Jesus' ankles as I can get, I wouldn't sacrifice for any thing in this world!

As for the Holy Ghost, I know He has been leading me, and clearing away the obstacles and rubbish I have piled in front of myself in His effort to get me to "turn around" (repent) from my Ego and "things." And though it took me thirty years from my "conversion," and a life filled with anything that I wanted - I finally cried out "Where is the Peace you promised!" [45] [46] [47]

At that moment my life changed, and I could tell I had the Holy Spirit in me. At that moment the Bible made sense to me. At that moment I wanted to do nothing but serve the Lord. And at that moment I understood what "Peace in the Valley of the Shadow of Death" meant, and I finally had full certainty that I was accepted as well as acceptable for Heaven and the Presence of the Lord. [48] [49] [50] [51]

[Coming soon to this website: SIGNS OF CHURCHIANITY ]

REFERENCES

Signs of Christianity - References in Brief

Signs of Christianity - Study Page 1

Signs of Christianity - Study Page 2

[ The True Test for Christianity: When Christians are told they must renounce Christ, or stand before a firing squad. [52]

Tumbleweed

Same, But Different

The Same, But Different

26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. (Ezek 22:)

CONFUSING AT THE MINIMUM

Have you ever had one of those awarenesses that comes to you somewhere between the twilight of sleep and dawn of wakefulness? I'm sure you have. I had just such an occurrence this morning. A song came to me: a song that never has existed, nor probably ever will. The song had these lyrics: "It doesn't sound different; but it doesn't sound the same."

I had a feeling these words had a special meaning, but I couldn't quite attach a significance to them. Then I remembered this piece that is to follow that I had just finished.

It was not finished. It had not yet said what it was intended to say. I pulled it from Thoughts and Comments and made this, its own page.

I am now in the process of gathering information regarding the different processes the churches tell us we must follow in order to be saved. Every church has its own view of the subject, and its own rituals. Figuring out the format for such a complicated study is going to be difficult and may take a while. In the meantime, I have this little piece to offer. There is also the long study SAVED that touches on the subject of Salvation which you might think is the same as "saved," but it isn't. That is, it is, but because of the confusion created by the churches, it isn't. What I mean is it is what the Bible says is Salvation, but it isn't what any of the churches teach as Salvation.

Confused? Then imagine what it's like having to be the one to sort through the mess and present a curlicue of doctrine in a straight line of scripture.

Writing these pieces, which take a huge chunk of time for not only the writing of them, but especially for the research, often seems like a waste to me. I nag the Lord with my complaint that no one is going to see these writings, and those who do see them will either dismiss them as false doctrine, or the ravings of a madman. At best there might be someone who agrees with what I say because they see it in the Bible; but it will do them no good if the understanding of the words are not made clear to them by the Holy Spirit. And in order for the Holy Spirit to explain the Word, a person must first empty themselves out of ego and turn their back on their own interests.

No church teaches a person to do such a thing. Some think they are teaching such a doctrine, but they are just rewording old saws that point to what benefits the individual, not what serves God.

The churches, all of them, preach doctrine, not Scripture. Oh, they quote Scripture to support their doctrine, but they misinterpret the Scripture so it supports their view. The conventional denominations are noted for accusing the "cults" of doing this, which they are; but what the churches don't realize is that they are doing the very same thing. The mote and the log.

The hardest person to convince that they are deceived is someone who is deceived, but thinks they are not, believing that everyone else is deceived.

Someone who is in doubt will be open to Truth. Someone who is convinced they already have the Truth will believe that whatever doesn't fit that truth they have accepted must be a lie.

With all the many thousands of views of the "Truth" in the world I would expect that somewhere, someone might have a little doubt about their own view. But they don't. It's this doubt I am attempting to plant in the minds of people so they will look outside their preconceived ideas and allow the Holy Spirit to direct them.

I don't see this happening.

I see some people who have doubts about the established views, but I see none led to actually find the Truth. How will I know if someone is being led by the Holy Spirit and looking for Truth? Is it that they will want to read all I have written? Is it that I think I, and I alone have the Truth to offer? Hardly. I will know because that person will be able to do little else but search the Scriptures for Truth. And because they are so directed and so obsessed all they will want to talk about is that which they are obsessed over.

Do you find that obsession in any of the churches? When the sermon isn't being preached, what are people talking about? God? The sermon? Jesus? The Bible? Or do they talk about the family, and their illnesses, and their vacation? And this is in the house of God! What do you suppose they are talking about the rest of the week?

I highly suspect that unless God has someone out there He wants to read what I am writing, I will end up being the only one to get anything out of it; which certainly is enough reason for me to keep at it.

It doesn't sound different; but it doesn't sound the same. Do you experience such a thing when you read the Scriptures on your own and compare them to what your church teaches? Do you sometimes wonder how the Pastor could have possibly seen the Scripture he read from the pulpit the way he taught it? Do you sometimes wonder how the Pastor missed seeing the verses right next to those he read that clearly conflict with what he said it means? Or have you heard him actually read those verses in his attempt to prove just the opposite of what he was teaching, and seemed to be totally unaware of their meaning?

Have you listened to a sermon given by your Pastor, or read a book by a theologian, and found their reasoning to be sound? That is, it seems to be the same as what the Bible says; but when you read farther you find that what appears the same, is actually different than the Scriptures? It's as if the answers given fit the question for the moment, but once thought is given to the answers, they don't actually fit the question or the Scriptures? Do you sometimes find such teachings similar to the rhetoric of a politician who is pressed on a subject he doesn't want to discuss?

If you have experienced any of the above, and you have not attributed the disparity to your own ignorance of the Scriptures, then perhaps there is hope for you.
It doesn't sound the same; but it doesn't sound different.

When we hear an "expert" talk on a subject, we assume they have researched the subject thoroughly and that they know what they are talking about. We assume any difference in our perception and the expert's is purely due to our lack of knowledge.

If that were only so.

The fact is that on any, I reiterate and emphasize: any subject there will be at least as many counter and conflicting opinions by experts who are just as qualified as the expert we are listening to. And all those experts may very likely be quoting from the very same references.

Is this never more so than in the churches? Thousands of conflicting "expert" and educated opinions being taught out of the very same Book? Isn't it amazing? And each of these "experts" will very likely tell you they are right because they are being led by the Holy Spirit to teach what they are teaching.

Oh well. It doesn't sound different; but it doesn't sound the same. On with the study.

Jesus said in order to be saved, all a person has to do is believe. This people hear and accept gladly. It's easy. Believe and receive eternal life. How difficult is that to understand? Anyone can understand that if they have half a brain.

I believe the Huskies are going to win their game tomorrow. I believe that Chevy is better than Ford. I believe that gas prices are going to continue to raise. I believe that tomorrow it will rain. I believe that vitamins will help keep you healthy.

See? Nothing to it. Nothing to it at all. Believing is as easy as falling off a log, as the lumberjacks would say. We do it all the time. And to think, for something this easy we can gain eternal life in Heaven, floating around on a cloud and playing on a harp. Amazing. God sure makes it easy on us. I wonder why Jesus and the Apostles and the early Christians didn't get the message, the true message that God has given us. Just think, all those people wouldn't have had to suffer as they did if they had only known the truth as we know it today. And all those heathens of the world, the unconverted nonbelievers and those who haven't heard the Word; they will burn forever in a pit of fire just because they didn't take that tiny bit of effort to believe.

Believe, that's all we have to do. It says so many times in the Bible, so there's no getting around it; all you have to do is believe.

You know me, if you have read anything at all that I've written. You know I have a thought or two up my sleeve (isn't that where you keep your thoughts? up your sleeve?)

"At the end of this term I'm going to give you a test," the teacher says. "Everyone who gets one answer correct will get an 'A' for the semester, even if they are flunking the course."

"Oh, that's nice," you think to yourself. "All I have to do is get one answer right out of maybe a hundred questions and I'm assured an 'A'. I like this idea. I'm getting bad grades as it is and I'll probably flunk. Now, this way I not only get to pass this class, but this 'A' will make me a shoo in for a diploma."

Sounds good doesn't it? Of course that would never happen, would it? I had a math teacher when I was in High School who did this very same thing. He gave us a problem to figure out and told us that we had till the end of the semester to work it out; and an 'A' was the prize for the right answer. There were about five of us, as I recall, who got it right. I think I cheated, but cheat or not, I not only had the answer, but fully understand the question, which was a requirement to pass the class. Even to this day some 50 years later I remember the question, and the answer.

The problem posed by the teacher in this study is a little different. He told his class that if they get just one question correct, they would pass the course. Did you catch the "catch?"

"If you take out the trash," mother tells her son, "I will take you to Disneyland."

Now what child wouldn't like to hear their mother tell them that for merely taking out the trash they will get to go to Disneyland? Mother says: "If you take out the trash," and the chances are that's all the child is going to hear. And the chances are good that is all you hear as well. But if you had been around this home for very long, and if you knew the mother and her methods, you would know what the mother meant, not merely what she said.

Mother is not one to say something she does not mean. And she says exactly what she means. But it takes experience working with her to know that when mother says: "take out the trash," she is not referring to a single occurrence, but an ongoing experience. And by her saying that if the child takes out the trash faithfully every day it is understood that all other commands she has issued the child applies as well. One command does not supercede others, but is added to them.

In the case of the teacher who offers such a grand prize for such a simple task; if one knew the teacher and how he works, one would know that there is more to his statement than meets the eye. Such a statement as the one made by the teacher allows his students to be the person they truly are without fear of reprisal for their lack. In other word, if a student is inclined to be slovenly in their studies, they can do so in his class having full confidence that at the end, without work, they can reap the same rewards due the diligent. At the same time, this offering to the diligent the opportunity to be slack and still reap the same rewards, will not effect their drive or determination because it is in their nature to work hard.

Normally in a class situation there is a grey area that is filled with people who are not interested in what they are studying, nor are they really wanting to study at all. But for fear of being denied advancement, they dabble at study in effort to merely pass to the next grade. By offering these dabblers the opportunity to pass without the earnest effort required, the teacher has created a clear distinction between the serious students and the slothful, emptying out the gray area.

The Bible gives us some examples of God doing the very same thing. One such example is the story of Korah and his band of rebels. God had all those who felt as did Korah to stand with him, and then He opened the ground a swallowed them up. Those who avoided the pit were consumed by fire. You can read about this in the 16th Chapter of Numbers. Another such incident occurred on Mt. Carmel where Elijah brought fire on the worshipers (priests) of Baal (1Kings Chapter 18). Of course you and I know, or at least have been taught that such a thing couldn't happen in this day and age. The examples given were in the Old Testament. Take a peek at the 8th and 9th verses of Revelation Chapter 20. After you read these verses, don't stop, there's more about fire and the separating of the slothful from the diligent.

Another set of Scriptures you might read is the 25th Chapter of Matthew where Jesus speaks of separating the sheep from the goats; and the 13th Chapter of Matthew where Jesus tells a parable concerning tares and wheat; and then again you might try Matthew Chapter 25 where Jesus speaks of ten virgins who are waiting for their Bridegroom, five believing they were ready, but were not; and again in the 7th Chapter of Matthew where the castoffs were some people who were certain they were of the chosen few having done wonderful works in the Name of the Lord; and if you still have an interest in this topic you might try the 25th Chapter of Matthew to see what happens to slothful servants.

Getting back to our teacher, did you figure out the catch in his offer to his students? The students only had to get one answer correct. The catch is: he didn't tell them which question is the one that must be answered.

Does that seem unfair to you? If your intention was to work for your grade and learn all you could from the class the teacher was teaching, the question wouldn't effect you one way or the other. On the other hand, if you only wanted a passing grade and didn't want to learn, therefore ready to forget what you learned once the test was over, you were given the opportunity to spend six months of worriless pleasure after which, in the end, you would get what you worked for and deserved.

Of course we know God would not set out to deceive us as did the teacher, don't we. After all, the whole purpose of the Bible is to make it perfectly clear what God wants from us, and to let us know about all the wonderful gifts He is willing to give us for doing nothing at all. Isn't that right? Before you answer, I suggest you read Matthew 13:13 and the surrounding Scripture; 2Thes 2:7-12, and Isaiah Chapter 66.

Like the statements made by the teacher and the mother, we can't go by our own understanding of their statement, but we must abide by their meaning of the statement. We can argue the justice of our stance until the sun goes down, but it will avail us nothing. We must know what the person who is making the statement means in order to reap the rewards they offer.

If I, as a dogface in the Army, am told that I must finish a certain job or suffer the consequences, I had best do two things. First I had better ask what the job is that I must do, and second I might ask what the consequences are for not doing the job. If I find the consequences worth the risk, I might choose to not do the job given me. On the other hand, if I am a good soldier, I will do the job to the best of my ability and not need to inquire as to what the consequences are.

Another example of this is a stop sign. If a stop sign is placed on a dangerous intersection, it would matter little to me that the punishment for running that stop sign is sever. If the intersection is dangerous I will stop at that intersection with or without the stop sign.

Paul referred to this concept several times, the 6th and the 10th Chapters of 1 Corinthians for example where he says that all things are lawful for him, therefore for us.

Again he relates to our not being under the law in Romans Chapter 6. Many people and churches who like the idea of not having to follow any law take this to mean that we don't (even shouldn't) follow any laws. But who Paul is talking to is not people who are trying to escape the law, but those who have chosen to follow Jesus to the death, ready to obey every command He gives through the Holy Spirit. He is speaking to people who have taken on the full armor as did the Apostles and are preparing themselves for war. These people don't have to follow any law because the standards they have set for themselves far exceed the laws of the land or of the church.

Unbelievers, and those who claim to be "believers" are not under the law as well because they are not in the same company as the believers. They are not in the Master's sheep fold. Not a servant of the Lord. Not a soldier under the command of God and at His beck and call. They might think they are part of the Lord's company, that is the Church, but they are only deceiving themselves and listening to others who are likewise self-deceived.

Understanding what the teacher and the mother meant by their offer. Obviously we have to understand their meaning. But how can I understand if they haven't told me what they meant?

I can ask.

Of course, if I already have a preconceived idea what they meant, or if I have listened to someone else's concept of what they meant, I won't bother to ask because I will think I already know what they meant.

Too late I discover I was wrong, and therefore miss out on the reward offered.

How can we ask Jesus what He meant by "believe?" It's not like we can walk up to Him, as did the Rich Young Ruler and ask Him a question. Besides, it would do us no good even if we could ask Him. If we have to ask, then we won't like the answer any more than did the Rich Young Ruler.

As with the stop sign, and following the orders as a dogface, those who are inclined to do what is expected of them do not have to ask, they just do. For instance, the student who is going to do the best he can and answer every question correctly doesn't have to know what the teacher meant. The child who is anxious to do his or her part as a family member does not have to be given rewards to get him to do a job, he will do it just because he sees it needs to be done.

A Christian who is anxious to serve the Lord does not have to be offered rewards to get him to do his job. And those who do need offers of reward are not serving God, but their own lusts. Take away the offer of the reward, and away goes the effort. It was not out of duty, nor for love that the act was accomplished, but to satisfy one's own lust.

What did Jesus mean by "Believe?" We can be quite certain that He didn't mean a mental consent as so many are teaching. I think even the most gullible of person knows in their heart that Salvation isn't that simple. But if not a mental consent, then what did Jesus mean? Did He give us any clues?

Yes, Jesus and the Apostles left us with not only clues, but out-and-out clear statements as to what "believe" means.

Jesus said if you do not follow His commandments you can not be His disciple. Jesus said if you do not love Him with all your heart, even to the exclusion of your family and your own life, you are none of His. Jesus said that His disciples should follow Him, even to the cross of sacrifice.

I'm not going to give quotes here, I have them all through this website, and they are right there in your Bible, if you happen to have one, where you can look it up for yourself.

In the Old Testament the Israelites were instructed to not only worship God, but to live God. All their life and their being was to be centered around God. This was no more exemplified than in their forty years in the wilderness. There was nothing but God for them.

During the time of Jesus, when even the best of the Jews were far behind what they should have been, their lives were centered around the Temple, the Scriptures, and God. They had a corrupted view of what God intended, which was one reason Jesus came to earth, to show them (and us) the correct way in which they were to worship God. But from childhood a Jew was taught by his or her mother, father, and in every aspect of their life what it meant to be a God-fearing Jew. Even until now Jews (some) are known to do the same. The problem now is, as it was in Jesus' time and long before, people worshiped God in their own way, and they worshiped Him by their own concept of Him, and called that concept "God." But it wasn't God they were worshiping, but an image of their own making.

Never more true is this than it is now. We have millions, if not billions of people worshiping something they call "God," and every one of those images is different. We see the Angry God that must be appeased. We see the Loving God that would never hurt a fly and will ultimately take everyone into His kingdom. We see the Loving God that would never hurt one of His own and wants nothing better than to shower them with gifts, yet is getting ready to torture and destroy everyone who is not one of His own, doesn't go to your church, and who isn't whisked away into a cloud before the destruction begins. And don't you know, this same Loving God is going to burn all the unrepentant souls in hell forever for their lack of faith in your belief, while you and your fellow church members languish in luxury eating fried chicken and flying around a huge 1,500 mile cubed mansion.

There are many aspects to God, that is made clear by the Scriptures. But as I see it, none of the views of the church come near describing God for who He really is. And just what is God like? What are we to be like if we are to enter into Glory? Take a close look at Jesus without all the trappings of church doctrine.

Are you a believer? Are you one who is making a mental consent? Or are you a follower of Jesus, one of His flock that will be taken with Him into His sheepfold?

[Caution!! If by reading any of this I've written, or by reading any of the verses I pointed out, you get a bit nervous; don't fret. All you have to do is go to your Pastor and tell him of your discomfort and I have no doubt he is fully ready and capable to explain away anything I have said, thereby alleviating you of any distress.]

References

23And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, 24Son of man, say unto her, Thou art the land that is not cleansed, nor rained upon in the day of indignation. 25There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. 26Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. 28And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken. 29The people of the land have used oppression, and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. 30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. 31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. (Ezek 22:)

32Because of all the evil of the children of Israel and of the children of Judah, which they have done to provoke me to anger, they, their kings, their princes, their priests, and their prophets, and the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 33And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction. 34But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it. (Jer 32:)

23And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 24Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. 25And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. 27So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. 30But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. 31And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them: 32And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods. 33They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit, and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation. 34And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.
35And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense. 36And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 37Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. 38The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. 39And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: 40To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses. (Num 16:)

21And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: 24And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. 25And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under. 26And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. 28And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. 31And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: 32And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. 34And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. 35And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. 37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. 38Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. (1Kings 18:)

5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed 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. 7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And 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. 9And 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. 10And 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. (Rev 20:)

1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 31When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Mat 25:)

3Let 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; 4Who 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. 5Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. 7For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. 8And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 9Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Thes 2:)

1Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? 2For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. 3He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations. 4I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I called, none did answer; when I spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not. (Isa 66:)

12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1Cor 6:)

23All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. (1Cor 10:)

1What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom 6:)

18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. 22Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. 28Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. 29And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, 30Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. (Mark 18:)

25And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Luke 14:)

1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 11These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17These things I command you, that ye love one another. (John 15:)

15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. (John 14:)

6He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. (Mark 7:)

17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Mat 5:)

1Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Mat 15:)

30Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD. 31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they show much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. 32And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not. 33And when this cometh to pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been among them. (Ezek 33:)

1The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. 10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 15For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 17For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 18Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
24Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 31Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 34All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake he not unto them: 35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 36Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 39The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
44Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.
53And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (Mat 13

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