Dear Readers, I am reprinting a letter I sent to a young man who emailed me with several questions pertaining to the Jewish people, Christians and what it means to worship God. It includes Bible references I encourage you to take the time to read. This post is longer than usual, but I wanted to print it as a whole so you can use it as a study guide or teaching aid. You can break it up into sections yourself to keep it bite-size. Enjoy & God bless!

Dearest Joshua,

The God of Israel, Jesus, does indeed have all authority, meaning, He is equal in power to God the Father, but He is not God the Father. He is still the Son. These ideas must be clear, because Jesus taught people to worship God.

It is like a king who gives his son, the prince, his signet ring. The prince now possesses all the power and authority of his father, but he is not his father.

Paul writes in the Book of Hebrews that in New Testament times, we are allowed to worship Jesus, but not as God the Father. These distinctions are important for those of us seeking perfect understanding of God’s Word, which Jesus told us we can achieve!

READ Luke 6:40, Matthew 10:25

The idea of “worship” is to bow down mentally (not physically) meaning, you are allowing the person you are bowing down to, to influence your thinking. You lower yourself mentally, which is also the meaning of humility.

Jesus lowered himself to God by allowing God’s Word (the Old Testament writings) to form the basis of his thinking. Jesus gave up his right to think his own thoughts! Jesus taught his followers that his teachings did not belong to him, but that they belonged to God.

READ John 7:16

Jesus taught that a person can pretend to worship God by bowing down physically, yet a person’s heart (which is their brain) can still be far from God, thus proving that bowing down physically means nothing. It is bowing down mentally that it is important.

READ Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 23:27-28, Luke 18:9-14

This is why we must work hard each day at “taking every thought captive into the obedience of Christ” because Christ would not allow any thought other than God’s Word to live inside his brain! If we work as hard to obey God as we do for a paycheck, we can heal ourselves of anything that plagues us!

READ 2 Corinthians 10:5

In Old Testament times, the Jewish people “worshipped” God by keeping the commandments of God. Since the devil has the ability to influence human beings through their own thought process, which is how the devil influenced Eve to break the commandment of God, and how the devil tried to seduce Jesus into worshipping him, then keeping the commandments of God is the basis of worshipping God. When a person does not keep the commandments of God, they are worshipping the devil by default and it does not matter if they know it or not. Jesus said it this way, You cannot serve two masters. You are either serving God or you are serving the devil, period.

READ Exodus 20:1-6, Matthew 6:24

The prophets in the Old Testament were constantly warning and scolding the Israelites for allowing the “thinking” of the heathen nations to influence them, which led to them breaking the commandments of God by engaging in all sorts of heathen practices, which is the basis of spiritual fornication – interacting with another god other than the God of Israel.

In New Testament times, we see that the Jewish people and Gentiles (Christians) must worship God the same way: which means, keeping His commandments. Nothing has changed EXCEPT the ritual part of the law which was nailed to Jesus’ cross because He fulfilled the sacrificial portion of the law.

READ Colossians 2:14

There has never been “one way” for the Jewish people and “one way” for the Christians – there is only “one” God and He has “one” law. The entire reason God raised up the Jewish nation was to make them a nation of priests to teach the Gentiles about God. Jesus said it this way, Salvation is of the Jews.

Have the Jewish people always been an obedient nation? No! (But neither have Christians.)

Have the Jewish people been punished for breaking the commandments of God? Yes! (And so will Christians.)

Did God replace the Jewish prophets with Gentile prophets! Never! (But Roman Christianity did.)

For so has the Lord commanded us (Jewish apostles), saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. ~Acts 13:47

If you read Acts chapter 15, you will see that the Jewish apostles gave the Gentile Christians four commandments to keep, proving that Christians must indeed keep the commandments of God in New Testament times and Jesus did not give Christians a free-for-all spiritual playground, which is what many Christians believe! These are blind Christians being taught by blind guides…

The reason I have spent time connecting the “worship of God” to the “commandments of God” is, this is the only way people in Old Testament and New Testament times can worship God!

READ John 4:21-24

Now what is another name for Jesus? The Word of God!

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. ~Revelation 19:13

This means the Jewish people have always had the Word of God with them, who is Jesus! And it does not matter if they know it! Did you know that the “church” began in the wilderness with Moses and not in New Testament times?

READ Acts 7:38

Remember, when Jesus is alive on the earth, the New Testament does not exist. It is written many years after Jesus died on the cross. This means the entire basis of His teachings stem from the Old Testament writings – nothing else. It is these Old Testament writings that form the foundation of the New Testament writings, or create the backdrop for what is being “played out” on the stage in New Testament times.

The problem for many Christians is that they have been taught that there is dividing line between the Old and New Testaments and that the Old Testament is “done away with” in New Testament times. This is a huge error! If you throw out the Old Testament, you throw out the teachings of Jesus and the entire mind of Christ! You throw out the covenants, the promises, the statutes, the judgments and all the prophecies! Again, the only part of the law “done away with” in New Testament times deals with rituals and animal sacrifices because Christ is the “end of the law” in this regard because He was the final sacrifice for sin. The rest of the law stands until the end of time.

READ Matthew 5:17-20

According to the prophecy of Jeremiah, the “new testament” period is a time when human beings will have the Word of God written on their hearts, which means written inside their brains!

READ Jeremiah 31:33-34

This is how everyone born after the cross will bow down to Jesus! He is living inside very human being as their conscience! When people listen to the “little voice” inside them and do what He says, they are bowing down to Jesus! This means they are allowing His instructions to guide them and not their own ideas or thoughts. However, because satan influences human beings through their own thought process, human beings cannot be sure of the “voice” speaking to them, which is why God has preserved the Bible!

The Bible is the only way to “filter” your thoughts and identify the “voice” you believe is speaking to you, by making sure it lines up with the Bible. However, this gets complicated by the fact that the devil knows the Bible and has used it to create an entire religious system filled with false doctrines. This is the reason people need to be “saved” from Christianity! It is filled with lies and liars who masquerade as ministers of righteousness.

READ 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

The reason Elijah decided to publish his teachings is to help people who are searching for truth – people who have been lied to by a religious system that God is going to judge severely – a system that teaches people idolatry and heathen practices that would have mortified Jesus!

The best advice I have for you is, study the Bible on your own and forget everything Christianity has taught you. While there is some truth within it, it is mixed with lies and difficult to untangle. It is better to study the Bible on your own and let the Holy Spirit guide you into all truth, which is His job.

READ John 16:13

In closing, remember this:

When Jewish people keep the commandments of God, they are bowing down to Jesus! When Christians keep the commandments of God, they are bowing down to Jesus! When Non-Jewish and Non-Christian people listen to their conscience, they are bowing down to Jesus!

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another; ~Romans 2:14-15

When a person does not keep the commandments of God, or learn the truth about God, or learn the truth about Christ, or develop the ability to discern the voices speaking in their heads, it is impossible for them to worship God. This keeps them weak, powerless and on the path of evil, no matter how good the evil looks. The devil knows the secret which is why we are engulfed in a world of deception, especially where religion is concerned, and why our nation’s one-mindedness has been broken in the name of tolerance, and why if it were possible, the very elect of God would be deceived.

READ Matthew 7:21-23, Matthew 24:24

Joshua, I know this a lot of information to digest. I pray that it helps you, comforts you, and strengthens you for the good fight of faith.

With love,

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  ~2 Timothy 3:16

The Bible – your BFF

Imagine having a 24/7 teacher as your life coach! That’s exactly what the Bible provides – a book of instructions to help you live life to the fullest.

The Bible is the best “self help” book you will ever find. In fact, you will only waste your time and money following the teachings of human beings – how much better to follow the teachings of the One who created you, who knows you better than you know yourself.

Correction is not cool

The idea of “correction” is sorely lacking in our world today. The rights of parents to correct their children are being eroded by man-made laws while society itself promotes the idea that children have rights outside of their parents’ jurisdiction. But this is a subject for another day.

Today, I want to hone in on the idea that as a grown adult with legal rights, you may not be aware of the importance of correction at any age.

And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks unto you as unto children, My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are rebuked by him, for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not? But if you are without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are you bastards, and not sons.  ~Hebrews 12:5-8

This passage from the Book of Hebrews is clear that the Lord only corrects the people He loves. It also says that the correction will be intense – note the word “scourge” which is what the Roman governor Pontius Pilate did to Jesus (see John 19:1). In the case of Pontius Pilate, he scourged Jesus as a punishment, yet Jesus had done nothing wrong.

In the case of God the Father scourging us, let’s set the record straight: we deserve it! For the Bible says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, who is Jesus, who never sinned.

Correction is your lifeline

Any correction or punishment done by God is being done for our benefit – so we can correct errors in our thinking and judgment, develop Godly character, and experience true “fellowship” with Him.

Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they truthfully for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.  ~Hebrews 12:9-10

Remember, Jesus taught us that the path to life is straight and narrow – a path that few people find. Why? Few people are willing to subject themselves to correction at any age. In the Book of Proverbs, it says a person who hates correction will die! This means the absence of correction in a person’s life will cause that person to feel dead inside.

Correction builds your brain

The Proverbs also teach us that correction drives foolishness out of a child. If we’re God’s children, then He has to drive foolish thinking out of us. This can be difficult when a person thinks they “have arrived” or has a know-it-all attitude – even Christians who believe they understand the Bible!

This is exactly what God’s correction is designed to do: to correct the errors in our thinking so we can make good decisions in life and judge every situation according to the wisdom of the Bible and not by human standards.

Correction builds your spirit

Jesus told His disciples not to be offended by anything or anyone. We can connect this idea to the idea of correction, because God alone decides how and by whom He will correct a person. In the case of the Old Testament prophet Balaam, God used an ass to correct the evil prophet! (You can read all about Balaam in the Book of Numbers, chapter 22 and 2 Peter chapter 2.)

Beware of anyone who tells you that no one has the right to tell you what to do or speak to you in a particular way – this is not what the Bible teaches. As a child of God, we should always be listening for the Lord’s voice, who can speak to us through anyone. Our attitude should be one of “What can I learn?” or “How can I improve?” – not one of “How dare you!”

Correction builds your faith

I guarantee you that God is going to bring people and events into your life to help you develop your faith, which is to apply the instructions of the Bible to your life, and that sometimes, you will not understand His ways. As a Christian, we are supposed to “turn the other cheek” and “forgive those who hurt us” so there is never a basis of self-defense or self-justification with God.

Correction is your spiritual gym

I have learned that if I am going to follow the Bible’s instruction “not to be offended in anything” then I have to experience situations that afford me an opportunity to apply this commandment. This is the basis of being “exercised” by a correction or insult, whether deserved or undeserved.

In closing, remember to be open, stay teachable and be willing to be corrected by anyone. And keep your nose in the Bible so you can be assured that the correction lines up with God’s Word.

This will keep you on the path of life!

Additional scriptures for study:

The Bible is used for correction – 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 12:5-10

Why the human brain needs to be corrected – Isaiah 53:6, Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 22:15

Correction leads to the path of life – Matthew 7:13-14, Proverbs 15:10, Hebrews 12:9-11

Get involved with correction at any age – Hebrews 12:11

Refusing correction is dangerous – Jeremiah 2:30, Jeremiah 5:3, Jeremiah 7:28, Jeremiah 9:9, Jeremiah 30:14

We have also established that “light” has different meanings, based on the context (how it is used in the Bible, which means you have to consider the scriptures surrounding a statement, and all other scriptures on the subject).

The “light” that came into the world on the first day of creation refers to the first spirit God created. This spirit was given the privilege of completing the creation on God’s behalf.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. ~John 1:1-5

Many Christians make the mistake of calling Jesus the “Creator” but that is a title that should be reserved for God alone. Jesus Himself said that He could do nothing without the Father, and neither can any other human being. Thus, God is the only power.

The Old Testament writings promised that a human being would be born to the Nation of Israel who would save His people (the Jews) from their sins.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ~Matthew 1:21

Yet God did not forget about the Gentiles (non-Jews). Once the Messiah was born, the Gentiles would have the opportunity to receive the “light” of Israel!

I the LORD have called you in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people (the Jews), for a light of the Gentiles (non-Jews); To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. ~Isaiah 42:6-8

If you examine the Old Testament writings, you will find that the Holy Spirit could only be inside one prophet at a time. This was how a prophet “communicated” with God or how a person was “anointed” with special power to do a special job.

The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, and his word was in my tongue. ~2 Samuel 23:2

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. ~1 Samuel

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; ~Isaiah 61:1

And the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said unto me, Speak; Thus says the LORD; Thus have you said, O house of Israel: for I know the things that come into your mind, every one of them. ~Ezekiel 11:5

After Jesus was executed by the Romans for a crime He did not commit, here’s what happened:

1. God “glorified” Jesus’ personal spirit by “multiplying” Jesus’ personal spirit.
2. The Holy Spirit seen in New Testament times is the personal spirit of Jesus which was multiplied by God so it could live inside every human being, just like God’s spirit lives inside every human being, which is why it is written in the New Testament that Jesus sat down on the right hand of God’s throne, which is inside human beings.
3. Fifty days after Jesus’ death and resurrection, His disciples gathered together and every one received the Holy Spirit, which is evidenced by their ability to understand the Old Testament prophecies. (SEE the Book of Acts, chapter 2)
4. The Jewish apostles (messengers) were sent out to preach the gospel (truth) to Jews first, then to the Gentiles.
5. The Jewish apostles did not preach anything contrary to the Old Testament writings, neither did they start a new religion called Christianity. They simply proved, through the Old Testament writings, how Jesus fulfilled every prophecy written concerning the Messiah.
6. Since the Gentiles did not know these prophecies, neither were they knowledgeable of Jewish laws and customs, they needed a Jewish person to teach them about the Jewish Messiah and how He fulfilled the Old Testament writings. (SEE the Book of Ephesians, chapter 2)
7. The Jewish apostles carry the “light” which is their understanding of the Bible, which is how a person “walks” in the light, which is the only way a person can come out of “darkness” which is ignorance of the Bible.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ~Psalm 119:105

EASTER

“pascha”

Mistranslated “Easter” in Acts 12:4, AV, denotes the Passover (RV). The phrase “after the Passover” signifies after the whole festival was at an end. The term “Easter” is not of Christian origin. It is another form of Astarte, one of the titles of the Chaldean goddess, the queen of heaven. The festival of Pasch held by Christians in post-apostolic times was a continuation of the Jewish feast, but was not instituted by Christ, nor was it connected with Lent. From this Pasch the pagan festival of “Easter” was quite distinct and was introduced into the apostate Western religion, as part of the attempt to adapt pagan festivals to Christianity. See PASSOVER.

PASSOVER

“pascha”

The Greek spelling of the Aramaic word for the Passover, from the Hebrew pasach, “to pass over, to spare,” a feast instituted by God in commemoration of the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, and anticipatory of the expiatory sacrifice of Christ. The word signifies (I) “the Passover Feast,” e.g., Matthew 26:2; John 2:13,23; 6:4; 11:55; 12:1; 13:1; 18:39; 19:14; Acts 12:4; Hebrews 11:28; (II) by metonymy, (a) “the Paschal Supper,” Matthew 26:18,19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:8,13; (b) “the Paschal lamb,” e.g., Mark 14:12 (cp. Exodus 12:21); Luke 22:7; (c) “Christ Himself,” 1 Corinthians 5:7.

Now one must ask: Why would the Bible translators mistranslate the Greek word ‘pascha’ as ‘Easter’ when they knew exactly what it meant since they translated it correctly as ‘Passover’ in every other place in the New Testament!

Secondly, Vine’s is one of those Bible Study tools that every so-called Bible scholar and theologian utilize in their Biblical studies. You’ll most likely find one on every Christian preacher’s bookshelf. So why in God’s name do Christian leaders continue promoting this pagan festival? Jesus told us why:

“Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” ~Matthew 15:14

Students of the Bible BEWARE. One of the reasons Jesus said “Salvation is of the Jews” is because all the New Testament writings can be traced back to the Old Testament writings, and Jesus said everything written in the Old Testament was speaking about Him!

Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. ~John 5:39

When Jesus is alive, the only “scriptures” that exist are the Old Testament writings. The New Testament had not been written yet, and would not be written until many years after Jesus’ death. This means all of Jesus’ teachings, which He referred to as the Father’s doctrine, were not His own invention but the result of His knowledge of the Old Testament, which included the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets, which Jesus said He did not intend to “do away” with, but to fulfill.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For 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. ~Matthew 5:17-18

Did you catch it? All things written in the Old Testament would be fulfilled!

The reason Jesus is called ‘The Passover’ is because:

1. He fulfills the Passover feast by living a sinless life (the passover lamb could not have any blemish)
2. He is willing to be executed for someone else’s sin (the spilling of His blood), for which reason
3. He is able to “atone” (forgive) human beings for their sin (who believe what Jesus taught, which is everything written in the Old Testament), which is how
4. He can “save” human beings from destruction, which is an appointed time when the wrath of God is poured out on evil people who refuse to believe God’s Word, in every generation, just like Pharaoh who refused to believe Moses, who was a messenger bringing God’s Word to Pharaoh!

If you have ears, hear.

After nine warnings, God struck Egypt with a final blow: the death of the firstborn. The children of Israel were “saved” from all ten plagues because they obeyed Moses’ word, which was not Moses’ word, but the Lord’s Word given to Moses. Moses did not “interpret” the Word, “add” to the Word, or “take away” from the Word. A true messenger of God relays the message exactly as it is given to him, or exactly as it is written in the Bible.

This same system exists today, although Christians are blind to it because they are following blind guides.

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father has sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said unto them, Receive the Holy Ghost: Whose soever sins you remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins you retain, they are retained. ~John 20:21-23

Who was Jesus? A Jewish Messiah. Who were His apostles? Jewish men. What power did He give them? The power to forgive sin! How? By teaching the exact doctrine that Jesus taught the world, without which, a person cannot be saved from destruction!

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted (written) word, which is able to save your souls. ~James 1:21

Whoever transgresses, and does not abide (live) in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God. He that abides (lives) in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son. ~2 John 1:9

Show me where a person can be saved without the exact doctrine (teaching) of Christ! And show me where a Gentile apostle is mentioned in the New Testament! You will not find one, because Salvation is of the Jews, not the Gentiles.

Hopefully, you have a clearer picture of how the Jewish Messiah became the “final sacrifice” for sin and transformed the ritual of Passover into a living feast, one that Christians are supposed to keep on a daily basis, by allowing Christ’s Spirit (your conscience) to guide you.

“Your glorying is not good. Don’t you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” ~1 Corinthians 5:6-8

Now if Christians do not understand the Passover, which is part of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, how can they understand how Christ fulfilled the feast?

And if Christians do not understand how Christ fulfilled the feast, how can they teach others about Christ’s sacrifice?

And if Christians cannot teach others about Christ’s sacrifice, what gospel have they been preaching?

And if Christians have been preaching another gospel, why do they think they are saved?

And if Christians are not saved, how can they save the Jews?

It is the Christians who need to learn from the Jews!

The Jews do not celebrate a pagan festival called Easter, and woe unto every Christian leader, preacher, teacher, evangelist and missionary who teaches this pagan festival in the name of Christ!

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. ~Matthew 7:22-23

Happy Passover.

Keep in mind that Paul did not convert to Christianity; he converted to belief in the Jewish Messiah, and became the apostle (messenger) to the Gentiles (non Jews), teaching them how the Jewish Messiah “fulfilled” the Old Testament writings, which included the Law of Moses and the prophecies. Remember, Paul was a lawyer of the Law of Moses and his understanding of the law was perfect. (SEE Philippians 3:5-6 and Matthew 5:17-18)

For three days, the apostle Paul was without sight. The “light” that blinded him was none other than Jesus Himself, the Angel of Light, and the first spirit God created!

And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spoke to me. And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told you of all things which are appointed for you to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. ~Acts 22:9-11

And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. ~Acts 26:14-15

Try to put yourself in Paul’s shoes for a few minutes. This learned man, who previously wielded great power in ordering the execution of Christ’s followers, was now dependent on others to lead him by the hand. He would have to follow the Lord’s instructions precisely in order to receive his sight and the gift of the Holy Spirit, which would come through a devout Jew by the name of Ananias. Paul was no longer calling the shots.

Paul’s experience is the essence of humility: lowering yourself to be taught by someone else regardless of how educated or enlightened you think you are.

Yet most teachers of the Bible and Christian leaders today, including the Pope, would never humble themselves before someone “outside” of their circle, especially a Jew. Yet Jesus taught us that salvation is of the Jews, not the Gentiles. Yet most Christian churches teach their members that Christianity is the new Israel, that the Old Testament is done away with, that Jesus ushered in a new religion called Christianity, and that the Jews need to convert to Christianity to be saved — none of which is true!

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law (of Moses), having a good report of all the Jews which lived there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers (the Jews’ fathers) has chosen you, that you should know his will, and see that Just One, and should hear the voice of his mouth. For you shall be his witness unto all men of what you have seen and heard. ~Acts 22:12-15

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized. ~Acts 9:17-18

Did you catch it? The Bible is revealing the way God worked 2,000 years ago and the way He works today. Nothing has changed, except for the fact that the devil, who masquerades as Jesus (the Angel of Light), has had one thousand years to perfect his deception and convince the world that salvation is of the Gentiles! Which is why the world, including Christianity, is engulfed in darkness and why the United States is crumbling morally and economically.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. ~2 Corinthians 11:13-15

Make no mistake about it:

1. Salvation is of the Jews.
2. The true apostles of God are Jewish.
3. The Jewish apostles are sent to teach the Gentiles the way of salvation, which is to teach them the truth about God’s Word (the Bible), which is to give them understanding of the Bible (the gift of grace), which is the meaning of being enlightened (the truth planted in a person’s brain), which is the only way to be healed of blindness (ignorance or lies uprooted in a person’s brain).

But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto you; Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they (the Gentiles) may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them (the Jews) which are sanctified by faith that is in me. ~Acts 26:16-18

To be continued…

This code is not a mathematical code, which is why so-called theologians (and even scientists) cannot break the code. Only people anointed by God to teach the code to others can understand it.

Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. ~1 Corinthians 4:1

This is why the word ‘light’ is used in the Bible to refer to people who have been given the gift to understand the teachings of the Bible, which includes the deeper teachings referred to as mysteries or meat.

Whether or not a person is given the ability to understand the mysteries of God has nothing to do with a person’s level of education, or the degree of sin they have committed in their lifetime. The privilege of understanding the deeper teachings of God depends on one thing: what’s in your heart, which only God knows.

Jesus 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. ~Matthew 13:11

Keep in mind that Jesus’ apostles included unlearned men.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. ~Acts 4:13

Even Jesus did not gain His understanding of the Bible by attending the religious school controlled by the religious leaders of His day. This is not to say Jesus was an unlearned man, but it is to say that He was not credentialed by anyone except God the Father!

And the Jews marvelled, saying, How does this man know letters, having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. ~John 7:15-16

Let’s explore how light factors into a true conversion to the Jewish faith which was known as Christianity in the first century, which by the way, is not the Christianity we have today.

The Jewish Apostle named Paul (also called Saul) was the New Testament apostle to the Gentiles – chosen by God (not man) to understand the mysteries of God. Paul was a ‘lawyer’ of the Law of Moses, so his ‘knowledge’ of the Bible was excellent, which at that time included all the Old Testament writings since the New Testament had not been written yet.

Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. ~Philippians 3:5-6

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as you all are this day. ~Acts 22:3

And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. ~Galations 1:14

Keep in mind that it was Paul’s zealousness for the Law of Moses that caused him to persecute the followers of Christ, whom Paul believed were heretics perverting the Jewish traditions. Paul was a murderer!

And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. ~Acts 22:4

Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. ~Philippians 3:6

Paul (aka Saul) was on his way to slaughter the disciples of Jesus, when something incredible happened to him.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

And as Saul journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?

And Saul said, Who art you, Lord?

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute: it is hard for you to kick against the pricks. ~Acts 9:1-5

To be continued…

Yet we see another “light” created on the first day of creation. Who or what is this light?

The Bible has the answer!

If you have been reading this blog regularly, hopefully you have seen that the Bible is a treasure chest of information.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust do corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust does corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

For where your treasure is, there will your heart (brain) be also. ~Matthew 6:19-21

The reason the New Testament forbids any “private interpretation” of the Bible is because the Bible interprets itself. A person does not need a degree from a university or theological seminary to understand the Bible’s writings. All a person needs is the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is Jesus Himself.

The creation account in Genesis is a great example of how the Bible contains “hidden” nuggets of information for God’s children. When a person finds these nuggets, they are increasing their treasure in heaven!

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. ~Luke 11:9-10

The word “light” is used in different ways in the Bible. It can be referring to physical light; it can be referring to a person’s understanding of the Bible; it can be referring to the messengers of God; and it can be referring to Jesus Himself.

This is why it is so important to study the Bible “in context” – which simply means, you must consider how a word or phrase is being used in relationship to the surrounding text.

We must also consider all the other Biblical passages which include a particular word or phrase. This is why studying the Bible takes time and why studying the Bible is referred to as the process of rightly dividing the word of truth.

Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ~2 Timothy 2:15

Physical light

And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. ~Genesis 1:14-19

Understanding of the Bible

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts (brains), to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ~2 Corinthians 4:6-7

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened… .  ~Ephesians 1:17-18

The messengers of God

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~Matthew 5:14-16

Jesus: the first spirit God created

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. ~Genesis 1:3

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. ~John 8:12

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. ~John 9:5

I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness. ~John 12:46

This study is going to get deeper, so please subscribe to this blog. I’ll show you:

1. How to draw logical conclusions when you study the Bible.
2. Why salvation is of the Jews.
3. What Jesus’ death on the cross gives to every human being.
4. How the devil has already achieved deceiving the entire world.
5. What it means to be “saved” in this world and the next.

Get the truth for free!

On Sunday, another interesting article by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Debra Saunders titled, “Federal court has become the new feelings forum.” Saunders notes, “Forget the law…feelings rule.”

For those of you that support the Biblical definition of marriage, I urge you to follow Andy Pugno’s blog to keep apprised of the pending trial. Our biggest battle may yet be ahead of us.

I recently read a passage in Ephesians that reminded me of the importance and beauty of marriage:

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”  ~Ephesians 25-33

Think about it: God chose marriage (between a man and woman) as the basis of understanding Christ’s relationship to the church! This ‘model’ cannot be replaced with a same-sex marriage model without perverting the intended meaning of the scripture.

I have lived long enough to witness the decline of America’s blessings, something I wrote about in a post dated September 15, 2008: Bible predicts economic woes.

I tell you, more woes are coming because Americans refuse to turn their hearts (brains) back to God. The outcome of Prop 8 could tip the scales.

Bottom line, children in America have been robbed of their blessings by parents who refuse to honor God and keep His Word (the Bible).

“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”  ~Exodus 34:7

If children are brought up to believe that same-sex marriage is correct, they will be robbed of another blessing God intended them to have!

This makes the stakes extremely high with Prop 8.

~Jo

Dear Readers, I was moved by Dennis Prager’s article and wanted to share it with you. I plan to do a follow-up post on the same subject. My best to you, ~Jo

Every society has to answer a few basic questions in order to succeed and even in order to survive. One of them is, “How do we make good men?”

The reason for the importance of this question is simple: Males untutored about how to control their natures will likely do much harm. Conversely, males who are taught to how to control themselves and to channel their drives in positive directions make the world a much better place. The good man is a glory of civilization; the bad man ruins it.

Throughout American history, American society asked, “How do we make men?” (It was understood that “man” meant a good man.) Anyone who thought about the subject knew that boys who are not transformed into men remain boys. And when too many boys do not grow up into men, women suffer and society suffers.

What is a man (as opposed to a boy)? The traditional understanding was that a man is he who takes responsibility for others — for his family, his community and his country — and, of course, for himself. A man stood for ideals and values higher than himself. He conducted himself with dignity. And he was strong.

For much of American history, making boys into men was understood to be of supreme importance, and society was usually successful. When I was a boy in the 1950s, without anyone expressly defining it, I knew what a man was supposed to be. And I knew that society, not to mention my parents, expected me to be one. It went without explicitly saying so that I would have to make a living, support myself as soon as possible and support a family thereafter.

When I acted immaturely, I was told to be or act like a man. I wonder how many boys are told to “be a man” today; and if they were, would they have a clue as to what that meant? It would appear that for millions of American boys, this has not been the reality for decades. Many families and society as a whole seem to have forgotten boys need to be made into men.

There are numerous reasons:

1. The distinction between men and boys has been largely obliterated. The older males that many American boys encounter are essentially older boys, not men. They speak, dress, and act similarly (think of men who “high-five” young boys instead of shaking their hands). And they are almost all called by their first names. Even when a boy (or girl) addresses an adult male as “Mr.,” many men will correct the young boy or girl — “Call me” and then give the young person his first name. This is often true even with regard to teachers, physicians and members of the clergy. When a young person calls an adult by his first name, the status of the two individuals has been essentially equated. Boys need men to respect. It’s not impossible to do so when they call men by their first names, but it makes it much harder.

2. Boys today have fewer adult men in their lives than ever before. Many boys are not raised by any father. More are not raised by a father who lives in the home full time. Nearly every teacher and principal American boys have in elementary and high school is a female. The boy’s clergy person and physician may well be women. And few male figures in contemporary film radiate manhood as defined above.

3. The ideals of masculinity and femininity have been largely rendered extinct. Feminism, arguably the most influential American movement of the 20th century, declared war on the concepts of femininity and masculinity. And for much of the population, it was victorious. Indeed, thanks to the feminist teaching that male and female human beings are essentially the same (note, incidentally, that no one argues that male and female animals are the same, only human beings are), untold numbers of boys have been raised as if they were like girls. They were denied masculine toys such as play guns and toy soldiers, and their male forms of play — e.g., roughhousing — were banned.

4. America has become a rights-centered rather than a responsibility-centered society. Aside from helping to produce a pandemic of narcissism, the rights-centered mindset is the opposite of the obligation/responsibility-centered mindset that makes a boy into a man. It is not good for either sex to be rights-preoccupied; but it is particularly devastating to developing men, as men are supposed to be obligation-directed. The baby boomer generation helped destroy manhood in most of the ways described here. One additional example was its widespread slogan, “Make love, not war.” One cannot come up with a more unmanly piece of advice: “Don’t fight for your country, screw girls.” If the greatest generation had adopted that motto, Hitler and Tojo would have won. A few years ago, the city of Chicago named a street after Hugh Hefner, a man who has played games much of the day and night, lived in pajamas and devoted his life to sex — quite a model of manhood for American boys.

5. There are few places where men can bond with other men. One major way men become men is by associating with other good men. The only places left where this normally takes place are sports teams and the military. The same holds true for boys. And much of society is now working on breaking the most significant all-boys institution, the Boy Scouts.

6. Males no longer have distinctive roles. Men do best when they are relied upon, when needed; and they feel most needed when they do something distinct from women. This exists today in sports and the military. It is symbolic — significantly so — that there are no more “men at work” signs on highways. Now “people” are at work. “Men” have disappeared.

7. Many churches and synagogues have been feminized. This has occurred in at least three important ways: Clergy are increasingly female (and touchy-feely males) — for the first time in Christian and Jewish history; God is often depicted as androgynous and no longer either demanding or judging (He just loves all the time); and religion has been changed from morally and theologically demanding to a therapeutic model. So religion, too, has become yet another place where boys encounter few men, and few masculine models (even in God, as noted, is no longer masculine).

8. Instead of the traditional American model of masculinity, which was a rare combination of masculine toughness and stoicism with doing good (e.g., Superman), boys are now taught to be preoccupied with their feelings and with (unearned) self-esteem. They are not even allowed to lose; all boys playing a sport are given trophies, not just winners.

9. Increasingly, marriage is regarded as optional. The most obvious expression of men assuming responsibility — marrying a woman and taking care of her and their children — is no longer a male ideal. Vast numbers of men quite openly admit to having problems with the C-word (commitment) and responsibility of being a family’s sole breadwinner.

When boys do not become men, women assume their roles. But they are not happy doing so. There are any number of reasons American women suffer from depression more than ever before and more than men. It is difficult to believe that one of those reasons is not the very emasculation of men that the movement working in their name helped to bring about. And so, a vicious cycle has commenced — men stop being men; women become man-like; men retreat even further from their manly role; and women get sadder.

Source: The Dennis Prager Show

A man who claims to be a Biblical expert sent me an email. I wanted to share my response with you to remind you why you need to PROVE every doctrine you have been taught by your churches or are picking up on the Internet. Please don’t WASTE your hard earned money on books that are full of lying doctrines! This man claims to be an enlightened teacher of God’s Word, but the truth is, he has his head where the sun doesn’t shine! (I call ‘em as I see ‘em.)

Dear Mr. X,

Regarding your statement that all spirits sleep until the resurrection – this only refers to believers (Revelation 6:9-11). The spirits of unbelievers are left to roam the earth (Luke 11:24-26).

‘Sleeping in Christ’ after death is a privilege given to those who are faithful to the truth of God’s Word and keep His commandments while they are alive on earth. After death, the opportunity to receive this privilege is gone.

BEWARE: Many Christian teachers and their followers will not be given this privilege (Matthew 7:23) because ‘another gospel’ has been preached for 2,000 years! (2 Corinthians 11:4)

You can check out Elijah’s interview on YouTube: What Happens When We Die which is a correct analysis of what happens to human beings at death.

Regarding Adam, I do not agree that Adam does not get eternal life. The Tree of Life is a code word for Jesus, who is the Word of God, who is a Living Spirit who lived during Old Testament times (e.g. Melchizedek).

Adam was the first prophet of God. He sinned, and just like all the other prophets who sinned after him (including King David), received the privilege of sleeping until the Messiah arrived (Deuteronomy 31:16, 2 Samuel 7:12).

Christ’s death for sin is retroactive provable by Matthew 27:52 – the reference to ‘saints’ in this passage can only be referring to O.T. Jewish folks. Thus, these O.T. spirits received the promise God made to Israel concerning the Messiah, the salvation of Israel, and the promise of eternal life.

Also, it is a common misconception that Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden, but it is Cain who was driven from the garden.

If Adam and Eve were banished from the garden, how could they remain in contact with the Lord? The Lord who made them coats of skin and taught Adam how to do the animal sacrifice? The Lord who blessed them with another ‘prophetic’ seed – Seth! Seth’s blood line can be traced all the way to the Messiah!

The Hebrew word ‘adam’ which is used for ‘man’ throughout the Old Testament can be referring to a singular individual (Adam) or to mankind (see the plural use of ‘adam’ in Genesis 5:2). Thus, one cannot assume the use of the word ‘man’ is applying to the individual named Adam – a fatal mistake made by many so-called Biblical experts!

Sincerely,

~Jo Brooks

Dear Readers,

I followed up with several scriptures that further prove all spirits DO NOT receive the privilege of ‘sleeping in Jesus’ after they die:

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried. And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” ~Luke 16:22-25

“And the smoke of their torment ascends up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.” ~Revelation 14:11

torment for ever and ever = eternal torment = no rest forever

If a spirit is not resting, it’s roaming.

Keep in mind that the doctrine of ‘eternal judgment’ is a foundational New Testament doctrine (SEE Hebrews 6:1-2). As Jesus said to the religious leader named Nicodemus concerning his lack of understanding on a basic doctrine, you’re a master (teacher) in Israel and don’t know these things?

Love to all of you who love the Truth!

~Jo