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- New Page | Answers 4 Saints
Our Mission At My Site, we are dedicated to exploring innovative solutions. Our team is passionate about checking things out and providing exceptional service to meet your needs. "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left." Option 1: Direct & Natural (Engaging Study Guide) Scripture Reference: Hebrews 10:26 "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left." What is "Willful Sin"? In this setting, willful sin means knowingly and permanently turning your back on Yeshua. It warns those who fully understand the truth yet consciously choose to walk away and reject Him. Why "No Sacrifice Remains": Yeshua is the Father's ultimate, complete, and final offering for human sin. Once an individual rejects Yeshua, there is no second savior, no Levitical altar to run back to, and no alternate plan of Option 3: Side-by-Side Clarification (Common Misconceptions vs. Biblical Meaning) What It Does Not Mean What the Scripture Actually Teaches It does not mean someone loses their standing because they stumble into ordinary human failure or daily struggles. It specifically warns against apostasy—a settled, deliberate decision to abandon faith in Yeshua entirely. It does not mean the Father refuses repentance from a contrite heart seeking forgiveness. It addresses those who knowingly treat Yeshua’s blood as unholy, leaving themselves with no other sacrifice to cover their sins. Proponents emphasize that Yehovah (יְהֹוָה) is not a 16th-century Christian invention. It is documented with full pointing in over 1,000 Hebrew Bible manuscripts, including prominent early texts like the Leningrad Codex and the Aleppo Codex. They argue Masoretic scribes who guarded letter-by-letter accuracy would not have recorded "mistaken" vowels across centurie The Consonants (יהוה / YHWH): Appear 6,828 times in the Hebrew Masoretic Text. In the Dead Sea Scrolls (dating 2,000+ years ago), scribes often wrote these four consonants in archaic Paleo-Hebrew script to set the sacred Name apart from the surrounding square Aramaic-Hebrew script. 1,000 times across other medieval manuscripts), while the shortened two-vowel form served as the standard scribal reminder (qere perpetuum) to pronounce "Adonai".
- Heaven | answers4saints.com Truth beyond an reasonal doubt
Are you looking for scriptural truth about who is going to Heaven and who isn't answers4saints.com has answers. All Christ taught about obedience, grace, and righteousness, the Christian church does the opposite. Christ kept the Sabbath, the food laws, God's feast days, God's laws, and statutes. Gods 613 commandments New Testment Commandments Deuteronomy 13 TEST God's Ten Commandments Definitions with consequences Bible Verses by Topic Complete JewishBible CJB
- Kingdom of Heaven | Answers 4 Saints
YEHOVAH Proponents emphasize that Yehovah (יְהֹוָה) is not a 16th-century Christian invention. It is documented with full pointing in over 1,000 Hebrew Bible manuscripts, including prominent early texts like the Leningrad Codex and the Aleppo Codex. They argue Masoretic scribes who guarded letter-by-letter accuracy would not have recorded "mistaken" vowels across centurie The Consonants (יהוה / YHWH): Appear 6,828 times in the Hebrew Masoretic Text. In the Dead Sea Scrolls (dating 2,000+ years ago), scribes often wrote these four consonants in archaic Paleo-Hebrew script to set the sacred Name apart from the surrounding square Aramaic-Hebrew script. 1,000 times across other medieval manuscripts), while the shortened two-vowel form served as the standard scribal reminder (qere perpetuum) to pronounce "Adonai". Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, Yehovah (YHWH) reveals His nature, character, and standards through direct declarations ("I am..." or "Thus says YEHOVAH and prophetic oracles spoken in the first person. Here are the primary things God declared about Himself across key categories: His Eternal Nature and Exclusivity He alone is God; there is no other: "I am Yehovah, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God." — Isaiah 45:5 He is self-existent and unchanging: "I AM WHO I AM." — Exodus 3:14 "For I, Yehovah, do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed." — Malachi 3:6 He transcends time (the First and the Last): "I am the first and I am the last; besides Me there is no god." — Isaiah 44:6 He created everything alone: "I am Yehovah, maker of all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who spread out the earth by Myself." — Isaiah 44:24 Truthfulness, Faithfulness, and Promises He cannot lie or change His mind: "God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" — Numbers 23:19 His word never fails to accomplish its purpose: "So shall My word be that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it." — Isaiah 55:11 He keeps covenant and steadfast love: "Know therefore that Yehovah your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations." — Deuteronomy 7:9 Justice, Righteousness, and Accountability He judges impartially and renders to each according to their ways: "I, Yehovah, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds." — Jeremiah 17:10 He does not clear the guilty without justice: "Yehovah... will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." — Exodus 34:7 Vengeance and recompense belong to Him alone: "Vengeance is Mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand." — Deuteronomy 32:35 He loves justice and hates robbery/iniquity: "For I, Yehovah, love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense." — Isaiah 61:8 Mercy, Compassion, and Hesed (Loving-kindness) His foundational self-proclamation on Mount Sinai: "Yehovah, Yehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin..." — Exodus 34:6–7 He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked: "As I live, declares the Lord Yehovah, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live." — Ezekiel 33:11 He is eager to forgive when one turns back: "I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins." — Isaiah 43:25 Holiness and Sovereignty He commands holiness because He is holy: "Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I, Yehovah your God, am holy.'" — Leviticus 19:2 He does not share His glory with idols: "I am Yehovah; that is My name; My glory I give to no other, nor My praise to carved idols." — Isaiah 42:8 He holds ultimate sovereignty over history and life: "See now that I, even I, am He, and there is no god beside Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand." — Deuteronomy 32:39 Here is a list focusing strictly on the literal meanings and definitions of the primary Hebrew names and compound titles: Yehovah / Yahweh (יהוה) – "The Self-Existent One," "He Who Is," or "He Brings Into Being" (from the root verb meaning to be or to exist). Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) – "Yehovah Is Salvation" or "He Will Save" (contracted from Yehoshua / Joshua). Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) – "The Supreme Creator," "Mighty Ruler," or "Judge" (plural of majesty denoting fullness of supreme divine power). El (אֵל) – "The Mighty One" or "Strong God." Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) – "My Lord," "Master," or "Sovereign Owner." El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) – "God Almighty" or "God All-Sufficient." El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) – "God Most High" or "The Supreme Exalted God." El Olam (אֵל עוֹלָם) – "The Everlasting God" or "God of Eternity." El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי) – "The God Who Sees Me." Yehovah Jireh / Yireh (יְהוָה יִרְאֶה) – "Yehovah Will Provide" or "Yehovah Sees to It." Yehovah Rapha (יְהוָה רֹפְאֶךָ) – "Yehovah Who Heals You." Yehovah Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי) – "Yehovah Is My Banner" (or standard of rallying and victory). Yehovah Shalom (יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם) – "Yehovah Is Peace" (wholeness, completeness, and soundness). Yehovah Tsidkenu (יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ) – "Yehovah Our Righteousness." Yehovah Sabaoth (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) – "Yehovah of Hosts" or "Yehovah of Armies" (commanding heavenly and earthly legions). Yehovah Shammah (יְהוָה שָׁמָּה) – "Yehovah Is There" (dwelling present). Yehovah Rohi / Ro'i (יְהוָה רֹעִי) – "Yehovah Is My Shepherd." Yehovah Mekoddishkem (יְהוָה מְקַדִּשְׁכֶם) – "Yehovah Who Sanctifies You" (sets you apart as holy). Here is a list of key Bible verses that demonstrate God's proactive, sacrificial love for humanity, especially while people were still broken and distant: John 3:16 – God demonstrated the magnitude of His love for the world by giving His unique Son, ensuring that everyone who believes in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 – God proves His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners and completely undeserving, the Messiah died on our behalf. 1 John 4:9–10 – The love of God was manifested among us when He sent His only Son into the world so that we might live through Him; real love is defined not by our love for God, but by His initiative to send His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Ephesians 2:4–5 – Because of His immense mercy and the great love with which He loved us, God brought us to life with the Messiah even when we were spiritually dead in our transgressions and sins. 1 John 3:16 – We understand what true love is through this concrete action: Yeshua the Messiah laid down His own life for our sake, setting the standard for how we ought to love. Romans 8:31–32 – Since God did not spare His own Son but willingly delivered Him up for us all, we have the certainty that He will generously give us all things needed for life. 1 John 4:19 – We are empowered to love God and others because He first took the initiative to love us. Titus 3:4–5 – When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us not because of righteous deeds we had accomplished, but solely according to His own mercy and washing of renewal through Yeshua the Messiah. Galatians 2:20 – The life of faith is lived in reliance on the Son of God, Yeshua, who personally loved us and willingly gave Himself over for us. Jeremiah 31:3 – Yehovah declared to His people from of old that He has loved them with an everlasting,17 unconditional love, continually drawing them with His enduring loving kindness (chesed). Zephaniah 3:17 – Yehovah your God is a mighty Savior in your midst who rejoices over His people with gladness, quiets them with His love, and exults over them with singing. Here is a list of key Scriptures from the Torah, the Prophets, and the New Testament that explicitly warn of judgment, ruin, and doom resulting from forsaking and disobeying God's commandments: Deuteronomy 28:15 – "But if you will not obey the voice of Yehovah your God or be careful to do all His commandments and His statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you." The chapter outlines extensive warnings of disease, drought, defeat before enemies, and national ruin. Leviticus 26:14–17 – Yehovah warns that turning away from His statutes and breaking His covenant brings terror, sudden panic, consumption, fever, defeat by adversaries, and fleeing when no one pursues. Proverbs 13:13 – "Whoever despises the word br ings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded." Proverbs 28:9 – "If one turns away his ear from hearing the law [Torah], even his prayer is an abomination." Isaiah 1:19–20 – "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword ; for the mouth of Yehovah has spoken." Isaiah 5:24 – "Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root will be as rottenness, and their blossom go up like dust; for they have rejected the law of Yehovah of hosts, and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel." Jeremiah 11:3–4 – "Thus says Yehovah, the God of Israel: Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant that I commanded your fathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt." Ezekiel 18:24 – "When a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die." Hosea 4:6 – "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge , I reject you from being a priest to Me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." Matthew 7:21–23 – Yeshua warns: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven , but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven... And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness [torah-lessness].'" Matthew 7:26–27 – Yeshua warns that anyone who hears His words and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house upon the sand : the rain fell, the floods came, the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed in complete ruin. John 3:36 – "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him." 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 – Warning of the day when the Master Yeshua is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel, suffering the punishment of eternal destruction. Hebrews 10:26–27 – "For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." 1 John 2:3–4 – "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. Whoever says 'I know Him' but does not keep His commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Revelation 22:14–15 – "Blessed are those who wash their robes [keep His commandments], so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." Core Biblical & Theological Significance 1. Covenant Renewal After Radical Failure The context is critical: Israel had just broken the covenant through idolatry (the Golden Calf). Under strict, unmitigated justice, the covenant was void. By proclaiming these attributes, God demonstrated that His relationship with humanity is anchored not in human perfection, but in divine mercy that makes restoration possible. 2. The Asymmetry of Grace Over Judgment In verse 7, God states that He stores up chesed (steadfast love) for thousands of generations, while visiting iniquity upon the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him. The arithmetic of God's character is overwhelmingly weighted toward compassion: thousandfold grace far outlasts generational consequence. 3. Complete Coverage of Human Moral Failure The trio in Attribute 10–12 covers the entire taxonomy of sin: Avon (Iniquity): Premeditated wrongdoing or inner distortion. Pesha (Transgression) : Defiant revolt against God's authority. Chata'ah (Sin): Unintentional failings and human weakness. By explicitly mentioning all three, the text emphasizes that no category of human failure lies beyond the reach of divine pardon when accompanied by genuine repentance. 4. The Biblical "Liturgical Anchor" Whenever biblical figures found themselves or their communities in existential peril due to disobedience, they invoked this exact formula to appeal to God's self-revelation: Moses at Kadesh-barnea (Numbers 14:18): When the people refused to enter the Promised Land, Moses appealed directly to these words to stay judgment. Jonah’s Lament (Jonah 4:2) : Jonah admitted he fled to Tarshish precisely because he knew God embodied these attributes and would spare Nineveh if they repented. The Prophets and Psalms (Joel 2:13, Micah 7:18–20, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8): The phrase erech apayim ve-rav chesed ("slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love") became the primary Old Testament definition of who God is. Throughout the Scriptures, the judgments (mishpatim) of Yehovah appear not as arbitrary outbursts of anger, but as judicial verdicts rendered by the Judge of all the earth. Biblically, God’s judgments fall into distinct categories: universal cosmic judgments, verdicts against pagan nations, covenant discipline on Israel, and individual accountability. Here is a structured overview of the major divine judgments recorded in Scripture: Universal & Ancient World Judgments The Judgment in Eden (Genesis 3): Following the rebellion of Adam and Eve, God issued judicial sentences affecting mortality, childbirth, labor, and the serpent, establishing the fundamental rift between humanity and creation. The Great Deluge (Genesis 6–8): Enacted because "the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually." The verdict reset human civilization while preserving Noah's family through the Ark. The Dispenser of Tongues at Babel (Genesis 11): Human arrogance attempted to make a name for itself and avoid filling the earth; God’s judgment scattered humanity by confounding their languages. Judgments Against Corrupt Cities & Pagan Empires Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18–19): After an inquiry into their systemic cruelty, oppression of the poor, and sexual degradation (Ezekiel 16:49–50; Genesis 18:20–21), fire and brimstone fell upon the cities of the plain. The Ten Plagues on Egypt (Exodus 7–12): Directly identified as a judgment against the gods of Egypt (Exodus 12:12) and against Pharaoh's systemic enslavement and infanticide of the Israelites. The Canaanite Nations (Leviticus 18: 24–28, Deuteronomy 9:4–5): God explicitly noted that their expulsion was not due to Israel’s righteousness, but because the land had become defiled by their practices, including child sacrifice through fire to Molech. Assyria / Nineveh (Nahum 1–3): While spared a century earlier under Jonah's preaching, Nineveh was eventually brought down due to ruthless imperialism, violence, and decei t. Babylon (Jeremiah 50–51, Daniel 5): Judged for imperial hubris, the destruction of the Temple, and King Belshazzar's desecration of the sacred vessels , culminating in the handwriting on the wall: "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." Covenant Discipline on Israel & Judah Under the terms of the Mosaic Covenant (Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 28), God warned that persistent unfaithfulness and idolatry would bring progressive covenant judgments designed to call the nation back: The Wilderness Generation (Numbers 14): After rejecting the report of the Promised Land at Kadesh-barnea and refusing to trust God, the generation aged twenty and older was sentenced to wander the wilderness for 40 years until they perished. The Northern Kingdom / Samaria (2 Kings 17): In 722 BC, the ten northern tribes fell to the Assyrian Empire and were scattered due to persistent idolatry, golden calf worship, and rejecting the prophets. The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile (2 Kings 25, 2 Chronicles 36): In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed the first Temple and deported Judah because of decades of covenant treason, shedding innocent blood, and ignoring the land's Sabbath rests. Individual & Direct Judgments Scripture also highlights direct divine judgments executed against specific individuals for flagrant breaches of holiness, pride, or deception: Individual / Group Offense Judgment Reference Nadab and Abihu Offered "unauthorized fire" before the Lord contrary to His command Struck by holy fire at the Tabernacle altar Leviticus 10:1–3 Korah, Dathan, and AbiramLed an open, rebellious revolt against Moses and Aaron's God-given leadership The earth opened and swallowed their households Numbers 16 UzzahTouched the Ark of the Covenant to steady it, disregarding the prescribed carrying polesStruck dead instantly for irreverence 2 Samuel 6:6–7 King UzziahPresumptuously entered the Temple sanctuary to burn incense, a duty reserved strictly for priests Struck with incurable leprosy on his forehead 2 Chronicles 26:16–21 King Herod Agrippa I Accepted the crowd's praise hailing him as a god rather than giving glory to Yehovah Struck down by an angel and eaten by wormsActs 12:21–23 Ananias and Sapphira Conspired to lie to the Holy Spirit regarding the proceeds of their land sale Dropped dead on the spot before the apostles Acts 5:1–11 Principles Governing God's Judgments Rooted in Exhaustive Knowledge: God never acts on hearsay or assumptions; He inspects the heart and acts only after thorough investigation (Genesis 18:21; Jeremiah 17:10). Preceded by Patient Warning: In nearly every case—from Noah preaching before the flood, to centuries of prophets warning Israel, to Jonah in Nineveh—judgment comes only after extended periods of divine patience (Erech Apayim). Redemptive Intent: For God's covenant people, divine judgments are remedial rather than purely punitive, functioning as parental discipline (musar) meant to purge evil and produce repentance (Hebrews 12:5–11; Hosea 6:1). To "fear God" (Yir’at Yehovah in Hebrew, יִרְאַת יְהוָה) is one of the most misunderstood phrases in Scripture. In modern English, "fear" almost exclusively means fright, terror, or the instinct to shrink away from danger. In biblical thought, however, the fear of the Lord is not the dread of a cruel tyrant that makes you run away and hide. Rather, it is a profound, awe-filled reverence and moral seriousness that draws you in, aligns your priorities, and anchors your obedience. Moses captured this paradox directly at Mount Sinai: "Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin." — Exodus 20:20 Notice Moses says: Do not be terrified ("do not fear"), yet cultivate the fear of Him. The goal is not cowering paralysis, but transformative reverence. 1. The Hebrew Concept: Yirah The primary Hebrew word is יִרְאָה (yirah). While it can describe natural fright (like meeting an enemy in battle), when directed toward God it takes on a distinct meaning: Holy Awe and Wonder: Recognizing the staggering gap between the Creator and the creature—His infinite holiness, sovereignty, and power versus our finite frailty. Appropriate Weight: Treating God with ultimate seriousness rather than casual familiarity. It is understanding who He actually is and responding accordingly. A helpful analogy is standing at the edge of the ocean or watching a Category 5 hurricane. You aren't necessarily terrified if you are safe, but you are gripped by immense respect and sober awe. You would never treat the open sea casually or carelessly. 2. What the Fear of God Looks Like in Practice Scripture defines the fear of the Lord not as an abstract feeling, but by its tangible fruits: A. Hating and Turning Away from Evil "The fear of Yehovah is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate." — Proverbs 8:13 "By the fear of Yehovah one turns away from evil." — Proverbs 16:6 The fear of God acts as an internal moral compass. When no one else is looking, a person who fears God refrains from wrong not because they might get caught by human authorities, but because they know God sees the heart and cares about righteousness. B. The Foundation of Wisdom and Clear Thinking "The fear of Yehovah is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." — Proverbs 9:10 Biblically, wisdom (chokhmah) is skill in living life as God designed it. You cannot even begin to see reality accurately until God is placed at the center of the equation. Treating God as secondary or irrelevant is, by biblical definition, the starting point of foolishness (Psalm 14:1). C. Walking in His Commandments "And now, Israel, what does Yehovah your God require of you, but to fear Yehovah your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve Yehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul..." — Deuteronomy 10:12 Notice how Deuteronomy pairs fearing God with loving Him and walking in His ways. Fearing God and loving God are two sides of the same coin: love prevents fear from degenerating into cold dread, while holy fear prevents love from deteriorating into shallow presumption. 3. Slavishe Fear vs. Filial Fear Theologians have long distinguished between two types of fear: Category Servile / Slaves' Fear Filial / Children's Fear Root Motivation Dread of punishment; panic over getting caught Deep love, loyalty, and reverence View of God Harsh, arbitrary, looking to strike down A righteous Father whose approval matters above all Resulting Action Running away, hiding, deceit (like Adam in the garden)Drawing near in humility, repentance, and obedience Ultimate Concern"What will happen to me?""Will this dishonor or grieve Him?" A healthy son respects and "fears" a strong, loving father—not because he thinks his father will destroy him, but because he honors his authority, values his character, and dreads breaking his trust. 4. The Biblical Promises to Those Who Fear Him Far from bringing anxiety, Scripture repeatedly associates the fear of God with deep peace, protection, and intimacy: Intimate Friendship: "The friendship of Yehovah is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant." — Psalm 25:14 Compassion: "As a father has compassion on his children, so Yehovah has compassion on those who fear Him." — Psalm 103:13 Protection and Provision: "The angel of Yehovah encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them... for those who fear Him have no lack!" — Psalm 34:7, 9 Confidence and Life: "In the fear of Yehovah one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge. The fear of Yehovah is a fountain of life..." — Proverbs 14:26–27 In short, to fear God is to fear nothing else. When God holds His rightful, supreme place in a person's life, every other human fear—fear of man, fear of circumstances, fear of the future—loses its grip.
- Spirit | Answers 4 Saints
God only gives His Spirit to those who keep His commandments Narrow way Living in the Spirit Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.… Romans 8:9 which states that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him. This principle emphasizes that a willing, obedient heart is a key condition for receiving and experiencing the empowering presence of the Spirit. Acts 5:32, But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Here is a clear Yes/No self-assessment to help determine if you are currently walking in the Spirit (according to the Bible — Galatians 5:16-25, Romans 8:5-14). “Am I Walking in the Spirit?” Test Answer Yes or No honestly to each: create a test 1 John 3:4 (KJV), the verse reads: "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." Answer Yes or No honestly to each question to examine your heart. The "Walking in the Spirit" Deep Reflection Test Spiritual Deafness: When Scripture or a sermon convicts me of a specific change I need to make, do I listen and act immediately, rather than tuning it out or making excuses to justify myself? The Internal Battle: When I am tempted to break one of God’s commandments (in my thoughts, words, or actions), do I feel an immediate, sharp internal friction from the Holy Spirit urging me to stop? Worship in Spirit: Is my private devotion—when absolutely nobody else is looking or listening—just as earnest, real, and passionate as my public religious behavior? Spiritual Blindness : Am I quick to notice and convict myself of my own hidden sins (like pride, resentment, or greed), rather than just pointing out the obvious sins of the world around me? The Still, Small Voice: In the middle of a busy day or a stressful situation, am I quiet enough to hear and recognize the Holy Spirit's promptings regarding my attitude or speech? Keeping His Commandments: Do I view God's laws as a joyful path of protection and fellowship that I want to keep, rather than a heavy burden I have to drag around? The Internal Reality: When someone wrongs or provokes me, do I actively rely on the Spirit to change my internal feelings toward them, rather than just forcing a fake smile on the outside? Recognizing the Blindspot: Am I genuinely willing to ask God to show me the faults in my character that I am currently blind to, and am I ready to change if He reveals them? Ritual vs. Spirit: If all religious structure, services, and routines were stripped away today, would my personal, daily walk and communication with God remain completely intact? Hardening the Heart: Am I aware of any area where I have repeatedly ignored God's warnings to the point where my conscience no longer bothers me about it? "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." — Hebrews 3:15 "Son of man, you are living among a rebellious people. They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious people." — Ezekiel 12:2 "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." — John 4:24 Reflecting on Your Answers Mostly "Yes": This indicates an active, living connection where your spiritual senses are sharp. Your ears are open to His voice, you are fighting the internal battle to keep His commandments, and you are operating from a place of true, spiritual reality. Several "No" Answers (especially on Questions 1, 5, and 10): This is a warning sign of spiritual deafness. When we repeatedly ignore the promptings of the Spirit or turn a deaf ear to God's laws, our hearts naturally begin to harden, and His voice becomes harder to discern. If you are struggling to hear Him, it is a direct call to clear away the noise, stop resisting, and pray: "Lord, take away my stubbornness, open my ears, and give me a heart that hears and obeys." Key Bible Truth: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh … Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:16, 25) True life in the Spirit is marked by freedom, fruit, and dependence on God — not perfection, but direction. A key verse is Romans 8:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Other verses about having the Spirit of God: Other verses about having the Spirit of God: 2 Corinthians 13:5 "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith... Know ye not your own selves, how that Yeshua Messiah is in you, except ye be reprobates?" Galatians 4:6 "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father." 1 Corinthians 3:16 "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" 1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you ...?" Ephesians 1:13 "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." 1 John 3:24 "And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. " 1 John 4:13 "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit." According to Scripture, the presence of God's Spirit is evidenced by faith in Messiah, obedience to God, and a transformed life: "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 John 2:3) "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15) "And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." (1 John 3:24) 1 . The Mindset: What Governs Your Thoughts? The primary difference starts in the mind. Romans 8:5 states, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit." In the Flesh: A person is trapped in their own perspective. When a trial hits, their immediate reaction comes from human instinct—fear, anger, retaliation, or self-pity. In the Spirit: A person's mind is anchored in divine truth. When the same trial hits, they pause, lean on the Spirit, and recall the commandments of God, responding with humility, truth, and faith. "In the Spirit" vs. "In the Flesh" : This refers to a fundamental shift in a believer's identity. Being in the flesh represents our old, unredeemed nature, while being in the Spirit means our lives are governed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. [1, 2] T he Indwelling Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit inside a believer is the defining mark of true faith. Paul uses it as proof that an individual truly belongs to Christ. [1, 2, 3] The "Spirit of Christ": Paul interchangeably uses "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ," emphasizing the divine nature of the Holy Spirit and the intimate connection between the believer and Yeshua Christ. [1, 2, 3] "In the Spirit" vs. "In the Flesh": This refers to a fundamental shift in a believer's identity. Being in the flesh represents our old, unredeemed nature, while being in the Spirit means our lives are governed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Indwelling Spirit: The presence of the Holy Spirit inside a believer is the defining mark of true faith. Paul uses it as proof that an individual truly belongs to Christ.The "Spirit of Christ" : Paul interchangeably uses "Spirit of God" and "Spirit of Christ," emphasizing the divine nature of the Holy Spirit and the intimate connection between the believer and Jesus Christ. 2. The Battle Over the Commandments Your response to God's instructions immediately reveals which realm you are operating in. "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God." — Romans 8:7-8 The Flesh Rejects: Because the flesh wants to be its own god, it views the commandments as a restrictive burden. It rationalizes compromise, creates excuses, and ultimately rejects the truth. The Spirit Accepts: The Spirit gives us the supernatural ability to understand and love the commandments. It breaks the power of the flesh so that obedience isn't a legalistic chore, but a natural expression of our identity in Yeshua. The Sovereign Distinction: You cannot serve both. Walking in the flesh is relying on your own human strength and desires, which cuts a person off from salvation. Walking in the Spirit means surrendering your will to the truth of Yeshua, allowing His Spirit to produce real, righteous life within you. When Yeshua laid down this standard in John 4, He was radically redefining what it means to connect with the Almighty, breaking it down into two inseparable pillars. 1. Worshiping "In Spirit" (The Internal Reality) Worshiping "in spirit" means that your worship originates from the innermost core of your human spirit, energized and led by the Holy Spirit. Bypassing the Physical: Before Yeshua, people believed worship was tied to a physical location (like the Temple in Jerusalem or Mount Gerizim) or specific physical rituals (sacrifices, incense, holy garments). Yeshua explained that because God is Spirit, He cannot be confined to a building or moved by empty, outward motions. Heart Over Performance: It means your heart is actually in it. You can sing the songs, read the scriptures, and say the prayers, but if your mind is wandering or your heart is cold, it is just a fleshly performance. Worshipping in spirit means your inner being is actively alive and connected to God. 2. Worshiping "In Truth" (The Doctrinal Reality) Worshiping "in truth" means your worship is firmly anchored in God's absolute reality, His Word, and His commandments. Alinged with Reality: You cannot worship God based on a version of Him you made up in your own mind. It must be based on who He actually is as revealed in scripture . The Blueprint of Salvation: As noted previously, truth is non-negotiable—without truth, there is no salvation. Worshiping in truth means accepting God's standard of righteousness, acknowledging the reality of sin, and recognizing Yeshua as the only true way to the Father. It leaves no room for falsehood, self-delusion, or compromise. The Side-by-Side Balance Genuineness only happens when both elements are operating together perfectly. One without the other creates a dangerous imbalance. In Spirit (Without Truth)In Truth (Without Spirit)In Spirit AND In Truth Pure Emotion: Excitement, feelings, and high energy, but lacks a scriptural foundation. It easily drifts into false doctrine because it relies on "how I feel" rather than what is true.Dead Religion: Correct theology, strict rules, and flawless structure, but cold, rigid, and heartless. It results in a Pharisee-like walk that has the form of godliness but denies its power .True Worship: A vibrant, sincere heart that is deeply in love with God, backed by an uncompromising commitment to His absolute Word and commandments. Summary: To worship genuinely is to bring your whole heart (spirit) into perfect alignment with God's reality (truth). It is a walk where your inner thoughts, your public actions, and your obedience to the commandments all match up perfectly before the eyes of the Fathe r. Spiritual Blindness: Inability to See: Just as physical blindness prevents someone from seeing the physical world, spiritual blindness prevents individuals from "seeing" or discerning spiritual truths . This can manifest as: Lack of Understanding : Difficulty grasping theological concepts, biblical teachings, or the nature of God. Failure to Recognize God's Presence: Not perceiving God's activity in the world or in their own lives. Misinterpretation of Reality: Viewing life solely through a material or secular lens, without recognizing a spiritual dimension. Inability to See Their Own Sinfulness: Being unaware of their moral shortcomings or their need for redemption. R ejection of Spiritual Evidence: Dismissing or ignoring signs and experiences that might point towards a spiritual reality. Causes: Spiritual blindness can be attributed to various factors, including: Sin and Unbelief : A hardened heart due to persistent sin or a refusal to believe in God. Worldly Distractions: Being consumed by material possessions, worldly desires, and the cares of this life. Pride and Intellectual Obstacles: Relying solely on human reason and rejecting the need for divine revelation. Deception: Being misled by false teachings or ideologies. Spiritual Opposition : Some theological perspectives suggest that Satan or other spiritual forces actively work to blind people to the truth. (2 Corinthians 4:4) 2 Corinthians 4:4 states that the "god of this age" (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel. This spiritual blindness keeps people from perceiving the glory of Christ, who is the exact image of God. Spiritual Deafness: Inability to Hear: Similar to physical deafness, spiritual deafness describes an inability or unwillingness to "hear" or heed spiritual messages. This can involve: Ignoring God's Word: Not paying attention to or disregarding scripture, sermons, or other forms of spiritual communication. Resisting the Holy Spirit's Promptings: Ignoring inner convictions or nudges towards righteousness. Being Unresponsive to God's Call: Not recognizing or heeding God's invitations to faith and relationship. Preferring Other Voices: Being more attuned to worldly opinions or desires than to spiritual guidance. Lack of Discernment : Difficulty distinguishing between true and false spiritual teachings. Causes: Similar to spiritual blindness, spiritual deafness can stem from: Sin and Rebellion: A stubborn and disobedient heart that refuses to listen to God. Preoccupation with the World: Being too busy or focused on worldly matters to hear God's voice. Skepticism and Doubt: A closed mind that is unwilling to accept spiritual truths. Hardened Heart: A heart that has become Calloused and resistant to God's influence. Spiritual Opposition: Again, some believe that external spiritual forces can hinder people from hearing God's voice. Interconnections: Spiritual blindness and deafness are often interconnected. If someone cannot "see" spiritual truth, they are less likely to "hear" and respond to it. Conversely, if someone refuses to "hear" spiritual messages, their understanding and "sight" can become clouded. Overcoming Spiritual Blindness and Deafness: Christian theology emphasizes that spiritual blindness and deafness can be overcome through: God's Grace: Ultimately, it is God's initiative and grace that opens eyes and ears to spiritual truth. Faith in Yeshua messiah: Believing in Yeshua and accepting his sacrifice is seen as the key to spiritual healing. The Work of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is believed to illuminate the mind and open the heart to understand spiritual realities. Prayer: Seeking God's help to see and hear. Study of Scripture: Engaging with the Bible to learn about God and his ways. Fellowship with Believers: Being part of a community of faith that can offer support and encouragement. Repentance and Obedience: Turning away from sin and living in accordance with God's will. Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. In summary, spiritual blindness and deafness represent a significant barrier to experiencing and understanding the spiritual realm and one's relationship with God. They are conditions that, according to Christian belief, require divine intervention and a willing heart to overcome. To all who are weary of the heavy burdens of the world and the confusion of the Broad Way: You are cordially invited to enter the Kingdom of God. The King of the Universe, Yehovah, has not left you to wander without a map. He has provided His Torah—His perfect instruction—to act as the light for your feet and the guardrail for your life. While the world offers a wide road of "do as you please," the Father invites you to the Narrow Path, where true freedom and lasting peace are found. Romans 8:16 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." The Meaning: God’s Holy Spirit connects directly with the human spirit to give internal assurance of salvation. 1 Corinthians 2:11 "For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God." The Meaning: Just as your own deep thoughts are only known by your personal consciousness (your spirit), the deep things of God can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit. Worshiping in Spirit and Truth This is one of the most famous statements made by Yeshua regarding the nature of true worship. John 4:24 "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV) The Meaning: Because God is not a physical being confined to a physical temple, true worship must happen in the spiritual realm—sincerely from the human heart—rather than just through external rituals. Testing the Spirits In the Epistles, believers are warned that not everything claiming to be spiritual is from God. 1 John 4:1 "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." (NKJV) The Meaning: A warning to evaluate the teaching, motive, and supernatural backing behind any spiritual message. Testing the Spirit: The Scriptural Protocol In the modern religious world, people confuse "the Spirit" with an emotional vibe, a subjective feeling, or a goosebump experience during a worship service. They hear someone speak with passion, perform a sign, or claim a direct revelation from God, and they automatically assume it is from the Almighty. But the Scripture issues a strict, legal mandate to audit and cross-examine every spiritual claim. The Apostle John gives a direct commanding order: "Test the spirits." The Confrontation: "You are completely unguarded if you swallow every teaching, every prophecy, and every emotional experience just because someone uses the name of Jesus. The spiritual realm is filled with counterfeits designed to mimic holiness while leading you straight into rebellion. The Creator did not leave you to judge by your intuition; He gave you a fixed legal protocol to test what is operating in front of you. Read 1 John 4:1." The Verse: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world." The Shock: "The Greek word for 'test' is dokimazō—a legal and metallurgical term meaning to assay, analyze, or put to a rigorous trial to see if it is genuine or counterfeit. If a spirit, a teacher, or a movement cannot pass the scriptural audit, you are commanded to reject it entirely, no matter how good it feels or how many followers it has." The Three Infallible Scriptural Tests To determine if a spirit is the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit of Truth) or a spirit of deception, you must apply the three-fold protocol laid out in the literal text: Test 1: The Torah and Light Test (The Baseline) A true spirit will never contradict, alter, or relax the permanent instructions and commandments given by the Father. The Protocol (Isaiah 8:20): "To the law (Torah) and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." The Execution: If a spirit or a teacher tells you that the Sabbath is changed, that the dietary laws are done away with, or that the Moedim (Appointed Feasts) are replaced by pagan-rooted traditions under the guise of "grace," the verdict is instantaneous: There is no light in them. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Law; He will never lead a person to break it. Test 2: The True Identity and Identity of Yeshua Test The spirit must confess and align entirely with the true, uncompromised identity, flesh, and lineage of the Hebrew Messiah. The Protocol (1 John 4:2-3): "By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ (Yeshua HaMashiach) has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Yeshua HaMashiach) has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist..." The Execution: To confess Him "in the flesh" means acknowledging His literal, physical reality as the Hebrew Messiah who walked in perfect Torah obedience, kept the Sabbath, and embodied the Word. If a spirit presents a counterfeit, lawless, Hellenized "Jesus" who authorizes his followers to throw out the Father's commandments, that spirit is exposing itself as the spirit of the Antichrist (anomos—the lawless one). Test 3: The Fruit and Character Test You do not judge a spirit by its gifts, its signs, or its numbers; you judge it by the structural transformation it produces in a person's life. The Protocol (Matthew 7:20, Galatians 5:22-23): "Therefore by their fruits you will know them... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law." The Execution: Look past the performance. Does the spirit produce a life of radical Teshuvah (repentance), deep humility, and a protective love for the brethren? Or does it manifest the hidden works of the flesh—pride, gossip, horizontal treason against brothers, and a stubborn heart of flint that refuses correction? The Verdict of the Audit The Spirit of DeceptionThe Ruach HaKodesh (Spirit of Truth) Promotes anomia (lawlessness) and excuses the violation of the Commandments.Writes the Torah directly onto the heart and causes you to walk in His statutes (Ezekiel 36:27). Relies on emotional highs, human traditions, and the approval of the majority.Anchors itself strictly to the literal text: "Thus saith the Lord." Breeds pride, defensiveness, and a carnal mind hostile to God's Law.Produces the visible, active fruit of righteousness and horizontal love. The Bottom Line: Stop being spiritually naive. Run every voice, every teacher, and your own internal thoughts through this exact scriptural protocol. If it fails to match the Torah and the testimony of Yeshua, hit the eject button immediately. Turn your ear back to the Law so your very prayers do not become an abomination (Proverbs 28:9). Living in the Spirit Romans 8:9 8 Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God . 9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.… Jesus and the Samaritan Woman John 4:24 …23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. 1 John 3:24
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For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. . .. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” Everyone dies once than comes judgement . The Judgment Seat of Christ Heading 6 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. The Judgment Seat of Christ Romans 14:10–12 says, “For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. . .. So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God” Many people confuse the Great White Throne Judgment at the end of the Millennium with the Judgment Seat of Christ, which occurs 1000 years earlier at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven. The Judgment Seat of Christ is an entirely different judgment in which the saved, are judged by Yeshua and are rewarded according to their works. The Judgment Seat of Christ (Bema) Answer Yes or No to each statement. 1.The Judgment Seat of Christ is only for non-believers. Yes or No 2.At the Judgment Seat of Christ, believers will be condemned for their sins. Yes or No 3.The purpose of the Bema is to evaluate how Christians lived their earthly lives. Yes or No 4.Salvation is determined at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Yes or No 5.Christians will receive rewards at the Judgment Seat for faithful service, stewardship, and obedience. Yes or No 6.The Judgment Seat of Christ is a future event for all believers. Yes or No 7At the Bema, believers give a full account of their earthly lives to Jesus. Yes or No Unfaithful or worthless works will result in loss of rewards (but not loss of salvation). Yes or No The Judgment Seat of Christ determines whether a person goes to heaven or hell. Yes or No The Bema Seat is only about punishment. Yes or No Answer Key (check after you finish): No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes No No John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Hebrews 10:26-27 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. ● Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Yeshua our Lord. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (119 ministries.com) Revelation 19:6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Yehovah, our Elohim the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Matthew 25:1-13 - Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. John 14:3 - And 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. John 3:29 - He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth hymn, rejoice greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom Proclaimed Revelation 11:15,18; 15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Yehovah and His Son, and He shall reign forever and ever!” 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before Yehovah on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped Yehovah, 17 saying: “We give You thanks, O Yehovah Almighty Elohim, The One who is and who was and who is to come Because You have taken Your great power and reigned. 18 The nations were angry, and Your wrath has come, And the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that You should reward Your servants the prophets and the saints, and those who fear Your name, small and great and should destroy those who destroy the earth.” Revelation 10:7; But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets The Coming of the Son of Man The next verses explain that the dead in Christ will be first to rise, followed by those who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet Yeshua. This next verse tells us if we are in the first resurrection we will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Matthew 24:29 “ Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Thessalonians 4:15 By the word of the Yehovah, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Yeshua will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep . 16 For the Yeshua Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Yeshua in the air. And so we will always be with the Yeshua. Matthew 10:28 28 And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Yeshua and for the word of Yehovah, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Yeshua a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Yeshua, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” In context, it is clear that both passages refer to Israel, not unbelievers. The judgment seat of Yeshua, therefore, involves believers giving an account of their lives to Yeshua. This is not a salvation issue. In summary “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city. ● Matthew 21:21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 1 John 5:27 And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.… Acts 16:30 Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”31 They replied, “Believe in the Yeshua Messiah and you will be saved, you and your household.”31 So they said, “Believe on the Yeshua Messiah, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Yeshua to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household. Matthew 19:15 And after He had placed His hands on them, He went on from there. 16 Just then, a man came up to Yeshua and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?” 17“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” Yeshua replied, “ There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “ John 3: 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Galatians 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you embraced, let him be under a divine curse! 10 Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? (From that time Yeshua began to preach and say, “Repent change your inner self —your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”) The First Resurrection and the Saints 1000-year reign on earth . 20 A New Heaven and a New Earth Revelation 21:1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” [a] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, pr epared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[b] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. ”5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. 8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb Revelation 21:9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. 12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. 13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls. 16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits thick. 1 8 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass. 19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. 22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lambare its temple. 23 The city does not need the sunor the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it. 25 On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there. 26 The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. 2 7 Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life. If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Yeshua. ● Micah 4:2 Many nations will come and say, "Come And let us go up to the mountain of the Yehovah and to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths. “For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the Yehovah from Jerusalem.3 And He will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they train for war.
- Sacrifrice will resumes | Answers 4 Saints
SAcrifice will resume WILL HUMANITY SURVIVE? We are living in humanity’s grand experiment in governing itself without God. Can the 193 United Nations member states ever find the way to world peace? History should make the answer plain! The twentieth century brought two world wars responsible for the deaths of tens of millions and violent tyrannies that killed millions of innocent civilians. It brought humanity to the brink of nuclear self-annihilation. Even today, biological, chemical, nuclear, and other threats keep our planet on the brink of disaster and destruction. So, will planet Earth survive at all? Is there any hope for world peace? Many do not know that the Bible predicts specific events leading up to the end of this age. We read, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened” (Matthew 24:21–22 ). But who will shorten those days to save us? Your Bible reveals that Christ will return to this earth to prevent total cosmocide. Danger is ahead, but Scripture also shares the awesome good news of a coming world government under the King of kings. Until He comes, what should we do? Many try to “live for today” and enjoy all they can, avoiding the sobering reality of what is to come. But Christ wants us to be different. He admonishes us to “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34–36 ). This article will examine seven trends or signs for which we should be watching. As we watch, we will know that we are approaching that wonderful day when Jesus Christ will return and the seventh trumpet will sound. “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” (Revelation 11:15 ). Will you be ready to meet Him when He comes? You will, if you follow His commands as you prepare. So, look for these seven signs! 1. GROWING DANGER OF NUCLEAR WAR Despite many treaties meant to control the proliferation of nuclear weapons, experts are worried. One agency reports that, since 2016, “there has been significant backsliding on the standards related to arms control and risk reduction” (“Assessing Progress on Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament,” Arms Control Association, July 2019, p. v). In addition to the known nuclear nations—Russia, the United States, France, China, the United Kingdom, Israel, India, Pakistan, and North Korea—the report looked at Iran and Syria, where biological and other forms of deadly weaponry are also being researched, and found “evidence that Iran, North Korea, and Syria all engaged in illicit trafficking of dual-use [weapon and non-weapon] materials and technologies” (p. vi). Will Russia detonate one of its estimated 6,850 nuclear weapons in a coming war? Will the United States detonate one of its 6,550? We should remember that mankind’s pattern is not to let technology sit unused. Last January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists reminded us of this danger: “The current situation—in which intersecting nuclear, climate, and information warfare threats all go insufficiently recognized and addressed, when they are not simply ignored or denied—is unsustainable. The longer world leaders and citizens carelessly inhabit this new and abnormal reality, the more likely the world is to experience a catastrophe of historic proportions.” The Bulletin called our present situation “a new abnormal” (“A new abnormal: It is still 2 minutes to midnight,” Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 2019). Sadly, your Bible confirms that humanity is not finished with war. Scripture foretells World War III, when a huge army will move west across the Euphrates River. Now the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. And thus I saw the horses in the vision: those who sat on them had breastplates of fiery red, hyacinth blue, and sulfur yellow; and the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and brimstone. By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed—by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths (Revelation 9:16–18 ). As shocking as it may seem, one-third of all human beings will die in a future world war! Watch for the development of nuclear capabilities on the world scene. 2. EARTHQUAKES AND OTHER NATURAL DISASTERS As we saw above, floods and fires continue to ravage our planet and seem to be increasing. Consider the following comments by this magazine’s Editor in Chief, Evangelist Gerald E. Weston, in his eye-opening booklet Acts of God: Why Natural Disasters? : Hawaii is a very popular tourist destination, as are the islands of the South Pacific. These beautiful volcanic islands are the stuff of songs and musicals. But as we know, volcanoes can be very dangerous to anyone living too close to them. Thousands of people perished in Pompeii and the surrounding area when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. Fifty-seven people died when Mount St. Helens erupted May 18, 1980…. There were warning signs of a catastrophe in the making, just as there had been before Mt. Vesuvius erupted. The north side of St. Helens bulged some 300 feet and was growing five to six feet a day. Warnings to evacuate the area were given, but as is often the case, people do not heed such warnings: “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; the simple pass on and are punished” (Proverbs 27:12 ). As we saw earlier, natural disasters cause both human and financial devastation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported in late 2019 that since 1980, the U.S. had suffered over $1.7 trillion in financial losses as a result of 254 major weather events that each cost the nation more than $1 billion. Last year was the fifth consecutive year in which the U.S. suffered ten or more separate billion-dollar disaster events (“Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters: Overview,” NCDC.NOAA.gov, October 8, 2019). Altogether, natural disasters conservatively cost the United States $91 billion in 2018, according to the NOAA, while several insurance companies such as Munich Re present even higher estimates. And these figures are just for U.S. losses. One single event in 2011—the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that damaged Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant—has been tied to more than 20,000 deaths and $360 billion in economic damage. This compares to “just” $250 billion in damage and additional economic impact in the U.S. from Hurricane Katrina in 2005. We could go on listing these events and lamenting the suffering they cause, yet your Bible reveals that today’s worst disasters pale in comparison to what will happen before Christ returns at the end of this age. The book of Revelation explains: “And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth” (16:18). Scripture reveals that terrible times are ahead, before Christ’s return . “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (Matthew 24:7–8 ). Of course, preparing for the occasional emergency or natural disaster is prudent. But while “doomsday preppers” stockpile vast amounts of food, water, and resources, the only preparation that will ultimately protect you from what is coming on the whole world is to stay close to your Savior and do what He tells you to do! 3. A UNITED EUROPE SEEKS GLOBAL PRIMACY The European Union has experienced the challenge of “Brexit”—the controversy surrounding British voters’ choice to leave the European Union and the consequences of that vote. The EU is also struggling with problems caused by massive flows of refugees and other immigrants, some of whom bring to their new countries the very different values of the countries they left behind. Smaller and weaker EU nations chafe as Germany strives to exert a leadership role proportionate to its economic strength, while all are left unnerved by the uncertain nature of the United States’ commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Many perceive that only a strong and charismatic power can bring unity to the struggling EU. In fact, your Bible prophesies that such a leader is coming, symbolized as a beast with seven heads and ten horns. God reveals the meaning of this symbol: “The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have received no kingdom as yet, but they receive authority for one hour as kings with the beast. These are of one mind, and they will give their power and authority to the beast” (Revelation 17:12–13 ). Ten kings or kingdoms will support this charismatic leader, producing a powerful, unified force. Currently, the European Union is not so unified, but watch for international events that will spur a future combination of nations in Europe to fulfill a final revival of the historic Roman Empire, which will dominate the world politically and militarily. Notice the description of its power: “And all the world marveled and followed the beast… and they worshiped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?’” (Revelation 13:3–4 ). The world power structure will change dramatically over the coming years. Watch developments in Europe as an ascendant European Union seeks and ultimately achieves global primacy. 4. A POWERFUL LEADER UNITES BILLIONS IN A RELIGIOUS REVIVAL We’ve seen the prophecy that a great superpower will ascend on the world scene, but notice that there’s another world figure also described as a beast. This symbolic beast has two horns like a lamb. Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived (Revelation 13:11–14 ). Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God. By contrast, this religious imposter will appear Christian while speaking like a dragon. You need to watch for an internationally respected religious figure who will influence a European political and military superpower. You must not let him deceive you, though his miracle-working deceptions will cause billions to follow him and his false religion. Notice: “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9 ). One of the false prophet’s lying wonders will be to call down fire from heaven, as we saw in Revelation 13:13 . The Apostle Paul emphasizes that this false prophet will be a servant of Satan, not of God, and will be judged at the coming of the King of kings, Jesus Christ: “And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thessalonians 2:8 ). Watch religious trends in Europe, where a great religious revival will draw billions to a false and lawless religion. 5. THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION Jesus gave us a vital warning sign: “‘Therefore when you see the “abomination of desolation,” spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place’ (whoever reads, let him understand), ‘then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains’” (Matthew 24:15–16 ). If you’ve read the books of Daniel and Matthew in your Bible, you may have been puzzled by the mysterious “abomination of desolation.” What is it, and what does it mean in end-time prophecy? Clearly, this is an important sign to understand. It signals when God’s people are to flee and escape the final three-and-a-half-year sequence of end-time prophetic devastations. Historically, the Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanes issued a decree in 167 BC that prohibited the Jews from making temple sacrifices. We read, “And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation” (Daniel 11:31 ). Antiochus not only stopped the daily sacrifices, but also erected in the temple a statue of Jupiter Olympus and directed everyone to worship it. This event, also described in Daniel 8, prefigured a prophesied end-time milestone. “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days” (Daniel 12:11 ). Yes, 1,290 days before Jesus Christ’s Second Coming, animal sacrifices will again be stopped! Jesus warns Christians to be alert to an end-time abomination of desolation! Just as Antiochus Epiphanes profaned the Temple and cut off the sacrifices in 167 BC, so will a profane authority cut off Jewish sacrifices in the future! You need to watch for developments in Israel that will lead to the restoration of animal sacrifices by religious Jews, and for developments leading to an international treaty allowing these sacrifices. 6. THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD PREACHED TO ALL NATIONS Jesus gave this sign signifying the end of man’s failed attempts to produce world peace: “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14 ). You’ve been reading that Gospel in this magazine, which proclaims tomorrow’s world and the Kingdom of God on Earth. Yes, the world-ruling Kingdom of God will bring peace and prosperity to all nations of the earth. It will be ruled by the King of kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus came preaching that Gospel or good news: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14–15 ). The prophet Isaiah reveals an inspiring promise of the Messiah’s world-ruling kingdom of peace: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6–7 ). Today’s world of conflicts, oppression, and wars will be replaced by the Kingdom of God—the government of God. “Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever’” (Revelation 11:15 ). 7. HEAVENLY SIGNS AND THE DAY OF THE LORD Many who watch world news and study Bible prophecy know that a cosmic disturbance in the heavens will shock everyone on earth. Some Bibles include a header above Revelation 6:12 , calling attention to this disturbance: “Sixth Seal: Cosmic Disturbances”—but what does that refer to? Does it mean the recent “blood moon” lunar eclipses that captured so much attention? We read the following: I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (vv. 12–17). So-called “blood moon” eclipses certainly remind us of this prophesied event, but the real thing will be far, far more impressive—even terrifying—and will not be explainable by the positions of the Earth, Sun, and Moon. These prophesied cosmic disturbances will herald the Day of the Lord, the “great day of His [Christ’s] wrath.” Through Scripture, God warns us in advance of future judgments. The Moon will be turned to the color of blood and the Sun will become dark. Thousands of meteors will light up the sky. Yes, judgment is coming on all nations of planet Earth. How can you escape the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Our Savior admonishes us to “take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:34–36 ). WATCH AND PREPARE FOR CHRIST’S RETURN! Some preachers misleadingly teach that we cannot understand prophecy and that Jesus Christ may return at any moment. On the contrary, as we have seen from the Bible, and as you can know from other Tomorrow’s World publications, there is a specific prophetic framework in which you can have confidence. But what about you, personally? You may die at any time and wake up to the resurrection of the saints, or to a resurrection of judgment. You cannot afford to delay in responding to your Savior! We look forward to the return of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, to rule all nations and establish the Kingdom of God on Earth for a thousand years. What is your greatest goal? Your Bible gives us the most important and vital goal we could ever set: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 ). Watch for these seven signs of Christ’s return, prepare, and pray, “Your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10 ). For more on this subject, order our free booklet, “Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ’s Return.”
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Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13 But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. We all will be judged ! The Heart-Hardening and Spiritual Idolater This diagnostic test is designed to expose the subtle, progressive stages of a hardening heart. In scripture, a hardened heart doesn't happen overnight—it begins with minor excuses, moves to casual neglect, and ends in open defiance of God’s commandments. 📋 The Heart-Hardening Diagnostic Test Instructions: Answer these 10 direct questions honestly to evaluate whether your heart is remaining soft and responsive to the Holy Spirit, or if it is actively calcifying into a state of disobedience. Question 1: The Reaction to New Truth When you are reading scripture or listening to the Word, and you discover a clear commandment of Yehovah that you have never kept before (such as His Seventh-Day Sabbath or His dietary boundaries): A) Your heart breaks in immediate repentance. You say, "I didn't know, but now I will change my life to obey." B) Your mind instantly goes on the defensive, looking for loop-holes, modern theological excuses, or reasons why that specific law "doesn't apply to you." Question 2: The Shift from Conviction to Comfort Think back to the first time you realized you were violating one of God’s explicit instructions. How has that feeling changed over time? A) The conviction remains sharp, heavy, and uncomfortable until you physically repent and align your actions with the Word. B) You used to feel bad about it, but now you can violate that commandment routinely without feeling any internal grief or checking your conscience. Question 3: The Seduction of the Crowd When faced with a choice between a direct command of God and a long-standing human tradition or family holiday that violates His Word: A) You stand firmly with the sword of truth, choosing to please God even if it causes painful division or awkwardness with your loved ones (Matthew 10:34). B) You choose to please the crowd, rationalizing that "God knows my heart" or "it’s just a harmless tradition," prioritizing human harmony over covenant fidelity. Question 4: The Handling of Reproof and Correction When a brother, sister, or scriptural passage directly confronts a specific sin or compromise in your daily walk: A) You humble yourself like David, examine the evidence against the infallible standard of the Word, and actively correct your path. B) You become irritated, dismiss the person as "legalistic" or "judgmental," and completely shut your ears to the correction. Question 5: Intellectual Understanding vs. Physical Application How do you measure your spiritual maturity and standing before the King? A) By your wholehearted application of the Word—ensuring that what you hear and understand translates into physical fruits of obedience (Matthew 12:33). B) By your intellectual knowledge. You pride yourself on knowing the Bible, studying theology, or debating scripture, while your actual lifestyle, diet, and calendar look just like the rest of the world. Question 6: The Standard of Grace When you think about the blood of Christ and the grace of the New Covenant, how does it affect your relationship with the Torah? A) You view grace as a clean slate that gives you the power to finally walk in total obedience, writing His law directly onto your responsive heart (Jeremiah 31:33). B) You view grace as a permanent safety net or a license, assuming that His mercy acts as a cover so you can disregard His statutes and judgments without consequences. Question 7: The Blindness to Ezekiel’s Wolves When you sit under a pastor or teacher who actively smooths over the Torah, ignores the Sabbaths, or tells you that God's laws are an obsolete burden: A) You recognize them as a blind guide doing violence to the Law (Ezekiel 22:26), and you run away from their lawless influence. B) You find comfort in their sermons because they tell your itching ears exactly what they want to hear, allowing you to stay securely asleep on the broad road. Question 8: The Desolate Places vs. Modern Comfort How much of your daily effort, energy, and financial focus is dedicated to building your own comfort within the modern system versus preparing for His Kingdom? A) You treat your life as a strict training ground, learning the agricultural, moral, and covenant laws of the King today so you are ready to be a true citizen of His restored land. B) You are fully invested in securing your own ease in Babylon, giving almost zero thought to the physical, literal restoration of Israel or the laws of His royal court. Question 9: Present-Tense Defiance Knowing that James 4:17 states, "To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin," what is your current posture toward a truth you know you are ignoring? A) You are actively working to eliminate the compromise, bringing your home, your family routines, and your hands into subjection to the Master. B) You are currently and actively engaged in a calculated delay, deciding that the economic, social, or emotional cost of obeying right now is simply too high. Question 10: The Ultimate Warning of Amos's Sieve When you read about the sifting of the nations and the upcoming Great White Throne Judgment where the books of record will be opened: A) You tremble with holy reverence, daily begging the Father to search your hidden motives and purify you from the inside out (Hebrews 12:14). B) You read the warnings with a detached, cold perspective, presuming that your past verbal profession completely exempts you from the sifting process and the standard of the Spoken Word. The Heart Condition Verdict: Look squarely at your answers. If the choices consistently land on B, the scriptural diagnosis is flashing a severe warning: your heart is progressively hardening. Pharaoh didn't wake up with a heart of stone; he reached it by repeatedly hearing the command of Yehovah and choosing to delay, excuse, and defy it. How you live your life is the only real evidence of what you believe internally. If you are currently hiding behind excuses to avoid physical obedience, you are actively calcifying your heart against the Holy Spirit. Drop the defenses, turn your face back to the Torah, and yield your walk to the King while your heart can still feel the weight of His voice. 📋 Heart-Hardening Diagnostic Test: Part 2 Instructions: Continue evaluating your patterns, thoughts, and automatic reactions against the standard of the Spoken Word. Question 11: The "What About..." Diversion Technique When a clear commandment from the Torah is brought to your attention, what is your immediate mental reaction? A) You look directly at your own life and ask, "Am I doing this?" B) You immediately try to distract from your own disobedience by bringing up hypothetical scenarios or pointing fingers at others ("Well, what about people who live on a desert island?" or "What about that hyper-legalistic person who keeps the Sabbath but has no love?"). Question 12: The Language of the Tongue How do you speak about the structural laws, feast days, and statutes that Yehovah explicitly set up for His people? A) You view them with deep affection, agreeing with King David that His law is "sweeter than honey" (Psalm 19:10) and light to your path. B) You casually use words like "old," "obsolete," "bondage," "legalistic," or "done away with" when describing the very instructions the Father called holy, just, and good. Question 13: Compartmentalizing Your Walk How much of your life is actually subject to the authority of the Word of God? A) Every single department—your budget, your calendar, what you put into your mouth, how you dress, how you run your business, and how you speak to your family. B) You have boxed God into a "spiritual compartment" (prayer, church attendance, and reading devotionals), while leaving your physical habits, your business ethics, and your entertainment choices to be guided by the standards of the world. Question 14: Casual Exposure to Abominations When choosing what to watch, listen to, or tolerate in your home as entertainment: A) You protect your eyes and ears, refusing to look at things that celebrate lawlessness, witchcraft, sexual immorality, or mockery of the Creator. B) You can sit through movies or shows that openly flaunt what God calls an abomination, laughing at them or tuning them out, claiming "it’s just entertainment" or "it doesn't affect me." Question 15: The Definition of "Love" How do you define what it means to love God and love your neighbor? A) You define it exactly how the Bible does: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). B) You define love as a warm emotional feeling, a vibe of general tolerance, or being "nice," believing that as long as you feel love in your heart, you don't actually have to execute the specific, physical laws of behavior God laid down. Question 16: The Fear of Man vs. The Fear of Yehovah When an opportunity arises where keeping a commandment (like leaving work early for the Sabbath or refusing unclean food at a social event) will make you look "weird" or radical to your peers: A) You welcome the reproach of the Messiah, choosing to be a set-apart peculiar treasure rather than blend into Egypt. B) You compromise or hide your beliefs to avoid an awkward conversation, choosing the temporary praise and comfort of men over the approval of the Master. Question 17: Memory Trimming and Selective Amnesia When you read through the historical accounts of Israel in the wilderness, how do you process their failures? A) You take them as a terrifying personal warning, knowing that God destroyed an entire generation of believers because they refused to physically obey His voice (1 Corinthians 10:5-11). B) You skim past those parts or view them as distant history that has no bearing on you, assuming that your modern religious labels give you a pass from the same standard of accountability. Question 18: The Response to Personal Suffering or Hardship When trials, financial tightness, or unexpected health struggles hit your life, how does it impact your obedience? A) You draw closer to the Covenant, searching your life for any hidden compromise and anchoring yourself tighter to His commands. B) You become bitter, loosen your grip on His standards, or say, "I’ve been trying to follow God and look what happened—what’s the point?" using your pain as an excuse to break His laws. Question 19: Sneaking Around Your Conscience Do you ever find yourself playing technical games with God's instructions? A) You seek the full, heavy weight of the spirit of the Law, wanting to fulfill it to the absolute maximum of your ability. B) You look for ways to technically slide by on a technicality—doing just enough to "look" religious to others while your heart finds ways to indulge your flesh right up to the border of transgression. Question 20: The Grief over Lawlessness in the Land When you look at the collapsing morality, the broken families, and the general rebellion against God's natural order in modern culture: A) Your soul is vexed like righteous Lot, and you weep over the lawlessness, recognizing that the root cause is that humanity has forsaken the Torah of Yehovah. B) You have become completely numb to it. You complain about politics or the economy, but you don't connect the dots to see that the root of all human misery is the rejection of the Father’s explicit instructions. The Deep Diagnostic: A heart turns to stone one degree at a time. It happens when we value our reputation more than His righteousness, when we mistake an emotional vibe for true covenant love, and when we think our knowledge can substitute for our obedience. If these questions hit a nerve, don't ignore it. That stinging sensation is proof that the heart is still alive—repent, change direction, and walk out the truth today. Spiritual Idolater When you look at the concept of a spiritual idolater, it goes much deeper than the old-school picture of someone bowing down to a physical statue of wood, stone, or gold. In a biblical sense —especially looking at the teachings of the prophets, Yeshua, and Paul—idolatry is fundamentally a matter of the heart. It happens the exact moment anything inside our lives takes the seat of priority, trust, or devotion that belongs solely to God. As Paul writes in Colossians 3:5, “...and covetousness, which is idolatry.” He ties a condition of the heart (greed, wanting what isn't yours, or looking to material things for fulfillment) directly to worshiping a false god. The Core Traits of a Spiritual Idolater A spiritual idolater might look completely religious or upright on the outside, but their internal alignment is shifted. Here are the three main ways this plays out: 1. Misplaced Trust (The Security Idol) This is looking to anything other than God for ultimate security, safety, and future stability. What it looks like: Placing absolute, unwavering faith in a bank account, a political leader, a career, or a human institution to save or protect us. When those things become the source of our peace instead of the Creator, they have become functional idols. 2. Seeking Human Approval (The Pride Idol) This ties directly back to what we looked at in Romans 2:29—seeking the praise of people rather than the praise of God. What it looks like: Doing religious deeds, posting on social media, or adjusting our morals just to be seen, validated, and applauded by the culture or our peers. If the driving force of our life is "What do people think of me?" rather than "Where is my heart with the Father?", we are serving the idol of self and reputation. 3. Religious Legalism (The System Idol) Irony of ironies, you can actually turn the letter of the law or religious traditions into an idol. What it looks like: When a person falls in love with their own righteousness, their specific denomination, or their rigid checklist of rules rather than loving God and their neighbor. They trust in their ability to perform the rules perfectly to save themselves, completely bypassing a true, Spirit-led change of heart. The Heart as an "Idol Factory" The human heart is incredibly deceptive (Jeremiah 17:9). It has a natural habit of taking good things—like family, hard work, financial stability, or theological knowledge—and turning them into ultimate things. A good thing becomes an idol the second you decide you cannot live, feel secure, or be happy without it. The remedy for spiritual idolatry is always the same throughout scripture: a circumcised heart. It’s daily pulling down those internal altars to self-reliance or public approval, and anchoring our identity entirely on the root of the Olive Tree—seeking praise from God alone, where no human eye can see. The Core Traits of a Spiritual Idolater 1. Christmas The Original Date: December 25th was the Roman celebration of Sol Invictus (The Birthday of the Unconquered Sun) and the climax of Saturnalia (a wild winter festival honoring the god of agriculture). The Evergreens: Bringing pine trees, holly, and mistletoe indoors comes from ancient European winter customs used to ward off winter spirits and honor fertility. The Truth: Yeshua was likely born in the autumn during the Feast of Tabernacles, not in the dead of winter. 2. Easter The Name: "Easter" is derived directly from ancient fertility goddesses of the dawn and spring, such as Eostre (Anglo-Saxon) and Ishtar (Babylonian Queen of Heaven). The Rabbits & Eggs: Pure symbols of extreme fertility and the rebirth of nature used in ancient spring equinox celebrations. They have no connection to a Hebrew resurrection. The Truth: The Council of Nicaea (325 AD) intentionally severed the resurrection celebration from its true biblical anchor—Passover. 3. Halloween The Origin: Stemmed from Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred. The Costumes: People wore masks and disguises to confuse or ward off wandering evil spirits. The Change: The Church later renamed it "All Hallows' Eve" to transition pagans into the church system. 4. Valentine's Day The Origin: Stemmed from Lupercalia, a wild, sexually charged Roman fertility festival held in mid-February. The Change: Pope Gelasius replaced the festival in the 5th century by dedicating February 14th to St. Valentine, turning an old fertility custom into a romantic holiday. 5. New Year's Day (January 1st) The Origin: Established by Julius Caesar in 46 BC to honor Janus, the two-faced Roman god of doors, gates, beginnings, and transitions. The Custom: The month of "January" is named after Janus (who looks forward into the new year and backward into the old). Romans celebrated by offering sacrifices to him, partying, and exchanging gifts. The Truth: According to the biblical calendar in Exodus 12:2, God establishes the first month of the year in the spring (Nisan/Abib), matching the rebirth of agricultural life rather than the dead of winter. 6. The Title "Pope" & "Pontiff" The Origin: Derived directly from the Roman imperial title Pontifex Maximus (meaning "Supreme Bridge-Builder"), which was the title held by the high priest of the pagan Roman College of Pontiffs. The Mix: Roman Emperors like Augustus and Constantine wore this title as the head of the pagan state religion. When the Roman Church gained political dominance, the Bishop of Rome adopted the title and the hierarchical supreme authority that went with it. The Truth: Yeshua explicitly commanded His followers not to seek lofty, hierarchical titles or call any religious leader on earth "Father" in a supreme spiritual sense (Matthew 23:9). 7. Sun-Day vs. The Sabbath The Origin: In ancient Babylon, Persia, and Rome, the first day of the week was dedicated to the worship of the Sun god (Mithra / Sol Invictus). The Change: In 321 AD, Emperor Constantine issued a strict imperial decree: "On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed." This officially shifted the official day of rest from the biblical Sabbath to Sunday to unify pagans and Christians under his rule. The Truth: God established the Seventh-day Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset) at Creation as a perpetual sign of His covenant (Genesis 2:2-3, Exodus 31:16-17). 8. The Single "Senior Pastor" System The Origin: Derived from the "Monarchical Episcopate" of the late Roman Empire, where a single bishop ruled over a city just like a Roman governor. The Mix: Mainstream churches replaced the biblical model of a local team of co-equal elders (Zakenim) with a single, corporate CEO/Senior Pastor style of top-down leadership. The Truth: In the original first-century assemblies, leadership was always a shared plurality of local elders who kept each other accountable. No single man ruled the flock. 9. "The Pulpit" and Professional Oratory The Origin: Derived from the Roman Rostrum and Greek theater stages, where professional orators (Sophists) were paid to give slick, polished, one-way rhetorical speeches to a passive audience. The Mix: The church adopted the physical layout of an elevated platform (pulpit) facing rows of silent spectators, turning fellowship into a performance. The Truth: First-century gatherings were interactive, conversational, and participative (1 Corinthians 14:26). 10. The "Clergy vs. Laity" Split The Origin: Rooted in ancient pagan religious systems and formalized by Roman imperial law, which created a rigid class divide between holy, paid priests (Clergy) and ordinary common people (Laity). The Mix: Mainstream church culture conditioned believers to think that "the Pastor" or "the Ministry Staff" are the only ones qualified to do God's work, baptize, or teach. The Truth: Scripture teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). There is no spiritual hierarchy. 11. Cathedral Architecture & Holy Buildings The Origin: Modeled directly after the Roman Basilica—the grand, imperial public buildings used for Roman courts, politics, and pagan temple worship. The Mix: When Constantine legalized Christianity, the church moved out of houses and began building massive, ornate shrines, treating the physical building as "the House of God." The Truth: The New Testament explicitly states that God does not dwell in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24). The people are the temple. Most people have never heard of this verse… Matthew 24:12 Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13 But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.… James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Yehovah defines love as keeping His commandments, all of them. He sent His Son to teach them to us and to live them as an example for us. Modern Christians are under the false assumption that the commandments are just for the Jews to follow. They seem to forget that their Jesus (Yeshua) is Jewish. Acts: 17:30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. There seems to be an assumption that Yehovah will overlook all our indiscretions because “He knows my heart”, the problem is that He knows our heart and He calls them deceitful and sick. There are 12 verses about the wicked hearts. Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it? The next verses confirm no one can snatch us away from Yeshua’s hands, however we can turn our backs on Him and walk away. We demonstrate this when we stop keeping Yehovah’s commandments. 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 10: 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father who has given them to Me is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan plead for the widow. 18 "Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson; they will be like wool. 19 "If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land; That the Race Is Not to The Swift or Strong but To Those Who Endure to The End There are about 90 verses on persevering to the end. Scripture is very clear, we must have an obedient heart and endure until the end to ensure salvation. All the remaining verses confirm we must endure, remain steadfast, fight the good fight until we can't fight anymore in order to be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Mark 13:13 And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Yeshua. Revelation 3:5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; Revelation 21:7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. Revelation 3:21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Romans 2:7 To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; Revelation 2:25-28 Only hold fast what you have until I come. The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received authority from my Father. And I will give him the morning stars. Revelation 3:12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. Hebrews 12:5-7 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? What is sin? video
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For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.The purpose of life? And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true Yehovah, and Yeshua messiah, the one you sent to earth. Have reverence for God, and obey His commands, because this is all that we were create Child of God or a child of the Devil EVERY SINGLE WORD in the Bible deserves our highest regard and careful obedience. Scripture isn't a collection of suggestions or optional wisdom —it's God-breathed, profitable for teaching, correcting, and guiding us in righteousness (as 2 Timothy 3:16 puts it). We should hold each word in reverence and commit to following it fully, letting it shape how we live, speak, and love others. Do you love God? What does God’s word actually say about this —plainly, without my spin?” It’s easier to justify than to submit. It’s more comfortable to reinterpret than to repent. (James 1:23–25). Scripture splits humanity into two distinct categories based on their relationship to God and His commandments. If God calls His covenant-keeping people saints (those set apart), He refers to the others as: 1. The Lawless (or Wicked) In the New Testament, Yeshua and the Apostles frequently contrast the saints with those who live without regard for God's instructions. The Greek term: Anomia (literally "without law" or "violating the law"). The Warning: I n Matthew 7:23, Yeshua warns those who claim to know Him but ignore the commandments: "Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" 2. The Unjust (or Unrighteous) The Bible repeatedly contrasts the two groups when discussing judgment. The Contrast: In 1 Corinthians 6:1, Paul asks why a believer would take a matter before the unjust rather than before the saints. The Destiny : 2 Peter 2:9 states that God knows how to deliver the godly, but keeps the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. 3. The Children of Disobedience (or Children of the Devil) When addressing who rules a person's life and actions, Scripture uses family terms. The Actions : Ephesians 2:2 speaks of the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. The Definition: 1 John 3:10 draws the line clearly: "In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness [keeping the commandments] is not of God." The Definitive Verse: Revelation 14:12 identifies the first group perfectly: "Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua." By biblical definition, anyone outside of that description falls into the category of the lawless, the unjust, or the disobedient. This diagnostic test uses the final book of scripture to draw a line in the sand. It forces you to look at the two distinct categories of humanity established by the Creator, using Revelation 14:12 as the ultimate boundary marker. 📋 The "Saints vs. The Lawless" Definitive Boundary Test Instructions: Answer these 4 direct questions to determine which biblical category your daily life, your habits, and your theology place you in. Question 1: The Mark of a Saint In Revelation 14:12, the scripture gives a precise, two-part definition of a saint: "Here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua." Based on this verse, how do you define your identity? A) A Saint (Set-Apart). You recognize that true faith in the Messiah is inseparable from a physical walk of keeping the Father's Torah. Your life displays both parts: total trust in Yeshua and meticulous care for His instructions. B) A Cultural Believer. You claim to have "faith in Jesus," but you believe His commandments are obsolete or optional, cutting the verse in half and choosing a path that scripture defines as incomplete. Question 2: The Practice of Anomia (Lawlessness) In Matthew 7:23, the Master issues a terrifying warning to people who fully believed they were in the Kingdom: "Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness (anomia—living without regard for God's law)." When you examine your lifestyle, do you treat the Torah as active law? A) You Reject Lawlessness. You actively study the Torah to identify sin so you can completely purge it from your actions, treating His rest days, dietary boundaries, and moral laws as non-negotiable. B) You Practice Anomia. You live your life based on church traditions, personal feelings, or cultural convenience, considering yourself exempt from the physical laws of God under the guise of "grace." Question 3: The Fruit of Righteousness vs. Disobedience According to 1 John 3:10, the line between the children of God and the children of the devil is stark: "Whoever does not practice righteousness [keeping the commandments] is not of God." When the Father looks at your daily practice, what family lineage does it reveal? A) A Child of God. Your regular, daily practice is righteousness. You actively obey the Father's voice, making your spiritual DNA obvious through visible, physical fruits of obedience. B) A Child of Disobedience. Your daily practice matches the world's standard. You follow the crowd, ignore the biblical calendar, eat what the world eats, and shrug off the lifestyle of Yeshua, aligning with the spirit described in Ephesians 2:2. Question 4: The Courtroom of the Unjust In 1 Corinthians 6:1, Paul rebukes believers for seeking judgment and direction from the "unjust" (unrighteous) rather than from the saints. When you seek wisdom, direction, or validation for how you live, where do you go? A) The Royal Law. You turn strictly to the unchanging Word of God and the example of Yeshua, using the standard of the saints to settle how you walk. B) The Standard of the World. You look to the theological systems of the modern world, human consensus, or comfortable sermons that tell you exactly what your itching ears want to hear, relying on an unjust standard. The Definitive Verdict: Review where your checked boxes land. Scripture leaves zero room for a third option, a middle ground, or a gray area. If your choices consistently land on B, the mirror exposes a vital reality: By biblical definition, anyone who does not keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua falls directly into the category of the lawless, the unjust, or the disobedient. True faith is not a mental concept or a verbal claim—it is a physical lifestyle. If you want to be counted among the saints who endure with patience, you must abandon the broad road of anomia today and begin walking exactly as Yeshua walked. , Children of God 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness . 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him, there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning ; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (Acts 5:32) And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Heirs with Christ …13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”… Romans 8:14 Dead to Sin, Alive to God …13 Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law, but under grace? Certainly not!…Romans 6:14 Living by the Spirit …17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;… Galatians 5:18 Isaiah 61:1 The purpose of life? And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Yeshua messiah, the one you sent to earth. John 17:3 After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey His commands, because this is all that we were created for this is everyone’s duty. Ecclesiastes 12:13 What is a sinner? Everyone who sins breaks God's law because sin is the same as breaking God's law. 1 John 3:4 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, 1 John 3:8 God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law. Proverbs 28:9 All liars will find themselves in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelations 21:8 You must be justified. For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Romans 2:13 You must repent I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” Luke 5:32 You must be righteous Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this. When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous . 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, 1 John 3:7 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent. “Luke 5:32 The duty of every parent? These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. 7“You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. 8“You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. 9“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Everyone must be born again Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother. 1John3:9 What is going to happen to you when you die? Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God, Hebrews 9:27 Faith is Scripturally defined as: Faith is: believing that everything God said is true, committing to follow what it says, and then doing what the Word says. In other words, believing/trusting, committing to obey or do, and then the action of obeying/doing it. Another way we say it is that faith is believing, committing, and trusting in God and His Word. All of mankind is “under the law” (The law of sin and death) until they come into covenant through faith in the Messiah and receive salvation by grace through that faith. God’s Children through Faith 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak until the way of faith was revealed. 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. 26For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes’ 28There is no longer Jew or Gentile slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. The way for us to be saved is to believe that we have sinned and deserve death because the Word says so. John 3:3 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of Yehovah." Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to Yehovah and be baptized in the name of Yeshua Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 28:9 He that turned away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. Ecclesiastes 12:13 That's the whole story. Here now is my conclusion: Fear Yehovah and obey His commands, for this is everyone's duty. Galatians 3:28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Yeshua. James 1:22 But don't just listen to Yehovah’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. “Then Yehovah said to me, shout the message! Don't hold back. Say to my people Israel: You've sinned! You've turned against Yehovah your Elohim. Isaiah 58:1 "When you tell them all this, do not expect them to listen. Shout out your warnings but do not expect them to respond. Say to them, ‘This is the nation whose people will not obey the Lord their God and who refuse to be taught. (Jeremiah 7:27) (This is a Child of the Devil) For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth. “John 4:24 Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1-2 Children of God 8 Galatians 5 :16 I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[ c ] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
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God calls homosexuality an abomination, the same abomination he calls eating pork. He calls certain animals unclean and He says don't eat them or touch them. This a sobering truth, you are questioning and refusing to obey commands in which you will be held accountable. Leviticus Food Laws Did Jesus declare all food clean, and abolish the food laws? Number 1# food you shouldn't eat Should Christians eat pork? video What does the Bible say about eating meat? Was Peter's vision really about food? Health Laws Why I dont eat pork Dieity Laws What food should I avoid? Knowing and loving God Deuteromy 13 1-7 Matthew 24:24 2 Peter 2:1 1 John 4:1 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 other Gods Not Human: God's nature is distinct from 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ; He is not fallible like humans. Doesn't Lie: He does not speak falsehoods or deceive. Doesn't Change Mind: He doesn't regret or alter His plans or promises. Faithful to His Word: If God speaks or makes a promise, He will certainly act on it and make it good.Numbers 23:19 John 10:35 and scripture cannot be broken. 1 John 2:4, if someone claims to know God but does not keep his commandments, they are considered a liar, and the truth is not in them Leviticus Food Laws The word of Yehovah is completely uncompromised on this matter. The Scriptures do not Separate moral abominations from dietary abominations; the same Sovereign who defined sexual purity defined dietary holiness. In the New King James Version (NKJV), the most direct, sobering prophecy detailing exactly what the Father will do to those who willfully defy His dietary laws at the end of the age is found in the final chapter of Isaiah. 📖 The Final Verdict on Unclean Foods (NKJV) The Prophet Isaiah looks directly ahead to the second coming of the Messiah—the day of final sifting, fire, and recompense—and records the literal judgment awaiting those who choose to feast on what God called an abomination: Isaiah 66:15–17 (NKJV) 15 For behold, the Lord will come with fire And with His chariots like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with flames of fire. 16 For by fire and by His sword The Lord will judge all flesh; And the slain of the Lord shall be many. 17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves In the gardens, Behind one tree in the midst, Eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, Shall be consumed together,” says the Lord. 🔍 Sifting the Witness of the Text This passage strips away all modern, lawless excuses. Notice the precise details the Father emphasizes: The Timing is Final Judgment: This is not a local historical event. Verse 16 states that the Lord will judge all flesh by fire and His sword, and the slain of the Lord shall be many. This is the literal return of the King. The Deception of False Holiness: Verse 17 addresses people who "sanctify themselves and purify themselves." These are not atheists; these are deeply religious people who have invented their own customized versions of "cleansing" and grace, ignoring the written Torah while claiming they are right with God. The Explicit Sentence: The Father singles out swine's flesh (pork) and the mouse (representing all crawling, unclean rodents and vermin). He states with total authority that those actively indulging in these abominations "shall be consumed together." 🛑 A Sobering Truth for the Accountability Test The word translated as "abomination" in Leviticus 11 regarding unclean animals is the Hebrew word sheqets (detestable, filthy) . The word used for sexual perversion in Leviticus 18 is toevah (morally disgusting, an abomination). In the eyes of a holy Creator, both represent a total violation of His established order. To argue that one matters while the other is "done away with" is to pick and choose which parts of God's character you want to obey. As Isaiah 66 warns, on the day the books are opened, the standard will not be human consensus or church tradition—it will be the Spoken Word of Yehovah, and the willful rebellion of the flesh will meet a swift and terrible end. God calls homosexuality an abomination, the same abomination he calls eating pork. He calls certain animals unclean and He says don't eat them or touch them. This a sobering truth, you are questioning and refusing to obey commands in which you will be held accountable. New King James Version because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” Mark 7:19 New International Version For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) What Defiles a Man …18“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.) 20He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him.… ( In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) This was added after in translation on this is not scripture true man made Acts: 17:30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. ● Leviticus 11:24 “By these you shall become unclean; whoever touches the carcasses of any of them shall be unclean until evening; 25 whoever carries part of the carcass of any of them shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening: ● Isaiah 66: For by fire and by His sword. The Lord will judge all flesh, And the slain of the Lord shall be many. 17 “Those who sanctify and purify themselves, to go into the gardens after an idol in the midst, eating swine’s flesh and the abomination and the mouse, shall be consumed together,” says the Lord. Isaiah 65: I have stretched out My hands all day long to a rebellious people, 2 Who walk in a way that is not good, According to their own thoughts; 3 A people who provoke Me to anger continually to My face; Who sacrifice in gardens, And burn incense on altars of brick; 4 Who sit among the graves, and spend the night in the tombs; Who eat swine’s flesh, And the broth of abominable things is in their vessels; So, this next verse is saying for us to bless Yehovah and the good provisions He gave us. Prayer after you have eaten. Deuteronomy 8: 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has given you. 11"Beware that you do not forget Yehovah your Elohim by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; … This is something you should really consider, Yehovah gave us good and clean food to eat, however, we choose to turn our back on him and His restrictions. Have you ever considered why Yehovah told us not to eat certain animals for food? The animals He told us not to eat are scavengers, a bird or animal that feeds on dead animals that it has not killed itself. 9 “‘Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams you may eat any that have fins and scales. 10 But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales— whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to regard as unclean. 11 And since you are to regard them as unclean, you must not eat their meat; you must regard their carcasses as unclean. 1 2 Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be regarded as unclean by you. Leviticus 11. He will hold everyone accountable The Vision (Acts 10:9–16) Peter was hungry and fell into a trance. He saw a great sheet descending from heaven containing "all kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and birds of the air." A voice told him, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat." Peter, being a devout Jew, refused, saying he had never eaten anything "common or unclean." The voice replied: "What God has made clean, do not call common." Peter’s Own Interpretation Initially, Peter was "greatly perplexed" by the vision. However, the meaning became clear when he was immediately invited to the home of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion (a Gentile). According to Jewish tradition at the time, Jews were not supposed to associate with or visit people of other nations because they were considered "unclean." Peter explicitly interprets the dream in Acts 10:28: "He said to them: 'You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean.'" Summary of the Meaning The Symbol: The "unclean" animals in the sheet. The Reality: The Gentiles (non-Jewish people). While the animals weren't exactly "thrown up in the air," they were lowered from the sky in a large sheet held by its four corners. After the sheet was lowered and then "taken up" again three times, Peter eventually provided the specific interpretation for what the dream meant. 1. Land Animals For a land animal to be considered food, it had to meet two specific criteria simultaneously: It must have completely split hooves (cloven-footed). It must chew the cud (ruminate). StatusExamples Clean (Food)Cows, Sheep, Goats, Deer, Gazelles. Unclean (Forbidden)Pigs (split hoof, but no cud), Camels (cud, but no hoof), Rabbits (chew, but no hoof). 2. Sea Creatures For creatures living in the water (seas or rivers) to be considered food, they had to have: Fins Scales Anything that lives in the water but lacks both—such as shellfish (shrimp, lobster, crabs), eels, or sharks—was considered an "abomination" (shekets) and was not to be eaten. 3. Birds The Law does not give a specific physical "test" for birds like it does for mammals. Instead, Leviticus 11 lists 20 specific birds that are forbidden. The Rule of Thumb: Generally, birds of prey (eagles, hawks, vultures) and scavengers (ravens) are forbidden. Clean Birds: While not listed by name as "clean," birds like chicken, turkey, duck, and quail have traditionally been accepted because they are not scavengers. 4. Insects Most insects were forbidden, with one notable exception: locusts, crickets, and grasshoppers (insects that have "jointed legs for hopping on the earth"). Why these specific laws? There are three main perspectives on why Yehovah gave these instructions: Holiness and Separation: The primary reason given in the text is to make a distinction between Israel and the surrounding nations. To "belong" to Yehovah (as we discussed in John 8:47) meant even their diet reflected His order. Hygiene/Health: Many "unclean" animals are scavengers that carry parasites or toxins (like pork or shellfish). While the Bible focuses on the spiritual aspect, many see a secondary benefit in health. Symbolism: Some scholars argue that clean animals (like sheep) represent the peaceful nature of God's people, while unclean animals (like predators) represent violence and death. Knowing and loving God Deuteromy 13 1-7 Worshiping other G Not Human: God's nature is distinct from humanity; He is not fallible like humans. Doesn't Lie: He does not speak falsehoods or deceive. Doesn't Change Mind: He doesn't regret or alter His plans or promises. Faithful to His Word: If God speaks or makes a promise, He will certainly act on it and make it good.Numbers 23:19 John 10:35 1 John 2:4, if someone claims to know God but does not keep his commandments, they are considered a liar, and the truth is not in them Land Scavengers (The Pig/Swine) Because pigs are omnivorous scavengers with a very rapid digestive system, they act as a "reservoir" for various biological threats. Pathogens (Living): Trichinella spiralis: A parasitic roundworm that causes Trichinosis. The larvae encyst in the muscle tissue. +1 Yersinia enterocolitica: A bacteria that causes acute gastrointestinal distress, often found in pork products. Taenia solium: Known as the "pork tapeworm." If humans ingest the eggs, it can lead to Cysticercosis, where larvae migrate to the brain or muscles. Toxins (Chemical): High Histamine Levels: Swine have high levels of histamine, which can trigger inflammatory or allergic responses in some humans. Environmental Pollutants: Because pigs store waste in their fat cells due to fast digestion, they carry higher concentrations of pesticides and herbicides found in their feed compared to ruminants. Based on the biological facts we have discussed, here is a concentrated summary of the risks associated specifically with eating pork (swine). These risks stem from the animal's unique anatomy and its role as a scavenger. 1. Parasitic Risks (Living Organisms) Pork is a primary host for several parasites that can migrate from the meat into human tissue. Trichinella spiralis: This roundworm causes Trichinosis. When a human eats infected pork, the larvae mature in the intestines and then travel through the bloodstream to embed themselves in the person's muscle tissue. Taenia solium (Pork Tapeworm): Ingesting the larvae leads to intestinal tapeworms. However, ingesting the eggs (found in contaminated pork environments) causes Cysticercosis, where the larvae form cysts in the brain, which is a leading cause of seizures worldwide. 2. Digestive Efficiency and Toxins The most significant biological difference between "clean" ruminants (like cows) and "unclean" swine is how they process waste. Rapid Metabolism: A pig's digestive system is very simple and fast (roughly 4 hours). Unlike a cow, which has four stomach compartments to ferment and filter out toxins over 24 hours, the pig's system does not effectively neutralize or eliminate many of the poisons it consumes. Storage in Fat: Because toxins are not fully eliminated, they are stored in the animal’s adipose (fat) tissue. Since pork meat is "marbled" (fat is woven through the muscle), these toxins cannot be simply trimmed away. 3. Bacterial Pathogens Pork is a frequent carrier of several bacteria that thrive in the scavenger's environment. Yersinia enterocolitica: This is a common contaminant in pork. It causes fever and abdominal pain that is often mistaken for appendicitis. Listeria monocytogenes: Pork products, especially processed ones, are high-risk for Listeria, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. 4. Viral Risks Pigs are often referred to as "mixing vessels" for viruses because their cells are susceptible to both human and avian (bird) viruses. Hepatitis E: Research has shown that a significant percentage of commercial pork livers carry the Hepatitis E virus, which can cause acute liver inflammation in humans. Fact Check: Does Cooking Fix This? As established, while cooking pork to an internal temperature of 160°F can kill the parasites (like Trichinella), it does not remove the chemical toxins, heavy metals, or viruses that have been biologically integrated into the meat and fat. Natural Marine Biotoxins These are produced by microscopic algae (phytoplankton). Shellfish eat the algae, but the toxins do not hurt them; they just store them in their tissues. +1 Saxitoxins (PSP): Causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning. These are among the most poisonous natural substances known. They block nerve signals, leading to numbness, paralysis, and in severe cases, respiratory failure and death. +1 Domoic Acid (ASP): Causes Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning. This toxin can cross into the brain and destroy neurons. Symptoms include vomiting and confusion, and it can lead to permanent short-term memory loss or death. +1 Okadaic Acid (DSP): Causes Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning. This results in severe gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, cramps, and diarrhe a). +1 Brevetoxins (NSP): Causes Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning. These affect the sodium channels in the nervous system, leading to tingling sensations and loss of coordination. Fact: These biotoxins are heat-stable. This means that unlike bacteria, cooking, steaming, or freezing does not destroy them. If the toxin is in the meat, it remains dangerous no matter how well it is cooked. +2 2. Bacterial and Viral Pathogens Because shellfish are often found in coastal areas where runoff occurs, they concentrate human and animal waste products. Vibrio vulnificus: A bacteria naturally found in warm seawater. It can cause life-threatening blood infections (septicemia), especially in people with liver disease or weakened immune systems. Hepatitis A: A virus that affects the liver. Shellfish harvested from water contaminated by sewage are a major source of this virus. Norovirus: The leading cause of "stomach flu. " Shellfish concentrate this virus from the water, often leading to large outbreaks. 3. Heavy Metals and Pollutants As bottom-feeders, they are in constant contact with the sediment where pollutants settle. Mercury, Lead, and Cadmium: Shellfish can have levels of heavy metals many times higher than the surrounding water. Microplastics: Recent studies show that because they filter so much water, shellfish are one of the primary sources of microplastic ingestion for humans .
- 37 | Answers4saints.com
There is no place in the entire bible where you will find any verses changing the Seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, why doesn't it bother you when you worship on a different day than the day that God made holy, and to remember? It is the fourth commandment. The Sabbath and the Resurrection 37 Bible Verses about Sabbath, In Nt Who Changed the Sabbath? Is the Sabbath Commanded in the New Testament? Should Christians keep the Sabbath or Sunday? Which Day Is the Christian Sabbath According to the Bible? Let no one judge you (Colossians 2) shadows of Messiah Galatians 4:10 ABOLISHING the Sabbaths and Feasts? Romans 14:5 - Now We Can Worship on Sunday? Colossians 2:16 - Legalism in the New Testament? Romands 14:5 the Sabbath debate SOLVING THE SABBATH MYSTERY Explaining Colossians 2:14-16 The Covenant of Sabbath Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, God will take away from that person any share in the Tree of Life and blot your name from the Book of Life. Revelation 22:18-19 DEUTERONOMY 4:2 The Disciples Kept the Sabbath 85 Times in the book of Acts Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. … Churches Who Teach Us to Keep Sunday Admit It’s NOT the Sabbath of the Bible What is the Sabbath and what should we do? The Disciples Kept the Sabbath 85 Times in the book of Acts The Sabbath as an Eternal Sign The Sign Between God and Man: The Sabbath was established as a covenant and a perpetual sign between God and His people (Exodus 31:13, Ezekiel 20:12). Yeshua’s Life and Authority His Weekly Custom: During His earthly ministry, Yeshua consistently kept the Sabbath, making it His regular custom to attend the synagogue on the seventh day (Luke 4:16). Lord of the Sabbath : Yeshua declared His supreme authority over the day, proclaiming that "the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8, Mark 2:28). The Crucifixion, Burial, and Resurrection Timeline (3 Days and 3 Nights) Wednesday Afternoon: Yeshua dies at the 9th hour (~3:00 PM) on the preparation day for the annual High Sabbath (Passover). He is placed in the tomb just before sunset, marking the beginning of the burial. Wednesday Sunset to Saturday Sunset (72 Hours): Night 1 / Day 1: Wednesday sunset to Thursday sunset (High Sabbath / First Day of Unleavened Bread) Night 2 / Day 2: Thursday sunset to Friday sunset (Regular preparation day; women buy and prepare spices) Night 3 / Day 3: Friday sunset to Saturday sunset (Weekly seventh-day Sabbath) Saturday at Sunset: Yeshua rises from the dead at the exact close of the 72-hour period, fulfilling the Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:40)—a complete span of three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The Post-Resurrection Covenant Reality Grafted into the Commonwealth of Israel : Through the shed blood and finished work of Yeshua, (believers from the nations are brought near and grafted into the commonwealth of Israel) and its covenants of promise (Ephesians 2:12–13, Romans 11:17). March 7, AD 321 (Imperial Roman Civil Enforcement): Constantine’s Edict: Roman Emperor Constantine enacted the first recorded civil Sunday legislation, compelling public cessation of labor: "On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed." c. AD 364 (Ecclesiastical Prohibition – Council of Laodicea): Canon 29: The regional council formally banned Christians from observing the seventh-day Sabbath rest and enforced Sunday observance under penalty of excommunication: Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, God will take away from that person any share in the Tree of Life and blot your name out. The Disciples Kept the Sabbath 85 Times in the book of Acts Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 17( Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.…) Churches Who Teach Us to Keep Sunday Admit It’s NOT the Sabbath of the Bible What is the Sabbath and what should we do? God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? I have indeed received a command to bless; He has blessed, and I cannot change it.… Numbers 23:19-20 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Hebrews 8:10 The Lord of the Sabbath Then Jesus declared, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 Therefore, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”…Matthew 12: 7 If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” 9 Moving on from there, Yeshua entered their synagogue,…Mark 2:27 Proper Sabbath Keeping Audit Answer YES or NO honestly to each: Do you observe the Sabbath on the 7th day (Saturday), from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday? Do you completely cease from all work, business, and labor on the Sabbath as commanded in Exodus 20:8-11? Do you honor the Sabbath as a holy day set apart for Yahweh, not treating it like any other day? Do you use the true names Yehovah and Yahshua when praying, studying, or worshiping on the Sabbath? Have you rejected worship or religious activities on Sunday (the 1st day) as a man-made tradition? Do you prepare in advance (food, work, etc.) so that no work is done on the Sabbath? Do you gather with like-minded believers for study, prayer, and fellowship on the Sabbath? Are you careful to avoid buying, selling, or engaging in commerce on the Sabbath? Do you delight in the Sabbath and call it a blessing rather than a burden? Have you repented of past Sabbath breaking and now strive to keep it according to Scripture? Do you keep the Sabbath according to the original biblical pattern given to Israel, not modern church customs? Are you teaching your household and others to properly observe Yahweh’s Sabbath? Have you repented of past Sabbath breaking and now strive to keep it according to Scripture? Do you keep the Sabbath according to the original biblical pattern given to Israel, not modern church customs?Are you teaching your household and others to properly observe Yahweh’s Sabbath? Scoring 10–12 Yes: Strong evidence of properly keeping the Sabbath. 7–9 Yes: Mostly keeping it but with some areas of compromise. 4–6 Yes: Partial or inconsistent observance. 0–3 Yes: Not properly keeping the biblical Sabbath. How "First Day of the Week" Entered the Text The phrase "first day of the week" found in modern English Bibles is not a direct translation of the original text. It is a calculated linguistic substitution designed to align the Scriptures with a Roman calendar system rather than the Creator's calendar. The Confrontation: "You base an entire doctrine of Sunday worship on a handful of resurrection verses, claiming the Master changed the day of rest. But you are basing your theology on a translation choices made centuries later. When you pull back the English cover and look at the original manuscripts, the phrase 'Sunday' or 'first day of the week' completely vanishes. Read Matthew 28:1 and John 20:1." The Verse: * Matthew 28:1 (Literal Greek): "Ὀψὲ δὲ σαββάτων, τῇ ἐπιφωσκούσῃ εἰς μίαν σαββάτων..." * King James Version (With added words): "In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week..." The Shock: "The literal text completely dismantles the traditional Sunday narrative: The Original Greek: In every single resurrection account, the manuscripts do not contain the words for 'first day of the week.' The text explicitly reads mia tōn sabbatōn (μία τῶν σαββάτων), which literally translates to 'the first of the Sabbaths.' This is direct Hebrew covenant language referencing the countdown of the seven weekly Sabbaths leading up to Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15). The Ancient Translations: The earliest historical translations kept this link intact. Jerome’s Latin Vulgate (382 AD) rendered it literally as 'Una autem sabbati' ('The first of the Sabbath'). Wycliffe’s English Bible (1382) followed suit, translating it straight as 'one day of the sabotis' ('one day of the Sabbaths'). The 16th-Century Shift: The change occurred in the 1500s with William Tyndale and was later formalized by the King James Version in 1611. Translators swapped out 'Sabbath' for the idiom 'first day of the week' to match the Roman solar calendar. To force this interpretation, the KJV translators had to insert the words 'day of the' in italics, openly admitting those words do not exist in the Greek manuscripts. The Bottom Line: The phrase 'first day of the week' is a later human modification. The original accounts do not inaugurate a new day of worship; they explicitly anchor the resurrection timeline directly to the Hebrew Sabbath calendar." The Sign of the Sabbath Exodus 31:14 (Numbers 15:32–36) 12 And the LORD said to Moses, 13“Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you. 14 Keep the Sabbath, for it is holy to you. (Anyone who profanes it must surely be put to death. ) "Christians must not judaize by resting on the Sabbath, but must work on that day, rather honoring the Lord's Day; and, if they can, resting then as Christians. But if any shall be found to be judaizers, let them be anathema from Christ." 1910 (Modern Doctrinal Exposition – The Convert’s Catechism): Peter Geiermann’s Catechism: Formally affirmed the Church’s exercise of ecclesiastical authority in altering the day of worship: Q: Which is the Sabbath day? A: Saturday is the Sabbath day. Q: Why do we observe Sunday instead of Saturday? A: We observe Sunday instead of Saturday because the Catholic Church transferred the solemnity from Saturday to Sunday. Present Official Doctrine (Catechism of the Catholic Church): Paragraph 2175: Summarizes the official theological rationale—defining Sunday as a distinct observance that supersedes and spiritually fulfills the seventh day: And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and he entered, as his custom was, into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up to read. Luk3 4:16 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath . ACTS 1 The mark of God Is the Sabbath 777 is found on the Sabbath Genesis 2:1-3 2 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. There are three elements to a legal seal. The name, His Title, His territory Exodus 20:8-11 God seal/sign 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God . On it, you shall not do any work , neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days the Lord he made (creator) heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. The word Sabbath is not used anywhere in the Book of Romans especially Romans 14:5 Do Not Pass Judgment on One Another 1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not quarrel over opinions . 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. 10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; 11 for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Do Not Cause Another to Stumble 13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.c 22 The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.d Sabbath and the Resurrection T here is no place in the entire bible where you will find any verses changing the Seventh-day Sabbath to Sunday, why doesn't it bother you when you worship on a different day than the day that God made holy, and to remember? It is the fourth commandment. Most Christians point to Romans 14 as proof text on changing the Sabbath day, however, you will not find the word Sabbath written in the book. Make no mistake, God will allow you to defy and disobey Him. He will allow you to follow the crowd and the traditions of men. He will allow you to sin. But He also says there is a day of reckoning coming. As you sow, so shall you reap! It’s interesting to note that there is only one day of the week that the Father gives a name to, the Sabbath, the seventh day. All other days are numbers. Ezekiel 22: 26 Her priests (Your pastors) have done violence to My law and have profaned My holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the profane, and they have not taught the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they hide their eyes from My Sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes within her are like wolves tearing the prey, by shedding blood and destroying lives in order to get dishonest gain.… Ezekiel 20:12 Also I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Yehovah who sanctifies them. How can anyone be sanctified without keeping the Sabbath? Exodus 20:9 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Yehovah your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days Yehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Yehovah blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” (Exodus 20:8-11). 1 Peter 1:15 But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." ● Leviticus 20:26 'Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Yehovah am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine. “Yehovah has today declared you to be His people, (ISRAEL) a treasured possession, as He promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments; and that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, for praise, fame, and honor; and that you shall be a consecrated people to the Yehovah, your Elohim, as He has spoken." The Disciples kept the Sabbath 85 Times in the book of Acts. Acts 20:6-7 But we sailed from Philippi after the Feast of Unleavened Bread and five days later joined the others at Troas, where we stayed seven days. On the first day of the week, we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. Verse 7 states, in English, that the apostles came together on the first day of the week, thus, implying to many that the Sabbath is now on the first day of the week Since this verse is used to defend Sunday as the new Sabbath day, let’s look at the Greek verse, where verse 7 says “first day of the week”. The Greek says, actually... mia ton sabaton The Greek word mia means “one,” not “first” ... it is the Greek word ‘protos’ that means “first,” which is not present in the text. We cannot make it say something that it does not ... It actually translates as “one of the Sabbaths”. Plural. Not “First day of the week”. Singular.”. This is a huge translation error that has been openly accepted as truth over the years. The modern church recognizes the resurrection day of Yeshua as being on Sunday. Let's really see which day Yeshua was resurrected. Matthew 20:40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. John 11:9 Yeshua answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, he will not stumble, because he sees by the light of this world.10 But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.” … Here is something to ponder. How can you get 3 days and 3 nights or 72 hours from Good Friday to a Sunday morning resurrection? If you do the math, He would have been raised on Monday. The modern church’s logic for changing the Saturday Sabbath to Sunday does not hold true as Resurrection services should be held on Monday afternoon. God only gave the seventh day a name, all the rest of the days were numbered. If you look closely you will see they are talking about eating and receiving one who is weak in the faith, but not to dispute over doubtful things. There are at least 10 times it mentions eating. The context here is fasting, the verse is telling them it doesn't matter which day you chose to fast. Yeshua says when we fast, not if you fast. Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. Matthew 6:16-18 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Psalm 35:13-14 “I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest. I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.”
- Gate &Path | Answers 4 Saints
The Narrow Path: Complete Entry & Endurance Body & Soul Worship God is Spirit&Truth Enter through the narrow gate. The Narrow Door …23“Lord,” someone asked Him, “will only a few people be saved?” Jesus answered, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. 25After the master of the house gets up and shuts the door, you will stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ But he will reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’ … That phrase—"solo trek of human effort"—is the greatest trap on the journey. A solo trek of human effort is the attempt to reach the Kingdom by relying entirely on your own willpower, intellect, and "goodness." It is the opposite of the Supernatural Partnership. The Narrow Path: Complete Entry & Endurance According to the scriptures, the Gate always comes first. You must pass through the entry point before you can begin the journey on the road. The Sequence of the Journey The Gate (The Entrance): This represents the moment of decision and transition— Repentance, Faith, and Baptism. It is "narrow" because it requires leaving behind the heavy "baggage" of self-rule and the broad way of the world. The Narrow Path (The Walk): Once you have passed through the Gate, you find yourself on the Path. This is the ongoing life of a disciple —using the Guardrails (Commandments) for safety and the Wind (The Spirit) for power. The Scriptural Order I n the Sermon on the Mount, the order is explicitly defined: "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction... because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way [path] which leads to life." — Matthew 7:13-14 Gate vs. Door: The Distinction In the scriptures, these two terms highlight different aspects of the same reality: The Narrow Gate (Matthew 7): Focuses on the Entry to the Journey. It’s the choice to leave the broad highway and step onto the restricted mountain path. The Narrow Door (Luke 13): Focuses on Access to the House. It’s the struggle to enter the Master’s presence before the invitation expires. "Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able." — Luke 13:24 The Mechanical Integration The Struggle: The word "strive" in the original Greek is agonizomai (where we get "agonize"). It implies a total, concentrated effort to align oneself with the King's entry requirements. The Baggage: You cannot fit through the Narrow Door while carrying the "Lawless DNA" of the broad road. Repentance is the act of dropping that baggage so you can fit through. The Result: Once through the Door, you are no longer an outsider; you are a member of the household, positioned to begin the Ongoing Walk on the Narrow Path. The Secret of the Road The Door is narrow not because the King is stingy, but because the Guardrails of the Path are set to a specific width. If the Door were wide, people would try to bring "Broad Road" behaviors onto a "Narrow Road," leading to a wreckage. The Door ensures you are "sized" correctly for the journey ahead. Since we’ve looked at the Gate and the Path, does seeing the entry as a "Door" change how you view the urgency of the journey? Here is a clear Yes/No self-assessment to help determine if you are currently living “in the flesh” (carnal, sinful nature) according to the Bible (Romans 8:5-8, Galatians 5:16-21). “Am I in the Flesh?” Test Answer Yes or No honestly to each: Do I frequently give in to sinful desires even when I know they are wrong? Is my mind mostly occupied with worldly things (money, pleasure, status, lust, anger, revenge)? Do I often justify or excuse my sin instead of fighting it? Am I controlled more by my emotions, appetites, or impulses than by God’s Word? Do I have ongoing patterns of behavior like bitterness, jealousy, gossip, sexual sin, greed, or outbursts of anger? Is prayer and time in God’s Word inconsistent or mostly absent in my daily life? Do I prioritize my own comfort, desires, and will over obedience to God? Am I quick to argue, get offended, or hold grudges? Do I feel little conviction or grief when I sin? Is my life producing more of the “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21) than the “fruit of the Spirit” (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.)? Scoring & Interpretation: 8–10 Yes answers: Strong evidence you are currently living in the flesh (carnal mind). 5–7 Yes answers: You are struggling and partially in the flesh — mixed living. Scoring & Interpretation: 8–10 Yes answers: Strong evidence you are currently living in the flesh (carnal mind). 5–7 Yes answers: You are struggling and partially in the flesh — mixed living. 0–4 Yes answers: You are mostly walking in the Spirit, though no one is perfect. Key Bible Truth: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires… The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:5-6) If many answers were “Yes,” that is not the end — genuine repentance and surrender to the Holy Spirit can change this immediately. Would you like me to create a similar test for walking in the Spirit, or adjust this one for a specific area of struggle? THE BLUEPRINT OF ETERNITY: A FINAL WARNING 1. THE ARCHITECT’S LAW (THE FOUNDATION) There is only one God, Yehovah. He built the universe with a specific blueprint called the Torah. This is not a "suggestion"—it is the structural code of reality. The Rule: You cannot add your own ideas or delete His rules. The Penalty: If you "edit" His law to fit your lifestyle, He will "edit" your name out of the Book of Life. You will be deleted from eternity. (Rev 22:18-19) 2. THE PRICE OF YOUR "FREEDOM" You act like a spoiled child, demanding everything while giving up nothing. You say, "No one tells me what to eat, when to worship, or that Christmas and Easter are Pagan God knows my heart. To pay for that arrogance, a blood-price was required: Yeshua, the Son of God, was betrayed and humiliated for your "small" sins. He was tortured, whipped, and nailed to a cross because you refused to follow the rules. The Father had to turn His back on His own Son because your carnal rot was so heavy. If you take His sacrifice but keep your carnal lifestyle, you are spitting on His blood. 3. THE TRAP OF THE "WIDE GATE" The "Wide Gate" is the path where you do whatever you want. It feels good because there are no "restrictions." The Deception: It is wide because it is a trash chute. It accepts everything—lies, fake holidays, and "self-made" worship. The Crash: It leads to Destruction (Matt 7:13). A soul that refuses to be "tempered" by the Law stays soft and hollow. When you hit the wall of eternity, a soft soul shatters like glass. 4. THE NARROW GATE (THE TEMPERING) A soul restricted to the Truth is the only soul that can walk into eternity without breaking. The Restriction: The Commandments (Keeping the Sabbath Holy, Leviticus food restrictions, Worship God in Spirit and Truth and Gods appointed times Passover unleavened bread ect. ) are the "mold" that holds you together. The Tempering: Just like steel must be heated and hammered to be strong, your soul must be restricted by the Torah to become unbreakable. The Fit: The door to Heaven is a specific shape. If you are shaped like a "lie" because you ignored the Law, you will hit that door and break. THE BOTTOM LINE: You are not "free"—you are unprotected. By refusing the Sabbath and the Commandments, you are removing the structural bolts from your own soul. You are building a life on sand, and the storm is coming. Judgment is not a conversation; it is a measurement. If you don't match the Blueprint, you don't get into the House. You will be left in the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. "If you say you know Him but don't keep His commandments, you are a LIAR." (1 John 2:4) CHANGE YOUR SHAPE NOW, OR BE BROKEN FOREVER.
- cross referances | Answers 4 Saints
Whoever denies all scripture denies God. Whoever says the old testmate was for the Jews is a false prophet. The entire bible is connected and It would be impossible for the Old Testament and the New Testament not to be only one Testmate. Jordan Peterson: "The Bible is the World's First Hyperlink Text" All Scripture is God-breathed Torah the first books in the Bible The first five books of the Bible are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. They are known as the Torah God's instructions of Love The all new Testmante books is founded on the Torah 2 Timothy 3:16 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness". This verse is often used to support the idea that God inspired the Bible. These men wrote the new testament Peter who were fishermen in Galilee Fishermen James and John: Brothers who were fishermen in Galilee Tax collector Matthew: he was a tax collector for the Roman EmpireTax Luke does not directly identify his profession. Tradition has it that he was a first-century physician. Mark ? Whoever denies all scripture denies God. Whoever says the old testament was for the Jews is a false prophet. 63,779 Cross-References I’d like to share with you one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring images I have ever seen. Period. Professor Jordan Peterson recently and brilliantly described the Bible as the first “hyperlinked text,” that is, the first text that complexly references itself throughout the entirety of its structure in a vast series of internal interconnections. Think of Wikipedia, in which the articles all reference and interlink to one another in a vast web of knowledge. The Bible is hyperlinked in the same way but for ancient stories and repositories of ancient myths, insights, narratives, wisdom, mystical poetry, and ethical theories. The difference was that instead of clicking, ancient readers would have to flip through the pages like a Choose Your Own Adventure Book. Advertisements Report this ad What does this amazing image show, you may wonder? It is truly mind-blowing when you fully grasp it. Consider this staggering fact: Every single one of the lines on the bottom of the image is a Biblical verse. The length of each line is proportionate to the number of times that verse is referred to in some way by some other verse in the Bible. In other words, this image is a map. It shows the 63,779 cross-references in the Bible, this massive sweeping text written over thousands of years by hundreds of people from a wide variety of different backgrounds in three different languages: Greek, Latin, and Aramaic. Starting at any one verse, imagine how many pathways you could take through all the interlinked verses through the text! There are nearly endless permutations and combinations and every verse and phrase is dependent on nearly every other verse and phrase to get the “full” meaning of what this sweeping collection of many books within a book says on any one subject… Christopher Harisson offers even deeper insight into this amazing diagram he created when he says that it “…started as a collaboration between Christoph Römhild and myself. Christoph, a Lutheran Pastor, first emailed me in October of 2007. He described a data set he was putting together that defined textual cross references found in the Bible. He had already done considerable work visualizing the data before contacting me. Together, we struggled to find an elegant solution to render the data, more than 63,000 cross references in total. As the work progressed, it became clear that an interactive visualization would be needed to properly explore the data, where users could zoom in and prune down the information to manageable levels. However, this was less interesting to us, as several Bible-exploration programs existed that offered similar functionality and much more. Instead we set our sights on the other end of the spectrum –- something more beautiful than functional. At the same time, we wanted something that honored and revealed the complexity of the data at every level –- as one leans in, smaller details should become visible. This ultimately led us to the multi-colored arc diagram you see below. The bar graph that runs along the bottom represents all of the chapters in the Bible. Books alternate in color between white and light gray. The length of each bar denotes the number of verses in the chapter. Each of the 63,779 cross references found in the Bible is depicted by a single arc – the color corresponds to the distance between the two chapters, creating a rainbow-like effect.” In short, the Bible is an important book. Indeed, it is one of the most foundational texts on which our culture was built, the massive powerhouse that inspired some of our most-exquisite literature, films, music, poetry, philosophers, and theologians, influences the lives of millions upon millions of people, a text for which countless people were paradoxically both baptized at birth and killed in the name of, and which represented the very deepest insights that human beings were able to come up with over thousands of years, many powerful insights of which still have something to say to us this day. And this point remains true even if we don’t read the Bible in a fundamentalist-literalist way, but rather take the majority of it as metaphorical and mythical with some intrusions of history throughout and a whole lot of cultural context infused into its nearly inexhaustible depths. It’s a really amazing and awe-inspiring book, to be sure, and with an amazing version like the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible , which sheds light on the ancient cultures and contexts that inform its verses, can be a really fascinating and inspiring read.
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