Thursday, October 30, 2008

DO NOT FEAR BECAUSE THE LOVE OF GOD IS WITH YOU

Do not fear because the love of God is with you

The number 16 in the Bible has a consistent meaning of love from Genesis to Revelation. Before I touch on this divine design of the Bible relative to the number 16 let me just express some incredible truths about this subject.

I believe if people read this whole article they probably will be more open to pursue the essence of God which is His incomprehensible love for you. I know after I finished this biblical study I was more convinced than ever to seek after this high calling that we have in Jesus Christ.

According to the Bible this is the one emotion that makes all the difference no matter what happens in life.This is higher than anything spoken of in Scripture. I will stand up and proclaim the love of God through His Son Jesus Christ because this is the truth that stood up for me.What was the reason God sent His only Son to die on the cross for the sins of mankind? The motivation was love. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Both love and hate are powerful emotions but with hate you have to keep feeding it all of the time. It is never satisfied. Love is content, honest and reaches out to other people.Hate does not want anything to do with helping anybody.

A person can either reach out to others for a selfish reason or for an altruistic reason. If you don't know what altruistic means, in simple terms it is to do something with no selfish motive. To do something for a greater reason above ourselves for the benefit of somebody else or other people.

The world for the most part teaches us to be selfish. In fact that is the way human nature is programmed. Jesus Christ changes us from the inside so we will desire to love God and other people. It does not come natural to us.

Jesus Christ shows us that love is the only way and it will last for eternity. Let me give you one example. In 1st Cor.13:13 the Bible says,"And now abideth faith,hope,charity,these three: but the greatest of these is charity." Why is love the greatest? We won't need faith or hope in eternity. Only love will be present throughout the ages to come.

We could have very eloquent gifts and actually be successful but without love nothing we ever do will last.That makes me think. Whatever I do, there had better be the love of Jesus Christ working through me because according to the Bible everything else will die.

Let me just say a couple of other truths about this subject. God does not just have great love for us. He has perfect love. Great love forgives. Perfect love does not even see sin. Remember Jesus Christ died for our sins. I would think this should motivate me to want to experience the love of God.

Another thing that I would like to point out is experiencing and understanding the love of God is an ongoing revelation that will last for all eternity. Many times with technical knowledge we will grasp something and never lose what we learned. The Bible says, "That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His grace in His Kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:7.

It should also be noted that Ephesians 3:17-18 says, (17) "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith: that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breath, and length, and depth,and height."

In science 4 dimensions (1) breath (2) length (3) depth (4) height are incomprehensible. That is why Ephesians 3:19 goes on to say, "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." On the one hand we can not comprehend the love of God but on the other hand we recognize and realize the love of God if we have it flowing through our spirit.

I was listening to a few problems that my friends have and comparing them to my own circumstances. Little and big problems that just surround our lives.Then I just thought about our trails and came to the conclusion that God is transcendent over our dilemmas. When we draw close to the love of God, no matter what we are going through Jesus Christ becomes bigger and our problems become smaller.The reason for this is because we serve a big God who is stronger and more powerful than our situation but compassionate enough to allow us to experience His love. It is at this point that our perspective changes and our focus is more centered on Jesus Christ.

I will be the first to admit I'm so busy in my life that I barely have the time to do anything, You can probably imagine I don't always feel spiritual if you know what I mean. I understand this truth that I must yield to the love of God because everything I just mentioned is fleeting.The love of God lasts for all eternity. By the way, my problems in life do not give me comfort; however, the incomprehensible yet reassuring love of Jesus Christ does indeed give me true closure.That is what we are all looking for because God designed us this way.

Even if we figure out our problems we may become worse. This is why the love of Jesus Christ transcends our troubles so that we will be able to get through our hardships.Christians need to fight for their authority to abide in the love of God. When fear arises try and resist this destructive emotion. It should be noted that if we do not pursue and abide in the love of God we will immediately search for some sort of substitute to replace the void that is now in our hearts. We were made to be one with Jesus Christ in His love. A replacement will not work. It is temporary at best.

Sixteen is the number in the Bible that stands for love. Jehovah in the Bible is in 16 different forms under 16 different titles in the Old testament. This is who we serve and all these Holy attributes encompass the love of God. This is one piece of evidence that God really does love us and in return He desires that we be the recipients of His love. I don't have the time or space to go over all 16 of the attributes of Jehovah which starts with our Creator (Genesis 2) and ends with, "The Lord my God." Zechariah 14:5. I am here because God created me and as one of His children I can say, "The Lord my God." He created me. He is my God and He loves me.

When I was reading all of the verses on love the same redundant theme rises to the surface over and over. "And to love Him with all thy heart, and with all understanding, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33.

This overwhelming theme that God loves us so much and that He desires His children to love Him back and love people reminds me of the cross. When Jesus Christ died for humanity one board stood vertical and the other board went across horizontal. I think you probably know what I am about to say. We need to love God ( the vertical board ) and other people ( the horizontal board ) because the cross has a vertical and horizontal board. By loving God and our brothers,sisters and people that don't even believe in Jesus Christ, we are exercising the balance that the cross represents.

Let me give you an example. When Christians finally get to heaven we are going to love,adore and worship God, but did you ever really stop and think about the level of friendships through love that we are going to be able to cultivate in Paradise. I believe we are going to be able to go pretty deep into love with Jesus Christ, His created creatures and regenerate of all time.

Most people that I am writing to just want to be raptured at this point because heaven is pure love through Jesus Christ as opposed to the 7 year tribulation period down here on earth which will be a very fearful time.

It would have to be obvious that the world economy is just about to crash and that we are very close to all these things that the Bible speaks of regarding end time Bible prophecy.This is one of the most important signs to look for according to the Word of God.

I am studying the world economy and it is bad but I believe exactly what the Bible teaches. It will take the rapture of the church to crush the world financial system.

Imagine a house on fire.Unfortunately we had some houses catch on fire over here and fireman did get hurt.Think about the second floor crashing down on the first floor.There was a fireman that explained to me that if a house fire gets really bad, the second floor will fall on the first floor. That is what is going to happen after the rapture of the Church. Right now the house is on fire but the second story has not fallen on the first floor.This happens after the rapture because according to Revelation chapter 6 an economic collapse is a judgment reserved for the 7 year tribulation period.

When all the Christians get taken up in the rapture, that second floor will fall on the first floor. People will get hurt and according to the Bible the economy will turn into a disaster. I don't have the time to go over the verses but I believe the number one current event sign that we are close to the rapture is a fallen economy around the whole world. It just seems that God is showing people how fragile this earthly financial system really is and how far it can drop.

To get back to my original subject, I try to tell as many people as possible and urge them to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Some individuals are starting to listen because of all the fear in the world.I tell them there is another side to this whole story but people still tend to hang on to the world. Read Revelation chapters 6 to 20.You may change your mind.

Jesus Christ is love and He desires to save people from all this fear in many different ways but primarily through the rapture. The greatest event in the history of all mankind is just about to take place and we should not be quiet about this wonderful truth.

I think there is a point that should be noted. Many Christians read 1st Corinthians chapter 13 which probably is the greatest chapter in the entire Bible about love. The Bible at this point starts to paint a picture that the biblical meaning of the number 16 is associated with love. In this love chapter 16 things are said about love.This fact seems to give more evidence that the number sixteen symbolizes love in the Bible.

When the Apostle Paul's name was mentioned at the 16th time in Scripture the Bible says, "It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barbaras and Paul.That sounds like love to me."Acts 15:25.

The most intriguing truth about the subject of love for me is when the Bible compares this emotion to fear. Being afraid is so part of our nature.

I would even go as far in saying that if we don't have the love of Jesus Christ then some degree of fear will reside inside of us.

First of all as Christians God did not even give us the spirit of fear. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2nd Timothy 1:7. Notice out of these three spirits that God gave us, love is in the center. Anything we do, love has to be at the center of our lives flowing through our spirit. According to Romans 8:15 we were adopted into the family of God when we accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts as our personal Savior. Once again this verse says,"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear"...which tells me that God is trying to tell us something.

There are many verses that I could go to but none is more clear than 1st John 4:18."There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fearth is not made perfect in love." Jesus Christ is pure love. To me that is the most compelling reason a person should come to know Jesus Christ.It was for me but everyone is different.

Listen to some of the credible testimonies from people that went to heaven and explained the pure love of Jesus Christ in this place. Listen to some of the credible testimonies from people that went to hell and explained the horror and fear in this other place.

In the end it sure seems like a person is either destined for fear or love. What decision will you choose? The love of God through Jesus Christ is bigger than us yet it works through our spirit. Fear is also bigger than us yet it polarizes our spirit.

I don't want to be destined for fear. The love of Jesus Christ sounds like a revelation that I desire to experience for all eternity. If you are on the sidelines looking in, choose the love of God. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior! Don't choose fear because it is very real and it will defeat you. Love will uplift our spirit. Let me repeat myself. In essence we have to make a choice. Love is warm. Fear is cold.

If only somebody would have told me this message that I am telling you when I was young. In essence there are only two options in life anywhere we go. I would have been spared so much hardship and pain. I did hear sermons on the love of God but they were kind of hollow with no real substance. As a result I ended up walking away half hearted and at best had a somewhat cognitive knowledge on the whole subject.

I really suffered because of this ignorance. When one heavy trial piled on another in my life I did not know how to deal with them because I did not understand this fundamental basic principle in the Bible.

Remember the perfect love of Jesus Christ castheth out fear. If we are in fear because of our torment, that sounds more like hell than Jesus Christ.God wants to make us perfect in His love. We are not destined for fear or torment. Pursue the perfect love of God through His Son Jesus Christ. God's soft answer to our fear is His love.

Bob D.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

The Rapture

Hi To All
I was never one for setting dates for the time of the Rapture of the Church. But I am one that looks at the signs of the time and the prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled before the Coming of Jesus to collect His saints.
I never use the term watcher for personal reasons, In my years of studies the only Watchers I have found are Angelic Beings and Evil Angelic Beings in the Book of Enoch.
But this know I have been ready watching and praying since the year 1970. I was looking more for the signs in Israel than any place else. When the Sanhedrin, came back in I knew the timing could be at any moment. At this time in Israel, all the priestly Garments are ready, the things for the outer Temple and the Inner Temple are all ready.
They are ready to put the Temple up in just a matter of a couple of weeks on the side right to the left of the Wailing wall where they have found many remains of the last Temple.
The Eastern Gate has been found and is cleared for the Messiah to enter. The training of the Priesthood is over and the High Priests have been chosen.
As we come to this present time we find a world in turmoil, the Church for the main part is apostate, the shaking is going on right now as the Christians are being faced with many trials and tribulation that they have not faced before. It seems to be running rampant now as the True Believers find them selves in difficult times. We are watching the stocks drop all over the world and the economy is in a mess.
We our selves here in the USA have a great example as we find a man running for the highest office in this land that has done nothing and voted present all except for the one bill that would kill a baby that was aborted and happened to live thur the abortion. This man has a great personality and I believe him to be the precursor to the antichrist. People are flocking to see this man and willing to elect him to be our next president.
Israel is in desperate political times at this hand. They are without a working Gov. and elections can not be held until Jan. 27. At this time the powers that be can not give away any of the Israeli land and people are flocking to build so that it cannot be exchanged in some foolish Road Map to Peace. We must remember that this is not man's land but this is God Land.
Israel says that if Obama is elected they will bomb Iran and that will bring in the bear that is already on the move. They will not trust the USA at this time. The Christians EX Muslims are warning against Obama, yet people will not hear. They recogonize who he is and the mistakes that he is made. In his books, he tells us plain and clear that he will stand with his Muslim Brothers. Israel will not stand for another Holocaust which is what Iran plans.
I believe that we are close to Eekiel 38 and 39 being fulfiled in which the Church will be removed at this time. This battle is not Armagedon but Hamongog in which nuclear bombs may well be used. It goes on to tell you about the professional gravediggers and that the fuel from the Weapons and such and such will keep Israel in fuel for 7 years, which will start the 7 years of Tribulation.
My question to all is Faith. Let your voices lift up in song as your King is soon to come and get His Bride. Do not be sleeping and letting the woes of the world around you take up the time you have to be Joyful and full of Praise for our Redemption draweth nigh.
No man can know the day or the hour neither the angels but the Father only of when Jesus will come for the Bride. The Jewish Bride is always to this day, waiting for her Groom to call for her. We are the same, we are the Bride of Christ and we must have our lamps full of oil and be ready for when the call comes for surely it is coming. It is high time that we awake out of our lulled sleep and be ready and be praying and be watching what is happening in the world but not being caught up in it for it is truly a sign that the Lord will soon return. It could be any day now. I am ready to go Home, this earth has never been my home. I am just a stranger walking thru a strange land. Witness as much as you can to everyone you see. Preach the Gospel and lift up Jesus for Jesus tells us if I be lifted up I will draw all men to me. Plant the seed every chance you have. Stay in the Word of God and exhort and uplift the Brethren. Comfort those that need comfort. Be Merciful to all.
Put on the whole Armour of God and be ready to fight for your Belief in Jesus and when you have done all that you can Stand and continue to Stand on the Word of God. Jesus never fails, Mere man will fail but Jesus will never fail you. You are the Children of the King and He will put you where you are protected when the enemy comes to attack. BE READY TO MEET YOUR GOD.
AGAPE
ZELMA

Friday, October 24, 2008

LET GO OF DEPRESSION

LET GO OF DEPRESSION

Depression can have many causes, medical, psychiatric, emotional.
The first two are the realm of professionals, or miraculous healing;
But emotional depression is the result of
our reaction to the bad things that happen in our lives.

There are several spiritual causes of depression, that is doing things that God forbids and suffering the emotional and spiritual consequesces of them.

1) Unresolved anger issues. One definition of depression is "anger turned inward" or anger suppressed and not dealt with. Becoming angry because of injustice or other reasons is not a sin; but not giving that anger and its causes to God for His resolution, and instead seething with hatred and anger on the inside for long periods of time is a sin.
Eph 4:26-27 (KJV)
Be ye angry, and sin not:
let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
{27} Neither give place{Grk=an opportunity} to the devil.

2) Unconfessed sin or chronic disobedience. If a person is doing something that is displeasing to God, the Holy Spirit will convict that person of sin or disobedience. The person loses their joy and a depressed attitude sets in.

1 John 1:8-10 (KJV)
If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
{9} If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
{10} If we say that we have not sinned,
we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

3) Demonic activity. If the person has been involved in ouija boards or some other way dabbling in occult practices, literature or rituals, and gets possessed or becomes oppressed by a demon, depression and mental illness can result.

Lev 19:31 (KJV)
Regard not them that have familiar spirits,
neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them:
I am the LORD your God.

Lev 20:6 (KJV)
And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits,
and after wizards, to go a whoring after them,
I will even set my face against that soul,
and will cut him off from among his people.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE DEPRESSED
THERE IS HELP AND RELEASE...FROM JESUS CHRIST
JESUS ASKS YOU, "DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WHOLE??"
(JOHN 6:6)


YOU CAN'T CHANGE YESTERDAY,
but
JESUS HAS THE POWER TO CHANGE TODAY AND TOMORROW
You can be happy, joyous, fulfilled, encouraged,
and encouraging to others.

Jesus says to you...
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Mat 11:28-30)


AM I SORRY FOR MISTAKES I'VE MADE IN THE PAST?
YES!
Even though there may be no physical way to undo them,
you can be forgiven for them,
and release your guilt and shame to Jesus.

Psa 51:1b-4 (KJV)
... Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.
{2} Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
{3} For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me.
{4} Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest,
and be clear when thou judgest.

AM I ANGRY ABOUT ABUSE I HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF ANOTHER?
DEFINITELY
but Jesus says:
DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN UPON YOUR OUTRAGE
"If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge.
Don't let the sun go down with you being still angry--get over it quickly;
for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil."
(Eph 4:26-27 )

GIVE ALL YOUR ANGER TO JESUS
RECEIVE HIS PEACE IN RETURN
Psa 116:5-7 (KJV)
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous;
yea, our God is merciful.
{6} The LORD preserveth the simple:
I was brought low, and he helped me.
{7} Return unto thy rest, O my soul;
for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.

WILL I BE HEALED INSTANTLY?
MAYBE, MAYBE NOT.
you may have a lifetime of hurt to deal with.
IT MAY TAKE TIME, PATIENCE, PRAYER AND PERSEVERENCE.
TO TURN OVER ALL YOUR HURTS TO JESUS
let your prayer attitude be...
have mercy on me O God,
take my anger and my pain, O Lord,
I give it all to you...
I WILL NOT LET YOU GO, LORD, UNTIL YOU HAVE BLESSED ME
(Genesis 32: 26b)

STARTING OVER:
ONCE YOU HAVE MADE A START TO LEAVE DEPRESSION
KEEP GOING, DONT LOOK BACK
CONSCIOUSLY REFUSE TO DELVE INTO THE BAD MEMORIES
WHENEVER A PAST MEMORY COMES BACK , GIVE IT AGAIN TO JESUS
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time:
Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.
(1 Pet 5:6-7)

DONT GIVE UP- BE PERSISTENT
KEEP PRAYING FOR VICTORY UNTIL YOU GET IT
And so it is with prayer--
keep on asking and you will keep on getting;
keep on looking and you will keep on finding;
knock and the door will be opened.
(Luke 11:9 (TLB)

EXPERIENCE THE PRINCIPLE OF REPLACEMENT
FILL YOUR MIND WITH JOYFUL THOUGHTS
REPLACE DEPRESSING THOUGHTS WITH UPLIFTING THOUGHTS

Eph 5:18-20(KJV)
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit;
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;


Phil 4:6-8 (KJV)
Be careful{Grk=full of anxiety} for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
{7} And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
{8} Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.

FORGIVE YOURSELF, AND YOUR TORMENTORS

Mat 18:21-22(KJV)
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord,
how often shall my brother sin against me,
and I forgive him? till seven times?
Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times:
but, Until seventy times seven.

Mat 6:14-15(KJV)
For if ye forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

TURN YOUR PAST SUFFERING INTO USEFUL WISDOM.
VOLUNTEER TO HELP OTHERS

2 Cor 1:3-5 (KJV)
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
{4} Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,
that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
{5} For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,
so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Maranatha
Zelma

Sunday, October 12, 2008

The SHOFAR by Chief Rabbi of Efrat

Rosh Hashana is "the day of the sounding of the shofar [ram's horn]," according to its biblical definition (Numbers 29:1). However, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Forgiveness, likewise involves shofar blasts following the poignant ne'ila (closing) prayer and generally serving as the conclusion of the fast.

What is the biblical basis - if any - for the shofar sound on Yom Kippur, and how does it differ from the shofar on Rosh Hashana?

Let us first explore the significance of the Rosh Hashana shofar. Fascinatingly, the sages of the Talmud teach that the biblical "day of the sound of the shofar" refers to the straight (tekiya), broken (shevarim, terua) and straight ram's horn blasts linked to the musaf amida (additional standing prayer). Indeed, the initial custom was to sound the shofar even during the silent amida - something still done in most Sephardi and Hassidic synagogues, but considered too confusing for most Ashkenazim (B.T. Rosh Hashana 33).

Logic would dictate that if the shofar blasts are not considered an "interruption" (hafsaka) of the amida prayer, they must be seen as a part of the prayer. And so Rabbi Joseph B. Soloveitchik explains the true significance of the shofar sounds (based on the rulings of Maimonides and the explication of Rabbi Haim Brisker) as prayer by means of sounds. We pray with words - the verbal formulations of God's Kingship (malchuyot), God's Remembrances (zichronot) and God's rams's horn blasts (shofarot) - and we pray with sounds: the exultant, victorious tekiya shout, the sighing and sobbing shevarim-terua cries, and the concluding, victorious tekiya once again for final emphasis.

The crafted verbal formulation interconnected with the primal shofar sounds provide a powerful message: God is King not only of Israel but of the entire world; there is an architect to creation, and life is not "a tale told by an idiot, filled with sound and fury, signifying nothing." But if God is truly King, then He can rightfully hold us mortals accountable - especially for the fact that His ethical monotheism has not yet been accepted by the world, and not even by the majority of Israel. Hence we express sighs and sobs at our failings. We nevertheless conclude with an exultant shout, since repentance holds out the possibility of forgiveness, reconstruction and repair.

The same is true regarding remembrances. The axiom that there is also a divine plan for history, with a specific function set aside for nations as well as individuals, deserves an exultant shout, engendered by the knowledge that there is a more perfect society toward which we are heading; however, it also occasions sighs and sobs, lest we are not successfully fulfilling our mission, lest we are on the wrong track, in the wrong ball-park.

And finally shofarot, the ram's horn blast which emanated from atop Mount Sinai at the time of the Revelation. Here too, we express the consummate joy of the tekiya with the realization that God has given us His Torah, His formula for a proper and satisfying moral, ethical and spiritual life, which we must learn ourselves and then communicate to the world. Herein lies the means through which we can become a "holy nation and a kingdom of priest-teachers." However, the sighs and sobs emanate from the fact that we ourselves are often found wanting; how can we teach others what we ourselves have failed to learn?

In all these instances, the sound of the shofar is the sound of the Jew, a primal sound emanating from the most essential inner "divine portion," his exultant prayer of gratitude and his beseeching request for strength and discipline to fulfill his mission. Indeed, we pray with words and sounds.

However, there is one crucial difference between the first two instances of malchuyot and zichronot - wherein the sounds emanate from the individual at prayer - and shofarot, wherein the sound initially emanated from God: "God rose up through the sound of the terua, the Lord was in the sound of the shofar." Similarly, at the time of the redemption "all the inhabitants of the world and the dwellers on earth will see, when the banner on the mountains is held aloft; and they will all hear, when [God] will blast the shofar" (Isaiah 18:3), and then again, "And it will happen on that day that the great shofar shall be sounded [by God], and those who are lost in the land of Assyria and scattered in the land of Egypt shall come up and bow down before the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem" (Isaiah 18:30).

Now we can begin to see the difference: the shofar blast on Yom Kippur is not derived from the biblical "day of the broken, staccato sound which is unto you," because the biblical text there relates to the people ("unto you") who are sounding the shofar at prayer, and since on Rosh Hashana the major emotion on this first of the Ten Days of Repentance is that of inadequacy, sighing and sobbing, terua, the very day is biblically defined as a "day of terua."

The shofar blast on Yom Kippur, on the other hand, is derived from the straight and exultant tekiya of Yom Kippur on the Jubilee year, the majestic declaration of "freedom throughout the land," the glorious announcement of redemption. (Leviticus 25:9-11, utilizing the Hebrew word shofar, signifying a beautiful, joyous straight sound). This is proper for Yom Kippur, the day when God promises - and guarantees - forgiveness and purification after five prayers in which we affirm (and request) that our Temple be a House of Prayer for all nations. And even though the Yom Kippur blast nowadays is only a rabbinical reminder of the Jubilee, every traditional Jew awaits the final blast by God, with its inherent vision of universal Revelation - when "He will enable us to hear again before the eyes of all living beings" - the redemptive shofar call to the entire world in the days of the Messiah.


origKb

Saturday, October 11, 2008

A. W. Tozer On True Prophets

A.W. TOZER on TRUE PROPHETS

Great industrial concerns have in their employ men who are
needed only when there is a breakdown somewhere. When
something goes wrong with the machinery, these men spring into
action to locate and remove the trouble and get the machinery
rolling again.

For these men a smoothly operating system has no interest. They
are specialists concerned with trouble and how to find and correct it.

In the kingdom of God things are not too different. God has always
had His specialists whose chief concern has been the moral
breakdown, the decline in the spiritual health of the nation or the
church. Such men were Elijah, Jeremiah, Malachi and others of
their kind who appeared at critical moments in history to reprove,
rebuke and exhort in the name of God and righteousness.

A thousand or ten thousand ordinary priests or pastors or teachers
could labor quietly on almost unnoticed while the spiritual life of
Israel or the church was normal. But let the people of God go
astray from the paths of truth and immediately the specialist
appeared almost out of nowhere. His instinct for trouble brought
him to the help of the Lord and of Israel.

Such a man was likely to be drastic, radical, possibly at times
violent, and the curious crowd that gathered to watch him work
soon branded him as extreme, fanatical, negative. And in a sense
they were right. He was single-minded, severe, fearless, and these
were the qualities the circumstances demanded. He shocked
some, frightened others and alienated not a few, but he knew who
had called him and what he was sent to do. His ministry was
geared to the emergency, and that fact marked him out as different,
a man apart.

To such men as this the church owes a debt too heavy to pay.
The curious thing is that she seldom tries to pay him while he lives,
but the next generation builds his sepulcher and writes his
biography, as if instinctively and awkwardly to discharge an
obligation the previous generation to a large extent ignored...

[-From the Foreword to Leonard Ravenhill's "Why Revival Tarries".
A brilliant book!]

The historian D'Aubigne writes: "A great work of God is never
accomplished by the natural strength of man. It is from the dry
bones, the darkness and the dust of death, that God is pleased to
select the instruments by means of which He designs to scatter
over the earth His light, regeneration and life." [- D'Aubigne's
"History of the Reformation"].

Another writer has observed: "In the various crises that have
occurred in the history of the church, men have come to the front
who have manifested a holy recklessness that astonished their
fellows. When Luther nailed his theses to the door of the cathedral
at Wittenberg, cautious men were astonished at his audacity.
When John Wesley ignored all church restrictions and religious
propriety and preached in the fields and by-ways, men declared
his reputation was ruined. So it has been in all ages. When the
religious condition of the times called for men who were willing to
sacrifice all for Christ, the demand created the supply, and there
have always been found a few who have been willing to be
regarded reckless for the Lord. An utter recklessness concerning
men's opinions and other consequences is the only attitude that
can meet the exigencies of the present times." [Quoted by Frank
Bartleman in "Azusa Street", pg 46. (Also published as "Another
Wave Rolls in"). - Another brilliant book!]

God bless you all.
AGAPE
Zelma

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Gestation and Birth by Zola Levitt

Zola Levitt discovered an amazing correlation between the Seven Feasts of the Lord and the gestation of a human baby, from conception to birth. While preparing for writing a book for new parents, Zola contacted a gynecologist for some help in understanding gestation.

During that session, the gynecologist showed him a series of pictures, pointed to the first one (an egg and a sperm) and said, "On the fourteenth day of the first month, the egg appears." The statement struck a chord in his Jewish mind because that was the date of Passover. He remembered the roasted egg on his family table every Passover. Now, for the first time, he knew what it meant! Not wanting to lead the gynecologist off from the subject at hand, but he didn’t say anything, but continued to listen.

The gynecologist continued: "The egg must be fertilized within 24 hours, or it will pass on." This reminded Zola of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the seed or grain that "fell into the ground and died" in order to produce a harvest, the firstfruits of which was presented to God.

Next, the gynecologist said, "Within two to six days, the fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall of the womb and begins to grow." And, sure enough, the Jewish evangelist thought, "The Feast of Firstfruits is observed anywhere from two to six days after Passover!"

Next, he was shown a photo of an embryo showing arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes, a head, eyes, etc. The caption said, "Fifty days." The gynecologist continued, "Around the fiftieth day, the embryo takes on the form of a human being. Until then, we don’t know if we have a duck or a tadpole." Zola thought, "That Pentecost!"

The next picture showed the embryo at seven months. The gynecologist said, "On the first day of the seventh month, the baby’s hearing is developed. For the first time, it can hear and distinguish sounds outside the womb." Zola knew that was the date for the Jewish Festival of Trumpets.

The gynecologist continued, "On the tenth day of the seventh month, the hemoglobin of the blood changes from that of the mother, to a self-sustaining baby." Zola thought, "That’s the Day of Atonement, when the blood was taken into the Holy of holies!"

Next, the gynecologist said, "On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, the lungs become fully developed. If born before then, the baby would have had very difficult time breathing." And Zola thought, "That’s the festival of Tabernacles, a time of celebrating the Temple , home of the Shekinah glory or Spirit of God." In the New Testament, the Greek term pneuma, normally translated as "breath," is applied to the "Holy Spirit."

Birth takes place on the tenth day of the ninth month. Eight days after birth, in Jewish families, a son is circumcised. Zola noted that the eight days of Hanukkah are celebrated right on schedule, nine months and ten days after Passover.

No human being could have understood the gestation period 3,500 years ago. The establishment of the Seven Feasts of the Lord was given to Moses by the Lord Himself. Its correlation with the human gestation period is not only remarkable; it proves "Intelligent Design." It proves that there is a Creator God that guides the affairs of man

The Place of Eternal Torment and Seperation from God Part One

HELL- the place of eternal torment and separation from God

(Mark 16:15-16 KJV)
And he(Jesus) said unto them,
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
{16} He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned.

(Heb 9:27 KJV)
And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment:

(Isa 66:23-24 KJV)
And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another,
shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.
{24} And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me:
for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched;
and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

(Dan 12:2-3 KJV)
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake,
some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
{3} And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament;
and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

(Ezek 18:30-32 KJV)
Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD.
Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
{31} Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed;
and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
{32} For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD:
wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

THE ESSENTIALS OF JESUS' PRESENTATION OF THE GOSPEL

1) REPENT (TURN AWAY FROM SIN AND WICKED BEHAVIOR)
2) FOLLOW ME (JESUS) BECOME A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
3) BELIEVE ON JESUS CHRIST (ENTRUST YOUR SPIRITUAL WELL BEING TO HIM)
4) OBEY MY WORDS (OF JESUS CHRIST).
5) YOU MUST BE SPIRITUALLY REBORN BY THE HOLY SPIRIT
6) OBTAIN FORGIVENESS OF SIN BECAUSE OF GOD'S MERCY
7) JESUS TEACHES ABOUT HEAVEN
*8) JESUS WARNS ABOUT HELL
9) SUBSTITUTIONARY ATONEMENT


Dear Friends,
The subject of Hell is unpopular and offensive, but the Bible talks about it a lot. Jesus talked about it often in the Gospels, warning the people that after you die your soul still ives on..it is eternal..because God is eternal.

God specifically says that He gets no pleasure from sending people to Hell, but that His Holy Nature demands that those who reject Christ must be judged and condemned for their rebellion. Over and over He tells sinners to "REPENT !!", turn away from your evil ways and rebellion against God, and humble yourself and call on the mercy of God to save you.

(Ezek 18:32 KJV)
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD:
wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

(Jer 8:5-6a KJV)
Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding?
they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.
{6} I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright:
no man repented him of his wickedness,
saying, What have I done? ...

Those who hear the Gospel, and turn from thier wicked ways, and believe on Christ, are promised eternal bliss and provision in Heaven in the presence of God and the angels and all other believers. However, those who reject Christ, bring onto themselves eternal damnation and punishment and all that goes with the Wrath of God...in other words, eternity in Hell. Hell is God's eternal garbage dump, the place where there is burning and suffering and torture, darkness and stench of burning sulfur (brimstone), and massive indestructable worms that do not die but devour and torment the persons who are cast into Hell forever.

(Mark 9:43-44 KJV)
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off:
it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell,
into the fire that never shall be quenched:
{44} Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

(Isa 65:12-15 KJV)
Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter:
because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear;
but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
{13} Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD,
Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry:
behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty:
behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:
{14} Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart,
but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit.
{15} And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen:
for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name:

(Rev 20:14-15 KJV)
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
{15} And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

The greek word for the lake of fire is "Gehenna" . Gehenna refers to the garbage dump outside the city of Jerusalem in the Valley of Hinnom. Fires continually smouldered there, as the site was used as a burning ground for refuse and the dead bodies of criminals and animals. In time, the valley became so noxious that its name became a synonym for hell. The Hebrew phrase ge (“valley of”) hinnom eventually became the Greek Gehenna (Matt. 5:22; Mark 9:43, 45, 47).

(Isa 3:10-11 KJV)
Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
{11} Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.
----------------------------------

THE PRE-EMPTIVE WAY OUT OF HELL: SALVATION THROUGH THE DEATH OF CHRIST

The Blood of Jesus Christ became the payment for our sins when He voluntarily shed it on the Cross of Calvary. Since Jesus Christ is God in the Flesh, God ordained that His sacrifice would be needed to pay for our sins and acceptible to appease God's Wrath. We enter in to this forgiveness for our sins when we believe on and trust in Christ and His sacrifice, and study His Word and obey it. When we do so, we escape the punishment which God has ordained for those who rebel against God and ignore His Son's sacrifice, and are rewarded by God with eternity in Heaven.
(Lev 17:11 KJV)
For the life of the flesh is in the blood:
and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls:
for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

(Heb 9:22-24 KJV)
And almost all things are by the law purged with blood;
and without shedding of blood is no remission.
{23} It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
{24} For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true;
but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
-----------------------------------------
DESCRIPTIONS OF HELL

NO REMEMBRANCE OF GOD
(Psa 6:5 KJV)
For in death there is no remembrance of thee:
in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

NO ACTIVITY OR USEFULNESS
(Eccl 9:10 KJV)
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;
for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

SHAME AND SILENCE
(Psa 31:17 KJV)
Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee:
let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.

(Psa 94:17 KJV)
Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence.

REMOVED FROM THE LAND OF THE LIVING
(Isa 38:10-11 KJV)
I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave:
I am deprived of the residue of my years.
{11} I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living:
I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.

(Job 7:9-10 KJV)
As the cloud is consumed and vanisheth away:
so he that goeth down to the grave shall come up no more.
{10} He shall return no more to his house,
neither shall his place know him any more.
----------------------------

HELL-THE LAND OF THE DARKNESS OF DEATH
(Job 10:21-22 KJV)
Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;
{22} A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death,
without any order, and where the light is as darkness.

(Job 16:22 KJV)
When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
(Job 17:1 KJV) My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves are ready for me.

THE REBELLIOUS ATTITUDE OF THOSE LOVE THE WORLD BUT HATE GOD

(Job 21:13-18 KJV)
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
{14} Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
{15} What is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
{16} Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
{17} How oft is the candle of the wicked put out!
and how oft cometh their destruction upon them!
God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
{18} They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.

(Psa 49:16-19 KJV)
Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased;
{17} For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away:
his glory shall not descend after him.
{18} Though while he lived he blessed his soul:
and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.
{19} He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see light.

DESTRUCTION OF THE PERSON IN HELL
(Psa 49:14-15 KJV)
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them;
and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning;
and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.
{15} But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave:
for he shall receive me. Selah.

PREMETURE DEATH
(Isa 38:10-13 KJV)
I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the gates of the grave:
I am deprived of the residue of my years.
{11} I said, I shall not see the LORD, even the LORD, in the land of the living:
I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world.
{12} Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent:
I have cut off like a weaver my life: he will cut me off with pining sickness:
from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.
{13} I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break all my bones:
from day even to night wilt thou make an end of me.

JESUS DESCRIBES THE SEPARATION OF RIGHTEOUS FROM WICKED AT THE JUDGEMENT

(Mat 25:31-46 KJV)
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him,
then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
{32} And before him shall be gathered all nations:
and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
{33} And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

{34} Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
{35} For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me in: {36} Naked, and ye clothed me:
I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
{37} Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee?
or thirsty, and gave thee drink? {38} When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
{39} Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
{40} And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you,
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

{41} Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
{42} For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
{43} I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
{44} Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered,
or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
{45} Then shall he answer them, saying,
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
{46} And these shall go away into everlasting punishment:
but the righteous into life eternal.
Please Remember that Jesus died for All and that the Choice where you live in Eternity lies in your hands. You can accept Jesus in your Life and admit you are a sinner and you need A Saviour and Lord in your life or you can reject Jesus. Jesus died that all might be saved. Give Jesus a Chance.
Agape
Zelma

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