A LOOK AT GOD’S BLOOD SACRIFICES

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com
 
For some, the idea that eternal salvation is through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ raises a thorny question: How were people saved from their sins before the cross of Christ?

The Bible says God is fair. Where is the justice?

Well, let's try this on for size.

Before salvation became available through Christ's death on the cross, people were "saved" by obeying God's laws. Back then, appointed prophets spread the truth of God.

Before Christ, salvation was through the Jews; God’s appointed people.

Once a year, followers of Jehovah brought an animal (size depending upon their wealth) to the priest who would enter the holy-of-holies and place blood on the "mercy seat" on behalf of the people.

Instructions are given in Leviticus 30:10, a book in the Jewish Torah and the Bible.

This blood sacrifice symbolized the future sacrificial blood of the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed at Calvary.

So what about the non-Jew, or "Gentile," as they were called in Scripture?

They were saved by submitting to the God of the Jews and obeying the same sacrificial instructions. Most Gentiles worshipped their own false gods then.

The Bible speaks of certain Gentiles, such as Rahab and Ruth, and even whole cities such as Nineveh, which repented at the preaching of Jonah.

The first blood sacrifice was initiated by God in the Garden of Eden, when He killed an animal for skins to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve, the first couple and the first sinners.

Their sin prompted God to send His Son to the cross several millennia later, to shed His blood for all mankind.

The first sons of Adam and Eve - Cain and Abel - got into a dustup over the sacrifice issue: God accepted Abel's animal, blood sacrifice, but rejected Cain's produce, non-blood offering. Out of jealousy, Cain killed Abel.

Throughout the Bible, God demanded a blood sacrifice as the payment for sin.

Animal offerings were representative of the once-and-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 9:22 says, "Without shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin."

God never explained why the Jews are His chosen race. The fact that Jesus was born a Jew was the final flourish of their hefty benefit package.

The country of Israel is geographically the center of the "world," the crossroads of three continents—Europe, Asia and Africa.

Throughout Scripture, the Jews are identified as the "chosen people," the nation of God.

Interestingly, the Jews have had a roller coaster ride since day one, because of their on-off relationship with almighty God.

And since God's chosen people rejected Christ as their Messiah they have paid a huge price.

In World War II, six million, of a world population of 16 million, wound up in Nazi concentration-camp ovens. And a study of Bible prophecy reveals the worst is yet to come for Israel.

That may sounds unfair, but Israel, like the Gentile, has been given free will—free choice.

Islam: Deceit From the Depths of Hell

‘The Qur'an instructs the killing of the infidel, or those who are non-Muslim.’

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com
 
Evangelist Franklin Graham didn't mince words in a statement in October, 2001, about the actions of the often violence-driven followers of Islam.

In the wake of the September 11 Islamic terrorist attacks in Washington and New York City, Graham's hammer-job on the ruthless Muslim religion was refreshing and desperately needed.

"Islam," he said, "is wicked, violent, and not of the same god."

He went on to say in remarks broadcast on NBC, "I don't believe this is a wonderful, peaceful religion. When you read the Qur'an, it instructs the killing of the infidel, or those who are non-Muslim.

"It wasn't Methodists flying into those buildings (the Pentagon and the two World Trade Center towers). It was an attack on this country by people of the Islamic faith."

President Bush and other administration spokesmen are collared into offering sugar-coated praise about the "peaceful religion of Islam," which is a crock.


But, it was understandably stated to hold together the multi-country, multi-faith coalition which Washington patched together to flush out and stop terrorists world-wide. The terrorist cells are primarily Muslim extremists.

Refusing to take the political middle road followed by many political and church leaders - even by his famous father, evangelist Billy Graham - Franklin is not only correct in his observation about the Satanic Muslim religion, but he has earned the right to serve comment about the nation of Islam.

Graham's outspokenness came one day after his ministry's Operation Christmas Child began processing one million shoe boxes of toys, school supplies, and personal hygiene items for needy children overseas. Thousands annually are sent to many Muslim nations.

Graham oversees Samaritan's Purse, which has supported more relief and aid to Muslim people than to any other people in the world. Many millions of dollars in aid is regularly sent to countries like Bosnia, Kosovo, Lebanon, Sudan, and Afghanistan.

"As the leader of an international relief organization, my calling is to provide food, clothing, housing, supplies, and medical care to hurting people everywhere, regardless of faith," Graham said.

"As a Christian minister, my calling and focus are to proclaim the God of the Christian faith to all who will listen."

Muslims are Licensed to Kill

Muslims are authorized to kill in the name of their god, Allah.

Captured US Taliban fighter, 20-year-old John Walker Lindh, told CNN December 19, 2001, that he believed the Qur'an permits Muslims to kill in a holy war.

He defended the terrorists' suicide attacks on New York and Washington targets, stating, "In certain cases, Muslims, by necessity, can kill, and there are situations in which a Muslim can be killed (by other Muslims)."

When in power, the late Iranian tyrant leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, declared, "The purest joy in Islam is to kill and be killed for Allah."

When establishing and spreading his religion in the seventh century, Mohammed and his followers slaughtered thousands.

Said Mohammed, who declared war on the entire world, "I have been ordered by Allah to fight with people until they testify there is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his messenger."

Check out what Mohammed's Qur'an states in Surah (or Chapter) II (39):
"...Take not to yourselves friends of them (the disbelievers) until they emigrate in the way of god; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them..."

Peaceful guy, peaceful teachings? Hardly.

The god of Islam is certainly not the God of the Bible. The one and only true God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob does not force anyone to choose Him, nor kills those who refuse Him.

The Muslim "courage" to blow themselves up or to crash planes at a loss of their own and many other lives is based solely on the insane doctrine of Islam.

The only sure way in Islam of achieving Paradise is to sacrifice one's life in a jihad (or holy war). Suicide is forbidden as self-murder, but to sacrifice one's life in killing infidels carries the highest reward.

The reward is strange but oddly alluring. A jihad martyr is promised -

1. A palace of pearls in which there are 70 mansions.
2. Inside each mansion are 70 houses.
3. In each house is a bed made of 70 sheets.
4. Each sheet contains 70 beautiful virgins.
5. The "lucky" martyr is also assured that he will have the appetite and strength of 100 men for food and sex.

This is the fanatical dream that is fed to Muslim boys from earliest childhood.

The Media Blew It

Jerusalem Post writer Naomi Ragen hits the target in a September 20, 2001, page-one article under the headline "From a Distance: Mass murder, sex, and paradise", where she blasted the foreign press for buying the Muslim line.

"One thing that the reporters miss is that it's not nationalistic fervor or outrage at their 'persecution' that is motivating these young men, as much as the Muslim religious teachings that promise each of them unlimited free sex with virgins in paradise as a reward for spilling innocent blood.

"From my own experience with many good people abroad, this information is not well known. Recently, Bob Simon interviewed Mohammed Abu Wardeh on CBS's Sixty Minutes,” Ragen wrote.

"His remarks in Arabic were translated on the program as, 'God would compensate the martyr for sacrificing his life for his land. If you become a martyr, God will give you 70 virgins, 70 wives, and everlasting happiness.'

"The point is this," concludes Jerusalem Post's Ragen:

"Horny Arab teenagers are being convinced the way to sex in the puritanical Arab world (where brothers routinely murder sisters who are even suspected of losing their virginity), is through hate-filled mass-murders."

Author/speaker Dave Hunt points out that there are more than 100 verses in the Qur'an advocating the use of violence to spread Islam.

"In the Qur'an, Allah commands Muslims, 'Take not the Jews and Christians as friends... Slay the idolaters (non-Muslims) wherever you find them... Fight against such... as believe not in Allah...' (Surah 5:51, 9:5,29,41, etc.)," writes Hunt.

"Though most Muslims would shrink from obeying such commands, this is official Muslim and it cannot change without admitting that Mohammed was a false prophet and murderer."

Hunt goes on to say, "The suggestion that Islam as a religion does not condone violence; that radicals represent only themselves—an extremist and violent fringe—is simply not true.

"It is not because men are Arabs or extremists that they turn to terrorism, but because they are devout Muslims. Yet who will face this obvious fact?

"Hate for Israel and the call to destroy America for supporting her are what motivate the angry Muslim. No Arab map in the world admits Israel's existence.

"Terrorists act in direct obedience to Mohammed, the Qur'an, Allah, and Islam. While nominal Muslims reject the idea," says Hunt, "all Islamic scholars agree that it is the religious duty of every Muslim to use violence whenever possible to spread Islam until it has taken over the world."

Hunt continued, "The world has sided with Islam in its false claim to the land of Israel, which is now inaccurately called Palestine.

"This Promised Land, given to Israel by the God of the Bible, has been occupied by Jews continuously for the last 3,000 years, and they are the only people to have done so.”

The biblical stamp of approval confirming that the Jews have the ongoing right to the Land of Israel is clear.

Deuteronomy 1:19-21 state:

"Then we (Moses and the children of Israel) left Mount Horeh and traveled through the great and terrible desert, finally arriving among the Amorite hills to which the Lord our God had directed us.

"We were then at Kadesh-barnea (on the border of the Promised Land) and I said to the people, 'The Lord God has given us this land. Go and possess it as he told us to. Don't be afraid! Don't ever doubt’!”

Joshua 1:1-4 state:

"After the death of Moses, the Lord's disciple, God spoke to Moses' assistant, whose name was Joshua, and said to him, 'Now that my disciple is dead, lead my people across the Jordan River into the Promised Land.

‘“I say to you what I said to Moses’: 'Wherever you go you will be part of the land of Israel—all the way from the Nageb desert in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Euphrates River in the east, including the land of the Hittites’.”

Because of their disobedience, God allowed the Jews to be scattered to all corners of the globe following the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD.

Unlike any other race in history, the Jews remarkably retained their pure Jewish line. They therefore still remain distinct as God's chosen people.

All of “Palestine” was to be given to the Jews for a national homeland by a 1917 ruling of the League of Nations. But steadily the Jews were betrayed by Britain's administration of that mandate. The land was parceled out to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, etc.

The most significant event in our whole generation took place on May 14,1948. The entire world was electrified when Israel declared its independence and became a recognized nation.

Over 55 governments have acknowledged Israel as an autonomous state, and today Israel stands as a full-fledged member in the United Nations.

Nevertheless, Israel is accused of occupying land which has been theirs for three centuries. And terrorists continue to prey on Israel and the US for supporting Israel's statehood.

What are the differences between Jesus of the Bible and Mohammed of the Qur'an?

1. The birth of Jesus as the Messiah was prophesied in Scripture. Mohammed's birth as the so-called Seal of the Prophets was not.

2. Through many witnesses, the Bible outlines the lineage of the Christ from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob to the tribe of Judah and out of the house of David. (Genesis 12:3, 18:18, 21:12, 22:18, 26:4, 28:14, 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalms 18:50, 89:3-4, 89:20, 132:11; Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1, 11:10; Jeremiah 23:5-6, 33:14-15).

3. It was prophesied through Isaiah that the Messiah would be conceived by a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). It was prophesied through Micah that He would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). And it was prophesied through the typology in the third and sixth chapters of Zechariah that his name would be 'Joshua' (of which 'Jesus' is the Hellenized form).

4. Who prophesied the birth of Mohammed as a true prophet of God? No one. No one except Mohammed himself who wrote in Surah LXI (17), "Jesus son of Mary said, 'Children of Israel, I am indeed the Messenger of God to you, confirming the Torah that is before me, and giving good tidings of a Messenger who shall come after me, whose name shall be Ahmed’.”

5. Throughout the Qur'an, Mohammed refutes that Jesus was the Son of God.

a) "The Messiah, Jesus son of Mary, was only the Messenger of God, and His Word that He committed to Mary, and a spirit from Him." Surah IV (18)

b) "The Messiah, son of Mary, was only a Messenger: Messengers before him passed away; his mother was a just woman; they both ate food. Behold, how we make clear signs to them; then behold, how perverted they are!" Surah V (19)

c) "The Creator of the heavens and the earth—how should He have a Son, seeing that He has no consort, and He created all things, and He has knowledge of everything?" Surah VI (20)

d) "The Jews say, 'Ezra is the Son of God;' the Christians say, 'The Messiah is the Son of God.' That is the utterance of their mouths, confirming with the unbelievers before them." Surah IX (21)

e) "They (the Christians) say, 'God has taken to Him a son.' Glory be to Him! He is All-sufficient; to Him belongs all that is in the heavens and in the earth; you have no authority for this. What, so you say concerning God that you know not? Say: 'Those who forge against God falsehood shall not prosper. Some enjoyment in this world; then unto Us they shall return; then We shall let them taste the terrible chastisement, for that they were unbelievers (in Mohammed and the Qur'an).'" Surah X (22)

f) "Praise belongs to God, who has not taken to Him a son." Surah XVII (23)

g) "And they say, 'The All-merciful has taken unto Himself a son. You have indeed advanced something hideous! The heavens are well-nigh rent of it and the earth split asunder, and the mountains well-nigh fall down crashing for they have attributed to the All-merciful a son; and it behooves not the All-merciful to take a son.'" Surah XIX (24)

h) "God has not taken to Himself any son." Surah XXIII (21)

i) "He has not taken to Him a son." Surah XXIII (25)

j) “It was Mohammed's self-proclaimed mission "... to warn those who say, 'God has taken to Himself a son.'" Surah XXIII (29)

What bunk when weighed against amazing Godly biblical pronouncements such as -

1. "I will be his father, and he shall be my son." (2 Samuel 7:14)

2. "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given" (Isaiah 9:6). Through Gabriel to Mary: "He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest" (Luke 1:32) and "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee: Therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God" (Luke 1:35).

John the Baptist bore record that Jesus was the Son of God (John 1:32-34). God Himself testified twice of Jesus: "This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:17, 17:5; Mark 1:11, 9:7; and, Luke 3:22, 9:35). Saint Mark testified in his gospel: "Jesus Christ, the Son of God..." (Mark 1:1)

3. Even the unclean spirits recognized that Jesus was the Son of God: "And, behold, they cried out, saying, 'What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?'" Matthew 8:29 (30)

To casual observers and lifeless Christians, that Mohammed claimed God had no Son in Jesus does not seem to be so very damaging; after all, they think, he did acknowledge that Jesus was a prophet, "a Messenger of God."

They fail to see that for Mohammed to have stated that Jesus was not a prophet would have kept many from his own teachings; it would have precluded their even listening to his message.

Further, they fail to see that Mohammed had to include Jesus within his teachings if he was to be more convincing concerning his own authority.

It is easier to deceive if you pretend to build on an already-established foundation. It is easier to destroy if you claim a heritage in Truth, with Qur,an stuff like:

"Surely We sent down the Torah, wherein is guidance and light, thereby the Prophets who had surrendered themselves gave judgment for those of Jewry, as did the masters and the rabbis, following such portion of God's Book as they were given to keep and were witness to... And We sent, following in their footsteps, Jesus son of Mary, confirming the Torah before him; and We gave to him the Gospel, wherein is guidance and light, and confirming the Torah before it, as a guidance and an admonition unto the god fearing." Surah V (31)

Mohammed tries to persuade us that the Qur'an is just as scriptural as the Torah and the Gospels. He tries to make it seem as if the Torah and the Gospels and the Qur'an are equal parts in a threefold plan of divine revelation to humankind.

Why? The most effective way to win individuals over to your way of thinking is to, first, tell them what they already believe is true (so you don't alienate them) and, second, slowly persuade them that what they don't yet know or understand can be provided for, or answered by, your doctrines: The wolf-in-shepherd's-clothing approach, so to speak.

Both Moses and Jesus proved their words with works and signs following. The miracles performed through them punctuated the truths they spoke and the lives they lived. Christ Jesus said:
"...for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me." (John 5:36)

And: "Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, 'Thou blasphemer;' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'? If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: That you may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in Him." (John 10:36-38)

Mohammed did not prove his words with works. Oh, he frequently proclaims that the Surahs of the Qur'an are themselves "signs, clear signs."

But there are no accounts of miracles wrought through him, save those unreliable that are attributed to him through the imagination and fancy of his followers. Mohammed tries to explain away the absence of such proofs this way:

"It is He who has sent His Messenger (Mohammed) with the guidance and the religion of truth, that He may uplift it above every religion. God suffices as a witness." Surah XLVIII (33)

Mohammed claimed that it was only for him to deliver "the Message Manifest," the final word from God. Surah XLVIII (34)

He tried to delude the people into thinking that he was the Christ returned to earth. In doing so, the Devil sought to establish his authority for overturning the principles of peace, love, and forgiveness taught by the real Savior.

Jesus instructed us to love our enemies, to revile not when reviled, to forgive those who despitefully use us, and to refrain from judgment (the condemnation of our peers).

Hear what Mohammed had to say on those topics –

"O believers, prescribed for you is retaliation, touching the slain; freeman for freeman, slave for slave, female for female... In retaliation there is life for you, men possessed of minds; happily you will be god fearing." Surah II (35)

"And fight in the way of God with those who fight with you. ...And slay them wherever you come upon them, and expel them from where they expelled you; (your own) persecution is more grievous than slaying (others)." Surah II (36)

"Whoso commits aggression against you, do you commit aggression against him like as he has committed against you..." Surah II (37)
"Prescribed for you is fighting, though it be hateful to you." Surah II (38)

"...Take not to yourselves friends of them (the disbelievers) until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them..." Surah II (39)

"This is the recompense of those who fight against God and His Messenger, and hasten about the earth, to do corruption there: They shall be slaughtered, or crucified, or their hands and feet shall alternately be struck off, or they shall be banished from the land." Surah V (40)

"Fight them (the unbelievers), till there is no persecution and the religion is God's entirely." Surah VIII (41)

"It is not for any Prophet to have prisoners until he make wide slaughter in the land." Surah III (42)

"Slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush." Surah IX (43)

"Fight those who believe n
ot in God and the Last Day." Surah IX (44)

"And fight the unbelievers totally even as they fight you totally; and know that God is with the god fearing." Surah IX (45)

"O believers, fight the unbelievers who are near to you, and let them find in you a harshness; and know that God is with the God fearing." Surah IX (46)

"The recompense of evil is evil the like of it..." Surah XLII (47)

"When you meet the unbelievers, smite their necks, then, when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds; then set them free, either by grace or ransom, till the war lays down its loads." Surah XLVII (48)

"Mohammed is the Messenger of God, and those who are with him are hard against the unbelievers, merciful one to another." Surah XLVIII (49)

"Thou shalt not find any people who believe in God and the Last Day who are loving to anyone who opposes God and His Messenger." Surah LVIII (50)

"O Prophet, struggle with the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be thou harsh with them." Surah LXVI (51)

It should be clear that the literature of Mohammed is hateful, encouraging people to live both in fear and by the sword in judgment of one another.

Compare the preceding quotations with the following instructions given by the Christ:
 
"But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

"And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

"Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.


"For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

"But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: For he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete, withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:27-38)

Having compared the previous passage with those immediately preceding it, which one of the two—Jesus or Mohammed—do you think is the true witness of the loving Father?

Considering what is written in the Qur'an, there should be little wonder why Bibles are not allowed into countries over which the banner of Islam flies. The people of those nations might be able to read:

"Put up again thy sword into its place: For all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." (Matthew 26:52)

"He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword." (Revelation 13:10)

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: For it is written, 'vengeance is mine; I will repay', saith the Lord.

"Therefore, if thine enemy is hungry, feed him; if he thirsts, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:19-21)

In short, they would find out that the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—the one of whom Christ Jesus came to testify— is a God of peace and love and not a God of war and hate.

Moreover, they would learn of the Levitical high priest and his role as intercessor for the children of Israel, offering sacrifice once a year for their sins, and how Christ Jesus was sent to sacrifice himself "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10).

They would learn how the Old Testament events, rules, and regulations were but a figure, or typology, of things to come.

They would learn to understand the role of the Lamb as Intercessor for all nations under the sun.

And, finally, concerning their relationship to Christ Jesus, they would learn that "there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Throughout the Qur'an, Mohammed attempts to undercut the role of Christ Jesus as Savior. He tries to negate that the Lamb bore " the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12) and that "he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25):

"Intercessor there is none, save after His leave." Surah X (52)

"...No intercessors shall they have amongst their associates, and they shall disbelieve in their associates." Surah XXX (53)

"Intercession will not avail with Him save for him to whom He gives leave." Surah XXXIV (54)

"To God belongs intercession altogether." Surah XXXI(55)

"...The evildoers (those who do not believe in Mohammed and the Qur'an) have not one loyal friend, no intercessor to be heeded." Surah XL (56)

"...No soul laden bears the load of another." Surah LII (57)

"Come, now, and God's Messenger (meaning Mohammed) will ask forgiveness for you." Surah LXIII (58)

It is plain that Mohammed tried to set himself up in Jesus' stead. What of the crucifixion? In his own form of gnostic Docetism, Mohammed accounts the crucifixion:

"...They did not slay him, neither crucified him, only a likeness of that was shown to them." Surah IV (59)
 
Guilty of the ultimate crime against God are those who say that Jesus is not the Christ and that He did not die for our sins. For that reason alone, Mohammed condemns himself and his followers (so long as they remain his followers).

The Lord Jesus said: "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. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth in him is not condemned, but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18)

"I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: If another shall come in his own name, him ye shall receive."(John 5:43)

"If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloke for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin; but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father."(John 15:22-24)

Simply stated, without Christ Jesus we have no advocate with the Father. If we reject the One that God sent, we reject the mercy He extends to us through that one.

Conclusion

If our faith is firmly planted on the rock, Jesus Christ, we needn't really break a sweat. Christ is coming back for His own soon, and eternal Heaven with Him is our blood-bought, secured future.

This comment from a missionary to the Muslims in North Africa is worth sharing:

"As one who has been involved in bringing Holy Scriptures into Muslim countries by creative means for the last 12 years, I believe that getting the Word of God (most especially the New Testament) and encouraging them to read or listen to it is the best way to help most Muslims along toward salvation.

"This is because Muslims are taught all kinds of weird things about our Scripture. For them to see and understand its message is often an awakening which leads to openness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

"I have seen not only individual Muslims become Christians as a result of reading the New Testament, but have also seen a demographic attitude shift in a people group as a result of a long term, mass distribution of the New Testament and the Jesus film

WHAT ARE THE MORMONS THINKING?

By NiteOwlDave 
niteowldave@gmail.com

Simply put, you’ve got to be a moron to be a Mormon.

That may sound abrupt, but so be it. I make no apologies to the singing Osmonds, politician Mitt Romney, or talk show host Glen Beck - all Mormons. Nor, to any of the other 15 million adherents worldwide who subscribe to the Mormon false cult.

Mormonism – also known as The Church of the Latter Day Saints (LDS) - falters badly when examined in the light of the Bible, which they claim as a source of truth alongside their publication, The Book of Mormon.

Mormonism was founded by Joseph Smith, Jr., in Fayette, New York, in 1830. Smith wrote The Book of Mormon which he claimed was divinely inspired.

Smith claimed he was visited by an angel named Moroni at age 14 when he was given new revelation written on gold tablets. The tablets became the basis for the Mormon book, which the sect gives authority equal to the Bible.

The trouble is, his Book of Mormon contradicts what the Bible says. Therefore, Moroni is not an angel, but a demon. The Bible warns us to avoid “new truth” being served up by an “angel.”
 
The apostle Paul says in Galatians 1:8, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached , let him be accursed.” Mormonism is another gospel.

Paul also warns in 2 Corinthians 11: 13-15, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

The Mormons teach –   

1. Jesus Christ is the brother of Satan and is the product of God having sex with Mary. 
      
TRUTH; Jesus is part of the Godhead (Trinity). In John 10:30 He said, “I and the Father are one.”

2. That if a follower leaves the church, the wrath of God will fall on his family members.

3. The Mormons believe God lives on a planet and that members should not get too close to Jesus – even though they pray in His Name. 

4. The LDS believe when they die, they keep marrying and having more children.    

5. The Mormons teach they go through seven stages where one day they become a God and have their own planet.                                     

6. With the Book of Mormon, the Bible, and a few other chosen writings, the Mormon Church says it is the only true church and is in possession of all divine written revelation.              
 
TRUTH: The Bible must be accepted as the one and only final revelation. The Bible was written by those who were inspired by God, it is accurate and true, and represents historical occurrences.  

When we look at the New Testament, we realize that it was written by those who either knew personally, or were under the direction of those who did.  They wrote what they saw.  They wrote about the resurrection of Christ.  They recorded His miracles and His sayings.

7. That sect founder Joseph Smith was born as God's prophet.

TRUTH: Deuteronomy 18:20-22 says a true prophet of God cannot utter a single false prophecy; not one. The penalty in Israel for pretending to speak for God was death. Smith was wrong several times with his end-of-the-world predictions.

8. The Mormons teach that man was not created by God despite what the Bible says; and that man pre-existed in a celestial world before becoming human.

9. They say that in the beginning man was also a God, the same as Jesus. They say eventually, man may return to God status and reach the perfection of the deity. 

TRUTH: That’s utter blasphemy in the highest order.                                                                  
 
10. They believe a living Mormon can be baptized on behalf of another Mormon who died without being baptized. The Holy Spirit—a needed element for salvation—enters a Mormon through water baptism.

11. Until it was outlawed by the federal government, plural marriages were promoted and practiced by the cult. While the practice is now outlawed, the written doctrine has not been changed.                 

12. Mormons believe that salvation is gained by doing good works and following church orders. 
                                                                            (Upon the death of Joseph Smith, who was shot and killed by an angry mob, Brigham Young became leader and established new Mormon headquarters in Utah.)

Contrast what Mormonism teaches with the gospel of the Bible, which is –
 
•We all are born with inherited sin
 
•Jesus, the Son of God, paid our sin debt in full when He died for our sin and rose from the dead.

•We will go to Heaven if we repent of our sin and ask Christ to save us.

How can I be saved? What do I need to do?           
Acts 16:31 says “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”  God has already done all of the work. All we must do is receive, by faith, the salvation God offers. God offers salvation as a gift. John 14:6 says Jesus is the way of salvation.

Give, Yes, But To Whom?

WHERE SHOULD OUR MONEY GO?
 
By Paul Tatham
tatham47@hotmail.com
 
We evangelical Christians --those who have received God's free gift of salvation-- are a generous lot.
 
A 2013 study by the Barna Group found that we evangelical Christians tend to give more to charity than others. 

The study reported that 79 percent of evangelical Christians gave money to a church or charity last year, while 65 percent donated items and 60 percent volunteered their time.

Only one percent of evangelicals said they donated nothing at all, which beat the national rate (13 percent) and the rate among those who claim no faith at all (25 percent).

We’re accustomed to opening our wallets and reaching for our check-books whenever there is an emergency need, while continuing to underwrite worthy causes that have been on our prayer lists for years.

We know that “God loves a cheerful giver” (II Corinthians 9:7) and cling to the promise that “if we give it will be given unto us” (Luke 6:38), both “in this present time and in the age to come” (Luke 18:30). 

But we also take seriously the sobering addendum that “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly” (II Corinthians 9:6-7).

But before we drop that check into the plate and thus salve our conscience into thinking we have done the right thing, it might be wise to see exactly what the Scripture has to say about Christian charity.

Are we to give?

Yes. No question about that. There are scores of Bible verses that command us to be a generous people, “thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:17). And there will always be opportunities to give, since “ye have the poor with you always” (Mark 14:7). Few would argue that true Christianity is, at its core, sacrificial.

Do all Bible verses about charity apply to today?

No. Many Old Testament verses apply only to Israel, a theocracy that ceased to exist in 70 A.D., when the Romans put the final nail in their coffin by obliterating Jerusalem, Israel’s capital.

We must be careful not to misapply directives, meant only for God’s ancient people, to New Testament Christianity. 

Old Testament Israelites, for example, were to leave part of their harvests for the poor (Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9; 23:22). It was part of their civil law but is not applicable to us today.

It should be noted that the charity mentioned in the “sheep and goats” passage of Christ’s Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25), applies to the yet future Tribulation. Saved gentiles who demonstrate their faith through their ministry to the persecuted Jewish remnant will be duly rewarded.

One would be hard-pressed to find an example of Old Testament Jews giving to the heathen. They were generous, however, with any heathen who joined their camp and embraced their God.

So can we throw out the Old Testament entirely?

Not entirely, because there could be a timeless principle behind it that is still alive and well. Many of the strange Old Testament co-mingling prohibitions or those that deal with ceremonial defilement, for example, have at their heart the overarching principle that modern believers should not soil themselves with “the things that are of the world.” It’s the principle that lives on.

In the case at hand - the timeless principle of giving - that runs throughout the Old Testament, can certainly be applied today. The underlying truth of those specific acts of charity does not necessarily apply exclusively to Israel. Some can be applied to this age:
 
·Leviticus 19:18—Love your neighbor
·Psalm 112:9—Give to the poor   
·Proverbs 31:8-9—Defend the rights of the poor   and needy.
·Proverbs 19:17—Pity and give to the poor
·Proverbs 21:13—Don’t close your ears to the cries of the poor
·Isaiah 58:10—Give to the hungry and afflicted
·Isaiah 58:7—Give to the hungry and dispossessed 

Is some charity meant to benefit only New Testament Christians?

Yes. In fact, most of it. As with any subject, New Testament verses having to do with charity must be read in context. Often, they tell us to direct our giving to “brothers” in need, not unbelievers.

Paul directs the church at Ephesus to “support the weak” in their congregation (Acts 20:35). John warns us not to hesitate when it comes to supporting a needy “brother” (I John 3:17). Paul writes about taking collections “for the saints” (I Corinthians 16:1). 

James addresses “brother and sisters” who are destitute (James 2:15). James 1:27 defines “pure religion” as helping the widows and orphans within the church. Acts 6:1 speaks of providing for widows within the church.

Paul tells us to supply the needs of the poor, but the context is that of poor believers (II Corinthians 9:6-7). When Paul writes, “Remember the poor,” he is addressing poor believers from a group of churches in Galatia (Galatians 2:10). 

The early church had “all things in common,” a voluntary sharing intended for fellow saints (Acts 4:32-35). Timothy is addressing the body of Christ when he tells us to provide for our “own” (I Timothy 5:8), and to take care of the widows within the church (I Timothy 5:3). Scripture is clear that the church is to take care of its constituents.

Scripture tells us that most of our giving is to benefit fellow needy Christians. Galatians 6:10 is clear on this: “As we have, therefore, opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  

We are to take care of our own, first and foremost, while the world comes secondarily—a dictum at odds with much of the thinking in modern evangelical churches today, primarily because it sounds so, well, unchristian.

The bulk of our giving should be for the benefit of fellow believers rather than for the lost. We are not to give to the unsaved so that they will like us and perhaps give our Savior a passing consideration. 

Our giving to the lost is not necessarily meant as a lure to attract those who are “without the camp.”

When our giving is intended to take care of our own, the world will automatically be interested in joining our camp. The attraction should be to join the camp for those who are not yet a part of it. John tells us that “by this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one for another” (John 13:35).

Is all charity meant to benefit only New Testament Christians?

No. Some Scriptures on the topic are open-ended. The recipients of our generosity are unspecified. Therefore, we can conclude, our giving is intended to benefit both the saved and the lost:
 
·I Timothy 6:18—“Be generous and ready to share”
·Ephesians 4:28--“[Work hard], so that you will have something to share with one who has need”
·Mark 12:31—“Love your neighbor”
·Hebrews 13:2—“Don’t forget to [be hospitable to] strangers”
·Hebrews 13:16—“Do good and share”

But what about . . . ?

·Matthew 5:42—“Give to him who asks.” This verse is part of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, which has its primary application in the yet future Millennium but with secondary applications for today.
 
·Luke 18:22—“Sell all you possess and distribute to the poor.” This scenario, in which the rich young ruler approaches Jesus and asks what he has to do to inherit eternal life, Jesus tests his commitment. It should not be interpreted as a formula for either our charity or as a means for the lost to enter Heaven.

It should cost us

That Sunday morning the pastor was preaching on giving, focusing on the fact that our giving should indeed be sacrificial. Later in the service, as the offering plates were making their rounds, the man sitting next to me smiled, ceremoniously dropped a dime into the plate, and whispered, “Ouch!” I had to suppress my laughter, for I knew that the guy was typically a more sacrificial giver than that but that we both needed a chuckle.

The whole point of story of the widow’s mite, recorded in the gospels, is that our giving should be proportional to how much we are able to give. Giving that doesn’t “cost” us isn’t really giving at all.

So to whom should we give?
 
So far, we have established that . . .
·We should give
·Some giving does not apply to today
·Most of our giving should be for the benefit of fellow Christians
·Our giving should be relative to our income

Now we come of the crux of our investigation; to whom should we give?

Whether our giving is to benefit the saved or the lost, we are to use common sense. When Jesus sent forth His 12 disciples, he warned them that because they were going forth “as sheep in the midst of wolves” they needed to be as “wise as serpents” (Matthew 10:16). Surely such caution would apply to us today in our benevolence decisions.

Using godly discernment in our giving, then, would apply to the following:

·Christians are not to give to everyone who has his hand out. Many of us operate under the premise that it doesn’t matter who we give to, as long as we give. Supporting the Red Cross, or any other secular cause, will do just fine. The Bible does not support the idea that we are to blindly toss our money at just any cause that tugs at our heart strings.

·Secular charity organizations have a huge constituency of unsaved donors from which to draw. Christian charities, in contrast, have only the body of Christ. Our priority must be to support Christian groups that promise an eternal payoff.

·This does not rule out secular organizations entirely. But we should support only those that allow us to couple our giving with some kind of “plug” for Jesus—the name of the sponsoring church or Christian organization, distribution of Christian literature, allowing us to share our faith verbally, etc. If a secular organization wants only our wealth, while prohibiting our witness, there is little possibility that our efforts will yield eternal benefits. Such support is wasteful of the Lord’s money.

Our charity should center around offering the lost the “living water” of salvation (John 4:10) and not “water” that is merely temporal. What is the real benefit of raising money for clean drinking water for Africa if it is not connected with the “living water,” which is far more important? Too much charitable giving by Christians meets only temporal needs and is an end in itself. We should focus, instead, on charities that result in eternal dividends.

·A question that often arises is whether or not we should give to panhandlers? Should I give to that homeless guy at a traffic light who promises to “work for food”? Quite frankly, I’m hesitant. Even if I hand him a gospel tract, along with my dollar bill, I have little faith that it will be read.  

Furthermore, studies show that the majority of modern-day beggars actually are not homeless, are not willing to work for food, are addicted to drugs or alcohol, have arrived at their sad state as a result of poor choices, and are able to make a decent living by simply awaiting handouts. 

Our contributions may make us feel warm and self-satisfied, but they typically do little good. In fact, they may very well do more harm than good by enabling such indolence to be rewarded. Perhaps the most charitable thing we can do is to let natural consequences force slothfulness to impart its own lessons. 

If Christians are warned that if they refuse to work they are not entitled to eat (II Thessalonians 3:10-12), how much more does such a standard apply to the lost? We are never instructed to support those who are simply lazy, whether Christian or not, living off the kindness of others. 

Even the Old Testament practice of leaving some of the harvest for the poor (Leviticus 19:9) required some work on the part of those who benefitted. It was not outright charity. In Timothy’s instructions regarding the care for church widows (I Timothy 5:3-16), each widow had to clear several hurdles in order to qualify for benevolence.

Should we give to just any Christian organization?

Just because a charity includes the word “Christian” in its name does not necessarily mean that it is doing a commendable job of bringing the lost into the kingdom and mentoring them into solid followers of Christ. Some Christian outreaches are doing an effective job, some aren’t. Some function on a lean budget that makes every donated dollar count, while others siphon off a disproportionate percentage in “administrative expenses.”

We need to do a little investigating to ensure that a Christian organization is getting the most bang for the buck. A church treasurer once told me that it boils down to “CPS—cost per soul.” Although his analysis may have been a tad crass, he certainly had a point.  

There are only so many Christian dollars to go around, so it would behoove us to stretch each dollar by determining which Christian agencies are making the biggest impact for eternity.

Far and away the most important tenet of our giving must be the gospel—the good news of eternal life made possible by Christ’s payment on the cross. Meeting the physical needs of the lost is certainly part of the equation, but our top priority must remain the saving of their souls. 

I get tired, quite frankly, of all the wastefulness of evangelical churches with their ends-in-themselves social involvement that has little to no gospel connection whatsoever. 

In fact, much of the involvement doesn’t even make a connection to the church that is sponsoring it. Recipients don’t even realize that the donations they are enjoying came from “that generous church down the street.” If they did, they might be intrigued enough to drop by the church to check it out.

Many Christians involved with purely social outreaches believe that they are carrying out the Great Commission.  

They fail to realize that the Scriptural way to bring about true social change is to work first on changing hearts. If someone gives his heart to Christ the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his life and society as a whole inevitably benefits.

Summing up . . .

·We should give.
·Some giving does not apply to today.
·Most of our giving should be for the benefit of fellow Christians.
·Our giving should be relative to our income.
·We should use discernment when deciding whom to support. Not all charities are created equal.
 
·We should support secular charities only if we are able to leverage such involvement into a Christian witness of some sort.
·We must be careful in supporting agencies or individuals that do more harm than good because they foster irresponsible behavior.
·We should support Christian charities that squeeze the most bang from each buck.
·We should support Christian charities that put evangelism as a top priority in their mission statement.

Correcting a few beliefs of the Jehovah Witnesses

By NiteOwlDave                                       niteowldave@gmail.com

I recently spent five hours with several pleasant Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) who showed up at our door advancing the message of their cult that combines the Bible and the Watchtower.

The first two visits were with two women in their forties who must have thought I was a possible convert because of the many questions I pitched their way.

The third session was a long one around the dining room table, with the original two women on each side and a forceful woman, more knowledgeable about the Bible and the JW beliefs, seated directly ahead.

We tossed off the gloves and gave it a go. As expected, after three hours we wound up in gridlock.

I was not a whit closer to becoming a JW adherent, and they remained solidly fixed in their positions despite what I thought was a fairly solid presentation of who Jesus Christ really is according to clear biblical references.

In preparation of our round-table discussion, I put together the following overview. If you are dealing with a Jehovah's Witness, you may find this useful.

First, though, a couple of tips –

1. Be polite and listen closely to their presentation.
2. Ask them follow-up questions or say, "Continue".
3. If they ask if they can bring a friend back, be prepared – you are going to be dealing with a JW heavyweight who may have deserted true Christianity a while back and is today a trophy of Satan.

So, on to my paper.

If I understand what you have been telling me, I need to join the Jehovah's Witnesses organization or church because, you claim, it is the only way I can learn Jehovah's will.

Then, if I continue as a faithful Jehovah's Witness for the rest of my life, I will be rewarded with another life on earth because the 144,000 special seats in Heaven with Jesus that you teach are no doubt all taken. You claim the JW way is the only way to God.
 
Upon my death, my body and soul go into the ground but I will be resurrected for another test of good works and obedience for 1,000 years.

If I prove myself to be Jehovah-worthy during the thousand years, I will live on a renewed perfect earth for eternity. That's providing I don't rebel against God.

Sigh. That's too complicated and doesn't offer any positive long-range hope. Let's examine what the Jehovah's Witnesses promote and what the Bible teaches.

We must keep in mind there can be only one truth. Either I'm right, or you're right. There can be no middle road here.

1. No Trinity?
The Bible points out that God exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The JWs reject this and preach there is one solitary being, Jehovah God. (Yes, I am aware that the word "Trinity" does not appear in the Bible, but it is taught in the Bible.)

How can one deny a Trinitarian God in face of the following scripture?

Matthew 3:16-17 say, “After his baptism, as soon as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove.

“And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my beloved Son, and I am wonderfully pleased with him'.”

Matthew 28:19 says, “Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

2 Corinthians 13-14 say, “May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. May God's love and the Holy Spirit's friendship be yours.”

Genesis 1:26 says, “Let us (more than one) make a man—someone like ourselves to be the master of all life upon the earth and in the skies and in the seas.”

Job 32:8 says, “But it is not mere age that makes them wise. Rather, it is the Spirit in a man.”

Acts 7:59 says, “And as the murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit’.”

Thus, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the Trinity.

2. Christ is Merely One of God's Creations?

Because Christ was part of the Trinity, He is God. The Jehovah's Witnesses wrongly preach that Christ was God's first-created creature.

John 1:1says, “Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God.”

Colossians 1:15-19 say, “Christ is the exact likeness of the unseen God. He existed before God made anything at all.                          In fact Christ himself is the Creator...
He (Christ) was before all else began...
He is the Head of the church made up of his people - that is, his church –- whom he began; and he is the Leader of all those who arise from the dead, so that He is the first in everything. For God wanted all of himself to be in his Son.”

Colossians 2:9 says, “For in Christ there is all of God in a human body.”

1 John 5:5-7say, “But who could possibly fight and win this battle except by believing that Jesus is truly the Son of God. We know he is, because God said so with a voice from heaven when Jesus was baptized, and again as he was facing death... "And the Holy Spirit, forever forceful, says it too. So we have three witnesses: the voice of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, the voice from Heaven at Christ's baptism and the voice when he died. And they all say the same thing: That Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
 
"Every born-again believer has the witness of the Holy Spirit - the quiet conscience who lives within. God spoke of His Son when Jesus was baptized. Jesus cried out to the Father just before He died.”

Therefore, the Trinity.

3. Good Works the Way to Heaven?

The Bible says that Christ completed our salvation at Calvary. The Jehovah's Witnesses preach that our admittance into a peaceful afterlife can be achieved only by our good works.

Romans 3:24-25 say, “Yes, all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal. Yet, now God declares us "not guilty" of offending him if we trust in Jesus Christ, who in his kindness freely takes away our sins.”

Colossians 1:20 says, “It was through what his Son did that cleared a path for everything to come to him...”

2 Corinthians 5:21says, “For God took the sinless Christ and poured into him our sins.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 say, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

John 1:12 says, “But as many as received (Christ), to them He gave the right to become the children of God, even to those who believe in His name.”

To summarize: We are all sinners. Christ took care of our cursed sins on the cross. Salvation cannot be attained by doing good works. Eternal salvation is available free to anyone who will repent of his wickedness and invite Christ into their life as Savior and Lord.

4. Christ's Resurrection Didn't Happen?

Consider these verses:

John 20:24 says, “After greeting them (his disciples, following the crucifixion) he showed them his hands and side. How wonderful was their joy as they saw their Lord.”

John 20:27-29 say, “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger into my hands. Put your finger in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe.’ Said Thomas, ‘My Lord and my God.’ Then Jesus told them, ‘You believe because you have seen me. But blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway’."

5. Christ Returned in 1914 and Was Invisible?

Matthew 24:30 says, “And then at last the signal of my coming will appear in the heavens and there will be deep mourning all around the earth. And the nations of the world will see me arrive in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory.”

(There will be "deep mourning" because those on earth will know they will now face God's wrath. They were not part of the earlier "rapture" of believers.)

Zechariah 12:10 says, “Then I will pour the spirit of grace and prayer on all people of Jerusalem, and they will look on him they pierced, and mourn for him as for an only son, and grieve bitterly for him as an oldest child who died.”

Revelation 1:17 says, “See. He is arriving, surrounded by clouds, and every eye shall see him—yes, and those who pierced him.”

6. Annihilation If You're Not a JW?

The Bible states that eternal punishment awaits those who reject or ignore Christ's gift of salvation. The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that those who do not become a JW will be annihilated with no conscience upon death.

Matthew 13:42 says, “And all who are evil will be thrown into the furnace and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Let those with ears, listen.”

Matthew 22:14 says, “Bind him hand and foot and throw him into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Luke 13:23-28 say, “Someone asked Jesus, ‘Will only a few be saved'?"
"And he replied, ‘The door to heaven is narrow. Work hard to get in, for the truth is that many will try to enter but when the head of the house has locked the door, it will be too late.

"Then if you stand outside knocking and pleading’, ‘Lord, open the door for us,’ He will reply, 'I don't know you.'
'But we ate with you, and you taught in our streets.'
But he will say, ‘I tell you, I don't know you. You can't come in here, guilty as you are. Go away.’ And there will be great weeping and gnashing of teeth as you stand outside.”

2 Peter 12:17 says, “...they are doomed to the eternal pits of darkness.”

Jude 1:13 says, “They wander around looking as bright as stars, but ahead of them is the everlasting gloom and darkness that God has prepared for them.”

Revelations 14:9-11 say, “...and they will be tormented with fire and burning sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and Christ.

The smoke of their torture arises forever and ever, and they will have no relief day or night.”

What a horrible, conscious eternity awaits the person who, although perhaps active their whole life in church, never had a one-on-one relationship with everlasting God and never confessed his sin and called out to Christ for His salvation.

He will spend forever, wide-awake in eternal suffering.

Get right with God, now. You could be dead in five minutes. If you're not sure you're going to Heaven, chances are you're not, and Hell awaits.

That's what is so frightening when you poke into the devilish doctrines of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and other cults.

Below is some history of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Jehovah's Witnesses were founded in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, in 1852 by Charles Russell.

Russell taught that the end-times started in 1799 and that Christ returned in 1874. These dates were later changed in 1914 when Armageddon failed to appear. Prophecies about 1915 also failed.

Russell died in 1916 and was succeeded by Joseph Rutherford who falsely predicted Armageddon would take place in 1918 and 1925.

In 1931, the title Jehovah's Witnesses was adopted.

In 1942, Nathan Knorr succeeded Rutherford. His major accomplishment was overseeing the completion of The New World Translation of the Bible in 1961, with its major false liberties.

The Jehovah's Witnesses name is synonymous with the name Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
 
Headquartered now in Brooklyn, NY, the governing body of the Witnesses wields absolute authority over its membership and popularizes its doctrines by mass distribution of magazines like The Watchtower and Awake.
 
A Witness is blindly obedient to The Watchtower, which promotes a false gospel as outlined above.

The Witnesses refuse blood transfusions, will not salute the flag or honor any government, will have no part of war, or honor traditional Christian holidays.

The most grievous error in the doctrine of the JWs is their insistence that Christ is inferior to God.

Consider John 8:42 where Christ said, "That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am the Messiah, the Son of God, you will die in your sins."

Matthew 16:15-16, also, state, "Then He (Jesus) asked them (His disciples), 'Who do you think I am?'
Simon Peter answered, 'The Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'"

LEFT PATH, RIGHT PATH

The "Left and Right" in the Bible

There’s nothing wrong with being left handed, a political leftist, a left-fielder in baseball, or to be accused of having two left feet.

The “left” word, however, does have spiritual implications that most are not aware.

The Bible always links God and His ways with the “right hand.”

The term “left hand path” is an occultism term used mainly by Wiccans and Satanists. They worship false gods and goddesses. I suggest it is correct to say that both of these belief systems were birthed by Satan, the cunning anti-God.

According to Wikipedia, the popular internet encyclopedia, “People who follow the Left Hand Path in the West are not interested in giving up pleasure or the world in order to be spiritual.

“They are not interested in worshiping God or following rules made up by others. They seek to gain power and freedom by breaking through taboos, fears, and restrictions.”

The Bible always uplifts the “right.”

1. Matthew 25:33 - Remember what Jesus said: “Goats on the left, sheep on the right.”
 
2. Jesus also told Peter that if he wanted to catch fish do it from the right side of the boat. They did and filled the boat with fish.
 
3. John 21:6 - “Jesus said, ‘Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.’ When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."
 
4. Ecclesiastes 10:2 - "The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left."  
 
5. 1Peter 3:22 – “Who (Jesus) is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”

6. Acts 5:31 – “Him hath God exalted with his right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.”

7. Luke 22:69 – “Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.”

8. Mark 16:19 – “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

9. Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

10. Hebrews 10:12 – “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

11. Hebrews 8:1 – “Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;”

12. Hebrews 1:13 – “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

13. Colossians 3:1 – “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”

14. Ephesians 1:20 – “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly[places].” 

15. Matthew 22:44 – “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?”

16. Psalms 110:1 - (A Psalm of David.) The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.      

17. Hebrews 1:3 - Who being the brightness of [His] glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.                                                                                

WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF JESUS?

By NiteOwl Dave
niteowldave@gmail.com

Would a caring God dispatch anyone to eternal Hell if he had never heard about and accepted the one true God? That question is often raised.

And what about the “heathen” – kind of a slam word - who truly seek the true God who sent the Lord Jesus Christ to pay our sin debt? Try this on for size.

According to Romans 1:18-20, everyone has been given the witness of a God through creation (external) and the witness of conscience (internal).

Creation and the amazing planned cycles of life that roll by smoothly century after century point to the existence of an all-powerful God.

Our conscience convicts us of sin. If we continue sinning, we suppress truth, says 11 Thessalonians 2:10-12. But if we suppress sin and seek more truth, we will get it.

"Ye shall seek me and find me when ye search for me with all your heart."

The Bible says that salvation comes just one way: through believing the gospel of Jesus Christ. It also says all other ways to God lead to eternal damnation.

The details of how each seeker hears and believes the gospel varies. In Scripture, Paul was sent to enlighten the seeker, Cornelius. Philip was sent to the seeking Ethiopian eunuch.

The Holy Spirit always rushes into the vacuum created by a seeker of truth. 

It is a given that God really doesn’t need us to deliver the truth of eternal salvation through what the Lord Jesus Christ did when He paid our total  sin debt when He died and rose again from the dead.

Of course, God does use those who have the guts to roll up their sleeves and share the gospel.

When there is no physical messenger handy to share the saving truth, God uses other ways like dreams, etc. to reach the lost.

Is 'Living the Life' Really Enough?

No. The walk, alone, won't cut it. Period. It must be coupled with the talk.

By Paul Tatham
tatham47@hotmail.com

Those of us who have accepted Christ as Savior hear a lot about evangelism.

We're told that one of the primary reasons we have been left on earth, following our conversion, is to win others to Christ.

We go about that divine task in a two-fold manner. First, by living a life that is exemplary and, second, by actually verbalizing our faith.

The object of the first is to live our life in such a way that onlookers will be intrigued enough to ask what makes us different. 

That, in turn, should segue into an opportunity to present the gospel—how Christ has paid for our sins on the cross, thus paving the way for His free offer of eternal life for all those who merely ask.

But I've been concerned, over the years, with the growing number of born-again believers who faithfully fulfill part A but woefully neglect part B.

When asked what their game plan is for reaching their Hell-bound neighbors and colleagues for Christ, their response is often, “Well, I'm living the life."

A few of us may even be bold enough to drop a passing word for the Lord now and then ("my son survived the accident by the grace of God"). 

But basically the crux of our plan consists of being such a nice person that one day, hopefully, that unsaved friend will pop the $64,000 question: "You're such a nice person. How can I be like you?"

But there's a problem with such a plan: You could be waiting a long time. And, in the meantime, the clock is ticking on all those other associates who, too, think you are someone special but aren't quite stirred enough to ask why.

The greater need today is for Christians who will speak their faith, not just live it. Notice, by the way, that I said greater need, not greater in importance.

Of course living the life is of vital importance, for if one is all talk, and no walk, then his message will carry little clout.

Actually, for many of us, living the life is easier than talking about it. That's because when we met Jesus, the Holy Spirit took up residence in our lives and completely changed our worldly appetites.

We no longer serve Satan, nor are we as drawn by what he has to offer. Through little effort on our part, we've become a better person.

But telling others about that transformation doesn't come as readily. For some reason, spiritual lockjaw sets in. So we sheepishly hide behind the lure of our lifestyle, praying for the occasional nibble.

But is "living the life" really enough? Will my lifestyle, alone, actually be potent enough to evoke the all-important query, "What makes you different?"

Well, to be honest, I've never experienced it. And I've known Christ for over 60 years. I don't smoke or drink or cuss or chew, and people tell me I'm generally a nice guy, but the point is I'm still waiting.

But never mind me. Probably others, godlier, will have stories to tell.

Over the years, I've taken an informal poll of believers I consider far more Christ-like than I. Surely they've been asked many times. But, sadly, I've found that their record isn't much better than mine.

The conclusion: If these super saints can't elicit an inquiry, what chance do I have? The walk, alone, won't cut it. Period. It must be coupled with the talk.

Most unsaved folk will size you up as simply "a nice guy," and leave it at that, never realizing Who made you that way.

Let me go further out on a limb and make a bold claim: We need to talk our faith because if we don't explain the gospel—literally the "good news"—few will figure it out on their own.

After all, most lost people have had little exposure to God's simple plan of salvation and, therefore, picture the final judgment as a great celestial weigh-in. If our good works outweigh our bad works, we're in.

If I didn't know better, that would sound reasonable to me too. Or, perhaps, simply looking around at nature and concluding that there must be a Creator (capital C) behind it all. Many settle for mere recognition of a Supreme Being.

All plausible, but all wrong. The good news takes a little explaining before most folk can get a handle on it.

That's why Romans 10:14 asks the provocative question, "How shall they believe in Him in whom they have not heard?" It takes a messenger—a Christian bold enough to put his mouth where his lifestyle is.
 
During World War II, a common poster seen around army and naval bases cautioned servicemen that "loose lips lose lives." The intent, of course, was to warn soldiers and sailors that discussing war-related plans with strangers could be used against them.

Perhaps Christians today need a newer version of the same poster: "loose lips save lives." Those bold enough to speak up are more likely to be the ones who will rescue lives from eternal death.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?

By NiteOwlDave
niteowldave@gmail.com 

Many people wonder if there is a solid reason to want to continue to live. Some want to kill themselves because they find life a frustrating struggle. Many can’t find the meaning of life.

Life is meaningful if we grasp the big picture. Let’s break it down. First, what is NOT the meaning of life? Life and happiness are not about -

• Accumulating wealth
• Being a “religious” person
• Chasing girls or guys, etc.

These give no long-term satisfaction, period. Resolving the God puzzle gives us a purposeful life. God sees us of so much value that He sent His son, Jesus, to pay for our sins like a sacrificial lamb. 

His instruction manual, the Bible, is far more than a collection of pious platitudes and musty history. The best-selling book of all time, it spells out God’s plan for each of us.

Major distractions to God belief are:

• Wars have and are waged in the name of God.   
• Many ranking church leaders get nabbed doing stuff which hardly uplifts.
• There are too many personal points of view out there.

But where there is garbage, there is truth. And the problems and confusion we see all around us are the direct result of sin.

Like us, God gave Adam and Eve choice. They chose to sin. Under freewill, we can choose to do what we know is right or we can choose to sin. We can choose to seek God or tell Him to hit the road.   
 
Christ died for everyone, yes, but you and I determine if we will go to Heaven upon death. And we determine that in this life. 
 
Some challenge the suggestion that we are born wired to sin. The question then is why do well-scrubbed kids have to be taught and disciplined to be good?
   
It’s not necessary for parents to teach their children to defy, toss temper tantrums, lie or disobey. None of these things are major issues, but they are significant pointers that we are all born flawed and out of sync with God.

Even well-raised “good” kids often wind up doing major bad stuff when they erupt into their teen years, and beyond. Of course, few kids turn into serial killers, but nevertheless we humans are generally not very good to each other
       
So back to the big question: What is life all about? Life is for each of us to enjoy, under the rules established by God. Which God?  (I’ll tackle that in a second.)

Originally, things on earth were flawless until Adam and Eve chose to sin. Their sins stained the entire human race.

To be forgiven, as in saved, we must call out to Christ.

The Bible states that the onus is on each of us to personally respond to Christ’s offer to save us. Christ died and arose for everyone, but an individual response to His offer is demanded.

We are not “saved” by being loyal church-goers or community do-gooders, despite these being admirable qualities.

The Bible says “All have sinned.” But Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself by going to the cross and shedding His blood to remove all our sins, past, present and future.                    
                
That familiar verse, John 3:16, states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth (calls out to and puts their trust in) shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
                                         
Sealing the deal with God is just a simple prayer away. We don’t have to be in a church, and we don’t have to be bowed down. But we must ask God to save us.
   
We simple choose to believe, and in an honest prayer ask God to save us. A free gift must be accepted.

1. We must confess we are a sinner. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Luke 13:3 states, "But, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish"

Proverbs 16:25 states, "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end whereof are the ways of death." 
  
2. We must ask Christ to save us. Asking is the same as believing. We must actively put our faith in what Christ did for us to become a member of God’s family.

 3. We must believe that Jesus is the one and only way to Heaven. Narrow minded, narrow road.  John 14:6 states, "Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."    

4. Is this really a believable proposition?  Yes. John 1:12 states, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name."    
   
So, what do we pray? Something like this:
   
Dear God,
I am a sinner.
Others have sinned greater than I have. 
Nevertheless, I stand before you now as a lost sinner, deserving of Hell.
I choose to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who became a man.
I choose to believe He allowed Himself to be put to death, arose again on the third day, and is alive today.
The Bible says our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ, and believe that.
Father, I want to be cleansed of all my sin right now. I know I am not right with God, and I want to be forgiven. I want to go to Heaven when I die. Right now at (Time and Date)______________, I bow at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ, and I am dumping all of my sin there. ALL of them! 
I ask that the blood of Jesus Christ wash away all my sins - past, present, and future. I am sorry for my sins, and I accept your forgiveness. 
I now declare that I am a Christian. I ask, Father, that you will make me aware of when I want to sin, and give me the courage to say No. 
I ask, too, that you will help me understand the Bible, and to make the rest of my days on earth count for eternity. 
I pray all of this in the name of Jesus Christ - my new Lord and Savior - amen.

Anything else? Yes.
 
(1.) Tell someone that Jesus is now your Lord.
(2.) Start attending a church where the Bible is clearly taught.
(3.) Get baptized by immersion as a public confession of your new life in Christ.
(4.) Read your Bible and pray regularly.
(5.) Continue - or start - doing good stuff as a witness that you care like Christ cares.

Conclusion:

If you are sincere, the Bible says you are now a Christian and you will spend eternity in Heaven.

Sounds too simple, right?  It is so simple a kid can understand it and respond without church classes or sacraments.

Why is Christ the only way to the Father when other major religions claim that they have the way? Good question.

First, Christianity is the only “religion” (hate that word) where God came to earth and completed our salvation.

Second, all other religions require loyal followers to struggle all their life doing religious stuff in the hope their God will be appeased with their efforts. Biblical Christianity promises eternal life now to those who will reach out and accept Christ. 

Third, Christ does not force anyone to accept what He freely offers. Yes, there is eternal Hell to pay if we reject Jesus. 

The opposite of Christianity are strangling religions like Islam with its mammoth (and scary) following of 1/5th of the world’s population.

If a Muslim decides to reject the teachings of Islam, he or she faces being killed by its strict devotees. Islam allows for war against non-Muslims.

Christ is about love. Other major religions are often about terror with slim promise of a blissful afterlife.

Can I prove there is an afterlife?  Hmm, toughie. It is declared by Jesus Christ and the Bible.

But we do see examples of an afterlife in a couple of ways we can all relate to.

Consider an unborn baby. An unborn eight-month kid might defend that life is ONLY what could be physically seen - a hot tub and a feeding tube.

Tell the kid he was going to exit out of there in a month and grow up to drive a train or operate a computer would bring laughter.  Yet, that’s the fact.

Tell a caterpillar it was going to spin a cocoon around itself, drift off to sleep and grow wings, emerge, and fly a mile high over the city as a beautiful Monarch Butterfly and winter in Mexico. If a caterpillar could laugh, it would roar. Yet, that’s the truth of the matter; an ugly worm takes flight.

Here’s the big picture:
 
Our life is a stubby hallway which is a door slam away from a wide-awake eternity; life is a brief flash of a match, a candle in the wind. (A bow to Elton John.)

For some, life here is a horrible ride. For others, it’s a charmed walk in the park.We will each be judged by God as to how we respond to the cards we have been dealt.
 
As woeful or as delightful our life is, we will each be judged by God on how we respond to what Jesus Christ has done for us.

He died for us. He arose from the dead. He will return soon for those who have put their faith in Him. We must be ready to face God. Settle the matter now before it is too late.
 
Thanks,
dave