A time of selfish lawlessness....
Yes, the world, and America too, has turned away from the one true God to follow false gods, do evil without guilt, undermine civilization, violate law and order and our Constitution, corrupt government, persecute Christians and make good evil and evil good. We are rapidly entering the biblical "last days" when hearts are hardened, minds corrupted, and appetites perverted. There have always been such individuals ... in every time and age since Cain killed Abel. But there is coming a time when "No Man" will care for anyone but himself, his feelings and his desires. We are nearing that time ....
When No Man cares for the needs and pain of others
I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. Psm.142:4.
When No Man listens or has regard for truth, justice and God's word
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded... Prov.1:24.
When No Man remembers our founding fathers and national heroes
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Ecc.9:15.
When No Man feels guilty or repentant of his sins
I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright: no man repented him of his wickedness, saying, What have I done? Jer.8:6.
When No Man feels responsible for law, order, justice and safety
They have made it desolate, and being desolate it mourneth unto me; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart. Jer.12:11.
But even when No Man cares for others, for truth, for God's word, for Christian heritage, for law and order or feels guilty or repentant of his/her sins .... and when God's people are swept away by cruelty and injustice.... God still has a plan for them and for truth and justice too. He will come for us and deliver us "from the much worse evil to come" which the world is not "considering".
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. Isa. 57:1.
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Saturday, May 7, 2016
Jesus Said In The Last Days There Shall Be Increasing "earthquakes"
"And as (Jesus) sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, an.d kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." Matt.24:3-8
The word "divers" is the Greek "kata" meaning "down through, in and throughout" as used here. So Jesus added "earthquakes" to the end times signs of false prophets, wars, rumours of wars, national and international conflicts, groups of nations against other groups of nations, famines and world-wide rare diseases. These, He said, are only "the beginning" of tribulations. RB
This from The Guardian News
What lies below: Swarm of earthquakes
detected beneath Mount St. Helens
Saturday 7 May 2016 by Alan Yuhas
A swarm of more than 130 earthquakes has been detected beneath Mount St Helens over the last eight weeks, according to the US Geological Survey.
Since March, the rate of such earthquakes under the Washington state volcano has been “steadily increasing”, the USGS reported. At its peak, nearly 40 earthquakes have been located per week.
Most of the quakes have occurred about one to four miles beneath the active volcano, and most have been extremely weak at magnitudes of 0.5 or less, the largest a 1.3-level quake.
The USGS said there have been many more earthquakes that have been too small to be felt at the surface or precisely located. A 0.7-level quake “would not be felt if you were standing on the surface above it”, the seismologists wrote.
They do though suggest the volcano is recharging its stores of magma, the scientists said. As the molten rock rises to fill the volcano’s magma chamber it presses against the colder rock around it, increasing stress.
This push and pull creates quakes.
_______________________
5 Major Earthquakes In 48 Hours As A Seismologist Warns ‘Catastrophic Mega Earthquakes’ Are Coming
By Michael Snyder, on April 14th, 2016
Why is the crust of the Earth shaking so violently all of a sudden? Over the past 48 hours, there have been five major earthquakes globally, and one prominent seismologist has declared that “catastrophic mega earthquakes” could be on the way. In fact, seismologist Roger Bilham of the University of Colorado has made headlines all over the world by warning that “current conditions might trigger at least four earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude”. If his projections are accurate, our planet could be on the precipice of a wave of natural disasters unlike anything that any of us have ever experienced before.
_________________________________
Earthquakes Increasing In 2016
From The Express News
Scientists say there has been an above average number of significant earthquakes across south Asia and the Pacific since the start of the year.
The increased frequency has sparked fears of a repeat of the Nepal quake of 2015, when 8,000 people died, or even worse.
Roger Bilham, seismologist of University of Colorado, said: “The current conditions might trigger at least four earthquakes greater than 8.0 in magnitude.
“And if they delay, the strain accumulated during the centuries provokes more catastrophic mega earthquakes.”
_________________________________
There are dozens of other recent articles on the subject which are similar to these. RB
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Positive Thinking Is Neither Focusing On Sweetness Nor Denial Of Negative Truths
| Truth Is Always Positive At Its Root And In Its Fruit...Always! Jesus made some very comforting and positive promises to all of His disciples which included believers of all generations. One of those wonderful promises was to comfort, encourage and reassure us in our fears, sufferings and death. This positive promise is in John 14:1-3 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." What a wonderful promise. It is a positive promise of help from God, from Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It is a positive assurance of our eternal future with Him in heaven. When Jesus encouraged His disciples to overcome their "troubles" by "believing" in God's ability to help them through their trials and ultimately into the very presence of God, that was "positive thinking". And when He promised them He was going away to "prepare a place for them and then return to Earth and take them to heaven", that was positive thinking. Though positive thinking is always positive, the subject of the thinking may include some very frightening facts of truth. And truth, whether encouraging or frightening, is far more important than pacification, conciliation, appeasement or compromise. These things may purchase temporary physical peace, but seldom, if ever, result in truth. It is the truth which purchases freedom and secures spiritual peace."And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32. An example of that kind of positive thinking is found in Jesus' teaching His disciples about the positive aspects of the last days and the hardships which would accompany those end-times prophecies. The content of Jesus' words may seem negative but these are also positive promises ... positive thinking. Things are going to get better after they get worse is positive thinking for believers. Matthew 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. Matthew 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Positive! Matthew 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? Those signs, though negative in nature were positive as indications of the return of Christ, the resurrection and rapture of the disciples. That is positive thinking. Jesus answered the question with five important facts .... First "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." Matt.24:4-5 Jesus was not thinking negatively but positively. Second "And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows." Matt.24:6-8 These "sorrows" may seem negative, but they are positive. Third "Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another." Matt.24:9-10. Yes this "affliction" is horrible but true and yes, positive. Fourth "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matt.24:11. Negative for those "deceived", but true and positive for true believers. Fifth "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matt.24:12. "Iniquity" is negative; "cold love" is negative, but the love of God in the hearts of Christians lives on and on, and that is positive. I can't cover all of the other end-times prophecies here, but they continue down to what we know as "The Blessed Hope". the return of Jesus Christ to gather His true believers unto Himself. "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." Matt.24:30-31. That, my friends is "Positive Thinking" for true believers in Christ ... and unbelievers who will hear the truth of it. And only negative to unbelievers who will not hear. RB |
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
On Leaving The Negative Past As You Enter A Positive Future
Even Jews see a spark of light in the Old Testament which is a flame in the New Testament. Many Jews who are still in darkness see that spark of light in their Old Testament which records a Creator and a chosen people and foretells them of a coming Messiah (Christ). Nature and creation itself is another spark of light which illuminates the doubtful mind to the reality of God and His anointed one, Jesus Christ. Your faith is not in vain if that spark guides you to Jesus who said, "...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." Jn.8:12.
If your self-will is to turn away from that spark of light and go back to darkness, down the old road, the "broad way" of old habits, old ways, then go back, for that is where your heart is and you will never be satisfied with the new way, which is a narrow way, the way of the cross, the Jesus way. But if you will go forward, up the new way of life which is narrow but light, the Jesus way, then don't even look back, as Lot's wife did at Sodom. For you would never again be satisfied with your old loves, old habits and that old way of thinking, speaking acting and being. Choose ye this day... which way.
If your self-will is to turn away from that spark of light and go back to darkness, down the old road, the "broad way" of old habits, old ways, then go back, for that is where your heart is and you will never be satisfied with the new way, which is a narrow way, the way of the cross, the Jesus way. But if you will go forward, up the new way of life which is narrow but light, the Jesus way, then don't even look back, as Lot's wife did at Sodom. For you would never again be satisfied with your old loves, old habits and that old way of thinking, speaking acting and being. Choose ye this day... which way.
Even non-Christian Jews who believe in Jehovah God and the Old Testament, which tells of a coming Messiah, have more light than unrepentant souls who have no light at all and have rejected the God of the Bible ... both Old and New Testaments. Though they may worship some false god or embrace some form of religion, the "light" they claim as truth ... is darkness. Jesus said "... If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!" Matt.6:23. Yes, unsaved Jews who believe in the Old Testament, but not in Jesus as their Messiah, are also in darkness. But their belief in Jehovah God and His Old Testament are a spark of light which soon, in the coming Tribulation, will turn them to see Christ as their prophesied Messiah and their faith will be complete. That time shall one day arrive as prophesied here ....
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him (Jesus), as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. RB
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him (Jesus), as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. RB
Here is an example, of that spark of light, Jews vaguely see, "through a glass darkly", in the Old Testament.
This Way Or That
From American Alliance Of Jews And Christians
By Rabbi Daniel Lapin
And the Lord said to Abram, "Go forth from your land and from your birthplace and from your father's house, to the land that I will show you.
(Genesis 12:1)
Ancient Jewish wisdom points out that the logical order seems reversed. Ordinarily, people on a long trip walk out of their front door, leaving their homes. Then they leave the city, and finally they leave their country. In this case however, the Torah is emphasizing how Abraham utterly separated himself from all the influences of his previous life. First he abandoned the values of his land. This was hard enough but it was still easier than leaving the cultural identification of his birthplace. The hardest challenge still lay ahead. Now he had to leave the traditions of his father's house. In order to make the most of the grand adventure which lay ahead, he had to turn himself into a blank slate, open to all that the Lord would reveal. To do this, he rid himself of all prior negative influences on his life.
And Abram went, as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him, and Abram was seventy five years old when he left Haran.
(Genesis 12:4)
To his credit, Lot, Abraham's nephew, accompanied his uncle. With one big difference. Lot did not undergo the cleansing process of eliminating all earlier marks on his soul.
When the time came for Lot and Abraham to part ways, Abraham remained true to his course and continued walking before God. Lot, however, found himself seduced by the sordid city of Sodom.
Here are another two people related to one another who must part:
And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each woman to her mother's house...And they raised their voices and wept again; and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth cleaved to her...And she said, "Lo, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and to her gods; return after your sister- in-law"...And Ruth said, "Do not entreat me to leave you, to return from following you, for wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people and your God my God.
(Ruth 1:8-16)
In the same way we asked what difference between Abraham and Lot made the former cling to God while Sodom seduced the latter, we now ask what distinguished Ruth from Orpah? Orpah left her mother-in-law and became the grandmother of Goliath. Ruth clung to Naomi and became the grandmother of King David.
Ancient Jewish wisdom points out that when the two girls married her sons, Ruth totally abandoned her idolatrous upbringing while Orpah was more ambivalent. How do we know this?
Naomi's words reveal the truth. She didn't merely say to Ruth, "your sister-in-law has returned to her people." She revealingly added "...and to her gods." That's right, Orpah never abandoned her idols when she began her new life as a wife. Ruth did.
Before embarking on his new life, Abraham left all the negative traits of his life till that point. Before embarking on her new life, Ruth abandoned her idolatrous past. Abraham and Ruth succeeded spectacularly in their new lives, while Lot and Orpah failed. We are being taught an important lesson.
Whenever embarking on an odyssey with the potential of serious life transformation, first rid yourself of old destructive habits. King David put it quite succinctly:
Shun evil and do good...
(Psalms 34:15)
_____________________________
My Comment:
Shunning evil and doing good is commendable, but where is Jesus, Messiah (Christ) in all of this? He is there, in all of these Old Testament verses, visiting Lot at his home in wicked Sodom. Also descending from Ruth and Boaz the great great grandparents of Jesus' mother, Mary. Jews see the spark but not quite the light. Those who do are called "Completed Jews" or Christians. RB
My Comment:
Shunning evil and doing good is commendable, but where is Jesus, Messiah (Christ) in all of this? He is there, in all of these Old Testament verses, visiting Lot at his home in wicked Sodom. Also descending from Ruth and Boaz the great great grandparents of Jesus' mother, Mary. Jews see the spark but not quite the light. Those who do are called "Completed Jews" or Christians. RB
Sunday, April 17, 2016
"What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"
Matthew 24:3 And as (Jesus) sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us ... what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Matthew 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Matthew 24:8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.
Matthew 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Kate Smith Sings "God Bless America" The Story Behind The Song
A Very Special Piece of History
Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America" on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two.
Here are the facts... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA". But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.
The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.
This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.
Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings".
Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.
Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.
This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In the Army Now." At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan.
To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry..... And for many generations of Americans to follow.
Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it. Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with”God Bless America ....." So here's the entire song as originally sung..... APPRECIATE and ENJOY!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0
Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America" on the radio, they all pretended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two.
Here are the facts... The link at the bottom will take you to a video showing the very first public singing of "GOD BLESS AMERICA". But before you watch it, you should also know the story behind the first public showing of the song.
The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans.
This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertainer of that era was bigger than Kate Smith.
Kate was also large; plus size, as we now say, and the popular phrase still used today is in deference to her, "It ain't over till the fat lady sings".
Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time.
Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Berlin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Americans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have received millions of dollars in royalties from this song.
This video starts out with Kate Smith coming into the radio studio with the orchestra and an audience. She introduces the new song for the very first time, and starts singing. After the first couple verses, with her voice in the background still singing, scenes are shown from the 1940 movie, "You're In the Army Now." At the 4:20 mark of the video you see a young actor in the movie, sitting in an office, reading a paper; it's Ronald Reagan.
To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our country. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry..... And for many generations of Americans to follow.
Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it. Many people don't know there's a lead in to the song since it usually starts with”God Bless America ....." So here's the entire song as originally sung..... APPRECIATE and ENJOY!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/TnQDW-NMaRs?rel=0
Sunday, March 20, 2016
The "Falling Away" Having Swept Across Europe Is Now Plaguing America
God's word tells us that the rise of the Anti-Christ, as ruler of the New World Order, for seven years of Tribulation, will be preceded by a "falling away" of "professing" believers in Christ. The falling away will end with the Rapture when Christ comes, in the air, and receives his true believers into heaven. Then the seven years of Tribulation will be followed by the second phase of Christ's Second Coming to establish His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom on earth. The "falling away", in the U.S., began slowly, at first, during my generation and has steadily picked up speed and has now reached rapid descent into the abyss of unbelief. The Next page on God's calendar reveals "that man of sin, the son of perdition" who passes himself off as the Son of God, Jesus Christ, Messiah. He is, however, the Anti-Christ, Satan's counterfeit of Christ. Here is pertinent scripture pointing like the finger of God at these unfolding events. See, at the bottom, the latest Pew Poll of developing unbelief in America.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." 2 Thess. 2:1-4
The United States has been the strongest last bastion of Christian believers in the world. Russia has long gone the way of the world and Europe is more recently gone the same route. Now, in these last years, our own country is following suite ... in unbelief..... "falling away" from the faith of the Apostles and our Founding Fathers.
Number of Americans
'Certain' About God
Falls to 63 Percent
The share of US adults who say they believe in God declined from 92 to 89 percent over the same period, from 2007 to 2014, but is still remarkably high compared to other developed countries.
The percentage of Americans who say they pray every day, attend regular services and consider religion very important have also clocked small, but significant declines, the research center said.
The vast majority of Americans, 77 percent of adults, continue to identify with some religious faith, but a growing number are unaffiliated to a particular group, the study found.
Younger Americans are also less religious than their elders. For example, four in 10 of the youngest Millennials say they pray every day, compared to six in 10 Baby Boomers.
The survey also showed that nearly all major religious groups have become significantly more accepting of homosexuality in recent years -- even evangelicals and Mormons who traditionally have expressed strong opposition to same-sex relationships.
Changing attitudes about homosexuality are linked to wider acceptance among the younger generation than older adults.
The study also showed that the religiously unaffiliated -- the majority of whom still believe in God -- are now more numerous among Democrats and Democratic-leaning adults than Catholics, evangelicals and Protestants.
The religiously unaffiliated are growing less quickly within the Republican party, where they are outnumbered by evangelicals, Catholics and mainstream Protestants, Pew said.
The poll was carried out among a representative group of 35,071 adults interviewed by telephone from June to September 2014 and has a margin of error of 0.6 percentage points, Pew said.
_______________________My Comment"
There has never been a time when following Jesus was more difficult or more important than right now, in America.
Joshua declared, during difficult times, "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15.
Thursday, March 3, 2016
I Cannot See What I Truly Am ... Until I First See Who God Truly Is
Glorious Creator Of The Universe
And Righteous Judge Of Us All
The more clearly we see God, the more clearly we see ourselves.
The closer we walk to God, the more clearly we see our sins.
The more we think of Him, the less we think of ourselves.
The more purely holy we see Him, the more unholy we see ourselves.
It is the contrast which awakens our guilt and leads to repentance.
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3
Take the case of Job. Here was a comparatively great and good man. His reputation was sterling, his character unblemished. He was spiritually mature and upright, feared God and hated evil. Nobody could see any fault in him. Evidently he couldn't see much himself ... until the Lord allowed him to be put through the furnace of suffering and loss. Then he saw God's glory clearly and then he saw himself.
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." Job 1:1.
Even God saw Job as His special servant and said there was not another person like him in the entire earth, a perfect and upright man who feared God and hated evil. There is not another such commendation, from the lips of our Holy God, about any other ordinary human, in the bible. "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job.1:8.
Job's self-righteous friends, who concluded he was guilty of some grievous sin, because of the sufferings and loss God allowed to happen to him, were rebuked by God, after Job was healed and restored, and they were forced to repent and go to Job for prayer for themselves.
So, after Job had been thoroughly tested and proven to be the best man on earth, at that time, and maybe all of time, except Jesus of course, God appeared unto him. Only then, when Job saw the glory of God's great majesty and power, and purity of righteousness and holiness did Job, for the first time see the truth about himself. The immense contrast between himself and God awakened a holy realization within his soul of his own miserable deficiency, imperfection and guilt of sin and struck him like a bolt of lightening. Sin which seems minor to a worldly man will seem a serious and intolerable violation to a Job who sees God's glorious deity and holy purity more clearly than the other.
When Job saw who God truly was, for the first time, he then saw his true self for the first time and cried out to God ..."I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6
And remember, this was the best man on earth, the BEST man.
It was only then, when Job repented to his Holy God in v.6, that God, in v.7 -8 turned to Job's self-righteous friends and commanded them .... "My wrath is kindled against thee .... for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has .... Therefore .... go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job." Job. 42:8
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10.
Jesus, our Redeemer, is the door through which the faith of repentance must pass if we are to find the holy presence of God and His forgiveness, that we might walk with Him. In the depth of his suffering, Job looked for His God and declared in faith "...I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." Job.19:25.
And Righteous Judge Of Us All
The more clearly we see God, the more clearly we see ourselves.
The closer we walk to God, the more clearly we see our sins.
The more we think of Him, the less we think of ourselves.
The more purely holy we see Him, the more unholy we see ourselves.
It is the contrast which awakens our guilt and leads to repentance.
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3
Take the case of Job. Here was a comparatively great and good man. His reputation was sterling, his character unblemished. He was spiritually mature and upright, feared God and hated evil. Nobody could see any fault in him. Evidently he couldn't see much himself ... until the Lord allowed him to be put through the furnace of suffering and loss. Then he saw God's glory clearly and then he saw himself.
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." Job 1:1.
Even God saw Job as His special servant and said there was not another person like him in the entire earth, a perfect and upright man who feared God and hated evil. There is not another such commendation, from the lips of our Holy God, about any other ordinary human, in the bible. "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job.1:8.
Job's self-righteous friends, who concluded he was guilty of some grievous sin, because of the sufferings and loss God allowed to happen to him, were rebuked by God, after Job was healed and restored, and they were forced to repent and go to Job for prayer for themselves.
So, after Job had been thoroughly tested and proven to be the best man on earth, at that time, and maybe all of time, except Jesus of course, God appeared unto him. Only then, when Job saw the glory of God's great majesty and power, and purity of righteousness and holiness did Job, for the first time see the truth about himself. The immense contrast between himself and God awakened a holy realization within his soul of his own miserable deficiency, imperfection and guilt of sin and struck him like a bolt of lightening. Sin which seems minor to a worldly man will seem a serious and intolerable violation to a Job who sees God's glorious deity and holy purity more clearly than the other.
When Job saw who God truly was, for the first time, he then saw his true self for the first time and cried out to God ..."I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6
And remember, this was the best man on earth, the BEST man.
It was only then, when Job repented to his Holy God in v.6, that God, in v.7 -8 turned to Job's self-righteous friends and commanded them .... "My wrath is kindled against thee .... for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job has .... Therefore .... go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job." Job. 42:8
"And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10.
Jesus, our Redeemer, is the door through which the faith of repentance must pass if we are to find the holy presence of God and His forgiveness, that we might walk with Him. In the depth of his suffering, Job looked for His God and declared in faith "...I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." Job.19:25.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
My Two Life's Verses Are The Best I Have To Offer
(1) One side of the coin....
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." Psm.115:1.
We are all born with a destiny, determined by God's own sovereign will and His foreknowledge of our own free will choices.
From before my beginning, my Creator knew exactly what my life would consist of and what I would think, say and do ... good or bad. He did not program me to do His will or to do evil, but gave me a mind, a predisposition and a will to choose. I have not always done the perfect will of God, even when I knew it. I cannot even say I always did my best to do the will of God. Nor can I say I always tried to do my best. But I can honestly say, I tried to try to do my best.
I was not the son I could have been if I had simply done my best, but I tried to try to be a son of honor to my parents. Neither was I the husband or father I could and should have been... if I had done my best. I always tried to try to be a good husband and father, but I faltered many times. And more importantly, I was not always the Christian I could have, and absolutely should have been ... God knows that better than I. He also knows, and always has known, that I would never rise to the heights of goodness and faithfulness He set before me, as other, greater men of God have obviously accomplished, walking more closely to Him.
In addition to my great God's foreknowledge of my few successes and many failures, He has always known that my fluctuating commitment to Him was, for me, an effort to even try to try to always do His will with my life.
In these last days of my time on this earth, I am peacefully content, because I know He loves me, to give account of myself to Him. I have His word in my heart that "By grace, through faith, I am saved and that not of myself; it is His gift to me, not of my works, lest I should be vainly boastful."
It is not through humility that I cannot boast of any positive accomplishments, but because I have more often failed than succeeded and have done nothing worth while which God, Himself, did not do through me... a simple by-stander and witness to His greatness and goodness.
(2) The other side of the coin....
"For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecc.5:3.
Only God knows the worth or worthlessness of my busy life. Even I do not know, but He has always known before the beginning of time and I shall give an accounting for all I have done and haven't done ... and so shall we all.
I write these words to be read, by whomever passes by, that nobody who looks upon my life and ministry and the things I may be given credit or blame for, will understand that all the glory belongs to God and all the blame belongs to me. So do not seek to live up to what you may think that I am ...."But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt.6:33. Seek to be Christlike. Jesus is the standard. His likeness is the goal.
The Apostle Paul wrote a similar avowal and confession in Romans 7. Read it. RB
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Romans 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but howto perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
"Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake." Psm.115:1.
We are all born with a destiny, determined by God's own sovereign will and His foreknowledge of our own free will choices.
From before my beginning, my Creator knew exactly what my life would consist of and what I would think, say and do ... good or bad. He did not program me to do His will or to do evil, but gave me a mind, a predisposition and a will to choose. I have not always done the perfect will of God, even when I knew it. I cannot even say I always did my best to do the will of God. Nor can I say I always tried to do my best. But I can honestly say, I tried to try to do my best.
I was not the son I could have been if I had simply done my best, but I tried to try to be a son of honor to my parents. Neither was I the husband or father I could and should have been... if I had done my best. I always tried to try to be a good husband and father, but I faltered many times. And more importantly, I was not always the Christian I could have, and absolutely should have been ... God knows that better than I. He also knows, and always has known, that I would never rise to the heights of goodness and faithfulness He set before me, as other, greater men of God have obviously accomplished, walking more closely to Him.
In addition to my great God's foreknowledge of my few successes and many failures, He has always known that my fluctuating commitment to Him was, for me, an effort to even try to try to always do His will with my life.
In these last days of my time on this earth, I am peacefully content, because I know He loves me, to give account of myself to Him. I have His word in my heart that "By grace, through faith, I am saved and that not of myself; it is His gift to me, not of my works, lest I should be vainly boastful."
It is not through humility that I cannot boast of any positive accomplishments, but because I have more often failed than succeeded and have done nothing worth while which God, Himself, did not do through me... a simple by-stander and witness to His greatness and goodness.
(2) The other side of the coin....
"For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words." Ecc.5:3.
Only God knows the worth or worthlessness of my busy life. Even I do not know, but He has always known before the beginning of time and I shall give an accounting for all I have done and haven't done ... and so shall we all.
I write these words to be read, by whomever passes by, that nobody who looks upon my life and ministry and the things I may be given credit or blame for, will understand that all the glory belongs to God and all the blame belongs to me. So do not seek to live up to what you may think that I am ...."But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matt.6:33. Seek to be Christlike. Jesus is the standard. His likeness is the goal.
The Apostle Paul wrote a similar avowal and confession in Romans 7. Read it. RB
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Romans 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Romans 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but howto perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Romans 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Romans 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Romans 7:23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Romans 7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Romans 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Volunteering For Guilt, Sickness, Pain, Fear And Death
Anyone who thinks they can accept an invitation to dance with the devil and walk away, with impunity, doesn't understand the infectious nature of voluntarily embracing evil. "The wages of sin is death...." (Rom.6:23), is not just referring to the final separation from God in the "second death" (Rom.20:14). It is also alluding to the fact that doing evil drains the physical and spiritual life out of one's mind and body. Sin kills people physically and mentally... even Christians. Whether it is promiscuity, addiction, stealing, drunkenness, hatred, lying and even gluttony, not the worst of sins, but with serious consequences. And, compounding the damage sin does to the body and mind, is the additional damage guilt, regret and worry over it, does to the entirety of a person. Volunteering for sin is volunteering for sickness, pain and death. We all sin, but repentance, to God, is the only remedy for relief and restoration. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9.
What did Jesus do when He was tempted of the devil for 40 days and nights? He fasted, prayed to the Father and quoted scripture to the devil. That is a powerful formula for overcoming temptation. Jesus knows exactly how difficult is the allurement of sin, but He also knows how to overcome its devilish temptations.
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb.4:15. The Spirit of Christ dwells in us and will help us as we seek an escape from temptation by following Christ's example....
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor.10:13.
Take the strength and comfort in God's word. With His help you can do it. RB
What did Jesus do when He was tempted of the devil for 40 days and nights? He fasted, prayed to the Father and quoted scripture to the devil. That is a powerful formula for overcoming temptation. Jesus knows exactly how difficult is the allurement of sin, but He also knows how to overcome its devilish temptations.
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Heb.4:15. The Spirit of Christ dwells in us and will help us as we seek an escape from temptation by following Christ's example....
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Cor.10:13.
Take the strength and comfort in God's word. With His help you can do it. RB
Saturday, February 6, 2016
If There Were No God There Would Be No Atheists
True "faith" in a falsehood is impossible. So remember this ... The evolutionist lives with constant doubt and is vulnerable to your faith and witness.
How strange is the existence of this contradictory category of people who are here, but were not created; Real people whose primary focus is upon a God who does not exist; People whose life has no purpose beyond their own lust, hunger, sleep, success, and survival; If there is no God, there is no justifiable moral standard; And yet they seek to convince others that their unbelief, in an obvious, universal truth, is superior to believing in it.
The Latin, Greek and Hebrew meaning of the word "science" is "true, studied, certainty of knowledge". Biblical faith is derived from reading, hearing and studying the Bible, which imparts its true knowledge and says of itself, "So then faith cometh by hearing .... the word of God." Romans 10:17. Faith, therefore, as is God's science, "true, studied, certainty of knowledge" and thus, an essential element in God's universal creation ... by employment of His "true" science of which He is also Creator. RB
So ... ".... keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called." 1Tim.6:20.
If there were no God, there would be no Atheists.
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
All 50 States Reference Their Alliance With God In Their Constitutional Preambles
Now what does that tell you about the grassroots Citizens and Founding Fathers of the 50 united states of America?
Each and every U.S. State, from the 1776 original ones to Hawaii in 1959, built their State Constitutions squarely upon a "Preamble" confession of faith in the great God of our nation and of our Forefathers. That fact cannot be denied. Here are all 50, first sentence, Preamble Confessions of faith in the God of the Bible.
As a Texan, I call your attention to the fact that Texas is a "Republic". RB
The Preambles Of All 50 States Of The United States
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity . And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness .. Establish this Constitution
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution .
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty . establish this ..
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution. Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to .enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia a reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution.
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 State Constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong...
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn
"Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions ...." Heb.11:33.
Whereas these State Preambles, written by each state's representatives according to the will of the citizens of their states, make a first sentence confession of their belief in the God of the Bible, they, even as the heros of the faith listed in Heb.11:33, who stopped the mouths of lions, these American heros "stopped the mouths of" Atheists and Agnostics. RB
Each and every U.S. State, from the 1776 original ones to Hawaii in 1959, built their State Constitutions squarely upon a "Preamble" confession of faith in the great God of our nation and of our Forefathers. That fact cannot be denied. Here are all 50, first sentence, Preamble Confessions of faith in the God of the Bible.
As a Texan, I call your attention to the fact that Texas is a "Republic". RB
Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.
Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity . And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction ..
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness .. Establish this Constitution
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution .
Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty
New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those
North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty . establish this ..
Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota , grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties .
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution. Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to .enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .
Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia a reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility
Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution.
After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 State Constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong...
"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn
"Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions ...." Heb.11:33.
Whereas these State Preambles, written by each state's representatives according to the will of the citizens of their states, make a first sentence confession of their belief in the God of the Bible, they, even as the heros of the faith listed in Heb.11:33, who stopped the mouths of lions, these American heros "stopped the mouths of" Atheists and Agnostics. RB
Friday, January 29, 2016
Why Is Blasphemy Of The Holy Spirit Unforgivable?
It Leaves No Further Possibility Of Faith.
There are many sins. All are forgivable but one. Even the sin of rejecting Christ is forgivable if the rejection is out of a heart of doubt or unbelief, and if the unbeliever later repents and believes in Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior. Every adult is doubtful and unbelieving ... before they repent and believe. But, it is different, and unforgivable, when it is "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit", of which Jesus spoke in these two verses....
"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, (Jesus) it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matt.12:31-32.
Why does Jesus say that speaking against Him (Jesus, "the Son of man"), and other blasphemies will be forgiven ... "but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven"? A person may not be aware of exactly who Jesus is, whether the Bible is true or not, whether God is true or not, and speak against all of it, but later, believe, repent and be forgiven and saved, as was Paul. The same is not true of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Here is why. The Holy Spirit's place in the Trinity is to "prove" to human hearts their guilt of sin, their need for righteousness and the certainty of judgement. When the Holy Spirit has "proven" and convinced the lost soul of his need for Christ, forgiveness and redemption, and that soul knows God is real and Jesus came to save him, but he still rejects, with rebellion, what the Holy Spirit has convinced him of .... that is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit proved God's case, but the guilty sinner not only rejected what he now knew to be true, but took sides against it.
This is what Jesus was alluding to when He said, "And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment .... Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more." John 16:8 & 10. Whereas no man has ever seen the face of God (Jn.1:18) because God does not personally appear to men, and Jesus came to bring the message of God and the Gospel of salvation, it is the Holy Spirit who "reproves" or proves the truths of God to the hearts of men. What God ordained, Jesus delivered, but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts, convinces, and "proves" to the very souls of humanity that it is all true. So when the Holy Spirit has thoroughly proved and convinced a person that God is real, and they are sinners ripe for judgement, in need of righteousness, and that Jesus died for their sins and will save them, and they know that they know that it is true ... but reject the witness of the Holy Spirit anyway and take sides against Him, that is unforgivable. That is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and that is the sin of Lucifer.
Saul of Tarsus blasphemed Christians and Christ Himself, and persecuted them,
("Saul, breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord...." Acts 9:1) but he did not blaspheme the Holy Spirit. He was fanatically religious but sincerely believed he was "doing God a service" Jn.16:2. He did not believe Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) of the Jews until Jesus struck him down with light on the Road to Damascus. That light not only blinded Saul, but opened his spiritual eyes and he said, "Lord who art thou" and Jesus sent him to a Christian, Ananias, to hear the Gospel, be saved and baptized. Saul's name was changed to Paul, when he was saved, and he later testified ..."(I) was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Tim.1:13. If he had not done it "ignorantly", but knowingly, he would not have obtained God's mercy but would have been guilty of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This verse signifies the difference between the sin of rejection done "ignorantly in unbelief" and the sin of rejection done "rebelliously with certain knowledge" that you are wrong and Christ right. Unrepented of rejection done "Ignorantly in unbelief" is forgivable if repented of in acceptance of Christ by grace through faith. Not so with the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when a person already knows the truth of Christ with certainty and still rejects the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, Son of God, and Savior. You see, believing in Jesus is of no benefit if the believing sinner rejects Christ as his Savior anyway, and refuses to repent and surrender his will and life to the LORD. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 1:17.
Even the Devil "believes in Jesus", but does not submit in sincere repentance and acceptance of Him as his LORD and cannot now do so. It is too late for him. Satan has always known exactly who Jesus was and is, but it didn't save him because he knew the truth about God and Christ before Genesis one, when he was Lucifer, in heaven with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. But Lucifer rejected the God he knew was God and fought against Him. (Isa.14:12-15). That is Unforgivable and the reason Lucifer can never be saved. He already has known the truth of God and hated it and fought against what he knew to be the truth of God. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19. You believe there is one God? Good for you ... but the devils believe that much.
Then there was the case of Legion, the Demoniac, demon possessed, lost, miserable, controlled by Satan who himself, recognized and knew who Jesus was. But Legion, when he heard Jesus, did not commit the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Instead, he accepted Christ, was saved and delivered from Satan. But the devils who already knew exactly who Jesus was, and hated Him anyway, were cast out of Legion into the swine. Mark 5:1-17.
There are few sins so bad as religious heresy and corruption. All of the High Council, Religious Court (Sanhedrin) of the Jews, had strong knowledge of their coming Messiah, and knew Jesus fit the description perfectly, but just one of them resisted the others and came to ask Jesus sincere questions, under cover of darkness.... and was converted. "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." John 3:1-2. Note Nicodemus said, "we know" referring to the Jewish High Council of which he was a member. That body of Old Testament scholars "knew" who Jesus was, and rejected Him in spite of His fulfillment of all of the Messianic prophecies. It was the Holy Spirit, through the O.T. scriptural prophecies that convinced them Jesus was their Messiah ... But their rejection turned into strong rebellion and they conspired to kill Jesus.... anyway. That mixture of certain knowledge, rejection and rebellion is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
who convinced them through their own Bible prophecies.
Here is one of the most astounding, unimaginable portions of scripture in the Bible. We see the entire council of these Pharisees, having heard Jesus's message, seen His miracles, and recognized Him as their Messiah ... But now realizing they might lose their position, income, prestige and followers, began plotting a way of doing away with Him. Their High Priest, Caiaphas, steps up before them and says to them, "Do you know who we are dealing with? Don't you realize how this will affect us if we acknowledge who this man is? Our Bible prophets of old foretold his coming in great detail ... He is the Messiah and 'it is expedient for us that he die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not'" And then it says that Caiaphas, the High Priest listed the prophecies of Jesus, "not of himself", but from the scriptures "that Jesus should die for the nation of Israel" and not just for them "but also he would gather together in one the children of God." That certain knowledge is what launched their vicious attack upon their known Messiah, and led to His crucifixion. "Then from that day forth they took counsel together to put him to death." That is
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Here is where it happened in John 11...
"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death." John 11:47-53.
They took the killing of Jesus upon themselves, to fulfill the prophecies, and
schemed to have their Roman masters do the vile deed. That, my friend, is The Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit who had "proven" and convinced them that Jesus was the Jewish Christ, Messiah of prophecy, but they rejected Him and sought ways to kill Him anyway.... since it was prophesied.
These religious Pharisees then tried to trick Jesus into saying something which would either anger the other Jews against Him, or the Roman Government, so one or the other would attack Him or execute Him."Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him (Jesus) in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples ... saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth .... Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute (taxes) unto Caesar, or not?" Matt.22:15-17. This they said to trip Jesus up with a trick question ... knowing who he was, but caring more for their Judaic religion and their positions in it than for the God and Messiah of their religion ... Judaism.
The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit reveals itself in the impenetrable callousness of the hopelessly lost soul ... "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." Eph. 4:19. "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Tim.4:2. "Past feeling" with no conscience" is the definition of the self-centered, sociopathic narcissist of whom we see many in politics and positions of power in today's world.
If you still have a desire to be right with God ... saved from your sins, you have not committed this sin and there is still hope for you. .. But come to Him now.
"...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on (not just "in") the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:30-31.
There are many sins. All are forgivable but one. Even the sin of rejecting Christ is forgivable if the rejection is out of a heart of doubt or unbelief, and if the unbeliever later repents and believes in Jesus Christ as his/her Lord and Savior. Every adult is doubtful and unbelieving ... before they repent and believe. But, it is different, and unforgivable, when it is "Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit", of which Jesus spoke in these two verses....
"Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, (Jesus) it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Matt.12:31-32.
Why does Jesus say that speaking against Him (Jesus, "the Son of man"), and other blasphemies will be forgiven ... "but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven"? A person may not be aware of exactly who Jesus is, whether the Bible is true or not, whether God is true or not, and speak against all of it, but later, believe, repent and be forgiven and saved, as was Paul. The same is not true of the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Here is why. The Holy Spirit's place in the Trinity is to "prove" to human hearts their guilt of sin, their need for righteousness and the certainty of judgement. When the Holy Spirit has "proven" and convinced the lost soul of his need for Christ, forgiveness and redemption, and that soul knows God is real and Jesus came to save him, but he still rejects, with rebellion, what the Holy Spirit has convinced him of .... that is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit proved God's case, but the guilty sinner not only rejected what he now knew to be true, but took sides against it.
This is what Jesus was alluding to when He said, "And when he (the Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment .... Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more." John 16:8 & 10. Whereas no man has ever seen the face of God (Jn.1:18) because God does not personally appear to men, and Jesus came to bring the message of God and the Gospel of salvation, it is the Holy Spirit who "reproves" or proves the truths of God to the hearts of men. What God ordained, Jesus delivered, but it is the Holy Spirit who convicts, convinces, and "proves" to the very souls of humanity that it is all true. So when the Holy Spirit has thoroughly proved and convinced a person that God is real, and they are sinners ripe for judgement, in need of righteousness, and that Jesus died for their sins and will save them, and they know that they know that it is true ... but reject the witness of the Holy Spirit anyway and take sides against Him, that is unforgivable. That is the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and that is the sin of Lucifer.
Saul of Tarsus blasphemed Christians and Christ Himself, and persecuted them,
("Saul, breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord...." Acts 9:1) but he did not blaspheme the Holy Spirit. He was fanatically religious but sincerely believed he was "doing God a service" Jn.16:2. He did not believe Jesus was the Christ (Messiah) of the Jews until Jesus struck him down with light on the Road to Damascus. That light not only blinded Saul, but opened his spiritual eyes and he said, "Lord who art thou" and Jesus sent him to a Christian, Ananias, to hear the Gospel, be saved and baptized. Saul's name was changed to Paul, when he was saved, and he later testified ..."(I) was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Tim.1:13. If he had not done it "ignorantly", but knowingly, he would not have obtained God's mercy but would have been guilty of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This verse signifies the difference between the sin of rejection done "ignorantly in unbelief" and the sin of rejection done "rebelliously with certain knowledge" that you are wrong and Christ right. Unrepented of rejection done "Ignorantly in unbelief" is forgivable if repented of in acceptance of Christ by grace through faith. Not so with the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit when a person already knows the truth of Christ with certainty and still rejects the witness of the Holy Spirit that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah, Son of God, and Savior. You see, believing in Jesus is of no benefit if the believing sinner rejects Christ as his Savior anyway, and refuses to repent and surrender his will and life to the LORD. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 1:17.
Even the Devil "believes in Jesus", but does not submit in sincere repentance and acceptance of Him as his LORD and cannot now do so. It is too late for him. Satan has always known exactly who Jesus was and is, but it didn't save him because he knew the truth about God and Christ before Genesis one, when he was Lucifer, in heaven with God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. But Lucifer rejected the God he knew was God and fought against Him. (Isa.14:12-15). That is Unforgivable and the reason Lucifer can never be saved. He already has known the truth of God and hated it and fought against what he knew to be the truth of God. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19. You believe there is one God? Good for you ... but the devils believe that much.
Then there was the case of Legion, the Demoniac, demon possessed, lost, miserable, controlled by Satan who himself, recognized and knew who Jesus was. But Legion, when he heard Jesus, did not commit the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Instead, he accepted Christ, was saved and delivered from Satan. But the devils who already knew exactly who Jesus was, and hated Him anyway, were cast out of Legion into the swine. Mark 5:1-17.
There are few sins so bad as religious heresy and corruption. All of the High Council, Religious Court (Sanhedrin) of the Jews, had strong knowledge of their coming Messiah, and knew Jesus fit the description perfectly, but just one of them resisted the others and came to ask Jesus sincere questions, under cover of darkness.... and was converted. "There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him." John 3:1-2. Note Nicodemus said, "we know" referring to the Jewish High Council of which he was a member. That body of Old Testament scholars "knew" who Jesus was, and rejected Him in spite of His fulfillment of all of the Messianic prophecies. It was the Holy Spirit, through the O.T. scriptural prophecies that convinced them Jesus was their Messiah ... But their rejection turned into strong rebellion and they conspired to kill Jesus.... anyway. That mixture of certain knowledge, rejection and rebellion is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
who convinced them through their own Bible prophecies.
Here is one of the most astounding, unimaginable portions of scripture in the Bible. We see the entire council of these Pharisees, having heard Jesus's message, seen His miracles, and recognized Him as their Messiah ... But now realizing they might lose their position, income, prestige and followers, began plotting a way of doing away with Him. Their High Priest, Caiaphas, steps up before them and says to them, "Do you know who we are dealing with? Don't you realize how this will affect us if we acknowledge who this man is? Our Bible prophets of old foretold his coming in great detail ... He is the Messiah and 'it is expedient for us that he die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not'" And then it says that Caiaphas, the High Priest listed the prophecies of Jesus, "not of himself", but from the scriptures "that Jesus should die for the nation of Israel" and not just for them "but also he would gather together in one the children of God." That certain knowledge is what launched their vicious attack upon their known Messiah, and led to His crucifixion. "Then from that day forth they took counsel together to put him to death." That is
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Here is where it happened in John 11...
"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation. And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death." John 11:47-53.
They took the killing of Jesus upon themselves, to fulfill the prophecies, and
schemed to have their Roman masters do the vile deed. That, my friend, is The Blaspheme of the Holy Spirit who had "proven" and convinced them that Jesus was the Jewish Christ, Messiah of prophecy, but they rejected Him and sought ways to kill Him anyway.... since it was prophesied.
The blasphemy of the Holy Spirit reveals itself in the impenetrable callousness of the hopelessly lost soul ... "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness." Eph. 4:19. "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron." 1 Tim.4:2. "Past feeling" with no conscience" is the definition of the self-centered, sociopathic narcissist of whom we see many in politics and positions of power in today's world.
If you still have a desire to be right with God ... saved from your sins, you have not committed this sin and there is still hope for you. .. But come to Him now.
"...Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on (not just "in") the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:30-31.
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