Continuing to acknowledge the 2015 visit to the United States of America, Washington, DC and the United Nations by Pope Francis, more points are shared, today, as cautions and encouragements to Christian believers. The followers of Jesus Christ must not become distracted: Our focus is not to be earthquakes, wars, and rumors of war; or the terrors of apocalypse, the great tribulation, and the end time. All Christians should be preparing to greet the Savior at his coming to harvest the earth. Those who present themselves as expert critics opposing Catholic belief often are deluded, harbor the antichrist spirit, and lack accurate and full sacred knowledge about the doctrines and teachings they claim to be anchored in from their own congregation or denomination. Because their efforts derive from pride and not the Spirit demonstrated through the ministry of Jesus Christ, the academicians, critics and intellectuals pursue self-justification, self-promotion, strong feelings (e.g., anger, bitterness, guilt) and vainglory. Seeking to avoid having to answer authority within the body, such persons do not apply themselves using the available mechanisms maintained by the church that are intended to ensure fresh ideas and inputs for correction, development and progress be rigorously examined, shared, then expressed by practical applications within the full body. These self-appointed critics parrot and repeat the classical arguments against the church, the Scriptures, and the existence of divinity focusing upon mankind and the beggarly aspects of finite creatures. Thereby, the naysayer fails to discern their attacks actually are upon the Spirit who has been sent as the agent of the Lord. Consider the following and the points appearing below: 1st John 2: 17-19, King James Version (KJV): 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
THE BATTLE AXE: Whatsoever Ye Shall Ask? (09/21/2015)—(7.) Christ has commanded that the believer “watch and pray” remaining alert and vigilant until his appearing. However, it is our natural tendency to become associated with and be bound to others upon the basis of shared complaints, hardship and suffering. Because they approach us as family members, friends, and respected teachers, those who criticize and oppose the church of Jesus Christ have opportunities to introduce the poisonous beliefs and ideas more properly called “heresy” or “malice” than “personal opinion.” We listen to speech that promotes condemning others; denying freedom, life, privilege and opportunity to others as well as talk advocating hatred and violence against others. As the new creation of GOD, born again believers are to be increasingly judicious as they continue to grow again in the earth serving as ambassadors and spokespersons of Christ. While believers will encounter the same life challenges as all others upon the earth, more and more, they are to respond with sacred knowledge, godly practices, and the standards for eternal life. By caution, discipline and restraint, believers avoid delusion and the damage from “itching ears.” Luke 9: 51-56, King James Version (KJV): 51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
(8.) The GOD we laud and serve is a god of Judgment, therefore, his name and reputation also are known through death, evil (i.e., calamity, catastrophe, natural disasters, upheaval), terrible punishments, and wrath against sin. Responding to this, many among Protestant believers are swift as judges and executioners, yet, are quick to reject doctrine and teachings that promote government, hierarchy, and the peculiar forms of line authority that appear within the institutional church (e.g., bishops, deacons, elders, parents, etc.). Going further, we also find, there is a class among believers who are overwhelmed with fear on the basis of things prophesied as well as uncertainty that derives from a focus upon their continuing status as a sinner that is now rendered inappropriate, irrational, and irrelevant through the blood of Jesus. The response we are commanded to provide through Christ, says, I would have mercy, not sacrifice. Believers are to display balance, compassion, discernment, maturity, and stability. Yet, again and again, some exaggerate their understandings of current events, their causes, and their spiritual significance. As a result, historical and political figures, and those gaining public favor are labeled and identified as the final and ultimate enemies to the faithful. Thus, Napoleon, Adolf Hitler, Pope Francis, and even, Donald Trump, have come under condemnation as the Anti-christ figure spoken of in prophecy. 2nd Thessalonians 2: 1-4, KJV: 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 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. 3 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; 4 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.
(9.) Many are combative when they respond to other believers as though they are striving to protect the life of Jesus while he is dying upon the cross. In their zeal, they insist upon declaring and quoting the holy writings, however, they dismiss the true character and nature of the Scriptures as the breath of life, a still small voice, and the word of GOD. Such critics respond to declarations of faith from others as argumentativeness, deliberate insult, quarreling, and a questioning of their integrity. These may not be seen as correctly in the Sprit of Christ, for humility is the mark of Christ upon a believer. Hebrews 4: 12-13, KJV: 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(10.) In the same way unasked for explanations are called “excuses,” unasked for advice is called “meddling.” A contract and agreement must be in place between a student and a teacher, where the guidance offered is acknowledged with meekness and respect. When it is clearly welcomed, Catholic and Protestant believers may make inquiry or pose questions to gain new information; however, they should avoid displaying attitudes, behavior and conduct that come across as efforts to condemn the beliefs of others, show-off spiritual superiority (be holier than thou), and provoke quarrels. For the believer words whisper, while actions shout; and instead of our activity and busyness, operations by the imparted Spirit of GOD are what accomplishes a person’s salvation. 2nd Peter 2: 9-11, KJV: 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work. (2nd Thessalonians 2: 7-17, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Many Forms of Christianity? (04/30/2015); More About the Trinity? (03/30/2015); What To Say To A Friend? (03/29/2015); On Christians Being Inclusive? (07/16/2014); War and Peace? (07/17/2014); Why Not One Bible? (11/02/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Chosen To Serve As Prophets (01/01/2013); Lawful Revenge? (01/02/2013)
There is far more to be considered, and carefully understood. For example, (11.) Despite surface differences among denominations, Christians all are under a single rule: One faith, one Lord, one baptism, one GOD and Father of all. Christ has not called for competition and friction; the call is that we operate in one Spirit, and judgment does not proceed apart from divinity, or solely upon the basis of standards from mankind. Thus, where a person properly pursues their own commitment to Christ with their whole heart, there is no possibility of their becoming deceived by the Adversary. Satan is to be recognized by his abuse of authority, covetousness, cruelty, disrespect, envy, haughtiness, irreverence, and selfishness. With mankind, acquiring sacred knowledge comes only by exchange, interaction, and process within the living among the inseparable aspects of full divinity they contain such as faith, forbearance, holiness, longsuffering, love, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Blamelessness, godliness, redemption, repentance and salvation are not the product of finite intellect, logic, philosophy, science and technology. Men may only be deceived, then, where there is idolatry, spiritual confusion, and the worship of a false god who is not divine. Condemnation of faith in others proceeds from carnal knowledge, and instances where flesh has been exalted above Spirit. 1st Corinthians 2: 9-16, KJV: 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
No comments:
Post a Comment