Truth is still truth

You asked for history Read on!

I was raised a devout Roman Catholic. As a 4-year-old child in a family of devout Roman Catholics, I could recite by heart Matthew 16:18 and 19 long before I could read or write. On cue, when prompted by parent or sibling, I would emote as follows:

"Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,

and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will

give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and what-

soever thou shalt bind upon earth shall be bound in heaven,

and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth shall be loosed

in heaven.”
Those words, I was taught, spoken by Christ to the Apostle Peter, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Peter was the first pope, and that he was the rock on which Christ built His Church - the Roman Catholic Church, the only true Church. It is upon these two vitally important Scriptures, therefore, that the entire Roman Catholic monolith is supported. For, if Peter is not Catholicism’s foundation rock, if he was not the first pope, if he was not endowed with infallibility, then all its popes have been frauds, and all its claims of divine authorization are reduced to wishful vagaries. In this critical matter, history – not anti-Catholic "heretics" – is the Vatican’s most relentless, indefatigable enemy.

It shows, for example, that no bishop of Rome considered himself to have any greater authority than the many other bishops, nor sought monarchial authority over all Christendom, until the 3rd century was well underway. Then, Calixtus I, whose most celebrated accomplishment recorded in Britannica is the transfer of the Roman Christians’ cemetery from the Via Salaria to the Via Appia, attempted to hijack our Lord’s legacy by citing Matthew 16:18 as the establishment of Peter and all succeeding bishops of Rome to be rulers over all the churches. Putting a wagon in a garage does not make it an automobile; and declaring oneself to be the boss doesn’t produce a boss. The great Tertullian, bishop of Carthage, ridiculed Calixtus and his claim, referring to him as a “usurper.” In its Catechisms the Vatican quotes Tertullian whenever it is expedient, but you won’t find his appellation for Calixtus I in any RCC printed matter.

Nor will you find Rome confessing to the faithful Roman Catholic laity, that the great Augustine, joined by Cyril, Hilary, Basil, Ambrose, Jerome, Chrysostom, Gregory of Nyssa, and delegates to the Council of Chalcedon, declared the rock upon which Christ would build His Church was Christ himself, not the Apostle Peter. That is not this writer’s opinion or pipedream. That is hard, cold, unyielding history. In his 13th sermon, preserved I believe by divine intent, Augustine made his belief perfectly clear.

“Thou art Peter, and on this Rock – petra – which thou hast confessed,

on this rock which thou hast known, saying: ‘Thou art Christ, the Son

of the living God,’ I will build my church upon Myself, who am the Son

of the living God; I will build it on Me, and not Me on thee.”

Roman Catholic apologists have called this writer some unflattering names for stating that there was no pope and no papacy for more than 500 years after Christ returned to heaven. But history is history, and all the name calling in the world will not alter the fact that Augustine spoke the previously quoted words during his years in Africa as bishop of Hippo – get this, now – in the first third of the FIFTH CENTURY. Moreover, Augustine’s conviction – based on a correct interpretation of the Scriptures - that Jesus Himself was the foundation rock of Christianity, was shared almost 100% by the churches existing at that time.

Following the abortive attempt of Calixtus I to seize control of Christendom, Stephen I, bishop of Rome AD 253-257, took a shot at it citing as his authority some newly discovered documents now known as the pseudo-Clementine Letters and Homilies. This spurious collection contained a forged letter allegedly written by Peter to James the Lord’s brother in which he appoints Clement to be his successor as bishop of Rome, with binding and loosing authority unlimited. Since Linus and Cletus, according to church historian Eusebius, were, in that order, the first two known bishops of Rome, the authenticity of the purported Petrine letter was at once an issue, and Stephen’s effort failed as miserably as that of Calixtus I.

So, even when Constantine the Great convoked the famous Council of Nicaea early in the FOURTH CENTURY there was no pope and no papacy. Constantine, who is not listed as a pope in Rome’s papal lineage, himself assumed the leadership of the churches and took the title Pontifex Maximus – highest priest. Inasmuch as the Pontifex Maximus title is one of the many applied to Roman Catholic popes, Sylvester, bishop of Rome at the time, should have had that title if he was the reigning pope. He was not the pope or a pope, and he was not even in attendance at the AD 325 Council of Nicaea.

In that fourth century, five episcopates emerged as jurisdictional centers to which individual independent churches could look for counsel in ecclesiastical matters. These five were Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople, and Rome. In AD 387, just before the Roman Empire split into separate East and West divisions, Siricius, another bishop of Rome, once again tried to highjack Christendom, and with the same result as Calixtus and Stephen. Nobody paid any attention.

More history, easily checked by those seeking truth and not vindication of false teachings: at the FIFTH CENTURY Council of Carthage, (AD 412) convoked by that city’s bishop Aurelius, the assembled prelates drafted a letter to the bishop of Rome warning him not to accept for ruling appeals from African bishops, deacons or other clerics. Besides that, he was forbidden to send any further emissaries or legates to the African churches. In another council of African churches, that one at Melvie, Augustine was the secretary. History shows he fully supported the synod’s decree of excommunication leveled at any in the African churches who would seek settlement of appeals or disputes outside of Africa or from the Roman See.

The actual hijacking of Christendom by the bishops of Rome, then, did not take place in the first 500 years after Christ. In truth, it hasn’t really taken place at all, because the eastern branch of Christendom has never accepted Rome’s self-assumed primacy. For the beginning of the successful takeover of the western branch of Christianity – the Latin churches - we must move to the very middle of the FIFTH CENTURY, to the episcopate of Leo 1 (Leo the Great), bishop of Rome AD 440-461. He assumed the title, “Primate of All Bishops,” and for validation of his theft obtained the endorsement of Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III. Wonderful! A self-styled “Vicar of Christ” seeking – not the approval of God - but the approval of a secular entity to be the “Vicar of Christ.”

Leo intimidated a lot of people by his various claims, one of which was, “Lord of the Whole Church,” but when he declared that resisting his absolute authority would condemn a soul to the fires of hell, the delegates to the AD 451 Council of Chalcedon put their collective feet down. Leo was denied his endorsement, and at the end of the fifth century, there still was no pope and no papacy. What amazes about all this is how the Vatican has been able to obliterate the actual early Church history, successfully replacing it with the fairytales of “apostolic succession” and an “unbroken chain of popes” stretching all the way back to Peter.

The first bishop of Rome to wield the kind of power for which the papacy is now known, was Gregory 1 (Gregory the Great) whose 14-year episcopate began in the very last decade of the SIXTH CENTURY – AD 590-604. But this man was adamantly opposed to the very papal office that the Vatican insists he occupied as the 64th successor to the Apostle Peter. In a letter to Maurice, the Emperor, Gregory had this to say:

“I confidently affirm that who so calls himself, or desires to be called Universal Priest, (Pontifex Maximus), in his pride goes before anti-Christ……St. Peter is not called Universal Apostle ….Far from CHRISTIAN (not Catholic) hearts be that blasphemous name.”

To the bishop of Antioch in another letter, Gregory wrote that the title of Universal (Catholic) Bishop was:

“profane, superstitious, haughty, and invented by the first apostate."

No matter that Gregory I refused such a signal honor, and believed that anyone claiming to be universal (katholikos) bishop would in fact be Anti-Christ. A successor, Boniface III, AD 607-8, coerced the Emperor, Phocas, to confer upon him that very title of Universal Bishop, papa, or pope, of all Christendom. The eastern churches refused to submit to his self-assumed authority, however, so Boniface and all his successors have had to settle for a partial monarchy ruling only the western churches. Historically, then Rome’s claims of a papacy begun with Peter and stretching down the annals of time to the present are proven falsehoods.

And, even after Boniface III succeeded in gaining for bishops of Rome the coveted title of papa, there was stubborn resistance to their claimed authority lasting into the ninth century. Then, in the episcopate of Nicholas I (Nicholas the Great), bishop of Rome AD 858-867, documents known today as the pseudo-Isidorean Decretals appeared on the stage of history. Contained in this fortuitous discovery were letters allegedly written by “popes” prior to Nicaea (AD 325) and from Clement 1 to Miltiades. All are blatant forgeries! (They had to be, for there were no popes and no papacy in that time frame.)

Also included in the collection were letters of popes from Sylvester 1 (4th century) to Gregory II (8th century) in which are more than 40 falsifications. But the most pope-friendly inclusion in the decretals was a document entitled, “The Donation of Constantine.” Thought to be authentic for 600 years, and used successfully by bishops of Rome as grounds for their claims to primacy, it actually contained the ultimate proof that popes and the papacy are NOT DIVINELY ORDAINED, but are simply another invention of mere mortals.

On the one hand, Rome teaches that Christ ordained Peter as the head of His Church, the rock on which it was founded, and the first pope. But for 600 years – from the ninth to the fifteenth century, the Donation of Constantine was invoked as the historical event granting to bishops of Rome ecclesiastical authority over all of Christendom and its episcopates, and temporal power over Rome and the entire Western Roman Empire.

Allegedly donated by Constantine the Great to Sylvester 1, bishop of Rome AD 314-335, it was used by Nicholas I to dispel opposition to popes and the papacy, and history shows that, from the ninth century to the present, bishops of Rome have been unopposed as exclusive occupants of the office of pope. In AD 1054, Leo IX tried to use the Donation of Constantine to secure control of the eastern as well as the western churches. The patriarch of Constantinople suggested Leo should mind his own business, and the split of the eastern (Orthodox) churches from Rome became permanent thereafter.

The Donation of Constantine was shown to be a deliberate forgery in AD 1440 by Lorenzo Valla, but not before the Vatican had used it to permanently secure its position of primacy over the entire western church, and to exercise nearly absolute control over kings and nations for 500 years as well. What is most interesting about this forged document and Rome’s use of it, is the secular source from which Rome allegedly derived its ecclesiastical and temporal power - its papacy. Where in history do we find Constantine invested with the power and authority to appoint a monarch over the Church of the living God? Isn’t the use of the Donation of Constantine by numerous popes eloquent proof that popes and the papacy are frauds, not initiated by Christ, but founded on the forged documents of men greedy for power?

"It is written"

The apostle Paul quoted the Hebrew scriptures . And he would say "It is written" Now that we understand that the phrase “is written” refers to all of the prophecies and promises of Yahweh in the “old testament” scriptures, it is time to look at the word “all.” How many prophecies and promises had God made in the “old testament” that would be fulfilled by the time of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD?

When the apostle Paul was before the governor, he said …

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: 20. But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. 21. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23. That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles” [Acts 26:19-23].

Did Paul preach “Moses and the prophets” or did he preach the fulfillment in his day of those things that Moses and the prophets did “say should come?” Had they come? If not, how could Paul preach them as having come? Can we erroneously conclude that Paul left out some of those things that were being fulfilled in his day? The base root word in Greek is “pas,” which is defined by the scholars as “all, any, every, the whole.” How many of the prophecies and promises of Yahweh could not be at the point of fulfillment with that very plain definition?

Now, let us examine the word “fulfilled.”

The Greek word “pleroo” is a very interesting word. I do not think that we must go much further than to show the reader how it is translated in the “new testament” in the KJV.

“Accomplish, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.”

If we “fully” accept those definitions of the Greek word, knowing how the scholars of the KJV translated the word throughout the “new testament,” then we know that all of the promises and prophecies of God that were written in the “old testament” were “being accomplished” when Luke and Paul wrote. We know for certain that all of them were being “completed.” And, we know, without a doubt, that all of those prophecies and promises were coming to an “end,” i.e. they were “expiring,” they were being “filled up.” When a thing is full, how much “fuller” can it get? They were being “fully perfected or completed.”

That means that there is not a single prophecy or promise that God made in the “old testament” that has not been fulfilled – not a single one.

Whether we want to accept it or not, Yahshua said very plainly here to the honest hearts of mankind that all, none excepted, of the promises and prophecies of the “old testament” have “expired,” “ended,” by being “fully – perfected.”

And the time of that happening is just as plain. Yahshua said ...

“For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled” [Luke 21:22].

What is left? The only real choice is whether we want to accept Yahshua as being truthful or a liar. All things were fulfilled in the days when the “armies encompassed Jerusalem ” in 66 AD to 70 AD, while some of them had “not tasted of death,” or Yahshua is a liar and we might as well scrap the entire Bible.

Personally, I accept with He said, without reservation. It did come to pass in the first century exactly as the Son of God said that it would. It is not for our generation or any future generation. God help us to open our minds, hearts and the Bible and understand and accept what He has spoken.

God wants to know

To Tell the truth

"Telling the truth to people who misunderstand you is generally promoting a falsehood, isn't it?"

Gentle Reader,

 Marti is sick again today so I will make this a bit short. As I told you we all have some truth but sometimes it's misunderstood. In my case I want as much truth as I can get in a 5 gallon jug or carry on my back for a fortnight ( that's a wee bit over 2 weeks to you in America).   What is see is what most of you get but the real truth is not "seeing is believing" as some would tell you but in fact "believing is seeing"! That is to say when someone tells you "theirs is the true church because they can trace their church back to the Apostle Peter.

Watch out the queen isn't under there !!! 

What has been done is you have been coned big time. If you are in a fellowship that claims "to be THE true church" then one could ask what happened to the other "true churches?" For example the churches in Antioch, Philippi,Ephesus, Corinth, Thessalonica? Rome was not even a part of the Eastern church but a "johnny come lately as it was by itself in the West. And to make Rome the "chief among equals" was a political move by those who wanted power!. Apostolic teaching was what the churches agreed upon.  Not one but all together. And Peter didn't become the First Pope in an unbroken line of Popes . There were no Bishops in Rome for at least 100 years after the death of Christ.  The term "pope" (papa, daddy) was not reserved for the bishop of Rome until the 5th century. To call earlier bishops of Rome pope is a matter of later custom. John Henry Newman thinks that the papacy could not, at the earliest arise until the 4th century after the Nicene Council exercised the power that the popes would later claim.  (I'm not picking on the Roman Catholics just the hierarchy) which was never intended by Christ the "chief corner stone" -the Foundation and the Head of His Body!

I believe that what happened was that the Apostle Paul and his teachings were misunderstood and changed by those who followed Paul And that led into the mess that we call "Christianity" today and the Church of Rome (while there are  true believers in it) have taken the forefront to obfuscate the real message of CHRIST and Paul . No wonder there are so many who want no part of Christianity today and why the current trend of secularism and atheism is running rampant. People don't see the real Christian. My question is for you my brothers and sisters, "will they see the real Christ in You?" Now gentle reader is the time for the real Christians to step forward and quite hiding you light under a bushel.  More to come ...

Denis    

If your not being taught the Bible (the Word of God) and if your not burning to share with those who God is calling then you need to look at why?  If your church is looking for a pastor (to go in a different direction) and those who being looked at don't spend most of their time in prayer and the study of the Word. I will state for the record "they have not been called by God" and your leadership is defective if their wanting some other than the two qualities that I just mentioned. Sorry, if I seem harsh but many of you Gentle readers have been cheated out of the truth of God's Word. And I don't know if the churches of today will recover the Truth of the Truth " Read the Book of Ephesians where you will find "Truth for Today"!

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors/ teachers;

For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.[Ephesians Chapter 4]

 

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .

Gentle words work better then hard ones.

DETERMINED
"I have chosen the WAY of FAITHFULNESS and TRUTH; I have set Your judgments before me." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 30 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

As we Christ-like-ones examine our weaknesses and failures (sins) and determine to do better daily with the help of the Almighty King, it is helpful to note some statement made by the writer of Psalm 119 and determine to make these our desires as well.

We should deliberately choose the Way of Truth, by being careful and honest in all our words and relationships. "Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to love of gain." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 36 Tanakh, Kethuvim], and we should make this our prayer; since covetousness is sin which easily overwhelms and plagues us.

We should never be ashamed of the LORD GOD or His Holy Word, then we can, like the psalmist say: "I will speak of Your testimonies, and not be ashamed in the presence of kings." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 46 Tanakh, Kethuvim] Also, we need to have fellowship with all true believers who earnestly seek to keep His Life-Giving Word. "I am a companion to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 63 Tanakh, Kethuvim] When the Holy ONE is chastising or testing us we should not complain. "I know, O LORD, that Your rulings are just; rightly have You humbled me." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 75 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

No matter what happens, we should resolve to trust Almighty GOD, just as Job did. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." [Job (Iyob) 13. 15 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "You are my Hiding Place, my Protection and my Shield; I hope in Your Word." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 114 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

We can believe implicitly in the Word of Omnipotent GOD, for we are convinced that "GOD be true but every man a liar" and we are justified in His Word as overcomers. [Romans 3. 4] "Truly by all Your precepts I walk straight; I hate every false way." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 128 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

We can fully trust the LORD GOD and knowingly choose to believe His Holy Word for they are life. "This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has preserved me." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 50 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My Word and believes in Him Who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." [John 5. 24] "Let Your hand help me, for I have chosen Your precepts." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 173 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

Like Paul, may we say: "I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 8. 38 - 39] Our Wondrous Redeemer is faithful and I am determined to follow Him. Live holy that your name will be inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life!



Sha’alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
May you be a witnesses of the MOST HOLY God's care, love, and presence.

THE NINE DAYS

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
"If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither; let my tongue stick to my palate if I cease to think of you, if I do not keep Jerusalem in memory even at my happiest hour." [Psalms (Tehillym) 137. 5 –6 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

THE NINE DAYS
"When you have begotten children and children's children and are long established in the land, should you act wickedly and make for yourselves a sculptured image in any likeness, causing the LORD your God displeasure and vexation, I call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that you shall soon utterly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess; you shall not long endure in it, but shall be utterly destroyed. The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a scant few of you will be left among the nations to which the LORD will drive you. There you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, that cannot see or hear or eat or smell.
But if you search there for the LORD your God, you will find Him, if only you seek Him with all your heart and soul - when you are in distress because all these things have befallen you and, in the end, return to the LORD your God and obey Him. For the LORD your God is a Merciful God, He will not forsake you nor will He let you perish; He will not forget the covenant which He made on oath with your fathers.
You have but to ask about bygone ages that came before you, ever since God created man on the earth, from one end of heaven to the other, has anything as grand as this ever happened, or has its like ever been known? Has any people ever hear the Voice of God speaking out of a fire, as you have heard, and live? Or has any god ventured to go and take for himself one nation from the midst of another by prodigious acts, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and awesome power, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?
You have been shown to know that the LORD alone is God; there is none beside Him. Out of heaven He let you hear His Voice, that He might instruct you; on earth He let you see His great fire, and from amidst that fire you heard His words.
And because He loved your fathers, He chose their descendants after them; He Himself brought you out of Egypt with His Presence, in His great might, to drive from your path nations greater and mightier than you, to take you into their land and assign it to you as a heritage, as it is this day.
Know therefore this day and consider it in your heart that the LORD alone is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other. You shall therefore keep His statutes and His commandments which I enjoin upon you this day, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may long remain in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for all time." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 4. 25 - 40 Tanakh, Torah]

Tonight begins a period known as "The Nine Days" - the days from Rosh Chodesh ("head of the month") Av to the fast of the ninth of Av (Tisha b'Av). In Jewish communities worldwide, prohibitions intended to decrease joy are implemented. All these reach a climax on the fast of the ninth of Av, a fast similar to Yom Kippur. During this time, we increase our solemn attitudes toward the Temple and of its loss. We are especially careful to keep our thoughts upon the destruction of the Holy Place and of the lifestyle that was lost with its destruction. There are no celebrations, no weddings, and no haircuts! Among the Orthodox, even bathing is kept to a minimum and freshly laundered clothes are not worn. These prohibitions are not intended to be overwhelming, but to turn our minds toward the seriousness of sin and its consequences.

Yet, even in destruction there is consolation. After Jeremiah prophesied judgment, he delivered a message of deliverance to the nation of Judah. "For I am with you to deliver you - declares the LORD. I will make an end of all the nations among which I have dispersed you; but I will not make an end of you! I will not leave you unpunished, but will chastise you in measure." [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 30. 11 Tanakh, Nevi'im; see also 46. 28]

GOD OMNIPOTENT's discipline is a means to an end; that is, a restored relationship through repentance. "Let us search and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD. Let us lift up our heart rather than our hands to God in heaven...I have called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the Pit. Hear my plea; 'Do not shut your ear to my groan, to my cry!' You have ever drawn nigh when I called You; You said, 'Do not fear!' You championed my cause, O LoRD, You have redeemed my life." [Lamentations (Ekhah) 3. 40 – 41; 55 – 58 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

Through judgment, we are reminded of our need for God’s mercy. The month of Av reminds us that we are sustained by the mercy of the MoST HIGH GOD. When properly grasped, this consolation of Av naturally leads us to the next step…the repentance of the month, Elul.

We encourage everyone to light a candle in their homes this evening in memory of the Israelis who have died in this present war and read Psalm 83 aloud. I encourage parents to gather their children and do this as a family prayer time. Let us take this day to join hearts with our Israeli and Jewish brethren around the world and offer united and fervent prayer to our Heavenly Father.



Sha’alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!

Which church?

"Every day people are staying away from church and going back to God."

Gentle Reader,

Well the Pope beat me to the punch! My book "Which church?" is barely underway when Pope Benedict goes medieval on those of us who wish to worship God in peace and tranquility and states for the world "The Roman Catholic church is the only church that God accepts and all other have no way of salvation except through the "Pope and His church"  based on the scripture. [more on that later ]

There is so much that is wrong with this picture that I have only despair for those real believers who wish to serve the creator of the universe . If you want the real story you have to buy my book but here just a wee taste to whet your appitite.

The Encyclopedia of American Religions lists 1,588 religious denominations, sects, faith groups, organizations, etc. Most are currently operating in North America; a few are defunct but have been recently active. The vast majority of them consider themselves to be Christian. Some of these groups believe that they are the only true Christian church. But how does one find out which denomination really is? Some possibilities one might consider:

Perhaps one of them is the true church.

Perhaps none of them are. All of the Christian denominations may have strayed so far from Jesus' original intent, that all may be deeply flawed.

Perhaps many faith groups are different manifestations of the true church - even though their rituals and practices differ.

Perhaps a historical faith group, now defunct, was the rightful owner of that title. There have been a lot of religious genocides down through the ages, perpetrated by which ever religious group was in power.

Perhaps Jesus did not intend to found a church at all; in that case, there has never been a true church.

Well talk more another day Gentle reader, in the meantime:

When we are finished Gentle reader, you will have the evidence of who has been faithful and who has strayed from what God intended. May you follow the Lord of heaven with all your heart. The choice is yours.

"That I may know Him." Ah, I long to know

Not just a Christ of far-gone years ago;

Nor even reigning on a heavenly throne,

Too high and distant to be really known.

I long to know Him closely; this is how-

Alive-and in this ever-pressing "now";

Communicating His all-conquering power,

A living One, within my heart this hour,

Who now no longer lives from me apart,

But shares His resurrection in my heart.

Love, Denis

From the Rabbi...

Gentle Reader, From the pen of Rabbi Del and his wife comes this thought:
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .You should live, if only to satisfy your curiosity. A SECOND REMNANT

"In that day, my LORD will apply His hand again the second time to redeeming His people, the ones outside the Holy Land, from Assyria and Egypt, from Pathros and Nubia, from Elam and Shinar, from Hamath and the coastlands of the sea."

[Isaiah (Yeshayah) 11. 11 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

The prophet Isaiah lived during the time when the Ten Tribes of Israel were being carried into captivity by the Assyrians, and about 100 years before his own nation of Judah would be carried into exile by the Babylonians. Yet in one of the most remarkable prophecies of Holy Script, the Prophet Isaiah promised that his people would someday return and rebuild Jerusalem and its Temple. [see Isaiah/Yeshayah 44. 24 - 45. 6] Furthermore, he even named the future emperor of Persia, the nation which would succeed Assyria and Babylon as the dominant world power, calling him "Cyrus." This great king, Cyrus, did accomplish Isaiah's prophecy approximately 175 years after it was given. [Ezra 1. 1 - 4]

Isaiah prophesied the first return from exile, then he foresaw that GOD Omnipotent would also set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people in the distant future. . . the glorious future time of Messiah Jesus' reign over all the earth. "In all of MY Sacred Mount nothing evil or vile shall be done; for the Land shall be filled with devotion to the LORD as water covers the sea. In that day the ROOT of Jesse will stand as a STANDARD to the peoples - Nations shall seek HIS counsel and HIS place of rest will be glorious and honoured." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 11. 9 - 10 Tanakh, Nevi'im] The outcasts of Israel and Judah will return home "from the four corners of the earth." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 11. 12 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

Pathros, Nubia (Cush), Elam, Shinar, and Hamath are ancient names of nations identified now as Upper Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq and Syria respectively. Isaiah predicted an even greater exile and world-wide homecoming long beyond that of the Babylonian captivity. Such information could have come only from Almighty Omniscient GOD Himself. Oh LORD, how great YOU are!" Behold, GOD is our Salvation, we can trust in him and not be afraid.

An interview with God

Gentle Reader,

"God bless the world that can allow
such acts as happened on 9/11,
And God bless the world that can
tolerate such and still embrace.

God bless the world that can find
killers amongst its rich,
And God bless the world that can
find heroes amongst its humble.
God bless the world that can see
destruction as a political tool,
And God bless the world that can see destruction and simply rebuild.

God bless the world that can waste
lives and smile from a cave,
And God bless the world that can
find the smallest part of a murdered
human and stand in silent reverence.

God bless the world that can see
suicide as a path to freedom,
And God bless the world that can
see forgiveness as a path to God.

God bless the world that can hate
and find triumph there,
And God bless the world that can find
compassion and embrace in the rubble.

God bless the world that can flash
infamy around the world in a second,
And God bless the world that can
remember and remember and remember.

God bless the world that can hostage
the innocent to punish the unguilty,
And God bless the world that can find
justice and take revenge upon no one.

God bless the world that can drag God
to a murderous side,
And God bless the world that can gather
us all no matter our sins or our grace.”

Love, Denis

Another lesson

HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
No man sins except for his own advantage; but, the advantage is in this life only.


WAIT on the LORD
"Those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; as eagles regain their youth when they cast off their feathers." [Psalm (Tehillym) 103. 5 Tanakh, Kethuvim] They shall run and not grow weary, they shall march and not grow faint." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 40. 31 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
To say this another way, "The ALMIGHTY satisfies you with good things in the prime of life, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles." This is such a lovely promise from GOD's Holy Word, as it is easy to grow weary and faint in our mortal bodies, even when doing the work of the LORD. The answer, "Wait upon the LORD!"
The Hebrew word "gavah" means "wait for" or "look for." It is translated "waited for" the second time it is used in the Bible when the dying patriarch, Jacob cried out: "I waited for Your deliverance (salvation), O LORD." [Genesis (Bereshith) 49. 18 Tanakh, Torah]
The first time it is used, surprisingly, is in connection with the third day of creation when The Omnipotent Creator said, "Let the water below the sky be gathered into one area, that the dry land may appear." [Genesis (Bereshith) 1. 9 Tanakh, Torah] That is, the all-encompassing waters of the original creation, divided on the second day of creation, now are told to "wait" patiently, you might say, until GOD formed the geo-sphere, the biosphere, and the astrosphere before dealing again with the waters.
In Psalm 40, we can get a clearer insight as to the meaning of "gavah" where it is used to picture the foreshadowed Messiah Jesus, "I waited patiently for (put my hope in) YEHOWAH; and He inclined toward (listened to) me and heeded my cry." [Psalms (Tehillym) 40. 1 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
"The Eternal GOD of heaven, the High & Lofty LORD, the Creator of the earth from end to end, He never grows faint or weary, His wisdom cannot be fathomed." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 40. 28 Tanakh, Nevi'im] His gracious promise is that we can "renew our strength" (rather to exchange our weakness for His strength) by "waiting on Him." We wait patiently for Him, draw nearer to Him, look for Him, cry to Him and trust Him. In turn, He renews our strength! HalleluYAH!!!
The ultimate renewal of our strength will be when we receive our new bodies and we rise "like the eagles" when the Lord catches away those who are found worthy. "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an arch-angel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." [1 Thessalonians 4. 16 - 17]
"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." [1 Corinthians 15. 51 - 54] This will happen at OMNISCIENT God's appointed time. Meanwhile, "wait on the Lord" for it will surely come. HalleluYAH , what blessed hope!!! HalleluYAH!!!
Sha’alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you always – for you are our glory and joy! Shalom!!

Dr, What do you believe?

54% of doctors believe that God or another supernatural being intervenes in patients’ health, finds a University of Chicago study. About 75% doctors believe religion and spirituality give patients a positive, hopeful state of mind and help them cope with illness and suffering.

About 33% believe religion and spirituality can cause patients to refuse, delay or stop medical therapy or avoid taking responsibility for their health. 45% said religion and spirituality can cause guilt, anxiety or other negative emotions leading to increased patient suffering.

Nevertheless, 85% of doctors believe the influence of religion and spirituality is generally positive. 76% believe God or another supernatural being helps patients cope with and endure illness and suffering. 74% believe God or another supernatural being gives patients a hopeful state of mind.

It's no secret

Back in the 50's there was a well known radio
host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named
Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking,
womanizing, partying, etc.

One of his bigger hits at the time was
"I won't go hunting with you Jake,
but I'll go chasing women."
  One day, along came a young preacher holding
a tent revival.  Hamblen had him on his radio show
presumably to poke fun at him.

In order to gather more material for his show,
Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.

  Early in the service the preacher announced,
"There is one man in this audience who is a big fake."
There were probably others who thought the same thing,
but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher
was talking about (some would call that conviction)
but he was having none of that.

  Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple
of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's
hotel door around 2 AM demanding that the preacher
pray for him!

But the preacher refused, saying, "This is between you and God
and I'm not going to get in the middle of it."

But he did invite Stuart in and they talked until
about 5 AMat which point Stuart dropped to his
knees and with tears, cried out to God.

  But that is not the end of the story.
Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women,
quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began
to lose favor with the Hollywood crowd.

  He was ultimately fired by the radio station when
he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.

Hard times were upon him.  He tried writing a couple
of "Christian" songs but the only one that had
much success was "This Old House",
written for his friend Rosemary Clooney.

  As he continued to struggle, a long time friend
named John took him aside and told him,
"All your troubles started when you 'got religion,'
w as it worth it all?"
Stuart answered simply, "Yes."

Then his friend asked, "You liked your booze so much,
don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was,
"No." John then said, "I don't understand how
you could give it up so easily."
  
And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret.
All things are possible with God."
To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase.
You should write a song about it.."

  And as they say, "The rest is history."

The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was "It Is No Secret."

"It is no secret what God can do.
What He's done for others, He'll do for you.

With arms wide open, He'll welcome you.
It is no secret, what God can do...."

By the way... the friend was John Wayne.
And the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen?
...That was Billy Graham.

Matthew 24:30

As we continue our study of Matthew 24:30, I would like to finish “the sign” question in this post. So, today’s study will be somewhat longer than usual.


In response to the two questions from Yahshua’s apostles, Yahshua informed them that the following things that men today interpret as signs (which were really not signs, just predictions of coming things) were events that they needed not to be concerned.

Not false Christs and false prophets
Not wars and rumours of wars
Not nation rising against nation
Not kingdom against kingdom
Not famines
Not numerous earthquakes
Not tribulation and persecution
Not the stumbling of many regarding the faith
Not the increase of iniquity
Not love’s decline
Not the gospel being preached in the whole world

If none of those events were the sign of the consummation of the Hebrew age, but merely birth pains preceding the sign about which the disciples were asking, why should we concern ourselves with those things in our era in the 21st century, as some tend to do today? But even then, all of those happenings were to find their fulfillment in the apostles’ generation, in the 1st century AD, otherwise “they” (“you”) could not “see” them.

That to which Yahshua related at this point in His discussion was not the single sign that the apostles sought, but they were plural things (not signs) that would precede the sign. They asked what would be the sign and the time of the imminent destruction of the city and the temple. Therefore, we must seek for the specific single sign and the specific time to which Jesus referred in His response to their questions. And, while we do so, we cannot go beyond that specific generation and introduce concepts that were irrelevant to them. To do so would violate the principles of sound, contextual interpretation.


Therefore, the events that Yahshua presented at this point in His reply were not the specific sign for which the disciples were told to look. The specific sign and the specific time that were relevant to their generation were yet to be identified.

Mark 13 and Luke 21 are parallel accounts of this same event. Luke unmistakably tells of the sign.

“But when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that her desolation is at hand” [Luke 21:20].

This verse indicates a change of emphasis. Herein Yahshua addressed the apostles’ specific sign question and Luke recorded that He said to them, “…when you see.” Nothing that He said at that point was relevant to another generation or another place. What He said was definitely related to the generation of the four apostles and the fulfillment of the desolation of Jerusalem as He had prophesied earlier.



So, the answer to the disciple’s sign question was Jerusalem encompassed with armies, which Jesus said they would see. It was a singular answer and had no inference to any other event that would occur in their generation or in any other generation in the future. They asked for the sign and they received an answer that was relevant to the prophecy and to the generation in which that specific prophecy would be fulfilled, i.e. the 1st century AD.

It is important also to note that Yahshua was emphatic about this matter and said, when referring to Jerusalem ; “her desolation.” Jesus previously addressed the city in the feminine gender when He prophesied against her in Luke 19:41-44. He described her desolation in graphic detail.

“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

We can be certain that Yahshua spoke directly to and about Jerusalem in the apostles’ generation because of Luke’s account. Compare that KJV reading to the following ASV reading:

“And when he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, If you had known in this your day, even you, the things which belong unto peace! But now they are hid from your eyes. 43 For the days (plural) shall come upon you, when your enemies shall cast up a bank about you, and compass you round, and keep you in on every side, 44 and shall dash you to the ground, and your children within you; and they shall not leave in you one stone upon another; because you knew not the time of your visitation.”


From the context, we can see that Yahshua not only answered the apostles’ specific sign question, He insisted that they regard that particular sign as the sign that they asked for because he said “when you see … then know.” Jesus said to the four apostles, “This is it. This is what you want to know. This is the answer to your question.” When the armies surround the city, you can be confident that you have the answer to your sign question. Know for sure that this is the one and only sign that you will see.

Throughout His reply to the four apostles, Yahshua never veered away from what He spoke of initially - the desolation of the city and the temple. He even addressed the city in a very loving, tearful way. Desolation of the city and the temple, though necessary, disturbed Yahshua and by revealing those things to the four, He would, if they were ever watchful, redeem them physically from being entangled in the abominable devastation that was about to befall that part of the Hebrew nation.

Luke was very emphatic about who should recognize the sign of which Yahshua spoke. Yahshua specifically said that those to whom He was talking at that time were the ones who should note those things and watch for their occurrence. He did not speak to or of anyone else. It was that generation that would witness all of the events that He revealed, including the specific sign, and they would succumb to their impact if they failed to heed His warnings and flee at the appropriate time. So, therein are the answers to the apostles’ time and sign questions - that generation in Jesus’ presence about 30 AD.

Jesus set out to answer the apostles’ questions and adds nothing more to the discourse. There were only the two questions to which they sought answers - the time question and the sign question. They asked nothing else and He introduced nothing else.

The Greek word for “end” that is used in Matthew 24:8, 14, is “telos” and means accomplishment or fulfillment. The only accomplishment or fulfillment of which the disciples wanted to know, and which was prophesied by Yahshua, was the accomplishment or fulfillment of the Hebrew era. That was the only “end” that concerned them and they wanted to know only the time and the sign that heralded its imminence

The Consequence

 

 

Gentle Reader,

 I'm back! My book is going slowly... writers block!  I jumped in the middle of the work Perhaps I should back up and explain.  I have lost 3 copies of my first draft. trying to walk the line between being something worthwhile reading and a book that is readable. The working title is "Which church" A study of all the "Christian churches and why we seemingly cannot get together on the very differences that keep us apart and why? So here is what you get today... Read only if you want me to feel like I'm doing something worthwhile... It's about your church or the one you just left or the one you just now joined

I call this 

THE CONSEQUENCE

"Take it, or leave it alone" is expressive of an indifferent attitude. One might well ask the question: "What will be the consequence if it is, or is not, taken?" In reading The Book of books it ought to prove profitable for one to ask: What will be the consequence if The Word of God is not believed? Can one dis-regard, disrespect, or dis revere The Holy Scriptures and avoid the corresponding consequence?

God presents no meaningless or unnecessary precepts. Our Lord says exactly what He means, and means just exactly what He says. Compromise is absolutely out of the question with God. His Word is sure. He has exalted His Word above His name. Cp. Psa. 138:2. God's Word is forever settled in Heaven. Cp. Psa. 119:89, Isa. 40:8. His Word shall accomplish His Purposes. Cp. Isa. 55:11. His Word shall not pass away. Cp. Matt 24:35.

When one turns to Heb. 4:12 he reads that The Word of God is QUICK, POWERFUL, SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVIDING ASUNDER OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF THE JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER (critic) OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS of the HEART.

What will be the consequence of disregarding The Word of God?

One cannot play fast and loose with The Bible. Dire consequences are inevitable when The Infallible Word of God is in any sense questioned, disbelieved, or gainsayed. Cp. Jude 11.

While much might be written on this subject as it concerns the unbeliever, yet our purpose now is to set forth an urgent appeal to all believers. There are many professed believers who consider themselves Fundamentalists. I have this class particularly in mind as I write.

The Modernists are growing in numbers, and in purely human reasoning strength. This, however, is only temporary. The Word of God meets the reasoning of the Modernist with 1 Cor. 2:1-16.

The sad fact facing us in this present time is that some Fundamentalists of by-gone days are now full-fledged Modernists; and, also, some who are now considered Fundamentalists are evidently leaning very decidedly toward Modernism. Doubtless, many of our readers are able to call to mind some quite outstanding Fundamentalist of yesterday, now banking in the delusive favor of Modernism.

What is the explanation for this tragic trend; what is the solution to this perplexing problem?

We are living in a time when it is becoming more and more difficult for one to hold faithfully to the Fundamental position; yea, without adhering to a certain exhortation of God's Word it is becoming more and more IMPOSSIBLE to be Fundamental."STUDY TO SHEW THYSELF APPROVED UNTO GOD, A WORKMAN THAT NEEDETH NOT TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH."

2 Tim. 2:15. There you have an exhortation that has been either disregarded or misinterpreted by the majority of Fundamentalists. The consequence is very evident.

REMEMBER: The Bible is divided against itself unless rightly divided.

The Holy Scriptures are made to be self-contradictory, in disagreement, and the subject of blatant ridicule because God's perfectly constructed Word has been jumbled and scrambled by many of its earnest supporters.

When Bible Teachers, Preachers, Evangelists repeatedly throw all portions of the Bible together, and mix up, and stir up, and put things here that belong there, and make the NOWS read THENS, and the THENS read NOWS, and the AFTERWARDS read BEFOREWARDS, etc., etc., Modernism will continue to grin and grow.

The SOLUTION? 0h, yes! Here it is: "Distinguish the things that differ." Keep separate what God has separated; keep united what God has united. RIGHTLY DIVIDE! Cp. Phil. 1:9, 10; Col. 2:16-23.

DISPENSATION DISCERNMENT is the need of the hour. To mix Kingdom and Church Truth, Law and Grace, Jews and Gentiles and Church of God, the various Churches, Gospels, Judgments, Resurrections, Spheres, Dispensations, etc., of Scripture is to suffer consequential confusion.

A Fundamentalist who is in confusion may soon be in delusion.

When all Fundamentalists get together on the basis of RIGHTLY DIVIDED TRUTH (the only ground of unity Cp. Eph. 4:1-6) then they will form a powerful, uncompromising, unyielding company with Scriptural intelligence sufficient to stop the mouth of the gainsayer.

Otherwise: THE CONSEQUENCE.

 Love, Denis

For you dear friend

Prayer to Believe in Christ's Name

Father, I'm praying for my dear friend...(name one or more) and others in my circle of family and friends who need Christ...

As I pray for these who are not yet saved, there is so much at stake. I can't help but think of all the lives they'll touch and pray for in their lifetimes following their salvation, and the impact they can have for generations to come! (Psalm 22:30–31)

I thank You that You have clearly said in Your Word that You want the lost to come to You through Christ—that You want all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. I thank You that Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all men. No one was left out of His sacrifice; the price has already been paid. (1 Timothy 2:1–6)

Jesus came into the world as the true light that gives light to every person. May these who are unsaved see His light and be drawn to it, loving it more than the darkness. May they receive Christ and believe in His name—trusting and relying on Him, not simply understanding who He is—for those who do are given the right to become Your children. (John 1:9; 3:19; 1:12)

Grant them new life.
In Jesus' name, amen.