1 Corinthians 13:8-12

At this time in history, when so much prophecy is breaking out to fruition, when many friends and family are passing away and the prophetic comes out for readiness, I can’t help but feel a quiet anticipation, joy and fulfillment that the time is near, or here, that the perfection is about to come, the time of completeness. Jesus is about to return for His Bride and all the things that seemed so important will fall away when He comes in His completeness. Like the Hebrew marriage, we are betrothed to Him and He has gone to prepare the wedding chamber, and when complete He will return for His Bride. And that would be us, we who love Him. Today is Pentecost Sunday (not Pentecost for the sake of my detractors) When we celebrate God’s outpouring and Gift of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and power.

Love never fails. That’s what 1 Corinthians 13 tells us and that should pretty much be all you should take from it. Some people use it, abuse it, pretend it portends the end of an era past, the end of something. Many use it as an excuse to decry and condemn those that actually believe the Bible and in the Holy Spirit, contributing to an error doctrine that puts intellectual interpretation above the Holy Spirit. Arrogant people who can’t humble themselves before God and accept the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. They make fun of, abuse and ridicule that which they don’t understand. Warnings were made in the book of Jude:

In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings…Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand…In the last days there will be scoffers who follow their own ungodly desires. These are men who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Holy Spirit.

Love never fails. One has to understand the letters to the Corinthians. These people excelled in the gifts of the Holy Spirit and they were a Megachurch, if you will. But they were getting out of hand and Paul had to address it. One guy had his fathers wife, they were turning the Communion into party time and worship services were disruptive. And on top of all this, they were arrogant toward the other churches because the Spirit was more active there. The much abused and misused text from 1 Corinthians 13:8-12 :

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Many use this text to prove that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are done because the completion (perfection) has come which they claim is the KJV bible.  Paul didn’t know about any coming bible, he wasn’t referring to a bible. He was referring to the return of Christ, the perfection, when He will restore the order of things to perfection. Until then, we NEED the counselor, the power of God because man’s reasoning is always, until then, depraved. It’s sad, Paul was writing to admonish the arrogance of the super spiritual yet now it’s used, by men too arrogant to humble themselves before God, as a tool of hate and derision. Truly these men, in their reasoning, have missed the point, that love never fails and the greatest of these is love.

Note: I’ll expound further on this in the FAQs

God Bless

Proverbs 24:17-18

In response to Glynda’s message “Nothing To Fear“.

“”Good morning Glynda,

Yes, it has seemed a little worrisome in the silence. It hasn’t been just you, but for many of us. And your confirming Word is that He HAS been working all along, just as He promised us, through Word last year.

In looking behind (I know, we shouldn’t look back) we can see He has been carrying us, no harm has befallen us, some of us have been put into a forced(?) “be still and know I am Lord” period.

For some it is a disconcerting period, not hearing Words of judgement and calamity, but, God fulfilled His Word and put into action in November, that which was warned. There is no need to HEAR a Word right now, look around and see the evil unleashed as God withdraws His hand of protection.

“Be still”, until God specifically calls you into action, and enjoy His presence by your side. Let not your hearts be troubled, He is here.

Dan“”

Assessment:

I haven’t been writing much lately either. Along with getting our home ready for sale God hasn’t pressed a Word, burden, or revelation to get out. Just to simply enjoy His presence, strengthen and rest in Him. The events of the world are unfolding before our eyes, yet we are unharmed and are provided for, just as He promised as we rest in Him.

As things unfold, and we see them and our spirit bears witness to their cause let our joy be in Christ and our comfort be in Him. Don’t take joy in the judgements, take joy in Him. I’m reminded of Proverbs 24:17-18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁷ Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
¹⁸ or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them.

Let God work, it is His call, the events at the end.

It’s Patriots day, ” the shot heard round world”, Boston Marathon, people, people and more people crammed into a confined area. It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, what could possibly go wrong. Boom! Boom!

The main talented runners had already finished and gone, now the mass of recreational runners is coming through, mom’s, pop’s, kids. People without names and of no consequence. Thousands of normal everyday people crammed, impatiently waiting for their loved ones to finish so that they can all go get something to eat. Harmless collateral damage?

Then bombs go off. They say it’s terrorists, creating images of more Taliban activity. But the Taliban groups immediately deny responsibility, even though they’re known to take credit for someone else’s dirty work. The bombs seem to have had some directional sophistication, the result of lower limb amputations as opposed to spherical carnage of an unconstrained  explosion. There were no ball bearings, ceramic chips, nails, signatures of a suicide bomber. Two bombs went off, and two were found unexploded, and yet another went off ( seemingly unrelated) outside the JFK library away from the current carnage (let’s see what the damage was to Kennedy’s legacy).

Within short time, in spite of the countless masses of people, they are guarding a “person of interest” in the hospital. My understanding is that, again, a facebook page went up two days  before and drills were taking place nearby. Not unlike the Sandy Hook curiosities. Immediately the White House called it a terrorist attack and Dianne Feinstein, chairwoman of the Central Intelligence (sic) Committee, “reportedly said her understanding it “that it’s a terrorist incident.”". But according to them, what’s a predominant terrorist organization, nowadays?

Well, the international terrorists are divesting themselves so it must be homegrown. Anti-abortionist groups? NRA groups? Anti-tax Groups? How about this, some veterans were “enraged” recently when told to take down the “Tea Bagger Flag, “Don’t Tread on Me”" from the Armory. Wow. What better place to make their point than Patriots Day, at the home of the Boston Tea party, the day that commemorates the first battles of the Revolutionary War. That’s it, that’s the clue. Are we going to find that the “person of interest” is a Tea Bagger with ties to “preppers”, a gun owner, with tons of Internet searches for the Revolutionary war, how to start a war, and worse, an Evangelical Christian?

We’ve been waiting for the next false flag. Was North Korea the distraction to set up this false flag? Are the Feds, again, behind this tragedy? Two bombs explode, two don’t and another explodes elsewhere, perfectly amateur. It reminds me of the salmonella and e coli outbreaks a few years ago. I’d told Sue that the outbreaks seemed unnaturally random, like someone picking the spots to appear random, no outbreaks in the same area at around the same time. And like so many times before, they have someone in custody in very short time. Great police work.

Who knows? Maybe Oklahoma City bomber Timothy  McVeigh was right, method wrong, or was he the beginning of the deception? When I read about the military putting Christians at the top of dangerous peoples, things became less amusing. When I’d watch the JackVan Impe apocalypse movies and they called Christians “haters” I was amused at the speculative placement. It’s no longer amusing. Being a true Christian nowadays, even in the US, is becoming quite serious business.

The time, as prophesied long ago, is running out. Being a Christian is becoming dangerous, actually standing for Christ even more. But what we have ahead, after all this, is well worth the sacrifice we may be called to make. Are you a sleep-walker, holding to the form of religion without the relationship of the Christ Jesus? Have you rejected, up to now, the deity and ultimate sovereignty of the Christ? The clock is ticking, time is running out.  Is the “fun” you’ve been clinging to worth the risk of eternity in Hell? Search your heart. Repent of that which separates you from the God of the universe. He gives you a free gift, take it now.

Reblogged from Footsteps In The Deep:

• 

The other day, we were taking soup to the homeless when a man approached us.  He told us, "Come with me.  There is a family that is very poor.  Many people visit them and give them clothes.  You can even take pictures of them."  That really bothered me.  Take pictures of them... like they're monkeys in a zoo and not people, like all I cared to do was get my "feed the homeless" badge and then be on my way, like their value was about as much as the time it would take for a  couple photos...

Read more… 920 more words

Poor by circumstance, poor by choice, poor in spirit, you will always have the poor. Americans still, even under the judgements, haven't got a clue. Some government handouts leave the "poor" American better off than middle class in some countries. Only in submitting to Christ can one find the true riches and glory that can't be bought or sold, that exceed anything that can possibly be dreamed up on earth. Great job, Ben

Genesis 14:4

What’s in a number? I ask that because I posted in regard to the number 13 being as the number of rebellion. I don’t generally get in to the numerology kick, for one, I don’t have the time and two, usually as I read I see some real stretching. So in my conversation with my pastor I’d mentioned the number 13 being the number of rebellion and he paused, then said show me. Well, that set me off on an interesting and confusing sojourn.

I started out trying to find occult information on the number 13 and kept, invariably, ending up on “christian” oriented sites with a plethora of examples showing the sinister and extreme evil of the number thirteen. I really never did find an occult site even with the advent of the Iluminatit Channel. Using letter counts, number inversions, image mind games even biblical texts, they show beyond a doubt that the number thirteen is an inherently evil, occult number that we should be painfully aware of and avoiding. That’s fine, except for this twist in the road. I also found a plethora of information showing that the number 13 is a holy or at least a good number, along with biblical texts and examples to support the cause. So what do you believe? I’ve picked two for example because they show the substantial dichotomy of this thought.

Let’s start off with evil ( good triumphs over evil in the end, right?) Following this thought from Jesus is Savior.com on a black background we get introduced to all sort of example of thirteens as a number of rebellion. A common example is Genesis 14:4 where

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ For twelve years they had been subject to Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled.

Okay, yep there’s rebellion I guess. He also mentions kids rebel at 13, after 7 kids of my own I won’t contest that kids rebel around 13. But does that make it a number of rebellion? He goes into a lot of examples of evil and rightfully so, but the numerology of it I’m not sure. I have a vetting process and look, frankly, for some lunacy. The author talks about 6 being the number of man. Okay, no problem. But then he describes Romans 6:6 as such “Everyone knows that the number 6 represents man. The sixth word of the sixth verse of the sixth chapter of the sixth book of the New Testament (Romans 6:6) is the word “man.” Modern corrupt Bibles don’t have the hand of God like the King James Bible does. God knew what He was doing.” I’m sorry, but I take KJV worshipers with a grain of salt and maybe a little occult of their own. I’ll go into the KJV error and doctrine in a later discourse.

Now the author goes into counting letters, Judus Iscariot has 13 letters, E PLURIBUS UNUM has 13 letters (but not in Latin), ANNUIT COEPTIS has 13 letters (again, not in Latin), New World Order has 13 letters (um should we call it something different?). There are many “13″ signs on the dollar bill around the thirteen colonies and he asks, ” why 13 why not 12 or 15?”, could it be because that’s how many people groups or land grants were issued before the colonial rebellion ( oops, rebellion, better get out of this country). These kind of number plays, frankly, are stretching, something to talk about and I can’t deny the fun in it, but we have to be mindful of where we are taking the audience.

My confusion came up because I found many, many, instances of the number 13 being lucky, good, even holy. The RCC folks even have lucky Mary 13s, M is the 13th letter, “The Virgin Mary” has 13 letters (okay, Mary worship is the occult so I guess that should have been the previous paragraph). But I did find some good studies such as Betemunah.org that does a good study on the number 13. Again there are a vast number of good and holy 13s.

Abraham’s name has 13 letters (in Hebrew). There are 13 tribes of Israel (less Joseph, plus his sons). Jesus had the Last Supper with His 12 disciples meaning there were 13 of them. The New Testament and the Church are the results of 13 Apostles ( Judas’ replacement plus Paul), so does that mean that we’ve been following the book of rebellion? There is significantly more covered and it would do you well to check it out.

There are hardworking, well meaning folks trying to keep us abreast of what’s coming down the tube for this world, and Christians alike, exposing the workings of the Illuminati. There are signs all over and they’re (Illuminati) darn proud that their boss is coming in for the takeover (or are they even aware they have a boss?). But then some folks are on the fringe condemning everyone that’s not them. Which is worse?

So, do we get revved up over the number 13, it is 2013 you know? Evil will always be around us until Jesus comes and locks Satan away for the Millennium. We need to be watchful but not paranoid. “Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world”. As a child of God I can bank on it. Christ has defeated Satan, and soon will remove him, I have that assurance. Do you? Can you know that you will walk with the Victor? If the answer is no, than know that you can. All of us were born into sin, and Jesus came to pay the price for that sin. All you have to do is repent of it and ask Him to take you in, it’s here right now, for you to take. The time is short, do it now.

Romans 14:1-12

Today we celebrate Good Friday (black Friday in my book, Satan thought he had his victory) and the discussions erupt again about Pagan holidays, the chronology of events, blah, blah. And the atheists laugh at all the drawn swords over the keystone event for Christians. At this time when we remember the most crucial time in the history of man, and God’s work, so much separation and fighting seemingly undo the work of the Cross, the sacrifice for those sins, and His subsequent victory over Death Sunday morning. Thank goodness, it can’t be undone.

What’s the to do about? Suppose the RCC substituted a pagan holiday, does that make Jesus’ death and resurrection any less? By calling it Easter, did they move the pagan holiday to coincide with the day of Jesus’ resurrection? No. We live by under a Gregorian calendar now and the date of “Easter” moves with the Paschal moon, the pagan holiday stays the same date (what ever that was) so referring to Easter as a pagan holiday is wrong and divisive.

Then there is the 3 days dead discussion. I admit, I entered into the fray on that one, a knee jerk, don’t give me that line argument. But with study and review, discussion with Messianic Jews I found I was wrong. Yep, you heard right, I said I was wrong (note: Sue is smiling, giving the zipped mouth motion in the background). At that time in history, as in all things prophetic, the timing lined up and Jesus was in the tomb during two Sabbaths. But that was then. This week, the Passover was Monday evening. Sunday will still come, but the following of the custom would put the Christ in the grave for four days this year because Resurrection Sunday won’t change. Not a worthy fight to get into.

So, does having communion on Thursday dishonor the Christ? No. Does having a Good Friday service dishonor the Christ? No. Does calling Sunday morning Easter dishonor the Christ? No! I’m reminded of Romans 14

New International Version (NIV)

The Weak and the Strong

14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. ² One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ³ The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. ⁴ Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

⁵ One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. ⁶ Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. ⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister^[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”^[b]

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

All of us are subject to God, what ever our position of God is.

Prophesy was fulfilled perfectly, however we remember it will always be imperfect, but Jesus has our back. The truth is, Jesus died, was resurrected and comes soon to call His own home. Are you His own? We are all sinners, but we don’t have to die as sinners. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and now knocks at your door. Let Him in, accept His gift to you.

Well, it’s Spring today. We still have 3 feet of snow, it was 7 degrees and wind blowing when I got up at 4am. Didn’t I just say it’s spring today? I love Wisconsin.

Spring is the time of new life, new beginnings and we have plenty of those to go around and few seem to bear good tidings while the rest are at best ominous. Early this year and the end of last a number of words and ideas were being thrown about indicating a cataclysm in June, well we’re halfway there and things are, in fact, ramping up to that effect. North Korea has voided the armistice with South Korea, virtually reigniting the Korean war of the early 1950′s.  A new pope with the old pope in the folds of his robe, a new hope for Venezuela on the horizon, a new government in Israel, someone even broke out the chemical weapons in Syria. Is the run on banks in Cyprus a prelude to the coming economic implosion for the United States?   I guess is should be comforting that the POTUS is still doing the same old, same old.

http://www.philipmalpass.com

Well, the new pope is already starting off running. With a closed meeting with the Pope Emeritus, presumably to set the agenda, the new pope is starting to preach about the poor and helpless. Or, is he setting the mood for the redistribution of wealth format, Benedict’s NWEO, as was presented to Obama? It was clear that Benedict was setting the stage and, now as a twosome, his New World Economic Order can take off with St. Malachy’s prophesied, last pope. The ecumenical movement of trying to get everyone focused on sameness, the common themes of religion is already under way to create a same religion. Is the One World Church perched on the horizon ready to fall on the populace? Is this the oneness that the anti-Christ has been waiting for? After they accomplish what the anti-Christ wants will He then come in and crush Babylon, the RCC, and those attached to her? Are we this close to the revealing of the anti-Christ in his true form?

The Middle-East is breaking the feared new ground. Reported in Voice of America,

“A Reuters photographer touring hospitals in Aleppo said he had seen patients suffering breathing problems, who told him there was chlorine in the air immediately after the attack in Khan al-Assal.

“I saw mostly women and children,” he told the wire agency. “They said that people were suffocating in the streets and the air smelled strongly of chlorine,” he reported after visiting the University of Aleppo hospital and the al-Rajaa hospital, both state-controlled.”

So far there isn’t a claim from which side, state or rebels, who used it. The Bible long ago prophesied the demise and eventual total destruction of Damascus. We are on that brink as President Obama stated last year in August, “That would change my equation. . . . We’re monitoring that situation very carefully. We have put together a range of contingency plans.” What are those contingency plans? Isaiah 17:1-3 says,

““17.See, Damascus will no longer be a city
    but will become a heap of ruins.
² The cities of Aroer will be deserted
    and left to flocks, which will lie down,
    with no one to make them afraid.
³ The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,
    and royal power from Damascus;
the remnant of Aram will be
    like the glory of the Israelites,”
declares the Lord Almighty.

And Jeremiah 49:23-27, “

²³ Concerning Damascus:

“Hamath and Arpad are dismayed,
    for they have heard bad news.
They are disheartened,
    troubled like^[a] the restless sea.
²⁴ Damascus has become feeble,
    she has turned to flee
    and panic has gripped her;
anguish and pain have seized her,
    pain like that of a woman in labor.
²⁵ Why has the city of renown not been abandoned,
    the town in which I delight?
²⁶ Surely, her young men will fall in the streets;
    all her soldiers will be silenced in that day,”
declares the Lord Almighty.
²⁷ “I will set fire to the walls of Damascus;
    it will consume the fortresses of Ben-Hadad.” “

Joel Rosenberg in his book, “Damascus Countdown” , gives a projection of the demise of Damascus and Syria. Well worth the study.

IS this America’s future?

With Damascus and Syria on the ropes we also have Iran a bit more silent with all this other happening. And rightly so. Lest we forget, Iran has most recently been seen in the company of North Korea and nuclear bomb tests and missile tests. As Iran continues this venue along with its ties to Russia the Gog/Magog scenario becomes closer and closer to reality. Beware the silent snake.

And then we have our dear, beloved POTUS. While his cohorts continue their quest to disarm Americans and spend money that doesn’t exist, he is on a trip to Israel where he admits he has no aggressive agenda. He’ll be visiting museums, eating and such. I’m quite surprised he hasn’t scheduled a golf outing. Perhaps this chemical weapon attack will put a little fire under his bottom. Would actually taking resolve and action in Syria be a precursor to Gog/Magog? Would this be an excuse for North Korea to carry out its threat and load nuclear missiles on cargo ships and blast the US (remember, the US isn’t in the Bible)?

These certainly are beginning to look like a lineup for a summer of Biblical proportions, but can easily be dismissed except for a prophetic Word from a trusted servant, Glynda Linkous at Wings of Prophecy. This is that Word,”Get Your Houses in Order”. God is about to move, strongly and decisively as was spoken back in January . Are you ready for a severe movement from God? If God called today are you ready? If you see mushroom clouds in the sky today are you ready? Many think they are, but continue in sin, are you one of them? Turn you hearts to Jesus, repent of your sins and accept His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life. It’s yours for the asking.

Well, there is a new pope. The selection didn’t follow the path of the prognosticators, the ethnically black pope didn’t get installed nor did the American good guy. Instead, they’ve installed newness (or oldness, if you will), changes. The new pope is not Italian, not from Europe, not traditional. He takes on a new name for popes, the name Francis as in Francis of Assisi. He’s a Jesuit or “God’s Marine”.

He appears to already have drawn together the strengths of the Jesuits and, by his name, the Franciscan order, consolidating an enormous power. Of interesting note, one of the principles of the Jesuits is adherence to Rule 13 of Ignatius, “Rules for Thinking with the Church”, which states, “That we may be altogether of the same mind and in conformity [...], if [the Church] shall have defined anything to be black which to our eyes appears to be white, we ought in like manner to pronounce it to be black.”. Tie in the Franciscan poverty vow and we have a leader to push the redistribution of wealth of the NWO. St Francis, allegedly, first showed the Stigmata of the Passion, the wounds of Christ. Is this going to be a repeat?  Will Benedict be calling the shots from the shadows? Can anyone say, “Here comes the false prophet”?

He’s being called, “the Pope of the Americas” in many areas. It’s that “of the Americas” that catches my eye. I’m mindful of the Word given me in January, “Speak this Word to the America’s” where I had misgivings about the word America’s but God prevailed. Now I see. Since that time we’ve seen the stock market take off to new records levels, unemployment drop, Chavez of Venezuela is now dead, and this pope from Argentina. And it’s only been six weeks. What’s further in store?

Coming up is Obama’s trip to Israel. Under threat of a no-show, Israel did get its government put together by the 14th of March so Obama lost his excuse not to show up (going to Israel will cut into his take the guns away tour). With events in Syria directing toward the fall of Damascus and Iran and North Korea working together to escalate their respective nuclear programs the world is getting a tilt. North Korea has opened the door, now, by officially cancelling the nearly 70 year armistice with South Korea. Obama can’t afford the falling apart of the Korea’s so this trip could mean he’ll lean heavily on Israel to accept the peace covenant, and the new government may lean that way. Spring is just days away, coincident with Obama’s trip, what will spring up in Spring this year? More on what’s coming down the pike later.

What is spring bringing you this year? The same old same old? The above only scratches what’s coming for this year and it should already be a cause for concern. Are you ready for what’s coming? Would you like a new start. Jesus is the start of new beginnings, the old will be put away and a new beginning with His strength and power is yours for the asking. You can put off your sins that bring you down and leave you powerless  in a world falling apart, and ask Jesus to forgive you and take up His gift to you. Then you will be ready for what’s coming.

Reblogged from Footsteps In The Deep:

Lately, the topic of "grace" has been on my heart.  It's such a powerful word, and yet most of us don't even have any idea about what it means.  We read it in the Bible all the time ("Grace and peace to you...") and use it even in our everyday lives ("Just give me a little grace this time...").  It's almost like we've gotten so familiar with it that we forgot what it means, like when you repeat a word over and over and over again so that it eventually loses all meaning.

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Awesome Grace, God's Grace. Unmerited favor from God, we don't deserve it, can't earn it, it's not for sale. God freely gives it if we're not too proud to take it up.  No amount of intellectual reasoning can achieve it. God freely gives it, by His Spirit, still alive and working today as it was in the time of the Apostles. Good job, Ben.

Sometimes things are difficult to write, this is one of them. Last week we buried my grandson. I never got the chance to know him. He was here, then he was gone, far too quickly. Before anyone had a chance to coo with him, change a diaper, wonder how long he could keep on crying. He was gone, in quietness. Gone were the great plans. Plans for a great future. Plans for a prolific sports career. Plans for following in his father’s footsteps. Preparations made now become a short memory. Travis Floyd Taylor was laid to rest while those of us left behind stand in wonderment, full of questions and not enough answers.

He was God’s creation.

After 21 weeks in the womb God took him home. I never got the chance to know him. I never had a chance to get attached to him. No bouncing on my knee, no calls for ” Bumpa”.  But God knew him. He knew him from the moment of conception and even before, laid out a plan for his short life. He was perfect and wonderfully made as only God knows perfect. For such a time as this, God created him. He had a purpose and a mission from God and when that mission was complete, God took him home. No more work to do. Time to enjoy the fullness of God’s grace and glory.

Questions always abound when one is taken before they can enjoy a full life. But, what is a full life? Is it full of years, growing old or is it living in the fullness of God’s measure, not man’s. Is a full life simply completing your purpose in God’s plan and then being called home where things are infinitely better. Perhaps Travis fulfilled his purpose while still in the womb. Perhaps his life was short and sweet, in impact, to live on in those directly impacted by him, his story to live on and influence those with whom it is shared.

God’s plans are not man’s plans, God’s thoughts are not mans thoughts. Perhaps the whole purpose of Travis life was to get the parent’s focus wholly on God, test those around on their full commitment to Christ and His work, to be an object and example of God’s grace and mercy for those that don’t know Christ. Being mindful that Job lost all he had, including his children, just to show his dependence and commitment to God.

Mike and Raven were already being tested, with bridges to cross.  The hospital performs abortions and I assume would, no doubt, make suggestions as well as other non-believers to that effect. The answer was an emphatic no, they would trust God no matter what. Well done good and faithful servants.

After a while they had just returned, Mike, Raven and Brenna, from a fun family get-away weekend, one more small family time before the family got a little more crowded, when Raven went to her scheduled OB appointment. Suddenly they are faced with the fact that Travis is no longer with us. And before that can register mom is beset with life threatening complications. As an extended family we hit our knees in prayer and waited. Travis would be still-born on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Questions, worries, more questions.

As only God can do, He spoke a Word, given to a trusted sister, Glynda at WingsofProphecy the next day of which in part, “There are times of stripping away that must take place in the lives of My chosen ones and only I know how to accomplish that which I desire and how to best do it in each of you. ” and “Fear not when people or things are stripped from your lives, but praise Me instead – praise Me that I have a mighty purpose for you and My wisdom is far greater than your own. Praise Me and cling tightly to My hand and I will guide you through this time of great changes in your life.“

God has a purpose and a time and a reason. Travis’ legacy will live on. He was created for such a time as this, that his story should be told. That God, in His infinite mercy and grace should use that tiny little man to craft others for the work of Christ through his short little life. It’s how we embrace the message and carry on the work that matters most. Travis is with Jesus now, God determined long ago that he wasn’t going to have to endure the hardships and travails coming on this land.

Do you have that faith? Are you free to trust, what ever the circumstance? Is Christ even a part of your life? In these times of uncertainty and unrest, God is in control, His is the purpose that needs to be followed. We are all sinners, but some of us have given that up to Jesus and He is faithful to forgive us for the asking. Have you? Take yourself to Jesus, repent, take up His free gift for you and enjoy the same confidence.

(AP wirephoto)

Canceling the armistice,  is this unexpected? I’ve been pondering the intentions of North Korea over the last couple weeks and wanted to write but unexpected events took precedence. Am I surprised by this announcement? No.  North Korea has been looking for an excuse to flex it’s muscles while the world has been smirking at the little schmuck.

The POTUS called for concern over the latest nuclear test but appears to be unable to see the

larger implications of it ( too busy trying to take away domestic guns than to concern himself with a real threat). The leaked information that the Iranian nuclear minister was present for the test didn’t seem to faze the POTUS. To me, it’s a match made in heaven, or hell for that matter. Take North Korea’s more advanced technology and tie it together with Iran’s money and you have accelerated ( pun intended ) programs on both sides. Both with lunatic agendas.

Information was running outside the mainstream, with the exception of Fox, of the Iran-North Korea connection and technology exchange. The World Tribune reports,

“Iran and North Korea have long cooperated on nuclear and ballistic
missile technologies,” Robbins said. “Iran’s ballistic missiles are based on
North Korean designs, and the two countries have long exchanged defense
scientists and engineers.”

And the Jewish Press reports,

“We have been told that there is no evidence that Iran is working on a bomb design, but if the Mullahs can simply buy a usable  and tested bomb design from North Korea, they could transform their status into a nuclear weapons state overnight.
“The North Korean government is even more impoverished now than it was in 1999. It is likely that its bomb designs will be for sale at bargain prices.”

So what do we have ahead of us? Iran has oil, North Korea has working bombs and capable transport. Iran has already worked an alliance with Russia for military upgrades and support. Russia, frankly, like Hitler, needs a staging platform to prove its capability and rise again in power. The POTUS is walking around like the king of the world (albeit, growing powerless). The stage appears to be setting up for a showdown. Joel Rosenberg writes in his book, “Dead Heat“  a scenario with North Korea that doesn’t include Iran ( no, I won’t give the story).

We wrote early last year about the impending Gog/Magog war but the power of Iran was more iffy than likely with a nuclear program in Iran more threat than likely. How things can change in a year, when the world seems to be accelerating toward the end. Could the imminent face-off between Israel and Iran/Russia be close on the horizon? Has Joel Rosenberg, yet again, by the Holy Spirit scribed a prophetic Word for the near future? Is Pyongyang all talk, or is it a smoke screen?

These are the times we live in. Every time it appears that things are settling down, normalizing, seemingly proving the anti-christians right, another piece ends up in the puzzle and the picture gets a little more clear. These are heady times we live in, risky times where no place on the planet can be deemed “safe”. Look around, if it isn’t people that’s the problem then it’s animals, and if not animals then the weather, or geological, or outer space. There is no where safe, nothing to cling to, or is there? The Bible promises that HE, Jesus, is there, an ever present help in our time of need, our confidence and strength. What better source of strength and confidence than He who knows what’s coming down the pike? Do you know Him? Do you know Jesus, God’s sacrifice, gift for the lost? Everyone starts their life lost, immersed in sin and it’s only through Jesus that you can escape the punishment for it. Have you asked Him for that help? Take the time now, repent of your sins and sincerely ask Him in, and He is faithful to enter in and bring to fullness and grace and salvation.

**********UPDATE 2-28-2013: I just received word today that Jack is suffering from inoperable liver cancer. Though we may disagree I still love my brother and I pray that you will, with me, lift him up in prayer for healing or deliverance during this time. May Lord Jesus come first.  **********

The subject of OSAS (once saved always saved) came up again and usually I steer away from these discussions but when renowned “leaders” distort scriptures to hold on to errant doctrine I had to step in. I have high regard for Jack from Omega Letter, less for Jack Kelly whose “impossible to lose salvation” message permeates his eschatology, but I believe this message has a strong impact on why the apostate church is running rampant. I post a copy of the Omega Letter and my responses given that Jack did give the challenge to respond. I’ve removed sensitive email addresses. I’ll probably lose a bunch of you for this view but it needs to be said. After awhile I may move this to a permanent post.

Dan,

 

I know we went through this before but Jack makes the challenge below. This is why I firmly tell folks to stay out of theology school lest they be as Jesus said, Matthew 18:6

 

“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

 

Jack also shows many an example of why I advise stearing clear of KJV for doctrine. It’s mideaval language, not relevant and only useful for getting into the concordance, and then that would be contingent that your not using some of the many KJV errors for a search.

 

With Jack, you have to assume you already believe the error and then fight vigorously to defend it, which blinds you to the obvious even if you’ve stated it.I highlight some of the points below.

 

On 20 Feb 2013 at 14:36, dan wrote:

 

> Never heard this put any better.

> Fantastic article. Jack’s put a lot of time into eternal

> salvation.

>

> ——– Original message ——–

> Subject: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

> From: Omega Letter Daily Intelligence Briefing

> <dailynews@omegaletter.com>

> To:

> CC:

>

> _____

>

> The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest

> Vol: 137 Issue: 20 – Wednesday, February 20, 2013

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/&gt;

> _____

>

> The Performer

>

> “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this

> mystery,

> lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part

> is

> happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

> (Romans 11:25)

>

> The “fulness of the Gentiles” — that’s the key phrase here. The

> word

> translated into English as ‘fulness’ is from the Greek word,

> “pleroma”

> which means, “completion, what fills (as in contents) what is filled

> (as

> container, performance or period) that which is put in to fill up,

> full,

> fulness.”

>

> So, blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the completion of

> the

> Gentiles have come in. Clearly, the reference here is to the

> complete

> number of Gentiles to be saved. And so also follows, just as

> clearly,

> that there IS a completed number of Gentiles to be saved.

>

> Eternal security is a hugely significant doctrinal point that most

> Christians either miss altogether or refuse to acknowledge. Let’s

> look

> at why they refuse to acknowledge it, first.

 

First error.

 

>

> If there is a finite number of Gentiles that signify “pleroma” or

> completion, then it follows that God knows how many, and who they

> are.

> That freaks out Christians that cry “Calvinist” at the mere mention

> of

> predestination.

 

Um, Jack, what does predestinedation have to do with the full number of Gentiles??? You’ve got to stretch to tie it together. Why would God play games? Why not just say, “when Jack Jr prays the prayer of repentence the fullness is complete, then boom, rapture time.”?

 

 

>

> Because John Calvin included ‘predestination’ as one of the Five

> Points

> of Calvinism does NOT mean it is a “Calvinist” doctrine. It is a

> Bible

> doctrine that Calvin happened to get right, kinda.

>

> There are plenty of Arminians (the opposite of Calvinism) that

> deny

> predestination and all other points of Calvinism, and yet believe

> in

> Bible prophecy. But if there is a difference between Bible prophecy

> and

> predestination, it is too fine a distinction for me to be able to

> see.

 

Jack, predestination is a man made attribution, prophecy is a Holy Spirit foretelling of God’s plans for the world and it’s people. So, saying that eternal security or predestination is wrong is part of Arminianism does not make Arminianism right, it’s just one of the things they got right, kinda.

 

>

> In Bible prophecy, God predicts what certain men will do at a

> certain

> time, and because He is omniscient (all-knowing), we can be certain

> that

> the prophesied event will unfold precisely as foretold, or,

> predestined.

 

Um, Jack, the event is predestined not the player. Nebuchadnezer repented so the event played out to his son. Or the corollory, Josiah humbled himself and yet Israel was destroyed.

 

>

> Predestination simply means that God already knows what YOU will do

> at a

> certain time, but predestination is rejected because it somehow

> interferes with free will.

 

No, Jack. Predestination is that an event was set in place, not by choice of man. Foreknowledge is knowing in advance what choice you will take. There is a difference. If I have foreknowledge that taking one more step past a cliff will have a very sudden ending does not predestine me to take that step, or anyone for that matter.

>

> So when it comes to everybody doing what God says they must at a

> certain

> time, that’s prophecy and therefore, doctrinally correct. When it

> comes

> down to God predicting the fate of an individual¸ that’s Calvinism,

> and

> therefore somehow, not Bible doctrine.

>

> Even though both describe precisely the same thing!

 

No they don’t. You confuse predicting with predestining.

 

pre·dict

verb \pri-ˈdikt\

Definition of PREDICT

transitive verb

: to declare or indicate in advance; especially : foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason

 

pre·des·tine

transitive verb \(ˌ)prē-ˈdes-tən\

Definition of PREDESTINE

: to destine, decree, determine, appoint, or settle beforehand; especially : predestinate 1

 

proph·e·cy

noun \ˈprä-fə-sē\

plural proph·e·cies also proph·e·sies

Definition of PROPHECY

1

: an inspired utterance of a prophet

2

: the function or vocation of a prophet; specifically : the inspired declaration of divine will and purpose

3

: a prediction of something to come

 

But God’s prophecy is of that which was predetermined before creation.

 

>

> Arminianism rejects predestination in favor of doctrines that give

> all

> the power to the people, by denying that power to God. Opponents

> of

> predestination say that because God knows what you will do on a

> certain

> day, it affects your free will.

 

Jack, Jack, predestination, yes, foreknowledge, no. And you really need to get off the Arminian kick, it appears to be the only logic that holds water for you. After 40 years, it is only recently that I’ve become acquainted with the term. It’s been my own scriptural study that rejects OSAS.

 

>

> That might be true if you were God and knew what you would do in

> the

> future, but since you aren’t, it has no effect whatsoever on your

> free

> will. The decisions you make are your own — the fact God knew what

> they

> would be is irrelevant to free will.

>

> The word ‘predestinate’ is used four times by the New Testament;

> Romans

> 8:29 <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=45&C=8#29&gt; , 30

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=45&C=8#30&gt; ,

 

This often misused text could very well, in context, be referencing the Apostles themselves or those chosen to be leaders. In particular, v31-39. Paul speaks very clearly that nothing can separate us from the love of God and that’s very true. God has loved His creation from the beginning, before the flood and after the flood and that’s why He provided a way. BUT, God is sovreign and just, and though He loves you, He can and will send some of His creation to the pit. Not unlike the day I had to send my 18 year old son, who I love dearly, out the door. And to this day he rejects me, but I don’t love him any less.

 

 

> Ephesians1:5

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=49&C=5#1&gt; and

> Ephesians

> 1:11 <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=49&C=5#11&gt; .

 

Again, in context, “in order that we, who were first to hope in in Christ..” suggests the Apostles because then he sates, ” and you, also, were included in Christ when you heard the truth” suggests something AFTER hearing, in otherwords not predestined. Note that this text also goes on to talk about the Holy Spirit seal, which many misinterpret to mean our conscience, the knowledge of good and evil, which is actually something we are born with. All men know the difference between good and evil, but it’s not a seal of salvation.

 

>

> It is translated from the Greek word, “proorizo” which means, “to

> limit

> in advance, predetermine, determine before, ordain” or simply,

> “predestinate”.

>

> To summarize before moving on, you were predestinated to be

> conformed to

> the image of His Son before the world began. The Bible says so.

>

> “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be

> conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn

> among

> many brethren.” ( Romans 8:29

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=45&C=8#29&gt; )

>

> The Bible says that you were elected to be saved.

 

No it doesn’t Jack, you do.

 

>

> “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through

> sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the

> blood

> of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” ( 1

> Peter

> 1:2 <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=60&C=1#2&gt; )

>

> Do you see the three separate elements here? We are 1) elected

> according

> to God’s foreknowledge, then we were 2) sanctified (hagiasmos-

> purification by a purifier) because of 3) the obedience of Jesus

> Christ

> Who shed His Blood for you.

>

> What does the word “elect” mean? In Greek, it is eklektos and it

> means,

> “select, by implication, favorite: — chosen, elect.” So it means,

> selected, or chosen.

 

Again, he’s speaking to leaders in the church in his greeting. If you go further into 2 Peter 1:1-11 you’ll find Peter greet, “To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:”.

 

And when you go further Peter gives us the promise of power to avoid evil and tells us to, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” . This is an action text, a to do, or as Paul says elsewhere, ” working our salvation”.

 

But is salvation gained by works? NO!!!! But, there is much to be said about not working our way backward to our loss, “8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”

 

Jack’s discussion falls apart here, “10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” There appears to be a very real back door, a way out.

 

Note the words,”make your calling and election sure”. But remember, nothing can separate us from the love of God.

 

>

> On to the next question: When were we chosen by God to be saved?

>

> “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not

> according to our works, but according to His own purpose and

> grace,

> which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” ( 2

> Timothy

> 1:9 <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=55&C=1#9&gt; )

>

> God saved us, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, but according to His OWN

> PURPOSE, and given to the elect through Christ BEFORE THE WORLD

> BEGAN.

 

Right Jack, this is where the Arminians went south, and so do you.

 

>

> Where are you in this narrative? Are you the hero of this story? Are

> you

> saved because you had an epiphany and turned from your wicked ways

> and

> now live a life of total dedication and purity to Christ? Did YOU do

> it?

>

> Or were you saved because you trusted Christ’s promise you are saved

> by

> grace through faith and by trusting that He can keep you saved by

> sending His Holy Spirit as your hagiasmos purification agent?

>

> Did YOU make the decision for Christ based on your own best judgment

> of

> what is best for you? Or are you saved because the Bible says God

> elected you for salvation before the world began?

 

Careful, Jack, you may, then be predestined by foreknowledge to reject the call and turn from the faith like Charles Templeton or Ray Boltz.

 

 

>

> The doctrine of eternal security hangs entirely on those

> distinctions.

 

Here you are finally correct, the doctrine as opposed to the truth.

 

>

> Assessment:

>

> If you saved yourself by your actions or conduct, then it follows

> that

> you can lose your salvation by your actions or conduct. If you

> were

> saved by grace through faith, then your actions and conduct are

> irrelevant.

>

> The Bible gives seven distinct and unassailable proofs that

> salvation is

> an eternal condition that begins when we are saved, not when we die.

> If

> you are saved now, you are saved forever, because you are not who

> you

> were anymore.

 

The doctrinal proof is that the GIFT is secure, everlasting. Christ died once, for all, that is unassailable. As I’ve shown to this point Jacks misuse of scriptures is quite assailable.

>

> At the point of salvation, seven distinct and immutable changes

> took

> place. At the moment you were saved, you were forever;

>

> 1. Converted — your life is irrevocably turned around. ( Acts

> 3:19

 

To follow Jack on this one, then we become sinless. Keep it context Jack.

 

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=44&C=3#19&gt; )

> 2. Sanctified — purified by the indwelling Holy Spirit ( 1

> Corinthians 1:2

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=46&C=1#2&gt;

> )

 

Hmm, Jack, read on don’t stop here. How about 1 Corinthians 3:16,17, “16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.” First thought that comes to mind is suicide, will OSAS save this person?

 

> 3. Reconciled – we are at peace with the Father ( 2 Corinthians

> 5:19 <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=47&C=5#19&gt; )

> 4. Regenerated — or given new life ( 1 Peter 1:23

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=60&C=1#23&gt; )

> 5. Redeemed — purchased, or bought back for a price ( 1 Peter

> 1:18

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=60&C=1#18&gt; )

> 6. Adopted — made a permanent part of God’s forever family (

> Romans 8:15 <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=45&C=8#15&gt;

 

Jack, Jack, stay in context. Romans 8:9-17, “9 You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

 

12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14 because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

 

If we live according to the sinful nature we die, period.

 

But of this adoption:

 

Romans 8:23-25,”23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

 

According to this, that adoption has NOT occurred, but we wait eagerly for it until we die. But as Revelation indicates, unless we endure to the end, we can lose it.

 

> )

> 7. Justified — declared righteous by God. ( Romans 3:28

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=45&C=3#28&gt; – 2

> Corinthians 5:21

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=47&C=5#21&gt; )

>

> From the very first second one comes to faith in Christ, all this

> becomes equally true for every believing child of God. They are what

> are

> called “positional truths” because they are unrelated to changing

> human

> emotions and feelings.

 

This is another way of saying this is our hard and fast doctrine, handed down through time, well, at least the last few hundred years for those who follow that doctrine.

 

>

> If your salvation was conditional on your performance, consider

> what

> that means. It means that God must reverse all these actions in

> the

> lives of uncounted millions every single day. Then, assuming you

> get

> born again (again) He must change it back (again.)

>

> Some Christians believe that at the moment of salvation, God only

> forgives the sins committed to that point. From that perspective, it

> is

> only logical that a person could lose his salvation.

>

> But look at the logic. It also means that a Christian, once saved,

> can

> never sin again. HuH????? If he does and loses his salvation, he would have

> to be

> born again. (Again).

>

> But that not only violates Scripture, it violates Christ Himself.

>

> “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and

> have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the

> Holy

> Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the

> world

> to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto

> repentance;

> seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him

> to

> an open shame. ( Hebrews 6:4-6

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=58&C=6#4&gt; )

>

> Let’s look at what it doesn’t say here, first. It doesn’t say it

> is

> impossible to fall away. What it says is impossible is to be renewed

> to

> repentance. IMPOSSIBLE!

 

For once you’ve read the scripture correctly, Jack. But then you lose it again in the following because you skip the context. Don’t forget Hebrews 6:7-8 “7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.”

 

Jack you twist the scriptures and put yourself in real danger of the judgements of false teachers. Hebrews specifically warns what happens if you turn and walk away. It says specifically it can happen and that it is impossible to turn back. The second part of the text says what happens to those that accept the gift, yet continue in, or turn back to sinful lives.

 

>

> The reason it is impossible is because it would put the Lord to

> open

> shame. Why?

>

> “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins

> forever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth

> expecting

> till His enemies be made His footstool.” ( Hebrews 10:12-13

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=58&C=10#12&gt; )

>

> He offered ONE sacrifice for sins, FOREVER, and then He sat down.

> Why is

> that significant? Because He was done. It was finished.

>

> It is impossible to justify a person twice. Why? Because it would

> mean

> that His sacrifice wasn’t good enough the first time. The Scriptures

> say

> differently. Note it carefully:

>

> “For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are

> sanctified.” ( Hebrews 10:14

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=58&C=10#14&gt; )

>

> “Aha!” you say. “But what about the Bible’s command requiring us

> to

> confess our sins daily?”

>

> “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

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=62&C=1#9&gt; )

>

> Confession is necessary for us to maintain communion with Christ,

> but

> NOT to maintain union with Christ. Union with Christ is a function

> of

> the indwelling Holy Spirit.

>

> Communion with Christ is what we have when we pray.n

Jack, address this, is one in prayer while lying with someone else’s wife, or watching porn on the Internet, or lying in a court room so that you can get more money?

 

>

> Nowhere does this verse link confession with salvation. It links

> confession with cleansing, not regenerating.

>

> I’ve noticed that those who discredit eternal security as a false

> doctrine often avoid giving specific answers to questions about

> their

> position.

 

Not so Jack, you ignore specifics as has been shown above.

 

>

> For example, if one can sin oneself out of God’s grip, which sin is

> the

> soul-killer? Is it a particular sin? A pattern of sin? How much sin?

> How

> often?

 

Jack, you’re sounding very catholic, with the 7 deadly sins. That would be God’s call, whichever breaks a man’s spirit, even if it’s stealing someone’s pencil.

 

>

> How can an individual know he has lost his salvation? If there is a

> way

> of knowing, is there a way of recovering it? To get saved, one

> must

> believe and have faith. How does one believe again? How does one

> have

> faith — again?

 

There is no way to know, especially to those living in sin because they’ve disconnected from the Holy Spirit.

 

 

>

> Are there any Scriptural examples of saved Christians who lost

> their

> salvation and then recovered it?

 

Good question Jack, but you skip the other obvious question about losing it. Simon Majus comes to mind, that Acts says specifically that he believed and was baptized and wanted to buy the baptism of the Holy Spirit, oops sorry, transgressed some of your other doctrinal error, yet he might his earthly demise came while levitating himself for Nero in the Collesium when he came crashing to the ground. Or Ananias and Sapphira who were struck dead in the middle of a lie.

 

>

> My email box is eager to receive concrete answers to any of these

> questions. But what I anticipate in reply are different questions,

> like,

> “Oh yeah? What about this verse?”, instead of answers to the ones

> I

> posed.

>

> In hand-to-hand combat, there are certain target points each

> combatant

> must protect. The Apostle Paul used hand-to-hand combat as an

> analogy

> for how believers should prepare for spiritual combat:

>

> “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and

> having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with

> the

> preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield

> of

> faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of

> the

> wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the

> Spirit,

> which is the word of God:” ( Ephesians 6:14-17

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=49&C=6#14&gt; )

>

> First, the truth. Note the anatomical analogy Paul uses. In battle,

> that

> is an extremely vulnerable target. Strike a serious blow there, and

> the

> victim is rendered helpless.

>

> Secondly, the ‘breastplate’ of righteousness. The torso is the

> biggest

> and easiest target to strike, but it is also the easiest to armor.

> If

> one is covered by the righteousness of Christ, the heart is

> protected.

>

> Thirdly, the feet. A battle tactic commonly employed in Paul’s day

> was

> to sow the battlefield with nails and other sharp objects. Foot

> soldiers

> with injured feet are not very effective. If one is fully prepared

> (‘shod’) with the Gospel, one can engage the enemy uncrippled.

>

> Fourth, Paul says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith,

> wherewith ye

> shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” ( v16

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=49&C=6#16&gt; ) If one

> is

> certain of his standing before God, the enemy’s whispering

> campaign

> falls on deaf ears.

>

> Finally, Paul says to, “take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword

> of

> the Spirit, which is the Word of God:”

>

> The ‘helmet of salvation’. In battle, the most effective way to

> take an

> enemy out is a head shot. If the enemy can convince you that your

> salvation is in doubt, he has sidelined you as a threat.

>

> Without truth, the righteousness of Christ, knowledge of the

> Gospel,

> faith in its promises, and the certain knowledge of your standing

> before

> Christ, the Christian’s only offensive weapon, “the sword of the

> Spirit,

> which is the Word of God” is pretty much useless.

>

> And without the Sword of the Spirit, the Christian is defeated

> before he

> even steps onto the field. Opponents of the doctrine of eternal

> security

> sometimes deride it as the ‘doctrine of demons’.

>

> Scripture — and logic say exactly the opposite.

>

> Why would ‘demons’ promote a doctrine that renders the Christian

> invulnerable in battle, rather than the one that guarantees the

> Christian’s defeat — since all Christians sin?

>

> Bottom line: If eternal security is a false doctrine, then we are

> defeated, and even Jesus can’t save us from ourselves.

>

> “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a

> good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (

> Philippians 1:6

> <http://www.omegaletter.com/bible/bible.asp?B=50&C=1#6&gt;

> )

>

> If He began it, and He will perform it, then I can be confident.

> Because

> if it is up to me, well . . . let’s just say I know me better than

> to

> count on me to perform it.

>

> I’ve already let me down, lots of times. I’d be a fool to trust me

> with

> anything this important again.

 

 

Jack, this becomes the bottom line, and I’m assuming this is Jack Kinsella, not Jack Kelly. When I approach OSAS and point out specific figures the come back is that, well, the individual wasn’t sincere in the first place. That’s disconcerting, then, given your unassailable evidence, do you then call Paul a liar, in “our confidence, therefore” because individuals such as Charles Templeton, Ray Boltz, Amy Grant you would decry as not having actually made a saving, redemptive, regenerative, doctrinal theology words ad nauseam type prayer. How do you know then? I suppose you’ll say, by their fruits we will know them. Okay, so they bore good fruit for quite some time, yet turned. How do I know, then, that my prayer of repentance and salvation was fruitful? You create more questions than answers. In my 40 years I’ve never attended doctrinal college, seminary, etc to ground any doctrine as a wedge, just comprehensive, Barean study of the scriptures. You, on the other hand, come with doctrine and then twist the scriptures and manipulative words to defend your position. Your last challenge is laughable. No one has died and come back to report on those that have gone on ahead of us, and you should be ashamed to take that stretch.

 

To read you and Jack Kelly, with your positions that it is impossible to lose your salvation, I get this vision of a mountain of souls just growing and growing, “until the fullness of Gentiles is reached” with Jesus standing in the way of any that want to get away. True, salvation doesn’t come by earning it, buying it or arguing it, it is a free gift from God. But you can’t argue against living a life worthy of it because as the scriptures are clear that you can and will fall away if you don’t. If “regeneration”, as you put it, then we would be pure, living an effortless salvation. Even Jesus points out that you clean out the house, but unless you put something else in there (my inclusion) the demon comes back with 7 more and the condition is worse than the first. Your salvation is something that you can ultimately reject.

 

With your hard core pushing of OSAS you are actually contributing to the apostate church. According to you, later on, when the going gets tough, and it’s easier to give in to sin, it’s okay, my salvation is secure, I’ll just receive a smaller reward in heaven and I’m good with that. Again, Charles Templeton, was without a doubt saved, but then allowed doubts to creep in until they took over and he became an advocate for Satan, I won’t know his condition until the end, but the scriptures give us a good indication. Ray Boltz, again, no doubts about his conviction, but OSAS gives him an out, he can live with his boyfriend now and feel confident of his salvation. Even Amy Grant, who married the boyfriend she left her husband for and continues to live in adultery can feel confident that her salvation is intact because of OSAS.

 

Perhaps you need to reflect a little bit more closely to your responsibility and the burden of it along with the penalties of wrong teaching. Are you the one Jesus refers to in “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” If you are misleading and plunging people to the abyss what have you got left?

 

Dan Long

>

> _____

>

> Archives of past issues of The Omega Letter Intelligence Digest

> plus

> many other Omega Letter member features can be found at:

> http://www.omegaletter.com <http://www.omegaletter.com/&gt;

> _____

>

> The Omega Letter is published daily by Jack Kinsella and exists

> through

> subscriptions <http://www.omegaletter.com/subscribe&gt; and free

> will

> contributions. <http://www.omegaletter.com/subscribe/contribute.asp&gt;

> ©

> http://www.omegaletter.com

> _____

>

>

 

I have grave concerns with the continued spread of this “false gospel” . Do I know anyone who lost their salvation? I can’t say. I’m still here, earthbound, I don’t know the very heart of anyone, actually, like God, and He is the ultimate judge. But the scriptures are very clear, not foggy and twisted like they were presented by Jack.

Have you been heading down the wrong road? Is your faith being challenged? Are the pleasures of the world hacking at you, trying to draw you in? Then it’s time to turn back. I don’t know where the line of demarcation is, but why play the risk? God is calling you back, desiring your return into the kingdom. Take the time now, Jesus hasn’t left you, you’re the one who walked away. He knows your name, talk to Him and let Him lead you back in, repent and turn away from those things that lure. No one says it’s easy, but not only is it required, but it is so well worth it.

Meteorite causing over 500 injuries and property damage. (AP)

What a bumpy second month of the year. What got off as a relatively quiet start got pretty rocky in the second month. Earthquakes, political, religious and meteoric events happening all at once, or at least over the next month and a half.

Today we’re supposed to have a close flyby of an asteroid. It’ll be close, but no cigar. No Apocalyptic dash into the ocean as depicted in Revelation 8:10-11, we’re safe. But wait! This morning a meteorite crashed over Russia in an affect like the movie “Deep Impact” roaring across with sonic booms blowing out windows and collapsing buildings. And some fragments fell in the reservoir like the campy Asylum Films movie, ” Apocalypse“  where the water got poisoned. Hmm, better check the water. Could the asteroid take a left turn?

Seriously, When the pope announced he was resigning, not retiring, while still breathing, all the talk of Malachy’s prophecy came up again, and rightfully so. Instead of sticking to tradition of popping off and “letting God choose” his successor, he resigns. But here’s the catch, his chosen one will rule the roost while the Conclave gets together, and Benedict is still around to direct traffic. Is this really the time of Malachy’s prophecy? Could be.

But, also, the POTUS is going to Israel for the first time since he’s been president. Why hasn’t he been there before as president? So he’s going over there this time. Will it be fruitful or will he actually humiliate the PM on his home turf? I looked at the POTUS, possible, itinerary for the trip. He goes there the Wednesday before Palm Sunday. From Politico,

“A White House official tells POLITICO that Obama’s schedule has not been finalized.

But if the Israelis get their way, Obama would land in Jerusalem on March 20. After laying wreaths at Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, Mount Herzl, and Yitzhak Rabin’s tomb, he would meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss issues including Iran, Syria, the peace process and the two would have a joint press conference afterward, Ynetnews and Haaretz reported.

The following day, Obama would meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah and then return to Jerusalem, where he would join Netanyahu to visit a model of Second Temple Period Jerusalem, the Shrine of the Book with the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a museum exhibiting Israel’s latest science developments, the reports said.

Obama would then deliver a public address to Israelis at an undetermined forum. According to Ynetnews, Obama administration official “have requested the presence of at least 1,000 Israelis” at the speech. He would have dinner with President Shimon Peres.

On March 22, Obama and Netanyahu would visit Israeli troops at an Iron Dome battery before departing Israel for Jordan, where he would meet with King Abdullah.”

President Barack Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He will be discussing and pushing with the PM, still, the Covenant to divide Israel and “bring peace” to the region. After which he goes to Jordan. Could he return, unannounced on Palm Sunday, with “an acceptable treaty” in hand? Or worse, demand the itinerary have him arrive on Palm Sunday with the demanded number of Israeli’s cheering his arrival? Hmmm.

Then I see, yesterday, in a post from Joel Rosenberg, that Russia and Iran have been signing political, military and economic agreements forming a strategic alliance.

“Key excerpts:

• “A strategic partnership”: So Iran and Russia describe the series of security, economic and cultural agreements they’ve signed together in the past few weeks.
• Iran’s Foreign Minister Ai-Akbar Salehi arrived in Moscow this week to co-chair the first annual session of the “partnership” with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Days earlier, a group of officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard arrived in the Russian capital for a crash course in crowd control and civil unrest. They’re expected to return to Iran by May and be “operational” in time for the June presidential election. Iranian authorities are nervous about expected unrest during the elections, and so have called on Russia to help prevent an Iranian version of the “Arab Spring.” But Russia made its support conditional on signing a security treaty with Iran; Tehran complied last month.
• The agreement represents a break with an old principle in Iran’s defense and security doctrines. Russia has been a source of fear and fascination for its Iranian neighbors since the 18th century. Several wars of varying magnitude proved Russia to be a threat, as successive czars dreamed of winning control of a port on the Indian Ocean — which meant annexing or dominating Iran.
• In Iranian political folklore, Russia has long been depicted as a bear whose embrace, even if friendly, could smother you….Even after the fall of the shah and of the USSR, the Iranian tradition of keeping the Russian bear at arm’s length continued under the Khomeinist regime. It’s clear that a different fear has moved Tehran to abandon that tradition.
• The new security pact provides for cooperation in intelligence gathering and the fight “against terrorism, people-trafficking, and drug-smuggling.” But it more significant is that it commits Russia to training and equipping Iranian security forces to deal with civil unrest….
• There are other signs of change in Moscow-Tehran relations. Last week, Iran played host to Russian warships visiting Bandar Abbas on the Strait of Hormuz in what looks like the opening gambit for a Russian naval presence in the strategic waterway….
• Days after the Irano-Russian pact was signed, Putin announced that he had terminated security cooperation with the United States on the fight against drug trafficking, people-smuggling and piracy.
• Observers in Tehran say the change in relations is caused by several factors. Both regimes are involved in the Syrian civil war on the side of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Both believe that the “Arab Spring” is the result of “plots” hatched by Washington under the Bush administration. Both fear that the “velvet revolution” recipe for regime change could be used against them. And both Moscow and Tehran regard what they see as an US strategic retreat under President Obama as an opportunity. They think that, with the United States out, no other power has the capacity to check their regional ambitions.

I had talked earlier last year about an alliance to be set up as a precursor to the Gog/MaGog war of Ezekiel 38, 39 and here we see it beginning to unfold before our very eyes. Add fuel to that with the report that a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard was assassinated yesterday with the blame possibly going to Israel.

These are all interesting things and taken by themselves they are all interesting things, not necessarily significant. Taken together, in timing and precedence, the significance level soars. We’ve talked before about the cause and effect for the US in the treatment of Israel and the POTUS has expressed his determination to push this “peace” campaign through. While Americans still stay focused on what’s going on here, much is going on in the world around them. The results of which will come crashing down on them, unannounced. Yes this country is in for some pretty dire consequences. Now is NOT a time to be caught unprepared. The scenes are being set up, the actors put in place, the production appears to be in full swing. Jesus said these times would come. He warned, in person, what would be the precursors, what would follow. In Matthew 24 and Matthew 25 the signs are given, and now is not the time to ignore them. Time is short until His coming. Have you sent in your RSVP? These world-changing, and world ending events preclude your biggest need at the moment. All of us were born into sin and only Jesus can repair that. He died, unmercifully on a cross for each and every one of us, to pay the price required for our sin and offers it as a gift to us. And all we need to do to accept that gift is to recognize our sin, repent of it and follow Him. Take this time now, accept His gift now.

Daniel 9:27

This morning the Solomon Islands were rocked again, this time with a 7.1 magnitude earthquake. What’s an aftershock and an earthquake is getting kind of blurry right now with repeated 6 plus “aftershocks”. Yes, the Pacific Rim is getting very angry or is this a very angry God?

Is the Mid-West next?

It bears repeating. What’s up? The Solomon Islands have been rocking and rolling the last couple days with immense energy after what I’d previously described as a quiet January. Now all bets are off as far as the USGS “normal” activity goes. We’re back at an expectation of what does God have in store for this planet as the end of ages approaches.

Click image for more detail Note the Masonic symbols

I’ve been reading an interesting book, “As America Has Done to Israel“, by John P. McTernan.

In this book he uncovers and outlines the outstanding “coincidences” of catastrophes in America and American policies and actions in regard to Israel. He lays the history of blessings on the US as Americans took in exiled Jews and the help and intervention of fulfilling prophecy in giving the Jews back their homeland. But, coincident with George Bush Sr’s introduction of a New World Order, the early 90′s brought a change in policy. Fast forward to the present we see ALL the presidents afterward, while mouthing support and protection for Israel, actually moving at dividing the land given by covenant to Israel by God. In fact, starting with G W Bush, the self-proclaimed first president to endorse and push for splitting Israel while giving Palestinian’s a contiguous border, the two state solution for Israel continues.

This two state solution has been referred to and called the Covenant, a reference that sends shivers up my spine.

Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)

²⁷ He will make a strong covenant with leaders for one week [of years]. For half of the week he will put a stop to the sacrifice and the grain offering. On the wing of detestable things the desolator will come and continue until the already decreed destruction is poured out on the desolator.”

We now have a president that has no love for Israel, but he does have a love for the Muslim Brotherhood. And he will push this Covenant, to create for his brothers a contiguous nation and divide Israel, more specifically, Jerusalem, all for the sake of “peace” . Though we know prophetically there is no peace on the horizon and the goal is not peace for Israel, but it’s annihilation.

This brings us back to earthquakes. On July 27, 2012 the Lord gave me a Word, “Why Do You Sleep? I am Cleaving This Nation.“  God described what He is going to do. He is going to divide the people and worse he is going to divide the land of this country. Always the questions come up, then, when? Well, God didn’t say anything and He won’t, not a specific date so don’t ask. But this is what was laid on my heart this morning and I step out in faith to share it, this will occur when the president lays down an offer that can’t be refused, whatever that is. This covenant will split Israel and divide Jerusalem and God’s wrath will be unleashed.

It’s time to seek God’s presence, not the word of soothsayers. He will lead you and guide you. He will protect you according to His will. He will provide for you, whether it be stocking now or miraculous provision. He has said there will be a time of respite, is that time now, for you to prepare? Only God knows what His plans are for you and it is imperative that you connect with Him. If you are prepared, good for you, help and tell others. If you’re a Christian and you’ve been walking around toying in sin, repent of it, get right with Him before you’re left out. If you’ve never met Christ, the time is now. Repent of your sins against God, seek Him and He will give you grace, the gift of life eternal after all this has run its course. Take the time to call on Him now.

Global plate tectonic movement

Ok, so yesterday I read, “Recent Quake Activity not Unusual, Expert says” which is, I guess, not shocking. Then, last night, I read that the Solomon Islands got rattled by an 8.o earthquake with at least three 6++ aftershocks. 6.8 is an aftershock??? After the first three 6+ earthquakes in the area do you think USGS could have quit hedging their bets and suggested that maybe, just maybe they could expect something bigger there, soon??? I wrote about, seemingly, the proclivity to issue appeasement articles from USGS, earlier last year to try to cover up the uptick in activity. It was apparent to those of us watching that we could expect something soon. Stan Deyo hit it dead on his forecasting maps from the 27th of January.

As I wrote, January was quiet, then all of a sudden bam, four, then up to ten, a 7.9 in Japan and now an 8.0. There would be even more except that the three 6 pluses were technically aftershocks. Fortunately, they occurred out in the remote areas where “primitive” people live. What would USGS be doing if it happened here? Continue the low-key, “this is normal” routine? Sorry, but it’s coming. And the Mid-West is not going to be immune. The current increasing activity was prophesied long ago, even by Jesus, and we’re the ones “fortunate enough” to be around when it happens.

So where will this happen? David Wilkerson was given a vision of an earthquake where we least expect it.

Here’s a thought, there is a large “sleeping” fault line that runs the upper Mississippi Valley that’s never talked about. The graph shows hows “safe” we are up here. But who’s “safe” when God’s sovereign hand directs events to rock the world? It seems the USGS continues to maintain maintaining the status quo and keep the crowds quiet. Cover up anything that might include divine intervention.

Here in Wisconsin we’re feeling so warm and fuzzy with all these coverups. Geological coverups, weather coverups, guns, gases, cracking, fracking, health, money. Sorry, I’m starting to suffocate from all the covers, and it’s getting incredibly warm in here. But then, I guess the only ones of us feeling smothered are those with eyes wide open, seeing the world for what it is. Did it ever make you wonder how they could have the flu shot ready in the fall for the virus that hasn’t happened yet? Welcome to the NWO, the self perpetuation nanny state.

Nothing new here, folks. The creation of a world order was prophesied over 2000 years ago, that the people would worship this government and it’s leaders. And that those of us here that refused would be killed and made an example of. Don’t want to join the NWO? Then visit Dare to Prepare for starters. But most importantly be prepared for the one who will ultimately end it all, with the return of Jesus. The NWO will hate you and try, and succeed, to kill you if you follow Jesus. That sounds like a bad rap but here’s the deal, that’s only for a short while. Jesus said long ago, a stern warning not to fear those that kill the body, but can not kill the soul, but rather, fear the one that can kill both. Jesus already died for you and me, He paid that price and offers eternal salvation as a gift. The NWO wants to keep that gift from you, convince you it’s fake. But I guarantee you, it’s very real, and it’s there for you to accept. Take this time, before it’s too late to accept that life giving gift that Jesus offers, take it now before it’s too late.