Officially Moved!

Greetings!   The website url move is now officially complete!  Although still under “ascetic” construction, the new website is now up and ready to be viewed.  There are still things that will change in the next for weeks or so (ironing out the kinks -so to speak) but this is most likely the last post that will ever appear on this site.  Please bookmark and visit my new site at www.thebibleistrue.org.

Many thanks to all that have read and contributed to this blog.

Sincerely,

John Mark

Quick notes on the Psalms and Torah

Recently, I have been studying the first and second Psalms.  In what again seems to be like a “forever” process, (I have much material in which to browse through) I have found one book that I recommend (and have now in my possession) for those who have interests leaning towards mildly deeper theological discussions (or interpretations) of the Biblical text.  It is called “A theological introduction to the Book of Psalms” by J. Clinton McCann Jr. (Abington Press). In a very down to earth and easy to read approach, McCann comments at length on various specific elements regarding the textual nature of the Psalms in easy to follow, exegetical fashion.  Although some seem to have taken issue with his sometimes unexpected deviations from the actual text (basically to begin to preach) this I believe in no way takes away from his impressive studies.  (McCann, who is a professor at Eden Theological Seminary is also an ordained pastor, I think.)

Anyway, here is some of the notes that I have taken from his chapter that deals specifically with the Psalms and Torah.

Enjoy.

• The psalms are to be heard as God’s instructions to the faithful.
• A proper translation of the Hebrew word “Torah” should lean more towards English words such as instruction, teaching or guide rather than the word “law” which evidently came about as the result of translators either heavily influenced or else solely relying upon the Greek copy of the Old Testament (LXX) rather than working directly from the Hebrew Manuscripts.
• Psalms 1-2 is an introduction to the psalms as a whole, admonishing us “to be open to God’s instruction and the reality of [his] reign on the earth.”
• “To be ‘perfect’, ‘blameless’ or ‘whole’ is not to be sinful, but rather to be open to the torah (the instruction or teaching) of the Lord on which human life constantly depends.”
• Concerning Psalms 119 (also a Torah Psalm):  “For the Psalmist, the importance of the torah is overwhelming.  Apart from God’s instruction, there is nothing worthy to be called life!”  (Obviously other choices of words would perhaps make McCann’s point a little more clear, i.e. “Apart from God’s instruction, there is nothing worth writing about!”)
• Happiness… ” has everything to do with orientating one’s life to being instructed by God.”
• Some scholars believe that Psalms 1-119 may have been,in fact the original Psalter. “If so, this would mean that at one stage of it’s existence the Psalter itself was encompassed by what Psalms 1 and 119 affirm is all encompassing – the instruction [or Torah] of the Lord!”  Thus… “torah applies to everything!”
• The fulfillment of the Torah is not so much a specific reward on earth but rather a result of being connected with the source of life!
• The wicked are those who consider themselves autonomous, which being interpreted means “a law unto one’s self”.  Thus the wicked are “self instructed, self directed, and self ruled.”
• “The fulfillment of the wicked is not so much a punishment as [it is] the result of cutting [off] of oneself from the source of life.”
• “In short, wickedness contains the seeds of it’s own self destruction.”
• “Wickedness is essentially the conviction that we are doing all right by ourselves.”

Although there is much, more I thought I would just whet your appetite – there was much to choose from.

Shalom and God bless.

John

Bio-Chips and the Mark of the Beast!

Yesterday I received an update from Choo Thomas’ website.  This is information that we all should know and be at least somewhat familiar with.  It is time that we get serious with God and to ask Him what is his perfect will for each of our lives.  Are we truly living up to the high calling that he has for each one of us?   I have decided to post the update below for those who wish to read it.

Love in Christ,

John

“MARK OF THE BEAST (666) RFID

“He required everyone – great and small, rich and poor, slave and free – to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name. Wisdom is needed to understanding this. Let the one who has understanding solve the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666″ (Rev. 13:16-18 New Living Translation).

666 IS A SYSTEM OF THE ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT

At the present time, computer-assisted biometric identification systems are being developed rapidly and have been readily accepted into our society. Miniature computer chips, using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, have already been embedded within electronic appliances, retail goods, livestock, and human beings. This is not tomorrow’s science fiction – it is happening today. In many parts of the world, Applied Digital Corporation’s human implanted RFID microchip (VeriChip) is used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness, Diabetes, heart problems and it also helps to prevent kidnappings. In the near future, this type of biochip will be widely accepted and implanted for personal identification, protection, monitoring, tracking, commerce, and other uses not yet imagined. Unfortunately, such biochips store personal identification and the information generated from its use will be stored and maintained in a computer database. Your body becomes a tagged asset that is monitored and whose behavior will be tracked. Implanting the microchip in the body alters a person’s physically, mentally and ultimately – spiritually. The problem that arises from the use of biochip in humans is more than an aesthetic, medical, political, or legal issue. Satan works in the world and he shapes people and society to achieve his goals. Knowingly or not, anti-christ will force people to follow and obey an agenda that appears to be in the best interest of its people but, in following the pattern of human history and man’s rebellion to God, will bring about pain and suffering until Christ comes again. “…he [satan's agent] deceived all the people who belong to this world. He ordered the people of the world to make a great statue of the first beast, who was fatally wounded and then came back to life. He was permitted to give life to this stature so that it could speak. Then the statue commanded that anyone refusing to worship it must die.” (Rev 13vs14-15 New Living Translation). A time is coming when society and lives will be ruled by a self-imposed system where mankind is monitored, analyzed, measured, and evaluated by computers. In those times, anyone who refuses to accept this system will be tortured then killed.

FORMATION OF A UBIQUITOUS SOCIETY

We are moving towards a ubiquitous society where people from all walks of life can access anything, anywhere, and at anytime regardless of time and location. The implementations of RFID technology in retail stores is one example. It’s estimated that the majority of retail merchandise will use RFID technology very soon and will replace bar codes, which have been used for the past 30 years. What drives such development is the belief that we will live safer, easier, richer and more enjoyable lives by using technology to manage everyday aspects of daily life. In a society that craves automated financial management, instant communication and security, it’s not a far stretch for RFID enabled biochips to be implanted into the body, and eventually replacing currency that is easily stolen, lost, or hidden. In the near future:

1) All people will be required to have a biochip. All economic operations will use this chip thereby replacing today’s unit of monetary exchange.

2) There will be privacy invasion and freedom will cease to exist.

3) A charismatic leader, who is the Anti-Christ, will rule the whole world through a system that is interconnected and interdependent.

MARK OF THE BEAST IN THE HUMAN BODY, WE MUST NOT RECEIVE IT. (REV 14:9, 14:11, 16:2)

1) Accepting this mark is the irreversible act of selling your soul to Satan. This sin is unforgivable and cannot be reversed by physically removing the mark (Rev. 14:9-11). Your soul belongs to God. Therefore if you receive this mark, you then will belong to Satan.

2) If you receive this mark, you willfully placing your faith in man and not in God. You are actively choosing to live without a loving God who desires to spend eternity with you in Heaven. God does not want you choosing Hell’s path. God knew these things beforehand, and because He loves us and wants us to acknowledge this, it was revealed to us through the writing of the apostle John in Revelation around 100 AD. If you are not taken up to heaven and are thereby left behind for the tribulation, you must not receive the mark of the beast even though you will be tortured then killed for not accepting the government’s sanctioned acts of satan. You must remember this at all times because the hope of heaven still remains until the end comes.

ALL BELOVED SAINTS IN JESUS CHRIST

The rapture is reserved for those saints who will be lifted into the sky upon God’s trumpet call, saints that are to be raptured will be lifted into the sky to meet Jesus in the clouds (1 The 4:16-17).  The rapture is reserved for those believers who wear spiritual white robes.  Their physical body will be transformed into a glorious body and will be God’s delight, (Rev. 19:7-8).

If you remain in lukewarm faith, Jesus will spew you out so you must not be like this type of believer (Rev. 3:16).   Jesus’ first coming was to bring salvation, but He is coming again to meet those who are Ready and Waiting in the clouds at the sound of the trumpets and this is call Rapture.  Lord Jesus, will take His children with Him to Heaven.  After the tribulation on earth then He will return again on earth with those who were ratpured with Him into Heaven to the New Jerusalem this will be called His Second Coming.  For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? (1 Thess. 2:19)

At Jesus’ return, only raptured saints will be presented at the seat of glory (1 Cor. 15:49-55).  Even if we do not know the day and time of His coming, the sons of light are not in darkness therefore that day will not come upon you like a thief (1 Thess. 5:4-5).  Do not be lukewarm believers nor do not sleep but be awake and pray, (1 Thess. 5:1-4).  Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard: obey it, and repent.  But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you, (Rev. 3:3). Those with lukewarm faith, those who are tied to the world, and those who do not know Jesus will be left behind for the Great Tribulation.  The Great Tribulation will be the most devastating time in all of human history.  Those who are left behind in the Great Tribulation must not receive the biochip (which bears satan’s name) into their body (forehead or right hand; Rev 13vs16, 20vs4) even to the point of death. Christians who commit suicide will spend eternal life in hell. By refusing this chip, you will be tortured then killed. For the unblelievers (nonChristians) you don’t only have to refuse the chip but also you will have to confess Jesus as your Lord and savior with your lips, ask of forgiveness of your sins and believe in your heart that is the Son of the God and He died for us, Amen.”

Choo then goes on to explain the plan of salvation for those who have never heard it before in very simple terms.  If you would like information about this or other subject matter of this sort, just send me an email and I will be happy to supply you with internet resources, salvation videos, etc.  May the Lord bless you all.

John

Update for post “Walking by faith; not by sight”

Greetings.  I recently had to update the post entitled: “Walking by faith and not by sight” due to my poor editing and conceptualization of the article as a whole.  Please take the time to reread the post as some new content has been added while other parts have been removed for clarity’s sake.  Occasionally I will happen to reread some of my work and am horrified at what I have actually posted!  If anyone happens to catch an error or if something doesn’t make any sense, please have the courage compassion to write and tell me!  I often post late at night (when all is quite) which has already lead to several errors of monstrous proportions!  Included is a video link that really “blew my socks off,” so to speak.  It has two parts.  You can find the first link here.

John

A Sad Story with a Happy Ending!

I just happened to stumble upon this video over the weekend.  It is the story of a young woman who because of low self worth eventually became a prostitute before submitting her life to Jesus.  A wonderful testimony if you ask me!
John

To see similar testimonies click here!

A Time to Fast… Day One

Here is the video from the first day of the fast from Times Square Church, in New York City…  Enjoy!

Click Here.

Walking By Faith And Not By Sight

It is the nature of new Christian’s still untrained in the art of effective witnessing to attempt to win the souls of their fellow man based solely on human appearance and circumstances, rather than by allowing themselves to be led and directed by the Spirit of God. This is in no way to detract or discourage new believers from witnessing, but rather to hopefully inspire and encourage all of us to prayerfully consider what we are doing so as to have the best effect for the Lord and his Kingdom; bearing much fruit. To be frank, because of a lack of gut wrenching, heavenly influenced prayer, we often neglect many of God’s finest specimens (his special or elect instruments), all because of the very natural human tendency to instinctively judge our fellow man after the flesh.  We may see very little hope or value in a person because of sins they we know they have been guilty of committing in the past (take the woman caught in the very act of adultery in John 8:3) or because of their social or economic status (thus following in the footsteps of our friends, the self righteous Pharisees who secretly despised those whose wit, reason or finances did not closely mirror or reflect their own). On the other hand, we may see a creature full of pride, natural gifts, worldly talents, achievements, fame or notoriety that in someway excites our flesh (the part of our nature that still exists even after we have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ,) thus making us ever so eager to babble about the gospel to them in spite of having to in some cases even deny what we know about God to be true, thus ignoring our own battered conscience. For instance, we all know the Bible says God resists the proud. Yet often Christians ‘feel compelled’ to share the gospel with those who inwardly have no hunger or need of God, thus they come to despise the message bearer for the intrusion. This cannot be good or what God had in mind.

Often the problem is a mixture of the heart that is responsible for producing this second mistake. We see something in a person that down deep inside we secretly admire, often to the point of even elevating that person above our own feelings of value and self worth in light of what the Bible says about us.  Therefore we sense a need or inward desire (even compulsion, perhaps) to somehow win them to the gospel, when in in all actuality this whole “spiritual” endeavor is more about us that it is about them.  Often it is us, that if we are honest inwardly desire something from them (whether love, friendship, acceptance, etc) rather they desiring the salvation that God offers: often he is far from their mind and from their heart.  In other words, it is often us that desires their presence rather than they who we claim are desiring the presence of Christ.

The disciples, on the day of Pentecost did not come out of that upper room with a need to mingle with sinners or learn their ways. Rather they were driven by the fire of the Holy Ghost and the high praises of Adonai that resulted in the true conversion of many that day which were seemingly lost and dead in their trespasses and sins. You see, the Holy Ghost had already met every inward need of theirs back in that upper room, thus enabling to see with heavenly eyes, while relieving them of any if their natural feelings of fear, inferiority and low self image.

In conclusion to this brief entry, I have made a list that I will post on a blog [below] that I feel was inspired by time with the Lord and past experiences. You may do with the list as you like.

Best wishes,
John

A Guide to Effective Witnessing:

Here is a quick list that I hope will at least be considered by those who wish God to use them in the winning of souls.

1. The posture of the man may or may not represent the condition of his or her heart.

2. A joyous look may not always be so.

3. Many people have, in their hearts already fully rejected the love and forgiveness that God offers and therefore will be left behind to taste the bitter fruit of having their own way. (Proverbs 1)

4. Not many who are noble (what we would choose if we were in charge) are called but more often it is those whom the world sees as unimportant (the poor in spirit) that the Lord is most concerned with. These are they whom the world has in essence ‘trampled over’ thus creating within their wounded sprits a greater sense of the needing something more than what this world currently has to offer. At the top of this list would be those thousands who are the victims resulting in the crimes and sins of other people: including, but not limited to those that are caught up in the hopelessness and human despair that results from the bondage of human trafficking and forced prostitution. Also on this list would have to be unwed mothers who, because of low self esteem have willingly given themselves over to the passions and sins of another and who are in great need, children without parents who can love and protect them, the elderly, the disabled along with those who are without the resources to live a productive and meaningful life apart from human and divine intervention.
this is the most important group that we must diligently go after as they are comprised and make up every facet and phase of society.

5. Many bums choose to be bums by their own choosing and will use you if they can. Often they are better left with a kind word while you continue ministering to others. God knows they who are seeking after him and those who are not. Be wary of those who may have ulterior motives, who may lure you to a back corner somewhere under the pretense of claiming to want to get saved. If they are truly repentant they will pray out in the open, in a public place as well as desiring to be under submission to a local church body. To paraphrase from memory Martin Luther, “their is no more dangerous man than a rebel.” Often it may be more prudent to ‘provoke to jealousy’ like the apostle Paul those who are in this way of life; thus perhaps inspiring them to leave their condition (often self imposed) and find a good church home and stability away from the streets… Remarkably, many of the men and women that fit in this category have by theor own choosing have already made their choice in this world.  Apart from a miracle they are destined to go to hell. Though scripture says that we are to be kind to all men, we do not always have to preach to them.  In other words, let our actions do most of the speaking!

6. Brokenness (i.e. the feeling of lacking the ability to achieve anything for Christ without the divine help and governing of the Holy Spirit – see “The First Beatitude) is not an option but rather must permeate all our evangelistic endeavors so much so that unbelievers will be forced to take notice of the pure fragrances of gentleness and meekness in world that has gone clearly mad. This is to be the example and standard for all of us who are called by the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

7. An attitude of prayer is also to be maintained throughout every evangelistic endeavor, as this is the most serious ingredient to effective souls winning. It can be said of prayer “that prayer is the fuel for the motors that must govern our lives.”

Many thanks again for all those who read this blog.

May the Lord be with you,
John

Acorn workers having a blast…

I was asked by someone I know to post these videos on my blog even thought this was not intended to be a political website…  Oh well, here is the First of 2 of the acorn undercover videos.  Viewer discretion advised!

Video#2

More videos…

Hallowed Be Thy Name (Part One)

Matthew 6:9-13 ^{9 1} After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. ¹⁰ Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ¹¹ Give us this day our ¹ daily bread. ¹² And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. ¹³ And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from ¹ evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Jesus’ first task in teaching his disciples how to pray was to create in them an ardent zeal, desire and passion to protect and lift up the sacred name of Yahweh; thus distinguishing His will from their own. You will notice that he started this lesson with a declaration of praise: “Hallowed (or holy) is your name,” not petitions or requests!  When we come into God’s presence, we are to do so with this thought first and foremost in our mind: Hallowed (holy, awesome, sacred, terrifying) is thy most wonderful and glorious name: the name which is above all other names.  The word hallowed is translated from the Greek word a`gia,zw which is generally accepted as meaning “to set apart or to sanctify; to purposefully and intentionally distinguish between what is holy and what is common: between the sacred from the profane.   This word can be easily found in the LXX as far back as in Genesis 2:3, where we find this word used to describe how God intentionally ‘set apart’ the seventh day by declaring it be a day of rest and dedicated to be used as something special apart from the regular activities of the other six creation days.

When we come into God’s presence, we must have enough sense to rightly discern just how opposite our fallen adamic nature is from His; thus praying with true piety and reverential fear.  When one stops to examine the significance of the cross (in regards to our prayers in light of accepted New Testament theology) the mind should at once begin to rejoice at the incredible resources that we as believers have been given access to all because of the obedience of one man: the Lord Jesus Christ.  Can you name any other great leader in all of history that granted to their subjects unlimited access to theur throne anytime of the day or night.  Yet for those of us who are true believers in Jesus Christ, that fulfill in our spirit the essential and basic requirements for Christian living and who strive to maintain the accepted practices of the Christian life: we have been given open and unrestricted access to the very presence, source and author of all of creation by means of his Holy Spirit, which he gives with abundance to those that ask. Even the seemingly least and most insignificant in God’s kingdom (a kingdom that cannot be received or lived out by any earthly methods or means) have been granted equal access, strength, and ability to draw nigh to God; thus to approach the very throne room of his grace where Christ sits as the divine intercessor and mediator for all that put their trust in Him.  He does this by declaring us “not guilty” to the Father in the presence of the holy angels as well as to silence Satan, the accuser of the brethren, who just like a child seemingly has to be told over and over again that God chooses not to hold anything against those whom he has called to love him and receive his salvation in their inner man. This is true for all God’s children who sincerely love him no matter what their present circumstance our situation may be.

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A`gia,zw is translated in the Greek LXX from the Hebrew Old Testament word q’dosh142 times (plus once in the book of Judith), much more than from any other Hebrew word. Therefore it may be safely assumed these words have very much in common and may even be held in the readers mind as almost identical (in regards to their respective languages) although q’dosh may in certain cases have a somewhat larger meaning that that is generally recognized as being attributed to a`gia,zw, as there are generally many more Greek words that are available to describe Hebrew words than vice versa; as the Greek language is by comparison a much larger entity of words.

[2] John 16:23-24 “And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full”.