Christians Must Fight Terrorism of All Types Through Faith and Diligence

In one week, we saw two different types of terrorism. A mad man attacked Planned Parenthood and a radicalized couple attacked coworkers in San Bernardino. These have dominated the news and highlight a desperate need among Christians. Yes, it’s time to fight, but we must let the Bible guide us through this fight.

While it is still unclear whether or not Robert Lewis Dear professed to be a Christian, his actions were definitely not indicative. That won’t be the narrative from the political left who will associate his actions with hatred being espoused by anti-abortion groups, but that’s to be expected. We cannot waiver on this. Regardless of how radical your pro-life views may be, we must condemn Dear’s actions and not try to look for a “silver lining” behind him. An eye for an eye does not apply in a Christian belief system that follows the example of Yeshua and the tenets of the Bible.

The other terrorists, Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, represent a different challenge for Christians. This time, the challenge is with the righteous indignation that we feel regarding the spread of support for the Islamic State. This can easily be manifested into hatred for all Muslims. We cannot allow this to be the case.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;Matthew 5:43-44 (KJV)

The Islamic State and other radical Islamic organizations are at war with Christians and Jews. The gut reaction from Christians will be to fight back, but unless we’re in the Middle East where the enemy has been manifested as an army that we can attack, we cannot allow our anger to turn into violence. This can be frustrating to anyone who wants to see justice, who feels the need to strike back at a people that wants to see us persecuted or killed, but we must rein in our anger and focus it in other directions.

Those directions are faith and diligence.

Fighting with Faith

There is nothing more important than to follow the teachings of the Bible, the example of Yeshua, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As individuals, it is our primary duty to continually grow our faith. Over time, this personal faith translates into actions that can allow us to be used as beacons for others.

This is when it becomes to important to steel our thoughts within the context of faith to allow us to face any situation. For some, it will be as an example to our friends and family. For others, we will be called to spread this faith and act as the only example of a Bible that many will ever witness. Then, there are those who will be tried in horrific ways. They will asked to either denounce their faith and live or maintain their faith and die. It’s becoming clear that no place on earth, including America, is safe from the evils that are designed to test the faith of Christians through extreme tribulation.

Now is not the time to hate, if ever there was a time. We must be the examples. That doesn’t mean that we have to be passive while others harm us, but it is not our place to lash out and try to exact a form of justice by condemning all Muslims, atheists, or other religions. We are at war, but we cannot answer the hate that is being sent towards us with equal measures of hate. Instead, we have to act in the love that is only possible through true faith.

This is challenging for many of us. Sometimes, the most passionate Christians have a hard time sitting back and not expressing the anger that fills us when events like San Bernardino or Planned Parenthood happen. Many of us in America have a natural desire to strike back, to lash out, and to express our anger in the form of physical or mental retribution.

That cannot happen. It must not.

Fighting with Diligence

Just because it isn’t our calling to exact vengeance upon representatives of those who would harm us, that doesn’t mean that we are to sit back and let the persecution escalate. Through diligence, we can fight back by doing everything we can to stop the next attack from happening.

American society has been hammered by a wave of political correctness that prevents many people from acting. As I wrote on another site, it’s possible the political correctness played a role in allowing the San Bernardino attack to happen.

It is our duty to support the government and law enforcement. Whether we agree politically with the US government or not, we must support them with our actions. That means that must “render to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” That means we must obey the law of the land as long as it does not go against the law of God. That means that we must keep our eyes open and defend ourselves by calling evil out for what it truly is even if that’s not the politically correct thing to do.

Christian diligence is sadly waning in American society. We have embraced a collective unity rather than continuing our fight for the faith. The return of diligence must happen or we are lost as a country. We must pray. We must learn. We must keep our eyes and ears open for the dangers that the adversary will put in front us.

Regardless of whether it’s a supposed Christian planning to do harm or a radicalized Muslim preparing to attack, it’s our duty to express our faith when appropriate and to call for help when danger is perceived. It’s escalating. The last thing we need to embrace is fear.

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The Significance of Luke 4:25-30

What was the significance of Luke 4:25-30?

Prior to these verses we read about Jesus taking the book of Isaiah and reading a portion of chapter 61 in a Synagogue in His home town.  After He finishes reading, He gives the book back to the attendant and tells them that very day that passage was being fulfilled in their ears. What a remarkable statement.

After this the people thought how great was this teaching asking, wasn’t this the son of Joseph? They were mocking Him not believing someone like this could be teaching such great things with such authority and ignored the message completely. Because of this Jesus proceeds to remind them of a time that foreshadowed what was to come.

Following the passage of Isaiah, Jesus goes on to tell them prophecy relating specifically to them. He says that they would tell Him the proverb, “Physician, heal yourself!” And that which they heard Him do in Capernaum do in His home town.

We know that He did not perform miracles at home because they did not believe Him to be the Messiah. He later tells His disciples in Matthew 13 that “a prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and household.” Jesus knew what they were thinking when He was teaching them in the Synagogue. But, it’s what He says after predicting what they would do that causes a dramatic turn of events.

Jesus goes on to say in verses 25-29:

“I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.

All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him off the cliff.”

What just happened?

It would seem that we need a little history to know what it was that offended them to the point of wanting to throw Jesus off a cliff, quite a dramatic change of thought in such a short amount of time.

To fully understand the significance of these passages, let’s take a closer look at the widow in the land of Sidon (in current day Lebanon), and Naaman in Syria.

The obvious is that both these places were not in Israel and were in fact considered Israel’s enemy. Additionally, Elijah and Elisha performed miracles for a goy (Gentile). Bringing to remembrance these facts could explain the outrage, but the history will give us a much better understanding.

Sidon, the mother city of Tyre was a place where trade was abundant and many dwelled, despite its battles. It has been an occupied city throughout its history, first the Assyrians – then the Babylonians, Greeks , Romans, and so on.

During the time of Elijah Ahab was king over Israel. Ahab married Jezebel through an alliance being she was a princess from Sidon – daughter of the King of Tyre. She successfully encouraged Ahab to abandon his worship of Yahweh all together and even persecuted the prophets of Israel. If it weren’t for Obadiah most of the prophets would have been killed.

The worship of Baal and Astarte/Asherah (male and female deities) became popular throughout Sidon during Omri’s reign (Ahab’s father). But, it was during Ahab’s reign it became prevalent. Archaeological evidence found at Ahab’s ivory palace shows that he filled his house with these false gods, inside and out.

Many times king Ahab and Elijah clashed over the false gods that Ahab worshiped. You may remember the incident where Elijah challenges the false gods of King Ahab’s table to consume an offering. He asked that 850 of the false prophets come and see what their gods could do. They of course failed.  Elijah then proceeded to douse the offering with water to show the observers who the true God is. The offering was overwhelmingly burnt up, including the ground that surrounded it.

The king of Israel saw Elijah as a trouble maker and rejected his authority as a prophet, as did many of the people. It was Elijah who warned the king of the drought. After three and a half years Elijah asked for rain and only then did the drought cease.

It was during this time of drought that the prophet performed the miracle of replenishing the oil and flour for the trusting widow who fed him instead of her son. But, when her son dies she blames the prophet. Elijah then asked God to restore the life of the child if it be His will. Once the child was resurrected the widow proclaimed Elijah to truly be a man of the one God and that the word of the Lord from his mouth was truth.

We see through this story that a Gentile woman realized what the king and people of Israel did not. And because of her obedience and faith in the prophet of Israel she saw an incredible miracle that no one in Israel had received up to that point, resurrection of the dead.

Subsequently Ahab was killed in battle by an arrow as prophesied by Elijah. Scripture tells us that dogs (the Septuagint translates it pigs) came and licked his blood. Later Jezebel was eaten by dogs after being thrown out a window.

Syria was also considered an enemy of Israel during the time of Elisha. In it was the city of Damascus in the region of Aram. Syria had conquered Israel with the help of Naaman. Naaman, an Aramean, was a chief commander in the Syrian King’s army and thought of as a great and honorable man. However, he was a leper.

Naaman was told that a prophet from Israel could heal him, therefore he wrote a letter to the king of Israel asking him to cleanse him of his leprosy. Once the king read the letter he tore his clothes asking, “Am I God, to kill and make alive again?” The king thought the letter was written to provoke him into a quarrel since he was clearly not able to heal.

When Elisha got word of what the king had done, he wrote the king asking to send Naaman to him so that he will know there is indeed a prophet in Israel.

After Naaman finally agreed to obey Elisha and wash himself seven times in the Jordan river, he was healed. Naaman then realized and proclaimed that there was only one true God, the God of Israel.

Once Naaman realized who the true God was he had a request of Elisha, forgiveness. Elisha obliges his request and Naaman is forgiven. He tells Elisha that he will never offer sacrifices to any other god from then on.

Again, we see another Gentile who receives blessings because of their faith and obedience. Although they were reluctant at first, both finally obeyed because they had faith in the prophet’s words. In this case Elisha not only healed a Gentile but granted him forgiveness. Indeed a foreshadowing of what was to come.

This shows that it is through faith and obedience that God’s mercy is received, regardless of who it is. Not because it is necessarily deserved, but because He has the power to forgive and bless whom He chooses. As John the Baptist said, “from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham.” This is contrary to what the Jews believed and did. And those listening to Jesus’ words would not want to remember as it would further validate His message.

There is no doubt that the people whom Jesus was speaking to in the synagogue recalled the bitter memory of them rejecting the prophets and where two Gentiles who by faith received miracles from God, the forgiveness of sin and resurrection. To tell those people that God would not turn to them to receive miracles because they refused to listen and believe was too much for them to hear.

The prophetic story of both Elijah and Elisha would later transpire into nearly all of Israel rejecting the Messiah and the words of the prophets who spoke of Him. As a result of their disobedience and lack of faith God would raise up children to Abraham from all nations. For it was too little of a thing for His Son to save Israel, rather He would save the world.

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Finding Faith in the Face of Marital Strife

From Adam blaming his original sin on Eve to Abraham and Isaac pretending their wives were their sisters to Zipporah calling Moses a “bloody husband,” the Bible is full of conflict between husband and wife. It’s not something that can be avoided in the long-term; as humans, we are going to fight and sometimes those fights are big enough to tear us apart.

The Bible is very clear about the bond between husband and wife. It is a permanent bond, one that Jesus asserted should not be broken except in the case of fornication. This can be challenging to comprehend since He also said that any man that lusts after another woman has committed adultery in his heart, which means that there is no such thing as a human being who has not committed adultery. If lust is adultery and adultery is fornication, does that mean that lust is fornication? By these standards, one might believe that marriage is a doomed concept, that the bonds are too feeble to hold throughout a lifetime spent between two people.

This is where faith comes into play the most in our daily lives. Our walk with Yeshua as our Lord and Savior should be constant. It’s not something that starts and ends on Sunday (or Saturday if you keep the proper Sabbath). It’s ongoing and should be at the top of mind through all of our actions and interactions. That includes our walk with our spouses and it requires the highest degree of faith to accept the shortcomings of the ones we love. Despite the strife that always pops up from time to time in any marriage, there’s actually a very simple way to fix just about any situation other than fornication.

To do this, we need to look at the story of the adulterer at the temple.

…let him first cast a stone…

There is something carnal about anger. It’s uncontrollable at times, particularly when we feel slighted. This can become much more pronounced when they that offend us are loved ones and when the offender is our spouse, it is easy for us to be clouded by feelings of betrayal.

Part of human nature is to feel and say things that are only true in the moment if they were ever true at all. We are often quick to judgment and quicker to anger, particularly when we feel justified in our feelings. Between a man and a woman, these feelings can be amplified. There is more passion involved from both directions; we feel a love that is more focused than any other with a human and when anger is in play, it stings worse than when it comes from someone else. That’s the nature of marriage, particularly when two people have been married for a long time.

One way to overcome this anger is to remember the words of Yeshua when He was presented with an adulterous woman. The Jews were correct to say that their law demanded that she be stoned just as we are often correct to assume that it’s okay to be angry with a spouse when we feel they have done wrong by us. Rather than go against the law, which Yeshua never did, He instead turned them inward towards the guilt that they should have felt of themselves.

So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.John 8:7 (KJV)

Were they right to want to follow the law and stone her? Yes. Were they righteous enough to do so? No.

The same can be said about a married couple when one or both feel wronged. Arguments happen and they can push a married couple apart, but it’s important to remember that none of us are righteous enough to cast emotional stones at one another. Just because we feel like our perspective is right doesn’t mean that our spouse must share that same perspective. Forgiveness is the ultimate gift that we were granted by our Father through the Son. It is also the best gift that we can give to another human.

With our spouse, it is more than just a gift. It is fortification of the bond. It empowers our second love, the love between a married couple, to shine. The bond between a man and a woman is the only bond that is rarely contrary to our bond with the Son. Even our bond with our children or our parents can be in conflict with the love we are to hold most dear, but the love between a man and a woman can be used to strengthen our love for our Creator.

In Matthew 10, Yeshua is telling His disciples how they must go forth across Israel and spread His teachings. He warns them of what they are to see in their journeys, including the conflict between relatives.

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.Matthew 10:34-37 (KJV)

Take note that Yeshua does not mention strife between husband and wife. The reason that he doesn’t is that there shouldn’t be strife between married couples as it pertains to faith. Yes, husband and wife will argue about their kids, the parents, or what to eat for dinner, but they should be in lockstep when it comes to faith. Some would say that it’s impossible, but I don’t believe that it is. Husband and wife shall be one flesh through their bond and despite common disagreements, there really shouldn’t be one when it comes to faith.

During those times when other strife enters into the relationship, it’s very easy for us to fight. In fact, it’s part of human nature to want to defend our position, to accuse others (even our spouse), and to justify our perspectives by tearing down the perspectives of others. This is when faith must come into play as its strongest force between two people. When a husband and wife fight, their shared faith may be the only thing that can mend the wounds they cause each other.

When faith is the core of the marriage, it’s much more challenging to break the other bonds such as shared interests, worldly decisions, or simply enjoying one another. Strife can tear a couple apart, but it can also be the starting point for two people to strengthen their bond by making their faith the foundation of their love for one another.

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1 Corinthians 10:13 – ‘able to bear it’

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV)

At no point has the Bible ever said that life would be easy. Yeshua did say that His yoke was easy to bear, but to do this we must be willing to accept Him as our Lord and Savior and walk His path. Through this path, we will be confronted by temptations. Such is the way of the world. However, when we are equipped with the full Armor of God, there is no temptation that we are not capable of overcoming.

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Romans 12:21 – ‘overcome evil’

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.Romans 12:21 (KJV)

This popular verse is hard to apply without context. It’s one of the verses that does not come from James that is clear about the need for good works in our lives. In context, the author is telling us that the actions that we take are not only good to those for whom we take them but that they’re able to help shield us from the evil and temptation that exists in this world. Works are not necessary for salvation, but through faith our works are able to strengthen us.

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Why We Will Be Voting with Our Bible in Mind this Time Around

As strange as it may sound coming from a Christian website, we never took faith into much consideration when voting. It was a factor, of course, but it wasn’t as important as policy to us. This time, with the 2016 Presidential election season really starting to heat up, we are reversing course and making the Bible the single most important factor in making our decision. Things have changed and so must Christians.

The reason is that President Barack Obama has proven that the faith or lack thereof as displayed and followed by the White House is extremely consequential for the path of the country. It may have been naive to think otherwise, to believe that the faith of the American people was secure and that a single person did not have enough power to shape it for the country, but we were clearly wrong. The deterioration of the Biblical perspective is what’s at stake. We get that now.

It isn’t that the President forces conversions (at least not yet). The President sets the tone for the nation and over the last seven years we’ve seen that tone shift in a terrible direction. It isn’t that the faith of those strong in their convictions were shaken by the President. It’s that the most vulnerable of Christians have allowed the secular world to creep into their worldview. We can see this in the rapid shift towards acceptance of gay marriage. We see it in the political correctness that seemed to have faded from the late 90s until 2008 but then resurfaced and expanded very quickly. We see it in the way that churches have shifted in their perspectives. Tolerance is paramount. Avoidance of anything that might be labeled as discrimination has changed not only the way that the Bible is taught but the doctrinal descriptions of the Will of God that have changed.

In short, the office of the President of the United States has systematically changed the atmosphere to the point that Christianity as a religion is being changed in this country. As we’ve said before, we do not believe that Christianity is in decline. Those who were lukewarm or “social Christians” are exposing their true perspectives which makes the numbers seem gloomy. However, we contend that the level of faith is not changing but that the true levels of faith are being exposed. One might see this as a good thing and it very well might be. However, it has also made it possible for the faithful to be more easily shaken by the trends in the country.

Example Rather than Policy

It’s important to understand that we do not believe in an American theocracy. The separation of church and state was designed to keep the state our of the church even though most seem to think it’s the other way around. The only way that a theocracy will work is when it’s the ultimate theocracy when Yeshua reigns on the earth after his triumphant return. Otherwise, no man nor group of men are capable of guiding the faith from a position of worldly leadership.

The reason that we want a President who is guided by the Bible is because their leadership of the country expands beyond laws and actions. It’s in the values they demonstrate, the words that they say, and the general direction of the country’s personality as represented by the President that we see the greatest need. President Obama didn’t have to pass laws against Scripture to diminish the people’s attention towards it. He didn’t do much from a political perspective to allow gay marriage to be the law of the land, but his presence and perspective worked to sway the mindset. Gay marriage would not have made it through the Supreme Court had a Bible-driven leader been in power.

That’s just one example, the most prominent, but the shift in the country’s worldview has had much greater effects than just the Supreme Court ruling.

We must have the next President as someone who actively, openly, and proudly declares his belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. We need someone who has read the Bible, who still reads the Bible, and who asks the Lord to guide his actions.

Keep in mind that there are very few ways that a President can truly change the way that the country is allowed to operate from a faith perspective. It’s strange that a President’s perspective on abortion, for example, is always an important factor for many. The reality is that no President since Roe v. Wade has done anything to truly affect the abortion laws. The next President will not be able to, either. It’s a moot point, but for some reason it’s still considered to be important to voters.

Restrictions can be added or removed by the government, but the thought that any President could have Roe v Wade overturned is utterly silly. It would take a monumental effort that is unrealistic at this time regardless of a President’s perspective.

Where the President has power is over the way that the country expresses its faith. President Obama has made it clear that faith is not something that he espouses nor supports. Therefore, the country’s attitude has shifted. It can shift again with the right person in the White House.

Religious Liberty

The one active policy component that must be considered is religious liberty. The protection of our rights to worship as we please is clearly being taken away. This is not the forum to go into those details. You either see it or you don’t. If you see it and realize how important it is to stop this trajectory before real damage is done, then you must vote Republican. We are not those who believe that party affiliation is more important than the individual’s perspective, but on this particular issue it’s clear that the perspectives have been divided along party lines.

Republicans are simply more likely to defend religious liberties than Democrats. As far as the Presidential contenders, all of the major Republicans have indicated that they will defend those liberties, so that portion alone is not a deciding factor. The other elements of their perspective on the Bible are definitely deciding factors.

Our Perspectives on the Candidates

At this point, we’re not ready to endorse a single candidate, but we do lean towards a couple and we lean away from several. Rather than break it down for all of the candidates, we’re going to focus on the five who realistically have a chance of winning the nomination.

• Donald Trump: It should be very obvious and go without saying that Donald Trump is not given to spiritual leadership nor would he allow the Bible to guide him. Based upon what we’ve seen in the polls with many evangelicals liking Trump, it’s clear that it must be said. You can like the way Donald Trump acts and talks. You can believe that he’s going to be good for the economy. You can see him as the solution to the illegal immigration problem. Those things are fine. What’s not fine is to be blind to the fact that the Bible does not actively influence him at all. He’s made it clear that he doesn’t read it, that faith is barely a blip on his radar, and that he will give much more credence to his own will than anything else. This is a problem and evangelicals should strongly consider not voting for him.
• Ben Carson: Some have expressed concern over his chosen denomination. This shouldn’t be the case. He seems to be led by the Holy Spirit if such things can be judged by words and actions as seen through our eyes and heard through our ears. More importantly, he feels like a man that reads his Bible. It may seem insignificant or anecdotal, but we should learn to trust our feelings if those feelings seem to come from the Holy Spirit.
• Marco Rubio: There are some question marks with Rubio. He professes to be faithful, but what we’ve seen is a little suspect. Unlike Trump, we aren’t clear on where the Bible stands in Rubio’s mindset. Perhaps it’s the singularly self-centered manner and unbridled ambition that have us questioning. Either way, we are neither hot nor cold on Rubio. We will, however, be watching since it appears that he has a real chance of winning.
• Ted Cruz: In many ways, Cruz is exactly the opposite of Rubio. We have no doubts about where his heart is based upon both his words and his actions. He’s an evangelical Christian through and through. Of all of the candidates, he’s the one we’re currently most comfortable with as President. We’re not ready to endorse him since Carson is also a possibility, but he’s our leading candidate at this time.
• Jeb Bush: It’s not fair to compare him to his brother and father, but it’s inevitable. Both of them espoused faith but their histories tell a story of possible lukewarmness and potentially even worse. Jeb seems to be more anchored in faith, but after fool me once and fool me twice, it’s unwise to allow the country to be fooled a third time.

It really doesn’t matter what we say. You must look at the candidates closely, pray about them, and let the Holy Spirit guide your vote. It’s our hope that you will make this the most important component when making your decision. For us, it’s really the only factor thanks to President Obama’s two disastrous terms.

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What’s All the Fuss About the Feasts?

If one were to read the Bible without any preconceived notion or idea and hadn’t listened to commentary, theories, another man’s opinion, or modern Christian tradition, then one may be able to actually discover truths not seen before. That is where we are coming from and from that perspective it’s very difficult to understand what the fuss is about.

The topic of whether Christians should observe the feasts is hotly debated by Bible scholars, pastors, and laymen. When looking at Scripture on this topic, we couldn’t find anything that tells us to do otherwise. In fact, our own Messiah kept these things. Paul himself kept the feasts after Jesus’ death. Was it because Paul was required simply because he was Jewish? Was Paul afraid of the Jews and what they might think? Did he not teach that believing gentiles were grafted into Israel?

It seems that although Jesus, His disciples and Paul kept these feasts, Christians have separated themselves. Many Christians are willing to accept the inheritance of Israel, yet they don’t want anything else to do with her, in part for fear of legalism (and rightly so). It is true that following the oral Torah’s ordinances is legalistic and those ordinances were said to be nailed to the cross. However, God’s Laws were never included in the abolishing spoken of by Paul.

Believing that the appointed times of God are only for Israel means that one fails to understand what they truly are. The irony is that one of the portions of Scripture that makes this clear is often used as proof text to declare that the feasts are no longer in play.

16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.Colossians 2:16-17 (KJV)

Peter said that what Paul said could be confusing, and as we can see in the previous verse this misunderstanding has caused great confusion among pastors and seminaries. To understand, we have to have a clear perspective on the times and the people with whom Paul was speaking. The Colossians weren’t being tormented or judged because they weren’t keeping the feast or because they were keeping Sunday as their worship day. The latter wouldn’t even be introduced to the church for hundreds of years.

Paul is telling the faithful in Colossae that they should let no man judge them because they were following the Law of God. They were keeping God’s feasts and following His Sabbath as the law prescribed and Paul was telling them to continue doing so despite the persecution they would receive. Paul and Jesus both kept Sabbath. They both kept the feasts. These verses confirm this with Paul, but convenient Bible teaching has reversed the teaching to match modern doctrines that are simply not supported by the Bible.

The feasts were specifically said to be a shadow of things to come. For instance, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of Passover and Unleavened Bread, First Fruits and Pentecost. He even fulfilled Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) being the blood sacrifice that atoned for the sins of the world. When referring to Passover specifically, Paul said to keep this feast because Jesus was our Passover Lamb, God forbid we forget.

What could be the harm in remembering these things? Didn’t Jesus tell His disciples to “do this in remembrance of Me?” The bread which he took and described as His body was unleavened bread during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The bread Jesus broke of that feast is symbolic in that it is made without leaven (free from sin). This feast was a prophecy of His body being sacrificed so that death would pass over us IF we believed in Him, praise God for His mercy!

These feasts are said by God to be His. They were given as a gift because of His mercy and love, because through them His people were sanctified, purified and forgiven. And through them we can also see that His plan all along was to provide His own Son as a sacrifice for sins, not just for Israel’s, but the entire world. If remembering these things by observing the feasts offends any Christian, then how can any Christian justify any feast or holiday?

With all that said, it is clear through scripture that the observance of feasts isn’t a salvific issue. After the death of our Messiah it became a choice one could make rather than an obligation; just as the Law was written on a man’s heart so that a man would keep them wholeheartedly.

Anyone who chooses to observe the feasts of the Lord should never boast in them or condemn others who don’t. We just don’t see what the argument is. It makes no sense, other than a misunderstanding of scripture.

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Addressing the World from a Biblical Mindset

As things begin to accelerate around the world towards a perceivable prophetic fulfillment of the Bible, our thoughts and actions must shift. For those living a life of Biblical faith, it means that now is the time to act. For those living partially in the Spirit and partially in the world, now is the time to make the commitment. It’s not just about believing or even proclaiming. Now is the time to live as the Bible declares.

We are living in a special time. Some continue to say that it’s no different now than in the past, that every generation felt like theirs was the special one and possibly the start of events prophesied in Revelation, Daniel, and other books of the Bible. The difference today is that the settings are primed for Biblical prophetic fulfillment. Israel is a nation, a burdensome stone to all other nations.

2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
3 And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.Zechariah 12:2-3 (KJV)

We saw a strong representation of this in Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to the United Nations this week.

This isn’t the time to try to convince you that we’re entering or soon to be entering the end times. Regardless of whether you believe it or not, our purpose is the same. The world has gone from appreciation of Christianity to neutrality in just a few decades. Now, we’re seeing it shift much more rapidly from neutrality to hatred and attacks.

Abroad, being a Christian can bring hardship, torture, and even death. We’re seeing this start to emerge in western culture as well. It’s not just the crimes perpetrated by individuals such as the militant-atheist Chris Harper Mercer who attempted to single out Christians. It’s more than the subtle shift in sentiment against business owners who espouse Christian values in their businesses against the secular whims of the government. It’s bigger than that. It’s quickly turning universal. It has become acceptable.

As Judeo-Christian believers in our Lord and Savior, Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, called Jesus Christ in western culture, it is our responsibility to shift our mindset. The majority of believers today are satisfied with living mostly secular lives with the Bible in one hand for reference on Sundays and occasionally when problems arise. It’s time to shift to put the Bible firmly in both hands held out in front of us to lead us through everything we do.

A Journey of Spirit

One of the most important parts of our spiritual journey is to acknowledge that it really is a spiritual journey. That’s not double talk, nor is it meant to sound confusing. This acknowledgement changes the way we perceive and act upon everything in our lives.

When we start to view our lives in full service to our Messiah, we can allow our hearts and minds to be fully guided by the Holy Spirit. This is imperative; the changes that are happening are so powerful and happening so rapidly that it’s easy to fall for the delusion that is sweeping across the world. One of the clearest illustrations of this is in the dramatic shift in sentiment towards gay marriage in America.

Life is a spiritual journey. In the past, it was easier to keep both a secular and a Biblical perspective simultaneously because the secular aspects of America were tolerant of the Christian perspective. Kids could pray in school. Lawsuits weren’t filed if a photographer didn’t want to shoot at a gay wedding. Protests weren’t held if police departments put the words “In God We Trust” on their cruisers.

Many Christians are “going along to get along.” We’re making our spiritual lives more private and personal and justifying it with a false belief that it’s not our right to impose our beliefs on others. That’s not the case. The secular world and other religions are actively imposing their beliefs on us and so many believers are letting it happen to avoid conflict.

That’s not what Jesus instructed.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV)

This isn’t a call to have every believer proselytize. It’s not for everyone. However, we must start allowing the Holy Spirit to guide all of our actions, all of our beliefs, and all of our decisions. By living our lives as the Bible instructs, we can be a light to others simply by setting the proper example.

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James 3:10 – ‘blessing and cursing’

Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.James 3:10 (KJV)

Most of the time, what a particular verses says is really what it says. There are times when interpretation is simply not necessary. This is one of those. Throughout the chapter, James discusses the fallacy of blessing and cursing coming from the same person, how small members are enough to steer the whole body. Just as a fountain does not bring forth good and bad water, so too should blessings and curses not mingle.

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Christian Persecution is Very Real Despite Claims Otherwise

In America, it’s very easy to get complacent about faith. While many are waking up to the fact that Christian values are under attack in the United States, it’s hard to feel bad about our rights when those in other countries risk true persecution in the form of death.

There are battles that must be fought for the faith in America and other western cultures, but it’s imperative that we never forget our brothers and sisters in the Middle East and other regions. The Islamic State, which we’ve covered in the past, is an existential threat to believers in Christ in the very place where early Christianity formed its roots. Assyrian and Coptic Christians are being forced from their lands, kidnapped, and martyred on a daily basis. A recent report from Christian Freedom International reveals that a Christian is martyred every five minutes, making them statistically the most persecuted religion in the world.

It isn’t just the fact that Christians are dying. The way they are being tortured before death is inhumane. Add to that the fact that women and children are kept as slaves following the murders of their husbands, sons, and fathers and it’s clear that the atrocities being committed against Christians can only be attributed to the influence of Satan himself. This is pure evil being perpetrated in the name of the false god Allah.

Americans are, for the most part, shielded from these truths. One might say that they get to see it on Fox News or online news publications, but the reality of the situation is so appalling that the American population doesn’t get an appropriate level of exposure:

• While Cecil the Lion’s death was tragic, it did not deserve to get exponentially more coverage than human being being tortured and beheaded in the same region.
• As the Republicans fight the Iran nuclear deal, making for multiple discussions during debates and in speeches, the future risk of a savage Iran shouldn’t be superseding the current crisis on the other side of the border.
• Donald Trump might have a hard time fielding questions about Muslims, but that news is minuscule compared to what actual Muslim extremists are currently doing to Christians around the world.

There are always going to be important issues to cover and we don’t want to downplay the importance of other events, but it seems as if American media feels we don’t have the stomach to hear about and address the catastrophic death and destruction being perpetrated every day against Christians around the world. The concept that Kentucky County Clerk Kim Davis is being called a “martyr” by some is an insult to the faith she claims to follow. She’s not a martyr. She spent a few days in jail. She’s fighting for her right not to issue licenses with her name on them. Christians in Syria, China, and other countries are fighting for their right to live as Christians.

This isn’t just a problem with the media wanting to appease an audience that wants fresh stories. It’s about the people themselves not wanting to hear about it. True believers in Yeshua as our Lord and Savior should never shield our eyes or cover our ears when stories about Christian persecution hits our screens. We should be sharing the news with our circle of influence and doing everything we can to help. It goes beyond awareness. We must act.

In this political atmosphere with so many people running for office, it’s time to start asking what will be done. We need to vote from our Biblical perspective with the world in mind. The United States has relinquished its leadership role in many ways and for many people around the world. In the battle against the Islamic State and others who persecute Christians, we must use our resources and great might to lead the fight. Instead, we are sending in a few drone strikes, making diplomatic maneuvers, and calling it a day.

If the media and the government are unwilling to give us the facts, then we must seek them for ourselves. If the government is unwilling to act, then we must do what we can as individuals to help those in need.

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1 Peter 4:7 – ‘sober spirit’

The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer.1 Peter 4:7 (NASB)

Our readers know that we normally use the King James Version of the Bible, but for this particular verse the New American Standard Bible offered a bit more detail. To understand this verse, we have to (as usual) look at context. Here’ Peter is giving us a glimpse of the world at the time, the parallels that will occur throughout time, and the connection of all men, dead or alive, in the righteousness of God through Salvation granted not by works but of faith. Still, we must be diligent with our works as they proclaim our faith to the world.

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Why the Islamic State Must Be Defeated (and how to do it)

The complacency level of Americans and other western societies regarding the Islamic State is alarming. Between Donald Trump’s latest tantrum, refugees searching for homes, Hillary Clinton’s email servers, and the start of football season, the continued rise of the Islamic State rarely makes it into headlines.

One might look to recent revelations about the United States “cooking the books” when it comes to intelligence reports pertaining to the Islamic State as the reason that they aren’t getting enough attention. We’re being led to believe that they’re falling back, fading away, and not posing a real threat when the exact opposite is the case. Within one of the hot news items we mentioned above, the migrant crisis, lies one of the avenues through which the Islamic State is spreading around the globe.

So higher ups are taking "artistic license" with the ISIS intelligence analysis?? LOL http://t.co/efIJUdbQgU

— Congreve1812 (@Congreve1812) September 12, 2015

Two things have to happen in order to defeat them. First, we must recognize the fact that they’re a major threat. This understanding is imperative, which is why it’s so perplexing to watch mainstream media and the US government pretty much ignore them lately.

Second, we must start thinking like them. That doesn’t mean that we must stoop to their level of terrorism and warfare in order to take them down. Instead, we have to acquire the mindset that gives them strength, the shadowy perspectives that allow them to act patiently and with a cunning that can be described as demonic in nature. Drone strikes, in theory, should be working. They’ve worked in most other situations. The Islamic State seems to be much more sophisticated than the standard al Qaeda forces that we’ve been chasing for the last decade and a half.

In the video below, we explore what was discussed in an article on our sister site. It’s longer than many of our videos but we strongly encourage you to watch it all the way through and share if you’d like. We don’t normally cross over into the geopolitical side of things, especially when it doesn’t pertain directly to Christianity, but this is different. Though it wasn’t mentioned directly in the video, this isn’t just an attack on the world itself. It’s a direct attack on the spiritual aspects of this world that are in play with the salvation of Christians.

The current path of action allows for dramatic expansion of the Islamic State across the world. Once they’ve fulfilled their plans to infiltrate, it may be too late to stop them fully. The time for action is now.

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Tribulation Likely Coming Soon

The hype around September 2015 is hitting a fever pitch that is bigger in the conspiracy theory circles than the Mayan calendar. It is also a topic for some of the most watchful evangelicals but has been strangely absent from mainstream media. This last point should worry you.

A strange combination of events are all colliding for the perfect storm this month. While we won’t go so far as to declare that something big is going to happen from a Biblical perspective, we will acknowledge that there’s a very good chance that September either marks the start of a series of events or is the epicenter of shocking events that could change the world as we know it.

All indicators from the world perspective point towards tribulation. Some indicators from a prophetic clock perspective point towards great and terrible occurrences. There’s one thing that’s either missing or hidden from public view: Biblical indicators. We’ve read a ton of articles and watched plenty of videos that try to make a Biblical correlation to the events that are happening in September, but nothing has stood out as concrete and very little has emerged as credible. However, that doesn’t mean it won’t happen, especially when we understand that Bible prophecy is meant for recognition of events as they happen rather than prediction of events for humans to act upon ahead of time.

We are to spiritually prepare. That’s it. Individuals and families can make worldly preparations if they choose, but fortifying our spiritual center through worshiping of the Father, belief in the Son, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit is the only requirement if this is indeed the end times.

Before we get into details about what we think may happen, let’s point out some of the events taking place in September:

• Jade Helm 2015 ends… in theory
• Elul 29, the end of the Shemitah
• CERN doorway
• Pope comes to town
• 70th UN Gnereal Assembly (and plenty of important things that are supposed to be happening this time around)
• Final blood moon in the tetrad

That’s a taste. There are dozens of others. We don’t want to go into them because it’s very possible that the hype surrounding them is more distracting than helpful. Think of it like a great song with the instrumental playing so loud that you don’t hear the lyrics being sung. One could spend days non-stop looking into all of the things that are starting in September and other things that continue for the next year but there’s no need. We’ve seen enough.

If this is the start of something big (or the big events themselves) then it’s very likely a ton of events would be out there in order to make sure everyone has the opportunity to pay attention. Once you’re looking, there’s really no need to dive in and try to interpret everything. If the Lord wants our attention, He has it now and going forward.

The big scary monster in the eschatological playbook is date setting. The less-foolish recognize that setting dates of any sort can cause great harm to the listener of the message, the messenger, and the one from whom the message originated. With that said, we’re also called to sound the alarm when we see things happening and as of today we believe it’s prudent to start looking for the events and cross-referencing them to the Bible.

Now, let’s discuss the takeaway from all of this. Whether you’re reading this before, during, or after September 23, it’s important to makes sure that you keep your eyes open and your Bibles close. Don’t panic. Be aware. Be prepared. Things may be getting pretty crazy in soon. They may be crazy while you’re reading this. Remember that God’s plan is wonderful and necessary for us all even if it means hardships.

Eternity is forever. Don’t let hard times in this life get you down. Trials and tribulations meant to test our mettle.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.John 16:33 (KJV)

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Don’t Panic. Just Believe and Share.

Things are getting pretty crazy in the world. Many are still blind to this. They have been programmed (more on that in a moment) to believe that this is the natural, secular course of events in a world that is waking up when in reality many are hiding their eyes and ignoring the realities. They’ve fallen for the lie of a new reality, one that abandons faith and embraces a world that is driven by non-Biblical ideals.

This is the transcript from one of our recent videos. If you’d prefer, scroll down and watch the video version at the bottom of this page.

It’s natural to feel the panic as events accelerate towards the end. While there will naturally be a hopeful joy to the point of giddiness to know that we may be with our Lord and Savior soon, we can also feel the concerns that comes with unfinished work. Did we reach everyone we could possibly reach? Do we have friends or family members who still haven’t embraced the Gospel? Have we fulfilled God’s Will and performed everything we were called to do as part of the Father’s plan for us?

We will discuss the importance of taking a calm, centered approach to the current and coming changes in this world and how they will affect us, but first it’s important to have a clear understanding of why the world is heading so far off course based upon our perceptions. The reality is that this is exactly how it was always meant to be and we must accept that there are those we know who will be lost as a result. Diligence, consistency, and above all faith are the things that we need to focus upon as the world spirals towards the end times.

To do this, let’s first look at one of God’s creatures that act as a great metaphor for non-believers today.

Army Ants

The greatest tool in the adversary’s toolbox is despair. It’s not just the despair that brings about emotions and actions associated with depression, fear, or hatred. The type of despair that is engulfing western society and even spreading into the Middle East and Asia is the despair of disconnection. This is powerful and manifests itself in ways that can often seem positive. For example, one who is disconnected from the Spirit may outwardly appear to be happy, productive, and even driven to accomplishment in this world. There are plenty of happy-go-lucky atheists who do “good” things in this world, helping others and promoting concepts of peace and unification of cause. What they may or may not realize is that it’s the despair of disconnection that drives them to make the best of their situation. They are lost but they feel a connection to something artificial.

Army ants are blind. The best scientific understanding of their actions is that they follow the scent of the trail and are connected to one another in a way that allows them to continue to function properly in this world. As a group, they travel back and forth from their goals such as collection food or materials for shelter and their home. This is a righteous connection that keeps them on the right path. Occasionally, some may lose the scent. To get it back, they start following the one in front of them who is following the one in front of them. This cycle can turn into a “death circle” where they are all following each other in a spiral that goes nowhere.

To the ant, they feel like they’re on the right path. After all, there are plenty of other ants who are heading in the same direction. Unfortunately, it’s a destructive cycle that leads to their deaths.

We are seeing this today with non-believers. They have formed these circles that keep them off the right path. They know they’re moving with the masses; how can so many other non-believers be wrong? What they don’t realize is that they’re on a path that leads to nowhere other than their eternal spiritual demise.

Programming is Real

There’s a good chance that you don’t necessarily believe in the type of programming that is often called “mass mind control” or “mass programming” that often fills the pages of conspiracy theory blogs online. You don’t have to wear a tinfoil hat to recognize that the secular world is pushing an agenda that establishes lies as truths. Evolution, trans-humanism, and LGBT issues are just some of the things that are being made acceptable in western society against the teachings of the Bible.

At this point, it can be extremely disheartening to attempt in vain to dissuade those who have been “programmed.” This type of despair is different from the despair caused by disconnection because it doesn’t draw us away but rather tries to keep us from being open and vigilant about how we express our faith to others. It’s no longer popular to be believers and this makes many of us hide our faith.

It’s part of the panic that has spread. It isn’t just the drastic changes in this world that can make us walk in fear. It’s the changes in perceptions that cause many believers to panic, to clam up about our faith. We start to build fences of separation; our belief becomes completely personal and something that we dare not share in public, at work, or even with non-believing friends and family.

The programming that is happening in this world isn’t just to keep the masses in the dark. It’s also to persuade the believers to keep the message of the Gospel private. Unknowingly, this can cause the faithful to panic. We often don’t realize it, but our silence can weigh on us. Having this understanding can help us to force ourselves to obey when the Spirit calls for us to act, to speak out, or to have the uncomfortable conversations that are so often avoided today.

It isn’t just for them. It’s for you as well.

Today

If you’re hearing these words, you’re probably seeing the crazy things happening in the world and wondering what you should do about it all. You may or may not be panicking, bike many, you may be feeling a strong urge to do something.

Today there is a calling going out around the world. It’s loud and clear, but the adversary tries to drown it out through the cacophony of negativity and turmoil that reaches the masses. Through prayer and constant study of the Bible, you can do your part.

First, you must make certain that you are spiritually prepared for the things that are happening around us. Until you are certain that you can stay the course no matter what the adversary throws at you, it’s important to focus inwardly and to be fortified by the Word, wearing the full Armor of God at all times.

One thing is very important to note here. Being spiritually prepared does not mean that you have to know everything that you need to know in order to go forth. It’s about fully giving yourself over to belief in the Son, worship of the Father, and yielding to the Holy Spirit. Part of your own spiritual journey will include learning from the experiences that God puts before you. While sharing the Word, you will be learning at the same time. Don’t misread the need for spiritual preparedness as something that takes years of study. Gaining understanding of the Bible takes time, but being spiritually prepared is a choice to do the Will of the Father regardless of what this world throws at you.

Once you are prepared through faith, it’s time to share. This is terrifying for most, particularly in a world where sharing the Gospel or telling the truth about the Bible can have real consequences. It must be done. It means breaking out of your comfort zone and having a willingness to be a light to the nations, to accept the consequences that will come from your faith. You may be ridiculed or verbally abused. You may even be physically harmed. It takes true courage to go forth but today the world needs as many believers as possible to add their voice to the mix.

For some, it means going out and helping people to see the light. For others, it’s having sharp discussions with friends and family whether they are believers or not. Just because someone is a believer doesn’t mean that they’re spiritually prepared or fully committed to the Will of our Father.

The world will completely fall apart by our standards before the triumphant return of our Lord and Savior. There’s really no need to panic today. We simply need to do what the Bible tells us to do: believe in Yeshua, obey His teachings, and spread the Word to those we can touch.

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Genesis 1:1 – ‘In the beginning’

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.Genesis 1:1 (KJV)

If there’s a verse of the Bible that nearly everyone has heard, whether believer or not, it’s this one. What some may not realize is that this foundation of the Bible is the key to whether or not someone can believe. If someone reads this and believes it, they have an opportunity to find the light and realize the truth of this world and the next. If they do not believe it, the rest of the Bible is meaningless to them.

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Luke 19:10 – ‘that which was lost’

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.Luke 19:10 (KJV)

It’s very easy for those of us who read the Bible regularly to miss individual verses that are extremely profound. Luke 19:10 is a perfect example of this, saying so much in so few words while mixed into the context of a story that seems very specific on the surface but that is extremely profound and universal.

Yeshua has traveled to Jericho. This is where we meet Zacchaeus, the chief publican (tax collector) who is considered by most to be sinners. When Yeshua calls to him amongst the crowd and declares that he will be abiding in his house that day, the people murmur about it disapprovingly. This is when Yeshua declares why He has come: to seek and to save the lost.

This is where it gets extremely profound. You’ll notice that He is seeking “that which was lost,” not “those who were lost.” It’s an important distinction to understand and a very specific wording that we must explore.

God’s people lost their way but there’s more to it than that. God divorced His people and based upon His laws once someone is divorced they cannot remarry until one has died. When Yeshua came to this world, He was seeking the lost sheep, the creation that was once married to the Creator before they committed adultery with other gods. This is why it’s important to understand that He did not seek the gentiles during his first coming. They would come later, being grafted in after His resurrection.

Once we understand that context, we can see what He was seeking and it quickly becomes clear that there was only one way He could save without breaking His own laws. He had to die. This allowed the Covenant to be renewed and opened the door for the rest of the world to gain the Salvation that only He could bring.

It’s a tiny verse that’s positioned perfectly right in between His actions in Jericho and His parable of the ten pounds for the servants. Within the mystery of God we can can be shown the biggest truths once hidden from us in plain sight. As always, reading the Bible constantly is a “best practice” in life.

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Spiritual Preparation Supersedes Physical Preparation

The world is currently in a state that some consider to be indicative of the end times. It appears as if society is heading in the wrong direction – good is being called evil and evil is being called good. Governments are corrupt. Economies are failing. Wars and rumors of war fill the news every day. A conscientious and discerning Christian probably feels anxiety about the world around us.

These feelings can compel us to prepare, to circle the wagons so to speak and to get ready for the worst. The “prepper” movement is alive and well in America as people are buying food, ammunition, and emergency supplies as if tribulation and the apocalypse are right around the corner. They may be right, but there’s a step that many are skipping before they get physically prepared to weather the coming storm.

The step I’m speaking of is spiritual preparation. It’s very common for Christians in western society to take for granted their own spiritual preparation. This is a mistake. When tribulation comes, we will all be faced with challenges and persecutions that can make the unprepared turn away from their faith. I want to go over a few things that we believe are important to prepare before worrying about whether or not you have enough ammunition to keep the ravaging hordes away from your food and water stocks.

Certainty in Your Heart

If you’re like many in United States, you may have sat with a pastor and prayed the “Sinner’s Prayer.” It comes in many forms but usually ends with a statement from the pastor that if you said those words and meant them in your heart, that you’re saved now and forever. For many, this is a life changing experience that truly brings about a shift in your heart. That’s the Holy Spirit moving within you to make it sting inside when you sin, that guides you to do the right things even when they seem hard, and that fills you with sadness when you see people you care for who do not believe.

If, like many, you said the prayer and went about your business living life the same way you always did with the only difference being a feeling of license to sin without consequences, then it’s time to pray again. And again. And again. The Holy Spirit will move you to pray always, read your Bible, and fulfill the desired goals and actions that our Father has set before you. If you aren’t baptized, get baptized. If you aren’t certain if you’ve ever been baptized or you think that you were baptized as a child, get baptized.

There’s a verse in the Bible that is conspicuously missing from many translations. That verse is Acts 8:37:

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.Acts 8:35-39

The King James and other versions of the Bible make it very clear that being baptized is a choice that depends upon belief that Yeshua is the Son of God. Babies are incapable of believing this which is why the verse is excluded from Bibles that are commonly used by faiths that promote childhood baptism. Baptism is necessary and should be performed when you believe in Yeshua, not when you’re a child or when you still have doubts about the inerrancy of the Bible.

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.John 3:5 (KJV)

This isn’t the time to debate whether or not Baptism is necessary. That’s something we’ll cover more in-depth later. The point here is that you should make sure you’re truly in the Body of Christ. Going to church every Sunday and asking for things in prayer every now and then is likely not the certainty you need in your heart.

Understanding of the Possible Trials and Tribulations

We aren’t going to go into our perspectives about the pre-tribulation rapture. That’s a topic we’ve covered before and we’ll cover again, but not here. As Christians, we know that at any time we may be called out for our faith and even told that we must denounce it. Throughout American history, even recently, we’ve seen occasions where people are given a choice between death or denouncing the Bible. In many countries, this potential is a part of everyday life.

Would you be willing to accept death the way that the 21 Coptic Christians did? Reports show that the Islamic State abducted dozens of men and told those who were Christians to convert or die. 21 of them chose death.

It is terrifying to imagine that we could be put into the same situation. Believe it or not, things can be even worse. What if you’re in a terrible situation where your family is going to be tortured and killed if you don’t denounce your faith. Would you have the spiritual fortitude and courage to know that worshiping the Father, believing on the Son, and following the guidance of the Holy Spirit must supersede all worldly considerations, even family? Would you be able to do as Abraham did, nearly sacrificing his own son at the command of our Lord?

These questions aren’t meant to depress you. It’s important that you consider them. It’s imperative that you’re mentally and emotionally prepared if, God forbid, you are put into a situation where you must make these types of choices. It’s something that nobody likes to think about but it’s the type of situation that we all must prepare for just in case.

Bringing Your Circle to Faith

We all have friends or family members who simply do not believe. They may be lukewarm Christians. They may be non-believers or worshipers of false religions. Once you are steeled in your own faith, it’s important for both you and your family/friends that you do what you can to bring them to the same place in life.

That’s an important distinction to make. Being a Christian isn’t just a belief. It’s a way of life. It’s a stage in the journey for many of us that brings wonders and joy to those who truly get there. I’m not talking about wonders of this world or the joys of these bodies. Faith isn’t about riches or ease. True faith is the knowledge that we are given the ultimate gift and the desire to share that gift with as many as possible. It’s important to start with family and friends.

Bringing your circle of family and friends to the faith isn’t just a selfless act. As the world gets crazier and crazier, it’s our inner circle that influences us whether we want it to or not. Yes, we want to help them, but being surrounded by fellow believers, particular in these end times, makes it easier for us to continue down our path and is part of the strength we’ll need to persevere.

Wait, Help, Strengthen

Once you have accepted the gift of Salvation, prepared yourself mentally and emotionally for tribulation, and done what you can to bring your inner circle of influence to the faith, it’s time to partake in the great commission.

16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.Matthew 28:16-20 (KJV)

For many, the next step can mean forsaking all else and doing ministry or missionary work. For others, it means finding that perfect cabin off the grid and getting physically prepared for the coming tribulations. We are not against “preppers” by any means. We’ve even done a small amount of preparation ourselves. However, all of this is secondary to the needs of the Spirit – spreading the Gospel and continuing to be students of the Bible in a constant state of learning and worshiping.

If we truly are in the end times, it’s a time to rejoice. As things get more and more difficult in this life, we know that the next life is drawing closer. Praise be to God.

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Hebrews 4:16 – ‘that we may obtain mercy’

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

As with all Bible verses, context is extremely important. In this case, when working with a verse that starts with the word “therefore,” it is imperative that we look at what was said before to gain a proper understanding. The previous verse makes a noteworthy statement about one of the the distinctions that Yeshua holds.

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Hebrews 4:15 (KJV)

The verse notes that when Yeshua walked on this earth, he was not so divine as to not be given unto temptation. This can also be seen in his trials in the wilderness when the adversary tempted Him. If he could not be tempted, there would be no point to the actions of the adversary. More importantly, He could not be the proper example as a high priest. Yeshua faced the same type of earthly temptations that we face and yet overcame them and remained sinless.

Now we can see why we must come boldly unto the throne of grace. We are not without sin and cannot turn inwardly or to any person on earth for grace, but by fervently bowing before our Lord and Savior, we may obtain mercy.

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Why Christians Should Reconsider a Young Earth Model

Generally, most in the modern church have dismissed the concept of a young earth. Church leaders, Bible scholars, and scoffers have given us every possible reason to believe that the Bible is misinterpreted, that the reality is that the universe is billions of years old. Is this true?

We firmly believe in a young earth model, but we’ll allow others to give their perspective rather than to restate ours. Here, I’d like to discuss the reasons why theories such as evolution, ancient universe, and Big Bang are so prevalent. In fact, to the adversary, they’re imperative in order for him to continue his mission of spreading lies throughout the minds of God’s people.

Time is a concept that baffles all of us. There are no exceptions. Nobody can fully grasp the physical nature of time as a dimensional construct. We are aware of it and its implications on our lives, but we have a lot of challenges understanding times past other than through the lens of history. Our perception of time is considered a constant on one hand; one minute is one minute no matter how you try to slice it. However, we have all experienced the passing of time that either felt like it was going slower or faster than we perceived.

Imagine it like this; we are closer to the time of Cleopatra than Cleopatra was to the building of the pyramids.

Take this back a few decades. We can read about how the world was back during World War II, for example, but we have no way of really understanding life back then. Imagine a world with minimal television, no internet, and limited communication outside of our own circle of relationships. Even those who were alive during that time can have challenges remembering how the world really was, how time felt differently back then.

Go back hundreds of years and try to imagine life and how time affected it. Perhaps we can imagine living in a world without electronics, with limited reading materials, and one where the foundations of modern civilization were being formed. Now, go back thousands. Imagine being there as the pyramids were built. Life and time were very different for those people.

Beyond that, our ability to recon time is blurred completely. This is important to understand because when concepts are blurred, we become susceptible to the theories that now permeate our thoughts. Time is the ultimate disbelief suspender. We cannot imagine animals evolving the way that many scientists surmise when viewed through a limited time window. Yes, we have seen many changes within kinds; a quick look at the Belgian Blue cattle demonstrates that selective breeding can dramatically change animals. However, evolution is based upon extreme jumps in changes amongst creatures in or out of kinds and this can only fit into logic and science if there are inconceivable periods of time in play.

If you can, for a moment, look into the scientific evidence that points to a young earth model not only being possible but being much more likely than scientists are willing to admit when the great flood is taken into consideration, you may find that years of beliefs come into question. It’s challenging to do. After all, we’re rational creatures (at least we think we are). However, take the time to do the research and you may surprise yourself.

Attached is a video that does a pretty decent job of explaining some of the concepts. It would take more than an hour to do the full research, but this is a great starting point.

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Spike Psarris, Adolf Hitler, and the Reconciliation of Physics and Secular Theories

There’s a standard response by most atheists or agnostics, scientists or not, when asked about why they don’t believe in Creationism or a Biblical worldview. Science. According to most without faith, they claim that science has basically proven that the Bible isn’t true.

The problem with that religious belief is that there really is no actual science that goes against the Bible. There are scientific theories such as evolution and the Big Bang that offer alternative worldviews, but they are no more scientifically provable than that Bible. In fact, they have foundational flaws that simply don’t exist if one takes the Bible at its Word.

When asked for evidence against Creation, people often point towards the fossil record. This also falls under the category of popular ideas going contrary to observable science, but it has become a matter that would make Hitler proud. He once said, “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”

The reality is this: the Bible’s story from Genesis to Revelation reconciles very nicely with what we now understand in the world of physics today. On the contrary, theories that try to explain away the Bible run into roadblocks when the evidence is truly examined and the scientific laws that we know to be true are applied.

This is where a lesson we learned long ago must be applied. We aren’t going to try to convince you of this with the available evidence. In fact, we’re not even going to point out the pieces of evidence that have brought us to this belief. All we ask is that you watch the seven minute video below and decide whether or not you want to be like Spike Psarris for the first 27 years of his life or if you’re ready to have the same type of exploratory understanding of the truth.

Many are led to Christ through proper application of faith. Others such as Psarris require a rougher path through science, learning of Creation before learning the realities of our Lord and Savior. Either way, it’s an easy seven-minute video to watch.

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