Mercury & The Image Of The Beast

By admin On January 8th, 2011

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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, and tags, etc.. Most Images cropped & reduced in size.

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 600px-Mercury NASA Public Domain

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“As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the 600px-Mercury NASA Public Domainheavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.” 2nd Corinthians 15:48, 49

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Mercury – NASA – Public Domain

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“IS THIS A PAINTING OF JESUS?”

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Is this a painting of Jesus? No, this is not a painting of Jesus (see painting below to the right). Actually, this is a painting of the Apostle, John. But it looks like our conception of Jesus, doesn’t it? Is there some sort of mistake? Did the artist get confused? Did he get John mixed up with Jesus? Probably not. Actually, the artist of this painting probably understood a really really important truth about John. Something most other artists through the ages had completely missed, whenever they painted John.

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Mercury – NASA – Public Domain

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THIS ARTIST UNDERSTOOD JOHN

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You see, the artist who painted this painting, understood that John like no other disciple, was so taken by the amazing character of Jesus, that he wanted nothing else in this world than to be like Jesus! Most every other artist did not recognize this fact.

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And as one reads the four gospels, there can be seen a very revealing fact: that John stuck closer to Jesus than did any of the other disciples!

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If we also want to be like Jesus, then we too must do what John did: to stick as close to Jesus, as we possibly can! And this concept is the essence of the Second Commandment, regarding image-making. And this is the great concept to be discussed in this article.

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John The Apostle by Alonzo Cano 1635-1637-wikipedia-public domain

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THE APOSTLE PAUL LOST ALL THINGS

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John was not the only disciple to discover this great secret. Paul too, wanted to become like Jesus, more than any other consideration in his life!

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Listen to Paul’s testimony… “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:9-11

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Paul suffered the loss of all things, but couldn’t have cared less! All Paul wanted, was to become like Christ! And he knew his Lord also had nothing of this world. So Paul knew the importance of letting no worldly aspiration or earthly entanglement slow him down in his race to become totally merged with the Holy One of Israel. Thus, Paul joyfully let God take away all his earthly accolades.

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Mercury – NASA – Public Domain

Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org–public domain

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OUR SOLAR SYSTEM & THE 10 COMMANDMENTS

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If you have read the article, “Discovering Bible Signs In Our Solar System”, then you have a good understanding of just why this website proclaims the concept that our Solar System has been created by God, as a metaphorical picture of the Ten Commandments.

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Now, the relationship of the sphere, or orb, commonly known as Planet Mercury to the Second Commandment, is a powerful concept.

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And the Reader is highly encouraged to read this important article. It may greatly enhance one’s understanding of the Bible. And it might vastly change, not only one’s world-view, but also provide a greater appreciation of our amazing Universe, and its awesome Creator.

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Truly the love of God has been written upon the heavenly scroll, and even stretched from sky to sky!

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Solar System – NASA – public domain

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“CAN TWO WALK TOGETHER, EXCEPT THEY AGREE?”

Amos 3:3

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#2 HEAVENLY SPHERE & #2 COMMANDMENT… As discussed elsewhere in this website, the Sun seems to correspond to the First Commandment. Likewise, Mercury, which is the second heavenly sphere in our solar system, seems to correspond very nicely to the Second Commandment.  Both the second heavenly sphere (Mercury) and the Second Commandment (no images) are closest to the ‘Sun’. That is to say, just as planet Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so is the Second Commandment right next to the First Commandment (God compares himself to the Sun many times in Scripture).  

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Jesus says to us today…

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“I am the light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

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For a more in-depth look at this argument about the Sun comparing to God, just click this link… “Discovering Bible Signs In Our Solar System”, or this link…  Signs in the Sun . 

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Mercury – NASA – Public Domain

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2ND COMMANDMENT MORE THAN JUST CARVING STATUES

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And exactly what does this Second Commandment say to the human race?…

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“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or738px-Dramaten_mask_2008a by Holger.Ellgaard wikipedia any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them. Exodus 20:4,5  

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This Commandment is about worshipping engraven images. God does not want us to place inordinate affection upon things or people. And at face value, this commandment has to do with objects like statues or pictures that are used in worshipping objects. And we’re definitely not to worship objects. That’s the starting point of this Second Commandment!

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MORE THAN WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT… But this particular Commandment goes much deeper in meaning, just as Psalm 119 states.

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Just listen… “…but Thy Commandment is exceeding broad.” Psalm 119:96.  

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God’s Commandments go far deeper in meaning than just the letter of the Law. When Jesus gave His “Sermon on the Mount”, He used the Old Testament Law as the centerpiece for this beautiful sermon, and showed how the Commandments are pictures of deeper spiritual principles; principles which define the thoughts and intents of the human heart. Jesus showed in that most notable sermon, just where the real sin-problem exists (in the heart), and what direction we need to go to solve this age-old dilemma, of how to cure the disease of sin.

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Idol photo courtesy Ellgaard Holger for Wikipedia GNU license. Click on photo as link to Ellgaard Holger on Wikipedia.

ABOVE STAR-CHART – Sign of the Son of Man – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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 Section 1: “THE NUMBER ‘TWO'” 

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IMAGES, WITNESSES, AND REFLECTIONS, AND THE NUMBER “TWO”…

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It seems there is a very good reason for God choosing this “image” Commandment to be the 2nd Commandment, and not making it the 3rd or 4th Commandment. The number “two” has a great biblical significance. The number “two” is the number of ‘witness’ in the Bible

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Listen…“And I will give power unto My two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.” Revelation 11:13 

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Jesus sent out the twelve Apostles to proclaim the Gospel, “two and two”… “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them TWO and TWO before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.” Luke 10:1 

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Or what about this verse? Just listen… “In the mouth of TWO or three witnesses shall every matter be established.” Matthew 18:16 

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Solomon speaks of the number “two”. He speaks of the strength and comfort and agreement of the number “two”. Listen to what he says… TWO are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.  For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up. Again, if TWO lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, TWO shall withstand him.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

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Brooklyn Museum – Jesus sends disciples out two by two – by James Tissot – US Public Domain

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MIRROR IMAGES…

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The number ‘two’ seems to be the number that speaks of “reflection”. (Just like this giant globe photo to the right.) As thi423px-Mirror_globe by Arpingstone for Wikipedia Public Domains mirror globe reflects the images of the people around it, so too, we each reflect an image to the world around us (whether we like it or not). When you look in the mirror, there becomes two images; 1. You, and 2. The reflection of you… in the mirror…

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“Can two walk together except they be in agreement.? Amos 3:3.

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To “be in agreement”, as this verse says, with another person, seems to speak of one person reflecting the opinions of another. ThTwinGirls Wikipedia Public Domainey are an “image’, one of another, as far as their viewpoints. As the Moon reflects the light of the Sun, the Moon shines just like the Sun (not as brightly though). And as Mercury (the second solar-system body) reflects the light of the Sun, it too becomes a light as well 

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But as this mirror globe in the above photo presents an image of these people, we humans reflect an image to the world. And our image is a product of our life-experiences; we are a ‘mirror’ so to speak of the people and things which have influenced us.   

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Picture of twin sisters courtesy of Wikipedia.

Mirror globe picture courtesy of Wikipedia & Arpingstone. 

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Section 2: “INFLUENCE OF ASSOCIATIONS” 

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 Mercury is the Sun’s ‘little companion’, so to speak. Oh yes, it’s a “little” companion. (Mercury is just a little larger than Pluto; Pluto being the 10th and smallest member of the major planets. There is a current debate about Pluto, however). But small as Mercury is, it’s the closest planet to the Sun. This presents an object lesson. As Mercury is a constant companion to the Sun, so we need to be a constant companion to the “Sun of Righteousness”.  

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But Scripture makes it clear that we can’t “hang around” with someone without being influenced by that person; especially if we admire that person who we’re associating with. The Bible says that “companionship” says a lot about who we are. Have you ever heard the expression, “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are”?

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The Bible asks the very same question, but in a somewhat different way… “Can two walk together, except they are in agreement?” Amos 3:3.

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God asks us this question. And the obvious answer is, “yes”. They must be in agreement. But this next verse seems to be an answer to the previous verse.

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Just listen… “…we…beholding…the Lord…are changed into the same image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18.

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This above verse confirms that associating with Jesus has a positive influence on a person. Thus by walking with Jesus, we become in agreement with Jesus.  

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But this principal of “who we walk with”, also works in the negative sense…  “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1 Corinthians 15:33.

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By associating with bad influences, we begin to take on those evil attributes.

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“Be not deceived”, this last verse states. Every time Scripture issues the warning, we need to realize that Satan will try to deceive us on that very point. So don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking that you can associate with evil behavior and not be affected by that behavior.

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 AM I THE MIRROR IMAGE OF JESUS?…

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“(Jesus) Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person…” Hebrews 1:3

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And speaking of images, the above verse states that Jesus, being the eternal Son of God, was the express image of God. Of course, these things concerning the Godhead are far higher than any human can understand. But one thing is for sure: Jesus was and is in constant communion with the Godhead, of whom He is an integral part. Jesus and the Father and the Holy Spirit are One.

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Now this concept brings home to each and every Believer the very same concept: “whose companion am I? Who do I admire? Who do I look up to?” Here is the first object lesson. Just as Jesus is one with the Godhead, so must we be one with Jesus!

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And back to Planet Mercury, and the Sun: just like the Sun is closest to planet Mercury, so too, the Christian must stick close to Jesus, the, ‘Sun of Righteousness’. And so how does this relate to the Second Commandment? 

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Just listen to this next passage… “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 3:18  

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Like the 2nd Commandment, this incredible verse likewise speaks of image-making. But this verse speaks of the wonderful image that God has in mind for His children to attain to: to be changed into the image of Jesus! Isn’t this what it’s all about? And this most amazing passage about being changed into Jesus’ image, lays it all out as to the secret to success, in being a “Christ-like” Christian.

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Listen once again… “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2nd Corinthians 3:18.

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This is one of the most powerful and joyful verses in all of Scripture!   

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Transfiguration – Bloch – cropped – Wikimedia Commons – US Public-Domain

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Section 3: “A BOOK…READ OF ALL MANKIND”

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Now then we are ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). God has called us out of this world, in order that we show and tell of Christ to this fallen world. In places where the Gospel hasn’t yet been preached, we go out as missionaries.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Braet_von_%C3%9Cberfeldt_woman_with_bible_1866.jpg

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Here in the Christian nations where the Gospel has been heavily preached, we now need to show a Christ-like example to those around us. The people here in the Christian nations have heard about Jesus. Now they need to see Jesus.

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And so, Christians in this modern society must forsake all covetousness, pride, anger, impatience, commonness, etc., and allow the majesty of Christ to dwell in us richly, so that the world can see Jesus…not just hear about Him!

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Virtuous Woman with Bible – Braet von Ãœberfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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SATAN’S WEB OF DECEIT…

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But the Devil is working overtime to prevent us from effectively preaching Christ and showing Christ to the world. Satan has built up a system in today’s world, which greatly interferes with our effectiveness in getting the Gospel out. It is probably not necessary to list the various forms of distractions that exist in this busy society. If Satan can get our affections off our first Love (Jesus), then he has succeeded. If he can get us to worship the modern idols of this present world, then those idols take control of our hearts and lives. As a result, the ‘spreading of the Gospel’ suffers.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SpiderWeb.jpg

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Whether my idol is TV, radio, music, sports, games, people, hobbies, careers, money, vacations, cars, buying, selling, houses, lands, leisure, ethnicity, traditions, social events, work, etc, etc.; anything that eclipses my affections for Bible study, prayer and meditation. If I am devoting serious time to these diversions, it takes away serious time and energy from the Gospel. One person the other day made the true statement… “The Devil doesn’t care if you go to Hell, as a prostitute or as a school teacher!”

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Of course, each person must work and eat and live, and perhaps, even raise a family. And the Bible commands each Christian to… “…study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” 1st Thessalonians 4:11, 12. As this passage points out, living the quiet life of a responsible “bread-winner” is an integral part of witnessing for Christ. 

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Spider Web – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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IDOLS ARE TIME-SAPPING & SPIRIT-SAPPING

 

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_york_times_square-terabass.jpgBut the Bible also warns against making idols out of things which tend to dominate the heart and captivate our attention. And in this super-affluent, extremely busy high-tech world, there are very many diversions, which any one of them, can sap the Christian of his or her love and devotion to God and His Word.

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It doesn’t matter what the occupation is, or what the diversion is; the result is nevertheless the same. The Gospel is hindered by such worldly devotion; it hinders my own prayer-life, my study-life, and my work of personal regeneration. And it has hindered my witness to others. Whatever my idol is, it becomes a type of graven image. This graven image may not be visible to others. But it nonetheless is en-graven on the tables of my heart. And God knows. And that false image en-graven upon the tablets of my heart will become manifest to all around me!

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New york times square – cropped image – terabass – wikipedia – share-alike license

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TAKEN CAPTIVE IN THE DEVIL’S SNARE

(2nd Timothy 2:26) 

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“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”  2nd Timothy 2:26

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And as you probably have already found out, these so-called “harmless” worldly interests have a way of becoming our slave-masters. Just like the picture here, we become like a little fly, that gets caught in Satan’s web. We can’t get loose no matter how hard we try. God has given nature to be enjoyed. But He has also given lessons in nature, that teach us and warn us. We need to heed these lessons!

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God has told us in His Word, that our lives are like a book that everyone can read. We don’t need to even speak about Christ. People can sense something different about us. When we’ve made the Scriptures our constant meditation, our words and phrases imperceptibly change. 

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“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us (Paul, etc…), written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tables of the heart.”  2 Corinthians 3:2, 3

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This amazing verse above, confirms that the world can see the Gospel, as the world looks upon a child of God. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

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“THY WORD HAVE I HID IN MY HEART”…  

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“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Romans 8:28, 29.

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Here is a powerful passage, which really states concisely, just what is the duty of the Christian: “to be conformed to the image of His Son”.

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And the next verse below is the end-result of all those who obey this passage…

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“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with Him an hundred forty and four thousand, having His Father’s name written in their foreheads.” Revelation 4:1 

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What does it mean to have our heavenly Father’s name written in our foreheads? And what is God’s name, spoken of in this passage?  

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“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11

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John, Chapter 1 says, “…and the Word was God.”

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And so, by hiding the Word in our hearts, we are in essence, hiding God in our hearts. “But let it be the hidden man of the heart…” 1 Peter 3:4.

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God’s name is “Wonderful Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6).

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And God’s Word is that ‘wonderful counsel’ that we must hide in our hearts (by much study and constant meditation).

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This next verse really lays it out plainly… “And He (Jesus) was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.” Revelation 19:13.

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If a Christian is immersing his or her self in Christ, then that Christian will, more and more, reflect the lovely image of Jesus…

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“By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  John 13:35. 

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They will become the ‘mirror image’ of Jesus (howbeit, to a lesser degree). People will know. And conversely, if I have been immersing myself  in “self”, then “self” will be seen. And people will know who I’ve been spending time with.

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Section 4: “THE BEAST AND HIS IMAGE”

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“So foolish was I, and ignorant:

I was as a beast before Thee.”

Psalm 73:22

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 Originally, God created mankind in the image of God… “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.” Genesis 1:27.

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Among the other aspects to being created in God’s likeness, Man was created with godly virtue. But when Man rebelled, Mankind became depraved and UN-godly. Our natures became more conformed to the likeness of the beasts of the Earth, than to God. The next verse below confirms this concept of how our ungodliness is a beast-like nature. Just listen…

“So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as A BEAST before Thee.” Psalms 73:22.

800px-Canis_lupus_arabic Wikipedia Public Domain

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This above passage compares man’s sinfulness to the common animals. If you examine the qualities of Christ’s character, and compare Him to we citizens of this planet, you will probably conclude that much of mankind’s fallen nature is closer in many ways to common beasts than to the character of Jesus. 

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The Bible lays out plainly many of fallen Man’s character…

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“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

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Does Man have any good qualities too? Yes, Man also has some virtuous qualities. And so do animals. For instance, they once thought crocodiles ate their babies, until they found out that they were simply transporting them via their mouth. As a matter of fact, as you well know, most animals care for their young.

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wolf – Canis_lupus_arabic – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Siamese_Crocodile-wikipedia-Public-Domain

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FLOODWATERS OF ATHEISM & PSYCHOLOGY

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(Editor’s comment: There is much more to the Antichrist Beast and His image than what is presented in this article. This article only presents the reason why the Antichrist is referred to as a “beast”) Such articles, as “Flood-waters of Atheism And Psychology” should also be read, to gain a further understanding of the Antichrist Beast.

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Charles Darwin – by John Collier (artist) – www.wikimedia.com – Public Domain

 

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MAN CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD

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And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created Him…” Colossians 3:10. This verse speaks of the Believer being conformed into the IMAGE…of God.

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But God requires more from mankind than He requires from animals. We were created in the image of God. We have the reasoning powers far above animals. God desires (and commands) that we “put on” the image of Christ. God requires faithful obedience to His Law. But in order to keep His law, we must be changed from the inside. There is a purification process that must be achieved. We need to have Christ’s virtuous Spirit (Holy Spirit) within us…

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“But the fruit of the Spirit (Holy Spirit) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.  

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It is seen from this passage, that it requires the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in order to enable us to become Christ-like. We humans don’t have the natural ability within us, to make ourselves righteous. God’s virtuous Spirit must indwell us, to accompl800px-Lion_cub_with_mother by davis dennis for wikipediaish such obedience. Oh yes, we can attain to the righteousness of common animals. We can protect our children. Or feed them. Or be nice to others, just like many animals can be. But to become Christ-like is out of our reach. This next verse seems to confirm that Man is not capable of attaining to godliness on our own…

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“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:8-10.

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To become Christ-like requires the in-dwelling of the Spirit of Holiness. But this passage goes even further, declaring that if Christ is truly dwelling in me, then my body will be dead (in a spiritual sense). 

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(photo of lions courtesy of David Dennis for Wikipedia. Click on photo for link to site)

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Section 5: IMAGE OF BEAST SPOKEN OF IN DANIEL

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“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in…the province of Babylon.: Daniel 3:1https://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/d/dore/gustave/bible/chapter50.html

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This statue of a man made of gold, was made in the likeness of the king of Babylon. This image, spoken of in Daniel was almost 100 feet tall (60 cubits). The king of Babylon commanded that anyone who would not bow down to that golden image (when the music and singing began), would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Daniel’s three companions refused to bow down, and as a result, the angry king had these three Hebrew boys thrown into a fiery furnace. But God miraculously intervened, and the astonished king saw these three boys walking in the midst of this hot fiery furnace along with a fourth person, the “Son of the Gods”.

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Fiery Furnace by Gustave Dore’ courtesy of – www.adelaide edu.au (photo under limited license use)

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IMAGE OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR REAPPEARS TODAY

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“Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon… Then an herald cried aloud,  “To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up”  Daniel 3:1-5

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This story in Daniel has a lot to do with the subject of this article. That is, the king of Babylon commanding the citizens of his kingdom to worship his image, seems to be a picture of right now. It seems to be a picture of how Satan tries to get us to worship his image, in our world today. The golden image was http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:81st_Academy_Awards_Ceremony.JPGan image of the king of Babylon.

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The Bible compares the king of Babylon to Satan…  “That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say…How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer” (Isaiah 14:4 & 14:12 margin provided for clarity).

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In other words, we don’t have to bow down knowingly to Satan, to be worshiping Satan. Rather, all Satan needs to do is to get us to love his sinful attributes. Thus, by loving to watch ‘murder’ or ‘revenge’ on television, for instance…we are loving, in reality, the one who is the father of murder and revenge: Satan.

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So… how does this story about ancient Babylonian people worshipping a golden statue possibly relate to us in today? As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. And the picture here to the right is no exception.

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Academy Awards Ceremony – cropped image – wikipedia share alike lic.

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INTO THE IMAGE OF SATAN

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“and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” Revelation 14:11, 12

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And what is Satan’s image? His character. His qualities. His personality. To be in Satan’s image means to be like-minded with Satan… “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.” John 8:44. 

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Jesus was speaking here to God’s professed followers. And yet Jesus told them that Satan was their father. Jesus told these professed followers of God that they had the same lusts as the Devil. This next verse (from Proverbs) seems to state concisely, just what is Satan’s personality… 

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“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,  A false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19  

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Maybe this passage could be further reduced to the following qualities: 1. Pride 2. hypocrisy and deceit 3. hate and violence 4. evil thoughts 5. impatience and lust 6. false witness speaking lies 7. false ideologies. These are the qualities of Satan. And these are the qualities of fallen Mankind. And this is how Man becomes conformed to the image of Satan. By possessing the same attributes as Satan.

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Does Jesus have self-pride? No. Does He have hypocrisy? Or lust? Or evil thoughts? No, Jesus has none of these traits. These traits are found in the Devil, and in the rebellious human race, i.e., the followers of the Devil. 

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“TWO DOG” THEORY

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There has been a popular little proverb floating around Christendom for many years. It is the idea of “two dogs”. One dog represents the sin nature and the other dog represents the spiritual nature. The idea is that you feed one dog more than the other, and the well-fed dog thrives, and the lesser-fed dog shrivels up and dies. This proverb is saying that the Christian should, for instance, read the Bible more than he or she watches TV. Or the Christian should “hang  out” more with Christians than he or she hangs out with non-Christians.

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:John_Sell_Cotman_-_A_Starved_Greyhound_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

The problem with this theory is that it cannot be supported by the Bible. Scripture plainly states that...“Know ye not that a LITTLE leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” 1st Corinthians 5:6, 7. 

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In Ecclesiastes, the Lord puts it this way… “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so does a LITTLE folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” Eccl. 10:1

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The above two verses say each in slightly different terms, namely this: A little bit of worldliness destroys a whole lot of heavenly-ness. No, the only way the Bible knows of how a Christian is to thrive spiritually is this… “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…” Philippians 3:8.

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Paul knew that there’s no cohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cano_-_San_Juan.jpgmpromising with sin. You can’t have the world and Jesus too! You must choose one or the other. Listen… “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.”  Matthew 6:24.

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You’re going to have to completely stop feeding the one dog, so to speak. And this is the great secret to having a fruitful relationship with Christ.  

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And this is how John lived his life. And this is how Paul lived his life. And if any Christian wants what John had, and what Paul had, he or she must be willing to let go all those things which leaven the heart with tares. The Christian must cleanse the Soul-Temple of any and every thing which defiles the temple of God. And just as Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so also, any Christian who is serious about overcoming the world must stay close to Jesus, the Sun of Righteousness.

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John The Apostle – by Alonzo Cano – 1635-1637 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

John Sell Cotman-A Starved Greyhound – Google Art Project wikimedia US public domain

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THE END

 

.Orion Constellation at Eagle Ridge

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NEXT ARTICLE SUGGESTION:

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TELEVISION: THE IMAGE THAT SPEAKS

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FLOOD WATERS, PART 3-TELEVISION: THE IMAGE THAT SPEAKS… This article explains how television is being used by Satan to destroy the souls of millions, perhaps billions! It also explains how Satan has been able to conform the world’s inhabitants into the same image of himself. This article is a continuation of this “Image of the Beast” series.
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A HEAVENLY HOBBY

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Starry_Night_at_La_Silla.jpg

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“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these things; that brings out their host by number: He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isaiah 40:26

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ABOVE PICTURE – Starry Night at La Silla – cropped  and altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_york_times_square-terabass.jpgthings.

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In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shoppers_on_Dundas,_near_Yonge.jpgworries, and habits, to name just a few.

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But as the child of God devotes his or her life to God, there should be a jealous guarding of one’s own heart… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.

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The Christian wants nothing to get in the way of running that Christian Race.

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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But having said this, there is one hobby which every ‘Noble Berean’ may take up, which only compliments the pursuit of the heavenly Prize.

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Yes, Signs Of Heaven becomes a wonderfully rewarding hobby which, unlike many less meaningful hobbies, pays off with rich, heavenly rewards. Everlasting rewards!

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And unlike the person in this photo with equipment, all you need is fairly good vision, and a dark, starry night.

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And once a person really gets to know these heavenly messengers, it will become very apparent that the message connected with these signs is truly a message to be heeded.

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Thus will the Christian be able to share this message with others. And there are perhaps many nuances and hidden biblical truths to these signs which have yet to be discovered.

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Astronomy Amateur – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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.summer w/woman & doves

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“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” Luke 21:25

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ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major)

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FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

.Orion Constellation

The very first step in finding these many constellations, should be to find the two main constellations: Orion, and the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper).

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These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Chur7 stars as Crossch (7 Stars).

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And just as these are the easiest constellations to find, so too, the first place to begin studying the Bible is the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

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These four books present Christ and His Church, when He walked the earth, just as Orion and the 7 Stars represent Christ and His Church, as seen up in the heavens.

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Then, once you are comfortable finding these two constellations, you can begin to locate the next closest constellations, and so on.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc.) – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…

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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!

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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!

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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.

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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.

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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and altered image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

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Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.

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But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.

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And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.

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Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

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