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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 13 

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Cuttlefish & The False Prophet,

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Part 3-a:

“All Power, Signs & Lying Wonders”

To read Part 1, click here… April 1 (Cuttlefish & The False Prophet)

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“And then shall that Wicked be revealed,

whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His mouth,

and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan

with all power and signs and lying wonders,”

2nd Thessalonians 2:8, 9 (condensed)

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CUTTLEFISH: THE MASTER-DECEIVER!

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One of the most amazing creatures ever created is the Cuttlefish!

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Actually, it is not a fish, but a type of mollusk, like a squid, or octopus.

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The reason why this creature is so incredible, is that it can just glance at its environment and instantly change its body to imitate that environment!

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As a matter of fact, whatever the Cuttlefish passes over, it instantly begins to change into the same color and shape, of that undersea object!

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And so, its enemies cannot detect the Cuttlefish! Or when it lays-in-wait for its victims, perhaps next to a seaweed, its color, and spots, and shape automatically change to imitate that seaweed!

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It can even instantly grow leaf-like appendages to imitate certain seaweeds!

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This little creature is nothing short of amazing!

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Cuttlefish.ogv – Wikipedia – Creative Commons License

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CUTTLEFISH: SYMBOL OF SATAN

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Well, God has created this little predator to give us further insight into the inner working of the kingdom of Satan.

(As this little 26 second video below shows, the Cuttlefish has the ability to paralyze his potential victims, by using his hypnotizing strobe-light effect! Amazing!)

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Certainly, Satan and his unseen armies love to make themselves invisible!

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That way, they can work their misery and woe upon this unsuspecting world without its inhabitants becoming alarmed causing us to rebel against Satan’s kingdom, as we flee to God!

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SATAN, THE GREAT CUTTLEFISH IMPOSTOR!

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Like the cuttlefish, Satan has the ability to change form into whatever image he desires. Satan even comes as an angel of light…

“Marvel not, for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light,

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;”

2nd Corinthians 11:15

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And this above verse alerts us to the danger of being deceived by today’s fallen churches.

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 Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE”

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But God is now calling His people out of Babylon. “Come out of her (Babylon, the Harlot Church) My people” is the cry now being trumpeted through the land! (see Revelation 18:4)

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James Tissot – The Flight of the Prisoners – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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BUT MY CHURCH IS FAITHFUL!

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But there are many who look around and see new baptisms, and hear testimonies from new converts.

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They hear their pastor preach from the Bible, and everyone looks so well-behaved.

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They even have a thriving Wednesday night Bible study… “How can my church possibly be considered Babylon, the harlot church?

How can my church possibly be under the power of the Devil?”

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The problem is, far too many do not remember that Satan and his ministers come as counterfeit ministers of righteousness!

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And the Bible says that Satan comes “with ALL power, signs and lying wonders” (2nd Thessalonians 2:9).

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In other words, many of today’s churches are so close to the real thing that they will, “deceive, if possible, even the elect” Matthew 24:24

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Sunday preaching – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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ANOTHER SPIRIT HAS MOVED IN

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Yes, Satan will come through false teachers and with signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect chosen people of God.

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Oh no, Satan cannot deceive the elect to the point of damnation.

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God has given enough truth so that the Elect will ultimately see the apostasy and come out from among them.

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But he can and does deceive many true sheep into thinking that their own congregation is still under the blessing of God…

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…when in truth, the Holy Spirit has moved out and another spirit has moved in, counterfeiting nearly every detail of the Gospel!

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RUN CHRISTIAN, RUN!

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But the very Good News is, that God has graciously left open the door of mercy!

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And considering the lateness of the hour, we who value the opportunity to live forever, need to quicken our footstep…

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…making haste in attempt to forsake this selfish and deceitful world of many lusts and flee to the “munitions of Rocks” and hide ourselves “until the Indignation be overpast”!

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Yes, the Lord is now rising to shake terribly the earth.

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And all those who enter into the “hiding place” provided will only behold these calamities with their eyes!

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WATCH THIS AMAZING VIDEO…

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TO READ PART 3-b, CLICK HERE… 

SEPTEMBER 16 (Cuttlefish & The False Prophet, Part 3-b: All Power, Signs & Lying Wonders, continued)

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who now in these last days destroys the churches via a world-loving prosperity-driven false gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me wisdom and insight that I may be discerning about the condition of the church-world…

Woman Praying – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”…

…or you can also read this much shorter article… “February 17th (Examine Yourself!)” 

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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CASTOR AND POLLUX & THE NARROW WAY…

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As the opening verse says…

…“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction…”

Matthew 7:13-14 (Condensed) 

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So, what are these two gates all about?

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And how can I choose the right door?

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But before we explore these questions, let’s take a look at why these two sets of stars represent these two biblical gates.

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(This sketch, while not 100% accurate, gives a fair portrayal of how this constellation group appears at winter’s end and even into June, when above the western horizon.)

 

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HOW THE GATES RELATE TO ORION & DRAGON

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This sketch below is when these constellations are in the eastern sky in early winter (However, this constellation group can even be seen as early as July, in the pre-dawn hours). 

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In the eastern sky, it’s not so easily seen which gate the Revelation 12 Woman will enter.

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The Wide Gate is made of the two brightest stars of this Wave of Water Constellation.

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Satan spews out the deadly water of his false worldly ideologies…

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…which many of these ideologies have a form of godliness, but in some way are not in harmony…

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…or perhaps these worldly ideologies add to the Bible, which is strictly forbidden (see Deuteronomy 4:2). 

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On the other hand, the Strait Gate (narrow gate) is composed of the two brightest stars of the Orion The Reaper’s sickle. The true Strait Gate represents Jesus, the Word of God.  

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Listen… “I [Jesus] am the door:

by Me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.”

John 10:9

 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven)”

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TOMORROW…

SEPTEMBER 14 (As The Flower of the Field, Part 7: “How Dieth the Wise? As the Fool!”)

Gravestone icon – .svg – Wikimedia – Public Domain worldwide

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #621 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 12

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Jeremiah & the Smooth Prophets,

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Part 2:

“Absalom The Great Flatterer!”

To read part 1, click here… April 1, (Jeremiah & the Smooth Prophets, Part 1)

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Have you ever heard the expression, “Flattery will get you no-where”? Well, that may indeed be true with some people.

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But perhaps this next common saying is more accurate, “Flattery will get you every-where!”

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kissing hand – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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FLATTERY IN VARIOUS FORMS

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Yes, by nature, we humans are quite susceptible to flattery in its various forms: sexual advances…

…manipulative complimenting…

…praising people…

…giving inordinate attention to another person…

…being “cutsie” or “coy”…

…pretentiousness…

…utilizing one’s charismatic personality…

…using jokes and jests…

…giving gifts… 

…promising future advancement, etc…

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…all in attempt to gain another person’s affection, loyalty, or trust.

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Yes, flattery can come in various forms. And it is a very powerful means to win the hearts and favor of others.

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Judas Betrays Jesus – courtesy Wikipedia – Public Domain

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ABSALOM’S FLATTERY

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Absalom, the son of King David, knew well how to use flattery to gain the favor of others…

…”Absalom said moreover,

Oh, that I were made judge in the land…

And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him…

he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him…

…so, Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”

2nd Samuel 15:4-6 (Condensed)

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Now in addition to Absalom’s pretentious flattery and kissing the hands of all who came to him, it is also written of him… 

“But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty…”

2nd Samuel 14:25 (Condensed)

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Now here we have been given the picture of a man who used his attractiveness and personality and pretentious “slobbering” affection to steal away the hearts of the citizens of Israel away from his father, King David.

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Absalom cropped image – – www.freebibleimages.org

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ABSALOM A PORTRAIT OF LUCIFER

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Now this true account of David’s son’s rebellion is also a picture of Lucifer’s rebellion in Heaven.

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Since David often represents Christ in Scripture, it is not hard to relate this story of how Lucifer stole the hearts of those angels who eventually fell from grace, as they transferred their allegiance from Jesus, to follow Lucifer.

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Lucifer – Mihály Zichy – 1887 – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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LUCIFER’S FLATTERY TRANSFERRED TO PLANET EARTH

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But this kind of flattery has continued to be used by earth’s inhabitants to this very day.

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After all, don’t we see politicians doing the same thing?

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Don’t we see them kiss babies, and shake everyone’s hand, and attempt to schmooze their hearers in every possible way?

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Gustave Dore – Paradise Lost illustration – Lucifer becomes Satan – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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CHURCH LEADERS TOO!

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And of course, we also see church leaders do the same thing.

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Oh, not every church leader. But many church leaders have the same mentality as a politician!

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Kissing, and hand-shaking, and schmoozing flattery, is quite often seen in various church leaders today.

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Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

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TV & RADIO PERSONALITIES

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Yes, down through the past decades, various TV and radio teachers and evangelists have attempted to win the hearts of their viewers and hearers by means of their personality.

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Telling jokes, using their folksy wit and charm, using their musical abilities, or behaving in an alluring, sensual manner, these erring men (and women) unwittingly use the same strategy that Absalom used, and even as Lucifer used when back in Heaven to win the affection of others!

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“A FLATTERING MOUTH WORKS RUIN”

Proverbs 26:28

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Listen to the Lord’s assessment of flattery, as He spoke through David…

“They (the people of the world) speak vanity (empty words) every one with his neighbour:

with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips,

and the tongue that speaketh proud things:”

Psalm 12:2, 3  

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This above passage (and many other similar passages) reveals just how much God hates flattery!

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And perhaps we might add the following words to that old expression, “Flattery will get you everywhere…but Heaven!”

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For this above verse from Psalms promises that all flattering tongues will be cut off!

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JESUS DEFINITELY NOT A FLATTERER

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As we read about the Lord Jesus, we behold a man who came with no flattering words, but spoke the truth plainly.

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Jesus never once used his personality to win the hearts of His hearers. 

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Listen to Isaiah… “He (Jesus) hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.” Isaiah 53:2

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Jesus did not come into this world with charming wit, nor with outward beauty.

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He was an average-looking man and used His words sparingly with the sole desire to convict the hearts of His hearers with the plain and cutting eternal truths.

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Brooklyn Museum – The Pharisees Question Jesus – James Tissot – US Public Domain – Wikimedia

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THE GOOD NEWS!

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The very Good News is, that this is still the day of Salvation!

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Yes, the door of mercy and grace is still ajar!

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And considering the lateness of the hour, it is no time for delay.

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We must hurry along the upward pathway to the Celestial City of Heaven!

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And our daily prayer should be that God might transform our hearts and conform our lives into the image of Christ.

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Upward-Pathway-by-böhringer-friedrich-for-Wikimedia-cropped image – Share-alike-License 

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TO READ PART 3, GO HERE…

March 30 (Jeremiah & the Smooth Prophets, Part 3: “Soft Sermons”)

Audience hands – cropped & altered – Wikimedia – Universal Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to put away any and all such manipulative tactics, and merely put on the Lord Jesus Christ for all the world to see…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… ” The Abomination in the Church, Part 1″…

…or you can also read this shorter article…  “JANUARY 26 (The False Prophet: Lying Eyes!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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VARIOUS SIGNS SPOKEN OF…

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Now as far as those who search Bible prophecy concerning “signs of the End”, most of us were expecting extraordinary heavenly phenomena; you know, such things as giant asteroids or other colossal cataclysmic occurrences.

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Comet Hale-Bopp-29-03-1997 – cropped image – wikipedia share-alike license

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VARIOUS SIGNS MENTIONED…

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But you see, God has mentioned various constellations in Scriptures: Orion, The Pleiades, Mazzaroth, etc…

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…but He also spoke in Revelation of “great signs” in the heavens…

…a woman with child…

…a dragon who swept a third of the stars…

…and Michael who fought against that dragon (see Revelation, Ch. 12).

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The Bible also speaks of other signs in the heavens, and it is the purpose of Signs Of Heaven website, to introduce these wonderful signs and to reveal the many Bible passages which explain them.

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And if you are one of the fortunate ones to receive this amazing message, then you too can begin to proclaim this heavenly love story to anyone willing to listen.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Arcturus (the star that wise-men follow!)”

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TOMORROW

SEPTEMBER 13 (Cuttlefish & The False Prophet, Part 2: All Power, Signs & Lying Wonders)

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who now in these last days destroys the churches via a world-loving prosperity-driven false gospel – www.signsofheaven.org

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #620 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – September 11

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“Will a Man Rob God?”

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“Time Thieves!”

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“Will a man rob God?

Yet ye have robbed Me.

But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee?

In tithes and offerings. 

Ye are cursed with a curse:

for ye have robbed Me,

even this whole nation.”

Malachi 3:8, 9

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When Jesus hung on the Cross, there were two thieves crucified with Him, each for the crime of theft.

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Of course, as the Bible records, both men joined the throngs which mocked and derided the Savior.

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Yes, those two thieves called down mocks and curses on the Savior, even as they hung there dying!

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Incredible! (One did finally repent, and was ultimately saved). 

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

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ONE DISGRUNTLED RESTAURANT OWNER

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But how are we to glean spiritual lessons which will help us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ?

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Just how does this account of the two thieves apply to our lives?

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Well, perhaps the comment of one disgruntled restaurant owner will help us understand our own personal relationship with Christ, just a little bit better…

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Said the frustrated restaurant owner…“My employees steal from me every day!

Yes, my employees are time thieves!

They like to clock-in early and clock-out late on the time clock.

They like to take extra-long breaks.

And they goof off whenever they get a chance!

I tell you, they’re time thieves!”

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Time clock – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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Now just how does this above complaint apply to the Christian? Just how do we likewise rob God?

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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“WILL A MAN ROB GOD?”

Malachi 3:8

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Malachi says that we rob God in, “tithes and offerings”.

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Well, robbing God in tithes and offerings is easy to understand in the area of finances!

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Yes, too many of us are extravagant with our money. We are big spenders!

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Instead of being careful, that we might give the most, we carelessly spend our money on the new, and on the fashionable, and on the fun and exciting, and on the decadent things of this hedonistic cornucopian super-society!

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But sad to say, we rob God in other ways too!

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Exclamation Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“AWAKE…ARISE FROM THE DEAD!”

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For instance, isn’t it true that we are time thieves?

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How often do we fritter away the hours of the day on vain endeavors?

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How often do we pursue things which have little meaning, when we could instead be using our time in devotion to the service of God?

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The Apostle Paul addresses this issue…

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest,

and arise from the dead,

and Christ shall give thee light.

See then that ye walk circumspectly,

not as fools, but as wise,

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Ephesians 5:14-16

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And so, each one of us needs to ask our self, regarding this admonition from Paul… “Am I being wise concerning how I use my time each day, or am I behaving foolishly?”

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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“REDEEMING THE TIME”

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Yes, these encouraging words from Paul, “redeeming the time” remind us of our own Redemption in Christ.

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And God uses this word as an encouragement, “to redeem all the potentially lost minutes and hours of the day.”

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Paul Tentmaking – La Vista Church of Christ – Creative Commons License

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Just what might be the various ways that I might redeem the time in everyday situations?

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Question Marks – At a loss – svg – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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WAYS TO NOT ROB GOD…

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For example, when waiting in a check-out line, take a little pocket Bible (or Internet device) and have it marked out in 365 daily readings, and read that particular day’s reading.

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Or when commuting to work, listen to an audio Bible.

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Or whenever having a spare moment, say a little prayer for daily needs.

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Or instead of watching TV, redeem that time by sitting down with a good Bible and a concordance and look up various related verses on any particular topic.

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Or instead of “yukking-it-up” on my break, rather, spend that break-time reading my little pocket Bible’s daily reading.

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Or instead of listening to endless radio talk shows, why not listen to an audio Bible or something similar?

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Or instead of pursuing vain hobbies, take up a hobby that has some true meaning. Maybe engaging in prayer while hiking in nature.

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Or maybe visiting those who are in nursing homes.

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Or how about making “The Signs Of Heaven” my hobby?

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Or why not live a healthy lifestyle, so that by feeling better I can have more energy (and longer life?), to better serve the Lord?

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When lying in bed, why not listen to audio Bible readings?

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Or maybe pray.

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Or just reflect on how I let Jesus shine through me this past day.

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Gideons bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

TV icon novela svg. – Wikimedia –

Lunch Break – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-alike License

Starry Night at La Silla – cropped/altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

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MANY OTHER WAYS TO NOT ROB GOD

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Well, these are just a few suggestions.

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Actually, there are countless more ways that we might redeem the time.

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But one thing is for sure…

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…when standing before the Judge of the Universe on that fearful Day, we all would hope that we shall not be ashamed when called to account for how we spent our time during our earthly sojourn.

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But make no mistake, we will be called to account for our time!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon: “Company’s Coming”

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ONE THIEF REPENTED

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Now back to the account of the two thieves, one on Jesus’ right and the other on Jesus’ left.

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Well, as we all know, the one thief began to realize that Jesus was indeed the Savior!

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And he eventually asked Jesus for forgiveness for his life of thievery.

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“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43

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Well, hopefully this man represents you and me, that we too may repent of our thievery against Heaven.

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May each of us take to heart this lesson which God is giving us!

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to see in what areas of my life do I steal time and money from the treasury in Heaven? Lead me away from these thefts and cause me to live for Thy glory…

Prayer – Mother and Daughter – Wikipedia – (cropped image) the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

…“MAY 1 (Making Deals With My Own Self)”,

…or you can also read this shorter article…

…November 18th (Squirreling Away Money)

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE GLORIOUS 12-STAR CROWN

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COMBINATION OF BOTH CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES

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This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation.

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The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).

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Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… The 12-Star Crown Constellation of Revelation 12

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TOMORROW…

SEPTEMBER 12 (“Absalom The Great Flatterer!”)

Laughing – (cropped and color added) – Fotothek df roe neg – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

.

THIS IS STUDY #619 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 10

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Chief of Sinners,

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Part 3:

“Cesspool of My Heart!”

To read Part 1, click here…SEPTEMBER 6 (Chief of Sinners, Part 1)

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That great Apostle, Paul, was a very proud person, by nature!

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Yes, prior to his conversion, Paul worked harder than every other person, that he might achieve greatness above all others in his nation!

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Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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CHIEF OF SINNERS!

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And yet, when the light of Heaven shone down on Paul, he suddenly realized just what a great sinner he truly was!

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As a matter of fact, Paul came to discover that… 

…”This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”

1st Timothy 1:15

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Yes, this hard-hearted Pharisee-turned-Apostle now realized that his heart was, in reality, merely a cesspool of sin!

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And Paul knew that only the grace of God could clean up that cesspool and make it pure and holy, so it might become a fit house for the indwelling of Christ!

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Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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THIS, OUR CONDITION TOO!

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But this above statement by Paul, “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”, was a testimony to us all!

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And yet, Paul added these words…“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,”

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In other words, each and every one of us can likewise make the same judgment about our own self: I too am the chief of sinners!

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I too am desperately wicked and in need of the purifying work of Christ upon the cesspool of my own heart!

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BUT DUNG!

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But Paul knew another painful truth. And this truth is revealed in today’s signature verse…

“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,”

Philippians 3:8

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Here again is a similar statement that Paul makes concerning his past life: that all of his past worldly glories, and all of his former earthly accolades were, “but dung!” 

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This is because Paul came to understand, that the motives of the human heart are so deceitfully wicked, that any supposed “good work” is mingled with our very own corrupt and selfish motives!

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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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“THE HEART IS DESPERATELY WICKED!”

Jeremiah 17:9

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Well, such a statement as this almost takes one’s breath away, doesn’t it?

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And yet, this is the condition of my heart, prior to my conversion!

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And this is the condition of the entire human race, prior to their conversion, should they have one!

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The Apostle John reveals the condition of the entire world…“the whole world lies in wickedness.” 1st John 5:19,

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Worker in filled sewer – altered image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO NOT ONE!”

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Yes, John’s testimony about this wicked world agrees with the rest of the Bible…

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“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

There is none that understandeth,

there is none that seeketh after God.

They are all gone out of the way,

they are together become unprofitable;

there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Their throat is an open sepulchre;

with their tongues they have used deceit;

the poison of asps is under their lips:

Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Destruction and misery are in their ways:

And the way of peace have they not known:

There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Romans 3:10-18

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Now this above assessment from Romans is not just about the abject evildoers of this world! No, this speaks of all of us!

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No matter if I’m the most well-respected and moral humanitarian, this applies to me too! “There is none that doeth good, no, not one!”

 

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THE HUMAN CONDITION: AN OPEN SEWER!

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Well, let’s stop for a moment and consider just what implications this has, concerning our past glories and accolades.

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Well, if this is true, then I really don’t have anything to boast about, do I?

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My glamorous career? Just dung floating on the cesspool of my heart!

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My nicely appointed home? Just dung!

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My fashionable car? But dung!

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My big fat bank account? But dung!

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My admirable work ethics? But dung!

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My former good looks? But dung!

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My charismatic personality? Dung!

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My incredible intellect? Dung!

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My wonderful sense of humor? Dung!

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My commendable history of public service? Dung, dung, dung!!!

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Yes, all these things (and all my other accolades!) are merely dung floating upon the cesspool of my heart!

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Woman gazing into mirror – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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GOOD NEWS!

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Well, the very Good News is just this! The door of mercy is still just barely open!

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And it is open just wide enough for you and for me to squeeze through!

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And considering the lateness of the hour, it is no time to be loitering on the street-corner of earthly-desires!

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Let’s all get into the ark of Salvation, before the door forever closes!

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And let’s all begin to fully devote ourselves to the work of purifying our heart!

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Let’s flush out all the filth and scrub off all the worldly graffiti inscribed upon the walls of the Most Holy Place of our heart!

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And let’s not despair because of the enormity of this task at hand!

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God promises to be right there alongside of us in the cleansing of our heart sanctuary!

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Listen… “For it is God which works in you, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

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And so, my dear darling soul, with such a promise as this, how can we ever fail?

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ABOVE PICTURE: The Gospel Ark (ship) of Salvation

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TO READ PART 4, CLICK HERE…

OCTOBER 14 (Chief of Sinners, Part 4: “O Wretched Man That I Am!”)

 

David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord,  Help me to see myself for what I truly am: a beggar in rags with nothing to boast of!

Give me the true riches of Heaven, that I may boast of Christ’s mercy toward a miserable sinner such as myself… 

Family Prayer Before Meal – Wikimedia – US-Govt. – Public-Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…”May 23rd (Who’s In Your Mirror?)”…

…or you can also read this article…”April 18th (Getting Slapped!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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NARROW GATE STARS LOCATION

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And at this point it is apparent that the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation  is veering toward the two bright stars, known as Castor and Pollux.

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But the Wide Gate Stars are composed of the two brightest stars of the Auriga Constellation, known as the star, Capella, and the star, Menkalinan.

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The two stars, Castor and Pollux, make up the concept of the Orion’s Narrow Gate Stars.

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This can even be observed into June in the western sky (for a short time just after dark).  

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… September 11th (Narrow Gate Stars, Part 1)

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TOMORROW…

” SEPTEMBER 11 (“Will a Man Rob God? Time Thieves!”)”

 

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #618 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 9

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Flee To The Mountain!

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Part 5:

“Get Your Son-Glasses On!”

TO READ PART 1, CLICK HERE… “May 30th (Flee To The Mountains!)”

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“Saith the Preacher…

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;

and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.”

Ecclesiastes 1:13, 14 (Condensed)

Colorized King Solomon in Old Age – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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HISTORY OF SUNGLASSES

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In prehistoric and historic time, Inuit peoples wore flattened walrus ivory “glasses,” looking through narrow slits to block harmful reflected rays of the sun.

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It is said that the Roman emperor Nero liked to watch gladiator fights with emeralds. These, however, appear to have worked rather like mirrors.

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Sunglasses made from flat panes of smoky quartz, which offered no corrective powers but did protect the eyes from glare were used in China in the 12th century or possibly earlier.

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Ancient documents describe the use of such crystal sunglasses by judges in ancient Chinese courts to conceal their facial expressions while questioning witnesses.

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In the 1940’s, Sunglasses became a fashion statement for many people and even many “movie-stars”.

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And today, sunglasses are a regular part of everyday life, offering protection from harmful sunlight.

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Eskimo snowgoggles – Wikipedia – US Govt. Public Domain

Audrey Hepburn Tiffany’s – Wikimedia – Public Domain – Cropped Image

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Now, as with so many things in this world, there can be discerned a spiritual analogy from sunglasses.

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Yes, it is not too difficult to make a heavenly connection to our modern-day eyewear.

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File:Light Painting (5023363756).jpg – Wikimedia Commons

 

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SUN-GLASSES & SON-GLASSES

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Of course, the Bible makes the connection between Christ, and the Sun. Countless times in Scripture, our Lord is compared to the Sun.

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But perhaps we might say that when we begin looking at life through the eyes of Jesus, we have in essence, put on our Son-Glasses!

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation – made of the various constellations on this website

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EARTH-HUGGERS, US! 

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As we all know, when we were back in the world, we looked at life from a horizontal vantage-point.

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*In other words, we viewed life from a “ground-zero” viewpoint.

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*We judged earthy matters from an earthly point of view.

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*Our focus in life was upon the things of the earth.

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*We were intimately intertwined with the everyday goings on!

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*We were earth-huggers!

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*We were totally caught up in the things of the world!

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*We could not see, nor comprehend our daily matters from a heavenly viewpoint.

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

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IN THE HEAVENLIES WITH CHRIST

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But once “the grace of God…hath appeared”, we were called to come out of the world, and begin a heavenward sojourn. Titus 2:11

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*And now, we had received a new heart. Now Jesus had planted the seed of Heaven within our heart!

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*No longer were we looking at life from a horizontal vantage-point!

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*Now we were sitting with Christ “in heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3, 20, 2:6, 3:10).

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*Now we were looking at worldly matters from a heavenly viewpoint!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“For He (God) doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men…”

Lamentations 3:33 

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But now with our Son-Glasses on, we can look at life and all its goings-on through the eyes of Jesus.

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Now, we see a world which is struggling with sin’s sorrowful consequences and heartaches.

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Now we realize that Jesus looks down with pity upon each and every human, longing to deliver them from their selfish ways, and the misery and sorrow which sooner or later follows.

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Divorce – Wikimedia – the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Munch – Det Syke Barn – 1896 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“to…search…out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man”

Ecclesiastes 1:13, 14 (Condensed for brevity)

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But only with our Son-Glasses on, do we actually begin to understand that this experiment with sin must be allowed to continue to reach its fullness, before Mankind’s love affair with sin and selfishness will ever finally end.

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Sin must finally be exposed for its truly evil nature and reprehensible results.

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Only then will Mankind truly understand and be ready to quit our rebellion.

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Then and only then will “every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”.

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Cannibalism in Russia and Lithuania 1571. – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.”

Lamentations 3:40 

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And so, in conclusion, let’s put on our Son-Glasses and keep them on.

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For through those heavenly lenses, we can clearly see life through the eyes of Jesus.

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To read part 6, click here…

SEPTEMBER 17 (Flee To The Mountain! Part 6: Jeremiah’s Cup of Fury!

The Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to lift up my eyes from this world and fix them Heavenward…

Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…January 19th (Who Wants To Hang Out With Holiness?)…

…or you can also read…“May 27th (Through Jesus’ Eyes!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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TWO TURTLE-DOVES CONSTELLATION

LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION

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This constellation appears in early spring in the south.

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It moves from east to west during the night and slowly moves to the western horizon by fall.

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It is commonly known as Sagittarius. (The three stars at the top of the 2nd Turtle-dove are not shown in some Sagittarius Star-charts, but are in others.)

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Sagittarius Constellation star-chart from a wikipedia. Editor of this site has sketched in the Turtle-Doves. Star-chart is under Share-alike license

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GOD’S LAST CALL

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So these Two Turtle-Doves are a sign of witnessing to a lost and dying world. And it may just be that these Two Turtle-Doves are a sign of God’s last message to the world!

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Yes, the Bible says…

“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…

…And then shall they see the Son of man coming

in a cloud with power and great glory.”

Luke 21:25-27. (Condensed)

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And so, if these signs are a fulfillment of Luke’s prophecy, then these Two Turtle-Doves are a symbol of God’s last message of mercy to this world!

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… What Is The Meaning of the Two Turtle-Doves Constellation?

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TOMORROW:

SEPTEMBER 10 (Chief of Sinners, Part 3: Cesspool of My Heart!)

Worker in filled sewer – altered image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #617 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 8

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Flee To The Mountain!

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Part 4:

“Fiddling While Rome Burns!”

TO READ PART 1, CLICK HERE… “May 30th (Flee To The Mountains!)”

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“And it came to pass,

when they had brought them forth abroad,

that He said, ‘Escape for thy life;

look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain;

escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'”

Genesis 19:17

Lot Flees Sodom – www.christianimagesource.com

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This above verse from Genesis is the command and warning from God to Lot: Lot being the nephew of faithful Abraham.

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Yes, God was going to destroy Sodom. 

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And Lot and his family had unknowingly moved to that wicked city merely for the sake of convenience and prosperity!

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But Lot came to despise the wickedness of city life!

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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.

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STUCK IN SODOM

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But by now, Lot was stuck there, and his family, no doubt, learned to love the pleasures and conveniences which that opulent city afforded them. 

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But their consciences became blunted by the daily association with sin, as is written… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” 1st Corinthians 15:33.

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The Sodomites are smitten with blindness – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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DON’T LOOK BACK!

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But then came the night when Lot was told to flee for his life…

“…He (God) said, ‘Escape for thy life;

look not behind thee…

escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'”

Genesis 19:17

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And so, Lot took his family and fled.

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Yet, tragically, Lot’s wife looked back longingly at her beloved city and turned to a pillar of salt.

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Mrs. Lot Flees Sodom, turns to salt – www.christianimagesource.com

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FIDDLING WHILE ROME BURNED

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Let’s change subjects for a moment.

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Have you ever heard the expression, “Nero fiddled while Rome burned”?

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PICTURE: Nero sings and plays while Rome Burns – Wikimedia -US Public Domain

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CHRISTIANS BLAMED

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Well, it’s debatable whether or not Nero actually did sing and play his harp while Rome burned. 

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Yet, one thing is for sure! That rascal, Nero, put the blame for starting that Great Fire upon the Christian community!

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Nero blames Christians for Rome’s Great Fire – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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But how does the story of Lot fleeing from Sodom relate to Nero fiddling while Rome burned?

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And how can we Christians relate these two separate events to our current-day crisis?

Question Mark – at a loss – Wikimedia – Share-alike license

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CHRISTIANS SEEKING WORLD’S CARES & PLEASURES

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If ever there was a time to, “flee from the wrath to come”, it is now! 

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James 5:5 speaks of this adulterous generation, saying…

…”Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth,

and been wanton;

ye have nourished your hearts,

as in a day of slaughter.”

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PICTURE: Nero sings and plays while Rome Burns – Wikimedia -US Public Domain

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WORLD-WIDE MIND-CONTROL

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Yes, in a day in which Christians should be watching and praying, the Enemy of Souls has really brought Christians under a heavy yoke of bondage with television and high-tech devices!

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Yes, quite often, these devices are indoctrinating Christians and their children into this Antichrist world-system!

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Girl Texting – cropped and altered photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0

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SCHOOLS: INDOCTRINATION CENTERS

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In this over-complicated economy, most Christians can only afford to send their children where their children are indoctrinated into godless philosophies and licentious lifestyles!

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And this is like, “sending a lamb to the slaughter”, as the saying goes!

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And by so-doing, it is almost guaranteed they will come out as God-hating, Bible-hating atheists and maybe even gender-confused, too!

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sheep – Lambs to the slaughter – cropped and altered image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

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IGNORING CHURCH FOUNDERS

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Also, what about today’s Christian community?

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The fact is, we read of the early Church in the Book of Acts, not realizing that those godly men were the example for us to follow!

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We “Laodiceans” often return from hearing a sermon about the fearful nearness of Christ’s Return, only to once again begin eating and drinking and partaking of the world!

(See Revelation, Chapter 3, for “Laodiceans” reference)

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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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TIME & MONEY WASTED WHILE CHRISTIANS MURDERED

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And in the very frightful hour when we see our world “burning”, we spend countless hours on our smart phones, chatting and whiling-away the hours of our day!

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ISIL – Execution of man – September 2014 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WHILE MULTITUDES STARVE

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And in a day when half of the world is starving for the bread of life, we spend thousands of dollars to beautify our homes to keep them looking up-to-date in the latest fashion!

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Starving little girl – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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FIDDLING WHILE CHRISTIANS PERSECUTED

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Instead of using our time for prayer and family worship, and for study, and for contemplation of the Word of Christ…

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…we, rather, fill up our schedules with hobbies and sports and clubs and parties, and many other worldly pleasures, projects, and pursuits.

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We seldom consider that the Devil causing hundreds of thousands of souls each and every day to slip down into Christless graves!

ISIS murder – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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STORING TREASURE ON EARTH INSTEAD OF IN HEAVEN

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Instead of using our finances to further the Gospel, we rather invest our money in earthly banks, so that we can maintain opulent lifestyles, even well into our “sunset years”!

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And by so-doing, we ignore Christ’s pleadings…

“(Little children) Sell that ye have, and give alms;

provide…a treasure in the heavens…

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Luke 12:33, 34

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FIDDLING WHILE SIGNS ARE ALL AROUND US

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We love to share with others, saying “All the signs of the Lord’s Return are now showing up everywhere!”

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But then, just like the citizens of Sodom, we continue to eat and drink and plant and build, and marry, and give our children in marriage, as if this world is just going to continue on for another 1,000 years!

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PS Krøyer – Hip hip hurra! Kunstnerfest på Skagen – 1888 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GOOD NEWS!

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Now the very Good News is, that we have come to the day in which God is calling us out of the “City of Confusion”.

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Yes, just as it says…

“Flee out of the midst of Babylon,

and deliver every man his soul:

be not cut off in her iniquity;

for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance;

He will render unto her a recompense.

Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand,

that made all the earth drunken:

the nations have drunken of her wine;

therefore the nations are mad.”

Jeremiah 51:6, 7

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Yes, we must, “flee… and deliver every man his soul”!

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter Constellations 

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DON’T LOOK BACK!

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Dear Reader, if any man has ears to hear, “Don’t look back! Remember Lot’s wife!”

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Don’t look back at all those fun potlucks, weddings, picnics, sports games, and social parties!

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Don’t look back at those alluring, sensual-voiced sirens, singing so-called, “praise” songs!

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Don’t look back at all those syrupy-sweet sermons, which encourage going after worldly pleasures and proud pursuits!

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Don’t look back at all those funny jokes and entertaining stories by all those charismatic speakers!

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Don’t look back at all your friends and relatives who refuse to “flee to the mountain!”

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Mrs. Lot Flees Sodom, turns to salt – www.christianimagesource.com

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“But they that escape of them shall escape,

and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys,

all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.

All hands shall be feeble,

and all knees shall be weak as water.

They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth,

and horror shall cover them;

and shame shall be upon all faces,

and baldness upon all their heads.

They shall cast their silver in the streets,

and their gold shall be removed:

their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them

in the day of the wrath of the LORD:”

Ezekiel 7:16-19

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TO READ PART 5, CLICK HERE…

SEPTEMBER 9 (Flee To The Mountain! Part 5: Get Your Son-Glasses On!)

songlasses – wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to flee to the holy mountain of God. Let me not begin to lie down in this enchanted ground world…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “How To Be Hidden in the Day of Wrath”…

…or you can also read… “Fleeing to the Mountains: The Abomination in the Church, Part 1”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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TWO TURTLE-DOVES CONSTELLATION

LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION

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This constellation appears in early spring in the south.

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It moves from east to west during the night and slowly moves to the western horizon by fall.

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It is commonly known as Sagittarius. (The three stars at the top of the 2nd Turtle-dove are not shown in some Sagittarius Star-charts, but are in others.)

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Sagittarius Constellation star-chart from a wikipedia. Editor of this site has sketched in the Turtle-Doves. Star-chart is under Share-alike license

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GOD’S LAST CALL

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So these Two Turtle-Doves are a sign of witnessing to a lost and dying world.

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And it may just be that these Two Turtle-Doves are a sign of God’s last message to the world!

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Yes, the Bible says…

“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 21:25-27.

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And so, if these signs are a fulfillment of Luke’s prophecy, then these Two Turtle-Doves are a symbol of God’s last message of mercy to this world!

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… What Is The Meaning of the Two Turtle-Doves Constellation?

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TOMORROW:

SEPTEMBER 9 (Flee To The Mountain! Part 5: Get Your Son-Glasses On!)

songlasses – wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.

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THIS IS STUDY #616 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING OF FAMILY RADIO…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 7

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Chief of Sinners,

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Part 2:

“Judge Nothing Before the Time!”

To read Part 1, click here…SEPTEMBER 6 (Chief of Sinners, Part 1)

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“Therefore judge nothing before the time,

until the Lord come…”

1st Corinthians 4:4, 5.

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Of all the persons to make such an exhortation as today’s signature Bible passage, the Apostle Paul would seem like the last guy to be so bold!

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But here it is… 

…”Therefore judge nothing before the time,

until the Lord come,

who both will bring to light

the hidden things of darkness,

and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:

and then shall every man have praise of God.”

1st Corinthians 4:5

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NOT TO JUDGE PEOPLE OR THINGS?

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So just what could Paul be referring to, when he says…

…”Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come…”

1st Corinthians 4:5

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Notice that Paul did not say, “Judge no person.”

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No, Paul said, “Judge nothing…”

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And so, one might conclude that the Apostle, Paul is speaking about more than judging only the hearts of people.

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Sign of the Son of Man Constellation : This massive constellation is comprised of the various constellations on this website

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TAKE, FOR INSTANCE, TELEVISION…

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Well, with just one quick look at this world, one can easily conclude that there are many things which could warrant our judgment.

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Yes, there are countless things that we could be judging, aside from people. 

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Take television for instance.

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If there were ever a list of inventions from Hell, television would be on the “short-list”, wouldn’t you agree?

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And certainly, the Christian must make a personal judgment about television, whether or not to watch it.

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And most likely, there may be times when that Christian may be inclined to watch TV, perhaps for some particular family situation, or maybe for career purposes.

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TV – highquality – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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NOT TO JUDGE TV, OR ITS VIEWERS

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And so, while a Christian may be vehemently against watching television, that Christian must never set himself up as the controlling conscience for everyone else.

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Oh yes, it may be the Christian’s duty to warn people against the evils of television watching.

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But any well-seasoned Believer understands that there is a myriad of special circumstances which go far beyond his personal understanding.

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BACK-SLIDERS IN HEART… 

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For instance, every genuine Believer has, no doubt, had “his nose rubbed in his own sins” so to speak, many countless times over his past Christian experience.

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And so, he is painfully aware of his own weaknesses when he sees another Christian being plagued by television watching, or food addiction, or a host of other garden-variety sins….

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He well understands the following proverb…“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:” Proverbs 14:14

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And thus, the Believer is very sympathetic to, not only the daily struggles of fellow Believers, but also to the weakness and struggles of all Mankind.

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Vincent van Gogh – Old Man in Sorrow (On the Threshold of Eternity) – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Weeping Woman – Van Gogh – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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MILLIONS OF OTHER EXAMPLES

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Well, this is just one example of how complex this fallen world is.

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And one could cite a multitude of other examples of how we cannot fully understand how God is working in the hearts of people in the world.

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And so, a good, “rule of thumb” would be, “be slow to speak”, as it says in James.

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People on Times Square – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – Share-Alike License

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To read Part 3, click here…

SEPTEMBER 10 (Chief of Sinners, Part 3: But Dung!)

Dog defecating – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to fully understand that God has many reasons for doing what He is doing. And so, help me not to foolishly condemn things that I do not fully understand…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…JANUARY 16 (Mocking Others! Not Good!)…

…or you can also read this article…“April 12th (Judging Others!)”

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

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THE WOMAN ON THE ALTAR CONSTELLATION

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“Let my prayer 

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be set forth

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before Thee as incense;

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and the lifting up

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of my hands

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as the evening sacrifice.”

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Psalm 142:2

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION…

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This “Golden Altar” Constellation is only seen in winter through spring, in mid-sky. 

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It is to the south of the “Fleeing Woman Constellation” (AKA Ursa Major  or The Big Dipper).

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The “Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12” Constellation is in the northeastern sky in this sketch.

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You would be facing east and looking very high up almost to mid-sky to see this constellation group this way.

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The altar is farther south but still in the eastern sky.

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This altar itself is commonly known as “Leo Major“, with the smoke rising being “Leo Minor“.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Woman of Revelation 12, (“The Woman on the Altar”)

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TOMORROW…

SEPTEMBER 8 (Flee To The Mountain! Part 4: Fiddling While Rome Burns!)

PICTURE: Nero sings and plays while Rome Burns – Wikimedia -US Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #615 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 2 – SEPTEMBER 6

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Chief of Sinners, Part 1

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“This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”

1st Timothy 1:15

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John Bunyan wrote a companion book to his earth-shaking tale, “Pilgrim’s Progress”.

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That second book was a personal testimony about his conversion to Christianity. And Bunyan appropriately titled it, “Grace Abounding To The Chief of Sinners”.

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Of course, Bunyan’s title was inspired by Paul’s first letter to Timothy, in which he professes…

…”This is a faithful saying,

and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”

1st Timothy 1:15

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Yes, both Bunyan and Paul each saw themselves as, “the chief of sinners”!

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Bunyan – Grace Abounding – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE HEART: A BOTTOMLESS PIT OF SIN!

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Both Paul and John Bunyan well knew that within each of their hearts existed a bottomless pit of sin and selfishness of every sort!

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Oh yes, Paul wanted to be good, but realized he was humanly incapable of being good!

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There was nothing in his flesh that was good! He knew he was totally corrupt and evil, by nature! His condition was hopeless!

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Now these two men were not alone in their understanding. Jeremiah too, made the following observation…

…”The heart is deceitful above all things,

and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Jeremiah 17:9

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John Bunyan by Thomas Sadler – 1684 – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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OUR HEARTS ARE UNSEARCHABLE, EXCEPT BY GOD!

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So now it begins to become an even more hopeless situation!

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This truth which God is presenting through Jeremiah pronounces the human heart to be the most deceitful thing on earth.

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And then God asks the question regarding our deceitful hearts… “Who can know it?”

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Psychologists make their living on the premise and presumption that they can understand the human heart!

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But the Bible trumpets a resounding, “NO!”, to that naïve notion!

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Sigmund Freud – LIFE – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“OH, I’M A PRETTY GOOD PERSON!”

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And we don’t even need to do some elaborate experiment to prove that nobody is capable of understanding their heart.

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Because most people (or even all persons) would most likely say within their heart that, “I’m a pretty good person!”

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Oh, we may not be willing to openly admit such a thing, but in our hearts, we just cannot see ourselves as, “the chief of sinners!”

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And as Jeremiah 17:9 reveals… “The heart is deceitful above all things…” We are hopelessly ignorant of our true condition! 

 

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WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD, IT MIGHT BE…

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If we proud humans could fully embrace these aforementioned truths, just imagine how much better would be the behavior of people in their dealings and relationships with others!

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After all, if I am indeed the chief of sinners, then who am I to be looking down my nose at my neighbor?

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All sorts of personal disputes (and political disputes too) come to an abrupt end!

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Anger during a protest – by David Shankbone – Wikimedia – Share-alike-License

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FAMILY HARMONY

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Just think about how many, most, or perhaps all of our personal disputes within our own family circle would come to an end!

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Because all of a sudden, each and every family member would begin to see their own self as the chief of sinners!

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Well, it might be a worthwhile project to spend some hours contemplating all the differences which would occur if all humanity possessed such a humbling attitude.

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Three elephant’s curly kisses – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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WORTHY OF ALL ACCEPTATION!

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And if we joyfully and fully embrace these truths presented here today, then it may just be that God will cause them to root out our foolish pride and self-confidence!

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And then, we will be able to say along with Paul (and really believe it)… 

“This is a saying, and worthy of all acceptation,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;

of whom I am chief.”

1st Timothy 1:15

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain 

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To read part 2, click here…

SEPTEMBER 7 (Chief of Sinners, Part 2: Judge Nothing Before the Time!)

Finger pointing – Wikimedia – Public domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to understand that these uncomfortable daily tribulations are for my ultimate good, and will help me to allow Christ to live out His humble life through me…

Pray for Our Nation sign – Wikimedia – Share-alike-lic.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…April 20th (The Heart, Part 1: Treasure Chest of the Mind!)…

…or you can also read this article… “January 20th (3 Fingered Judgment-Day)” 

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S HEAVENLY SIGN

 

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DOUBLE ENTENDRE OF REVELATION 12 WOMAN

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“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the body.” Ephesians 5:23

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This page concerns the constellation which is commonly known as “The Big Dipper” and the “Great Bear”.

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It actually appears in the summer months as a woman travailing in childbirth.

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God has purposely given her no head.

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But God did this to present a very important concept.

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Yes, this woman represents the Church, the “Jerusalem above, which is free, and is the mother of us all” (see Galatians 4:26).

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You see, the single star she is giving birth to typifies the Christ child.

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Reading in Ephesians that Christ is the “head” of the Church, this single star is logically going to become her head.

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But how will that be accomplished? 

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WOMAN FLIPS AROUND IN WINTER

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Now, as the summer passes, this constellation begins to slowly flip around, until the stars representing her arms now become her legs.

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And the stars that once represented her legs now become her arms.  

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And finally, it appears as the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12.

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And at that point, this single little star in her womb-area, representing the Christ-child, now becomes her head!

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And of course, this reminds us of the passage… “And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the Church…” Colossians 1:18.

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Ursa Major Star-Chart with woman drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Revelation 12 Woman – Woman in Travail”

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TOMORROW…

SEPTEMBER 7 (Chief of Sinners, Part 2: Judge Nothing Before the Time!)

Finger pointing – Wikimedia – Public domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL. 

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THIS IS STUDY #614 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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