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Today’s Devotional – September 28th

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2nd Commandment & Images,

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Part 2:

“The Holy Kiss & Footwashing”

To read part 1, click here…November 21 (2nd Commandment & Images)

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“If I then, your Lord and Master,

have washed your feet;

ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 

For I have given you an example,

that ye should do as I have done to you.”

John 13:14, 15

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“All the brethren greet you.

Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.”

1st Corinthians 16:20

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So just what do these above two verses have to do with each other?

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What is the connection between a holy kiss and washing one-another’s feet?

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

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A CLOSE CONNECTION

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Well, they have a very close connection with each other, when we fully understand what they each represent!

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Listen to this Old Testament passage…

…”Kiss the Son, lest He be angry,

and ye perish from the Way,

when His wrath is kindled but a little.

Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.”

Psalm 2:12

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Now from this above verse, it becomes apparent that a biblical kiss is not a literal kiss.

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After all, nobody can literally kiss Jesus, God’s Son! That’s not what God is desiring!

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

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GOD DESIRES AGAPE LOVE

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So just what is God wanting us to see here?

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Well, the sentence which follows the one that says, “Kiss the Son”, continues by saying… “Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Psalm 2:12

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Ah-ha! So here it reveals how we could possibly kiss the Son of God: by placing our trust in Him!

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And so it is with the verse that says…“All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.” 1st Corinthians 16:20.

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God is not wanting His people to run around kissing each other!  

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That’s a ridiculous notion, and potentially dangerous, as you can well imagine!

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USMC – prayer before study – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

 

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HOLINESS IS CONTAGIOUS

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No, what God is desiring is for His people to be filled with the Spirit of Holiness, which affects all with whom it comes in contact with.

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In other words, holiness is contagious.

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It works like a yeast that permeates completely through the dough.

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And so, when those who are filled with God’s Holy Spirit enter the room, their Holy Spirit is like fragrant incense, affecting all in the room.

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Thus, those who love God will be joyfully refreshed by every contact with holiness!

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This is the essence of “a holy kiss”.

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Woman with Bible – Braet von Überfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE FOOT-WASHING THAT CLEANSES SOULS

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And thus also, it is with foot-washing.

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It’s not that God’s great desire is for His people to engage in the ceremony of washing one-another’s feet.

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But foot-washing symbolized the cleansing action which takes place when Believers have fellowship together.

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And those who love to talk about Jesus and His wonderful attributes, have a Spirit about them that tends to wash the souls of those with whom they fellowship.

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This is the true foot-washing that Jesus was pointing us to!

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Family Bible Reading – Sabbath Eve – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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LET US CLEANSE ONE ANOTHER’S SOULS

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Therefore, God’s people need to understand the deeper meaning of these two symbols, spoken of in the New Testament.

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And we all need to, “follow…holiness”, that is, to, “walk, even as HE walked”, so that when we enter into the presence of other Believers, it will be like an holy kiss, and a washing and cleansing of one another’s souls.

(see Hebrews 12:14 & 1st John 2:6 for these two biblical references)

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That’s all.

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Jesus Teaching Luke 4:31-32 – Jesus talks about Heaven – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be careful about my daily associations. Help me to surround myself with godly influences…

Prayer at Day’s End – Angelus by Jean-François Millet – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

February 15th (The Two Images!)…

…or this other article…

January 19th (Who Wants To Hang Out With Holiness?) 

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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MERCURY & THE 2nd COMMANDMENT

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 As discussed elsewhere in this website, the Sun seems to correspond to the First Commandment.

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Likewise, Mercury, which is the second heavenly sphere in our solar system, seems to correspond very nicely to the Second Commandment.

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Both the second heavenly sphere (Mercury) and the Second Commandment (no images) are closest to the ‘Sun’.

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That is to say, just as planet Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun, so is the Second Commandment right next to the First Commandment (God compares himself to the Sun many times in Scripture).

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Jesus says to us today…

“I am the light of the world:

he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

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

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Mercury – NASA – Public Domain

Mercury orbit solar system – wikipedia -share-alike license

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Mercury & The Image Of The Beast”

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TOMORROW:

September 29 (The Dispensationalism Gospel, Part 1: “The Old Testament Church!?!”)

Moses Pleading with Israel – Wikipedia – 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 #269 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 27th

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The Chrysalis Christian,

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Part 4:

“From Sinner Into Virgin!”

To read Part 1, click here…January 7th (The Chrysalis Christian!)

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“Oh, I’ve made such a mess of my life!

I’ve ruined my body with drugs and alcohol!

I’ve defiled my heart with many sins!

I’ve defiled my body countless times,

and in ways that I just don’t even care to mention!

It’s just too late for me

to ever hope to become something

that I haven’t been for such a long time!”

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Girl – “Depression” – by Danielzanetti – cropped image – for Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License 3.0

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Well, these kinds of discouraging words in the above paragraph are probably the very sentiments that so many people are afraid to speak, much less even dwell upon!

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And besides that, many people look at the life of a Christian and hopelessly say to themselves…

“I can’t do those things!

I have no heart for those kinds of things!

I love my sin and my selfish life!

I love all the night-life!

I could never become like them!”

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Girl – “Depression” – by Danielzanetti – cropped image – for Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License 3.0

Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature”

2nd Corinthians 5:17

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But God is more powerful than any of us can possibly comprehend!

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Why, in 2nd Corinthians 11:2, God even calls His followers “chaste virgins” if you can believe that!

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How could sinful humans, who have utterly defiled themselves, ever hope to be referred to as a “chaste virgin”?!

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Girl – “Depression” – by Danielzanetti – cropped image – for Wikimedia – C.C. Share-alike License 3.0

Five Wise Virgins – Matt 25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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THE LOWLY CATERPILLAR IS OUR TEACHER

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Well, just look at the lowly little caterpillar, who spends his earth-bound existence just eating and eating some little green leaf.

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And isn’t this our condition too, in a spiritual sense?

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Don’t we all just want to be happy…in a sad and hopeless world?

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Shargacucullia scrophulariae caterpillar – cropped image – James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster – share-alike license

 

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“Ye must be born again”

John 3:7

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But God gave us the lowly little caterpillar to teach a lesson about becoming “born again”. (Read John, Chapter 3)

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Because after a time, this little worm grows tired of his earthly situation.

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And he finally decides it’s time to call it quits!

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And so, he goes up into a tree and creates a little shell for himself called a chrysalis. And there, he goes into hiding for some days or weeks.

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And inside that little safe-haven, this little worm dies.

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Chrysalis (Pupa) of a Common Crow Butterfly – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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“He hath made every thing beautiful in His time”

Ecclesiastes 3:11 

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But lo and behold! After the fulfillment of its days, breaking forth from its shell, emerges a brand-new creation!

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And a very beautiful creation at that!

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No longer is this new creature earth-bound! No longer does he live for this world!

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A Queen butterfly and a Monarch butterfly – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.

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“But they that wait upon the LORD…shall mount up with wings…”

Isaiah 40:31

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But now, with two beautiful wings, this marvelous little metaphor (symbol) begins a brand-new life, cruising through the summer skies, sipping on the sweet nectar from every correct flower!

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And this colorful little Metaphor-of-Salvation is presented by God to show us what we too can become: a brand-new creature in Christ! A follower of Jesus!

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And just as zealous as Paul! And just as holy as John!

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South American Butterfly – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License 

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WALKING UP A NEW PATH

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Yes, even though our wretched past makes us cringe whenever we remember, we can, through God’s miraculous re-creative power, be reborn into an absolutely new creature…

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…now reborn with new thoughts and now with fresh desires and now with lofty new hopes, too!

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Women Walking at Sunset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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“Thou art my Hiding Place and my Shield: I hope in Thy Word”

Psalm 119:114 

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So, whether we are a godless atheist or even a 4th generation church-attendee sitting a dedicated-family-owned-bought-and-paid-for-pew, we can still cast our needy soul at the feet of merciful Jesus!

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And then we can plead for Him to help us create our own Christian-Chrysalis in which we can go into hiding (spiritually speaking, of course!) and begin the rebirth process in our own life!

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Spiritual Virgins!

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Brand New Creations in Christ, constantly drinking in the honey-like nectar of God’s Word!

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Girl Praying – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Five Wise Virgins – Matt 25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to become a new creature in Christ…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

May 5 (“Butterflies: God’s Little Witnesses In Nature”)…

…or you can also read…

JANUARY 19 (How Do I Become Born Again?) 

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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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS = “COME FOLLOW ME”

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This whole scenario paints the portrait of just what it means to become a disciple of Jesus.

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We are all called to “go and sell all you have, and give to the poor…and come follow Me”.  

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And so the new Christian begins his or her heavenly sojourn.

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Oh yes, we’re still here on Earth.

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But we now begin a spiritual pilgrimage, as we follow Jesus in our hearts, and learn of Him.

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The Woman Constellation giving birth to the Christ-child typifies the Church (all true worshippers) as we struggle to rightly present Christ to the world…

…”My little children, of whom I travail in birth again

until Christ be formed in you.”

Galatians 4:19.

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So Paul was using this idea of child-birth as way of illustrating how a Believer is in spiritual labor pains, waiting for Christ to be formed within.

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Remember the parable of ‘the Sower who went forth sowing seed’ (Matthew 13:3-9)? 

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Hopefully our hearts are made of good soil into which the gospel seed can be sown. 

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The Gospel is only planted as a little seed.

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The seed must grow.

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But if we are true worshippers, then our desire is to be co-laborers together with Christ, to purify our lives, in order that the world can look at us, and see Christ in us…

“And every man who has this hope in Him 

purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” 

John 3:3. 

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Such a condition would be what the Bible speaks of, as seed planted on good soil.

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TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

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RECEIVING THE CROWN… We have now arrived at that day, which the Bible refers to as The Time of Jacob’s Trouble (see Jeremiah 30:7).

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Like this woman, we too are grasping for the Cross/Scepter.

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And just like that crown not yet on her head, we have yet to receive that crown of life.

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 “Blessed is the man that endures temptation:

for when he is tried,

he shall receive the crown of life,

which the Lord has promised

to them that love him.”

James 1:12 

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But the sins of the Church are great. God’s people are ashamed at how un-Christ-like we are before the onlooking world.

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We pray that Christ would be formed within us, that we might glorify Him in all that we do.

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But we fail so often. With family. With friends. With seemingly everyone

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Prayers seem unanswered. Characters still roughly hewn.

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We can certainly say along with Paul… “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24. 

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

“September 28th (2nd Commandment & Images, Part 2: The Holy Kiss & Footwashing)”

Judas Betrays Jesus – courtesy Wikipedia – 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 #268 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 26th

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The Ishmael Within,

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Part 2

To read Part 1, click here…“September 25th (The Ishmael Within!)”

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So, just who are the true descendants of Ishmael?

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Are they those in Palestine?

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Or maybe they are in Egypt or Libya, or Iran?

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Or are they ALL of these nations?

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Well, the Bible is a spiritual book, and therefore, it must be understood spiritually!

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

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THE TWO COVENANTS

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Listen to Paul as he unravels this great mystery concerning Ishmael, and the twelve princes, which came out of him… 

“For it is written, that Abraham had two sons,

the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 

But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh;

but he of the freewoman was by promise. 

Which things are an allegory:

for these are the two covenants;

the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. 

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia,

and answereth to Jerusalem which now is,

and is in bondage with her children. 

But Jerusalem which is above is free,

which is the mother of us all.”

Galatians 4:22-26

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So, Paul here reveals the truth about Ishmael and his mother, Hagar!

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Yes, God placed this story in the Bible to be an allegorical portrait of the Church, and the two factions within the Church: the apostate portion (Hagar & Ishmael), and the faithful Elect (Sarah & Isaac)!

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Sarah & Hagar – Foster Bible Pictures – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TWO JERUSALEMS

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Now, if all this revelation is not enough, it is multiplied by this allegory intertwining with the Two Jerusalems:

1. The Jerusalem which is now, and is in bondage with her children.

2. And the Jerusalem above which is free and is the mother of us all!

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So, Paul here engages in some incredible, so-called, “Replacement Theology” (a non-biblical tag invented by today’s theologians), by assigning both portions of the Church to both portions of Jerusalem to both women, Hagar and Sarah! 

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Paul the Apostle – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – public domain

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TWELVE PRINCES = TWELVE TRIBES

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And so, the Bible makes clear that Hagar and her children are representatives of the apostate ones in the Church.

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And thus, Ishmael’s twelve princes are most likely speaking of the apostate people within the Church.

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For further confirmation of this idea, listen to James, in the New Testament…

 …“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.”

James 1:1.

Here in this above verse, God is referring to the twelve tribes as the Elect and chosen ones. 

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Yes, the twelve tribes can also be pointing to God’s elect, too!

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Yes, James addresses us as “The Twelve Tribes”! But why should we be surprised? 

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After all, Paul says this same thing a number of times: “The Commonwealth of Israel” in Ephesians, Chapter 2.

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And he calls us “The Israel of God” in the closing verse of Galatians. 

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St Paul Preaching in Athens (Raphael, 1515) Wikipedia US public domain

Paul persecuted by Pharisees & Sadducees – www.thebiblerevival.com – US Public Domain

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WHO ARE THE 12 PRINCES?

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But the apostate portion of the Church are also symbolized by the twelve tribes.

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This is evidenced by Paul’s assigning those in the Church to “the Jerusalem which is now and is in bondage with her children” in Galatians.

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And who are her children? Well, Hagar’s first child was Ishmael, by whom shall come forth “twelve princes”.

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And so, by simple deduction and comparing scripture with scripture, we realize just who are the true “twelve princes”: the false brethren in the Church.

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Jacobe with his 12 sons – Wikipedia – Universal Public Domain

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BIBLE HAS MANY PARABLES!

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So, what is the bottom line to all that has been discussed in this article? 

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Listen… “Why speakest Thou unto them in parables?

He (Jesus) answered, ‘Because it is given unto you (His Disciples) to know the mysteries of the kingdom of Heaven,

but to them (those without) it is not given.”

Matthew 3:10, 11, 13-15

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Yes, the Bible is full of types, and shadows, and symbols, and parables (allegories).

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And for any of us to be locked out from understanding them, is truly a sad and tragic situation!

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Jesus Disciples – James Tissot – Brooklyn Museum – US Public Domain

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 GOOD NEWS

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But the Good News is this: there is time to turn things around!

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And we need to cast away that non-biblical hermeneutic, and those non-biblical denunciatory names, which fallible humans try to hang around our necks!

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So, let’s stop following the crowd and, “be our own man”, as the saying goes!

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“But the Anointing which ye have received of Him abides in you,

and ye need not that any man teach you“

1st John 2:27 

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This above verse should be committed to memory, so that nobody attempts to hang that “scarlet letter” around our neck (as this picture shows them doing to Paul)!

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May God give us great wisdom regarding these matters!

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US Navy – Chaplain Lt. Jason Gregory reads Bible on weather deck – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me spiritual eyes, that I may receive the hidden manna found in Thy Word. Let me not be bullied by those who want to compel Christians to believe their own dogma…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…”What Is The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?…

…or you can also read…”March 14th (Paul the Ultimate Replacement Theologian!)”

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 HOLY GHOST RIDER CONSTELLATION

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This newest Signs Of Heaven Constellation (Fall, 2013) is by far the faintest of constellations, but is a very incredible and awesome in a number of ways (which this article will explain).

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It is primarily comprised of the Camelopardalis Constellation (head and upper back), plus about 5 stars from the Cassiopeia Constellation (his leg), plus some random stars.

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It appears as an outline of a rider.

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Only the back of his head is detailed.

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And his back and the back of his legs are also detailed.

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Both sides of his arm are visible, and his hand is gripping the horse’s mane, and that is detailed by three stars (which are also part of the horse’s mane). 

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The rider is in a position vaguely similar to a race-horse jockey.

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The two brightest stars in this constellation, are from the Cassiopeia Constellation, and are part of his leg.

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All the rest of the stars are very faint, and must be viewed on a very starry night.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Holy-Ghost-Rider Constellation”…

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…or you can also read… “Goodly Horse in Battle Constellation”

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TOMORROW:

September 27th (The Chrysalis Christian, Part 4: “From Sinner Into Virgin!”)

Five Wise Virgins – Matt 25 – www.thebiblerevival.com – 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 #267 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 25th

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The Ishmael Within!

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ABRAHAM & SARAH “HELP” GOD

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One great lesson to be gleaned from the story of Abraham and Sarah, is how they devised a plan to “Help” God fulfill His promise to Abraham… 

…”Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars,

if thou be able to number them:

and He said unto him (Abraham),

So shall thy seed be.”

Genesis 15:5

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But when Abraham and Sarah were beyond child-bearing years, she said to Abraham… 

…”Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing:

I pray thee, go in unto my maid;

it may be that I may obtain children by her.

And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.”

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And as a result of their human effort, Ishmael was conceived.

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But Ishmael was not the child of promise!

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No, Ishmael was the product of Abraham’s and Sarah’s human wisdom and human works!

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Sarah & Hagar – Foster Bible Pictures – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TRAINED TO TRUST OUR OWN STRENGTH

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Yes, so often, we try to help God out, thinking that somehow, by our own human wisdom and human effort, we will accomplish God’s will!

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Perhaps I dream up some humanitarian ministry.

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Or maybe I can move out to the desert and overcome sin by living an austere life!

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Or maybe I can manipulate my relatives into doing some good thing which I think is important!

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Or I can badger and nag my spouse or children into becoming Christians!

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Or I can sue another in court so as to gain something I think I deserve.

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And so, as a result of my own human efforts, an Ishmael is thriving within me!

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Expulsion of Ishmael and His Mother – by g. dore – wikipedia – public domain

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BELIEVING ON JESUS: THE WORK OF GOD

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But what does God wish for me? What is God’s great desire for me?

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Listen…  “Then said they unto him,

What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 

Jesus answered and said unto them,

‘This is the work of God,

that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.'”

John 6:28, 29

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Yes, as Jesus pointed out to these works-seeking people, it is the work of God to cause a person to believe on Jesus! Salvation is the gift of God.

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We did nothing to bring it about.

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And our choosing to follow Him is actually Him choosing us!

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Prayer – USMC – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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CAPTAIN OF MY DESTINY!

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But we humans think that we must use our own strength to make things happen! 

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We are conditioned by society to want to be “movers and shakers”!

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So much of what we see on TV or read about in books and magazines, or listen to on radio, is designed to indoctrinate us into being “the captain of my own life”!

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We Can Do It! Rosie the Riveter – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD!

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Listen to Isaiah, as God complains about His people… 

…”Their strength is to sit still….

this is a rebellious people, lying children,

children that will not hear the law of the LORD:”

Isaiah 30:7, 9

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And so, God reveals here, it is our strength to sit still!

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Yes, rather than trying to do it ourselves, God would be so pleased for us to spend our available time…

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…spending it by transferring the Word of Christ, from the pages of the Bible to the fleshly tables of our heart! (see 2nd Corinthians 3:3)

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Braet von Überfeldt – Woman with Bible – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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GET TO KNOW JESUS THROUGH HIS WORD!

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And so dear pilgrim, as you and I go about our necessary daily tasks, let’s not further complicate our lives with programs and pursuits of our own making!

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Instead, let’s remember just what it is that will mold us and make into the image of Christ!

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Listen… “And this is life eternal,

that they might know Thee the only true God,

and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent….

Sanctify them through Thy truth:

Thy word is truth.”

John 17:3, 17.

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Here is the best kept secret to life eternal! Here is the lost and hidden key to a life of victory in Christ Jesus!

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And combined with unceasing and sanctified prayer, this is the only human work that will ultimately produce a child of Promise!

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May the Lord perform this work in yours and in my life!

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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To Read Part 2, click here…

“September 26th (The Ishmael Within, Part 2)”

Hagar and Ishmael – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Teach me to trust Thee, and let Thee lead in my life. Give me the gift of renewing my mind, filling my heart with Thy precious words of life…

Morning Prayers – Ebenezer Newman – Downard – 1860 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…July 18th (Kunta Kinte Christians, Part 2: “Sitting Still”)…

…or you can also read…November 5TH (“It’s a Rosie the Riveter World”, 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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“Multitudes, multitudes in the ‘Valley of Decision’…

for the day of the Lord is near in the ‘Valley of Decision’.”

Joel 3:14

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP

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They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours.

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These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left)…

…and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley)…

…Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount)…

…The Destroying Mount (right)…

…and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell).

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The galaxy which appears to be climbing the Mountain of Blessing is the Andromeda Galaxy.

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The above Wikipedia star-chart shows this amazing constellation group as it appears from June to fall, just prior to the winter constellation group.

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Actually, this Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. 

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision & O Destroying Mtn. Constellations – signsofheaven.org – Not for commercial profit use!

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To explore deeper into this subject, please read… 

“The ‘Valley of Decision’ Constellation”

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TOMORROW:

“September 26th (The Ishmael Within, Part 2)”

Hagar and Ishmael – Wikipedia – 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 #266 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 24th

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Millionaires For God!

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Does God want our money? Does God need our finances?

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Well, there once was a young man who thought so!

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Yes, this enterprising young man decided to dedicate his life to building a financial empire, promising to give as much money as possible to God’s causes!

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And so, this ambitious young man strove harder and toiled longer than most everyone else!

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And beside his incredible work-ethic, he was very shrewd, implementing never-before-used business and marketing practices, far ahead of his time!

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Public Domain artwork of a businessman image – twitter.com/openclipart & Wikimedia 

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“whosoever…forsaketh not all…he cannot be My disciple.”

Luke 14:33

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And so, in the process of time, this business and marketing wizard founded one of the world’s biggest corporations!

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And he was true to his commitment, to give vast amounts of money to various charitable Christian causes!

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Yes, some have suggested that this business whiz gave up to 70% of his vast fortune to others.

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And after his death, he left a huge estate, which became a charitable foundation, which has lasted through the past decades!

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Did you hear what was just said? “After his death, he left a huge estate, which became a charitable foundation“.

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In other words, while he indeed gave much, he also kept a vast fortune back for himself!

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And this Christian entrepreneur no doubt became the role-model for many other Christian entrepreneurs, who likewise dedicated their lives to becoming “millionaires for God”!

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Public Domain artwork of a businessman image – twitter.com/openclipart – Wikimedia 

Chicago Sears Tower – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License – This building not related to this devotional

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JUST WHAT IS TO BE OUR GOAL?

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And so, what’s the problem with this? Doesn’t God want our money to bless His various causes?

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Listen, “…men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,

supposing that gain is godliness:

from such withdraw thyself.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world,

and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”

1st Timothy 6:6-8

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So why is it that this young entrepreneur could not digest this above passage?

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Why could he not be satisfied with food and raiment?

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And why did he not take to heart the rest of this passage?

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Listen as this passage continues…

…”And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare,

and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,

which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

1st Timothy 6:8, 9

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Okay, with such a warning as this, why would any Christian want to get rich? Why put one’s own self in such a dangerous situation as 1st Timothy warns of?

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

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John Wesley

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In contrast to this modern-day entrepreneurial money-mogul, John Wesley became a popular preacher in the 1700’s.

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Yes, John Wesley was a high-energy preacher who was largely responsible for the Great Awakening in the late 1700’s (God working through him, of course)! And he eventually received a sizable income.

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And no matter what one may think of Wesley and his free-will gospel teachings, one thing stands out in the way he conducted his finances.

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He did not allow himself to get comfortable with the money which came his way. 

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Listen… “I throw it (money) out of my hands as soon as possible, lest it should find its way into my heart.”

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Now John Wesley, it is said, lived on as little as 2% of his rather large income, giving away up to 98% of it!

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Yes, Wesley did not trust himself with earthly riches.

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And so, little doubt, he dispensed his riches to various causes. 

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Public Domain artwork of a businessman image – twitter.com/openclipart – Wikimedia 

Hamilton Portrait of John Wesley – 1703-1791 – www.wikigallery.org

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GOD DOESN’T WANT OUR MONEY, BUT OUR HEART!

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Listen to God… “whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” Job 41:11

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This above verse from the Book of Job (pronounced with a long “o”), presents a concept which begs an answer to the following question…

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“Does God need our money?

Did God bring us into Christianity, so that we can fill His coffers with silver and gold?”

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No, God doesn’t want our money! He wants a heart purified and transformed into His likeness!

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Public Domain artwork of a businessman image – twitter.com/openclipart – Wikimedia 

Rich Young Ruler – Hoffman – wikimedia commons – US public domain

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CUT-THROAT BUSINESS PRACTICES

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Oh, and by the way, history records that this same well-known, 20th Century “Christian” entrepreneur tycoon began to implement hard-nosed, cut-throat business practices against at least one of his competitors.

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Yes, he tried to under-cut that competitor, so as to drive him entirely out of business!

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So, obviously, this so-called “Christian” tycoon did not always believe in bringing Christian values into his business dealings! Very sad!

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But you can’t say the Bible didn’t warn him against going after earthly riches!

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Certainly, Paul’s aforementioned warning in 1st Timothy 6:5-10 should have! 

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Stack of money – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

Public Domain artwork of a businessman image – twitter.com/openclipart – Wikimedia 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the desire to conform myself into the image of Christ! Give me the desire to become like Him in every way…

Praying Hands – Otto Greiner – Wikimedia – bassenge.com – Cropped image – Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… June 23rd . . . The Natural Man’s Prosperity Gospel…

…or you can also read… “November 18 (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 GLORY OF MAN,

AS THE FLOWER…

FALLS AWAY”…

1st Peter 1:25

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WiltedRose wikimedia public domain

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FLOWER OF THE FIELD IN HEAVEN 

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This is perhaps one of the most amazing constellations that God has created.

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It truly looks like a flower, and appears to be blowing in the direction westward.

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But as summer begins to pass, this constellation appears to bow itself down, just like the flowers of Earth bow down, at the summer’s end.

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And these are not merely obscure stars.

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These are among the biggest and brightest stars in the night heavens.

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The Two Turtle-Doves Constellation is also known as Sagittarius .

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The Flower of the Field is also known as Scorpio .

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But there is another obvious aspect to this constellation group.

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Notice that the birds are flying in the same direction as the flower is bending; it is as if the east wind is blowing these heavenly messengers…

…The wind blows where it desires,

and you hear the sound thereof,

but canst not tell whence it comes,

and where it goes:

so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:8. 

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So here is another incredible Bible concept, written in the heavens. 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Flower of the Field Constellation” 

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TOMORROW:

“September 25th (The Ishmael Within!)”

Hagar and Ishmael – Wikipedia – 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 #265 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

 

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 23rd

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Global Warming Alert!

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Part 1

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Did you know that there is global warming?

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Well, that’s a needless question, isn’t it!?

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Because if you have access to any of the various media, you will undoubtedly hear about global warming, on a day-and-night basis!

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Earth On Stove – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE FOUR SEASONS SHALL NOT CEASE!

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But there are two schools of thought on this topic!

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Not every expert believes that the globe is getting hotter.

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Many other credible experts say that the earth is always going through warming and cooling cycles, each of which last twenty or thirty years, or even longer.

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But listen to God’s take on all this….

“While the earth remaineth,

seedtime and harvest,

and cold and heat,

and summer and winter,

and day and night shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:22

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Here in Genesis 8:28, God has declared that until the world is no more, there will be the four seasons, including “seedtime” and “harvest”!

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Four seasons – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY?

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OR

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DON’T BE HAPPY, WORRY?

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So, what’s the problem? Why worry?

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Well, this website takes side with those who are crying “Global Warming”.

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Yes, those who are insisting that there is “Global Warming” are really on the right side of the issue!

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You see, there is a principle at work in the world, in which God describes in the following manner… “for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8

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Yes, the people of this world are wiser in the material world, than we who claim to be watchmen on the walls of Zion!

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If only we would take note of what the world is doing, and apply it to the spiritual realm, we would be as wise as they are, howbeit in the spiritual realm!

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Polar bear protest – Wikimedia – Creative Commons License

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THE EARTH SHALL BURN!

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Listen to Peter… 

…”But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night;

in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,

the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved,

what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God,

wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved,

and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?”

2nd Peter 3:10-12

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Now you have to admit that Peter, here, is describing a Global Warming, not only this present world, but the very heavens as well!

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Global warming ubx – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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OUR GOD IS A CONSUMING FIRE!

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And so, we heavenly watchmen need to join in with the cries of the meteorological watchmen!

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Yes, we ought to be shouting louder than they!

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We need to be blowing the trumpet! We must be sounding the clarion call… “God’s Global Warming is soon to burn up this present world!”

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Yes, we need to be echoing the words of Isaiah… 

“Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far,

burning with His anger,

and the burden thereof is heavy:

His lips are full of indignation,

and His tongue as a devouring fire:

And His breath, as an overflowing stream,

shall reach to the midst of the neck…

And the LORD shall cause His glorious voice to be heard,

and shall show the lighting down of His arm,

with the indignation of His anger,

and with the flame of a devouring fire,

with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones.”

Isaiah 30:27, 28, 30

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Yes, this above passage is just one of many passages which foretell of the great and terrible Day of God!

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And we are now standing at the very doors of that Day of Fiery Wrath of Almighty God!

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The Great Day of His Wrath – John Martin – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

 

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JOIN IN THE CHORUS!

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So, the next time somebody speaks about Global Warming, we need to agree with them, citing the above passage from 2nd Peter 3:10-12 as a proof-text!

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Global Warning – Christ Coming by Julian Osley – Wikimedia – Share Alike License

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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…

May 5 Global Warming Alert! Part 2: “Paradise Lost: Why Are There So Many Fires?)

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to make myself ready for that Day of Fire, which is soon to burst forth…

Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Flower of the Field Constellation, Part 3: “Signs of the World’s End”…

…or you can also read… “January 7th (TIME TO GET OUT OF DODGE!)“

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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LOOSING THE BANDS OF ORION

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God spoke several times of Orion, in Scripture. His question to Job was a very mystifying question, to say the least… “Canst thou…loose the bands of Orion?” Job 38:31.

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Such a strange question, indeed!

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How could a constellation have its bands loosed, much less, even have bands? Puzzling, puzzling!

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But now, He is revealing this bright and beautiful constellation in a way that has never before been seen.

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God Himself is loosing Orion’s bands, as He is just now unraveling this age-old mystery.

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And we are beginning to understand that this most infamous of all constellations is nothing less than a remarkable metaphor concerning Jesus.

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Orion Phenomena”

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TOMORROW:

“September 24th (Millionaires For God!)”

Stacks of money – Wikimedia – GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation;

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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 #264 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 22nd

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Thy Will IS Done in Earth! 

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Part 2

CLICK HERE TO READ PART 1… “May 11th (Thy Will IS Done in Earth!)”

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“Man’s goings are of the LORD;

how can a man then understand his own way?”

Proverbs 20:24 

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There is a certain daily newspaper comic strip which often features a cartoonish-looking God, who gazes down upon Earth, from Heaven, through a giant telescope. 

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And though this cartoon is meant to give readers a daily chuckle, the fact is, many people who call themselves “Christian”, more or less believe in such a distantly detached God.

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The Helix Nebula – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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DEISTS OF THEIR DAY!

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Some, or perhaps many of our founding fathers of the United States of America called themselves Christian, but were actually what were known as, “Deists”.

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You see, Deists believed that God sits far off in outer space, and merely monitors the comings and goings of Mankind.

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But is that what the Bible says about God?

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Am I really the captain of my ship?

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Am I just an independent agent?

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Is the world merely a place where most all the actions and decisions being the product of humans?

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Or does God intervene in the affairs of Mankind?

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Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States by H.C. Christy – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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WHEN WILL GOD’S WILL FINALLY BE DONE?

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Well, in Part 1 of this topic (click here to read), the Bible passage which became the centerpiece, was the following…  

…”Our Father who art in Heaven,

hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done…”. 

Matthew 6:9, 10

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And to this verse, the question was asked, “Shall God’s will be done someday? Will God grow tired of allowing Mankind’s will to be done, and finally take up His own power and will?”

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And in answer to this, the following passage was offered… 

…”And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing:

and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven,

and among the inhabitants of the earth:

and none can stay His hand,

or say unto Him, What doest Thou?”

Daniel 4:35.

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Yes, as this passage reveals, God is very much intertwined in the goings on, here on Earth!

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As a matter of fact, as this passage proclaims, nobody can stop God from doing His own will here on Earth!

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

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MAN NOT AN INDEPENDENT AGENT

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Now, there are two more verses to be given, which were not given in Part 1.

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And the first verse is this… 

…”O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself:

it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

Jeremiah 10:23.

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Yes, this first verse reveals that Mankind is not capable of directing their own footsteps!

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And even though we think that we’re so very intelligent, the fact is, the army of Heaven has been directed by God, to make sure that Mankind’s actions will be according to God’s ultimate will. 

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Man walking – cropped and altered image – Wikipedia – Share-alike Lic.

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MAN GOES AFTER HIS HEART’S DESIRES

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BUT GOD SAYS ‘WHEN’, ‘WHERE’, AND ‘HOW’

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Now, does this above verse make God a sinner? After all, so many things which happen down here are sinful! So, does God cause us to sin?

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No, God does not cause anyone to sin! Listen to this second featured verse for today’s devotional… 

…”A man’s heart deviseth his way:

but the LORD directeth his steps.”

Proverbs 16:9

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So, this verse reveals that every person’s heart devises his or her own evil way! And yet, it is God who directs that person’s footsteps.

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

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GOD WORKS ALL TOGETHER FOR GOOD!

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 But why does God intervene at all? Why not just let Man ‘do his own thing’?

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Listen to this next passage…. 

…”And we know that all things work together for good

to them that love God,

to them who are the called according to His purpose.” 

Romans 8:28.

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Now, this passage reveals that all things work together for good to them who are “the Called of God”.

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

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THINGS JUST DON’T WORK THEMSELVES OUT

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But listen to this next passage…

 …“In (Christ) whom also we have obtained an inheritance,

being predestinated according to the purpose of Him

who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:”

Ephesians 1:11

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So, this passage reveals that it is God who works all things after the counsel of His own will.

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And so, this verse answers the question which was the featured Bible passage for these two devotionals… 

…”Our Father who art in Heaven,

hallowed be Thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done…”.

Matthew 6:9, 10

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Schnorr von Carolsfeld – 1860 – Abram counts stars – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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GOD EVEN CHOOSES OUR LEADERS!

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Yes, even when Mankind goes into the voting booth, the Bible reveals… 

…”…that the living may know

that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men,

and giveth it to whomsoever He will,

and setteth up over it the basest of men.”

Daniel 4:17

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Yes, this verse reveals that God is the One who chooses which leader will rule this nation, and every other kingdom on Earth. 

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Yes, quite often, God gives a nation the very leaders who reflect the evil hearts of the citizenry!

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Voting in Hackney – Wikipedia – Creative Commons 2.0 License

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KNOWING THAT GOD’S IN CONTROL!

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Now, when we think about all these Bible verses, it should be a great comfort to every true Christian!

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Yes, this is wonderful news, to know that God, and not Mankind, is in control of the events and personal affairs of humans! 

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And even though this world is full of evil, nevertheless, we have this following promise from God…

…”Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee (God):

the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain.”

Psalm 76:10.

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Yes, all the evil which this world has suffered throughout the history of Mankind, God has allowed, for His own glory and praise! And nothing beyond what has been necessary, 

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Second Coming by Jan Luyken – Wikipedia – Public domain

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TO READ PART 3, CLICK HERE…

July 20 (Thy Will IS Done in Earth! Part 3: “Coping With An Infinite God”)

The Helix Nebula – Eye – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to understand that nothing can happen to me, either good or bad, unless You, O Lord have allowed it to happen…for my ultimate good…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?”…

…or you can also read… “The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the 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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GRASPING FOR SCEPTER AND A CROWN…

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This page however just deals with the Woman travailing in childbirth.

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When she is in labor, she appears to reach out her hand southward to grasp a The Cross/Scepter, which is coming from the South, out of an ark-like box.

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There also is a Crown of 12 Stars (13 counting a star in the center).

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But the Crown (the Corona Borealis Constellation) is not yet on her head.

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The crown is to the south of her.

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So, she is grasping for the Cross/Scepter.

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She doesn’t yet wear the crown.

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This reminds us of that well-known passage in Philippians which states…

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READ MORE…

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

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TOMORROW:

“September 23rd (Global Warming Alert!)”

Global Warning – Judgment – Christ Coming by Julian Osley – 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 #263 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 21st

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Who is Michael the Archangel?

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“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven

with a shout, with the voice of the archangel…“

1st Thessalonians 4:16

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Michael = “Who is like God”

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Listen to this passage from Jude… 

“Yet Michael the archangel,

when contending with the devil

he disputed about the body of Moses,

durst not bring against him a railing accusation,

but said, The Lord rebuke thee.”

Jude 1:9

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So, Michael the Archangel called on the Lord to rebuke the Devil.

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So, there you have it!

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Michael cannot possibly be Christ, since he had to call on the Lord to rebuke the Devil!

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Michael – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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THE LORD REBUKE THEE, O SATAN!

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But wait a minute! Listen to this next passage… 

“And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan;

even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee…“

Zechariah 3:2

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So, what’s going on here?!

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It says… “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan!”

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Well, obviously this verse must be speaking of Christ in His obedient role as the Son, calling on His Father to rebuke Satan.

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Therefore, these two passages are identical, in that both Michael and the LORD called on the LORD to rebuke Satan.

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Christ battles Satan – www.thebiblerevival.com – Public Domain

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And so, this presents a perplexing question about, “Just who is Michael?”

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Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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MICHAEL, YOUR GREAT PRINCE!

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Now listen to this next passage… 

“…but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…

and there is none that holdeth with me in these things,

but Michael YOUR prince.”

Daniel 10:13, 21

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Now here it calls Michael in this way… “Michael, one of the chief princes…”.

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So, is there a group of chief princes up there in Heaven?

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But then it goes on to say in this same passage… “there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael YOUR prince.” Daniel 10:21

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You mean to tell us that there is more than one prince for God’s people?

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And is Michael OUR chief prince?!

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Or rather, is this actually speaking of the Godhead: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? 

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

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“MICHAEL THE GREAT PRINCE WHICH STANDS FOR…THY PEOPLE!”

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Well, listen to this next passage… 

…”And at that time shall Michael stand up,

the great prince which stands for the children of thy people:

and there shall be a time of trouble…”

Daniel 12:11

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Okay, so here again, it speaks of Michael in this same way… “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people:”

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And who else but Christ could be referred to as “the great prince”? 

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And not only this, but the “GREAT PRINCE, which stands for the children of thy (Daniel’s) people?”

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BLASPHEMY?

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So now this is really getting murky! After all, the currently popular teaching regarding Michael, is that he is definitely not Christ!

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And furthermore, anyone who says he is Christ is under damnation for blasphemy!

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That’s pretty scary, wouldn’t you agree? 

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Well, isn’t it?

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After all, there’s that particular false gospel out there, which says that Christ is Michael, and is merely a created being! And so, that group doesn’t even acknowledge Christ’s divinity!

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Therefore, the mainstream evangelical community almost unanimously calls any person or group who believes that Christ is Michael, “a heretic!”

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ABOVE STAR CHART (with constellations drawn in by this website): Wikipedia star-charts latter winter constellation in West with Orion – Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades, Auriga, Pleiades, etc.) – Goodly Horse (Persius, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, etc.) – Holy Ghost Rider (Camelopadelis)

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MATTHEW HENRY A HERETIC?

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One of the most widely respected Bible theologians, other than Paul, throughout history, was Matthew Henry.

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His multiple-volume Bible commentary is on most pastors’ bookshelves, and is often referred to, to this very day!

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And yet, Henry believed that Michael the Archangel was Christ! Listen as he commented on Revelation, Chapter 12… 

…”The (two) parties: Michael and his angels on one side,

and the dragon and his angels on the other:

Christ, the great Angel of the covenant,

and His faithful followers;

and Satan and all his instruments.” 

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So thus, it becomes clear that Matthew Henry saw Michael as Christ, who is called “the Angel of the Covenant“.

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Now Matthew Henry believed that Christ was fully a member of the eternal Godhead!

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But he also believed that Michael was yet another name for Christ, the eternal Son of God!

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And so, according to modern-day thinking, Matthew Henry qualifies as a heretic!

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Matthew Henry Wikipedia Public Domain

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CHRIST COMPARED TO MANY THINGS

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But the fact is, that God in Scripture, compares Himself to many different representations, and we shouldn’t be fearful of acknowledging Christ as sometimes being referred to as the “angel of the Lord”.

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After all, God often compares Himself to a human (Melchizedek, David, Solomon, Job, etc.).

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And God compares Himself to “a dove”. He also compares Himself to … a Good Shepherd…a rose… a rock… the Sun… a WORM… a Fire… rain… a thief… a lily… a sword… a shield… a scepter… a pearl… a Star… a hen… a serpent… a bear… bread… milk… a soldier…  water…  wine…  smoke… the Ark… the temple… a priest… an altar… a bridegroom, and on and on it goes.

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And so, why should it surprise us, that a number of times in Scripture, He refers to Himself as the “Angel of the Lord”? 

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THE ANGEL OF THE LORD

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And to tell the truth, there is quite often, just a bit of hypocrisy among today’s Bible teachers!

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Yes, many of these same men who say that it is blasphemy to call Christ an angel, rather sheepishly acknowledge that the Bible calls Christ, “The angel of the Lord” in a number of places!

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And so, as the saying goes, “You can’t have it both ways!”

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If you’re going to condemn those who believe that Michael the Archangel is none other than Christ the eternal Son of God…

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…because that is a supposed blasphemy to call Christ an angel…

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…then don’t you, yourself, call Him the “Angel of the Lord”! 

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That rather seems like a double-tongued hypocrisy, does it not?

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Brown tree snake – Boiga – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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CHRIST BATTLES THE DRAGON

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The 12th Chapter of Revelation says it this way…

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“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,” Revelation 12:7

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Now this above passage reveals a war in Heaven between Michael and His angels and the Dragon and his angels.

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But this actually refers to Christ. There is only one Savior!

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And that one Savior, Christ, has fought against, and will defeat the Dragon!

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Listen… “In that day the LORD with His sore and great and strong sword…

shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.”

Isaiah 27:1 (Condensed)

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So, this verse from Isaiah confirms that it is Christ who fights against, and ultimately defeats the Dragon!

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ABOVE PICTURE: The armor of God – theheavensdeclare.net -use by permission only

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GREAT SIGNS IN HEAVEN!

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Now God has just recently revealed a great sign in the heavens!

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It is a group of constellations which are called the Winter Constellations of the Signs Of Heaven!

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And as you can see in the chart to the right, Michael is fighting against the Dragon! 

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Revelation 12 speaks about all these things. 

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Let me not place my soul in the hands of any human! But give me fresh eyes and a willing heart to study Thy Word for myself…

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… “The Orion Phenomena”…

…or you can also read…“October 21st (‘The 7-Stars’ Imitate ‘The Cross of Orion’)”

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 SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN IN HEAVEN”

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“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven:

and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn,

and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven

with power and great glory.” 

Matthew 24:30 

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LOOSING THE BANDS OF ORION 

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God spoke several times of Orion, in Scripture. His question to Job was a very mystifying question, to say the least… “Canst thou…loose the bands of Orion?” Job 38:31. 

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Such a strange question, indeed! How could a constellation have its bands loosed, much less, even have bands? Puzzling, puzzling!

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But now, He is revealing this bright and beautiful constellation in a way that has never before been seen. God Himself is loosing Orion’s bands, as He is just now unraveling this age-old mystery.

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And we are beginning to understand that this most famous of all constellations is nothing less than a remarkable metaphor concerning Jesus!   

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Orion Phenomena” 

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TOMORROW:

“September 22nd (Thy Will IS Done in Earth! Part 2)”

The Helix Nebula – Wikipedia – 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 #262 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING …

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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Today’s Devotional – September 20th

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Don’t Miss The Boat!

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Paul Taylor, who holds a “master’s degree in science”, has written a book about The Flood of Noah’s Day.

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And his book, no doubt, dispels many so-called “scientific” objections to the Flood.

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NOAH’S ARK

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Yes, the entire world perished in that great cataclysmic event! And only those eight souls who didn’t miss the boat were saved!

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And now, the only remaining remnants of life back then are the seashells and bones still buried on every mountain and hilltop once covered by those destroying floodwaters.

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Dove Sent Forth from the Ark after the Great Flood – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

Noahs Ark – Currier & Ives – www.wikigallery.org – Public Domain

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ARK: SYMBOL OF SALVATION

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But God has higher purposes for what He does. And the flood and the Ark were no exceptions!

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As a matter of fact, there is a somewhat general consensus that the Ark represents God’s Salvation.

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In other words, like those eight souls saved, we New Testament Believers must likewise get on-board in God’s Salvation: that’s our only safety!

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Noahs Ark – Currier & Ives – www.wikigallery.org – Public Domain

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THE TWO SHIPS OF ACTS 27, 28

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Now, there is another story about a ship, in the Bible: actually, two ships!

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And in this story, Paul was being taken to Rome, where he was to be judged by Caesar.

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And this account of Paul’s journey aboard a ship, begins to take on a greater, heavenly meaning, as it seems to be an allegorical picture of the Church, on their way to Judgment Day.

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Paul in a storm – Acts27-21 – www.breadsite.org – Public Domain

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SECOND SHIP: CASTOR AND POLLUX

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But here’s a strange twist to this very historical, yet allegorical account.

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You see, when the first ship broke up, Paul and the others escaped to an island, and they boarded another ship, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.

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And that second ship took them smoothly and safely to Paul’s judgment.

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

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CASTOR AND POLLUX IN THE HEAVENS

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Well, Signs Of Heaven website likewise highlights the two stars: Castor and Pollux

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 These two stars represent “The Narrow Way”, spoken of in Matthew, Chapter 7.

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Jesus Teaching – Luke 4:31-32 – Jesus talks about Heaven – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – public-domain

Revelation 12 Woman & The Two Gates

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THE DRAGON AND CHRIST

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Now, as if this weren’t incredible enough, it gets even more eerie!

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You see, it is revealed that the Wide Gate is made of the two brightest stars of the Revelation 12 Dragon’s wave of water, coming out of his mouth, as written… 

“And the serpent cast out of his mouth water

as a flood after the woman,

that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.”

Revelation 12:15

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In other words, the Narrow Gate Stars are associated with Christ. And the Broad Gate Stars, are on the constellation which represents Satan.

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ABOVE PICTURE late winter – Revelation 12 Woman & Orion’s Narrow Gate (Castor and Pollux of Gemini Constellation) & Wide Gate (two stars of the Auriga Constellation)

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CASTOR AND POLLUX: THE NEW ARK!

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Okay, so what does all this have to do with us? 

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Castor and Pollux symbolize the Narrow Gate in which every Christian must enter, to be saved!

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Listen… “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

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CHURCH TO BE TAKEN INTO THE HEAVENS

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And so, this Website is dedicated to revealing the biblical information…

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…and this information will ensure that the Reader will know what must be accomplished, to make the voyage up into the starry heavens!

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And hiding God’s Word in our hearts, will be the means by which God’s Spirit will guide us safely into the Narrow Way!

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And so, dear soul, the call is just now going out, to get on-board. This ship is getting ready to leave this world!

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So please! Don’t miss the boat!

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me the knowledge of what it means to enter into the Narrow Gate!

Help me to study my Bible, so that by knowledge and wisdom, I might escape the destruction to come, and safely enter into the Heaven of Heavens…

Prayer for USA – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Castor and Pollux & The Mystery Ship of Scripture” 

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 =

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THE NARROW WAY…

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“And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria,

which had wintered in the isle,

whose sign was Castor and Pollux.”

Acts 28:11

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Most theologians interpret this verse to be speaking of two pagan gods known as Castor and Pollux.

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Beyond that, they are puzzled as to what significance do these twin gods have.

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Some believe these gods to be the patrons of safe ocean travel.

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Certainly, God would never want His people to board such a pagan ship!

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But there is much significance to Castor and Pollux. 

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No, not to those twin-gods.

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But there are two stars named Castor and Pollux. 

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They are twin-stars, and not twin-gods.

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They are the two bright stars of the constellation commonly known as Gemini.

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But as “Signs Of Heaven” points out, these two stars also happen to be the two brightest stars on Orion’s sickle.

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And these two stars are also known as The Narrow Gate Stars.

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And if you will explore this concept, you will see that Castor and Pollux possess great significance… 

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Listen… “Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat: 

Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.”

Matthew 7:13, 14

Castor and Pollux represent this Biblical concept of the Narrow Way. 

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read…

 “(Orion’s Gate to Heaven)”…

…or you can also read…

“Castor and Pollux & The Mystery Ship of Scripture”

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TOMORROW:

“September 21st (Who is Michael the Arch-Angel?)”

ABOVE PICTURE: The armor of God – theheavensdeclare.net -use by permission only

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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 #261 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING…

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Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

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