Daily Devotional, Year 4: July 11: (Noble Bereans, Part 60: “Harold Camping vs. Fast Talking Preachers”)

By admin On November 18th, 2022

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Daily Devotional, Year 4: July 11

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Noble Bereans,

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Part 60:

“Harold Camping vs. Fast Talking Preachers”

To read part 1, click here…“September 2nd (Noble Bereans?)”

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“Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words?

There is more hope of a fool than of him”

Proverbs 29:20

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So, in this little series, the subject of those noble Bereans has been introduced. And today, it is still worthy of a little more exploration into another area of concern.

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Let’s look at the key Bible passage… “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there, went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:10, 11

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

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AN OPEN-MINDED SPIRIT IN BEREA

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Okay, so those in Berea were more noble, because they:

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1. “Received the Word with all readiness of mind.”

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2. “And searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

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And so, the Bereans were ready to receive new teachings, which no doubt, conflicted with the supposed, “orthodox” teachings of that day.

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Thus, there was an open-mindedness which permeated their hearts, and a willingness to search the Scriptures daily, in hopes that these seemingly new teachings were indeed true!

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La Bible, Notre-Dame – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike License

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HAROLD CAMPING

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Harold Camping had a 52-year radio ministry.

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And his little radio station eventually was broadcast on many radio stations around the world.

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And each weekday, one could listen to his half-hour Bible study, plus his 90-minute call-in Bible talk show.

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Harold Camping on phone – Courtesy of Family Radio.org

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“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night”

Psalm 1:2

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Well, one evening Camping responded to a caller’s question, “How many hours do you personally study the Bible each day?”

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Camping answered by saying something to the effect, “Well, probably between 4 and 6 hours per day.”

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And also, Mr. Camping used to make the comment that he always regarded Bible study as if he was studying for a college exam.

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Harold-Camping – courtesy Family Radio

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IN A DAY OF FAST-TALKING PREACHERS

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In this age of Internet videos, there is a push to talk fast. And many YouTube producers are actually very good at talking fast. And those who make political and social videos actually maybe should talk fast.

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Unfortunately, many preachers are also fast talkers. But when it comes to the Bible, fast-talking can be a real detriment for the congregation to retain anything but perhaps a few high points of the sermon or Bible study.

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

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HAROLD CAMPING’S STUDIES

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In contrast to today’s fast-talking speakers, was Harold Camping’s approach to Bible study. Just the opposite.

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Camping made very sure to go slow enough for his listeners to absorb the Bible verses he was covering.

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And it was not uncommon for his 25-minute Bible study to only cover several verses each study.

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TODAY’S PREACHING MOSTLY COMMENTARIES

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Much of today’s preaching is made up of perhaps, 80-90% personal commentary, and very little actually dissecting of each Bible verse, hardly giving time for parishioners to look up those few verses offered by the preacher/teacher.

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”

2nd Timothy 2:15

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On the other hand, Camping would methodically go through each verse, often comparing with other related verses elsewhere in Scripture. Always giving listeners enough time to look up each verse.

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Or he might also go into the Greek or Hebrew on particular words in effort to get the true meaning of the more difficult passages in Scripture, of which there are many such difficult passages. And for decades, Camping partnered with a Greek/Hebrew scholar, one Gabriel Otero, and would work together to rightly dissect those extremely difficult passages in Scripture.

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2.5-Year Jeremiah Study

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And in conclusion, the Reader is highly encouraged to follow along the daily Bible study through Jeremiah, or whatever else is being presented in each day’s devotional.

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The two-and-one-half-year Jeremiah study cracks open the many difficult passages which have never before been understood.

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THE READER IS ENCOURAGED TO LISTEN TO THE 20+ MINUTE AUDIO BIBLE STUDY ON JEREMIAH AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH DAY’S PAGE.

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HAROLD CAMPING’S ABILITY TO SEARCH OUT COMPARABLE VERSES IS UNLIKE ANY OF TODAY’S BIBLE TEACHERS…

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

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be an open-minded seeker of truth, even if it means giving up a very highly regarded Church opinion! Let me be willing to investigate any seemingly new teaching if it appears to have some biblical validity…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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***FINALLY WALKING UPWARD* INTO THE HIGHWAYS *OF ETERNITY***

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Day by day, you will find yourself walking, like the Disciples, spreading the precious Gospel seed wherever the Spirit leads.

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Taking the lovely name of Jesus, with every word spoken. Walking through this sin-darkened world, witnessing to those who take notice that of a truth, Jesus is present within you. Even like faithful Enoch, walking through the highways and byways of life in this world, spreading the Gospel-seed of unpretentious love.

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Day by day, you will become more and more closed in with God. Moment by moment, your heart will become intertwined with God’s heart, eventually two hearts beating as one heart.

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And just like Enoch, when the appointed time of sojourning on earth is finally done…you will walk onward…and upward…and into the highways and byways of eternity. (“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24).

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ThomasCole-Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey wikimedia US public domain

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TOMORROW…

July 12 (A 3-Finger Judgment Day, Part 16: “The World’s Most Oppressed People-Group”)

Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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20+ MINUTE AUDIO JEREMIAH STUDY

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

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THIS IS STUDY #287 PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING …

Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.com – Public Domain

Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on the provided image credit link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing names, details, and tags, and all other necessary info on any particular photo.

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 10 (Dawn of the Dead! Part 7: “The Walking Dead Conscience”)

By admin On November 16th, 2022

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 10

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Dawn of the Dead!

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Part 7:

“The Walking Dead Consciences”

To read Part 1, click here…September 16th (Dawn of the Dead! Part 1: Music)

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Are you old enough to remember that startling movie, “Dawn of the Dead”?

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Being one of the first of its kind, it had a stunning effect on movie-goers. That is, to see dead people slowly sleep-walking through a giant shopping mall, surrealistically going through the motions of shopping, while silky violin strains of “elevator music” echoed through that post-apocalyptic mall, was a giant shock to movie audiences back in those days!

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Dawn of the Dead – Wikipedia – Copyrighted – Fair-Use Rationale Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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NO MORE ROOM IN HELL!

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Now the premise of that movie was that some world-wide apocalyptic holocaust had killed off the bulk of Mankind, leaving no more room in Hell. And this is loosely based on Jeremiah’s prophecy… “Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet (Grave), nor the valley of the son of Hinnom (Hell), but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place.” Jeremiah 7:32

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Thus, the world was now mostly populated by these half-dead zombies, who continually sought to cannibalize the few surviving humans left on earth! And that infamous and eerie, post-apocalyptic shopping mall became the backdrop for this end-time scenario!

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Dawn of the Dead – Wikipedia – Copyrighted – Fair-Use Rationale – Click here for Fair-Use Rationale Guidelines – Image germane to this story – Could not find suitable free replacement on Internet – reduced size & quality

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“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience”

Ephesians 2:1, 2

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Well, we don’t have to wait for the apocalypse to see the walking dead! This above passage from Ephesians reveals that the unsaved multitudes around the world are already “dead in trespasses and sins“. Ephesians 2:1

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Oh yes, they are physically alive, and yet according to God, they are spiritually dead: the living, walking dead.

Zombies Night of the Living Dead – Wikipedia – Public-Dom.

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“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron”

1st Timothy 4:2

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Satan and his vast army of unseen angels are hard at work, around the clock, making sure that he, in his role as “the god of this world, hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ…should shine unto them” 2nd Corinthians 4:4

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Yes, it is his mission to stamp his sinful, selfish character upon the consciences of each and every human heart (mind). But just what is this “hot iron” which Satan uses to deaden their consciences?

Branded – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.

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“And he (Satan as the False Prophet) had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed”

Revelation 13:15

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Well, in these last times, Satan has greatly turned this world into one giant mind-control machine: television, radio, Internet, schools, newspapers, magazines, novels, billboards, signage have all been transformed into this giant indoctrination machine.

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And day-by-day, from infants to the elderly and everyone in between, are having Satan’s character seared into their consciences.

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And via these modern-day devices, Satan can now stamp his fallen character so deeply upon the spiritually dead hearts and minds of humans, that only a miracle from Heaven can undo what Satan has so successfully done!

TV – The Image of the Beast – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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SATAN’S CHARACTER STAMPED UPON MANKIND’S HEART

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Just listen to a short-list of Satan’s character, which he transfers to humans…

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“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves,

covetous,

boasters,

proud,

blasphemers,

disobedient to parents,

unthankful,

unholy,

Without natural affection,

trucebreakers,

false accusers,

incontinent,

fierce,

despisers of those that are good,

Traitors,

heady,

highminded,

lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:

from such turn away”

2nd Timothy 3:1-5

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Oh yes, Satan fully realizes that he must add a “form of godliness” into Mankind’s character, to give some semblance of goodness to fallen man, yet without the true source of goodness, the Spirit of Christ!

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**And so, Satan’s antichrist spirit includes “a form of godliness”, which is nothing more than a cheap and crude counterfeit of the Holy Spirit’s true goodness.**

ABOVE PICTURE: TV indoctrination – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

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“And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name”

Revelation 13:17

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The etching of Satan’s character upon the human heart and mind is the essence of what the mark of the beast is all about (this composite beast comprised of kings and kingdoms is actually Satan’s antichrist world-system. See Revelation 17:9-12).

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ABOVE PICTURE: Mark of the beast – pub. dom. – Wikipedia

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MAY BE SOME TRUE WORSHIPPERS STILL IN THE WORLD

Now, God has a people scattered throughout the world. And some of these may not have been converted as yet.

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The last call will go out as planned, causing these to awaken to Salvation.

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And their “walking-dead” consciences will be made alive, once they are truly indwelt by the Spirit of Christ!

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

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“I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”

Revelation 3:1

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Christ here, is speaking to the church at Sardis, which had a reputation of being spiritually vibrant, and yet, were actually spiritually dead!

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These apostate churchgoers have been deceived into believing they are saved, but are merely attending church, while actually living for worldly pleasures and pursuits.

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Thus, in reality, such world-loving “make-believers” are worshiping “the god of this world”, Satan! (See 2nd Corinthians 4:4 & Revelation 13:4)

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY!”

Proverbs 25:25

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But the Good News is that God is still in the saving business. And nobody needs to remain in the ranks of the “walking, living dead”!

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And those who desire Salvation can come to the foot of the Cross and plead for Christ’s saving grace!

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And so, the invitation still goes out…

“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For My yoke is easy,

and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30″

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Hunt – Light of the World – Jesus Knocking on the Door – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

***“Dear Lord,* *Help me to prepare my heart by filling it with Thy soul-saving words-of-life…***

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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GLORIOUS CROWN CONSTELLATION…

& THE REVELATION 12 WOMAN

(Click here to read more!)

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This Glorious Crown Constellation looks like a wreath at first glance. It has 7 stars, plus another star in the middle. This Glorious Crown Constellation is commonly referred to as the Corona Borealis Constellation. This wreath reminds us of the victory wreath given to athletes who won races in the ancient cultures. This was spoken of by Paul as he compared those ancient races to the race that Christians must run… “Know you all not, that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you all may obtain.” 1st Corinthians 9:24 (see also Hebrews 12:1)

Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura

Laurel Wreath – Lorbeerkranz_Zypern – cropped photo – Wikipedia – public domain

“A CROWN OF 12 STARS UPON HER HEAD” …

But upon a closer examination if you have access to a very dark sky out in the country; if you watch this wreath, you will eventually see 5 more very faint stars, making a total of 12 stars, plus that single star in the middle. This wreath now becomes a crown of 12 stars. This goes along with Revelation 12, which tells of a crown of 12 stars upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12.

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… “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” Rev. 12:1.

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But this crown is not yet upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (also known as Ursa Major). It is just above her head, as if she has yet to attain it. Of course, the 13th star in the middle would represent Christ (Who is our true Crown of our rejoicing). Ok, so we have a picture of Christ and His twelve tribes of Israel. But also we have a picture of Christ and His twelve apostles, which is a picture of His Church. So this heavenly crown is a multi-faceted concept.

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TOMORROW:

July 11 (Fast-Talking Preachers)

Sunday preaching – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 9 (The Devil Made Me Do It! Part 35: “Why Do the People Vote for Destruction?”)

By admin On November 14th, 2022

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 9

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The Devil Made Me Do It!

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Part 35:

“Why Do the People Vote for Destruction?”

To read part 1, click here…October 13th (The Devil Made Me Do It! Part 1)

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“And the great city was divided into three parts,

and the cities of the nations fell:

and great Babylon came in remembrance before God,

to give unto her the cup of the wine

of the fierceness of His wrath”

John 8:44

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Back in the 1970’s, a certain saying was popularized…“The Devil made me do it! The Devil made me do it!”

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And this was merely mocking Christians, who were seemingly obsessed with pointing the accusing finger at the Devil.

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Then they could all laugh and mock the notion that some red-suited, pitchfork-wielding cartoonish goat/man is a very active and powerful force controlling the peoples of this world, by sarcastically chanting…“The Devil made me do it! The Devil made me do it!“

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Flip Wilson – Wikipedia – Public Domain

Devil Satan – Wikimedia – No Known Copyright

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SATAN, “THE GOD OF THIS WORLD”

2nd Corinthians 4:4

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But the horrifying fact is, the Devil does indeed cause the vast percentage of the world’s inhabitants to do a great number of things! The Bible calls him, “The god of this world”!

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**After all, the above signature verse (John 8:44, see top of page) reveals a truth that practically nobody realizes or accepts! It is perhaps the most egregious truth in all of the Bible!**

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And also, Ephesians 2:2 reveals that Satan is indeed… “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

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And let’s face it! To admit that the entire world’s inhabitants are filled with this evil spirit is more than anybody is willing to accept, much less admit!

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Satan presiding at the Infernal Council – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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But how about the world-system? Is Babylon, Lucifer’s Antichrist World-System fallen as well?

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Well, Revelation 16:19 says so…“And the cities of the nations fell.”

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So, have the cities of the nations fallen, as this above verse prophesied they would?

Antifa @ Protest Trump in Phoenix – 8-22-17 – Wikipedia – GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2

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CITIES ARE NOW RAPIDLY DEVOLVING

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Perhaps the cities of the nations have not yet totally fallen. But it appears as if their condition is rapidly deteriorating! Just look at the major cities in the USA! In just a few short years, those once-great and thriving cities are rapidly declining! And even many cities which have not yet literally crumbled have fallen into crime, vice, and immorality.

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Drugs, drunkenness, theft, violence, murder, abortion, prostitution, gambling, kidnapping, slavery, pornography, street-gangs, divorce, adultery, sodomy, and an untold list of similar sinful activities are running rampant in most cities around the world!

Minneapolis Riots – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

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“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter”

Isaiah 59:14

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Now, if one watches the Internet, there is a call now being trumpeted to once again return to the law and order of decades past.

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But the question to be asked is this: “Why are the city, state, and federal governments seemingly helpless to bring about a return to sanity, civility, and morality? Why can’t this downward spiral be stopped, even reversed?”

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The deep-down problem is, the politicians of city, state and federal government have attempted to solve the human dilemma without the help of God! And because these secularists have rejected Heaven’s help, they have been left to solve the crises by themselves.

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“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God”

Psalms 9:17

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Oh yes, God has greatly helped, even blessed this nation in the past, in many ways. But there comes a time when iniquity surpasses God’s merciful forbearance.

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And morality has devolved so greatly that even little children are increasingly being targeted by parents and teachers to be sexually groomed and sometimes even sexually mutilated by greedy and depraved physicians, the very persons who should be safe-guarding children from all such monstrous attacks!

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Oh yes, we are ripe for judgment! And Judgment Day has now arrived!

Posing with the gay drag queens – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

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“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber”

Isaiah 56:10

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But the problem goes even deeper than secular societal depravity! The problem even goes right down to the church-world! Yes, the Christian community has fallen asleep, spiritually, giving sway to, church-entertainment, worldly aspiration, selfish pleasure-seeking, and such-like abominations! After all, society has become a cornucopia of decadent pleasures, world-seeking treasures. And tragically, the church has joined in with the world, allowing Satan to steal a march on us at every turn!

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And so, we have allowed Lucifer and his visible and invisible armies to bring us to the great hour of Judgment which we are now entering into.

Brooklyn Museum – The Wise Virgins – James Tissot – Wikimedia – public domain

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY!”

Proverbs 25:25

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But in spite of this awful and terrifying report, there still exists some very Good News!

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Listen to the prophecy of Joel…“Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number…Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD, Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come” Joel 1:5, 6, 13-15

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Yes, God is calling His sleepy-eyed saints to wake up from our death-like slumber and begin to weep and howl for the destruction coming upon the land! We must cry out for deliverance and watchfulness! We must plead and beg for mercy and repentance!

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And even though we may not be able to turn back the overflowing tsunami of evil coming upon the land, we might find refuge and safety for ourselves and our family!

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“HIDE…FOR A LITTLE MOMENT”

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As a matter of fact, the Bible counsels us to…“Come, My people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast. For, behold, the LORD cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity…” Isaiah 26:20, 21

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Here is revealed a hiding place from the approaching storm.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Hide Thyself in thy Chambers – inspired by Tornado Over Kansas by Curry

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TO READ PART 36, CLICK HERE…

July 26 (The Devil Made Me Do It! Part 36: “Why Have the Cities of the Nations Fallen?’”)

Minneapolis Riots – Wikipedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to be wise as a serpent regarding this very deceptive world. Let me not be ignorant of Satan’s devices, nor of his power over this world…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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REVELATION 12 DRAGON CONSTELLATION

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LOCATION…

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The Revelation 12 Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months. The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield. This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull. The Dragon’s tail-tip is Pleiades and the lower shaft of his tail is partly of Aries and Pisces. Then with aid of a dark and starry night, you may begin to connect the mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape. The front and back legs are made of a few stars: the front legs partially of stars from Taurus . The back legs and rear fin are made of 6 stars from the Cetus Constellation.

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BODY HARD TO SEE

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The long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark, starry night. The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus .

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FIRST APPEARS IN MID-SUMMER

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This Dragon constellation appears in the eastern horizon about mid-summer in the pre-dawn hours, spewing his flood-waters northward toward the Revelation 12 Woman in Travail (not pictured in this chart).

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The Wave of Water is primarily composed of the Constellation Auriga. There are two dimmer stars (#’s 1 & 2) which are closest to the Dragon’s mouth. These two dimmer stars are also part of this Wave of Water, but are not part of the Auriga Constellation.

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THE ZODIAC NAMES

It is not the purpose, nor the desire of www.theheavensdeclare.net to give any validity or recognition to the Zodiac or any pagan deities. But unfortunately, the common names of many constellations (such as Scorpio or Sagittarius, etc.), must be given, solely for the purpose of locating them on star-charts.

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TOMORROW…

July 10 (Dawn of the Dead! Part 7: “The Walking Dead Conscience”)

Zombies Night of the Living Dead – Wikipedia – Public-Dom.

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

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 8 (Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 15: “Miss the Rapture? No Worries…Second Chance!”)

By admin On November 11th, 2022

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 8

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Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture,

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Part 15:

“Miss the Rapture? No Worries…Second Chance!”

To read Part 1, Click here… “January 25th (The Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 1)”

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“So Christ was once offered

to bear the sins of many;

and unto them that look for Him

shall He appear the second time

without sin unto salvation.”

Hebrews 9:28

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One of the most damnable doctrines to ever come out of the apostate church-world is the so-called “Pre-Tribulation Rapture”! Yes, this crazy doctrine invented two second comings instead of the one which the Bible speaks of. Or perhaps you could say, a second and third coming.

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But Scripture is clear, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” Hebrews 9:28

Beware of dogma – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE RAPTURE: A PRODUCT OF DARBY & SCOFIELD

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And today’s dishonest teachers like to pretend that the name, “The Rapture” has always been the proper name, never giving John Darby any credit for the name. But the fact is, prior to Darby, the event was always addressed by the God-given name, “The Coming of the Lord”…on “the last day”. 1st Thessalonians 4:15, etc. & John 6:39, 40, 44, 54

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But through Darby, then Cyrus I. Scofield, then Vernon McGee, and onward, this false doctrine gained growing acceptance until it is the established doctrine of most churches.

John Nelson Darby – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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A THIRD COMING?!

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And what happened to the God-given name?

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Well, that is still used, being rightly assigned to the supposed “3rd Coming of the Lord” on the “last day”. (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54)

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This is why Satan, through these two men, had to introduce this non-biblical name, “The Rapture”, so as to invent two second comings instead of Christ’s one and only biblical Return on the Last Day!

John Nelson Darby – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

Cyrus Scofield – 1920 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“In the world ye shall have tribulation”

John 16:33

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But why has Satan installed this false doctrine into the apostate church-world?

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Well, one very significant purpose is to deceive the Christian community into believing that they don’t have to armor-up for the soon-coming battle! “Don’t worry”, today’s teachers almost seem to say to their flocks, “God hath not appointed us to wrath”. (1st Thessalonians 5:9)

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But what today’s apostate teachers carefully avoid telling us is, that while we aren’t appointed to wrath, God has indeed appointed us to tribulation…“And he (the attending angel) said to me, These (God’s elect) are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:14

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**So, this above verse reveals that God’s people will definitely go through the soon-coming “Great Tribulation”.**

ABOVE PICTURE: Unfunny Judgment Day Cartoon – a party tonight – signsofheaven.org

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A SECOND CHANCE?!

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But one other significant purpose of inserting this phantom doctrine is to give false hope to millions of fence-sitters, that “Well, if I miss the Rapture, I can always take advantage of that ‘second chance’ after the Rapture”.

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Unfortunately, most churchgoers never deeply investigate into the Bible to any degree. Most simply get their teachings from their favorite radio/TV preachers. Thus, they become totally solidified into the various false doctrines which are repeated day and night over the airways!

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“GOOD NEWS FROM A FAR COUNTRY”

Proverbs 25:25

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The very Good News is that today is still the day of Salvation. And those who have been deceived regarding this and similar false teachings can begin to dig their way out of all this babylonish confusion! And this is an integral part of what it means to “Come out of her (spiritual Babylon), My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

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Yes, God is now calling out His true sheep away from the apostate churches. And we need to escape the plagues which will soon fall upon all those who refuse to leave!

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

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TO READ PART 16, CLICK HERE…

July 19 (Darby & Scofield’s Pre-Trib Rapture, Part 16: “Doctrine Made of Straw?”)

Straw man (or lady) – Wikipedia – Share-alike or GNU Free Documentation License

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Help me to study my Bible for myself, and let me not by led astray by the errors which have overtaken today’s church-world…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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THE 5 OFFICES OF ORION

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But like most of the other Signs which this website reveals, Orion too, has much more to say as he changes his position in the sky. And this Soldier in the Heavens puts on different garb, as he presents the five awesome aspects of his various offices. From ‘Orion the Soldier’, and ‘Orion the Reaper’, and ‘Orion the Archer’, and ‘The Cross of Orion’, and last but certainly not least, “Orion, The Good Shepherd”. This amazing constellation presents a very complex revelation of the God’s magnificent love for a fallen planet.

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So read on and discover, “things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” Matthew 13:35

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TOMORROW

July 9 (why do people vote for destruction?)

University at Buffalo voting booth – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 7 (The False Prophet: “Deceiving The Elect With Loud Mics!” Part 15 CONTINUED)

By admin On November 5th, 2022

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 7

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The False Prophet:

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“Deceiving The Elect With Loud Mics!”

Part 15 CONTINUED

To read the first part of this article, click here…May 6 (The False Prophet, Part 15: Deceiving The Elect With Loud Mics!

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Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh,

despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

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.

But these speak evil of those things

which they know not:

but what they know naturally, as brute beasts,

in those things they corrupt themselves.

Jude 1:8-10

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This above passage from Jude warns us not to speak evil of others. Yes, we must be very careful to criticize others, even false teachers, in a manner which does not ruthlessly smear them before our hearers.

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One trick which some false Bible teachers on the radio use in attempt to destroy their supposed enemies, is to mock and deride them. In other words, by means of belittling, in some way, their doctrinal opponents, this becomes a powerful weapon to coerce their listening audience into conformity.

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“But I (Jesus) say unto you, That…whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire”

Matthew 5:22

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Perhaps the radio teacher mockingly imitates his detractors in such a way which makes that other teacher sound foolish and ignorant. Or maybe the radio teacher refers to his opponents being “a fool”, “a dummy”, or “an idiot”, or “a crackpot”, or some other demeaning and derogatory slur.

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Or he makes some sarcastic, slanderous, or derogatory joke about them.

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And in addition, by talking loudly and forcefully, the radio teacher succeeds in decimating and destroying his opponents, causing his audience to become fearful of disagreeing with this sharp-tongued host.

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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

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“SEARED WITH A HOT IRON”

1st Timothy 4:2

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Of course, this is bullying in the first degree, and tramples on the liberty of the consciences of his listeners!

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And as a result of all such mental assaults, these listeners can no longer be open minded “Noble Bereans”, because of these tyrannical methods used by these bullying teachers!

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

Matthew 24:24

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And like most false teachers, these radio teachers mingle a whole lot of truth into their teachings! After all, in order to “deceive even the very Elect”, there must be much Bible truth mingled into their poisonous wine of Babylon.

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Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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“Be afflicted and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness!:

James 4:8-10

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There has even been a few bonafide radio Bible teachers of the past who sometimes engaged in such lawless belittling, much to their shame!

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Listen to 2nd John 1:7…“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”

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Yes, every Bible teacher should have a Christlike spirit: a spirit which confesses that he is filled with the Spirit of Christ. And if not, that Bible teacher should fall to his knees in repentance and restoration, begging for God’s saving grace.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“COME OUT OF HER, MY PEOPLE!”

Revelation 18:4

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But the Good News is that God is faithful and will give us “red flags” in the unchristlike behavior of such deceivers, in attempt to alert us to their deceptions.

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And this article highlights just one more reason why God considers the present-day church-world to be spiritual Babylon. And He no longer winks at these abominations, but calls to us in the following manner…“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (spiritual Babylon), My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” Revelation 18:4

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

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TO READ PART 16, CLICK HERE…

August 7 (The False Prophet, Part 16: “The False Prophet’s Two Horns!”)

ABOVE PICTURE: Satan, The False Prophet who offers a world-loving gospel

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Give me an understanding of the apostate condition of Christianity today. Give me the faith and confidence that when I make my exodus, that heavenly bread will be given me, and my waters shall be assured…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP

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“Multitudes, multitudes in the ‘Valley of Decision’…

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

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“The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining…

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“The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem…

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“And the heavens and the earth shall shake…

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“But the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.

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Joel 3:14-16

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LOCATING THIS CONSTELLATION GROUP…

“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” Micah 4:1, 2

Look eastward in the early summer through fall. Find the Cassiopeia Constellation. Cassiopeia is the Mount of Blessing. In the sketch, it is the farthest mountain to the left. In the sky, it is the northern-most of these three mountains when facing eastward. It resembles a pyramid.

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Then find the second pyramid to its right (south).

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Then go a little further south to the next third pyramid. The third snow-cap is the Destroying Mountain Constellation.

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These three pyramids are the snow-capped portion of these three mountains in this sketch. (of course, you won’t see the snow-caps in the sky. They are just an embellishment in this sketch to present a concept-EDITOR).

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THE VALLEY OF DECISION CONSTELLATION GROUP. They appear in mid-summer in the eastern skies in pre-dawn hours. These are made of Cassiopeia (mount on left), and various stars from the Andromeda Constellation (valley) Pegasus (Mount of Cursing (middle mount) & Destroying Mount (right)), and Pisces (Broad Way to Hell). 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. Actually, these Valley of Decision Constellations appear in early summer in the pre-dawn hours. (Editor of this website has sketched in this constellation group onto this above Wikipedia star-chart.)

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TOMORROW…

July 8 – DON’T WORRY…IF YOU MISS THE RAPTURE, YOU’LL HAVE A SECOND CHANCE

Twemoji2 – crossed fingers – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license

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Daily Devotional, July 5, Year 4 (

By admin On November 4th, 2022

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 6 (Time of Jacob’s Trouble, Part 12: “Bird-Nest in Your Hair?”)

By admin On November 4th, 2022

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Today’s Devotional – Year 4, July 6

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Time of Jacob’s Trouble,

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Part 11:

“Bird’s Nest in Your Hair?”

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THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

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“Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.” Jeremiah 30:6, 7

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So, what in the world could this passage be speaking of?

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Such strange language!

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Such an impossible idea! Men in travail!?!

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Jacob being saved out of it!?!

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After all, at the time that Jeremiah wrote this, Jacob had been dead for centuries! And of course, men don’t suffer labor pains!

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And so, the whole verse just seems ridiculous in every respect!

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Jacob Wrestling with the Angel – Wikipedia – public domain

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GIVING BIRTH TO CHRIST!

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Well, of course, this passage (Jeremiah 30:6, 7) must be understood allegorically, just like so much of the Bible!

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To say it concisely, this passage is speaking of God’s people during the time of great affliction just before us. At this time, God is going to bring His people (symbolized by Jacob) through a fiery trial, in which His Church-Elect will finally give birth to Christ.

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Listen to the words of the Apostle, Paul… “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,” Galatians 4:19

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And so, Paul is comparing, not only his own experience as travailing in spiritual birth on behalf of the Galatian churches, but also to the Church of Galatia as Paul was waiting for that church to likewise give birth, forming Christ within them!

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ABOVE PICTURE: Woman of Revelation 12 In Travail – www.signsofheaven.org

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BIRD’S NEST IN YOUR HAIR?

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Martin Luther is credited as once making the comment…“You cannot stop the birds from flying over your head, but you do not have to allow them to make a nest in your hair!”

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And of course, this was referring to the wicked thoughts which Satan will undoubtedly plague the child of God with. In simple terms, while bad thoughts are sure to come, we certainly must not dwell on them!

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BIRD NEST – WIKIPEDIA – EDITED IMAGE – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

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DOTING ON SIN

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Yes, very many, or perhaps every true Believer will be assailed with wicked thoughts from time to time. But never, never should we ever allow ourselves to dwell on them.

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Listen to James…“But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14, 15

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This verse likewise uses the metaphor of lust conceiving sin, which sooner or later brings forth death.

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EVIL ANGELS WILL FLEE!

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But, in spite of all these satanic thoughts we may have, we can turn them around for our eternal blessing as we get in the habit of quickly rejecting them.

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Listen again to James…“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

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Isn’t this one of the Bible’s wonderful, “exceeding great and precious promises”!? 2nd Peter 1:4

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Oh yes, Satan may continue to assault us with evil thoughts and desires. But if we cry out to God for deliverance, Satan will eventually be chased away by the Angel of the Lord!

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“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”

1st Corinthians 15:33

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One very big way which many Christians actually tempt the Devil is by allowing ourselves to listen to unwholesome talk on our high-tech devices (or radio, magazines, television, etc…).

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God warns us that “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” 1st Corinthians 15:33

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By so-doing, we give evil spirits greater leeway to infect us with unwholesome thoughts.

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TV – The Image of the Beast – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial uses

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“THINK ON THESE THINGS”

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If we would only replace unwholesome programs with elevating thoughts, we might greatly reduce Satan’s ability to plague us with wrong thoughts!

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Listen…“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

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Here are the thoughts our minds should be filled with.

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Father & Son – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience”

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So, in closing, let’s rejoice in such trials as these, even as it is written, again in James…“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations…” James 1:2

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But why should we “count it all joy” when we are plagued by evil thoughts? Because, as James continues…“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” James 1:3, 4

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Yes, all such evil thoughts and temptations are allowed by God to strengthen our faith, as we put on our heavenly armor, lifting up our “shield of faith”, and using our “sword of the Sprit” vanquish the enemy by means of all the many “exceeding great and precious promises” which we glean from our daily exploration of God’s Word, the Bible!

Christian and Apollyon – Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, Allow me to be filled with the words and promises found in the Bible, that I may be strong against all attacks by the enemy of souls…

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

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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LOCATING THIS CROWN…

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This constellation begins to appear in late December (just before dawn), but is best seen, mid-sky when this group of constellations can be seen when facing west. In March-April, very late in the pre-dawn hours, this Summer Constellation group begins to be seen when facing west, and continues to be seen in the west until fall. The Crown follows almost directly behind that great star, Arcturus, as you can see in the sketch to the left. Repeat: it is somewhat easier to study the 12 stars of this constellation when it is in western half of night-sky (when you have to see it as you face westward). So when these Summer Constellations are in the western half of the sky, simply follow the handle of the Big Dipper till you locate Arcturus. Then the Crown is following Arcturus. You will only see the wreath-like 7 stars plus 1 star (in middle) until you get away from all city lights. Then you can make out the other 5 stars, which makes it appear like a full crown.

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COMBINATION OF BOTH

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CORONA BOREALIS & BOOTES

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This constellation is a combination of both Corona Borealis plus several stars from the Bootes Constellation. The stars, Alkalyroos-Bootis and the Delta-Bootis Star are both combined with the other stars from the Corona Borealis community, to make this 12-star (plus 13th star in middle).

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Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

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TOMORROW:

July 7 (The False Prophet: “Deceiving The Elect With Loud Mics!” Part 15 CONTINUED)

Announcer with microphone – svg – Wikimedia – Public-Domain

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Those who are interested in using photos on this page may click on provided link below each photo, to get to Wikimedia Commons for various licensing details & tags, and all other necessary information on any particular photo. Most tall, narrow photos have been cropped or reduced by this website to make them a better fit on phone screens.

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 3 (“What Is True Grace?”)

By admin On November 2nd, 2022

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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – July 3

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“What Is True Grace?”

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“But by the grace of God

I am what I am:

and His grace which was bestowed upon me

was not in vain;

but I laboured more abundantly than they all:

yet not I, but the grace of God

which was with me!”

1st Corinthians 15:10

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**In John Bunyan’s masterpiece allegory, “Pilgrim’s Progress”, there was a sad man who went by the name, “Graceless”.**

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And the reason why he was so sad, was because his Bible informed him that his very own city, “The City of Destruction”, was going to be burned with fire from Heaven because of its wickedness and sin.

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Christian in Pilgrims Progress – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GRACELESS BECOMES “CHRISTIAN”

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**But in the process of time, by God’s saving grace, his name was changed to “Christian”.**

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And from that time forward, Mr. Christian began his long upward sojourn to a distant city, “The Celestial City of the Lord Emmanuel”, as he encountered various characters, pitfalls, perils. etc., along the way.

Pilgrims Progress – His Burden Fell Off His Back – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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WHAT IS TRUE GRACE?

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Now, of course, this little book is an “everyman tale”, written to encourage all those who likewise have become Christian pilgrims on their sojourn to that heavenly city!

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But the purpose for today’s devotional is to present what true grace is, as well as what true grace is NOT!

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And the reason for writing this is because there is some confusion about what grace truly is.

Question Mark – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“For I (Paul) know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock”

Acts 20:29

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And truth-be-told, there are many faithful church-attendees who have been deceived by false shepherds, mere wolves in sheep’s clothing, deceiving, even devouring God’s flock; saying that God’s grace somehow excuses them from “fighting the Good Fight”, or from “running the race”.

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In other words, there are many who believe that grace somehow excuses them from such verses as, “He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He (Jesus) walked.” 1st John 2:6

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Or perhaps, they might confess…“God loves me, and all I need to do is to love Him back, and my fellow man too!” Well, it’s true, of course that to love God supremely and to love our fellow man are the two greatest commandments.

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But by continuing to read Scripture, we might run across such verses as this…“If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love.” John 15:10

Picture – Running the Christian Race

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“For by grace are ye saved through faith“

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Oh yes, Salvation by grace is as follows…“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

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Yes, Salvation is truly a gift of grace and grace alone!

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And yet, if we keep reading that very same passage, we likewise read one verse later that…“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

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No, good works and obedience do not earn our Salvation.

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But rather, Spirit-inspired good works and obedience are the evidence and the fruit of our Salvation.

Paul Converted – www.thebiblerevival.com

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

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And so, because of all the confusion and misinformation coming forth from today’s church-world, let’s take a few moments to consider some examples of what true grace is.

Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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SAVED BY GRACE AND RENEWED BY FAITH!

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And it is true grace which forgives our failings and causes us to renew our faith and commitment to continue to follow Him, even in our discouragement, after we may have fallen…“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.” Lamentation 3:22, 23

David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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“But we…beholding…the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image”

2nd Corinthians 3:18

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For example, it is grace that inspires the desire to serve God and to become changed into His image…“But we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same Image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2nd Corinthians 3:18

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Yes, the more we fix our minds upon God’s Word, and how it is fulfilled in Christ’s example, we become, day-by-day, imperceptibly changed into His image!

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

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A NEW HEART ALSO WILL I PUT WITHIN YOU!

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It is grace that causes us to begin to love the things of Heaven: such things as unceasing prayer and Bible contemplation, and beholding God’s wisdom found in all the things of Creation…“A new heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart…And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26, 27

ABOVE PICTURE: Most Holy Place within the heart – Signs Of Heaven

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“Put on…mercies, kindness, humbleness…Forbearing…and forgiving one another”

Colossians 3:12, 13

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And it is true grace which places a Spirit of forgiveness within us, and a sympathetic understanding of the plight of others, yearning for their many needs and most of all, for their salvation…“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another” Colossians 3:12, 13

Man Husband & Married Wife on swing – Fraternal love (Prehispanic sculpture from 250–900 A.D., of Huastec origin) – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Ferguson Day – cropped Image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license

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“…but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.”

1st Corinthians 15:10

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And it is grace which gives us power to go mightily forward in our labors for souls: for our own soul as well as the souls of others…“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” 1st Corinthians 15:10

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

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“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing!”

John 15:5

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No, true grace is not merely some nebulous aura surrounding God’s people! But rather, it is the empowering Spirit of God, working in and through an otherwise helpless, bumbling, spiritual-ne’er-do-well, incapable of doing any good thing, apart from God…

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Oh yes, we can confidently agree with Paul, when God says through him…*“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…”**Ephesians 2:8*

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But true grace goes far beyond God’s forgiveness! Grace even infills us with all the desire, and courage, and strength, and power necessary for every aspect of the Christian life, as we continue our ongoing, upward sojourn out of this “City of Destruction” world!

Pilgrim’s Progress – Then Atheist fell into a very great laughter – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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Well, these are but a few biblical examples of true grace.

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But they give us a great head-start in understanding this very powerful truth!

Magnifying Glass – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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LET’S NOT BE LIKE “WORLDLY WISEMAN”, OR LIKE “MR. IGNORANCE”!

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**But back to the tale of Pilgrim’s Progress.**

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Yes, Bunyan’s pilgrim, “Christian”, encountered various other fellows along the Way, such as “Worldly Wiseman”, and also, “Mr. Ignorance”, both of whom it may be said, did not understand the true Way of grace.

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And such it is, still today, in so much of the Christian community. There are an abundance of Bible teachers who, either by word or by example, misdirect the professed people of God, as to what the Christian life truly is!

Worldly Wiseman – Pilgrim’s Progress, p34 – Mr Worldly Wiseman – Wikimedia – Public Domain

Pilgrims Progress – Ignorance – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith…”

2nd Timothy 3:15

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But the remedy for all such ignorance is for each hungering soul to soak in for his or her own self, God’s soul-saving Word…“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2nd Timothy 3:15

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Yes, a daily prayerful Bible study and contemplation will gradually diminish our ignorance, giving us Holy Spirit inspired wisdom in all heavenly matters!

USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Lord, Help me to endure these trials which plague my life! Help me to look up and fix my eyes heavenward. Give me that true grace necessary to overcome the world, the flesh, and the Devil…

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Christian and Apollyon – Pilgrim’s Progress – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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GOODLY HORSE IN BATTLE CONSTELLATION

“With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground.” Ezekiel 26:12

THIS STAR-CHART: Notice how the right front hoof is trampling on the tail of the Dragon. Also notice his eye is a star. It’s best seen when in the western half of the sky. It is found in mid-sky traveling from east to west. In January, it is in the west after midnight. As winter progresses, it can be seen earlier and earlier in the evening. a dark sky with good star-visibility is best, but not absolutely necessary to see this constellation. It is found on the opposite side of the Dragon Constellation from Orion. And as already stated, this Glorious Horse Constellation can be seen best in mid-winter when it is in the western side of the sky, and you are looking at it while you are facing west. The nose and head of this horse is partly made from the Perseus Constellation. The tail and rear end is partly of the Cassiopeia Constellation. The hind-leg is made partly of stars from the Andromeda Constellation.

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TOMORROW

July 4 (Sodom Rising, Part 20: “Great Balls of Fire”)

Meteors – Falling Stars – asteroids – Leonids-browse nasa Abe & Hajime Yano

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