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Click credit links below each pic, for licensing names/details/tags/etc.. Most pics cropped/reduced in size

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

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“And after three months we departed

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in a ship of Alexandria,

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which had wintered in the isle,

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whose sign was Castor and Pollux.”

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Acts 28:11

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THIS PAGE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN SUBJECTS:

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1. THE APOSTASY AND DIVISION OF TODAY’S CHURCH-WORLD

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2. THE DISCUSSION OF CASTOR AND POLLUX

& HOW THESE TWO STARS RELATE TO THE CHURCH

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PAUL’S JOURNEY ON TWO SHIPS…

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Acts Chapters 27 & 28 is the account of Paul’s journey to his own Judgment Day…in Rome. Acts 27 is greatly concerned with the first ship and with that terrible storm, Euroclydon.

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Paul warned all those on board, that if they all should abide in the ship, then not one soul would be lost.

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And so they all abode in the ship, just as Paul commanded.

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paul in a storm acts 27-21 www.breadsite.org public domain

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THEY LEFT THE BROKEN SHIP

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But finally, upon reaching just off-shore from land, the ship broke up by the impact of the crashing waves, and all had to abandon the ship and swim to shore. And so they all jumped into the water and some swam, and those who couldn’t swim, clung to pieces of the ship and floated to shore… 

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“they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land:” Acts 27:43, 44 

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

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WHAT DOES HENRY SAY?

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And sure enough, not one soul was lost! Listen to that great theologian, Matthew Henry… “When the church of God, like this ship, is tossed with tempests, and not comforted, when there is none to guide her of all her sons, yet God can bring her safely to shore, and will do it.” 

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Notice that Henry compares this ship to the Church of God. Matthew Henry speaks of this entire Acts Ch. 27 in spiritual terms, relating Paul’s journey to the many pitfalls and tribulations that God’s people must go through on our journey through this world.

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Well, Matthew Henry wasn’t the only student of Scripture who saw this story in spiritual terms. As a matter of fact, there are many who see this story as the prophetic history of the New Testament Church. That is, this story appears to be a prophecy concerning the Church through the past two thousand years, all the way up to Judgment Day, using Paul’s judgment to represent the great Judgment Day which may soon burst forth upon the world.

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Matthew Henry – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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“THE DAWNING OF THE DAY”

Joshua 6:15

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“I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in Thy Word.” Psalm 119:147. This Psalm, and many other verses in Scripture speak of the “dawning of the day”. 

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Now, just as Henry says above, the ship (the churches and the Church-Elect) made it safely to land. Well almost! Actually the ship broke up in the waters just a little way from land. But Henry’s point was that the ship went through. And so, just prior to the ship breaking up, the Bible says… “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat,” Acts 27:33.

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Matthew Henry – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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FOR THE PAST DECADES

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Many Christians have been faithfully searching the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, in attempt to know everything possible about Jesus Christ and His Salvation plan.

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And for decades now, God has been feeding His sheep with an abundance of spiritual meat, via faithful Christian ministries. Even world-wide radio stations have been trumpeting this message around the world.

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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DAWN HAS COME

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But the point to this observation concerning the “the dawning of the day” is this: Christ has not yet made a literal appearance, as He will undoubtedly do. But just prior to His literal Return, He will arise in the hearts of His faithful children.

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Peter speaks of this event in the following language… “until the day dawn, and the Day Star arise in your hearts:” 2nd Peter 1:19.

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Malachi speaks of this event in similar language… “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven…But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings” Malachi 4:1, 2.

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Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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NO MORE TIME TO WASTE

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So the bottom line is this. We are now at the time known as “the dawning of the day”. Christ is just now arising as the “Sun of Righteousness”. He is rising as the Day-Star in our hearts.

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And seeing that we have arrived at such a momentous and fearful hour, we need to take heed to Paul’s admonition…  “And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat,” Acts 27:33.

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Yes, if ever there was a time to be taking a good healthy portion of spiritual meat (the Bible), it is now! If ever there was a time to become totally focused on our Salvation, it is now!  

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For more on this subject please read “Castor and Pollux (Part 2: The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the Day)” or you can also read… “The Crown of Revelation 12: What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?”

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – public domain

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“GATES OF HELL SHALL NOT PREVAIL”

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“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18

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Now, at this point, many will undoubtedly object, crying (as this above verse points out), “the gates of Hell will not prevail against God’s Church!” But in many passages, the Lord points out that there are two Jerusalems, which represent the two portions of God’s house: the “Jerusalem above” (that is, the Church-Faithful) and the “Jerusalem now in bondage” (the Church-Apostate) (see Galatians 4:22-31).

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Now while the gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church-Faithful (picture below), this statement cannot be made concerning the Church-Apostate (picture left). And so, the local congregations were to be vacated by God’s Elect, as is written… “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, 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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Francken Hieronymus the Younger – Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins – c 1616 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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NO ETERNAL SECURITY FOR CHURCHES 

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And don’t forget! There is a big difference between the “Church” and the “churches”. Remember that Revelation, Ch.’s 2 & 3, gave very little security to those 7 churches.

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Listen… “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou (church at Ephesus) hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

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And what about this… “I know thy (the church at Sardis) works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”  

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Or this… “So then because thou (the church at Laodicea) art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.”  Revelation 2:4, 5 & Revelation 3:1, 16.

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So no congregation nor even any denomination was guaranteed an eternal security with God. Congregations were totally on a probationary basis. Their connection to God totally depended on their remaining faithful to obedience to the Bible.

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Now granted, the verses presented here give much truth to comprehend. But as the Reader reads this and other articles, there will be much explained in detail.

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Francken Hieronymus the Younger – Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins – c 1616 – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE CHURCH BROKEN UP…

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But the ship finally broke up, just prior to striking land. 

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But what does this story have to do with Salvation? And how does all this relate to the Church of God?

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Listen to what Paul says about the Church in the last days… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4.

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Incredible! Just think! The Bible predicted that the day was to come, in which the churches would no longer endure sound doctrine, but began to clamor for “itching-ears” gospels. And notice it says they would “heap to themselves teachers…”. Like never before, Christians have heaped to ourselves teachers. There were so many ministries: on radio, on TV, on Internet. And many of these had programs designed for those “itching ears” which Paul mentioned in 2nd Timothy: so-called “Christian entertainment”, joking, sensual music, popular & stylish church services, energy-exhausting careers, exotic theories on Bible prophecy, “get rich” gospels, picking-n-choosing pet Bible verses, etc…

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ITCHING EARS GOSPELS

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Did we reach the day when Paul’s prophecy became true? There are many who believe we did reach that day. Many were frustrated with the condition of the churches. And they felt that the “itching ears” gospels which Paul foretold would come, and did finally come.

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Many frustrated Believers complained that they had wandered from house to house, seeking sound doctrine, only to find worldly-mindedness and self-seeking in every gathering. To a great degree, it seemed to many, that the churches had devolved, to a great extent, into sort of a once-a-week “Band-Aid”: many of the parishioners came, in the vain attempt to absolve themselves of their sin, so that they might return back to serving the world, with all its selfish pursuits, for the next six days of each week.

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And so, life for many of us in the Church became a revolving door: one day attempting to get right with God, followed by six days of serving our other gods. And the next week was just the same. and the next, and the next, etc…. 

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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THE SINS OF “THAT INFAMOUS WICKED CITY OF OLD”

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And if there did happen to be a gathering striving to remain Biblical, it was often fraught with the “leaven of the Pharisees” (see Matthew 16:11, 12).

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And other “conservative” congregations catered to “miracles”.

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Still others encouraged luxurious lifestyles, either from the pulpit or from the bad example of their own personal excessive lifestyle.

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This had been the complaint of many concerning the various churches. 

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

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 AFFLUENCE

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Instead of encouraging simplicity and self-denial for our children, many of these so-called “conservative” gospels encouraged our young to seek after high-priced educations, encouraging the affluent lifestyles which usually resulted: the very same affluence which led the inhabitants of that infamous-wicked-city-of-old down, down, into eventual destruction!

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Listen… “Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.” Ezekiel 16:49.

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“Pride, fulness of bread” are the first sins that God mentions in connection with the sins of Sodom. And because that-infamous-wicked-city-of-old was an extremely fertile tropical paradise, it was no doubt a very wealthy city. And because great wealth with its resulting idleness often ends in all sorts of mischief, then it can be seen that Sodom played an integral part in her own ultimate destruction.

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

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GOD WARNED AGAINST EXCESS…

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Listen… “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 6:9. How could those of us who claimed to love and revere the Bible, simply have ignored such passages as this?

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Or what about this… “Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.” Romans 12:16. Did we Christians condescend to people of low-estate?

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And just one more passage… “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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Did this passage describe the mind-set of the average Christian? Or was there mostly seen, a push to get more and more of this world’s goods and pleasures, and prideful pursuits? 

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The Exhortation to the Apostles 1886-94-by James Tissot wikipedia public domain

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RICH YOUNG RULER IS US

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This old painting of the “Jesus & The Rich Young Ruler” speaks volumes about where we were in this very affluent and decadent society. The rich young ruler was hoping to secure Heaven by good works. But the good work which Jesus required was more than the young man could endure.

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Listen to Jesus… “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:21, 22.

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And this story spoke to so many of us, who just were not ready to give all, to follow Jesus.

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But if you wish to further explore the apostasy of the Church-world, just click here… “Fleeing to the Mountains–The Abomination in the Churches”.

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RichYoungRuler – Hoffman – wikimedia commons – US public domain

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1st BEAST & 2nd BEAST

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“Remove far from me vanity and lies:

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with food convenient for me: 

Lest I be full, and deny thee,

and say, Who is the LORD?

or lest I be poor, and steal,

and take the name of my God in vain.”

Proverbs 30:8, 9

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THE FIRST BEAST

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“Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” Proverbs 30:8, 9

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The above passage from Proverbs is very prophetic, as with all Scripture. If one takes a brief look at the history of the New Testament Church, it can be seen that this truth applied to the two ways in which Satan has persecuted the Church. In the first 1500 years, the Devil made life very tough on Christians. First, the Bible was declared an unlawful book, and many or perhaps most copies were burned. Christians, if they could, had only small portions of that book, which had to be hidden from both civil as well as church authorities.

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Second, if Christians did not support the apostate Church, they were sometimes persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, banished and even killed. So in addition to the normal, everyday poverty of Europe during those centuries, Christians had scarcity resulting from persecution by Anti-Christ worldlings.

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Avvakum (burned 1682)_by_artist, Myasoyedov 1897 Wiki. Pub Dom.

Burning at the Stake – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THE SECOND BEAST

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But in the last several hundred years, when Satan could no longer persecute by Bible burnings and torture, etc., this arch-deceiver drastically changed his modus-operandi. His former war-machine, i.e., the first Beast of Revelation 13, had received a deadly wound by a sword (i.e., the Bible). And because the newly-invented printing-press began churning out Bibles by the thousands, the great masses could no longer be fooled by the priests and prelates, as to just what was truth.

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So Satan had to change his tactics. He had to find another way to fool the masses and destroy Christians. And so he now began to flood this society with so much of everything. His great hope was to drown Christians into the same excesses which destroyed Sodom.

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Times Square – New York City – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 2.0

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A WORLD IN PURSUIT OF MAMMON

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“And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth” Revelation 13:11

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We lived in a 20th Century world, which had about every conceivable luxury that Satan could invent and produce. As this above verse from Revelation foretold, this Second Beast of Revelation was to come up out of the earth, symbolizing the source of his power…the materialism, and hedonistic sins of the flesh, which the earth produced and was so prevalent.

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Just look back at all the overwhelming abundance that prevailed in the industrial nations: the very nations in which the Gospel so greatly flourished during the Reformation era: cars, and boats, and planes, and TV’s, and radios, and books, and careers, and music, and computers, and cell-phones, and sports, and entertainments, and circus acts, and schools, and colleges, and ideologies, and sciences, and vacation resorts, and gambling casinos, human flesh, etc… We had it all, in the 20th Century, didn’t we?

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And beside all this, Bible translations, and churches began to multiply. TV, Internet, and radio ministries appeared, with all sorts of exciting music and celebrity evangelists.

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Mall Market culture – Jakarta – Wikimedia – share-alike-lic.

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CHRISTIANITY FLOODED

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And by this overwhelming tide of business and materialism, Christians had little time nor inclination for serious everyday contemplation of Scripture. Our senses were so over-stimulated by exciting entertainment, that Bible study and prayer seemed boring in comparison. Even a Christian theme-park or two.

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And so Satan replaced the scarcity and persecution of the former centuries, with abundance and decadence and idleness: Christians became overwhelmed by all the pleasures, and cares, and excesses, and luxuries…just like those infamous-wicked-cities-of-old. 

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This was the modus-operandi of the Second Beast of Revelation 13, The False Prophet. And it was even more successful than his former efforts during the persecutions of the Dark Ages.

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For a closer look at these two beasts, please read… “Floodwaters of the False Prophet: “Atheism & Psychology””

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 TBN – Orlando Crucifixion – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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“THERE SHALL COME A FALLING AWAY (APOSTASY)”

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“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (or, “apostasy”) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” 2nd Thessalonians 2:1-3

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The above passage warns that the Day of the Lord would not come until a “falling away” (apostasy) in the churches occurred, and the Antichrist was revealed.

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This is a companion verse to this next passage from 1st Timothy… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4.

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So the first passage from 2nd Thessalonians Chapter 2, reveals the apostasy. And this second passage from 2nd Timothy describes the nature of the apostasy. The churches would backslide to the point that they would no longer tolerate “sound doctrine”.

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Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s-Wikipedia-Public domain. 

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SOUND DOCTRINE ENCOURAGES HOLINESS

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Now Paul spends much time in his epistles, explaining just what is “sound doctrine”.

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But here is one such passage… “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. etc., etc…Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” Titus 2:2, 13.

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Now this above passage is just a tiny sampling of the countless admonishments which are found in the epistles, concerning “sound doctrine”. And by reading this one little passage among many other such passages, it becomes clear that we had just not risen to the level that we should have.

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God’s people were guilty of neglecting to fully imitate Christ in all our thoughts, words, and actions. We lived in a giddy, joking, backslapping, pre-occupied, over-caffeinated society. And we were “suckered” into a counterfeit life-style which had a form of godliness, but lacked the purity and holiness of Christ.

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Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s-Wikipedia-Public domain. 

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THE GREAT APOSTASY

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The churches became, perhaps, a fraternal order of sorts, with little more than a thin veneer of religiosity. Bingo, and potlucks, parties, celebrations, camp-outs, car-washes, sports, outings, and good music, and joking, and laughter, and worldly conversation. Just what every neighborhood needed! And soft sermons and non-judgmental, non-confrontive pastors. This was part of our sin: and we’ll all shared in the guilt of the condition of God’s house. We all bought into the lie, that such worldly behavior was OK with God; because we mistakenly believed that being friendly and being moral was all that God required from us. Oh, there were faithful minsters. But certainly, they were the exception rather than the rule…

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Listen… “Many pastors have destroyed My vineyard, they have trodden My portion under foot, they have made My pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” Jeremiah 12:10.

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Jeremiah’s description here is a prophecy, especially given for our day. Yes, God’s “pleasant portion” has been made a “desolate wilderness”.

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For more on this subject of worldliness, please read… “Fleeing to the Mountains, Part 3: The Abomination in My Heart”

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Lunch Break – cropped image – wikimedia commons – share-alike license

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“NO MAN CAN SERVE TWO MASTERS”

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Now the point to all this is just this: that in this age of materialism and excess, the Christian community, to a great extent, fell into much of this materialism and excess, not remembering what Jesus admonished…

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“No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:13.

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So many of us have gone about our lives, attempting to have a rich relationship with the Lord, while at the same time, attempting to seek the Mammon (i.e., the pleasures, materialism, and proud-attainments) of this present world. Well, as this above passage makes perfectly clear, you or I, just will not have a rich relationship with the Lord, while still seeking the things of the world… “Ye cannot serve God and Mammon.” Luke 16:13

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Mall_Market culture_jakarta75-wikimedia-share-alike-lic..jpg

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“ASK YE FOR THE OLD PATHS”

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Jesus plainly said… “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. Sadly, the Church mostly lost sight of these concepts, only to go after much of the same decadent pursuits which the rest of this Gentile society also pursued.

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This is the apostasy, which 2nd Thessalonians foretold would come at the end.

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Listen again… “for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away (apostasy) first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” 2nd Thessalonians 2:3.

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This was the apostasy. Some called it the “name-it-and-claim-it gospel”, while others called it the “entrepreneurial spirit”, or “The American Dream”.

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And though the apostasy manifested itself greatly in the prevalent materialism going on, but it went much deeper and broader than just that!

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Christ calling His Disciples by Edward Armitage 1869 courtesy wikigallery.com public domain

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THE PURIFICATION OF THE HEART

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“And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 

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This above verse is one of the most important revelations in Scripture. And this is the great commission which God has given His people: the purification of the heart. And notice that this above verse does not let anyone off the hook. It says “And EVERY man that has this hope in Him (the hope of His return), purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure”.

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And here is the big difference between the Church-Faithful, and the Church-Apostate. While the Church-Apostate is seeking the cares and pleasures of the world, the Church-Faithful is fully engaging in the purification of the heart. By Bible study, by Bible-contemplation and unceasing prayer. By letting go of this world of selfishness, and by allowing God to chastise His people, this purification process stands in stark contrast to the pleasure-loving world-seeking Apostate Church.  

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Francken Hieronymus the Younger – Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins – c 1616-wikipedia-pub_-dom_

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CHURCH DIVIDED

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Now the Book of Revelation also speaks of a division which occurs… “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.” Revelation 16:19. 

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The “Great City” spoken of in the above verse seems to be the Church-world. It appears that there were three divisions within Christendom: 1. Conservatives, 2. Liberals, and 3. The Worshippers of God. 

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A similar division was apparent at the time of Jesus’ First Coming. There were also three major factions among God’s people back then:  1. The Pharisees, 2. The Sadducees, and 3. The True Worshipers of God. 

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Whore – Babylon – Burgkmair – 1523 AD – Wikimedia – US Public Domain

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LIBERALS vs. CONSERVATIVES

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Did we see this phenomenon? Yes, it appeared that many churches became divided. The more liberal  elements within, desired new and exciting things which would never be tolerated in times past. And then, there were some conservatives, which were trying to hold on to a more biblical understanding, and yet fell into a moralistic religion themselves.

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IN-FIGHTING

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And just like the Sadducees and Pharisees of old, there was likewise, an ongoing contention between these two groups: one group wanted to go back to the older ways, while the other group believed the Church needed to change with the times. But it seems as if it was impossible to keep the Church from breaking up. Paul’s prophecy that “the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine” seemed to have arrived. The conservatives couldn’t keep the Church from falling into apostasy, try as they did.

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MOON INTO BLOOD TRILOGY 

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For a more thorough discussion of this concept of modern-day Phariseeism and Sadduceeism, please read this 4 part series… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy”…”1st Face…The Night Watchman”

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ABOVE PICTURE: Barnum_&_Bailey_clowns_and_geese2 wikipedia public dom.

Full moon over 96th St by ed yourdon – cropped image – wikimedia – share-alike license

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THE CHURCHES = THE 1ST SHIP

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And this situation in the churches really aligned itself with the following passage from the story from Acts Ch.’s 27 & 28 , which is the centerpiece of this discussion.

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Just listen… “And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmovable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.” Acts 27:41.

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It did appear that we had arrived at that day, when the Church became broken up. (See “Fleeing to the Mountains–The Abomination in the Churches”.) And just as this first ship in the Book of Acts became divided into two parts, so too, the churches likewise seemed to become hopelessly broken.

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Backhuysen_Storm wikipedia public dom.  

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CHURCHES FATALLY FRACTURED

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And so, left out in the world, many simply stayed at home.  Some of these just read their Bibles in their homes. This condition seemed to parallel the verse that tells of those who, after jumping into the sea, swam to shore… “they which could swim…cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:” Acts 27:43.

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The Bible compares the “sea” to the world. So the “two seas” which met, appear to be speaking of two worldly philosophies: conservatism, and liberalism. Liberalism (which embraces socialism & atheism) and conservatism (which embraces capitalism & religion). So when the ship broke into two parts, they which could swim…cast themselves first into the sea.

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So also, the Church seemed to have become broken into two parts. And with such a great apostasy in the God’s House, the stronger Christians could nevertheless still maintain a good relationship with the Lord. Thus being locked out of apostate local congregations was akin to Acts 28 , in which “they cast themselves out in the sea”. 

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

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MANY JUST TRYING TO BE FAITHFUL

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Most Christians, however, put up with some less-than-biblical gathering, out of a sincere desire to “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (see Hebrews 10:25) each week. Others were perhaps, a little insecure in their relationship with God, to just worship at home.

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Still others stayed at home, but followed radio or Internet ministries.

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This seemed to correspond with the verse… “And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land…” Acts 27:44.

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These boards and broken pieces of the ship represented the broken congregations and the somewhat compromising ministries on radio and Internet.

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

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“FLEE TO THE MOUNTAINS”

Matthew 24

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Now as previously stated, there were many conservatives in God’s house who clung to the following verse… “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24, 25.

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And they were correct. God designed this passage to hold His Church together, it would seem. God wanted His people to congregate together as far as possible.

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But the problem is, they needed to examine this verse a little more closely. Do you notice that at the tail-end of this passage, we were encouraged to assemble ourselves together… “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”? The question which must be asked is… “As we saw WHAT DAY APPROACHING?” Well, the obvious answer is, the Day of the Lord! That is the Day which we were to look for. But when that Day was to arrive, were we still to be congregating together? 

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For more insight on this subject of when to “flee to the mountains”, just click here… “Fleeing to the Mountains-Part 2-The Abomination In Churches”

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Church Picture psalm 65 www.thebiblerevival.com public domain

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GOD’S DEALINGS SOMETIMES CHANGE

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“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, 6 

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Through the ages God has had a number of different methods of operating on Earth. Oh yes, God is “the same, yesterday, today, and forever”. But this verse is speaking of His character. God’s character is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. On the other hand, God has changed his methods of dealing with His people, from time to time, through the millenniums of Earth’s history.

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For instance, God changed his method of dealing with the antediluvian period into the Patriarchal period. Then came the Mosaic Exodus period. Then came the Judges. Next the kings and the synagogue era. Then came the ministry of Jesus and His Apostles. Then the era of the Churches. The era of the Churches continued, for almost 2,000 years. The churches had been a safe-housing for the wheat (God’s people) for that time.

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Moses Pleading with Israel wikipedia US public domain

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“A TIME TO REFRAIN FROM EMBRACING…”

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The point is, that eventually there came an end to each dispensation, which the Lord had brought His people under. This reminds us of Solomon’s words… “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 5, 6.

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And just as the era of the synagogues finally came to an end, so too, there was coming an end to the era of the New Testament congregations. Then came the time to flee to the mountains (spiritually).

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This next passage is further proof that the time of the churches will come to an end. Listen… “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2nd Timothy 4:3, 4

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Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“IN THE DAY…WHEN THE TOWERS FALL”

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The point is, it seems we’ve reached that day, as Scripture states, “in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” Isaiah 30:25.

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No, there was not a literal slaughter. But spiritually speaking, the towers (churches) had been slain in the spiritual sense. Now if a person wished to attend church, knowing this, the Lord would not stop him or her from doing so. “All things are lawful”. But that person may have just discovered that God’s blessings were no longer there. A different spirit was there. Another Jesus. And a compromised gospel. That is why this passage states…

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“And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” Isaiah 30:25.

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px-September_11_Photo_Montage by UpsateNYer & Wikipedia – cropped image – share-alike lic.

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LIVING WATERS UP THERE

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“And there shall be upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill, rivers and streams of waters in the day of the great slaughter, when the towers fall.” Isaiah 30:25.

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God here was telling us in this above passage, in spiritual terms, to “flee to the mountains”. And God was telling us here that He has provided the water of life on those hills and mountains. And yes, for those who chose to flee, they could no longer enjoy all the times of fun and fellowship that they had in the days when they believed the towers had not yet fallen. Nevertheless, God promised to provide everything necessary for us, “upon every high mountain, and upon every high hill”, to attain rich fellowship with Him and spiritual victory in our lives. And isn’t that what we are after? spiritual victory? for ourselves, and for our children?

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Elakala Waterfalls Swirling Pool Mossy Rocks – wikimedia – share-alike license

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SUBSTITUTE FOR PERSONAL DEVOTION

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There were many in the churches who greatly depended upon church attendance. In many cases, they were unwilling to leave their church, because going to church once or twice a week was just about the sum total of their entire communion with God. To a great degree, they leaned heavily on church attendance to supply the lack of personal worship. Through the week, many Christians became so engrossed with worldly pursuits, that spiritual matters were greatly set aside.

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And so they attempted to make once-a-week church attendance their entire life-line to God. But such a feeble and anemic relationship with God was entirely insufficient to maintain a healthy relationship with the One who commands us to love Him, “with all the heart, soul, strength and mind” (Luke 10:27).

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

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ALL IS REQUIRED

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Listen to David, as he spills the secret out to what the Book of Psalms is all about…

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“Blessed is the man that  walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:1-3.

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These first three verses of this very first Psalm give the secret to a victorious Christian living. This above passage states that we must meditate, day and night on the Bible and how we can become more Christ-like! There is no half-hearted service to God which will bring victory. Only an entire surrender will suffice.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“WITH ALL YOUR HEART!”

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Listen to Jeremiah confess the requirement to finding the true Jesus… “And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13. There were many in church who had never met the real Jesus. They thought they had. But because they were satisfied to maintain a half-hearted relationship, they received “another Jesus”, which Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reveals (2nd Corinthians 11:4).

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“FROM SUCH, TURN AWAY”

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But by the grace of God, among those in this sad situation, God had reserved for Himself a few True-Worshippers. And God wishes to bring His people through the fires of tribulation, so that they may be purified, and fully fitted with the armor of God. And this is one great reason why God’s people must stand without the support of their local congregation, during the trial before us. God is wanting His people to stand as a strong army in this end-game climactic drama.

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Photo – Share -Alike License – Jesus in Jeans – Wikimedia

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END-TIME EXODUS

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And so, before the plagues are fully poured out upon the apostate, God is calling His people out of Babylon (the apostate churches). Just as God’s people were called to make an exodus out of Egypt, and just as Lot fled S-d-m, so too, God’s people in the last days, are to make an exodus out of “S-d-m and Egypt”, i.e., the fallen churches (see Revelation 11:8).

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Listen… “And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her (the harlot church), 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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To put it in other terms, God is now separating the wheat from its housing. The churches had been the housing for the wheat for many long centuries. But the time has come for the harvest.

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To read more on the Harlot Church, just click here… “Mystery Babylon: Who Is This Harlot Of Revelation?” or this article… “The Pleiades: The Captive Angel & Mystery Harlot Constellation”

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

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“THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE WORLD”

Matt. 13:39

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“And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in Thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for Thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” Revelation 14:15

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The Bible repeatedly compares God’s dealings with His Church to a harvest. And God has patiently worked with His people through the centuries.

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But there comes a time when the harvester must separate the wheat from its housing. This was done on a windy day, when the breeze would carry away the chaff, and the wheat would fall to the ground.

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And so it is at this Harvest Time we have now entered. The “four winds” of various false ideologies has been blowing hard, and those of the apostasy had been carried away with many false doctrines. The wheat now must be put into the garner where it will be milled, so to speak.

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Listen… “For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; The daughter of Babylon is like a threshingfloor, it is time to thresh her: yet a little while, and the time of her harvest shall come.” Isaiah 51:53. As with the rest of the Bible, this passage too, is prophetic. 

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Winnowing Vannage_du_riz,_Uttarakhand,_India wikimedia share-alike lic.

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JOHN THE BAPTIST

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John the Baptist came preaching a message of repentance to God’s people. His fiery warnings resonated with the people, partly because he put things in terms that the people could understand. listen… “…but He that cometh…Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11, 12

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Then came Jesus. And He embellished on John’s theme concerning the harvest of God’s people. Just listen to Jesus… “the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.” Matthew 13:39, 40.

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But John’s austere lifestyle and simple message stood as a living rebuke to God’s people… “The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:” 

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John came preaching the very same message that his own lifestyle preached. Jesus, likewise preached the very same message that His lifestyle preached. And so did Paul. And so did John, and Peter, and Martin Luther, and John Wesley, and George Whitfield, and John Calvin, etc… Yes, and so many others have come preaching the very same message of this Narrow Way concept, not only by precept, but by the example of their self-denying lifestyles as well.

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John the Baptist by Harold Copping www.wikigallery.com US public domain

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GOD’S PEOPLE TO FLEE, NOT FIGHT

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“But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:” Matthew 10:23

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But back to this concept of the harvest. The point to all these “harvest” concepts presented is just this: There is coming a spiritual harvest. God will separate the wheat from the chaff. And if God’s people seem to think they can somehow regain the apostate congregations, they are very mistaken. History shows that Satan has always retained the apostate congregations. It was always God’s people who had to leave. The Lord has not ordained His people to try to regain an apostate church by force.

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“And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:29, 30.

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ABOVE PICTURE: Winter – Revelation 12 Woman with Eagle Wings (aka Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper)

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HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

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“And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:29, 30.

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As this passage plainly states, God does not call Christians to use physical force to retain the things of the world. And history shows that it was always God’s people who had to flee. Just as the followers of Jesus had to leave the synagogues. Just as the apostate churches of Europe were eventually vacated by God’s people, during the first millennium. Just as the Waldenses and other groups of Christians had to flee to the mountains from the apostate churches of Europe. There has never been a time in which God’s people could regain control over an apostate Church. 

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Waldensians hunted by the armies of Rome – Courtesy Gutenberg.org – Public Domain

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FLEE TO THE (SPIRITUAL) MOUNTAINS

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Here is God’s injunction for His people concerning their duty regarding these last days apostasy… “Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; He will render unto her a recompense. Babylon hath been a golden cup in the LORD’S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.” Isaiah 51:6, 7. 

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Obviously this passage cannot be speaking of literal Babylon. Literal Babylon over there in Mesopotamia was used by God to be a picture of, not only the world, but likewise, the worldly Church. And because of the wording of this passage (“Babylon…made ALL THE EARTH drunken: THE NATIONS have drunken of her wine; therefore THE NATIONS are mad.”), this has to be speaking of Mystery Babylon now, at the end of the world.   

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ABOVE PICTURE – winter Constellations – Woman of Revelation 12 (Ursa Major) flees to the mountains – Mark 13:14 – Dragon comprised of Hyades, Pleiades, etc…Valley of Decision mountain comprised of Cassiopeia, etc… (This is not a star-chart, but merely a concept picture since this mountain is not in this position, but is actually seen in the fall months)

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MYSTERY BABYLON

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For a more in-depth look at Mystery Babylon, please click the following link… “O Destroying Mountain: What Is Mystery Babylon?”

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Jezebel – John Liston Byam Shaw – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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BUT WHEN ARE GOD’S PEOPLE TO FLEE?

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But the Bible also states… “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” Matthew 24:15.

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As just stated, this passage requires an understanding“(whoso readeth, let him understand:)”. And as the Christian becomes more familiar with how God wrote the Bible, he or she begins to understand that such passages as this are a somewhat concealed message from God for His Elect…us!

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Now rather than go into a lengthy discussion of this passage, it is recommended that the Reader comes back to this paragraph (after reading this article, of course), and click the following link, to carefully examine this question. Just click here… “Woman of Revelation 12–Fleeing to the Mountains”.

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WINTER CONSTELLATIONS-SEEN IN FALL: This sketch to the right is how this constellation group appears in the eastern sky in fall. This is the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the late fall above the eastern horizon. The Woman of Revelation 12 is commonly called Ursa Major or The Big Dipper and appears in the north. Orion the Soldier is the at the bottom is to the south of the Woman. The The Dragon of Revelation Constellation’s mouth isThe Hyades Cluster, and the tip of his tail is Pleiades, and his Wave of Water is primarily the Auriga constellation. The Glorious Horse Constellation  head is of Perseus Constellation and his rear end is Cassiopeia Constellation . The Rider is comprised of both the Cassiopeia and Camelopardalis Constellations.

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CHRISTIANS OF EUROPE HAD TO FLEE

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“But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains” Mark 13:14

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During the Dark Ages of Europe, the apostasy of the churches had become so great, that many Christians were forced to flee to the mountains where they lived apart from society for hundreds of years. Other Christians had to be very careful to do their evangelism in such a way, that they would not be discovered by civil and religious authorities. These Christians perhaps understood that the above Bible verse was for them (“But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains” Mark 13:14).

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WALDENSES HUNTED BY THE ARMIES OF ROME courtesy gutenberg.org public domain

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ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION

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They seemed to understand that the Abomination of Desolation had taken over the churches. This went on until the Beast of Revelation 13 had received his deadly wound by a sword (The Bible). When the newly invented printing press began to print Bibles by the thousands, the apostate churches of Europe could no longer resist the overwhelming tide of true Christianity. And thus ended the 1300 year tyrannical reign of the Anti-Christ Beast over Europe.

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But the point being made is just this: as Christians had to flee to the mountains, in a literal sense, during those centuries, so too are God’s people today, to flee to the mountains in a spiritual sense.

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For a more in-depth study into this subject, please read “Floodwaters of the False Prophet: Atheism & Psychology”

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Burning at the Stake – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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CASTOR AND POLLUX: THE MYSTERY SHIP…

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Back to the story of Paul’s shipwreck. While they all were saved, they had not yet reached their ultimate destination: Paul’s Judgment. And so after three months on a secular island, they all boarded another ship. This particular ship was of Alexandria. This ship’s sign was Castor & Pollux. And this ship smoothly took all to their destination… Judgment Day.

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Now just what is this new ship all about? After all, the first ship seemed to represent the church-world. 

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So what was this next ship all about? 

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And what in the world is Castor and Pollux?

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CASTOR AND POLLUX = 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. Beyond that, they are puzzled as to what significance do these twin gods have. Some believe these gods to be the patrons of safe ocean travel. 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. No, not to those twin-gods. But there are two stars named Castor and Pollux. They are twin-stars, and not twin-gods. They are the two bright stars of the constellation commonly known as Gemini. 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. And if you will explore this concept, you will see that Castor and Pollux possess great significance… 

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“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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ABOVE PICTURE: Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) & wide (Auriga) and narrow gates (Gemini) – NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USES

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LOCATING THIS GROUP…

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These two sketches below are the same picture, one with stars only, the other with embellishments. These stars appear more or less like this when they are in the western sky, just before they sink below the western horizon (please excuse the less-than 100% accurate sketch). At the top of the sketches in the center is the Big Dipper. But with other surrounding stars, the Big Dipper is known as Ursa Major or the Great Bear. But as this website points out, Ursa Major is actually the Revelation 12 Woman. (Ursa Major appears much larger in the sky than this sketch shows. But in order to fit her into this drawing, the artist had to depict her much smaller) 

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ABOVE CHART : Revelation 12 Woman swerving toward Narrow Gate – late winter – signsofheaven.org

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IN THE WEST

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This most amazing phenomenon is seen throughout the winter, and even into June at the beginning of night. It is seen best when it is the western part of the sky. Orion, the Dragon, and the Glorious Horse are beginning to descend into the western horizon. And at this point it is apparent that the Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation is veering toward the Narrow Gate Stars as you can see just to the left of the mountain. A dark night is best for seeing this. It begins with the Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation going towards these two doors. The doors are each composed of two bright stars. The two bright stars that comprise the Narrow Gate are the two brightest stars of the Orion the Reaper’s sickle. The two stars that comprise the Wide Gate Stars (to the right of the mountain) are the two brightest stars of the Wave of Water (AKA Auriga Constellation) that comes out of the Dragon Constellation’s mouth (for explanation of “Wave of Water”, just click here). The stars that make up the Narrow Gate are about one-third less the width of the Wide Gate. The two bright stars which symbolize the Wide Gate are Capella and Menkalinan. These are the brightest two stars of the Auriga Constellation. (For more information on Orion’s sickle, just click here, “Orion The Reaper”. )

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Editor’s note: These sketches on this page are merely sketches. The stars are not in their exact place. But they are close enough to find them in the night sky.

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ABOVE CHART : Revelation 12 Woman swerving toward Narrow Gate – late winter – signsofheaven.org

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SKETCH:  EASTERN SKY

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Here in this sketch is when these constellations are in the eastern sky in early winter.  Satan spews out his false worldly ideologies, which many of these ideologies have a form of godliness. On the other hand, the Strait Gate (Narrow Gate) is composed of the two brightest stars of the Orion The Reaper’s sickle. God’s Word, the Bible is that sickle. The true Strait Gate is God’s Word, the Bible. As a sickle harvests the wheat, so God’s Word will gather precious souls to Him. 

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NARROW GATE AND WIDE GATE CONSTELLATIONS WITH REVELATION 12 WOMAN: This is how these three constellations appear when just above the eastern horizon. The woman, however appears more in her upright “Fleeing” position than this above sketch shows  (This sketch to the left shows that upright position of the Woman.) The reason for this discrepancy is a somewhat optical illusion because of the “canopy effect” of the night sky. So it is impossible to sketch this on a flat surface. Nevertheless, this sketch shows this woman appearing to be drawn toward these two warriors; the Reaper, of course is Orion  . The Dragon of Revelation 12 Constellation is not a commonly recognized constellation. His mouth is made of The Hyades Cluster of Taurus, and the tip of his tail is The Pleiades Cluster.

The two bright stars on Orion The Reaper‘s sickle comprise the Narrow Gate. And the two bright stars of the Dragon’s wave of water comprise the Wide Gate. When in the eastern sky it is not so clear as to which Gate she will enter. The Woman is commonly known as Ursa Major (or the Great Bear or The Big Dipper)

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BIBLE SAVES OR DESTROYS

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Well no, the Bible doesn’t explicitly say that a sickle in the Bible represents God’s Word. But as Isaiah 28 (click here to read) points out, the Bible will lead some to truth, while leading others to destruction.

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Listen… “But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.” Isaiah 28: 13.

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So for some, the Bible leads to the Sabbath Rest unto their souls. But for others, the Bible leads to destruction. And in Revelation 14, there are two harvests: one of the Church-Faithful, and the other harvest of the Church-Apostate.

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Now there may be more aspects, as to just what a sickle represents, than what has been described, but basically this seems to be what we now understand.

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USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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CASTOR AND POLLUX…

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It has become apparent, while looking at a star-chart, that the Narrow Gate Constellation is made of two stars…Castor and Pollux. At first blush this fact seems to present an incredible fulfillment of a passage in the Book of Acts, which reads… “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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It has been known for a number of years that this story in Acts concerns the Church through the New Testament era. In other words this story in Acts about Paul and the two ships he sailed on, is a prophecy. A prophecy concerning the history of the Church…told in advance…in this metaphoric little story found in Acts. Well why not? After all, the whole Bible is Prophetic!

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Listen… “…for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10. And what is “the testimony of Jesus”? The whole Bible is the “testimony of Jesus”!

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2ND SHIP = CASTOR AND POLLUX

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But to make a long story short, Paul and the others, having been saved off the first ship which broke up and destroyed by the storm, boarded a second ship whose sign was Castor and Pollux. This second ship with the sign of those bright twin stars, Castor and Pollux, appears to be speaking about these Narrow Gate Stars. In short, this ship that Paul and the others boarded seems to be referring to God’s ship (God’s true worshippers). God’s ship is His Gospel Ship and the sign of this Gospel Ship is this constellation now revealed to us as the Narrow Gate Stars, which are made of simply…two stars…  Castor and Pollux. Of course the Wide Gate Stars are made of the two bright stars of the wave of water coming out of the Dragon’s mouth.

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And so we have a choice: follow lowly Jesus (represented by the Narrow Gate)…or follow the false ideologies of the “Gain = Godliness” gospels which Satan offers us (see 1st Timothy 6:5). This Revelation 12 Woman Constellation seems to be deciding which door she will enter. Will she enter the Narrow Gate…or will she enter the Wide Gate? 

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Early Winter in the east – Orion, – Revelation 12 Dragon (AKA Hyades, Pleiades, etc.) – Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) – Goodly Horse in Battle with Rider (Camelopardelis, Perseus, Cassiopeia, Andromeda, etc…) – www.signsofheaven.org – Not for commercial use!

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THE TWO PATHWAYS…

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“And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”  Jeremiah 21:8. God has set these two pathways before each human. And each human must decide which door he or she will enter. Satan has raised up false gospels which offer “Christianity” PLUS the things of the world. And such gospels attract large gatherings.

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CITY OF “S-D-M”-LIKE AFFLUENCE

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Some of these gospels are even considered “conservative”. And yet they do such things as encourage their young folk to seek after high-paying careers, not remembering the words of Paul… “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.

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Do such passages as this, leave any doubts in one’s mind as to how God feels about the subject of  pursuing the Mammon of the world? 

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ABOVE PICTURE – The Narrow Gate & Wide Gate (this view of these stars can only be seen like this when laying on one’s back on the ground!)- Late winter – Ursa Major – www.signsofheaven.org- you may use with credit – NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE

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SOLOMON’S CONFESSING…

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And while on the subject of spending time and energy expended in seeking after a complicated career, just listen to the words of a man who was the most financially successful man who ever lived. As he looked back on his illustrious career, he had to finally admit… “Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, ALL WAS VANITY AND VEXATION OF SPIRIT, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:11.

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“No profit under the Sun”, was the ultimate conclusion that the Preacher finally realized!

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The Visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon’, by Edward Poynter, 1890, Art Gallery of New South Wales US public domain

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PAUL’S CONFESSION

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This amazing passage above by Solomon, should be taken seriously by every Christian. Solomon unfortunately didn’t realize the vanity and vexation which comes with materialism, until he had wasted almost his entire life seeking the things of the world.

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Now contrast the life of Solomon to the life of Paul. Paul wanted so badly to become like Jesus, that he let go the things of the world, in order to win the prize.

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Listen to Paul’s testimony… “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…”  Philippians 3:7, 8

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And listen to Paul’s warning about earthly riches…“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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Small wonder why we’re in such spiritual decadence today! Satan has flooded this society with materialism to a degree which the world has never before seen. And we, the Church have to a great extent, fallen into this snare of the Devil. 

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Paul the Apostle-Artist-Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier- circa 1500s-Wikipedia-Public domain.

 Mall Market culture – Jakarta – Wikimedia – share-alike-lic.

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TO THE MOLES AND BATS…

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And so this mystery ship of Scripture represents the Church, as it finally decides to cast its “idols of silver, and his idols of gold, which they made each one for himself to worship, to the moles and to the bats; To go into the clefts of the ragged rocks, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of His majesty, when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth.” Isaiah 2:20, 21.

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So this passage presents a very radical scenario concerning the last days. Will we, the Church, fulfill this fearful prophecy? Will we cast away our earthly riches, and flee “to the clefts of the ragged rocks, for the fear of the Lord and for the glory of His majesty”?

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Yes the day is coming and now is, when God’s True Worshippers will finally decide that in order to win that prize, that we must let go of our materialism and worldly endeavors and, as Paul exhorts, “run with patience the race that is set before us” Hebrews 12:1.

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And so we are now able to see where we are heading…to the Narrow Gate…and into the Promised Land which lies within that Narrow Gate.

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Big-eared-townsend-fledermaus Wikipedia public domain-

“Cast Idols to Moles”_mole by Michael David Hill, wikipedia share-alike license

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“THEY FORSOOK ALL AND FOLLOWED HIM”

LUKE 5:11

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The following verse seems to be a prophecy about this very time in history, when God’s people are ready to forsake all, in order to follow Jesus perfectly.

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Listen to Luke’s gospel…“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11.

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Even though this was a verse regarding Jesus’ Disciples, it seems to apply to the time we are now in…the time of the “Narrow Gate”. The time when God’s Elect will “shine as the stars, for ever and ever”! Daniel 12:3

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Christ calling His Disciples by Edward Armitage 1869 courtesy wikigallery.com public domain

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WILL WE ALSO?

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By the immeasurable grace and mercy of God, the call is still going out into the world… “…go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matthew 19:21.

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The real question is: are we willing to be like Peter, Andrew and John, and the others? Are we today willing to forsake all and follow Jesus? Or will we, like the Rich Young Ruler go away sad because we have many possessions. (see Matthew Chapter 19)

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Rich Young Ruler – Hoffman – Wikimedia Commons – US Public-Domain

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THE BANK OF HEAVEN

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“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.” Matthew 19:21

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As the above verse points out, Jesus is calling all of us affluent people to go and sell what we have and give to the poor, and then shall we have treasure in Heaven.

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Now He is not necessarily asking us to literally get rid of everything we have. Especially if we have families, or are elderly or poor.

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But He is saying here that being “born again” is a completely new desire of the heart. The things of the world begin to lose their luster. The things of Heaven now begin to become all-important.

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And now the Christian desires to become very generous with others who are in need. The wise Christian knows that he or she needs to invest as much as possible into the Bank of Heaven. And the greater our faith, the more we realize that God can and will supply all our needs, according to His riches in glory. So we don’t need to be afraid of over-giving.

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“PRECIOUS PROMISES”

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There are many Bible promises concerning money. Listen… “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:8.

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So from this verse alone, the Lord promises that He is faithful to take care of His generous people. He even promises here to recompense unbelievers too, when they are generous! Now God is not some heavenly slot-machine. He is too wise to give us excess riches. But He will supply our basic needs.

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Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain

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“CAST THY BREAD UPON THE WATERS”

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And the Bible promises that “Cast thy bread upon the waters, for you shall find it after many days”. And the wonderful thing is, the more you give, the more God returns the blessing, in the form of spiritual riches. But there are many, who have a thin, anemic spirituality, that can be traced right back to the little that they give to others.

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Listen… “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully….And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2nd Corinthians 9:6-8. The more simply we live, that we may give the most we can give to others, the more that God will bless our spiritual life. Spiritual riches! Now that’s true riches! 

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WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART?

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“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2nd Corinthians 10:5

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God is going to test us on this point. It will then become manifest to the world, just who it is that…well…why don’t we just allow Scripture to speak for itself… “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.” Malachi 3:18.

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The Day is coming and even now may be here which will try men’s souls. The Day is coming and very soon it will become apparent just who has God’s Word in his forehead, and who has the world in his forehead, (represented by “666”).

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Then will Malachi be fulfilled, when it says… “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.” 

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THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

Jeremiah 30:7

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The time just before us is called in Scripture… “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”. The first ship has been abandoned. This second ship is not like the first ship. This second ship is a spiritual ship. There will be no big gatherings. It will be the time which Jeremiah calls the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.”

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As you recall, Jacob spent the long night wrestling with the angel of the Lord. It was a one-on-one struggle between Jacob and his Lord. Jacob persevered. He would not let go of His Lord. And at the dawning of the day, Jacob prevailed with the Lord. No more would Jacob be called “a deceiver”. His name was changed to Israel. He learned to trust in God, and no longer trust in his own strength. He had no one else to depend upon.

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Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain

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TO “WALK, EVEN AS HE WALKED”

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This is the story of God’s people in this last final battle. All our earthly support will be removed. No longer will we be able to lean upon our congregation. No more will we be able to depend upon Man. We must learn to walk even as Jesus walked. We must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. God’s devouring fire will burn away every last trace of our worldliness. Like Christ, our feet will become like burnished brass. Tried in the fires of great tribulation, God’s Church will finally shine as the Sun. The Cross will finally be uplifted by the Church.

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“STANDING ON A SEA OF GLASS”

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God’s faithful ones will stand, as it were on a sea of glass… “And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” Revelation 15:2.

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The Church will finally be glorified. Our faith will be so strengthened, that the fires of tribulation will no longer have any effect. Then will we stand on “a sea of glass mingled with fire:”

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David the Shepherd Boy – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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“COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM”

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Unfortunately, the Church, to a great extent, had long been fatally infected with the ungodly influence of the spirit of the world: a “form of godliness”, but no true spiritual power.

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The holiness of Christ had been all but lost sight of. And in His stead, the “nice” behavioral standard of the world had been substituted: back-slapping, joking, partying, giddiness, mundane conversations, and the like, were erroneously thought to be acceptable to a holy and reverent God. Nothing could be further from the truth. And we’ve all been guilty. And the Lord understands how powerful were the ungodly influences both in the world and in the Church….

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“Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.” Habakkuk 1:4. Here Habakkuk prophesied of church-world. The worldly-minded pretenders had moved in and taken over. 

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Casting out Money Changers Carl Bloch wikipedia US public domain

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“I CANNOT ESCAPE TO THE MOUNTAIN!”

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But many Christians felt that they could not do without their local congregation. They understood that the standards were very low. But they felt they and their children would be lost without that connection. This is reminiscent of Lot when God told him to flee to the mountain. Just listen… “I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:” Genesis 19:19.

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But many other families already had rich fellowship at home. They already had morning worship. And perhaps the children were home-schooled. Such families were not so stressed, when it came time for them to leave the churches.

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But those families who did not have that worship time, and maybe both parents were working and the children attended public or semi-public “church” schooling, this was a great tribulation in itself. Such situations required heavenly wisdom and a complete surrender of self. But these kinds of situations may ultimately prove to be a great blessing, because they are the kind of cudgel often needed for the Believer to make his or her entire surrender to God.

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Homeschoolers playing Dutch Blitz at picnic gathering – Wikimedia – Share-alike License

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“OUR FELLOWSHIP IS WITH THE FATHER &…SON”

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But the Bible says… “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.”  1st John 1:3. But at any time in history, the Christian should not have been dependent upon church attendance in order to have fellowship. The Christian can and must be in fellowship with the Father and with the Son throughout his or her day, through the power of Christ’s Spirit of Holiness.

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Through prayer and contemplation of the Bible, the Christian can enjoy rich communion with God, at home, at work, at recreation time, in bed, or even in confinement.

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And as the Christian separates his or her self from all unnecessary un-Christ-like influences, that Christian will become ever increasingly in-tune to that guiding gentle breeze, known as the Spirit of Holiness, who ever-so-softly guides the Believer through his or her day. And this is how a Believer is to lead in the home, as well: as a gentle guiding breeze. Not a gale-force wind.

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

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HOW NARROW IS THE NARROW WAY?

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“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked.” 1st John 2:6   

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The above verse from 1st John really says it all. He who claims to be a follower of Jesus should live a life which exemplifies the purity and holiness of Jesus. Just listen to 1st John once again… “And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1st John 3:3   

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Flickr – Pathway – trials and errors – Wikimedia – The Roads to Heaven and Hell, religious tract, ca. 1896 share-alike lic.

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OTHER NARROW WAY MINISTRIES

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There are many groups and websites which speak of the Narrow Way. While there may be some who correctly understand just how narrow is God’s Narrow Way. But it is likewise probable that many other of these groups do not have a proper understanding of the Narrow Way… “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. 

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Jesus is the Way…He is the Narrow Way. This is how narrow is the Narrow Way.

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ABOVE PICTURE – The Narrow Gate & Wide Gate (this view of these stars can only be seen like this when laying on one’s back on the ground!)- Late winter – Ursa Major – www.signsofheaven.org- you may use with credit – NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE

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WORD MINGLED WITH WORLD

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It’s just that the Church had been asleep, and had allowed many things to be mingled into the purity of the Gospel. But God is once again giving us a wake-up call. And speaking of wake-up calls, just listen to Paul… “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” 1st Cor. 15:33, 34.  

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We have gone asleep. Satan has successfully led God’s people astray by many inventions… “For a dream cometh through the multitude of business;” Ecclesiastes 3:5

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“AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS”

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“Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” 1st Corinthians 15:34 

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So here we are. We had arrived at the last moments of time on this fallen planet. It remains for some to awaken out of our slumber. Most theologians assign the next verse to death. But it really concerns the Church in these last days, as she awakens from her Laodicean death-like slumber… “As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15   

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When the Church of God finally did awaken, God clothed us with the spotless image of Christ. And we are now to go forth, lifting the Cross of Christ for all the world to see.

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Transfiguration – Bloch – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain

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THE END

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ETERNITY NOT A PUFFY LITTLE CLOUD

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In the beginning, God placed our first parents in a beautiful garden. But as a result of sin, this world lost much of its beauty. The curse has marred, to a great extent, the pristine condition of nature.

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There are perhaps many, who are under the impression, that God’s redeemed will spend all eternity sitting on a puffy little cloud, strumming a harp. Nothing could be further from the truth! “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:” Revelation 21:1. So from this verse it becomes evident that God will not only make a New Heaven, but also a New Earth. So there will be the celestial AND the terrestrial in store for God’s people.

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Do we really imagine that the same God who created that incredible garden for our first parents, would then put us through all this sorrow and hardships, only to now stick us in some boring situation, for eternity? Such people don’t know God nearly well enough.

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The beauty and innocent joys of this present world, are just a faint reflection of what awaits all those who persevere on the upward pathway to that Celestial City of God.

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LET’S CATCH A VISION OF THAT PROMISED LAND

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“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

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So Signs Of Heaven encourages the reader to begin to get a vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, and begin to get excited about it.

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When we hear the cry of a new-born baby, or the innocent laughter of little children. When we see a little forest creature having fun, or enjoy a walk along the sandy beach at the ocean, and hear the majestic roar of the crashing waves.

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These, and the many other joys of life were created by the One who has also gone to prepare an even more beautiful place for us to live. He knows our needs, and will re-create a  far more wonderful home than this sin-cursed Earth.

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And when we finally cross that river, and we stand together on the shores of that world to come, we will look in amazed joy at what He now holds in store for us all, there. And then we will know for certain, that “His mercy endures forever”, because “God is love”!

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Sunset at Beach wikimedia share-alike license

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NEXT ARTCLE: CASTOR AND POLLUX PART 2:

RETURN OF CHRIST & THE DAWNING OF THE DAY

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Will Christ visibly return, or will there be a stealth coming, known as the Rapture? To be sure, Scripture states… “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7.

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But there is an aspect to the return of Christ which most theologians simply miss altogether. It is the concept known as “The Dawning of the Day”. It has to do with…well…you’ll just have to read this very short article to find out. It will only will take maybe 15 minutes or more to read. But make no mistake! This truth is so profound that it can literally change one’s life. So please read!

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To go to Part 2, just click here… “Castor and Pollux (Part 2: The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the Day)” 

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Jesus- by James Tissot-Brooklyn Museum

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A HEAVENLY HOBBY

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

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

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The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these things.

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In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and worries, and habits, to name just a few.

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

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

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

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

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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

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

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These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Church (7 Stars).

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

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

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

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

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

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

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

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

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

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

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

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