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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – June 2

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Who Is The Rich Young Ruler?

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Part 2 –

“Going Through a Needle’s Eye” 

To read Part 1, click here… October 22 (Who Is The Rich Young Ruler?)

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“And, behold,

one came and said unto Him,

Good Master, what good thing shall I do,

that I may have eternal life?…

…Then Jesus beholding him loved him,

and 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…

I say unto you,

It is easier for a camel

to go through the eye of a needle,

than for a rich man to enter

into the kingdom of God.

When His disciples heard it,

they were exceedingly amazed,

saying, Who then can be saved?

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,

With men this is impossible;

but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:16, 21, 22, 25, 26 (Mark 10:17, 21… “there came one running, and kneeled to him…Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him…”)

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As this above passage tells, that rich young ruler ran to Jesus to find out what was missing out of his life.

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But when Jesus revealed the truth to him, it was more than this young man could endure!

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And after that rich young ruler went away sorrowful, Jesus explained the impossibility of a rich man entering into Heaven…“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24

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Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler – Hoffman – complete and entire surrender of this world, in order to gain Christ – Wikimedia Commons – US public domain

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“OH, WE’VE FOUND ANOTHER NEEDLE!”

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Now, there are many pastors who attempt to soften this passage by saying that there must have been some low gate into Jerusalem called, “The Needle’s Eye”. And so, they might say, “Well, the camel had to bow down to get through that gate, and so must we be humble in spite of our earthly wealth and attainments to enter into God’s kingdom.”

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The fact is, you must add to God’s infallible Word to come up with such rubbish!

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No, the Bible speaks of sewing, but never speaks of such a gate called, “The Needle’s Eye Gate”!

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And so, Jesus was simply telling His disciples of the virtual impossibility “for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God!” Matthew 19:24 

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Old movie poster from 1936 of a camel through the eye of a needle – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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“LEST YOUR HEARTS BE OVERCHARGED WITH…CARES OF THIS LIFE…”

Luke 21:34

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Now in part 1 of “Who is the Rich Young Ruler” (click here), it was explained that in today’s cornucopian super-society, the vast majority of the populace have more than even wealthy people had in centuries past.

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And all too often, it is far too easy for Christians to become enamored with the riches and pleasures of the world, all to the poverty of their soul.

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

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MANY ASPECTS OF WEALTH

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But being rich is not just about one’s bank balance. No, there are many factors which determine a person’s wealth. Youth and good health makes an individual rich. Or the many interests and activities they are involved with. Or one’s physical attractiveness. Or their charismatic personality. Or having a good sense of humor. Or high intelligence. Or various talents.

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These are just a partial list of the qualities which makes a person rich in the world.

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Woman in Mediterranian – Wikigallery – US Public Domain

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HEAVENLY BANKRUPTCY

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But these same qualities quite often make that worldly-rich person bankrupt in the sight of Heaven!

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And why is that?

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Why do these qualities often cause spiritual bankruptcy?

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Because they quite often begin to knit the heart of that individual to this self-seeking world. And they can cause that person to enjoy all the accolades that these coveted qualities will undoubtedly bring from the world.

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Maes Old Woman Dozing – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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THIS DISCUSSION WILL BE CONTINUED IN TOMORROW’S DEVOTIONAL (CLICK HERE) 

Old movie poster from 1936 of a camel through the eye of a needle – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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TODAY’S PRAYER…

“Dear Lord, By Thy great mercy and grace, make me one of Thy disciples! Take away my love for this present world! Let me forsake all in my heart, and give me an undivided heart that follows Thee onward and upward out of this present world…

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

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READ MORE…

To explore deeper into this subject, please read… Revelation 12 Woman & The Narrow Gate Stars (Orion’s Gate to Heaven), or you can also read this shorter article… “JANUARY 7 (TIME TO GET OUT OF DODGE!)” 

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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THE END

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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN

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

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THE NARROW GATE STARS

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This can even be observed into June in the western sky (for a short time just after dark). While a dark night is best for seeing the Woman Constellation, the 4 stars which comprise the Narrow Gate/Wide Gate Stars can be seen even under mediocre conditions. It begins with the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (AKA Ursa Major) going towards these two doors.

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The sketch to left shows, the two 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 are the two brightest stars of the wave of water 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 half the width of the Wide Gate (see sketch to left).

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(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. However, they are close enough to find them in the night sky. But as with most stars, it takes persistence to finally locate them.

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WIDE & NARROW GATES IN THE HEAVENS

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As the opening verse says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, 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 

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So what are these two gates all about? And how can I choose the right door? Well, just read this article and these questions and more will be answered.

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

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

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READ MORE…

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

Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license

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TOMORROW…

June 3 (Who Is The Rich Young Ruler? Part 3 – “Going Through a Needle’s Eye” CONTINUED)

Old movie poster from 1936 of a camel through the eye of a needle – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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CHRIST OBJECT LESSONS, BY ELLEN G. WHITE

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this sampler of the audio book about the Bible’s parables in which Ellen White relates them to every day practical living…

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Chapter 21 – “A Great Gulf Fixed”

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The Five Wise Virgins – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

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EXCERPTS FROM THE OPEN FORUM QUESTION/ANSWER RADIO TALK-SHOW…

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ALL ‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) are invited to listen to this recording #203, a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s 90 minute nightly talk shows. This particular program aired in the last few years of his 50 year radio ministry, and includes caller’s questions regarding his teachings on “the end of the church age”…

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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons 

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