Moon Into Blood Trilogy, Sadducee Seeker, Continued
By admin On July 21st, 2011.
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THIS ARTICLE WILL PROBABLY ONLY MAKE SENSE IF THE READER HAS ALREADY FINISHED PART 1.
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AND SO, THE READER OF THIS ARTICLE IS ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN WITH PART 1… “Moon into Blood Trilogy: 3rd Face: The Sadducee Seeker”
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1st FACE & 3rd FACE
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This is the big difference between the Night-Watchman (right) and the Sadducee-Seeker (left). The Night-Watchman is willing to take up that Cross of self-sacrifice, while the Sadducee-Seeker is not! The 1st Face Night-Watchman (picture on right) is willing to allow God to cut away all the little earthly tendrils (selfish pleasures and earthly attachments) from his life. But the Sadducee-Seeker (to left) will not let go of these!
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On the other hand, the Night-Watchman has well read Paul’s testimony… “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” Philippians 3:8.
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And the 1st Face Watchman knows that becoming Christ-like requires everything, just like the following passage… “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My Disciple.” Luke 14:33.
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“THESE PEOPLE…HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS”
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Oh, this Sadducee-Seeker doesn’t mind venerating Jesus. He’ll even put Paul on a pedestal! But never, never, will he ever forsake all his selfish little ways, to become like these two men, Jesus and Paul! This furry-forager doesn’t realize that Paul was not given to be merely placed on a pedestal, but was raised up to be a role-model; and to be an earthly example of what we all are to become!
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And so, this little varmint simply goes to church, pays his tithes, and serves on a committee, and does a 15 minute Bible study each day, and lives a fairly moral, upstanding life in his community! And this furry little earth-hugger hopes that these duties will somehow make him right with Jesus! But they won’t! They just make him an Anti-Christ deceiver!
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Listen… “They (Anti-Christs) are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them” 1st John 4:5.
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Yes, and Antichrist is merely a worldly-minded person, as this above verse reveals.
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Statue of Saint Paul – London – Wikipedia – public-domain
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THE 1st FACE WATCHMAN
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But in contrast, the 1st-Face-Watchman, like Paul, suffers the loss of all things, as far as this world is concerned. Oh yes, he still retains his employment. He still has to provide a comfortable and happy life for his family to enjoy. But inwardly, his great longing is to lay down his life on the altar of self-sacrifice, so that he might run that Race, and win that Prize!
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In his heart, he has suffered the loss of all things, and counts them as dung, that he might win Christ. And that’s the big difference between the 1st and the 3rd faces, which God has inscribed in the Moon.
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Paul Shipwrecked Acts 27:41-44-www.lavistachurchofchrist.org–public domain
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THREE MARKS & WHAT THEY MEAN
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Notice that this 3rd beast also has been smitten on his cheek? But which side of his face? The “left side” in the Bible was the side of God’s disapproval… “Then shall he say also unto them on the LEFT HAND, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels…” Matthew 5:41
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Notice that the 1st face, the night watchman, was smitten on the right cheek (photo bottom left)? But this 3rd creature was smitten on the left (photo, top left): the side of God’s DISAPPROVAL.
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“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39.
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Notice it says here, “whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek”. This brings to mind the parable which Jesus told, of the sheep and goats, found in Matthew 25:32-46. The blessed sheep were to be on Jesus’ right side; but the cursed goats to His left, the side of His disapproval.
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It is interesting that all three faces have a mark. The 1st face on his right cheek (left photo). The 3rd on his left cheek (above left photo). And the 2nd beast, the Pharisee, on his forehead, like Cain did (photo, right). But only the 1st face has a mark in the place which represents God’s approval: on his right side (Photo left).
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Judgment of Sheep & Goats Fra Angelico Wikipedia Public Domain
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THE EVIL EYE…
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Notice that this ‘Forager/Scavenger’ has very large eyes? This makes biblical sense… “…the EYES OF A FOOL ARE IN THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.” Proverbs 17:24.
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This little furry critter, is constantly looking far and wide for something new. Something better. Something to keep him entertained. “And if thy RIGHT EYE offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:29
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Yes this Moon/beast has an eye that’s always looking out yonder. Always seeking more! Just listen to the next verse…
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“He that hastens to be rich has an EVIL EYE, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.” (spiritual poverty) Proverbs 28:22.
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The poverty which comes upon this furry little Esau is not the poverty of earthly riches. Earthly riches were all that Esau was interested in. No, the poverty which comes upon this 3rd-face Moon-Beast, is the poverty of the soul. He eventually will lose that sweet communion with his Lord. He will not be able to meditate upon God’s Word, day & night. All spiritual duties eventually become a bore. This little Esau will ultimately return to his old life of earthly pursuits!
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WARM, AND LOVABLE…
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Here is an aspect to our furry friend that is very difficult to comprehend. This is an error that many little Esau’s fall into…especially in this decadent and hedonistic society. There are many in the Church-world who think we must be warm, fuzzy, and lovable, in order to bring new converts into God’s house. There are many furry little bunnies, thinking their bunny-like personalities will win over those who have yet to confess Christ. They think that the potluck went well because there was so much joking and jesting followed by round after round of laughter. But Believers are to have Christ-like love…not worldly love.
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Just listen to what Paul says… “And walk in love, as Christ… But…all uncleanness…LET IT NOT BE ONCE NAMED AMONG YOU, as becomes saints; NEITHER FILTHINESS, NOR FOOLISH TALKING, NOR JESTING…but rather giving of thanks” Ephesians 5:6.
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Though this seems like such a small transgression to this furry Esau, and yet God does not regard it thus. Just listen as this passage continues… “…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:6
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NOT TO JEST…
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“And walk in love, as Christ… But…all uncleanness…LET IT NOT BE ONCE NAMED AMONG YOU, as becomes saints; NEITHER FILTHINESS, NOR FOOLISH TALKING, NOR JESTING…but rather giving of thanks…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth…” Ephesians 5:2-9 (condensed for brevity)
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Just read this above passage regarding joking! But the fact is, God expects us to become Christ-like in every way. We are to be ambassadors for Christ to this world. This world is full of jokers and jesters. But that’s not what they need to see in us. What they need to see in us…is Jesus!
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White rabbit- Wikipedia – public domain
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A TIME TO LAUGH
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Oh yes, there is a time to laugh, and a time to smile. There are many innocent things in nature to enjoy, without needing to resort to the sarcasm, and mocking which the world engages in.
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It says above that we, as children of light, we are to walk as children of light, because the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness. We are not to be stand-up comics. We are not to be entertainers. That’s what the world is all about. That’s their job: to be funny!
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But we to be holy in all manner of conduct… “But as He which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1st Peter 1:15,16.
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This lovable little fuzz-ball would not understand, if you told him these things. He would think you to be as crazy as a loony bird. “Not to joke and jest!?”, he would exclaim. Such a concept would seem as sheer madness to this creature of the world. He would quickly scamper back off into the woods to resume his foraging.
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Squirrel – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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ITCHING EARS GOSPEL
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“That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:” Isaiah 30:9, 10
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Because this furry and adorable little forest creature (the Sadducee-Seeker) loves to have his ears tickled, the Devil has conveniently provided him with a congregation which accommodates his desires.
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Paul spoke of this condition, in the following words… “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 Tim. 4:3, 4.
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Yes, this adorable little creature of the field, loves his pastor, who, by the way, is very much like him. He loves to hear a playful sermon, filled with little quips and jests and tells of a god, who mostly smiles down upon this “pretty nice world“. And this Moon-Beast loves to hear sermons about “grace-alone”, because he is often told that grace-alone excuses him from dying-to-self. And to this poor Sadducee, that’s very good news!
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Muskrat Love – cropped photo – Creative Commons – Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
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GOSPEL ACCORDING TO POLLYANNA
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His pastor would actually make a great summer-camp counselor! He is fun and energetic. He is light and airy. And his sermons are very appealing, non-judgmental; and often quite similar to that delightful movie character, Pollyanna. Yes, this preacher is like the story-book character, Pollyanna, who found 810 totally non-offensive Bible verses. You see, this charismatic and precocious little girl in that movie, had developed a gospel of her own making (which eliminated the thousands of harsh verses found in the Bible), in contrast to the fire-and-brimstone gospel of her harsh and judgmental aunt.
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And such movies as this (and there are many others) have been a strong deterrent over the past decades, against any Hell-fire preaching in today’s pulpits. And this too, is mostly what this Moon-Beast’s pastor preaches, either by sermon, or by personal example. Yes, his words are “smoother than butter” (Psalm 55:21), and he prophesies of “smooth things”. (Now it must be noted that there has been a lot of bad Hell-Fire preaching over the centuries past. But just because there has been such ugly preaching, doesn’t necessitate getting rid of all preaching of righteousness. For more on this subject, you may wish to read… “Moon Into Blood Trilogy: 2nd Face: The Pharisee Scorner”)
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Yes, this furry little forest critter loves to have his ears scratched, and his pastor knows just how to scratch his itching ears. And so his pastor knows how to smooth over the rough teachings of the Bible, even making an opportune jest at just the right moment, to soften up those hard-sayings.
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Pollyanna statue – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Creative Commons 2.0 license
Muskrat Love – cropped photo – Creative Commons – Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
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“A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD…AN HOLY NATION”
Peter 2:9…
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So this subject of jesting is a very difficult concept, until we really become convicted that we are to be Christ-like in all our words and conduct. But by fixing our eyes upon Jesus, these admonitions begin to make total sense. We are to be a royal priesthood. And if you are familiar with what God expected from His priests, this should make us tremble.
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We are to be daily before God in His Most Holy Place, laying out our prayers and petitions before our most holy God! Now we remember, the priests in the Old Testament were to conduct themselves in a very holy manner. Listen to what Paul said of how even the young men in the Church are to behave!…
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“Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, GRAVITY, SINCERITY, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.” Titus 2:6-8
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For more on this subject, just click here… “Narrow Gate: ‘What Is Holiness?'”
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Tissot – Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle – Wikipedia – public domain
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CEASE FROM THY WORKS
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This 3rd creature in the Moon (the Sadducee) has no faith that God is the One who converts unbelievers. This fuzzy little critter thinks he must “help God out”. He doesn’t realize what Paul is saying when he exhorts Timothy… “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; IF GOD PERADVENTURE WILL GIVE THEM REPENTANCE to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, who are TAKEN CAPTIVE BY HIM (the Devil) at his will.” 2nd Timothy 2:25,26.
It is God who gives a person a repentant heart. He doesn’t require us to help Him out. Purity and meekness is all that God desires from us. We can be joyful and thankful without being jokers and “Court Jesters”. We can have a warm smile for others. And certainly, we can laugh at the little funny things in nature. And we can smile with the antics of others. We can be filled with the love of Jesus, and yet at the same time be reverent and holy like Jesus. We can smile a smile of love to others, and yet maintain a Christ-like composure.
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Laughing – (cropped and color added) – Fotothek df roe neg – Wikimedia – Share-alike License
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AMBASSADORS OF A NEW LIFE
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We are to offer the world an alternative life. A new life in Jesus Christ! Not just more of the world. The Spirit of God is holy. The spirit of the world is Antichrist. This little furry creature is filled with the world’s spirit, and needs to be thoroughly converted.
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Listen… “They (Antichrists) are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” 1st John 4:4, 5.
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He needs to be “born-again”. Then and only then can God bless his evangelistic efforts. Only then can he bring into God’s house those who truly hunger and thirst for the “heavenly Bread of life”. But the sad fact is, the Seeker-Sadducee will only bring more false brethren into the Church. The Lord can never bless his evangelistic endeavors.
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Woman with Bible – Braet von Überfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
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“MY TONGUE SHALL SING…OF THY RIGHTEOUSNESS”
Psalm 51
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But our God is a compassionate God. He understands that many of us are addicted to many sins. And too often, Christians are under the false notion that foolish talk and jesting (joking and sarcasm) is OK for the child of God. Nothing could be further from the truth! The fact is, the Devil whispers one jest after another into our ears. We may be a barrel of laughs in the eyes of those around us. But if we will plead with God for deliverance, as we cooperate with Him by separating ourselves from all evil-communications, we will eventually get the victory over these ungodly traits. We will eventually be freed from Satan’s spider-web of sin and deceit.
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Then we will be able to say with the Sweet-Psalmist of Israel… “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee…and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.” Psalm 51:7, 13, 15
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Sketch of “Fly Freed from Satan’s Web” courtesy www.devouringfire.com. Share-alike license.
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GO SELL THAT THOU HAST…
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& COME FOLLOW ME
(Matt. 19:21)…
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Contrast our present spiritual condition with Jesus’ Disciples, “And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11
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And Jesus said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33.
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The Apostles John, Peter, and James, and the others, took no thought for the things of the world. After Christ’s ascension, their only desire was to consecrate their lives for the service of God.
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Christ calling His Disciples by Edward Armitage – 1869 – courtesy Wikigallery.com – Public Domain
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MINDING EARTHLY THINGS
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“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is THEIR BELLY, and whose glory is in their shame, WHO MIND EARTHLY THINGS.” Philippians 3:18, 19
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When we left that 7th Day Rest (in the Garden), and reverted back to the 6th day with the beasts of the earth, we became foragers, just like those little critters of the forest. We can’t stop nibbling long enough to look up. We are like the scavengers of the earth. We can’t give up our love for sin and the consumption thereof…
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“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. WATCH YE therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:34-36.
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If we insist on living like this “Seeker”, we will be caught in a snare, when the “Day of the LORD” breaks out upon this, “busy-busy work-a-day world”.
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TREASURE IN HEAVEN
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In living this Seeker-Sadducee way, our trust in God becomes greatly diminished. We begin to think and act like the world. Spending lots of time and effort to ensure ourselves against the loss of money and property and even health.
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If we will only invest our time, effort, and money in the “Prudential Rock” (of ages), we would see fulfilled the passage “cast your bread upon the waters, and you shall find it after many days.” Ecclesiastes 11:1. God calls for us to be liberal in our giving to God’s cause.
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Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
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“THERE IS NO PEACE…TO THE WICKED”
Isaiah 57:21
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And so these two unclean beasts in the Moon, one a “Pharisee-predator-scorner”, and one a “Sadducee-scavenger-seeker”, have not yet entered into God’s Rest. You see, these two beasts are motivated by the “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes. and the pride of life”1st John 2:15-17 . In essence they are still like the beasts of the earth. They have not been truly converted into God’s image. This next verse brings out the truth that they need to focus upon Christ, and not the things of the world.
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“For he that is entered into His Rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” Hebrews 4:10.
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So we are to rest just as did God on the 7th Day, when God completed all His work of Creation. So must we cease from our own faithless works and trust wholly in God. So must we “re-enter” that “Spiritual Rest” which was ordained from the foundation of the world. That 7th Day Rest which God rested on, upon the 7th Day of Creation, and we did too…until we later rebelled. (Read Hebrews Chapters 3 & 4)
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ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA & SPIRITUAL ECLIPSE
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a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price from God), his wife also being privy to it” Acts 5:1, 2
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Our furry forager today, for the most part, does not believe that he is to live like the early Church lived. The early Church was willing to lay all of their lives and property on the altar for God.
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But then there was Ananias & Sapphira. Do you remember them? They pretended to lay all their belongings on the altar. But they held back some of their riches. And just as this old painting shows, God struck both Ananias and his wife, Sapphira dead. Of course, this was a portrait of the spiritual eclipse which spiritually kills all those who presume to serve God, but in their heart they hold back from making a full surrender to God.
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death of Ananias & Sapphira – www.wikigallery.com – public domain
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CONSTANTLY SEEKING
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And just like Ananias and his wife Sapphira (see Acts 5), This faithless varmint often holds back from laying his entire life on the altar, to become a full-time-round-the-clock ambassador for Christ. He watches TV. He listens to talk shows. He seeks good food. Kick back! Good fun! Career this! Vacation that! New luxury home over there! New pricey car on time-payments!
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This Christian-pretender is a forager. He is a scavenger. Constantly seeking for, and nibbling on the things of the world…eating the polluted filthiness of sin and selfishness.
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(“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15).
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Now of course, it’s not necessarily wrong to buy a new car, or to watch a TV program, or to go on a vacation, etc. Different Christians have different needs and different family situations. And we must not judge other individuals. And of course, those who live for the world have every right to enjoy as much of this world as they can. After all, this world is all they will ever know.
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But these things become a problem when the Christian fills his or her life with so many of these things, then the relationship with God begins to wane, much in the way the light of the Moon begins to wane during an eclipse. Just as in a lunar eclipse, the world comes between the Christian and Jesus, “the Sun of Righteousness”.
For more on this subject, just click here… “Lunar Eclipse, and Spiritual Eclipse”
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Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
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“HAVING FOOD AND COVERING,
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LET US BE THEREWITH CONTENT”…
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“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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Not to say that there is anything wrong with taking his family on a vacation, or to a restaurant, or buying a new car. But when such things combine to become the centerpiece and focus of his or her life…that becomes a problem. It is very easy for any of us to get side-tracked from our pursuit of that “heavenly crown”. Satan strives hard to get us to take off our “heavenly armor”; to quit “the race”; to cease from that “good fight”.
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“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1.
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The true worshipper is not afraid to lose the things of the world. His or her only desire is to win Christ, and be changed into His likeness.
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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain
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“666” …
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We think of the Antichrist as some “sinister man/devil/ businessman”, who desires to take over the world by some diabolical Dr. Evil-type scheme. But in reality, the Antichrist is merely a worldly person… “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world hears them.” 1 John 4:3.
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An Antichrist can also be a worldly Christian. “and this is that spirit of Antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world…” 1 John 4:3
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This previous verse shows that the spirit of Antichrist has been in the world since these words were penned almost 2000 years ago.
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And let’s combine the previous verse with this next similar verse…“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many Antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time”…1 John 4:3, 2:18.
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This verse shows that there is not just one Antichrist but many Antichrists. And they existed in the days of the early Church. And Antichrists also exist today.
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Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
The Mark of the Beast – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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PHARISEES & SADDUCEES…
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In Israel, at the time of Jesus, there were basically three groups of persons claiming a relationship with God. The Disciples, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees. Like the faithless Sadducee’s, our little forager friend (who really represents all of us to a certain degree) lives a life of unbelief in the promises of God. So often, when some little crisis arises in our lives, we many times react as the world does. Or the moment we leave church, we forget all the “good words” we just heard, and revert back to our faithless worldly ways. We don’t consult the Bible for advice…
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Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
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PHARISEES & SADDUCEES…
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Listen to this next passage…“And (many) were baptized of him (John the Baptist) in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Matthew 3:6-8 (Here we see the Pharisees and Sadducees are a picture of those in the House of God who think they are saved, but in reality are still under the wrath of God.)
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So we begin to see that the Moon has three faces, two of which have animal qualities. The first face has only human qualities. What does this remind us of? If two parts are beasts of the earth, and one third is human, we could see a relationship between this and the ‘Mark of the Beast’. Two thirds measured in decimal points is .666%. One-third rounds off to .333%.
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The Mark of the Beast – Wikipedia – Public Domain
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ONE-THIRD, TWO THIRDS
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OK, this new concept may sound far-fetched to most people. But what does the Bible say about two-thirds and one-third?…
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…”And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, TWO PARTS therein shall be cut off and die; but the THIRD shall be left therein. And I will bring the THIRD PART through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” Zechariah 13:8,9
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So here above in Zechariah, God speaks of His people in terms of one-third and two-thirds. But listen to what the Book of Revelation has to say… “This calls for wisdom: Let the person who has understanding figure out the number of the beast, because it is the number of a man. Its number is 666.” Revelation 13:18. (Editor’s note: the number of the beast can be discerned in several other ways also. That will be discussed in the future, God willing.)
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So the “Mark of the Beast” isn’t just about Satan worshippers. It’s about God’s professed people. The mark is not just about those who are lost. It’s about you. It’s about me. It’s about any un-christlikeness that you or I may still possess.
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.666% = UNCLEAN BEASTS
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Just think about it. Two-thirds of these three faces in the Moon are man/beast images. And unclean beasts, in addition! Isn’t this incredible? The one-third is that of a human. And the Moon is a picture of God’s people!
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TWO PARTS therein shall be cut off and die; but… “I will bring the THIRD PART through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” Zechariah 13:8,9.
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This verse from Zechariah isn’t talking about gentiles. It’s talking about God’s people. And though this was originally written in Old Testament times, it’s nevertheless, “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1st Corinthians 10:11.
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Coyote with typical hold on lamb – Wikipedia – public domain
Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
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THE DAY OF THE LORD…
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This is the work that God desires to do in your life, and in my life too! God wants to burn away the dross from us, that we may become vessels unto honor. Christ-like in every respect!
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And the Day that is coming will do just that! ” For, behold, the day comes, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yes, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.” Malachi 4:1.
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PURIFIED BY FIRE
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The Day of the Lord is not just about burning the lost up…like “crispy critters” as some people like to put it. No, no!
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Listen to Malachi… “But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appears? for He is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:2, 3.
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The Day of the Lord will be a day in which the dross and impurities will be removed from God’s people.
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COMING FORTH AS GOLD!
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Listen to what Job said about the tribulation that he had to go through… “But He knows the way that I take: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10.
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Job’s fiery trials were God’s chosen method of purifying Job. God saw that there was uncleanness in Job’s heart. And though Job was perfect in all his outward manifestations, there was still a work needing to be accomplished in Job’s heart; a work of purification. And there is still a work needing to be accomplished in my heart and in your heart too!
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The question to be answered is…”Am I willing to allow God to finish that work? Am I willing to cooperate with Him as He works in me to cause me to be willing to do His will… that I may be Christ-like in everything I think, say, and do?”
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Job (oil on canvas) by Bonnat, Leon Joseph Florentin (1833-1922) – Wikimedia – Public Domain
Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
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CONCLUSION…
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And thus is fulfilled that passage in Revelation… “And the great city was divided into three parts…” Revelation 16:9.
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The great city is made up of the very same divisions that were present in Jesus’ day in Israel: the Sadducees, the Pharisees and God’s true worshippers. And also in Jesus’ time here, there were a multitude who listened to each group. These were of those who had yet to make a decision about who they would take sides with. In a real sense, these “undecided ones” were in that place called the, “Valley of Decision”.
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And today there are multitudes who are standing in that very same valley. It’s all about whether you and I are willing to forsake all, to follow Jesus. Which group are you in? Or which group am I? Am I willing to become purified from the impurities of these two unclean beasts?
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Am I ready to follow Jesus?… “whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33.
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Jesus is not looking for followers with divided hearts. The day is coming that will distinguish the believers from the “make-believers”, as one preacher puts it. And this following verse reveals that the day is coming when the distinction will be clear to God’s people… “Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves Him not.” Malachi 3:18
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ABOVE PICTURE – Fall Constellations – Valley of Decision Constellation (made of Cassiopeia Constellation, & Revelation 12 Dragon (made of Hyades, Pleiades and other constellations)
Mouse – cropped photo – Wikipedia
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THE END
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NEXT ARTICLE:
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“MOON INTO BLOOD TRILOGY, PART 4” (Addendum to 2nd Face-“The Swine”)
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Only the Lord could have etched the Three Faces in the Moon in such a way, as to present this Fourth Face, The Swine. And why this Fourth Face? Well, this Swine, along with the other two beast-like faces now presents the fundamental three sins of Mankind: 1. The lust of the flesh. 2. The lust of the eyes. 3. The pride of life.
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These three great sins were the three which Eve was tempted with in the garden. And these three were the three great sins which Satan tempted Jesus with in the wilderness.
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So come along and read this important article, and see how this relates to you and to me.
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Hybrid-pig2 by Messybeast & Wikipedia – share-alike license
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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 – 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 – Wikipedia – Share-alike License
Shoppers in Toronto – 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 these people 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 – 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
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 – 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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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 and other necessary information on that particular photo.