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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

A Second System to End

A comment which was left:

The correct translation of Matt.24:15 is 'when you see the abomination of destruction standing on holy ground ---'

The 'abomination of destruction' is the Roman army surrounding Jerusalem in the year 67. Then the army was standing on 'holy ground,' ready to attack the city.

But this attack did not materialize, and the Roman army withdrew staying away exactly for as many days as Jesus had predicted. But when it returned three years later, in the year 70, not only were all of Jerusalem destroyed. More than one million Jews were slaughtered in Jerusalem alone and one hundred and ten thousand were taken to Rome as slaves. Also some of the towns that Jesus had condemned, were destroyed by the Roman army at that time. But those few who had heard Jesus' warning and heeded them, fled to the mountains. And therefore all of Jesus apostles saved their lives.

Do not mix this incident with Jerusalem being trampled by those of the peoples 'until the day, period, of the peoples are over.' This did not happen until the six-day war in 1967. Only then did Jerusalem come under Jewish rule.

I hope this was clarifying.

With best regards from
Arne Jordly
---------------------------------

My reply:

You are viewing things physically (1 Corinthians 2:10,13,14). Literal, physical, geographical Jerusalem today, is insignificant (Acts 13:46; Rom.9:25; Matthew.21:43; 23:37,38; Romans 11:7,8,10,17,19,20,21,22; John4:20,21,23).
The "Gentile/nations times" are still with us, dominating the "Israel of God" New Creation (Romans 9:6; Romans 2:28,29; Gal.6:15,16; Dan.8:10,13). The "Lord's people" are equated with "the starry host of the heavens". The Israel of God are the "stars of heaven" being trampled and thrown down....the ones mentioned at Dan.8:10 (Dan.12:3; Phil.2:15; Dan.8:12; Rev.12:4; 11:2; Matt.5:13). Revelation was written AFTER the fall of Jerusalem. This fact clarifies the reality of a further fulfillment 
(Rev.13:7,10; Luke21:24; Rev.12:4; Dan.8:10-12,13-14,17; 2Cor.15:24-26; Dan.7:21,25-27). 
These "stars" being thrown down and trampled then, are not the Jewish citizens of literal physical Israel (Gal.4:24,25), but are the SPIRITUAL descendants of Abraham 
(Gen.26:4; Gal.3:28,29; Rom.2:28,29; Gal.4:26,28).
http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-is-jew-what-is-gentile-answers-to.html
The "holy ground" is the Temple; and is made up of the Chosen priesthood (1Cor.3:16; 6:19,20; Rev.5:9,10; 1Pet.2:5,9; 1:15,16) under the New Covenant.

If you are able to see Christ's warning as extending to the conclusion of the New Covenant (rather than only applying to the conclusion of the Old -Matt.24:3),
and that the removal of the physical temple of apostasy (John2:19; Matt.24:1,2), was only a shadow of the removal of a spiritual temple of apostasy (1Pet.2:5; Luke17:1; 1Cor.11:19; 1Tim.4:1; Rev.16:13; Matt.18:6; Rev.8:8) at the conclusion of the New Covenant (Matt.13:39,40,41,42,43; Dan.12:3; Isa.60:1; Dan.7:18; 2:44);
then you will perceive it's present prophetic application to the final harvest of members of Jerusalem "above" (Gal.4:26) and her symbolic son (Rev.12:2,5; 2:26,27).

Link:End-of-New-Covenant
--Link:Can-the-WT-crumble?
----Link:Sign-of-Son-of-Man

Just as the first show of dominating THREAT by the Roman Gentiles did not end in death, so too the prophetic fulfillment (Rev.9:5,6,10; 13:7). Just as the return of the Roman Beast did result in death, so too it's prophetic symbolic fulfillment (Rev.11:7; 13:15; 6:9,10,11; 20:4).
Yet this final death is required, and is in obedience to Christ's warning directive (Mark8:35; Hebrews.13:13; Romans6:3)
It took 3 1/2 years for the original return.
The prophetic one takes "3 1/2 times" (Dan.12:7; Rev. 12:14).
The book of Revelation was written after the fall of literal Jerusalem.
(This gives Rev.11:2; 12:14  fulfillment beyond the fall of Jerusalem's temple in 70CE)
If you look at 2Thessalonians2:4 you will see that the Man of Lawlessness fulfills your description of "the abomination of destruction standing on holy ground". Yet this Gentile power "standing" "where is does not belong" (Mark 13:14), is not done away with (Gentile times ending) until Jesus returns (2Thess.2:8).


LINK TO DIRECTORY OF ARTICLES

 A note to readers;
I have received distressing news about my medical condition. I am not sure yet, how I will choose to handle it. I am seeking further medical advice. My condition has caused a recent drop in posts, but I am determined to keep working to offer spiritual provisions as best as I am able. Please pray for my continuing ability to do God's will, as I also pray for you.
Love in Christ,
Pearl
at 2 comments:

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Whose witnesses are we?

A QUESTION:

Dear Sister,
The Bible tells us that Jesus was the Faithful Witness - Revelation 1:5. Jehovah does not need any MORE witnesses.    
One of the biggest scams of J.F. Rutherford - via the WTBTS - was to adopt the name of Jehovah as marketing tool for his new empire without the disaffected Bible Students. He used one Scripture from the Hebrew Scriptures as justification for the change - Isaiah 43:10.
God's inspired Word gives us 24 Scriptures telling us to be Witnesses of Christ.
There is not ONE Greek Scripture which says we have to be Witnesses for Jehovah.
God called us Christians - Rutherford changed it! (Acts 11:26)
On the basis of the overwhelming Bible proof, why do you claim to be a Witness for Jehovah, instead of Christ Jesus?

MY REPLY:

When someone tells me that there is overwhelming Bible proof against my own expressions of faith, this is not a question. This is a demand to change and align myself with your assertions. Nevertheless, the scriptures tell us to reply to such demands with our own scriptural basis for our hope and conviction. (1Pet.3:15)

In order to do this thoroughly, I will take each of your statements and offer the scriptures that come to mind, which I personally believe are relevant to that statement of yours. If those scriptures do not similarly mold your own faith, at least you will better grasp the motive behind my own decision.

-----------------------

Question:"Dear Sister, The Bible tells us that Jesus was the Faithful Witness - Revelation 1:5. Jehovah does not need any MORE witnesses."

Yes, Jesus is called the "faithful and true" witness (Rev.3:14).
This is not enough to mean that he is the only witness, any more than you being a man, means that no one else can be a man.
Jesus also was an obedient slave of God (Rom.6:16; John8:29,55 B; Phil.2:7,8; John6:38). His faithful witnessing to truth, was the work of that servitude (John5:30; 18:37; 8:28; 12:49,50; 14:10).

Did Jesus himself refer to any other "faithful" or "true" witnesses, other than himself?
Do others become slaves of God in order to do this same witnessing work?

At Rev.7:3, it speaks of sealing the "slaves of God". 144,000 become so sealed (Rev.14:1)
It is clear that God has slaves other than Christ (Rev.22:3,4; Matt.5:8,12,14,16; 1Pet.2:16).
What is their work? Is it the same faithful witnessing to the truth of God?
Rev.6:9,10,11; 11:3,4; 12:11; 20:4; 14:5; Rom.6:17; Mark13:10; 8:35; Luke12:42,43; 1Cor.4:1,2
helps to answer.

Is it possible that a witness of Jesus can (at the same time) be a witness of God's Word?
(Rev.1:2; 20:4)
Where (according to above scriptures) did Jesus get what he taught?
Jesus was used by God to teach us. When we bear witness to what we learned from Christ, we are also bearing witness to God's truth. Yet according to Christ, it is God who is the real source of all spiritual light and life, that any may witness to (Ps.36:9; John12:49,50; 15:15).
God is the source of all truth. If we teach it, we bear witness to Him.

Jesus died for being a faithful witness to the God of Truth. All those chosen and approved by God, must follow the same course, do the same work, and suffer the same persecution and death for it (Luke22:28; Rev.14:4; 1Pet.2:21; Luke9:22; Rom.6:5; Rev.11:3,7). This victory cannot be accomplished (Rev.2:10; 3:21) if these do not bear witness to both God's Word and Christ (Acts5:28,29).

Question:"One of the biggest scams of J.F. Rutherford - via the WTBTS - was to adopt the name of Jehovah as marketing tool for his new empire without the disaffected Bible Students. He used one Scripture from the Hebrew Scriptures as justification for the change - Isaiah 43:10."

I would first like to say that "Jehovah" is not God's name, but the Hebrew meaning of "hovah" refers to the destroyer (John10:10; Rev.9:11; Isa.33:1). This name was constructed by men. They combined the vowels of Eloham/Adonai (meaning "Lord"), with the vowel-less tetragrammaton. This man-made contrivance does not make it God's name.

When this name was taken by "Jehovah's Witnesses" on the basis of Isa.43:10, that scripture was also misapplied. That verse clearly states that these witnesses are "chosen" ones.

Is it possible that this job was forwarded to those "chosen" under the New Covenant?
Well, if you examine the context of Isa.43:10,
notably Isa.43:21 where it states of these "witnesses"...

"This people I have formed for Myself;
They shall declare My praise."

Are any "chosen" under the New Covenant, to be "formed into a people", for the purpose of  "declaring" God's "praise"?
1Pet.2:9 reads:
"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light".

"Declaring" God's praise, is witnessing for God, just as clearly established by Isa.43:10,21.
Apparently, when we are told that the 144000 serve as priests under the new covenant, this is not an idle job (Mal.2:7), but mimics the shadow of those under the old covenant (Heb.8:5), in their being witnesses for God.
The point is also made, that unless all of "Jehovah's Witnesses" are chosen priests of the 144000, they bear the title falsely. This constitutes blasphemy, just as the prophecies about this Organization depict.

        It is also noteworthy, that according to prophecy,
        it is the nation called by God's name,
        that stands condemned (Jer.25:29,30) (Rev.19:15; Isa.63:3);
        ...although that is not to say that the nation called by God's name
        is "Jehovah's Witnesses". This condemnation is toward the
        genuine nation (chosen) who are called by His name (Isa.43:10; 1Pet.2:9).

Question:"God's inspired Word gives us 24 Scriptures telling us to be Witnesses of Christ."

Does this mean that they are not witnesses of God as well?
If you learn from a Master teacher, and then you teach others his knowledge...
if your students also teach this knowledge...
whose knowledge are they teaching...
Their own?...Yours?...or your teacher's?
In fact any who learn, then own the knowledge themselves. It is theirs.
But it belonged to others before you. These passed it on to you.
Can you not teach the same knowledge that you learned?
When your students teach,
they are witnessing to their own acquired knowledge.
At the same time, they are bearing witness to you and what you taught them,
and they are bearing witness to the Master teacher who taught you.
Whose knowledge are they promoting? Is it not the knowledge of both you and your teacher?

Have you not heard that when it comes to truth,
Jesus and the Father are One? Chosen priests can also be one with that same truth (John16:15; 17:6,7,8,17,21,22,23,25,26). There is one truth (John14:6; Eph.4:5). It is sourced with God the Father. It is not possible to divide that truth into belonging to Christ but not belonging to the Father. It is impossible to bear faithful witness to truth as a chosen priest, without bearing witness to both, God and Christ.
If we bear witness to the truth taught by Christ, we must be bearing witness to the Word of God, which is clearly who Christ was (John1:1,14), and what Christ was teaching.

Question:"There is not ONE Greek Scripture which says we have to be Witnesses for Jehovah."

Although God's name is not "Jehovah"; there are many scriptures that request that we be witnesses for God and Christ, 
I think that 1Pet.2:9; 4:10; 1Cor.4:1; 9:17; Heb.4:12; Eph.6:17,18; Rev.7:15; Rom.12:1; 2Cor.3:5,6;
 1Cor.12:18,11,28; Rom.12:6; Eph.4:11,12; Rev.11:3   suffices for those of discernment.
Link: The-Name

Question:"God called us Christians - Rutherford changed it! (Acts 11:26)"

   (First it should be noted, that not all who are disciples of Christ,
    are chosen priests. Therefore, the label of "Christian" is anyone who
    is baptized in water and is obedient to the teachings of Christ (Matt.28:19,20).
    The chosen are baptized with Holy Spirit, and are to feed the Christian sheep "fruit".
    (Acts 1:4,5; John1:33,34; John21:17; 1John2:20,27; John15:4,5,8,15; Matt.7:20)

God calls Christ himself many things
(Isa.9:6; Matt.1:23; Phil.2:9; Rev.19:12,13,16; 12:7 etc.)
He also calls his "chosen" sons by many titles
(Acts11:26; Gal.3:26,29; 1Pet.2:5,9,10; Heb.12:22,23; 1Cor.3:9,16; Gal.4:28; Rom.2:28,29; Rev.1:5,20; 3:12; 2:17).
I'm afraid your perspective is much too narrow to be able to accommodate the whole truth, which according to the Bible, is much wider than what you have restricted yourself to, in allowing only two "either/or" possibilities. In the boundaries of that mental restriction, you are prevented from a fuller understanding, which has resulted in your making wrong conclusions.

We can use an illustration Jesus himself gave us to clarify all this.
Jesus described how the producing of praise/witnessing is accomplished.
Jesus is the "vine"/root; his chosen ones are the "branches", and the spiritual fruit this "Grapevine" produces, is to be consumed for spiritual sustainance. The fruit is the teachings/witnessing (Heb.13:15; John15:8). The praise and glorification is "to God", "through Christ".
Christ also told us, that this "grapevine" has a cultivator (John15:1,2)...God.
So then,
Who is responsible for the grapes/witness, that are produced?
Is it not the cultivator, the vine, and the branches?
Do you see that all are?
The fruit produced reflects on all....the cultivor, the vine, and the branches.
All deserve credit for the witness that is produced, and the result, bears testimony to it's full source.
When a grape harvest is perfect, that fruit bears witness to it's vine AND it's cultivator.

The abomination being committed here, is not that genuine witnesses are called Christians, or that Christians are also known as witnesses for God;
The abomination is that those genuine witnesses have been replaced with counterfeit false witnesses,
that the genuine Temple has been handed over and trampled by counterfeit Jewish priests (Gentiles) who throw truth to the ground, and that God's Mount Zion has been replaced by a man-made Organizational "Image"/Idol.
(pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com)

(http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/02/YHVHs-genuine-mountain.html)

None of the scriptures you offer, state that those chosen to bear witness to God's praise (and to bear witness to Jesus), are not to be witnesses for God.
According to the scriptures, bearing witness to truth is naturally bearing witness to both, Christ and God.

Question:"On the basis of the overwhelming Bible proof, why do you claim to be a Witness for Jehovah, instead of Christ Jesus?"

Again, who is the source of what Jesus taught?
(And the source of what Christians teach?
What source of knowledge are they bearing witness to?)
(John 8:28; James 1:17; 1John1:5; Eph.1:17; Ps.36:9; Matt.5:16)

I have no idea where you heard that I am not a witness of Christ's teachings, his name, and his testimony.
I  never said that I was a witness of Yhwh "instead" of Christ.
Where did you hear this? Whoever told this to you is a liar.

No one can come to the truth of the Father,
unless it is through the Son. No one can get to the Son,
unless the Father draws them by His spirit.
Once drawn, we bear witness to what that Holy Spirit has given us from God.
(Rom.8:14,15,16,17; John 4:24; 14:16,17; 1John4:1,2,3,4,5,6; Matt.10:20).

------------------------------------------------

God will have witnesses as long as those chosen to be such are in the earth. There is no other way for the chosen to prove faithful. They will be in the earth "until all things have occurred". Jesus himself bore witness about God, not about himself.
(John7:16,17,18; 8:19,28,42,47; 1Pet.2:21)
We are to imitate him.
All which Jesus offers us as bread from heaven, was given him from the Father.
Jesus left us a model to imitate closely. He was a faithful and true witness for his Father, from whom he received all he gave us.

Jesus once declared his desire, that none consider him a good teacher, but rather the Father (Luke18:18,19).
Why?
Because Jesus only taught what the Father directed as the ultimate teacher of all, who, according to Christ, is the one who deserves all the credit.

When we do give God the due credit (and declare His Word), this is the essence of being His witnesses. If we bear witness to Jesus,
are we not bearing witness to God?
If we bear witness to God, are we not bearing witness to truth from the "Word"?
He gave to Christ all that Jesus taught.
Christ came to explain God (John1:18; 17:26; 14:8,9,10,12). Why? Should we keep quiet about what we have learned about God from Christ?
Should we not imitate Christ, by bearing witness about God?

The book of Revelation contains many declarations, which are made, not by Christ, but by Revelation's "angel" messengers. You may benefit from a further consideration of who these "angel" messengers are, who bear witness
to God  (Rev.14:6,7).


at No comments:

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

God's Forgiveness

AN EXCERPT FROM A LETTER I RECEIVED:

Dear Pearl,
I know sins are forgiven, but how can I ask God what his will is for me when I have sinned so in my past - a sin I can barely live with?  I read of the woman washing Christ's feet with her tears and I shed tears for her (Luke 7:37,38).  I know how she feels; as a girl I was so messed up and under such an influence that it was extremely overpowering in my actions. I feel afraid to approach God.
I remembered your article on sin and will read it once again. 
I also was hoping that you would tell the story Obadiah was talking about at the "4woman" forum, something about you and a birdfeeder."

MY REPLY:

Hello again,
good morning

You say...
"how can I ask God what his will is for me when I have sinned so in my past - a sin I can barely live with?"
I am not saying that my own sin which I am going to talk about to you, is similar to the sin you refer to here; but I'm sure it corresponds in some ways, including "I was so messed up and under such an influence that it was extremely overpowering in my actions.".
Also to be kept in mind, is that although this particular sin of mine may not well compare to yours, other sins of mine, which are not a part of this story, likely do.
Coincidentally, the story you ask about is a good reply to your feelings about your past sin.

Here is the story Obadiah was referring to...


 When I first aligned myself to the organization due to what I thought was God's direction, I still had foremost in my mind, the contact of Holy Spirit and the visions.
I had no idea how the two would fit together, but had a sense of patience. I figured that if God had both given me the visions, and had also directed me to the organization, that sooner or later, I would come to understand His will in His own time, and how both fit together.
I thought my only obligation, was to put faith in His direction, despite my ignorance.  
After about 35 years...I had as Jesus referred to, grown lukewarm. As a typical member of the Congregation, I had gotten used to the chasm between the endless stagnant routine, which was devoid of what I knew God's spirit to feel like. I had gotten used to waiting for it all to make sense, while I subjected myself to the elders and their injurious yoke. I had grown drowsy, and didn't realize that I had turned my back on spirit, despite the astonishing favor and grace it had shown me. I abandoned it, to learn from those who I knew was not the voice of my Lord.
But so much worse than all this....When I was rousing out of my stupor, I realized that I was an idolator!

Oh how long I had been estranged from my God! For me, it was most of my life. I still didn't know what the visions meant, but knew that whatever the wonderful purpose God had in mind when he gave me them,
I had betrayed it! I had in my ignorance, treated it with contempt. 
I thought about how the world and all life on it, is suffering while it waits for God's kingdom, and how the visions likely had significance in it's being accomplished.
How guilty I was, that I had cast aside God's will, and as a possible result, so many souls in the earth may have suffered and died unnecessarily.
How horrible to be called by God (due to my own begging for mercy and insight, along with a vow to give him my life),
and not keep my vow to serve only him!...after being shown such favor and grace...to just walk away and break my promise, in order to worship and obey, a loathsome abomination, set up as a counterfeit Temple! 
pearl-disgustingthing.blogspot.com

I know inside, that being shown those visions was not for nothing (Num.12:6; Eph.4:11,12).
(pearl-prophecycease.blogspot.com)
I knew it was all for a purpose, that I was shown them. Despite not yet understanding them, I knew that I had ignored that purpose,
and that this deserved death.
Was God done with me?
Had He chosen someone else more responsive and faithful, and entrusted them with what I had been given?
Did He still want me for anything at all? 

There was no scripture that I could turn to, which would tell me God's heart toward me personally! 

In my heart...I remembered back to that night of visions. I remembered how I had prayed just before they began. I remembered the grace of having God reply to me, and to even have spoken with Christ, and even to have been carried by him in flight, with my life completely in his hands, while he spoke his assurances in my ear.
Oh I wanted to rip my heart out. How could I have left him!?! 
I said a prayer. I lauded God for his past mercy toward me, that he should have heard the prayer of a sinner and responded with such treasures.
I asked him if he remembered my heart back then, and asked him to please look at it now.
Could he please see that I was blind and ignorant, and swept away in a deception more powerful than human discernment? 
If he answered so long ago, could he please answer again? 
I told him that if he was done with me, I certainly understand that, I deserved it. 
But I begged him to let me know if he was done. I thought, if he is done, then I know He will not forgive me of my lame sacrifices to Him. 

If he is not done, then I know I must return to seeking his guidance with all my soul, and I must get back on track and pick up where I left off so many years ago, and finally accomplish what I had been called for. 
I knew that the visions still had an unfulfilled purpose with me; and if God was not done with me...perhaps I could finally see their purpose through.
How would I know if God still wanted to use me?
How could I know if God still wanted me as His slave, after being an idolator? 

What then came to mind, was the account of Gideon and the fleece 
      (which Obadiah mentioned to Joe -         - http://4womaninthewildernessforum.yuku.com/topic/8/Possible-teaching-method#.UrRGtMRDuHg).

What also came to mind, was the doctrines of the org. which state that God does not answer prayers that way anymore.
Then I remembered God's statement, that He does not change. Why would he not answer? Certainly, he is able!
Why was that account of God answering Gideon in the Bible, if it is not to teach us?
And then I remembered John 16:23,24; 14:13,14;  1John 5:14. 
There Jesus promised, that anything we sincerely ask according to God's will, he will hear and give. 

Was it not God's will to discipline someone who asks for correction? I did not believe a loving God would not even reply to a heart sincerely asking for guidance regarding slaving for him (James 1:5,6).
So I decided, to ask in the same way outlined in the scriptures. I used Gideon's story as a guide. I knew I would have to choose a sign.
I would need to be cautious, because I knew that Satan could be close by, and watching.

Satan likely knew I had just woken up to the idolatry, because I spoke of it freely to Obadiah, even explaining my need for God's guidance.
I remembered how when Daniel prayed, the angelic messenger that bore his answer was restrained and delayed by Satanic forces.I didn't want anything to get in the way of a clear answer, so I took all this into consideration. I knew I needed to choose a sign carefully, so that Satan (being the masterful reader of human behavior), would not be able to guess it and manipulate it.
I decided it should involve something I did every day, because this would make it harder for Satan to identify.

Each day I would fill the bird feeder on my porch. As soon as I would open my front door each day, all the waiting birds would cause a great flurry as they took off.
Only after the feeder was full again, and I had gone back into the house, would they begin to gradually return. 
While I was praying about the details of the sign I sought, I felt a strong urge to have Obadiah witness what was about to happen. I think now, that perhaps our Father knew that Obadiah was on the fence (his daughters are the apple of his eye, and he knew the implications of where my faith was leading) and he needed to experience a testimony regarding truth. 

This was the sign I silently asked for:
When I go out on the porch, have all the birds remain where they are. Let them all stay put, until I choose one with my mind.
The moment I make up my mind about which bird I have chosen...have all the birds fly away, except that chosen one.
Then let me walk up to that bird and offer my open hand, and have the bird come to my hand. Let the bird stay in my hand at it's own will, until I pray that it fly away, and then let it fly away.
If you do this for me God, I will know that you still want me to be your slave. 

Well, I was nervous, because it was a tall order. What would I do if God didn't answer?
That thought was too horrible for me, imagining being so abandoned by God, that he refuses to hear your prayers!
Just before going out, I asked Obadiah to keep an eye on me through the window.

I opened the door quite tense, expecting the usual flurry.
Nothing. It felt quite odd, to have such timid creatures surround me without fear. I think I stopped breathing for the feeling of God's love.
Oh yes, I remembered, now I must choose one.
My mind scanned over so many, but as it did and moved on past the one I chose, I had chosen... one of the Goldfinches. 
Immediately, all flurried away except that one. My heart could hardly beat.
I walked up to the little bird and reached out my open palm. He immediately came and landed upon it.
Suddenly, a strong wind kicked up almost knocking me down, and yet to my surprise, the little bird grabbed my finger tightly instead of letting the wind startle him into flight. 
I was so touched by the lack of fear in this little soul, that I hunched over the railing and cupped my hands like a nest.
I petted the bird's head and talked to it, while it tilted its head and looked at me as if listening. I started to cry, and pray out loud to God, thanking him for his mercy and forgiveness. 
Well during this long prayer, that little bird just acted like my hand was his home. I did not hold him with any restriction. At all times he could freely move. 

Then I remembered Obadiah at the window. I turned to him to show him the bird in my hand. I could hear him say in a muffle...."What's wrong with the bird?"
I just smiled through my tears, and said, "Nothing!"
I went back to the railing and thanked the little bird, and I also thanked aloud any angel that might be nearby, though unseen, for helping me to receive our Father's message.
I said in my mind...."Okay Father, let him join the others now."
Immediately, and without prompting, the little bird fluttered out of my hand, and took off. 
I have no doubt in my heart that God once again answered my prayer.
Since then, I have had many such clear answers.
God will answer the prayers of the sincere, when they are genuinely seeking His will in their heart.
I have no doubt that our heavenly Father is so forgiving. And I have no doubt about what I have been called to do for Him. 
I hope these acts of God give you confidence in His Name,
and in His great forgiveness. 

Love in Christ,
Pearl


at 2 comments:

Monday, December 16, 2013

The Muscle of the Beast

UPDATED

 SOME QUESTIONS:

Hello Sister Pearl.
I hope this email finds you well. Before I get to my request, I just want to thank you so much for your continued posting on your web site. I refer to and look forward to your postings each day.
I suspect my tribulation within my congregation is heating up as I speak to more people and try to be mild and tactful as occasion or conversation requires me to respond to statements or question that I find not supported by scripture.
One such and ongoing issue which I was pulled into a meeting with 2 elders last night, is about a "publisher" application for someone I am conducting Bible studies with. He is currently employed by an charitable agency as a driver. He has a very strong desire to conduct door to door ministry. However, because they consider his employer an "interfaith" organization, he was informed a few months back that his choice of employment was an issue, and would essentially prevent him from being endorsed/authorized as worthy of preaching. He became disheartened and I have spent this time since to build back his spirit.
As a result of last night's discussion, I sense the focus has now shifted to me and ensuring I get "on the same page" which I myself question, given a number of scriptural examples that come to mind.
I can imagine how busy you must be and all the requests you likely receive so I would really appreciate a scriptural response, as to whether or not their objection is justified. 
They in no way question his zeal or motivation so to me seem to be "shutting up the Kindom" by their decision/commands of men. I would simply like to have a firmer scriptural footing one way or the other when I am next called on in this regard.

MY REPLY:

I see two needs in your first letter. The first is the need of your Bible student, who is new in association to scripture, and can easily be stumbled by the appearance of power and authority presented by the Organization. I will try to help you to deal with this. 
Second,
is the need of yourself. You are now entering a period of great test, and I want to be sure to be available to you if you feel the need. I will also try to help you to deal with your own tribulation.
With the help, mercy, and spirit of our God; both these needs will be addressed. I will take care of this second need, the next time I write to you.

It is my hope that you will use this reply to have a few Bible studies with this student, until the material (especially the scriptures) is covered.

To aid myself (My brain is mush), I will copy your original concern about your Bible study, just to help me to address it thoroughly. If you find anything confusing, or perhaps I made a typing error with a scripture, please let me know and ask.
I will color code the phrases and my responses below....

"One such and ongoing issue which I was pulled into a meeting with 2 elders last night about a "publisher" application for someone I am conducting Bible studies with. He is currently employed as a driver for a charitable agency. He has a very strong desire to conduct a door to door ministry. However, because they consider his employer an "interfaith" organization, he  was informed a few months back that his choice of employment was an issue, and would essentially prevent him from being endorsed/authorized as worthy of preaching. He became disheartened and I have spent this time since to build back his spirit. I would really appreciate your scripturally based feedback as to whether or not their objection is justified."

2 elders last night about a "publisher" application for someone

2Cor.1:24 reads,
"Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, because it is by faith you stand firm."
Those who shepherd the flock, are told to do so by example (1Pet.5:3) so that if a lamb observes the beneficial spiritual results of such an example, they can choose themselves to imitate it (Heb.13:7). Note too at Heb.13:7, that these good examples who lead the flock, always guide by the Word of God, always teaching sheep that their faith must stand on the gospel of Christ (2Cor.4:5; 1Cor.15:1; 2Tim.1:13; John14:6; 6:63; Phil.2:16; 2Tim.3:16,17). The standing of our Faith and grace with God, is through obedience to Christ (Rom.5:1,2; Matt.7:24). This can not be replaced with obedience to any man (Rom.6:16; 1Cor.7:23; Gal.1:10; Col.3:24). A genuine under-shepherd of Christ will respect and teach this truth.

He is currently employed by a charitable agency as a driver

Since we have already established that we must be guided by scripture and the teachings of Christ when determining if this employment is acceptable to God, this is how we will proceed.
Of course we know that there is no scripture forbidding this, so we must look at the scriptures being presented by the elders that they are using to establish the principle they believe as applying to this situation. I assume that since they declare it "interfaith", they are pointing to 1Cor.10:21.
Verse 19 and 20 must also be considered, because the context clarifies that this is speaking of direct involvement with, and partaking of, spiritual provisions.
Much depends upon the conscience of the student. If he feels the work is spiritually defiled, then he should obey his weak conscience. By the same illustration of food at 1Cor.10:21, please consider Rom.14:14,20,22,23; and Titus1:15. The student must decide if his employment of supporting those who work for the poor (Luke11:41), is actually partaking in sacrifices to demons. 
Jesus made a good point, at John17:16...that a Christian should be no part of the world.
Does this command apply to your student's employment?
John17:15 reads;
"I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one."
Paul elaborated on what Jesus meant here, regarding our association with "the world" and how to deal with it, at 1Cor.5:9-12;
"9 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges."
"not even to eat with such a person" which brings us full circle back to 1Cor.10:21.
Evidently "partaking of the table of demons" occurs among those who are "inside" the Congregation, who have known and tasted the salvation of God, but have betrayed that undeserved kindness (2Pet.2:20,21,22, Heb.6:4,6) by leaving the gospel of truth.
Clearly, we are not expected to cut all ties with the people of the world, despite their religious affiliation. As long as we are not participating with them in their worship, we hope that contact with us will draw them to God, just as Jesus preferred contact with sinners, even eating with them (Mark2:15,16,17). EVERY SINGLE PRODUCT AND SERVICE we receive in this world, involves "contact" with others who likely do not practice the one true faith. Clearly, according to John17:15 and 1Cor.5:10,12 we are not expected to remove ourselves from this association.
Is being a driver of a vehicle which delivers building materials or workers to a job site to help others have shelter a sharing in idolatry and a sacrifice to demons?
Consider Matt.22:36,37,38,39,40; Luke6:31; Rom.2:13,14,15.

In order to dedicate our life to God and be baptized as a symbol of repentance, we must desist from our own sin by means of obeying a good conscience
....not by means of desisting contact with sinners of the world.
In speaking of sins within the anointed congregation, Paul said,
"9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." (1Cor.6:9-11)

In order to be "washed clean", we ourselves must desist from the sins listed here. These were their sins because these are the things they practiced. There is no mention here of having these sins, and being defiled by them, because someone else practiced them. (Eze.18:20; Jer.31:30; Rom.14:12; 2Cor.5:10). If we ourselves desist from sin, we are clean.

He has a very strong desire to conduct door to door ministry.

Although the Organization interprets Acts20:20 as meaning a public door-to-door witnessing to strangers, the context of Acts20:20 (as well as Rom.16:3,5; 1Cor.1:11; 16:19; Col.4:15; Phm1:2), proves otherwise. Those whom Paul is speaking to (about teaching them "house to house"), are the same ones he is speaking to in Acts20:18,19,20,28,34,36,37,38 and are those whom Paul knew well.
The "houses" where Paul went to teach, were Christian meeting places...Congregations...not the doorsteps of the public. They did not have church buildings or "Kingdom Halls" in the first Century. These Congregational groups met in the private homes of their fellow local members.
For those who were not yet associated with one of these groups, they could choose to listen when Paul and others taught "publicly" in market places, synagogues, etc.
OR
others would be directed to the "Living Stones" of the Holy Priesthood/God's Temple (Eph2:20,21,22; 1Pet.2:5,9) directly by Holy Spirit (Acts10:47,48) or the anointed would be sent by spirit to those of complete heart (2Chron.16:9; Acts8:26,29; Acts9:6,10,11).
This is not to say that a desire to preach and teach the truth is not required of anointed Christians and those who support them (Eze.33:6).
But that teaching must be truth, or else we stand condemned by God (James3:1; 1Tim.1:7; Matt.12:36,37). What is truth? Pontius Pilate asked Christ the same question (John18:38). Within that context, Jesus answered at John18:37...
"37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
Your student must carefully ask himself...
Is his desire is to preach the voice of Christ?
Or,
 the doctrines of the Organization? 
To preach Christ does not require the approval of men, nor may men forbid it (Acts4:20; 5:28,29; 1Tim.4:16). 
It is a command of Christ (Matt.28:19,20; 1Cor.9:16).

 they consider his employer an "interfaith" organization

The entire world is interfaith. The suit the elder is wearing (and that he paid them money for), the car he drives, the house he lives in, the food he eats, the doctor and hospital that care for him, the taxes he pays to support war...
it all involves interaction with those of other faiths, and even those who reject the very idea of God. (1Cor.5:9,10,12) 

 To create laws and impose them on others, even when those laws are not in God's Word, violates 1Cor.4:6 and is in imitation of the Pharisees, whom God rejected (Matt.5:20; Luke11:46; 1John5:3; Matt.23:2,4,23,24,33,38).
It does not matter what "they consider". What matters is what God says, and seeking His approval. (Rom.2:29; John5:41,43,44; 12:43) 
Being "endorsed" or "authorized" by men, means nothing  (2Cor.3:1,5)

He was essentially disheartened 

Here it seems you have a man who desires to preach what he believes to be the truth he is learning. He likely knows the morality of the Bible and does not wish to be a hypocrite by practicing what he knows is wrong. And yet he has subjected himself to those who wish to enslave him to rules which are not in the Bible, and allow this proud but unfounded authority, to prevent him from obeying Christ (2Cor.11:20,3; Rom.1:25; Matt.23:13; Gal.1:10).
Why should he allow such wickedness to stumble and dishearten him, when his heart is being called by God due to his love of truth? God's blessing is within his reach. That is reason to rejoice! 

In the book of Revelation, we see a scenario described. 
At Rev.13:11, there is a false prophet, who endorses a collective "Beast" to control all provisions (spiritual) (Rev.13:15,16,17). No one may give (sell) or take (buy) anything (Rev.3:18; Isa.55:2; 2Cor.2:17; Matt.25:9), unless it is sanctioned by that Beast. That sanction is branded on the foreheads and hands of all those who are deceived into allowing their minds and actions to be controlled by the Beast. These are no longer slaves of God's laws (Deut.6:8; 11:18) but rather the Beast's doctrines (Rev.13:16; Matt.15:9; Rev.16:13,14,15). Christ tells us, that all these worshipers of the Beast (Rev.13:8), have become captives (Rev.13:10; Col.2:8), and are not written in his scroll of life (Rev.13:8).
We all must decide who we are going to be enslaved by.
Do we obey God as His slave? (Rom.6:16; Rev.7:3; 14:1),
Or, do we go along with the deceived (Rev.13:16,10), and obey empowered men?
Do not confuse the two. 
All those doing so, are going to perish (2Thess.2:3,4,8,9,10,11,12; Matt.24:15,16).


To follow are three more links which I realize may not hit the bullseye exactly, but the info. is related to your question and the situation the Bible student is in.

http://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2012/08/this-comment-was-given-by.html


I also want to invite you to join us at the 4woman forum. It is for those who are awakening to the true identity of the Wild Beast today, and who are determined to be loyal to the God of our Salvation, even at the loss of the lives we knew. If you decide to join us, you will find a membership request at the site. The forum we are using is "Category One", "Public Forum".

If there is anything else I can do to help, please contact me.
Love,
Pearl

PS. I do realize that I only took care of your student this time.
I will respond to your own predicament when I write again...IF you (after reading this) still want me to. Please let me know...write to me, and tell me if you are interested in my continuing.
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