Saturday, June 12, 2021

Where is God's Kingdom? [] From War to Peace [] Diversity's Blessing

Updates-additions made, to "Where is God's Kingdom?" below. 

Firstly, I will post two links, which detail a person's right to use copyrighted material, for educational purposes. In this post, I will exercise that right.

Question received:
Hello Pearl,
My friend received this flyer from one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I'd like your Bible based opinion about the content of the flyer. If you provide scriptures, perhaps my friend will be able to respond to the JW, using the Bible.


My Reply:
Of course, some of the assertions that are purely based on scripture, are true.
Some assertions are not true, and if you notice, do not have a cited scripture to prove the statement.
I have no comment on numeral 1,3, or 4... but I will respond to #2 and #5.

Numeral 2 makes four statements. 
The first, reflects their ignorance about what heaven is. 
Their physical minds are thinking physically (1Cor.2:12-14 NIV), as if heaven could be plotted on a map.
God rules in the hearts of men... 
                (Luke 17:21 >Greek: "inside of you" - see: Strongs G1787) 
...who belong to heaven, 
even while such men are on earth (Heb.12:22-23; Eph.1:6; Phil.3:20; Luke10:20).
God does not rule merely over space. At Matt:22:32, Jesus said of the Father;
“I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”? 
He is not the God of the dead but of the living.’"
If God is not the Lord of the dead, but of the living, then he is Lord and King over those who are capable of submitting themselves to Him, as their King. Subjection to God's authority and power is not exercised in the dead or within inanimate objects. Genuine subjection and lordship occurs in the hearts and minds of those who choose God as their King (Deut.11:18; Jer.31:33). God's sovereignty takes place in the heart of those who serve God and obey His decrees!
Jesus taught us to pray; 
"your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt.6:10)
This reveals that God's kingdom is associated with God's will being done, as in heaven, also upon earth.
There are those of heaven and those of earth. 
Those of heaven, do God's will... 
Those of earth, do not subject themselves to God as their king (Phil.3:19; Col.3:5; James 3:15).
At Matt.6:10-11, we prayerfully express the desire that God's will, advance in the hearts of all men... thereby making the sovereignty of God, universally present. That occurrence will restore the corrupted Creation, back to it's original condition... when everyone exercises from the heart, subjection to the King.

It is the same with the kingship of Jesus. 
As we read at John18:
"37 ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate.
Jesus answered, ‘You rightly say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’"


I will respond to each of the 4 statements...

NUMERAL 2:

First: "God's kingdom will rule from heaven"
Since this is meant to mean that the rulers of God's kingdom are not on the earth; 
this statement calls God a liar.  
How so?
God promised Abraham that his offspring would inherit and occupy the earth 
Jesus (the second Adam) and the faithful holy ones (Christ's bride), are promised that they will inherit the creation, away from Satan 

That promise to Abraham, was that his seed would inherit and occupy the land (Gen.28:13; 22:18; Gal.3:29; Rom.8:17). 
---On the one hand, JWs say that God's kingdom is a real, tangible government. 
    Such governments have real, tangible representatives.  Yet JWs defy their own assertion, 
    by then asserting that the government is not tangible, but is somehow controlling everything 
    by literally hovering overhead. 
    I don't doubt that this assertion lays the groundwork to accept the expectation 
    that the Gentile "elders" will be the tangible princes, who rule visibly, 
    rather than those whom God has chosen to be ministering priests and kings (Heb.1:7,14; 2:16).
Working through Gentile, so-called elders, is not how the direct care of God's genuine agents of the kingdom, is depicted in scripture
Rather than teaching that New Jerusalem will reign from heaven; 
the scripture at Rev.21:2 plainly states, that this is not true. 

A spiritual king, is a law-giver and judge (Isa.33:22). A spiritual priest is a guard and teacher of God's word (Mal.2:7). 
The royal priesthood fulfills both roles (Rev.5:10), both now, and in the kingdom of God...
"The law will go out from Zion,
    the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isa.2:3c)
No mention is made there, of non-anointed Gentiles, as middle-men.

Jacob saw a depiction of God's kingdom under Christ and his bride (Gen.28:12-13). It was shown as God's messengers ascending and descending between heaven and earth as they serve Jesus Christ..., just as Jesus promised Nathaniel (John1:51). 
This reigning upon the earth is confirmed at Rev.5:9-10. The Greek of Rev.5:10 literally says, "UPON the land/earth" (Strong's G1909). (Gen.28:12; John1:51; Rev.5:10)
Yet again, 'to rule upon' is not limited to a mere physical meaning. It is referring to the direct care and oversight the royal priests provide, as parents give to their children. Since Jesus becomes Adam's replacement and he inherits the dominion of the earth, which Adam lost to Satan;... he is not forbidden to visit or set foot upon it 
Can you see how the assertion that Jesus and his fellow heirs/Abraham's seed, are barred from the earth, makes God a liar?

Second: "As a world government"
This statement gives the impression that God's kingdom will be just like the kingdoms of the world.

See what Jesus himself said, at John18:36-37 NKJV
"36 Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’  37 ‘You are a king, then!’ said Pilate. Jesus answered, ‘You rightly say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.’

Jesus said that his kingdom, is NOT of this world. He is a king of grace and truth (John1:14; 18:37) since the first century, 
and all those in subjection to his authority and power, listened to and obeyed him (John8:31; 15:10). 
If God's kingdom under Christ were of this world (1John5:19; 1John2:15-17), there would have been no reason for Jesus to 
reject Satan's offer, at Luke4:5-6. Spiritual kings and priests of God, bear no resemblance to the world... as was seen by the life of Christ.

Third: "It will eliminate nationalism" 
God has no problem with the diversity of nationalism.
He created mankind to have such diversity. (Acts17:26; 10:34-35; Eph.3:14-15; Dan.7:14)(and Isa.2:2 below)
Creation contains diversity in flora, fauna, and humanity. Such diversity is a display of God's love and generosity 
God divided his own nation, into tribes; and set boundaries for their lands (Num.26:55). Any discord that arose between them, 
was as a result of disobedience to God (Zech.8:17; Deut.30:15-16,19-20; Isa.48:18). 
God even decreed that foreigners were to be treated as belonging (Lev.19:34; Isa.56:3,5).
Belonging to a tribe or nation was not the problem. 
Disobedience and a lack of love... was (Mark 12:29-31; John13:34; 1John3:12). 
When the earth becomes filled with the knowledge of God (Isa.11:9; 1John4:7-8; John6:45), 
nationalism will not be a root cause of anything, except a sense of belonging to your own group.

Fourth: "which is at the root of many conflicts".
According to Jesus, the source of conflict among men, is an indulging without restraint in the works of the flesh (Gal.5:13-17,19-26), 
...hatred, not treating others the way we wish to be treated, and disregard for the benevolent wisdom of God. None of these reasons for strife, injustice, and pain, are rooted in ones nationality.... but are rooted in the heart (Matt.15:19; James 4:8; 2Cor.7:1).

----------------------
NUMERAL 5:

Then let's go down to #5, which is their interpretation of Isa.2:3-4
I'm going to include Isa.2:2, because it makes the point that there are still "nations" in God's kingdom, 
so.... "nationalism" is not eliminated as numeral 2 asserted.
For your sake, I will add parallel scriptures that deepens our comprehension.
Isa.2:
"2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days
That the mountain of the Lord’s house (Eph.2:19-22; Heb.12:22; Rev.14:1; Ps.74:2; 48:1)
Shall be established on the top of the mountains,
And shall be exalted above the hills; (Rev.17:9; Eze.21:26; Isa.26:5; Luke14:11; Mark11:22-23; Rev.8:8; Luke1:51-55)
And all nations shall flow to it. (Isa.60:1-5,11,14; Rev.21:24-27; Rev.3:9; 15:4)
3 Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...
...To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
4 He shall judge between the nations,
And rebuke many people;
They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war anymore."

The arrival of this peace, occurs just following the spiritual war of Armageddon.
The warfare spoken of above, IS spiritual (Gen.3:15; 2Cor.10:3-5; 6:7; Eph.6:10-17; Rev.20:7-8; 16:13-16; 17:14; 19:11,14; Eph.2:6)
The sword in Isa.2:4, is the word of God 

What does it mean for God's servants, to convert their use of God's word 
from a sword of defense and condemnation, into using God's word as a plowshare? 
Jesus often compared the harvest of men, to a crop/harvest (John4:35; Matt.3:12; Rev.14:14-16). 
His apostles also did (1Cor.3:6-9). When we plow the ground (Hosea 10:12; Luke9:62; 1Cor.9:10), 
we are preparing hearts to receive the word of God (Luke 8:11,15). 
Just as the above WT teaching acknowledges, the arrival of God's kingdom will bring the nations to Mount Zion and Jerusalem...  
to receive God's word/seed (Isa.2:3)(Mal.2:7).    
            ["Zion" (Rev.14:1) and "Jerusalem" (Rev.21:2) are of heaven, and consist of sealed anointed.
              Mt. Zion and heavenly Jerusalem, are NOT the WT's counterfeit "mountain-like organization" -(LINK)(LINK)]... 
              nor is the WT the fulfillment of Isa.2:3.
At that time, Armageddon will be over.
Never again under the Prince of Peace and his bride, will God's messenger angels be pressed to defend God's Truths.

As far as the title of the tract "Peace on Earth -- How will it come?";
  Jesus told us the answer. 
"Our Father in the heavens, honored be your name.
     Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt.6:9-11)
When God reigns in the hearts of all men (John6:45; Jer.31:33-34),
there will be peace. (1John4:7-21; Isa.54:13 NKJV )

[If you have been taught that Satan is released, after the kingdom arrives, please consider:

Posted by Pearl Doxsey at 11:20 AM 0 comments

Monday, June 7, 2021

How does the Bible, interpret Revelation chap.10, verses 1-3? [] What is the Sea and Earth?

 The scriptures are like keys to open the meaning of those verses. I'll just give the scriptures...

"Then I saw another mighty angel coming down from heaven, wrapped in a cloud"...

LINK for those on a phone:
 https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb.12%3A1%3B+Rev.19%3A8%3B+Ps.132%3A9%2C16%3B+Zech.3%3A3-4%3B+Rev.3%3A18%3B+2Chron.6%3A41%3B+Isa.49%3A18&version=CSB

..."with a rainbow over his head"...

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen.9%3A9-17%3B+Rev.12%3A15-16%3B+Rom.9%3A27%3B+Joel+2%3A32%3B+Matt.24%3A21-22%3B+Gen.9%3A15%2C13%3B+Rev.10%3A1%3B+Mal.3%3A1%3B+Mark+1%3A2-4%3B+Luke+1%3A76-79%3B+Matt.17%3A10%2C12%3B+Matt.17%3A11&version=NKJV

>>(https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2016/01/elijah-turns-hearts.html)

>>(https://4womaninthewilderness.blogspot.com/2013/09/two-witnesses-elijah-and-moses.html)

..."His face, shone like the sun"...

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.1%3A16%3B+2Cor.3%3A7-8%2C18%3B+John17%3A22%3B+Isa.30%3A26%3B+Ps.89%3A37&version=NKJV

[For more information about planetary symbolism:

..."his feet were like pillars of fire"...
https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ps.119%3A9%2C105%3B+John17%3A17%3B+Jer.23%3A29%3B+Zech.13%3A9%3B+Isa.48%3A10%3B+1Pet.1%3A6-7%3B+Rev.10%3A1%3B+Rom.10%3A13-15%3B+Isa.52%3A7%3B+Rev.11%3A15-17%3B+Nahum+1%3A15&version=NKJV

..."and he held a little scroll opened in his hand"...

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.22%3A9-10%2C16%3B+2%3A28%3B+10%3A7%3B+Luke24%3A45%3B+Rev.10%3A2%3B+4%3A1%3B+Ps.78%3A23%3B+Mark+1%3A10%3B+Col.2%3A3&version=CSB

..."He put his right foot on the sea, his left on the land"...
(Sea and Earth, correspond to Iron and Clay >> See FOOTNOTE at the end of this post)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+20%3A43%3B+Rom.16%3A20%3B+Luke10%3A19%3B+1Cor.15%3A26%3B+Rev.13%3A1%2C11%3B+Dan.2%3A34%3B+7%3A21-22&version=NIVUK

..."and he called out with a loud voice like a roaring lion"...

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.5%3A5%3B+John15%3A15%3B+Rev.19%3A16%3B+3%3A21%3B+Micah+5%3A8%3B+Prov.20%3A2%3B+Isa.31%3A4%3B+Amos+3%3A4%2C7-8%3B+Rev.2%3A26-27%3B+Hosea+6%3A5&version=NKJV

..."When he cried out, the seven thunders raised their voices."...

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.10%3A4%3B+Dan.8%3A26%3B+12%3A4%3B+Ps.29%3A3%3B+Joel3%3A16%3B+Matt.10%3A20%3B+Rev.4%3A5%3B+Matt.5%3A15-16%3B+Rev.22%3A10&version=NIVUK


FOOTNOTE:
The "sea" is defined for us at Isa.57:20, 
...but the "earth/land" >Greek literally means, an occupied, inhabited plot of land, an owned dwelling. 
It is not referring to the entire planet 
https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev.26%3A42%3B+2Chron.7%3A20%3B+Isa.14%3A25%3B+Jer.2%3A7%3B+16%3A18%3B+Eze.14%3A13%3B+36%3A28%3B+37%3A14%2C25%3B+38%3A16%3B+Joel+1%3A6%3B+3%3A2%3B+John14%3A23&version=NKJV
-


We note that the sea beast, comes to dominate and conquer God's people (Rev.13:1,7). That beast consists of the Gentiles (not God's nation), that are prophesied to trample God's holy place/city/temple/saints 

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev.13%3A1%2C7%3B+1Pet.2%3A5%3B+1Cor.3%3A16%3B+2Thess.2%3A4%3B+Mark13%3A14%3B+Luke21%3A24%3B+Rev.13%3A10%3B+11%3A2%3B+Dan.8%3A10-11&version=NIVUK

The "earth", is the source of the false prophet (Rev.13:11,14; 19:20). 
That prophet is a prophetic leader that arises from God's own nation/homeland/"earth".


The false prophet gives to the Image of the sea-beast, breath/spirit, so that it appears to have the authority to judge and execute (Rev.13:15) in behalf of the false prophet. 
(The meaning of  "breath", is explained at John 20:22.)


The alliance of the sea-beast and earth-beast was depicted as a dominion consisting of "iron" and "clay" (Dan.2:33).
Again... the sea/iron, is the Gentiles (Dan.2:40; 7:7,21; Rev.9:9; Jer.6:28)...

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan.2%3A33%2C40%3B+7%3A7%2C21%3B+Rev.9%3A9%3B+Jer.6%3A28&version=NKJV

...and the clay/earth, are God's nation (Isa.64:8; Gal.3:26).


Those spiritual Jews (Rom.2:28,29) who form an alliance with spiritual Gentiles, are the unfaithful of God's "earth".
As Jer.17:5 reads;
"Cursed is the man who trusts in man
And makes flesh his strength,
Whose heart departs from the Lord."
Isa.30:1 reads;
"Woe to the rebellious children! This is the Lord’s declaration. They carry out a plan, but not mine; they make an alliance, but against my will, piling sin on top of sin."

That is why those leaders of God's people, who use Gentiles to do their dirty work (Rev.13:11,15), are also depicted as a harlot, riding the sea-beast (Rev.17:1,3) (Harlot-and-Beast). They commit gross spiritual adultery against the Lord of their covenant (Zech.8:3; Isa.1:21 NIV ; Rev.17:1,6).

For more info: 

---------------------------
For more information about the messenger of the covenant; see the second section of: 

If any questions arise regarding this post, please submit your thoughts in the comment section, below.

Posted by Pearl Doxsey at 8:45 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, June 2, 2021

Body of Christ -- Rachel

INTRODUCTION:
It was prophesied for the time of the end, that the living stones/royal priests of God's Temple (1Pet.2:5; Rev.5:9-10), would be conquered, trampled, and scattered...
...because of their losing the strength of their covenant of salt (Matt.5:13)(2Chron.13:5; Ecc.10:5,7).
As a result, the remnant of living stones are scattered (Dan.9:7; Luke21:24).

Prophecy also tells us, that the sanctuary will be set right again (Dan.8:14; Mal.3:1-4,6; Matt.17:11) and the scattered, collected back together again (Mark 13:27; John17:21; 11:52; Eph.1:10; 4:13).
Readers may have taken note, that this eventuality I describe is the basic mission statement, written at the top of this Blog. That foretold gathering of the elect and royal priests of God, is underway. The temple of living stones is being "brought back to it's right condition", and again undertaking to render their sacred service (Mal.3:4; Heb.13:15; Matt.7:20; John15:16).
These faithful members of the Body of Christ (1Cor.12:27,18), receive holy spirit from their Head (Eph.4:15; 5:23; John15:4-5; Rom.11:17; Eph.5:29-30; John6:63; 17:8; 8:51). That spirit supplies unity, wisdom, and love under their one head (Eph.4:3; John17:23; Col.3:14; Eph.1:10; 4:13).

I would like to share with you, a sacrifice of praise from another anointed one that is now with us.
Here is her blog, which contains the letters she is sending out as her testimony to those who marked by the Beast. (https://inthenightaflyingscroll.blogspot.com/)
It is a long post, but well worth your time. I suggest taking it in sections, being sure to read the scriptures as you come to them.
Here below, is the letter they sent out as a testimony to all those still captive to the Beast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gathering Elect [] Apostasy [] Abomination of Desolation [] God's Temple [] Divine Warning

Dear friends, 

I know you feel the same as I do about just the mere mention of the word “apostate”…a strong feeling of revulsion wells up.  That is a good thing!  Who wouldn’t fear rebelling against the Most High.  We are incredibly thankful that through preservation of God’s word the Bible, we can clearly identify an apostate.  Since we are unable to meet in person at the moment due to safety precautions, I am writing you, and perhaps in your personal study, you, too, researched this subject of apostasy.  Did you realize that an apostasy was prophetically foretold to occur?  You may have, but it is still shocking to read about it in the scriptures. 

The Hebrew and Greek scriptures give us a complete blueprint for identifying apostasy.  In the Greek scriptures, “apostasia,” translated “apostasy” (2 Thess.2:3) means a rebellion, a falling away, a defection from truth – “Jesus said to him [Thomas]: “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one come to the Father except through me.”  Apostasy, a defection from truth, is a departing from Jesus, rebelling against his instruction, and not imitating his example (1 Tim.6:3; 1 Tim.1:3; 2 Tim.4:4; 1 Cor.11:3; Luke 21:8; Rom.16:17; Matt.7:15; Heb.3:12; 1 John 2:6; 2 Thess.2:3).  The scriptures recorded the history God’s chosen ancient nation of Israel’s actions, both good and wayward, “examples…written for our admonition” (1 Cor.10:6-11; Heb.3:5; 9:1,6,9; 10:1,11,3,5-8).  In the Hebrew scriptures, we find God’s people, his nation of Israel, repeatedly became rebellious.  A Hebrew word was used for their disobedience: “meshubah,” defined, “apostasy,” “turning back/away,” “backsliding,” “waywardness,” and “unfaithful” (Prov.1:32; Jer.3:6,8,11,12,22; 5:6; 8:5; 14:7; Hos.11:7).  Time and again we read scriptural accounts of Israel’s unfaithfulness/apostasy due to their “abominations,” which described various kinds of wickedness they were warned against and described as “detestable things/images” and “disgusting thing/idols/god/practices” (Deut.12:31; 18:9-12; 20:18; 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 16:3; 21:2; 23:24; 2 Chron.28:3; Jer.4:1; 16:18; 32:34; Ezek.5:11; 7:20; 11:18).  Ancient Israel was God’s “treasured possession,” a “holy people,” and where He dwelled, but their abominable idolatrous practices were considered adultery/prostitution/“acts of harlotry,” and resulted in God describing them as a “prostitute”/“harlot” (Deut.7:6; 26:18; 14:2; Exod.34:14-16; Num.35:34; Jer.2:11,20; 5:7; 13:27; 16:18; Hos.3:1; 4:15; 9:1; Psalm 106:39; Isa.1:21; Ezek.16:15,22,25,34,36).  Did you ever take note of the pattern of ancient Israel’s priesthood?  The priesthood were the only consecrated persons to permitted to carry out “daily sacrifices,” or offerings in God’s tabernacle and Temple…all others/”foreigners uncircumcised”/Gentiles/non-consecrated persons were forbidden from duties in the Temple, at the penalty of death (Jer.33:18; Deut.17:14,15; Lev.3:16; 17:5,6; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 1 Chron.9:33; Exod.29:38-40,42-44; Ex.40:15-16; Num.18:7; 28:6; Lev.6:9-12; Ezek.44:9).  Despite being repeatedly told that that no one “except the priests and Levites” were permitted to serve in the Temple, the Israelites even departed from that divine command and appointed uncircumcised foreigners to “keep charge” of God’s sanctuary (Ezek.44:6-8,10,12,15; 20:30,31; Num.18:7). 

We recall that “all the things that were written beforehand were written to instruct us” (Rom.15:4).  What a constellation of apostate acts have been recorded and described in the scriptures!  Both the Hebrew and Greek scriptures come together perfectly to present a complete picture that perfectly guides us on what apostate acts are, and how to identify apostasy, according to God and Jesus.  Let’s first start with the Hebrew scriptures, which describe God’s chosen people, the nation of Israel, and the divine commands regarding worship they were not to depart from: 

 <> God referred to the nation of Israel as “My people,” “a holy nation,” “holy people,” and His “dwelling place” (Deut.7:6; 26:19; 28:9; Exod.19:6; 22:31; 25:8; Lev.21:15; 2 Chron.7:14; 1 Kings 8:16; Isa.51:4; Ezek.21:12; 37:27). 
 <> God established a covenant with His people whom He chose, and gave them divine commandments and instruction for building the Temple and sanctuary (Deut.14:2; Gen.17:4; Exod.25:8,9; Exod.19:5; 24:8; Deut.4:13; see Exod.24-26). 
 <> Temple duties were limited to a consecrated priesthood, anointed to carry out the daily sacrifices/offerings/sacred service (Exod.29:1,9,29,44; Lev.6:9-12; Num.18:7; Jer.33:18; 1 Chron.9:33; 23:24; 2 Chron.23:6,7; 26:16-18; 13:10,11; 35:3; Neh.12:44-47; 13:10,11; Ezek.44:6-8). 
 <> Uncircumcised foreigners/Gentiles were forbidden from sacred service duties in God’s Temple and forbidden to be appointed as king over Israel (Deut.17:14,15; 2 Chron.23:6; Ezek.44:6-9; Lam.1:10; 5:2). 
 <> God’s holy people were commanded not to imitate the customs of worship of the surrounding nations, and their abominable idolatrous and detestable practices (Deut.12:30; 18:9; 20:18; 2 Kings 9:9, 17:7-15). 
 <> Warnings against idolatry included setting up physical idols and setting up “idols in their heart” (Deut.4:16,23; Exod.20:1-5; 23:13; 34:17; Lev.19:4; 26:1; Ezek.44:12; 14:1-5). 
 <> Israel had a choice:  Obey God’s commandments, be blessed and looked upon with favor, or do not obey God’s commandments and lose blessings and favor, and bear the consequences of their sin/unfaithfulness (Deut.7:12; 11:13-17; 28:1,15; Lev.26:3-13,14-39; 1 Chron.9:1; 2 Chron.7:19-22; Hosea 10:15; 11:7; Ezek.15:8; 39:23,26; 44:10-12; Josh.22:20; Dan.9:7).   
 <> Israel’s record reveals they often became wayward/apostate/unfaithful, and their rebellious acts likened to adultery, prostitution, and the “sin of divination” (1 Sam.15:23; Lev.17:7; Jer.3:6,8; Zeph.1:3-5; Hosea 6:7; 9:1; Ezra 9:1,2; Josh.7:1; 1 Chron.5:25; 2 Chron.28:22; 29:6; 30:7; Ezek.20:27). 
 <> Israel’s acts of unfaithfulness included “detestable practices of the nations,” idolatry/trusting in idols, and breaking the divine commands of who may perform sacred service in the Temple (2 Kings 17:7-11,15,41; 9:22; 21:21; Exod.32:4,8; Judges 18:31; 2 Chron.26:16-18; 36:14; Jer.48:7; Isa.44:17; Ezek.23:49; Hosea 4:12; 10:5,13; Psalm 52:7; 135:15-18). 
 <> Detestable and idolatrous acts were likened to sexual immorality; God described His people’s “acts of harlotry” and adultery as sexual immorality and called them a “prostitute”/”harlot.” (Isa.1:21; Lev.17:7; Jer. 2:17,19-22; 3:6-9; 9:2; Isa.1:21; Ezekiel 16:1,2,14-17,20-26,32,33,35,36; Micah 1:7; Hosea 4:12; 9:1). 
 <> When Israel was unfaithful, God “kept warning them by means of his messengers, warning them again and again, because he felt compassion for his people and for his dwelling place,” and good news that a repentant remnant of Israel, at times, only a few refugees, would be saved (2 Kings 17:12,13; 2 Chron.36:14,15; Isa.1:9;19,27,28; 10:20-22; 28:5; 41:8,9,27; Jer.23:3; 44:14; Ezra 9:8; Nahum 1:14,15; Micah 2:12; Hos.1:10; Joel 2:32). 
 
The apostles drew attention to the first covenant Temple arrangement as it foreshadowed, illustrated, and served as a pattern for the spiritual Temple arrangement under the new covenant established by Jesus’ sacrificial death (1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Heb.7:19; 8:5; 9:1,8-10; 10:1; Col.2:17; Rom.4:18,22-25).   

 <> All anointed “have an anointing from the Holy Spirit” by God, and become part of “Christ’s body.”  Christ’s body is “not of one member but of many” with each part given different gifts according to the Holy Spirit given them from God (Matt.16:18; 2 Cor.1:21; Col.2:9; 1 John 2:20; Heb.12:23; Acts 1:4; Rom.8:15,28; 12:4,5; 1 Cor.2:11-13; 10:17; 12:12-18,27-29; 14:33; John 2:19,21; Mark 14:58; Jude 1:13; Rev.1:5,2). 
 <> All anointed are “living stones,” a “spiritual house” in which “the whole building,” “God’s household,” is built together into “a holy Temple.” Christ is the “foundation cornerstone,” a “chief cornerstone,” and “Son over God’s house,” in which “there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved” (1 Pet.2:4,5; Heb.3:6; Acts 4:11,12; 1 Tim.3:15; Eph.2:19-22; Matt.21:42; Isa.28:16; 1 Pet 2:4,5,9,10; 1 John 2:27 John 14:26).  
 <> All anointed are “God’s Temple” and “dwelling place.”  Ancient Israel and their Temple worship served as a “copy and shadow of heavenly things.  When the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ disciples, they grasped that the physical city of Jerusalem was no longer God’s Temple for worship, and expressed that as “living stones,” they are God’s Temple and dwelling place and that He dwells in them.  Yes, the early Christians had fellowship and congregated in homes, and the apostle Paul drove the point home to them that God does not dwell in man-made Temples.  Jesus, as high priest, and “mediator of a better covenant,” is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God, and is a minister of God’s sanctuary and true tabernacle erected not by man, but by God (1 Cor.3:16,17; Matt.12:6; Acts 7:48,49; 17:24; Heb.8:1-6; Heb.9:11,24; Heb.10:19-21; John 4:21-24; Isa.66:1; 2 Cor.5:1). 
 <> All anointed are a “holy priesthood” with Jesus as “high priest.”  Jesus “has become surety of a better covenant,” making obsolete the old covenant with his death.  Jesus has a “permanent priesthood,” those who God considers to be “My people,” just was ancient Israel, but now ordaining a spiritual priesthood for acts of divine service, a sacred service without the limitations of physical burnt offerings, but “spiritual sacrifices” (Heb.3:1; Heb.7:22,24,26-28; Heb.8:1,9,10; Heb.9:1,6-10; Heb.10:5-10; Rom.12:1; 1 Pet.2:5,9). 
 <> All anointed, Christ’s body, are Jesus’ “congregation.”  Jesus Christ is the “firstborn” and “the Ruler of the kings of the earth” -  Jesus is not the ruler of the world, but he is the “head” and the ruler over his “body,” his “congregation” of all anointed (John 12:31; 14:30; 1 Cor.2:12; 12:12-18,27-29; Rev.1:5,6; 2:11; 5:10; 3:21; 12:9; 20:4,6).   
 <> All anointed are taught directly by the Spirit.  Spirit teaches all anointed, and together, as a “holy priesthood,” they must carry out their priestly duties by offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  These “sacrifices” are not literal burnt offerings as was carried out by ancient Israel’s priesthood who served in God’s Temple.  All anointed, as God’s Temple, are to offer themselves as a “living sacrifice,” and through a perpetual “sacrifice of praise,” which is a bearing of “much fruit,” “the fruit of the lips”; sharing with others what the Spirit has taught them (John 14:26; Heb.13:15,16; Psalm 119:108; Rom.12:1; 1 John 2:20,27; 1 Cor.1:21; 2:10; 12:7,11-13; Matt.7:17; 13:23; Mark 4:20; 1John 2:27; John14:16; 15:4,5,16,18,26; 12:24; 16:3,7,13; Acts 2:33; Jer.33:18; Rev.22:3-5). 
 <> All anointed are ”branches” that must remain attached to the “vine”/Jesus.  All anointed must remain faithful to Christ’s teachings, lest they stray, become unfaithful, and be “cut off” from the vine/Jesus, discarded/”thrown into the fire.” Yes, it is possible for anointed to stop following Jesus, become apostate, and lose their “light.”  Without “light” in darkness and become false teachers, producing “fruit”/teachings that “rot”/expire and are thus, lies (Heb.3:12-15; 4:7,11; 6:4-6,18; John 3:19; 8:12; 15:5-7,16; 2 Cor.2:11; 4:6; 11:13,14; Rom.11:17-22; Acts 26:18,23; Matt.22:14; 7:15-23; 15:8,9; Mark 13:22; 1 John 2:11; John 8:44; Num.23:19). 
 
We now have the keys, the scriptures, to identify an apostate!  Carefully examine the example of ancient Israel, God’s people, and take note of the divine laws regarding the Temple/tabernacle arrangement….THIS is a pattern and foreshadow of God’s spiritual Temple (Eph.2:14-16; 1 Cor.10:6,7,11; Rom.4:23; Num.18:1,5-7; 2 Chron.23:5,6,18,19; Heb.8:5; 10:1; Col.2:17).  According to scripture, here is what we know: 

 <> Jesus’ faithful death fulfilled the old covenant, making it obsolete, and established a new covenant, one where God’s Temple is made up of spirit-anointed persons that include Gentiles, who are spiritual Jews, a “holy priesthood”/Jesus’ congregation. All anointed are God’s Temple, “living stones” that build His “house” (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:10; 12:27,28; Rom.12:4-8; Eph.2:19-22; Rom.2:25-29; Col.2:11; 3:11,12,15; Phil.3:3; 1 Cor.7:19; Gal.5:6).  
 
 <> Jesus foretold that “many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matt.24:10,11; 1Tim.4:1).  Deception is an attempt to lead you in the wrong way, away from true teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “watch out for false prophets” (Matt.7:15-20), “Watch out that no one deceives you” (Mark 13:5).   

 <> Will it be easy to identify a false prophet?  No, it will not. Jesus warns that false prophets will deceive by appearing sheep-like and be successful because they will actually be well-perceived and praised by many people (Luke 6:26; 1 Cor.2:14; 2 Cor.11:13-15; 1 John 4:1; Heb.5:14; Matt.7:15; 24:11,25; 22:14; Rom.12:2; John 7:24; 1 Tim.4:1; 1 Thess.5:21).   

 <> Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with striking observableness” (Luke 17:20).  However, a “natural person” is enticed by the “senses,” and unable to “hear” and “see” because of not using spiritual discernment (1 Cor.2:14; Matt.13:13,14; 16:1-4; 12:39; 23:27,28; Mark 8:11,12; Luke 12:54-56; 2 Pet.2:18; Rom.8:5-8; 11:8; 1 John 4:1; 2 Thess.2:2; Jer.5:21).  Such persons will be easily deceived by false prophets who were foretold by Jesus to perform “great signs and wonders,” observable acts done to elicit a reaction of awe from onlookers, and to deceive, “if possible, even the elect,” spiritual Jews/anointed (Mark 13:22; Matt.24:24,22,31; John 4:48).   

 <> Jesus said we would recognize false prophets by their “fruit.”  What fruit?  Jesus’ truthful unchanging teachings; he is the “fruit of the light,” “the light of the world” and reflects God’s light, God’s truth (John 3:19,21; 8:12; 12:46; 14:6; 17:17; Eph.5:9; 1 John 1:5-7; 2:8; 2 Cor.4:6; Luke 11:36; Psalm 27:1).   

 <> The teachings, the “fruit,” we ingest from those we trust to be faithful anointed taught by Holy Spirit, does that “fruit” rot away and expire over time?  If so, we are ingesting “fruit” from a false prophet, an anointed that has departed from Jesus’ teachings.  Do not be deceived, God and Jesus will not vacillate or flip-flop in truth, nor provide teachings relayed with the “Spirit of truth” that only later expire, for as we know, “It is impossible for God to lie” or to “change His mind” (Heb.6:18; Titus 1:2; James 1:17; Num.23:19; John 14:17,26; 15:26; 1 John 4:6; Psalm 25:5).  Truth that “rots” is a lie, a hallmark of Satan who “masquerades as an angel of light,” and is the father of the lie (Matt.7:15-23; 12:33;15:8; Luke 6:43,44; 2 Cor.2:11; 11:13,14; John 8:44; Heb.6:18).   

 <> Jesus’ apostles too warned of individuals who are among God’s household, His Temple, who would lead in teaching others, yet would become unfaithful/apostate.  “The inspired word clearly says that in later time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired statements and teachings of demons” (1 Tim.4:1; 2 Tim.4:3,4; Acts 20:29,30; 2 Cor.11:3,13-15; 6:16; Eph.2:21,22; 1 John 4:1; Col.2:8; 1 Tim.4:1).  The apostles did not exclude their own teachings from being thoroughly tested against scripture, and reminded the early Christians to “test all things,” a reminder preserved for us today in which no one is excluded from (1 Thess.5:21; 1 John 4:1). 
 
What Temple of God was the apostle Paul speaking about?  Ancient Israel?  No.  Remember, the scriptures tell us that those anointed by Spirit are “living stones,” they are God’s Temple.  (1 Pet.2:5; 1 Cor.3:16,17).  Is it feasible to think the Father departed, apostatized from His own truthful words, breaking His covenant with His people and directing His son Jesus to select a religious group among all the religions on the globe as a representation of the Most High?  That instead of all anointed being God’s Temple, anointed leaders are to imitate surrounding physical religious organizations common today, perhaps imitating televangelists, or churches, in the sense of man-made buildings/structures.  Did Jesus depart from his own teaching that anointed, who are the parts of his “body” and taught directly by Spirit, are now, not to receive direction from him, their “head,” and that he now, diverts his authority over his own “congregation”/”body” to not-anointed elders/overseers/physical Gentiles to teach and judge them? (Ezek.20:32; 2 Cor.6:16; 1 Cor.6:15,19,20; 12:12,13,27,28; 1 John 2:27; John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7,13; 1 Thess.1:9; Eph.1:23; 5:5; Isa.42:8; Lev.19:4; 26:1; 1 John 5:21; Rom.1:21-23; Gal.1:6-9; Deut.12:29-32; Lev.20:22,23; Jer.10:2-4; 1 Cor.2:14; Deut.7:26; Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14). 
We are warned that an “apostasy comes first” before “God’s day.”  “Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it [God’s day, vs.2] will not come until the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction. He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the Temple of God, publicly showing himself to be a god” (2 Thess.2:3,4).   

This very thing was prophesied to occur, is happening now, and has been revealed in Revelation.  What anointed leaders have departed from Christ’s teachings and have become adulterous, a “prostitute,” by their idolatrous acts, lauding and claiming a physical religious organization, an idol, is “God’s earthly organization”?  “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I, then, take the members of the Christ away and join them to a prostitute? By no means!” (1 Cor.6:15).  This “wild beast,” Watchtower, is led by a “false prophet” who has “breathed life,” a spirit of divine authority into its “image,” not-anointed elders/overseers (Rev.13:1-18).  The only spirit this “image” has been given is out of the mouth of the “false prophet,” a deceiving spirit that originates from Satan and blasphemes God, “slandering his name and his dwelling place,” His holy people…inciting God’s wrath (Rev.13:4,7-10; Rom.2:5-8; Rev.14:9-11; 1 Pet.2:9; Heb.13:14; Col.3:12; Eph.2:6-10,12,19-22; Phil.3:3; Rom.2:28,29; 1 John 4:6; John12:44; 8:44; Jude 1:4; Deut.7:26; 29:17; Jer.16:18; Isa.62:12; Ezek.5:11; 11:21; 16:36; 20:7,8; Ezra 9:1,2; Rom.2:17-24; Acts 17:24; Acts 7:48-53; Titus 1:2).  Do you dare to confront the leaders of Watchtower or their elder/overseer representatives who speak for them about their false teachings, or openly disagree with them?  If so, will you be left “unharmed” (avoid shunning, disfellowshipping)?  “Who is like the wild beast [Watchtower], and who can do battle with it?” (Rev.13:4). “And it [the false prophet] was permitted to give breath [appearance of divine spirit and authority] to the image of the wild beast [not anointed elders/overseers], so that the image of the wild beast should both speak and cause to be killed (symbolic for disfellowshipping and shunning) all those who refuse to worship the image of the wild beast” (Rev.13:15).
 
Can you now, using scripture, spiritually discern the apostasy that has occurred and the man of lawlessness/Gentiles/not-anointed that have taken a seat in God’s Temple and are trampling God’s spiritual Temple?  (2 Thess.2:1-4; Exod.20:3; 1 Cor.3:16,17; 6:2; Mark 13:1,2,14; Luke 21:20-24,28; 17:20,21; Matt.24:12,15,16; Rom.12:1; Dan.11:31; Rev.11:1,2; 13:7; 17:15; 21:27; John 18:36; Matt.24:4; Ezek.5:11; Deut.7:26; 2 Kings 17:41).  God’s spiritual Temple, Jesus, the head of this “congregation,” is being surrounded, hemmed in and trampled by not anointed/physical Gentiles (Luke 21:24; Rev.11:2; 12:17; 19:20; Dan.8:13; Heb.10:29; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Isa.1:4-9; Rom.9:31-33; 6:16,20-22).  Do you discern the abomination?  It is time to flee! (Matt.24:15; Mark 13:14; Luke 21:21; Dan9:27).  “But a physical man does not accept the things of the spirit of God, they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know them, because they are examined spiritually” (1 Cor.2:14).
 
God is right 100% of the time…all His prophecies come true (Dan.8:13; 1 Thess.5:20,21; 1 Cor.14:32; Deut.18:18,19; Jer.12:10; 17:5; 32:36-44; Heb.10:29; Hos.12:10; Amos 3:7; 2 Chron.20:20; 24:19; Isa.1:4-9; 8:20; 30:10; Matt.5:11,12; Rom.12:6,7; Eph.4:11-13; 1 John 4:1).  God always warns His people when they become wayward, sending messengers to warn them, and with good news...a remnant will repent, and return to their “head,” Jesus, worshiping God in truth and spirit (Rev.22:12-16,18,19; 21:22-27; Eph.4:15; 5:23; Col.2:10; John 4:23,24; 16:13; Rev.3:12; 12:17; 19:20; Acts 3:17-20; Jer.4:1; Isa. 10:20-23; Ezek.11:18; 2 Kings 19:30,31; Rom.6:16; 9:27). Who do you believe and have more faith in…Christ’s teachings, or the Watchtower’s? (John 5:22-24: Luke 10:16; 1 John 2:23; Isa.29:13; Mark 7:6; Matt.15:8; Eph.2:8,9; Titus 1:16).  

“Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues” (Rev.18:4). 

Rachel Roman-Pruden

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