The Choice Is Yours

 

A man dies and meets St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. Peter says: "Before you can enter the Kingdom of Heaven, God wants you to spent a day in Hell."

The man thinks it over and says. "Well, one day in Hell is not too much to ask for all the sins I've committed. OK, I'll do it."

So an angel escorted the man to Hell. He was amazed at what he saw... beautiful golf course, fancy restaurants, people laughing and having a good time... it was like Las Vegas on steroids.

The next day he returned to the entrance of Heaven, and Peter asked him what he thought of Hell. The man said he was very impressed, it was nothing like he had heard. St. Peter said: "The LORD does not force anyone so you have a choice of where you want to spend eternity".

 

The man said he was not that fond of harp music so he would choose Hell. When the man returned to Hell he was shocked at what he saw. It looked like a garbage dump and smelled even worse, people were screaming in agony.

"What is going on, where is the beautiful golf course that was here yesterday?", asked the man.

Satan said: "Yesterday was the sales pitch. Today, you bought it."

Moral to the story... most of the doctrines and traditions of organized religion do not align with Scripture. Be careful what you buy.

 

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group 

 

God's Great Plan

   

 What Happens When We Die?

 

Organized religion has convinced people that there is an invisible god living way off in the sky who watches everything you do. This god has a list of do's and don'ts, and if you break any of his commandments he will send you to an ever-burning hell to suffer for all eternity... but he loves you and needs your money.

 

Most people believe death is a bad thing. They have been taught when they die, they either go to heaven or hell (hell to them means that ever-burning place reserved for the "unsaved"), or purgatory for Catholics. Another much misunderstood doctrine is Once Saved, Always Saved.

 

Not to worry, God Has A Propose. He tells us: "The day of death is better than the day of one’s birth." ~ Ecclesiastes 7:1 

 

Note: The word heaven means the sky or atmosphere that surrounds the earth. "Heaven" is not an abode for saved sinners. If you believe in Jesus Christ because you want to go to heaven, that's the wrong reason. You believe because you want to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God. That's the only message Jesus ever preached.

 

There is more than one heaven. In the Book of 2nd Enoch, 10 heavens are described. As it is written: "In the beginning God created the heavens (plural) and the earth. In the Bible there are at least four heavens... 1) where birds fly and airplanes soar, 2) deep space where stars and other planets are, 3) paradise, 4) God's throne. No one has ascended to God's throne except Jesus Christ. ~ John 3:13.

 

The apostle Paul confirms the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:2  Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would see him in paradise, Luke 23:43. Heaven is not an eternal abode for "saved sinners" as organized religion teaches it.

 

Any message about death bothers us. We try to ignore even thinking about it and think that those who discuss it are morbid. Occasionally, we will talk about what heaven must be like, but most of the time the subject of death is taboo.

 

Faith of Our Fathers

My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.” —Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson

Nowadays, death is considered an intruder that cuts us off from the good life to which we have become accustomed. We have so cluttered our lives with material things that we are bogged down. We can no longer bear the thought of leaving our beautiful homes, our lovely things, our charming sweethearts. We seem to be thinking, “Dying now would be too great a loss. I love the Lord, but I need time to enjoy my real estate. I married a wife. I want to see what our children do with their lives. I need more time."

Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life]. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Amplified Bible (AMP) 

What does the Bible say about death and the "hereafter"?   

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19

Let's get an understanding of the word "hell" as used in the Bible. Look it up in Strong's Concordance. Hell means the grave or place of the dead. You cannot be alive and dead at the same time. There is no such thing as an 'immortal soul' We only have two choices... eternal life or eternal death.  

 
One thing about death is you don't know how long you have been dead... 5 minutes or 5000 years. As it is written: For in death there is no remembrance of You; In the grave who will give You thanks? ~ Psalm 6:5. The sorrows of Sheol (Hebrew word translated hell) surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. ~ Psalm 18:5. What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? (same Hebrew word, Sheol) ~ Psalm 89:48

The Bible is very clear on the definition of hell. So where did this doctrine of an "ever-burning place of torment for all eternity" come from? It came from religion and folklore, certainly not from the Bible. God always gives us a choice. We can choose to believe the Truth of the Bible, or we can choose the lies of the Adversary.

A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:1 Why is the day of death better than than the day of birth? Let's allow the Bible to teach us the truth. God is Spirit  (John 4:24) and the Father of spirits. We have had a human father who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? ~ Hebrews 12:9

The Fear of Death is a Lack of Faith in God's Great Plan

What is the greatest revelation of faith, and how is it to be exercised? You will find it in Hebrews. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore Yahweh is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them" ~ Hebrews 11:13-16 

What about our soul?

The word soul means living creature or life. The word spirit means breath. Soul and Spirit are not the same. When the spirit (breath) leaves the body (living creature) the soul dies. We don't have a soul, we are a soul... and man became a living soul. ~ Genesis 2:7 

Truth: Ezekiel 18:4(KJV)

Behold, all souls (lives) are mine; as the soul (life) of the father, so also the soul (life) of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die. (not an immortal soul suffering forever in an ever-burning hell).

 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:50. So God's great plan is that we come into this world as a "caterpillar" (flesh), go into a cocoon (the grave), and be resurrected with a glorious new body (butterfly) that looks nothing like our old flesh body. That's really good news! Paul explains it this way... read about a glorious body in 1 Corinthians 15.

But someone will say, “How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” Foolish one, what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

 
All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

 
So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

 

And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 

 

Our Final Victory 

 

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

  “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades (grave), where is your victory?”

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

There you have it, straight from the Bible, not religion and folklore. Christianity is not a religion, it's a way of life and a secret passage to immortality. What we call the end, God calls the beginning of eternity. "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." ~1 John 3:1

 

Scripture states that "no one has ascended to heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man." ~ John 3:13.  "And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth." ~ Revelation 5:10

Earth?! And we thought we were going to heaven, live in a mansion, walk on streets of gold, play harp music all day, and throw chicken bones at the Devil. Organized religion always gets it wrong. God loves you and there's not a darn thing you can do about it.

 

Basically, Churchianity teaches the same lie that Satan told Eve: "You will not surely die, you will go to heaven and be like God." All the "bad" people will spend eternity in an ever burning hell. These two doctrines meet with overwhelming approval by many Churchgoers. Jesus said: Broad is the way that leads to destruction.   

 

God's Great Plan Works For Everyone

What happens to all the people who died before Jesus was born, or people in various denominations? The same thing that happens to ALL who are in the grave. Jonah came out of the great fish. Daniel came of the lion's den. The three Hebrew men came of the a fiery furnace. Lazarus was raised from the dead. Jesus came out of the tomb. You will come out of the grave, you have NO choice. The only thing Christians need to worry about... will you come out of the grave a profitable servant or an unprofitable servant? What happens to people in non-christian religions, or non-believers? All will be resurrected, learn the Truth, and be reconciled to God. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

As it is written: For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:22-24

 

What About the Rapture? 

 

 

You are cordially invited to join Renew Your Strength Bible Study Group

 

 

Time For A New Government

Time For A New Government for 

The United States of America

by Mike Farris

 

Rough Draft for a New Government Created for The People of The United States of America 

Governments exist to support the Rights of the People

 

Governments exist only through the power of the People that they represent. When a government fails to protect the God-given rights of the People, and removes the involvement of the People, the People have the right to change their government in a way that will allow for their unalienable Rights to be protected. 

 

Governments should not be overthrown for trivial reasons; as it is not typical for people to change a system that they are accustomed to.

However, when the people have suffered many abuses under the control of a two party system, they not only have the right... but also the duty to reform that government and upgrade that government to work equally for ALL the people of The United States of America!

One of the biggest problems with the U.S. Government is that it is now designed for two parties and it should be designed for three parties in order for the Government to work for all Americans Equally! Politicians represent their Party, not We the People.

For decades now these two parties have been fighting for government control and costing We The People Trillions in Tax Dollars for these two parties to continually fight for who they think is right and who is wrong and who gets control... it has been very very costly in both money and lives and it has to stop and stop now! The US National Debt Clock

Send people to Washington who will amend the Constitution to allow a third party to represent We The People.

It would be nice to have a government where you don't have two parties fighting over who has the right to tell you how to live your life. A government designed to work for We the People, as it was intended and not for the rich to get richer! Term limits of six years on ALL public office... including the U.S. Supreme Court. Never re-elect anyone. Public service is a brief civic duty, not a career.

Alternate the election of President, House, and Senate every two years so we would always have experienced people in office. Make voting simple and easy with a Voter Holiday. Vote online with a unique ID and Password issued by the Voter Registrar. People without Internet access can go to a polling station. Non-citizens are never allowed to register to vote or receive any benefits.

In a true Republic Government there would be three parties, Democrats, Republicans, and We The People, or in other words a Servant Government that would work for all with zero parties in control. The change would start with the President, Senate and House of Representatives.

Starting with the Presidency, no more one party as President and Vice President. All three parties run for president, the candidate that wins the most Electoral College votes becomes president, first runner up becomes senior vice president, and the second runner up becomes vice president. No more One Party President and Vice President.

 

No need to send more than 300 people to D.C. to work for the American people. This would eliminate gerrymandering Congressional districts.

The Senate will have 150 members, 50 Democrats, 50 Republicans and 50 Constitution Party and this will always be! One of each party from each of the 50 states. The Senior Vice President would the President of the Senate and tie-breaker. They answer to We the People

The House of Representatives will have 150 members, 50 Democrats, 50 Republicans and 50 Constitution Party and this will always be! Three of each party from each of the 50 states. The Vice President would preside as Speaker of the House. No need for the House to elect a Speaker. We the People select the Speaker.

Now there is no reason to fight for control of The United States of America and the elected officials can now work taking care of our country as it was meant to be when the Constitution of The United States was created Of The People! By The People! For The People!


"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

 

All official's finances should be audited at the beginning and end of their public service. If anything is found to be dishonest gain, they are required to make restitution or go to prison.

If politicians want to truly represent We the People, they should live like us.

No permanent residence in D.C. at taxpayer expense. Congress shall be in session from January 20th to March 20th to conduct The People's Business. Representatives and Senators shall be paid per diem, then go back home. Travel expenses shall be restricted to two trips per year. 

Move all federal retirement funds go to a Social Security fund that pays interest. Make elected officials, and federal employees, retire on the same system as the rest of Americans. All government employees should be forced to retire at age 70. Congress and Senate pay should be what the average American makes - currently about $60,000 a year. 

Reduce the size of the Federal government by half. Abolish property tax, Federal and State Income taxes and go to a flat tax of 10% on consumer purchases collected at point of purchase (the tax preparers industry can find honest work). Retain just enough Revenue Agents to make sure businesses remit all tax dollars to the treasury departments. (3% to Federal, 3% to State, 2% to County, and 2% City) If God can get by on 10% so can government. In addition, tariffs would create enough revenue to run the government. Tariffs serve dual purposes: they generate revenue for the government and protect domestic industries.

Replace the Federal Reserve System (a privately owned loan shark operation which has never been audited) with a United States Treasury System operated by Americans for Americans. Exchange Federal Reserve Notes for U.S. Treasury Currency backed by gold and silver reserves. Put a cap on spending and reckless borrowing.

 

Before any President, male or female, can run for President and be designated Commander-in-Chief they must 1) have served in the military on active duty, or 2) attend and graduate from Officers Candidate School. They must be thoroughly familiar with military ranks and proper military customs. In time of war, Congress must go to the front lines and fight the war they voted for.

 

Active duty military should be reduced and each State have a well trained National Guard for defense of the Nation. Reduce the number of military bases in foreign countries. Stay out of other countries' conflicts and no money for wars, defense only. War is a Racket

The Two Houses of Congress
Congress is divided into two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives.The Senate is sometimes called the upper chamber and the House the lower chamber because the Founders thought that different sorts of people would be elected to these two bodies.

While a census of the nation was not completed until 1790, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there were about 2.5 million people living in the United States' original 13 States in 1776. Since then the nation has grown to more than 300,000,000 people in 50 states and Territories as of July 3, 2016. 

 

 

We The People are America. Unless WE change, America will not change. Unless we are willing to demand absolute honesty, absolute unselfishness, and absolute love in our lives and in our relationships and responsibilities, America, the land of the free, will lose her freedom because We The People no longer have the moral courage and spiritual values to maintain a Constitutional Republic.

Politicians and diapers should be changed often... and for the same reason.

For more on government reform, read Crime in America

 

In 2008 I ran for President as an independent candidate on the above platform. My main opponents were John McCain (R) and Barack Obama (D), neither one was qualified to be President.  

 

I was not qualified either. I ran to make a point. Any honest citizen can do a better job than professional politicians. I did not kiss one baby, shake one hand, make one speech, or accept one cent. I run my campaign from home on my laptop. I received 1331 votes. Obviously, there are other Americans who want honest government. 

What politicians mean by "democracy" is THEIR rule over We the People. A Democracy is two Wolves and a Sheep voting on what to have for dinner. A Republic is a well-armed Sheep defending his Rights.

No matter who we elect to office, the "criminals, gangsters, thieves, murderers, and God-haters" will try to take over. It is We the People who must demand good government. Because of God's promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14, America has been given a reprieve for her past sins. Donald Trump is not the "savior" of America. The only way America will heal is for the majority of Americans to honor and obey Yahweh, the creator God and sustainer of the universe.

 

 

 

Understanding The Bible

The Bible is fairly easy to understand. The hard part is separating cherished beliefs and false doctrines from the Word of God.  

 

How You Hear God 

There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true (Jewish fables and traditions of organization religion); the other is to refuse to believe what is true (the Word of God). ~ Titus 1:13-15

 

Man supposes (assumes or believes doctrines that are not necessarily so). God disposes (deals with it conclusively and settles it). Organized religion repeating lies for many centuries does not make it true. 

 

Jesus never promised His followers a "mansion in heaven." He promised a Kingdom on earth. One reason people have a hard time believing the Gospel (Good News) is because it seems too good to be true. A man name Jesus/Yahshua claims to be the Son of God, comes down from heaven and is birthed of a virgin, grows up like any other human, takes all the sins of the world on Himself, dies on a cross, rises from the grave, promises to resurrect all people from the dead, and give them eternal life in the Kingdom of God!? Yeah, right... that's too good to be true.

So, organized religion created a "reasonable" Jesus. He loves you, but will send you to an ever-burning hell if you mess up. He will not resurrect you, He will "rapture" you. You must belong to the "right" church or you will burn in hell forever. You must go through certain rituals, wear your collar backwards, pray, light candles, give 10% of your income to a Church, celebrate His birthday, and hunt Easter eggs to honor Him. Now that makes sense to the carnal mind. We can handle that "truth."

 

To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

No Church has a franchise on God or a monopoly on the truth. The Church Jesus built is not an earthly organization, it's a Body of Believers who seek first the Kingdom of Heaven. True followers of Jesus Christ are not righteous (or saved) people telling other people they need to "get saved," rather they are one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.

 

If you have a problem separating truth from fiction, don't worry about it. God never said, "Understand every word". He said, "Trust Me". Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. ~Proverbs 3:5-6 

 

The difference between a Church member and a Disciple of Christ is: a Church member follows the doctrines of their denomination, a Disciple follows Jesus Christ. ~ 1 John 2:3-6

 

The further Christians drift from the Truth of God's Word the stranger Truth will sound. Most of what Christians believe about the Bible they learned as a child in Sunday School. And they only learned what their denomination teaches. 

 

Organized religion (Churchanity) demands conformity, God simply asks for unity. There is a difference. Worship God in spirit and in truth, and endeavor to get along with one another no matter what denomination we attend.

I, (the apostle Paul) therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   ~Ephesians 4:1-5 

God looks on the heart, not at the sign in front of the Church building.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. ~ Ephesians 4:10-12

How Organized Religion Interprets Ephesians 4:10-12   

He (Jesus) who descended from heaven is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. And He Himself gave some to be popes, some cardinals, some bishops, and some priests and preachers, using the pulpit to fleece the flock, and for building up of their denomination.  

  

Get Your Doctrines From The Bible, Not The Traditions of Men.

 

True Christian assembly is with believers, not institutions. Believers are individuals, searching for God by revelation, perseverance, and personal conviction. They worship in spirit and in truth, not in Articles of Faith, dogmatic ritual, or by unction from a hireling clergy. Jesus knows His Sheep and His Sheep hear His voice. ~ John 10:27

 

Christianity is not a religion, it's the government of God. The Body of Christ (the true church) is unified with judicial order and accountability to Yahweh, and each other. Organized religion has set itself up outside the judicial order of God creating man-made doctrines, creeds, and their own religious holidays. As it is written: The general assembly of God and church of the first-born are registered in heaven (not a corporation registered on earth)  ~ Hebrews 12:23.

 

Jesus said, "Follow Me," not join some Church or try to find the right path on your own. You don't join the Church Jesus built, after repentance and baptism, you are added to the Church fellowship. ~ Acts 2:47. 

Jesus was born as a human being, suffered and died, and rose from the dead. Jesus KNOWS exactly how you think, feel, and act. He's been there, done that. Jesus is the only person qualified to give you advice. Listen to Him! 

 

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ~ Colossians 2:8

I was brought up in a Christian denomination that claims to "speak where the Bible speaks". Not knowing any better, I fully trusted my parents, Sunday school teachers, and Pastors to rightly divide the Word of Truth.  ~ 2 Timothy 2:15

When I began to study for myself and rely on the Spirit of truth to lead me (John 16:13), I was shocked to learn that everything I had been taught was false, a half-truth, or simply the traditions of men. ~ Matthew 15:9 and Mark 7:7 

 

Caveat

As a church member you should honor pastors and teachers. As a Christian, you are wholly responsible for your knowledge of God’s will. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11

 

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees (religious leaders), hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte (a new believer), and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves." (with false doctrines) ~ Matthew 23:15 

Just because someone appears to know a lot about the Bible, or is a smooth talker, does not qualify them to judge/condemn others for their relationship to God.

As it is written, "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand". ~Romans 14:4

The adversary doesn’t tell 100% lies. People wouldn’t fall for it. But he mixes it with just enough truth that even it were possible, the elect would be deceived. Satan knows the truth that is written in the Bible, he knows all about Heaven and he even mentioned judgement to Jesus and yet he still will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. So it’s not what you know, it’s WHO you Know.

Consider The Source

Finally, I understand why Jesus warned me to be careful what I believe and why I believe it. "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’;  and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother (loves their false religion) more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me".   ~ Matthew 10:35-38

Why don't Christian Pastors teach the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter using the correct definition of Hebrew and Greek words? Answer: Because their livelihood depends on upholding the traditions of their denomination. If Pastors started teaching the Bible correctly, they would lose 80% of their congregation and the 20% who remained would wonder why their Pastor suddenly went "off the deep end."

 

Organized religion is run as a business with paid staff, housing, car, medical insurance, paid vacations, retirement plan... the whole nine yards. The gospel has become a commodity to be sold by 501(c) preachers for profit. And Jesus said: "Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise!” ~John 2:16. Jesus earned a living as a carpenter, Peter was a fisherman, Paul was a tent maker, so explain why your pastor is not working.  

 

How Can We Know The Truth?

 

God the Father (Yahweh) did not "retire" when Yahshua (aka Jesus) came. The Whole Bible is the Gift of God’s Wisdom for the Guidance and Blessing of Mankind: What kind of self-sufficiency or egotism is it that would cast aside thirty-nine of the precious God-given books and say, “The New Testament is all we need?”  

The entirety (both Old and New Testaments) of God's Word is Truth, And every one of God's righteous judgments endures forever. ~ Psalm 119:160

Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. (not trusting the traditions on men) ~ Proverbs 30:5

But He (Jesus) answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ (not our parents, not our pastor)  ~Matthew 4:4  When Jesus spoke those words, there was no written "New Testament." Did the Old Testament proceed from the mouth of God?

Sanctify them by Your Truth. Your Word is Truth. (not your denomination's traditions)  ~ John 17:17 

 

The apostle Paul told Timothy: All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Biblical truth is easy to understand once it has been revealed. The difficult thing is to discover Truth. As it is written... "Behold, I will bring health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth." ~ Jeremiah 33:6 

 

“Whom will He (Yahweh) teach knowledge? And whom will He make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts? For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.” ~ Isaiah 28:9-10

Let's Examine Some of the Popular Doctrines of Denominational Christianity

1. The doctrine of an ever-burning "hell". - False

Truth: The word hell means "the place of the dead or grave." People only have two choices - eternal life or eternal death. You cannot be alive and dead at the same time. The dead know nothing and feel nothing. ~ Ecclesiastes 9:5 

 

In Matthew 25:46 we read the words of Jesus: “And these (the goat people) shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” The word "punishment" means death or destruction which harmonizes with Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

We cannot be alive "in agony" and dead at the same time. The wages of sin is death... not alive jumping from one hot rock to another. In verse 41, the translators chose the word "fire" instead of destruction.

The grave/hell and the "lake of fire" are two different things.

 

Truth: Notice carefully, Revelation 21:8  "But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” 

 

Death!... not alive and suffering forever. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. ~Romans 6:23  Learn More

2. Sunday Resurrection. The doctrine that Easter Sunday is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and Christian communion takes the place of the "Jewish Passover" - False

 

Truth: Two kinds of "Sabbaths" Led to Confusion

As John tells us in John 19:31: "Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies [of those crucified] should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken [to hasten death], and that they might be taken away." Passover is a High Sabbath and is one day before the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ~ Exodus 23:15

Did Jesus ever command His followers to attend a sunrise service to remember His resurrection? Was Jesus resurrected Sunday morning? Churchanity says Jesus was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday. What say the Scriptures?

For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ~Matthew 12:40

Try to get 3 days and 3 nights from Friday afternoon to Sunday morning. According to the false teaching of organized religion, Jesus was in the grave two nights and one day. Who are you going to believe... man's traditions or Jesus?

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ~Luke 24:1-3

Why didn't they find the body of the Lord Jesus?... because HE rose Saturday night at the end of 3 days and 3 nights. There never was a Sunday sunrise resurrection.

 

Most Church denominations take communion or the Lord's Supper instead of Passover. However, the word communion only appears in three scriptures, none of which say to replace Passover with a communion service.

Truth: Nowhere in Scripture does Jesus tell His followers to hold a sunrise service or hunt eggs as a memorial to His resurrection. Jesus commands His followers to remember His death, not His birthday or resurrection day. Jesus is our Passover Lamb, not our Easter Bunny.~ Matthew 26:17-19

3. The doctrine that the Law of God has been put away or "nailed to the cross" and Christians are under grace. - Half-Truth (Churchanity likes to call it "the law of Moses" and lump it in with all the Jewish ritual laws. Churchanity threw the baby out with the bath water.

 
Truth: Sin is the transgression of the Law. ~ 1 John 3:4.  
It's not a matter of Law or Grace, it's Law and Grace. ~ Matthew 5:17 and Romans 2:13. Only the Levitical priesthood, animal sacrifices, and the death penalty were done away. 

If the law was done away, why is God writing His laws on your heart? The New Covenant promises within

Jeremiah 31:33, also quoted in Hebrews 8:10 and Hebrews 10:16, signifying an internal transformation where obedience comes from love, empowered by the Holy Spirit, rather than external rituals. 

 

Colossians 2:13-14

And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting (certificate of debt with its consequences) of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it (the certificate of debt) out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

The Bible clearly teaches that it is the sin debt that was nailed to the cross, not the Law.

4. The doctrine of a rapture or "caught up" to escape tribulation. - False

Truth: Verse 16 of 1 Thessalonians clearly states this event is the first resurrection of the dead in Christ and those still living (the barley harvest) when Christ returns, not an escape. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection... Revelation 20:5-6. The second resurrection is the "wheat harvest" when Jesus separates the wheat from the chaff.

 

Remember Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? God did not "rapture" them out of the fire. He sent Jesus to protect them from the fire. What makes this generation of Christians think they deserve to escape tribulation when Jesus, the disciples, and millions of Christian martyrs were not "raptured"? ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

 

Jesus said: "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one." ~ John 17:15 

Truth: Matthew 24:12-14 (KJV)
And because iniquity (lawlessness) shall abound, the love (of the truth) of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure (truth) unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

 

As it is written: For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ~Matthew 24:24

 

There's a very simple test the elect can use to make sure they are not deceived. When anyone claims to be Christ, stick a pin in your arm if it hurts the person is false. For when Christ himself returns we shall all be changed instantly into our glorified spirit bodies (spirits do not experience pain).

 

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep (die), but we shall all be changed (not raptured)—  in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ~1 Corinthians 15:51-53

 

"And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” ~ Revelation 5:10  What! On earth? Churchanity tells us we are going to heaven, live in a mansion, play harp music day and night, and throw chicken bones at the Devil.

5. The celebration on December 25th as the birthday of Jesus. - False

Truth: We do not know the exact date of the birth of Jesus, and even if we did, Christians are to remember His death, not His birth. The custom of decorating trees predates Jesus by a 600 years. God forbid it then and forbids it now. Birth of Jesus

Truth: Jeremiah 10:1-5 (KJV)

Hear ye the word which the Lord speaks unto you, O house of Israel: (the name Israel means overcomer with the Mighty One)^. Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm (evergreen) tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them (knock on wood to drive out evil); for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.

6. The doctrine of the Trinity - False
Truth: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! ~Deuteronomy 6:4

God does not have multiple personality disorder. Jesus is not his own 'father'. The key to understanding the trinity is to know the definition of the word "God" in Hebrew, the original language of the Bible. The English translation of God causes much confusion because it is singular, The original word is Elohim, a uni-plural word like team, church, family. The Body of Christ consists of many members, but all one body. God is not a trinity, God is a unity.

When Jesus said: "I and My Father are one (family),” He meant it. ~John 10:30

 

Q. If God is real why doesn't He come down from heaven and show us?

A. He did! God sent His Son. We killed Him.

Jesus Revealed The Father

“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.” ~ John 14:7 and Colossians 1:15 

7. The doctrine that your "immortal soul" goes directly to heaven or hell when we die. - False

 

The word translated as "heaven" simply means the sky or the atmosphere that surrounds the earth, not a place of abode. Jesus said, "heaven (sky) is God's throne, the earth is His footstool." ~ Matthew 5:33-35

 
Soul and Spirit are not the same. We don't have a soul, we are a soul... and man became a living soul. ~ Genesis 2:7 

 

What does the Bible say about death and eternity? Read God's Great Plan

 

The word soul means living creature or life. The word spirit means breath. When the spirit (breath) leaves the body (living creature) the soul dies.

Truth: Ezekiel 18:4(KJV)

Behold, all souls (lives) are mine; as the soul (life) of the father, so also the soul (life) of the son is mine: the soul that sins, it shall die. (not an immortal soul suffering forever in an ever-burning hell). ~ Malachi 4:1-3

If we are raised from the dead then we can't be alive in heaven or hell. As it it written: Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.  And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is vain and your faith is also vain. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:12-14

 

All souls die. The difference is, a saved person is born twice (physical birth and spiritual birth) and dies once. Unsaved  people are born once and die twice (physical death and spiritual death) From the second death there is no resurrection. ~ Revelation 20:6.  

Then shall the dust (the dead person) return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. ~ Ecclesiastes 12:7

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. Note that death and hell were cast into the lake of fire, not people. ~Revelation 20:14

8. The doctrine that the small country called Israel, established in 1948, is fulfilling Bible prophesy and the Jews are "God's chosen people." - False

Truth: Who was the Bible written to, for, and about?  Here are a couple of clues in Matthew 10:5-7 and James 1:1. Christians are the People of the Book.

 

The promise to Israel and Judah to return to the land God gave them is explained in great detail in Ezekiel 37. Here's the truth ... "Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel!" (Ezekiel 37:12). Not one single solitary Jew, or Israelite, was resurrected from the dead and returned to Israel in 1948 - not a one!

 

Jesus Sending Out the Twelve

 

These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles (the word gentiles means nations), and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ ~Matthew 10:5-7

"James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings."

God made a covenant with a man named Jacob/Israel, not with the Jews or a country called Israel. Unless you know who the People of the Book are, and the task for which they were chosen, much of the Bible will remain a mystery. Learn who is the true Israel of the Bible.

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. ~1 John 2:23-25

 

Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. The nations (tribes) of Israel received the Gospel first so they could take it to the whole world.

9. Tattoos and Body Piercing are Okay with God. - False

Truth:  You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord. ~Leviticus 19:28

 

10. Sunday Morning Resurrection - False 

Truth: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ~Matthew 12:40

 

The crucifixion of the Savior took place on Wednesday, April 3, 30 AD and He rose the third day after 3 days and 3 nights in the tomb. Most Bible commentaries claim Jesus was crucified on Friday in 33 AD to fit the popular "Good Friday - Easter Sunday" doctrine. Friday crucifixion and Sunday resurrection is false. Jesus rose Saturday night because the tomb was empty early Sunday morning. ~ John 20:1

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ~Luke 24:1-3

Why didn't they find the body of the Lord Jesus?... because HE rose Saturday night at the end of 3 days and 3 nights. There never was a Sunday sunrise resurrection. Two Kinds of "Sabbaths" led to confusion. As John tells us in John 19:31: "Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies [of those crucified] should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken [to hasten death], and that they might be taken away." Passover is a High Sabbath and is one day before the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. ~ Exodus 23:15

 

11. The King James Translators Were 100% Accurate - False

 

Since there is no "J" in the Hebrew or Greek alphabet, nor a sound that is equivalent to the English "J", where did the names Jehovah and Jesus come from?  The letter "J" was added to the Scriptures by the translators. This is why we must be very careful in rightly dividing the word of truth. Our Savior was never called Jesus in his lifetime. His name in Hebrew is Yahshua.

 

How Many Times is God Called Yahweh in the Bible? Answer: 6807 times

 

There is no other God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords). ~ 1 Corinthians 8:4-6

In nearly every place you read "praise the Lord" it was translated from the Hebrew word halleluyah which means praise Yah, not just any "lord". Yah is the short form of Yahweh, like Bill is the short form of William. 

Yahweh is God’s personal name (see Exodus 3:13-15 and Exodus 6:2-3), and is usually “translated” as LORD (in upper case). It’s not really a translation because Yahweh does not mean Lord. Rather, Yahweh means something like "I Am Eternal'',  “I Am who I Am”, or  “I will be who I will be”.

 

Truth: Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day That I AM He who speaks: ‘Behold, it is I.’ ~Isaiah 52:6

 

So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I AM the Lord, the Holy One in Israel. ~Ezekiel 39:7

​Psalm 68:4 gives us the first part of God the Father's name, YAH. In Hebrew there are four letters or symbols that make up His full name. The four letters, read from right to left, are yodh, he, waw, and he. While there is no consensus about the structure and etymology of the name, the form Yahweh is now accepted almost universally.

Sing to God, sing praises to His name;
Extol Him who rides on the clouds,
By His name Yah,
And rejoice before Him.

​The word hallelujah is a pure Hebrew word transliterated into English, pronounced with a "y" sound. It means praise Yah. When we say "praise the Lord", we really mean halleluYah.

Yahweh (I AM ETERNAL) and Yahshua (Yah's Salvation). Yahshua himself tells us in John 5:43..."I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive".

Some people are dogmatic about the names of Yahweh and Yahshua. However, the Bible says my people shall know my name... not use it exclusively or demand that others use it - just know it. On the other hand, if we ask people to call us by our correct name and they refuse, it's pretty disrespectful to say the least.

 

12. The Prosperity Gospel - False

Truth: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.~ Matthew 6:19-20

“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” ~ Mark 10:21

 

There is no virtue in being rich or poor. God provides our needs, not our wants.

 

13. Can Christians eat pork and shellfish? Sure they can, God never forces anyone to eat healthy, So the question is: To Eat or Not to Eat?

 

14. Did God create evil? God created choice so humans are not robots.

 

15. Are Musical Instruments Prohibited in the Bible?

 

There is no evidence of a formal "ban" in the earliest days of the church on musical instruments in worship. Instead, the practice of exclusive acappella singing (meaning "in the style of the chapel") emerged from a combination of cultural, theological, and practical factors. During periods of persecution, Christian gatherings were often small, private, or even clandestine, making loud musical instruments impractical and dangerous.

There is no Scripture prohibiting instruments in worship. On the other hand, music is a powerful tool for worship, celebration, and spiritual expression, featuring hundreds of references to singing, instruments, and praising God. Key verses include Ephesians 5:19, singing and making melody in your heart (hearts don't have vocal cords, it means praising God with sincerity and joy). Colossians 3:16 teaching through songs, and Psalm 150 praising with instruments. 

 

16. The doctrine of a strict Saturday Sabbath. - True or False? 

As I understand the Sabbath Commandment, the Sabbath is a day of rest after working six days, but I throw it in the mix for you to search it out. There is more to the Law of the Sabbath than just "going to Church." It was the custom to assemble on the Sabbath Day. Luke 4:16

 

The Sabbath vs The Lord's Day

Even strict Saturday or Sunday Sabbath keepers want the police, fire department, and hospitals on duty (and Walmart - lol). The whole world cannot shut down on the same day.The Sabbath is really about three things... Stopping, Resting, and Enjoying. Stop what you normally do the other six days, get some rest, and enjoy a day off.

List of the Feasts of the LORD

 

The annual Sabbaths are commanded assemblies. If you are not familiar with "annual sabbaths" they're listed in Leviticus 23. If your Church does not keep the Feasts of the LORD, find a group to fellowship with at Feast time... http://www.feastgoer.org/index.html   

Notice in  Exodus 31:13... Sabbaths plural is a sign that sanctifies us, not just going to Church on Saturday or Sunday. And how are we supposed the Remember the Sabbath if we don’t practice keeping it?

In that future Kingdom, all people will worship before God on the Sabbath (Isaiah 66:23). The Sabbath was made for all of humanity, (not just Jews and Seventh Day Adventist). ~ Isaiah 56:6  

The purpose of this post is to get people to think about what they believe and why they believe it, not debate who's right or wrong. To learn the revealed truth of God we must know and understand the true meaning of the words God inspired to be written. Use Strong's Concordance to check the original word before it was translated. Do your own research, make up your own mind, rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you.