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BRINGING BACK THE LOST

"[4] It is easy to love good and honest people and to get on with them; but to go to the sinners and bring them to the correct path; that is a task which demands much self-denial.

[5] For if you walk in the street with a whore and an adulteress, people will point their fingers at you and do things to you which will not honor you before the world; but if you bring the whore and the adulteress back to the correct path, you will be given a great reward from God, and the smallest part of this is of more value than a whole world full of the most shining honor.

[6] Whoever brings a lost person back to Me will receive more reward than one who has guarded well a hundred lambs on a safe pasture. For it is a very easy task to keep an honest person honorable and virtuous; but to lift someone who is despised by everyone up to honor again and to make a virtuous hero out of an arch-sinner says significantly more! And only that is seen favorably to Me – but the former is only work of a lazy fellow!

[7] I am the all-highest, if you will accept that, and I seek and take only the despised and lost in the eyes of the world. For the healthy certainly do not need a doctor!

[8] If you accordingly want to completely be My true disciples and servants, you must also be what I am in all things.

[9] If you see a blind man strolling on the street and also see that the path he is treading is a highly dangerous one particularly for a blind person, will you not immediately take the blind walker by the arm and say to him: Listen, friend, the path that you are now walking is very dangerous; let me lead you so that you do not fall off a precipice! And if he then trusts your word, will you be ashamed to lead a blind man? Certainly none of you all!

[10] But a sinner is often much blinder spiritually than the physically blind; therefore who can be ashamed to take a blind man by the arm?!

[11] Therefore in the future let no sinner be too great for you so that you are ashamed to be a leader for him!" (The Great Gospel of John, chap. 49)

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maxnet

1331 54 years ago

Human Dignity

23 October 1872

‘Well, on this topic, or what “human dignity” really means, or should mean, there prevail as many viewpoints as there are cultured or educated human beings. For primitive peoples and coarse, depraved persons have certainly no idea what the term “human” is meant to convey, and how to make themselves worthy of it.

Only where man is ethically, morally brought up and educated, can one expect to find a notion about the true dignity of man, which, however, must again vary in keeping with his education, his station in life.

However, all these current and prevailing ideas about the concept of “human dignity” are not the reason why I want to explain this word and tell you what human dignity actually consists in. I only want to help you to link My very teaching with practical life, so that you may become worthy, as a being placed between two worlds, of corresponding in spirit as well as in soul to the great creational thoughts of your heavenly Father. For although you have received much from Me, you too do not have as yet the right idea of what “human dignity” actually means, since you see it only too well in others how they, while claiming this rifle for themselves, seek to twist and expound it in keeping with their desires and passions so as to be worthy human beings after their own desires, each one in his fashion!

In order to better understand human dignity and to better grasp the following, let us again begin with the concept of the word, tracing it back to the root of its origin, and then determine its actual concept and value, how it should be used by you and how I envisage it.

(Note by translator: In the following text we are dealing with a play upon words which is applicable only to the German language but makes little or no sense in English. Therefore, the terms under consideration are given in both English and German. In addition to the term “dignity”, “worth”, being of Germanic origin, is used, as it facilitates comprehension somewhat.)

Look, the word “Würde” (dignity, worth) is derived from “Werden” (becoming), and the word “Werden” is actually a word out of the creational thought which, as the basis of My Being, was given to the entire visible world. For without the “Werden” (becoming) there would be neither a sun nor a planet, neither a great material nor a great spirit-realm, since I animated the whole of infinity solely with the word: “Es werde!” (Let there be!) for the beatitude of the created beings, and for the beatitude of My own self, which is love personified. This expression “loves, however, should mean only doing and working everything for others, and finding one’s own bliss, one’s own happiness in the understanding and perfecting of others.

With the word “Es werde!” (Let there be!) were also given the law and the road for every spirit or soul product, or the degree of perfection for which it was destined, where of course the incarnated spirits imprisoned in the material world had to take a different road from that of the free spirit-hosts of My infinite spirit-world in their self-awareness.

Well, with the “werde” (let there be) there of course also arose the question as to whether the released spirits in particular, who were left to their own devices, had really become what they were meant to be, in other words, whether they knew what My goal with them was.

Through the word “wurde” (became) a state began which, if it corresponded to My intent, was equal to the title “würde” (dignity) or “würdig” (worthy), just as you in the world bestow on the one a “würde” (dignity, office, title) or call him “würdig” (worthy), who has deserved this office or the predicate “würdig” (worthy) owing to his attributes as a spiritual man (that means one who conforms to the idea of his office).

Hence, what you designate as “würde” (dignity, office, title) really expresses that this person, who holds an office or deserves to be called würdig” (worthy), possesses all those qualities which ennoble man as a spiritual being and which should mark him as something better than it was possible for his fellowman to attain.

This idea of dignity (würde), which you generally hold, I too have concerning the beings created by Me, only applied with a different yardstick.

When I created the first man on your earth, I installed him in the manner you invest a higher official with a title, by giving him the power to rule over much and to be superior to any other created being on earth. By virtue of his spiritual attributes as a descendant of Mine, I invested him with the full authority to become what I actually wanted to make him, namely, “lord of the earth”. In this way, he was to use his faculties for his own good and for the advantage of the whole world around him.

So that he might understand his own dignity in the sense I want the same understood, I set him free, let him use all the propensities laid into him, for either good or evil. I thereby wanted to make him realize that the dignity bestowed on him by Me consists solely in that he, as a free, independently acting being, not as a machine, knows how to regulate his character qualities, propensities and desires, and that he can only through the controlling of his passions attain spiritual dignity. All the means to attain it and become a worthy intermediate member between the bound and the totally free spirit-world were given him by Me.

I called to him the “werde” (become), and he became, what? You can see that now everywhere; alas, not that for which I have called him, for instead of a free lord he became a slave to his passions, thus contrary to his vocation disgracing and misusing himself and the nature surrounding him. Hence all the calamities which now spiritually and materially pursue man with evils and suffering of every kind. For, contrary to his high destiny, instead of making himself worthy of Me, he has left the right road, has become “unwürdig” (unworthy) to be called a “man”, into whom I once instilled My spiritual breath wanting to mark him a child of My great spirit-realm. This great spirit-realm he now can only reach on great detours, battling with all kinds of adversities and suffering.

Since mankind with their pretended science and scholarship have arrived at a point where they interpret this word “dignity of man” at their own convenience, after egotism, as the counter-pole of My love and of love generally, has become the main hobby of the presently living people, through this insane behavior the measure of errors on your part and likewise the measure of My patience are nearing their end. And so this word is again given you so as to save many a man from general decline, lest he completely lose his dignity, his sole share in the spiritual world.

It is true, this one, and all My words which so far I have given you through My scribes, are only accessible to few; but, patience! The calamities of human life will soon lead one or the other into your camp, so that finally he, having tried everything in vain, will call on you entreating you with the words:

“Friends and brothers! Have you no comfort, no refreshment for my sick soul? I feel it, I have lost the dignity of man, have trampled upon it and now that I demand comfort and peace in the face of all the bogeys that used to be praised to me as wisdom, as religious dogmas, they all prove to be faulty, not lasting. The whole dream of a rational, logical sham-knowledge evaporates like a nebulous form. Give me back the dignity of the spiritual man, so that I may feel like a true man, like the spiritual being who, once gone forth from the hand of a loving Creator, now wants to return to Him, having again become worthy of Him!”

Then, My children, it is the words which I am giving to you among the presently living, which bring refreshment and comfort to the thirsty one, forcing him to call out with his face turned heavenward: “What am I, o Lord, for You to remember me?”

It is this purpose, namely, to again show you clearly and brightly “the dignity of man”, so that the seeker, the sinner, the doubter, may realize how far he has distanced himself from it and where he has to look for the means by which to regain the lost Paradise.

Do understand this: When Adam had acted contrary to My command, he lost his Paradise, that means he lost the awareness of his spiritual dignity. This very loss plunged his descendants to this day into the chaos of erroneous ideas, notions, concepts about life and about the world, which are merely the eternal striving to regain a spiritual dignity which raises man far above all matter, all sensuality. It lets him look far beyond the ruins of devastation and disaster with hope to another world where all, these calamities, which after all concern only the physical welfare of man, completely disappear; where it is clearly and simply understood that they were only a means to an end, namely, to again elevate man, who was submerged in matter, to the spiritual cosmopolitan I had once created him to be, and what he must again become no matter how many capers he may cut. It is only a different time, but the final goal is the same. What has gone forth from Me must again return to Me, for it was Mine and must again become so.

Now that I have shown you with few words what “dignity” is, how it was given you by Me and how it was misused by you human beings, I must also prove and strictly and conclusively demonstrate to you what, according to My idea, human dignity really means, so that you too may get a clear concept of that which I gave you and which I can demand back from you so that you may conform to My wishes.

Now look, My children! Human dignity is really nothing else but “the constant acting, thinking and willing in accordance with My laws of love!”

I, love personified, have created you out of love, and so you, the created, must strive to emulate this Creator, who laid the spark of love into you as much as it is within your power.

This is the actual fundamental meaning of love, of the dignity of man, who, curbing his passions of anger, hatred or revenge, does, suffers and feels everything only out of love, only for others.

Thus the material, physical man with his human needs is hallowed, spiritualized through the sublime warmth of a divine love, more worthy of his actual descent and more capable of understanding his Creator and of drawing near Him.

Therefore, man’s dignity consists only in the subjugation of anything ignoble, be it in thoughts, word or deed! In this way alone man is superior to the animal, which certainly has many qualities in common with man, namely, by using these same qualities for more noble purposes, by sublimating also the coarsest sensual desire, giving it a more noble air, higher motives. This ennobles man and gives him back his innate dignity whereby he becomes a citizen of a spirit-realm which one day will be his permanent abode.

Man is not ennobled by the conventional adherence to social rules and state laws. Not at all! Man is ennobled by his own conscience, when he is aware of having done everything out of the most noble, most exalted motives, of having done everything out of love for his Creator and love for his fellow created beings.

Not the deed determines the worth, but the “Why”, why an action was performed! To be sure, man sees the action, but the motive is known only to two, to Me and the one acting, in which case I represent his approving or disapproving conscience.

What are “pangs of conscience” if not the uneasiness to have acted contrary to one’s spiritual dignity! Therefore, whenever you do something, whenever thoughts assail you, pay heed to them lest they debase you. For everyone carries within him his book of life, and at the end of his earthly career he will be shown in a picture the kind of physiognomy his spiritual man will assume on his demise. And so the reflection of the life as it was lived on earth will be the expression of the soul-garment, where the sum total of all the thoughts, wishes and inordinate desires will reveal the spiritual man to the other spirits, not according to his physical, but his spiritual form.

It goes without saying that this form of the most noble human image must have millions of gradations, even ending in caricature. Everyone stamps his own face according to the way he lived; the more in accordance with his dignity, the purer the outer soul-forms expressing the inner Spiritual! And it is true that to some people, though not to all, it is quite obvious what kind of a soul is hidden in one or the other body although so much deception is still possible in the human body. However, in the other world, this is no longer the case. This is why I am sending you these words and calling to you:

Do live worthy of yourselves! Make no pretences and show yourselves also to others as true human beings, like the first one I created; people who carry the spark of the immortal spirit within them and who, through all the earlier events, such as My incarnation, were destined and created for such great purposes!

Do not revile your dignity, be strict with your world of thought; it is the first seducer that easily leads you across the bridge of propriety, from the noble to the base.

Human dignity is your only sanctum; through it, you achieve everything, without it, you sink back to the world of animals, become, like animals, material beings who are not worthy of even a divine spark, and actually sink below the animal. For whenever the animal commits actions that to your eyes look cruel and cunning, it cannot judge them, they are part of its nature. But man sinks below the animal because he has the faculty of judging, considers his actions and thoughts carefully and is well aware of the fact that he ought to act otherwise, but still acts contrarily because it flatters his sensual, and not his divine, nature.

Man’s dignity is the shrine which should be kept hallowed, and in this purity there lie quietness and solace in adversity of any kind; for this sanctum leads to the trust in a guiding Father-hand which, though seemingly punishing, only seeks to reform out of love.

This human dignity turns people into angels, just as its loss transforms them into devils in human form.

If this so often misunderstood “dignity” were not the true fundamental pillar and principle behind all thoughts and actions, I would not have explained to you in detail that you should watch yourselves a little more strictly, thereby recognizing hourly and daily how often you sin against this very same dignity in thoughts, words and actions.

The impure thoughts go past the contemporaries unnoticed and unheard, however, they adhere to your psychic man. There others will one day read, full of horror, how many a dignitary of your world no longer possessed a spark of the human dignity I gave him, as My image, on his life’s journey.

Therefore, let these notables settle their matter individually; they too will be faced with situations, if not in this, then certainly in the other world, where with dread and horror beings will flee each other who were here attached to each other in friendship.

The disappointment will come, though late, still too soon for the unworthy. Therefore, keep your world of thought pure! There, let your human dignity shine as a pure flame of love, tolerance and reverence, and you will, though misunderstood by your fellowman, enjoy already here on earth the heaven which is here only transient, but which will there be permanently within and around you.

You see, My children, if I did not know what is still in store for you during your earthly journey, I would not enjoin this human dignity on you so much. But a good physician when observing symptoms of disease knows how to arrange prophylactic means so that, if a disease does occur, it can be prevented.

This applies also to Me. Soon, calamity upon calamity will occur. The process of fermentation and separation must move towards an end. The spiritual air of your earth globe, as so often the material atmosphere, is filled with sultry vapors. The discharge must follow, and this is why I advise you:

Flee to Me! Do not violate your human dignity. Only in this way can you brave all storms. For this spiritual dignity elevates you above ordinary life, lets you see all the misfortunes however great in a different light, and fills your heart with trust and confidence in your Father in heaven, who now, because the majority of mankind long ago has lost its dignity, must allow such means so as to achieve through misery and want what was unachievable through kindness.

The dignity of man, or the spiritual awareness: “I am not of this world, but of another, better and eternal world,” elevates man, though he has to suffer under the general adversities, far above this earthly world and he is like one standing on a high mountain, who looks with equanimity at the hustle and bustle beneath him in the enjoyment of a greater, wider and more beautiful view when often the thought may arise in him:

“Oh, why are these people so blind! Down there, in the mire of their lowest passions, they forget for the sake of the worldly things what is essential, what they should really be. Oh, if they had the courage, if they dared to come up here to me, how foolish they would find all that which now appears to them so important, so absolutely essential. How they would shudder at the thought that everything they believe to have attained they have bought with the loss of their only possession, the loss of their spiritual dignity as man!”

“This is how many a person will think who, having grappled with the mire and dirt of the basest passions, has regained his dignity. This is how you too shall think, whom I have been showering for a considerable time with words of grace and light so that you, conscious of your human dignity, may enjoy the exalted position in which I have placed you and, always remembering your own dignity, endeavor to become yourselves worthy of being that which I have so often called you, namely, My dear children!

This fatherly call is only for those who are able to retain their human dignity; for by retaining it, they also attain more and more the dignity to become My children, what I wanted the first man to become when he was created, but unfortunately he failed to become!

So be strict, “watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation”, as I once called to My disciples. At that time I knew why, and now I am telling you again: Watch and pray that you do not ever debase yourselves. And always remain faithful to that which by so many words from Me you could easily fathom, namely, that only through nobility of the soul can human dignity be attained, consolidated and retained. Without it, all reading and praying is of no benefit! The inner man must be in My likeness, then his outer image will one day correspond to his spiritual surroundings in the beyond. And so endeavor to enter the other world endowed with a spiritual-psychic countenance. It is better to prepare for this already here, instead of trying to attain it only there. Here, what is required is “the dignity of man”, there, “the dignity of spirit” is another level for which human dignity serves as basis and which is unattainable without it.

I prepare you to achieve within a short earthly life that which is there by far more difficult to attain. Therefore, heed My words, they come from your Father, who wants to make you worthy of Him. However, you cannot achieve this unless you have become worthy of yourselves.

This for you and all who come and are thirsty and hungry to act accordingly, who try to regain with you that which, consciously or unconsciously, they have often thoughtlessly lost, namely, their own dignity, as the sole anchor in life, in the midst of conflict and privation of every kind, as anchor of trust, hope and love! Amen.

maxnet

1653 54 years ago

Why the New Revelation is given to us?

"None of you have as yet understood why I uncover and explain to you all the depths of My creation, all the innermost aspects of My divine self. Behold, My dear ones, the reason for all this is, to instill into you the very thing lacking in all of you, meaning, the trust in Me. For when together with Me you traverse the immeasurable spaces of My infinity, when I open up to you My spiritual heavens, giving you an inkling of what is there being kept and prepared for you; when I reveal to you My own self, which is nothing but love and in return wants only love; when I prove to you down to the smallest atoms that I, the Creator and Father, sustain everything with the same love, I only want to prove to you that a Being possessed of this might and strength, as which I am showing Myself to you, should surely be worthy of trust and that, compared to My omniscience and omnipotence, all your activity and behavior must be considered as below the level of Zero.

Ponder these few words; they are very important, like everything flowing from My mouth. Enter deeply into the meaning of that which all of you were given, and you will not only find consolation and peace but, and this is the main thing, you will more and more realize your own standpoint and then, consolidating what is unstable, be able to draw closer to Me.

Not a word I send you through My servant was, and still is, without its own purpose. Also these three words I was just now bringing before the eyes of My scribe because right now it is beginning to be somewhat unstable in your company. There is no true spiritual life present. Many of you are again living only for their businesses and pet interest, almost wholly forgetting Me and My teaching and only remembering it when by chance one or the other has made a speech to that effect.

Be watchful and pray, lest you fall into temptation. Do not make fun of My grace! I do not, as some believe, bestow it on those who only concern themselves with Me and My teaching when they have nothing else to do. They should take care, for they may be struck by lightning out of a blue sky and be forced to realize that they had considered as a matter of secondary importance that which really should be their main concern.

Whosoever knows nothing of My teaching and sins against it, is not so culpable. However, if someone has read My teaching and, half believing, shows no true trust in its activation and no confidence in the attainment of the actual purpose, I shall be forced to wake him up through a direct jolt lest he drop off to the sleep of worldly things, thereby forgetting My spiritual school. Today I still admonish; who, apart from Me, knows what I shall do tomorrow? The piece of ground on which you live and peacefully walk about enjoying your life, is hollow under your feet. This thin shell covers terrible chasms and you with firm faith and trust look up to Me with great confidence and hope that I shall not let this thin shell give way, thereby letting all of you taste death unawares. Calmly you lie down above these chasms with the firm trust and confidence of again rising the next day hale and strengthened while perhaps under your feet to you incomprehensible baffles of the elements are taking place. Why do you have such trust in this case and not in spiritual matters? You see, because you believe I shall not do it! And why shall I not do it? Because you put your trust in a loving Father, who will not without reason punish His children with destruction. What, then, is your confidence? It is that, what you hope for, namely, the constant granting of My grace to you, may not waver.

Now, since in this respect you put such firm faith, trust and confidence in Me, do allow also Me to demand of you, if not at this rate of divine forbearance, then with human indulgence, to have also in spiritual matters a firmer faith, greater trust and greater confidence; and to understand that all I have already bestowed on you happened only for your benefit and by no means for My entertainment, but only in order to confer on you the honor of being able to become My children.

You demand of Me unlimited grace, and I demand of you unlimited love. With the exchange of these two conditions it is only you who gain, since I want to accord you a might that shall make you lords of all that was created!

Since I promise you such great graces, I am also allowed to wake up those on the road to Me, should they fall asleep while walking, through gentle nudges as I am now doing to you. Then you will realize that one must not walk My paths with one’s eyes closed, but with open eyes and ears so as not to miss the right way and go astray.

So again, let all of you consider what I am giving you here. Be watchful and pray, lest you fall into temptation! Let this be your device towards a steady growth in firm faith, trust and confidence! Amen." (Secrets of life, chap. 12)

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maxnet

1531 54 years ago

THE DOWNFALL OF THE FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEMS EXPLAINED FROM ISAIAH 3:6-27

“BUT then everything is destroyed and thrown down. Whosoever can be falsely accused that he also – by his own merciless selfishness – has contributed to the general misfortune of the nations, will unfortunately fall victim to the revenge of the common people. But then what? Then the people have no leader at all, not a good one nor a bad one. They are in total anarchy, where ultimately everybody can do what he wants. However, another one, who is stronger, can also punish him at his heart’s desire.

[2] Then the wise men come together and say: ‘This cannot be, it cannot continue like that. We, who are wiser and mightier men will work together and bring the people to vote for a wise chief. And it will be an exalted house that will accommodate two brothers with much recognition and experience.’ What will happen next? The prophet will tell us precisely. And what does the prophet say?

[3] Listen. He says: ‘Then one brother will grab the other out of his brothers’ house and will say: ‘You have clothes (knowledge and experience), be you our ruler and help us during this downfall.’ (Isaiah 3:6). But then he will say and swear: ‘Listen, I am no doctor, and there is no bread (the goodness of faith) or clothing (true faith) in my house. Therefore, do not make me a ruler of the people.’ (Verse 7). Because Jerusalem is ripe and falls down, and Judah (the later time) is also fallen. Because their language and their deeds are against the Lord, because they oppose the eyes of His majesty (the light of His wisdom). (Verse 8). That is visible and known to everybody. Their nature is not hidden because they are boasting about their sin, just like in Sodom and Gomorrah, and they are brutal and they do not even hide. Woe unto their souls! Because with that, they have thrown themselves completely into their ruin.’ (Verse 9).

[4] But the chosen Prince – who could also possibly be I Myself – says further: ‘Go and preach first to the righteous, so that they may become good, then they will eat the fruit of their works. (Verse 10). However, woe unto the lazy and ungodly, because they are wicked at all times, and unto them will be rewarded according to their works and as they have deserved it! (Verse 11). Listen, for this reason, children are the princes of My people, and even women are ruling over them. My people, your (wrong) comforters are misleading you (think about Rome) and are destroying the way that you have to go. (Verse 12).

[5] But the Lord stands there to pronounce justice and has now come up to judge the people. (Verse 13). And the Lord comes to administer justice with the elders of His people (the Scriptures) and with His princes (those who, in the last time, have been awakened for life). For you (Pharisees and Romans) have destroyed the vineyard, and what has been robbed from the poor is in your house. (Verse 14).

[6] Why do you trample down My people, and why do you mistreat all those who are miserable? Thus speaks the Lord now with great seriousness. (Verse 15).

[7] And the Lord continues to speak: Because the daughters of Zion are proud (the false teaching of the whore of Babel) and walk with a stretched-out neck and a face with make-up, walking proudly (haughty), wag the tail (like a hungry dog), wearing at their feet expensive shoes (verse 16), the Lord will shave the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion to baldness (take away the reasoning), and with that, He will take away their only and best jewel. (Verse 17).

[8] In that time the Lord will take away the jewelry of their expensive shoes (those who believe blindly), and the ribbons (faithful followers), and the buckles (the different assemblies) (verse 18), the chains, the bracelets and the caps (the superstitious craft-guilds) (verse 19), the tinsels, the ornamental borders, all  golden strings, musk, earrings (verse 20), rings and hair ribbons (verse 21), feast clothes, coats, veils and the (big) purses (verse 22), mirrors, capes, laces and the blouses (all of the glittering ceremony of the whore of Babel). (Verse 23). Then the sweet smell will become a stench, the good girdle a loose string, curled hair (serpent-like cunning of the whore of Babel) a baldhead, and her wide coat will become a narrow sack. And all this will come instead of the presumed beauty.

[9] Your mob will fall by the sword, and your warriors will fall in battle. (Verse 25). And her gates will weep and lament (because nobody wants to go inside anymore), and she will sit pitifully upon the ground. (Verse 26). Then, in that time, men will be so few that 7 women will take hold of 1 man (or out of the 7 sacraments there will be only 1) and they will say: We will feed and clothe ourselves, but let us carry your name, so that our dishonor will be taken away from us.’ (Verse 27).

[10] And look, My friends. What the prophet has said, will certainly be fulfilled, as sure and true as I have told you now Myself. Because the people cannot bear the truth for a longer time, become tired and always sink back again into their old judgment and death-bringing laziness. And then there is truly nothing else that can be done but, through the most extreme ways, awaken the people again and of old, bring them once more upon the ways and mountain paths of light and life.

[11] Therefore, I am saying to you once more: above all, warn the people against spiritual laziness, for with this will start all evil things of which the prophet has spoken, and I must unfortunately permit them. Think about it, then we will talk about it again in the inn. And now we soon will also go to that place, because we still will have a lot of things to do this night.” (The Great Gospel of John Book 17, chap. 95)

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maxnet

1435 54 years ago

Sitting On The Fence

Sitting On The Fence

"Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

(James 4:4 NIV)

Some churchgoers are quite happy being in church and in sin at the same time. They are very comfortable, thinking that they can have the best of both worlds; they are enjoying the lusts of the flesh and will one day enjoy the pleasures of heaven also ... so they think!

However, the Bible makes it clear that we cannot be in sin and in Christ at the same time. James 4:4 makes this very obvious where it says, "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." We can't be a friend of God when we have one foot in this sinful world and one foot in Christ, like someone sitting on a fence. The following story brings out this truth:

There was a crowd of people standing in a field with a fence dividing them into two groups. Jesus came and took the little group of people who were on His side of the fence and then the Devil came and took the larger group. After this, there was one man left sitting on the fence. The Devil came back and told the man to come with him but the man said, "I don't belong to you, I'm sitting on the fence."

The Devil replied, "Oh, but you do belong to me. I own the fence."

We are either saved or lost, there is no in between. Either Jesus is our Lord, keeping us from continuing in sin and preparing us for heaven, or the Devil is our lord, helping us to enjoy the pleasures of this sinful world before we are taken off to hell. We can't be in sin and in Christ at the same time. Let's be like Joshua who told the Israelites that they had a choice of serving the Lord or the gods of this world and then he said, "... as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Josh. 24:15).

This article can be downloaded as a PDF or an MP3 from under the heading Blog Articles at -

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Mick Alexander

leeandmick@gmail.com

http://www.ChristianIssues.biz

guardianangel

571 54 years ago

Thinking on the Voice of God

(1 Kings 19:12)

<p data-find="_3" style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16.25px; vertical-align: baseline; min-height: 1em; color: rgb(78, 78, 84); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, Palatino, Georgia, serif; line-height: 26.25px; "><strong data-find="_2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16.25px; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span data-find="_1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: medium; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">For the last month before the elections I kept on thinking just how self-evident it is that the government has to be down sized because big government is what has caused the national debt...yet some believe that it is because the rich are undertaxed, which is nonsense. Nothing is more disproved then big government.  There is not enough money to sustain it, hence the government has to borrow and borrow and borrow....yet debts have to be paid at some point. A day of reckoning will come some day.  All the circle talking and semantics will not change reality.  Big government is a selfish and disproved construct.  In a sense it is a spiritual problem as it illustrates human selfishness and waste. It is both a thief and slave master. Sadly truth is often shunned by the natural man.  The natural human heart is drawn toward materialism and pride.  It is self centered.

<p style="margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16.25px; vertical-align: baseline; min-height: 1em; color: rgb(78, 78, 84); font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, Palatino, Georgia, serif; line-height: 26.25px; "><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16.25px; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: medium; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">Finally I asked God to show me if the American people are basically a foolish and ignorant lot.  I prayed in an almost angry manner about this and fasted for days. I decided if the people are stupid enough to reelect a president who has increased the national debt by 6 trillion dollars then I have no more respect for America and that it surely will be judged.  Finally election night came and I was alone watching and listening to the results with a heavy heart.  I sadly learned the truth but was relieved that it was over.  At that point a sound like wind and vibration hit me and a voice that said something like "<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16.25px; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; color: rgb(0, 255, 0); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; "><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 16.25px; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: baseline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">It is..".  The Lord let me know as I requested..

maricel77

705 54 years ago

A presentation of THE NEW REVELATION

THE NEW REVELATION is a body of works containing the writings of two men from the XIX-Th Century: Austrian Jakob Lorber and German Gottfried Mayerhofer. Not knowing each other personally, these two men presented themselves as “humble scribes of the Lord”, affirming that all their writings were the fruit of receiving a mysterious inner Word, an interior dictation coming directly from Jesus Christ, that only they could hear. However, the result of their work is an incredible amount of pages (approx. 10000 to Lorber and another few thousands to Mayerhofer), grouped in books which present a vast picture of the spiritual and material world and creation, the life of Christ on earth (“The Great Gospel of John”, 11 volumes in German and “The Childhood of Jesus”), the most important spiritual facts from the history of the first men, life after death depictions, etc.

These extraordinary teachings far surpass everything that philosophy or religion or even science proposed as an answer to the greatest questions of human existence; part of them are translated in many languages and part can be found free on the Internet. In them we can find spiritual explanations and interpretations that confirm and complete the most important parts of the Old and New Testament and also incredible prophecies and scientific predictions (see, for example,noulsite.new-revelation.ro/index.php?opt... ) and j-lorber.de/kee/0-eggen.htm.

Our days, although many other minor mystics revelations are treated with a lot of respect and attention in the theological world, although we live in a time when all kind of “shocking” archaeological discoveries or fictional literature which seem to unravel the deepest mysteries of Christianity are quickly popularized and acclaimed… the New Revelation still lies, after almost 150 years, totally unrecognized by all earthly institution and authority as something worthy to be studied and understood.

Reading the New Revelation, one can clearly understand the human nature, its liberty, the influence of sin on it, and so, can obtain not only a clear perspective of the historical development of mankind’s evolution, but also a correct representation of the things that God expect us to do for ourselves and, most of all, for our brothers in need.

My belief is that a true believer in Christ should, in our days more than ever, keep searching for His wisdom - the real spiritual truths that can indeed nourish and develop the true love for God and neighbor.

There are many proofs for the authenticity of the New Revelation considering the way it was conceived (manuscripts are available at the Lorber Verlag Publishing House in Germany), the logic and perfect consistence of all books, the historical data and the amazing accomplished predictions… so there are many things that can charm and convince an open and rational mind. But I think that the real core of these texts, which is the purest and greatest love only a loving heart can recognize and validate… and I have the greatest hopes that a heart already touched by the divine spirit will be able to embrace it immediately.

So, for a certain introduction in the New Revelation, please visit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakob_Lorber , http:www.new-revelation.ro

maxnet

596 54 years ago

God will reconcile all things and end all sorrow

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In Revelation 21:5 we see the Lord creating all things [see Strongs # 3956, pas/panta] new. And we see in verse 4 that he ends all sorrow and every tear, as well as death. My God is a God that will eventually end all sin and suffering. My God will eventually subdue everything to himself (Philippians 3:21) and complete everything...(Colossians 1:20).. With the highest possible Lord this has to be the eventual state of things at the end of time, as we know it. With the above in mind why would anyone hold to a view that says 90 percent, or more, of people, will be roasting in an endless "hell"? God will have a clean universe eventually with no prisons or sinners. This has to be so if God takes away all tears and sorrow. If God torments a person for eternity then they are not reconciled! Sorry but the traditional view is not tenable or respectable at all! It will do no good for those that hold to the traditional view to quote Revelation 14:11 or Luke 16 (Richman and Lazarus)..for the word "eternal" is not actually in the Greek text of the first, and in Luke 16 we see a parable about a change in fortunes. The Richman is Judah, one of 6 sons of Leah, and the poor man is Abrahams faithful steward Eliezer (Genesis 24). People need to focus on the clear verses in scripture rather than verses that are less clear. Romans 6:23 plainly tells us that the wages of sin is DEATH (not life in torment), and that the believers get the highest life..Yeshua affirmed this in many ways. He indicated that evil ones might be destroyed in Gehenna (Matthew 10:28).. This is the theme through all Bible history, starting with Adam, and his return to dust and down through time. Yeshua came and took the exact penalty of death. He carried the sins of all the world yet did not burn in hell even a week. Why do some teach that the unsaved sinners will suffer more than Yeshua, the Messiah did. This is actually an insult to Christ..

As stated above..God will eventually end all sorrow and make all things perfect. Peace and completeness (divine Shalom) will prevail in the end of time. There is a special plan of the Lord being worked out right now. God is sovereign and anything that happens God has allowed to happen (good and bad things). God can make good out of bad things. I have taught that the best possible world is one in which sin and suffering exist for a season. This way all things can be completed.. Amen..

pastor Zomok

maricel77

563 54 years ago

Recognising The Antichrist

"… he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God."

(2 Thess. 2:4)

The Bible tells us that one day a man, called the Antichrist, will appear in the Temple (yet to be built) and declare himself to be God. 2 Thess. 2:4 speaks about this saying, "He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." When this happens, we will know beyond question who the Antichrist is yet Jesus tells us, in Matt. 24, that many, many believers will still be deceived and follow this false Messiah believing that he is the real Christ. This deception will occur because the coming of the Antichrist will be with powerful but false miracles, signs and wonders. 2 Thess. 2:9-10 say, "The coming of the lawless one [the Antichrist] will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing." Believers who are always looking for signs, wonders and miracles will need to be especially careful as the Antichrist and the False Prophet will have Satan's enormous power and will deceive many people (see Rev. 13 also).

Because of this coming deception, we all need to study end time prophecy so that we won't be amongst those who get deceived and fall away. In Matt. 24:4-5, 10, Jesus said, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many … At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other." Jesus is warning us that, because of the great hype, emotion and deception during that time, many Christians will be deceived and betray and hate one another. In Matt. 24:12-13, He further warns, "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Then, in v.25, He stresses the point by saying, "See, I have told you ahead of time." Given the seriousness of these warnings, we all need to study prophecy to be aware of end time events so that we won't be deceived and fall away but stand firm as we wait for Jesus, the real Messiah, to return.

Signs of the Antichrist's coming

Firstly, Israel, the focal point of prophecy, was re-established in 1948. Secondly, Matt. 24 tells us that there will be earthquakes, famines and wars and we see plenty of that today. Thirdly, 2 Thess. 2:3 tells us there will be a great apostasy within the church. We see this today in the doctrinal compromise found in the Ecumenical Movement, the Emerging Church and the general trend towards a One World Religion. Lastly, 2 Thess. 2:4 tells us that the Antichrist will proclaim himself to be God in the Temple. For this to happen, a new Temple needs to be built and the Temple Mount Society in Jerusalem is already prepared to do that. These events indicate that we are nearing the time of the Antichrist but it could still be many years away. Who can really say? However, the following events will enable us to identify the Antichrist and know that his appearance in the Temple is very near:

1) The rise of the Little Horn: Daniel 7 speaks about a final beast kingdom with ten horns which represent ten kings. After this beast kingdom is formed, the Antichrist, called the Little Horn, will overcome three of the kings and rule the Beast as outlined in Dan. 7:7-8, Dan. 7:19-25 and Rev. 17:12-17.

2) A peace treaty with Israel: Dan. 9:27 tells us that the Antichrist will make, or confirm, a seven year peace treaty with Israel and he will break the treaty midway through that period. This peace treaty is alluded to in the likes of Ezek. 38:8, 11, 14, Dan. 8:25, Dan. 11:21 and Isa. 28:15-19.

These events will occur soon before the Antichrist claims to be God. If, for some reason, we fail to notice these events then, when he appears in the Temple and proclaims himself to be God, we will have no doubt about his identity. After appearing in the Temple, this satanically empowered false Christ will set out to destroy Jews and Christians (Rev. 12:17; Rev. 13:7). This will bring about a time of severe persecution known as The Great Tribulation which is spoken of in Matt. 24:21.

The sign of Jesus' return

In Matt. 24:24-26, Jesus strongly warns that we should not believe or even go near the many false Christs who will appear during the end times. Instead, we should patiently wait for His return which will be unmistakable. Just before His return, there will be a great sign in the sky and after that He will be seen like lightning. Jesus has told us, "Immediately after the distress of those days [that is, The Great Tribulation] the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky … For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matt 24:29-30, 27). No one will mistake the real Christ's return because there will be a mighty change and shaking of the sun, the moon and the stars just before He appears and lights up the sky from East to West.

Finally

We have been given enough information to recognise the Antichrist who will be empowered by the Devil to persecute Israel and Christians. During this Great Tribulation period, believers will need the Lord's strength more than ever to patiently persevere through terrible persecution. Jesus has warned us not to be deceived into believing someone who claims to be the Christ but to keep away from them and wait for His unmistakable appearance on the clouds, visible like lightning from East to West. When He returns, Jesus will first gather the saints and then pour out His wrath on sinners. After this time of wrath, known as The Day Of The Lord, the Antichrist and the False Prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire and the saints will rule the earth with Jesus (Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:4; Dan. 7:23-27).

This article can be downloaded as a PDF or an MP3 from -

<a href="http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html" target="_blank">http://www.christianissues.biz/downloads.html</a>

Mick Alexander

leeandmick@gmail.com

Website: http://www.ChristianIssues.biz

guardianangel

159 54 years ago

Free Gospel Recordings Available

Global Recordings has free Gospel recordings available in most languages. Simply go to their website, click on downloads and look up the language by name or by country. The recordings can be downloaded to MP3 players and to blank CDs for free. They are great witnessing tools for those who don't speak English. If you are interested, go to the following Global Recordings website link: http://globalrecordings.net

blueribbonarmy

719 54 years ago

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