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Greetings Brethren, friends and neighbors, I bid you shalom and to all who gather with you. Summer is nearly upon us and that means I will be working around the clock 24/7 engaged in my seasonal vocation as a licensed Captain for two different companies in the Puget Sound area of Washington State. If I am slow in my communications and replies to your many email inquiries during this season, please forgive me for this is how I earn my family's keep to "keep our boat afloat." I must take advantage of what is offered at this time of year so that I can continue to add to the ministry and live a humble life while I conduct ministry affairs throughout the year. In this way, no one can say that I live off the modest donation income that is received by us at Cephas Ministry. Know that donations submitted by you are strictly used for filling the needs of others that come to us with various requests that cannot afford to purchase Bibles and other valuable resources through Cephas. So when you give to Cephas, you are not lining my pocket or paying me a salary as we operate this ministry without pay. Cephas Ministry is still very much a self-funded, "not-for-profit" organization and we desire to spread your donations to others whose need is greater than our own. We appreciate all who give occasionally and want you to know that whatever funds are received by you, they are managed with careful consideration and prudence giving attention to our Lord's will and desire. Many thanks to all of you that care to give freely to others who are unable to help themselves. Your generosity is admirable and worthy of the Lord's attention. The following is an excerpt of a response I wrote to answer a participant's question regarding the disbanding of Christ's true Church. You will see that I relied not upon my own understanding but sought out our Lord's Word and wisdom to answer this very deep question. I would look forward to hearing from you and anyone that may have further questions regarding the differences between what man has created as church and what Jesus established as His True Church. After much prayer and time for careful consideration and testing out what the Spirit indicates, I came up with the following. When I pray, it seems that rivers flow out of me and so I apologize for being somewhat long winded. The response is not merely my opinion but I allowed the written Word to do most of the answering, I just posed the questions and framed those questions around your basic question. As far as the early church disbanding? I don't believe that Christ's faithful ones ever disbanded but we were brought to near extinction during the dark ages thanks to the atrocities brought on by Rome and the Catholic Church. God has always preserved a remnant for the purpose of preserving the Word. For a time, even the Catholic Church has proven to be useful but its growth has produced the same debauchery of doctrine and edict that the Jews did through their oral tradition and partiality. Please remember as you read this response that "Holy" means "Separate." Now that in mind let us see what it means to be the Holy children that a Holy God calls out of darkness into light. Father God (Yahweh), I pray in the name of Jesus (Yeshua) in behalf of this ministry and all those who are gathered with us for fellowship, learning, direction, guidance and understanding; grant to us this hour your unchangeable Word and help us to understand the manifold grace brought toYour true Church. Let us reason with one another and make a sincere appeal to those who are seeking understanding. Fellowship with us Lord and speak Your utterance if You will that we may learn of Your will and grant us the necessary courage to accept Your direction and instruction. May we be found useful to You oh Lord and partake in the manifold wisdom and mystery of Your eternal Word. Grant it to us as we pray this day in the name of Your Son Jesus (Yeshua), AMEN The Office of Bishop The office of "Bishop" as described in 1 Timothy 3:1 "Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." This does not infer nor establish that this is a political office nor does it claim that the Church over which he presides is large or institutionalized. The very word Church in it's literal definition means "gathering" or "those gathered unto." None of the Churches described for us in the New Testament were large cathedrals or temples except those that are referred to as Jewish temples and synagogues. The early Christian Churches were small gatherings often held in the homes of disciples and believers where they could meet in secret without the "authorities" badgering them for their faith, right of assembly and preaching. The persecution they were under was great and for safety's sake, the early disciples and their gatherings were scattered and very mobile. Remember that the early Christians were considered rebels who upset the people and were often accused of inciting rebellion. They also "ate together giving thanks" shared their personal wealth and ministered to the needs of the disadvantaged. Their personal wealth was re-distributed among others with greater need in the fellowship and also among the poor. Being scattered and mobile helped to enhance their personal security. "Bishops" were selected by apostolic elders to head up the assembly of churches in each city where enough Christians were dwelling that needed guidance and leadership. The outlying towns where Christians lived would seek the council and guidance of the appointed Bishop in the district nearest them. The Apostles and traveling disciples often visited and gathered in the homes and apartments of Christians and rooms of gathering throughout Asia, Judea and Samaria while on their missionary journeys. There was indeed, some organization but the many epistles (both, canonized and non-canonical) were addressed to the "Church" or "Churches at" located within a particular town, city or district. They're never was any religious distinction made between Christian gatherings. The only distinction made was by location. They was an absence of any other nomenclature! When larger crowds did gather during public speaking and exhortations, the crowds often grew with unrest and the Roman authorities often had to break up these public gatherings. Our early brethren were truly counted among transgressors and I contend that true Christians today are still very much "counted as transgressors" for "the Word is unchangeable." I ask you to let the Word judge what you see and where there is contrast ask God why the contrast exists. The Word will ultimately define what the truer definition and example of God's Church is and then you will either be forced to accept how the Word judges or be tempted as so many to try and justify or explain away the existing contrasts of contemporary churches and mainstream Christianity. As for me, I've learned how to implicitly trust God's Word, its definition and His judgments. The problem with Ecumenism By large contrast, the many, many Christian gatherings today are without the kind of adversity that the earlier gatherings were assaulted by. Today's common Christian gatherings in the "Western world" are thought to be of no real threat or consequence to secular powers and authorities as they once were. Why, one should ask? The answer dates back to the "legalization" of Christianity first initiated by Constantine I in Rome. The same mediocre potpourri of convoluted and intertwined mix of faiths that sprang from "ecumenical" efforts beginning in Rome has evolved into a benign and powerless formula of half baked truth taught throughout mainstream Christianity today. To understand this, you must first understand what was the goal and intent of the "Ecumenical Councils" in early Christianity was. The goal was simply to bring about peace between fighting factions of varied faith and practice, and in the process, has evolved over time through many, many compromises. This has evolved into the "end-time Church" that Jesus says, "He will spit out of His mouth." In fact, since the administration of "Vatican II" by the last two Popes, the Ecumenical movement obtained a new "re-birth" whereby the Catholic Church today largely accepts all faiths regardless of religious history and doctrine. Pope John Paul II acknowledged that the Hindus, Moslems, Buddhists, Native American Shamans and others are all praying to the same God regardless of weather Jesus is recognized as the "only begotten Son of GOD" or not. This is the obvious fruit of "Institutionalized Religion" which is best defined as mankind's response to Deity, Allah, Higher Power, or GOD or gods. Therefore, religion is a work of man and not the FAITH a.k.a. TRUST that Jesus promoted. He promoted having FAITH in God the Father and Creator by His example. Let the Scriptures Speak Scripture offered up several other scriptures to look at. Lets see what they mean in their proper context. Hebrews 13:13-15 "Let us therefore go forth unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have not here an abiding city, but we seek after the city which is to come. Through him then let us offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which make confession to his name." These verses imply that we should not build for ourselves a "fortified city" as the Catholics have done but instead encourages us to follow Christ outside the gate and bear the same reproaches and suffering He endured. Remember that Jesus rebuked "Institutionalized Religion" of the day and said that the Jews have made a "robbers den" out of what was once called, "the House of God." He did not promote religion but rebuked it and showed us a better way, which the Book of Hebrews defines well for us. 1 Timothy 3:15 "but if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." This verse mentions the House of God in a symbolic fashion and does not infer it to be a place of worship as a building but directly implies it to be all whom are gathered unto Christ Jesus (and no other god(s)) who are collectively the "Church of the living GOD." Elsewhere in Scripture, including Hebrews, we learn that God no longer desires to dwell in temples built by man's hand but instead desires to dwell in living hosts (human beings) who by their faith (trust in GOD) and through His grace have become "temples of the living GOD." Matthew 18:15-20 "And if thy brother sin against thee, go, show him his fault between thee and him alone: if he hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established. And if he refuse to hear them, tell it unto the church: and if he refuse to hear the church also, let him be unto thee as the Gentile and the publican. Verily I say unto you, what things so ever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and what things so ever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Defining "Church" The passage above depicts the prescribed discipline, which should exist within our fellowships but is so often, non-existent in today's Churches. Now where "Church" is mentioned, herein again it is to be understood as those belonging to that local or particular fellowship or gathering. Proverbs says that "Brothers are born for adversity," and Jesus says that we are called to hold each other accountable in the context of love (unwavering commitment to obedience and God). "Telling it to the Church" literally means to bring a matter before all your brethren and let the issue be resolved among you. Nowhere in here is there an indication that we are supposed to practice a "priestly confessional" but the Word does say that we should be faithful in our confession to one another. The true essence of the smaller gathering being a part of the greater Church (Body of Christ) is described at the end of this passage where Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered..." Therein is a Church and therein is where you shall find "brothers of accountability" if they are applying themselves to this fundamental application. Remember how the disciples marveled at the great Temple structures and commented on all their beauty and grandeur? What did Jesus say about such places of worship? Did He not answer the following...? Matthew 24:1-2 "And Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way; and his disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. But he answered and said unto them, "See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down." I have in many other Scrolls and writings pointed to the fact that "the Gentiles have done no better with God's offer of Salvation than the Jews did with their rigid practice of tradition and miss-application of law." We are winding down in the time of the Gentiles and soon that time will be completed. What do you think will be the result of mankind's erring in institutionalized religion when so much error and miss-applied, convoluted doctrines have been enforced? Don't you think that the end result will be the same for these false preachers and "so-called brethren" as it once was? Defining "Holy" Remember that the word, "Holy" means, "separate." What did Paul advise us regarding "making a separation?" 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 "I wrote unto you in my epistle to have no company with fornicators; not at all meaning with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world: but as it is, I wrote unto you not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no, not to eat. For what have I to do with judging them that are without? Do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Put away the wicked man from among yourselves." What did God the Father command in the Old Testament that was also passed onto us in the New Testament in Paul's letter to the Corinthians regarding "separation?" 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 "Wherefore Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, And touch no unclean thing; And I will receive you, And will be to you a Father, And ye shall be to me sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." Are we not called to be Holy? Ephesians 1:4 "even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:" Is the Church not called to be Holy? Ephesians 5:27 "that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." Have you made the separation so that you too could be sanctified and made holy? 1 Peter 1:15-16 "but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy." The proof of what I declare is that Scripture confirms is found in the Book of Hebrews. This is sadly, one of the most neglected books in most Church assemblies today. Hear what Jesus authored and sanctified for our sakes and discern what the Church of the living God looks like in the proper context. Calling us to glory In brief, the witness and writer of Hebrews declares… Hebrews 2:1-4 "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things that were heard, lest haply we drift away from them. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? Which having at the first been spoken through the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard; God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will." For the purpose of calling "many sons to glory" and providing us the necessary example and grace to be delivered from our sins and temptations. The writer exhorts, Hebrews 2:9-18 "But we behold him who hath been made a little lower than the angels, even Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, In the midst of the congregation will I sing thy praise. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold, I and the children whom God hath given me. Since then the children are sharers in flesh and blood, he also himself in like manner partook of the same; that through death he might bring to nought him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and might deliver all them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily not to angels doth he give help, but he gives help to the seed of Abraham. Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted." Obedience begets a sharing of Christ's suffering And since we are sharers in His example of obedience and suffering… Hebrews 3:12-15 "Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God: but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: for we are become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end: while it is said, Today if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation." And what shall the result of such a great promise and gift be? Hebrews 4:1-6 "Let us fear therefore, lest haply, a promise being left of entering into his rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not united by faith with them that heard. For we who have believed do enter into that rest; even as he hath said, As I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he hath said somewhere of the seventh day on this wise, And God rested on the seventh day from all his works; and in this place again, They shall not enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereunto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience," Know that it is the Word of God that judges each one of us and our faith, be it an example of obedience or disobedience towards Him who calls us out of darkness into light. Hebrews 4:11-12 "Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart." What did Jesus endure for our sakes that we might also be willing to follow? Hebrews 5:8-10 "though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation; named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek (an eternal order not of this earthly realm)." Why is there such a contrast between the biblical examples and today's "made-up" religion? Hebrews 5:11-14 "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for full-grown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil." Proving it out… Hebrews tells us what we must do and reveals the result of those who fail to apply themselves to our Lord's example. Hebrews 6:1-6 "Wherefore leaving the doctrine of the first principles of Christ, let us press on unto perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. For as touching those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." The truth about His Lordship and will regarding our proper application is revealed here and contrasts sharply with the priestly examples afforded us today. Hebrews 8:1-7 "Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer. Now if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are those who offer the gifts according to the law; who serve that which is a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses is warned of God when he is about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern that was showed thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a ministry the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought for a second." And further… Hebrews 8:8 "For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;" … Hebrews 8:10-13 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen, And every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For all shall know me, From the least to the greatest of them. For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxes aged is nigh unto vanishing away." The "Key" is revealed The key, which unlocks the mystery of the pattern to which we must abide and follow, is contained in these three verses… Hebrews 9:8-10 "the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect, being only (with meats and drinks and divers washings) carnal ordinances, imposed until a time of reformation." Therefore I exhort with all boldness and full assurance of faith to all who are called "Christian," "Tear down your temples of false worship and mediocrity and put on the cloth of Christ! Repent (turn away from) and be baptized in the Spirit of fire and walk as sons and daughters of the living God!" Ask yourself what is "the way?" Hebrews 9:14 "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" Must we die to ourselves? Paul says, "I die daily." The writer in Hebrews makes a valid point too. Hebrews 9:16-17 "For where a testament is, there must of necessity be the death of him that made it. For a testament is of force where there hath been death: for it doth never avail while he that made it liveth." "To do thy will" And what does God ask of us? Does He not ask of us the same thing that He asked of His first begotten Son? What does God ask? Hebrews 10:9-14 "then hath he said, Lo, I am come to do thy will. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Will which have sanctified us through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins: but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Remembering that being "sanctified" means to set one's pathway straight, we must therefore follow in the same example of obedience and not be as the priests who make various offerings to take away sins. Neither does our repetitive plea to seek forgiveness of that which we will not die to, accomplish much in the way of sanctification. We either accept and employ God's empowering grace to overcome or we become like hearers who delude themselves never fully believing in the power of God's available grace! Should we therefore not seek to do the Father's will also? Should we therefore not be willing to die to ourselves and fully surrender unto God the Father as Jesus was fully surrendered unto Him? Why are so many Christians nullifying the grace that was sent to them by going to the altars week after week apologizing for repeated sins, pretending repentance never being perfected? Have they never heard…? Hebrews 10:26-31 "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. A man that hath set at nought Moses law dies without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite (insulted) unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that said, Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." The writer exhorts why we must endure such a conflict of sufferings in the process of being sanctified… Hebrews 10:35-36 "Cast not away therefore your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise." The writer reminds us… Hebrews 10:39 "But we are not of them that shrink back unto perdition; but of them that have faith unto the saving of the soul." For both Jew and Gentile Think not that this word was for the Jews only, for the Romans also received the same instruction even though they were never under the Law as the Jews formerly were. Paul exhorts… Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." This is the truer picture and definition of "the Church of the living God." We are not called to assemble and tickle each other's lusts or to make excuses for our sins saying, "the work was finished for us on the cross." This is where the rubber meets the pavement in genuine faith and application. Yes, the work was finished but that's where our works by faith begin! For God said to Moses, "Make no other pattern other than the one that was shown you on the mountain" in response to building a tabernacle. And again in the New Testament where Jesus was on the mountain with three disciples in a transfigured form speaking to Moses and Elijah. The disciples said, "This is good, let us build three tabernacles." A voice came out of the cloud in a thundering response and said, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" In other words… We were never going to enter in the Holy place as Jesus has done until the first tabernacle was done away with in our lives for we are the temples of the living God! See Hebrews 9:8-9 "the Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the holy place hath not yet been made manifest, while the first tabernacle is yet standing; which is a figure for the time present; according to which are offered both gifts and sacrifices that cannot, as touching the conscience, make the worshipper perfect," Which leads to more questions Remembering that Jesus was the fulfillment of Law and Prophesy and that He is not ashamed to call us brethren who are called to be sons of God. It literally means that we are called to follow His example and not man's example of made-up religion. At best, religion is for babes and the immature who are still feeding on the milk who think they need a pastor, preacher or priest to administer sacraments to them and continually teach them the elementary principles of God. At best, these places called "churches" today are nurseries and hospitals for the young, sick and newborn. Indeed, babes do need this extra special care and nurturing but these are only a copy of the heavenly things. But we are called to maturity and it is by our very nature that all mature and grow old gaining degrees of wisdom. So why do the people still cling to the place of their childhood and their youth? Why are not the men growing up and becoming God fearing men doing what disciples do? Why are so many of these religious organizations running amuck with perverted doctrines and perverted priests and practicing all kinds of abomination? Why are they still passing out bottled milk or worse, diluted formula? Why has church growth become more important than conformity to God's Word? Brethren, I tell you truly, this should not be! God answers… I'll answer very clearly as the Holy Spirit indicates, "Because the clergy are mere "hirelings" and they do what they do for a pretense and a dollar. They are not the teachers they could be. If only they should repent, but they continue in their vocation because they deny for themselves and others that My grace empowers those who are called to overcome. My sheep separate themselves and flee from the wolves. They hear My voice and go where I send them and they do whatever I command them. My little flock hears My voice and does my bidding in the midst of so much agitation and adversity. When my little ones speak in the midst of the congregations, they are so often cast out or warned to keep silent because the preachers fear loosing their position and income by dwindling congregations saying, 'We have many newcomers and we don't want to upset them. Membership is important to us and we want our church to grow." My prophets, wise men and scribes whom I have sent are being spit out of the places that are called by My Name. I tell you truly, though the people confess My Name but deny Me by their deeds and false promises, I will spit them out and deny them to My Father because they denied Me to My children. For power and prestige, money and mammon, they do the devil's bidding, making a powerless, weak and mediocre formula. They are children of the devil and they shall have no inheritance unless they turn away from their transgressions against Me! Hear Me oh children of the Nations, hear Me oh Israel, turn away, turn away from your long history of rebellion! If you hear My voice, do not harden your heart nor hesitate nor shrink back for I am coming very quickly." Declares the Spirit of our Lord in me. The Word of God is both symbolic and literal but one must have discernment to know the difference. To know God is to fear Him. To fear God is to acquire knowledge and wisdom. To love God is to seek and obey His truth (His WORD). To seek God's truth is to make oneself courageous enough to ask questions, then to settle down and be quiet enough to hear His voice (and read His WORD) then to be brave enough to accept the answer He provides. The following letter was originally sent to David Cloud, a respected missionary and God fearing man doing the work of a disciple in India and throughout the Baptist Conventions. The man writing this letter is obviously in agreement with my bold and unwavering stance with respect to proper role models. See if this letter does not resonate through the very core of your heart and produce a beautiful melody? I say AMEN
Nicholas continues... With an unwavering commitment (love) and God fearing trust (faith) in Christ and His Word, AMEN Nicholas A. Stivers; a living disciple, scribe and messenger of our Lord, Author; Apostasy Revealed
published 2003 by Mountainview Publishing ISBN: 1-928602-92-4 |