Sun, Jun 26th - 1:07AM

Children of the Living God, while we must not obsess about the devil, we should know what God wants us to know and understand about him. No saint (G40 hagios) has to get fearful in looking at what God has given us to look at or know about.

Some essential undestandings to keep in mind in this study is:  1. God makes a distinct, and absolute difference between the tares and the wheat.

2. The Triune God NEVER, EVER says that ANY wheat is to be burned. ONLY tares will be burned.

In continuing on at looking at the devil we must keep a clear understanding of his nature; that is his intrinsic unchanging nature:

The devil is the archenemy of God and God's people.

The devil hates God, and is the source and promoter of unbelief.

Pride is of the devil, and he is the source of it.

The devil is a liar, in the deepest sense. He cannot tell the truth because there is absolutely NONE in him.

The will of the devil  is always to overthrow God and take God's kingdom.

The devil is the father of ALL them that choose to reject God.

The devil is evil incarnate, wholly corrupt, eternally wicked.

The devil is a murderer, a killer on every level. The devil is a murderer from the very beginning.

to be continued.

love

serola

Mon, Jun 20th - 8:52AM

In any study of this nature, (and of the Bible in total)  we ought to be extremely careful not to co-mingle any personal opinions, to input conjecture or speculation where the Bible is silent; or attach any non biblical information, as only the Bible is inerrant.

We do not need to try to authenticate the scriptures with worldly wisdom. Scripture confirms and authenticates scripture without error, and without contradiction. We need to understand these scriptures about the devil, in the light of our Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Triune God, and within the Biblical context as a whole.

Archeologist, are still trying to piece together an understanding of times just a hundred years ago, and many of them hesitate to say their understandings are entirely accurate. Certainly we can try to understand things of historical importance-but they do contain error and must not be attached to God's word.

Where the Bible gives history it is entirely  without error, because God cannot lie, and knows all things. Only pride would cause a man or woman to add these non-biblical histories to God's word; showing themselves to be puffed, up desiring to be known as a "scholar" of the Bible, not a follower.

Dearly beloveds, Christians are to be alert, and sober, regarding the devil, but never afraid of him.

He is known by various names: the devil, satan, serpent, dragon, deceiver, accuser, slanderer, lucifer,etc.

His history appears to predate his appearance in Genesis: (see Is: 14; Eze. 28. ).  He fell due to pride in himself ; and planned to over throw God. He was formerly known as lucifer, described in the Bible as the son of the morning; covering cherub, anointed cherub, at first.

Lucifer, the name which appears only once in the entire Bible ( Isa. 14:12) means: (H 1966) helel, in the sense of brightness :-lucifer.  God knew and saw lucifer's pride in himself, and of his plans to overthrow God. God cast him down, and he is no longer beautiful as he was in the beginning. Later we find him in Genesis 3 reduced to a snake or serpent, a mere creature of the field, as a snake who is now cursed; but retains the ability to deceptively disguise himself to appear as an angel of light. 2 Co. 11:14. God cursed him for deceiving Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Obviously, after lucifer fell, God changed lucifer's name to refer to his real and true nature- the serpent,  satan,devil, evil one,  tempter, etc.

We do not know everything about him, saints (G40hagios), but God has told us everything we need to know in His revealed word, the Bible.

Also in any study on the devil, we must always keep in mind, children of God, these fundamental understandings:

1. The devil is a created being. Gen. 3:1; Eze. 28;13.

2. The devil is a defeated foe.Mt. 28:18; Rev. 1:18. Lk. 10:17-20; COL. 2:15 .

8. He cannot defeat God's purposes in this world or for God's people. jude 1:24-25.(To be continued.)

love

serola

Fri, Jun 17th - 6:42AM

There are some who try to soft sell and edit these parables on the tares, and instead go about teaching that "everybody" will be saved; and/or also that God is too good to send men to hell.

 Dear friends while it is true that God desires that all men be saved, unfortunately not all men choose  to be saved. Moreover God is the God of justice; He will not punish the righteous believer and doer in Jesus, nor shall He allow the evil to go unpunished. God speaks of dire consequences for those who try to edit the Holy Bible to fit with some man made doctrine; more accurately the doctrine of devils.

It must be well established by now that the parable of the tares is about those self willed persons who totally reject God on every level. such persons may use scientific, intellectual or various other names to define themselves. Nevertheless God knows who they are and Jesus here in the parable of the tares pulls off their masks of deception, because He wants His people to discern them as well.

To more fully understand the children, dear saints (G40 hagios), we ought to and must take a look at the daddy. Let us then look at satan. (to be continued).

love

serola

Thu, Jun 16th - 8:43AM

Brethren, if secular society recognizes that there are persons dedicated to evil, surely we ought to much more understand and believe Lord Jesus, when He says in His word there is indeed a devil. Also indeed the devil fathers children of the devil, whose aim and goal is to try to hinder God's work and people; to foment, facilitate, co-operate, conspire and carry out the will of the evil one, by all and any means.

It is clear, brothers and sisters,  that Lord Jesus is speaking in His parable of absolutes, regarding tares. He makes it clear that He is absolutely not describing the wheat. For He states that these tares are absolutely not His. Whose are they then? Jesus said they are from the devil, it is the devil who has planted them, and they are in fact the devils' children. Unfortunately, some of the teachings on the tares have been bazarre and even comingled with Jesus' parables on the wheat. The parable of the wheat preceeds the parable on the tares for good reason, easily to see as you study these parables on your own.

But again it is clear that Jesus here is defining what the tares are-they are children of the devil. The tares are destructive. We know they cannot be eaten, there is nothing anyone can do to make them edible, they must be removed.  Note saints (G40 hagios), Jesus did not tell His servants  to go on a hunt through out the field to rout them out, (the field is the world).  ( Neither is Jesus telling us to be Passive towards them, and allowing them or anyone to run wild among the people of God). Please feel free to look up on your own or other sources regarding the church/discipline.

You see, brethren,  this is because while the wheat and tare are growing, they look alike, they seem similar, even indistinquishable from one another. Due to this, the wheat would be mistakenly pulled up with  the tares, if you try to separate them at this time.

The richness of Lord Jesus' parable indicates that it takes time for things to ripen, both good and bad. So do not expect someone who has just believed on Jesus to mature all at once. Conversely do not expect a tare to mature in evil all at once. Who is and who is not of God is revealed clearly at maturation.

The King tells us something that is sometimes missed in this parable: while the wheat and the tares both mature-tares bare NO fruit of righteousness. See  Mt. 7:18-19; Lk. 3:9; Lk. 6:43-44; Jude 1:12 It goes without saying that the fruit of righteousness can only come through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit. This is the only fruit accepted by and produced from God. (to be continued)

love

serola

Wed, Jun 15th - 9:25AM

God through out the scriptures makes it abundantly clear that  His Kingdom of light and righteousness is eternally separated from the kingdom of darkness. His children are not half, dark and half light, nor any mixture thereof. They do not have one foot in light and the other foot in darkness. God calls His people children of light.

The redeemed of the Lord are born of incorruptible seed, (Peter 1:22-23) through the operation of God, through the faith of Jesus Christ, whose precious blood has eternally purged their sins away; and who keeps them through the Holy Spirit indwelling them. For this reason God also calls His people saints (G40 hagios), and uses many other endearments.

1 Jn. 5:18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 Peter 1: 3-4.

Nor are we talking about any false doctrine of predestination-i.e., that God has simply destined some persons for hell before they were even born. This is not an exhaustive study so feel free to explore this further on your own.

Oddly enough even in secular society those in the mind sciences recognize sheer evil in some way shape or form. There are countless secular studies regarding persons referred to as "sociopaths"; deceptively charming, who lack any sense of love or compassion; who live for their own pleasure, and are capable of using others in the most horrible ways to serve their own perverted purposes; with absolutely no remorse. It is well evidenced that they have NO CONSCIENCE, No sense of morality; and can be found in any walk of life, married or single. Even the judicial system, recognizes such, and tries its best to contain them through long or life time prison sentences. ( to be continued).

love

serola

Sun, Jun 12th - 10:22AM

Jesus warns us to beware the tares among the wheat in this parable: Matt. 13: 24-30

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his fields. 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? From whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay, lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn. 

Jesus our Lord tells what this parable means: Matt. 13:36-43: He is telling us now even as He told His disciples then:

36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them. He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one, 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire there shall be a wailing and gnashing of teeth. 45 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father, Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Christians must understand that the devil has then and now too; children, whom he slyly puts in amongst the church, even as the devil put his children amongst the Jews:  Mt. 8:42-47:  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me for I proceeded forth and came from God, neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the begining, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth (convicts) me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (to be continued).

love

serola

Sat, Jun 11th - 3:45AM

Beloveds, I am not painting with a broad brush here, but in a few days there will be some brothers and sisters, thinking to earn brownie points with God, by showing up on a certain day of the week commonly called the Sabbath or Sabbath day.

Again I am not painting with a broad brush, saints (G40 hagios), for many understand the truth of the true Sabbath; however there will be some pastors preaching too, that the Sabbath is a day in which one can earn or gain righteousness with God, by showing up on that day, and perhaps performing some service or giving some kind of material goods, within the material building or facility.

Some will be filled with anxiety, for so many rules and regulations and doctrines have been attached by and to those who erroneously see the Sabbath as a day. Of course, there are some who will be filled with pride, perhaps having "earned" a reward for never having missed a Sabbath day; selling the most donuts or dinners to celebrate the Sabbath.

Yet, some of these will still feel weighted down on some level, wishing that the day would soon be over. Some will be sad, beating themselves up over and over again, thinking this is the way to celebrate the Sabbath day. They will approach the Sabbath "day" with a heavy heart-coming only to confess their sins, and bewail the error of their ways.

 Certainly the Bible commands us to repent, and also to confess our faults to one another-for restoration not condemnation. This is not the only reason Christians assemble, nor are we limited to this only within the four walls of a building. However those who see the church as a thing that is a building with four walls tend to call the main meeting room "the sanctuary", and the platform from which the pastor speaks "the altar".

Some pastors in ignorance or not promote, teach and holinize the building as the "real" church. Some of them even "welcome" you to the "church", and when you leave  thank you for coming to "church". However it is the true church, the body of Christ that comes to the building to meet or assemble. It is the true church who leaves the building, which is just a building, a convenient place to assemble; but where ever the true church goes- there goes the living breathing, walking talking, spirit filled church. Brick and stone does not a church make.

They are blind to the fact that through Christ each saint (G40 hagios) is in fact the true church, individually and as a whole, that assembles within a building; but are not exclusively confined to a building. Obviously we must support  ministry as God enables us and church leaders are accountable to the church to be wise and honest in handling and use of church funds.

Those who hold to a false concept of the church as a building, based solely on man made tradition are blind and worship in vain; for the Bible says: 

Matt. 15:9 But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men. Also in Col 2:8-10 God warns us: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality, and power....

The greatest loss to all is that they will displease God; and deprive themselves of experiencing the joy/freedom/ and rest of understanding that for those that believe, understand and trust the unencumbered truth of the Gospel, the Sabbath is no longer a day, but a constant state of belief in God, that as He has rested from His work, NOT because He was tired, but that He has completely finished His work for all time, we must and ought to rest from our own works,and just believe what He has done for us, once and for all time.

Thank God for the multitudes in the body, who well understand that having rested in a constant state of belief that God's work is eternally finished, the Sabbath has been obtained once and for all. They eagerly go forward with joy to assemble with other saints (G40 hagios) on the day of their choosing. They give freely of their time talent and treasure, as God has enabled them, out of love, not of debt, or that they are purchasing some favor from God. This is the true Sabbath, and the one that is not optional it is God's command.

It is these who will truly enjoy the preaching, teaching, and fellowship with their brothers and sisters, not bound by petty ordinances which are merely shadows of the true. These having strong understanding, confidence, and faith in God, are among those who will make a difference in the body, and lead many to the true Sabbath, obtainable through belief and faith that God has finished every work for righteousness, for all eternity. It is better to please God, than men (this includes women too).

Therefore when you walk into the building, maintain your identity; do not confuse or switch your identity with the physical meeting place of the building. Do not holinize any part of the building my brothers and sisters; for it is you who is holy; it is you who is the temple of God, and it is you in whom God dwells, for He has made you His living temple.( I Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?).  

For some this will not be easy, for in some church buildings there is much urgings, with large written signs " you are now entering the "sanctuary"; even signs pointing to the platform of the building as the " altar". Dear friends of Jesus, simply ignore them, for they are merely carnal doctrines that are made up by mere men. Keep in mind your identity has been established for all time by God, and no man has the right to tamper or meddle with what God has done and given to you.

When some brother, sister, or church leader(s) urges you to go into the "church sanctuary" to get in the presence of God, beloveds be merciful and as the Lord so leads you tell them the truth in love: 1 Cor. 3:16. However if they persist refer them to God's word again: Acts 7:48-51: 48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? Pray for them, remand them into the hands of 1 Peter 2: 1-10.

But you, dear friends of Jesus, make no idol of any building or person, keep your hearts and minds builded upon the solid Rock. Be followers of Jesus, and the helpers of the faith of others through the Bible correctly understood and lived. Do not blindly follow anyone, test out their doctrines by comparing them to the scriptures.

Have you rested yet, child of the living God? If so, continue on. If not, why delay?-go believing what God has done and obtained eternally for you and all the body.

serola

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