Some reasons why I left the Institutional Church or Church System along with observations and experiences. The Institutional Church bears no resemblance to the Church model mentioned in the Book of Acts. This video is complete with Bible quotes that confirm in Black and White that the modern day church is nothing more than a business model with a Christian facade, regardless of which denomination it is.
The church has become divided against itself and is no longer unified. It has become institutionalised and is nothing like the True Original Church which is merely a body of believers and not a building!
What is Discernment, often known as Spiritual Discernmemt? This video is in two parts. Firstly I state what it is, and give examples of Discernment in the Christian Faith and it's uses. Discernment is one of the gifts of the Spirit which I think is one of the most important almost vital, helping you to stay on the narrow way. Some personal experiences of discernment are also thrown into the mix.
The second part we look at Scripture and see what the Bible has to say about Discernment using Bible Software (KJV)
This video was shot in Ayot Green in Hertfordshire a few miles away from where I live.
Trying to find good Christian You Tube Channels amongst the many thousands out there is a daunting prospect, but this video aims with these tips, to narrow your search down, right down to a maximum of a dozen or so. There are some real gems out there, but they often get buried by the flashier, larger and more worldly looking Christian channels that focus more on thrills rather than Christianity itself.
If you are looking for fellowship with other Christians, this is a good way to find fellow sheep, it can be time consuming, but when you find these channels you will realise when you find a real brother or sister, it is well worth the effort. As always, if you are in the Christian faith, let the spirit guide you to the right channels. Discernment is key
The Living Water and how it is mentioned in The Bible?
Water is referenced a number of times in the Bible in it's physical form but when it is mentioned as the "Living Water" or "The Water of Life" this is more in a spiritual context. This article will take a closer look at the term "the living water" as it is one of the fundamentals of the Christian faith and compare it to water in it's mere physical form.
What does this expression "living Water" mean or imply, where does it appear in the Bible and how many times, why is it used, who uses this term and which Prophets mention it in a direct or indirect manner. What is the importance of this expression the "living water" especially to those in the Christian faith? It is a topic of vital importance which spans both the Old and New Testament and is mentioned in the final Book of the Bible which is the Book of Revelation. On a search on Bible software the word "water" appears 363 times. In relation to that the term "living water" appears directly only 4 times
There are two main forms of water in the Bible, the first is the Physical Form and the second is a more Spiritual Form
Water in it's Physical form can mean many things, it can have a living form or creative quality about it, it can stand for attacks or enemies and it can represent salvation or eternal life and is used in it's physical form for baptism. It was also used as a form of Judgement in the Days of Noah where a vast amount of water came from the sky and created the great flood where it rained for forty days and forty nights, but this is water in it's physical form.
Water is first mentioned in a living manner in Genesis 1
Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
Water can also stands for enemies who can attack and need to be overcome such as
Psalm 18:16-17 16. He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. 17. He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.
Isaiah 8:7 Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks:
In both the Old and New Testaments, the word "water" is used for salvation and eternal life, which God offers humankind through faith in his Son
Isaiah 12:33. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
Isaiah 55:1
1. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Water sometimes symbolises the spiritual cleansing that comes with the acceptance of God's offer of salvation
Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
And of course water forms the basis of Baptism, the most famous being of Jesus by St John The Divine in Jordan. This is one of the most famous references to water and it's powers.
Matthew 3:13-16 13. Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15. And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Water identifies with us of the cleansing of the Christian. It also suggests a profound and/or spiritual life. Just as the Oceans, waters have depth and waters can run deep.
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
But what about the term the "Living Water"
It is not something that is presented in neon lights, but in a more subtle way. The term "living water" (mentioned 4 times) or it's other term "Water of Life" (mentioned 3 times) is used in the Bible sparingly. The "living water" mentioned in the Bible, however is for those who are looking to "satisfy a thirst" but the thirst mentioned here is a "spiritual one". Sin temporarily satisfies such a thirst but the "living water" will permanently satisfy this spiritual thirst. In the New Testament the "Living Water" is referencing the Holy Spirit which resides inside a person when they are Born Again or "Saved"
In the Old Testament "The Living Water" is mentioned and is normally associated with "the presence of God" It is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament scriptures, God is often referred to or called the source of "living water" but in these instances it is an external presence as was the Holy Spirit throughout the Old Testament.
From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden mentioned in Genesis, where God lived along side man, a river welled up that formed the headwaters of four mighty rivers as mentioned in Genesis 2
Genesis 2:10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
The four rivers or heads are mentioned in further verses and include the first which is Pison, the second is Gihon, the third is Hiddekel and the last or fourth is the Euphrates. It is the fourth the Euphrates that is most interesting, as it is mentioned in Revelation with the Sixth Trumpet and Sixth Vial Judgements both performed by a sixth angel.
Revelation 9:14 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates.
Revelation 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
In Jeremiah the living water is mentioned again, twice, in relation to Israel who had left their God and instead started worshipping idols and worshippers of a false religion. In both these instances Israel is rebuked for forsaking God for with what he calls cisterns that will in no way satisfy their "thirst." that is a "spiritual thirst" because of their falseness.
Jeremiah 2:13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
Jeremiah 7:13 O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake you will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living water.
The living waters mentioned in the Prophecy of Zechariah predicted a flow out of Jerusalem East and West in both summer and winter. This was in reference to the spreading of the gospel from Jerusalem and was helped by the influences of the Holy Spirit which would overcome idols, false religion, anti-christian power, although they would remain as rivals.
Zechariah 14:8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
The Living Waters In the New Testament
The phrase the "living water" is most famously attributed to Jesus speaking with the Samarian woman whom he meets at Jacob's Well in Sychar. This scene is referred to as "the woman at the well". This is where Jesus used the term the "living water" much to the confusion of the woman concerned.
John 4:9-14 9. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. 11. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? 12. Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? 13. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Again this references a spiritual water or a water of life that is real that will quench a "spiritual thirst". He is also implying just as the water in the well will temporarily satisfy a thirst, the dead water of false faiths will never quench or satisfy that "spiritual thirst" only the "living water" that is the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus was in Galilee on the day of Feast of Tabernacles he mentioned the phrase "the living water" again at The Temple.
John 7:37-39 37. In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
When he said these words The gift of the Spirit (the living water) was not yet available at that time it could not be passed on until Acts
Acts 10:43–45 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Mentioned in the Book of Revelation
In the Book of Revelation there is no mention of "living water" but instead there is reference to the equivalent which is the "water of life"
Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
In both these references, the term Water of Life refers to the Holy Spirit just as Jesus referred to it as the "living water"
The External influence of the Holy Spirit had always been given in the conversion and sanctification of the Old Testament saints and prophets which changed and became indwelling under the New Covenant. Many people say that Jesus is the living water, BUT Jesus Himself intended the phrase to mean the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers and seals them for salvation (Ephesians 1:13–14)
Ephesians 1:13–14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Summary:
Water is continually mentioned throughout the Bible and the "living water" or the "water of life" carries with it the connotation of spirituality where the person that receives this living water becomes dependent on God and living the way he intended rather than being independent of him. This is illustrated again by water with the spiritual lesson for the Israelites when they left the land of Egypt for the promised land of Canaan. They left a land of security that had little rain but by their OWN efforts they relied on the River Nile and irrigation to provide water to the land. However when God chose a land for his people, he didn’t choose a place where they could have security because of their own efforts, he chose a land where they would be far more dependent on him and would need his presence watching over them to send them the living water of rain.
Deuteronomy 11:10 – 12 10. For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: 11. But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven:
This can be said today of many Christians who have seen God do the same thing in their own lives. When they decide to trust and follow him and his ways he takes them from security of making their own way in life and instead they become dependant on him where "The Lord will provide", which doesn’t always include prosperity as the world sees it.
Anywhere the "living water" touches it gives new life and an intimate relationship with God. The “living water” is therefore understood to mean a true knowledge of God and this can only be achieved through the Holy Spirit, who teaches us God’s will and guides, comforts and directs us.
Bible Quote:
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Wrath is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, also it´s off-shoots and variations are Anger, Rage, Fury, Violence, Temper and Revenge. This is one of the more obvious Deadly Sins when it flares up, but can lay dormant in some people and then appear rapidly from nowhere. Others may have a different temperament and have a cliff edge mentality, always appearing on edge and easy to anger and experience wrath. Either way it manifests itself differently from the previous two Deadly Sins of Greed and Pride or Vanity which have more of a creeping nature about them, but to onlookers it is obvious this person is overcome by Greed or Vanity.
Despite it being one of the more obvious Seven Deadly Sins, Wrath can be a difficult one to overcome just like the others, it´s a bit of a nuclear bomb situation. Even if you try to make changes within yourself, there will always be external influences from other people and the pressures of modern day society that will cause Wrath to manifest itself in your life. We are Fallen Flesh and of Adam and live in a Fallen World.
Wrath. One of the Seven Deadly Sins in Modern Society
Wrath can cause arguments, destroy relationships and friendships, lead to health problems including heart attacks, lead to violence and in extreme cases serious injury. It can lead to loss of employment and financial problems and it can lead to imprisonment or even death. Wrath has been the precursor to almost all wars throughout history and is playing a part in the recent World War 3 headlines that have subsided of late.
Although many think of the Seven Deadly Sins as something from the Victorian era that do not really apply in this modern day and age as "times have changed", these Deadly Sins probably apply more now than they did back in the Victorian times. They were especially prevalent in the Middle Ages.
Modern Day Examples of Wrath
Modern day examples of Wrath include Computer Rage, Road Rage, Football hooligans, Black Friday Rage, Domestic Violence, Riots and Speech Promoting Violence
Wrath Symptons and Warnings
The symptons of Wrath or Anger include Irritability, Impatience, Raised Voice, Glaring Eyes, Hurtful Words and Bad Language, Explosive Actions, Relational Breakdown, Attitudes of Superiority and Physical Tension.
Wrath is just like the other Seven Deadly Sins and shows the same viscious cycle of Buzz or Adrenaline Rush, a feeling of Power and a releasing of tension then coming back down to earth followed by Guilt and then Depression which then leads to the next cycle for the whole process to be repeated again. Strangely Wrath is not a desirable trait in this modern day and age but many jobs and pressures in society produce this Deadly Sin in abundance and it is also promoted in TV, Hollywood Movies and the Media.
The Christian way of dealing with Wrath?
Christians will keep a close eye on Wrath and Anger as it is mentioned in the Bible as one of the symptons of the Flesh and Christians are supposed to control the flesh and not the other way round. If you are Truly Born Again and Indwelt with the Holy Spirit, there will be an inner stillness and peace inside you that no matter what goes on in the outside world that inner peace and calmness will remain. The Fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as mentioned in Galatains 5:22-23. You could say the opposite are The Seven Deadly Sins.
The Christian way of dealing with Wrath will be to let the storm blow over and then confront the situation afterwards when that other persons mind is more rational and not during a Wrath episode. There is a Righteous anger in some Christian doctrines, righteous anger is considered the only form of anger which is not a sin. A Christian should not be angry, but if our constructive outrage results in restoring people into a loving, healing relationships with Jesus, it then can be classed as righteous anger.
An example of this would be Jesus who overthrew the money lenders tables in the Temple in Matthew 21 in The New Testament. Joshua and also David and Goliath would be other examples in The Old Testament
Matthew 21.12-13 12. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13. And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Also in the Synagogue in Mark 3
Mark 3:1-5 1. And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. 2. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. 3. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. 4. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. 5. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
The Wrath of God
Even God has Wrath as mentioned many times in the Bible, but he always gives warnings, many warnings and is slow to anger, with the Wrath building over a long period of time such as decades or many hundreds of years, before the Wrath in the form of Judgement is released when there was no other option left. This is always tempered with forgiveness in the End demonstrating a never ending and deeper love for mankind knowing that we are essentially flawed in nature.
Romans 1:18 - For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
John 3:36 - He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Conclusion.
Wrath will not have you wearing Gucci or Prada or have hair by Vidal Sassoon as in the Deadly Sin of Vanity nor will it have you, wearing Rolex Watches, driving Ferrari´s or living in the best part of town as in the Deadly Sin of Greed. Wrath works differently and is difficult to see on the surface until it flares up, the warning signs will be there, but by then it is normally too late and the Genie will be out of the bottle. The only signs will be the trail of destruction in your life that will surface in the future such as applying for a job. There are courses in Anger Management, a hilarious film by the same title gives a good insight, you can take tablets, change your job or even just work from home and never leave the house, but eventually this Wrath will flare up again in some shape or form. The only total solution to overcome this Deadly Sin just like the others is to be "Born Again". Check out the Video which gives other examples including some of my personal experiences before I was "Saved"
Bible Quotes:
(Ephesians 4:26–27, 30–32).
26. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27. Neither give place to the devil.
30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Proverbs 15:18 - A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Galatians 5:19-21 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-26 22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Colossians 3:8 - But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 - Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
James 1:19-20 - 19. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20. For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Proverbs 29:11 - A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
Proverbs 16:32 - He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
James 1:19 - Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Ephesians 4:31 - Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Psalms 37:8 - Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.
Proverbs 14:29 - He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.
Ephesians 4:26 - Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Bit of a deep and cage rattling article this one, touching on Christian Evangelism and it´s role and it´sfuture in these modern times and more to the point End Times or even Last Days. Taking you right into the war zone of Christianity. Are massive changes on the horizon or will Evangelist types still be free to do what they do, or will their freedoms be severely restricted. This is an article for somebody just curious on what Evangelism is, or maybe you are thinking about becoming one. Maybe like myself you are in the faith and being prodded and nudged and guided by the Spirit to go in that direction, even though you have other ideas or plans. This article is for those types and for non believers alike.
How this article came about
This is one of those articles that just came from nowhere whilst walking down the road and staring out the window afterwards with the mind in neutral. When you get those thoughts you know it has come from somewhere else and it´s the most high giving you a tap on the shoulder saying "don´t just think about it, get that article out there NOW". So here it is!
This process was probably started by myself stating in a recent video talking about the Holy Spirit, and I classed myself as a "Non Denominational Christian" and a sort of "Evangelist" or "Evangelical" type? I´m not sure that was me talking there but that is what was said. Even though I go five days a week to a Church of England Church?. Even though I go to Church regularly, I don´t really class myself as a fan of the Institutional Church and do not see myself as the "Church" going type. If you watch my videos you´ll probably agree and think "he doesn´t look like the church going type" as well. More the jack the lad type.......... but appearances can be deceptive.
Here´s a recent example. Is the owner of this website an Evangelist on the quiet, preaching in a Testimonial style???
Evangelism is the announcement, proclamation, and/or preaching of the gospel , the good news of and about Jesus Christ. Therefore, the gospel is a communicated message—communicated in verbal and/or written form. Evangelism is the communication of the gospel message, includes a warning, an explanation, and a call. Evangelism includes warning people about sin and the consequences of sin It includes an explanation of God’s remedy for sin—the gospel. And it includes the clear call to repent (to turn from sin and to turn toward God) and believe the gospel. via CARM
What would be Examples?
Street Preachers, Speakers at London´s famous Hyde Park Corner or other equivalents around the world, people who preach the word in some shape or form on the web (such as myself), people who have ministries or video platforms and Evangelise such as on You Tube, people who preach via Social Media and so forth. Also the types you see standing on the streets just holding leaflets or handing them out and not saying a word can be classed as a form of Evangelism or silent Evangelism. Finally going round and knocking on peoples doors is another form of Evangelism. In summary those in the faith will call it "spreading the word". If you are Born Again ...you WILL have the unexplainable and overpowering urge to do this in some shape or form. It´s what I call Frontline Christianity. That´s your job!
What styles of Evangelism are there?
Superb article from PBCF.org by a Senior Pastor by the name of Jeff Warren details 6 different styles of Evangelist delivery.
1. Direct Style 2. Intellectual Style 3. Testimonial Style 4. Interpersonal Style 5. Invitational Style 6. Serving Style
Here are some famous quotes focused on Evangelism. It´s something people either love or hate and most people have strong views on the subject. Here´s my views on Evangelism arrived at many years ago. A Jewish work colleague from a job many years ago once said to me something that has stuck ever since (about 15 years ago) when I showed some interest and was fascinated with the Jewish Religion (never pursued it) and he had this to say:
"We don´t come to you Frank...............you come to us!"
That is something that has stuck with me to this very day and is how all The Twelve Gates websites operate." You come to me and knock on my door and ask questions or come looking for answers, I don´t come to you and bash on your door and try to ram Religion in your face"
Strangely enough that´s how you will become "Born Again" or "Saved" . Personally my approach is the reverse to the positive, uplifting, flowery and make you feel good type of preaching. I´m more of a cage rattling Joshua type stepping on Spiritual toes and exposing the darkness . It´s a wake you up and make you sit up and take notice mentality whilst shining that bright light in your face. Confronting you with the truth and revealing who you really are and making you aware that it´s time to do something about it. It´s brutally honest. That´s just me, everybody has a different job in the body of Christ.
Here´s some other views on Evangelism from all walks of life taken from the Good Reads website which demonstrate some quite strong views on Evangelists and what they do.
“Let eloquence be flung to the dogs rather than souls be lost. What we want is to win souls. They are not won by flowery speeches.”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“I believe that entertainment and amusements are the work of the Enemy to keep dying men from knowing they're dying; and to keep enemies of God from remembering that they're enemies.”
― A.W. Tozer
“True gospel preaching always changes the heart. It either awakens it or hardens it.”
― Chan Kilgore
“A need for approval lies behind all efforts of evangelism. If someone else can be convinced, that will show us that we are on the right path. The attempt to convince someone of anything is a mark of insecurity. (173)”
― Ravi Ravindra, The Wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Guide by Ravi Ravindra
“Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; he waited until one of them turned to him.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison David Platt “Radical obedience to Christ is not easy... It's not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world. Radical obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ. And he is more than enough for us.”
― David Platt, Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream
“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you're not saved yourself, be sure of that!”
― Charles Haddon Spurgeon “Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?”
― John Wesley
“Religion is like a pair of shoes.....Find one that fits for you, but don't make me wear your shoes.”
― George Carlin
The Future of Evangelism and Russia
Which brings us nicely onto why this article came about in the first place. A couple of videos leapt out from that famous Video platform featuring the President of Russia which provided a dramatic and worrying contrast. The first was filmed a couple of years ago when he was talking about Christianity, how it is a good thing and talking about the "West" which is featured below.
Putin defends Christianity and condemns anti-Christian West and political correctness
Merely a couple of years later this second video has been released after the Russian President stated that no Evangelism is allowed in Russia in the future including in your own home, on the internet, on the streets and public places, only in Churches?
RUSSIA BANS CHRISTIAN EVANGELISM !!! AntiChrist Spirited Vladimir Putin
Is this the Future of Evangelism
Putin was baptised into the Eastern Orthodox Church on the basis of his mother being Eastern Orthodox and her pushing for her son to be baptised. Only in recent years after life dealt him some heavy blows and he visited Israel (see HollowVerse) did he finally come back into the Christian Faith again embracing Eastern Orthodoxy. Which is why this stand against Evangelism is all the more worrying. It is a well known fact that the Roman Catholic Church is not keen on Evangelists and they have been persecuted throughout history being called Heretics, but in modern times they have been allowed their freedoms as a basic human right which it now looks like, this has been removed...in Russia. Does this mark a worrying potential change on a global scale, or is it something just isolated to Russia?
Conclusions
With Christian Persecution on the rise especially in China and the Middle East views are changing in society towards Christianity, becoming more Anti by the day including towards the Holy Book itself....The Bible. Will websites like this and others, Evangelists on You Tube and Facebook and Twitter and the classic street preacher be forced to shut down and become a thing of the past. As mentioned in a previous article on Monk´s, Hermits and Anchorites´s many who have the faith will end up going underground and going back to the old Biblical ways of Christian communities meeting around peoples houses and sharing everything they have. In more extreme cases they will go just like the Agafia woman who fled into the Siberian wilderness. Only time will tell but one things for certain.........times they are a changing?
Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
A final video, left till last that carries a WARNING. Contains bad language and some disturbing scenes including vomiting and it is a cage rattler, but it gives a good insight into what a True Christian Preacher will be confronted with on the streets and shows the "Power of the Word" and confirms to even the hardened Atheist that YES there is a GOD!
(1 Corinthians 15:1-4) 1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:15-16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Romans 1:16
O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Psalm 105:1
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Mark 8:35
Most people when confronted with the words "One World Religion" will not have much of an inkling what you are talking about. Mention the New World Order and most people just start glazing over and think conspiracy theory, dismiss it as something that is not happening or will not happen in our times. But if you look beyond the mainstream news and look at credible sources that focus on such things, you realise that the chess board has been laid out, chess pieces are starting to move confirming the recently laid out 2030 Agenda Plan and people are not really noticing what is going on apart from those who are tuning into such things.....such as myself and a few others.
The One World Religion is one of the major parts of the New World Order that is forming before our very eyes
Where is the One World Religion mentioned in the Bible
In the Book of Revelation mainly in Chapter 17 in Verses 1-18 it gives us several characteristics of the one-world religion.
The false religion will dominate all the “peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues” of the earth (Revelation 17, 15), meaning that it will have universal authority, no doubt given by the Antichrist, who rules the world at that time. Verses 2–3 describe the harlot as committing adultery with the “kings of the earth,” referring to the fal se religion’s influence among the world’s rulers and influential people.
Those who oppose the worldwide religion will be killed, and those who refuse to worship the Antichrist by accepting his Mark will be unable to buy and sell, thereby making survival very difficult, which would mean us Christians (Revelation 13:16–17).
via GotQuestions.org
One World Religion Foundations being laid? The Mekudeshet Event 2016
Events are taking place with increasing frequency around the world. For some reason I keep circling one particular event and it´s not getting a huge amount of coverage in the mainstream media. This Mekudeshet Event is called an Inter Faith event which is currently being held in Jerusalem and started 4 Sept and ends 23 September 2016. On the surface, this is a cultural and music event aimed at bringing multiple faiths into one arena and culminates in a consecration event spread over a number of days finishing on 23 September 2016. This date is quite significant as on this date 1 year ago the Pope visited and met the US President starting a series of unprecedented meetings.
This event it has to be said slipped under my radar with just a handful of websites giving mention and coverage, with most of the headlines appearing around the 20th or so of August. A tweet with a video was put out some days ago giving further information on this event and another one was put out over the weekend with more information via a website called JerusalemChannel.TV
This event is bringing actors, artists, musicians and media from around the world, also 3 major faiths in the name of Inter Faith. Roman Catholic, Muslim and Judaism but not Evangelical Christianity ie those who stipulate you should have a personal relationship with Jesus.
This could turn out to be a significant event or maybe just the laying of some foundations for something else that could be arising in the foreseeable future. This has all the hallmarks of the One World Religion mentioned in Revelation 17.The Pope is showing a lot of interest in this and has been building bridges to many faiths over the last year or so. It´s quite clear he has an agenda.
23 September is one of those dates that seems to crop up more times than it should do and is right in the middle of the lead up to some special prominent Holy Days in the Jewish Calendar including, Rosh Hashana (Feast of Trumpets) Mon 3 Oct and Tues 4 Oct (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Tues 11 Oct- Wed 12 Oct , and not forgetting Sukhot the Feast of Tabernacles on Mon‑Tue Oct 17-18 and Wed-Sun Oct 19-23. The month of October and the lead up to it could prove to be extremely significant.
Right just before all this is this Mekudeshet interfaith event, which has the following press release shedding more light on what this is all about:
“Amen-A House of Prayer For All Believers,” is part of the 2016 Mekudeshet Festival that will carry on through September 23. It is an initiative created by the Jerusalem Season of Culture, an annual festival. Their hope is to bring together the world’s three major faiths “who share a belief in one God and a boundless love for Jerusalem to dialogue, study, sing and pray together in one temporary house of worship.”
The goal of the event is to create “a single home for the world’s three major religions to harness the city’s ancient powers to inspire artists, musicians and cultural figures from around the world to redefine their art and traditions and connect amid troubling times.” The three faiths being mentioned here are Catholicism (Christian) , Judaism and Islam.
It´s all cleverly done in the name of art and culture but the main headline is to bring together the world’s three major faiths “who share a belief in one God and a boundless love for Jerusalem to dialogue, study, sing and pray together in one temporary house of worship.” That´s the real headline buried right in there.
Check out this video, very detailed, in depth and can be heavy going in places but sheds some light on this event and in particular the venue?
On the surface it all sounds like one big happy family on paper paraded under a lovely Co Ex Ist logo, but when you get into the mechanics of it maybe the Jewish and Christian element could say they worship the same God as in the God called Yahweh but Islam does not. It is just a reinvented form of Baal worship mentioned many times in the Bible as "the high places" that incurs God´s wrath on every occasion with disastrous consequences. The Allah in Islam is not the Yahweh in Judaism and Christianity! Even the Islam symbol of the Crescent Moon and Star gives the game away as to what they worship. To bring these religions together effectively you would have to bring in a New Religion that all religions would agree on or be forced to agree on which would be the One World Religion. I think it will be New Age in nature but I could be wrong? A Bible quote that sheds some light on Baal worship from the Old Testament.
1 Kings 22:52-53 51 Ahaziah the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and reigned two years over Israel. 52 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: 53 For he served Baal, and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the LORD God of Israel, according to all that his father had done.
Charisma News was one of the initial Religious News sites to pick up om this event and had this to say which I agree with entirely. Building bridges, breaking down barriers and handing out olive branches is one thing but changing and destroying the very basis of your faith to compromise.... is something else.
As I've said before, dialogue is one thing. Compromising the tenets of Christianity is altogether different. Using art and culture as a shill, Amen appears to be nothing more than an attempt to redefine religion. via Charisma News
Baal is at the very centre of all these events. Baal worship is basically a form of Paganism. In Matthew 12:27, Jesus calls Satan “Beelzebub,” linking the devil to Baal-Zebub, a Philistine deity (2 Kings 1:2). The Baalim of the Old Testament were nothing more than demons masquerading as gods, and all idolatry is ultimately devil-worship (1 Corinthians 10:20).
via GotQuestions.org
Moving away from the Mekudeshet Event and focusing more on Baal in particular, brings us nicely onto two recent events which embrace the Temple of Baal. The entrance Arch called Palmyra´s Arch of Triumph, which got destroyed by ISIS, for some reason is popping up in two notable cities. ISIS have destroyed many old religious relics, so why have the powers that be chosen this one, is the question that springs to mind?? More to the point why erect this arch in September 2016???
Temple of Baal Entrance London April 2016
Two headlines that don´t mention the Temple of Baal in the headline. But this was erected in Trafalgar Square in April 2016 and hailed as a remarkable achievement? It stood for 3 days and then was to be reconstructed in New York. This was delayed but now has been built and is actually in New York at the time of writing today in September 2016. See headlines below for further details..
Replica of destroyed Syrian archway erected in London's Trafalgar Square Flip 21 April 2016 via Dezeen
Palmyra's Arch of Triumph recreated in Trafalgar Square via The Guardian
Temple of Baal Entrance New York September 2016
Arch That Was a Gateway to the Temple of Baal Is Going Up in New York's City Hall Park Today via Charisma News
Another Inter Faith Publicity Event London June 2016
The newly elected Mayor of London Sadiq Khan took a break in his Ramadan Fast and made the headlines with a groundbreaking photo of him (Muslim) with a Chief London Rabbi (Judaism) and the Archbishop of Canterbury (Christianity) in a Church and looks like there is a Hindu there and probably others. Again it´s a great photo (staged or otherwise) and looks the answer to all the worlds problems. The undercurrents here though are similar to the Mekudeshet event and others, in paving the way for the One World Religion. A photo of the Tweet and Picture below and the headline from a Jewish News Website. I saw this on the day and something stopped me from retweeting it!
[caption id="attachment_1472" align="aligncenter" width="466"] Sadiq Khan London Mayor, Chief Rabbi Archbishop of Canterbury Tweet June 2016[/caption]
News Headline: Chief Rabbi joins Sadiq Khan and Archbishop to break Ramadan fast via Times of Israel
The Gathering Event 21 September 2016?
Another event that is on 21 September 2016 is called The Gathering which is uniting Pastors across America. Looking at the logo with the Pyramid A again lost on most, but it is without doubt an Illuminati symbol, maybe put their by accident.........I think not. The premise of this event is to pray for America before the elections. The headline statement is One Vision, One Voice One Agenda. Again around a similar period of time as the Mekudeshet event. The mission statement of "One Vision, One Voice One Agenda" could quite easily also be read as "One Religion, One Language, One Government"..... I´m sure it´s just an innocent gathering of Christian Pastors? Form your own opinion!
Summary:
We are in a significant period of time in the next couple of months as is demonstrated by these headlines and "The Devil is in the detail".....literally. It´s the smaller headlines and events that can easily fall under your radar that contain the missing pieces of the prophetic jigsaw puzzle and reveal so much. World leaders are changing or have changed (UK and Brexit being a particular case in point). The highly publicised US Elections, the outcome like no other time other is critical. In simple terms.....Walls down and more Obama..think Clinton....Walls up think Trump. Tensions are high in the Middle East, nuclear missile tests, tensions in the South China seas, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, Extreme Weather, a looming dollar crisis and masses more are going on and things are accelerating. The main stream media ensures it´s easy to get focused on these important news headlines and get sidetracked and miss the smaller developments that are potentially huge in significance.
These Inter Faith events are increasing in number and on the surface aim to bring all people together of different faiths and it all looks cosy and harmonious on first impressions. The real agenda is much more sinister, that is changing public perception on religion, moving away from the traditional to something new and all embracing. You could say a moving away from the truth to something false or counterfeit in nature. This is currently going on now as we speak with Mega Churches and their associated Mega Preachers indoctrinating their following with false teachings.
It´s all part of the paving of the way for the compulsory and Prophetic One World Religion that would be declared by the coming Anti Christ who would declare himself to be God. Many things would need to happen for this to take place including the 3rd temple in Jerusalem (some say it is not required, some say it has happened already?) for the Daniel Prophecy to be fulfilled and a global chaotic event to bring about the NWO. Make no mistake though, these Inter Faith events are definite cogs in the formation and changing of public perception of Religion in general, to a more one size fits all religious mentality. The Mekudeshet Event and the Temple of Baal Arch erected in New York during the same 4-23 September time frame is no coincidence. The Church of Satan (Baal) and The One World Religion gets closer everyday!
Bible Quotes: KJV
Revelation 13:6-8
6. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. 7. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 8. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Judges 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
Jeremiah 19:5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
2 Kings 10:27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.
Jeremiah 23:13 And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused my people Israel to err.
Deuteronomy 4:16-19
16. Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17. The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air, 18. The likeness of any thing that creepeth on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth: 19. And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.
Jeremiah 7:9 Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not;
1 Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.
Jeremiah 2:8 The priests said not, Where [is] the LORD? and they that handle the law knew me not: the pastors also transgressed against me, and the prophets prophesied by Baal, and walked after [things that] do not profit.
2 Kings 23:5 And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
2 Kings 21:3 For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Israel; and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
A sure sign that we are in the "Last Days" or "The End Times" is the attitude towards the Christian faith and Christians in general in what is currently being billed as "Anti Christian Sentiment" in society. We have witnessed the decline of the church (see The Decline of the Church. What's the future?) and seen a shift away from religion with currently 1.5 Bn people on this planet declare as either being athiest or agnostic or just simply NOT interested or not believing in Religion or God. This number is very much on the rise.
This article focuses on the the Changing attitude towards Christian Messages and Symbols abut does not focus on the human element of Christian Persecution as that is a whole other topic entirely. We have seen a marked shift in attitude mainly in the US away from Christianity with terms like "in God We Trust" and the words "God" or "Jesus" in general seeming to not be acceptable in these modern times, this includes government, corporations and private individuals for some reason taking offence. This attitude is not restricted these days to the US but seems to be becoming a global thing. Why now in recent months and years remains a mystery? Is it a sure sign that we are in fact in "The Last Days"?
We have seen the removal of Christian teaching from schools, a recent advert in UK cinemas promoting "Prayer" a quite innocent and non trouble causing past time causing creating outrage again for some bizarre reason. Even the Prime Minister David Cameron came out in defense of the advert and said what is wrong with it and why is it offensive.
Christians around the world are getting persecuted in increasing numbers (that's another article entirely), Churches are getting mysteriously destroyed by fire. Crosses are becoming the victims of hatred and action to have them removed from buildings in public places because they cause offence to ethnic minorities and seems to be underway globally. Buildings in the US that have the Ten Commandments outside have had them removed in various states in the US. Even the US currency has come under pressure to have "in God We Trust" be removed because it doesn't fit in with our modern times. It just seems that the words God and Jesus are words that are not acceptable and "the Cross", carry some sort of extremist meaning and are not to be used in public these days in certain quarters.
An organisation that has made the headlines and is behind many of these attacks on religious phrases and symbols especially in connection with the Christian faith is The anti-Christian Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) . This foundation has been active and trying to get banned "in God We Trust" as previously mentioned in the US, college football chaplains and the act of group prayer before a game, to the National Day of Prayer and cheerleaders’ spirit banners,
A closer look in detail with relevant headlines at the recent "Anti Christian Sentiment" that is taking place around the world.
Church Arson
Recently in the last year or two there has been a marked increase in Church Arson, all occurring under mysterious circumstances. An example is the Church in India which is one of the fastest growing in the world, with hundreds of converts from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. Persecution against the Church has increased over the past couple of years, and now with a resurging rise of Hindu Nationalism under India’s new President Narendra Modi, many fear that this will increase further. A widely held belief is that ‘being Indian’ means ‘being Hindu’, therefore Christians are seen to be deserters or traitors and are not following the "Indian Culture". Orthodox Christian Churches have also been the subject of mysterious arson attacks with four churches in New York and more in Australia in Melbourne and Sydney, Tanzania and Finland. Ethiopian Muslims have been attacking Christian Churches and the infamous Delhi Church attacks in India are amongst the other recent headlines.
In God We Trust. The US
A recent lawsuit to have "In God We Trust" removed from the US currency which was initiated by Atheists was turned down by the Supreme Court only recently but "In God We Trust" was to be installed on Police vehicles in Prescott, Wisconsin only to result in them being removed at the request of the local mayor. So in Wisconsin the general attitude is "In God We Don't Trust" at least when it comes to the police department. In other states another headline states that ‘In God We Trust’ Stickers Appearing On Police Cars Nationwide (October 2015) . In recent months, stickers bearing the words “In God We Trust” have appeared on police cars in several states, including Illinois, Kentucky and North Carolina, leaving critics to wonder about the cause.
The Ten Commandments Monuments. The US
The Ten Commandments Monuments which seems to be a strong feature in the US outside local government offices has seen them mysteriously being removed in various States often in the middle of the night. Oklahoma and Mississippi being the most famous recently. This is not only confined to local government offices but has been happening when a Ten Commandments sign appeared outside private property in Texas
The Bible Removal from Schools, Libraries and Hotels?
The Bible has been making the headlines in a surprising way in recent times and is coming up as one of the most challenged books of our time (only just recently) right up their with "Fifty Shades of Grey" if you can believe it. The Bible is coming up as one of the top books that people want banned from public places such as libraries, hotel room drawers and even universities. etc.
An organisation called FFRF (Freedom from Religion Foundation) sent a letter to Northern Illinois University (NIU), stating in part:
“Providing bibles to Holmes Student Center Hotel guests sends the message that NIU endorses the religious texts. Including bibles sends the message to non-Christian and non-religious guests that they should read the bible, and specifically the version of the bible provided: the Gideon Bible. Certainly, if guests want to read this religious text during their stay, they can bring their own copy or access any of the numerous churches or libraries near the university."
Removal of Crosses
Christian Crosses with or without Jesus on them are increasingly coming under fire for removal from public places such as parks, outside church buildings, from parks and even to be removed from the clothing of the clergy to make Muslims welcome? There is evidence of this in Central London in buildings inside and outside as mentioned in a previous article with The Church of England seeming to be leading the way in this move so that "religious minorities don't take offence". It seems to be perfectly OK for a crescent moon to be displayed over a mosque though. Why again is a mystery. Maybe a crescent moon isn't as offensive as a cross??
China seems to be coming increasingly under fire for removal of Crosses from Churches and The Army has been involved with Cross removal in some cases elsewhere. Controversy in Norway as well where crosses were offered to be removed to please migrants??
Conclusion
This is a small sample of things that are going on around the world where the Christian faith is coming under increasing hostility from all quarters, and that's things that get reported, many of these incidents probably never get reported. What appears here I think is just the tip of the iceberg. This is just another piece in the End Times last Days Jigsaw Puzzle that when pieced together with many other pieces paint a very clear picture that we are in fact in a Book of Revelation scenario. All forms of light are being removed and extinguished and being replaced by darkness. It's a creeping insidiuos process but it is happening, and globally.
It's especially prevalent in the US and this country seems to be turning it's back on God just as Israel did back in the day. This quote sums it up well and what happened as a result.
Judges 2:12-14
12. And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
13. And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
14. And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.
Further Bible Quotes:
2 Timothy 3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2 Peter 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
1 Corinthians 4:5 - Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
Matthew 10:33 - But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Weeping Statues are they tears from heaven or a hoax? A look into the strange and wonderful world of weeping statues and weeping paintings, how they happen, and why, is it a real phenomenom, or is it fake, and also a look at if it is a valid way to come into the faith and form a basis of someone's faith?
There's been a lot of reports recently with regard to weeping statues or crying statues hence this article. This is one of those unexplained topics with a supernatural but Christian twist and is heavily Catholic in overtones and is similar to say "mysterious moving statues" and "Marian or Mary Apparitions" and "Mary Statue survival stories", that to this day defies any sort of rational explanation from Scientists and Vatican alike. They are very rarely officially confirmed or verified by the Roman Catholic Church who have a department that specialises in such things, for whatever the reason that is. But these Weeping Statues are nothing new and have resulted in mass pilgrimages of thousands of people to witness this occurrence. Sometimes miracles are associated with these sightings such as healing. I'm not a Catholic by the way, just a plain old Vanilla Church of England, but even the C of E does have some Catholic elements within it's services and teachings.
Statue of the Virgin Mary is Weeping in Fresno 2016
The main statues that hit the headlines tend to be in Catholic Churches or in the homes of heavily religious Catholics and tend to be either Mary or less so Jesus, but it mainly seems to be Mary, with Jesus being a rarer occurrence. The weeping or tears are either water based or oil based, can be scented and sometimes blood based or sometimes a mixture. This is where it gets interesting. Statues as we know are not human and are cold but many times the tears of blood or water have been reported as being warm and more to the point at exactly body temperature. The tears tend to come from the eyes but not always.
It's not limited to statues either. The Orthodox Christian or Orthodox Catholic churches are renowned for their Icons in the form of paintings and these have demonstrated similar occurrences in their Catholic Churches.
The question is, if they are real what do they signify. Are they a sign of impending doom or some catastrophic event on the horizon and are a form of warning, are they tears from heaven and a message from God?. Are they a blessing or a miracle from above? Do they happen on particular Holy Days in the Holy Calendar, or just on ordinary days. Is the whole weeping statue thing just a hoax, all engineered to create believers, or is it all real. This article will try to shed some light on the subject and try to answer the question "What do weeping statues signify?"
STATUE OF MARY WEEPS TEARS AND BLOOD IN IRAQ
History and cases of Weeping Statues. The last 10 years *mostly unverified"
March 2006 onwards Kerala, India tears of blood, appearance of oil, honey, milk — not verified
January 2006 till present Borġ in-Nadur, Birżebbuġa, Malta, tears of blood, appearance of oil, salt - unverified, self-published claims
November 2010 Windsor, Ontario, Canada appearance of oil, "smiles during the day" and excreted oil claimed to heal
July 2012 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA appearance of dripping blood from hairline
October 2012 Tanauan, Batangas, Philippines appearance of blood in face, and excretes oil in palm in the statue of Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, the blood eventually revealed to be from a person of blood type O. It is also reported that several Marian images also weep blood in their home - Currently under investigation by the Archdiocese of Lipa GMA News
May 2015 Dunedin, NZ Appearance of dripping oil/sweat from brow.
May 2015 Barangay Liloan in Catarman, Camiguin, Philippines Traces of alleged blood were found near the eyes of an image of Mary inside the Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel in Barangay Liloan in Catarman, Camiguin Tuesday morning, local residents said. Residents were also surprised to see that the image's hands were unclasped.Church administrators have yet to determine whether the image really cried blood.
Which Weeping Statues have been verified by The Vatican.
A very small number of weeping statues have been recognized by the Catholic Church. One in Syracuse which demonstrated the shedding of tears from a statue in the house of a married couple on August 29, 1953 was recognized by the Catholic bishops of Sicily on December 13, 1953. Our Lady of Akita was declared as worthy of belief by the Holy Office in 1988, and remains the only weeping statue recognized by the Holy Office.
Weeping Paintings
Weeping paintings or icons are a related phenomenon, but to date not a single case of a weeping painting has been approved either by the Roman Catholic or Coptic churches and most instances have turned out to be hoaxes. However, in Eastern Orthodoxy, some cases such as a weeping St Michael icon in Rhodes have been taken as miraculous.
As with weeping statues, the tears exuded are often said to be of a substance which appears to be similar to blood. A painting of the Virgin Mary is said to have exuded moisture from the eyes and the fingers at St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church in Chicago on December 6, 1986. The event gained international attention and drew many onlookers to the church. The moisture ceased in July 1987, but resumed a year later at which time 19 other icons were said to have also started weeping after being "anointed" with the painting's moisture. A painting of Mary on plywood was said to have wept on March 10, 1992 in Barberton, Ohio;
Are they on the increase recently in these troubled times.
They do seem to be appearing much more frequently but again the same problem seems to manifest itself and that's the difficulty of proving if these are real or not. An article from the Independent just recently goes into this with the headline "Science debunks miracle of weeping Madonna"
Are Weeping Statues real, investigations. The Hoax and Fake Scenarios
Authorities of the Catholic Church have been very careful in their approach and treatment of weeping statues, and generally set very high barriers for their acceptance. For instance when a statue of the popular Saint Padre Pio in Messina, Sicily was found to have tears of blood one day in 2002, Church officials quickly ordered tests that showed the blood belonged to a woman and then dismissed the case as a hoax. Even at the local level, Catholic priests have expelled people who claim weeping statues from their local Church.
TEARS FROM HEAVEN - Jesus Tears of Oil & Blood ACTUAL NEWSMEN FOOTAGE
Why do statues and Icons Weep?
An interesting article with an Orthodox Catholic bias is over at Antiochian.org Why Do Icons Weep
So are they real or a hoax?
A website called the Skepdic realises that apparently, weeping Mary Statues are her way of letting us know that she weeps for our sinfulness, or some such thing, and that some people's statues are more worthy than others of her presence. The author of this website however is not convinced and has come up with some good reasons why these weeping statues are a hoax and is not convinved. Further details at Skepdic
Conclusion
Weeping statues and other similar mysteries are certainly at the controversial end of the Religious spectrum and seem to be confined to mainly the Catholic denomination of the Christian faith due to the fact they are the one denomination that have numerous Icons/Statues in their places of worship as an integral part of their faith. Scientific investigation and also investigations by the Vatican don't seem to reveal or confirm the reality of these sightings that easily. Very few are confirmed as "real" for whatever that reason may be.
My attitude is Who knows if this is a hoax or a miracle? The logical mind says it must be a hoax. But in these End Times with all the struggles and misery around the world right now, and all the devastation from natural and man-made disasters in the past year, statues weeping tears of blood doesn't seem too so far fetched anymore.
Real or fake aside, the worrying thing is many people get converted to Christianity and probably Catholicism as a result of these sigtings and can form a pillar or cornerstone of their faith based on just that event alone. I personally don't think that is a good foundation for any faith. If that sighting was proven to be a fake, what happens to your faith, does it not throw it into question?
Virgin Mary Statue 'Crying a Single Tear of Blood' Prompts Mass Pilgrimage to Columbia
The Bible also mentions many times in many books about "Graven Images". The Almighty doesn't like them periotd. But what is a "Graven Image".
The Hebrew word translated “graven image” means literally “an idol.” A graven image is an image carved out of stone, wood, or metal. It could be a statue of a person or animal, or a relief carving in a wall or pole.
The second commandment of the ten commandments is quite clear on idols and "Graven Images" in Exodus 20 4-5
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Other mentions in the Bible which are numerous but here's just 3 of them
Leviticus 26:1
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 5:8
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Habakkuk 2:18
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Unexplained Mysteries The Virgin Mary Crying Blood
About statues in Roman Catholicism: An interesting article from ReligiousTolerance.org in defence of the Catholic faith and statues states this
Rev. Roger J. Smith, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Seattle, WA, writes: "Catholics do not worship paintings, or statues. They are just a way of conveying something about God, and are not God themselves. It is quite clear to any thinking person that stone or paint cannot be God, but can only represent, or tell something about, some small aspect of God.....saints are venerated in the sense of having profound respect for them. Icons and images are venerated only in the sense that we venerate, i.e. show respect for, the person depicted."
Further details at this link including information on how to make a weeping statue.
John Paul II and the statue that cried blood
Faith in my opinion should be based on a number of factors spread over a broader timespan and spectrum made up of a number of elements or pillars. These form a rock solid foundation for a long lasting faith. This can withstand anything that is thrown at it. In these End Times that statement is more relevant than ever.
Elements of a Rock Steady Faith
Prayer Are your prayers answered in some shape or form?
The Bible Do you read and believe it? More importantly do you understand it, agree with it and live your life by it? Is it shaping your life?
Fruit Is your faith and life bearing fruit? Are changes occurring in your life that are positive, deep rooted and Christian in nature. Are you affecting other peoples lives? Is your lifestyle different from the world or are you living the same as everybody else?
Light Are you carrying a light that the people and the world can see that shines brightly and causes the darkness to disappear?
If that weeping statue sighting {authentic or fake} has not brought about these changes as confirmation then it does raise questions.
Everybody has had an experience on how they came into the Christian faith or any other faith {Read my Testimonial} Some like mine are dramatic and powerful, others are more subtle,it doesn't matter......but the end result does.
Here's some routes into the Christian faith that people report. Just 6 of many.
1. Inherited The person that gained their faith came from a Religious family and upbringing
2. Introduction by a friend who may have been Religious
3. Had a religious experience such as a Weeping Statue sighting, a Saved or Born Again Experience, Near Death Experience or similar
4. Decided to start going to Church and came into the faith gradually and continue to do so for years or decades or the rest of your life.
5. Got converted by a Street Preacher, a leaflet handed to you or at a Mega Preacher Event or Travelling Roadshow or maybe via TV Evangelism or somebody on a website, You Tube Channel that you bumped into mysteriously on the internet. Maybe even a religious book.
6. Started reading the Bible
Number 3 is the most dramatic and controversial one, normally involves some sort of emotional experience and this is the group the church are not too keen on, they call them Heretics and sort of outside the Church. People who are in this category who got converted or Saved by this method have to accept that people will listen to what they have to say ........ but nobody will believe them........and your sanity will be up for question!
Statue of Virgin Mary Cries Tears of Oil. Fake or Real?
Bible Quote
A final word from the Bible. The Parable of the Sower from Jesus. Matthew 13 18~23.
18. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21. Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
This article is about the very special term "Born Again" delving deeper into what it actually is, how you receive it, what happens, what changes take place and more importantly how you do not receive it.
This is a heavy, heavy article that comes with a Warning that some of the videos featured here may have an emotional impact and are probably best viewed in private and not on say Public Transport, McDonalds or whilst in the queue at the local Supermarket. Don't say I didn't warn you!
The owner of this website talking about the journey he went on before he actually got "Saved" or "Born Again". It is a Spiritual Journey to put it mildly!
So what does this "Born" Again mean or what is often referred to as "Saved"?
Oxford Dictionary Definition
Of, pertaining to, or characterized by (an experience of) new birth in Christ or spiritual renewal; of a Christian: placing special emphasis on this experience as a basis for all one's actions, evangelical
Wikipedia
Born again is a phrase used by many Protestants to describe the phenomenon of gaining faith in Jesus Christ. It is an experience when everything they have been taught as Christians becomes real, and they develop a direct and personal relationship with God.
With the voluntaristic type, rebirth is expressed in a new alignment of the will, in the liberation of new capabilities and powers that were hitherto undeveloped in the person concerned. With the intellectual type, it leads to an activation of the capabilities for understanding, to the breakthrough of a "vision".
An in depth article taking a closer look at mainstream and Indie music videos that feature a religious theme (obvious and hidden) and christian iconography.
This is a look in the opposite direction of the Illuminati in the Entertainment Industry article posted recently that as predicted proved incredibly popular, hence this one.
This article sets out to prove there is some good in the entertainment industry but you just have to search a bit harder for it. Here we move away from the Occult and Satanism and it's associated symbolism and into more of the Religious/Christian symbology and lyrics realm. We'll take a look at lyrics of some music from the past and present from various Genres from some of the major names in music and also see what symbolism and lyrics are used. I'll leave the why for you to figure out. The interpretation just like a painting is down to the individual.
You will notice with most of these music videos that the stars are not stripping off, there is no rampant occult symbolism, hypnotic dance routines, the in your face energy levels are turned down a few notches, things are vibing on a deeper level here, waters that run way way deeper, these are songs that contain the truth and have no hidden agenda and appeal more to a deep down human level as in your soul. You could say some may have some sort of "rock your very foundations" and life changing qualities about them. These are the sort of songs that even played decades from now never lose their power. Some songs will make you laugh
Posts
