“Looking unto Jesus” or Horoscopes?
QUESTION ASKED:
“So I have a question for you. Do you think the wise men were sinning and should be damned for following the wandering star in the sky that led them to Jesus and the barn in the first place? (Matthew) Or that God was wrong for placing stars in the sky to be used for signs and for seasons, days, years? (Genesis) If it’s so wrong for us to learn from the stars, why did he make and name all of them? (Psalms)
Sorry, but don’t go off the bible. It contradicts itself.”
REPLY:
Observing and appreciating the LORD’s creation is one thing, looking to those mere elements for wisdom and direction in life, instead of He who made them, is sin. The wise men being directed by the stars to the correct location in no way means our lives on earth are to be relegated to or following the movement of the stars in the heavens. When God used His stars to guide the wisemen, that was for His special purpose. Do we ever see anything else like that in the Bible? Holy Scripture tells us that there must be “two or three witnesses” to establish something (Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1).
A star is an inanimate object. It’s a dumb rock. No breath, no eyes, no ears, etc..
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
“For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live:” Amos 5:4
If you like to show me where the Bible contradicts itself, share freely. Your not being able to decipher and collate things in the Bible with the whole of Scripture in no way means the Bible itself is contradictory. “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33). You will be one of many who’ve made that false assertion with no proof due to your own unbelief and misunderstanding. First off, you must be born again to know the LORD, the Author of the Bible and until you do, you cannot possibly understand His Word.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21
Anything one puts before Christ/His Word is idolatry.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 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: 5 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;” Exodus 20:3-5
Jesus told us exactly who is “of God” and who is “NOT of God.”
Those “of God” look to God via His Word for their direction, not His creation, the stars.
“He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” John 8:47
Anyone who is known of God lives by God’s Word and therefore will have nothing to do with this cheap substitute. Those who seek wisdom or direction outside of Christ and the Word, are full blown lost souls.
They have denied Christ His right place in their lives of which only He is worthy.
They are of the world, the devil.
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
The scope of your life is not determined by the stars but rather by the One who made and put those stars where they are. There is no hope in horror scopes.
The SCOPE of your future is HORROR if you are seeking direction, affirmation, or guidance in anyone or anything except Christ.
Horoscopes are for those who do not know the LORD.
“Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2
The Bible foretold of this hour of great apostasy as the return of our LORD draws nigh. Specifically speaking of those who claim to be Christ’s, the Word tells us that many of these professors would deny the power of their Creator to guide them, fill them, and be their all sufficiency. This is the damnable sin of unbelief (Revelation 21:8).
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” 2 Timothy 3:5
If this message, namely God’s Word, convinces you that you are not following Christ according to His Word, then God is calling you to come to full repentance, laying down your life before it’s too late …..
Some claiming to be Christians falsely profess to be of Christ. This is clear by many things in their lives, including that they get up in the morning and read the newspaper, read their horoscope, read magazines done by vile heathen, read corrupt fad books, romances, etc., and have no time for Jesus’ Word.
“They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. Titus 1:16
They want Jesus only insomuch as they vainly believe He is going to save them from Hell but they do not want a real relationship with Him.
“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:19-29
Anyone claiming to be saved and going to God’s holy Heaven who is “lukewarm” or does not have Christ as their personal “FIRST love,” is deceived and will be kindling for the fires of eternal damnation (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:15-16).
“For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:5-6
Are you on this list?
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
All true disciples of Christ look to Him and no other. They have “no other gods before” Him.
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2
The heart affections of every true, ready-to-meet-Jesus disciple is set upon the LORD and Savior. He is their supreme “first love” (Revelation 2:4-5).
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4
Idolatry and spiritual adultery is forbidden by our God and Maker. To commit the sin of spiritual adultery means to alienate the affection of our hearts to someone else beside the LORD Himself.
“Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.” Jeremiah 10:2
Monitoring the “signs of heaven” is the occupation of the “heathen” not Christ’s saints.
Romans 1 says “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:19-32 KJB).
To take the focus off of the LORD Almighty, Jesus Christ, is to commit the soul-damning sin of idolatry (v25). Also, to “have pleasure in them” who do such is also equally sinful (v32). To bid god speed or participate in sin is to be guilty of that same sin in the eyes of the one true, holy God and Judge (2 John 10-11).
Worshiping the creature or creation more than the Creator is a sin. It’s the sin of apostate hearts or people who have departed from the LORD.
God determines personality, not mere elements He created, or the time in His great universe in which HE chose to bring us into HIS world. Read Romans 1. Looking to the time and place and alignment of mere parts of creation to determine our own character and personality etc. is idolatry …. it looks to the creation instead of the Creator. Our personalities are to be “conformed to the image of his Son,” the very reason for which we have been predestined (Romans 8:29). We are to be servants as Jesus showed us (Matthew 20:24-28; John 13; Philippians 2, etc.).
His blessed Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalm 119:105). Do we see Jesus or His holy apostles looking to the stars or zodiac etc.? Nor do they instruct us to do so. We are to look to “the MORE sure word of prophecy” which the LORD tells us is more authoritative than even His audible voice speaking from Heaven (2 Peter 1:12-21).
That was certainly primarily for them, not us. We now have the divine Person of the Holy Spirit indwelling us. We are His temples and led of Him and “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). I just don’t see following or looking to any part of creation as ordained for us who are now indwelled by the Holy Ghost and have the written Word.
The earliest believers didn’t look to mere elements of creation but rather to their Creator who had come and bled to save them, ascended back to His Father, and then sent the divine Person of the Holy Ghost to live inside of each of His saints. They “continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine” which is the written Word of God (Acts 2:42).
There are so many counterfeit, like flavors at an ice cream shop. Satan has his poison packaged in every flavor and it’s all pure, unadulterated spiritual adultery and rebellion. Horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age, paganism, Buddhism, Bahai, spiritualism, post modernism, etc..
Former new ager, Ivanca Olanu writes:
“THERE IS SO MUCH DANGER IN THE NEW AGE MOVEMENT MY ADVICE TO ALL YOUNG PEOPLE IS TO STAY OUT OF IT! STAY OUT OF IT, I EXPLORED IN IT AND GOT MYSELF IN A LOT OF TROUBLE! Stay out of it, there’s nothing there except delusive abstract concepts that will get you NOWHERE. Come to JESUS CHRIST WHO IS ALIVE and WELL and He will show you what life really is all about!”
Satan’s counterfeits include: Horoscopes, tarot cards, New Age, paganism, Buddhism, Bahai, spiritualism, post modernism, all false religion, etc..
Horrible scopes are pure idolatry. When a person is not putting God first they will search everywhere else for “direction” and the witchcraft of divining the future. This is forbidden by God and will bring curses into a person’s life that only Jesus Christ can break if they repent and place their whole trust in Him (Deuteronomy 1; Isaiah 47).
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5
The Bible says that if we lack wisdom we are to ask of God, not seek out answers ANYwhere else. If we do, we are alienating the affections of our heart in worship to false gods, and the devil (evil spirits) will then come into our lives (1 Corinthians 10:19-21).
“They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.” Deuteronomy 32:17
Seeking answers, information about your future, etc., from any other source but your Maker, is unadulterated rebellion and idolatry. This is spiritual adultery – where one alienates the affections of his heart to another god, one other than the one true God. The Bible says this is whoredom, including occultic, pagan venues such as tarot cards, Ouija boards, horoscopes or divining of any type.
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-23
“What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” 1 Corinthians 10:19-22
THOSE who look to their horoscope deny Christ the right to reign in their lives. Looking to a horoscope instead of our Maker is witchcraft – seeking to divine the future without our Creator. That’s pure rebellion. THE LORD WHO MADE US wants us to read His Word daily and when we do, we will cease looking elsewhere for answers (like horoscopes, psychology, or mere men). God has commanded us to trust Him in all things by faith to lead us and not to try to figure out the future (Matthew 6:33-34). “Without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). The very first commandment is “Thou shalt have NO other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). Looking elsewhere is idolatry and spiritual adultery. “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14).
Repenting means turning from your own way and any other way and to the LORD your God and Judge, placing your full faith in the Son of God for the remission of your sins.
One sister writes:
“HOROSCOPES, ASTROLOGY, NUMEROLOGY, SCIENTOLOGY, TAROT CARDS, PALM READING, CRYSTAL BALL, ANY PROPHETIC UTTERANCE WITHOUT SUPPORTING THE WORD OF GOD IS WITCHCRAFT! Keep that in mind!”
If a person reads their horrible-scope and eagerly opens and read their fortune cookies and doesn’t read God’s Word daily, where is he/she spiritually? “He that is of God heareth God’s words” (John 8:47).
Those who truly know and love the LORD Jesus Christ look to Him for their full sufficiency in righteousness, wisdom, grace, love, and truth!
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Antichrist
Message from an Antichrist Refuted! Is Jesus Christ Divine? [podcast]
Beware that this message received, below, is from a slick antichrist who misuses Scripture, leaving out truth to promulgate his denial of Christ’s divinity.
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I agree that Jesus is the Son of God, King of Kings, my savior, the rock on which the church was built. I agree that the Bible from the beginning to the end tells us about God’s plan toward Jesus, his role in establishing the Kingdom of God and freeing the creation from sin. I love Jesus. This is why it’s hard for me to fathom how on one part you quote that “Jesus is the Son of the Living God” and say that it is this revelation that the church is built on and not Peter, and a moment later you say that Jesus is “the God of all creation”. I think this needs to be clarified. In one place you say that Jesus is God’s “only begotten Son”, then you also say that he always existed. It’s either one or the other. Either Jesus was begotten, or he ever existed. You said that everything in the Bible is about Jesus. So let’s read Micah 5:2: “And you, O Bethʹle·hem Ephʹra·thah, the one too little to be among the thousands of Judah, from you will come out for me the one to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from ancient times, from the days of long ago.” I think we will agree that this scripture speaks about Jesus who will come in the future, but “whose ORIGIN is from ancient times, from the day of long ago”. God, who always was, has no origin. Jesus does. Jesus was begotten, he is “the beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14), “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col. 1:15). Peter correctly believed that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. The Holy Spirit revealed it to him. Jesus said so. Jesus also was very clear about the fact that he had God, the Father, who is more powerful than him: “Jesus said to her: “Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father and to my God and your God.’”” (John 20:17). “If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28). “Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God.” (Phil. 2:5,6). “But I want you to know that the head of every man is the Christ; in turn, the head of a woman is the man; in turn, the head of the Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 1:13). “But when all things will have been subjected to him, then the Son himself will also subject himself to the One who subjected all things to him, that God may be all things to everyone.” (1 Cor. 15:28). Thanks be to God and to his Son Jesus Christ for giving us a second chance and showing us a way out of darkness. “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). May the truth reach everyone. “This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3). Hallelujah!”
REPLY:
Isaiah uttered this prophetic word of the coming Messiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty GOD, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6-7
Jesus Christ existed “from everlasting” which clearly reveals He has no beginning or ending and is divine.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, FROM EVERLASTING.” Micah 5:2
It’s both. Jesus Christ is both God and man. He’s God from eternity past with no beginning or ending and yet became flesh to redeem mankind (Galatians 4:4).
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4-5
“The Word (Christ) was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Are you denying that Jesus has come in the flesh? That would make you an “antichrist” (1 John 4:3; 2 John 1:7). “Only begotten Son” pertains to the virgin birth of Jesus when He was for a time made flesh to dwell among us and die for us, which is why He came (2 Corinthians 5:19). The “son” who was brought forth was God from all eternity. “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, GOD with us“ (Matthew 1:23). Jesus Christ is God, one of the Members of the triune Godhead, and as such has no beginning or ending. Read Colossians 1.
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
There cannot possibly be a perfect sacrifice without a virgin birth by divine operation.
“Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life”
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20
Christ declared: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, THE ALMIGHTY“ (Revelation 1:8). 1 Timothy 3:16 says that “GOD was manifest in the flesh” and we know that is not the Father or the Holy Spirit but rather, Jesus who was born of a virgin, incarnate in human flesh, and “GOD … in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16). Jesus Christ is divine, has no beginning or ending, has always been and always will be God Almighty. Yet, when it pleased the Father, He was sent to the earth to be born in the flesh (incarnation), to show us the Father, and to redeem mankind. “But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” (Galatians 4:4).
“But when the fulness of the time – Appointed by the Father, Gal 4:2. Was come, God sent forth – From his own bosom. His Son, miraculously made of the substance of a woman – A virgin, without the concurrence of a man. Made under the law – Both under the precept, and under the curse, of it.” John Wesley
“4:4 The fullness of the time refers to the time appointed by the Heavenly Father when the heirs would become of age (see v. 2).”
Of this truth, Galatians 4:4. William MacDonald notes:
“In this verse we have, in a few words, a marvelous statement as to the deity and humanity of the Savior. He is the eternal Son of God; yet He was born of a woman. If Jesus had been only a man, it would be gratuitous to say that He was born of a woman. How else could a mere man be born? The expression, in our Lord’s case, witnesses to His unique Person and the unique mode of His birth.
“Born into the world as an Israelite, He was therefore born under the law. As Son of God, the Lord Jesus would never have been under the law; He was the One who gave it. But, in condescending grace, He put Himself under the law that He had made, in order that He might magnify it in His life, and bear its curse in His death.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
The Holy Spirit spoke beforetime through the beloved David of this coming event: “I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.” (Psalms 2:7)
“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;” Revelation 3:14 – “The Lord Jesus speaks of Himself as the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God. As the Amen, He is the embodiment of faithfulness and truth, and the One who guarantees and fulfills the promises of God. He is also the originator of the creation of God, both material and spiritual. The expression, ‘the Beginning of the creation of God’ does not mean that He was the first Person to be created; He was never created. Rather, it means that He began all creation. It does not say that He had a beginning, but that He is the Beginning. He is the origin of the creation of God. And He is pre-eminent over all creation.” William McDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
You cited Colossians 1:15 but then you stopped. Let’s look at the text which clearly reveals that as God, Jesus Christ created and sustains all that is: “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” Colossians 1:14-17
It’s becoming clear that you are under the control of the spirit of antichrist, which denies the divinity of Jesus Christ. Notice how you quoted John 20:17 yet ignore v. 28 – “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
“Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.” John 14:28 – Of this, William Macdonald notes: “At first it seems as if this verse contradicts all that Jesus had taught concerning His equality with God the Father. But there is no contradiction, and the passage explains the meaning. When Jesus was here on earth, He was hated and hunted, persecuted and pursued. Men blasphemed Him, reviled Him, and spat on Him. He endured terrible indignities from the hands of His creatures. God the Father never suffered such rude treatment from men. He dwelt in heaven, far away from the wickedness of sinners. When the Lord Jesus returned to heaven, He would be where indignities could never come. Therefore, the disciples should have rejoiced when Jesus said that He was going to the Father, because in this sense the Father was greater than He. The Father was not greater as God, but greater because He never came into the world as Man to be cruelly treated. As far as the attributes of deity are concerned, the Son and the Father are equal. But when we think of the lowly place which Jesus took as a Man here on earth, we realize that in that sense, God the Father was greater than He. He was greater as to His position but not His Person.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
The Philippians 2 passage says exactly the opposite of what you asserted. Notice that Jesus “thought it not robbery to be equal with God” because He is God, He is divine and yet, for a time, He humbled Himself and was begotten by the Father through a virgin and was incarnated, clothed upon with human flesh to redeem fallen mankind.
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-7
“PROLOGUE: THE SON OF GOD’S FIRST ADVENT (1:1-18)
John begins his Gospel by speaking about the Word—but he does not explain at first who or what the Word is. A word is a unit of speech by which we express ourselves to others. But John is not writing about speech but rather about a Person. That Person is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God has fully expressed Himself to mankind in the Person of the Lord Jesus. By coming into the world, Christ has perfectly revealed to us what God is like. By dying for us on the cross, He has told us how much God loves us. Thus Christ is God’s living Word to man, the expression of God’s thoughts.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made … And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3, 14
The divinity of Jesus Christ stated repeatedly here: “the Word was God … ALL things were made by him … the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.” The eternality, the infinitude, the divinity of Jesus Christ, the divine Word made flesh, is made known in the Gospel of John in more poignant fashion than any other place in the Bible.
Of John 1:1-5, the late William MacDonald noted:
“The Word in Eternity and Time (1:1-5)
1:1 In the beginning was the Word. He did not have a beginning Himself, but existed from all eternity. As far as the human mind can go back, the Lord Jesus was there. He never was created. He had no beginning. (A genealogy would be out of place in this Gospel of the Son of God.) The Word was with God. He had a separate and distinct personality. He was not just an idea, a thought, or some vague kind of example, but a real Person who lived with God. The Word was God. He not only dwelt with God, but He Himself was God.
“The Bible teaches that there is one God and that there are three Persons in the Godhead—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three of these Persons are God. In this verse, two of the Persons of the Godhead are mentioned—God the Father and God the Son. It is the first of many clear statements in this Gospel that Jesus Christ is God. It is not enough to say that He is “a god,” that He is godlike, or that He is divine. The Bible teaches that He is God.
“1:2 Verse 2 would appear to be a mere repetition of what has been said, but actually it is not. This verse teaches that Christ’s personality and deity were without beginning. He did not become a person for the first time as the Babe of Bethlehem. Nor did He somehow become a god after His resurrection, as some teach today. He is God from all eternity.
“1:3 All things were made through Him. He Himself was not a created being; rather He was the Creator of all things. This includes mankind, the animals, the heavenly planets, the angels —all things visible and invisible. Without Him nothing was made that was made. There can be no possible exception. If a thing was made, He made it. As Creator, He is, of course, superior to anything He has created. All three Persons of the Godhead were involved in the work of creation: ‘God created the heaven and the earth.’ (Gen_1:1). ‘The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.’ (Gen_1:2). ‘All things were created through Him (Christ) and for Him’ (Col_1:16 b).
“1:4 In Him was life. This does not simply mean that He possessed life, but that He was and is the source of life. The word here includes both physical and spiritual life. When we were born, we received physical life. When we are born again, we receive spiritual life. Both come from Him.
“The life was the light of men. The same One who supplied us with life is also the light of men. He provides the guidance and direction necessary for man. It is one thing to exist, but quite another to know how to live, to know the true purpose of life, and to know the way to heaven. The same One who gave us life is the One who provides us with light for the pathway we travel.
“There are seven wonderful titles of our Lord Jesus Christ in this opening chapter of the Gospel. He is called (1) the Word (vv. 1, 14); (2) the Light (vv. 5, 7); (3) the Lamb of God (vv. 29, 36); (4) the Son of God (vv. 34, 49); (5) the Christ (Messiah) (v. 41); (6) the King of Israel (v. 49); and (7) the Son of Man (v. 51). The first four titles, each of which is mentioned at least twice, seem to be universal in application. The last three titles, each of which is mentioned only once, had their first application to Israel, God’s ancient people.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
Any person who denies that Jesus Christ is God, is a lost soul and an antichrist for denying the record God gave us of His Son. The Messiah was foretold to be “the mighty God,” “Immanuel,” and so anyone denying this part of “the record” of God concerning the Messiah, is antichrist (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7).
“Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” 1 John 2:22-23
“2:22 John is careful to point out that to deny the deity of the Lord Jesus is to deny the Father also. Some people like to believe that they worship God, but they do not want to have anything to do with the Lord Jesus Christ. The apostle says, ‘He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.’
“2:23 In Joh_8:19, Joh_8:42, Jesus said that those who failed to recognize His deity and to love Him neither knew the Father nor had Him as their Father. Similarly, John says, ‘Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.’ Here we have the wonderful truth of the unity between the Father and the Son. You cannot have the Father unless you have the Son. This is a message which should be heeded by all Unitarians, Christian Scientists, Muslims, Modernists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Jews.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.” 1 John 5:10
“The record that God gave of his Son,” is that which we have of Christ on record, recorded by “holy men of God” (2 Peter 1:19-21). We read in God’s Word, concerning Jesus, that He is “the Almighty” (Revelation 1:8), that “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58), that “ALL things were created BY HIM” (Colossians 1:16; John 1:3), that “God was manifest in the flesh,” (1 Timothy 3:16), etc.. And so it’s clear that all who deny, who reject the divinity of Jesus Christ, that He is God, are antichrists and have called God a liar.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matthew 28:18
Your salvation in Christ is most important. Your knowledge of God’s Word determines how effectively, how powerfully you can be used of God.
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Articles
FAKE THEOLOGIAN DESTROYED: Is Learning Hebrew and Greek Necessary to Understand God’s Word?
The question of whether or not knowing Hebrew and Greek helps one to understand the Bible
Matthew 11:25 – God says that He reveals His truth, truths to even the babes in Christ and you say that God’s people have to go learn 2 new languages before they understand God through His Word? Both can’t be right and so one of you is lying, is bearing false witness.
Notice how that “from a child” Timothy knew the “holy scriptures” and the wisdom they give us.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Perhaps some of these guys are insecure novices who have found a way they think they can attempt to elevate themselves over others. They are full of pride. This is why God’s Word says that in the qualifications for overseers among Christ’s saints, the Word says “Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:6).
This is an important discussion. There are many would-be “theologians” who go around touting that they read the original manuscripts and know Hebrew and Greek, and that you can’t understand God’s Word unless you “go back to the Hebrew and Greek, etc.” This is a dangerous and diabolical ploy to mislead people.
The good news is that God provided every single inhabitant of earth the blessing of knowing Him and knowing His Word. This He did to secure them for His eternal kingdom and to protect them from the “MANY false prophets” He promised would “deceive MANY” (Matthew 24:11).
“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130
Do we not call God a fool for bringing His Word into our language and yet we’re not even able to understand it?
Saying that we need to read the original language of manuscripts makes any one want to give up before they start.
Anyone telling you that you need to learn Hebrew and or Greek to understand the Bible is pulling the wool over your eyes…. is a lying snake, wolf, and false prophet, who is attempting to seduce you to elevate THEM in your mind and to perhaps trust in and follow them because, after all THEY, only THEY really understand God’s Word. Beware. We were warned.
To the deceiver, it serves a satanic purpose to tell people that they have to go learn two whole new languages in order to understand God’s Word:
- It makes the hearer think they need the one giving them this lie.
- to hide the truth from the common people.
Beware of those who seek to remove the key of knowledge from the people so they can corral and exploit them (Luke 11:52).
Telling you that you need to go learn two whole new languages is to their benefit – they are manipulating you – to put you under their control… because after all, THEY have the key of knowledge, the Hebrew and the Greek, and you don’t, so you need them. It’s a self-appointed elitist club and you’re not in it. Their agenda is to put you under them, to position you to exploit (2 Peter 2:19).
Make no mistake, my intent was to bury this filthy wolf who is misleading people to believe they need to go learn two whole new languages in order to understand God’s Word which God Himself made sure we have in our own language. Beware of Satan’s agents like this.
There are those who pretend to preside over the understanding of God’s Word. Beware. They are absolutely self-serving ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15).
In this exchange (below), please know that my intent was to rebuke this man sharply as the Holy Spirit commanded us to do to false teachers, wolves who mislead and devour Christ’s flock (Titus 1:13).
MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM A FAKE “bible” DEFENDER WHO PRETENDS TO BE A SCHOLAR:
“I use multiple sources so i dont have a ‘fake bible’ as you claim. And by your definition, all bibles would be fake that are english translated. I study manuscripts from as close to the 1st century as i can. So that means i use many sources. Any good student does the same. And since He is the Master, and I’m the student, then that makes my responsibility extremely important to study as one to be approved. You really need to repent of your anger and maliciousness. And before you comment on things being fake, make sure you study the original language used to determine if the translation is correct. And even then you have to be careful. Satan has done a masterful job at contaminating the scriptures.”
REPLY:
In other words, you are saying that anyone who doesn’t undertake to study the “original languages,” the Greek and Hebrews for the rest of their lives, cannot possibly understand the simple truth of God given to all men in His Word? …. hmmmmm OH OF COURSE THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF JUST PATRONIZING HIGH AND MIGHTY YOU WHO CAN TELL THEM WHAT GOD SAYS, RIGHT? How convenient.
Notice how you cowarded out and didn’t even answer the simple questions I asked of you concerning a mere sampling of Bible verses that have been perverted in the fake “bibles” you defend.
Here were the simple questions I asked you and you refused to answer:
-
- Why is the “BLOOD” of Jesus removed from the fake “bibles” you are defending? In Colossians 1:14.
- Why is Romans 8:1 chopped in half in the phony “bibles” you promote and defend?
- Why are whole verses such as Matthew 17:21 and Acts 8:37 completely removed from the cheap counterfeits you believe are the Bible?
You are now claiming that God did not keep His promise to preserve His Word to our generation (Psalms 12:6-7)…. which is a grand indictment upon the Almighty. Not impressed with your “study” of manuscripts because the LORD told us He would preserve His Word for us in our own language (Psalms 12:6-7). The pharisees were supposedly very learn-ed and yet hell bound (Matthew 23, etc.). You have been straight up rebuked, your false tables are turned over and now you’re trying to gaslight me, blame me for it. The need to learn the original languages has been debunked long ago. Typically, like an antichrist pharisee, the enemy of Christ, you desire to take away the ability for the average person to learn and know God’s Word (Luke 11:52). “Woe unto you, lawyers! (doctors of the law) for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.” What you are doing is selling people on the lie that YOU know things they can’t possibly know because they don’t know Hebrew and Greek. Do you speak Hebrew or Greek? No. Do YOU write in Hebrew or Greek? No, you don’t. So by your own false standard YOU can’t even understand the Word of God. So the god you serve is Satan because the God of the Bible makes known and makes available His truth to the humble and lowly who seek Him. Jesus says “At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25). This is the typical esoteric deception where certain wolves among the people claim to have exclusive access to secret knowledge as they seduce and attempt make people to be dependent upon them and not God. No one needs you or me, sinner. Repent now.
“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.” Matthew 11:25
You are clearly a false prophet who wants people to come to you, to rely on you and your pretended knowledge of God and His Word. That is, you want them to patronize you instead of going to God Himself, in His own Word, which He gave us in our own language as He promised to do (Psalms 12:6-7). The demons in you are the same wicked spirits that inhabited the now burning in hell false leaders of Christ’s day who took away the key of knowledge from the common man (Luke 11:52). You and those spirits want people to hear your perverted, pretended version of what God says. God makes His Word available to all men so that they can know Him and His truth and not be deceived by the “MANY false prophets” whom Jesus said would “deceive MANY” in the final days before Jesus returns (Matthew 24:11).
A Classic Case of Antichrist Self-Promotion
Simon the Sorcerer
“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, GIVING OUT THAT HIMSELF WAS SOME GREAT ONE: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time HE HAD BEWITCHED THEM WITH SORCERIES.” Acts 8:9-11
This type of self-idolatry and worship of a mere sinful man is all too common today and comes in various packages, yet is the same principle of fact. Till Jesus returns, there will be those who give out that they are some “great one” when they are merely ungodly sinners. Recently a man was promoting himself as one who “reads the original manuscripts” and so he is higher and more special than others. He laughably went so far as to say that anyone who wants to understand the Bible must go to the original manuscripts. Would someone like to inform this self-serving wolf that God kept His promise to preserve His Word to us in our own language? It’s called the King James Bible.
So, do we trust in today’s wolves who claim THEY have the key of knowledge, of understanding God’s Word and pretending that people need them? Or do we trust GOD Himself who gave us HIS Word in our own language ….. and He alone can give us His understanding of His Word?
“For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89
The LORD graciously gave us His written Word in our own language to nourish, edify, feed, and protect us—His very people.
“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield (protection) unto them that put their trust in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” Proverbs 30:5-6
PRAYER: Father thank You for preserving and giving us Your written Word in our own language. Please teach us Your ways and grant Your children discernment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Abiding
The Book of 2 Peter Narrated [podcast]
Chapter 1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost
Chapter 2
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 and spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 and delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 but chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13 and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14 having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: 15 which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 but was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.
17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Chapter 3
This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 that ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 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. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
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