Showing posts with label end times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label end times. Show all posts

August 31, 2012

for Thou art my tehillah (praise)


Yirmeyah 17

Orthodox Jewish Bible (OJB)
17 The chattat Yehudah is written with an et barzel (iron pen), and with the tzipporen shamir (point of a diamond); it is engraved upon the luach (tablet) of their lev, and upon the karenot (horns) of your mizbechot (altars);
Whilst their banim remember their mizbechot and their asherim by the leafy trees upon the high hills.
O My mountain in the sadeh, I will give over thy wealth and all thy otzerot (treasures) as plunder, and thy high places for sin, throughout all thy territories.
And thou, even thyself, shalt let go of thine nachalah that I gave thee; and I will cause thee to serve thine oyevim in ha’aretz which thou knowest not; for ye have kindled an eish in Mine anger, which shall burn ad-olam (forever).
Thus saith Hashem: Arur (cursed) be the gever that trusteth in adam, and maketh basar his zero’a, and whose lev turneth away from Hashem.
For he shall be like the shrub in the aravah (desert), and shall not see when tov cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the midbar, in an eretz melechah (salt land) and not inhabited.
Baruch hagever asher yivtach baHashem (Blessed is the man that trusteth in Hashem), and whose mivtach (confidence) Hashem is.
For he shall be as an etz planted by the mayim, and that spreadeth out her shorashim (roots) by the brook, and shall not fear when chom (heat) cometh, but its leaf shall be green; and shall not be anxious in the shenat batzoret (year of drought), neither shall cease from yielding p’ri (fruit).
The lev (heart, mind) akov (is deceitful) above all things, and anush (incurable [in wickedness]); who can know it?
10 I, Hashem, search the lev, I test the kelayot (kidneys, i.e., most inward parts), requiting to every ish according to his drakhim, and according to the p’ri of his deeds.
11 As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not; so he that getteth osher (riches), and not by mishpat, shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end shall be a naval (fool).
12 A glorious high kisse from the beginning is the place of Mikdasheinu (our Beis HaMikdash).
13 Hashem, the Mikveh Yisroel, all that forsake Thee shall be put to shame, and they that turn away from Me shall be written down in ha’aretz, because they have forsaken Hashem, the Makor Mayim Chayyim (Fountain of Living Waters).
14 Heal me, Hashem, and I shall be healed; hoshi’eini (save me), and I shall be saved; for Thou art my tehillah (praise).
15 Hinei, they say unto me, Where is the Devar Hashem? Let it come now.
16 As for me, I have not hastened away from being a ro’eh (shepherd) to follow Thee; neither did I lust for the woeful day; Thou knowest; that which came out of my lips was before Thee.
17 Be not a mechittah (terror) unto me; Thou art my refuge in the Yom Ra’ah (Day of Evil, Day of Disaster, Day of Doom).
18 Let them be ashamed that persecute me, but let not me be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed; bring upon them the Yom Ra’ah, and destroy them with mishneh (double) destruction.
19 Thus said Hashem unto me; Go and stand in the Sha’ar Bnei HaAm, whereby the melachim of Yehudah come in, and by the which they go out, and in all the Sha’arei Yerushalayim;
20 And say unto them, Hear ye the Devar Hashem, ye melachim of Yehudah, and all Yehudah, and all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim, that enter in by these she’arim (gates);
21 Thus saith Hashem: Be shomer over your nefashot, and bear no massa (burden) on Shabbos, nor bring through the Sha’arei Yerushalayim;
22 Neither carry forth a massa (burden) out of your batim (houses) on Shabbos, neither do ye any melachah (work), but keep Shabbos set apart as kodesh, just as I commanded Avoteichem.
23 But they obeyed not, neither inclined their ozen (ear), but made their stubborn neck stiff, that they might not hear, nor receive musar (discipline).
24 And it shall come to pass, if ye diligently pay heed unto Me, saith Hashem, to bring in no massa (burden) through the she’arim (gates) of this city on the day of Shabbos, but keep the day of Shabbos holy, to do no melachah (work) therein;
25 Then shall there enter into the she’arim (gates) of this city melachim and sarim sitting upon the kisse Dovid, riding in chariots and on susim, they, and their sarim, the Ish Yehudah, and the inhabitants of Yerushalayim; and this city shall be inhabited l’olam (forever).
26 And they shall come from the towns of Yehudah, and from the places around Yerushalayim, and from Eretz Binyamin, and from the Shephalah (Lowlands), and from the har (hill country), and from the Negev bringing olah (burnt offering), and zevach (sacrifice), and minchah (grain offering), and levonah (frankincense), and bringing todah (thank offering), unto the Bais Hashem.
27 But if ye will not pay heed unto Me to keep the day of Shabbos holy, and not to bear a massa (burden), when entering in at the She’arim of Yerushalayim on the day of Shabbos; then will I kindle an eish in the she’arim thereof, and it shall devour the fortresses of Yerushalayim, and it shall not be quenched.

August 25, 2012

GOD’S SPOKEN WORD IN THE SPIRIT -THE END TIMES WORD-SWORD 4

GODLY PURPOSES OF WORDS AND TONGUES
Luke 4:22 So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.
Mark 16:17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
(Watchman’s notes: believers must show evident signs: in Jesus’ name they cast out demons, speak new tongues! No sign? Ask the Lord why.)
Luke 1:64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, praising God.
(Watchman’s notes: when your tongue is loosed by the Lord’s divine touch, you speak God’s words. You praise and not curse.)
Luke 16:24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
(Watchman’s notes: the most painful torment in hell is dryness and waterless. The place of the demons is dry and waterless. When you are dry and tormented, you know why. The Holy Spirit brings rivers of living water. John 7:38-39. While on earth you still can repent and receive. Time is here and now.)
Hosea 6:5 Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of My mouth; And your judgments are like light that goes forth.
(Watchman’s notes: God slains by the words of His mouth.)
TRUTH ON THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF TONGUES
Acts 2:3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues,as the Spirit gave them utterance.
(Watchman’s notes: be filled with the Holy Spirit and receive His tongues!)

Acts 2:11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
Romans 14:11 For it is written: “As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”

(Watchman’s notes: Main purpose of tongues is to confess to God, magnify God, declare the wonderful works of God.)

1 Corinthians 12:10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
1 Corinthians 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

(Watchman’s notes: speaking in varieties of tongues are spiritual gifts to the appointed ones by God in church, in the same categories with healings, helps, and administrations. Additional remark: note that administration is ranked second last in terms of God’s purposes in the church. Today’s churches have placed administration to be number one. That explains why Jesus has to write seven letters to the churches.)
1 Corinthians 13:1 [ The Greatest Gift ] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 13:8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
(Watchman’s notes: the watchman was woken one morning with this phrase “tongues of angles”. He was reminded of the need to have love for lost souls even when praying in angelic languages. Then he was told to focus on “prophecy”-the preaching of God’s word in truth and in spirit for end times church purposes.)
1 Corinthians 14:2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 14:4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.
1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.
(Read: 1 Corinthians 14:5-6, 9,13-14, 18-23, 26-27)

Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 Timothy 3:8 [ Qualifications of Deacons ] Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money,
1 Peter 3:10 For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Psalm 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
(Watchman’s notes: be discerning in the spirit. Do not look at the seen, but look at the unseen. Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God. A spiritual man discerns all things.)
(Further reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9-16 for us who have received the Spirit of God, we are spiritual and have the mind of Christ. We judge all things. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. )
Proverbs 6:2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth.
Proverbs 8:8 All the words of my mouth are with righteousness; Nothing crooked or perverse is in them.
Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Ecclesiastes 10:13 The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness.
Ezekiel 35:13 Thus with your mouth you have boasted against Me and multiplied your words against Me; I have heard them.”

Daniel 7:8 I was considering the horns…And there, in this horn, were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking pompous words. 7:20 and the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, before which three fell, namely, that horn which had eyes and a mouth which spoke pompous words, whose appearance was greater than his fellows.
Jude 1:16 [ Apostates Predicted ] These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
(Watchman’s notes: those of Anti-christ spirit speak pompous words. 1 Thessalonians 2 describes them as “lawless”. Jesus has warned such in Matt.7:23 “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” )
GOD COVENANTS WITH WORD
Isaiah 59:21 “As for Me,” says the LORD, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the LORD, “from this time and forevermore.”
Isaiah 51:16 And I have put My words in your mouth; I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, That I may plant the heavens, Lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’”
Zechariah 8:9 “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Let your hands be strong, You who have been hearing in these days These words by the mouth of the prophets, Who spoke in the day the foundation was laid For the house of the LORD of hosts, That the temple might be built.

GOD’S SPOKEN WORD IN THE SPIRIT -THE END TIMES WORD-SWORD 2

GOD’S WORD DEMANDS OBEDIENCE, BUILDS HOLY AND GODLY CHARACTER, GIVES LIFE
Deuteronomy 8:2-4 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. 4 Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
EVIL TONGUE BRINGS DESTRUCTION
Job 5:21 You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes.

Job 20:16 He will suck the poison of cobras;
The viper’s tongue will slay him.

WATCHMAN HEARS AND FEARS GOD AND SPEAKS HIS WORD ONLY; GOD MAKES SURE HIS WORD COMES TRUE
Ezekiel 3:16-17 Now it came to pass at the end of seven days that the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me:
Ezekiel 33:6-8 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’
7 “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. 8 When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.
Job 5:15 But He saves the needy from the sword, From the mouth of the mighty, And from their hand.
Isaiah 1:20 But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

2 Chronicles 36:22 [ The Proclamation of Cyrus ] Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
Ezra 1:1 [ End of The Babylonian Captivity ] Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing, saying,
Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath.
Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Deuteronomy 30:14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

GOD SPOKE THROUGH THESE PROPHETS AND CONDEMN EVIL TONGUE
Jeremiah 1:9 Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord GOD has given Me The tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak A word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned.

(Watchman’s notes: the watchman’s job is to seek the Lord, hear His word and give to the people as told.)
Ezekiel 33:31 So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain.
(Watchman’s notes: often the people do not listen to true prophets, because they are self-seeking and do not really seek God. But the true prophets fear God and not men.)
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
(Watchman’s notes: the devil uses man’s mouth to accuse the brethren. But the Lord has given His people his word which is all powerful to overcome the enemy!)
Isaiah 57:4 Whom do you ridicule? Against whom do you make a wide mouth And stick out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression, Offspring of falsehood,
(Watchman’s notes: just look at the internet postings on social network, e.g.facebook etc.)
Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, And your fingers with iniquity; Your lips have spoken lies, Your tongue has muttered perversity.
(Watchman’s notes: unlike the social ‘norm’ of these days, God’s standard/plumb line demands absolute integrity. To Him, speaking lies means muttering perversity.)
Jeremiah 9:3 “And like their bow they have bent their tongues for lies. They are not valiant for the truth on the earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, And they do not know Me,” says the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:5 Everyone will deceive his neighbor, And will not speak the truth; They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves to commit iniquity.

(Watchman’s notes: people have to learn to tell lies, by listening and believing the lies told to them (by evil spirits) in their mind. After practicing this way long enough (to the extent of deliberately bending their tongues), they tell lies automatically, believing their own lies as truth!)
Jeremiah 9:8 Their tongue is an arrow shot out; It speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, But in his heart he lies in wait.
(Watchman’s notes: Do not listen with your physical ears to words of ‘peace’. Listen with your spirit and hear the evil intents of their hearts. Discern the spirit that uses the speaker’s mouth).
Jeremiah 18:18 [ Jeremiah Persecuted ] Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah... Come and let us attack him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.”
(Watchman’s notes: the evil one attacks with words through the tongues of men.)
Hosea 7:16 They return, but not to the Most High; They are like a treacherous bow. Their princes shall fall by the sword For the cursings of their tongue. This shall be their derision in the land of Egypt.
Micah 6:12 For her rich men are full of violence, Her inhabitants have spoken lies, And their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.

(Watchman’s notes: those who use their tongues to curse will fall by their own curses. Violence and lies/deceits are linked together with pride. James 3 well describes how such evil manifestations work together.)
Zephaniah 3:13 The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness And speak no lies, Nor shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth; For they shall feed their flocks and lie down, And no one shall make them afraid.”
Zechariah 14:12 And this shall be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet, Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths.
Isaiah 11:15 The LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; With His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, And strike it in the seven streams, And make men cross over dry-shod.
Jeremiah 5:14 Therefore thus says the LORD God of hosts: “Because you speak this word, Behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, And this people wood, And it shall devour them.
Jeremiah 23:16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; They speak a vision of their own heart, Not from the mouth of the LORD.

July 16, 2012

The all times righteousness plumb line of God

TODAY’S MESSAGE IS FOR ALL WHO FEAR THE LORD AND ARE PURPOSED IN THEIR HEARTS TO SEEK THE LORD AND KNOW HIM. THE LORD DEMANDS PURITY IN HEARTS TO SEE HIM AND DWELL WITH HIM IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
As evident in the following verses, the fruit of righteousness can be seen. DO RIGHTEOUSNESS. As the Lord does righteousness, so do we. We all want to awake in His likeness one day and not in the likeness of the enemy of God!
Psalm 17:15  “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” David was a man after God’s heart and he knew that only those with the righteous likeness of God can awake before Him. How else does anyone expect to see God? Jesus said only those who are pure in heart can see God. (Matt.5:8)

PSALM 106 Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord?
Who can declare all His praise?
Blessed are those who keep justice,
And he who does righteousness at all times!
(Watchman’s study motes: God expects His children to do righteousness at all times, not just once in a while. Not to do it just for show before men. God demands integrity. This is the constant standard in His kingdom! God wants each individual’s life be a worshipful life before Him, in Spirit and in truth.)

Proverbs 11:18
The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward.
Proverbs 11:17-19 (in Context) Proverbs 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 59:9
[ Sin Confessed ] Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness!
Isaiah 59:8-10 (in Context) Isaiah 59 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 64:5
You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, Who remembers You in Your ways. You are indeed angry, for we have sinned— In these ways we continue; And we need to be saved.
Isaiah 64:4-6 (in Context) Isaiah 64 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Amos 6:12
Do horses run on rocks? Does one plow there with oxen? Yet you have turned justice into gall, And the fruit of righteousness into wormwood,
Amos 6:11-13 (in Context) Amos 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Psalm 1:6
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 1:5-6 (in Context) Psalm 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Lamentations 1:18
The LORD is righteous, For I rebelled against His commandment. Hear now, all peoples, And behold my sorrow; My virgins and my young men Have gone into captivity.
Lamentations 1:17-19 (in Context) Lamentations 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Daniel 9:14
Therefore the LORD has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.
Daniel 9:13-15 (in Context) Daniel 9 (Whole Chapter) Other TranslationsDaniel 9:18
O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies.
Daniel 9:17-19 (in Context) Daniel 9 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

Zephaniah 3:4-6

New King James Version (NKJV)
Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people;
Her priests have polluted the sanctuary,
They have done violence to the law.
The Lord is righteous in her midst,
He will do no unrighteousness.
Every morning He brings His justice to light;
He never fails,
But the unjust knows no shame.
“I have cut off nations,
Their fortresses are devastated;
I have made their streets desolate,
With none passing by.
Their cities are destroyed;
There is no one, no inhabitant.
(Watchman’s study notes: God is righteous and does not change.)

Hosea 14:8-9

New King James Version (NKJV)
“Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’
I have heard and observed him.
I am like a green cypress tree;
Your fruit is found in Me.”
Who is wise?
Let him understand these things.
Who is prudent?
Let him know them.
For the ways of the Lord are right;
The righteous walk in them,
But transgressors stumble in them.
(Watchman’s study notes: we are required to know God’s way and walk/live/conduct our lives in His way!)

2 Timothy 2:21-23

New King James Version (NKJV)
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
(Watchman’s study notes: Even Apostle Paul urged his disciple, Timothy to pursue righteousness and categorized this godly characteristic together with faith, love and peace!)

Titus 1:16

16 They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.
(Watchman’s study notes: today this warning is still in force. When a man’s works show clearly that they deny the holy and righteous standards of God, they fall under this category of being disqualified for every good work. God does not accept any work of the flesh. Read the warning letters from Jesus to the seven churches in the end times. Revelation 2-3)
Galatians 5 (NKJV) Walking in the Spirit16
 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
(Watchman’s study notes: Praise the Lord. The Holy Spirit has given all who follow Jesus the sure way to righteousness, that is, to live in and walk in the Spirit of Christ. Indeed, there is only one key:
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” )

July 13, 2012

End Time church witnessing: How to hear God's voice?


The watchman recently went to a house of God where people worship God day and night, read His words and pray. Their lifestyle is God-focused and Holy Spirit directed. He visited this place nearly four years ago and this time he noted the significant transformation. A whole new generation of godly young people has been raised. The current teaching is on “hearing God's voice”.


Increasingly Christians want to know God and hear His voice.
When the end time comes if one cannot hear God's voice (i.e. be led by the Holy Spirit), he would be trapped in the physical worldly system which would require everyone to take the beast's mark as an access key to conduct all transactions: monetary/food supplies/medical/utilities/education/work/ citizenship entitlement etc.
Christians who follow Jesus will have no option but to learn to hear God's voice NOW as this requires CONSISTENT preparation and CONSTANT practice.

Obedience is required for those who want to hear God's voice.
In the Bible there are many examples of those who heard the voice of God and obeyed. Hearing the voice of God transformed lives.
Abraham: He heard God and obeyed. At an advanced age he moved from his secure homeland to a place whereabouts of which he did not even know. He even had to give up his only son Isaac through whom God had promised to make a great nation and descendants as numerous as the stars.
Moses: He heard God and obeyed. At the peak of his personal worldly success as an Egyptian prince, he stood up against the dark power of Egypt, accepting the loss of power, status, wealth, relationship and even his life.
Noah: He heard God and obeyed. He endured being mocked and scoffed at for 100 years by the whole nation of people among whom he dwelt forgoing all credibilities built up over his past 500 years of life.
King David heard the voice of God and obeyed when he was told not to build the temple of God. He was described by the Lord to be the man after His heart and indeed he was.
The prophets heard the voice of God and delivered His messages faithfully, to people who may or may not listen or obey. Many were persecuted and even killed.
The Apostles and disciples heard the voice of God and obeyed faithfully. They spread the Gospel with signs and wonders confirming the word, and they witnessed fearlessly even to death.

How to hear God's voice? The watchman summarized below some of the valuable teachings he received during the three days' stay in God's house.

To hear God's voice you must get rid of the following obstructions:
  1. Any personal agenda (no matter how 'right' it may seem to you). Haggai 1:4-5 “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in paneled houses, and this temple lies in ruins?” Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, “consider your ways!” 7 Thus says the Lord of hosts, “consider your ways!” (Note: verse 6 lists out a whole list of their personal problems!) Be concerned with what God wants and not what you want.
  2. Self (me, mine, my, us, we, ours, I am). Gen.11:4 And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves,” Gen.3:5 “and you will be like God”; John 8:43-44 “Why are you not able to understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.” Let your 'anti-Christ-self' be crucified with Christ. Gal.2:20
  3. lifestyle that reflects the values of the world and its way (the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life). 1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father Is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
  4. Any plans or ambitions that follow the dictates of your own heart (no matter how grand and beneficial your expected/perceived outcome would do to the 'church' ). Jeremiah 13:10 “this evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who follow the dictates of their hearts, and walk after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be just like this sash which is profitable for nothing.”
  5. Anything that is not spiritual in origin, process and of no spiritual value in outcome. John 3:5-6; John 4:23-24; 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” Hearing God's voice is therefore a life and death matter. Romans 8:1-14. 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die,”
The key to hearing God is to walk (live) according to the Spirit. Rom 8:13 “For if you live according to the flesh you will die.”
The Lord continues to speak to those as follows:
  1. who have a poor and contrite spirit and who trembles at His word. Isaiah 66:2
  2. who listen to His words. Haggai 2:2 “Speak now to...the remnant of the people.” God is specific and knows who will listen.
  3. who work with God. Haggai 2:4 “Yet now be strong...all you people of the land, and work, for I am with you.”
  4. whose mind is stayed on God because he trusts in God (God will keep him in perfect peace). Isa.26:3
  5. who is not rebellious or turn away from God. Isa.50:4-5 God awakens and opens the prophet's ear morning by morning to hear as the learned.
  6. who know the Lord. 1 Sam.3:7 (When Samuel did not yet know the Lord, the word of the Lord was not yet revealed to him)
  7. who know the word of the Lord. 1 Sam.3:21 (God revealed Himself to Samuel by the word of the Lord)
  8. who persistently stays in the presence of the Lord. 1 Sam.3:19 “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground”. 20 “And all Israel...knew that Samuel has been established as a prophet of the Lord.” 7:2-3 “So the ark remained in Kirjath Jearim a long time; it was there twenty years...” “Then Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel,”
  9. who always live in the realm of prayers, staying in the presence of God by prayers and supplications with thanksgiving. Eph.6:18; Col.4:2; 4:12; Phil.1:3,9,11; 1 Thess.1:2-3; 3:10-13; 4:3, 7, 12, 18.
  10. who live the watchman lifestyle. Matt.26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” Luke 21:36 “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Matt.24:42 “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” Mark 13:33 “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” 13:37 “And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
God is Spirit (John 4:24). An effective intercessor enters the spiritual realm. So does one who watches. It takes a life time of practicing living before God. Samuel took 20 long years to prepare himself. Moses took 40 years. Noah took 600 years. Samuel and Moses were described as powerful intercessors (those who called upon the Lord and He answered them Psa.99:6; Jer.15:1). Noah was described as man of righteousness together with Daniel and Job (Ezekiel 14:14) . Daniel entered the lions' den when he was an old man. Job too was old when he was hit by the colossal tragedy of losing all his children and everything with one blow. These were men who lived their life consistently before God. They could hear the voice of God. They lived by the Spirit. They lived their lives obeying God.

May 2, 2012

End Times Watchman Bible Study: Love binds



In the end three things will last forever – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love. Let love be your highest goal! (1 Cor.13:13; 14:1)
GOD IS LOVE. (1 John 4:16)
How to know you belong to God? The identity is verified by the LOVE code in everyone. It is not a physical, mental or emotional thing. It is spiritual. God is Spirit. For those who believe in Jesus, the Son of God (the Messiah – Christ), a coding in the form of the Holy Spirit is stamped, sealed on or deposited in them. This is the LOVE identity from God. 

John 3:16
  1. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
    John 3:15-17 (in Context) John 3 (Whole Chapter)
  2. John 3:19
    And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
    John 3:18-20 (in Context) John 3 (Whole Chapter)
  3. John 3:35
    The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
    John 3:34-36 (in Context) John 3 (Whole Chapter)
  4. John 5:20
    For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
    John 5:19-21 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter)
  5. John 5:42
    But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
    John 5:41-43 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter)
  6. John 8:42
    Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
    John 8:41-43 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter)
  7. John 10:17
    “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
    John 10:16-18 (in Context) John 10 (Whole Chapter)
  8. John 11:3
    Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
    John 11:2-4 (in Context) John 11 (Whole Chapter)
  9. John 11:5
    Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
    John 11:4-6 (in Context) John 11 (Whole Chapter)
  10. John 11:36
    Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
    John 11:35-37 (in Context) John 11 (Whole Chapter)
  11. John 12:25
    He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
    John 12:24-26 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter)
  12. John 12:43
    for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
    John 12:42-44 (in Context) John 12 (Whole Chapter)
  13. John 13:1
    [ Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet ] Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.
    John 13:1-3 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
  14. John 13:23
    Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
    John 13:22-24 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
  15. John 13:34
    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
    John 13:33-35 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
  16. John 13:35
    By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
    John 13:34-36 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)
  17. John 14:15
    [ Jesus Promises Another Helper ] “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
    John 14:14-16 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
  18. John 14:21
    He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
    John 14:20-22 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
  19. John 14:23
    Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
    John 14:22-24 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
  20. John 14:24
    He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.
    John 14:23-25 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
  21. John 14:28
    You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
    John 14:27-29 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
  22. John 14:31
    But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
    John 14:30-31 (in Context) John 14 (Whole Chapter)
  23. John 15:9
    [ Love and Joy Perfected ] “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
    John 15:8-10 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
  24. John 15:10
    If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
    John 15:9-11 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
  25. John 15:12
    This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
    John 15:11-13 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
  26. John 15:13
    Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
    John 15:12-14 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
  27. John 15:17
    These things I command you, that you love one another.
    John 15:16-18 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
  28. John 15:19
    If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
    John 15:18-20 (in Context) John 15 (Whole Chapter)
  29. John 16:27
    for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
    John 16:26-28 (in Context) John 16 (Whole Chapter)
  30. John 17:23
    I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
    John 17:22-24 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
  31. John 17:24
    “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
    John 17:23-25 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
  32. John 17:26
    And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
    John 17:25-26 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter)
  33. John 19:26
    When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
    John 19:25-27 (in Context) John 19 (Whole Chapter)
  34. John 20:2
    Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
    John 20:1-3 (in Context) John 20 (Whole Chapter)
  35. John 21:7
    Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
    John 21:6-8 (in Context) John 21 (Whole Chapter)
  36. John 21:15
    [ Jesus Restores Peter ] So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
    John 21:14-16 (in Context) John 21 (Whole Chapter)
  37. John 21:16
    He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
    John 21:15-17 (in Context) John 21 (Whole Chapter)
  38. John 21:17
    He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
    John 21:16-18 (in Context) John 21 (Whole Chapter)

April 30, 2012

End Times Watchman Bible Study: “But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.”

Today’s message is “FREEDOM”. THE LORD SAYS, “WHEN THE SON OF GOD SETS YOU FREE, YOU ARE FREE INDEED!” BUT BEFORE YOU ARE SET FREE, YOU NEED TO ADMIT YOU ARE BLIND. IF YOU SAY YOU CAN SEE (GOD) THEN YOU ARE DECLARED “GUILTY!” BECAUSE YOU ARE LYING.

On the other hand, those who admit they cannot see God, they are telling the truth. God looks for a repentant, humble heart. A humble heart and a contrite spirit the Lord does not overlook. What did Jesus do to the blind man? He set him free, giving him his sight supernaturally. How wonderful it is to be able to see supernaturally, led by the Holy Spirit, walking in the power of God!

John 9 (The watchman’s comments are in brackets)

New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

(Disciples are humans who have no knowledge of the spiritual reality of matters of God and therefore rely on their knowledge and practice in the natural physical realm and come to conclusions based on human traditional belief and teaching).

“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”

(Jesus corrected them. He told them about the “power of God”, in the spiritual realm and how he spiritual reality could affect the physical reality).

Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!

(The humble materials used in the physical realm showed that physical resources do not matter at all in this miraculous divine healing. The blind man believed and obeyed Jesus. So he received his sight. He could not see what Jesus had done in the spiritual realm but he believed. So he was healed.)

His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!” 10 They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” 11 He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” 12 “Where is he now?” they asked. “I don’t know,” he replied.

(A miracle arouses a lot of interests. No miracle can be hidden. People like to hear a good story. But they asked and listened without really wanting to know the truth behind the story. The same truth about God who came to this world, that set free the blind man can set them free too if they believe. But they were not seeking God. They were not interested in God.)

13 Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14 because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. 15 The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” 16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them. 17 Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?”

(The Pharisees-religious leaders who were not led by the Holy Spirit responded with blatant unbelief towards the spiritual reality of God. Though seeing the physical evidence, they were not only not interested to know God, but they were ‘haters of God’. They reacted violently to the works of God, accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the might of God, in the person Jesus, the son of God, the Messiah.)

The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” 18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. 19 They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?” 20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!” 26 “But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” 27 “Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28 Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29 We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.”
30 “Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31 We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32 Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.”

(Even the ex-blinded man knew that God has healed him, and that Jesus was from God. He knew and believed the spiritual credential of Jesus who has the power of the Almighty and holy God! Indeed he found it strange that the religious leaders did not recognize this truth. His belief in and personal encounter with the true God gave him the courage to stand up and witnessed the truth regardless of what men could do to him physically. On the other hand his parents could not because they did not encounter God first hand, so they feared men more than they feared God.)
34 “You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue.

Spiritual Blindness

35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.”
37 You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!”
38 “Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.

(The first reaction when a man encounters God is to worship God immediately. The man had no doubt and had no option but to worship God when he realized that he had met God. This is the same experience the watchman had when he first encountered the might of God in the Holy Spirit. He attended a Spirit-led and Spirit-Filled worship and the moment he heard the Spirit song being sung he knelt down and was in awe of the presence of God. He knew God in his mind previously. But that was the first time he met God Who is Spirit just as Jesus said in John 4:22-23)

39 Then Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”
40 Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, “Are you saying we’re blind?”
41 “If you were blind, you wouldn’t be guilty,” Jesus replied.“But you remain guilty because you claim you can see.

(This is a very serious charge. The truth is only God knows who can see. Some see and some do not. How do we see God? Jesus said only the pure in heart can see God. The watchman sees in his spirit by faith. He does not rely on vision (though sometimes he saw visions) to prove that he sees. He just believes. He advises his class to see in their spirits, by faith, through believing in the word of God.
The time when he was alone with God, in the small hours of the day, when all else are quiet and slumbering, he could perceive the closeness with the Father in heaven. When he knelt down or sat on the floor at his little corner, he believed he could perceive the presence of God. He was never disappointed with the promise that Jesus made to everyone who follows Him, “Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find,  knock and the door will be opened to you.” Luke 11:9-10)

April 14, 2012

End Times Watchman Bible Study: Be in union with the Messiah Yeshua!


TODAY'S MESSAGE: CONSIDER YOURSELVES DEAD (TO SIN), ALIVE TO GOD - BE IN UNION WITH THE MESSIAH YESHUA!
 

Rejoice with old hymns: He lives!

Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ, the King The Hope of all who seek Him, the He...