September 13, 2010

End Times Witnessing: Liberals, Totalitarians and Spiritual Remnants (Vision Revised)

The watchman knew this day would come. He was reminded twice within two consecutive nights. “You just have to deny yourself. Yourself is blocking your advance in your quest for eternal life.
He has been reading up on the frightening but seemingly inevitable impact of a very disciplined and fast growing wild fire kind of belief. The world seems to have gone one full circle.
Liberalism has given a false security to many in history that the golden days on earth will be when everyone can be free to do what he wants and thinks for himself what is best for him. Every one can choose what lifestyle he wants and what definition he means by living a good life. After all, are not more and more men being educated and civilized? Is not the world being more and sophisticated in science and technology?
Alas, this ‘ideal’ is not to be. Just look around and one cannot deny the fact that many more in this world are being deceived, pulverized, oppressed, suppressed, terrorized, coerced, bullied, enslaved, even dehumanized. Many have not been able to rise above the mire they are subjected to for generations and the slime and grime have no end. The advance in external material realm have not brought advancement in the higher quality of human hearts, such as, kindness, generosity, neighborly love, charity, mutual respect and honor, sharing attitude, gentleness and tender mercy.
Unlike the liberal elite who might survive as one man anywhere on earth (until now) perhaps, the majority of masses have opted to adhere to some form of totalitarian rule and order as a survival strategy. As one individual, they cannot access any power base. As a mass of people adhering to one faith, one ruler, they can. Indeed. they become one formidable power group.
Do not be surprised, to many, it is preferable to live on basic physiological needs than to die for conceptual ideals such as individual human rights or liberty. Many do not have the word, ‘concept’ in their mental dictionary.

Can liberals live on individually without the use of other groups for long in this world? Not very long. The days for the individuals seem numbered. Liberals by nature and lifestyle are not cohesive enough and cannot form any sustainable power group to rule effectively. Reproduction is one big weakness. Liberals are not able to reproduce and multiply their followers (even by birth) as fast as others can.
*However, totalitarians need only a few liberal elites manipulating a large group of masses who follow them blindly or under coercion. How can the elites not be detected? Easy, just hide in the powerful, long established and well organized systems of various religious beliefs (mainly the only two mega ones in the current world). *
NB: * This above revelation was received by the watchman just now (22nd September 2010) This ties in with what Jesus and the Apostles have warned the Christians. Daniel 9:26-27 and 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 specified their characteristics. 1 John 4:3 declared that the spirit of the Antichrist indeed is already here.
Fundamental Christians have woken to the truth that unless they turn back to the old path of a theocratic society they too will perish as a physical entity. In the beginning when God first formed a power group He decreed that they lived a God-centric life style. Being God-centric means submitting all values and aspects of living to your God (and His Word). Otherwise, you will will just like the liberals. Soon you will become no more as a power group. You will be assimilated into the one dominant totalitarian belief power system which will govern all aspects of your life anyway. Unless you are part of the elitist Antichrist system you will be just an oppressed and powerless pawn within that system.
For Christians who opt out of the above mentioned totalitarian system, they will become a small remnant as few will be willing to follow this very narrow gate and difficult path, living by faith and by the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus has predicted. Remnants will not become a big power group in this world. They are pocket size. they do not have a permanent base. There may come a time they do not have a place a rest their heads. Remnants will not be threats to any mega power groups. They will not be noticed. They are more like the third class passengers on an ocean liner, being clustered in some lowly and humble corners out of sight and out of mind of the system of the world.
Many remnants will be outside the ‘camp’ of the world’s system. They will not have access to the world’s social and economic system. On the other hand, they will live supernaturally. They follow exactly the Word of God and live the supernatural life style as demonstrated by Jesus and His disciples, and as witnessed by many before them (all the men and women of faith as recorded in the Bible). 
Can others join such a free life if they do not want to be in the world totalitarian system? Yes, you may, only if you deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus Christ.
___________________________________
Ponder on the verses for today as below: Luke 9
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
18 And it happened, as He (Yeshua Christ) was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them,
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily,[a] and follow Me. 24For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
28 Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white andglistening. 
34 … a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying,This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!

September 11, 2010

End Times Witnessing: vision of a gate for the remnants

The watchman saw a vision in a dream. In the dream he knew he was seeing a vision. It was a stand alone gate in the rain. There was no wall on both sides of the gate! He was told that this was related to his current Bible class on the last three history books and last three prophet books. He was leading the class to build a prophetic wall with cloth bricks and dividing them into groups named after the ten gates of Jerusalem.
He could not see any walls or fence next to the stand alone gate. The gate stood by itself in the rain. The rain was more like drizzle. It was a still 3-D scene.
The word that came to him today is the word “remnant”. Who are the remnants? He was told that the small number is not the issue. Did not the Lord Yeshua say, ‘where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” ? The number of those attending the class and being equipped is given by the Lord and all the watchman has to focus on is to be faithful and obedient to the assignment at this point of time.
Just as the priests assigned by Ezra, he will give account for the weight and the quantity (as assigned) of the precious treasures set apart for God’s holy purposes, when he delivers them safely to Jerusalem temple of God.
In many ways he is just a transporter of the treasures of God. The remnants are the precious possessions of God. The teacher is God Himself. The watchman is just the vessel carrying the treasures in transit.
He now understands why he is going through this class in this place at this time. The recent reading of the Scripture (the whole Bible in its entity in one day) by a small group of faithfuls is further confirmation. He was asked to read the Psalms 73 to 150. The more he read, the more he woke to the revelation that he was being shown the survival of end times survival for the remnants.
For example, he was asked to continue to publish this proclamation, “Each day proclaim the good news that He saves. Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell every one about the amazing things He does.” (Ps.96:3)
He learned the authority of God has over all nature and creatures:“that clouds are chariots and winds have wings that can be ridden upon. The winds are messengers and flames of fire are servants of God. Moon is made to mark the seasons and the sun knows when to set. (104:3-4,19) The earth is full of God’s creatures and they all depend on God to give them food. They panic when God turns away from them.” (104:24,27,29).
He was given one important key: “Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him.” (105:4)
The following example demonstrated how he can utilize unlimited warfare resources: Psa. 118: 10 Though hostile nations surrounded me, I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord. 11 Yes, they surrounded and attacked me, but I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord12 They swarmed around me like bees; they blazed against me like a crackling fire. But I destroyed them all with the authority of the Lord.”
Psa.118: 15 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! 16 The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!
There is however, one condition for such powerful protection (use of the authority of God and being helped by the right arm of God): he needs to enter the gate of the Lord, which leads to the presence of the Lord. (118:19-20) Yeshua says, “I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved.” (John 10:9)
He was assured of this, “the wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted to do wrong.” (Psa.125:3) Be godly and be assured of God’s protection of his land (his household, his possession, and even his country).
A further assurance is that where God has chosen to be dwelling place,the city will be blessed and be prosperous, the poor will be fed, priests will be clothed with godliness, and God’s servants will be faithful. (Psa.132:14-16) Yeshua has promised that His believers will be given the presence of God (the Holy Spirit) in them. (John 14:16-21, 23) So, indeed, God has chosen to dwell in believers. Where the presence of God is, where there will be no lack of anything needed for survival.
For those who need to travel at night or when there is no more natural light left, there are promises of safety too. The Lord Himself is light. To Him there is nothing hidden. The night shines as bright as day. (Psa.139:12) His Word is a lamp to guide our feet and light to our path. (Psa.119:105) The Lord sees when we travel and when we rest. He goes before us and follows us. (Psa.139:3,5) He will order His angels to protect us wherever we go; they will hold us up with their hands so we wont even hurt our foot on a stone. (Psa.91:11-12)
For those who need to go through nuclear winter or similar disaster, there is hope of safe deliverance, Psa.147: 15 “He sends his orders to the world—how swiftly his word flies! 16 He sends the snow like white wool; he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes. 17 He hurls the hail like stones. Who can stand against his freezing cold? 18 Then, at his command, it all melts. He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.” Psa.148:8 fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him,”
His faithful ones have glorious privileges: when the praises of God are in their mouths, they work as sharp swords in their hands. (Psa.149:6,9) God has made His people strong, honoring His faithful ones. (Psa.148:14)

September 10, 2010

End Times Witnessing: How Can a church be shaken?

The watchman asked, “Can a church be shaken too? ” A sign was given last weekend when a place named ‘Christ Church’ experienced a massive earth quake of 7.1 magnitude. Indeed, a miracle happened. Not one of the over 500,000 population died. The name , however, is shaken as a sign to churches on this globe. No more complacency. No more slumbering. Wake up, churches!Watch and pray!

The Lord’s Devastation of the Earth

Isaiah 24 See, the Lord is going to lay waste the earth
and devastate it;
he will ruin its face
and scatter its inhabitants-
2 it will be the same
for priest as for people,
for master as for servant,
for mistress as for maid,
for seller as for buyer,
for borrower as for lender,
for debtor as for creditor.
3 The earth will be completely laid waste
and totally plundered.
The Lord has spoken this word.
4 The earth dries up and withers,
the world languishes and withers,
the exalted of the earth languish.
5 The earth is defiled by its people;
they have disobeyed the laws,
violated the statutes
and broken the everlasting covenant.
6 Therefore a curse consumes the earth;
its people must bear their guilt.
Therefore earth’s inhabitants are burned up,
and very few are left.
7 The new wine dries up and the vine withers;
all the merrymakers groan.
8 The gaiety of the tambourines is stilled,
the noise of the revelers has stopped,
the joyful harp is silent.
9 No longer do they drink wine with a song;
the beer is bitter to its drinkers.
10 The ruined city lies desolate;
the entrance to every house is barred.
11 In the streets they cry out for wine;
all joy turns to gloom,
all gaiety is banished from the earth.
12 The city is left in ruins,
its gate is battered to pieces.
13 So will it be on the earth
and among the nations,
as when an olive tree is beaten,
or as when gleanings are left after the grape harvest.
14 They raise their voices, they shout for joy;
from the west they acclaim the Lord’s majesty.
15 Therefore in the east give glory to the Lord;
exalt the name of the Lord, the God of Israel,
in the islands of the sea.
16 From the ends of the earth we hear singing:
“Glory to the Righteous One.”
But I said, “I waste away, I waste away!
Woe to me!
The treacherous betray!
With treachery the treacherous betray!”
17 Terror and pit and snare await you,
O people of the earth.
18 Whoever flees at the sound of terror
will fall into a pit;
whoever climbs out of the pit
will be caught in a snare.
The floodgates of the heavens are opened,
the foundations of the earth shake.
19 The earth is broken up,
the earth is split asunder,
the earth is thoroughly shaken.
20 The earth reels like a drunkard,
it sways like a hut in the wind;
so heavy upon it is the guilt of its rebellion
that it falls—never to rise again.
21 In that day the Lord will punish
the powers in the heavens above
and the kings on the earth below.
22 They will be herded together
like prisoners bound in a dungeon;
they will be shut up in prison
and be punished1 after many days.
23 The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed;
for the Lord Almighty will reign
on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem,
and before its elders, gloriously.

September 8, 2010

End Times Witnessing: A Spiritual Journey of Faith in Action

BOOK OF EZRA -CHAPTER NINE-TEN: A Spiritual Journey of Faith in Action: 
In Jerusalem the Jewish leaders told Ezra that many of their earlier returned exiles and even priests and Levites had been corrupted spiritually by marrying idol worshippers and followed their detestable practices. (9:1-2) Ezra believes in God's promises to restore the nation of Israel, even with a small remnant of people. But he also knows God is just and righteous and he fears that the remnant may be destroyed now that they cannot be set apart for God.

Ezra responded immediately to restore relationship with God: 

 (1). FAITH IN ACTION AS INTERCESSOR: STAND IN GAP AND REPENT FOR THE NATION
(a) He humbled before God in physical actions (faith in action). (b) His action drew all those who feared God (and obeyed His word) to join him and humble before God. (c) He then prayed and interceded for the sinners: confessing their sins, admitting their wickedness and great guilt that deserved severe punishments, agreeing with God that God is just. Then he pleaded, "We come before You in our guilt as nothing but an escaped remnant, though in such a condition none of us can stand in Your presence." (3-15) 

(2) FAITH IN ACTION AS ANOINTED SPIRITUAL LEADER: LED THE PEOPLE TO REPENT AND TAKE ACTION TO TURN AWAY FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS:
(a) He led by example: "While Ezra prayed and made this confession, weeping and lying face down on the ground in front of the temple of God, a very large crowd of people from Israel-men, women, and children- gathered and wept bitterly with him." (10:1) (His faith in action drew result!)
(b) He discerned a Spirit-led true repentance and proposed solution: Schecaniah said to Ezra, "We have been unfaithful to our God...but there is hope for Israel. Let us now make a covenant with our God..We will follow the advice given by you..Let it be done according to the Law of God. Get up, for it is your duty to tell us how to proceed in setting things right. We are behind you, so be strong and take action." (10:2-4)
(c) He took immediate authority and action to secure commitment of the people: "So Ezra stood up and demanded that the leaders of the priests and the Levites and all the people of Israel swear that they would do as Schecanish had said." And they all swore a solemn oath. (10:5) He knew God demands.
(d) He continued to humble before God for supernatural intervention and guidance: "Then Ezra left the front of the temple of God and went to the room..He spent the night there without eating or drinking anything. he was still in mourning because of the unfaithfulness of the returned exiles." (10:6) He knew this is a spiritual war!
(e) He spoke God's words with full conviction: "You have committed a terrible sin. By marrying pagan women, you have increased Israel's guilt. So now confess you sin to the Lord, the God of your ancestors and do what He demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women." (10:10-11)
(f) He listened, allowed and followed through scheduled orderly repentance action: "Then the whole assembly raised their voices and answered, "Yes, you are right; we must do as you say!" "this isn't something that vcan be done in a day or two, ..let our leaders act on behalf of us all. Let everyone..come at a scheduled time...So this was the plan they followed. Ezra selected leaders to represent..By March 27..they had finished dealing with all.."(10:12-14;16;17)

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