Is it the end time? Some Christians ask today. Answer: Arise and shine!

As a watchman for God I have been watching history being made, just as prophesied. Has the end time started, I have also asked. Yet, I know a lot of souls are not ready for the end time machine to start its engine. Even the younger members in our families all over the world. They are all saved and will go to heaven, but some may not be sufficiently fortified to face the tribulations. Some Christians believe they will be raised first to heaven (rapture) before the tribulations so there is no need to prepare for the hard and terrible times. I too, once believed that this pre-tribulation rapture is for all Christians.

But it does not make sense. (1) If Christians do not have to go through the end time tribulations, then there is no need for the apostle John to have the instruction from Jesus to write the last book of the Bible, the Revelation. (2) What makes Christians so special? We are all saved by faith through grace, a gift from God, not due to any merit on our part. No one is deserving to be saved. (3) What is the purpose of Christians living on earth? We are purposed by God to help those who are unsaved and still have a chance to be saved! Why? Because God loves the whole mankind and does not wish anyone to go to hell and be separated from God forever. What is the point of those Christians who are still alive, living on earth when tribulations start? I believe those Christians who witness the end time will be required to stay behind to take care of the unsaved who still have a chance to be saved.

The Bible clearly states that there is an appointed time for everyone to live and die (Ecclesiastes 3:2). There is 100% chance (either yes or no) that the end can start anytime. A Christian is required to live like it can start any moment, according to Jesus. What happens if it starts and we or some members in our families are not ready? The problem is many members in many families are baby Christians and are not ready for end time. The tribulations require Christians who can walk supernaturally, spiritually and physically, and live divine, with discernment and intelligence and wisdom to rise above all manmade systems and access limitless resources for that time. Many Christians do not know that and cannot do it yet.

So I have been praying to the Lord for redeemed time for the number of Gentile Christians required to do this task to get ready. Otherwise how else can they help others if they themselves need help? I believe God hears prayers and knows the condition we are in. There are remnants to be saved in the tribulations. The Gentile Christians allowed to stay alive at that time in the number planned by God, are expected to help the remnants get through the tribulations and be saved. That is why I am hopeful that the end time machine has not yet started its engine. (Romans 11:25 “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.“)

On the other hand, I have observed that the events of the world are forcing their way ahead and trying to accelerate the process heading the end. All observant sober Christians would have noted that too. Some who have escaped oppressions from one realm to another realm now find that they seem to have nowhere to go if the last free realm loses its ground. Some are in despair and some are weeping. Where is the promised land on earth? (Read Matthew 11:12 From the time of John the Baptist until now, violent people have been trying to take over the kingdom of heaven by force.)

Over a decade ago, I received these words about God’s righteous and just nature. I prayed these verses and meditated and proclaimed them. Lately they have emerged clearly in my spirit. I pray you too, receive revelations at a time like this wherever you are, my dear brethren and friends.

The verses are quoted according to their chapter sequence. I would urge each of you to pray and ask the Lord’s Spirit to reveal to you the correct spiritual sequence and meditate and pray them. Open your Bible and read each verse with its context as well, always bearing in mind that Jesus has fulfilled the righteous requirement for those who believe in Him. Some verses speak of the ungodly hypocrites, and what will happen to them. Jesus spoke of the wheats and the weeds are allowed to grow up together because uprooting one prematurely may uproot the other too. History shows that Christians are similarly adversely affected because we live in their neighborhood, like Abraham’s nephew, Lot’s case. Jesus did not ask God to take Christians out of this world.  We are in the world though not of the world. We really need wisdom and understanding of how to apply the words of God to live the super-abundant powerful kingdom of God lives Jesus has promised, and train our children to be strong and wise and ready anytime.

My brief notes are in brackets at the end of each verse.

Isaiah 1:21 [ The Degenerate City ] How the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; Righteousness lodged in it, But now murderers. (God reprimands the once godly city which has turned against God’s way)

Isaiah 1:26 I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.” (God will first restore the righteous and truthful judges and counselors. This is the good news!)

Isaiah 1:27 Zion shall be redeemed with justice, And her penitents with righteousness. (This is a promise of God for restoration after just and righteous legal and administrative officials are installed)

Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, And the men of Judah are His pleasant plant. He looked for justice, but behold, oppression; For righteousness, but behold, a cry for help. (God’s intention for His people is good. But He found evil and oppression in their midst. Read the context to see the lifestyle of those leaders).

Isaiah 16:5 In mercy the throne will be established; And One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, Judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness.” (A prophecy about establishing Jesus’ throne of mercy, truth, and righteousness).

Isaiah 28:17 Also I will make justice the measuring line, And righteousness the plummet; The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, And the waters will overflow the hiding place. (A prophecy about Jesus and His power over Satan—the father of all lies, death, and hell).

Isaiah 32:1 [ A Reign of Righteousness ] Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice. (This is the kingdom of God, wherein the anointed king and his officials reign in righteousness and justice. How can this happen? Isaiah 31:4-5 promises that the Lord of hosts will come down to fight and defend Jerusalem, deliver and preserve it.)

Isaiah 32:16 [ The Peace of God’s Reign ] Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field. (Read 32:15-19, which prophesies the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, that will bring supernatural peace, security, protection, and rest for God’s people, while for those outside God’s protection, “hail will level the forest, and the city will sink to the depths.” This is a serious contrast between the two realms and kingdoms.)

Isaiah 33:5-6 The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, And the strength of salvation; The fear of the Lord is His treasure. (Continue to worship, honor, and revere God, He will give wisdom and knowledge which are essential for the stability and strength of our times.)

Isaiah 33:10 “Now I will rise,” says the Lord; “Now I will be exalted, Now I will lift Myself up. (God will take action.)

Isaiah 33:14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

Isaiah 33:15-16 (The righteous will be protected and given high and secure places, food and drink. )

Isaiah 56:1 [ Salvation for the Gentiles ] Thus says the Lord: “Keep justice, and do righteousness, For My salvation is about to come, And My righteousness to be revealed. 2 Blessed is the man who does this…

Isaiah 58:2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. (This verse singled out the dishonest religious hypocrites elites)

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! 59:14 Justice is turned back, And righteousness stands afar off; For truth is fallen in the street, And equity cannot enter.

(Isaiah 59 describes the blackness and darkness of men who run to evil with thoughts full of inequity and their consequences. e.g. 59:13 “In transgressing and lying against the Lord,
And departing from our God, Speaking oppression and revolt, Conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands afar off…” and the good news is that God intervenes. Read 59:15-21.)

Isaiah 59:19 So shall they fear
The name of the Lord from the west,
And His glory from the rising of the sun;
When the enemy comes in like a flood,
The Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.

(Where is the Spirit of the Lord? In every born again Christian! 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”)

Amos 5:24 But let justice run down like water, And righteousness like a mighty stream.

Kainotes, Nov 6, 2020

Healed testimony of a woman of cancer(s)—ovarian cancer, uterus, brain, bones, lungs and lymph nodes all healed!

Imagine a woman who is healed of cancer in her ovary, uterus, brain, bones, lungs and lymph nodes all within a year? This is her testimony!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus came to this world and achieved two most important human needs: salvation and healing. We pray that you will be healed too as you receive faith through reading the following powerful testimony of a healed sister in Christ. The following is my translation of sister Sue’s (phonic name) testimony (with minor excerpting from a very lengthy detailed testimony in another language). She was found to have cancer in many parts of her body in early 2003 and she was healed of all of them by October the same year! She gave the following testimony in 2016 and continues to enjoy the cancer-free life with her family —an abundant life that Jesus has promised every believer, in spirit, soul and body!

SISTER SUE’S TESTIMONY

Mental (spiritual) preparation

At the beginning of 2003, a day after I attended a three-day seminar in the church, a great change occurred in my heart. Suddenly, memories of many long-forgotten past events appeared vividly… all triggered my deep review and reflection. I sincerely confessed and repented to God of the past mistakes as revealed daily, and felt that my soul is being constantly washed and purified by the Lord. My Christian belief changed from being mere attending lively church activities to being honestly and seriously facing my true situation before God.

Accidentally uncovered cancer

Just a month after my mindset and life changes, my lungs were X-rayed due to asthma , and a small blister was found in my liver. The prudent family doctor arranged for me to have a further ultrasound examination.

During the examination, the examiner accidentally found a huge tumor in my ovary that had extended to the liver, but I was unaware of it. I was immediately arranged for operation by specialist doctor. Two weeks later, the 10×16 cm tumor, the size of a cantaloupe, was removed together with my ovary and uterus. The doctor found malignant cancer cells in the excised tumor, but at that time the doctor judged that the cancer cells might not have spread.

Blessing in disguise

After the operation, one day my husband was driving and listening to a Christian radio. Suddenly he heard a song he had never heard before and the lyrics were quoted from Jeremiah 29:11: “The Lord said:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This song deeply touched his heart, he knew that God was speaking to him. Indeed, this verse has also become a sure strength for his heart when our family goes through perilous situations later. Brothers and sisters in several churches prayed for me urgently. A sister received this for me: “Jehovah blesses you fully.” After I was discharged from the hospital, in the first service at another church the first hymn the pastor announced was, “The end is not yet.” Indeed, the subsequent waves of “blessings” followed one after another….

Metastatic cancer spread to the brain

Less than a month after the abdominal surgery, I was hospitalized again due to persistent vomiting. My husband and daughter found that my conversational response was somewhat abnormal. E.g. when a medical staff asked me questions in English, I answered in Mandarin; when it was time to speak Mandarin, I responded in English. Through the computer tomography scan, the doctor surprisingly discovered a tumor in my brain, which oppressed the Central Nervous System, causing me to vomit and having abnormal speech.

So that night, an emergency operation was performed, and the neurosurgeon removed two tumors of 4 cm and 1 cm in diameter from my brain. The risk of this operation is extremely high, and a slight error may impair future speech and mobility. Thank God for keeping me safe. When my husband came to see me in the recovery room the next morning, I was sitting on the bed eating a sandwich for breakfast, which surprised him. At dusk, I transferred to the general ward. The night of the operation happened to be Good Friday. Two days later on Easter morning, when the warm sunlight shone from the window onto my body, I had a feeling: It is done! I am already healed!

after brain surgery 2003 April

Just after the head surgery. (April 2003)

At the same time, all the worries and burdens that have been accumulated in my life since I was a child seemed to have been cut off along with the malignant tumor on my body. Because I realized that, no matter how much I had worried and planned (for my life), I had never expected that I would suffer from cancer. But the Father God has taken charge of all these, revealing and removing the cancers in ways that I did not expect. This allowed me to return to the innocence of a child, to rest completely in the arms of the Heavenly Father, to enjoy his intimate and sweet love, and to stop worrying about the future. The Bible is like a brand-new book full of surprises, which deeply attracts my eagerness to read. My heart is always filled with praise, love, gratitude, thirst and worship for the Lord.

Receive radiation therapy

After the brain surgery, I received radiotherapy on the head for another two weeks. The doctor frankly told us that the survival rate of patients with brain tumors is generally not high, and there is no big difference between having or not having radiotherapy. But because my brain tumors are more concentrated on one location and I have greater hope of healing, I decided to accept radiotherapy for reinforcement. After the radiotherapy, I started to lose my hair.

During this time, the church has been praying for me. A sister whom I don’t know very well called to comfort my daughter not to worry, because when the church prayed for me, a phrase appeared in her heart: “Woman, you are free from this disease!” I thought to myself: “Lord! Thank you for comforting me through this sister, but can you please tell me again in person?”

Soon, when I was waiting for radiotherapy, I picked up the Bible to read, and suddenly I was prompted in my heart: “Chapter 13!” But there are 66 books in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Which book’s Chapter 13? Unexpectedly, when I opened my Bible, it happened to be Luke chapter 13. When I came to verse 12, it said, “When Jesus saw her, he called out to her, “Woman, you are free from your sickness!” Thank God, He personally reaffirmed to me His promise of healing.

Metastatic cancer spread to the pelvis

A month later, through CT scan and bone scan, the doctor was surprised to find that there was a tumor with a diameter of 4.8 cm on my pelvis. The attending physician said that ovarian cancer rarely spreads to the bones; a female physician who consulted also said that she had only seen two or three such cases in 25 years of medical practice. This tumor seemed to have existed for a long time. Because it compressed the muscles and nerves around the hip joint, and caused me to have frequent back pain and hip joint pain for many years. So I received a two-week local radiation therapy.

Metastatic cancer spread to the lungs and lymph

Soon, due to my constant coughing, the doctor discovered that the cancer cells had spread to the lungs and lymph nodes, and the swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck and behind the ears was clearly palpable. So I decided to receive a monthly chemotherapy, a total of six times. Each drop injection took about five hours.

God’s grace and supernatural protection from the unwanted effects of the chemotherapy

Anyone facing chemotherapy will immediately think of many painful side effects such as vomiting, oral ulcers, loss of appetite, weakened immune resistance.  But when I was halfway through the first chemotherapy, I felt hungry and asked my husband to buy me a rich lunch. When the nurse came in and saw me eating and drinking with relish while taking the drop injection, she was surprised and asked where my husband had bought the meal. She also wanted to buy one set!

after first chemotherapy 2003 August

After the chemotherapy, I went home and slept. I woke up sweating profusely, my cough disappeared completely, and I felt relax all over after taking a bath. At that instant a church sister who worked in a pharmacy called and asked me cautiously whether I felt alright after the chemotherapy. I said, I feel comfortable all over. When she heard that, she cried loudly on the other end of the phone: “Father! How much I want to thank you. I have never heard a patient say that after chemotherapy, she feels comfortable all over. How you have favored our sister!” She told me that they can recognize any chemotherapy patients in the pharmacy by their haggard look first, and then confirm by their prescription. But I didn’t have any side effects. What a grace of God!

Blood test result AFTER each chemotherapy showed that the number of red blood cells and white blood cells remained the same as BEFORE the chemotherapy.

During the chemotherapy, my appetite and sleep were wonderful; the cough and thigh pain caused by the tumor disappeared, and my walking became more and more vigorous. The body feels refreshed and being reborn.

God really granted the prayer request from brothers and sisters in Christ, “Please let the chemotherapy only kill cancer cells, and not harm any normal cells.”

He also reminded me of His promises: ” 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name…and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”.” (Mark 16:17-18)

The tumor disappeared completely, certified completely healed!

Prior the last chemotherapy at the end of 2003, the doctor performed a computer tomography scan of my whole body and found that all the cancers in my body had disappeared. The shadows on the lungs and trachea are gone, the tumors on the pelvis are gone, and new bones have grown to fill the holes left by the tumors.

My cancer doctor is a very kind old doctor. He was very excited to see the wonderful changes in my body. He said that the treatment effect far exceeded his best expectations. He has practiced medicine for 35 years and diagnosed tens of thousands of cancer patients, but this case shocked him in many ways. He admits that he can no longer rely on the years of experience and professional practices in the past, and must be humble for new learning. I told him that this was because of the intervention of God’s grace—God has answered the prayers of many people.

My attending physician was very happy every time I returned to the clinic for regular check-up. (October 2004)

with the physician 2004 October

Until now (January 2016), my health has been very good. Every time I return to the clinic, the attending physician is very happy. He said he has nothing to do except for the routine checkup. After the last check-up in February 2011, the physician told me that there is no need to return to the clinic anymore.

Prophecy fulfilled after 34 years of accepting Jesus

This experience reminded me of the scriptures that moved and convicted me to accept the Lord Jesus 34 years ago:

” But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior;. “(Isaiah 43:1～3a)

The verses are really the best portrayal of what I went through. I am surprised that when I first met Him when I was young, the Lord foretold the miracles that I would experience in 34 years.

Some people think that I must have a strong will to survive, or an extraordinary courage, to overcome the disease, but it’s not at all. I don’t have a trace of courage or strength myself. I just feel that I have never enjoyed such a deep relaxation, comfort and tranquility in my life, as if I was on vacation without feeling sick.

This is like in the third chapter of the book of Daniel in the Bible, the three friends of the prophet Daniel were thrown into the fiery furnace by the king of Babylon. However, because of God’s protection, not only did they not get hurt, they didn’t even smell of fire. The ropes that bound them were all burned up.

This is how God has kept me safe for the nine months of treatment, and at the same time burned all the chains that have bound me for many years. They include doubts about God, unbelief, ungenerous toward others, jealousy, stinginess, criticism, complaints, unforgiveness, and self-conceit, inferiority, self-pity, selfishness… Not only did I regain a healthy body, I regained the opportunity to reconcile and fellowship with relatives and friends. Most importantly: I have regained my relationship with God (knowledge of God) and experienced His wonder, greatness, mercy, loving kindness, acceptance, and holiness… and a completely changed new heart. I have truly experienced “the full Jehovah’s blessings” after all.

Conclusion

Sue with her husband and daughter in 2006

I am infinitely grateful for the many blessings I have received along this journey. I have personally experienced that by simply trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, He can surely open a way out for those who pray for Him regardless how desperate your situation may seem.

The Lord not only healed my body, but also awoke my soul, to see my past ignorance: taking longevity and health for granted, always worrying about all the temporal things, labor and sorrow all day long, not knowing my own Life is so fragile, and that it may leave this world at any time. By then, all the wealth, reputation, status, or honor and disgrace, success or failure, gains and losses, would mean nothing to me. What can protect me and make me face eternity calmly?

He made me understand that my daily life is shaping my future in eternity, and what values in the eternal is being intimately close to the loving heavenly Father, holding his hand tightly, and living each day that he has given me according to his will.

Sister Sue’s invitation to every reader of this testimony:

If you too are willing to accept the salvation and peace of Jesus Christ and become a child of God, please pray to Him now:

“Lord Jesus! Please save me! Help me know you!”

He will answer your prayer because the Bible promises us:

“For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ” (John 1:12) In the future, He will also bring us into His eternal Kingdom of Light.

(The end of the testimony)

Note: I want to give credit to sister Sue for her healed testimony, which I believe would help transform the situations of many who believe. I also thank those who made her testimony available online in its original language.

Any error or omission in the English translation is entirely mine (the translator).

Kainotes, Oct 9, 2020

Christian reality-check: The first two apostle-evangelists —Andrew and Philip

How do you know you are called? How sure are you of your vision and calling? I am led to read how the first disciple of Jesus discovered this “how” factor. And it varies. There are two different scenario described in the first chapter of the Gospel of John.

1. John records how two disciples of John the Baptist became Jesus’ first disciples. (1:35-42) The two heard John declare that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and decided to follow Jesus to see where He lives. Jesus replied, “Come and see.” They went with Him to where He was staying and remained with Him the rest of the day. There is no mention why they wanted to know where Jesus was staying. But what followed that going and staying with Jesus is significant. There were two of them together but only one is mentioned by name, Andrew, the brother of Peter. Andrew went on and told Peter they have found the Messiah (Christ)! (the Bible did not record what happened to the other disciple of John the Baptist. Did he continue to follow Jesus? He is not among the twelve chosen to be apostles by Jesus later. Andrew and Peter became apostles. The unnamed disciple seemed to have missed it.
2. In a second scenario Jesus took the initiative to go to Galilee to look for disciples. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.”  And Philip became Jesus’ disciple. After that Philip went and looked for Nathanael and told him that they have found the person Moses and the prophets wrote about, namely Jesus! Both Philip and Nathanael became apostles. (1:43-49)

Let’s look at the similarities of the two apostles (Andrew and Philip):

1. Both Andrew and Philip are well prepared, full of expectancy and are convinced that Jesus is the Messiah.
2. They bring people to Jesus. (Andrew: John 1:41-42, 6:8-9, 12:20-26)
3. They both say, “we have found the Messiah.”
4. It means that they have been searching, enquiring and looking out for the arrival of the Messiah. When Jesus appears, they recall what they have learned about the Messiah, and are fully convinced and respond to His calling immediately.
5. They show their faith in action by going to tell someone what they have found and believed. They became eager witnesses for Him naturally.

In summary, they first learned about what Moses and the prophets wrote about the Messiah, and expected Him to really come. When Jesus came and they heard about Him, they believed and responded when He called them. They declared to their close relative and friend, “We have found the Messiah—Jesus is the One!”

The Holy Spirit through John has given great significance to the calling of Andrew and Philip who in turn became the first two evangelists among the disciples. It is also significant to note that both Peter and Nathanael were at first reluctant to follow Jesus! They had to be persuaded. On the other hand, Andrew and Philip were already ready when Jesus showed up! 

Knowing and searching come before encountering and calling. When the calling comes they already know.  

The Vital Signs of being Alive

Many tragedies occurred lately this 2019 Easter and Passover. I now recall reading this, “The big tragedy in the church today is that for the most part Christians major on and build their lives upon truths that are non-foundational or non-essentials.” The Bible teacher continued to state that “from the beginning it’s always been God’s intention that we be stable and well-balanced beings. It is not God’s will that we live unstable and unbalanced lives. This is not the quality of life that Jesus died to give us.” He said.

How may Christians live a balanced and stable quality life? Jesus came to give us truths (words) as our foundation to build our lives upon and not be shaken and fall. What are those word foundations? The teacher taught, “Righteousness by faith (Faith-Righteousness) is the cornerstone (or capstone) of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Why did God call Abraham righteous? Because he believed God. Likewise, we believe in Jesus whom God gave us through sacrificing His life for us and made us righteous before God by grace through faith. The teacher described the foundation truths as the vital signs of a person.

Daily we return to bed knowing how miraculous it has been that a day has passed and we are still alive. This is how many acknowledge these days.

What does Jesus say about living a good life with the right focus on earth? Let us read some of His words lest we forget.

Then Jesus said to his critics, “I have a question for you. Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:9)

Then he told John’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” (Luke 7:22)

“If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (Luke 11:36)

Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15)

[ Teaching about Money and Possessions ] Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Luke 12:22-23,25)

“Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware,” (Luke 21:34)

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. (John 1:4)

For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. “You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! ” The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 5:21,39; 6:63)

[ Jesus, the Light of the World ] Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. “The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, ” (John 10:10,11,15,17-18,28)

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” (John 11:25)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. (John 14:6,20)

resurrection truth

Whilst no one can turn back the time for the dead, for those who are still alive and perhaps grieving, you may want to know more about resurrection. Resurrection from the dead is part of the doctrine of the first principles of Christ. It is an essential foundational truth of Christianity. The teaching of the resurrection is the one essential truth that separates Christianity from all other religions of the world. (Hebrews 6:1-3) Every man will live forever. Some will live with God; some will live apart from God, but all will live forever.

The Bible records ten supernatural resurrections that returned the dead to human life. In addition to Jesus’ own resurrection, and “many bodies of the saints (believers) who had died were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many” (Matthew 27:51-52). The remaining eight resurrections are recorded in
1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37; 13:20-21; Luke 8:49–56; Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-44; Acts 9:36-42; 20:7-12.
Jesus predicted his own resurrection: Matthew 17:22-23, “The Son of Man is going to be handed over to the power of men, and they will kill him. And on the third day he will be raised to life again.” This greatly distressed the disciples. (PHILLIPS)
Jesus resurrected just as He said. (Matthew 28:1-20; Mark 16:1-20; Luke 24:1-52; John 20:1-21:25)
Jesus Himself raised people from the dead: e.g. Lazarus (John 11:1-44), Jairus' Daughter (Luke 8:49–56) and Widow of Nain's Son (Luke 7:11–17).
Important truth concerning Jesus’ resurrection:

1. Paul says that the fact that Jesus was resurrected is the proof that He is the Son of God. Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead…" (KJV)
2. And the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead is our guarantee that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 6:14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. (NKJV)
3. Apostle Paul also said that the Holy Spirit was given to us as a deposit to guarantee our eternal life.  2 Corinthians 1:21-22 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22 and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us. (NLT)

Jesus’ teaching on the facts of resurrection: Luke 20:34-38 (NKJV)
34 Jesus answered and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.”
The apostles also raised people from the dead:
Acts 9:36-42 (NLT) Apostle Peter resurrected Tabitha (Dorcas).
Acts 20:7-12 Apostle Paul resurrected Eutychus.
Old Testament Prophets raised people from the dead:
Widow of Zarephath's Son raised by the prophet Elijah (1 King 17:17-24); Shunammite Woman's Son raised by the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 4:18-37); an Israelite dead man’s body resurrected by touching prophet Elisha’s bones (2 Kings 13:20–21).  
Finally, there is hope for us as declared by the Apostle Paul in the following verses:
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 (NLT) 51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

1 Thessalonians 5:10 (NLT) Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.

an urgent message (897th post) to watchmen

Watchman’s notes on 18/2/19: Around 2009 I was introduced to a group which focused on spiritual activities. The founding pastor testified that she personally encountered Jesus, was miraculously saved from a Buddhist background, delivered from demonic attack and subsequently walked in the power of the Holy Spirit healing sick people. She encouraged sick people to use intensive Bible reading, attend regular prayer meetings and wait upon God to help themselves without the use of medicine. Worship then appeared to focus on exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

However, it soon becomes evident that there are no significant miraculous healing testimonies except testimonies occurred many years ago. There are obvious doctrinal self-contradictions with mixed and confused teachings in combining the Old and New Testaments. Most noticeably, there is no practical application of the Grace and Love as taught by Jesus. Instead of teaching and practicing the grace and truth that came through Jesus, the leader focuses on the teaching and practicing the Old Testament Legalism and the ministry of death and condemnations (as warned by apostle Paul against the legalism teachings by the Judaists in 2 Corinthians 3 and Galatians). It is no surprise that increasingly “devotees” have left in disappointments and hurts.

We must take heed the stern warnings from Jesus and the early apostles against the yeast (false teachings) of the Pharisees and the Judaists. The apostle James has also clearly warned that a double-minded man (Christian) will not receive anything from the Lord. (James 1:7-8)

The earliest Jerusalem church’s apostles and elders have unanimously agreed and decreed that they should not test God by putting a yoke (i.e. commanding the Gentile believers to follow Jewish practice and keep the law of Moses) on the neck of the Gentile (non-Jews) disciples which the Jews themselves were unable to bear. (Acts 15:10-11) “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God”.

After I stopped attending their gatherings, there are news that the above mentioned leader has changed their worship to emulating worshiping in heaven (as popularly imagined) using harps which she deems worthy to be the one of the main few exclusive musical instruments used in heaven. Yesterday I heard that they are selling harps (made by a third world country) to many (presumably churches and Christians) like hot cakes (exorbitantly expensive ones). This latest news has prompted me to revise what I have written in this blog ten years back about the duties of a watchman and his/her weapons. I have since cast that 2011 blog to trash bin.

REVISED FOCUS for all “watchmen” (Every born again believer): we have the Holy Spirit inside, the Bible, and eternal life which means know God and Jesus.

What has Jesus taught and commanded us? What has Jesus demonstrated while on earth? Let us emulate Him!  

Jesus is our sole spiritual power source and authority. He has personified God -grace and truth in Himself. He has given every believer in Jesus the Holy Spirit and His gifts and anointing. Jesus said that He and the Father (God) will dwell in every believer of Jesus. Jesus has reconciled every believer with God. God’s presence is now in us and not outside us somewhere (as in the Old Testament time). No amount of external atmosphere or ambience can bring God to anywhere nearer than what Jesus has accomplished for every believer of Jesus!

The works of Jesus every believer is to do and continue doing: doing what Jesus did. Jesus did not do any harp playing worship. Neither did the apostles and disciples of Jesus in the early churches did. What did Jesus and His apostles and disciples do? Preach the gospel, heal the sick, set the oppressed free.

The New Testament has assured us that every born again believer of Jesus already has the following qualifications:

1. We are saved by grace (God’s initiative) and not by works (our initiative). It is already a done deal through Jesus.
2. We are born of the Holy Spirit.
3. We are saved, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, justified, sanctified and made the righteousness of God. God has made Jesus become our wisdom, righteousness, holiness and redemption.
4. We have eternal life: know God and Jesus.
5. We have His Word: The Bible.
6. We have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
7. We can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens us.
8. We are seated with Jesus at the right hand of the Father in heaven.
9. We are sons of God; therefore, we are led by the Holy Spirit.
10. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and are given His gifts to bear fruits.
11. As Jesus is, so are we in this world, anointed by the Presence of God (the Holy Spirit dwelling in us).
12. We have received the same precious faith as the apostles did.
13. We have been made partakers of the divine nature of God.
14. We walk by the Spirit.
15. We live by faith.

Our mission on earth: Our spiritual anointing (empowerment by the Holy Spirit) is to do the work that Jesus had done and greater works than what Jesus had demonstrated while on earth as a man (Luke 4:18; John 14:12). Jesus has given us power and authority to them: witnessing for Jesus, seeking, healing and saving the lost, doing and teaching about the kingdom of God, be ambassadors for Christ, imploring the world to be reconciled to God.    

Commandments given by Jesus to all believers: (Scripture quoted in New King James Version)

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:15-20 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Luke 24:46-48 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things.

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Examples of how the apostles and early churches/disciples applied what Jesus has commanded: How they prayed, the prayer’s effect, and how they applied:

Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Acts 5:12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch.

Acts 5:14-16 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, 15 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. 16 Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

Acts 5:29-32 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit Whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Acts 6:7-8 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.

--> Acts 8:6-8 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.

-->

Jesus teaches that His truth can set the Jews free from the legalistic bondages imposed by the Pharisees and scribes using Moses law.

[ The Truth Shall Make You Free ] Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32

2 Corinthians 3:14-18

14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [a]by the Spirit of the Lord.

Footnotes:

2 Corinthians 3:18 Or from the Lord, the Spirit

*Note on harps: I have written another related blog: please click on: harp and lyre delusion effect on Christian worship congregation.

I have no issues with using harp or any other musical instrument if you like its music. But I would caution that it is not an exclusive Christian musical instrument and it does not give anyone healing or deliverance unless they believe in Jesus who shed His blood for our redemption, by the power of the Holy Spirit. I also urge Christians and churches to remember the command of Jesus for His believers, to go (out into the world) and witness for Him, make disciples of all nations. There is nowhere in the New Testament Bible (throughout Jesus’ walking on earth as a man, up to His death, resurrection and ascension to heaven and the establishment of Christianity on earth) that speaks of Christians (and churches) practicing using of any specific musical instrument to worship. i believe that as watchmen for truth, we have a responsibility to point other believers to the truth.

A pagan king had used the same musical instrument, the harp, to accompany the worship of him (as their compulsory idol) by his subjects: “when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (Daniel 3)